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diff --git a/old/54515.txt b/old/54515.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 0119443..0000000 --- a/old/54515.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1820 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Instructions for Officers and -Non-Commissioned Officer of Cavalry on Outpost Duty, by Lt-Col Arentschildt - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Instructions for Officers and Non-Commissioned Officer of Cavalry on Outpost Duty - -Author: Lt-Col Arentschildt - -Release Date: April 9, 2017 [EBook #54515] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INSTRUCTIONS FOR OFFICERS *** - - - - -Produced by Brian Coe, Graeme Mackreth and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -book was produced from images made available by the -HathiTrust Digital Library.) - - - - - - - - - - - INSTRUCTIONS - - FOR OFFICERS AND NON-COMMISSIONED - OFFICERS OF CAVALRY, - - ON - - OUTPOST DUTY; - - BY - - LIEUT.-COLONEL VON ARENTSCHILDT, - First Hussars King's German Legion: - - WITH - - AN ABRIDGMENT OF THEM - - BY - - LIEUT.-COLONEL THE HON. F. PONSONBY, - Twelfth Light Dragoons. - - - J.W. RANDOLPH: - 121 MAIN STREET, RICHMOND, VA. - 1861. - - - - - THIS - VALUABLE DIGEST - OF - INSTRUCTIONS FOR OFFICERS AND NON-COMMISSIONED - OFFICERS OF CAVALRY ON OUTPOST DUTY, - - IS REPRINTED FROM THE LONDON EDITION - BY ORDER OF - BRIG'R GENERAL PHILIP ST. GEO. COCKE, - - WHILST COMMANDING POTOMAC MILITARY DEPARTMENT - OF VIRGINIA, - AND DEDICATED BY HIM TO - - CAPTAIN LAY AND HIS "POWHATAN TROOP" - OF CAVALRY. - - * * * * * - - THIS DIGEST IS EARNESTLY COMMENDED TO THE ATTENTION - OF THE OFFICERS AND NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS - OF CAVALRY OF VIRGINIA, AND OF THE - CONFEDERATE STATES. - - - - - OUTPOST DUTY. - - - I. - - INSTRUCTIONS FOR OFFICERS AND NON-COMMISSIONED - OFFICERS: - - BY LIEUT.-COLONEL VON ARENTSCHILDT. - - - II. - - AN ABRIDGMENT OF THE SAME: - - BY LIEUTENANT-COLONEL THE HON. F. PONSONBY. - - - - - LIEUTENANT-COLONEL VON ARENTSCHILDT'S - INSTRUCTIONS ON - OUTPOST DUTY. - - - - - INSTRUCTIONS FOR OFFICERS AND NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ON OUTPOST - DUTY. - - - I. ON THE CONDUCT TO BE HELD BY AN OFFICER, OR NON-COMMISSIONED - OFFICER, ON PICQUET. - - - SECTION I. PARADING THE PICQUET. - - The Commanding Officer of a Picquet, as soon as the same has been - given up to him, should take care to have the names of his men written - down, as well as the Regiment and Troop they belong to; inspect their - ammunition and fire arms; and order them to load. He likewise should - inquire if the men are provided with provisions and forage, and in - case they are not, it must be reported to the Regiment, in order that - supplies may be sent after them. Inquiries are likewise to be made - where the reports are to be sent to. - - - SECTION II. - - MARCHING FOR HIS DESTINATION. - - On the march to the spot where the Picquet is to be placed, the - Officer must pay great attention in examining the country, and - particularly observe the places where he would make a stand in case - the Picquet should be attacked by the Enemy: for instance, behind a - bridge, a ravine, between bogs, &c., in order to keep off the enemy as - long as possible. This is of the utmost importance to give the Corps - time to turn out. The Commander of a Picquet who retires with his - men at full speed, and the Enemy at his heels, deserves the severest - punishment; he must retire as slow as possible, and constantly - skirmish. - - - SECTION III. - - IF NO PICQUET WAS ON THE SPOT BEFORE. - - - _By Day._ - - Being arrived at the spot chosen by himself, or pointed out to him, - he forms his Picquet, and takes out as many men as he thinks he has - occasion for as Videttes. To fix upon the number of Videttes, is - much facilitated by riding on the top of a hill, and observing the - number of roads and hills in front. With these Videttes he goes on, - and places them in such a manner that every one of them is able to - see individually what is coming towards the Picquet, as well as the - neighbouring Videttes. The remainder of the Picquet dismounts in the - mean time, with the exception of one Sentry, who is to be placed a - little in advance. The bridles are not to be taken off. 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 superfluous, - (which is much to be avoided, as men and horses are unnecessarily - fatigued by it,) or whether there ought to be more. Two-thirds of - the Picquet now unbridle: it is to be recollected that the whole of - a Picquet should never unbridle. The Officer then reconnoitres the - country. Every one ambitious to do his duty well will make a little - sketch, in which the following are to be marked; - - 1. Roads; 2. Rivers; 3. Bridges and Fords; 4. Morasses, cavities, - hollow roads, and mountains; 5. Wood; 6. Towns, Villages and their - distances. - - If the Officer does not acquire such an exact knowledge of the - country, he cannot be responsible for the security of his Picquet, and - of the corps to which he belongs. - - By this time he will have had opportunity to fix upon the spot where - his Picquet and Videttes ought to be placed at night. - - - _By Night._ - - It is impossible to lay down any fixed, principles on this subject; - but the general rules are, to advance the Picquet at least two or - three English miles in front of the main body: to place it behind a - bridge, ravine, wood, or bog through which the road passes, in order - to be enabled to make a stand immediately on being attacked, and to - place Videttes in front and flanks. Small Patrols of two or three men - in front, and flanks at half an hour's interval, and constantly kept - in motion, will give perfect security, particularly if one of the - men sometimes dismounts, and listens with his ear on the ground: he - will hear the march of troops at a great distance. This precaution is - indispensable in stormy weather. Upon coming by night to a new spot, - particularly in a mountainous or woody country, small Patrols must be - pushed forward immediately in all the roads, &c., to secure in the - first instance the placing of Videttes, &c., &c. - - If the enemy is near, no fire is to be lighted, and the spot where the - Picquet stands should be changed very often; one-half of the Picquet - should be mounted, the other stand with the bridles in their hands. - - - SECTION IV. - - RELIEVING ANOTHER PICQUET. - - Great part of what is said in sections I. and II. is likewise to be - applied here. As soon as the Officer is arrived at the Picquet that - is to be relieved, he forms at its left flank, or behind it, as the - nature of the ground requires, draws out a non-commissioned officer, - and as many Videttes as he has to relieve, (the remainder dismounts,) - and proceeds with the Officer commanding the old Picquet and his own - non-commissioned Officer to relieve the Videttes. The Officers should - be very particular in delivering the detail of their duties, and the - following is to be observed on such occasions. - - 1. All written orders or instructions must be delivered, and the - verbal orders written down and signed by the Officer who is relieved. - - 2. The outlines of the sketch belonging to the Officer commanding the - old Picquet are to be copied and filled up afterwards-- - - 3. To whom the reports are to be sent. - - 4. Where the Picquets on the flanks are stationed; what roads lead to - them; how often Patrols are exchanged between them in the night. In - case the roads to them are little known, or difficult to be found, the - Non-commissioned Officer of the old Picquet must show them to that of - the new one, who takes another man with him. - - 5. Inquiries must be made as to the knowledge the Officer has of the - enemy, particularly where he patrols to; whether he thinks that the - Picquet has been well posted, at night as well as in the