122. A brigade in line advancing in columns, or quarter columns.
Line of columns or of quarter columns will be formed as in S. 112.
123. A brigade forming square.
For the protection of a convoy, or wounded men, it may be necessary to form brigade square. The angles of a square are its weak points; in order, therefore, to obtain the greatest amount of resistance to resolute savages, the flanks of battalions should not meet at an angle. The square may move in any direction on the same principles as a battalion square.
PART IV.
INFANTRY IN ATTACK AND DEFENCE.
124. General Principles.
1. It is impossible to lay down a fixed and unvarying system of attack or defence. Although such system might appear capable of modification to meet different conditions, yet constant practice in a stereotyped formation inevitably leads to want of elasticity, accustoms all ranks to work by rule rather than by the exercise of their wits, and cramps both initiative and intelligence. In peace exercises, where blank cartridges take the place of bullets, the inherent and paralysing defects of a normal system may easily escape notice; in war they betray themselves in waste of life and failure.
It is therefore strictly forbidden either to formulate or to practise a normal form of either attack or defence. To the training of the troops in movements before the enemy, general principles and broad rules alone are applicable; and the practical knowledge of these principles and rules can only be instilled by intelligent instruction and constantly diversified exercises on broken ground.
2. In no two military operations is the situation exactly the same. The character of the ground, the extent of the co-operation of the other arms, the strength and moral of the opposing forces, their physical condition, and the objects they wish to achieve must always differ.