WHEN THE PICQUET IS ATTACKED.
_By Day._
The first to be done is to report what is going on, and in a
mountainous and woody country at the same time to acquaint the
Picquets on the flanks with it. After this the Picquet advances, but
in such a manner that it cannot be cut off, and begins to skirmish.
It will seldom be practicable or suitable to advance farther than the
chain of Videttes. Is the Officer obliged to retire, it must be done
as slow as possible, to gain time for the Corps to turn out. If the
Commander of the Picquet has previously fixed upon places where to
make a stand, as prescribed in Section II., it is now time to make
use of them, when he has retired so far. The best way for cavalry to
defend a bridge, ravine, or ford, is the following (fig. 2):
[Illustration: _Fig. 2._]
When the Picquet has been obliged to retire three or four hundred
yards to the bridge, the Officer is to gallop over it with the same,
and to post himself in A, as close as possible, with his right flank
on it, leaving the passage open. As soon as his skirmishers see that
he has taken up his position, and that the passage over the bridge is
open, they likewise gallop over it, and face about again in B. The
Enemy will certainly halt, and if he pushes on, those in A have only
to cut him down as he is not in a state of defence, being obliged to
expose his left flank: those in B charge likewise, or fire upon him
at eight yards' distance. In this manner the Enemy must halt, and is
obliged to retire a little, in order to throw skirmishers in C, to
drive away the Picquet by their fire. However, time is gained by this,
on which sometimes the honor and welfare of the Corps depend. This
consideration only could induce me to be so circumstantial upon this
subject.
When the Picquets on the flanks are not attacked at the same time,
they can be sometimes of service in acting upon the Enemy's flanks;
yet the nature of the ground must not endanger them to be cut off.
But however favorable the ground may often be, it appears sometimes
surprising to see that the nearest Picquets frequently do not
undertake anything on such occasions, and behave exactly as if the
whole business did not concern them at all.
In general, it is a rule that the Picquets that are not attacked,
retire in a line with those engaged.
_By Night._
It is mentioned in Section VII. that when the Videttes have fired
their fire-arms, they must gallop back by the road pointed out to
them. It is of the highest importance to instruct the night Videttes,
that, in case the Enemy should rapidly attack them, they are not to
retire towards the Picquet, but a hundred and fifty yards to the right
or left of it, firing constantly in the meantime, and trying by these
means to mislead the Enemy, and draw him after them. The Picquet
hereby gains time to mount, and to fall in the Enemy's flank and rear,
with a great noise, who will certainly suspect to have fallen in an
ambush, be puzzled, and perhaps lose some prisoners. Immediately after
this attack is made, it will be best to fall back again on the road
fixed upon for a retreat. It is therefore necessary to show the men
in the day the road which the Videttes are to take, when they are
attacked in the night, and likewise whereabout they are to rejoin the
Picquet. The other part of the retreat is nearly the same as in the
day, with this difference only, that there cannot be skirmishers in
front, but only two or three men at the head. It is necessary to fire
as much as possible, but wherever a stand can be made, an obstinate
defence is desirable. It is unnecessary to remark that a report is to
be sent as soon as attacked.
II. ADVANCED GUARD.
_By Day._
Suppose the same consists of one Officer, two Non-commissioned
officers, and twenty-four men, the officer commanding tells them off
as in fig. 3.
[Illustration: _Fig. 3._]
This gives an extension of 1,500 yards, which is sufficient for
twenty-four men. If the column is larger, the Advanced Guard is
likewise stronger and more extended. A rule is, that the Advanced
Guard should take up so much ground, that when it discovers the enemy,
the column has sufficient time to form and make dispositions, either
for attacking or retiring. The several divisions of the Advanced Guard
must always keep their support in sight, and be careful to preserve
the same distances. When the column halts, the Advanced Guard does the
same, but the three men at the head instantly occupy the neighbouring
heights, in case the enemy should be within four or five hundred
yards.
If the Advanced Guard comes to a wood which is supposed to be 2,000
yards broad, the Sergeant reinforces the three men at the head with
six more, who extend themselves so far to the right and left as to be
in line with the first three, that they can see each other, and what
is concealed between them, and he follows with the two men left him,
the three men in advance on the road. Should the wood be too large,
the Officer must send two men to the right, and as many to the left,
round it, who are carefully to examine whether they can see the traces
of troops marched into the wood, which is to be immediately reported.
