310 MILITARY COMMISSION TO EUROPE. 



in his turn, carrying liis weapons as prescribed for the front vidette in § 194, must constantly 

 ride along the chain to the next pair, or until meeting one of its members. When they are posted 

 in sight of the enemy, or very near him, they may give each other preconcerted signals, (such 

 as tapping the carbine, or some such noise,) being careful, however, that the signals employed 

 are of such a nature as not to attract the attention of the enemy. 



§ 198. Upon observing anything whatever in the direction of the enemy, as, for example, 

 extraordinary movements, dust, noise, kindling or extinguishing fires, cliangcs in his outposts, 

 drawing them in or reinforcing them, &c., the chief vidette sends in the other to inform the 

 commander of the picket, remaining himself on the spot to continue watching what attracted 

 iiis attention. 



In the day time, when in full view of the picket, instead of one of the videttes riding in to 

 report, they may, in certain cases, act as follows : If anything suspicious is observed in the direc- 

 tion of the enemy, such as dust, glittering of arms_, &c., one of the videttes will move his horse 

 in a circle at a walk ; upon this, the commander of the picket will take 3 or 4 men and at once 

 ride to the vidette to examine the matter for himself. If the videttes discover a party of the 

 enemy advancing towards them, but at a gi'cat distance, one of them will move his horse in a 

 circle at a trot, on which the officer will act as just prescribed. If the videttes discover a jjarty 

 of the enemy coming towards them, and not more than a mile off, one of them will at once 

 move his horse in a circle at a gallop, on which the officer will act according to circumstances. 



By both the videttes riding in a circle at the same time, in the same and opposite directions, 

 and at the dift'erent gaits, the number of signals may be much increased. 



§ 199. Unless they have special orders to the contrary, the videttes permit no one to cross the 

 chain towards the enemy, except officers' detachments, and patrols personally known to them. 

 If they observe any one attempting to steal over, they detain him until the arrival of the relief, 

 or patrol, and then send him to the commander of the picket. 



§ 200. If the commander of the picket approaches in the day time, they do not challenge 

 him, but both videttes advance carbine or draw pistol, and the chief vidette alone reports 

 whether anything worthy of the slightest attention has been observed. 



§ 201. If any iserson, not personally known to the videttes, approaches along the chain, the 

 front vidette halts him at 50 paces from the post, by crying, in a low tone, " Halt! ivJio comes 

 there?" If the reply is satisfactory, and the orders are to pass persons with the countersign, 

 he then cries, " Advance and give the countersign !" or, if it is a party that has approached, he 

 directs one person to advance and give the countersign, not allowing him to approach nearer 

 than ten paces for the purpose. If the party challenged does not reply, and persists in at- 

 tempting to pass the chain, the front vidette cocks his piece, goes to meet him, aiming at him, 

 halts close to him, and twice repeats the challenge, " Halt ! who comes there ?" If the person 

 does not reply to the third challenge, the vidette shoots him. 



liemark. — It is to be understood that videttes fire only upon persons who are armed, or resist ; 

 with regard to others who approach the chain without the countersign, they are merely stopped, 

 and treated as directed in the following section : 



§ 202. If the person approaching has the coimtersign, then, in the day time, the vidette 

 allows him to pass, but not nearer than 10 paces to the post ; if he has not the countersign, the 

 vidette directs him to halt at 50 paces from the post, and turn his back to it, (if he is on horse- 

 back, he is made to dismount,) and awaits the arrival of the relief or patrol, to whom he turns 

 him over as a prisoner, to be taken to the commander of the picket. 



§ 203. In the night, when it is impossible to recognize the faces of those approaching, the 



