ADVANCE GUARDS.
_Strength and Composition._ The strength of an advance guard in actual
campaign, is from 1-3 to 1-20 of command, usually nearer the former
figure. In general, for a company, 1 platoon, for a battalion, 1
company, for a regiment, 1 battalion, for a brigade, 1 regiment, for a
division, 1 brigade, reinforced. A company sends out a point or advance
party, a battalion an advance party or support, a regiment a support.
An advance guard smaller than a battalion usually has no reserve, but
it is permissible for a battalion to have a reserve. Machine guns of
leading regiment generally at tail of leading battalion. In an advance
guard of 1 battalion machine guns are with the reserve usually at the
tail. In a larger body with the support. It is a general rule to have
at least a battalion in front of the machine guns.
There should always be some mounted men with an advance guard. If
preceded by independent cavalry the advance guard does not need much
cavalry. Otherwise it should have some. A number of mounted orderlies
may be attached to the advance guard for patrol duty if no cavalry is
available for the purpose.
Engineers are generally useful with an advance guard but seldom
accompany one smaller than a regiment. The mounted section may
accompany the advance cavalry.
Advance guard cavalry is the cavalry assigned to the advance guard
commander. Advance cavalry is that portion of the advance guard
cavalry which precedes the mounted point. Some or all of the cavalry,
if the force is small, may be attached to the support for local
reconnaissance. Mounted men are almost invariably assigned to the
support. They may be sent out as flank patrols under officers, and used
for mounted point and for nearby reconnaissance. In exceptional cases
the advance guard commander may send out special patrols of mounted
men to front or flanks, without attaching them to the support. In such
cases their duties are somewhat similar to those of advance cavalry but
usually more restricted.
Signal troops are seldom attached to an advance guard, unless it be at
least a reinforced brigade.
The sanitary troops properly belonging to an organization accompany it
in advance guard. A brigade as advance guard usually has an ambulance
company assigned to it, a regiment, 3 ambulances.
Artillery is not usually assigned to an advance guard of less than a
brigade, but a battery might be assigned to two regiments in advance
guard. Artillery is usually not safe with a small advance guard on
account of its limited reconnaissance. Also a small infantry force with
artillery becomes merely an escort for the artillery and neglects its
more important duties. Artillery should have _at least_ a regiment in
front of it.
Advance guard artillery is generally with the reserve with at least
a battalion and preferably a regiment immediately in front of it.
Artillery is seldom placed in an advance guard in close country.
If there is much infantry patrolling to be done (usually in absence
of mounted men) the advance party, whose special duty is patrolling,
should be strong and commanded by an officer. But if there be plenty
of mounted men, the advance party is relieved of this duty to a great
extent and need not ordinarily be stronger than ¼the support.
The field trains of a small advance guard are usually with the main
body during the march. This is also better with a large advance guard,
unless the situation is such that a combat is not probable during the
day and the trains could not reach the advance guard to supply it at
night. On halting for the night the field trains of the advance guard
troops (baggage section and one day’s rations) habitually join their
organizations.
Avoid splitting organizations in forming an advance guard or any of its
fractions. If you need more than 1 battalion better send the entire
regiment.
“Leading troops” are not the same as an advance guard and should
not be confused therewith. They are generally used where a regular
advance guard is unnecessary, as for instance, ahead of the trains
in a retreat or retrograde movement. If it is intended to delay the
enemy or to prepare positions for delaying actions, engineers should
generally be with “leading troops”--sometimes constituting their entire
strength. They “prepare bridges for demolition,” and a mounted section
of engineers (with the rear guard) completes the demolition when last
friendly troops have cleared, if necessary to delay the enemy.
The engineers, with either advance guard or leading troops are charged
with the duty of removing obstacles to the march and repairing
crossings, etc.
