40,185

2961.

A

PRÉCIS OF MODERN TACTICS.

COMPILED FROM THE WORKS OF RECENT CONTINENTAL WRITERS

AT THE TOPOGRAPHICAL AND STATISTICAL DEPARTMENT OF THE WAR OFFICE.

BY

ROBERT HOME,

MAJOR ROYAL ENGINEERS, COLONEL, ASSISTANT QUARTER-MASTER-GENERAL.

"If we take the best of the French system, and apply it to the best of our own, we shall
infallibly beat the French whenever we meet them."-PRINCE FREDERICK CHARLES.

Printed under the Superintendence of Her Majesty's Stationery Office,

AND SOLD BY

W. CLOWES & SONS, Limited, 13, Charing Cross; HARRISON & SONS,
59, Pall Mall; W. H. ALLEN & CO., 13, Waterloo Place; W. MITCHELL,
Charing Cross; LONGMANS & CO., Paternoster Row; TRUBNER & CO., 57 and
59, Ludgate Hill; STANFORD, Charing Cross; and KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH,
& CO., 1, Paternoster Square;

Also by

GRIFFIN & CO., The Hard, PORTSEA;

A. & C. BLACK, EDINBURGH;

ALEX. THOM & CO., Abbey Street, and E. PONSONBY, Grafton Street, DUBLIN.

1882.

Price Eight Shillings and Sixpence.

[Wt. 25095 1000-3 | 86 H & S 4345]

39415

117

. E.

NOTE.

The aim of the compiler of this book has been to collate the opiniors of others, and to avoid as much as possible putting forward his own where original views have been expressed, he alone is responsible for them.

Instead of paraphrasing the sentences of writers of acknowledged worth, he has given their own words, and the marginal notes will assist the reader to refer to the original, or its translation, for the context, when fuller information is desired.

The compiler hopes this plan may be found convenient, as enabling the reader to gauge the value of the authorities, for on the subject of Tactics there is much diversity of opinion, and the works thereon vary considerably in merit, there being scarcely any theory, however preposterous, which may not be supported by a French or German quotation on the subject. Wherever continental writers are opposed, on points of importance, both sides of the question are given.

A list of the works which have been chiefly used in this compilation is appended.

Topographical and Statistical Department,

War Office,

August 15th, 1873.

NOTE.

R. HOME, Major,

Royal Engineers.

Some apology is due for the great delay that has arisen in preparing a second and improved edition of this book. At the same time I must thank many friends for their kind aid and assistance. Owing to press of work, a Second Edition has not been prepared, but at the request of Officers, the old Edition of 1873 is now reprinted.

R. HOME, Major, R.E.,

Colonel, A.Q.M.G.

Intelligence Branch, Horse Guards,

War Office,

August 15th, 1878.