hide its
movements_, and be enabled to attack at an unexpected point.

4. Where a ravine, a wood, or other similar obstacle causes _a break in
our line of battle_, by occupying it with skirmishers we guard it
against penetration by the enemy, and connect the separated corps with
each other.

5. Skirmishers may be used to alarm the enemy at a point where he
expected no attack, and thus _create a diversion_.

6. By their attack at various points, they serve to _unmask the enemy's
position_.

7. They may be employed to _open the way for a charge_ with the bayonet.

At the battle of Stone River, the rebels, on one occasion, advanced in
line, with a double column in rear of each wing, preceded by a double
line of skirmishers, who reserved their fire till close to our line,
when they halted, poured in a murderous fire, and fell back on their
main body, which then rushed forward. Both our first and second lines,
staggered by this sudden and destructive fire, were swept from the
ground.

8. Skirmishers have been sometimes thrown forward to _test the spirit
and disposition_ of the enemy.

At Biberach, in 1800, the French general St. Cyr, after having carried
the place, and driven the Austrians through the defile in rear of it
back upon their main body, posted on the heights of Wittenburg, sent
forward a strong line of skirmishers to open fire on them, with the view
of ascertaining their temper and disposition after their vanguard had
been defeated and driven in. This drew forth a general and continued
discharge, like that which demoralized troops are apt to indulge in to
keep up their spirits by their own noise. Seeing this, St. Cyr instantly
prepared to charge, although he had with him but twenty thousand men,
and the Austrians numbered sixty thousand, and were in a strong
position. The result justified his decision; for, on the near approach
of the French, the Austrians fired a volley or two and then retreated in
confusion.

9. Skirmishers should _accompany columns of attack_; for--

(1.) They increase the confidence of the troops they accompany. Placed
between the columns, they advance boldly because the columns advance,
and the columns advance boldly because the skirmishers do.

(2.) Preceding the columns, by driving back the enemy's skirmishers, and
diverting his fire to themselves, they keep the attacking columns as
free from loss as possible till the shock.

They, moreover, serve to annoy the troops we are a