of the kind I have seen. There are, no doubt, others, both public
and secret; but I have no knowledge of their existence. Several
generals--as, for instance, Grimoard and Thiebaut--have prepared
manuals for staff officers, and the new royal corps of France has issued
several partial sets of instructions; but there is nowhere to be found a
complete manual on the subject.

If it is agreed that the old _logistics_ had reference only to details
of marches and camps, and, moreover, that the functions of staff
officers at the present day are intimately connected with the most
important strategical combinations, it must be admitted that logistics
includes but a small part of the duties of staff officers; and if we
retain the term we must understand it to be greatly extended and
developed in signification, so as to embrace not only the duties of
ordinary staff officers, but of generals-in-chief.

To convince my readers of this fact, I will mention the principal points
that must be included if we wish to embrace in one view every duty and
detail relating to the movements of armies and the undertakings
resulting from such movements:--

1. The preparation of all the material necessary for setting the
army in motion, or, in other words, for opening the campaign.
Drawing up orders, instructions, and itineraries for the assemblage
of the army and its subsequent launching upon its theater of
operations.

2. Drawing up in a proper manner the orders of the general-in-chief
for different enterprises, as well as plans of attack in expected
battles.

3. Arranging with the chiefs of engineers and artillery the
measures to be taken for the security of the posts which are to be
used as depots, as well as those to be fortified in order to
facilitate the operations of the army.

4. Ordering and directing reconnoissances of every kind, and
procuring in this way, and by using spies, as exact information as
possible of the positions and movements of the enemy.

5. Taking every precaution for the proper execution of movements
ordered by the general. Arranging the march of the different
columns, so that all may move in an orderly and connected manner.
Ascertaining certainly that the means requisite for the ease and
safety of marches are prepared. Regulating the manner and time of
halts.

6. Giving proper composition to advanced gu