country offered, still the influence which they exercise to the advantage of the battle, as well as of the defence of a country, cannot be denied.
In order to look over the subject in a connected form, we shall specify the different points of view from which we propose to examine it.
First and foremost, the strategic results which streams and rivers produce through their defence, must be distinguished from the influence which they have on the defence of a country, even when not themselves specially defended.
Further, the defence itself may take three different forms:—
- An absolute defence with the main body.
- A mere demonstration of resistance.
- A relative resistance by subordinate bodies of troops, such as outposts, covering lines, flanking corps, etc.
Lastly, we must distinguish three different degrees or kinds of defence, in each of its forms, namely—
- A direct defence by opposing the passage.
- A rather indirect one, by which the river and its valley are only used as a means towards a better combination for the battle.
- A completely direct one, by holding an unassailable position on the enemy’s side of the river.
We shall subdivide our observations, in conformity with these three degrees, and after we have made ourselves acquainted with each of them in its relation to the first, which is the most important of the forms, we