,,instructions ,,for ,,officers ,,and ,,non-,,commissioned ,,officers ,,of ,,cavalry1 ,,on ,,outpost ,,duty2 ,,by ,,lieut4-,,colonel ,,von ,,arentschildt1 ,first ,hussars ,king's ,german ,legion3 ,,with ,,an ,,abridgment ,,of ,,them ,,by ,,lieut4-,,colonel ,,the ,,hon4 ,f4 ,,ponsonby1 ,twelfth ,light ,dragoons4 ,j4,w4 ,,randolph3 #aba ,,main ,,street1 ,,richmond1 ,,va4 #ahfa4 ,,this ,,valuable ,,digest ,,of ,,instructions ,,for ,,officers ,,and ,,non-,,commissioned ,,officers ,,of ,,cavalry ,,on ,,outpost ,,duty1 ,,is ,,reprinted ,,from ,,the ,,london ,,edition ,,by ,,order ,,of ,,brig',r ,,general ,,philip ,,st4 ,,geo4 ,,cocke1 ,,whilst ,,commanding ,,potomac ,,military ,,department ,,of ,,virginia1 ,,and ,,dedicated ,,by ,,him ,,to ,,captain ,,lay ,,and ,,his ,,powhatan ,,troop ,,of ,,cavalry4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,this ,,digest ,,is ,,earnestly ,,commended ,,to ,,the ,,attention ,,of ,,the ,,officers ,,and ,,non-,,commissioned ,,officers ,,of ,,cavalry ,,of ,,virginia1 ,,and ,,of ,,the ,,confederate ,,states4 ,,outpost ,,duty4 ,i4 ,,instructions ,,for ,,officers ,,and ,,non-,,commissioned ,,officers3 ,,by ,,lieut4-,,colonel ,,von ,,arentschildt4 ,,ii4 ,,an ,,abridgment ,,of ,,the ,,same3 ,,by ,,lieutenant-,,colonel ,,the ,,hon4 ,f4 ,,ponsonby4 ,,lieutenant-,,colonel ,,von ,,arentschildt',s ,,instructions ,,on ,,outpost ,,duty4 ,,instructions ,,for ,,officers ,,and ,,non-,,commissioned ,,officers ,,on ,,outpost ,,duty4 ,i4 ,,on ,,the ,,conduct ,,to ,,be ,,held ,,by ,,an ,,officer1 ,,or ,,non-,,commissioned ,,officer1 ,,on ,,picquet4 ,,section ,i4 ,,parading ,,the ,,picquet4 ,the ,commanding ,officer of a ,picquet1 as soon as the same has been given up to him1 should take care to have the names of his men written down1 as well as the ,regiment and ,troop they belong to2 inspect their ammunition and fire arms2 and order them to load4 ,he likewise should inquire if the men are provided with provisions and forage1 and in case they are not1 it must be reported to the ,regiment1 in order that supplies may be sent after them4 ,inquiries are likewise to be made where the reports are to be sent to4 ,,section ,,ii4 ,,marching ,,for ,,his ,,destination4 ,on the march to the spot where the ,picquet is to be placed1 the ,officer must pay great attention in examining the country1 and particularly observe the places where he would make a stand in case the ,picquet should be attacked by the ,enemy3 for instance1 behind a bridge1 a ravine1 between bogs1 c41 in order to keep off the enemy as long as possible4 ,this is of the utmost importance to give the ,corps time to turn out4 ,the ,commander of a ,picquet who retires with his men at full speed1 and the ,enemy at his heels1 deserves the severest punishment2 he must retire as slow as possible1 and constantly skirmish4 ,,section ,,iii4 ,,if ,,no ,,picquet ,,was ,,on ,,the ,,spot ,,before4 ,by ,day4 ,being arrived at the spot chosen by himself1 or pointed out to him1 he forms his ,picquet1 and takes out as many men as he thinks he has occasion for as ,videttes4 ,to fix upon the number of ,videttes1 is much facilitated by riding on the top of a hill1 and observing the number of roads and hills in front4 ,with these ,videttes he goes on1 and places them in such a manner that every one of them is able to see individually what is coming towards the ,picquet1 as well as the neighbouring ,videttes4 ,the remainder of the ,picquet dismounts in the mean time1 with the exception of one ,sentry1 who is to be placed a little in advance4 ,the bridles are not to be taken off4 ,in placing the ,videttes the ,officer will have acquired a sufficient knowledge of the country to be able to judge whether any of them are superfluous1 7which is much to be avoided1 as men and horses are unnecessarily fatigued by it17 or whether there ought to be more4 ,two-thirds of the ,picquet now unbridle3 it is to be recollected that the whole of a ,picquet should never unbridle4 ,the ,officer then reconnoitres the country4 ,every one ambitious to do his duty well will make a little sketch1 in which the following are to be marked2 #a4 ,roads2 #b4 ,rivers2 #c4 ,bridges and ,fords2 #d4 ,morasses1 cavities1 hollow roads1 and mountains2 #e4 ,wood2 #f4 ,towns1 ,villages and their distances4 ,if the ,officer does not acquire such an exact knowledge of the country1 he cannot be responsible for the security of his ,picquet1 and of the corps to which he belongs4 ,by this time he will have had opportunity to fix upon the spot where his ,picquet and ,videttes ought to be placed at night4 ,by ,night4 ,it is impossible to lay down any fixed1 principles on this subject2 but the general rules are1 to advance the ,picquet at least two or three ,english miles in front of the main body3 to place it behind a bridge1 ravine1 wood1 or bog through which the road passes1 in order to be enabled to make a stand immediately on being attacked1 and to place ,videttes in front and flanks4 ,small ,patrols of two or three men in front1 and flanks at half an hour's interval1 and constantly kept in motion1 will give perfect security1 particularly if one of the men sometimes dismounts1 and listens with his ear on the ground3 he will hear the march of troops at a great distance4 ,this precaution is indispensable in stormy weather4 ,upon coming by night to a new spot1 particularly in a mountainous or woody country1 small ,patrols must be pushed forward immediately in all the roads1 c41 to secure in the first instance the placing of ,videttes1 c41 c4 ,if the enemy is near1 no fire is to be lighted1 and the spot where the ,picquet stands should be changed very often2 one-half of the ,picquet should be mounted1 the other stand with the bridles in their hands4 ,,section ,,iv4 ,,relieving ,,another ,,picquet4 ,great part of what is said in sections ,i4 and ,,ii4 is likewise to be applied here4 ,as soon as the ,officer is arrived at the ,picquet that is to be relieved1 he forms at its left flank1 or behind it1 as the nature of the ground requires1 draws out a non-commissioned officer1 and as many ,videttes as he has to relieve1 7the remainder dismounts17 and proceeds with the ,officer commanding the old ,picquet and his own non-commissioned ,officer to relieve the ,videttes4 ,the ,officers should be very particular in delivering the detail of their duties1 and the following is to be observed on such occasions4 #a4 ,all written orders or instructions must be delivered1 and the verbal orders written down and signed by the ,officer who is relieved4 #b4 ,the outlines of the sketch belonging to the ,officer commanding the old ,picquet are to be copied and filled up afterwards-- #c4 ,to whom the reports are to be sent4 #d4 ,where the ,picquets on the flanks are stationed2 what roads lead to them2 how often ,patrols are exchanged between them in the night4 ,in case the roads to them are little known1 or difficult to be found1 the ,non-commissioned ,officer of the old ,picquet must show them to that of the new one1 who takes another man with him4 #e4 ,inquiries must be made as to the knowledge the ,officer has of the enemy1 particularly where he patrols to2 whether he thinks that the ,picquet has been well posted1 at night as well as in the day1 or whether improvements can be made4 ,if such an improvement is found to be necessary by placing one or two more ,videttes1 they ought to be posted immediately1 but the same is to be reported without delay4 ,at the relief of the ,videttes1 both the officers of the old and new ,picquets should be present4 ,they must listen to the delivery of instructions from the old ,vidette to the new one1 and the latter is to be desired to repeat what has been delivered to him1 