The evolution of infantry and cavalry tactics. (A historical sketch).

Abstract

Introduction: I have sought to gather historical matter here that will be a brief review to the student of Military History. It is an interesting subject to trace the evolution of Military Tactics. If armies were always composed of men with the same temperaments, using the same equipment, having the same degree of discipline, and animated by the same impulses and the battles fought on the same field it would always be much the same story. But every war has had its surprises and has brought forth something unforeseen. Our military lessons must be sought in history of wars and to be a successful Tactician an officer must master military history. The tactical deductions are gathered from past wars to illustrate our evolution and no attempt has been made to bring forward any new theories. A good understanding of tactics of an army is impossible without knowledge of its history and it is largely historical with which I deal. This is, then of course largely a compilation.