308 MILITARY COMMISSION TO EUROPE. 



§ 178. In a reti-eat, dismounted rifles or dragoons, availing themselves of the obstacles of the 

 ground, may arrest the pursuit of the enemy, without fearing, as in the case of infantry, to 

 remain behind the main body of the rear guard. 



§ 179. Finally, if the enemy acts imprudently, the rear guard may form ambuscades for him, 

 or force him to slacken the pursuit by resuming the offensive for a time. 



§ 180. The commander of the rear guard should always regulate himself upon the movements 

 of the main body, always holding every position as obstinately as possible, lest a premature 

 retreat on his part should bring the enemy suddenly upon the main body. 



PART II. 



PRECAUTIONS TO BE OBSER^^D IN CAMPS(<») FOR SECITRITY AGAINST THE ENEMY. 



CHAPTER I. 



DUTIES OF ALL PARTS OF THE OUTPOSTS. 

 ARTICLE 1. 



Of the outposts in general. 



§ 181. The outposts are detachments upon whom is imposed the duty of securing the other 

 troops against sudden attacks. 



§ 182. They are independent of, and in addition to, the camp and quarter guards, whose duty 

 it is to watch over the interior order and police of the camp. 



§ 183. Light cavalry are employed on outpost duty wherever the ground permits them to 

 act ; in cases of absolute necessity, the outposts consist of infantry. 



§ 184. The outposts consist of: 



1. A chain of double videttes. 



2. Pickets, which are the immediate supports of the videttes. 



3. Main guards, placed as supports in rear of the pickets. 



§ 185. If the outposts are pushed very far to the front, or if the nature of the ground is such 

 as to render their retreat difficult, parties, called reserves of the outposts, are placed between the 

 outposts and the troops guarded, to serve as a reserve and sujijDort for the former. 



§ 186. The outposts should enclose all the places and observe all the roads by which the enemy 

 can approach the camp guarded. 



§ 187. The chain of outposts is placed in front of the general position of the troops, so as to 

 intersect all the roads leading towards the enemy. It forms a curved line, falling back on the 

 flanks. 



§ 188. The outposts should be pushed so far to the front that, while in no danger of being cut 

 off, they may give timely notice of the enemy's approach, and keep him long enough in check 

 to enable the troops guarded to prepare to receive him. 



For this purpose the chain of mounted videttes is usually placed at not more than 3 miles in 

 front of the camj) ; the pickets not more than three-fourths of a mile in rear of the videttes ; the 

 main guards at about the same distance behind the pickets. 



§ 189. The interval between the pairs of videttes composing the chain should be such that in 

 the day time they can see each other, and in the night hear everj'thing that happens between 

 them. 



('•)Tlie term camp is here used in its most general sense, Including all the arrangements of the troops when halted, 

 whether in tents, huts, hivouac, or villages, provided they are not in cantonments or winter quarters. The term encamp- 

 ment refers particularly to a camp of tents or huts. 



