hen the French again
charged with the bayonet, forcing them down to the very foot of the
declivity; where, being once more covered with grape, their repulse was
complete and final.

So, at the battle of Mill Springs, in January, 1862, after the
combatants had been exchanging musketry fires for several hours without
any decisive result, the rebels' left was vigorously charged by the
Ninth Ohio with the bayonet. This charge broke the enemy's flank. His
whole line gave way in confusion, and the battle was won.

So, at Malvern Hill, in 1862, in several instances, columns of rebels
whom a storm of canister and shell had failed to repulse, were driven
back and routed by a dash with the bayonet, after a volley poured in at
a few yards from the muzzles of the guns.

So, at the battle of Seven Pines, according to General Heintzelman's
report, whenever our troops used the bayonet, their loss was
comparatively light, and the enemy was driven back, suffering heavily.

3. The bayonet charge, when made from any considerable distance, should
be _in column_; the only formation in which order can be combined with
sufficient speed. But, at a short distance, a bayonet charge by a line,
instantly after firing a volley to repel an attack, will be very
effective, and usually successful.

4. In ordinary cases, the charge should be _prepared_ by first
shattering the hostile masses, or, at least, wearying and demoralizing
them by artillery, or by skirmishers' fire.

5. The more _vigorous and resolute_ the charge, the greater the chance
of success. The enemy never retires before a moderate advance.

6. Where the enemy is _forced into a defile_, a charge with the bayonet,
preceded by a few rounds of grape, will complete his destruction.

7. When the enemy is _behind cover_, the best way to drive him from it
is with the bayonet. This will cause less loss of life than to attempt
to return his fire. But, in such case, the charge should be prepared,
when possible, by a few shells, or rounds of canister.

8. Shots up or down a declivity usually miss. A _height_ should,
therefore, be carried with the bayonet, without firing.

The moral effect, moreover, of a steady charge of infantry up a hill,
without stopping to fire, is very great; and such a charge is usually
successful. Prince Czartoryski, Alexander's most experienced general at
Austerlitz, admitted that he lost all confidence in the result on seeing
the French infantry ascending the pl