The column halts until this is ascertained.
Generally only two men march at the heads, but this is wrong; there
ought to be three, whose duty is the following: Is a height in front,
the centre man of the three trots on until he can look over it; if
there is one to the right or left of the road, one of the other two
men does the same. Near an enemy this must always be done, supposed
even that the hill is 1500 or 2000 yards distance. Men that go on
the top of a hill to reconnoitre in this manner, (they may belong to
an Advanced Guard or a Patrol,) must proceed more carefully than is
generally done. As a great deal depends upon seeing the Enemy, and
not to be seen by him, they must, when nearly on the top of the hill,
take off the cap, and only go as high as just to be able to look over;
this produces the great advantage, that the Commanding Officer may
observe the marching Enemy, and make his arrangements accordingly for
a retreat, an attack, or an ambuscade. All these advantages are lost
when the Enemy discovers us.
Should the march be directed towards a village, one man goes round
it to the right, the other to the left, and the third through it, if
the situation of the village permits to do so. The Non-Commissioned
Officer of the Advanced Guard also trots on until he arrives near the
village, and reinforces the men going through it with three more; one
of these four men goes to the right, the other to the left, through
the bye-roads; two men proceed through the middle of it, at such a
distance from each other, that the hindmost always keep in sight the
one before him. Should these men in patrolling the village find no
inhabitants, they are to look into the windows, ride into the yards,
and examine carefully if perhaps the Enemy concealed himself; those
going round the village look at the entrances to see if Troops marched
into the village. The Sergeant, with his men, follows slowly; when he
has passed through the village he collects his men, sends three men
again at the head, and reports to his Officer, who has halted behind
the village, that the same is patrolled, &c.
It is unnecessary to observe, that these and other precautionary
measures are not requisite when the Enemy cannot be expected.
_By Night._
The Advanced Guard is told off as by day, but the distances between
the several divisions must not be as large. The Officer's Division
is a hundred yards from the column, the Sergeant a hundred from the
Officer's, and the head fifty from the Sergeant's party. Between these
Divisions, single men are to ride, who can see each other, to prevent
the communication being lost.
If an Advanced Guard is unexpectedly attacked during the night,
or meets with the Enemy, it has no other choice but instantly to
fall upon him. The Non-Commissioned Officer must be instructed to
disperse, in such a case, to the right and left, and to fire as much
as possible; but the Officer advances rapidly with his Division, and
charges. This is the only way to give time to the column to prepare
for an attack. It is an unpardonable fault in an Advanced Guard to
be frightened, and to retire upon the column, every thing will then
be in confusion, and it would have been better, if there had been no
Advanced Guard at all; but if it advanced with intrepidity the column
has time.
Should the Advanced Guard be obliged, by a superior force, to retire,
after having fought bravely, this retreat ought to be made on either
side of the Column, but never on the Column, because the latter would
be fired upon, and the confusion increased.
On all these subjects the men should be previously well instructed.
Every Commanding Officer of a detached party must consider it as one
of his first duties to give clear and circumstantial instructions to
his men, without which they will frequently act contrary to his ideas,
even with the best intention.
III. REAR GUARD
Is told off in separate divisions, the same as an Advance Guard, only
in reverse order (fig. 4.)
[Illustration: _Fig. 4._]
The object of a Rear Guard is to prevent the enemy's approaching the
column unperceived; two men in the Rear are sufficient, but these must
be picked men. When the march is undisturbed, they often halt on the
heights so as just to be able to look over to the rear, to discover
the enemy. When a mountain is near, the Officer will do well to ride
on the top of it, and to look about the country with his spy-glass.
