СНАР.
X.

As has been before mentioned, a challenge should only be so loud that it can be heard by the person challenged at a moderate distance. Vedettes should Regarding never allow strangers to come near them, as thereby challeng ing: they expose themselves to be easily surprised. The man who challenges, before doing so, should ride forward from thirty to forty paces; should rein up his horse, prepare to fire, and cock his carbine or pistol. The other Vedette also gets ready, watches the challenger carefully, and is ready at any moment to hasten to the help of his comrade.

In order that they may be all mutually watchful, Vedette and may keep up the necessary connection and compatrols. munication with each other, so as to prevent the enemy making his way through the chain unseen, the Vedettes must themselves organise Vedette-Patrols. This is done in the following manner.

One man after another rides to the next Vedettestation, and is met by one of the sentries belonging to that post. They only challenge once as quietly as possible, and recognise each other afterwards by some signs on which they have mutually agreed, or by addressing each other by name; they give each other the parole without being challenged for it, and communicate anything that has occurred, or anything that they have observed.

of vedette patrols.

The duties of Vedette-Patrols are very important Necessity at night, and must be diligently carried out, more particularly about the break of day, when generally surprises are attempted. A soldier should never con

CHAP.

X.

Attack of

sider himself secure from a surprise, as watchfulness will alone make him so. For this reason one of the Vedettes should occasionally ride out some distance to listen, provided he takes care not to go astray from his post. Similarly during the day when there is a fog, or when the weather is stormy and cloudy, Vedette-Patrols should be organised.

Attack of the Enemy.—If a shot is fired in the chain the enemy. of Vedettes, one of the examining party, and one from each of the Vedette posts must at once ride and find out the cause of the shot, and if necessary help the Vedette who has been attacked. Under no circumstances, however, are both Vedettes to quit their post at the same time, as in that case the enemy might pass the chain without being seen. If the man left at the Vedette post hears further tumult in the direction in which the shot was fired, and remarks that it seems to come gradually nearer, and further from the enemy, then if his comrade does not immediately return, he may conclude that the enemy is pressing forward; under these circumstances he must retire slowly, and take care that he is not cut off.

If the

enemy is
in superior
strength.

Rules to be observed

If the enemy in superior strength attacks a Vedettepost, the neighbouring Vedettes and examining party should ride rapidly to its assistance; they then should fire repeatedly, so as to indicate where the enemy is, and retire as slowly as they can to one side of the Field-Piquet, so as to give the latter time to get in readiness for action.

At night the relief should march as noiselessly as

CHAP.

X.

possible about twenty paces in front of the chain of Vedettes, it should have a reconnoitrer in front, with his carbine or pistol drawn. The Vedettes challenge at night the reconnoitrer, and when the answer is given by reliefs. 'Relief,' the parole and countersign must be demanded and given. Then the Vedette calls out 'March,' rides up to the commander of the relief, reports to him, and leads him to the post. The party fronts towards the enemy, the reconnoitrer twenty paces in front of it. The Vedettes are relieved as during the day-time; in addition however to the day orders the parole and countersign must also be handed over; these words must be repeated by the new Vedette, to make sure that he has got them correctly. After this, the man who has kept up the communication with the next post acts as reconnoitrer, and conducts the relief there. If the relief meets a party, or single individual, its reconnoitrer must challenge and act like a Vedette. In order that the relieving of the sentries by night may be carried out as quietly as possible, the challenges and replies must not be louder than necessary. When the relief returns to the FieldPiquet, the sentry of the latter challenges it, the Piquet mounts, draw swords, &c., and does the same as by day when the relief joins it.

CHAP.
XI.

General principles of fieldpiquets.

CHAPTER XI.

FIELD-PIQUETS.

FIELD-PIQUETS are those detachments or guards which are thrown out to secure the safety and repose of troops resting in their rear. They form the second line or circle of outposts, the first line being the vedettes.

The number and the strength of the Field-Piquets depend on the nature and extent of the ground they have to occupy. They must not be too far apart, otherwise it will be difficult to maintain the connection between the Vedettes; and, if the enemy breaks through the chain, they will be too far off to oppose him. Similarly, they must not be too near, as in this case they will either individually be too weak, or will have to employ more troops than the duties require.1

The distance of the Field-Piquets from the main body and from their supports depends on circum

1 Economy in the use of troops is of great importance in minor warfare, and the officer in command must use his utmost endeavours to fatigue the men under him as little as circumstances will permit. Every man, that can be spared from the outposts consistently with safety, should be allowed to rest, so that when he is really wanted he may be fresh and vigorous.

stances, so long as the great object is attained, CHAP. namely, repose for the troops in camp.

Field-Piquets must not be thrown out too far, as then in case of a sudden attack the supports would be too late to give the proper assistance.

XI.

The sentry of the Field-Piquet stands about fifteen Piquet paces from it; by day he should be on foot, and need sentry. not draw his sword; by night on horseback, with his carbine ready for use. His duties are much the same as those of a sentry on duty in garrison. His orders vary according to the time of day, the locality, and other circumstances. He must give notice to the officer commanding the Field-Piquet, if any one approaches from any direction, or if anything occurs among the vedettes. He is mounted whenever the Field-Piquet is mounted; if a superior officer approaches, the sentry acts like a vedette. At night he challenges, and fires if the person challenged, on the challenge being repeated, does not halt.

posts.

A Look-out Post' is placed between the Field- Look-out Piquet and the vedettes, and is a single sentry on horseback. He serves as an intermediate sentry, and is always required if the sentry of the Field-Piquet cannot see all the vedettes. A look-out sentry must see all the vedettes, and must himself be seen by the Field-Piquet. He must perpetually keep his eyes on the sentries, and report everything that occurs. If the vedettes circle, the look-out sentry must do the

'Look-out Posts are only used when circumstances render them necessary to secure the safety of the Field-Piquet.