If you occupy a town or a village on the bank of a river, opposite
to that held by the enemy, it is an advantage to make this spot the
crossing point, because it is easier to cover your carriages and
reserve artillery, as well as to mask the construction of your bridge,
in a town, than in the open country. It is also a great advantage
to pass a river opposite a village, when the latter is only weakly
occupied by the enemy; because as soon as the advanced guard reaches
the other side, it carries this post, makes a lodgment, and by
throwing up a few defensive works, converts it easily into a _tête de
pont_. By this means, the rest of the army is enabled to effect the
passage with facility.