If the enemy follows closely with a few men, to see the strength of
our column, it is to be tried to lead them into an ambuscade, and
to make prisoners, or to drive them off. But in case the Rear is
attacked, it is instantly to be supported by the Serjeant's Troop,
and this by the Officer's Troop, which both immediately advance for
that purpose, in order not to allow the enemy to come too near the
Column. The Commanding Officer of the Column will then support him,
or give directions to retire slowly. If the enemy follows with a
more considerable force, suppose one squadron, _without_ attacking,
the Rear Guard will follow the Column in the subsequent manner. When
the Column is a thousand yards distant from the Officer's Troop, he
trots on to the ordinary distance of five hundred yards, halts, and
fronts; as soon as the Serjeant sees that the Officer has fronted, he
trots on to five hundred yards' distance from the Officer, and fronts
likewise, the two men in the rear trot on to the same distance from
the Serjeant's Troop. In this manner the Rear alternately follows the
Column, which prevents the enemy from coming too near; at the same
time an engagement is avoided, and the horses saved. Whenever the
Column halts, the different parties face towards the enemy.
At night, the Rear Guard behaves in the same manner as prescribed for
the Advanced Guard; that is to say, the intervals between the several
Troops are to be shorter, and a sufficient number of single men placed
in them not to lose sight of the Column and each other.
IV. PATROLS.
SECTION I.
SIDE PATROLS.
Patrols are detached on the Flanks, when the enemy can disturb the
Flanks of the column. They are placed in the following manner (fig. 5):
[Illustration: _Fig. 5._]
The two men in A must not only from time to time communicate with the
Advanced Guard--that is to say, one of them incline to the left until
he can see it--but the other, when there is a height near, even at a
thousand yards' distance, must ride so far on the top of it that he
can look over. When attacked, Side Patrols behave as Advanced and Rear
Guards. They meet the enemy, and do not suffer him to come too near
the Column.
When a Side Patrol meets with a wood in the direction of its march,
the disposition is altered (fig. 6).
[Illustration: _Fig. 6._]
The officer detaches the Serjeant's Troop to the right, the Corporal's
and four men to the left, and himself remains with his men in the
centre. The Serjeant sends two men to the skirts of the wood; these
must look at the tracks, and one of them ride on a height, if any is
near; the remainder divide themselves to the left of these two men, at
such a distance that they can keep each other in sight. The Corporal
divides his men in the same manner from the Right Flank of the Column
to the Officer's Troop. If the Officer perceives that these two lines
are not extensive enough to cover the ground towards his Troop, he
detaches a sufficient number of men to the right and left to form a
perfect line, which line must be careful never to get at the head of
the Column. The Non-commissioned officers endeavor to keep their men
in the same line with the Officer's Division.
It sometimes excites pity to see the men unnecessarily gallop
and fatigue their horses on such occasions, only from want of
instructions, without doing more good than they would have done at a
walk.
SECTION II.
PATROLLING A WOOD.
This is done in the same manner as if (Section I.,) a Side Patrol
meets with a wood, with the difference that two men are likewise sent
round to the left extremity of the wood.
SECTION III.
PATROLS OF DISCOVERY
Consists generally of a pretty considerable force, to be enabled to
defend themselves against a small hostile party or patrol, and are
sent for the purpose of ascertaining whether a certain place is in the
Enemy's possession, whether he is on the move against us, or whether
a certain district is occupied by him. Such a Patrol marches, after
having passed the chain of Videttes, with the ordinary precautions of
having three men for Advanced, and two for Rear Guard, and sends, in
case the country requires it, one man to the right, and another to the
left, on the heights.
As not unfrequently the safety, but also the attainment of the object
for which the Patrol was sent out, depends upon its not being seen by
the Enemy, before the Patrol has discovered him, it is of the utmost
importance to instruct the men at the head very accurately, they must
not merely be satisfied with looking before them, but look at the
tracks of the cross-roads very minutely, and mount every hill with
caution, &c.
If this is done, the Patrol will sometimes have opportunities to make
prisoners. When a Patrol sees the Enemy advance towards it with not
too strong a force, it must try to conceal itself and rapidly attack
the unsuspecting enemy: he will get into confusion, fly, and perhaps
lose some prisoners. If the Enemy has been discovered before, but is
too strong, the Patrol retires: is perhaps not seen by him at all; and
circumstances may allow that it is able to continue its march, and to
obtain the object of its first destination. All these advantages are
lost when the Enemy discovers it.
