"The art of war, as generally considered, consists of five purely military branches,—viz.: Strategy, Grand Tactics, Logistics, Engineering, and Tactics. A sixth and essential branch, hitherto unrecognized, might be termed Diplomacy in its relation to War. Although this branch is more naturally and intimately connected with the profession of a statesman than with that of a soldier, it cannot be denied that, if it be useless to a subordinate general, it is indispensable to every general commanding an army: it enters into all the combinations which may lead to a war, and has a connection with the various operations to be undertaken in this war; and, in this view, it should have a place in a work like this" -- from Project Gutenberg.

Translation of: Précis de l'art de la guerre. Originally published in 1862. Second Greenwood reprinting.

Chapter 1.The relation of diplomacy to war. Offensive wars to recover rights -- Wars which are politically defensive, and offensive in a military view -- Wars of expediency -- Wars with or without allies -- Wars of intervention -- wars of invasion, through a desire of conquest or for other causes -- Wars of opinion -- National wars -- Civil and religious wars -- Double wars, and the danger of undertaking two at the same time -- Chapter 2. Military policy. Military statistics and geography -- Different causes which have an influence over the success of a war -- The military institutions and states -- The command of armies and the supreme control of operations -- The military spirit of nations and the morale of armies -- Chapter 3. Strategy : definition of strategy and tactics. The system of offensive or defensive operations -- The theater of operations -- Bases of operations -- Strategic lines and points, decisive points of the theater of war, and objective points of operations -- Fronts of operations, strategic fronts, lines of defense, and strategic positions -- Zones and lines of operations -- Strategic lines of maneuver -- Means of protecting lines of operations by temporary bases or strategic reserves -- The old and new systems of war -- Depots of supply, and their relations to operations -- Frontiers, and their defense by forts and entrenched lines -- wars of sieges -- Entrenched camps and tetes de ponts in their relation to strategy -- Strategic operations in mountainous countries -- Grand invasions and distant expeditions. Epitome of strategy -- Chapter 4. Grand tactics and battles. Positions and defensive battles-- Offensive battles and orders of battle -- Turning maneuvers, and too extended movements in battle -- Unexpected meeting of two armies on the march -- Surprises of armies -- Attack of cities, intrenched camps or lines, and coups de main generally -- Chapter 5. Several operations of a mixed character, which are partly in the domain of strategy and partly of tactics. Diversions and great detachments -- Passage of rivers and other streams -- Retreats and pursuits -- Cantonments and winter quarters -- Descents, or maritime expeditions -- Chapter 6. Logistics, or the practical art of moving armies. A few remarks on logistics in general -- Reconnoissances, and other means of gaining accurate information of the enemy’s movements -- Chapter 7. Formation and employment of troops for battle. Posting troops in line of battle -- Formation and employment of infantry -- Formation and employment of cavalry -- Formation and employment of artillery -- Employment of the three arms together.