REPORT OF CAPT. GEORGE B. M'CLELLAN. 313 



Here the main point is, that the report is ■well founded and clearly expressed. The reports 

 should he numhered, state what party it refers to, and the date and hour when sent. 



§ 225. For patrols and orderlies, 6 men are detailed from the picket, independently of those 

 who supply the videttes ; two of these, besides any already sent out, should always be in readiness 

 to start in an instant; the others may rest, and in the day unbit their horses. 



§ 226. The pickets should always be vigilant, careful, quiet, and ready to move. The arms 

 ought to be loaded, the men fully accoutred, all the horses saddled, and the whole picket in an 

 effective condition; the horses are sent to water in parties of two or three at a time, under charge 

 of a non-commissioned officer, and take everything with them. The horses should not be 

 hobbled or picketed. The use of fire is forbidden, without special permission. The men change 

 their dress, from the uniform to the overcoat, and the reverse, one at a time. Under peculiar 

 circumstances, in the night, one-half the men (by turns) may be allowed to take off their shakos 

 and sleep, but the rest be on the alert, or stand to horse. 



§ 227. When a relief is sent out, which habitually is done every two hours, but oftener in bad 

 weather, severe cold, or after great fatigue, the whole picket mounts, and so remains until the 

 return of the relief. 



§ 228. It being easy for the enemy to approach the chain during the night, in order to make a 

 sudden attack at daybreak, the whole picket should be mounted some time before dawn. 



§ 229. If it appears to be necessary to draw in the videttes upon the picket, or to close in the 

 videttes on each other for the night, then, by the special order of the commander of the outposts, 

 the chain removes to its new position upon the approach of twilight. The decrease of the 

 intervals between the pairs of videttes is regulated by the darkness of the night and the weather ; 

 in a dark night, with heavy rain, a thick fog, or, most especially, with a wind blowing towards 

 the enemy, this interval is made very small. The extra men needed in these cases are supplied 

 by the main guards or the reserve of the outposts. At daybreak, the chain again advances to 

 the position designated for it during the day. 



§ 230. If the ground occupied by the videttes during the day is so advantageous that it would 

 be injurious to throw them back at night, and it is necessary to decrease their distance from the 

 picket, then the chain is left where it stands, the intervals between the videttes are diminished, 

 and the picket moved up closer to the chain. 



§ 231. Besides the original posting of the chain, the commander of the j^icket should also 

 suj)erintend its removal to the night position ; and if the videttes were originally posted at 

 night, he should be present when they take up their new position for the day, also when his 

 picket is relieved by other troops. The other reliefs of the videttes not only may, but ought to 

 be made by non-commissioned officers, so as not to take the commander from his j)icket, where 

 his presence may be very necessary. 



§ 232. All the men of a relief, while marching, carry their weapons as prescribed for the front 

 vidette in § 194, and the act of relieving is performed as in time of peace ; the instructions are 

 given quietly, and all orders in a low tone. 



§ 233. The returning relief is received at the picket as in time of peace, with the difference 

 that the whole picket is mounted. 



§ 234. When the rounds arrive at a picket, they are received as directed below in Chapter III, 

 on visiting the outposts ; in this case, all orders are given in a low tone, and the necessary quiet- 

 ness is preserved. 



§ 235. At the proper hours, the commander of the picket will send out patrols to verify the 

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