IV.

CHAP. appears in the rear of reconnoitrers, they should immediately fire so as to warn their comrades in rear, while all near attack the enemy in front, flank, and rear. In the event of a shot being fired by any of the flanking patrols, the reconnoitrers must immediately halt, send word to the Advance Guard, wait for orders, and draw back if necessary so as to be level with the flankers. In this case the advance party should immediately send support to the flanking patrol, from whence the shot has proceeded.

Advanced party.

The advanced party is more especially intended to support the reconnoitrers in case they are attacked by the enemy, and to assist in examining the ground through which they pass.

When necessary at least two men should be detached on each side to search the ground on the flanks. One of these rides level with the leader of the reconnoitrers, the other level with the advanced party itself. They must keep in communication with the flankers of the main body.

When the ground is open the advanced party should march about two or three hundred paces in rear of the reconnoitrers, and should never lose sight of them; when the ground is not open, at night, or in misty weather, this distance must be diminished and immediate communication must be maintained.

It should be arranged that a guide, if possible mounted, should accompany the Advance Guard; he should be handed over to the especial charge of one man. These guides must be selected with great

IV.

caution; gamekeepers, poachers, shepherds, cattle CHAP, drovers, post-boys, smugglers, messengers, &c., can generally be employed with advantage. They must not however be too often changed, and too much confidence must not be placed in their knowledge of the country. They are not to be dismissed until any treachery on their part would do no harm. In an enemy's country, if possible two guides should always be employed; they ought never to be permitted to speak to one another; they should moreover be bound so as to prevent their escaping, and, if riding, should have their feet tied in the stirrups. The man who has charge of the guide should keep hold of the snaffle bridle of the horse ridden by the guide, and have his pistol or carbine (as the case may be) ready to use. In all cases guides should be threatened with death if they lead astray, but otherwise they should be well treated.

tion of

The main portion of the Advance Guard should act Main poras circumstances require, according to the judgment advance or special instructions received by its commander, who guard. should be cool, determined, and in difficulties should have perfect confidence in himself. In open ground it should keep about 500 paces from the advanced party, and must provide supports for all the parties which are detached from it.

It should pass through all defiles at a trot, after it has been announced that they are not occupied by the enemy; it must furnish patrols to search any spots that are more distant and require examination.

One of the most important duties of the Advance

CHAP.

IV.

Guard is to clear and repair the road, so that the main body may not be delayed in its march. On the approach of the enemy, the Advance Guard should form up for battle, and its commander should send a report, if possible in writing to the main body, after he has personally made himself acquainted with the circumstances, and has made the necessary arrangements. In any case where the officer commanding a detachment has to quit it, even for a moment, he should hand over the command to the next senior.

When the enemy is in the neighbourhood, a halt should never be made in a village, or in any place that is inhabited; it is better that the Advance Guard should go round the village, and if it requires supplies, cause them to be conveyed outside for purchase.

When the columns of march are long, or when circumstances require it, there should be a reserve between the main body and the Advance Guard, and communication should be carefully maintained between these various portions. If there is reason to fear the enemy in front, then the Advance Guard may be reduced, and in some cases, need only consist of reconnoitrers, and what is usually termed the advanced party.

CHAPTER V.

REAR GUARDS.

THE Rear Guard is intended to protect the main CHAP. body from an attack of the enemy in rear. It must,

V.

therefore, not hesitate if necessary to sacrifice itself, Rear and, even when at a disadvantage, must maintain a guards. combat so long as to enable the remainder of the Duties. force to get out of danger.

According to circumstance, a portion or the whole

of the Rear Guard will march in a constant state of readiness for action.

treat.

In a retreat the Rear Guard is in the same position In a reas the Advance Guard is in an advance, and must be disposed in a similar manner. It is essential that communication shall be carefully maintained between the flankers, reconnoitrers, and various portions of the Rear Guard. The flankers that are supplied by the rear detachment should ride level with it, and with the commander of the reconnoitrers, riding one behind the other, and keeping up the communication with the flankers of the main body. When the enemy

CHAP.
V.

is in front, and no danger to be feared in rear, the Rear Guard may be reduced in size.1

The various portions of the Rear Guard should conduct themselves in the same manner as the Advance Guard, the only difference being, that they are in the inverse order, and that while the Advance Guard has to press and follow up the enemy, they have to retire before him. The task of the Rear Guard is thus by no means easy, since on every halt or engagement with the foe, it becomes further removed from the main body of its own force, and thus the less able to reckon on its support.

The duties of the Rear Guard are more especially difficult when the army is retiring, and after a defeat, when the enemy generally pursues vigorously, and by means of flank attacks attempts to cut off the line of retreat. The Reconnoitrers will sometimes be able to foretell these attacks by the diminution in the size of the force following in their rear.

The Rear Guard follows the road, on which the main-body is marching, communications must continually be kept up between the two, more particularly at night. It must take care that too great an interval does not at any time intervene between it and the rest of the force, while it maintains the most perfect order, and the strictest discipline.

The Rear Guard should use its utmost endeavours to avoid drawing the main body into a conflict. It

1 In an advance a Rear Detachment is formed for police and administrative purposes, and is not reckoned in the fighting force.