10. The combination of these two methods--that is to say, the
attack in front by main force and the turning maneuver--will render
the victory more certain than the use of either separately; but,
in all cases, too extended movements must be avoided, even in
presence of a contemptible enemy.
11. The manner of driving an enemy from his position by main force
is the following:--Throw his troops into confusion by a heavy and
well-directed fire of artillery, increase this confusion by
vigorous charges of cavalry, and follow up the advantages thus
gained by pushing forward masses of infantry well covered in front
by skirmishers and flanked by cavalry.
But, while we may expect success to follow such an attack upon the
first line, the second is still to be overcome, and, after that,
the reserve; and at this period of the engagement the attacking
party would usually be seriously embarrassed, did not the moral
effect of the defeat of the first line often occasion the retreat
of the second and cause the general in command to lose his presence
of mind. In fact, the attacking troops will usually be somewhat
disordered, even in victory, and it will often be very difficult to
replace them by those of the second line, because they generally
follow the first line at such a distance as not to come within
musket-range of the enemy; and it is always embarrassing to
substitute one division for another in the heat of battle, at the
moment when the enemy is putting forth all his strength in
repelling the attack.
These considerations lead to the belief that if the general and the
troops of the defensive army are equally active in the performance
of their duty, and preserve their presence of mind, if their flanks
and line of retreat are not threatened, the advantage will usually
be on their side at the second collision of the battle; but to
insure that result their second line and the cavalry must be
launched against the victorious battalions of the adversary at the
proper instant; for the loss of a few minutes may be irreparable,
and the second line may be drawn into the confusion of the first.
12. From the preceding facts may be deduced the following truth:
"that the most difficult as well as the most certain of all the
means the assailant may use to gain the victory consists in
strongly supporting the first line with the troops of the second
line, and these with the reserve, and in a proper employment of
masses of cavalry and of batteries, to assist in striking the
decisive blow at the second line of the enemy; for here is
presented the greatest of all the problems of the tactics of
battles."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account