The military is an ever-changing profession. Technology, tactics, and objectives are constantly changing, even in peacetime. The science of war has evolved drastically since the very first battle fought on American soil, but the art of war has remained constant since that same time. Regardless of the alterations over the years, the principles of war, developed by British Major General J. F. C. Fuller and adopted by the United States Army in 1921, have held ground in our practicing military professions in the past and act as guidelines for action in the future. These nine principles of war are often referred to as "MOOSEMUSS," which is an acronym used by most Marines.
             Surprise is one of the last S's in the acronym. My definition of surprise is striking the enemy when they least expect it. This could be done in so many ways. It would not just be attacking the enemy when they are unaware, but rather attacking them in an instant in which their reaction is too late to respond effectively. Surprise is only temporary when it comes to war, so the initial shock must be utilized before the enemy can overcome the impact and effectively fight back.
             Surprise enables the military to operate with fewer forces than one would think might be needed to succeed in battle. It is an important tactic in war because it can ultimately affect the aftermath of a battle. Some contributions to the success of the principle would be speed, deception, variations in techniques and tactics, employment of unexpected forces, unfavorable terrain, limited visibility or operating at night, effective and timely intelligence, and security.
             The principle of surprise has played many important roles throughout the battles of the Civil War. For example, the Battle of Chancellorsville with General Robert E. Lee's Army fighting against General Joseph Hooker's Army. At first, Hooker's plan unfolded suc
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