Nothing is more difficult, not to say impossible, than to defend the passage of a river,
especially when the front of attack be of too great an extent. I would never undertake a
commission of this kind, if the ground which I had to defend was more than eight German
miles in front, and unless there were two or three redoubts established on the bank of the
river within this distance; neither should any other part of the river be fordable. But
supposing the situation to be exactly as I have stated, time must always be required to
make the necessary preparations against the enterprises of the enemy, the disposition of
which should be nearly as follows:--
All the boats and barks which can be found upon the river should be got together and
conveyed to the two redoubts, that the enemy may not have it in his power to make use of
them.
Both the banks of the river are to be reconnoitred, that you may discover and destroy
those parts of them where it would be possible to pass.
The ground which might protect the passage of the enemy is to be particularly attended
to, and your plans of attack must be regulated by the nature and situation of each part of
it.
Roads sufficiently wide to admit of many columns are to be made along the whole front
of the river which you are to defend, that you may march against the enemy free of every
impediment.
These precautions being taken, the army is to be encamped in the center of the line of
defence, that you may have but four miles to march to either extremity. Sixteen small
detachments are then to be formed, and commanded by the most active, intelligent officers
of dragoons and hussars; eight of which, under the orders of a general officer, are to
have charge of the front of attack on the right, whilst the other eight, commanded in like
manner, take care of the left.
These detachments will be designed to give information of the enemy's movements, and of
the spot where it will be his intention to pass.
During the day, guards are to be posted to discover what is going forward, and by night
patroles are to go out every quarter of an hour near to the river, and not retire till
they have distinctly seen that the enemy has made a bridge, and that the head has passed.
The aforesaid generals and commanding officers of redoubts are to send their reports to
the commander in chief four times a day.
Fresh horses should be stationed between them and the army, in order to hasten the
arrival of their dispatches, and inform the general as immediately as possible when the
enemy is about to pass. As it is the duty of the general to repair thither at a moment's
warning, his baggage should be sent away beforehand, that he may be ready for every event.
The different dispositions for each part of the ground being already made, the generals
are appointed by the commander in chief to those which regard the points of attack. No
time is to be lost in marching, (the infantry taking the lead of the columns,) as you are
to suppose that the enemy are entrenching themselves. When arrived, the attack is to be
made instantly and with great spirit, as the only means of promising to yourself brilliant
success.
The passages of small rivers are still more difficult to defend; their fords are to be
rendered impassible, if possible, by throwing in of trees. But if the enemy's bank
commands your's it is vain to attempt resistance.
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