[3]. La première ligne des Français etoit composée de douze mille archers Génois. Meurdris et décomfits par les flèches que les archers Anglais leur tiroient si vivement que ce sembloit neige, ils lâcherent le pied et se renversèrent sur la seconde ligne.... Philippe, croyant qu’il y avoit de la trahison de la part des Génois, s’ecria: Or tôt tuez cette ribaudaille qui nous empêche la voie sans raison.—Nouveau Dictionnaire des Sièges et Batailles, article Crècy.
[4]. With long range rifles, this limit will probably now be eight hundred yards.—(Second edition.)
[5]. In this branch of instruction, there is unquestionably a very wide field for practicable improvement. In addition to some advances nearer to perfection in the construction of the musquet itself, very much might be done towards the art of using it, in the ways of systematical scientific instruction, and improved local conveniences for ball practice. These of necessity would entail some public expense, but every reasonable outlay towards the maintenance of national military efficiency is true economy, and the neglect of it real extravagance.—(First edition.)
[6]. The characteristic difference between British and foreign ideas of good light infantry is quietly portrayed at a stroke by Napier, when, in answer to St. Cyr’s remark, that “the Migueletes are the best light troops in the world,” he observes, “If, instead of fifteen thousand Migueletes, the four thousand men composing Wellington’s light division had been on the heights of Cardadeu, General St. Cyr’s sixty rounds of ammunition would scarcely have carried him to Barcelona,”—Peninsular War, vol. ii. page 104.
[7]. Eight hundred yards, again, must now be about the proper limit.
[8]. With the long range, “the skirmishers’ charge” and “single line” must become the exception, and advancing by “alternate ranks” the general practice.
[9]. Exposed to the long range, it would appear that supports will be often obliged to loosen into extended order.
[10]. 600 yards may be the distance now proper for this sentence.
[11]. Now, on exposed ground, often in single rank: at the word “form single rank,” the rear rank men taking ground to the left, and dressing up into the front line half way between their own front rank man and the man on his left.
[12]. This file should be calculated by the flanks and centres of divisions, and not by total arithmetical numbers—also small odd portions of divisions, which may happen to fall into the general formation, must not be taken into account.