Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 02.djvu/255

ATTACK. guns, scientifically trained and more intelligent troops, have practically reduced the method of attack to a science. While there is in every sys- tem of tactics a clearly defined outline of 'attack formation,' its actual order or method will de- pend altogether on the general character and contour of the ground to be fought over and the military genius of the oliicer in command. Gen- erally speaking, the attacking infantry force is divided into three bodies — firing line, supports, and reserves. Before the beginning of the actual attack, a reconnaissance is generally made by the cavalry and horse-artillery, and the position and strength of the defending forces discovereil, together with all other information possible. If the defending forces have been compelled to oc- cupy or liave made the mistake of selecting a position Avliich is open to att;ick on one or both flanks, the attack will be so arranged as to threaten them on the flanks as well as in front, a feint being made to cover the real point of attack, which will invariably be made wherever the defenders develop the greatest weakness. Any commanding eminence will be seized if pos- sible by the attacking force, the heaviest ord- nance placed there, and the defenders' position thoroughly shelled. The prelude to nearly every modern attack is an artillery duel, more or less prolonged. Once the infantry are within the artillery zone of fire, or actual contact with the defenders is made, cavalry cease to be much of a direct factor. The necessity frequently arising of reinforcing some distant part of the firing- line, however, has, among other causes, brought into existence mounted infantry. ( See Cavalry ; and .) These troops have the mobility of cavalry, are practically infantry, and can reinforce speedily in circumstances that would be generally impossible to a marching infantry regiment.

The extended battle front made necessary by modern arms makes the handling of troops under fire both difficult and dangerous. The firing line is extended, followed by its supports, who are in as close a formation as circumstances will ad- mit, while the reserves are still farther behind. The casualties of the firing line are made up from the supports. In the final charge, which is made by the firing line, reinforced by the entire supports and whatever of the reserve circum- stances have rendered necessary, the defenders' position is rushed with the bayonet. In the event of failure, the reserves cover the retreat of the charging line, carrying on the advance if possible, or in any event covering the point d'appui. If successful, the reserve force com- pletes the final rout of the defenders, prevents their reorganization, and, assisted by the cavalry (who are harassing the fleeing troops on the flanks and endeavoring to head them off), try to secure their guns, transport, stores, and muni- tions of war.

The modern attack is the point in which all minor 'actions' merge, the successful carrying out of which is frequently the decisive blow of the campaign. The danger and losses incurred in such an imdertaking will depeiid largely on the skill the defenders have sliown in their selec- tion of a position, or the extent to which nature has favoi'cd them. A recent example is the suc- cessful attack on the Spanish lines at Santiago, Cuba, by the American forces under General Shaffer, ia the Spanish-American War of 1898, an action where the Spaniards had every advan- tage of position and cover. Examples of good and bad positions may be found in the Anglo- Boer War of I899-i90-2. Ladysmith, ^vhose defense was necessary on account of the valu- able stores located there, sustained one of the most terrible sieges of modern times. The position (which was forced upon the British General ^^^lite) was directly under the fire of the Boer artillery, and could have been taken eventually had the Boers been as skillful as they were courageous. The position chosen by the Boers at the battle of Jlodder River had every possible natural advantage, and was very clever- ly selected. One of their flanks and their front were protected by a swift-flowing and swollen river, which aft'orded few if any fordingplaces, while the other flank rested on an impassable range of mountains. Their front also had a practically impregnable character, owing to the steep kopjes. Held by trained troops, the posi- tion would have been impreg-nable, as the Brit- ish had to advance along an open plain and were exposed to the formidable fire of the Boers. The position was eventually taken, after repeated failures, with terrible losses. The time generally selected for attack is at dawn, if possible, to surprise the enem_v, but principally to escajje the danger of the intervening fire zones. See Bat- tle; Tactics, Military.

ATTACK. In music, a technical term meaning the spirit and style with which a performer, singer, or musical organization begins a phrase.

ATTAIN'DER, (OF. ataindre, to accuse, convict). The immediate, inseparable consequence, at common law, of a judgment of outlawry for a capital offense, or of a judgment of death for treason or felony. It did not follow upon conviction; for, says Blackstone, "after conviction only, there is still a possibility of the accused's innocence. Something may be oftered in arrest of judgment, or the indictment may be quashed, or he may be pardoned, or allowed the benefit of clergy. But when judgment is once pronounced, both law and fact conspire to prove him completely guilty. Then it is clear beyond all dispute that the criminal is no longer fit to live, but is to be exterminated as a monster and a bane to human society, and the law sets a note of infamy upon him, puts him out of its protection, and takes no further care of him than barely to see him executed. All his civil rights are extinct, for by an anticipation of his punishment, he is already dead in law." The first consequence of attainder, therefore, was the forfeiture of all the victim's property. This forfeiture, in the case of lands, related back to the time when the crime was committed, so as to avoid all intermediate sales and incumbrances. In the ease of goods and chattels, attainder had no such retroactive effect. But common-law' attainder did not stop with the forfeiture of the condemned criminal's estate. It produced 'corruption of blood, both upward and downward, so that the attainted person could neither inherit property from his ancestor' nor retain that of which he was in possession, nor transmit it to an heir, nor be the medium through which descent was legally traceable. These consequences of attainder have been modified in England by statute. The forfeiture or escheat of real estate was limited to cases of attainder for