_The Start._ The supreme commander may order the advance guard to clear
a certain point at a certain hour, or he may designate the hour of
march and point of departure of the main body and the distance at which
the advance guard will precede it. From these data the advance guard
commander figures the time of departure of the different parts of his
command. He usually designates for the start an initial point which
all organizations can reach by one or preferably several convenient
routes without countermarching, delay or confusion. The point, while
well forward should generally be inside the outpost line. The hour of
departure of the advance cavalry is designated in advance guard order
as well as its route unless this is the same as that of advance guard
and there is no danger of interference. In the advance guard order the
hours at which the support will clear the initial point, and the head
of the reserve reach it are also designated. The advance guard always
marches by same route as main body. The outpost troops (if part of the
advance guard) are usually assigned to the reserve. They remain in
position until the support has passed the outpost line, and then close
in time to take their places in the column.
Some convenient advanced point on the line of march beyond the initial
point may be designated as the place at which the cavalry on outpost
duty (day positions) may join the advance cavalry as it passes. The
approximate time of junction should also be given in the order. Similar
arrangements may be made for mounted orderlies on outpost duty to join
their regiment, or head of reserve, etc., if they are out to the front.
The field trains with the advance guard should be assembled immediately
after the departure of the advance guard (and in time to be out of the
way of the main body) clear of the main road, preferably on a branch
road on the less exposed flank. They will then usually join those of
the main body. The trains with the outpost troops must move to the
rear in time to be off the main road before any troops move. They are
brought back the evening before the march, after supper, or else early
next morning.
A small command may be assembled in column of route on the road before
starting, but with a large command this is neither desirable nor
(ordinarily) practicable.
Do not allow anything for elongation at the beginning of a day’s march.
_Assembly Order._ In a large advance guard, in order to allow all the
troops as much rest as possible, it is sometimes desirable to issue
an “assembly order” (written or dictated) the night before the march,
the “march order” being issued the next morning. The assembly order
should not be issued later than 11 p. m., if this can be avoided, and
the earlier the hour the better for the troops. The usual form of an
assembly order will be a statement of the time at which the command
will be in readiness to march in the morning. If the force be a large
one different hours may be designated for different troops in order to
give all as much rest as possible. To determine these times proceed as
follows: Considering the position of the organization in the column
calculate the time at which its head should reach the “initial point,”
then subtract the time required to reach the initial point from the
camp of the organization. This gives the time at which the organization
should march from its camp. The organization should be “ready to march”
from 3 to 10 minutes sooner--depending on size of entire advance guard.
In writing an assembly order make sure that the marches of various
organizations do not interfere. This would be a serious mistake. The
assembly order should close with a statement of when and where the
march order will be issued next morning. The assembly order may or
may not contain information as to the enemy, the commander’s plan,
etc., depending on the situation. If it is practicable to issue the
complete march order the night before it is usually better to do so,
as this gives subordinate commanders time to estimate the situation so
far as it pertains to their commands, and to make all the necessary
preliminary arrangements in ample time. This is usually practicable if
there is not apt to be a _change in the situation_ before morning, if
spies are not feared, etc. The assembly order may sometimes include
everything except the exact time of departure, objective of the march
and route to be followed, this information being reserved until
morning. Thus the commander avoids betraying prematurely his full
plans. (See also “Field Orders,” Chap. II.)
The order of the advance guard commander divides the advance guard into
two main parties only (usually support and reserve). The subdivisions
of the leading body and their distances are left to the commander
thereof.
_Distances._ The distance at which the advance guard precedes the main
body should be sufficient to secure the latter against surprise by
rifle fire or, if a large command, by artillery fire, and in case the
enemy is encountered, to permit of his being delayed long enough, and
sufficiently far to the front to allow the main body ample time to make
the dispositions necessary to meet him. Each fraction of the advance
guard should be similarly disposed with regard to the fraction next
in rear, it being remembered that small bodies are not likely to be
made targets for artillery fire. Distances are greater in open country
than in close country, greater if artillery fire is to be feared than
if rifle fire only, greater if there is a possibility of attack in
force by cavalry, than if foot troops alone are apt to be encountered,
greater for a cavalry advance guard than for one of infantry or mixed
troops. Distances are often reduced at night. The dispositions of a
cavalry advance guard are similar to those of infantry, but usually
with greater distances.