day, or - whether improvements can be made. If such an improvement is found to - be necessary by placing one or two more Videttes, they ought to be - posted immediately, but the same is to be reported without delay. - - At the relief of the Videttes, both the officers of the old and new - Picquets should be present. They must listen to the delivery of - instructions from the old Vidette to the new one, and the latter is to - be desired to repeat what has been delivered to him, to prevent any - mistake. The principal points of these instructions should be: on what - roads and from what part of the country the enemy may be expected to - advance; where the neighbouring Videttes are stationed, in order to be - able to repeat their signals, which they may have particular orders to - make. The new Vidette must be very particular in occupying the same - spot that the old one did, as sometimes the difference of one yard - may be of great consequence in observing or being observed at a great - distance. - - If the relief is not made with the above-mentioned exactness, all - orders that have been issued may be misunderstood or quite forgotten - in the course of two or three days. - - After all the Videttes have been relieved in this manner, the spot - where the Picquet and Videttes have been stationed in the night are - to be pointed out to the Officer of the new Picquet. - - The old Picquet now marches off, and the new one takes its place. The - horses may be then unbridled, except one-third or one-fourth. - - - SECTION V. - - DURING HIS STAY ON PICQUET. - - - _By Day._ - - A Dismounted Sentry who is able to see the movements of the several - Videttes, and who can acquaint the Picquet with them, is a measure so - necessary for the safety of the Picquet, that it never ought to be - omitted. - - One-third or one-fourth of the horses are always bridled up and ready - to advance; the men must never take off their swords and belts; - one-half of them may sleep in the middle of the day, the other in the - afternoon, that they may be all perfectly alert at night. - - The men must not be allowed to go into houses or villages in the - neighbourhood; such straggling leads to irregularities, and on being - rapidly attacked by the enemy the horses will be lost. - - When the men water their horses, they must bridle them up, and take - everything with them; none but inexperienced and negligent Officers - will allow the men to water their horses at any distance with merely - the halter on, and leaving the bridle with the Picquet. - - In short, a Picquet must at all times be ready for an attack in half a - minute. - - How often the Picquets are to patrol, where to and how far, is - generally ordered by the Officer commanding the outposts. If there are - no orders upon these subjects, the following Patrols will be sent: - - The first at half an hour before daybreak, or so early that it has - time to arrive at the place of its destination at daylight; here it - will remain until it is full daylight. Whoever leads the Patrol is to - go up on the top of a hill, where he can look about to a considerable - distance, and then he returns, the second Patrol at ten o'clock; - the third at two o'clock; the fourth towards evening; the fifth at - midnight. - - This arrangement, however, depends upon the distance of the enemy, - except the morning Patrol before daylight, which is to go under all - circumstances. - - It cannot be too frequently told to all Patrols, that they are often - to look to the rear when they return. The Enemy very frequently - succeeds in following a negligent Patrol of this kind, and surprising - the Picquet, which thinks itself perfectly secure. In a close country - it is very advisable after the return of a patrol, to send forward - again a few men at the distance of a mile, to be certain that the - Enemy did not follow the Patrol. - - - _By Night._ - - 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 distance; they are - then called in, and the position for the night is taken up. - - If there are any apprehensions of being betrayed to the enemy by spies - or inhabitants of the country, it is advisable to change the spot - again, but the Videttes will remain. - - In case the enemy is very near, the Picquet must be mounted; this is, - however, very fatiguing for men and horses; it is, therefore, better - to cause one-third or one-half to mount and to advance about a hundred - yards; the remainder is to stand by their horses. - - At night the Videttes may be relieved every hour. The Relief should - ride along the chain of Videttes; this may be considered, at the same - time, as a visiting Patrol. Besides this Patrol, the Videttes are to - be visited every half hour to be quite sure that none of them have - deserted or fallen asleep. If the enemy is near, the Videttes should - be all double; which is at all times to be recommended in preference - to single Videttes, if the strength of the Picquet will allow it. - - In case a man deserts, the spot where the Picquet is stationed ought - to be instantly changed to some hundred yards' distance, and the fire - to be extinguished; the Videttes are to be made acquainted with this - change, and double attention paid. In such cases double Videttes - patrol among themselves in the following manner: - - _Fig._ 1. - - 1 2 3 4 5 6 - ....0 0 .... 0 0 .... 0 0.... - Videttes. - - No. 1 patrols to his left, and when returned No. 2 proceeds to No. 3, - and returns to his station: No. 3 patrols to No. 2, and when returned, - No. 4 will go to No. 5 and return; 5 and 6, and all the other Videttes - do the same. If this is done it is impossible that anything can pass - unperceived. The desertion of any man must be reported without delay. - - When the Enemy is close, the following measures not only contributes - to insure security, but is the best way to learn when the Enemy is - on the move. A few men are to patrol during the night every hour - beyond the chain of Videttes, in different directions, and to go as - close to the Enemy as they can, unperceived. As soon as they are far - enough, one man dismounts and listens with his ear on the ground; - he will be enabled to hear at a considerable distance when Troops - march. This undoubtedly gives security to the outpost; but it is - particularly recommended, being the only means to ascertain the secret - movements of the enemy in the night, to discover which the greatest - exertions ought to be made, as it is of the utmost importance to the - Commander-in-chief to be immediately acquainted with them. - - The Picquets have frequently no orders to detain people that pass - through the line of outposts towards the enemy; but in the evening - and during the night every one attempting to do so must remain with - the Picquet until daylight. Persons suspected of carrying any papers - with them are to be searched, and sent to the Commanding Officer, with - a written statement why they appear suspicious. Half an hour before - daylight the morning Patrols will be sent on the roads in front, and - as soon as it is quite light the Picquet and Videttes take up their - position for the day. - - - SECTION VI. - - PLACING OF VIDETTES. - - Although little can be said upon this subject, (everything depending - upon the nature of the country,) the following rules may be applicable: - - - _By Day._ - - They are generally placed upon hills, to enable them to have a good - view of everything in front. In a mountainous country the ravines and - narrow valleys now and then cannot be observed at the top of a hill; - in this case a Vidette is to be placed in the bottom. It is desirable - to place the Videttes on the top of hills, near a tree or large - stone, to prevent the enemy from seeing them, as he may conclude, - by seeing one of them, what position the whole line of Videttes and - Picquets, and even sometimes the corps to which they belong, have - taken up. - - When the Videttes are placed in such a