Among mountains, a great number of positions are always to be found
very strong in themselves, and which it is dangerous to attack. The
character of this mode of warfare consists in occupying camps on the
flanks or in the rear of the enemy, leaving him only the alternative
of abandoning his position without fighting, to take up another in
the rear, or to descend from it in order to attack you. In mountain
warfare, the assailant has always the disadvantage; even in offensive
warfare in the open field, the great secret consists in defensive
combats, and in obliging the enemy to attack.