To have a clear notion on this point of time, is very important, in order to be able to decide whether, with the prompt assistance of reinforcements, the combat can again be resumed with advantage.
Often in combats which are beyond restoration new forces are sacrificed in vain; often through neglect the decision has not been seized when it might easily have been secured.

Here are two examples, which could not be more to the point: When the Prince of Hohenlohe, in 1806, at Jena,( *) with 35,000 men opposed to from 60,000 to 70,000, under Buonaparte, had accepted battle, and lost it--but lost it in such a way that the 35,000 might be regarded as dissolved--General Ruchel undertook to renew the fight with about 12,000; the consequence was that in a moment his force was scattered in like manner.
(*) October 14, 1806.
On the other hand, on the same day at Auerstadt, the Prussians maintained a combat with 25,000, against Davoust, who had 28,000, until mid-day, without success, it is true, but still without the force being reduced to a state of dissolution without even greater loss than the enemy, who was very deficient in cavalry;--but they neglected to use the reserve of 18,000, under General Kalkreuth, to restore the battle which, under these circumstances, it would have been impossible to lose.
Each combat is a whole in which the partial combats combine themselves into one total result.

In this total result lies the decision of the combat.

This success need not be exactly a victory such as we have denoted in the sixth chapter, for often the preparations for that have not been made, often there is no opportunity if the enemy gives way too soon, and in most cases the decision, even when the resistance has been obstinate, takes place before such a degree of success is attained as would completely satisfy the idea of a victory.
We therefore ask, Which is commonly the moment of the decision, that is to say, that moment when a fresh, effective, of course not disproportionate, force, can no longer turn a disadvantageous battle?
If we pass over false attacks, which in accordance with their nature are properly without decision, then, 1.

If the possession of a movable object was the object of the combat, the loss of the same is always the decision.
2.