| Though the knowledge and choice of ground are very essential
points, it is of no less importance that we know how to profit by such advantages, so that
the troops may be placed in situations that are proper and convenient for them. Our
cavalry, being designed to act with velocity, can only be made use of on a plain, whereas
the infantry may be employed in every possible variety of ground. Their fire is for
defence, and their bayonet for attack. We always begin by the defensive, as much caution
is necessary for the security of a camp, where the vicinity of the enemy may at any moment
bring on an engagement.
The greater part of the orders of battle now existing are of ancient date: we tread in
the steps of our ancestors without regulating matters according to the nature of the
ground, and hence it is that a false and erroneous application so often takes place.
The whole of an army should be placed in order of battle agreeably to the nature of
ground which every particular part of it requires. The plain is chosen for the cavalry,
but this is not all which regards them; for if the plain be only a thousand yards in
front, and bounded by a wood in which we suppose the enemy to have thrown some infantry,
under whose fire their cavalry can rally, it will then become necessary to change the
disposition, and place them at the extremities of the wings of the infantry, that they may
receive the benefit of their support.
The whole of the cavalry is sometimes placed on one of the wings, or in the second
line; at other times, their wings are closed by one or two brigades of infantry.
Eminences, church-yards, hollow ways, and wide ditches are the most advantageous
situations for an army. If, in the disposition of our troops, we know how to take
advantage of these circumstances, we never need to fear being attacked.
If your cavalry be posted with a morass in it's front, it is impossible that it can
render you any service: and if it be placed too near a wood, the enemy may have troops
there, who may throw them into disorder and pick them off with their muskets, whilst they
are deprived of every possible means of defence. Your infantry will be exposed to the same
inconveniencies if they are advanced too far on a plain with their flanks not secured, for
the enemy will certainly take advantage of such error, and make their attack on that side
where they are unprotected.
The nature of the ground must invariably be our rule of direction. In a mountainous
country I should place my cavalry in the second line, and never use them in the first line
except they could act to advantage, unless it be a few squadrons to fall on the flank of
the enemy's infantry who may be advancing to attack me.
It is a general rule in all well-disciplined armies, that a reserve of cavalry be
formed if we are on a plain, but where the country is chequered and intersected, this
reserve is formed of infantry, with the addition of some hussars and dragoons.
The great art of distributing troops on the field is, so to place them, that all have
room to act and be uniformly useful. Villeroi, who perhaps was not well acquainted with
this rule, deprived himself of the assistance of the whole of his left wing on the plain
of Ramillies, by having posted them behind a morass, where it was morally impossible that
they could manoeuvre, or render and sort of support to his right wing.
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