Just to show you how little reliance can be placed even on what are supposed the best accounts of a battle, I mention that there are some circumstances mentioned in General -'s account which did not occur as he relates them. It is impossible to say when each important occurrence took place, or in what order.

Rashness is oftener the resort of cowardice than of courage.

Always get over heavy ground as lightly as you can.

I have seen their backs before.

We always have been, we are, and I hope that we always shall be detested in France.

All the business of war, and indeed all the business of life, is to endeavour to find out what you don't know by what you do; that's what I called 'guess what was at the other side of the hill'.

Call on a business man only at business times, and on business; transact your business, and go about your business, in order to give him time to finish his business.