MANUAL FOR NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 235 



able doubt, should not be allowed to pass without the author- 

 ity of the corporal of the guard after proper investigation ; the 

 corporal will take to his next superior any person about whom 

 he is not competent to decide. 



214. The countersign is usually the name of a battle ; the 

 parole, that of a general or other distinguished person. 



215. When they can not be communicated daily, a series of 

 words for some days in advance may be sent to posts or de- 

 tachments that are to use the same parole or countersign as 

 the main body. 



216. If the countersign be lost, or if a member of the guard 

 deserts with it, the commander on the spot will substitute an- 

 other for it and report the case at once to headquarters. 



217. In addition to the countersign, use may be made of pre- 

 concerted signals, such as striking the rifle with the hand or 

 striking the hands together a certain number of times as 

 agreed upon. Such signals may be used only by guards that 

 occupy exposed points. 



They are used before the countersign is given and must not 

 be communicated to anyone not entitled to know the counter- 

 sign. Their use is intended to prevent the surprise of a 

 sentinel. 



In the daytime signals such as raising a cap or a handker- 

 chief in a prearranged manner may be used by sentinels to 

 communicate with the guard or with each other. 

 Section 12. Guard Patrols, 



218. A guard patrol consists of one or more men detailed for 

 the performance of some special service connected with guard 

 duty. 



219. If the patrol be required to go beyond the chain of 

 sentinels, the officer or noncommissioned officer in charge will 

 be furnished with the countersign and the outposts and senti- 

 nels warned. 



220. If challenged by a sentinel, the patrol is halted by its 

 commander, and the noncommissioned officer accompanying it 

 advances alone and gives the countersign. 



Section 13, Watchmen. 



221. Enlisted men may be detailed as watchmen or as over- 

 seers over prisoners, and as such will receive their orders and 

 perform their duties as the commanding officer may direct. 



