_The Director_: “What are the several elements of the advance guard,
Lieutenant Williams?”
_Lieutenant Williams_: “First, we have the point, which is the small
body of men farthest to the front; next, we have a connecting file
between the point and the advance party; next comes the advance party,
then the connecting files between the advance party and the support, and
finally the support, which is right here on the road.”
_The Director_: “Captain Hastings, what is the strength and disposition
of these several elements of the advance guard?”
_Captain Hastings_: “The point is composed of one complete squad
commanded by a sergeant. It is in patrol formation, marching on the road
with a distance of about 20 to 25 yards between each pair of men. The
point precedes the advance party by a distance of about 150 to 200
yards. The connecting file between that point and advance party marches
so that he can keep both of these bodies in sight. He has no fixed place
where he is to march—”
_Lieutenant Wallace_ (_interrupting_): “Right there is a point that I
want to bring up. I can conceive of a situation where the connecting
file could not keep both bodies in sight all the time—for example, on a
winding road or in hilly country. What does he do in that case?”
_The Director_: “Under those circumstances the commander of the advance
party would have to send out a sufficient number of men for this duty,
so as to insure communication being kept up at all times. It is simply a
problem to be solved by the advance party commander. Captain Hastings,
proceed with your discussion.”
_Captain Hastings_: “Next comes the advance party composed of the first
platoon, less one squad and connecting file, commanded by Lieutenant W.
It is marching with a column of files on each side of the road at easy
marching distances. The connecting files between the advance party and
support march so that they can keep both bodies in communication with
each other all the time. The distance between the advance party and
support is about 400 yards. Now comes the support, composed of the
company, less the first platoon and connecting files with the advance
party, which marches in a column of squads on the road. Following is the
main body of the battalion, at a distance of about 500 yards.”
_The Director_: “Lieutenant Ralston, what provisions are made for flank
protection?”
_Lieutenant Ralston_: “I do not think that any flank protection is
necessary at this time. No considerable body of the enemy will get
between our column and the main body of our brigade. If they did they
would be doomed to destruction. On the other flank the country is open,
so that no patrols are needed in that direction. I do not believe in
wearing men out on flank patrol duty when there is no necessity for it.”