A Patrol must never enter a village or wood until it has been
explored; but this is to be managed in such a way that the Patrol is
not delayed: for the leader of it must not forget that the Officer who
sent him out calculates the time of his return: if he does not come
back near that time, he that sent him will get apprehensive, and send
another Patrol after him, whereby men and horses are fatigued, which
would have been avoided had the Leader of the Patrol been active in
the performance of his duty.
If a village is to be passed at night, which the Enemy can be expected
to have occupied, the Patrol is to halt (about five or six hundred
yards) on the side of it. When no Videttes of the Enemy are visible,
a few men are sent to the right and left, who approach gradually
to ascertain whether the entrances of the village are occupied by
Infantry, and to try to find an inhabitant, whom they bring to the
Patrol, or listen whether they can hear anything. If nothing can be
learned by these means, the Patrol proceeds with the same precautions
as mentioned in a former Section.
If a Patrol is ordered to ascertain by night, whether and how a
village is occupied, three of the best horses are to be picked out for
the head, eight men are to follow at twenty-four yards' distance,
and the remainder of the Patrol follows at a hundred yards' distance:
in this manner the Enemy's Vidette must be approached, without the
least noise; as soon as the Vidette challenges, the advance of the
Patrol must go on at full speed to take him prisoner. Should they be
unsuccessful in this, the eleven men, together rapidly attack the
Picquet, to bring off a prisoner, with whom they retire. The alarm
will be given in the village, to a certainty, and the sounding of a
trumpet or the beating of drums will enable us to judge by what Troops
it is occupied. If a Patrol goes so far that it is obliged to feed the
horses, it should never be done in a village, but in an open country
under some trees, and Videttes are to be placed during the time.
If it is necessary to get provisions and forage out of villages, they
are to be brought out.
On such occasions, as on all others, the inhabitants are to be treated
with politeness, and to rob them of anything deserves the severest
punishment, and it is but natural if they betray such unpleasant
guests to the Enemy.
If guides are required, or inquiries made after a road, more than one
must be inquired after, to leave the people in uncertainty which road
the Patrol means to take. Guides that are sent home are best to be led
astray, by marching a wrong way until they are out of sight.
SECTION IV.
SECRET PATROLS.
These only consist of a few men, six or eight, and are generally
sent on the flanks, and sometimes in the rear of the Enemy's Army,
without the knowledge of the Enemy; are to go now and then at a great
distance; and are to remain for a considerable time, to make the
necessary observations; therefore this is the most difficult duty for
Light Cavalry.
Many rules laid down for other Patrols are likewise here applicable.
A Patrol of this kind marches without Advanced and Rear Guard, and,
if the country should require it, only one man rides on the heights
without showing himself. If the Patrol proceeds so far, that it
is obliged to march with great precaution, it must quit the great
roads wherever it is possible, and take its march by bye-roads, deep
valleys, &c., &c., to reach unseen the place of its destination. A
Guide on horseback will be of great service to such a Patrol; but he
is to be paid for it, and treated well. When feeding the horses, it
must go off the road into a bush or wood, and one man climbs up a
tree to keep a look-out. If anything hostile approaches, the Patrol
escapes without noise, and chooses another place of concealment until
it can proceed by roundabout ways without danger. A fire can only be
lighted with great caution, but it is better to avoid that entirely.
If an inhabitant accidentally meets with the Patrol at night, he must
remain with it until the march is continued. Should a Secret Patrol
be discovered by the Enemy, notwithstanding all precautions, it must
fly; as soon as the enemy gives up the pursuit, it must make attempts,
by roundabout ways, to get notwithstanding, to the spot where its
commission can be carried into execution.
This sometimes succeeds beyond expectation. A well-informed and clever
officer is particularly required for this kind of duty; who speaks
the language of the country, and has a knowledge of the customs,
habits, hopes, and fears of the inhabitants. Such a one will be secure
close to the Enemy, and be able to give the most certain and best
intelligence.
It is to be remarked, that if the Leader of a Patrol, when returned,
cannot answer the following questions about the roads he passed, viz:
Are they rocky, sandy, or boggy?
How many rivers and rivulets he passed; and the distances from one to
the other?
Are the banks of them bold, or only an impediment, &c.?