to prevent any mistake4 ,the principal points of these instructions should be3 on what roads and from what part of the country the enemy may be expected to advance2 where the neighbouring ,videttes are stationed1 in order to be able to repeat their signals1 which they may have particular orders to make4 ,the new ,vidette must be very particular in occupying the same spot that the old one did1 as sometimes the difference of one yard may be of great consequence in observing or being observed at a great distance4 ,if the relief is not made with the above-mentioned exactness1 all orders that have been issued may be misunderstood or quite forgotten in the course of two or three days4 ,after all the ,videttes have been relieved in this manner1 the spot where the ,picquet and ,videttes have been stationed in the night are to be pointed out to the ,officer of the new ,picquet4 ,the old ,picquet now marches off1 and the new one takes its place4 ,the horses may be then unbridled1 except one-third or one-fourth4 ,,section ,v4 ,,during ,,his ,,stay ,,on ,,picquet4 ,by ,day4 ,a ,dismounted ,sentry who is able to see the movements of the several ,videttes1 and who can acquaint the ,picquet with them1 is a measure so necessary for the safety of the ,picquet1 that it never ought to be omitted4 ,one-third or one-fourth of the horses are always bridled up and ready to advance2 the men must never take off their swords and belts2 one-half of them may sleep in the middle of the day1 the other in the afternoon1 that they may be all perfectly alert at night4 ,the men must not be allowed to go into houses or villages in the neighbourhood2 such straggling leads to irregularities1 and on being rapidly attacked by the enemy the horses will be lost4 ,when the men water their horses1 they must bridle them up1 and take everything with them2 none but inexperienced and negligent ,officers will allow the men to water their horses at any distance with merely the halter on1 and leaving the bridle with the ,picquet4 ,in short1 a ,picquet must at all times be ready for an attack in half a minute4 ,how often the ,picquets are to patrol1 where to and how far1 is generally ordered by the ,officer commanding the outposts4 ,if there are no orders upon these subjects1 the following ,patrols will be sent3 ,the first at half an hour before daybreak1 or so early that it has time to arrive at the place of its destination at daylight2 here it will remain until it is full daylight4 ,whoever leads the ,patrol is to go up on the top of a hill1 where he can look about to a considerable distance1 and then he returns1 the second ,patrol at ten o'clock2 the third at two o'clock2 the fourth towards evening2 the fifth at midnight4 ,this arrangement1 however1 depends upon the distance of the enemy1 except the morning ,patrol before daylight1 which is to go under all circumstances4 ,it cannot be too frequently told to all ,patrols1 that they are often to look to the rear when they return4 ,the ,enemy very frequently succeeds in following a negligent ,patrol of this kind1 and surprising the ,picquet1 which thinks itself perfectly secure4 ,in a close country it is very advisable after the return of a patrol1 to send forward again a few men at the distance of a mile1 to be certain that the ,enemy did not follow the ,patrol4 ,by ,night4 ,the proper time for the ,picquet to go to the night post is when it gets too dark for the day ,videttes to see at any distance2 they are then called in1 and the position for the night is taken up4 ,if there are any apprehensions of being betrayed to the enemy by spies or inhabitants of the country1 it is advisable to change the spot again1 but the ,videttes will remain4 ,in case the enemy is very near1 the ,picquet must be mounted2 this is1 however1 very fatiguing for men and horses2 it is1 therefore1 better to cause one-third or one-half to mount and to advance about a hundred yards2 the remainder is to stand by their horses4 ,at night the ,videttes may be relieved every hour4 ,the ,relief should ride along the chain of ,videttes2 this may be considered1 at the same time1 as a visiting ,patrol4 ,besides this ,patrol1 the ,videttes are to be visited every half hour to be quite sure that none of them have deserted or fallen asleep4 ,if the enemy is near1 the ,videttes should be all double2 which is at all times to be recommended in preference to single ,videttes1 if the strength of the ,picquet will allow it4 ,in case a man deserts1 the spot where the ,picquet is stationed ought to be instantly changed to some hundred yards' distance1 and the fire to be extinguished2 the ,videttes are to be made acquainted with this change1 and double attention paid4 ,in such cases double ,videttes patrol among themselves in the following manner3 ,fig4 #a4 #a #b #c #d #e #f 4444#j #j 4444 #j #j 4444 #j #j4444 ,videttes4 ,no4 #a patrols to his left1 and when returned ,no4 #b proceeds to ,no4 #c1 and returns to his station3 ,no4 #c patrols to ,no4 #b1 and when returned1 ,no4 #d will go to ,no4 #e and return2 #e and #f1 and all the other ,videttes do the same4 ,if this is done it is impossible that anything can pass unperceived4 ,the desertion of any man must be reported without delay4 ,when the ,enemy is close1 the following measures not only contributes to insure security1 but is the best way to learn when the ,enemy is on the move4 ,a few men are to patrol during the night every hour beyond the chain of ,videttes1 in different directions1 and to go as close to the ,enemy as they can1 unperceived4 ,as soon as they are far enough1 one man dismounts and listens with his ear on the ground2 he will be enabled to hear at a considerable distance when ,troops march4 ,this undoubtedly gives security to the outpost2 but it is particularly recommended1 being the only means to ascertain the secret movements of the enemy in the night1 to discover which the greatest exertions ought to be made1 as it is of the utmost importance to the ,commander-in-chief to be immediately acquainted with them4 ,the ,picquets have frequently no orders to detain people that pass through the line of outposts towards the enemy2 but in the evening and during the night every one attempting to do so must remain with the ,picquet until daylight4 ,persons suspected of carrying any papers with them are to be searched1 and sent to the ,commanding ,officer1 with a written statement why they appear suspicious4 ,half an hour before daylight the morning ,patrols will be sent on the roads in front1 and as soon as it is quite light the ,picquet and ,videttes take up their position for the day4 ,,section ,,vi4 ,,placing ,,of ,,videttes4 ,although little can be said upon this subject1 7everything depending upon the nature of the country17 the following rules may be applicable3 ,by ,day4 ,they are generally placed upon hills1 to enable them to have a good view of everything in front4 ,in a mountainous country the ravines and narrow valleys now and then cannot be observed at the top of a hill2 in this case a ,vidette is to be placed in the bottom4 ,it is desirable to place the ,videttes on the top of hills1 near a tree or large stone1 to prevent the enemy from seeing them1 as he may conclude1 by seeing one of them1 what position the whole line of ,videttes and ,picquets1 and even sometimes the corps to which they belong1 have taken up4 ,when the ,videttes are placed in such a manner that they can overlook their front1 see each other and the ground between them1 so that nothing can pass unperceived1 they are placed as they ought to be4 ,in order to spare men and horses1 no more ,videttes than necessary are to be out4 ,in a thick fog the ,videttes stationed at a considerable distance