...by his return fire, as his infantry is little exposed to view and the smoke will obscure the field. If, as I infer from your note, there is any alternative...before opening our fire, for it will take all the artillery ammunition we have left to test this one, and if the result is unfavorable we will have none...

...Alexander's reply: "General: I will only be able to judge of the effect of our fire on the enemy by his return fire. ... If, as I infer from your note, there...before opening our fire, for it will take all the artillery ammunition we have left to test this one, and if result is unfavorable we will have none...

...exposed to view, and the smoke will obscure the whole field. If, as I infer from your note, there is an alternative to this attack, it should be carefully...considered before opening our fire, for it will take all of the artillery ammunition we have left to test this one thoroughly, and if the result is unfavorable,...