REPORT OF CAPT. GEORGE B. M^CLELLAN. 291 



entirely upon the position of the enemy, the nature of the country, and the direction of the 

 roads. To secure the inarch, the flank guard pushes out detachments and patrols on the ex- 

 posed side, to cover the whole flank of the columns in march. The flank guard itself either 

 marches opposite the main body, or remains in position, to occupy points where roads coming 

 in from the side of the enemy would enable him to disturb the march of our own troops. In 

 the last case, when the columns of the main body have passed beyond the point occupied by 

 the flank guard, the latter either occupies another point, covering the march, by gradually 

 sending troops there, or else places itself as a rear guard behind the marching column, while, 

 in the mean time, any other points to be occupied have been held by other flank guards detached 

 from the main body. 



The first method is pursued when the ground permits the movement of the flank guard to be 

 made without danger, as for instance, along the banks of a stream over which there are few 

 crossings ; the latter in all cases where the march of the fractions of the flank guard would be 

 exposed to danger from the attack of the enemy. 



§ 33. The distance of the flank guard from the main body is regulated as in the case of an 

 advanced guard in an offensive march. 



§ 34. Plate No. 2 gives an example, without reference to the ground, of the flank march of 

 a division of cavalry, under the protection of a flank brigade and a battery of horse artillery. 



§ 35. In addition to the main flank guard sent out in the direction of the enemy, each column 

 of the main body detaches small advanced, flank, and rear guards. 



When necessary, a special guard is detailed for the trains, which, in such cases, usually move 

 in one body. 



ARTICLE 4. 



Arrangement and movement of the trains. 



§ 36. To avoid confusion and delay in the march of troops, from the great number of wagons 

 with them, the trains are divided into three classes. 



§ 37. Trains of the first class, tvhich are needed during the march, consist of the ambulances, 

 provided with the means of dressing wounds, and accompanied by the surgeon of the day, an 

 assistant surgeon, and a party of hospital attendants. 



In the artillery, the spare carriages accompany the train of the 1st class ; in the mounted 

 engineer troops, the ponton wagons, if there is any necessity for them. In addition to these, 

 during marches near the enemy, the ammunition wagons accompany the trains of the 1st class, 

 that the troops may never be in want of cartridges. 



§38. Trains of the 1st. class follow immediately after their regiments, batteries, or other 

 integral parts. 



§ 39. Trains of the 2d class, which are needed by the troops only when in camp, consist of: 

 the wagons for ammunition, money, papers and records, tools, baggage, medicines, field forges, 

 artillery wagons, staff baggage wagons, pack animals of the field and company officers, wagons 

 of the office of the commander-in-chief, wagons carrying provisions and forage for immediate 

 distribution, and, finally, the sutlers' wagons. Ammunition wagons are separated from the 

 others, and compose in each column a separate section, marching near the troops, i. e., in an 

 offensive march, they move at the head of the trains of the 2d class, and in retreat, behind them. 

 The other wagons of the 2d class move by kinds, and in the order named above. 



§ 40. Trains of the 2d class march behind the troops, in the interval between the main body 

 and the rear gUtard. 



