When a platoon is firing, all noncommiss_Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Cavalry of the Army of the United States 1917. To be also used by Engineer Companies (Mounted) for Cavalry Instruction and Training

opportunity to make the fire more effective. The section chiefs and

corporals should constantly watch the men to see that they do not

become excited, fire too hastily or without aim, that their sights are

set at the correct range, that they are obviously firing at the

designated target, and that they assume steady firing positions and

take advantage of cover. In performing these duties it may be

necessary for the section chiefs to be constantly crawling along the

line. A substitute chief assists the chief of his section by

supervising the fire of the men near him, firing when not actively

engaged in that duty.

Bayonets are fixed preparatory to a charge when armed with that

weapon. This command is usually given by the bugle. Only two or three

men in each section should fix their bayonets at the same time, in

order that there may be no marked pause or diminution in the fire at

this critical stage of the engagement.

In order to be effective in combat, the platoon must be thoroughly

trained to work as a team. Each noncommissioned officer must be

conversant with the signals and commands and the proper methods for

instantly putting into effect the orders of his platoon commander.

Each private must be trained until he instinctively does the right

thing in each phase of the action.

=Section 3. Patrolling.=

The designation of a patrol indicates the nature of the duty for which

it is detailed, as, for example, visiting, reconnoitering, exploring,

flanking, combat, harassing, pursuing, etc. An Infantry patrol

consists, as a rule, of from 3 to 16 men, a Cavalry patrol generally

of from 4 to 10 men.

Reconnoitering patrols are habitually small and seek safety in

concealment or flight, fighting only when their mission demands it.

The most skillful reconnoissance is where patrols accomplish their

mission and return without being discovered by the enemy. When

resistance is expected stronger detachments are required. These cover

themselves with small patrols of two to four men, the remainder acting

as support.

The commander determines the number and strength of patrols and when

they are to be sent out. It is a cardinal principle to send out

patrols of such strength only as will accomplish the object.

The officer sending out the patrol verifies the details, designates a

second in command, and gives the necessary instruction. The orders or

instructions for a patrol, or for any detachment going on

reconnoissance, must state clearly where the enemy is or is supposed

to be, what information is desired, what features are of special

importance, the general direction to be followed, whether friendly

patrols are liable to be encountered, and where messages are to be

sent or the patrol is to report. Important and comprehensive

instructions should be in writing, but precautions against capture of

papers must be taken. An officer sending out a patrol must be certain

that his orders are understood. Detailed instructions are, as a rule,

avoided. When necessary the time of return is stated.

The patrol leader should be selected with care. He should be an

excellent horseman, have good judgment, courage, be able to read maps,

make sketches, and send clear and concise messages. In addition to his

ordinary equipment, he should have a map of the country, a watch,

field glass, compass, whistle, message blanks, and pencils.

The leader of a patrol should carefully inspect the men and horses

before starting out. He should see that the horses are well shod and

in good working condition. Nervous horses or those that neigh when

left alone should not be taken. The equipment of each man should be

complete and so arranged as to prevent rattling. Articles that are

liable to glitter in the sunlight should be covered. Nothing should be

taken along that would be of information to the enemy if any members

of the patrol were captured, for example, copies of orders, maps with

positions of troops marked thereon, letters, newspapers, or collar

ornaments.

The leader then gives his patrol information and instructions. These

embrace instructions from higher authority; his detailed plans;

information of the country and enemy; the countersign, if any; the

point where the patrol will assemble if scattered. He will see that

the men understand the prescribed signals.

=It must always be remembered that it makes no difference, how

valuable may be the information that the patrol gets, it is worthless

if not sent back in time to be of service.= Herein is where most

patrols fail. This applies particularly to the information obtained by

patrols acting as a point or flankers of advance, rear, and flank

guards. Whenever the patrol gets any information, the leader must

think whether the commanding officer would change his plans or issue

new orders if he had the information. If he would, the information

should be sent back at once. If the distance is great or the

inhabitants are hostile, it is well to send two men with the message.

These men should not travel side by side, but as a patrol of two men.

If the information is very important, and the danger of capture is

considerable, the message should be sent by two parties, each

traveling by a different route. The gaits should be specified.

A message from a patrol should always show (_a_) the place from which

it is sent; (_b_) the time it is sent (date, hour, and minute); (_c_)

to whom it is sent; (_d_) the message itself; (_e_) what the patrol

intends doing after sending the message; (_f_) the name of the sender.

Under (_d_) care must be taken to separate what has actually been seen

by the patrol from information received from other sources. Care must

also be taken not to exaggerate what is seen, but to report only the

exact facts.

Whether moving or halted, patrols exercise the greatest vigilance to

prevent discovery. No formal formation is or should be prescribed.

Under the leader's guidance it moves so as to guard against surprise,

usually with point and flankers. To extend the sphere of its

observation, still smaller patrols (one or two men) may be sent out

for short distances, communication with the leader being maintained by

signals. Whatever the formation adopted, it should favor the escape of

at least one man in case of surprise.

In patrols of two to five men the commander generally leads. In this

formation few signals are necessary, the men simply regulating their

movements by his.

In questioning civilians caution is observed not to disclose

information that may be of value to the enemy. Strangers are not

allowed to precede the patrol. Patrol leaders are authorized to seize

telegrams and mail matter, and to arrest individuals, reporting the

facts as soon as possible.

Patrols should observe everything for signs of the enemy. Even

apparent trifles may be of great value. The finding of a collar

ornament showing a man's regiment may enable the chief of staff to

determine that the enemy has been reenforced.

Patrols should not travel on the main roads if they can observe them

and at the same time make the necessary progress by moving some

distance to the side of the roads.

Except in case of attack or of great personal danger, no member of the

patrol should fire on hostile troops without orders from the patrol

leader. When sent out to gain information, patrols should avoid

fighting unless it is absolutely necessary in order to carry out their

orders. If the leader determines to fight, he should quickly decide

whether he will attack mounted with the saber and thus dispose pf the

enemy without the noise of fire action. Cases will arise where a quick

mounted pistol attack will obtain the best results. If discovered, the

patrol would dismount only as a last resort. The leader should always

have in mind, as he rides long, what he will do if he meets the enemy.

Villages and inclosures involving danger of surprise are entered with

precaution, and for brief periods only. Halts are made at points

affording good view, and the country is studied in all directions,

landmarks to the rear being impressed on the minds of the men so that

the way back can be readily found; the leader consults his map and

locates himself thereon.

When a patrol is scattered it reassembles at some place previously

selected; if checked in one direction, it takes another; if cut off it

returns by a detour or forces its way through. As a last resort it

scatters so that at least one man may return with information. Patrols

nearing their own lines should march at a walk unless pressed by the

enemy.

Occasionally it is advisable for the leader to conceal his patrol and

continue the reconnaissance with one or two companions.

Patrols far from their commands or in contact with the enemy often

remain out overnight. In such cases they seek a place of concealment,

proceeding thereto after nightfall or under cover.

When the enemy is encountered it is very necessary to locate his main

force. Information is particularly desired of his strength, whether he

has infantry, cavalry, and artillery, the route and direction of his

march, or the location of his camp and line of outposts.

Dust clouds indicate moving bodies. Infantry raises a low, thick

cloud; cavalry a high, thin cloud; artillery and wagons a broken

cloud. The kind of troops, direction of march, and approximate

strength may thus sometimes be roughly estimated. If from some

position a body of troops can be seen marching along in column, the

exact time in minutes and seconds it requires for them to pass a

certain point should be noted, together with the formation they are

in, thus: Infantry, column of squads, three minutes and twelve

seconds; cavalry, columns of twos at a trot, one minute and twenty

seconds; wagons, four-mule, five minutes. From this information the

strength can be determined by the following rule:

Assuming that infantry in column of squads occupy half a yard per man,

cavalry in column of fours 1 yard per man, and artillery and wagons in

single column 20 yards per gun, caisson, or wagon, a given point would

be passed in one minute by about--

175 infantry.

110 cavalry at a walk.

200 cavalry at a trot.

5 guns, caissons, or wagons.

For troops in column of twos, take one-half of the above estimate.

Patrols should always observe the country marched over, with a view to

making a report on the same. The following information is always of

value:

=Roads.=--Direction; kind, whether dirt, gravel, macadam, etc.;

width, whether suitable for column of squads, etc.; border, whether

fenced with stone, barbed wire, rails, etc.; steepness in crossing

hills and valleys; where they pass through defiles and along

commanding heights, etc.; crossroads.

=Surrounding country.=--Whether generally open and passable for

infantry, cavalry, and artillery, or whether broken and impassable,

due to fences, woods, crops, ravines; whether good grazing is

available, etc.

=Railroads.=--Single or double track, narrow or broad gauge, tunnels,

bridges, cuts, direction, stations, etc.

=Bridges.=--Material, wood, stone, steel, etc.; length and breadth;

number and kind of piers or supports.

=Rivers.=--Direction; width, depth; kind of bottom, such as mud, sand,

rocky, etc.; banks, steep or gentle, open or wooded; rapidity of

current; variations in depth at different times as indicated by

driftwood and high-water marks; islands; heights in vicinity

commanding streams.

=Woods.=--Extent and shape; kind of trees; free from underbrush or

not; clearings, roads, swamps, ravines, etc.

=Telegraph lines.=--Number of wires, along roads or railroads,

stations, etc.

=Villages.=--Size, kind of houses, nature of streets, means of

defense, etc.

=Hills and ridges.=--Whether scopes are gentle or steep; whether top

is narrow or wide; whether ground is broken or smooth, wooded or

clear; whether difficult or easy to cross, etc.; whether commanded by

other hills.

=Defiles.=--Their direction, length, and width; whether surrounding

heights are passable for infantry and artillery: kind of country at

each opening of the defile, etc.

=Ravines, ditches, etc.=--Width and depth; banks, whether passable for

infantry, cavalry, and wagons; whether suitable for trenches, or for

movement of troops therein, etc.

In general, every soldier should be constantly on the lookout to

obtain information that might be of some military value. Remember that

information of the enemy and of the country is worthless unless made

known to the proper officials in time to be of use.

Every soldier should be able to find his way in a strange country;

should know how to use a compass; should know how to locate the North

Star; should be able to travel across country, keeping a given

direction, both by day and by night, and by observing landmarks he

should be able to return to the starting point either over the same

route or by a more circuitous one. This can easily be learned =by a

little practice=.

It adds a great deal to the value of a soldier if he knows how to use

a map to find his way. If he knows how to =make= a rough sketch of the

country showing the position of roads, streams, woods, railroads,

bridges, houses, villages, fields, fences, hills, etc., he has added

to his value as a soldier very much, indeed, because a rough sketch of

a country will give more and better information at a glance than can

be obtained by reading many pages of written description.

=Patrolling= is one of the most important duties a soldier can learn.

Any enlisted man who understands thoroughly his duties as a member of

a patrol will understand also most of his duties when with advance or

rear guards or when on outpost duty. Patrolling can not be learned

merely by reading books nor by work indoors. Thoroughness comes only

by actually going out in the country and acting as a patrol.

In carrying out this idea the following scheme is recommended:

Let four or more men and a noncommissioned officer act as a patrol.

They assemble at a certain time, at a convenient point on some country

road. An officer, whom we will call Captain A, acts as the director;

the noncommissioned officer, whom we will call Sergeant B, acts as

patrol leader; and the others (Privates C, D, E, etc.) act as members

of Sergeant B's patrol.

Assume that the troop (squadron, etc.) has just made camp in this

vicinity and that the inhabitants are friendly (or hostile).

Captain A indicates to the rest of the men where the camp is situated

and points out where the various sentinels are posted. (This in itself

affords an opportunity for much discussion and for teaching many

valuable lessons.)

Captain A then calls up Sergeant B and tells him--

(_a_) Just what information Captain A has of the enemy, and also any

information of the country or of friendly troops in the vicinity that

might be of service to Sergeant B.

(_b_) How many men he shall take for the patrol (this is another

problem for Captain A to solve). Any men present not used as part of

the patrol ride along with Captain A as observers.

(_c_) How far he shall go and what country he shall cover with the

patrol.

(_d_) Just what information it is particularly desired he shall

obtain.

(_e_) Where he shall send his messages and when he shall return.

=Example 1=:

"Sergeant B, it has just been reported to me that a company of hostile

infantry was in camp last night at X, about 5 miles from here on this

road. Take 5 men and proceed toward X and find out whether the enemy

is still there, and if not, when he left and where he went. Send

messages to me here, and return by 8 o'clock this evening."

=Example 2=:

"Sergeant B, I think I heard the firing of field guns over in that

direction a short while ago. Take 6 men and proceed to that high hill

you see over there about 4 miles away. Send a message to me here when

you reach there. You may go farther if you then think it advisable,

but return before daylight. I desire particularly to know if there are

any hostile troops in this vicinity, especially artillery. I shall

send Sergeant X with 3 men to observe the country from that hill you

see over there farther to the south. He will remain there till dark.

Send messages to me here. If the troop is not here on your return you

will find a note for you underneath this rail."

=Example 3=:

"Sergeant B, this friendly country boy has just reported that four

hostile cavalrymen stopped about half an hour ago at his father's

house, which he says is about 2 miles up this road. One of the men

seemed to be very sick. You will select eight men from your section

and endeavor to capture these men. If they have disappeared you will

reconnoiter in that vicinity until dark. This boy will accompany you

as a guide. He will ride Private X's horse. I desire particularly to

learn the position, strength, and composition of any hostile troops in

this vicinity. Send reports to me here. Return before daylight."

