MANUAL FOa NOSrCdHHISSIONEB OFFICEXJ. 201 



the patrol were captured, for example, copies of orders, maps 

 with positions of troops marked thereon, letters, newspapers, 



or collar ornaments. 



. The leader then gives his patrol information and instructions. 

 These embrace instructions from higher authority; his detailed 

 plans ; information of the country and enemy ; the countersign, 

 if any ; the point where the patrol will assemble if scattered. 

 He will see that the men understand the prescribed signals. 



It must always be remembered that it makes no difference 

 how valuable may be the information that the patrol gets, it is 

 worthless if not sent back in time to be of service. Herein is 

 where most patrols fail. This applies particularly to the infor- 

 mation obtained by patrols acting as a point or flankers of ad- 

 vance, rear, and flank guards. Whenever the patrol gets any 

 information, the leader must think whether the commanding 

 othcer would change his plans or issue new orders if he had the 

 information. If he would, the information should be sent back 

 at once. If the distance is great or the inhabitants are hostile, 

 it is well to send two men with the message. These men should 

 not travel side by side, but as a patrol of two men. If the infor- 

 mation is very important, and the danger of capture is consid- 

 erable, the message should be sent by tv^^o parties, each travel- 

 ing by a different route. The gaits should be specified. 



A message from a patrol should always show (a) the place 

 from which it is sent; (&) the time it is sent (date, hour, and 

 minute) ; (c) to whom it is sent; (d) the message itself; (e) 

 what the patrol intends doing after sending the message; (/) 

 the name of the sender. Under (d) care must be taken to 

 separate what has actually been seen by the patrol from infor- 

 anation received from other sources. Care must also be taken 

 not to exaggerate wl-si'. Is seen, but to report only the exact 

 facts. 



Whether moving 0£ islted, patrols exercise the greatest vigi- 

 lance to prevent discovery. ]So formal formation is or should 

 be prescribed. Under the leader's guidance it moves so as to 

 guard against surprise, usually v/ith point and flankers. To 

 extend the sphere of its observation, still smaller patro^.s (one 

 or two men) may be sent out for short distances, communica- 

 tion with the leader being maintained by signals. Whatever 

 the formation adopted, it should favor the escape of at least 

 one man in case of surprise. 



