“A general,” says Frederick, “should direct his whole attention to
the tranquility of his cantonments, in order that the soldier may be
relieved from all anxiety, and repose in security from his fatigues.
With this view, care should be taken that the troops are able to form
rapidly upon ground which has been previously reconnoitered; that the
generals remain always with their divisions or brigades, and that the
service is carried on throughout with exactness.”
Marshal Saxe is of opinion that an army should not be in a hurry to
quit its cantonments, but that it should wait till the enemy has
exhausted himself with marching, and be ready to fall upon him with
fresh troops when he is overcome with fatigue.
I believe, however, that it would be dangerous to trust implicitly
to this high authority, for there are many occasions where all the
advantage lies in the initiative, more especially when the enemy has
been compelled to extend his cantonments, from scarcity of subsistence,
and can be attacked before he has time to concentrate his forces.