s; and that the chief object of great battles must be the
destruction of the enemy's military force.

No doubt the annihilation-principle is to be found more or less in
other means--granted there are instances in which through favourable
circumstances in a minor combat, the destruction of the enemy's forces
has been disproportionately great (Maxen), and on the other hand in
a battle, the taking or holding a single post may be predominant in
importance as an object--but as a general rule it remains a paramount
truth, that battles are only fought with a view to the destruction of
the enemy's Army, and that this destruction can only be effected by
their means.

The battle may therefore be regarded as War concentrated, as the centre
of effort of the whole War or campaign. As the sun's rays unite in the
focus of the concave mirror in a perfect image, and in the fulness of
their heat; to the forces and circumstances of War, unite in a focus in
the great battle for one concentrated utmost effort.

The very assemblage of forces in one great whole, which takes place more
or less in all Wars, indicates an intention to strike a decisive blow
with this whole, either voluntarily as assailant, or constrained by the
opposite party as defender. When this great blow does not follow, then
some modifying, and retarding motives have attached themselves to the
original motive of hostility, and have weakened, altered or completely
checked the movement. But also, even in this condition of mutual
inaction which has been the key-note in so many Wars, the idea of a
possible battle serves always for both parties as a point of direction,
a distant focus in the construction of their plans. The more War is
War in earnest, the more it is a venting of animosity and hostility, a
mutual struggle to overpower, so much the more will all activities join
deadly contest, and also the more prominent in importance becomes the
battle.

In general, when the object aimed at is of a great and positive nature,
one therefore in which the interests of the enemy are deeply concerned,
the battle offers itself as the most natural means; it is, therefore,
also the best as we shall show more plainly hereafter: and, as a rule,
when it is evaded from aversion to the great decision, punishment
follows.

The positive object belong to the offensive, and therefore the battle is
also more particularly his means. But without examining the conception
of offensive and defensi