d, the extent of the defeat, but still more the
character of the enemy, will bring nearer or put off the instant of this
equilibrium. How many instances may be found of a beaten Army rallied
again at a short distance, without its circumstances having altered in
any way since the battle. The cause of this may be traced to the moral
weakness of the adversary, or to the preponderance gained in the battle
not having been sufficient to make lasting impression.

To profit by this weakness or mistake of the enemy, not to yield one
inch breadth more than the pressure of circumstances demands, but above
all things, in order to keep up the moral forces to as advantageous a
point as possible, a slow retreat, offering incessant resistance, and
bold courageous counterstrokes, whenever the enemy seeks to gain any
excessive advantages, are absolutely necessary. Retreats of great
Generals and of Armies inured to War have always resembled the retreat
of a wounded lion, such is, undoubtedly, also the best theory.

It is true that at the moment of quitting a dangerous position we have
often seen trifling formalities observed which caused a waste of
time, and were, therefore, attended with danger, whilst in such cases
everything depends on getting out of the place speedily. Practised
Generals reckon this maxim a very important one. But such cases must not
be confounded with a general retreat after a lost battle. Whoever
then thinks by a few rapid marches to gain a start, and more easily
to recover a firm standing, commits a great error. The first movements
should be as small as possible, and it is a maxim in general not to
suffer ourselves to be dictated to by the enemy. This maxim cannot be
followed without bloody fighting with the enemy at our heels, but the
gain is worth the sacrifice; without it we get into an accelerated pace
which soon turns into a headlong rush, and costs merely in stragglers
more men than rear-guard combats, and besides that extinguishes the last
remnants of the spirit of resistance.

A strong rear-guard composed of picked troops, commanded by the bravest
General, and supported by the whole Army at critical moments, a careful
utilisation of ground, strong ambuscades wherever the boldness of the
enemy's advance-guard, and the ground, afford opportunity; in short,
the preparation and the system of regular small battles,--these are the
means of following this principle.

The difficulties of a retreat are naturally