If any fraction of an advance guard consists of a battalion or more
the fraction next in rear (including the main body) usually guides
on it, following at a certain distance. If the fraction is smaller
than a battalion it regulates its march on the fraction next in rear,
preceding it at a certain distance. This should be covered in orders.
This regulation of one body on another must be more or less reciprocal.
_Reconnaissance._ If there is a mission for the cavalry outside the
sphere of the advance guard commander it should be used as independent
cavalry. This will usually be the case if contact with the enemy has
not been gained. But if approximate position of enemy is known and
a combat is imminent it may be better to use cavalry as “advance
cavalry.” This will allow it to go far enough out to gain contact with
enemy in time, and yet does not allow it to get so far out of hand that
it can not perform its proper functions during the combat. The cavalry
should protect the advance guard from surprise by artillery fire.
Patrolling is very fatiguing to foot soldiers, hence mounted men are
used where practicable. Parallel roads adjacent to the line of march
(not more than 1 to 2 miles distant) may be used for flank guards or
patrols. A flank guard of an advance guard should usually be of mounted
men. But if it is liable to encounter resistance or is expected to
delay an enemy’s advance it must be supported by infantry. Usually
observation alone is sufficient for flank protection.
A mounted point of a few men, ½ to 1 mile ahead of the infantry point
is very desirable, especially if there is no advance cavalry.
Flank patrols should not march through the fields, especially as
this would be of little use. If there are no suitable parallel roads
available, flanking patrols (mounted or foot) are sent out to all good
lookout points or country which it is desired to search, from the
advance party when the latter is abreast of these points. These patrols
occupy the lookout points until the advance guard has cleared them and
then close in on the road and join the reserve. In a small force these
lookouts remain in position until the main body has cleared, and then
join the tail of the main column, rejoining their proper organization
during a halt, or at the end of the day’s march. A large advance guard
would always have mounted men, and so need not adopt to any great
extent, this method of patrolling or lookout with dismounted men. Small
patrols on parallel roads should occasionally rejoin, report, and be
relieved by new patrols.
Connecting files must be maintained between all fractions of advance
guard and between the reserve and the main body. It is the duty of
each fraction to maintain communication with the one in front. Mounted
orderlies are useful for this purpose. If these are not available, foot
soldiers must be used, in which case they should be not over 200 yards
apart.
A flank guard at a distance of two miles is far enough out to prevent
surprise by artillery fire--the greatest danger to be anticipated on
the flank (See “Flank guards” for further discussion of this subject.)
The support commander attends to details of nearby reconnaissance and
makes the necessary divisions of his command.
If cavalry has been attached to advance guard it is, of course, not to
be used as independent cavalry. It usually has the function of gaining
contact with the enemy to the front or exposed flank. After gaining
touch it reconnoiters the enemy’s flanks, and may operate against
his “flank and rear.” If there are friendly troops within its range,
especially if it is marching to join them, the advance cavalry should
maintain contact with them. The advance cavalry should not duplicate
the work of the independent cavalry when there is such.
The advance cavalry should generally proceed in one body toward the
place where the enemy is supposed to be. After contact is gained it
will work around his flanks.
It is the duty of the cavalry or other mounted troops with the advance
guard to establish contact and to keep in touch with the flank guard
(if there is such), with the escort of the trains if these are marching
by separate road, with the independent cavalry, with any friendly
troops in the vicinity (especially if a junction with them is to be
effected), and with the enemy. These duties should be specified in
orders.
