294 MILITARY COMMISSION TO EUROPE. 



Small detachments of cavalry may make marches of 40, 50, or even 70 miles, but this refers 

 only to exceptional cases, when the success of the enterprise in hand depends upon the suddenness 

 of their appearance. 



The ordinary rate of march should be about 3 miles per hour. When the roads are good it is 

 advisable to move at a moderate trot, walking for some distance before each halt, and before 

 reaching camp ; for it is proper to give the horses as much time as possible to feed and rest in camp. 



Generals and other officers, furnished with an escort of cavalry, should regulate the rate of 

 their march in accordance with what is laid down above, and are not permitted, except in cases 

 of absolute necessity, to urge the escort to an immoderate speed, for the sake of their own 

 convenience. 



§ 64. Short halts are made from time to time, as prescribed for marches in time of peace ; that 

 is, a halt for 10 or 15 minutes every hour, and in long marches, one or two long halts of about 

 an hour each. 



§ 65. When near the enemy, it is necessary to arrange the distances between the camps, or 

 bivouacs, so that the columns of the main body can easily be assembled at the general point of 

 rendezvous ; then the reserves are to be placed near the roads by which the enemy is expected, 

 in positions convenient to wood and water. 



§ 66. The various parts of the army are so arranged that, if the enemy attacks, they can 

 readily move out upon the roads, or quickly form in order of battle in a position chosen before- 

 hand, either in front, or in the rear of encampment or bivouac. 



§ 67. The main body should always be secure from a sudden attack, therefore, (notwithstanding 

 there is an advanced guard in front and a rear guard behind,) patrols are sent out from it, and 

 a party is detailed, which does not unsaddle, and always remains ready for action ; sometimes, 

 to prevent being turned, separate posts are sent out on the flanks, and sometimes the troops are 

 protected in their camp by advanced posts, arranged according to the rules laid down in Part II. 



§ 68. The advanced and rear guards take measures not only for their own safety, but also for 

 that of the main body, placing themselves for this purpose in positions suitable for action, and 

 watching all the roads leading from the enemy. 



§ 69. When it is perfectly certain that none of the enemy are in the vicinity, each column 

 may pass the night by itself, on the road by which it marches. 



§ 70. In flank marches of several days duration, the camps for the night should be placed in 

 such positions that the main body may be secure from attack, and in case of the appearance of 

 the enemy in superior force, be able to retreat, i. e., either to preserve the old road of march 

 and communication, or in some manner to gain a new one. The arrangements for halts and camps 

 for the night are the same as in oflensive marches. 



§ 71. In regard to the short halts of trains the following rules are prescribed : As in the case 

 of cavalry, the head of the train occasionally makes short halts to enable the rear to close up, 

 and if the train is divided into several sections, the head of each section does the same thing. 



During these halts the wagons remain in the road, not turning to one side, or changing the 

 arrangement of the wagons and escort from what it was during the march. 



§ 72. Long halts, during which the animals are fed, are made only when the march is very 

 long, or the roads very bad, and the animals fatigued. When the object is not to overtake the 

 troops when at a halt, it is better to leave the train longer in camp, and then make the whole march 

 without a halt ; in this manner the animals are not kept so long in harness, and can therefore 

 rest and feed better. 



§ 73. During long halts, and camps for the night, the train is placed more compactly than 



