_The Director_: “Before taking up the problem for solution I want to
make a few remarks on the subject of the protection of a body of troops
while in bivouac, and to review briefly the duties and formation of an
outpost.
“As a command on the march protects itself from surprise by covering
detachments called advance guards, flank guards and rear guards, so also
does a command at a halt protect itself by a system of covering
detachments denominated outposts.
“_Duties._—Like advance guards on the march, the outpost is charged with
the duties of observation and resistance.
“Specifically these duties are:
“1. To protect the main body so that the troops may rest undisturbed.
“2. In case of attack, to check the advance of the enemy long enough to
enable the main body to make dispositions to meet him.
“3. To reconnoiter the enemy, prevent his reconnaissance and give timely
warning of the approach of hostile bodies.
“_Subdivisions._—The outpost is divided into two general lines. The
first, which is called the ‘line of observation,’ does the watching for
the enemy and prevents his small bodies from getting any information
about our troops or annoying them. The second is a ‘fighting line,’
which holds off larger bodies.
“These lines must cover the front and flanks of the troops at rest. The
‘watching line’ must be so located that the watchers out in front will
be able to see the enemy before he gets close enough to do damage. The
‘fighting line’ must be so located that it will have what we call a
‘good field of fire;’ that is, the ground in front must not be such that
it will hide the movements of the enemy and allow him to get within
effective rifle range without coming under our fire.
“_Formation._—The formation of an outpost may best be described by
referring to an outstretched hand.
“Hold your left hand in front of you with the thumb and fingers extended
and pointing to the front, palm of hand down.
“The wrist will be the location of the troops in camp or in bivouac.
“The knuckle joint of the second finger will be the location of the
reserve of the outpost. This is the body of troops that is held out of
the fight until the direction of the enemy’s main attack is developed,
when it is thrown in to meet it, or to make what we call a
‘counter-attack.’ In very small outposts this reserve is usually
omitted.
“The second joints of the fingers and thumb will mark the positions
occupied by the ‘supports.’ These are the fighting troops and they
occupy the fighting line of the outpost. From these supports, small
detachments, which we call ‘outguards,’ are sent to the front.
“The first joints of the fingers and thumb will mark the positions of
the outguards. These are classified as pickets, sentry squads and
cossack posts. A picket consists of two or more squads and is posted so
as to cover the most important route by which the enemy may come. The
sentry squad consists of one rifle squad. The cossack post is composed
of a non-commissioned officer and three men.
“The tips of the fingers and thumb will mark the line of the sentinels.
These are the ears and eyes of the outpost system.
“The sentinels are sent out to the front from the outguards. A picket
posts one double sentinel post for each of its squads. Each sentry squad
is charged with maintaining one double sentinel post. The cossack post
maintains a single sentinel who is posted nearby.
“Are there any questions?”