manner that they can overlook - their front, see each other and the ground between them, so that - nothing can pass unperceived, they are placed as they ought to be. - - In order to spare men and horses, no more Videttes than necessary are - to be out. - - In a thick fog the Videttes stationed at a considerable distance on - the flanks are taken off the hills and placed on more suitable spots. - The country may require that the position fixed upon for the night - should be taken up during the day, in which case the country in front - must be continually scoured in all directions by small Patrols; which - measure always gives sufficient security. - - - _By Night._ - - The Videttes are taken off the hills, and placed on the roads, behind - fords, bridges, ravines, &c., by which the enemy may approach the - Picquet. At a clear moonshine they ought to be near a tree or bush, to - prevent their being seen by the enemy, as in a close country it may - happen that he approaches them unperceived, notwithstanding all their - attention. They should be placed at the bottom of a hill, so that - any object moving on the top would be easily perceived even in the - darkest night. - - They are by no means to be advanced further than that, their firing - can be distinctly heard by the Picquet, even in a stormy night. - - - SECTION VII. - - INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE VIDETTES, - - And what the Officer Commanding the Picquet has to observe on their - making Signals. - - - _By Day._ - - 1. When a Vidette discovers anything suspicious on the side of the - enemy, should it be a rising dust or the glittering of arms, he should - move his horse in a circle at a walk. The Officer should instantly - proceed to the Vidette, accompanied by a corporal and four men, and if - he cannot distinctly discover by his spy-glass the cause of the dust, - he should send off the men that accompanied him, as a Patrol, or go - himself; so far that he can report in case he sees Troops, how strong - they are, whether consisting of Cavalry, Infantry, or Artillery, - but particularly in which direction they march. This report must be - dispatched in writing, without the least delay. - - The Commander of a Picquet should never omit to report occurrences of - this kind, although they may have no connexion with the security of - his Picquet. Patrols and Picquets must always report the movements of - any body of Troops, even of a small number. - - 2. If the Videttes observe Troops marching towards them, but yet at - a great distance, they will ride the circle in a trot. The Officer's - duty is, as in 1. - - 3. If the enemy's Troops come towards the Picquet, and are at only - one English mile distance from it, the Videttes circle in a gallop. - The Officer immediately advances with his whole Picquet. His duty is - prescribed in the paragraph on the Attack of a Picquet. - - If the enemy is so near that the Videttes are obliged to gallop to - their Picquets for their own security, they fire their carbines and - pistols in case the Picquet should not have advanced. - - - _By Night._ - - 1. As soon as the Videttes hear a suspicious noise, even at a great - distance, such as the rattling of carriages or artillery, the barking - of dogs in the villages in front, or if they observe any fire, one of - the Videttes must instantly report it to the Officer of the Picquet, - in order that the circumstances may be inquired into by a Patrol. - - 2. Should any person approach the Vidette, he must be challenged with - "Who comes there?" so loud that the Picquet and the next Videttes are - able to hear it. If those that approach do not halt upon this, the - Vidette should challenge a second time; if they do not halt, he should - fire, and retire on the road pointed out to him, &c., &c. But if - those that he challenged halt, he cries out "One man dismount!" and at - the same time, "Sergeant advance!" The dismounted man he desires to - approach, but not nearer than three yards, and holds the cocked pistol - directed against him. The Officer of the Picquet must be instantly - there, and examine carefully where the person or persons came from, - who sent them, and what for, (when the enemy has the intention to - surprise a Picquet, he sometimes pretends to be a friendly Patrol,) - to what regiment they belong, the name of their Brigadier, Commanding - Officer and Captains--where their regiment is encamped, &c., &c.; if - they are able readily and justly to answer these questions, they may - pass unmolested, as in that case one may consider it a certainty that - they are no enemies. - - - SECTION VIII. - - ON THE ARRIVAL OF A FLAG OF TRUCE. - - Any person coming from the enemy with a Flag of Truce, must never be - allowed to advance further than the chain of Videttes. When a Vidette - makes the signal, the Officer of the Picquet meets the Flag of Truce - with four men, and desires the bearer of it to halt, if possible in - a bottom, or makes him face towards the side he came from, as it may - be only the intention of the enemy to make observations respecting - our position, or to see how the Picquet is placed, in order to - surprise it in the night. Does the bearer of the Flag of Truce only - bring letters, they are to be taken from him, and a receipt given for - them; if he insists upon being allowed to proceed, permission must be - asked, which being obtained, the person proceeding is blindfolded; - a Non-commissioned Officer leads his horse, and brings him to the - General's quarter. Should there be more persons than one, the - remainder must stay where they are, until the other returns. A Flag of - Truce ought to be treated with the utmost politeness; if refreshments - can be given, it is desirable to do so; but no conversation relative - to our position and to the army is to be permitted. - - After a Flag of Truce has left the Videttes, the Picquet must be very - attentive. - - - SECTION IX. - - DESERTERS COMING FROM THE ENEMY. - - - _At Daytime._ - - As they are discernable at a distance, but cannot be known to be - deserters, a proportionate number from the Picquet must already - have advanced to the line of Videttes when they approach. Deserters - generally make themselves known by flourishing the cap about their - head, and calling out "Deserter!" But this is not to be depended - upon; their further behaviour must be previously observed. They are - to be told that it is an order in the army to take their arms from - them--that is to say, their swords: the flints are only taken off the - fire-arms. In proportion to their number they are then to be brought - to the General's quarter by one, two, or three men, and their swords - returned to them. - - Whenever any property is taken from a deserter, the act is always to - be severely punished. - - - _At Night._ - - Great caution is to be used in this instance. The Videttes must order - them to halt at some distance, and by no means allow them to come too - near. The Picquet advances, and the Deserters are to come towards it - one by one, and be disarmed immediately. After all this is done, they - are brought to the rear. Deserters must be examined respecting the - movements, &c., of the Enemy. - - - SECTION X. - - WHEN THE PICQUET IS ATTACKED. - - - _By Day._ - - The first to be done is to report what is going on, and in a - mountainous and woody country at the same time to acquaint the - Picquets on the flanks with it. After this the Picquet advances, but - in such a manner that it cannot be cut off, and begins to skirmish. - It will seldom be practicable or suitable to advance farther than the - chain of Videttes. Is the Officer obliged to retire, it must be done - as slow as possible, to gain time for the Corps to turn out. If the - Commander of the Picquet has previously fixed upon places where to - make a stand, as prescribed in Section II., it is now time to make - use of them, when he has retired so far. The best way for cavalry to - defend