Battles of this kind may partake of the mixed character of offensive and defensive actions, or they may be of the nature of a surprise to both armies.

To this class belong the battles of Rosbach, Eylau, Lutzen, Luzzara, Abensberg, &c.
Surprises were much more common in ancient than in modern times, for the noise of musketry and the roar of artillery, belonging to the posts or wings assailed, will prevent any general surprise of an army.

Moreover, the division into separate masses, or _corps d'armee,_ will necessarily confine the surprise to a part, at most, of the forces employed.
Nevertheless, in the change given to military terms, a surprise may now mean only an unexpected combination of manoeuvres for an attack, rather than an actual falling upon troops unguarded or asleep.

In this sense Marengo, Lutzen, Eylau, &c.

are numbered with surprises.