How many bridges lead over them? wooden or massive?
Are fords beside those bridges, passable at every season for Cavalry,
Infantry, or Artillery, &c.?
How many villages are on the road, and what are their names, and the
distances from one to the other?
Does the road go through wood; or is it at some distance; apparently
how large, and what kind?
he has lost sight of a principal point of his duty.
The foregoing Instructions can only be considered as a sketch of the
duties of the Light Cavalry. The young, yet inexperienced soldier may
look upon it as an introduction to his duties; he can only expect to
acquire accomplishments by his own reflections and exertions.
AN ABRIDGMENT
OF
COLONEL ARENTSCHILDT'S
INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFICERS AND NON-COMMISSIONED
OFFICERS OF LIGHT CAVALRY;
BY
LIEUT.-COLONEL THE HON. F. PONSONBY,
Twelfth Light Dragoons.
INSTRUCTIONS
FOR
OFFICERS AND NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS OF CAVALRY, ON OUTPOST DUTY.
PICQUET.
1. The Officer commanding a Picquet should have the Names and
Regiments of the men written down: he should inspect their arms and
Ammunition; he should see that they are provided with Provisions and
Forage, and should thoroughly understand the Orders which he receives.
2. On the march to where the Picquet is to be stationed, the country
should be examined, and the places where a stand could be made in case
the Picquet should be attacked, ought to be particularly observed. It
is of the utmost importance to give the corps time to turn out, and
the Commander of a Picquet who retires at full speed, with the Enemy
at his heels, deserves the severest punishment. He must retire as
slowly as possible, and constantly skirmish.
3. Upon arriving at the spot chosen for the Picquet, the Officer
should ascertain the number of Videttes necessary, by observing
the roads and hills in front; he should then place them in such a
manner that they can each see what is coming towards the Picquet, and
at the same time observe one another. In the mean time the Picquet
should dismount, placing one Sentry a little in advance; and as soon
as the Videttes are placed, two-thirds of the Picquet may unbridle.
The Officer should make a little sketch, marking the roads, rivers,
bridges, or fords, morasses, cavities, hollow roads, mountains, woods,
towns, villages, and their distances. An officer cannot feel confident
for the security of his post, unless he has acquired an exact
knowledge of the country.
4. The principal rules for posting a Picquet at night, are to advance
it two or three miles in front of the main body, behind a bridge,
ravine, wood, or bog, through which the road may pass, to place
Videttes in front, and on the flanks, and to send out Patrols of two
or three men each at half an hour's interval. Sometimes a man should
dismount and listen with his ear to the ground, by which means he
will hear the march of Troops at a great distance. This precaution
is necessary in stormy weather. Upon coming by night to a new spot,
Patrols should be sent out in every direction before the Videttes are
placed.
5. If the Enemy is near, no fire should be lighted, the post should
be frequently changed, one-half of the Picquet should be mounted, one
hundred yards in advance, and the other half should keep the bridles
in their hands.
6. Upon relieving a Picquet, the new one should form in the rear of
the old, the Videttes should be relieved, and the detail of duties
should be thoroughly explained to the non-commissioned Officers and
Privates. The Commander of the old Picquet should deliver over to the
new one all written Orders, and the verbal Orders should be written
down and signed by the Officer relieved: he should likewise inform
him to whom reports are to be made, and give him every information
he has relative to the Enemy, the Patrols, the Country, &c., and the
night posts should be pointed out. At the relief of the Videttes, both
officers of the old and new Picquet should be present, and listen
to the instructions given by the old Vidette to the new one. These
instructions should be from what part of the country the Enemy may be
expected, where the neighbouring Videttes are stationed, in order to
be able to repeat their signals. A Vidette should never move from the
spot upon which he is placed, as the difference of a yard may prevent
his observing, or being observed, at a great distance.
7. A dismounted Sentry should be placed in front of the Picquet, where
he can observe the movements of the different Videttes. One-third of
the horses must always be bridled up, and be ready to advance; the
men must not take off their swords or belts; one-half may sleep in
the middle of the day, the other half in the afternoon, so that they
may be all perfectly alert at night. The men must not be allowed to
leave the Picquet, or to go into the villages, or houses, in the
neighborhood. When the men water their horses, they must bridle them
up, and take everything with them; in short, a Picquet must be always
ready for an attack in half a minute.