=Example 4=:

"Sergeant B, here is a map of the country in this vicinity on a scale

of 1 inch to the mile. Here is where we are camped [indicating

position on the map]. I have just learned that foraging parties of the

enemy are collecting supplies over here at X [indicating point on

map], which is 10 miles off in that direction [pointing across country

toward X]. It is reported that this bridge over this stream

[indicating same on the map], which is about 3 miles down this road

[indicating road and direction on the ground], has been destroyed. You

will take three men from your platoon and verify this report. You will

also reconnoiter the stream for a distance of 3 miles both above and

below the bridge for fords suitable for infantry. Messages will reach

me here. Return by 8 o'clock to-night."

Sergeant B then inspects his horses and men and gives them their

instructions. The patrol is then formed and moves out exactly as it

would under actual war conditions.

Captain A may halt (and assemble if desirable) the patrol at intervals

in order to discuss the formation used and the movement of any members

of the patrol, their route, use of cover, etc., with the reasons

therefor, and compare the same with suggested modifications of the

formations, etc. After the discussion, the patrol is again set in

motion. Captain A may accompany any part of the patrol. From time to

time he presents certain situations to some member of the patrol,

being very careful to assume only such situations as might naturally

occur.

Thus, take Example 1:

Captain A is with Sergeant B, who, with Private C, is marching along

the road as the point of the patrol. The other members of the patrol

are distributed to suit the nature of the country over which the

patrol is marching. The point has just reached a ridge beyond which

the country is open and cultivated for about half a mile. Beyond this

the road enters a woods. Captain A now says: "Sergeant B, from this

point you see two soldiers in khaki on the road there at the beginning

of that cornfield about 200 yards from the woods [points out same].

They are moving in this direction. About 200 yards to the right of

these and somewhat farther to their rear you see two more men moving

along that rail fence."

Sergeant B now does exactly as he would do in actual war. How does he

signal to his patrol? Does he assemble his men? If so, how and where?

Does he send a message back to camp; and if so, by whom, and is it

written or verbal? (If written, Sergeant B actually writes it and

delivers it to Private ----, with the necessary instructions. If

verbal, it is actually given to Private ---- with instructions.)

Captain A must in this case make notes of what the message was. In

either case, Private ---- ceases to be a member of the patrol and

joins Captain A as an observer. He should, however, at some later time

be required to repeat his message to Captain A, on the assumption that

he had reached camp with the same. The message, whether oral or

written, should be thoroughly analyzed and discussed. Was it proper to

send a message at this time? Does Sergeant B intend to remain in

observation; if so, how long? (Captain A can give such information

from time to time concerning the hostile patrol as Sergeant B might

reasonably be supposed to learn in view of his dispositions. In order

that Captain A may present natural assumptions, it is very essential

that in his own mind he should, at the outset, assume a situation for

the hostile forces and that he should consider himself as in command

of all hostile troops. In this particular case he should assume

himself to be in command of the hostile patrol, acting under certain

specified orders similar to examples given, and he should conduct this

patrol in his own mind in accordance with these orders, giving

Sergeant B only such information as he might reasonably be expected to

obtain in view of whatever action Sergeant B takes.) Will Sergeant B

attempt to capture this patrol? If so, how? Will he avoid fighting and

attempt to pass it unobserved; and if so, how and why?

In this manner the exercise is continued. Care must be taken not to

have the patrol leader or members state what they would do, but they

must actually do it. Explanations and discussions may take place

later.

In a similar manner the director may inform Sergeant B (or any member

of the patrol) that this hostile patrol is followed by a squad (on the

assumption that it is the leading unit of an advance guard), and the

exercise is then continued along these lines.

The following are examples of assumption that might be made and

carried out:

(_a_) That the patrol is unexpectedly fired upon.

(_b_) That one or more of the patrol is wounded.

(_c_) That a prisoner is captured (let an observer act as prisoner).

(_d_) That a friendly inhabitant gives certain information.

(_e_) That a dust cloud is seen in the distance over the trees.

(_f_) That a column of troops can be seen marching along a distant

road.

(_g_) That an abandoned camp is discovered and certain signs noted.

(_h_) That the patrol is attacked by a superior force and compelled to

scatter.

There is practically no end to the number of reasonable assumptions

that may be made.

Troop officers may use this method of instructing noncommissioned

officers in patrolling, advance and rear guard duty, outposts, and in

squad leading, in writing messages, in selecting positions for

trenches, and in constructing and concealing same. This form of

instruction is called "a tactical ride or, if dismounted, a tactical

walk." It is very greatly used by all foreign armies. Exercises along

the same general lines are conducted for field and staff officers and

even general officers, and are called "tactical rides" and

"strategical rides," depending upon their object.

After some proficiency has been attained as a result of these tactical

rides, the greatest interest and enthusiasm can be awakened in this

work by sending out two patrols the same day, one to operate against

the other. Each should wear a distinctive uniform. The strength of

each patrol, its starting point, route to be followed, and its orders

should all be unknown to the other patrol. If blank ammunition is

used, an officer should supervise its issue and carefully inspect to

see that no man carries any ball cartridges. One umpire should

accompany the commander of each party. Each umpire should be fully

informed of the strength, orders, and route of both patrols. He must,

however, carefully avoid giving suggestions or offering any

information to the commander. Observers in these small maneuver

problems are generally in the way and none should be permitted to be

along.

These small maneuvers may be gradually developed by having one side

establish an outpost or fight a delaying action, etc.

It should always be remembered that there is no hard and fast rule

prescribing how a patrol of three, five, or any number of men should

march. The same is equally true of advance guards, and applies also to

the establishment of outposts. It is simply a question of common sense

based on military knowledge. Don't try to remember any diagrams in a

book. Think only of what you have been ordered to do and how best you

can handle your men to accomplish your mission, and at the same time

save the men and horses from any unnecessary hardships. Never use two

or more men to do what one can do just as well, and don't let your men

get beyond your control.

In addition to the signals prescribed in the Cavalry Drill

Regulations, the following should be clearly understood by the members

of a patrol:

Enemy in sight in small numbers, hold rifle above the head

horizontally; enemy in force, same proceeding, raising and lowering

the rifle several times; take cover, a downward motion of the hand.

Other signals may be agreed upon, but they must be familiar to the

men; complicated signals are avoided. Signals must be used cautiously

so as not to convey information to the enemy.

=Section 4. Advance guards.=

The advance guard is a detachment of the main body which precedes and

covers it on the march. The primary duty of an advance guard is to

insure the safe and uninterrupted march of the main body. Specifically

its duties are:

1. To guard against surprise and furnish information by

reconnoitering.

2. To push back small parties of the enemy and prevent their

observing, firing upon, or delaying the main body.

3. To check the enemy's advance in force long enough to permit the

main body to prepare for action.

4. When the enemy is encountered on the defensive, to seize a good

position and locate his lines, care being taken not to bring on a

general engagement unless the advance guard commander is empowered to

do so.

5. To remove obstacles, repair the road, and favor in every way the

steady, march of the column.

The strength of the advance guard will vary with the proximity of the

enemy and character of the country; for a regiment it will generally

consist of from two troops to a squadron, for a squadron of one troop;

for a troop of from a section to a platoon. The advance guard

commander is responsible for the proper performance of the duties with

which it is charged and for its conduct and formation.

The advance guard provides for its security and gains information by

throwing out to the front and flanks smaller bodies: Each part must

keep in touch with the unit from which it is sent out. An advance

guard is generally divided into a reserve and a support; where it

consists of less than a squadron, the reserve is generally omitted.

The support sends forward an advance party, which, in turn, sends

forward a point. In small advance guards the point precedes the

advance party about 350 yards, the advance party the support about 500

yards, and the support the main body about 600 yards. Where advance

guards are large enough to require a reserve these distances are

increased about one-fourth, the reserve following the support, the

main body following the reserve at a distance varying from 500 to 800

yards.

Unless the country to the flanks is distinctly visible from the roads

for a distance of what may be said to be effective rifle fire,

approximately 1,000 yards, flanking patrols of two or three men each

should be sent out from the advance party, and, when in proximity of

the enemy, in addition from the support. When the nature of the

country is such that patrols may move across country, without unduly

delaying the march these patrols should march at a distance of from

500 to 600 yards from the flank of the body from which detached. For

the examination of any object, such as a wood, buildings, etc.,

examining patrols should be sent out from the main body. The usual

method of protecting the flanks, particularly when the country is at

all cut up or difficult, is to send out patrols from time to time to

some point from which a good outlook can be obtained, or which will

afford protection to the enemy. These patrols remain in observation,

observer being dismounted, his horse held by another trooper until the

advance guard has passed, when they rejoin the nearest subdivision, as

quickly as possible working their way to that to which they belong

during the halts or by riding up the side of the road. By sending out

a succession of small patrols in this manner the flanks are protected.

Should the advance party become depleted, it must be reenforced from

the support.

A squadron acting as advance guard would have two or three troops in

reserve and one or two in support. The support would send forward as

advance party two platoons, the advance party in turn sending forward

as point one section. A troop acting as advance guard would have no

reserve and would send forward as advance party one platoon. All Of

the above may be changed as circumstances warrant.

Cases may arise when the best means of covering the head and flanks of

the column will be by a line of skirmishers extended at intervals of

from 5 to 50 yards, as, for instance, when passing through high corn,

underbrush, etc.

It must always be remembered that the principal duty of the advance

guard is to secure the uninterrupted march of the main body. If the

point is fired upon, it should at once deploy and endeavor to advance

fighting. The flankers should assist in this and endeavor to locate

the enemy's flank should there be such resistance that advance was

impossible. Each succeeding body should march promptly forward, and in

turn be placed in action, with the idea of clearing the way for the

advance of the main body. Should this be impossible, the commander of

the entire body must determine what measures he will take.

=Section 5. Rear guards.=

A rear guard is a detachment detailed to protect the main body from

attack in rear. Cavalry is an excellent arm for rear guard duty on

account of its mobility. While part of the cavalry is using dismounted

fire action, the other part may gallop back and take up a new

position. In a retreat it checks pursuit and enables the main body to

increase the distance between it and the enemy and to re-form if

disorganized. The general formation is that of an advance guard

reversed.

Its commander should take advantage of every favorable opportunity to

delay the pursuers by obstructing the road, or by taking up specially

favorable positions from which to force the enemy to deploy. In this

latter case care must be taken not to become so closely engaged as to

render withdrawal unnecessarily difficult. The position taken should

be selected with reference to ease of withdrawal and ability to bring

the enemy under fire at long range.

=Section 6. Flank guards.=

A flank guard is a detachment detailed to cover the flank of a column

marching past, or across the front of, an enemy. It may be placed in

position to protect the passage, or it may be so marched as to cover

the passage. The object of the flank guard is to hold the enemy in

check long enough to enable the main body to pass, or, like the

advance guard, to enable the main body to deploy. Like all other

detachments, it should be no larger than is necessary, and should not

be detailed except when its protection is required.

When a flank guard consists of a regiment or less, its distance from

the main body should not be much over 5 miles. Practicable

communication must exist between it and the main body. The flank guard

is marched as a separate command; that is, with advance or rear

guards, or both, as circumstances demand, and with patrolling on the

exposed flank.

=Section 7. Outposts.=

Troops not on the march provide for their security by outposts. The

general duties of an outpost are reconnoissance, observation, and

resistance.

The specific duties are:

1. To protect the main body, so that the troops may rest undisturbed.

2. In case of attack, to check the enemy long enough to enable the

main body to make the necessary dispositions.

During an advance the outposts are usually detailed from the advance

guard. During the retreat the outposts for the night usually forms

the rear guard the next day. If the command remains in bivouac, the

new outpost generally goes on duty at daybreak.

The vigilance of outpost troops must be unceasing, but they should

avoid bringing on combats or unnecessarily alarming the command.

Firing disturbs the rest of troops and, if frequently indulged in,

ceases to be a warning.

No trumpet signals except "to arms" or "to horse" are sounded, and all

unnecessary noises must be avoided.

As a rule an outpost will not exceed one-sixth the strength Of a

command. For a single troop a few sentinels and patrols will suffice;

for a larger command a more elaborate system must be devised. The

troops composing the outpost are generally divided into a reserve and

several supports.

At a proper distance in front of the camp of the main body a line

which offers a good defensive position is selected. This is called

=the line of resistance=, and should be so located that an advancing

enemy will be held in check beyond effective rifle range in case of a

small force, artillery range in case of a large force, of the main

body until the latter can deploy. The reserve is stationed at some

point in rear of this line, where it can be moved quickly to reinforce

any point as needed. The line of resistance is divided into sections,

the limits of each of which are clearly defined. A support is assigned

to each section, which are numbered from right to left, and occupies a

position on or near the line, having special regard to covering

avenues of approach. The position occupied should always be

intrenched. The reserve and supports proceed to their respective

positions by the shortest routes, providing for their own protection

by sending out covering detachments.

Generally speaking, about one-half the Infantry of the advance guard

should be in the supports. As each support arrives at its position it

sends out observation groups, varying in size from four men to a

platoon, to watch the country in the direction of the enemy. These

groups are called outguards. For convenience they are classified as

pickets, sentry squads, and cossack posts, and should be sufficient in

number to cover the front of the section occupied by the support and

connect with the neighboring supports. The horses of the outguards

may be left at the position of the support.

