in about five
minutes.

3. So, also, if we can obtain an oblique or enfilading fire _on his
troops_, it will be very destructive. A flanking battery, raking the
enemy's position, is often enough, of itself, to decide a battle.

Thus, the battle of Chippewa was finally decided by our getting a gun or
two in a flanking position, enabling us to enfilade the British line.

So, at the battle of Shiloh, the rebels' triumphant advance on the
evening of the first day was effectually checked by the fire of our
gun-boats Tyler and Lexington, which had taken an enfilading position
opposite their right flank.

4. For this reason, we must never post one of our own batteries so that
the enemy's guns will take it _obliquely_, or _in flank_; unless,
indeed, by doing so, we may probably obtain some important and decisive
effect before it can be destroyed, or made unserviceable.

5. Batteries should be so placed as to _command the whole ground in our
front_, even almost up to our bayonets, and so as to be able to direct
their fire towards every point; at all events, so that a fire can be
kept up on the enemy till he is within short musket-range.

It is manifest that the best position for a battery, to enable it to
effectually cover the entire ground in our front, would not be in our
line of battle, but in advance of one of its flanks, from which it could
take the enemy's troops advancing over it, in enfilade.

6. Artillery fire from _an unexpected quarter_ always has a powerful
moral effect. Two guns, even, hoisted up to a place where the enemy does
not dream of there being any, may have a decisive effect.

IV.--Posting of Batteries and of Pieces as between themselves.

1. The best mode of posting batteries is in the form of a crescent, its
horns pointing towards the enemy, or forming the sides of a re-entering
angle; for this gives a _convergent fire_ to the enemy's divergent one.

Its inconvenience is, the exposure of its flanks to attack, or to
enfilade. Therefore, when such a position is adopted, its flanks must be
protected by natural obstacles or by artificial defences.

2. Batteries, or parts of batteries, should be at _supporting distances_
from each other; that is, not over six hundred yards apart, so as to
effectually cover the whole ground between them, in case of need, with
grape and canister. When rifled guns are used, this distance may be
increased.

3. _A long line of guns_ in our line of battle is objectio