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THE best Strategy is ALWAYS TO BE VERY STRONG, first generally then at
the decisive point. Therefore, apart from the energy which creates the
Army, a work which is not always done by the General, there is no more
imperative and no simpler law for Strategy than to KEEP THE FORCES
CONCENTRATED.--No portion is to be separated from the main body unless
called away by some urgent necessity. On this maxim we stand firm, and
look upon it as a guide to be depended upon. What are the reasonable
grounds on which a detachment of forces may be made we shall learn by
degrees. Then we shall also see that this principle cannot have the same
general effects in every War, but that these are different according to
the means and end.
It seems incredible, and yet it has happened a hundred times, that
troops have been divided and separated merely through a mysterious
feeling of conventional manner, without any clear perception of the
reason.
If the concentration of the whole force is acknowledged as the norm, and
every division and separation as an exception which must be justified,
then not only will that folly be completely avoided, but also many an
erroneous ground for separating troops will be barred admission.
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