CHAP. selves, and wait for reinforcements from the Advance Guard. They must ride cautiously into a defile, one after another; paths at the side should be examined Defiles. by flankers, at a trot. If there is no sign of the enemy the reconnoitrers should remain in observation on each side of the defile until the entire Advance Guard has trotted through it. When the reconnoitrers are examining a defile, the advanced party should remain halted in observation in front of it. In all defiles, more especially those which cannot be seen through, reconnoitrers and flankers should trot on in front, so as not to delay those who follow. If the defile is through a ravine, one of the reconnoitrers must ride along the top, the other along the bottom. If the sides are steep, and the ravine long, one man must dismount, walk up the side, and look about him; having done this, he should remount his horse. If a wood has to be examined, the reconnoitrers Woods. should separate and ride along the edge; if nothing is to be seen of the enemy, they may then ride inside. If it is possible to ride off the paths, then the men, searching it, should form themselves into a line, with intervals corresponding to the breadth of the wood itself, and should thus go through it. If on the other hand the wood is too thick to permit this, all the roads and footpaths should be traversed at a trot, the men frequently looking round to see that there is no sign of the enemy behind them. They must also listen for the tread of marching troops, and should pay especial attention to all tracks and footmarks; it may be re CHAP. IV. Hills. marked that these are often effaced by boughs of trees being dragged on the ground, this device, however, can be easily detected. If the wood is not too large, at should ride round each side of it least one flanker at a trot. When the reconnoitrers come to the end of the wood, they should not ride immediately out of it, but concealing themselves should watch to see if there are any signs of the enemy in the ground before them. In large woods a space to the distance of a hundred paces on each side of the road should be searched. Should there be a hill or rising ground on the road, or near it, one of the reconnoitrers should trot on, and look over the crest at the country round. He should not ride quite up to the top, as then he might be seen from the other side. When great caution is required, he should uncover his head; lancers should drop their lances. If he sees the enemy's troops, or detects anything suspicious, he should beckon1 to his comrade to come up and consult with him. The first 1 It cannot be too strongly recommended that soldiers should be accustomed to communicate with one another by signs when on field-duty, Such a means of communication is more especially useful when the enemy is near, as often a word or a movement would betray a man's presence. The Cossacks have brought this system of using signs to great perfection, so much so that as a rule they do not ride backwards and forwards to make reports, but convey the same by signs, even when they are of considerable length; in case of necessity intermediate sentries are posted so that one can see the other. In many armies the non-commissioned officers of light troops are provided with signal whistles; by this means time will be saved and the strength of horses husbanded. IV. reconnoitrer should then ride back and report the СНАР. matter, while the other remains on the spot, and continues to watch. Reconnoitrers must approach with caution any Inhabited place that is inhabited, and must endeavour to catch places. one of its inhabitants. If, however, this cannot be done, a man must ride up to the first house, and enquire if the enemy are in the place, and what is known regarding them. The reconnoitrers must detain one of the inhabitants until, with the assistance of other men sent on by the Advance Guard, they have searched the main and side streets, and the larger courtyards. The magistrate or principal person in the place must also be examined, and detained until all danger is past. Single reconnoitrers should be sent to ride round the spot; while they do this, the approaches and outlets should be occupied, the Advance Guard holding that one, through which the march will be continued. When the place has been thoroughly searched, they should ride on to where they can get a clear view of the country round. While great caution is to be observed in the search of all such ground, there must be no unnecessary delay. In places which are too large to be searched, it is advisable to secure and detain the principal inhabitants. If the place is occupied by the enemy, the reconnoitrers should withdraw, if possible without being seen, and should promptly report the circumstance; CHAP. If the road is impass able. the inhabitant, who has been questioned, should be taken back to the advance guard as quietly as possible. If at night the reconnoitrers come to any place which is inhabited, one or two men should dismount; they should not venture into the main street, as it may be occupied by the enemy, but should glide through gardens, &c., to where they see a light in a window; they should then watch and listen. If there are no signs of the enemy they should knock and enquire. If, however, there is no light anywhere, and no house is so far detached as to render it prudent to arouse its inhabitants, then the only course is to watch until they can capture some one. If the place is occupied by the enemy they must then proceed as by day, only with additional caution. Should there be no sign of the enemy the Advance Guard is to be again formed, and the march continued. The main body of the Advance Guard should always remain halted out of shot in front of every defile, until the reconnoitrers have reported that the enemy are not there, and that the defile is passable. Should the reconnoitrers find the road altogether impassable, or impracticable for cavalry and artillery, blocked up by barricades, or broken down bridges, &c., they must endeavour to make their way round the obstruction, in any case always reporting the matter. It will then rest with the commander of the Advance Guard to give further orders for the mending of the road, or for clearing it, as the case may be. When single soldiers, deserters, travellers, &c., are IV. the enemy, met with, they should be first questioned regarding CHAP. the enemy and then conducted to the Advance Guard. Should the reconnoitrers see the enemy they If they should conceal themselves, continue to watch him, and perceive immediately report the fact. Under no circumstances should an attack be made, or a shot fired, unless there be no other means of giving timely warning to the Advance Guard of the proximity of danger. It by no means follows that because the enemy is very near he should therefore be fired at, as this would betray the presence of the main body. In such cases young soldiers must not think of themselves, or gratify their love of fighting, but must regard only what would be best for the entire army to which they belong. Should the enemy have remarked the reconnoitrers, then the commander of the advance should ride quickly forward, and decide, if, and how he is to be attacked. If the enemy should himself make an attack, then the advanced party should maintain the fight for a while, or if forced to retire, should do so slowly, so as to prevent the main-body of the Advance Guard being surprised. It is best for the advanced party, and the reconnoitrers together to extend into a line, which out-flanks the main body, and if necessary retires on one of its flanks. Should infantry or artillery come up into action in support the front must be at once so cleared as to allow their fire free scope. If it should happen that from the ground not having been properly searched, a detachment of the enemy |