Napoleon's Maxims of War Volume 1
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This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1861. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... ourselves that we abandoned them in time to prevent them from augmenting the trophies of the enemy. MAXIM XXXIV. It should be laid down as a principle, never to leave intervals by which the enemy can penetrate between corps formed in order of battle, unless it be to draw him into a snare. NOTE. In the campaign of 1757, the prince of Lorraine, who was covering Prague with the Austrian army, perceived the Prussians threatening, by a flank movement, to turn his right. lie immediately ordered a partial change of front by throwing back the infantry of that wing, so as to form a right angle with the rest of the line. But this manoeuvre being executed in presence of the enemy, was not effected without some disorder. The heads of the columns having marched too quick, caused the rear to lengthen out, and when the line was formed to the right, a large interval appeared at the salient angle. Frederick, observing this error, hastened to take advantage of it. He directed his centre corps, commanded by the duke of Bevern, to throw itself into this opening, and by this manoeuvre decided the fate of the battle. The prince of Lorraine returned to Prague, beaten and pursued, with the loss of sixteen thousand men, and two hundred pieces of cannon. It should be observed at the same time, that this operation of throwing a corps into the intervals made by an army in line of battle, should never be attempted unless you are at least equal in force, and have an opportunity of outflanking the enemy on the one side or the other; for it is then only you can hope to divide his army in the centre, and insulate the wings entirely. If you are inferior in number, you run the risk of being stopped by the reserves, and overpowered by the enemy's wings, which may deploy upon your flanks and surrou...