PATROLS.
8. In sending out Patrols, the following Rules should be observed: The
First should go out in the morning in time for it to arrive at its
destination before daybreak, where it should remain until the Officer
who commands it has had time to go to some rising ground and look over
the country. The Second at Ten. The Third at Two. The Fourth towards
Evening. And the Fifth at midnight. This arrangement, however, depends
upon the distance of the Enemy, except the morning Patrol, which is
to go under all circumstances. A Patrol, in returning, should look
often to the rear, as the Enemy frequently succeeds in following a
negligent Patrol. The Non-commissioned Officer should be particularly
careful not to allow the men to fatigue their horses; if it should be
necessary to feed, it should never be done in a village, but in an
open country, and a Vidette should be placed during the time. No man
should be permitted to leave his horse for a moment, and any man who
attempts to use an inhabitant of the country ill, or to take anything
from the town by force, must be severely punished.
9. The time for the Picquet to go to the Night Post is when it becomes
too dark for the Videttes to see at any distance. They are then called
in, and the position for the night taken up. In case of any desertion,
or that there are apprehensions of being betrayed to the enemy, by the
inhabitants or spies, the Picquet should change its ground, but the
Videttes remain.
At night the Videttes must be relieved every hour and visited every
half hour. The Videttes should at all times be double if possible. In
foggy weather, and when it is very dark, the double Videttes should
patrol among themselves, and communicate with one another. When the
Enemy is near, the following measure contributes not only to security,
but is the best method of knowing when the enemy is on the move: A few
men should patrol during the night beyond the chain of Videttes in
different directions, and as near the enemy as they can unperceived;
they should then dismount and listen with the ear to the ground.
10. Every person attempting to pass the Outpost must be detained till
the morning. After the morning Patrol has returned, or has reported
that all is well, the Picquet should take up its position for the day.
11. Videttes should be placed by day on a high ground, so as to have
an extensive view, but if possible near a rock or tree, so as not
to be perceived by the Enemy; when the Videttes are placed in such
a manner that they can overlook their front, see each other and the
ground between them, so that nothing can pass unperceived, they are
placed as they ought to be.
12. By night, Videttes are taken off the hills and placed on the
roads, behind fords, bridges, ravines, &c.; they should be placed at
the bottom of hills, so that any object moving at the top would be
easily perceived. They should by no means be advanced further than
that their firing can be distinctly heard by the Picquet.
13. When a Vidette observes anything suspicious on the side of the
Enemy, such as the glittering of arms, rising of dust, &c., he is
to move his horse round in a circle at a walk; the Officer should
instantly proceed with a Corporal and four men to the Vidette; and
examine with his glass, or by a Patrol, thoroughly into the cause,
after which he must make his report. If the Vidette observes Troops
marching towards him, but at a great distance, he is to ride the
circle in a trot; the officer acts as in the former case. If the Enemy
should approach the Vidette at no great distance, he is to ride the
circle at a gallop. The Officer should advance with his whole Picquet;
his further duty is prescribed in Par. 15. If the Enemy is so near the
Videttes that they are obliged to gallop to the Picquets for their own
security, they should fire their Carbines or Pistols. By night, if
the Videttes hear a suspicious noise, even at a great distance, such
as the rattling of Carriages, barking of dogs, or if they observe any
fire, one of them should instantly report the circumstances to the
officer of the Picquet, in order that it may be inquired into by a
Patrol. If any one should approach the Videttes, they must challenge,
and desire the person or persons to halt till the Officer is informed.
Should the person refuse to halt, being twice challenged in a loud
voice, the Vidette is to fire. Great caution must be observed by night
if a Deserter should come from the Enemy, the Videttes must not let
him approach too near; they must make him halt till the Officer comes
up. By day, the Vidette is to make a signal to the sentry of the
Picquet, should a Deserter approach, and a party will be immediately
sent to receive him.
FLAG OF TRUCE.