The important features of the terrain to be considered by the advance
guard commander are: those affecting reconnaissance, such as branch and
parallel roads, woods, hills, ridges, etc., those which may impede the
march, such as road grades and surfaces, woods, bridges, streams and
defiles; those bearing on attack and defense, including the foregoing,
also towns, fences, etc., and exceptionally, artillery positions and
camp sites.
The commander of the advance guard may be with the supreme commander at
the head of the reserve. Otherwise he will be between the support and
reserve or with the support. The support commander is usually with the
advance party.
_Miscellaneous duties of advance guards._ On halting it is the duty
of an advance guard to put out temporary or march outposts. This must
never be neglected. (See also Chap. X.) On entering a hostile town the
advance guard should seize the railroad, post, telephone and telegraph
offices.
All possible methods by which the inhabitants might communicate with
the enemy, whether wire, road or rail, should be controlled. If the
local means of communication and transportation are not already under
military control the supreme commander will issue the necessary orders
for their regulation with a view to the service and safety of the armed
forces. Civilians, especially if mounted or in automobiles, should
not be allowed to precede the advance guard or advance cavalry, either
on the route of march or any parallel route. If overtaken on the march
they are compelled to remain in rear. Neglect of this precaution,
especially in hostile territory or near the frontier, may result in
information of the numbers and movements of the troops being furnished
to the enemy.
An advance guard must act aggressively in brushing aside small bodies
of the enemy so that the march may not be delayed. Each part of an
advance guard should try to handle any hostile force of less strength
than itself without causing larger bodies in rear to deploy, thus
delaying the march.
The conduct of an advance guard on encountering the enemy in force,
must be governed by the circumstances and the mission of the command as
a whole. If the latter be on the aggressive this will usually warrant
aggressive action by the advance guard. Nevertheless the advance guard
must be cautious about risking its own defeat and possibly that of
the main body also, by becoming too deeply involved in a combat with
a greatly superior force before the main body is up. If the strength
of the enemy is unknown the advance guard may make a reconnaissance in
force to develop him. It is not necessary to attempt to push home an
attack if this appears too risky. If fire superiority can be gained the
advance guard can then press the attack vigorously, being watchful,
however, of its flanks. (See also Chaps. XI and XIII.)
Avoid intricate maneuvers and wide turning movements. Go straight at
the enemy. The advance guard should not uncover the front of the main
body.
If the support has been deployed in driving out the enemy, time may
be saved by pushing out a new support from the undeployed reserve on
resuming the march.
Do not deploy a large part of the force when fired on by a small body
of the enemy. Otherwise the march may be unnecessarily delayed.
In passing a bridge or defile it is advisable to send strong infantry
flank guards well out in order to drive out any hostiles on the flanks.
A cavalry advance guard, on account of its great flexibility of gaits
may use the method of “successive bounds” for its advance. (See
“Patrolling.”)
OUTLINE OF SOLUTION OF SMALL ADVANCE GUARD PROBLEM.
_Estimate of Situation_: (By advance guard commander.)
1. Have you any special mission besides that usual to an advance guard,
if so what measures does it call for?
2. What forces are likely to oppose you, infantry, cavalry, artillery?
How about their distances from critical points as compared to yours,
and their probable movements?
3. _Terrain._ (a) Consider the network of roads, specifically those by
which you may advance, those available for flank guards or patrols,
those by which enemy may approach. (b) Other features affecting
reconnaissance. (c) Features affecting facility of march. (d) Features
bearing on questions of attack and defense.
4. How shall the cavalry be used? The order of importance is (a)
Advance cavalry. (b) Mounted point. (c) Nearby reconnaissance. (d)
Flank reconnaissance. If there is a mission for cavalry outside of
sphere of support commander use as advance cavalry--generally if
contact with enemy has not been gained, or there is an important point
in front to be seized. Do not use a relatively weak force as advance
cavalry.
5. _Distribution of troops._ As much cavalry as possible should
be assigned to the advance cavalry. The support should be made
sufficiently large to provide for all necessary patrolling both mounted
and dismounted, as well as for resistance. The necessary mounted men
for nearby reconnaissance should be attached to the support. Dismounted
patrolling is the special function of the advance party. To the reserve
are assigned all troops not specially required elsewhere.
