Revised United States Army regulations of 1861, with an appendix containing the changed and laws affecting Army regulations and Articles of war to June 25, 1863:

POR THE ARMY.
Battles.
column are placed behind the wings of the second line. The lines may
be formed of troops in column or in order of battle, according to the
ground and plan of attack.
723. The advanced guard may be put in the line or on the wings, or
other position, to aid the pursuit or o,ver the retreat.
724. The reserve is formed of the best troops of foot and horse, to
complete a victory or make good a retreat. It is placed in the rear of
the centre, or chief point of attack -or defense.
725. The cavalry should be distributed in echelon on the wings and at
the centre, on favorable ground.
726. It should be instructed not to take the gallop until within charging distance; never to receive a charge at a halt, but to meet it, or, if not
strong enough, to retire manoeuvring; and in order to be ready for the
pursuit, and prepared against a reverse, or the attacks of the reserve, not
to engage all its squadrons at once, but to reserve one-third, in column or
in echelon, abreast of or in the rear of one of the wings; this arrangement is better than a second line with intervals.
727. In the attack, the artillery is employed to silence the batteries
that protect the position. In the defense, it is better to direct its fire on
t]le advancing troops. In either case, as many pieces are united as
possible, the fire of artillery being formidable in proportion to its concentration.
728. In battles and military operations it is better to assume the offensive, and put the enemy on the defensive; but to be safe in doing so
requires a larger force than the enemy, or better troops, and favorable
ground. When obliged to act on the defensive, the advantage of position and of making the attack may sometimes be secured by forming in
rear of the ground on which we are to fight, and advancing at the moment of action. In mountain warfare, the assailant has always the disadvantage; and even in offensive warfare in the open field, it may
frequently be very important, when the artillery is well posted, and any
advantage of ground may be secured, to await the enemy and compel him
to attack.
729. The attack should be made with a superior force on the decisive
point of the enemy's position, by masking this by false attacks and demonstrations on other po)ints, and by concealing the troops intended for it by
the ground, or by other troops in their front.
730. Besides the arrangements which depend on the supposed plan of
the enemy, the wings must be protected by the ground, or supported by
troops in echelon; if the attack of the enemy is repulsed, the offensive must
at once be taken, to inspire the troops, to disconcert the enemy, and oftento decide the action In thus taking the offensive, a close column should
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