A picket is a group consisting of one or two sections, ordinarily not

exceeding half a company, posted in the line of outposts to cover a

given sector. It furnishes patrols and one or more sentinels, sentry

squads, or cossack posts for observation. Pickets are placed at the

more important points in the line of outguards, such as road forks.

The strength of each depends upon the number of small groups required

to observe properly its sector.

A sentry squad is a squad (eight men) posted in observation at an

indicated point. It posts a double sentinel in observation, the

remaining men resting near by and furnishing the reliefs of sentinels.

In some cases it may be required to furnish a patrol.

A cossack post consists of four men. It is an observation group

similar to a sentry squad, but employs a single sentinel.

As a rule not more than one-third of the support should be on outguard

duty. As soon as they are sent out to their positions the support

commander selects a defensive position on the line of resistance;

gives instruction for intrenching same; establishes a sentinel to

watch for and transmit signals from outguards; sends out patrols to

reconnoiter the country to the front of his section and, if on the

flank of the line, the flank; and then proceeds to make a careful

reconnoissance of the section assigned him, rectifying the position of

outguards if necessary, seeing that they understand their instructions

in case of attack or when strangers approach their posts, and pointing

out their lines of retreat in case they are compelled to fall back on

the support.

When the outguards are established, the members of the support may

stack arms and remove equipment except cartridge belts. Part of the

horses may be unsaddled and groomed and fed at one time. All girths

should be loosened. No fires will be built or smoking permitted unless

specially authorized, or no loud talking or other noise. All

patrolling to the front will be done, as a rule, from the support. The

support commander should locate the position of the adjacent supports

and make arrangements with the commanders for the joint defense of the

line of resistance. At nights all roads and trails should be carefully

covered and the country to the front and between adjacent outguards

well patrolled. Horses should, as far as possible, be permitted to

rest, unsaddled, at night.

The line occupied by the outguards is called the line of observation.

Outguards move to their positions providing for their own protection

and so as to conceal the movement from the enemy. These positions are

intrenched and are numbered from right to left in each support.

The duties of the outguard are to observe the enemy, to guard the

outpost from surprise, and to make a preliminary resistance to the

enemy's advance. The strength of the outguard will vary according to

its object. When an important road, which at night will afford a line

of advance, or a bridge is to be covered, or when several posts are

established from an outguard it should be of considerable strength, a

section or a platoon. When mere observation and alarm are all that is

required four men will suffice. One corporal and seven privates are a

good number to use as an outguard; this will allow one double sentry

post of three reliefs and one man in addition to the commander, who

may be used for messenger service. The outguard should be carefully

concealed.

The utmost quiet should be observed, and there should be no cooking or

smoking. The intervals between outguards will depend upon the

situation and the terrain. The line of observation is not necessarily

continuous, but all avenues of approach must be carefully guarded. The

distance of the outguard from the support likewise is governed by the

terrain, but in general may be said to be from 300 to 400 yards. In

thick country or at night outguards patrol along the line of

observation between posts. Communication between outguards and the

support is by signal and messenger, in special cases by wire. Members

of the outguard retain possession of their weapons and do not remove

their equipment.

Sentinels from the outguard are posted so as to avoid observation, but

so that they may have a clear lookout and be able to see, if possible,

by day, the sentinels of the adjacent outguards. Double sentinels are

always posted near enough to each other to communicate easily in

ordinary voice. Sentinels are generally on post two hours out of six.

For every sentinel and every patrol there should be three reliefs, and

outguards should be of a strength sufficient to allow this. The

position of a sentinel should be selected with reference to

observation. It may be advantageous to place a sentinel in a tree.

Sentinels furnished by cossack posts or sentry squads are kept near

their group. Those furnished by their pickets may be kept as far as

100 yards away.

Reliefs, visiting patrols, and inspecting officers approach sentinels

from the rear.

A sentinel on the line of observation should always have the following

instructions: The names of villages, streams, and prominent features

in sight and where the roads lead. The number (if any) of his post,

and the number of his and of the adjoining outguards; the position of

the support; the line of retreat to be followed if the outguard is

compelled to fall back; the position of advance detachments and

whether friendly patrols are operating in front; to watch to the front

and flanks without intermission and devote special attention to

unusual or suspicious occurrences; if he sees indications of the

enemy, to at once notify his immediate superior; in case of imminent

danger, or when an attack is made, to give the alarm by firing

rapidly; by day to pass in or out officers, noncommissioned officers,

and detachments recognized as part of the outposts, and officers known

to have authority to do so; to detain all others and notify the

outguard commander; at night, when persons approach his post, to come

to a ready, halt them, and notify the outguard commander; the latter

challenges, ascertains their identity, and acts accordingly. When

individuals fail to halt, or otherwise disobey, to fire upon them

after a second warning, or sooner if they attempt to attack or escape;

to require deserters to lay down their arms, and remain until a patrol

is sent out to bring them in; to order deserters pursued by the enemy

to drop their arms and to give an alarm; if they fail to obey they are

fired upon; to require bearers of flags of truce and their escorts to

halt and to face outward; to permit them to hold no conversation and

to see that they are then blindfolded and disposed of in accordance

with instructions from the support commander; if they fail to obey to

fire upon them; at night, to remain practically stationary, moving

about for purposes of observation only; not to sit or lie down unless

authorized to do so; in the daytime, to make use of natural or

artificial cover and assume such positions as to give him the best

field of view; to inform passing patrols of what he has seen; to carry

his weapon habitually loaded and locked and at will.

Outpost patrols are divided into those which operate beyond the lines

and those whose duty lies principally within the lines. The former,

called reconnoitering patrols, scout in the direction of the enemy;

the latter, called visiting patrols, maintain communication between

the parts of the outpost and supervise the performance of duty on the

line of observation. Reconnoissance should be continuous. Though

scouts and detachments of cavalry remain in contact with the enemy, or

at least push forward to a considerable distance, more detailed

reconnoissance by infantry patrols in the foreground must not be

neglected. Reconnoitering patrols are composed of at least two men and

a skillful leader, who, in important cases, would be an officer. They

obtain information, ascertain the presence of the enemy, or discover

his approach. All patrols, when they cross the line of observation,

inform the nearest sentinel of the direction in which they are to

advance; on their return they similarly report what they have seen of

the enemy; signals are agreed upon so that they can be recognized when

returning. Any ground near the line of observation which might afford

cover for troops, or for scouts or spies, and the approach to which

can not be observed by sentinels, is searched frequently by patrols.

Definite information concerning the enemy is reported at once. Patrols

fire only in self-defense or to give the alarm. Supports on the flank

of an outpost position patrol the country on the exposed flank.

Visiting patrols and reliefs should not march in the open and thereby

expose the position of sentinels.

During a march in the vicinity of the enemy when halts are made,

special measures for protection are taken. When the halt is for a

short period, less than half an hour, the advance party and support

remain at ease, the point and flankers move to positions from which

they can obtain a good lookout, and additional patrols may be sent out

from advance parties and supports. Where the halt is for a period

exceeding half an hour a =march outpost= should be formed.

With an advance guard consisting of a squadron, one troop as support

and three as reserve, a suggested form of march outpost might be

formed as follows: The leading platoon moving to the front at a trot

for 400 yards would be outguard No. 2; the next platoon in rear,

moving to the right at a trot for about 600 to 800 yards would be

outguard No. 1; the next platoon, moving to the left in the same

manner would be outguard No. 3; and the 4th platoon would be the

support of the march outpost. The reserve (3 troops) would be the

reserve of the march outpost. On signal being given to resume the

march, the various units would close in at a trot or gallop, and as

soon as the support had assembled the march would be resumed.

=Section 8. Rifle trenches.=

Soldiers should remember that only by acting vigorously on the

offensive can an army hope to gain the victory. The defensive may

delay or stop the enemy, but it can never destroy him. "Troops dig

because they are forced to halt; they do not halt to dig."

Trenches will frequently be constructed, without being used, and

soldiers must expect this as a feature of campaigning and accept

cheerfully what at times may appear as unnecessary labor.

When intrenching under fire cover is first secured in the lying

position, each man scooping but a depression for his body and throwing

the earth to the front. In this position no excavation can be

conveniently made for the legs, but if time permits the original

excavation is enlarged and deepened until it is possible to assume a

sitting position, with the legs crossed and the shoulder to the

parapet. In such apposition a man presents a smaller target to

shrapnel bullets than in the lying trench and can fire more

comfortably and with less exposure than in the kneeling trench. From

the sitting position the excavation may be continued until a standing

trench is secured.

The accompanying plate shows some of the more common forms of trenches

in profile. Figure 1 is the simplest form of standing trench. Figure 2

shows the same trench deepened in rear, so as to allow men to walk

along in the rear (deeper) portion of the trench without exposing

their heads above the parapet. Figure 3 shows a cover and firing

trench, with a chamber in which men can find shelter when under heavy

artillery fire. When the excavated earth is easily removed figure 4

shows a good profile. The enemy's infantry, as well as his artillery,

will generally have great difficulty in seeing this type of trench.

The mound or bank of earth thrown up for shelter in front of a trench

is called the =parapet=. It should be at least 30 inches thick on top,

and the front should slope gradually, as shown in the plate, so that

shells will tend to glance from it, rather than penetrate and explode.

The top should be covered with sod, grass, or leaves, so as to hide

the newly turned earth, which could be easily seen and aimed at by the

enemy. There should be no rocks, loose stones, or pebbles on top,

which might be struck by the bullets, splintering and flying, thus

adding greatly to the number of dangerous projectiles, and often

deflecting bullets downward into the trench. A stone wall is a very

dangerous thing to be behind in a fight.

The portion of the ground in rear of the parapet and between the

parapet and the trench not covered by the parapet is to rest the

elbows on when firing, the rifle being rested on top of the parapet.

To obtain head cover in a trench fill a gunny sack or other bag with

sand or soil and place it on top of the parapet, aiming around the

right-hand side of it, or dig a small lateral trench in the parapet,

large enough to hold the rifle. Roof it over with boards, small logs,

or brush, and heap dirt on top, aiming through the small trench or

resulting loophole.

Figure 5 shows the plan of a section of a rifle trench.[10] Between

the portions occupied by each squad there is often placed a mound of

earth as high as the top of the parapet and projecting back into the

trench. This is called a =traverse= and protects the occupants of the

trench from fire from a flank. Bullets from this direction hit a

traverse, instead of flying down into the trench and wounding several

men.

[Footnote 10: The traverse should be at least 6 feet wide

instead of 3 feet, as shown in figure 5.]

Trenches are seldom continuous, but are made in sections placed at the

most advantageous points, as shown in figure 6. A company or battalion

may occupy a single section. The firing trenches have cover trenches

in rear of them, where the supports can rest undisturbed by the

hostile fire until they are needed in the firing trench to repel a

serious assault or to take part in a counter attack. Passages

consisting of deep communicating trenches facilitate passage from the

cover trenches to the firing trenches when under fire. These

communicating trenches are usually zigzag or traversed to prevent

their being swept by hostile fire.

When troops are likely to remain in trenches for a considerable time

drainage should be arranged for, and latrines and dressing stations

should be constructed in trenches. Water should be brought into the

trenches and holes excavated in the front wall of the trench for extra

ammunition.

In digging trenches men usually work in reliefs, one relief digging

while the others rest, the proportion of shovelers to pickmen being

about 3 to 1. If a plow can be obtained to turn the sod, it will

greatly facilitate the initial work of digging.

[Illustration: Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Plate

V.]

CHAPTER VII.

MARCHING AND CAMPING.

=Section 1. Breaking camp and preparation for a march.=

THE EVENING BEFORE THE MARCH.

When a command learns that it is to make a march on the following day,

presumably starting early in the morning, certain details should be

attended to the evening before.

All men should fill their canteens, as there will probably be no time

for this in the morning.

The mess sergeant should find out whether lunch or the reserve ration

will be carried on the march, and should attend to these details in

the evening in order that the issue can be made promptly in the

morning.

The stable sergeant will have the stable detail fill all of the feed

bags for the morning's feed, and the section leaders will see that

each of their men has filled his grain bag with the noon feed for the

following day.

The commander of the guard should be given a memorandum as to what

time to awaken the cooks and where their tent is. The member of the

guard who does this should awaken them without noise, so as not to

disturb the rest of the remainder of the command.

The cooks should be instructed as to what time breakfast is to be

served and what time to awaken the first sergeant.

The cooks or cooks' police must cut and split all firewood for the

morning before 9 p. m. There must be no chopping, talking, or rattling

of pans before reveille which will disturb the rest of the command.

This applies to every morning in camp.

THE MORNING OF THE MARCH.

Cooks arise when called by the guard and start the preparation of

breakfast without noise. The first sergeant and stable sergeant are

usually awakened by one of the cooks about half an hour before

reveille in order that they may complete their toilets and breakfast

early and be able to devote all their time to supervising the details

of the morning's work. If the officers desire to be awakened before

reveille they will notify the first sergeant accordingly.

At first call the men turn out, perform their toilets, strike their

shelter tents (unless it has been directed to await the sounding of

the general for this), and make up their packs. The stable detail

feeds the horses.

At the sounding of assembly immediately after reveille each man must

be in his proper place in ranks, except the kitchen and stable details

who are actually at work. This assembly is under arms. The first

sergeant starts to call the roll or commands "Report" at the last note

of assembly. Arms are stacked before the troop is dismissed.