6. _Starting times._ Advance cavalry, starts at ______, proceeding via
______. Support will clear such point by ______. Reserve in order of
march will start from camp at ______ (or head of reserve will pass such
point at ______). Field trains usually join those of main body, forming
on a branch road to wait for their arrival.
7. _March_--how regulated--depends on size of fractions.
8. _Orders._ One order issued as late as practicable (or about 10 p.
m.) preceding night is best. But if there is apt to be a change in
situation over night, issue assembly order (except in small advance
guard) and reserve march order for morning. Complicated orders should
not be issued late at night, usually not after 10 p. m. An assembly
order may be issued somewhat later, say up to 11 p. m.
_Advance Guard Order (verbal) for a Battalion._ (See Gettysburg-Antietam
Map.)
Verbally to co. commanders, staff, and commander of m. g. company.
“The enemy is believed to have a bn. in NEW OXFORD guarding supplies
in the village and the railroad bridge over the LITTLE CONEWAGO, three
quarters of a mile northwest thereof, and to have several bns. in
GETTYSBURG.
The remainder of our brigade should reach YORK SPRINGS by 10 a. m.
today.
Our regiment advances today to break the railroad west of NEW OXFORD
and to destroy the supplies in the town. Our mounted patrols have been
sent early this morning to GRANITE HILL and towards NEW OXFORD.
The 1st Bn. reinforced by the machine gun company and seven mounted
orderlies will constitute the advance guard under my command.
Cos. A and B with 7 mtd. orderlies will constitute the support, under
command of Capt. A. Lieuts. X and Y will report to Capt. A to command
patrols.
The support will clear the crossroads at BOWLDER at 5:58 a. m.
preceding the reserve by 500 yds. and marching via ______ on NEW OXFORD.
The reserve, in order of march, Co. C, the machine gun company, Co. D,
will start from the crossroads at BOWLDER at 6:04 a. m., preceding the
main body by 600 yds.
The field trains will join those of the regiment in camp by 6:15 a. m.
Messages to head of support.”
Report of dispositions to regimental commander.
_Assembly Order._
Advance Guard, 1st Div., 1st Army Corps,
Farmhouse of ______ near ______
Field Orders } 8 Aug., '12, 10:00 p. m.
No. -- }
Geological Survey Map.
1. Organizations will, tomorrow, be ready to march from their
respective camps as follows:
1st Inf.; 8 Mtd. orderlies, 2d, Inf.; Co. A, 1st Engrs. (less mtd.
detch.) at 5:30 a. m.
2d Inf. (less 8 mtd. orderlies); 1st Cav. (less Tr. A); 1st Bn. 1st L.
A.; mtd. detch. Co. A, 1st Engrs., at 6:20 a. m.
2. Supports of the outpost will remain in position until further
orders. 6 Mtd. orderlies, 3d Inf. will join the reserve at ______ at
7:00 a. m.
3. Field trains of the 3d Inf. will be at crossroads ______ by 5:45 a.
m.
4. Orders will be issued at the JOHN SMITH farmhouse at 5:15 a. m.
A,
Brig. Gen.
Dictated to officers detailed to receive. (Record names and
organizations.)
Report of dispositions to division commander.
The march orders for an entire command are quite similar to those for
an advance guard.
Following is an example of a reinforced brigade acting as advance guard
to a division:
6 troopers. Tr. A, 1st Cav. (Mounted point)
½ to 1 mile
Sergt. and 1 squad, Co. A, 1st Inf. (Infantry point)
250 yards.
Lieut, and 2 plats., Co. A, 1st Inf. (less 1 squad)
500 yds.
1 plat., Tr. A, 1st Cav. (less 6 troopers)
1st Bn., 1st Inf. (less 2 plats.) (Advance party)
M. G. Co., 1st Inf.
600 yds.