on the flanks are taken off the hills and placed on more suitable spots4 ,the country may require that the position fixed upon for the night should be taken up during the day1 in which case the country in front must be continually scoured in all directions by small ,patrols2 which measure always gives sufficient security4 ,by ,night4 ,the ,videttes are taken off the hills1 and placed on the roads1 behind fords1 bridges1 ravines1 c41 by which the enemy may approach the ,picquet4 ,at a clear moonshine they ought to be near a tree or bush1 to prevent their being seen by the enemy1 as in a close country it may happen that he approaches them unperceived1 notwithstanding all their attention4 ,they should be placed at the bottom of a hill1 so that any object moving on the top would be easily perceived even in the darkest night4 ,they are by no means to be advanced further than that1 their firing can be distinctly heard by the ,picquet1 even in a stormy night4 ,,section ,,vii4 ,,instructions ,,for ,,the ,,videttes1 ,and what the ,officer ,commanding the ,picquet has to observe on their making ,signals4 ,by ,day4 #a4 ,when a ,vidette discovers anything suspicious on the side of the enemy1 should it be a rising dust or the glittering of arms1 he should move his horse in a circle at a walk4 ,the ,officer should instantly proceed to the ,vidette1 accompanied by a corporal and four men1 and if he cannot distinctly discover by his spy-glass the cause of the dust1 he should send off the men that accompanied him1 as a ,patrol1 or go himself2 so far that he can report in case he sees ,troops1 how strong they are1 whether consisting of ,cavalry1 ,infantry1 or ,artillery1 but particularly in which direction they march4 ,this report must be dispatched in writing1 without the least delay4 ,the ,commander of a ,picquet should never omit to report occurrences of this kind1 although they may have no connexion with the security of his ,picquet4 ,patrols and ,picquets must always report the movements of any body of ,troops1 even of a small number4 #b4 ,if the ,videttes observe ,troops marching towards them1 but yet at a great distance1 they will ride the circle in a trot4 ,the ,officer's duty is1 as in #a4 #c4 ,if the enemy's ,troops come towards the ,picquet1 and are at only one ,english mile distance from it1 the ,videttes circle in a gallop4 ,the ,officer immediately advances with his whole ,picquet4 ,his duty is prescribed in the paragraph on the ,attack of a ,picquet4 ,if the enemy is so near that the ,videttes are obliged to gallop to their ,picquets for their own security1 they fire their carbines and pistols in case the ,picquet should not have advanced4 ,by ,night4 #a4 ,as soon as the ,videttes hear a suspicious noise1 even at a great distance1 such as the rattling of carriages or artillery1 the barking of dogs in the villages in front1 or if they observe any fire1 one of the ,videttes must instantly report it to the ,officer of the ,picquet1 in order that the circumstances may be inquired into by a ,patrol4 #b4 ,should any person approach the ,vidette1 he must be challenged with ,who comes there8 so loud that the ,picquet and the next ,videttes are able to hear it4 ,if those that approach do not halt upon this1 the ,vidette should challenge a second time2 if they do not halt1 he should fire1 and retire on the road pointed out to him1 c41 c4 ,but if those that he challenged halt1 he cries out ,one man dismount6 and at the same time1 ,sergeant advance6 ,the dismounted man he desires to approach1 but not nearer than three yards1 and holds the cocked pistol directed against him4 ,the ,officer of the ,picquet must be instantly there1 and examine carefully where the person or persons came from1 who sent them1 and what for1 7when the enemy has the intention to surprise a ,picquet1 he sometimes pretends to be a friendly ,patrol17 to what regiment they belong1 the name of their ,brigadier1 ,commanding ,officer and ,captains--where their regiment is encamped1 c41 c42 if they are able readily and justly to answer these questions1 they may pass unmolested1 as in that case one may consider it a certainty that they are no enemies4 ,,section ,,viii4 ,,on ,,the ,,arrival ,,of ,a ,,flag ,,of ,,truce4 ,any person coming from the enemy with a ,flag of ,truce1 must never be allowed to advance further than the chain of ,videttes4 ,when a ,vidette makes the signal1 the ,officer of the ,picquet meets the ,flag of ,truce with four men1 and desires the bearer of it to halt1 if possible in a bottom1 or makes him face towards the side he came from1 as it may be only the intention of the enemy to make observations respecting our position1 or to see how the ,picquet is placed1 in order to surprise it in the night4 ,does the bearer of the ,flag of ,truce only bring letters1 they are to be taken from him1 and a receipt given for them2 if he insists upon being allowed to proceed1 permission must be asked1 which being obtained1 the person proceeding is blindfolded2 a ,non-commissioned ,officer leads his horse1 and brings him to the ,general's quarter4 ,should there be more persons than one1 the remainder must stay where they are1 until the other returns4 ,a ,flag of ,truce ought to be treated with the utmost politeness2 if refreshments can be given1 it is desirable to do so2 but no conversation relative to our position and to the army is to be permitted4 ,after a ,flag of ,truce has left the ,videttes1 the ,picquet must be very attentive4 ,,section ,,ix4 ,,deserters ,,coming ,,from ,,the ,,enemy4 ,at ,daytime4 ,as they are discernable at a distance1 but cannot be known to be deserters1 a proportionate number from the ,picquet must already have advanced to the line of ,videttes when they approach4 ,deserters generally make themselves known by flourishing the cap about their head1 and calling out ,deserter6 ,but this is not to be depended upon2 their further behaviour must be previously observed4 ,they are to be told that it is an order in the army to take their arms from them--that is to say1 their swords3 the flints are only taken off the fire-arms4 ,in proportion to their number they are then to be brought to the ,general's quarter by one1 two1 or three men1 and their swords returned to them4 ,whenever any property is taken from a deserter1 the act is always to be severely punished4 ,at ,night4 ,great caution is to be used in this instance4 ,the ,videttes must order them to halt at some distance1 and by no means allow them to come too near4 ,the ,picquet advances1 and the ,deserters are to come towards it one by one1 and be disarmed immediately4 ,after all this is done1 they are brought to the rear4 ,deserters must be examined respecting the movements1 c41 of the ,enemy4 ,,section ,x4 ,,when ,,the ,,picquet ,,is ,,attacked4 ,by ,day4 ,the first to be done is to report what is going on1 and in a mountainous and woody country at the same time to acquaint the ,picquets on the flanks with it4 ,after this the ,picquet advances1 but in such a manner that it cannot be cut off1 and begins to skirmish4 ,it will seldom be practicable or suitable to advance farther than the chain of ,videttes4 ,is the ,officer obliged to retire1 it must be done as slow as possible1 to gain time for the ,corps to turn out4 ,if the ,commander of the ,picquet has previously fixed upon places where to make a stand1 as prescribed in ,section ,,ii41 it is now time to make use of them1 when he has retired so far4 ,the best way for cavalry to defend a bridge1 ravine1 or ford1 is the following 7fig4 #b73 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #b4 ,when the ,picquet has been obliged to retire three or four hundred yards to the bridge1 the ,officer is to