298 



MILITARY TACTICS. 



Of Canton. may occur, when the capture of a fortress would be 

 J "xv', < and necessary to enable us to advance farther into the ene- 

 Qua'rters m y' s countT' but tne badness of the weather prevents 

 - _' us from undertaking the siege ; when no post or pass 

 is to be carried, which would be of use in opening the 

 following campaign, or in securing our quarters ; when 

 there are no provisions any where to be consumed, 

 which the enemy might want ; or when no blow is to 

 be executed against his magazines, &c. The second 

 case occurs, when our fortresses are sufficiently provided 

 with all necessaries ; or when our quarters are so dis- 

 posed, that the enemy either cannot penetrate into them 

 at all, or only with the greatest danger, or when an at- 

 tack would be of no use to him, but only ruin his own 

 army. Excepting these cases, we must wait until the ene- 

 my places his troops in quarters, and then the campaign 

 sometimes continues during a great part of the winter. 

 For the security of the quarters, of whatever kind 

 they may be, it is required, 1. In general ; that the 

 whole of the enemy's army may not be able to make 

 an attack upon our whole quarters, without finding 

 them prepared. 2. In particular; that the enemy's 

 troops may not be able to attack and carry one or other 

 of the quarters. 



The general security of the quarters depends, I . On 

 the nature of the country between the enemy and the 

 quarters ; as when they are covered by a river, a chain 

 of mountains, or other objects forming defiles. In such 

 cases, we have the additional advantage, that the na- 

 tural obstacles are generally still more effectual at that 

 season of the year. 2. On the nature of the ground in 

 the quarters, and on their situation. There must be no 

 defiles within the quarters which can interrupt their 

 connection ; and in case the quarters should be attack- 

 ed at one or more points, the troops must have the 

 means of retiring and uniting with the army, without 

 the risk of being cut off; which might happen, if any 

 one part were to form a projection, not covered by ten- 

 able posts, or otherwise. 3. On the measures taken 

 to protect them. All the approaches through the de- 

 file which covers the quarters, must be destroyed or 

 fortified. The quarters must not be too far distant 

 from each other ; and a common rendezvous must be 

 chosen, where they can all arrive with rapidity and 

 safety, and find an advantageous position. The pro- 

 per distribution depends upon the time in which the 

 enemy can approximate his quarters, and make an at- 

 tack upon ours ; for otherwise, the more they are ex- 

 tended, the more comfortable will it be for the troops. 

 The rapid junction of the army on approximating the 

 quarters, should be facilitated by improving the roads 

 and communications, removing the obstacles, establish- 

 ing signal posts, &c. The light troops in front, should 

 constantly send out small patroles, in order to obtain 

 notice of all that is going on among the enemy ; and 

 for the same purpose, the army should be provided 

 with good spies. 



The security of the individual quarters depends, 

 1. On posts being well placed on all the roads by which 

 the enemy might approach. 2. On the judicious use 

 of patroles towards all points from whence the enemy 

 mi^ht approach. 3. On the good disposition of the 

 quarters for defence against every surprise and open at- 

 tack. 4. On the discipline- of the troops under each 

 commander, and the regular performance of their duty. 

 The troops, in quarters, however, should never be un- 

 necessarily subjected to fatigue. 



There is scarcely any operation in war more delicate 

 and difficult, than the distribution of the troops into 



winter-quarters ; it requires a perfect knowledge of Of Canton 

 the country, and must be regulated by a prodigious men t* an< 

 variety of circumstances. 1. Regard must be had to 

 the enemy's disposition ; 2. to his general plan of war, 

 and to the particular object he has in view fur the en- 

 suing campaign ; and, 3. to the object you have your- 

 self in view for the following campaign. If you pro- 

 pose to be on the defensive, the distribution of the 

 troops must be made in such * manner, as to be able to 

 unite in different points, without leaving even a po^i- 

 bility of their being intercepted in their march to the 

 place of rendezvous ; that these points be chosen as 

 near the frontiers as possible, in order to cover the 

 country ; and that they be so well chosen, that the 

 enemy can neither force you in them, nor leave you be- 

 hind. If you propose being on the offensive, the troops 

 must be so distributed, that in one march or two, they 

 may form several great corps on the enemy's frontiers, 

 and pass them, so as to separate his quarters, and run 

 no risk of being intercepted before they join, and form 

 one body in the enemy's country. Above all things, 

 care must be taken that they are not exposed to be in- 

 quieted during the winter, which the troops must en- 

 joy in peace and safety, as well to refresh themselveSj 

 as to form the recruits, &c. 



The following is the manner in which ti;e army is 

 generally distributed in quarters : 1. The troops of the 

 right wing are placed in the villages lying to the right, 

 those of the left wing in the villages to the left, in the 

 same order in which they encamp. 2. The troops of 

 the first line are placed in the more advanced villages, 

 those of the second in the villages lying behind, in pro- 

 portion to the extent of ground occupied by the army. 

 3. The whole of the infantry, however, is placed in the 

 first and second line, and the cavalry in the third ; for 

 the latter has no security, in .villages. 4. The light 

 troops are placed in front and on the flanks of the ar- 

 my, but, if possible, so as to be in some degree covered 

 against the enterprizes of the enemy, in order that they 

 may not be obliged to provide for their security by 

 hard service, otherwise the chief object of the winter 

 quarters, viz. the refreshment of the troops, of which 

 they have so much need, would be rendered nugatory. 

 They are, therefore, placed in front, but on this side 

 of the defile which covers the army ; from whence they 

 may watch over the security of the army by constant 

 patroles, consisting of only a small number of troops. 

 This is called the cordon of the quarters. 5. The light 

 infantry, or detachments of the army, occupy the en- 

 trenchments on the bridges, or other passes ; but there, 

 likewise, all proper measures must be taken for the 

 maintenance and comfort of the troops. 



The petty war which the troops carry on against 

 each other along the cordon, is of little consequence ; 

 for although they endeavour to attack every indivi 

 dual quarter, as soon as they find that the comman- 

 der has neglected any of the measures of security ; 

 yet such an attack, even if successful, would have little 

 influence, if the quarters were otherwise well disposed ; 

 and several attacks could only succeed against useless 

 troops. The following, therefore, are the only things 

 worthy of attei.tion. 1. Attacks upon a principal post 

 in the quarters; and, 2. A general attack on the whole 

 quarters. Both enterprizes may have a strong influ- 

 ence on the attacking army, and therefore should not 

 be wantonly undertaken. In the first case, we must 

 inquire, 1. Whether the object be worth the trouble. 

 For example: Can we compel the enemy to raise his 

 whole quarters, and transfer them ? or can we main- 



