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An Essay on the principles and construction of military bridges, and the passage of rivers in military operations / by Howard Douglas
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practicable ruse be devised, to keep the enemyin doubt as to the point upon which thelanding is to be made;and that means forconstructing regular bridges should be heldin perfect readiness, to support the troops bywhich the first lodgments are effected, byestablishing as quickly as possible, continu-ous communications with them. A lodgmentmade on a river-bank, like that established onthe ramparts of an assaulted fortress, will sel-dom fail in leading to its capture, if that lodg-ment be properly made, promptly supported,and discreetly managed. It is, generally, fromtoo much being attempted, in the preliminarystages of attacks, by troops hurried forward byimpatient ardour, that reverses occur. A foot-ing once gained, is a fulcrum which should neverbe lost, and never is, but by misconduct.