296 MILITARY COMMISSION TO EUROPE. 



§ 79. The orders should be brief, clear, and positive. All minute details, which might, in 

 unforseen cases, trammel the subordinate commanders in the execution of their orders should 

 be avoided, 



§ 80. The orders for the march should specify : 



1. The number of columns ; under whose command each column is to be ; precisely where, 

 and by what roads the march is to be made. 



2. The strength of each column, echelon, advanced, rear, and flank guard. 



3. At what hour each column or party is to move. 



4. Where and when the train is to assemble and move, and under the escort of what detach- 

 ment. The road by which the train is to move should be carefully considered, in order that, ic 

 the event of a sudden retreat, the troops may find the most important roads clear. 



5. The principal measures of precaution to be observed. 



6. Where the commander-in-chief will be found during the march, so that the subordinate 

 commanders may know whither to send their reports. 



7. Finally, everything rendered necessary by the circumstances is mentioned in the orders, 

 and sometimes the general arrangements in case of meeting the enemy. 



§ 81. In the distribution of the troops into several columns, for the march, the commander- 

 in-chief will observe the following rules : 



1. The number of columns must depend upon the whole number of troops, and upon the 

 number, nature, and degree of separation of the roads. 



2. The movement of a large body of troops, as, for instance, an army corps, by one road, 

 besides the difficulty of supplying them, renders the march difficult and slow ; and, in addition, a 

 long column requires much time to take up its order of battle. On the other hand, if the 

 number of columns is very great, it may be difficult to keep up the proper connexion ; besides, 

 when there are many roads near and parallel to each other they are seldom of a nature 

 favorable to the movements of large bodies of troojis. 



3. The intervals between the columns should always be such that they can give reciprocal 

 support upon the appearance of the enemy, and not be in danger of being turned or separated. 

 This interval will depend upon the nature of the country ; the more broken it is the nearer 

 should the columns be to each other, for in this case more time is required to concentrate the 

 troops, the transmission of orders and information is slower, and it is more difficult to watch 

 the enemy. In addition to these considerations, the intervals between the columns should be 

 regulated by the proximity of the enemy ; the nearer he is the less should these intervals be. 



4. The principal masses of the troops move upon the roads on which it is expected to meet 

 the main body of the enemy, or by whicli the principal attack is to be made upon him. 



5. Each kind of troops is moved towards the locality best suited for its operations. 



6. If one flank is particularly threatened by the enemy, the columns on that side are re- 

 inforced, and the reserves drawn near them. 



§ 82. To secure harmony of movement and the facility of mutual support, the commander-in- 

 chief should : 



1. Watch that the main columns are all equally advanced ; therefore, he equalizes the rate of 

 march on different roads, slackens the gait of certain columns, or increases the number and 

 duration of the halts ; regulating these things not only upon the length of march of each 

 column, but upon all the circumstances that may influence the velocity of the movement, such 

 as the nature of the road, the number of troops in the several columns, and the obstacles that 

 mav be encountered. 



