290 MILITARY COMMISSION TO EUROPE. 



troops are attached ; in default of these^ mounted working parties with tools ; in the first case, 

 to remove obstacles in the road ; in the second case, to retard the pursuit of the enemy, by 

 destroying bridges^ breaking uji the road, &c. 



§ 25. The distance of the rear guard from the main body depends upon its strength ; generally, 

 in a retreat, the rear guard is held at such a distance from the main body that the latter, even 

 when the enemy attacks in force, may without precipitation or impediment select its own time 

 and place for halting or encamping, without making a forced march. But if the rear guard is 

 weak, and the enemy pursues vigorously, the main body should remain near by to support it. 

 If the main body is obliged to pass defiles, or if its movements are in any way retarded, it 

 must be at such a distance from the rear guard as to give it time to move off a sufficient distance, 

 in spite of any unexpected delay. 



§ 26. If the main advanced and rear guards move at the distance of some miles from the 

 main body, each column of the latter detaches, in addition, small advanced and rear parties, 

 (one or two companies, or a platoon) which march at the distance of some few hundred paces 

 from each column, and perform the duties of advanced and rear guards in time of peace. 



§ 27. In cases where the nature of the ground, on the flanks of the roads, is such as to render 

 the march of the columns insecure, small detachments are sent out as flankers ; and from these 

 patrols on the extreme flanks, as explained in §§ 12, 13, and 14. 



ARTICLE 3. 



Arrangements during a Jlank march. 



§ 28. In a march to the flank, if it is in the power of the enemy to attack the flank of the 

 columns in march, all the parts should be so arranged that they may pi'omptly, and without a 

 long movement, change from the order of march to that of battle, either by wheeling into line, 

 or by changing the direction of the columns, and in such a manner as to be able to resist his 

 attack. Therefore, in such cases, certain troojjs are designated who are to form the line of 

 combatants in the order of battle, others to form the reserve, and others to guard the trains, on 

 the road furthest from the enemy. 



§ 29. During flank marches, flank detachments are sent out towards the enemy; they march 

 parallel to the main column, watch the enemy, and, if necessary, oppose him long enough to 

 enable the main body to form in order of battle. 



§ 30. The duties of these flank detachments correspond to those of advanced guards in oifen- 

 sive marches, and rear guards in retreat ; because the flank detachments protect the main body 

 against a sudden attack, and enable them either to pass from one line of opertions to another, 

 or to gain a position on the flank of the enemy, or, finally, to turn him. 



It should be observed, however, that flank marches should always be undertaken and executed 

 with many precautions; for, when making them, it is easy to lose our own communications and 

 line of retreat, if we have not time to gain the new line of operations. Therefore, that there 

 may be no impediment during the intended flank march, everything possible must be done to 

 conceal it from the enemy, by taking advantage of the ground, and by the movements of the 

 flank guard, which should be strong enough to offer an obstinate resistance, and keep the enemy 

 away from the main body until the completion of the movement. 



§ 31. The strength of the flank guard must be in proportion to the duties it has to perform ; 

 its strength must be determined upon the same principles as that of advanced and rear guards. 



§ 32. The arrangements for the march, and the manner of operation of a flank guard, depend 



