The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-04-15
TENTH yoLUME---NUMBER 5la.
THE ORDER OF BATTLE. !

THE ORDER OF BATTLE.
When large bodies of men approach for battle,
only proportional part of them engaged at q
tiu:e-they replaced by another similar force;
the progress Of the battle is by successive engage
ments. On the genius and Judgment of the chief
will depend the character of the action, whether
it shall be defensive or offensive.
When an army awaits the attack, II takes Its
position and forms its line of battle according to
the nature Of the ground, and the character Of
the strength of the enemy's force If offensive
the main thing is to seize upon the decisive point
Of the field. This point 10 determined by the
con6guration of the ground, and the position of
the contending forces, or by combination Of
these. The defense is considered the stronger
form of actions of war, and a skilful General will
take advantage of favorable circumstances to
change the defensive into the offensive. Military
writer's lay down twelve orders of battle. A
description of these would be too long aud too
complicated to interest the reader. Which Of
these should be followed, must be decided by the
chief himself on the ground, where all the cir
cumstances may be duly considered To concen-
trate superiority of forces at the decisive points
is the principal purpose. This point is in the
hanks or in the rear of the enemy. To do this
the skill Of the General is brought into requisi.
ton.
On the field Of battle the infantry is divided
into three bodies.-an advanced guard o main
OOuy anQ reserve. neSe three D0QleS are
separated from each other by intervals, which
will depend on the nature Of the ground, the ad.
vanced guard occupying the front, the main body
at a distance from one hundred and fifty to three
hundred PAGES in the rear of the main body. The
troops composing these three bodies will be formed
either in columns or battahons, or he deployed.
For an attack, for evolutions, or for defense
against cavalry, the formation of columns of
battalions is the best. To repel the enemys
L.. G.. L. g l..
mark to the enemys artillery, the battalion should
be deployed. The reserve should be composed Of
the most reliable troops, and should if possible be-
kept masked from the enemy's view and fire, until
called into action. The time for engaging the
reserve is either when the enemy has been shaken
in its attack by the resistance offered by the main
body, or when the main body is unable further to
resist the enemy's efforts.
The cavalry is usually placed IN the rear Of tho
infantry, and should be masked from the fire,
until the moment arrives to bring Il into action.
The habitual formation Of cavalry for the attack 10
line OF two ranks, with a reserve or support Ia
rear. Cavalry should wait patiently uatil way 70
prepared for its action by the fre Of artillery
the enemys infantry; when the infantry is
fatgued or exhausted; or when the infantry is in
motion, so to surprise it before it can form TO
receive the attack 1t should direct it's charge on
the enemy's infantry where it will be exposed TO
line, its charge should be made on one of its
fanks; if in square, one Of :he angles of the
square.
The manner of placing the artillery, and its
employment, must be regulated by its relative
importance, under given circumstances with re-
spect to the action of the other arms In defense,
the principal part is usually assigned to the srtl-
leIy; in offensive movements, the generally
obtains. In defense the batteries should be dis
tributed along the entire frost Of the position
cupied. The distance between the batteries
should not be much over six hundred PAGES.
When the wings of position weak, hoavy
batteries should be placed to secure them. 4
sufficient number of pieces should always be held
in reserve for moment Of need. In the attack
the heaviest pieces should be placed the flank
of the ground occupied by the assaant, or in the
centre, if favorable to the end to be attained
In all the movements of the artillery great care
should be taken not to place them so that they
shall in the least impede the operations of tho
other troops. . aY