| Oats, barley, hay, chopped straw, &c. compose what is
called dry forage,. and are carried to the magazine. If the oats be
either fusty or mouldy, the horses will contract the mange and farcy,
and be so weakened as to be unserviceable even at the beginning of a campaign. Chopped
straw is given because it is the custom, though it serves but barely to fill the belly. The
first object in collecting forage and carrying it to the magazine is, either to get the
start of the enemy at the opening of a campaign, or to be prepared for some distant
enterprise. But an army can seldom venture to move far from its magazines, as long as the
horses are obliged to live on dry forage, on account of the inconvenience of moving it, as
a whole province is sometimes unable to furnish a sufficient number of carriages. And in
general, these are not the methods that we employ in an offensive war, unless there are no
rivers, by means of which the forage can be transported.
During the campaign in Silesia, all my cavalry lived on dry forage, but we only marched
from Strehla to Schwiednitz (where there was a magazine,) and from thence to Cracau, where
we were in the neighborhood of the Brieg and the Oder.
When any enterprise is about to take place in the winter, the cavalry should carry with
then forage for five days,. well bound together on their horses. If Bohemia or Moravia are
to be the scene of action, unless you mean to destroy all your cavalry. We forage in the
fields for corn and vegetables as long as any remain there, and after the harvest in the
villages.
When we encamp on a spot where we mean to make some stay, an account should be taken of
the forage; and when its quantity be ascertained, a regular distribution of it should be
made according to the number of days which we intend to remain.
All large foraging parties are escorted by a body of cavalry, the strength of which is
proportioned to the vicinity of the enemy, and the fear which you entertain of him.
Foraging is sometimes carried on by the wings, or even the whole of an army.
The foragers always assemble on the road which they intend taking, either on the wings,
in front, or in the rear of the army.
The advanced guard is composed of hussars, who are followed by the cavalry in a plain
country, but in irregular situations, the infantry go before them. The advanced guard is
to precede the march of about a fourth part of the foragers, who are to be followed by a
detachment of the escort, partly horse and partly foot; then another party of foragers,
followed by a detachment of troops, and after them the remainder in the same order. the
march of the rear guard so to be closed by a troop of hussars, who will form the rear of
the whole column.
It is to be remembered, that in all escorts the infantry take their cannon with them,
and the foragers their swords and carbines.
When arrived at the spot where they intend foraging, a chain is to be formed, and the
infantry posted near the villages, behind the hedges, and in the hollow ways. Troops of
cavalry joined with infantry should be formed into a reserve, and placed in the centre to
be ready to support any point where the enemy may endeavor to make an impression. The
hussars are to skirmish with the enemy, in order to amuse them and draw them off from the
forage. As soon as the inclosure is compleat, the foragers divide the ground by regiments.
Great care must be taken by the officers commanding, that the trusses be made very large,
and bound well together.
When the horses are laden, the foragers are to return to camp by troops, protected by
small escorts, and as soon as they have all left the ground, the troops of the chain are
to assemble and form the rear guard, followed by the hussars.
The method of foraging in villages differs from the foregoing only in this instance,
viz. the infantry are posted round the village, and the cavalry behind them in a situation
where they may be able to act. Villages are to be foraged one by one, to prevent the
troops of the chain from being too much dispersed.
In mountainous countries, foraging becomes an arduous business, and on such occasions
the greatest part of the escorts must be composed of infantry and hussars.
When we are encamped near the enemy, and intend remaining there some time, we must
endeavor to secure the forage which is between the two camps. After that, we are to forage
for two leagues round, beginning with the most distant fields, and preserving those that
are near home till the last. If no stay be intended, we forage in the camp and in the
neighborhood.
When it becomes an object to secure a large quantity of green forage, I would rather
send the parties out twice, than occupy too great an extent of country at
once. By this means you will preserve your chain more snug and compact, and the foragers
will be in much greater security: whereas if too great a space be occupied, the chain must
consequently be weakened and rendered liable to be forced.
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