650. It is a distinct talent, and the greater the command, the rarer the talent to exercise it; for the men who have had the genius to command an Army of a hundred thousand men in time of war, with acknowledged ability, throughout the world’s history, may all be numbered on the fingers. This capacity cannot be acquired from books, and yet it would be impossible to find it, without the knowledge that is contained in them; the greatest military genius cannot dispense with a theoretical knowledge of his profession. 

651. The command of a Regiment, within a Brigade, requires always the same characteristics; but acting independently, it demands in addition an entirely new and distinct capacity. The Colonel finds that he has other things to think about, that give him no rest when his command is slumbering quietly. The responsibility of knowing the aim of his instructions, of planning and directing the execution, the fear of failure, or the loss of an opportunity weigh so heavily upon the mind, as to incapacitate it in a great degree for doing that which it most desires to do. 

652. The commander of a small party, with a definite and limited task before him, feels the responsibility proportionate to his rank and experience equally with the commander of an Army. The mind that is truly constituted to command, rises in strength and power with the emergency; if the reverse is the case, the man is bowed down with the weight of the responsibility, the difficulties of his position confuse his thoughts, causing orders and counter orders, and loss of time, whilst his fears and apprehensions cause him to break down in mind and body, and to fritter away the strength of his command in preparing to meet imaginary dangers.

653. But no subordinate position can compare with the supreme command of a great Army. The command of a Regiment, acting independently, is a more arduous task than a Corps of ten thousand men forming part of a large Army. If this difference exists to such a degree in minor commands, some idea may be formed of the weight of the chief command. A subordinate executing specific instructions, marching and fighting in obedience to direct orders, takes his rest like any other officer of his command.

654. But for the Commander-in-Chief there is no rest; when his Army is most comfortable, and enjoying the luxury of recruiting its strength, his nights are most sleepless, and his days of labor the most arduous, and his mind a prey to the greatest anxieties. The most quiet moment he probably ever has, is the period between the completion of a plan, and its execution; after all the orders have been issued, and each subordinate has had his part indicated to him, and the plan is of such a nature as to admit of no changes, the commander is tranquil, he can do nothing more and he waits and rests while the result is developing.

655. Perhaps the most difficult task of a Commander-in-Chief is to reconcile the antagonisms of his Generals. All the great Generals of history have possessed the talent to do this, and the most fatal failures can be traced to the jealousies of subordinate commanders. It is, perhaps, beyond the power of any pen to illustrate this quality; but this is certain, that unless the Corps Commanders can be made to labor in harmony, and all for the good of the whole Army, instead of personal aggrandizement alone, the grand Army must meet with disasters and misfortune.

656. An essential element of command is rank and reputation commensurate with the trust imposed. The addition of a grade immediately adds to the military power of the recipient, what no trust imposed without the rank could attain. He rises at once that much above his fellow officers, who have just before been his equals in rank. Rank is of the highest importance, and must be carefully cherished and sustained by those who have the power to create it, to make it valuable to those who seek it, and it must be prized by the subordinate to make him respect it in his senior 

657. A Commander, in his official judgment, however, must neither fear nor love his subordinates; and he must convince them that whenever they fail they must take the consequences of their failure, as well as to reap the rewards of their success. Whenever those next in rank begin to flag in their zeal, it is time to relieve them, and place others, younger in command, in their stead, for it shows that they are conscious of having gained all they can, and that they do not care to run any more risks. Such want of zeal will drag the Army down with it. Either the desire of acquiring more, or the fear of losing what he has, must be available over every man to make him subservient. Those men who act from principle alone, and do what is right, simply because it is right, and without hope of reward, or fear of punishment, are as rare as great Generals.

658. But it must be remembered that oftener a man fails from incapacity than any other cause in that case, it should be borne in mind that he is not responsible, and that he may be eminently qualified for some other position. To relieve him from the one, and place him in another, suited to his capacity, without offending his pride, on the contrary flattering it, is an art at once great in itself, and productive of infinite good. 

659. An officer’s own desires are not sufficient indexes of his fitness for preferment or position; on the contrary, if not confirmed by the opinion of those who knew him best, they rather prove his unfitness; hence, the impropriety of officers seeking advancement, and pushing their own claims, and volunteering for expeditions and enterprises without being called for If the officer has not won the voluntary endorsement of his superiors, he has not obtained the first necessary credential to his advancement. 

661. The term "Commanding Officer" is applicable to so many conditions in an officer’s station, that it is necessary to limit the discussion of the duties of this position to certain definite commands, as follows: 

-- Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery.

-- Detachments and Posts.

-- Armies and Departments.

