A combat between two entire armies is called a bat tle ; when a part only' of the one army is engaged with a part of the whet, it is called an action. It is not necessary for us, however, to make any such dis tinction here, as the disposition and arrangements for both arc the same, and the number of the combatants makes the whole difference. We shall only observe, that one is more easily induced to risk an action than a battle, because the former is not so decisive.
In this section, we propose to consider the reasons which should induce us to give or reluse battle; the arrangements for battle, including the order of march and disposition of the troops ; the different modes of attack and defence, and the consequences of victory and defeat.
It is a general rule, that we should never give bat tle, unless when we have no other means of attaining our object ; or when we have much to gain, and little to lose by it. The following are sonic of the principal reasons which should induce us to give battle. I. To relieve some important place. 2. To enable us to be siege some important place belonging to the enemy.
3. To cover a beige which has been already commenced.
4. To drive the enemy out of a country, or, 5. To de fend a country against him. 6. To deprive the enemy of an ally ; or, 7. To induce an alliance with others. S. When the army is on the point of getting into an awkward situation, from which it can only be saved by a successful battle. 9. If we foresee, that if we do not give battle now, a period will come, in a hien we shall be compelled to do it under much more unfavour able circumstances. 10. When we perceive, from the situation of the enemy, or from some errors which he has committed, that we have it in our power to beat To avoid a battle is to place ourselves in such .a situation as to make it impossible, or at least very dan gerous for the enemy to attack us. We act in this manner, 1. When it is more probable that we shall lose than that we shall gain the battle, For instance, if our troops are not in a good state of discipline ; if we are posted on ground which is not adapted to the kind of troops of which our army consists; if we are weaker than the enemy, or if the enemy has taken a very strong position. 2. If we foresee a future opportunity
of giving battle in more favourable eh cumstances ; as, for example, when we expect a reinforcement our selves, or that the enemy's force will be diminished ; or that the enemy will be obliged to take up a bad position. 3. lf, in general, we can expect less advan tage from gaining the battle, than we should suffer in jury by losing it ; as, when the enemy's fortresses are in a better state of defence than our own ; when every step which he makes in advance is laborious and ex pensive, while a successful battle would lay every thing open to him ; when his retreat is easy, while ours is dangerous ; or when, by a defeat, we should be deprived of our resources, while the enemy would still retain his. 4. In all cases where we can attain our object without a battle.
When we have resolved upon a battle, we must en deavour to give it under the most favourable ch cum stances. For extimple, when the enemy are inferior to us ; when his troops are discouraged, and in bad or der ; when his generals are not agreed, or when we have an understanding with one of them ; wheb the enemy is placed in a bad position, or when he is ill encamped or entrenched in a position tv hich is other wise good; when he is ill provided against an unex pected attack, whether in his camp, or on the march ; or when his retreat is difficult, and ours easy.
When an army is desirous of giving battle, it ad vances towards the other in order to attack it; but if it wishes to avoid a battle, it selects a position, which mast be the stronger, the more reason it has to avoid an engagement, and there awaits the attack of the enemy. It is possible, however, that both parties may be equally desirous of giving battle, and therefore advance, and attack each other wherever they meet ; or, the army that wishes a battle may await the attack. In the litter case, the army takes a strong position, from which the ene my must expel it, without being able to do so without a battle.
In a battle there are three things to be considered, each of them in a double relation, viz. to the attacking and defending party. These arc, the arrangements for battle, the battle itself, and the pursuit and retreat.