The tactics used by the Vendeans are explained in the preceding pages. Advancing behind the cover of the hedges, they approached the enemy unseen. Once they were near enough, they hurled themselves onto their foe, keeping a close eye on the Republicans' artillery. As soon as an artilleryman lit a fuse, the Vendeans would throw themselves to the ground to minimise the risk of injury. They continued in this way between their opponents' shots until they reached the enemy lines where they brought their scythes into action, using them like bayonets. It is interesting to note that the "revolutionary" army was deployed in the same way as under the Ancien Régime, while the reactionary "chouans" had invented modern guerrilla warfare.