1. They should be always _near enough to the main body to be supported
by it_, if hard pressed, and also to enable the main body to profit at
once of any advantage that may have been gained by them.
2. They should _cover the main body_, both in front and in flank, except
where the ground may render this impracticable or unnecessary; and, in
defensive positions, they should occupy every point from which the
enemy's skirmishers might annoy us.
3. In a defensive combat, they should be so posted as to take the
enemy's attack _in flank_:
(1.) Because their fire will be thus the more destructive; and--
(2.) They will not be exposed to be driven back by the enemy's fire, or
by his advance.
4. If thrown into an enclosure, they must have _an easy exit_.
Skirmishers feeling themselves in danger of being cut off, will lose
somewhat of that coolness which is so essential to their efficiency.
5. They should not be kept stationary _behind a straight line_, as a
wall, a fence, or a hedge; for this would expose them to enfilade.
6. Skirmishers are only auxiliary to the main force, and are not
capable, by themselves, of effecting any decisive result. Therefore, in
order not to exhaust the men, _heavy_ skirmishing lines should not be
used, except to lead a decided advance, or to repel one.
7. The principle is, to post skirmishers so as to give them the _maximum
of shelter_, whilst inflicting the _maximum of loss_ on the enemy. This
applies to the placing of the whole line, and to the separate groups.
The way skirmishers produce their effect is by sharpshooting, which
requires calmness; and the more completely sheltered they are, the
calmer they will be, and the more deadly will be their aim.