_The Director_: “When a column on the march halts for any considerable
length of time the advance guard continues its covering duty by forming
march outposts. These are simply patrols sent out to the front and
flanks, a certain distance, where they halt and remain there until
ordered to continue the march or until they are recalled.
“The advance party usually furnishes these patrols which are sent out on
the routes by which the enemy may approach. The support is posted at
some central point from which it may readily reinforce any group that
may be threatened by the enemy.
“In a situation like this the question always comes up as to how the
advance guard commander will issue his orders for the establishment of
the march outposts—that is, whether he will do it by a message to the
several elements or whether he will issue an order and have copies made
and sent out.
“If the message system is employed, the advance guard commander will
have to include the new information of the enemy and our own troops and
give the order to the element. All of this is accomplished by issuing a
simple five paragraph order and sending it out. This is more expeditious
than message writing. The commander has all the information he requires,
and he is given definite instructions as to what he, himself, is to do.
The order method is favored.”