Alexander : a history of the origin and growth of the art of war from ...

106 COLUMN WELL CLOSED.safety of his soldiers with greater ardor or to better effect.In this retreat a number of entirely new schemes were putinto practice by him.The building of a bridge on goat-skinsstuffed with hay or stubble and sewed up so as to be watertightis here fix'st mentioned, though Xenophon does notclaim its invention, and we shall see Alexander using thisdevice constantly. Xenophon originated the advance bybreaking forward by the right of regiments or companiesinstead of in line, in order to overcome bad ground or tomaintain a better alignment, — one of the most useful ofminor manceuvi-es. But it is in the method he displayed thathe principally instructs us.Parts of the Retreat ofthe Ten Thousand were a runningfight for days.Xenophon began by organizing a small cavalryforce and a body of slingers, both essential to meet the similararms of the enemy. He was always at the proper point.The Greek order of march was apt to be careless and muchstrung out. Xenophon taught his _men that a column ofmarch well closed up could not only more easily force its waythrough the enemy, but that it was far safer in retreat becauseoccupying so much less space. His opponents had nomissile-throwing engines, and could not attack from a distance.So when the pursuing forces reached his rear, he had withhis dense column to waste no time in concentrating beforehe was strong enough to attack ; meanwhile by a slight skirmishingresistance, or a smart onset with his rear-guard, Xenophonenabled the main colvmm and baggage to gain muchground, and could then quickly rejoin it.In well-closed orderhe reduced to a minimimi the danger of flank attack.Across plains Xenophon marched, like Brasidas, in hollowsquare, with baggage and non-combatants in the centre, butin passing through the mountains — a succession of defiles— he changed the formation to one more compact, and always