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

HIS ACTIVITY.G59the theatre of operations and its resources. He was compelledto study his every step forward. But he never advanced,despite his speed, without securing flanks and rear,and properly garrisoning the country on which he based.Having done this, he marched on his objective — which waswont to be the enemy's army — witha directness which wasunerring. His fertility in ruse and stratagem was unbounded.He kept well concentrated ; his division of forces was alwayswarranted by the conditions, and always with a view of againconcentrating. His rapidity was unparalleled. It was thiswhich gave him such an ascendant over all his enemies.Neitherwinter cold nor summer heat, mountain nor desert, thewidest rivers nor the most elaborate defenses, ever arrestedhis course ; and yet his troops were always well fed. He wasa master of logistics. He lived on the country he campaignedin, as entirely as Napoleon, but was careful to accumulategranaries in the most available places. He was remarkablein being able to keep the gaps in his army filled by recruitsfrom home or enlistments of natives, and in transforming thelatter into excellent soldiers.Starting from home with thirtyfivethousand men, he had in the Indian campaigns no lessthan one hundred and thirty-five thousand, and their deedsproved the stuffthat was in them.It is true that we do not see every trivial detail of theschool text-books illustrated in the campaigns of Alexander.And yet, had history vouchsafed us a fuller insight into theminutiae of his work, it is scarcely to be doubted that weshould have found as much skill in the minor as is shown inthe larger operations. The results clearly prove it. But suchdetails are not what make the captain. Few martinets havewon any rank as soldiers. Details are essential ; no extendedoperations can be successful without scrupulous attention tothe last detail. What, however, places a great captain far