1st Inf. (less 1 bn. and m. g. co.) (Support)
1 radio sec. pack, Sig.
800 yds.
1st Bn., 2nd Inf. (Reserve)
1st Bn., 1st L. A.
2d Inf. (less 1 bn.)
3d Inf.
Co. A, 1st Engrs.
1st Amb. Co.
1 to 2 miles
1st Division (less advance guard) (Main body)
(See also Fig. XV)
The foregoing indicates the approximate distances between elements of
varying sizes in advance guards of any strength up to a brigade.
_A Battalion_ with 10 mounted orderlies and a machine gun platoon, as
advance guard:
4 Mtd. orderlies (Mtd. point)
¾ mile.
Sergeant & 8 men, Co. A (Inf. point)
250 yds.
Co. A (less Sgt. and 1 (Adv. Party)
squad) and 6 Mtd.
orderlies.
(Adv. Gd. Commander)
400 to 500 yds.
1st Bn. (less Co. A) (Support)
1 Plat. M. G. Co.
ADVANCE GUARD ORDER FOR A REINFORCED BRIGADE.
Advance Guard, 1st Div., 1st Blue Army Corps,
EMMITSBURG, MD.,
Field Orders, } 20 Nov., '12--9:30 p. m.
No. -- }
Gettysburg-Antietam 3" Map.
1. Our independent cavalry is north of LITTLESTOWN tonight. The enemy’s
columns halted east of NEW OXFORD and BRUSHTOWN this afternoon,
and outposted the line of the LITTLE CONEWAGO. The advance of our
2d Division reaches BOYD SCHOOL, north of GETTYSBURG, about noon
tomorrow. Our division marches on GETTYSBURG tomorrow, via the
EMMITSBURG-GETTYSBURG Road.
2. The Advance Guard is ordered to precede the main body by 1½ miles.
TROOPS
(a) Advance Cavalry:
Capt. B
Tr. A, 1st Cav. (less 1 plat.)
(b) Support:
Col. C
1st Inf.
1 plat., Tr. A, 1st Cav.
(less 6 troopers)
Co. A, 1st Engrs.
(c) Reserve, in order
of march:
6 troopers, Tr. A, 1st Cav.
2d Inf. (less 2 bns.)
1st Bn., 1st L. A. (less C. Tn.)
2 bns. 2d Inf.
3d Inf.
C. Tn., 1st Bn., 1st L. A.
1st Amb. Co.
3. (a) The Advance Cavalry will move out at 6:30 a. m. to the vicinity
of ROUND TOP, whence it will connect with our independent cavalry, and
the 2d Division, and reconnoiter towards NEW OXFORD and BRUSHTOWN.
(b) The Support will clear FLAT RUN (first stream northeast of
EMMITSBURG) at 7:00 a. m., marching by the GETTYSBURG Road.
(c) The Reserve will follow at 1,000 yards.
(x) The Outpost Troops will close in on the line of march in time to
take their place in column. The mtd. orderlies, 3d Inf., will join the
Reserve in FAIRPLAY at 8:10 a. m.
4. The Field Trains (less those of 3d Inf.) will cross the highway to
the west immediately after the departure of the last troops from camp.
All field trains will assemble by 8:00 a. m. on the country road
diagonally 200 to 500 yards west of the highway with the head of column
at the entrance, on the country road, to EMMITSBURG. They will take
their proper place in the division trains when these come up.
The wagons of the 3rd Inf. will be southwest of EMMITSBURG by 6:30 a. m.
5. Messages to the Support.
A,
Brig. Gen.
Dictated to staff and representatives of:
Tr. A, 1st Cav. 1st Bn., 1st L. A.
Co. A, 1st Engrs. 1st Amb. Co.
1st Inf. Outpost
2d Inf. F. Tn.
3d Inf.
Copy to C. G., 1st Div., by mtd. messenger.