Page:The invasion of the Crimea vol. 2.djvu/392

 362 THE PLAN OF THE ENTEKPKISE, CHAT, of maintaining a 'line of operations,' it lias, in XXIV L truth, nothing to defend except itself. But grave drawbacks limit the power of a ' movable column.' In the first place, it is an instrument fitted only for temporary use; because, during the service in which it is engaged, it has no resources to rely upon except what it carries along with it. An- other drawback is the hazard it incurs — not of mere defeat, but of total extermination; for it is a force wdiich has left no dominion in its wake, and if it falls back, it falls into the midst of enemies having hold of the country around, and emboldened by seeing it retreat. Then, also, a ' movable column,' even though it be never defeated in any pitched battle, is liable to be brought to ruin by being well harassed; and very inferior troops, or even armed peasants, if they have spirit and enterprise, may put it in peril ; for, having the command of the country all round it, they can easily prepare their measures for vexing the column by day and by night. Again, the 'movable column' cannot send its sick and wounded to the rear. It must either abandon the sufferers, or else find means of carrying theni wherever it marches, and this, of course, is a task which is rendered more and more difficult by every succeeding combat. Again, if the ' movable 'column' is brought to frequent halts by the necessity of self-defence, there is danger that the operation in which it is engaged will last to a time beyond the narrow limit of the supplie:? which it is able to carry along with it.