14. No person coming from the Enemy with a Flag of Truce, is to be
allowed to advance farther than the chain of Videttes. When the
Vidette makes the signal, the Officer of the Picquet should meet
the Flag of Truce with four more, and desire the bearer to halt, if
possible, in a bottom, as the intention is frequently only to make
observations on the position of the Picquet, in order to attack it at
night. If the bearer only brings Letters, a receipt is to be given
to the bearer and sent back; but if he insists upon being allowed
to proceed, further instructions must be obtained from the Officer
commanding the Outposts. A Flag of Truce ought to be treated with the
utmost civility, but no conversation relative to the Army is to be
permitted.
15. When a Picquet is attacked, the Officer is immediately to
communicate with the Picquets on his flank, and with the main body;
he is then to throw out his skirmishers, and if obliged to retire,
it must be done as slowly as possible, to gain time for the corps
to turn out. If the commander of the Picquet should have fixed upon
places where to make a stand, (as recommended in Par. 2,) he will
find the advantage; if it be a bridge, ford, or ravine, he should
act in the following manner: upon approaching the place, suppose a
bridge, he should gallop over it with his Picquet, and form with his
right flank to the Enemy, taking care to leave the passage open. The
skirmishers immediately after gallop over, and form directly fronting
the passage of the bridge, and to the rear of the Picquet; the Enemy
must necessarily halt, in order to drive the Picquet away by their
fire; consequently, time is given to the main body, which is the grand
object. If the Picquets on the flanks should not be attacked at the
same time, they should endeavour, without exposing themselves to be
cut off, to act upon the Enemy's flanks. In general, it is a rule for
the Picquets not attacked to retire in a line with those engaged.
ADVANCED GUARD.
16. If an Officer, two non-commissioned Officers, and twenty-four
Privates, form the Advanced Guard, the Officer should post himself
about five hundred yards in front of the columns, with thirteen men,
a serjeant and eight should be detached five hundred yards in advance
of him, and three men five hundred yards in advance of the whole. The
principle upon which an Advanced Guard, Rear Guard, or Side Patrol is
sent out, is to give time to the column to make dispositions to attack
or retreat, should an Enemy be discovered. The several divisions of
the Advanced Guard must keep their support constantly in view, and
if a wood, village, or ravine appear upon their front or flank, it
must be carefully examined before the column proceeds: at night, the
interval between the divisions of an Advance or Rear Guard, should
be much less than during the day, and a communication should be kept
up between the divisions, by two or three single men placed at such
distances that they can see each other.
17. A great deal of responsibility is left to a non-commissioned
Officer on outpost duty: he has frequently the command of Patrols,
Picquets, &c.; it is therefore necessary for him to obtain a thorough
knowledge of his duty. Unless he has authority to keep up the
strictest discipline, and to make the men under him pay the greatest
attention to all Orders, he is not fit for his situation, and he is
to recollect that the safety and honor of his Regiment may frequently
depend upon the manner in which he executes his duty.
REPORTS.
18. All Officers in command of Picquets, Patrols, &c., must make
written reports of any thing which occurs. There are few occasions
when it is necessary to send a verbal report, and it should, if
possible, be avoided, as it is very difficult to find Non-commissioned
Officers, and Soldiers, who will deliver it correctly. A commander
of a Post or Patrol, must be very cautious not to create unnecessary
alarms; he must report as fully and as correctly as possible. If
he reports the movements of the Enemy, he must recollect that
considerable confusion may arise from saying "to the right," or "to
the left;" he must say, to _our_ right, or to _our_ left, or to "the
ENEMY'S right," or to "the ENEMY'S left." If a Non-commissioned
Officer cannot send a written report, he must explain the message
thoroughly to the Private, and should the latter deliver it
incorrectly, he must expect to be punished.
FINIS.
CONTENTS.
I. ON THE CONDUCT TO BE HELD BY AN OFFICER, OR
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER, ON PICQUET.
