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I 



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CHAPTER XXIII. 



Latter Portion of the Eighteenth Century — Revo- 

 lutionary Wars op America and France. 



From the close of Frederick's wars until the outbreak 

 of the Revolution in France, the continent of Europe 

 was at peace, and the different governments availed 

 themselves of the opportunity to reorganise their armies, 

 and to adopt those improvements in tactics which 

 Frederick had brought into notice. 



We find during this period that great attention was 

 paid to the military art, that many works were written 

 upon tactics, and that the whole subject was thoroughly 

 discussed in all its bearings, the illustrations and 

 arguments being almost all drawn from the experiences 

 of the Seven Years' War. 



In France many changes were introduced, and particu- 

 larly in the organisation and tactics of the cavalry. On 

 the 1st January, 1766, the cavalry were, by ordonnance, 

 formed upon two ranks only, and the intervals between 

 the squadrons made equal to one quarter of the front of 

 the squadron. For some time after this, the rear rank 

 retained the distance of twelve paces behind the front 

 rank. They still were taught to fire together, but they 

 also charged sword in hand, both at the trot and at the 

 gallop. The charges at the gallop were not very steady, 

 on account of the want of care in the preparatory drill. 

 This was, however, a great step in advance of the pre- 

 vious system in use in the French cavalry. 



Another improvement in the French army, evidently 



