A direct fire against columns of attack, with a few light pieces thrown out to take it in flank at the same time, will always be advantageous.

A direct and flank fire was employed with success by Kleist against the column of Ney at the battle of Bautzen; the French marshal was forced to change his direction.
Batteries should always be well secured on the flanks, and constantly sustained by infantry or cavalry.

If attacked by cavalry, the artillery should keep up its fire as long as possible, first with ball, and then with grape when the enemy arrives within a suitable distance.

The same rule will apply to attacks of infantry, except that the fire of solid shot at a great distance is much less effective than against mounted troops.
The _engineer troops_ are employed on the field of battle principally by detachments, acting as auxiliaries to the other arms.

Each regiment of infantry should have a detachment of sappers armed with axes to act as pioneers, for the removal of obstacles that may impede its advance.
These sappers are of the utmost importance, for without them an entire column might be checked and thrown into confusion by impediments which a few sappers with their axes would remove in a very short time.
Detachments of engineer troops must also act in concert with the cavalry and artillery for the same purpose as above.