REPORT OF CAPT. GEORGE B. M'CLELLAN. 295 



usual ; for which purpose a proper place is selected for placing all the wagons together, in order 

 that, heing less scattered, ahetter watch may he kept upon them, and hotter order he preserved. 

 When danger is apprehended from the enemy it is hest to park the train in column, hecause 

 this formation is changed more quickly than any other, and from it it is easier to take the road at 

 the end of the halt, or when leaving camp. 



Remark. — In this formation the average interval of 8 yards in width is allowed each wagon. 

 The harness is either piled up behind the wagon, or hung on the wheels, and the animals are 

 attached to the pole. The distance between each row of wagons in the column may be fixed at 

 about 20 paces. 



Light wagons of the 2d class, although they move in separate trains, are not brought together 

 in camp, but bivouac in rear of the corps to which they belong. If there are wagons loaded 

 with powder, cartridges, or other combustibles, precautions must be taken to guard them from 

 fire, and it is, therefore, best to park them in a separate jjlace, apart from the rest of the train. 

 The escort bivouacs at the head, or on the flanks of the train, as may be most convenient ; 

 guards and sentinels are posted to preserve order ; if the teamsters are not to be trusted, and 

 desertions are apprehended, the whole train is surrounded by a chain of sentinels. 



§ 74. When an attack is expected the train should be coralled, or else parked in a square with 

 the hind wheels outside, and the animals in the centre. 



In this case, the escort places itself in a suitable position, keeping in view the defence of the 

 position occupied by the park, and takes all the military measures of precaution necessary to 

 secure itself and the train against a sudden attack. 



CHAPTER II. 



DUTIES OF THE COMMANDEES OF THE YAEIOUS PARTS OF THE TROOPS DURING MILITARY MARCHES. 



ARTICLE 1. 

 Duties of the commander-in-cMef. 



§ To. The commander-in-chief must cause the roads by which he intends to march, as well 

 as the country on each side, to be examined by officers of the general staff, or by patrols ; 

 but if, from the proximity of the enemy, or other causes, this is impossible, it is necessary, 

 at least, to obtain information concerning their nature and practicability by inquiries of the 

 inhabitants, &c. 



§ V6. He must take steps to procure a sufficient number of reliable guides, so that each sepa- 

 rate detachment may have its own ; this is especially important in thinly inhabited districts, 

 and in movements by cross roads. 



§ 11. In relation to seeking and employing guides, the following rules are laid down : 1. To 

 be watchful, lest the guides, for their own purposes, prejiidice us in any manner ; 2. To select 

 guides from among lumters, woodsmen, stage or wagon drivers, and herdsmen, as well as pedlars 

 and travelling beggars, because the country is well known to these classes of people ; 3. To 

 change the guides as seldom as possible, especially in localities where parties of the enemy may 

 be met with ; 4. To treat the guides kindly and mildly, and to reward them well ; but to watch 

 them closely and prevent them from passing over to the enemy, and to send them back by the 

 road over which they came. 



§ 78. He regulates the distribution of the troops, the order of march, and the precautionary 

 measures ; he arranges the disposition of the troops for the movement, by means of the maps of 

 the country, and the information obtained concerning it and the enemy. 



