t him. It sometimes happens, however, that the
direct application of main force is of doubtful utility, and better
results may follow from maneuvers to outflank and turn that wing
which is nearest the enemy's line of retreat. He may when thus
threatened retire, when he would fight strongly and successfully if
attacked by main force.

History is full of examples of the success of such maneuvers,
especially when used against generals of weak character; and,
although victories thus obtained are generally less decisive and
the hostile army is but little demoralized, such incomplete
successes are of sufficient importance not to be neglected, and a
skillful general should know how to employ the means to gain them
when opportunity offers, and especially should he combine these
turning movements with attacks by main force.

10. The combination of these two methods--that is to say, the
attack in front by main force and the turning maneuver--will render
the victory more certain than the use of either separately; but,
in all cases, too extended movements must be avoided, even in
presence of a contemptible enemy.

11. The manner of driving an enemy from his position by main force
is the following:--Throw his troops into confusion by a heavy and
well-directed fire of artillery, increase this confusion by
vigorous charges of cavalry, and follow up the advantages thus
gained by pushing forward masses of infantry well covered in front
by skirmishers and flanked by cavalry.

But, while we may expect success to follow such an attack upon the
first line, the second is still to be overcome, and, after that,
the reserve; and at this period of the engagement the attacking
party would usually be seriously embarrassed, did not the moral
effect of the defeat of the first line often occasion the retreat
of the second and cause the general in command to lose his presence
of mind. In fact, the attacking troops will usually be somewhat
disordered, even in victory, and it will often be very difficult to
replace them by those of the second line, because they generally
follow the first line at such a distance as not to come within
musket-range of the enemy; and it is always embarrassing to
substitute one division for another in the heat of battle, at the
moment when