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Prussian Field Marshal. Brother-in-law of Frederick the great, he commaded the army of British and German auxiliaries in western Germany during the war. See Reginald A. Savory, His Britannic Majesty’s Army in Germany during the Seven Years’ War (Oxford: The Clarendon Press, 1966). preface 27 enemy, and give you time to make any disposition that may be judged necessary. The science of position, camps, marches, and even the project of campaign or plan of operations, must be regulated by these points: it is on this knowledge only, you can determine the numbers and species of troops that must compose the army; and consequently the quantity and quality of your magazines, and where they must be made; and every plan that is not founded on these principles, must fail in the execution, if your antagonist has common sense: so that the great and important parts of war, as well in the formation, as in the execution, depend on the knowledge of the country; and wise generals, will always chuse to make them the foundation of their conduct, rather than trust to the uncertain issue of battles.

The different steps to be made use of are three; slow, fast, and oblique, which may be called traversing. The first is proper in advancing, when at a considerable distance from the enemy, and when the ground is unequal, that the line may not be broke, and a regular fire kept up without intermission. The second is chiefly necessary, when you want to anticipate the enemy in occupying some post, in passing a defile; and above all, in attacking a retrenchment, to avoid being a long while exposed to the fire of the artillery, and small arms; and lastly, when you come near the enemy.

Millan, 1757). 7 Louis XIV (1638–1715), King of France (1643–1715). ’ Louis’s reign was the longest in modern European history. He was noted for his firm belief in the divine right of kings and his quest to secure France’s natural frontiers. The former led to religious persecution of the Huguenots and the latter spawned constant warfare that did not cease until his death. See Peter R. Campbell, Louis XIV, 1661–1715 (London, New York: Longman, 1993), and John A. Lynn, The Wars of Louis XIV, 1667–1714 (London, New York: Longman, 1999).