slaughter.

II.--Formations for Attack.

1. Infantry may advance to attack in either of _three ways_: in column;
in line, marching by the front; and by the flank; that is, in line, but
faced to a flank.

2. Of these three formations, the last is undoubtedly the _worst
possible_; for--

(1.) On arriving at the enemy, the troops are not concentrated at the
point where the struggle is to be. As they must come up successively,
they will be crushed in detail by superior numbers.

(2.) Advancing in such a formation, they would be exposed to a
destructive raking fire from the enemy's guns; especially since the
adoption of the new flank march by fours, which gives to rifled
artillery a tolerable mark.

3. The question is, then, between an attack in column and an attack in
line. _Which is the better_ of the two?

The decisive effect of infantry is produced by a rush on the enemy with
the bayonet. The chief elements of success in this attack at close
quarters are, the physical momentum of the charge, and the powerful
moral effect caused by the swift approach of a compact and orderly
hostile mass. A charge in line does not admit of both these elements.
The advance of a line of one or more battalions, to be united and
orderly, cannot be rapid, and thus has no impetus. Such a line,
advancing swiftly, especially over uneven ground, would soon become so
broken and disunited as to destroy, in a great measure, the effect, both
moral and physical, of its charge, and, at the same time, to deprive the
attacking troops of that confidence which is inspired by the
consciousness of moving together in one compact, formidable mass, in
which every soldier feels himself fortified by the support of his
comrades.

4. On the other hand, _a column_ can move rapidly without losing its
compactness and order.

In attacking the enemy's line, a close column concentrates successively,
but rapidly, a force superior to the enemy at the decisive point, and
can hardly fail to pierce the line attacked, if it arrive with its
momentum unchecked.

In a close column, there is a real force created by the pressure of the
mass behind on the leading subdivision, pushing it on the enemy, and
preventing it from drawing back or stopping; thus imparting to it
somewhat of the actual physical momentum of a mechanical engine.

A close column shelters raw troops, and carries them irresistibly along
with it.

A close column, in case of need, can rapidly exte