SECT. I.--Parading the Picquet, 11
II.--Marching for his destination, 12
III.--If no Picquet was on the spot before, 12
By Day, 12
By Night, 14
IV.--Relieving another Picquet, 15
V.--During his stay on Picquet, 17
By Day, 17
By Night, 19
VI.--Placing of Videttes, 21
By Day, 21
By Night, 22
VII.--Instructions for the Videttes, and what the Officer
commanding the Picquet has to Observe on
their making signals, 23
By Day, 23
By Night, 24
VIII.--On the arrival of a Flag of truce, 25
IX.--Deserters coming from the Enemy, 26
At Daytime, 26
At Night, 27
X.--When the Picquet is attacked, 27
By Day, 27
By Night, 32
II. ADVANCED GUARD.
By Day, 33
By Night, 36
III. REAR GUARD.
Its Object and duties, 39
IV. PATROLS.
SECT. I.--Side Patrols, 41
II.--Patrolling a wood, 45
III.--Patrols of Discovery, 46
IV.--Secret Patrols, 49
ABRIDGMENT BY LIEUT. COLONEL, THE HON. F. PONSONBY.
Picquet, 55
Patrols, 59
Flag of Truce, 63
Advanced Guard, 65
Reports, 67
SCIENCE OF WAR!
TACTICS
FOR
OFFICERS
OF
INFANTRY, CAVALRY AND ARTILLERY.
ARRANGED AND COMPILED BY
L. v. BUCKHOLTZ.
One Volume, 12mo, Price 75 cts. by mail, post paid.
ARMORY, RICHMOND, VA., JAN'Y 8, 1861.
J.W. RANDOLPH--_Dear Sir_:--I have only had time to look over the
Military work of Capt. _Buckholtz_, because of my pressing duties,
yet I am satisfied that, if printed, much valuable information to our
citizen soldiery will be furnished.
The popular works upon military matters, now before the public, are
confined to ordinary drills and parades. What is now wanted, is a
treatise going to show when the various movements of Artillery,
Cavalry, Infantry and Rifle, as taught in their respective drills,
should be used in presence of an enemy,--what grounds should be
selected for battle and encampment--what precautions to be taking when
advancing or retreating--when to act in column--when in line, how
to post the different arms to act most favorably--information most
essential to success, and without which, no matter how personally
brave troops may be, they are exposed to almost certain disaster in
presence of an equal number of well drilled and well manoeuvered
troops, and this information Capt. Buckholtz furnishes in his work.
I have no hesitation in recommending it.
Very respectfully yours,
CHARLES DIMMOCK, Capt., &c., &c.
Published and for sale by
J.W. RANDOLPH, RICHMOND, VA.
Also for sale by Booksellers generally.
NEW MILITARY WORK.
ON
INFANTRY CAMP DUTY, FIELD FORTIFICATION, AND
COAST DEFENSE.
Prepared and arranged by CAPT. L. V. BUCKHOLTZ, with plates,
16mo. muslin. Price 50 cts. by mail, post paid.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
"This is a mere pocket-book in size, but it is crowded with
instruction for military men--instruction gathered and condensed
from the great bulk of works on military science. It encloses grains
of wheat, threshed, as it were, out of the great stack--is simple,
convenient and comprehensive. It is from the pen of Captain Buckholtz,
of this city, a gentleman who has seen service on the continent of
Europe, and who is an accomplished officer."--_Richmond Dispatch._
"We are always pleased to meet with a Southern Book, one written,
printed and bound in our own section by our own people, and we
therefore greet with pleasure two military works now before us, by
Captain Buckholtz, and published by J.W. Randolph, Richmond.
The first is "_On Infantry Camp Duty, Field Fortification, and Coast
Defense_." Under the head of Infantry Camp Duty we are instructed in
out guards, patrols, vanguard, side-guard, rear guard, ambuscade,
surprise, and transports. In Field Fortification we have instructions
on fortifications, regularly constructed forts, attack and defense,
fortresses, and a description of the principal parts of fortified
works.
The chapter on Coast Defense is most excellent.
As an elementary work on the subjects treated, this book has no
superior, and we commend it to our military.
The second book is, "_Tactics for Officers of Infantry, Cavalry,
and Artillery_." This is a most complete military work, comprising
instruction in the three departments of the army, and contains much
information which we have never met with in the popular military works
of the day."--_Norfolk Southern Argus._
Published and for sale by
J.W. RANDOLPH, RICHMOND, VA.
Also for sale by Booksellers generally.