308387 "Whatever arguments may be drawn from particular examples, superficially viewed, a thorough examination of the subject will evince that the art of war is both comprehensive and complicated; that it demands much previous study, and that the 'possession of it in its most approved and perfect state is always of great moment to the security of a nation." WASHINGTON'S LAST ANNUAL MESSAGE. PREFACE. These studies were prepared in the Department of Military Art to assist officers in the study of minor tactics and in the solution of problems involving only small forces. In most of the studies an endeavor has been made not only to set forth certain principles of minor tactics, but also to enable the reader to form for himself a mental picture of the manner in which troops might well be handled in case the conditions assumed in the various studies actually existed in the field. It is perhaps needless to say that the department does not consider any one of the solutions herein as the only correct solution to the problem presented in the particular "situation", but merely as a solution that is regarded as reasonable. same is true of all "solutions" prepared by the department for the various problems included in the course in military art at these schools. The The following instructors have contributed to this collection of studies: Major John F. Morrison, General Staff, Senior Instructor. Captain John P. Ryan, 6th Cavalry. Captain Matthew E. Hanna, 3d Cavalry. Captain Campbell King, 1st Infantry. Captain Ewing E. Booth, 7th Cavalry. Captain Oliver L. Spaulding, jr., 5th Field Artillery. 1st Lieutenant Roger S. Fitch, 1st Cavalry, A. D. C. The several lithographs were kindly prepared by Captain Edwin T. Cole, 6th Infantry, Senior Instructor, Department of Engineering. All the work of revising, co-ordinating and editing the studies and of superintending their publication has been done by Captain Major and Lieutenant Fitch. JOHN F. MORRISON, Major, General Staff, Senior Instructor, Department of Military Art. Army Service Schools Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, April 15, 1908. |