Breakfast is served to the troop immediately after roll call.

Immediately after breakfast each man will wash his mess kit in the hot

water provided for that purpose at the kitchen and will at once pack

the mess kit in his saddlebags.

The cooks will provide hot water for washing mess kits at the same

time that breakfast is served.

Immediately after breakfast the troop proceeds to the work of breaking

camp and packing in accordance with a prearranged system similar to

the following:

One section assists the cooks in packing the kitchen.

One section strikes and folds the officers' tents and brings them to

the kitchen.

One section fills in the sink. The sink should not be filled in

earlier than is absolutely necessary.

The stable detail police the picket line and vicinity.

One section polices the camp within the company police limits.

One section is available for possible details from regimental

headquarters.

Officers and first sergeant supervise the work.

A permanent assignment of squads to these duties lightens the labor

and decreases the time necessary for breaking camp.

=Boots and saddles= should not be sounded before all of the above work

has been completed, and without confusion. Don't begin the day by

nagging your men, thereby making them "grouchy" during the march.

Always be most careful to groom all parts of your horse that will be

touched by the equipment before you begin to saddle up.

Men should not start from camp thirsty, but should drink all the water

they want immediately after breakfast. All canteens should be filled

before marching.

=Section 2. Marches, camps.=

GENERAL PROVISIONS.

=977.= The successful conduct of a march is one of the surest tests of

the ability and good judgment, not only of the commander, but of all

subordinate officers as well. Certain general principles and some

exact rules are laid down to fit the case of a normal march, but

tactical considerations as well as the condition of roads and weather,

the necessary forage, water and shelter, sanitation, and other

circumstances render a march of any considerable body of mounted

troops one requiring the most unremitting attention to details on the

part of the commander and his subordinates. A successful Cavalry march

whether in peace or war is one that places the men and horses at the

time and place needed in the best possible condition for the service

required. Failure of mounted troops to successfully carry out a

mission is due as a rule to exhaustion or injuries to the horses

rather than to the men.

The training of officers of all grades must be such that solicitude

for the condition of horses on the march is second nature; constant

effort should be made, however severe the work, to stimulate the pride

of the trooper in having and in keeping his mount in fit condition; if

such stimulus is ineffective then the remedy, if the trooper is at

fault, lies in other directions. Under favorable conditions field

service offers the best opportunity for conditioning the horses and

hardening the men.

=978.= =Preparation=: Responsibility for the timely ordering of

necessary preparations preliminary to leaving a permanent camp or

station rests with the commander. All probable needs of the command

for the service on which ordered should be anticipated, instructions

prepared, verified, and issued once in complete form, and no departure

therefrom permitted. The =march order= proper for the actual movement

of the command conforms to the requirements of Field Service

Regulations. =An order or memorandum of service calls= will be issued

and distributed in ample time the night before beginning a march

stating the hour for reville, stables, and breakfast and such other

duties as can reasonably be anticipated.

Except on account of imperative military reasons, Cavalry should not

leave camp for an hour or more after daylight. If grazing is depended

upon, this is especially necessary, since horses as a rule graze more

freely in the early morning when rested. Ample time should be allowed

after reville for grooming and feeding and thereafter for the men to

breakfast. All stable duties should be done quietly and without hurry

or confusion under the immediate supervision of troop and squadron

commanders. In each troop a man is detailed to walk the picket line

while grain is being fed, to look out for the horses generally and to

take off the feed or the nose bag of a horse as soon as he has

finished feeding.

The signals for striking tents (=the general=), for policing,

saddling, and beginning the march should be ordered personally by the

commanding officer and only when the duties pertaining to the previous

signal are completed.

=979.= =The march, its length and rate=: The average daily march of a

Cavalry column of the size of a squadron, or larger, is about 25 miles

when horses are in condition; when starting on long-distance marches

the rate per day for the first few days should be less than 20 miles

and gradually increased. These rules may necessarily be modified, even

when horses are not in fit condition, by reason of emergencies,

character of roads or weather, proximity of water, grazing, etc., but,

with these exceptions, the question of the =length= of the daily march

is one of good judgment and experience on the part of the commander.

The =gait= and =pace= of the daily march are influenced by both the

time the horse is to carry the load and the distance to be covered.

The quicker a march can be completed without forcing the less the

fatigue to both horse and man. Where the footing is good, the road

level, and other considerations do not hamper the column, after the

first or a subsequent halt, may advance first by leading dismounted,

then mount and walk, then trot, a short gallop (exceptional), then the

trot, followed by the walk to the next halt. No gait is to be

maintained continuously long enough to weary either horse or man,

neither must it be changed too frequently in long columns; but

whatever pace or gait is taken it should conform to the standards

(par. 279). The officer setting the pace should occasionally drop back

to observe its effect on the column, and veterinarians, if present,

should be habitually utilized for this purpose.

The walk, if the footing is good, should be at the rate of 4 miles per

hour, exclusive of halts; the trot at 8 miles per hour, so as to

facilitate posting; the gallop, a very exceptional gait even for small

commands, should be not faster than the maneuvering gallop (par. 236),

and its practicability will depend upon the training and condition of

the horses, since on long marches, unless accustomed to this gait with

packed saddles, the horses will soon break down.

Very rarely, however, will the conditions allow the regular

arrangement of gaits indicated above. Rolling country, with ascents

and descents, stretches of hard or stony road or of mud, dust, or

sand, crossings of streams, etc., will ordinarily impose corresponding

changes of gait or pace on each of the small elements of the column as

it reaches them. To provide for this the troops in route column, when

so directed, take greater distances than prescribed in order to allow

for closing up at checks.

The commander must give this matter unremitting attention, since

normal route-order distances in column frequently entail discomfort to

the men and sometimes injuries to the horses which might have been

avoided.

Unless under exceptional circumstances, the commander of a marching

column will authorize each troop commander to so regulate the gait and

pace of his troop as to conform to that next in front, the gait and

pace of the leading troop being regulated by the commander himself.

This results in each troop changing to the trot, walk, leading

dismounted, etc., at the same place at which the leading troop did,

and although regulation distances, are frequently exceeded, the

tendency on all stretches of good road is to close on the leading

troop of the column. With care this method of marching should result

in enabling each troop in the column to move with almost the same

regularity and freedom from checks as though it were in the lead.

The fast rate of march that can be expected of small detachments and

of single riders can not be demanded of a long Cavalry column, and as

the command increases in size the rate of march will decrease. The

regulation gaits being, at the walk, 4 miles, the trot, 8 miles,

Cavalry should be able to make, including halts, 5 miles per hour or

better. This rate can be maintained for daily marches of 25 miles

under ordinary conditions for a week at a time, after which a day of

rest should be allowed before continuing the march.

=980.= =Formations=: The habitual formation for marches is route order

in column of fours (par. 754). When the roads are unsuitable or the

command is small, column of twos or troopers is permissible. To

economize road space in large commands =double column= or parallel

columns should be used if practicable. Squadrons in regiment and

troops in squadrons alternate in leading, the rule being that the one

in front one day automatically follows in rear the next day.

=981.= =Halts=: The first half hour of a march should be made at a

walk and the first halt of 10 or 15 minutes toward the end of the

first hour after starting; it should, if possible, be preceded by a

short trot in order to make apparent any faulty adjustment of

equipment. This halt gives an opportunity for the horses to stale and

for the troopers to attend to the calls of nature, to tighten girths,

and to adjust saddles, equipment, and clothing.

Other halts of 5 to 10 minutes should be made at hourly intervals,

and, if the march is to be prolonged into the afternoon, a longer halt

should be made at noon, when girths are loosened, bridles removed,

horses fed, and the men eat their lunches.

=An invariable rule on the march and in camp is to have all troopers

dismount promptly on halting; in other words, never to permit a man

to sit a moment in the saddle while his horse is standing still, and

under no circumstances to lounge in the saddle.=

=982.= =Watering=: On the march horses should be watered whenever

opportunity occurs, conforming as far as practicable to the rule of

watering before feeding and of removing the bit when by so doing the

horse can drink more freely, as when the stream or watering place is

shallow. Public watering troughs should ordinarily be avoided on

account of danger from infection. The use of buckets or of portable,

collapsible canvas watering troughs (articles of issue) will often

make watering places otherwise insufficient thoroughly satisfactory.

On the march and in camp watering is always done under supervision of

an officer.

=983.= =Feeding=: In time of peace when a regular supply of grain and

long forage can be counted on, effort should be made to follow, as far

as practicable, the routine to which horses have been accustomed in

garrison. In time of war regularity of supply of forage, and

especially of the long forage, can not be expected, and officers must

neglect no opportunity of anticipating the needs of their animals when

passing grain fields, pastures, or stacks of hay and other fodder. A

supply for the night can often be gathered and carried along on the

wagons or it may be tied up compactly with the lariat and carried on

the horse.

The trooper with habitual solicitude for his mount will, if permitted,

be prompt to remove the bits to let his horse graze (facing the wind

in hot weather) at every delay or check, and he will miss no chance to

pick up an extra feed of grain.

=984.= =Camps= (_see also_ =Care of Troops=, F. S. R.): The ground

being suitable, a troop encamps in line, with first sergeant's cook

and officers' tents on one flank, the men's sink on the other, and

with picket line 15 yards in front of and parallel to the men's tents,

the open ends of the tents toward the picket line. A squadron or

regiment encamps in column of troops as above, but with picket lines

on the flank of the column on the side opposite the cook and officers'

tents, each in prolongation of its own company street. Intervals and

distances should approximate those of the normal semipermanent camps

(F. S. R.), if space is available. For a shelter-tent camp in column

of troops with picket lines stretched between the rows of tents the

guidons which mark first sergeants' tents should not be less than 15

yards apart. The squadron or regiment may encamp in line similarly to

the troop if the ground is more favorable for such form of camp, but

ordinarily they encamp in column of troops with picket lines between

the rows of tents.

=985.= =On nearing the end of a day's march, the regimental commander

will send his adjutant and supply officer ahead to locate the camp and

provide for the arrival of the column=: On approaching the camping

place, squadron adjutants and the guidon of each troop will be

summoned by the colonel's bugler sounding =adjutant's call= followed

by guidons (or otherwise according to circumstances). At these calls

each squadron adjutant followed by the guidons of his squadron will

move rapidly to the front and will join the regimental adjutant, who

indicates to each the ground which his squadron is to occupy. If the

available ground is sufficient to encamp the entire regiment as

prescribed in the Field Service Regulations, the regimental adjutant

causes the guidons to be aligned and planted at the prescribed

intervals, thereby marking the first sergeant's tent on the flank of

each troop, otherwise each squadron adjutant has the guidons of his

squadron so placed on the ground allotted to his squadron as to

conform, as nearly as conditions will permit, to the normal camp,

having in view the comfort of horses and men and convenience to

supplies. The object in marking off the camp as prescribed, by

establishing the guidons before the arrival of the column, is to

relieve the horse of his rider and pack as soon as possible. To

further minimize delay, commanding officers, =unless under exceptional

circumstances=, will, immediately on reaching the ground, direct

majors to dismiss their squadrons and have their troop commanders

proceed directly to their guidons, dismount at once, and pitch camp.

The foregoing principles will also, in so far as applicable, be

enforced by commanders of all units smaller than the regiment.

The regimental supply officer has the drivers of the baggage section

of the regimental train go direct to their proper troops and unhitch.

Ordinarily, for convenience in a one-night camp or bivouac the wagons

of the baggage section are left between the cook tents and the troop

officers' tents, the supply section being parked outside by itself.

After arrival at the camping place a guard is at once placed over the

source of supply of drinking water.

Before pitching tents the rifles are stacked, sabers, rolls, saddle

bags, and lariats removed from the saddles, girths loosened (the

saddles being left on until backs are cooled), and the horses either

linked by section, in circle (par. 428), or coupled head and tail

(par. 427), and a man detailed to watch them until tents are pitched.

After pitching tents, stacks are broken, rifles placed in the tents,

horses unsaddled, unbridled, and tied on the line or herded, saddles

placed in a row in front of the tents and saddle blankets spread on

them to dry, fuel secured, sinks dug, and other necessary preparations

made for the night. The use of saddle blankets as bedding by the men

will be permitted only under very exceptional conditions, and special

care must be exercised to keep them free from dirt and burs. During

evening stables, troop commanders, accompanied, if practicable, by a

veterinarian, inspect the backs and feet of their horses, and in the

morning they permit no trooper who is not specially authorized, to

saddle his horse before the call =boots and saddles=, or to mount

before the command for so doing.

=986.= =Herding=: In a hostile country camps should be selected, if

possible, where grazing is good and beyond rifle range of cover for an

enemy. Orders are issued as to places of assembly, and in each troop

men are detailed beforehand to go among the horses and quiet them in

case of a night alarm. In the event of a stampede, men should mount

the fastest animals within reach, ride ahead of the herd, and lead it

back to camp. Sometimes the sounding of stable and water call will

prevent or check a stampede.

In case it is necessary to graze the horses in an enemy's country,

they are sent out to herd under charge of an officer as soon as

possible after making camp, they being taken during daylight as far

away as is safe so as to keep the grass nearer camp for the night.

=987.= =Forced and night marches=: To conduct a rapid march of a

command of any magnitude successfully, horses must be =in condition=

(pars. 950, 959) and men must have been trained (par. 175); if either

is lacking, the daily marches at first must be short.

