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in attempting to pass a river in face of anenemy, either by stratagem, or by a combina-tion of force with it.

Attempts to pass rivers by pure, open force,in face of an enemy aware of the intention,have succeeded in an astonishing degree, consi-dering the disadvantage under which the as-sailants act, if they do not resort to stratagem,by which to effect a surprise; but such attemptshave frequently failed, and the instances ofsuccess stand recorded in professional historyas enterprizes of rash bravery, which ought notto have succeeded; and which, in general, havedone so, either on account of their unexpectedaudacity, or from being carelessly watched andfeebly opposed, and are not cited as models tobe followed. The great king of Prussia in hisInstructions to his General Officers, (Article 19.)condemns all attempts to force the passage of ariver, without having recourse to stratagem.

If Louis XIV . had been properly opposed atTolhuis, his bold enterprize could not have suc-ceeded. In order to invest Nimiguen com-pletely, it was necessary to pass the branch ofthe Rhine which joins with the Waal. Thisbranch was defended by seven battalions, andthree regiments of cavalry, under General Wiirtz.The river being reconnoitred, a part was found