“If we are inferior in numbers,” says Marshal Saxe, “entrenchments
are of no use, for the enemy will bring all his forces to bear upon
particular points. If we are of equal strength they are unnecessary
also. If we are superior, we do not want them. Then why give ourselves
the trouble to entrench?” Notwithstanding this opinion of the inutility
of entrenchments, Marshal Saxe often had recourse to them.
In 1797, Generals Provéra and Hohenzollern having presented themselves
before Mantua (where Marshal Wurmser was shut up), for the purpose of
raising the siege, they were stopped by the lines of contravallation of
St. George. This slight obstacle sufficed to afford Napoleon time to
arrive from Rivoli and defeat their enterprise. It was in consequence
of neglecting to entrench themselves that the French had been obliged
to raise the siege in the preceding campaign.