A PREPARATION OF ATTACK. A circular Taking-of-the-Blade performed similar in direct as a counter-parry.

The object of this offensive, directed against a flank of a fixed position, was to pour an enfilading fire along the enemy's line. A double envelopment, usually a risky operation, involved an attack against both flanks simultaneously. A similar though longer-range operation was known as a Turning Movement, or Strategic Envelopment, in which the offensive was directed not against the enemy position itself but toward a point in its rear, compelling the enemy to leave his works and defend that point, making him more vulnerable. Most Civil War maneuvers were either envelopments or turning movements, since by 1861 the long-range accuracy of rifled small arms had rendered frontal assaults against fixed-especially entrenched-positions extremely costly. It should be noted, however, that Civil War-era tactics manuals did not apply specific definitions to either "envelopments" or "turning movement"; these were not rigidly defined until later in the century. Civil War tacticians used the terms only in their most general sense-in reference to any maneuver that was not a frontal attack.

the taking of the foible of the opponent's blade by making a complete circle and maintaining continual contact throughout

A prise du fer that transports the opponent's blade in a complete circle, returning to the original line.

an engagement that sweeps the opponent's blade through a full circle.

An action in which you use your blade to sweep an opponent's blade through a full circle.

An attack made on one or both of the enemy's flanks or rear; usually accompanied by an attack on his front.