REGULATIONS FOR THE FIELD SERVICE OF CAVALRY IN TIME OF WAR. 



PART L 



MOVEMENTS OF TROOPS IN THE VICINITY OF THE ENEMY. 



INTRODUCTION. 



§ 1. The principal differences between marches near the enemy, and those during peace, are : 



1st. That in the former case the troops are not so much divided, hut move in larger bodies 

 than in peace. 



2d. That proper precautions are observed to guard against sudden attacks. 



Remark. — In time of war, trooj^s so far from the enemy as to be in no danger of attack observe 

 only a part of the military precautions indicated below, increasing them as they approach the 

 enemy. 



CHAPTER I. 



ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE MARCH. 



ARTICLE 1. 



General arrangements and remarks as to marches. 



§2. Military marches may in general be : 1. Offensive; 2. In retreat ; 3. To the flank. 



§ 3. In each of these cases the troops may move in one, or several columns. 



§ 4. They move in several columns when in strong force, and having convenient roads, neither 

 far apart, nor separated by impassable obstacles. But if it is necessary that a great number of 

 troops follow the same road, the column should be divided into echelons, following each other 

 at intervals, in order to avoid delay from crowding. 



§ 5. It is impossible to determine, with exactness, the intervals between different columns, or 

 between the echelons of the same column ; these must depend upon the nature and relative 

 positions of the roads, as well as upon the strength and degree of independence of each column. 

 But it may be laid down as a general rule that these distances should be such that the com- 

 mander can concentrate and form the whole, or at least the greater part of his command before 

 being seriously attacked. 



§ 6. For the details of the distribution of the troops in the several columns and echelons, the 

 rules laid down in the tactics for the formation of general columns must be taken as guides ; 

 observing that each fraction of the entire force must be so arranged that it can always form 

 promptly to meet the enemy. 



§ 7. On the march cavalry may move by twos or by fours, but in preference by platoons when 

 the road permits. 



Artillery marches by piece or by section. 