gallop over it with the same1 and to post himself in ,a1 as close as possible1 with his right flank on it1 leaving the passage open4 ,as soon as his skirmishers see that he has taken up his position1 and that the passage over the bridge is open1 they likewise gallop over it1 and face about again in ,b4 ,the ,enemy will certainly halt1 and if he pushes on1 those in ,a have only to cut him down as he is not in a state of defence1 being obliged to expose his left flank3 those in ,b charge likewise1 or fire upon him at eight yards' distance4 ,in this manner the ,enemy must halt1 and is obliged to retire a little1 in order to throw skirmishers in ,c1 to drive away the ,picquet by their fire4 ,however1 time is gained by this1 on which sometimes the honor and welfare of the ,corps depend4 ,this consideration only could induce me to be so circumstantial upon this subject4 ,when the ,picquets on the flanks are not attacked at the same time1 they can be sometimes of service in acting upon the ,enemy's flanks2 yet the nature of the ground must not endanger them to be cut off4 ,but however favorable the ground may often be1 it appears sometimes surprising to see that the nearest ,picquets frequently do not undertake anything on such occasions1 and behave exactly as if the whole business did not concern them at all4 ,in general1 it is a rule that the ,picquets that are not attacked1 retire in a line with those engaged4 ,by ,night4 ,it is mentioned in ,section ,,vii4 that when the ,videttes have fired their fire-arms1 they must gallop back by the road pointed out to them4 ,it is of the highest importance to instruct the night ,videttes1 that1 in case the ,enemy should rapidly attack them1 they are not to retire towards the ,picquet1 but a hundred and fifty yards to the right or left of it1 firing constantly in the meantime1 and trying by these means to mislead the ,enemy1 and draw him after them4 ,the ,picquet hereby gains time to mount1 and to fall in the ,enemy's flank and rear1 with a great noise1 who will certainly suspect to have fallen in an ambush1 be puzzled1 and perhaps lose some prisoners4 ,immediately after this attack is made1 it will be best to fall back again on the road fixed upon for a retreat4 ,it is therefore necessary to show the men in the day the road which the ,videttes are to take1 when they are attacked in the night1 and likewise whereabout they are to rejoin the ,picquet4 ,the other part of the retreat is nearly the same as in the day1 with this difference only1 that there cannot be skirmishers in front1 but only two or three men at the head4 ,it is necessary to fire as much as possible1 but wherever a stand can be made1 an obstinate defence is desirable4 ,it is unnecessary to remark that a report is to be sent as soon as attacked4 ,,ii4 ,,advanced ,,guard4 ,by ,day4 ,suppose the same consists of one ,officer1 two ,non-commissioned officers1 and twenty-four men1 the officer commanding tells them off as in fig4 #c4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #c4 ,this gives an extension of #a1ejj yards1 which is sufficient for twenty-four men4 ,if the column is larger1 the ,advanced ,guard is likewise stronger and more extended4 ,a rule is1 that the ,advanced ,guard should take up so much ground1 that when it discovers the enemy1 the column has sufficient time to form and make dispositions1 either for attacking or retiring4 ,the several divisions of the ,advanced ,guard must always keep their support in sight1 and be careful to preserve the same distances4 ,when the column halts1 the ,advanced ,guard does the same1 but the three men at the head instantly occupy the neighbouring heights1 in case the enemy should be within four or five hundred yards4 ,if the ,advanced ,guard comes to a wood which is supposed to be #b1jjj yards broad1 the ,sergeant reinforces the three men at the head with six more1 who extend themselves so far to the right and left as to be in line with the first three1 that they can see each other1 and what is concealed between them1 and he follows with the two men left him1 the three men in advance on the road4 ,should the wood be too large1 the ,officer must send two men to the right1 and as many to the left1 round it1 who are carefully to examine whether they can see the traces of troops marched into the wood1 which is to be immediately reported4 ,the column halts until this is ascertained4 ,generally only two men march at the heads1 but this is wrong2 there ought to be three1 whose duty is the following3 ,is a height in front1 the centre man of the three trots on until he can look over it2 if there is one to the right or left of the road1 one of the other two men does the same4 ,near an enemy this must always be done1 supposed even that the hill is #aejj or #bjjj yards distance4 ,men that go on the top of a hill to reconnoitre in this manner1 7they may belong to an ,advanced ,guard or a ,patrol17 must proceed more carefully than is generally done4 ,as a great deal depends upon seeing the ,enemy1 and not to be seen by him1 they must1 when nearly on the top of the hill1 take off the cap1 and only go as high as just to be able to look over2 this produces the great advantage1 that the ,commanding ,officer may observe the marching ,enemy1 and make his arrangements accordingly for a retreat1 an attack1 or an ambuscade4 ,all these advantages are lost when the ,enemy discovers us4 ,should the march be directed towards a village1 one man goes round it to the right1 the other to the left1 and the third through it1 if the situation of the village permits to do so4 ,the ,non-,commissioned ,officer of the ,advanced ,guard also trots on until he arrives near the village1 and reinforces the men going through it with three more2 one of these four men goes to the right1 the other to the left1 through the bye-roads2 two men proceed through the middle of it1 at such a distance from each other1 that the hindmost always keep in sight the one before him4 ,should these men in patrolling the village find no inhabitants1 they are to look into the windows1 ride into the yards1 and examine carefully if perhaps the ,enemy concealed himself2 those going round the village look at the entrances to see if ,troops marched into the village4 ,the ,sergeant1 with his men1 follows slowly2 when he has passed through the village he collects his men1 sends three men again at the head1 and reports to his ,officer1 who has halted behind the village1 that the same is patrolled1 c4 ,it is unnecessary to observe1 that these and other precautionary measures are not requisite when the ,enemy cannot be expected4 ,by ,night4 ,the ,advanced ,guard is told off as by day1 but the distances between the several divisions must not be as large4 ,the ,officer's ,division is a hundred yards from the column1 the ,sergeant a hundred from the ,officer's1 and the head fifty from the ,sergeant's party4 ,between these ,divisions1 single men are to ride1 who can see each other1 to prevent the communication being lost4 ,if an ,advanced ,guard is unexpectedly attacked during the night1 or meets with the ,enemy1 it has no other choice but instantly to fall upon him4 ,the ,non-,commissioned ,officer must be instructed to disperse1 in such a case1 to the right and left1 and to fire as much as possible2 but the ,officer advances rapidly with his ,division1 and charges4 ,this is the only way to give time to the column to prepare for an attack4 ,it is an unpardonable fault in an ,advanced ,guard to be frightened1 and to retire upon the column1 every thing will then be in confusion1 and it would have been better1 if there had been no ,advanced ,guard at all2 but if it advanced with intrepidity the column has time4 ,should