nable means.

2. The maneuvers indicated by art are those intended to overwhelm
one wing only, or the center and one wing at the same time. An
enemy may also be dislodged by maneuvers for outflanking and
turning his position.

3. These attempts have a much greater probability of success if
concealed from the enemy until the very moment of the assault.

4. To attack the center and both wings at the same time, without
having very superior forces, would be entirely in opposition to the
rules of the art, unless one of these attacks can be made very
strongly without weakening the line too much at the other points.

5. The oblique order has no other object than to unite at least
half the force of the army in an overwhelming attack upon one wing,
while the remainder is retired to the rear, out of danger of
attack, being arranged either in echelon or in a single oblique
line.

6 The different formations, convex, concave, perpendicular, or
otherwise, may all be varied by having the lines of uniform
strength throughout, or by massing troops at one point.

7. The object of the defense being to defeat the plans of the
attacking party, the arrangements of a defensive order should be
such as to multiply the difficulties of approaching the position,
and to keep in hand a strong reserve, well concealed, and ready to
fall at the decisive moment upon a point where the enemy least
expect to meet it.

8. It is difficult to state with precision what is the best method
to use in forcing a hostile army to abandon its position. An order
of battle would be perfect which united the double advantages of
the fire of the arms and of the moral effect produced by an onset.
A skillful mixture of deployed lines and columns, acting
alternately as circumstances require, will always be a good
combination. In the practical use of this system many variations
must arise from differences in the _coup-d'oeil_ of commanders, the
_morale_ of officers and soldiers, their familiarity with maneuvers
and firings of all sorts, from varying localities, &c.

9. As it is essential in an offensive battle to drive the enemy
from his position and to cut him up as much as possible, the best
means of accomplishing this is to use as much material force as can
be accumulated agains