The following are general rules for the disposition of infantry upon different kinds of ground.
I. On hills, infant' y must be posted so as to com mand the whole declivity ; and therefore they must not always be placed on the very highest ridge, or summit, much less behind it, if the object be to oppose the as cent of the enemy.
2. When a wood is to be occupied by infantry, they should be placed on the edge of it, so as to be conceal ed by the trees. while, at the same time, they are en abled to fire upon an approaching enemy. A combat with infantry of the line can seldom take place within a wood, unless where an attack is made upon a detach ment posted there to obstruct an enemy's passage, or in light open places.
3. In villages, the infantry, when numerous, occupy the hedges and fences of the gardens, or orchards, out side, so as to command the fields beyond them. When attacked in this situation, they retire gradually from hedge to hedge, and occupy the gardens themselves, with the houses and streets within their line. The same rule applies to farms and fields that are subdivid ed by hedges or other fences. As the regular infantry always tight'in a body, and in line, care must always be taken, in occupying hedges, villages, &c. to pre serve a communication in every direction, in order that one part may support the other, and that the whole may always form one connected line, impenetrable to the attacks of the enemy.
4. Infantry arc posted behind rivers, morasses, ra vines, &c. in order to prevent, by their fire, the passage of the enemy. For this purpose, it is by no means necessary to occupy the whole length of the bank, but only to be posted so as to keep all those places where the enemy can effect a passage, at the distance of a short gun-shot, under their fire, and that fire, if pos sible, a cross one.
The regular infantry lie in the field under tents, which are carried on baggage-waggons, or on horse back. Every battalion carries along with it two field pieces, and the necessary ammunition. As in the course of an active campaign they are not quartered in towns and villages, they must also carry along with them se veral other necessary articles, which swell their ba6o gage to such a considerable bulk, as frequently proves an impediment on service.
Of light infantry, there are a great many different kinds, with an almost endless variety of designations ; such as riflemen, sharp shooters, or tiralleurs, chasseurs, voltigeurs, &c. In some services, the troops of certain
nations are especially destined to the duties of light in fantry. Light infantry differ from regular infantry, principally in their arms, equipments, and mode of fighting. In their arms there is less difference now than formerly, only that those dest.md to act as 'He met' arc armed with rifles, instead of common fire-locks. Their baggage is less bulky than that of the regular in fantry. and they have no field-pieces at ached to their battalions. Their mode of fighting is less regular than that of the infantry of the line. and requires more in dividual skill and intelligence. In what is called the petite guerre, especially in mountainous countries, this description of troops is most eminently uselul. In the late war, the French appear to have brought the light int mtry service (for which the character of the people seems peculiarly adapted.) to great perfection. It Ire quently happened that their light troops were enabled, by the vivacity of their movements, to harass, exhaust, and ultimately suadue more numerous bodies of regular ry. .
The cavalry are composed of heavy and light horse. Tne former may be divided into cuirassiers and dra goons. The cuirassiers only have defensive armour, viz. a cuirass or iron mail, se hich protects the breast and back In the British, and some other services, there are no cuirassiers. Indeed, it. has been found, that the cuirass is of little use, and, on the contrary, proves a impediment to the free motion of the rider The dragoons arc armed with a sword, a carabine, and a pair of pistols. The cavalry are placed in two ranks, although the first only can act immediately against the enemy. The second line, however, tends to give more firmness to the whole body, and can supply the places of those who fall in front. Their manner of fighting consists in endeavouring to throw the enemy into dis order by the impetus of their attack, and then to cut them down with their swords. Every thing therefore de pends upon their preserving order with the greatest possible celerity of motion. The cavalry, as well as the infantry, are placed in small bodies. called squad rons,. at certain small intervals from each other. A squadron generally contains from 120 to 160 horse.