the ,advanced ,guard be obliged1 by a superior force1 to retire1 after having fought bravely1 this retreat ought to be made on either side of the ,column1 but never on the ,column1 because the latter would be fired upon1 and the confusion increased4 ,on all these subjects the men should be previously well instructed4 ,every ,commanding ,officer of a detached party must consider it as one of his first duties to give clear and circumstantial instructions to his men1 without which they will frequently act contrary to his ideas1 even with the best intention4 ,,iii4 ,,rear ,,guard ,is told off in separate divisions1 the same as an ,advance ,guard1 only in reverse order 7fig4 #d47 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #d4 ,the object of a ,rear ,guard is to prevent the enemy's approaching the column unperceived2 two men in the ,rear are sufficient1 but these must be picked men4 ,when the march is undisturbed1 they often halt on the heights so as just to be able to look over to the rear1 to discover the enemy4 ,when a mountain is near1 the ,officer will do well to ride on the top of it1 and to look about the country with his spy-glass4 ,if the enemy follows closely with a few men1 to see the strength of our column1 it is to be tried to lead them into an ambuscade1 and to make prisoners1 or to drive them off4 ,but in case the ,rear is attacked1 it is instantly to be supported by the ,serjeant's ,troop1 and this by the ,officer's ,troop1 which both immediately advance for that purpose1 in order not to allow the enemy to come too near the ,column4 ,the ,commanding ,officer of the ,column will then support him1 or give directions to retire slowly4 ,if the enemy follows with a more considerable force1 suppose one squadron1 without attacking1 the ,rear ,guard will follow the ,column in the subsequent manner4 ,when the ,column is a thousand yards distant from the ,officer's ,troop1 he trots on to the ordinary distance of five hundred yards1 halts1 and fronts2 as soon as the ,serjeant sees that the ,officer has fronted1 he trots on to five hundred yards' distance from the ,officer1 and fronts likewise1 the two men in the rear trot on to the same distance from the ,serjeant's ,troop4 ,in this manner the ,rear alternately follows the ,column1 which prevents the enemy from coming too near2 at the same time an engagement is avoided1 and the horses saved4 ,whenever the ,column halts1 the different parties face towards the enemy4 ,at night1 the ,rear ,guard behaves in the same manner as prescribed for the ,advanced ,guard2 that is to say1 the intervals between the several ,troops are to be shorter1 and a sufficient number of single men placed in them not to lose sight of the ,column and each other4 ,,iv4 ,,patrols4 ,,section ,i4 ,,side ,,patrols4 ,patrols are detached on the ,flanks1 when the enemy can disturb the ,flanks of the column4 ,they are placed in the following manner 7fig4 #e73 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #e4 ,the two men in ,a must not only from time to time communicate with the ,advanced ,guard--that is to say1 one of them incline to the left until he can see it--but the other1 when there is a height near1 even at a thousand yards' distance1 must ride so far on the top of it that he can look over4 ,when attacked1 ,side ,patrols behave as ,advanced and ,rear ,guards4 ,they meet the enemy1 and do not suffer him to come too near the ,column4 ,when a ,side ,patrol meets with a wood in the direction of its march1 the disposition is altered 7fig4 #f74 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #f4 ,the officer detaches the ,serjeant's ,troop to the right1 the ,corporal's and four men to the left1 and himself remains with his men in the centre4 ,the ,serjeant sends two men to the skirts of the wood2 these must look at the tracks1 and one of them ride on a height1 if any is near2 the remainder divide themselves to the left of these two men1 at such a distance that they can keep each other in sight4 ,the ,corporal divides his men in the same manner from the ,right ,flank of the ,column to the ,officer's ,troop4 ,if the ,officer perceives that these two lines are not extensive enough to cover the ground towards his ,troop1 he detaches a sufficient number of men to the right and left to form a perfect line1 which line must be careful never to get at the head of the ,column4 ,the ,non-commissioned officers endeavor to keep their men in the same line with the ,officer's ,division4 ,it sometimes excites pity to see the men unnecessarily gallop and fatigue their horses on such occasions1 only from want of instructions1 without doing more good than they would have done at a walk4 ,,section ,,ii4 ,,patrolling ,a ,,wood4 ,this is done in the same manner as if 7,section ,i417 a ,side ,patrol meets with a wood1 with the difference that two men are likewise sent round to the left extremity of the wood4 ,,section ,,iii4 ,,patrols ,,of ,,discovery ,consists generally of a pretty considerable force1 to be enabled to defend themselves against a small hostile party or patrol1 and are sent for the purpose of ascertaining whether a certain place is in the ,enemy's possession1 whether he is on the move against us1 or whether a certain district is occupied by him4 ,such a ,patrol marches1 after having passed the chain of ,videttes1 with the ordinary precautions of having three men for ,advanced1 and two for ,rear ,guard1 and sends1 in case the country requires it1 one man to the right1 and another to the left1 on the heights4 ,as not unfrequently the safety1 but also the attainment of the object for which the ,patrol was sent out1 depends upon its not being seen by the ,enemy1 before the ,patrol has discovered him1 it is of the utmost importance to instruct the men at the head very accurately1 they must not merely be satisfied with looking before them1 but look at the tracks of the cross-roads very minutely1 and mount every hill with caution1 c4 ,if this is done1 the ,patrol will sometimes have opportunities to make prisoners4 ,when a ,patrol sees the ,enemy advance towards it with not too strong a force1 it must try to conceal itself and rapidly attack the unsuspecting enemy3 he will get into confusion1 fly1 and perhaps lose some prisoners4 ,if the ,enemy has been discovered before1 but is too strong1 the ,patrol retires3 is perhaps not seen by him at all2 and circumstances may allow that it is able to continue its march1 and to obtain the object of its first destination4 ,all these advantages are lost when the ,enemy discovers it4 ,a ,patrol must never enter a village or wood until it has been explored2 but this is to be managed in such a way that the ,patrol is not delayed3 for the leader of it must not forget that the ,officer who sent him out calculates the time of his return3 if he does not come back near that time1 he that sent him will get apprehensive1 and send another ,patrol after him1 whereby men and horses are fatigued1 which would have been avoided had the ,leader of the ,patrol been active in the performance of his duty4 ,if a village is to be passed at night1 which the ,enemy can be expected to have occupied1 the ,patrol is to halt 7about five or six hundred yards7 on the side of it4 ,when no ,videttes of the ,enemy are visible1 a few men are sent to the right and left1 who approach gradually to ascertain whether the entrances of the village are occupied by ,infantry1 and to try to find an inhabitant1 whom they bring to the ,patrol1 or listen whether they can hear anything4 ,if nothing can be learned by these means1 the ,patrol proceeds with the same precautions as mentioned in a former ,section4 ,if a ,patrol is ordered to ascertain by night1 whether and