276 



MILITARY TACTICS. 



Of Detach, 

 mcntfi. 



Detach- 

 ment for 

 the securi- 

 ty of the 

 army. 



Detach- 

 tnent sent 

 ogainat ihe 

 enemy. 



Detach- 

 ment sent 

 to collect 

 infurma- 



tlun. 



cessary, which requires a very accurate knowledge of 

 the country, in order that the troops may proceed un- 

 der cover of woods, or other objects. The patroles too 

 should be instructed to observe the enemy without 

 being themselves seen. 2. Should the detachment fall 

 in witli the enemy, it should, whether stronger or 

 weaker, employ all kinds of skilful manoeuvres, and 

 even artifices and stratagems, in order to avoid fight- 

 ing. 3. If it be impossible to avoid fighting, the de- 

 tachment must endeavour, by a skilful, prompt, and 

 determined attack, to beat even a superior enemy. 4. 

 The following reasons only can justify a commander 

 in retiring or abandoning his object : An order to do 

 so, on the occurrence of certain circumstances ; the ob- 

 vious impossibility of a successful result, in conse- 

 quence of the superiority of the enemy ; or if the ob- 

 ject could no longer be accomplished, even after a suc- 

 cessful attack on the enemy. 5. Should the attack 

 succeed, and the enemy be put to flight, the detach- 

 ment should not think of a keen pursuit, but should 

 immediately proceed to the accomplishment of its ob- 

 ject. 



II. A detachment intended for the security of the 

 army, or to occupy a post with the view of keeping 

 up the communication, must observe the rules above 

 given on its march, and also the following, when it 

 has arrived at its destination. 1. It must secure it- 

 self by entrenchments, according to circumstances, 

 against every attack. 2. It must place its out-posts 

 so as that none of the enemy may pass unperceived 

 along any part of the district which it is intended to 

 cover. 3. When the out-posts are insufficient, this 

 object must be effected by means of patroles. 4. The 

 small detachments of the enemy which would inter- 

 rupt the communication must be dispersed ; the larger 

 ones must, if possible, be opposed ; and the advance of 

 a much superior enemy should immediately be notified 

 at the proper quarter, the retreat made on orders re- 

 ceived, or the post defended until reinforcements ar- 

 rive. 



III. A detachment may be sent either directly against 

 the enemy, or may accidentally encounter him, in at- 

 tempting to accomplish its proper object. In the lat- 

 ter case, all the rules above-mentioned must be ob- 

 served. In the former case, the detachment must care- 

 fully avoid all the enemy's parties excepting that 

 against which it is directed. Great caution must be 

 used in marching during the night, in order that the 

 enemy may not be unexpectedly encountered, so as to 

 frustrate the whole plan. If an enemy's party is met, 

 and cannot be avoided, all means must be used to sur- 

 prise it, without firing a shot. When the time for at- 

 tack has arrived, it must be made with promptitude 

 and resolution, in order to bring the affair immediately 

 to a decisive issue. If any obstacle occurs, a determi- 

 nation must quickly be formed, whether it be of such 

 a nature as to frustrate the whole plan, and render a 

 retreat necessary, or whether the plan may still be ac- 

 complished, and in that case the attack should be made 

 without loss of time. The object of the detachment 

 should be steadily kept in view, and the commander 

 should suffer nothing to divert his attention from it, 

 even should an opportunity offer of striking a blow 

 unconnected with that object ; for in this one may of- 

 ten be drecidfully deceived ; and the best praise of an 

 officer is to execute well and faithfully what he has 

 been commanded to do. 



IV. Detachments sent for the purpose of collecting 

 information respecting the enemy, by reconnoitring, 



or by means of prisoners, must approach the enemy Of Detach 

 directly, but cautiously ; and when they meet any of *" cnt3 - 

 his parties, if not too strong for them, they should im- ^""V" 

 mediately attack and beat them, and make prisoners ; 

 but beware of a blind pursuit, lest they fall into an 

 ambuscade. Should they encounter a party superior 

 in strength to their own, they should keep up a skir- 

 mish, without being drawn into an engagement, and, 

 if fnecessary, in retiring; and by every sort of artifice, 

 they should endeavour to make prisoners, with the 

 view of accomplishing their object. 



All detachments, on returning from the execution Return of 

 of their object, should secure their retreat by march- the detach- 

 ing in close and regular order, and keeping their men ment - 

 together ; by appointing a rear-guard, to cover their 

 rear and flanks. Should the rear-guard announce the 

 approach of the enemy, the detachment must imme- , 

 diately endeavour to gain a place of safety, by some 

 skilful manoeuvre, such as a retreat en eehiquier, if the 

 troops are of the same description, or forming into 

 empty or solid square, when infantry have to retire 

 before cavalry ; or they must take advantage of the 

 ground to continue their retreat ; or, finally, endeavour 

 to get rid of the enemy by a sudden and resolute at- 

 tack. 



SECT. VII. Of Uie Attack of Foraging Parlies, Con~ 

 voys, and Detachments. 



In all such attacks, it is necessary that we should be Of the At- 

 well informed of the dispositions of the enemy, that tack of Fo- 

 we may take our measures accordingly. Two general ra g' n g Par - 

 rules are particularly to be observed. In the first place, ties ' ( ' on " 

 we should make the attack with a superior force ; and, j^/ia'ch"' 

 secondly, we should make it unexpectedly, which is men ts. 

 best accomplished by laying an ambuscade. 



An ambuscade is a concealed body of troops, who Ambus- ; 

 wait the approach of the enemy, and fall upon him by cade, 

 surprise. The choice of a place for an ambuscade, as 

 well as the number of troops to be employed, must 

 depend upon circumstances. Buildings, woods, heights, 

 ravines, corn fields, are fit places for laying an ambus- 

 cade ; but care must always be had that the troops 

 may be able to sally out upon the enemy without de- 

 filing. The place must be approachable by a conceal- 

 ed way, or occupied during the night. Every thing 

 must be avoided that can tend to betray the ambus- 

 cade ; such as the glancing of arms, neighing of horses, 

 &c. and sentinels must be placed in such situations as 

 enable them to see to a distance round them ; but they 

 must lie upon their bellies, without hats or caps, or 

 other covering for their heads. The ambuscade must 

 be surrounded at all the approaches by outposts, to 

 guard them carefully, and stop every thing that comes 

 near them. Not a shot, however, must be fired ; and 

 the posts must be regularly visited, but without noise. 

 Should the ambuscade be discovered, it must be trans- 

 ferred, if possible, to some other place ; but if that is 

 not possible, and an attack is in any degree practica- 

 ble, it should be made without delay. Otherwise, 

 the enemy must be allowed to approach as near as pos- 

 sible, and should not be attacked until he is entirely 

 in the hands of the ambuscade. In all cases, the at- 

 tack must be made as rapidly as possible, but in per- 

 fect order ; and with this view the troops should be 

 previously taught how Hiid where they are to sally out. 

 The cavalry must attack with their swords at a gal- 

 lop ; and the infantry with the bayonet, without fir- 

 ing. 

 6 



