CHAP.

XII.

Visiting patrols.

Recon

noitring patrols.

Visiting Patrols are sent out to test the watchfulness of the vedettes; they are used more especially at night and during bad weather, and go as far as the vedettes of the neighbouring picquet, searching the ground directly in front and behind the chain of vedettes. These Patrols consist of only a few men, and sometimes the officer commanding the FieldPiquet will himself accompany them. If the Piquet is scarce of men, the reliefs must be used as Visiting Patrols.

Reconnoitring Patrols are used to reconnoitre the enemy, and the ground before the outposts. They should push forward far enough to see the enemy's chain of sentries, or to ascertain that there is no enemy within reach; they should also discover whether there is any spot which might be used for an ambush. These Patrols must be constantly employed, if the vedettes have not an extensive view over the country round, and are generally sent out at daybreak, and at intervals during the day.

The strength of Reconnoitring Patrols will depend on the object they have in view. The smallest are Secret, or 'Sly' Patrols, which go up to, and through the enemy's vedettes to obtain information regarding his position, or to hear his parole and countersign.

When the features of the ground are involved, a locality should be patrolled at night by the same men who previously patrolled it by day, as from their knowledge of the ground they will be less likely to

miss their way. Visiting and Reconnoitring Patrols will likewise be used to keep up the connection and communication between Field-Piquets and their supports, and also between neighbouring FieldPiquets.

CHAP.

XII.

XIII.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE SUPPORTS AND MAIN BODY OF THE

OUTPOSTS.

CHAP. THE Supports form the third line which surrounds and protects the troops in repose. (The Vedettes Supports. being the first line, the Field-Piquets the second.) The Supports are only made use of when wanted, and are detachments held in immediate readiness for action; they generally are placed at the disposition of the officer commanding the outposts, or of some one higher in command. They are more especially used when night, unfavourable weather, or any operations, either on the part of ourselves, or the enemy render a reinforcement of the outposts desirable; or, again, should the conditions of the ground, or the distance of the Field-Piquets from the main body of the outposts, make it necessary that they should be employed.

When cavalry

is to be

Cavalry, as a rule, will be only used as Supports in such cases when it would be similarly employed employed. on the field of battle, or when the ground is very open. Supports should have their firearms loaded, and must themselves provide for their own security.

SUPPORTS AND MAIN BODY OF OUTPOSTS. ΙΟΙ

CHAP.

A Support is a detachment which by day remains in its cantonments, camp, or bivouac, as the case may XIII. be, and only moves out to its position at night, or at Nature of such times when it is especially required. The posi- supports. tion of the Support must be selected according to the object it is intended to fulfil; it must be easy of access, and when possible must be behind the centre of that portion of the outpost line which the detachment in question is intended to reinforce.

These Supports are of two kinds, and may be termed respectively the Direct Support and the Reserve Support.

The Direct Support should be placed at a suitable Direct spot behind the line of Field-Picquets, and ought to support. be situated so that it is within reach of several of them, and, if required, can move quickly and without hindrance to each of the points where they are posted. This Support must be in continual readiness for battle, and must maintain its connection with the FieldPicquets which it is detailed to reinforce; it should post a sentry and make use of patrols.

A Reserve Support is intended to cover the retreat Reserve of Field-Piquets who are forced to retire; it should support. be posted in a position where it is concealed and can surprise an enemy pursuing the Picquet by an attack in flank and rear. When possible, also, the approach to its position should be so selected that the retreating detachment will find shelter as soon as the Reserve Support comes into action.

Defiles which cannot be turned are particularly

well adapted for such Supports, who thus posted can protect their retreating comrades, and also themselves attack the enemy advantageously.

Reserve Supports must be so far ready for action that they will not be surprised by the appearance of the enemy. They must secure their safety by patrols, and by single sentries if required.

Cavalry FieldPiquets will be often withdrawn at night behind the position of the Reserve Support, which then is composed solely of infantry.

The Main Body of the Outposts may be termed the centre of their resisting power, and also the reserve, from which the various detachments derive their reinforcements. It is under the direct command of the officer commanding the outposts, and must be close to the spot where a more determined stand will probably have to be made, while at the same time it must be prepared to develop and deploy its force in any direction that may be required. It must bivouac and provide for its individual security by means of guards. In such a bivouac no music must be played, or calls sounded, unless in case of an alarm.

The officer commanding the outposts will give directions as to how far the Main Body is to hold itself in readiness for action. In any case, however, cavalry should not unsaddle during the day; only one detachment at a time will cook their food, feed, and water their horses, or will remove their saddles. Should an alarm be sounded the Main Body of the outposts will

get in immediate readiness for action, and will prepare to oppose the enemy or itself commence the attack.