PLAN OF A NEW CORPS. 201 



fall in with such a corps, as the one I pro- 

 pose, who possess the powers of three distinct 

 corps, namely, that of regular battalion sol- 

 dierSy of light infantry, and of rifle marksmen, 

 can do nothing better for their safetj^ than 

 make the best of their way to their army : 

 even then, should they adopt this prudent 

 measure, I can attack them on their retreat, 

 not only in their rear, but on both flanks of 

 their line of march ; and, it must be ^ 

 allowed, that my loss must be very incon- 

 siderable, if any, and that they must suffer 

 materially ; for, marching regularly as they 

 must do in column, let it be even an open 

 column, along a main road, they must 

 present numbers in a body to my marks- 

 men, dispersed in all directions, and acting 

 a la debandade, on both their flanks and on 

 their rear. My men being marksmei^, and 

 ever instructed to aim wJtere they perceive the 

 enemy to stand the thickest in numbers, it is 

 most certain that a great number of their 

 shots must tell. Provided the country be 

 inclosed or broken, so that a charge from a 

 large body of cavalry need not be dreaded, 

 I will be bound to drive a regular regiment 



