EXPEDITION, in a general sense, signifies haste, speed, rapidity. In a military sense, it is chiefly used to denote a voyage or march against an enemy, the success of which depends on rapid and unexpected movements. It is out of the nature of the thing itself to lay down fixed rules for the minute conducting of small expeditions; their first principles only can be with certainty fixed, and men will often disagree about preparations, and differ in their conduct, though they acknowlege the same principles.
One of the principles of many small expeditions, is surprise; and 6 battalions, without much accompaniment, may sometimes do that which 24, and a great fleet, would not succeed in.
There is no part of war so interesting to an insulary soldier as an expedition; nor can there be any part more worthy of attention.
Expeditions have heretofore had no rules laid down for their conduct, and that part of war had never been reduced to a system. The slow rules of a great war will not do in expeditions; the blow must be struck with surprise, and intimidation be produced in the invaded enemy, before succors can arrive. Debate is out of season, and all slow proceedings are ruin. Not to advance, is to recede; and not to be on the road to conquest, is to be already conquered. There must be that glance, which sees certainly, though instantly; that rapidity, which executes on the surest rules, when it seems least to act on any. The French have given all their campaigns the characters of expeditions.
In all small expeditions, such as expeditions of surprise, or coup-de-main, the favorable side of the proposed action must ever be viewed; for if what may happen, what may arrive, what may fall out, is chiefly thought upon, it will, at the very best, greatly discourage, but in general end in a total failure. Hence the very name of an expedition implies risk, hazard, precarious warfare, and a critical operation.
An expedition is governed by five principal maxims.
1st, A secrecy, if possible, of preparation, and a concealment of design, &c.
2dly, That the means bear proportion to the end. In this there will ever be a difference in opinion.
3dly, A knowlege of the state and situation of the country, where the scene of action is, or the place or object that is to be attacked.
4thly, A commander who has the particular turn of mind, which is most adapted to such particular sort of warfare.