In order to collect from these officers, without change or misrepresentation, statements of their experiences while leading their men in battle or in their divers contacts with the enemy, he sent to each one a questionnaire, in the form of a circular. The reproduction herein is from the copy which was intended for General Lafont de Villiers, commanding the 21st Division at Limoges. It is impossible to over-emphasize the great value of this document which gives the key to the constant meditations of Ardant du Picq, the key to the reforms which his methodical and logical mind foresaw. It expounds a principle founded upon exact facts faithfully stated. His entire work, in embryo, can be seen between the lines of the questionnaire. This was his first attempt at reaction against the universal routine surrounding him. From among the replies which he received and which his family carefully preserved, we have extracted the most conclusive. They will be found in Appendix II--Historical Documents. Brought to light, at the urgent request of the author, they complete the book, corroborating statements by examples. They illuminate his doctrines by authentic historical depositions. In arranging this edition we are guided solely by the absolute respect which we have for the genius of Ardant du Picq. We have endeavored to reproduce his papers in their entirety, without removing or adding anything. Certain disconnected portions have an inspired and fiery touch which would be lessened by the superfluous finish of an attempt at editing. Some repetitions are to be found; they show that the appendices were the basis for the second part of the volume, Modern Battle. It may be stated that the work, suddenly halted in 1870, contains criticisms, on the staff for instance, which aim at radical reforms. ERNEST JUDET. CONTENTS FRONTISPIECE--PORTRAIT OF COLONEL ARDANT DU PICQ FOREWORD PREFACE TRANSLATOR'S NOTE INTRODUCTION A MILITARY THINKER RECORD OF MILITARY SERVICE OF COLONEL ARDANT DU PICQ EXTRACT FROM THE HISTORY OF THE 10TH INFANTRY REGIMENT PART ONE: ANCIENT BATTLE INTRODUCTION CHAPTER I MAN IN PRIMITIVE AND ANCIENT COMBAT II KNOWLEDGE OF MAN MADE ROMAN TACTICS; THE SUCCESSES OF HANNIBAL; THOSE OF CAESAR III ANALYSIS OF THE BATTLE OF CANNAE IV ANALYSIS OF THE BATTLE OF PHARSALUS AND SOME CHARACTERISTIC EXAMPLES V MORALE IN ANCIENT BATTLE VI HOW REAL COMBATANTS ARE OBTAINED AND HOW THE FIGHTING OF TO-DAY REQUIRES THEM TO BE MORE DEPENDABLE THAN IN ANCIENT BATTLE VII PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY AND WHAT IS NECESSARY TO COMPLETE IT PART TWO: MODERN BATTLE I GENERAL DISCUSSION 1. Ancient and Modern Battle 2. Moral Elements in Battle 3. Material and Moral Effect 4. The Theory of Strong Battalions 5. Combat Methods II INFANTRY 1. Masses--Deep Columns 2. Skirmishers--Supports--Reserves--Squares 3. Firing 4. Marches--Camps--Night Attacks III CAVALRY