, application of which soon acquires
something of the nature of a mechanical appliance, which in the end does
that which is right almost unwittingly.

The conception of law in relation to perception is not necessary for the
conduct of War, because the complex phenomena of War are not so regular,
and the regular are not so complex, that we should gain anything more by
this conception than by the simple truth. And where a simple conception
and language is sufficient, to resort to the complex becomes affected
and pedantic. The conception of law in relation to action cannot be used
in the theory of the conduct of War, because owing to the variableness
and diversity of the phenomena there is in it no determination of such a
general nature as to deserve the name of law.

But principles, rules, prescriptions, and methods are conceptions
indispensable to a theory of the conduct of War, in so far as that
theory leads to positive doctrines, because in doctrines the truth can
only crystallise itself in such forms.

As tactics is the branch of the conduct of War in which theory can
attain the nearest to positive doctrine, therefore these conceptions
will appear in it most frequently.

Not to use cavalry against unbroken infantry except in some case of
special emergency, only to use firearms within effective range in
the combat, to spare the forces as much as possible for the final
struggle--these are tactical principles. None of them can be applied
absolutely in every case, but they must always be present to the mind of
the Chief, in order that the benefit of the truth contained in them may
not be lost in cases where that truth can be of advantage.

If from the unusual cooking by an enemy's camp his movement is inferred,
if the intentional exposure of troops in a combat indicates a false
attack, then this way of discerning the truth is called rule, because
from a single visible circumstance that conclusion is drawn which
corresponds with the same.

If it is a rule to attack the enemy with renewed vigour, as soon as he
begins to limber up his artillery in the combat, then on this particular
fact depends a course of action which is aimed at the general situation
of the enemy as inferred from the above fact, namely, that he is about
to give up the fight, that he is commencing to draw off his troops, and
is neither capable of making a serious stand while thus drawing off nor
of making his retreat gradually in good order.

REGUL