L'Uniforme et les Armes des Soldats de la Guerre en Dentelle. Tome 2. 1700-1800 France, Grande-Bretagne et Prusse: Cavalerie et artillerie, Autres Pays Infanterie, cavalerie, artillerie.

Until the mid 18th century, armies still move by monolithic mass, slow to maneuver and slow to deploy; it is difficult to throw at the enemy. Indeed, while they put themselves in battle array, it has time to escape. Risking battle is risking everything. One pound with the certainty of defeat, otherwise we dodge. Where multiple maneuvers, scholarly and prim, sometimes sophisticated. We can even, by these maneuvers, forcing the opponent without a fight. Maurice de Saxe wrote a skillful general may avoid battle throughout life.