a bridge, ravine, or ford, is the following (fig. 2): - - [Illustration: _Fig. 2._] - - When the Picquet has been obliged to retire three or four hundred - yards to the bridge, the Officer is to gallop over it with the same, - and to post himself in A, as close as possible, with his right flank - on it, leaving the passage open. As soon as his skirmishers see that - he has taken up his position, and that the passage over the bridge is - open, they likewise gallop over it, and face about again in B. The - Enemy will certainly halt, and if he pushes on, those in A have only - to cut him down as he is not in a state of defence, being obliged to - expose his left flank: those in B charge likewise, or fire upon him - at eight yards' distance. In this manner the Enemy must halt, and is - obliged to retire a little, in order to throw skirmishers in C, to - drive away the Picquet by their fire. However, time is gained by this, - on which sometimes the honor and welfare of the Corps depend. This - consideration only could induce me to be so circumstantial upon this - subject. - - When the Picquets on the flanks are not attacked at the same time, - they can be sometimes of service in acting upon the Enemy's flanks; - yet the nature of the ground must not endanger them to be cut off. - But however favorable the ground may often be, it appears sometimes - surprising to see that the nearest Picquets frequently do not - undertake anything on such occasions, and behave exactly as if the - whole business did not concern them at all. - - In general, it is a rule that the Picquets that are not attacked, - retire in a line with those engaged. - - - _By Night._ - - It is mentioned in Section VII. that when the Videttes have fired - their fire-arms, they must gallop back by the road pointed out to - them. It is of the highest importance to instruct the night Videttes, - that, in case the Enemy should rapidly attack them, they are not to - retire towards the Picquet, but a hundred and fifty yards to the right - or left of it, firing constantly in the meantime, and trying by these - means to mislead the Enemy, and draw him after them. The Picquet - hereby gains time to mount, and to fall in the Enemy's flank and rear, - with a great noise, who will certainly suspect to have fallen in an - ambush, be puzzled, and perhaps lose some prisoners. Immediately after - this attack is made, it will be best to fall back again on the road - fixed upon for a retreat. It is therefore necessary to show the men - in the day the road which the Videttes are to take, when they are - attacked in the night, and likewise whereabout they are to rejoin the - Picquet. The other part of the retreat is nearly the same as in the - day, with this difference only, that there cannot be skirmishers in - front, but only two or three men at the head. It is necessary to fire - as much as possible, but wherever a stand can be made, an obstinate - defence is desirable. It is unnecessary to remark that a report is to - be sent as soon as attacked. - - - II. ADVANCED GUARD. - - - _By Day._ - - Suppose the same consists of one Officer, two Non-commissioned - officers, and twenty-four men, the officer commanding tells them off - as in fig. 3. - - [Illustration: _Fig. 3._] - - This gives an extension of 1,500 yards, which is sufficient for - twenty-four men. If the column is larger, the Advanced Guard is - likewise stronger and more extended. A rule is, that the Advanced - Guard should take up so much ground, that when it discovers the enemy, - the column has sufficient time to form and make dispositions, either - for attacking or retiring. The several divisions of the Advanced Guard - must always keep their support in sight, and be careful to preserve - the same distances. When the column halts, the Advanced Guard does the - same, but the three men at the head instantly occupy the neighbouring - heights, in case the enemy should be within four or five hundred - yards. - - If the Advanced Guard comes to a wood which is supposed to be 2,000 - yards broad, the Sergeant reinforces the three men at the head with - six more, who extend themselves so far to the right and left as to be - in line with the first three, that they can see each other, and what - is concealed between them, and he follows with the two men left him, - the three men in advance on the road. Should the wood be too large, - the Officer must send two men to the right, and as many to the left, - round it, who are carefully to examine whether they can see the traces - of troops marched into the wood, which is to be immediately reported. - The column halts until this is ascertained. - - Generally only two men march at the heads, but this is wrong; there - ought to be three, whose duty is the following: Is a height in front, - the centre man of the three trots on until he can look over it; if - there is one to the right or left of the road, one of the other two - men does the same. Near an enemy this must always be done, supposed - even that the hill is 1500 or 2000 yards distance. Men that go on - the top of a hill to reconnoitre in this manner, (they may belong to - an Advanced Guard or a Patrol,) must proceed more carefully than is - generally done. As a great deal depends upon seeing the Enemy, and - not to be seen by him, they must, when nearly on the top of the hill, - take off the cap, and only go as high as just to be able to look over; - this produces the great advantage, that the Commanding Officer may - observe the marching Enemy, and make his arrangements accordingly for - a retreat, an attack, or an ambuscade. All these advantages are lost - when the Enemy discovers us. - - Should the march be directed towards a village, one man goes round - it to the right, the other to the left, and the third through it, if - the situation of the village permits to do so. The Non-Commissioned - Officer of the Advanced Guard also trots on until he arrives near the - village, and reinforces the men going through it with three more; one - of these four men goes to the right, the other to the left, through - the bye-roads; two men proceed through the middle of it, at such a - distance from each other, that the hindmost always keep in sight the - one before him. Should these men in patrolling the village find no - inhabitants, they are to look into the windows, ride into the yards, - and examine carefully if perhaps the Enemy concealed himself; those - going round the village look at the entrances to see if Troops marched - into the village. The Sergeant, with his men, follows slowly; when he - has passed through the village he collects his men, sends three men - again at the head, and reports to his Officer, who has halted behind - the village, that the same is patrolled, &c. - - It is unnecessary to observe, that these and other precautionary - measures are not requisite when the Enemy cannot be expected. - - - _By Night._ - - The Advanced Guard is told off as by day, but the distances between - the several divisions must not be as large. The Officer's Division - is a hundred yards from the column, the Sergeant a hundred from the - Officer's, and the head fifty from the Sergeant's party. Between these - Divisions, single men are to ride, who can see each other, to prevent - the communication being lost. - - If an Advanced Guard is unexpectedly attacked during the night, - or meets with the Enemy, it has no other choice but instantly to - fall upon him. The Non-Commissioned Officer must be instructed to - disperse, in such a case, to the right and left, and to fire as much - as possible; but the Officer advances rapidly with his Division, and - charges. This is the only way to give time to the column to prepare - for an attack. It is an unpardonable fault in an Advanced Guard to - be frightened, and to retire upon the column, every thing will then - be in confusion, and it would have been better, if there had been no - Advanced Guard at all; but if it advanced