INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE VIDETTES,
And what the Officer Commanding the Picquet has to observe on their
making Signals.
_By Day._
1. When a Vidette discovers anything suspicious on the side of the
enemy, should it be a rising dust or the glittering of arms, he should
move his horse in a circle at a walk. The Officer should instantly
proceed to the Vidette, accompanied by a corporal and four men, and if
he cannot distinctly discover by his spy-glass the cause of the dust,
he should send off the men that accompanied him, as a Patrol, or go
himself; so far that he can report in case he sees Troops, how strong
they are, whether consisting of Cavalry, Infantry, or Artillery,
but particularly in which direction they march. This report must be
dispatched in writing, without the least delay.
The Commander of a Picquet should never omit to report occurrences of
this kind, although they may have no connexion with the security of
his Picquet. Patrols and Picquets must always report the movements of
any body of Troops, even of a small number.
2. If the Videttes observe Troops marching towards them, but yet at
a great distance, they will ride the circle in a trot. The Officer's
duty is, as in 1.
3. If the enemy's Troops come towards the Picquet, and are at only
one English mile distance from it, the Videttes circle in a gallop.
The Officer immediately advances with his whole Picquet. His duty is
prescribed in the paragraph on the Attack of a Picquet.
If the enemy is so near that the Videttes are obliged to gallop to
their Picquets for their own security, they fire their carbines and
pistols in case the Picquet should not have advanced.
_By Night._
1. As soon as the Videttes hear a suspicious noise, even at a great
distance, such as the rattling of carriages or artillery, the barking
of dogs in the villages in front, or if they observe any fire, one of
the Videttes must instantly report it to the Officer of the Picquet,
in order that the circumstances may be inquired into by a Patrol.
2. Should any person approach the Vidette, he must be challenged with
"Who comes there?" so loud that the Picquet and the next Videttes are
able to hear it. If those that approach do not halt upon this, the
Vidette should challenge a second time; if they do not halt, he should
fire, and retire on the road pointed out to him, &c., &c. But if
those that he challenged halt, he cries out "One man dismount!" and at
the same time, "Sergeant advance!" The dismounted man he desires to
approach, but not nearer than three yards, and holds the cocked pistol
directed against him. The Officer of the Picquet must be instantly
there, and examine carefully where the person or persons came from,
who sent them, and what for, (when the enemy has the intention to
surprise a Picquet, he sometimes pretends to be a friendly Patrol,)
to what regiment they belong, the name of their Brigadier, Commanding
Officer and Captains--where their regiment is encamped, &c., &c.; if
they are able readily and justly to answer these questions, they may
pass unmolested, as in that case one may consider it a certainty that
they are no enemies.