314 MILITARY COMMISSION TO EUROPE. 



exactness of the videttes, (see Chapter III ;) he should also despatch the reliefs punctually, and 

 report to the commander of the main guard after every relief, although there may be nothing 

 new. 



§ 236. When a report comes in from the chain of the arrival of men without the countersign, 

 or in the night of those who (see § 203) are not entitled to pass with it, the commander of the 

 picket at once sends a non-commissioned officer and two men to bring them in. Upon their 

 arrival, he demands the parole, ivatchicord, and countersign; and if all their replies are correct, 

 he permits them to pass freely ; but if they do not know the parole, he sends them, under guard, 

 to the commander of the main guard. 



§ 237. If a flag of truce or deserters from the enemy arrive at the chain, the commander of 

 the picket goes there himself, taking with him a non-commissioned officer and some privates. 

 When near the flag of truce, he demands who he is, by whom and to whom sent ; and then, 

 having blindfolded him, directs the non-commissioned officer and two privates to conduct him 

 to the commander of the main guard. If deserters have arrived, he directs his escort to take 

 their arms, and bring them within the chain ; he then calls up one of the deserters and questions 

 him, and having ordered them all to be searched, lest they carry concealed weapons, he sends 

 them to the commander of the main guard, with an escort in profiortion to their number. 



§ 238. If a report arrives from the chain of anything important in the direction of the 

 enemy, or of his appearance, the commander of the picket verifies it in person, at once sends a 

 report to the commander of the main guard, and informs the neighboring pickets; in the mean- 

 time the picket mounts. 



§ 239. If it appears that the enemy, in small force, merely alarms the outposts, the videttes 

 commence firing, the pickets advance, and either endeavor to overthrow the enemy's detachment, 

 or to keep him in check until the arrival of the main guard or the reserve of the outposts. 



§ 240. If it appears that the enemy is not in superior force, then the pickets should attack 

 and drive him ofi"; afterwards they resume their original positions. 



§ 241. If it is ascertained that the enemy attacks vigorously in force, and has already approached 

 so near the chain that the videttes are in danger of being cut off', the commander of the picket 

 gives them the signal to retreat, and, using them as a chain of skirmishers, he begins, if it is 

 necessary, his retreat upon the main guard, again reporting the state of aff"airs to the commander 

 of the latter, and the nearest pickets. 



§ 242. While retreating, he should endeavor to delay the enemy as long as possible, also to 

 observe as well as he can his force, kind of troops, and direction, taking care, however, not to 

 be cut off. 



§ 243. In the night the enemy does not see the strength of the picket, and moves over ground 

 with which he is unacquainted, while the picket knows the ground. Therefore, it is sometimes 

 advantageous for cavalry pickets, in the night, to commence their retreat by attacking ; if the 

 attack fails, nothing is lost, and the jjicket falls back upon the main guard ; if it succeeds, even 

 if it is impossible to drive the enemy off, his pursuit is at least delayed, and his force more closely 

 examined. 



§ 244. Upon heai-ing firing at the chain, the commander of the picket at once sends to learn 

 the cause, and causes the picket to mount; if the enemy really attacks, the commander acts as 

 directed above ; but if the firing was only upon individuals, he at once sends word to the main 

 guard and neighboring pickets, to prevent unnecessary alarm. 



§ 245. The other pickets mount at once upon hearing firing at any part of the chain; and if 