with intrepidity the column - has time. - - Should the Advanced Guard be obliged, by a superior force, to retire, - after having fought bravely, this retreat ought to be made on either - side of the Column, but never on the Column, because the latter would - be fired upon, and the confusion increased. - - On all these subjects the men should be previously well instructed. - Every Commanding Officer of a detached party must consider it as one - of his first duties to give clear and circumstantial instructions to - his men, without which they will frequently act contrary to his ideas, - even with the best intention. - - - III. REAR GUARD - - Is told off in separate divisions, the same as an Advance Guard, only - in reverse order (fig. 4.) - - [Illustration: _Fig. 4._] - - The object of a Rear Guard is to prevent the enemy's approaching the - column unperceived; two men in the Rear are sufficient, but these must - be picked men. When the march is undisturbed, they often halt on the - heights so as just to be able to look over to the rear, to discover - the enemy. When a mountain is near, the Officer will do well to ride - on the top of it, and to look about the country with his spy-glass. - - If the enemy follows closely with a few men, to see the strength of - our column, it is to be tried to lead them into an ambuscade, and - to make prisoners, or to drive them off. But in case the Rear is - attacked, it is instantly to be supported by the Serjeant's Troop, - and this by the Officer's Troop, which both immediately advance for - that purpose, in order not to allow the enemy to come too near the - Column. The Commanding Officer of the Column will then support him, - or give directions to retire slowly. If the enemy follows with a - more considerable force, suppose one squadron, _without_ attacking, - the Rear Guard will follow the Column in the subsequent manner. When - the Column is a thousand yards distant from the Officer's Troop, he - trots on to the ordinary distance of five hundred yards, halts, and - fronts; as soon as the Serjeant sees that the Officer has fronted, he - trots on to five hundred yards' distance from the Officer, and fronts - likewise, the two men in the rear trot on to the same distance from - the Serjeant's Troop. In this manner the Rear alternately follows the - Column, which prevents the enemy from coming too near; at the same - time an engagement is avoided, and the horses saved. Whenever the - Column halts, the different parties face towards the enemy. - - At night, the Rear Guard behaves in the same manner as prescribed for - the Advanced Guard; that is to say, the intervals between the several - Troops are to be shorter, and a sufficient number of single men placed - in them not to lose sight of the Column and each other. - - - IV. PATROLS. - - - SECTION I. - - SIDE PATROLS. - - Patrols are detached on the Flanks, when the enemy can disturb the - Flanks of the column. They are placed in the following manner (fig. 5): - - [Illustration: _Fig. 5._] - - The two men in A must not only from time to time communicate with the - Advanced Guard--that is to say, one of them incline to the left until - he can see it--but the other, when there is a height near, even at a - thousand yards' distance, must ride so far on the top of it that he - can look over. When attacked, Side Patrols behave as Advanced and Rear - Guards. They meet the enemy, and do not suffer him to come too near - the Column. - - When a Side Patrol meets with a wood in the direction of its march, - the disposition is altered (fig. 6). - - [Illustration: _Fig. 6._] - - The officer detaches the Serjeant's Troop to the right, the Corporal's - and four men to the left, and himself remains with his men in the - centre. The Serjeant sends two men to the skirts of the wood; these - must look at the tracks, and one of them ride on a height, if any is - near; the remainder divide themselves to the left of these two men, at - such a distance that they can keep each other in sight. The Corporal - divides his men in the same manner from the Right Flank of the Column - to the Officer's Troop. If the Officer perceives that these two lines - are not extensive enough to cover the ground towards his Troop, he - detaches a sufficient number of men to the right and left to form a - perfect line, which line must be careful never to get at the head of - the Column. The Non-commissioned officers endeavor to keep their men - in the same line with the Officer's Division. - - It sometimes excites pity to see the men unnecessarily gallop - and fatigue their horses on such occasions, only from want of - instructions, without doing more good than they would have done at a - walk. - - - SECTION II. - - PATROLLING A WOOD. - - This is done in the same manner as if (Section I.,) a Side Patrol - meets with a wood, with the difference that two men are likewise sent - round to the left extremity of the wood. - - - SECTION III. - - PATROLS OF DISCOVERY - - Consists generally of a pretty considerable force, to be enabled to - defend themselves against a small hostile party or patrol, and are - sent for the purpose of ascertaining whether a certain place is in the - Enemy's possession, whether he is on the move against us, or whether - a certain district is occupied by him. Such a Patrol marches, after - having passed the chain of Videttes, with the ordinary precautions of - having three men for Advanced, and two for Rear Guard, and sends, in - case the country requires it, one man to the right, and another to the - left, on the heights. - - As not unfrequently the safety, but also the attainment of the object - for which the Patrol was sent out, depends upon its not being seen by - the Enemy, before the Patrol has discovered him, it is of the utmost - importance to instruct the men at the head very accurately, they must - not merely be satisfied with looking before them, but look at the - tracks of the cross-roads very minutely, and mount every hill with - caution, &c. - - If this is done, the Patrol will sometimes have opportunities to make - prisoners. When a Patrol sees the Enemy advance towards it with not - too strong a force, it must try to conceal itself and rapidly attack - the unsuspecting enemy: he will get into confusion, fly, and perhaps - lose some prisoners. If the Enemy has been discovered before, but is - too strong, the Patrol retires: is perhaps not seen by him at all; and - circumstances may allow that it is able to continue its march, and to - obtain the object of its first destination. All these advantages are - lost when the Enemy discovers it. - - A Patrol must never enter a village or wood until it has been - explored; but this is to be managed in such a way that the Patrol is - not delayed: for the leader of it must not forget that the Officer who - sent him out calculates the time of his return: if he does not come - back near that time, he that sent him will get apprehensive, and send - another Patrol after him, whereby men and horses are fatigued, which - would have been avoided had the Leader of the Patrol been active in - the performance of his duty. - - If a village is to be passed at night, which the Enemy can be expected - to have occupied, the Patrol is to halt (about five or six hundred - yards) on the side of it. When no Videttes of the Enemy are visible, - a few men are sent to the right and left, who approach gradually - to ascertain whether the entrances of the village are occupied by - Infantry, and to try to find an inhabitant, whom they bring to the - Patrol, or listen whether they can hear anything. If nothing can be - learned by these means, the Patrol proceeds with the same precautions - as mentioned in a former Section. - - If a Patrol is ordered to ascertain by night, whether and how a - village is occupied, three of the best horses are to be picked out for - the head, eight men are to follow at twenty-four yards' distance, - and the remainder of the Patrol