REPORT OF CAPT. GEORGE B. M'CLELLA^. 3 1 1 



videttes act in the following manner : If the reply to the challenge, " Halt! ivlio comes there h' 

 is, a general, an officer, patrol, relief, or rounds, the countersign is demanded, as already 

 explained, and if it is properly given, the party is allowed to pass. If the party does not 

 know the countersign, one of the sentinels at once rides to the commander of the picket and 

 receives his orders. But other military employes, and enlisted men, even if they have the 

 countersign, are not permitted to cross the chain at night, but are treated as is directed in the 

 preceding § for people who do not know the countersign in the day. 



§204. Whilst the chief vidette interrogates the person who has approached the chain, the 

 other cocks his piece, and watches in all directions with redoubled attention. 



§ 205. If a flag of truce, or, in general, any one whose business is of such a nature as not to 

 permit him to await the arrival of a relief or patrol, approaches the chain, the chief vidette 

 sends in the other to report to the commander of the picket. 



Flags of truce are not received at night, excej^t under very peculiar circumstances. 



§ 206. If any one whatsoever approaches the post from the direction of the enemy, even if of 

 th^ir own command, the videttes halt them, and do not allow them to approach within 50 

 paces ; the junior vidette then rides in to report to the commander of the picket. 



The only exception to this rule is the case of a returning patrol, if it consists of men of the 

 same regiment as the videttes, and if the latter recognize the persons of the officer and men 

 composing it. 



§ 207. If deserters from the enemy approach, the vidette halts them also at 50 paces, orders 

 them to lay down their arms, to dismount, if mounted, and to retire a little beyond the 50 paces. 



Then the junior vidette rides in to rej^ort to the commander of the picket, while the other, 

 cocking his piece, watches the new arrivals. 



§ 208. If the videttes discover the approach of the enemy, they at once inform the commander 

 of the picket ; but if he appears suddenly in front of the chain, they give the alarm by tiring. 

 They should fire only when he approaches resolutely ; to fire without necessity, and without 

 being satisfied that it is really the enemy, would be merely to create useless alarm. 



§ 209. Upon hearing a shot, the other videttes redouble their vigilance and attention, exerting 

 themselves to discover what is going on where the shot was fired; but not leaving their posts 

 without receiving a signal or special orders to do so, unless driven in, when they will rally on 

 the picket. 



ARTICLE 3. 



Duties of the commanders of the pickets. 



§ 210. With every picket there must be an officer and a trumpeter. 



§ 211. The officer detailed for duty with a picket should have the parole, watchword and 

 countersign for the day. 



Upon reaching his post, he communicates the countersign to all the men ; he gives the loatch- 

 word only to the non-commissioned officers who are to be sent out with patrols and reliefs. 



§ 212. Having conducted his platoon to the position it is to occupy, he acts as directed in 

 § 192, and posts the 1st relief in person. The non-commissioned officer who is to post the 

 next relief rides with him ; if there is no other officer present, the senior non-commissioned 

 officer remaining with the picket sees that all the men remain mounted and fully ready to move 

 until the return of the commander. 



§ 213. The first relief is posted as in time of peace. 



§ 214. When posting each vidette, the commander of the picket gives them their instructions 



