210 MANUAL FOR NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 



These small maneuvers may be gradually developed by hav- 

 ing one side establish an outpost or fight a delaying action, etc. 



It should always be remembered that there is no hard and 

 fast rule prescribing how a patrol of three, five, or any number 

 of men should march. The same is equally true of advance 

 guards, and applies also to the establishment of outposts. It 

 is simply a question of common sense based on military knowl- 

 edge. Don't try to remember any diagrams in a book. Think 

 only of what you have been ordered to do and how best you 

 can handle your men to accomplish your mission, and at the 

 same time save the men and horses from any unnecessary 

 hardships. Never use two or more men to do what one can do 

 just as well, and don't let your men get beyond your control. 



In addition to the signals prescribed in the Cavalry Drill 

 Regulations, the following should be clearly understood by the 

 members of a patrol : 



Enemy in sight in small numbers, hold rifle above the head 

 horizontally ; enemy in force, same proceeding, raising and 

 lowering the rifle several times ; take cover, a downward mo- 

 tion of the hand. 



Other signals may be agreed upon, but they must be familiar 

 to the men ; complicated signals are avoided. Signals must be 

 used cautiously so as not to convey information to the enemy. 



Section 4. Advance guards. 



The, advance guard is a detachment of the main body which 

 precedes and covers it on the march. The primary duty of an 

 advance guard is to insure the safe and uninterrupted march 

 of the main body. Specifically its duties are : 



1. To guard against surprise and furnish information by 

 reconnoitering. 



2. To push back small parties of the enemy and prevent 

 their observing, firing upon, or delaying the main body. 



3. To check the enemy's advance in force long enough to 

 permit the main body to prepare for action. 



4. When the enemy is encountered on the defensive, to seize 

 a good position and locate his lines, care being taken not to 

 bring on a general engagement unless the advance guard com- 

 mander is empowered to do so. 



