The Light Infantry moves one, two, or three squares, directly forward, right or left obliquely, and one or two squares in any other direction. The object of this is, chiefly, that there shall be a distinguishing power between it and the Infantry of the Line.
Light Infantry in the field does, or should, have the advantage in moving more rapidly; besides, it often has arms of a longer range, and can be used more successfully when a sudden and rapid movement is necessary.
The Artillery moves diagonally, and has a range of three squares on the diagonals. It cannot move perpendicularly or laterally, therefore has no power in those directions.
The Artillery can attain any position on the board, but cannot always reach it directly, as does the Infantry and Cavalry, but, in many instances, must make a detour to the right or left.
This distinguishing move is proper, inasmuch as a carriage cannot always follow the course of a man or horse, yet it may reach any point that they can in a country such as is represented by the board.
“Infantry or Cavalry cannot move in range of Artillery of the opposing side, except when protected by Artillery of their side,” etc. Artillery in the field may occupy a position, several approaches to which it may so thoroughly command that it would be impracticable for Infantry or Cavalry to take it, unassisted by Artillery, by either of those approaches. Artillery would have to be brought up in order to operate on the first-named Artillery, or some other line of attack must be sought.
In the game, when one piece of Artillery is not protected by another, there are four other points at which it may be assailed, namely, the angles of the square. But when one piece of Artillery is supported by another, neither can be taken by Cavalry or Infantry without the aid of their Artillery.[C]
If a battery in the field occupied a position commanding thoroughly all of the approaches to it, and another battery of the same side was placed a short distance behind it, say in easy range, and commanded the first battery, it would be very difficult for Cavalry or Infantry to take the first-mentioned battery; and if they succeeded in taking it, they could not easily, if at all, hold it while under the fire of the supporting battery.
It may appear that the Artillery in the game has too much power; but it must be remembered that a piece of Artillery of one side can always take a piece of Artillery of the other side that is placed in its range.
It often occurs in the field that one battery is brought up close under the fire of another, to dislodge it; and if both are well served, one must soon give way. See Plate 4, Figure 1.