follows at a hundred yards' distance: - in this manner the Enemy's Vidette must be approached, without the - least noise; as soon as the Vidette challenges, the advance of the - Patrol must go on at full speed to take him prisoner. Should they be - unsuccessful in this, the eleven men, together rapidly attack the - Picquet, to bring off a prisoner, with whom they retire. The alarm - will be given in the village, to a certainty, and the sounding of a - trumpet or the beating of drums will enable us to judge by what Troops - it is occupied. If a Patrol goes so far that it is obliged to feed the - horses, it should never be done in a village, but in an open country - under some trees, and Videttes are to be placed during the time. - - If it is necessary to get provisions and forage out of villages, they - are to be brought out. - - On such occasions, as on all others, the inhabitants are to be treated - with politeness, and to rob them of anything deserves the severest - punishment, and it is but natural if they betray such unpleasant - guests to the Enemy. - - If guides are required, or inquiries made after a road, more than one - must be inquired after, to leave the people in uncertainty which road - the Patrol means to take. Guides that are sent home are best to be led - astray, by marching a wrong way until they are out of sight. - - - SECTION IV. - - SECRET PATROLS. - - These only consist of a few men, six or eight, and are generally - sent on the flanks, and sometimes in the rear of the Enemy's Army, - without the knowledge of the Enemy; are to go now and then at a great - distance; and are to remain for a considerable time, to make the - necessary observations; therefore this is the most difficult duty for - Light Cavalry. - - Many rules laid down for other Patrols are likewise here applicable. - - A Patrol of this kind marches without Advanced and Rear Guard, and, - if the country should require it, only one man rides on the heights - without showing himself. If the Patrol proceeds so far, that it - is obliged to march with great precaution, it must quit the great - roads wherever it is possible, and take its march by bye-roads, deep - valleys, &c., &c., to reach unseen the place of its destination. A - Guide on horseback will be of great service to such a Patrol; but he - is to be paid for it, and treated well. When feeding the horses, it - must go off the road into a bush or wood, and one man climbs up a - tree to keep a look-out. If anything hostile approaches, the Patrol - escapes without noise, and chooses another place of concealment until - it can proceed by roundabout ways without danger. A fire can only be - lighted with great caution, but it is better to avoid that entirely. - If an inhabitant accidentally meets with the Patrol at night, he must - remain with it until the march is continued. Should a Secret Patrol - be discovered by the Enemy, notwithstanding all precautions, it must - fly; as soon as the enemy gives up the pursuit, it must make attempts, - by roundabout ways, to get notwithstanding, to the spot where its - commission can be carried into execution. - - This sometimes succeeds beyond expectation. A well-informed and clever - officer is particularly required for this kind of duty; who speaks - the language of the country, and has a knowledge of the customs, - habits, hopes, and fears of the inhabitants. Such a one will be secure - close to the Enemy, and be able to give the most certain and best - intelligence. - - It is to be remarked, that if the Leader of a Patrol, when returned, - cannot answer the following questions about the roads he passed, viz: - - Are they rocky, sandy, or boggy? - - How many rivers and rivulets he passed; and the distances from one to - the other? - - Are the banks of them bold, or only an impediment, &c.? - - How many bridges lead over them? wooden or massive? - - Are fords beside those bridges, passable at every season for Cavalry, - Infantry, or Artillery, &c.? - - How many villages are on the road, and what are their names, and the - distances from one to the other? - - Does the road go through wood; or is it at some distance; apparently - how large, and what kind? - - he has lost sight of a principal point of his duty. - - The foregoing Instructions can only be considered as a sketch of the - duties of the Light Cavalry. The young, yet inexperienced soldier may - look upon it as an introduction to his duties; he can only expect to - acquire accomplishments by his own reflections and exertions. - - - AN ABRIDGMENT - - OF - - COLONEL ARENTSCHILDT'S - - INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFICERS AND NON-COMMISSIONED - OFFICERS OF LIGHT CAVALRY; - - BY - - LIEUT.-COLONEL THE HON. F. PONSONBY, - - Twelfth Light Dragoons. - - - - - INSTRUCTIONS - - FOR - - OFFICERS AND NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS OF CAVALRY, ON OUTPOST DUTY. - - - PICQUET. - - 1. The Officer commanding a Picquet should have the Names and - Regiments of the men written down: he should inspect their arms and - Ammunition; he should see that they are provided with Provisions and - Forage, and should thoroughly understand the Orders which he receives. - - 2. On the march to where the Picquet is to be stationed, the country - should be examined, and the places where a stand could be made in case - the Picquet should be attacked, ought to be particularly observed. It - is of the utmost importance to give the corps time to turn out, and - the Commander of a Picquet who retires at full speed, with the Enemy - at his heels, deserves the severest punishment. He must retire as - slowly as possible, and constantly skirmish. - - 3. Upon arriving at the spot chosen for the Picquet, the Officer - should ascertain the number of Videttes necessary, by observing - the roads and hills in front; he should then place them in such a - manner that they can each see what is coming towards the Picquet, and - at the same time observe one another. In the mean time the Picquet - should dismount, placing one Sentry a little in advance; and as soon - as the Videttes are placed, two-thirds of the Picquet may unbridle. - The Officer should make a little sketch, marking the roads, rivers, - bridges, or fords, morasses, cavities, hollow roads, mountains, woods, - towns, villages, and their distances. An officer cannot feel confident - for the security of his post, unless he has acquired an exact - knowledge of the country. - - 4. The principal rules for posting a Picquet at night, are to advance - it two or three miles in front of the main body, behind a bridge, - ravine, wood, or bog, through which the road may pass, to place - Videttes in front, and on the flanks, and to send out Patrols of two - or three men each at half an hour's interval. Sometimes a man should - dismount and listen with his ear to the ground, by which means he - will hear the march of Troops at a great distance. This precaution - is necessary in stormy weather. Upon coming by night to a new spot, - Patrols should be sent out in every direction before the Videttes are - placed. - - 5. If the Enemy is near, no fire should be lighted, the post should - be frequently changed, one-half of the Picquet should be mounted, one - hundred yards in advance, and the other half should keep the bridles - in their hands. - - 6. Upon relieving a Picquet, the new one should form in the rear of - the old, the Videttes should be relieved, and the detail of duties - should be thoroughly explained to the non-commissioned Officers and - Privates. The Commander of the old Picquet should deliver over to the - new one all written Orders, and the verbal Orders should be written - down and signed by the Officer relieved: he should likewise inform - him to whom reports are to be made, and give him every information - he has relative to the Enemy, the Patrols, the Country, &c., and the - night posts should be pointed out. At the relief of the Videttes, both - officers of