When in this way all the necessary dispositions for the attack have been made, the following general rules are to be observed : 1. The army, which had previous ly been marching in columns, is placed in order of battle, generally by deploying. This manoeuvre must not be performed at too great a distance, in order that the army may not have occasion to break off again, while marching to the attack ; nor too near, lest it should be performed under a dangerous fire. 2. The artillery is moved up to those points required by the plan of attack. 3. At the proper time, the command or signal for the attack is given, and the troops immedi ately march upon the enemy.
In case we are to attack the whole of the enemy's front, we proceed in the following manner : 1. The army is commonly drawn up in two lines, with the ne cessary reserves, and in complete order of battle, if the ground admit of it, otherwise the intervals are extend ed, but never beyond the half order, which must not be exceeded. 2. The army then move forwards, according to the pre-determined mode of attack, either under the fire of the artillery, or after the latter has done the ex pected execution, taking care not to break the line. 3. The nature of the ground, and other circumstances, must determine whether the attack is to be made first with cavalry or infantry, or with both at once ; and whether troops of one kind are to be opposed to troops of the same or a different description. But whatever is to be done must be done resolutely. 4. If we have thrown the troops opposed to us into disorder, we must immediately form and prepare to receive or to attack the second line or reserve. 5. If there be no second line or reserve, or if these also have been beaten, the victors should not give themselves entirely up to the pursuit, but send a detachment for that purpose, suffi cient to prevent the enemy from forming again ; while the rest endeavour to improve the advantages obtained, by falling on the enemy's flank, or taking such a posi tion as will cut off his retreat. 6. The artillery must fire upon those batteries which most annoy the troops in their advance, or upon the points chosen for the commencement of the attack.
If there be some obstacle in front which must be pre viously surmounted, the cannon must play upon it, while the troops destined to attack it, march upon it in column at those points where they are least exposed to the enemy's fire. The rest of the artillery endeavour
partly to interrupt the communication between the ene my's army and the posts, and partly to secure the de bouche, and to silence the batteries which would pre vent it. The whole strength of a position frequently consists in such a post in front, and the enemy retire as soon as it is forced ; but if they do not, the whole line must be formed, as rapidly as possible, for the attack, as soon as we have got possession of the post, in order to profit by the disorder which the flight of the troops which have been driven out of it may have occasioned in the enemy's army.
If we can attack the enemy only at certain points, we must ascertain the best method of making the attack, whether by the fire or the bayonets of the infantry, or with cavalry. If by means of fire, we should endea vour to unite as much fire as possible, both from great and small arms, on the points of attack ; and the troops and cannon should be so placed as to have a cross fire. But if the attack is to be made with the bayonet, our troops in column must approach the enemy cautiously, in order that they may not suffer much from the ene my's artillery, and then attack with vigour. The ca valry must attack with that fury in which the force of their charge consists. When our fire, which, if possi ble, should always take place during the advance of the troops, has made an impression upon the enemy, the troops nearest them, or those who receive orders, must immediately push forwards, and avail themselves of his confusion, to make a rapid charge with the view of pe netrating his line. Those who have succeeded must follow up their success, and overthrow all that advances to sustain the broken line. The troops that follow those who made the attack must fall on the flank of that part of the enemy which has not given way, and form front in order to oppose any attempt that may be made by the second line, or the reserve, to restore the com bat. If we have completely succeeded in establishing ourselves on those points of the enemy's line, he retires from the field. Our more advanced troops then endea vour to occupy positions for the purpose of cutting off the retreat ; the others who were engaged in the attacks, endeavour to unite as rapidly as possible, to form in line, and to support the troops engaged in the pursuit.