A night march, being slow and fatiguing to horses and men, is seldom

undertaken unless as a forced march to seize a position or to surprise

an enemy by attacking him at dawn. In a forced march frequently the

gait, if the footing is favorable, and always the number of hours in

the saddle, are increased. Under favorable conditions a rate of 50

miles in 24 hours for three or four days can be maintained. During

such a march, in addition to the usual hourly halts, a halt of 2 hours

is made toward the end of the first half of each day's march, during

which bits are removed, horses unsaddled, watered, fed, and their legs

hand rubbed; the rate should be about 5 miles an hour, exclusive of

halts.

Under very favorable conditions a single march of 100 miles can be

made in from 24 to 30 hours. During a march of this character, in

addition to the usual hourly halts, halts of 2 hours are made toward

the end of the first and second thirds of the march, during which bits

are removed, the horses unsaddled, watered, fed, and their legs hand

rubbed; the rate of march should be from 5 to 6 miles an hour,

exclusive of halts.

CHAPTER VIII.

TARGET PRACTICE.

=Section 1. Preliminary training in marksmanship.=

Effective rifle fire is generally what counts most in battle. To have

effective rifle fire, the men on the firing line must be able to HIT

what they are ordered to shoot at. There is no man who can not be

taught how to shoot. It is not necessary or even desirable to begin

instruction by firing on a rifle range. A perfectly green recruit who

has never fired a rifle may be made into a good shot by a little

instruction and some preliminary drills and exercises.

Before a man goes on the range to fire it is absolutely necessary that

he should know--

1. How to set the rear sight.

2. How to sight or aim.

3. How to squeeze the trigger.

4. How to hold the rifle in all positions.

If he does not know these things it is worse than useless for him to

fire. He will not improve; the more he shoots the worse he will shoot,

and it will become more difficult to teach him.

=Section 2. Sight adjustment.=

Men must be able to adjust their sights correctly and quickly. An

error in adjustment so small that one can scarcely see it on the sight

leaf is sufficient to cause a miss at an enemy at 500 yards and over.

Notice your rear sight. When the leaf is laid down the =battle sight=

appears on top. This sight is set for 547 yards and is not adjustable.

When the leaf is raised four sights come into view. The extreme range

sight for 2,850 yards at the top of the leaf is seldom used. The open

sight at the upper edge of the drift slide is adjustable from 1,400 to

2,750 yards. To set it the upper edge of the slide is made to

correspond with the range reading on the leaf, and the slide is then

clamped with the slide screw. This sight also is seldom used. The open

sight at the bottom of the triangular opening in the drift slide is

adjustable from 100 to 2,450 yards. To set it the index line at the

lower corners of the triangle is set opposite the range graduation on

the leaf and the slide clamped. This and the peep sight just below it

are the sights most commonly used. To set the peep sight, the index

lines on either side of the peephole are set opposite the range

desired and the slide clamped.

Notice the scales for the various ranges on either side of the face of

the leaf. The odd-numbered hundreds of yards are on the right and the

even on the left. =The line below the number is the index line for

that range.= Thus to set the sight for 500 yards the index line of the

slide is brought in exact line with the line on the leaf below the

figure 5 and the slide clamped. To set for 550 yards the index lines

of the slide are set halfway between the index lines on the leaf below

the figure 5 on the right side and the figure 6 on the left side. Look

at your sight carefully when setting it and take great pains to get it

exact. An error in setting the width of one of the lines on the leaf

will cause an error of about 8 inches in where your bullet will strike

at 500 yards.

The =wind gauge= is adjusted by means of the windage screw at the

right front end of the base of the sight. Each graduation on the

wind-gauge scale is called a "point." For convenience in adjusting the

line of each third point on the scale is longer than the others. If

you turn the windage screw so that the movable base moves to the

right, you are taking right windage, which will cause your rifle to

shoot more to the right.

It is seldom that a rifle will shoot correctly to the point aimed at

at a given range with the sights adjusted exactly to the scale

graduations for that range. If your sight is not correctly adjusted

for your shooting and you wish to move it slightly to make it correct,

remember to =move it in the direction you wish your shot to hit=. If

you wish to shoot higher raise your sight. If to the right, move the

wind gauge to the right. Always move your sight the correct amount in

accordance with the following table:

=Section 3. Table of sight corrections.=

_Showing to what extent the point of impact is moved by a change of 25

yards in elevation or 1 point in windage._

+--------+--------------+-------------+

| | Correction | Correction |

| Range. | by a change | by a change |

| | in elevation | in windage |

| | of 25 yards. | of 1 point. |

+--------+--------------+-------------+

| | | |

|_Yards._| _Inches._ | _Inches._ |

| 100 | 0.72 | 4 |

| 200 | 1.62 | 8 |

| 300 | 2.79 | 12 |

| 400 | 4.29 | 16 |

| 500 | 6.22 | 20 |

| 600 | 8.59 | 24 |

| 800 | 15.43 | 32 |

| 1,000 | 25.08 | 40 |

+--------+--------------+-------------+

An easy rule to remember the windage correction by is: "A change of 1

point of wind changes the point of impact 4 inches for every 100 yards

of range."

Copy this table and take it to the range with you.

Example of sight adjustment: Suppose you are firing at 500 yards. The

first two or three shots show you that your shots are hitting about a

foot below and a foot to the right of the center of the bull's-eye.

From the above table you will see that if you will raise your sight 50

yards and move the wind gauge half a point to the left the rifle will

be sighted so that if you aim correctly the bullets will hit well

inside the bull's-eye.

=Section 4. Aiming.=

=Open sight=: Always align your sights with the front sight squarely

in the middle of the "U" or notch of the rear sight, and the top of

the front sight even with the upper corners of the "U." (See fig. 1.)

All the sights on the rifle except the peep sight are open sights.

[Illustration: FIGURE 1.]

=Peep sight=: Always center the tip of the front sight in the center

of the peephole when aiming with this sight. (See fig. 2.)

[Illustration: FIGURE 2.]

Always aim below the bull's-eye. Never let your front sight appear to

touch the bull's eye in aiming. Try to see the same amount of white

target between the top of the front sight and the bottom of the

bull's-eye each time. The eye must be focused on the bull's-eye or

mark and not on the front or rear sight.

Look at figures 1 and 2 until your eye retains the memory of them,

then try to duplicate the picture every time you aim. Aim

consistently, always the same. Never change your aim; change your

sight adjustment if your shots are not hitting in the right place.

Many shots have been wasted when the point of aim has been moved to

what the firer thought was the necessary change on the target, instead

of changing the sights according to the table on page 191.

=Section 5. Battle sight.=

The battle sight is the open sight seen when the leaf is laid flat. It

is adjusted for a range of 547 yards. It is intended to be used in

battle when you get nearer to the enemy than 600 yards. Always aim at

the belt of a standing enemy, or just below him if he is kneeling,

sitting, or lying. On the target range this sight is used for rapid

fire. With it the rifle shoots about 2 feet high at ranges between 200

and 400 yards, so you must aim below the figure on the target "D."

Find out in your instruction practice just how much you must aim below

to hit the figure.

=Section 6. Trigger squeeze.=

Use the first joint of the forefinger to squeeze the trigger. It is

the most sensitive and best controlled portion of the body. As you

place the rifle to your shoulder, squeeze the trigger so as to pull it

back about one-eighth of an inch, thus taking up the safety portion or

slack of the pull. Then contract the trigger finger gradually, slowly

and steadily increasing the pressure on the trigger while the aim is

being perfected. Continue the gradual increase of pressure so that

when the aim has become exact the additional pressure required to

release the point of the sear can be given almost insensibly and

without causing any deflection of the rifle. Put absolutely all your

mind and will power into holding the rifle steady and squeezing the

trigger off without disturbing the aim. Practice squeezing the trigger

in this way every time you have your rifle in your hand until you can

surely and quickly do it without a suspicion of a jerk.

By practice the soldier becomes familiar with the trigger squeeze of

his rifle, and knowing this he is able to judge at any time, within

limits, what additional pressure is required for its discharge. By

constant repetition of this exercise he should be able finally to

squeeze the trigger to a certain point beyond which the slightest

movement will release the sear. Having squeezed the trigger to this

point the aim is corrected, and when true the additional pressure is

applied and the discharge follows and the bullet flies true to the

mark.

=Section 7. Firing positions.=

When in ranks at close order the positions are those described in the

Cavalry Drill Regulations. When in extended order or when firing alone

these positions may be modified somewhat to better suit the

individual. The following remarks on the various positions are offered

as suggestions whereby steady positions may be learned by the soldier.

=Standing position=: Face the target, then execute right half face.

Plant the feet about 12 inches apart. As you raise the rifle to the

shoulder lean very slightly backward just enough to preserve the

perfect balance on both feet which the raising of the rifle has

somewhat disturbed. Do not lean far back and do not lean forward at

all. If your body is out of balance, it will be under strain and you

will tremble. The right elbow should be at about the height of the

shoulder. The left hand should grasp well around the stock and

handguard in front of the rear sight, and the left elbow should be

almost directly under the rifle. The right hand should do more than

half the work of holding the rifle up and against the shoulder, the

left hand only steadying and guiding the piece. Do not try to meet the

recoil; let the whole body move back with it. Do not be afraid to

press the jaw hard against the stock; this steadies the position, and

the head goes back with the recoil and insures that your face is not

hurt.

=Kneeling position=: Assume the position very much as described in the

Cavalry Drill Regulations. Sit on the right heel. The right knee

should point directly to the right; that is, along the firing line.

The point of the left elbow should rest over the left knee. There is a

flat place under the elbow which fits a flat place on the knee and

makes a solid rest. Lean the body well forward. This position is

uncomfortable until practiced, when it quickly ceases to be

uncomfortable.

=Sitting position=: Sit down half faced to the right, feet from 6 to 8

inches apart, knees bent, right knee slightly higher than the left,

left leg pointed toward the target. Rest both elbows on the knees,

hands grasping the piece the same as in the prone position. This is a

very steady position, particularly if holes can be found or made in

the ground for the heels.

=Prone position and use of the gun sling=: To adjust the sling for

firing, unhook the straight strap of the sling and let it out as far

as it will go. Adjust the loop so that when stretched along the bottom

of the stock its rear end (bight) comes about opposite the comb of the

stock. A small man needs a longer loop than a tall man. Lie down

facing at an angle of about 60° to the right of the direction of the

target. Spread the legs as wide apart as they will go with comfort.

Thrust the left arm through between the rifle and the sling, and then

back through the loop of the sling, securing the loop, by means of the

keeper, around the upper left arm as high up as it will go. Pass the

hand under and then over the sling from the left side, and grasp the

stock and handguard just in rear of the lower band. Raise the right

elbow off the ground, rolling slightly over on the left side. Place

the butt to the shoulder and roll back into position, clamping the

rifle hard and steady in the firing position. The rifle should rest

deep down in the palm of the left hand with fingers almost around the

handguard. Shift the left palm a little to the right or left until the

rifle stands perfectly upright (no cant) without effort. The left

elbow should rest on the ground directly under the rifle, and right

elbow on the ground about 5 inches to the right of a point directly

under the stock. In this position the loop of the sling, starting at

the lower band, passes to the right of the left wrist, and thence

around the left upper arm. The loop should be so tight that about 50

pounds tension is placed on it when the position is assumed. This

position is uncomfortable until practiced, when it quickly ceases to

be uncomfortable. It will be steadier if small holes can be found or

dug in the ground for the elbows. In this position the sling binds the

left forearm to the rifle and to the ground so that it forms a dead

rest for the rifle, with a universal joint, the wrist, at its upper

end. Also the rifle is so bound to the shoulder that the recoil is not

felt at all. This is the steadiest of all firing positions.

The gun sling can also be used in this manner with advantage in the

other positions.

=Section 8. Calling the shot.=

It is evident that the sights should be so adjusted at each range that

the rifle will hit where you aim. In order to determine that the

sights are so adjusted, it is necessary that you shall know each time

just where you were aiming on the target at the instant your rifle was

discharged. If you know this and your rifle hits this point, your

rifle is correctly sighted. If your shot does not hit near this point,

you should change your sight adjustment in accordance with the table

of sight corrections on page 191.

No man can hold absolutely steady. The rifle trembles slightly, and

the sights seem to wabble and move over the target. You try to squeeze

off the last ounce of the trigger squeeze just as the sights move to

the desired alignment under the bull's-eye. At this instant, just

before the recoil blots out a view of the sights and target, you

should catch with your eye a picture, as it were, of just where on the

target your sights were aligned, and call to yourself or to the coach

this point. This point is where your shot should strike if your sights

are correctly adjusted and if you have squeezed the trigger without

disturbing your aim. Until a man can call his shots he is not a good

shot, for he can never tell if his rifle is sighted right or not, or

if a certain shot is a good one or only the result of luck.

=Section 9. Coordination.=

Good marksmanship consists in learning thoroughly the details of--

Holding the rifle in the various positions.

Aiming.

Squeezing the trigger.

Calling the shot.

Adjusting the sights.

And when these have been mastered in detail then the coordination of

them in the act of firing. This coordination consists in putting

absolutely all of one's will power into an effort to hold the rifle

steadily, especially in getting it to steady down when the aim is

perfected; in getting the trigger squeezed off easily at the instant

the rifle is steadiest and the aim perfected; in calling the shot at

this instant; and if the shot does not hit near the point called, then

in adjusting the sights the correct amount so that the rifle will be

sighted to hit where you aim.

