ATTACK, in military warfare, is an advance upon the enemy, with a view of driv ing him from his position. It may either be an attack in the open field or an attack upon a fortress.
In an attack in the open field, the general first ascertains the strength and position of the enemy, by means of a reconnaissance or of spies. He then seeks to discover at what point the enemy can make the least resistance; which is generally on one or other flank. He next arranges to concentrate his chief strength upon this particular point, and to mask his real intention by feigned operations in other places. He then attacks with energy and force, his troops advancing without halt till near enough to use their weapons with the greatest 'effect. The more the attack has the character of a " sur prise," the greater the probability of its success. In order to make this success as much felt as possible, and to be provided also against unforeseen disaster, the attacking body should be followed at a distance by a reserve; a neglect of this precaution has frequently caused the entire failure of an attack. Various forms have been devised for the attack; but generally the parallel or frontal is the one made use of. Frederick the great, how ever, won most of his battles by the oblique attack, in which one wing is more advanced than the other. The first Napoleon preferred, by means of his heavy columns, to penetrate and break up the enemy's center. Another mode combines an attack on one flank as well as in front, by two separate corps, so as either to get into the enemy's rear, or to perplex him as to his retreat. A skillful general will be guided by circumstances in his selection among these several modes of operating. An attack by night might act most signally as a surprise; but as this requires a very exact knowledge of the ground, an attack at early dawn is generally preferred.
The different arms of the service render each its own kind of aid during an attack. First come the skirmishers, or perhaps whole battalions of light and active troops, whose rifles or long-range guns commence the firing. Then come the main body of infantry in heavy column; they halt within musket-shot, fire, and charge with the bayonet—the skirmishers meanwhile deploying round to the rear of the column, but holding themselves in readiness to harass the enemy's flanks. English troops: especially excel in the attack
by bayonet in line; but foreign armies, for the most part, rely more upon the momen tum of a compact and heavy column in an attack. There are positions in which the cavalry attack, with its shock and the use of the sword, is more efficacious than that of the infantry. The troopers approach at a trot, break into a gallop at a distance of one or two hundred paces from the enemy, and endeavor by their weight and impetuosity to force the enemy's line. There are many forms of cavalry attack, according to the nature of the ground and the position of the enemy. The artillery, working at a distance. often begin an attack long before the infantry and cavalry can come up, harassing and confusing the enemy. At SOO to 1200 yards' distance, the artillery pour out shot and shell, and try to silence the enemy's guns, so as to make way for the attack of the infan try; while the bayonet-charge is being made, the artillery keep in check the enemy's. cavalry. If the attack succeeds, the infantry and artillery take up the ground recently occupied by the enemy, leaving the cavalry and riflemen to maintain a pursuit; but if it fail, the artillery and cavalry take up such positions as will cover the retreat of the infantry.
In an attack upon a fortress, the operation is a part of that of besieging (see hut very often intrenchments arc attacked in the open field. Such an attack has the character of a surprise, when the works are approached under cover of night, and an attempt is made to break into them on all sides. In such case, there is a reserve corps, which is rapidly brought up when wanted; but the attacking corps retire behind the reserve, if repulsed. The artillery post themselves on the prolongation of the line of works, and try to dislodge the enemy's guns and gunners; or pour a concentric fire sufficient to breach the works. The infantry advance as close as will enable them to fire upon the gunners. When the enemy's fire is silenced, the engineers (under cover of the artillery) proceed to remove palisades and all other obstacles, and to bridge over ditches anci openings. Then follow the operations of the storming-party, analogous to those noticed under ASSAULT.