663. This arm is also less fatiguing than Cavalry, if properly handled. The means for marching, however, and the march, must be closely attended to. The Infantry soldier must always be well shod, and only with shoes—boots are impracticable for marching. The shoes should have thick soles, but not too heavy. Woolen stockings and gaiters should be worn; the latter protect the trowsers, and prevent them from interfering with the step.

664. To march properly, it is necessary to have the legs in proper condition. This is attained by drilling; the drill has two objects, instruction and exercise. The exercise is necessary to keep the muscles strong, and in condition for marching, whilst in camp or garrison. On a march, the first day should not be too severe, and should be made as short as possible, for the greatest number fail on the first day, after a long stay in camp. Gradually the length of the march may be increased to the maximum.

665. The men should not be permitted to carry anything, except what is absolutely necessary; if not restricted, they will be constantly loading themselves with articles picked up on the march, and it is only after long service that they learn how to ignore the acquisition of everything, except something to eat; and that a soldier should never be without, he should always know where his next meal is to come from.

667. A rest of ten minutes should be allowed the men every hour. These rests should take place near water, or some stream, and the hour’s march may be shortened or lengthened a few minutes to reach water. If the column is small, the men may be permitted to pick their way across streams, but in a large column there should be no delay; the stream must be forded without stopping. The march should commence sufficiently early to reach camp, and give time for the men to make themselves comfortable before night (this supposes the absence of an enemy, or at least not in the vicinity of a foe). When expecting to engage the enemy, Infantry must expect to march, and bivouac at all hours, and on the shortest notice.

668. The column should be closed up just previous to each halt, by calling the command to attention, and closing up the files before resting. When passing a stream, or other obstacle that requires delay, the leading files of each company move far enough beyond, to allow room for the company to form, and when the entire company is past the obstacle, it moves on to its position in the column, and halts for the other companies—the leading company having moved forward a sufficient distance to permit the column to close up in the same way, until all have passed the obstacle. Such a delay should be counted as a rest. In moving off from a halt or rest during the first hundred yards, the "close order" should be preserved. Small commands do not require so much attention and system in marching as large ones.

669. When in proximity to the enemy, it is a wise precaution to have the means, and to use the opportunity to entrench. Each file of soldiers should be provided with a small short-handled shovel, a few with axes and picks, and in a very short time a line sufficiently strong to guard against a sudden attack, and which will enable the soldier to sleep in security, is placed between them and the enemy. This idea heretofore objected to as demoralizing to good troops, became the habit of both armies, during the Rebellion. When confronting each other, they both entrenched every night, and every day, during a halt.

670. Infantry does not require many conditions for a camp ground for one night; it can camp on any kind of ground, but much may be done in the way of comfort in the selection and disposition for camp. It is essential to a long march the following day, that it should be immediately preceded by a good night’s rest. The utmost care should, therefore, be taken to get the best ground possible for camping. Woods are always preferable to open fields for temporary camping places. They are a shelter against sun in warm weather, and against cold winds, and furnish fuel with the least labor to the men; they are also excellent cover for the troops in case of attack.

671. The great increase of range in small arms has diminished the importance, both of Cavalry and Artillery, whilst the value of Infantry has been immensely increased. Cavalry and Artillery are both helpless under a well directed Infantry fire at long range. The introduction of repeating arms has also diminished the efficiency of Cavalry in an attack; for long before it has passed over the usual charging distance, it is thrown into irremediable confusion by the rapidity with which Infantry can fire, when armed with long-ranged repeating arms.

673. The organization of a Corps of Sharpshooters in every column of Infantry is an important feature growing out of the use of improved small arms. It is formed of the best marksmen in the command, armed with delicately-sighted and superior rifles for accurate shooting; they are provided with suitable officers, in proportion to the number of men, and organized into temporary companies, under the immediate command and direction of the Infantry Commander. They should be relieved from the harder duties of Infantry, and provided with the materials for digging rifle-pits, and for throwing up obstacles for concealment, and should be clothed in a uniform of neutral color, so as not to be easily discovered at a distance. To render this branch of the service perfect, the successful application of Gun-Cotton, or some other explosive material that will resolve itself into an imperceptible gas, is necessary, as the smoke of gunpowder reveals the position of the Sharpshooter, when he cannot be otherwise observed. 

674. Well-drilled skirmishers are an important feature of every command, and the entire force should be thoroughly instructed in this branch of tactics. It is with the skirmishers that the Sharp-shooters operate and perform their most important service; the skirmishers serve as a support to the Sharpshooters, and thus united, it is only by assault that their operations are interfered with. They are dispersed along the line of skirmishers or pickets, at favorable points, and prevent observation and reconnaissance on the part of the enemy, and conceal the movements of the main column.

675. The first requirement of good Infantry is to march, and reach the point of action before the enemy can prepare to meet it; the next is that of being able to fire with the fullest effect, when the point of action has been reached. The main obstacle to the former is the necessity of eating and sleeping; there is no obstacle to the latter that cannot be overcome by exercise and discipline.