how a village is occupied1 three of the best horses are to be picked out for the head1 eight men are to follow at twenty-four yards' distance1 and the remainder of the ,patrol follows at a hundred yards' distance3 in this manner the ,enemy's ,vidette must be approached1 without the least noise2 as soon as the ,vidette challenges1 the advance of the ,patrol must go on at full speed to take him prisoner4 ,should they be unsuccessful in this1 the eleven men1 together rapidly attack the ,picquet1 to bring off a prisoner1 with whom they retire4 ,the alarm will be given in the village1 to a certainty1 and the sounding of a trumpet or the beating of drums will enable us to judge by what ,troops it is occupied4 ,if a ,patrol goes so far that it is obliged to feed the horses1 it should never be done in a village1 but in an open country under some trees1 and ,videttes are to be placed during the time4 ,if it is necessary to get provisions and forage out of villages1 they are to be brought out4 ,on such occasions1 as on all others1 the inhabitants are to be treated with politeness1 and to rob them of anything deserves the severest punishment1 and it is but natural if they betray such unpleasant guests to the ,enemy4 ,if guides are required1 or inquiries made after a road1 more than one must be inquired after1 to leave the people in uncertainty which road the ,patrol means to take4 ,guides that are sent home are best to be led astray1 by marching a wrong way until they are out of sight4 ,,section ,,iv4 ,,secret ,,patrols4 ,these only consist of a few men1 six or eight1 and are generally sent on the flanks1 and sometimes in the rear of the ,enemy's ,army1 without the knowledge of the ,enemy2 are to go now and then at a great distance2 and are to remain for a considerable time1 to make the necessary observations2 therefore this is the most difficult duty for ,light ,cavalry4 ,many rules laid down for other ,patrols are likewise here applicable4 ,a ,patrol of this kind marches without ,advanced and ,rear ,guard1 and1 if the country should require it1 only one man rides on the heights without showing himself4 ,if the ,patrol proceeds so far1 that it is obliged to march with great precaution1 it must quit the great roads wherever it is possible1 and take its march by bye-roads1 deep valleys1 c41 c41 to reach unseen the place of its destination4 ,a ,guide on horseback will be of great service to such a ,patrol2 but he is to be paid for it1 and treated well4 ,when feeding the horses1 it must go off the road into a bush or wood1 and one man climbs up a tree to keep a look-out4 ,if anything hostile approaches1 the ,patrol escapes without noise1 and chooses another place of concealment until it can proceed by roundabout ways without danger4 ,a fire can only be lighted with great caution1 but it is better to avoid that entirely4 ,if an inhabitant accidentally meets with the ,patrol at night1 he must remain with it until the march is continued4 ,should a ,secret ,patrol be discovered by the ,enemy1 notwithstanding all precautions1 it must fly2 as soon as the enemy gives up the pursuit1 it must make attempts1 by roundabout ways1 to get notwithstanding1 to the spot where its commission can be carried into execution4 ,this sometimes succeeds beyond expectation4 ,a well-informed and clever officer is particularly required for this kind of duty2 who speaks the language of the country1 and has a knowledge of the customs1 habits1 hopes1 and fears of the inhabitants4 ,such a one will be secure close to the ,enemy1 and be able to give the most certain and best intelligence4 ,it is to be remarked1 that if the ,leader of a ,patrol1 when returned1 cannot answer the following questions about the roads he passed1 viz3 ,are they rocky1 sandy1 or boggy8 ,how many rivers and rivulets he passed2 and the distances from one to the other8 ,are the banks of them bold1 or only an impediment1 c48 ,how many bridges lead over them8 wooden or massive8 ,are fords beside those bridges1 passable at every season for ,cavalry1 ,infantry1 or ,artillery1 c48 ,how many villages are on the road1 and what are their names1 and the distances from one to the other8 ,does the road go through wood2 or is it at some distance2 apparently how large1 and what kind8 he has lost sight of a principal point of his duty4 ,the foregoing ,instructions can only be considered as a sketch of the duties of the ,light ,cavalry4 ,the young1 yet inexperienced soldier may look upon it as an introduction to his duties2 he can only expect to acquire accomplishments by his own reflections and exertions4 ,,an ,,abridgment ,,of ,,colonel ,,arentschildt',s ,,instructions ,,to ,,officers ,,and ,,non-,,commissioned ,,officers ,,of ,,light ,,cavalry2 ,,by ,,lieut4-,,colonel ,,the ,,hon4 ,f4 ,,ponsonby1 ,twelfth ,light ,dragoons4 ,,instructions ,,for ,,officers ,,and ,,non-,,commissioned ,,officers ,,of ,,cavalry1 ,,on ,,outpost ,,duty4 ,,picquet4 #a4 ,the ,officer commanding a ,picquet should have the ,names and ,regiments of the men written down3 he should inspect their arms and ,ammunition2 he should see that they are provided with ,provisions and ,forage1 and should thoroughly understand the ,orders which he receives4 #b4 ,on the march to where the ,picquet is to be stationed1 the country should be examined1 and the places where a stand could be made in case the ,picquet should be attacked1 ought to be particularly observed4 ,it is of the utmost importance to give the corps time to turn out1 and the ,commander of a ,picquet who retires at full speed1 with the ,enemy at his heels1 deserves the severest punishment4 ,he must retire as slowly as possible1 and constantly skirmish4 #c4 ,upon arriving at the spot chosen for the ,picquet1 the ,officer should ascertain the number of ,videttes necessary1 by observing the roads and hills in front2 he should then place them in such a manner that they can each see what is coming towards the ,picquet1 and at the same time observe one another4 ,in the mean time the ,picquet should dismount1 placing one ,sentry a little in advance2 and as soon as the ,videttes are placed1 two-thirds of the ,picquet may unbridle4 ,the ,officer should make a little sketch1 marking the roads1 rivers1 bridges1 or fords1 morasses1 cavities1 hollow roads1 mountains1 woods1 towns1 villages1 and their distances4 ,an officer cannot feel confident for the security of his post1 unless he has acquired an exact knowledge of the country4 #d4 ,the principal rules for posting a ,picquet at night1 are to advance it two or three miles in front of the main body1 behind a bridge1 ravine1 wood1 or bog1 through which the road may pass1 to place ,videttes in front1 and on the flanks1 and to send out ,patrols of two or three men each at half an hour's interval4 ,sometimes a man should dismount and listen with his ear to the ground1 by which means he will hear the march of ,troops at a great distance4 ,this precaution is necessary in stormy weather4 ,upon coming by night to a new spot1 ,patrols should be sent out in every direction before the ,videttes are placed4 #e4 ,if the ,enemy is near1 no fire should be lighted1 the post should be frequently changed1 one-half of the ,picquet should be mounted1 one hundred yards in advance1 and the other half should keep the bridles in their hands4 #f4 ,upon relieving a ,picquet1 the new one should form in the rear of the old1 the ,videttes should be relieved1 and the detail of duties should be thoroughly explained to the non-commissioned ,officers and ,privates4 ,the ,commander of the old ,picquet should deliver over to the new one all written ,orders1 and the verbal ,orders should be written down and signed by the ,officer relieved3 he