the old and new Picquet should be present, and listen - to the instructions given by the old Vidette to the new one. These - instructions should be from what part of the country the Enemy may be - expected, where the neighbouring Videttes are stationed, in order to - be able to repeat their signals. A Vidette should never move from the - spot upon which he is placed, as the difference of a yard may prevent - his observing, or being observed, at a great distance. - - 7. A dismounted Sentry should be placed in front of the Picquet, where - he can observe the movements of the different Videttes. One-third of - the horses must always be bridled up, and be ready to advance; the - men must not take off their swords or belts; one-half may sleep in - the middle of the day, the other half in the afternoon, so that they - may be all perfectly alert at night. The men must not be allowed to - leave the Picquet, or to go into the villages, or houses, in the - neighborhood. When the men water their horses, they must bridle them - up, and take everything with them; in short, a Picquet must be always - ready for an attack in half a minute. - - - PATROLS. - - 8. In sending out Patrols, the following Rules should be observed: The - First should go out in the morning in time for it to arrive at its - destination before daybreak, where it should remain until the Officer - who commands it has had time to go to some rising ground and look over - the country. The Second at Ten. The Third at Two. The Fourth towards - Evening. And the Fifth at midnight. This arrangement, however, depends - upon the distance of the Enemy, except the morning Patrol, which is - to go under all circumstances. A Patrol, in returning, should look - often to the rear, as the Enemy frequently succeeds in following a - negligent Patrol. The Non-commissioned Officer should be particularly - careful not to allow the men to fatigue their horses; if it should be - necessary to feed, it should never be done in a village, but in an - open country, and a Vidette should be placed during the time. No man - should be permitted to leave his horse for a moment, and any man who - attempts to use an inhabitant of the country ill, or to take anything - from the town by force, must be severely punished. - - 9. The time for the Picquet to go to the Night Post is when it becomes - too dark for the Videttes to see at any distance. They are then called - in, and the position for the night taken up. In case of any desertion, - or that there are apprehensions of being betrayed to the enemy, by the - inhabitants or spies, the Picquet should change its ground, but the - Videttes remain. - - At night the Videttes must be relieved every hour and visited every - half hour. The Videttes should at all times be double if possible. In - foggy weather, and when it is very dark, the double Videttes should - patrol among themselves, and communicate with one another. When the - Enemy is near, the following measure contributes not only to security, - but is the best method of knowing when the enemy is on the move: A few - men should patrol during the night beyond the chain of Videttes in - different directions, and as near the enemy as they can unperceived; - they should then dismount and listen with the ear to the ground. - - 10. Every person attempting to pass the Outpost must be detained till - the morning. After the morning Patrol has returned, or has reported - that all is well, the Picquet should take up its position for the day. - - 11. Videttes should be placed by day on a high ground, so as to have - an extensive view, but if possible near a rock or tree, so as not - to be perceived by the Enemy; when the Videttes are placed in such - a manner that they can overlook their front, see each other and the - ground between them, so that nothing can pass unperceived, they are - placed as they ought to be. - - 12. By night, Videttes are taken off the hills and placed on the - roads, behind fords, bridges, ravines, &c.; they should be placed at - the bottom of hills, so that any object moving at the top would be - easily perceived. They should by no means be advanced further than - that their firing can be distinctly heard by the Picquet. - - 13. When a Vidette observes anything suspicious on the side of the - Enemy, such as the glittering of arms, rising of dust, &c., he is - to move his horse round in a circle at a walk; the Officer should - instantly proceed with a Corporal and four men to the Vidette; and - examine with his glass, or by a Patrol, thoroughly into the cause, - after which he must make his report. If the Vidette observes Troops - marching towards him, but at a great distance, he is to ride the - circle in a trot; the officer acts as in the former case. If the Enemy - should approach the Vidette at no great distance, he is to ride the - circle at a gallop. The Officer should advance with his whole Picquet; - his further duty is prescribed in Par. 15. If the Enemy is so near the - Videttes that they are obliged to gallop to the Picquets for their own - security, they should fire their Carbines or Pistols. By night, if - the Videttes hear a suspicious noise, even at a great distance, such - as the rattling of Carriages, barking of dogs, or if they observe any - fire, one of them should instantly report the circumstances to the - officer of the Picquet, in order that it may be inquired into by a - Patrol. If any one should approach the Videttes, they must challenge, - and desire the person or persons to halt till the Officer is informed. - Should the person refuse to halt, being twice challenged in a loud - voice, the Vidette is to fire. Great caution must be observed by night - if a Deserter should come from the Enemy, the Videttes must not let - him approach too near; they must make him halt till the Officer comes - up. By day, the Vidette is to make a signal to the sentry of the - Picquet, should a Deserter approach, and a party will be immediately - sent to receive him. - - - FLAG OF TRUCE. - - 14. No person coming from the Enemy with a Flag of Truce, is to be - allowed to advance farther than the chain of Videttes. When the - Vidette makes the signal, the Officer of the Picquet should meet - the Flag of Truce with four more, and desire the bearer to halt, if - possible, in a bottom, as the intention is frequently only to make - observations on the position of the Picquet, in order to attack it at - night. If the bearer only brings Letters, a receipt is to be given - to the bearer and sent back; but if he insists upon being allowed - to proceed, further instructions must be obtained from the Officer - commanding the Outposts. A Flag of Truce ought to be treated with the - utmost civility, but no conversation relative to the Army is to be - permitted. - - 15. When a Picquet is attacked, the Officer is immediately to - communicate with the Picquets on his flank, and with the main body; - he is then to throw out his skirmishers, and if obliged to retire, - it must be done as slowly as possible, to gain time for the corps - to turn out. If the commander of the Picquet should have fixed upon - places where to make a stand, (as recommended in Par. 2,) he will - find the advantage; if it be a bridge, ford, or ravine, he should - act in the following manner: upon approaching the place, suppose a - bridge, he should gallop over it with his Picquet, and form with his - right flank to the Enemy, taking care to leave the passage open. The - skirmishers immediately after gallop over, and form directly fronting - the passage of the bridge, and to the rear of the Picquet; the Enemy - must necessarily halt, in order to drive the Picquet away by their - fire; consequently, time is given to the main body, which is the grand - object. If the Picquets on the flanks should not be attacked at the - same time, they should endeavour, without exposing themselves to be - cut off, to act upon the Enemy's flanks. In general, it is a rule for - the