In the usual order of march the artillery should be formed in divisions corresponding to those of the troops, in order that each column may have a portion attached to it, and ready to act with it in the event of being obliged suddenly to come to action independently of the rest of the army. A few pieces of artillery generally accom. pony the advaneed-guard in order to protect the deployment and commence the action; and a division composed of the heaviest pieces may move with the cavalry for its support During the march, the place of the artillery is in rear of the column to which it belongs, it may not impede the movement of the troops ; that of the reserve artillery being behind the centre column, in order that it may readily move up to the position in which it is to be employed. If some point of attack has been previously decided on—if, for example, it is intended to commence an engagement by assailing a village or an intrenchment —a considerable division of the artillery must accompany the columns destined for that purpose ; and if the army while making a flank-march is likely to be attacked on the road, some artillery proceeds at the head of each division of the troops. Should an attack in such cir cumstances take place, the troops must form as quickly as poeaible,and the artillery must be placed where it may serve to repel the assailants by its fire.
If an extensive movement is to be made in order to arrive at the position of the enemy, it is necessary to be careful that the latter may not, by short routes, attack the army on the march. This manoeuvre was successfully performed by the Prussians at Liegnitz in 1760: the king, baling surrounded by the Austrians and Russians, and in danger of being overwhelmed, on learning that the corps of General Loudon was moving to turn his left and fall on his rear, while other troops were to attack him in front, suddenly decamped, leaving troops and artillery to occupy the attention of Marshal Dann in front, and defeated Loudon on his march : by this action he opened a communi cation with Brealnu, and caused the siege of Schweidnitz to be raised.
In all marches the breadth of a column must depend upon that of the road, and space should be afforded for the officers and orderlies to pass by the side of the troops without inconvenience : care should be taken when any change is made in the breadth of a column previously to entering a defile, that the formations be made without allowing the troops to fall into confusion.
To force a defile which is occupied by an enemy possessing artillery, and covered by epauleineute, is an undertaking which is likely to be attended with some loots : but if it is necessary to attempt it, the troops which guard its entrance should be dispersed by a fire of artillery ; and then the infantry of the army may enter the defile protected by light troops and artillery placed on the slopes or summits of the heights, in situations where their fire may act with effect against the enemy's peal.
don, or against the poste: which he may occupy. There detachments must be followed by reserve troops, by whom they may bo strengthened, or on whom they may retire if repelled. The enemy is thus, if poi aible, to be driven from every post by which time defile, with its parallel or transverse puma+, if such there be, Is flanked ; when the main body of the army may dispose itself in the position which shall appear most favourable for ineintaiuiog possession of the ground while the enemy remalna in the neighbourhood : strong detachments must also be placed in situations which may command every approach to the flanks of the defile.
In the event of having penetrated into the enemy's country, soma strong posts eliould be secured, in order that they may servo to protect the succeeding operations. Fortified places are usually on rivers, or in situations from whence cross roads diverge into the country ; and the possession of oven one such place would be advantageous, as a depot for artillery and stores, while the rivers or roads would facilitate the conveyance of supplies to the army, On the other hand, in order to defend or cover a country, au army should be posted so that by short movements it may reach the enemy ; and it must be understood that, in acting on the defensive, the corps of troops should not be stationed at great distances from each other, in the expectation of being able to defend every point which may be menaced by the enemy. This error was committed at the opening of the campaign in 1809, on the advance of the Austrians in great force towards the frontiers of Franco; when General Berthier so separated the divisions of the French army, that all of them might have been separately defeated, had the movements of the Archduke Charles been more rapid than they were.
When two armies are in the neighbourhood of each other, an engage ment, either general or partial, may take place : the latter usually con.
sista in en attack on one wing, or on some advanced part of the enemy's line, in order, by driving it back, to obtain a more advantageous posi tion, or to secure some line of communication. A general action may become necessary when an invasion of a country is to be prevented, when a besieged fortress is to be relieved, when the position occupied is to be defended, or when that which is occupied by the enemy so far obstructs the communications as to deprive the army of the means of subsistence. A battle may also be hazarded if the position of the enemy be disadvantageous, if the divisions of his army are ill supported, or if his force is weakened, either from some part being badly covered, or from considerable detachments having been made.