Disposition

de guerre, Fr. warlike arrangement, or disposition. Under this head may be considered the mode of establishing, combining, conducting, and finally terminating a war, so as to produce succe and victory. Wisdom and discretion in council point out the form nece ary for the first establishment of a warlike enterprise, or disposition, afford the means of bringing it to a conclusion, and a imilate all the various parts so as to unite the whole. The following maxims are in the memoirs of general Montecuculli. 1. Deliberate leisurely, execute promptly. 2. Let the safety of your army be your first object. 3. Leave something to chance. 4. Take advantage of circumstances. 5. Use all the means in your power to secure a good reputation. The disposition or arrangement of a warlike enterprise may be universal, or particular. An universal disposition or arrangement of war implies every thing which relates to that system upon an extensive scale; such as the combination of many parts for the ultimate benefit of the whole, . A particular disposition or arrangement of war signifies the detail of minute objects, and the appropriation of various parts, one with another, for the purpose of effecting a general combination. This disposition, (without which the other must prove abortive,) consists in an observance of the strictest discipline by every individual that belongs to a troop or company. To this end, general officers should be scrupulously exact in attending to the inspection of particular corps; specific instructions for regimental œconomy and discipline should be given, and the strictest regard be paid to the execution of orders.