Picquets not attacked to retire in a line with those engaged. - - - ADVANCED GUARD. - - 16. If an Officer, two non-commissioned Officers, and twenty-four - Privates, form the Advanced Guard, the Officer should post himself - about five hundred yards in front of the columns, with thirteen men, - a serjeant and eight should be detached five hundred yards in advance - of him, and three men five hundred yards in advance of the whole. The - principle upon which an Advanced Guard, Rear Guard, or Side Patrol is - sent out, is to give time to the column to make dispositions to attack - or retreat, should an Enemy be discovered. The several divisions of - the Advanced Guard must keep their support constantly in view, and - if a wood, village, or ravine appear upon their front or flank, it - must be carefully examined before the column proceeds: at night, the - interval between the divisions of an Advance or Rear Guard, should - be much less than during the day, and a communication should be kept - up between the divisions, by two or three single men placed at such - distances that they can see each other. - - 17. A great deal of responsibility is left to a non-commissioned - Officer on outpost duty: he has frequently the command of Patrols, - Picquets, &c.; it is therefore necessary for him to obtain a thorough - knowledge of his duty. Unless he has authority to keep up the - strictest discipline, and to make the men under him pay the greatest - attention to all Orders, he is not fit for his situation, and he is - to recollect that the safety and honor of his Regiment may frequently - depend upon the manner in which he executes his duty. - - - REPORTS. - - 18. All Officers in command of Picquets, Patrols, &c., must make - written reports of any thing which occurs. There are few occasions - when it is necessary to send a verbal report, and it should, if - possible, be avoided, as it is very difficult to find Non-commissioned - Officers, and Soldiers, who will deliver it correctly. A commander - of a Post or Patrol, must be very cautious not to create unnecessary - alarms; he must report as fully and as correctly as possible. If - he reports the movements of the Enemy, he must recollect that - considerable confusion may arise from saying "to the right," or "to - the left;" he must say, to _our_ right, or to _our_ left, or to "the - ENEMY'S right," or to "the ENEMY'S left." If a Non-commissioned - Officer cannot send a written report, he must explain the message - thoroughly to the Private, and should the latter deliver it - incorrectly, he must expect to be punished. - - - FINIS. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - - I. ON THE CONDUCT TO BE HELD BY AN OFFICER, OR - NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER, ON PICQUET. - - SECT. I.--Parading the Picquet, 11 - - II.--Marching for his destination, 12 - - III.--If no Picquet was on the spot before, 12 - - By Day, 12 - - By Night, 14 - - IV.--Relieving another Picquet, 15 - - V.--During his stay on Picquet, 17 - - By Day, 17 - - By Night, 19 - - VI.--Placing of Videttes, 21 - - By Day, 21 - - By Night, 22 - - VII.--Instructions for the Videttes, and what the Officer - commanding the Picquet has to Observe on - their making signals, 23 - - By Day, 23 - - By Night, 24 - - VIII.--On the arrival of a Flag of truce, 25 - - IX.--Deserters coming from the Enemy, 26 - - At Daytime, 26 - - At Night, 27 - - X.--When the Picquet is attacked, 27 - - By Day, 27 - - By Night, 32 - - - II. ADVANCED GUARD. - - By Day, 33 - - By Night, 36 - - - III. REAR GUARD. - - Its Object and duties, 39 - - - IV. PATROLS. - - SECT. I.--Side Patrols, 41 - - II.--Patrolling a wood, 45 - - III.--Patrols of Discovery, 46 - - IV.--Secret Patrols, 49 - - - ABRIDGMENT BY LIEUT. COLONEL, THE HON. F. PONSONBY. - - Picquet, 55 - - Patrols, 59 - - Flag of Truce, 63 - - Advanced Guard, 65 - - Reports, 67 - - - - - SCIENCE OF WAR! - - TACTICS - FOR - OFFICERS - OF - INFANTRY, CAVALRY AND ARTILLERY. - - ARRANGED AND COMPILED BY - - L. v. BUCKHOLTZ. - - One Volume, 12mo, Price 75 cts. by mail, post paid. - - ARMORY, RICHMOND, VA., JAN'Y 8, 1861. - - J.W. RANDOLPH--_Dear Sir_:--I have only had time to look over the - Military work of Capt. _Buckholtz_, because of my pressing duties, - yet I am satisfied that, if printed, much valuable information to our - citizen soldiery will be furnished. - - The popular works upon military matters, now before the public, are - confined to ordinary drills and parades. What is now wanted, is a - treatise going to show when the various movements of Artillery, - Cavalry, Infantry and Rifle, as taught in their respective drills, - should be used in presence of an enemy,--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 line, how - to post the different arms to act most favorably--information most - essential to success, and without which, no matter how personally - brave troops may be, they are exposed to almost certain disaster in - presence of an equal number of well drilled and well manoeuvered - troops, and this information Capt. Buckholtz furnishes in his work. - - I have no hesitation in recommending it. - - Very respectfully yours, - - CHARLES DIMMOCK, Capt., &c., &c. - - Published and for sale by - - J.W. RANDOLPH, RICHMOND, VA. - - Also for sale by Booksellers generally. - - - - - NEW MILITARY WORK. - - ON - INFANTRY CAMP DUTY, FIELD FORTIFICATION, AND - COAST DEFENSE. - - Prepared and arranged by CAPT. L. V. BUCKHOLTZ, with plates, - 16mo. muslin. Price 50 cts. by mail, post paid. - - RECOMMENDATIONS. - - "This is a mere pocket-book in size, but it is crowded with - instruction for military men--instruction gathered and condensed - from the great bulk of works on military science. It encloses grains - of wheat, threshed, as it were, out of the great stack--is simple, - convenient and comprehensive. It is from the pen of Captain Buckholtz, - of this city, a gentleman who has seen service on the continent of - Europe, and who is an accomplished officer."--_Richmond Dispatch._ - - "We are always pleased to meet with a Southern Book, one written, - printed and bound in our own section by our own people, and we - therefore greet with pleasure two military works now before us, by - Captain Buckholtz, and published by J.W. Randolph, Richmond. - - The first is "_On Infantry Camp Duty, Field Fortification, and Coast - Defense_." Under the head of Infantry Camp Duty we are instructed in - out guards, patrols, vanguard, side-guard, rear guard, ambuscade, - surprise, and transports. In Field Fortification we have instructions - on fortifications, regularly constructed forts, attack and defense, - fortresses, and a description of the principal parts of fortified - works. - - The chapter on Coast Defense is most excellent. - - As an elementary work on the subjects treated, this book has no - superior, and we commend it to our military. - - The second book is, "_Tactics for Officers of Infantry, Cavalry, - and Artillery_." This is a most complete military work, comprising - instruction in the three departments of the army, and contains much - information which we have never met with in the popular military works - of the day."--_Norfolk Southern Argus._ - - Published and for sale by - - J.W. RANDOLPH, RICHMOND, VA. - - Also for sale by Booksellers generally. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Instructions for Officers and -Non-Commissioned Officer of Cavalry on Outpost Duty, by Lt-Col Arentschildt - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INSTRUCTIONS FOR OFFICERS *** - -***** This file should be named 54515.txt or 54515.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/4/5/1/54515/ - -Produced by Brian Coe, Graeme Mackreth and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -book was produced from images made available by the -HathiTrust Digital Library.) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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