taken place
decide upon this part of the plan as well as upon every other, without
our being able to enter thereupon here. But, at the same time, there are
in it two things of importance for our subject: first, FLANK AND REAR
ATTACKS HAVE, AS A RULE, A MORE FAVOURABLE EFFECT ON THE CONSEQUENCES
OF THE DECISION THAN UPON THE DECISION ITSELF. Now as concerns the
retrieving a battle, the first thing to be arrived at above all is a
favourable decision and not magnitude of success. In this view one would
therefore think that a force which comes to re-establish our combat
is of less assistance if it falls upon the enemy in flank and rear,
therefore separated from us, than if it joins itself to us directly;
certainly, cases are not wanting where it is so, but we must say that
the majority are on the other side, and they are so on account of the
second point which is here important to us.

This second point IS THE MORAL EFFECT OF THE SURPRISE, WHICH, AS A RULE,
A REINFORCEMENT COMING UP TO RE-ESTABLISH A COMBAT HAS GENERALLY IN ITS
FAVOUR. Now the effect of a surprise is always heightened if it takes
place in the flank or rear, and an enemy completely engaged in the
crisis of victory in his extended and scattered order, is less in a
state to counteract it. Who does not feel that an attack in flank or
rear, which at the commencement of the battle, when the forces
are concentrated and prepared for such an event would be of little
importance, gains quite another weight in the last moment of the combat.

We must, therefore, at once admit that in most cases a reinforcement
coming up on the flank or rear of the enemy will be more efficacious,
will be like the same weight at the end of a longer lever, and therefore
that under these circumstances, we may undertake to restore the battle
with the same force which employed in a direct attack would be quite
insufficient. Here results almost defy calculation, because the moral
forces gain completely the ascendency. This is therefore the right field
for boldness and daring.

The eye must, therefore, be directed on all these objects, all these
moments of co-operating forces must be taken into consideration, when we
have to decide in doubtful cases whether or not it is still possible to
restore a combat which has taken an unfavourable turn.

If the combat is to be regarded as not yet ended, then the new contest
which is opened by the arrival of assistance fuses into the former;
therefore t