"A new English-language translation of Études sur le combat: ancienne et moderne by French army officer Charles Ardant du Picq (1821-1870). A classic of military thought that merits space in the same pantheon occupied by Clausewitz's On War, it was first published posthumously in Paris in 1880 by Hachette & Dumaine. Newly translated, introduced, and annotated by military historian Roger Spiller, it should effectively supplant the still-current translation first published in 1921 by Macmillan (then by other publishers), attract a new generation of scholars and military professionals, and be tabbed for course adoption in the military education system."--Provided by publisher.

Translated from the French.

Foreword -- Introduction : Toujours la question essentielle -- About this translation -- BATTLE STUDIES : Ancient and Modern Battle -- PART ONE : Ancient battle : Introduction -- I. Man in primitive and ancient combat -- II. Knowledge of man made Roman tactics, the successes of Hannibal, and those of Caesar -- III. Analysis of the Battle of Cannae -- IV. Analysis of the Battle of Pharsalus and some characteristics examples -- V. The dynamics of morale in ancient combat -- VI. Under what conditions real combatants are made, etc. -- VII. The purpose of this study and what would be necessary to complete it -- PART TWO : Modern battle : I. General considerations : 1. Ancient and modern combat -- 2. Moral elements in combat -- 3. Material and moral effect -- 4. The theory of the strong battalions -- 5. Combat methods -- II. Infantry : 1. Masses--deep columns -- 2. Skirmishers--Supports--Reserves--Squares -- 3. Firing -- 4. Marches--Camps--Night attacks -- III. Cavalry : 1. Cavalry and modern weapons -- 2. Cavalry against cavalry -- 3. Cavalry against infantry -- 4. Armor and armaments -- IV. Artillery -- V. Command, General Staff, and administration -- VI. Social and military institutions; National characteristics -- APPENDIXES : Appendix I. Memorandum on infantry fire : 1. Introduction -- 2. Succinct history of the evolution of firearms, from the Arquebus to our rifle -- 3. Progressive introduction of firearms into the armament of the infantryman -- 4. The classes of fire employed with each weapon -- 5. Execution of fire in the presence of the enemy, etc. -- 6. Fire at will--its efficacy -- 7. Fire by rank is a fire to occupy men in the ranks -- 8. The deadly fire is the fire by skirmishers -- 9. The absolute impossibilty of fire at command ; Appendix II. Historical documents : 1. Cavalry (extract from 'Xenophon) -- 2. Marius against the Cimbrians (extract from Plutarch's "Life of Marius") -- 3. The Battle of the Alma (extract from correspondence) -- 5. The Battle of Inkerman (extracts from correspondence) -- 6. The Battle of Magenta (extract from correspondence) -- 7. The Battle of Solferino (extract from correspondence) -- 8. Mentana (extract from correspondence) ; Appendix III. Record of military service of Colonel Ardant du Picq : Campaigns and wounds -- Decorations ; Appenidx IV. "Extract from the history of the 10th Infantry Regiment" ; Appendix V. A brother's reminiscence ; Appendix VI. The circular letter.