=Section 10. Advice to riflemen.=

Before going to the range clean the rifle carefully, removing every

trace of oil from the bore. This can best be done with a rag saturated

with gasoline. Put a light coat of oil on the bolt and cams. Blacken

the front and rear sights with smoke from a burning candle or camphor

or with liquid sight black.

Look through the bore and see that there is no obstruction in it.

Keep the rifle off the ground; the stock may absorb dampness, the

sights may be injured, or the muzzle filled with dirt.

Watch your hold carefully and be sure to know where the line of sight

is at discharge. It is only in this way that the habit of calling

shots, which is essential to good shooting, can be acquired.

Study the conditions, adjust the sling, and set the sight before going

to the firing point.

Look at the sight adjustment before each shot and see that it has not

changed.

If sure of your hold and if the hit is not as called, determine and

make FULL correction in elevation and windage to put the next shot in

the bull's-eye.

Keep a written record of the weather conditions and the corresponding

elevation and windage for each day's firing.

Less elevation will generally be required on hot days; on wet days; in

a bright sunlight; with a 6 o'clock wind; or with a cold barrel.

More elevation will generally be required on cold days; on very dry

days; with a 12 o'clock wind; with a hot barrel; in a dull or cloudy

light.

The upper band should not be tight enough to bind the barrel.

Do not put a cartridge into the chamber until ready to fire. Do not

place cartridges in the sun. They will get hot and shoot high.

Do not rub the eyes--especially the sighting eye.

In cold weather warm the trigger hand before shooting.

After shooting, clean the rifle carefully and then oil it to prevent

rust.

Have a strong, clean cloth that will not tear and jam, properly cut to

size, for use in cleaning.

Always clean the rifle from the breech, using a brass cleaning rod

when available. An injury to the rifling at the muzzle causes the

piece to shoot very irregularly.

Regular physical exercise, taken systematically, will cause a marked

improvement in shooting.

Frequent practice of the "Position and aiming drills" and gallery

practice are of the greatest help in preparing for shooting on the

range.

=Rapid firing=: Success in rapid firing depends upon catching a quick

and accurate aim, holding the piece firmly and evenly, and in

squeezing the trigger without a jerk.

In order to give as much time as possible for aiming accurately, the

soldier must practice taking position, loading with the clip, and

working the bolt, so that no time will be lost in these operations.

With constant practice all these movements may be made quickly and

without false motions.

When the bolt handle is raised, it must be done with enough force to

start the shell from the chamber; and when the bolt is pulled back it

must be with sufficient force to throw the empty shell well away from

the chamber and far enough to engage the next cartridge.

In loading, use force enough to load each cartridge with one motion.

The aim must be caught quickly, and, once caught, must be held and the

trigger squeezed steadily. Rapid firing, as far as holding, aim, and

squeezing the trigger are concerned, should be done with all the

precision of slow fire. The gain in time should be in getting ready to

fire, loading, and working the bolt.

=Firing with rests=: In order that the shooting may be uniform the

piece should always be rested at the same point.

=Section 11. The course in small-arms firing.=

The course in small-arms firing consists of--

(_a_) Nomenclature and care of rifle.

(_b_) Sighting drills.

(_c_) Position and aiming drills.

(_d_) Deflection and elevation correction drills.

(_e_) Gallery practice.

(_f_) Estimating distance drill.

(_g_) Individual known-distance firing, instruction practice.

(_h_) Individual known-distance firing, record practice.

(_i_) Long-distance practice.

(_j_) Practice with telescopic sights.

(_k_) Instruction combat practice.

(_l_) Combat practice.

(_m_) Proficiency test.

The regulations governing these are found in Small Arms Firing Manual,

1913. There should be several copies of this manual in every troop.

=Section 12. Targets.=

The accompanying plates show the details and size of the targets:

[Illustration: TARGET A, TARGET B, TARGET C, TARGET D.]

=Section 13. Pistol and revolver practice.[11]=

[Footnote 11: Whenever in these regulations the word "pistol"

appears the regulation applies with equal force to the

revolver, if applicable to that weapon.]

=135.=[12] =Nomenclature and care of the weapon; handling and

precautions against accidents.=--The soldier will first be taught the

nomenclature of those parts of the weapon necessary to an

understanding of its action and use and the proper measures for its

care and preservation. Ordnance pamphlets Nos. 1866 (description of

the Colt's automatic pistol), 1919, and 1927 (descriptions of the

Colt's revolver, calibers .38 and .45, respectively), contain full

information on this subject, and are furnished to organizations armed

with these weapons.

[Footnote 12: The numbers refer to paragraphs in the Small

Arms Firing Manual, 1913.]

Careless handling of the pistol or revolver is the cause of many

accidents and results in broken parts of the mechanism. The following

rules will, if followed, prevent much trouble of this character:

(_a_) On taking the =pistol= from the armrack or holster, take out the

magazine and see that it is empty before replacing it; then draw back

the slide and make sure that the piece is unloaded. Observe the same

precaution after practice on the target range, and again before

replacing the pistol in the holster or in the armrack. When taking the

=revolver= from the armrack or holster and before returning it to the

same, open the cylinder and eject empty shells and cartridges. Before

beginning a drill and upon arriving on the range observe the same

precaution.

(_b_) Neither load nor unlock the weapon until the moment of firing,

nor until a run in the mounted course is started.

(_c_) Always keep the pistol or revolver in the position of "Raise

pistol" (par. 147, Cavalry Drill Regulations, 1916), except when it is

pointed at the target. (The position of "Lower pistol" is authorized

for mounted firing only.)

(_d_) Do not place the weapon on the ground where sand or earth can

enter the bore or mechanism.

(_e_) Before loading the =pistol=, draw back the slide and look

through the bore to see that it is free from obstruction. Before

loading the =revolver=, open the cylinder and look through the bore to

see that it is free from obstruction. When loading the =pistol= for

target practice place five cartridges in the magazine and insert the

magazine in the handle; draw back the slide and insert the first

cartridge in the chamber and carefully lock the hammer.

In loading the =revolver= place five cartridges in the cylinder and

let the hammer down on the =empty chamber=.

(_f_) Whenever the pistol is being =loaded= or =unloaded=, the muzzle

=must be kept up=.

(_g_) Do not point the weapon in any direction where an accidental

discharge might do harm.

(_h_) After loading do not cock the revolver or unlock the pistol

until ready to fire.

(_i_) Keep the working parts properly lubricated.

=136.= =Position, dismounted=: Stand firmly on both feet, body

perfectly balanced and erect and turned at such an angle as is most

comfortable when the arm is extended toward the target; the feet far

enough apart to insure firmness and steadiness of position (about 8 to

10 inches); weight of body borne equally upon both feet; right arm

fully extended, left arm hanging naturally.

REMARKS.--The right arm may be slightly bent, although the difficulty

of holding the pistol uniformly and of keeping it as well as the

forearm in the same vertical plane makes this objectionable.

=137.= =The grip=: Grasp the stock as high as possible with the thumb

and last three fingers, the forefinger alongside the trigger guard,

the thumb extended along the stock. The barrel, hand, and forearm

should be as nearly in one line as possible when the weapon is pointed

toward the target. The grasp should not be so tight as to cause

tremors of the hand or arm to be communicated to the weapon, but

should be firm enough to avoid losing the grip when the recoil takes

place.

REMARKS.--The force of recoil of the pistol or revolver is exerted in

a line above the hand which grasps the stock. The lower the stock is

grasped the greater will be the movement or "jump" of the muzzle

caused by the recoil. This not only results in a severe strain upon

the wrist but in loss of accuracy.

If the hand be placed so that the grasp is on one side of the stock,

the recoil will cause a rotary movement of the weapon toward the

opposite side.

The releasing of the sear causes a slight movement of the muzzle,

generally to the left. The position of the thumb along the stock

overcomes much of this movement. The soldier should be encouraged to

practice this method of holding until it becomes natural.

To do uniform shooting the weapon must be held with exactly the same

grip for each shot. Not only must the hand grasp the stock at the same

point for each shot, but the tension of the grip must be uniform.

=138.= (_a_) =The trigger squeeze=: The trigger must be squeezed in

the same manner as in rifle firing. (See p. 193.) The pressure of the

forefinger on the trigger should be steadily increased and should be

straight back, not sideways. The pressure should continue to that

point beyond which the slightest movement will release the sear. Then,

when the aim is true, the additional pressure is applied and the

pistol fired.

Only by much practice can the soldier become familiar with the trigger

squeeze. This is essential to accurate shooting. It is the most

important detail to master in pistol or revolver shooting.

(_b_) =Self-cocking action.=--The force required to squeeze the

trigger of the revolver when the self-cocking device is used is

considerably greater than with the single action. To accustom a

soldier to the use of the self-cocking mechanism, and also to

strengthen and develop the muscles of the hand, a few minutes'

practice daily in holding the unloaded revolver on a mark and snapping

it, using the self-cocking mechanism, is recommended. The use of the

self-cocking device in firing is not recommended except in emergency.

By practice in cocking the revolver the soldier can become

sufficiently expert to fire very rapidly, using single action, while

his accuracy will be greater than when using double action.

=139.= =Aiming.=--Except when delivering rapid or quick fire, the rear

and front sights of the pistol are used in the same manner as the

rifle sights. The normal sight is habitually used (see Pl. VI), and

the line of sight is directed upon a point just under the bull's-eye

at "6 o'clock." The front sight must be seen through the middle of the

rear-sight notch, the top being on a line with the top of the notch.

Care must be taken not to cant the pistol to either side.[13]

[Footnote 13: The instructor should take cognizance of the

fact that the proper aiming point is often affected by the

personal and fixed peculiarities of the firer, and if unable

to correct such abnormalities permit firer to direct sight at

such point as promises effective results.]

If the principles of aiming have not been taught, the soldier's

instruction will begin with sighting drills as prescribed for the

rifle so far as they may be applicable. The sighting bar with open

sight will be used to teach the normal sight and to demonstrate errors

likely to be committed.

To construct a sighting rest for the pistol (see Pl. VI) take a piece

of wood about 10 inches long, 1-1/4 inches wide, and 9/16 inch thick.

Shape one end so that it will fit snugly in the handle of the pistol

when the magazine has been removed. Screw or nail this stick to the

top of a post or other object at such an angle that the pistol when

placed on the stick will be approximately horizontal. A suitable

sighting rest for the revolver may be easily improvised.

=140.= (_a_) =How to cock the pistol.=--The pistol should be cocked by

the thumb of the right hand and with the least possible derangement of

the grip. The forefinger should be clear of the trigger when cocking

the pistol. Some men have difficulty at first in cocking the pistol

with the right thumb. This can be overcome by a little practice.

Jerking the pistol forward while holding the thumb on the hammer will

not be permitted.

(_b_) =How to cock the revolver=: The revolver should be cocked by

putting the thumb on the hammer at as nearly a right angle to the

hammer as possible, and by the action of the thumb muscles alone

bringing the hammer back to the position of full cock. Some men with

large hands are able to cock the revolver with the thumb while holding

it in the position of aim or raise pistol. Where the soldier's hand is

small this can not be done, and in this case it assists the operation

to give the revolver a slight tilt to the right and upward (to the

right). Particular care should be taken that the forefinger is clear

of the trigger or the cylinder will not revolve. Jerking the revolver

forward while holding the thumb on the hammer will not be permitted.

=141.= =Position, and aiming drills, dismounted=: For this instruction

the squad will be formed with an interval of 1 pace between files.

Black pasters to simulate bull's-eyes will be pasted opposite each man

on the barrack or other wall, from which the squad is 10 paces

distant.

The squad being formed as described above, the instructor gives the

command: 1. =Raise=, 2. =Pistol= (par. 147, Cavalry Drill

Regulations), and cautions, "=Position and aiming drill, dismounted.="

The men take the positions described in paragraph 136, except that

the pistol is held at "Raise pistol."

[Illustration: PLATE VI.]

The instructor cautions, "Trigger squeeze exercise." At the command

=READY=, cock the weapon as described in paragraph 140. At the

command, 1. =Squad=, 2. =FIRE=, slowly extend the arm till it is

nearly horizontal, the pistol directed at a point about 6 inches below

the bull's-eye. At the same time put the forefinger inside the trigger

guard and gradually "feel" the trigger. Inhale enough air to

comfortably fill the lungs and gradually raise the piece until the

line of sight is directed at the point of aim, i. e., just below the

bull's-eye at 6 o'clock. While the sights are directed upon the mark,

gradually increase the pressure on the trigger until it reaches that

point where the slightest additional pressure will release the sear.

Then, when the aim is true, the additional pressure necessary to fire

the piece is given so smoothly as not to derange the alignment of the

sights. The weapon will be held on the mark for an instant after the

hammer falls and the soldier will observe what effect, if any, the

squeezing of the trigger has had on his aim.

It is impossible to hold the arm perfectly still, but each time the

line of sight is directed on the point of aim a slight additional

pressure is applied to the trigger until the piece is finally

discharged at one of the moments when the sights are correctly aligned

upon the mark.

When the soldier has become proficient in taking the proper position,

the trigger squeeze should be executed at will. The instructor

prefaces the preparatory command by "At will" and give the command

=HALT= at the conclusion of the exercise, when the soldier will return

to the position of "Raise pistol."

At first this exercise should be executed with deliberation, but

gradually the soldier will be taught to catch the aim quickly and to

lose no time in beginning the trigger squeeze and bringing it to the

point where the slightest additional pressure will release the sear.

