If he does not, (unless his enemy be as ignorant as himself,) defeat and infamy await him.

Without understanding perfectly what are called _the evolutions_, how is it possible that a general can give to his own army that order of battle which shall be most provident and skilful in each particular case in which he may be placed?
How know which of these evolutions the enemy employs against him?
and, of course, how decide on a counter-movement which may be necessary to secure victory or avoid defeat?
The man who shall take the command of an army without perfectly understanding this elementary branch, is no less presumptuous than he who should pretend to teach Greek without knowing even his letters.

If we have such generals, let them, for their own sakes, if not for their country's, put themselves immediately to school."] A _battle_ is a general action between armies.

If only a small portion of the forces are engaged it is usually denominated a _combat_, an _affair_, an _action_, a _skirmish_, &c., according to the character of the conflict.

The art of combining and conducting battles of all descriptions has been designated by the name of Grand Tactics.
Battles may be arranged into three classes; 1st.