A SKETCH OF AFRICAN WARFARE. 191 



being evacuated. They often are in possession of the 

 eminence before the troops have gone fifty yards down the 

 slope at full run. 



It can be easily seen what an advantage they have while 

 firing on men completely exposed in the rear to their shots, 

 and in front to constant ambuscades of smaller parties in 

 copse wood, or on rocks, from which they retire only to take 

 possession of others further on. 



The troops, when retiring, send back a company of men, 

 who conceal themselves in some suitable place, and allow the 

 next company to pass them in retreating, and hold the enemy 

 at bay until they have discharged their weapons, then they 

 run at full speed, passing the other company, which has in its 

 turn ambuscaded, to repeat the same operation, until all are 

 beyond the reach of danger. This is what is called fighting 

 in retreat by echelon. 



I have had frequent occasion to give this kind of work a 

 close inspection, either by being attached to the general who 

 directed the attack, or by leaving my horse to take a hand in 

 the game with our brave infantry, and I do not hesitate to 

 say that this kind of warfare is the truest test of a good 

 soldier. 



This mountain warfare does honor to our troops, not only 

 by the resistance, the energy, and cunning of the foes they 

 encounter, but also by the incredible fatigues they have to 

 endure. It needs nothing more than the inborn carelessness, 

 courage and good humor that is the basis of the French 

 character, to enable these men selected by chance, men who 

 have left behind them their families, their affections, and 