should likewise inform him to whom reports are to be made1 and give him every information he has relative to the ,enemy1 the ,patrols1 the ,country1 c41 and the night posts should be pointed out4 ,at the relief of the ,videttes1 both officers of the old and new ,picquet should be present1 and listen to the instructions given by the old ,vidette to the new one4 ,these instructions should be from what part of the country the ,enemy may be expected1 where the neighbouring ,videttes are stationed1 in order to be able to repeat their signals4 ,a ,vidette should never move from the spot upon which he is placed1 as the difference of a yard may prevent his observing1 or being observed1 at a great distance4 #g4 ,a dismounted ,sentry should be placed in front of the ,picquet1 where he can observe the movements of the different ,videttes4 ,one-third of the horses must always be bridled up1 and be ready to advance2 the men must not take off their swords or belts2 one-half may sleep in the middle of the day1 the other half in the afternoon1 so that they may be all perfectly alert at night4 ,the men must not be allowed to leave the ,picquet1 or to go into the villages1 or houses1 in the neighborhood4 ,when the men water their horses1 they must bridle them up1 and take everything with them2 in short1 a ,picquet must be always ready for an attack in half a minute4 ,,patrols4 #h4 ,in sending out ,patrols1 the following ,rules should be observed3 ,the ,first should go out in the morning in time for it to arrive at its destination before daybreak1 where it should remain until the ,officer who commands it has had time to go to some rising ground and look over the country4 ,the ,second at ,ten4 ,the ,third at ,two4 ,the ,fourth towards ,evening4 ,and the ,fifth at midnight4 ,this arrangement1 however1 depends upon the distance of the ,enemy1 except the morning ,patrol1 which is to go under all circumstances4 ,a ,patrol1 in returning1 should look often to the rear1 as the ,enemy frequently succeeds in following a negligent ,patrol4 ,the ,non-commissioned ,officer should be particularly careful not to allow the men to fatigue their horses2 if it should be necessary to feed1 it should never be done in a village1 but in an open country1 and a ,vidette should be placed during the time4 ,no man should be permitted to leave his horse for a moment1 and any man who attempts to use an inhabitant of the country ill1 or to take anything from the town by force1 must be severely punished4 #i4 ,the time for the ,picquet to go to the ,night ,post is when it becomes too dark for the ,videttes to see at any distance4 ,they are then called in1 and the position for the night taken up4 ,in case of any desertion1 or that there are apprehensions of being betrayed to the enemy1 by the inhabitants or spies1 the ,picquet should change its ground1 but the ,videttes remain4 ,at night the ,videttes must be relieved every hour and visited every half hour4 ,the ,videttes should at all times be double if possible4 ,in foggy weather1 and when it is very dark1 the double ,videttes should patrol among themselves1 and communicate with one another4 ,when the ,enemy is near1 the following measure contributes not only to security1 but is the best method of knowing when the enemy is on the move3 ,a few men should patrol during the night beyond the chain of ,videttes in different directions1 and as near the enemy as they can unperceived2 they should then dismount and listen with the ear to the ground4 #aj4 ,every person attempting to pass the ,outpost must be detained till the morning4 ,after the morning ,patrol has returned1 or has reported that all is well1 the ,picquet should take up its position for the day4 #aa4 ,videttes should be placed by day on a high ground1 so as to have an extensive view1 but if possible near a rock or tree1 so as not to be perceived by the ,enemy2 when the ,videttes are placed in such a manner that they can overlook their front1 see each other and the ground between them1 so that nothing can pass unperceived1 they are placed as they ought to be4 #ab4 ,by night1 ,videttes are taken off the hills and placed on the roads1 behind fords1 bridges1 ravines1 c42 they should be placed at the bottom of hills1 so that any object moving at the top would be easily perceived4 ,they should by no means be advanced further than that their firing can be distinctly heard by the ,picquet4 #ac4 ,when a ,vidette observes anything suspicious on the side of the ,enemy1 such as the glittering of arms1 rising of dust1 c41 he is to move his horse round in a circle at a walk2 the ,officer should instantly proceed with a ,corporal and four men to the ,vidette2 and examine with his glass1 or by a ,patrol1 thoroughly into the cause1 after which he must make his report4 ,if the ,vidette observes ,troops marching towards him1 but at a great distance1 he is to ride the circle in a trot2 the officer acts as in the former case4 ,if the ,enemy should approach the ,vidette at no great distance1 he is to ride the circle at a gallop4 ,the ,officer should advance with his whole ,picquet2 his further duty is prescribed in ,par4 #ae4 ,if the ,enemy is so near the ,videttes that they are obliged to gallop to the ,picquets for their own security1 they should fire their ,carbines or ,pistols4 ,by night1 if the ,videttes hear a suspicious noise1 even at a great distance1 such as the rattling of ,carriages1 barking of dogs1 or if they observe any fire1 one of them should instantly report the circumstances to the officer of the ,picquet1 in order that it may be inquired into by a ,patrol4 ,if any one should approach the ,videttes1 they must challenge1 and desire the person or persons to halt till the ,officer is informed4 ,should the person refuse to halt1 being twice challenged in a loud voice1 the ,vidette is to fire4 ,great caution must be observed by night if a ,deserter should come from the ,enemy1 the ,videttes must not let him approach too near2 they must make him halt till the ,officer comes up4 ,by day1 the ,vidette is to make a signal to the sentry of the ,picquet1 should a ,deserter approach1 and a party will be immediately sent to receive him4 ,,flag ,,of ,,truce4 #ad4 ,no person coming from the ,enemy with a ,flag of ,truce1 is to be allowed to advance farther than the chain of ,videttes4 ,when the ,vidette makes the signal1 the ,officer of the ,picquet should meet the ,flag of ,truce with four more1 and desire the bearer to halt1 if possible1 in a bottom1 as the intention is frequently only to make observations on the position of the ,picquet1 in order to attack it at night4 ,if the bearer only brings ,letters1 a receipt is to be given to the bearer and sent back2 but if he insists upon being allowed to proceed1 further instructions must be obtained from the ,officer commanding the ,outposts4 ,a ,flag of ,truce ought to be treated with the utmost civility1 but no conversation relative to the ,army is to be permitted4 #ae4 ,when a ,picquet is attacked1 the ,officer is immediately to communicate with the ,picquets on his flank1 and with the main body2 he is then to throw out his skirmishers1 and if obliged to retire1 it must be done as slowly as possible1 to gain time for the corps to turn out4 ,if the commander of the ,picquet should have fixed upon places where to make a stand1 7as recommended in ,par4 #b17 he will find the advantage2 if it be a bridge1 ford1 or ravine1 he should act in the following manner3 upon approaching the place1 suppose a bridge1 he should gallop over it with his ,picquet1 and form with his right flank to the ,enemy1 taking care to leave the passage open4 ,the skirmishers immediately after gallop over1 and form directly fronting