REMARKS.--In service few opportunities will be offered for slow aimed

fire with the pistol or revolver, although use will be made of the

weapon under circumstances when accurate pointing and rapid

manipulation are of vital importance.

In delivering a rapid fire, the soldier must keep his eyes fixed upon

the mark and, after each shot, begin a steadily increasing pressure on

the trigger, trying at the same time to get the sights as nearly on

the mark as possible before the hammer again falls. The great

difficulty in quick firing with the pistol lies in the fact that when

the front sight is brought upon the mark the rear sight is often found

to be outside the line joining the eye with the mark. This tendency to

hold the pistol obliquely can be overcome only by a uniform manner of

holding and pointing. This uniformity is to be attained only by

acquiring a grip which can be taken with certainty each time the

weapon is fired. It is this circumstance which makes the position and

aiming drills so important. The soldier should constantly practice

pointing the pistol until he acquires the ability to direct it on the

mark in the briefest interval of time and practically without the aid

of sights.

The soldier then repeats the exercises with the pistol in the left

hand, the left side being turned toward the target.

=142.= =To draw and fire quickly--Snap shooting.=--With the squad

formed as described in paragraph 141 except that the pistol is in the

holster and the flap, if any, buttoned, the instructor cautions

"Quick-fire exercise." And gives the command, 1. =SQUAD=, 2. =FIRE.=

At this command each soldier, keeping his eye on the target, quickly

draws his pistol, unlocks it, thrusts it toward the target, squeezes

the trigger, and at the instant the weapon is brought in line with the

eye and the objective increases the pressure, releasing the sear. To

enable the soldier to note errors in pointing, the weapon will be

momentarily held in position after the fall of the hammer. Efforts at

deliberate aiming in this exercise must be discouraged.

Remarks under paragraph 141 are specially applicable also to this type

of fire. When the soldier has become proficient in the details of this

exercise, it should be repeated at will; the instructor cautions, "At

will; quick-fire exercise." The exercise should be practiced until the

mind, the eye, and trigger finger act in unison.

To simulate this type of fire mounted, the instructor places the squad

so that the simulated bull's-eyes are in turn, to the =RIGHT=, to the

=LEFT=, to the =RIGHT FRONT=, to the =LEFT FRONT=, to the =RIGHT

REAR=. With the squad in one of these positions, the instructor

cautions, "Position and aiming drill, mounted." At this caution the

right foot is carried 20 inches to the right and the left hand to the

position of the bridle hand (par. 145, Cavalry Drill Regulations).

The exercise is carried out as described for the exercise dismounted,

using the commands and means laid down in paragraph 141 for firing in

the several directions. The exercise is to be executed at will when

the squad has been sufficiently well instructed in detail.

When firing to the left the pistol hand will be about opposite the

left shoulder and the shoulders turned about 45° to the left; when

firing to the right rear the shoulders are turned about 45° to the

right.

When the soldier is proficient in these exercises with the pistol in

the right hand, they are repeated with the pistol in the left hand.

=Revolver or pistol range practice.=--The courses in range practice

are given in paragraphs 147 to 199, Small Arms Firing Manual, 1913.

CHAPTER IX.

EXTRACTS FROM MANUAL OF INTERIOR GUARD DUTY.

UNITED STATES ARMY, 1914.

[The numbers refer to paragraphs in the Manual.]

=Section 1. Introduction.=

=1.= Guards may be divided into four classes: Exterior guards,

interior guards, military police, and provost guards.

=2.= Exterior guards are used only in time of war. They belong to the

domain of tactics and are treated of in the Field Service Regulations

and in the drill regulations of the different arms of the service.

The purpose of exterior guards is to prevent surprise, to delay

attack, and otherwise to provide for the security of the main body.

On the march they take the form of advance guards, rear guards, and

flank guards. At a halt they consist of outposts.

=3.= Interior guards are used in camp or garrison to preserve order,

protect property, and to enforce police regulations. In time of war

such sentinels of an interior guard as may be necessary are placed

close in or about a camp, and normally there is an exterior guard

further out consisting of outposts. In time of peace the interior

guard is the only guard in a camp or garrison.

=4.= Military police differ somewhat from either of these classes.

(See Field Service Regulations.) They are used in time of war to guard

prisoners, to arrest stragglers and deserters, and to maintain order

and enforce police regulations in the rear of armies, along lines of

communication, and in the vicinity of large camps.

=5.= Provost guards are used in the absence of military police,

generally in conjunction with the civil authorities at or near large

posts or encampments, to preserve order among soldiers beyond the

interior guard.

=Section 2. Classification of interior guards.=

=6.= The various elements of an interior guard classified according to

their particular purposes and the manner in which they perform their

duties are as follows:

(_a_) The main guard.

(_b_) Special guards: Stable guards, park guards, prisoner guards,

herd guards, train guards, boat guards, watchmen, etc.

=Section 3. Details and rosters.=

=7.= At every military post, and in every regiment or separate command

in the field, an interior guard will be detailed and duly mounted.

It will consist of such number of officers and enlisted men as the

commanding officer may deem necessary, and will be commanded by the

senior officer or noncommissioned officer therewith, under the

supervision of the officer of the day or other officer detailed by the

commanding officer.

=8.= The system of sentinels on fixed posts is of value in discipline

and training because of the direct individual responsibility which is

imposed and required to be discharged in a definite and precise

manner. While the desirability of this type of duty is recognized, it

should only be put in practice to an extent sufficient to insure

thorough instruction in this method of performing guard duty, and

should not be the routine method of its performance. The usual guard

duty will be performed by watchmen, patrols, or such method as in the

opinion of the commanding officer may best secure results under the

particular local conditions.

=9.= At posts where there are less than three companies the main guard

and special guards may all be furnished by one company or by details

from each company. It is directed that whenever possible such guards

shall be furnished by a single company, for the reason that if guard

details are taken from each organization at a post of two companies,

troops, or batteries it will result in both being so reduced as to

seriously interfere with drill and instruction, whereas if details are

taken from only one the other is available for instruction at full

strength.

Where there are three or more companies, the main guard will, if

practicable, be furnished by a single company, and, as far as

practicable, the same organization will supply all details for that

day for special guard, overseer, and fatigue duty. In this case the

officer of the day and the officers of the guard, if there are any,

will, if practicable, be from the company furnishing the guard.

=10.= At a post or camp where the headquarters of more than one

regiment are stationed, or in the case of a small brigade in the

field, if but one guard be necessary for the whole command, the

details will be made from the headquarters of the command.

If formal guard mounting is to be held, the adjutant, sergeant major,

and band to attend guard mounting will be designated by the commanding

officer.

=11.= When a single organization furnishes the guard, a roster of

organizations will be kept by the sergeant major under the supervision

of the adjutant. (See Appendix B.)

=12.= When the guard is detailed from several organizations, rosters

will be kept by the adjutant, of officers of the day and officers of

the guard by name; by the sergeant major under the supervision of the

adjutant, of sergeants, corporals, musicians, and privates of the

guard by number per organization; and by first sergeants, of

sergeants, corporals, musicians, and privates by name. (See Appendix

A.)

=13.= When organizations furnish their own stable, or stable and park

guards, credit will be given each for the number of enlisted men so

furnished as though they had been detailed for main guard.

=14.= Special guards, other than stable or park guards, will be

credited the same as for main guard, credited with fatigue duty,

carried on special duty, or credited as the commanding officer may

direct. (Pars. 6, 221, 247, and 300.)

=15.= Captains will supervise the keeping of company rosters and see

that all duties performed are duly credited. (See pars. 355-364, A.

R., for rules governing rosters, and Form 342, A. G. O., for

instructions as to how rosters should be kept.)

=16.= There will be an officer of the day with each guard, unless in

the opinion of the commanding officer the guard is so small that his

services are not needed. In this case an officer will be detailed to

supervise the command and instruction of the guard for such period as

the commanding officer may direct.

=17.= When more than one guard is required for a command, a field

officer of the day will be detailed, who will receive his orders from

the brigade or division commander, as the latter may direct. When

necessary captains may be placed on the roster for field officer of

the day.

=18.= The detail of officers of the guard will be limited to the

necessities of the service and efficient instruction; inexperienced

officers may be detailed as supernumerary officers of the guard for

purposes of instruction.

=19.= Officers serving on staff departments are, in the discretion of

the commanding officer, exempt from guard duty.

=20.= Guard details will, if practicable, be posted or published the

day preceding the beginning of the tour and officers notified

personally by a written order at the same time.

=21.= The strength of guards and the number of consecutive days for

which an organization furnishes the guard will be so regulated as to

insure privates of the main guard an interval of not less than five

days between tours.

When this is not otherwise practicable, extra and special duty men

will be detailed for night guard duty, still performing their daily

duties. When so detailed a roster will be kept by the adjutant showing

the duty performed by them.

=22.= The members of main guards and stable and park guards will

habitually be relieved every 24 hours. The length of the tour of

enlisted men detailed as special guards, other than stable or park

guards, will be so regulated as to permit of these men being held

accountable for a strict performance of their duty.

=23.= Should the officer of the day be notified that men are required

to fill vacancies in the guard, he will cause them to be supplied from

the organization to which the guard belongs. If none are available in

that organization, the adjutant will be notified and will cause them

to be supplied from the organization that is next for guard. (Par.

63.)

=24.= The adjutant will have posted on the bulletin board at his

office all data needed by company commanders in making details from

their companies.

At first sergeant's call first sergeants will go to headquarters and

take from the bulletin board all data necessary for making the details

required from their companies; these details will be made from their

company rosters.

=25.= In order to give ample notice, first sergeants will, when

practicable, publish at retreat and post on the company bulletin board

all details made from the company for duties to be performed.

=26.= Where rosters are required to be kept by this manual, all

details will be made by roster.

=Section 4. Commander of the guard.=

=41.= The commander of the guard is responsible for the instruction

and discipline of the guard. He will see that all of its members are

correctly instructed in their orders and duties and that they

understand and properly perform them. He will visit each relief at

least once while it is on post, and at least one of these visits will

be made between 12 o'clock midnight and daylight.

=42.= He receives and obeys the orders of the commanding officer and

the officer of the day, and reports to the latter without delay all

orders to the guard not received from the officer of the day; he

transmits to his successor all material instructions and information

relating to his duties.

=43.= He is responsible under the officer of the day for the general

safety of the post or camp as soon as the old guard marches away from

the guardhouse. In case of emergency, while both guards are at the

guardhouse, the senior commander of the two guards will be responsible

that the proper action is taken.

=44.= Officers of the guard will remain constantly with their guards,

except while visiting patrols or necessarily engaged elsewhere in the

performance of their duties. The commanding officer will allow a

reasonable time for meals.

=45.= A commander of a guard leaving his post for any purpose will

inform the next in command of his destination and probable time of

return.

=46.= Except in emergencies, the commander of the guard may divide the

night with the next in command, but retains his responsibility; the

one on watch must be constantly on the alert.

=47.= When any alarm is raised in camp or garrison, the guard will be

informed immediately. (Par. 234.) If the case be serious, the proper

call will be sounded, and the commander of the guard will cause the

commanding officer and the officer of the day to be at once notified.

=48.= If a sentinel calls: "The guard," the commander of the guard

will at once send a patrol to the sentinel's post. If the danger be

great, in which case the sentinel will discharge his piece, the patrol

will be as strong as possible.

=49.= When practicable, there should always be an officer or

noncommissioned officer and two privates of the guard at the

guardhouse in addition to the sentinels there on post.

=50.= Between reveille and retreat, when the guard has been turned out

for any person entitled to the compliment (see pars. 222 and 224), the

commander of the guard, if an officer, will receive the report of the

sergeant, returning the salute of the latter with the right hand. He

will then draw his saber and place himself two paces in front of the

center of the guard. When the person for whom the guard has been

turned out approaches he faces his guard and commands: 1. =Present=,

2. =ARMS=; faces to the front and salutes. When his salute is

acknowledged he resumes the carry, faces about, and commands: 1.

=Order=, 2. =ARMS=; and faces to the front.

If it be an officer entitled to inspect the guard, after saluting and

before bringing his guard to an order, the officer of the guard

reports: "=Sir, all present or accounted for="; or "=Sir, (so-and-so)

is absent="; or, if the roll call has been omitted: "=Sir, the guard

is formed=," except that at guard mounting the commanders of the

guards present their guards and salute without making any report.

Between retreat and reveille the commander of the guard salutes and

reports, but does not bring the guard to a present.

=51.= To those entitled to have the guard turned out but not entitled

to inspect it no report will be made; nor will a report be made to any

officer unless he halts in front of the guard.

=52.= When a guard commanded by a noncommissioned officer is turned

out as a compliment or for inspection the noncommissioned officer,

standing at a right shoulder on the right of the right guide,

commands: 1. =Present=, 2. =ARMS.= He then executes the rifle salute.

If a report be also required, he will, after saluting and before

bringing his guard to an order, report as prescribed for the officer

of the guard. (Par. 50.)

=53.= When a guard is in line, not under inspection, and commanded by

an officer; the commander of the guard salutes his regimental,

battalion, and company commander by bringing the guard to attention

and saluting in person.

For all other officers, excepting those entitled to the compliment

from a guard (par. 224), the commander of the guard salutes in person,

but does not bring the guard to attention.

When commanded by a noncommissioned officer, the guard is brought to

attention in either case, and the noncommissioned officer salutes.

