American revolution
Carl von Clausewitz determined the importance or significance of a battle on the so-called "degree" of victory. In his view a victory was significant if the losing enemy's army had been outflanked, the terrain of the battle, the number of troops the winner had and the effectiveness of the winner's cavalry.
Military theorist Carl Von Clausewitz graded the quality of a battlefield victory on several factors. For him the value or the degree of a battlefield victory depended on whether the skill of the winning general was able to outflank the enemy. He also placed emphasis on whether the rough terrain impacted the results of the battle and what army had the superior cavalry.
"The fog of war" is a term that summarizes the concept presented in Carl von Clausewitz's book "On War." In this book, Clausewitz discusses the uncertainty, ambiguity, and complexity that military leaders face during conflict, emphasizing the difficulties in understanding the full scope of a situation in the midst of battle.
Military theorist Carl Von Clausewitz believed that if an enemy could not be beaten in a decisive fashion on the field of battle, there was another alternative to pursue. Clausewitz wrote that the next best strategy to defeat an enemy was to attack an enemy's important cities and agriculture areas that could supply their armies. Eventually, the Union military commanders focused on the formulas proscribed by Clausewitz. Union General William T. Sherman, with the permission of General in Chief US Grant and President Lincoln, not only fought the Army of Tennessee in the deep south, but destroyed agriculture that could feed the Rebel armies.
Military theorist Carl von Clausewitz believed that tactical defensive measures were a powerful force in any war. In spite of General Lee's blunder in attacking the Union center on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg, and General Grant's mistaken assault at the Battle of Cold Harbor, the majority of generals on both sides saw the power of tactical defenses and entrenchments.
Ancient: Sparta Modern: Japan
A battleaxe is an ancient military weapon, a form of axe designed for military combat, or a heraldic term for this form of weapon on a coat of arms.
Not withstanding the Confederate victory at the Battle of Chickamauga in the Fall of 1863, the South had major setbacks such as in the Battle of Gettysburg. Military theorist Carl von Clausewitz anticipated such a situation when he was involved in the Napoleonic wars in Europe. His writings can be said to fit the situation the Confederacy faced in 1863. Clausewitz wrote that when a weaker force is forced to fight against unfavorable odds, its lack of troops had to be compensated for by a renewed effort to continue on. Faced with possible total defeat, the weaker army had to use the inner strength that the danger by the superior army forced upon them. Clausewitz advised that if the increase of vigor was combined with a prudent limitation in objectives, the weaker army would be able to weather the storm and rebuild itself into a force to be reckoned with. By keeping on the tactical defensive, the South was able to continue on well into 1864.
After the Union victory at the Battle of Shiloh, General Halleck made a remarkable 150 mile advance into Confederate territory. Based on several negative factors such as advancing within the enemy's homeland, neither military theorists Clausewitz or Johmini never would have believed a rapid advance would be possible. These men failed to take into consideration the fact that by using waterways and gunboats, Halleck was able to make a rapid advance.
On more than one occasion, Confederate General Robert E. Lee divided his army in preparation of an upcoming battle. One example of this was during the events leading up to the Battle of Antietam. In the view of Clausewitz, the very division of one's army immediately gave the enemy the possibility of having the advantage of using interior lines. This would indeed be a "gift" and to not exploit it would be a lost opportunity.
There was no ancient battle which was named the Battle of Trier.
For centuries the Roman army was the best military force in the ancient world. The Romans had developed a unique battle formation called the legion. This was a sophisticated military organization. In addition to this was the training and discipline that the Roman soldiers practiced whether at peace or at war. The Romans were also a sophisticated siege army and were adept at ancient military war engines such as the catapult.