the passage of the bridge1 and to the rear of the ,picquet2 the ,enemy must necessarily halt1 in order to drive the ,picquet away by their fire2 consequently1 time is given to the main body1 which is the grand object4 ,if the ,picquets on the flanks should not be attacked at the same time1 they should endeavour1 without exposing themselves to be cut off1 to act upon the ,enemy's flanks4 ,in general1 it is a rule for the ,picquets not attacked to retire in a line with those engaged4 ,,advanced ,,guard4 #af4 ,if an ,officer1 two non-commissioned ,officers1 and twenty-four ,privates1 form the ,advanced ,guard1 the ,officer should post himself about five hundred yards in front of the columns1 with thirteen men1 a serjeant and eight should be detached five hundred yards in advance of him1 and three men five hundred yards in advance of the whole4 ,the principle upon which an ,advanced ,guard1 ,rear ,guard1 or ,side ,patrol is sent out1 is to give time to the column to make dispositions to attack or retreat1 should an ,enemy be discovered4 ,the several divisions of the ,advanced ,guard must keep their support constantly in view1 and if a wood1 village1 or ravine appear upon their front or flank1 it must be carefully examined before the column proceeds3 at night1 the interval between the divisions of an ,advance or ,rear ,guard1 should be much less than during the day1 and a communication should be kept up between the divisions1 by two or three single men placed at such distances that they can see each other4 #ag4 ,a great deal of responsibility is left to a non-commissioned ,officer on outpost duty3 he has frequently the command of ,patrols1 ,picquets1 c42 it is therefore necessary for him to obtain a thorough knowledge of his duty4 ,unless he has authority to keep up the strictest discipline1 and to make the men under him pay the greatest attention to all ,orders1 he is not fit for his situation1 and he is to recollect that the safety and honor of his ,regiment may frequently depend upon the manner in which he executes his duty4 ,,reports4 #ah4 ,all ,officers in command of ,picquets1 ,patrols1 c41 must make written reports of any thing which occurs4 ,there are few occasions when it is necessary to send a verbal report1 and it should1 if possible1 be avoided1 as it is very difficult to find ,non-commissioned ,officers1 and ,soldiers1 who will deliver it correctly4 ,a commander of a ,post or ,patrol1 must be very cautious not to create unnecessary alarms2 he must report as fully and as correctly as possible4 ,if he reports the movements of the ,enemy1 he must recollect that considerable confusion may arise from saying to the right1 or to the left2 he must say1 to our right1 or to our left1 or to the ,,enemy',s right1 or to the ,,enemy',s left4 ,if a ,non-commissioned ,officer cannot send a written report1 he must explain the message thoroughly to the ,private1 and should the latter deliver it incorrectly1 he must expect to be punished4 ,,finis4 ,,contents4 ,i4 ,,on ,,the ,,conduct ,,to ,,be ,,held ,,by ,,an ,,officer1 ,,or ,,non-,,commissioned ,,officer1 ,,on ,,picquet4 ,,sect4 ,i4--,parading the ,picquet1 #aa ,,ii4--,marching for his destination1 #ab ,,iii4--,if no ,picquet was on the spot before1 #ab ,by ,day1 #ab ,by ,night1 #ad ,,iv4--,relieving another ,picquet1 #ae ,v4--,during his stay on ,picquet1 #ag ,by ,day1 #ag ,by ,night1 #ai ,,vi4--,placing of ,videttes1 #ba ,by ,day1 #ba ,by ,night1 #bb ,,vii4--,instructions for the ,videttes1 and what the ,officer commanding the ,picquet has to ,observe on their making signals1 #bc ,by ,day1 #bc ,by ,night1 #bd ,,viii4--,on the arrival of a ,flag of truce1 #be ,,ix4--,deserters coming from the ,enemy1 #bf ,at ,daytime1 #bf ,at ,night1 #bg ,x4--,when the ,picquet is attacked1 #bg ,by ,day1 #bg ,by ,night1 #cb ,,ii4 ,,advanced ,,guard4 ,by ,day1 #cc ,by ,night1 #cf ,,iii4 ,,rear ,,guard4 ,its ,object and duties1 #ci ,,iv4 ,,patrols4 ,,sect4 ,i4--,side ,patrols1 #da ,,ii4--,patrolling a wood1 #de ,,iii4--,patrols of ,discovery1 #df ,,iv4--,secret ,patrols1 #di ,,abridgment ,,by ,,lieut4 ,,colonel1 ,,the ,,hon4 ,f4 ,,ponsonby4 ,picquet1 #ee ,patrols1 #ei ,flag of ,truce1 #fc ,advanced ,guard1 #fe ,reports1 #fg ,,science ,,of ,,war6 ,,tactics ,,for ,,officers ,,of ,,infantry1 ,,cavalry ,,and ,,artillery4 ,,arranged ,,and ,,compiled ,,by ,l4 v4 ,,buckholtz4 ,one ,volume1 #abmo1 ,price #ge cts4 by mail1 post paid4 ,,armory1 ,,richmond1 ,,va41 ,,jan',y #h1 #ahfa4 ,j4,w4 ,,randolph--,dear ,sir3--,i have only had time to look over the ,military work of ,capt4 ,buckholtz1 because of my pressing duties1 yet ,i am satisfied that1 if printed1 much valuable information to our citizen soldiery will be furnished4 ,the popular works upon military matters1 now before the public1 are confined to ordinary drills and parades4 ,what is now wanted1 is a treatise going to show when the various movements of ,artillery1 ,cavalry1 ,infantry and ,rifle1 as taught in their respective drills1 should be used in presence of an enemy1--what grounds should be selected for battle and encampment--what precautions to be taking when advancing or retreating--when to act in column--when in line1 how to post the different arms to act most favorably--information most essential to success1 and without which1 no matter how personally brave troops may be1 they are exposed to almost certain disaster in presence of an equal number of well drilled and well manoeuvered troops1 and this information ,capt4 ,buckholtz furnishes in his work4 ,i have no hesitation in recommending it4 ,very respectfully yours1 ,,charles ,,dimmock1 ,capt41 c41 c4 ,published and for sale by ,j4,w4 ,,randolph1 ,,richmond1 ,,va4 ,also for sale by ,booksellers generally4 ,,new ,,military ,,work4 ,,on ,,infantry ,,camp ,,duty1 ,,field ,,fortification1 ,,and ,,coast ,,defense4 ,prepared and arranged by ,,capt4 ,l4 ,v4 ,,buckholtz1 with plates1 #afmo4 muslin4 ,price #ej cts4 by mail1 post paid4 ,,recommendations4 ,this is a mere pocket-book in size1 but it is crowded with instruction for military men--instruction gathered and condensed from the great bulk of works on military science4 ,it encloses grains of wheat1 threshed1 as it were1 out of the great stack--is simple1 convenient and comprehensive4 ,it is from the pen of ,captain ,buckholtz1 of this city1 a gentleman who has seen service on the continent of ,europe1 and who is an accomplished officer4--,richmond ,dispatch4 ,we are always pleased to meet with a ,southern ,book1 one written1 printed and bound in our own section by our own people1 and we therefore greet with pleasure two military works now before us1 by ,captain ,buckholtz1 and published by ,j4,w4 ,randolph1 ,richmond4 ,the first is ,on ,infantry ,camp ,duty1 ,field ,fortification1 and ,coast ,defense4 ,under the head of ,infantry ,camp ,duty we are instructed in out guards1 patrols1 vanguard1 side-guard1 rear guard1 ambuscade1 surprise1 and transports4 ,in ,field ,fortification we have instructions on fortifications1 regularly constructed forts1 attack and defense1 fortresses1 and a description of the principal parts of fortified works4 ,the chapter on ,coast ,defense is most excellent4 ,as an elementary work on the subjects treated1 this book has no superior1 and we commend it to our military4 ,the second book is1 ,tactics for ,officers of ,infantry1 ,cavalry1 and ,artillery4 ,this is a most complete military work1 comprising instruction in the three departments of the army1 and contains much information which we have never met with in the popular military works of the day4--,norfolk ,southern ,argus4 ,published and for sale by ,j4,w4 ,,randolph1 ,,richmond1 ,,va4 ,also for sale by ,booksellers generally4