The commander of a guard exchanges salutes with the commanders of all

other bodies of troops; the guard is brought to attention during the

exchange.

"Present arms" is executed by a guard only when it has turned out for

inspection or as a compliment, and at the ceremonies of guard mounting

and relieving the old guard.

=54.= In marching a guard or a detachment of a guard the principles of

paragraph 53 apply. "Eyes right" is executed only in the ceremonies of

guard mounting and relieving the old guard.

=55.= If a person entitled to the compliment, or the regimental,

battalion, or company commander, passes in rear of a guard, neither

the compliment nor the salute is given, but the guard is brought to

attention while such person is opposite the post of the commander.

After any person has received or declined the compliment, or received

the salute from the commander of the guard, official recognition of

his presence thereafter while he remains in the vicinity will be taken

by bringing the guard to attention.

=56.= The commander of the guard will inspect the guard at reveille

and retreat, and at such other times as may be necessary, to assure

himself that the men are in proper condition to perform their duties

and that their arms and equipments are in proper condition. For

inspection by other officers, he prepares the guard in each case as

directed by the inspecting officer.

=57.= The guard will not be paraded during ceremonies unless directed

by the commanding officer.

=58.= At all formations members of the guard or reliefs will execute

inspection arms as prescribed in the drill regulations of their arm.

=59.= The commander of the guard will see that all sentinels are

habitually relieved every two hours, unless the weather or other

causes makes it necessary that it be done at shorter or longer

intervals, as directed by the commanding officer.

=60.= He will question his noncommissioned officers and sentinels

relative to the instructions they may have received from the old

guard; he will see that patrols and visits of inspection are made as

directed by the officer of the day.

=61.= He will see that the special orders for each post and member of

the guard, either written or printed, are posted in the guardhouse

and, if practicable, in the sentry box or other sheltered place to

which the member of the guard has constant access.

=62.= He will see that the proper calls are sounded at the hours

appointed by the commanding officer.

=63.= Should a member of the guard be taken sick, or be arrested, or

desert, or leave his guard, he will at once notify the officer of the

day. (Par. 23.)

=64.= He will, when the countersign is used (pars. 210 to 216),

communicate it to the noncommissioned officers of the guard and see

that it is duly communicated to the sentinels before the hour of

challenging; the countersign will not be given to sentinels posted at

the guardhouse.

=65.= He will have the details for hoisting the flag at reveille and

lowering it at retreat, and for firing the reveille and retreat gun,

made in time for the proper performance of these duties. (See pars.

338, 344, 345, and 346.) He will see that the flags are kept in the

best condition possible, and that they are never handled except in the

proper performance of duty.

=66.= He may permit members of the guard while at the guardhouse to

remove their headdress, overcoats, and gloves; if they leave the

guardhouse for any purpose whatever, he will require that they be

properly equipped and armed according to the character of the service

in which engaged, or as directed by the commanding officer.

=67.= He will enter in the guard report a report of his tour of duty

and, on the completion of his tour, will present it to the officer of

the day. He will transmit with his report all passes turned in at the

post of the guard.

=68.= Whenever a prisoner is sent to the guardhouse or guard tent for

confinement he will cause him to be searched, and will, without

unnecessary delay, report the case to the officer of the day.

=69.= Under war conditions, if anyone is to be passed out of camp at

night, he will be sent to the commander of the guard, who will have

him passed beyond the sentinels.

=70.= The commander of the guard will detain at the guardhouse all

suspicious characters or parties attempting to pass a sentinel's post

without authority, reporting his action to the officer of the day, to

whom persons so arrested will be sent, if necessary.

=71.= He will inspect the guardrooms and cells, and the irons of such

prisoners as may be ironed, at least once during his tour, and at such

other times as he may deem necessary.

=72.= He will cause the corporals of the old and new reliefs to verify

together, immediately before each relief goes on post, the number of

prisoners who should then properly be at the guardhouse.

=73.= He will see that the sentences of prisoners under his charge are

executed strictly in accordance with the action of the reviewing

authority.

=74.= When no special prisoner guard has been detailed (par. 300), he

will, as far as practicable, assign as guards over working parties of

prisoners sentinels from posts guarded at night only.

=75.= The commander of the guard will inspect all meals sent to the

guardhouse and see that the quantity and quality of food are in

accordance with regulations.

=76.= At guard mounting he will report to the old officer of the day

all cases of prisoners whose terms of sentence expire on that day, and

also all cases of prisoners concerning whom no statement of charges

has been received. (See par. 241.)

=77.= The commander of the guard is responsible for the security of

the prisoners under the charge of his guard; he becomes responsible

for them after their number has been verified and they have been

turned over to the custody of his guard by the old guard or by the

prisoner guard or overseers.

=78.= The prisoners will be verified and turned over to the new guard

without parading them, unless the commanding officer or the officer of

the day shall direct otherwise.

=79.= To receive the prisoners at the guardhouse when they have been

paraded and after they have been verified by the officers of the day,

the commander of the new guard directs his sergeant to form his guard

with an interval, and commands: 1. =Prisoners=, 2. =Right=, 3. =FACE=,

4. =Forward=, 5. =MARCH=. The prisoners having arrived opposite the

interval in the new guard, he commands: 1. =Prisoners=, 2. =HALT=, 3.

=Left=, 4. =FACE=, 5. =Right= (or =left=), 6. =DRESS=, 7. =FRONT=.

The prisoners dress on the line of the new guard.

=Section 5. Sergeant of the guard.=

=80.= The senior noncommissioned officer of the guard always acts as

sergeant of the guard and if there be no officer of the guard will

perform the duties prescribed for the commander of the guard.

=81.= The sergeant of the guard has general supervision over the other

noncommissioned officers and the musicians and privates of the guard,

and must be thoroughly familiar with all of their orders and duties.

=82.= He is directly responsible for the property under charge of the

guard and will see that it is properly cared for. He will make lists

of articles taken out by working parties and see that all such

articles are duly returned. If they are not, he will immediately

report the fact to the commander of the guard.

=83.= Immediately after guard mounting he will prepare duplicate lists

of the names of all noncommissioned officers, musicians, and privates

of the guard, showing the relief and post or duties of each. One list

will be handed as soon as possible to the commander of the guard; the

other will be retained by the sergeant.

=84.= He will see that all reliefs are turned out at the proper time,

and that the corporals thoroughly understand, and are prompt and

efficient in the discharge of their duties.

=85.= During the temporary absence from the guardhouse of the sergeant

of the guard, the next in rank of the noncommissioned officers will

perform his duties.

=86.= Should the corporal whose relief is on post be called away from

the guardhouse, the sergeant of the guard will designate a

noncommissioned officer to take the corporal's place until his return.

=87.= The sergeant of the guard is responsible at all times for the

proper police of the guardhouse or guard tent, including the ground

about them and the prison cells.

=88.= At =first sergeant's call= he will proceed to the adjutant's

office and obtain the guard report book.

=89.= When the national or regimental colors are taken from the stacks

of the color line, the color bearer and guard, or the sergeant of the

guard, unarmed, and two armed privates as a guard, will escort the

colors to the colonel's quarters, as prescribed for the color guard in

the drill regulations of the arm of the service to which the guard

belongs.

=90.= He will report to the commander of the guard any suspicious or

unusual occurrence that comes under his notice, will warn him of the

approach of any armed body, and will send to him all persons arrested

by the guard.

=91.= When the guard is turned out its formation will be as follows:

The senior noncommissioned officer, if commander of the guard, is on

the right of the right guide; if not commander of the guard, he is in

the line of file closers, in rear of the right four of the guard; the

next in rank is right guide; the next left guide; the others in the

line of file closers, usually each in rear of his relief; the field

music, with its left three paces to the right of the right guide. The

reliefs form in the same order as when the guard was first divided,

except that if the guard consists of dismounted Cavalry and Infantry,

the Cavalry forms on the left.

=92.= The sergeant forms the guard, calls the roll, and, if not in

command of the guard, reports to the commander of the guard as

prescribed in drill regulations for a first sergeant forming a troop

or company; the guard is not divided into platoons or sections, and,

except when the whole guard is formed prior to marching off, fours are

not counted.

=93.= The sergeant reports as follows: "=Sir, all present or

accounted for=," or "=Sir, (so-and-so) is absent="; or if the roll

call has been omitted, "=Sir, the guard is formed.=" Only men absent

without proper authority are reported absent. He then takes his place

without command.

=94.= At night the roll may be called by reliefs and numbers instead

of names; thus, the first relief being on post: =Second relief; No. 1;

No. 2; etc.; Third relief, Corporal; No. 1, etc.=

=95.= Calling the roll will be dispensed with in forming the guard

when it is turned out as a compliment, on the approach of an armed

body, or in any sudden emergency; but in such cases the roll may be

called before dismissing the guard. If the guard be turned out for an

officer entitled to inspect it, the roll will, unless he directs

otherwise, always be called before a report is made.

=96.= The sergeant of the guard has direct charge of the prisoners,

except during such time as they may be under the charge of the

prisoner guard or overseers, and is responsible to the commander of

the guard for their security.

=97.= He will carry the keys of the guardroom and cells, and will not

suffer them to leave his personal possession while he is at the

guardhouse, except as hereinafter provided. (Par. 99.) Should he leave

the guardhouse for any purpose he will turn the keys over to the

noncommissioned officer who takes his place. (Par. 85.)

=98.= He will count the knives, forks, etc., given to the prisoners

with their food, and see that none of these articles remain in their

possession. He will see that no forbidden articles of any kind are

conveyed to the prisoners.

=99.= Prisoners when paraded with the guard are placed in line, in its

center. The sergeant, immediately before forming the guard, will turn

over his keys to the noncommissioned officer at the guardhouse. Having

formed the guard he will divide it into two nearly equal parts.

Indicating the point of division with his hand, he commands: 1. =Right

(or left)=, 2. =FACE=, 3. =Forward=, 4. =MARCH=, 5. =Guard=, 6.

=HALT=, 7. =Left (or right)=, 8. =FACE=.

If the first command be =right face=, the right half of the guard only

will execute the movements; if =left face=, the left half only will

execute them. The command =halt= is given when sufficient interval is

obtained to admit the prisoners. The doors of the guardroom and cells

are then opened by the noncommissioned officer having the keys. The

prisoners will file out under the supervision of the sergeant, the

noncommissioned officer, and sentinel on duty at the guardhouse, and

such other sentinels as may be necessary; they will form in line in

the interval between the two parts of the guard.

=100.= To return the prisoners to the guardroom and cells, the

sergeant commands: 1. =Prisoners=, 2. =Right (or left)=, 3. =FACE=, 4.

=Column right (or left)=, 5. =MARCH.=

The prisoners, under the same supervision as before, return to their

proper rooms or cells.

=101.= To close the guard, the sergeant commands: 1. =Left (or

right)=, 2. =FACE=, 3. =Forward=, 4. =MARCH=, 5. =Guard=, 6. =HALT=,

7. =Right= (or =left=), 8. =FACE.=

The left or right half only of the guard, as indicated, executes the

movement.

=102.= If there be but few prisoners, the sergeant may indicate the

point of division as above, and form the necessary interval by the

commands: 1. =Right= (or =left=) =step=, 2. =MARCH=, 3. =Guard=, 4.

=HALT=, and close the intervals by the commands: 1. =Left= (or

=right=) =step=, 2. =MARCH=, 3. =Guard=, 4. =HALT.=

=103.= If sentinels are numerous, reliefs may, at the discretion of

the commanding officer, be posted in detachments, and sergeants as

well as corporals required to relieve and post them.

=Section 6. Corporal of the Guard.=

=104.= A corporal of the guard receives and obeys orders from none but

noncommissioned officers of the guard senior to himself, the officers

of the guard, the officer of the day, and the commanding officer.

=105.= It is the duty of the corporal of the guard to post and relieve

sentinels and to instruct the members of his relief in their orders

and duties.

=106.= Immediately after the division of the guard into reliefs the

corporals will assign the members of their respective reliefs to posts

by number, and a soldier so assigned to his post will not be changed

to another during the same tour of guard duty unless by direction of

the commander of the guard or higher authority. Usually experienced

soldiers are placed over the arms of the guard and at remote and

responsible posts.

=107.= Each corporal will then make a list of the members of his

relief, including himself. This list will contain the number of the

relief, the name, the company, and the regiment of every member

thereof and the post to which each is assigned. The list will be made

in duplicate, one copy to be given to the sergeant of the guard as

soon as completed, the other to be retained by the corporal.

=108.= When directed by the commander of the guard, the corporal of

the first relief forms his relief, and then commands: =CALL OFF=.

Commencing on the right, the men call off alternately =rear= and

=front rank=, "one," "two," "three," "four," and so on; if in single

rank, they call off from right to left. The corporal then commands: 1.

=Right=, 2. =FACE=, 3. =Forward=, 4. =MARCH.=

The corporal marches on the left and near the rear file in order to

observe the march. The corporal of the old guard marches on the right

of the leading file, and takes command when the last one of the old

sentinels is relieved, changing places with the corporal of the new

guard.

=109.= When the relief arrives at six paces from a sentinel (see par.

168), the corporal halts it and commands, according to the number of

the post: =No. (----)=.

Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Cavalry of the Army of the United States 1917. To be also used by Engineer Companies (Mounted) for Cavalry Instruction and Training · 第 24 / 26 章

When a platoon is firing, all noncommissioned officers watch every