442 
MINUTES OE PROCEEDINGS OP 
reinforced line of skirmishers, or in the exceptional absence of the skirmishing 
subdivisions the signal is immediately given for file firing, and the battalion 
deployed as quickly as possible. If the enemy is shaken or thrown into 
disorder by this fire, the first Line throws itself upon him in its then deployed 
order to overthrow him completely. Should there be no hope of this, or if 
the enemy makes dispositions for passing himself to the attack with the 
bayonet, the line must face about and re-form the column of attack whilst 
retiring under cover of the chain of skirmishers left behind in its rear. 
The retreat may be conducted simultaneously by both lines, or, the second 
line waits standing in deployed line till the repulsed first line has passed it, 
and then commences volley firing. 
If these dispositions have effect, the skirmisher subdivisions of the second 
line move forward, and the bayonet attack follows in the manner before 
described. 
On the defensive, a similar course of proceeding is followed as in the 
attack; but it depends upon circumstances whether a deployed order should 
be adopted earlier or later, or throughout, or whether the enemy should be 
encountered by an advance, or his attack awaited. 
The Prussian infantryman it may be said, is in marching not able to 
accomplish anything extraordinary, in action he believes the Zundnadelgewehr 
irresistible, he is very particular in seeking cover for himself, and very 
difficult to be got out of it when called on himself to make a bayonet 
attack. 
Cavalry . 
The Prussian cavalry is like the Austrian, divided into heavy and light, 
but practically the latter has little difference from the former; want of 
aptitude for the minor operations of war generally, and for outpost 
duties in particular, appears as a result of this. On the other hand in 
Prussia of late years, there has been much manoeuvring with great masses 
of cavalry, though the ability shown therein was small. Generally thick 
chains of skirmishers would skirmish too near the force with little practicable 
ability, though with great expenditure of the strength of the horses. 
Its proper value was not assigned to the column formation, long lines 
were frequently and prematurely developed, or a closed mass formation in 
entire squadrons adopted; attacks were feebly carried out, and could be so 
soon perceived by the adversary that the effect of surprise was lost, at times 
also the force would remain before the attack standing under a hostile fire* 
In the Campaign of 1864, the conduct of the Prussian cavalry showed 
elaboration without energy. 
Artillery. 
The Prussian artillery is an arm distinguished by the excellence of its 
material and its high intelligence, but it is heavier than the Austrian. 
On the field, however, it moves about a good deal and changes position 
too frequently. It is not at hand at the right time or in sufficient quantity, 
and generally enters into action too late and too sparingly, breaking off just 
at the time when its greatest usefulness should begin. 