676. Hence, all that has been said tends to direct the Infantry Commander to these points. He must, by exercise, instruction, and discipline, seek to keep his command in such a condition, that he can at any time perform the greatest possible march. He must exercise the men to fire accurately, that they may have confidence in themselves, and in their weapons. Then if he can arrange to feed them, through his Commissary and Quartermaster, he can go anywhere with his command, and is independent of the other arms, and is indifferent to the enemy.

677. But to do this he must be indefatigable in his attention to his command, and fail in no duty toward it on his part There must be no short rations, or insufficient clothing, by fault of his; if such things do occur, the men must feel that the failures in their supplies are unavoidable. He must be able to inspire the men with confidence in himself and a special love for the Infantry, and a belief in the superiority of this branch of the service over all others. He must be constantly with his command, and share its fortunes under all circumstances, and be ever present to supply every want.

678. By getting complete physical and moral control over his troops, the Infantry Commander will always be ready for those rare opportunities of obtaining a renown for himself and his command, that are lost forever, unless anticipated by being ready. He will win the love and devotion of his men without a single concession on his part, by the simple fact that he has done his duty well.

679. The movements of Infantry are comparatively slow, and there is plenty of time for the preparation of plans, and if well matured, disaster seldom occurs. The data for calculation is more reliable in Infantry than in Cavalry, and the chances of misfortune much less. A few mounted men are necessary to every Infantry command, depending in numbers upon the size. It is better to select light men, who have a knowledge of horses, from the ranks of the Infantry, and mount them on public horses, and equip them with pistol and sabre, to act as couriers and messengers, to transmit intelligence, than to have a complete organization, or detachment of Cavalry, for it will be constantly liable to be called away by superior authority, or required to join its proper organization, whilst the couriers detailed, as suggested, will always be in the command where they belong. 

680. Infantry is of little avail against Indians or Guerrillas, except in a very mountainous or wooded country, where it may sometimes be superior to Cavalry—depending, however, greatly upon the nature and extent of such country. Where short and very rapid pursuits are necessary, Infantry is of little service; but thoroughly trained in good light marching order, it will break down a Cavalry column on a long march. The great difficulty in pursuing Indians is the necessity of carrying so much subsistence and ammunition to support the pursuit, whilst the Indians are usually mounted, or if not mounted, they are lightly equipped, and manage to live on the country, which white troops find it difficult to do.

681. If the country will subsist the troops, and furnish bread and meat from day to day, Infantry is the arm to be used, and it is the peculiar province of the Commander to encourage the men, and make them endure a temporary short allowance and great fatigue to accomplish a decisive triumph; for the Army which possesses the greatest perseverance and endurance, will often gain the victory, although perhaps unequal in most other respects. A successful pursuit of a flying foe is always long and arduous, and is most frequently won by the tenacity with which it is kept up.

682. The simpler the preparations and plan of battle, the more certain the success; combinations fail most frequently, in proportion to their intricacy. The simplest is the single line of battle, with a reserve. The reserve should not be less than one-third of the entire force, and disposed opposite the center, in a second parallel line, so as to be able also to support either flank. Then if the first line should give way at any point, the reserve may be used to sustain the break.

683. If the Commander finds, however, that the main line can hold its own long enough, and particularly if he finds the enemy has deployed all his force, the reserve should be moved at once to one of the flanks, and endeavor to turn the position; if the reserve succeeds, the battle is gained, and it will be decisive in proportion to the energy with which the vanquished are followed up.

684. The division of the main force into two or more parts, co-operating from diverse points against the same enemy, should be avoided if possible, unless each force is considered either equal to or capable of holding the enemy in check. The use of three or more lines is excess of precaution; and if the result is sufficiently doubtful to adopt it, the battle should not be fought. It is not possible, however, to give in this text a discussion of the various orders of battle, but it was thought necessary to allude to some modifications that have been made in the most recent wars.

685. It is quite as necessary for the Commander to feel certain of the temper of his men, as it is for them to have confidence in him. The troops should never be taken into action if hungry or wearied, if possible to avoid it; if fires must be prohibited, and coffee cannot be prepared, let the men rest long enough to eat a little luncheon. The issue of whiskey is not recommended, except after a very fatiguing march, to be succeeded by an immediate assault, and where there will not be time to prepare coffee, for coffee is always better than whiskey.

686. The government of Infantry does not require those rare peculiarities that are needed for Cavalry; still the qualification to command it—that strength and decision of character, and great moral courage, and superior intelligence—are very rare traits possessed only by great men. The means and manner of supplying Infantry do not differ from other anus, except in the character of some of the materials.