With respect to the size of the camp, the following observations may suffice. 1. Its length must be equal to the space occupied by a battalion and a squadron under arms. Iii determining the length of the camp, however, according to this method, provision must be made for the intervals formerly mentioned, which, if necessary, when the whole number of troops are not there that the space would require, must be reckoned larger; but at the same time, never larger than the front of a battalion and squadron, which is called the half line. 2. An army is never encamped in a single line, but in two, at the least, with some picked troops in reserve behind the second line. 3. In order to de termine immediately in what situation of the line each battalion should be placed, an order of battle for the whole army is formed at the commencement of every campaign. The regiments are thus placed according to their tank or number ; the first on the right, the se cond on the left wing of the first line, the third on the right, the fourth on the left wing of the second line, Sc. When a battalion or squadron is detached from the line, the others close, and occupy its place. It is always easy, therefore, to determine the necessary length of the c.-rnp, according to the number of battalions and squad rons in the first line. 4 To determine the depth, it must be observed, that each line requires three hundred pacts for the depth of its encampment, which is also the distance ass geed to them when drawn up in order cf battle, that the second line may not suffer from the fire on the first.
The second rule we h ,ve laid down requires that the flanks should be covered. The flanks arc said to be co vered, when the enemy can neither attack them directly, nor march round that which covers them, without leav ing full time For taking measures to frustrate his inten tions. Hence we must determine the fitness of the ob jects upon which the wings rest. The wings may rest on the sea. In this case we must ascertain the depth of the water, and, if necessary, protect the wing by a staccado, or some such means, as far as the water is so shallow as to allow a person to wade through it. Regard must also be had to the changes produced by the ebb and flood tides; and care must be taken to prevent the army from being annoyed by the ships or boats of the enemy. 2. On rivers, which afford an excellent sup port to the flanks of an army, when there are few or no natural or artificial means of passage ; and the few are sufficiently protected from the enemy. 8. On lakes or ponds. The extent of the circuit which the enemy must make to get round must determine the fitness of these objects for covering the flanks. 4. Swamps or morasses also afford a good covering, provided we are certain that they arc impassable. 5. The same may be said of mountains and ravines, when very precipitous ; but when easily ascended, they ought to be fortified. Ra
vines form a good covering when the banks towards the enemy are lower than those occupied by the army en camped. They should, however, be fortified and occu pied, in order to prevent a surprise. 6. Woods afford no good covering, even when ambuscades are placed in them, because the enemy may approach unseen, and easily overpower the ambuscade. 7. Villages, when well situated and tenable, are a good covering for the flanks ; but they must be well fortified, and occupied by a sufficient number of troops to prevent an attack on the part of the enemy, because the safety of the army depends on their being maintained.
In following out the third rule, it is necessary, that, to the distance of a cannon shot in front, there should be no wood, village, hill, hedge, or other object, to obstruct our view of the enemy's movements ravine, or hollow way, which could lead him unseen near to our front. Every thing must be quite clear before the front, and the enemy must be exposed to our fire, while all his movements are so well seen that we may always be pre pared against any enterprise on his part. Such objects, therefore, as above described, when they do exist, must either be destroyed, or occupied, and fortified.
The fourth rule has much in common with the first, because whatever covers the flank also protects the front, the flank being always secured against every attack ; while, when an attack is expected in front, it is suffi cient that it be rendered difficult. An army is never encamped with the front to the sea, unless to prevent a landing; and in that case we must endeavour to concen trate the fire upon those points, where the nature of the coast is favourable for a descent. Ponds, lakes, and in undations, so far as they cover the front, present such obstructions as render it unattackable. A river is also a great obstruction, the greater in proportion to its breadth and depth, the paucity of fords or bridges, and the more those situations at which the enemy can cross arc exposed to our fire. A perfect morass renders the front unatiackable, and it also affords a good covering when it cannot be passed without difficulty. Woods in front are of no use, but rather a disadvantage, because they conceal the motions of the enemy. Glens, ravines, hollow-ways, &c. are a great protection to the front, when they run parallel to it ; but when they run at angles into the camp, they must be occupied along their length. Villages, when tenable, and lying near the front, may be of great service ; but the directions for merly given with respect to those objects, must be attend ed to. Single houses, castles, and other buildings, lying before the front, must be occupied so as to enable us to maintain a fire uporrall that comes within a gun-shot of the troops.