"The following work was undertaken with the hope of meeting, to some extent at least, a long-felt want amount the volunteers and militia; that is, a manual, which, besides containing every thing which may be necessary for mere tactical instruction, should also embrace more or less instruction on various other subjects of equal importance with tactics ... the present work should embrace every thing which is proper to be known by our citizen soldiery; its aim is, simply to aid the inexperienced so far as to enable them to become familiar with such principles, and practical details of the military service, as are absolutely essential to those who would be competent officers, whether in the line, or in the staff"--P. iii.