316 MILITARY COMMISSION TO EUROPE. 



§ 254. Having arranged the main guard, its commander reports to the commander of the 

 outposts his arrangements, and everything of importance that he has observed. 



Remarh. — Sketching the ground occupied by the outposts is a part of the duty of the staff 

 officers ; but if tliere are none present, the commander of the main guard should annex to his 

 report a rough pencil sketch of the ground, for the better elucidation of his arrangements. 



§ 255. A sentinel is placed at the main guard, as at the jjicket, (§ 221;) he challenges all 

 who approach in the same manner as the videttes. All other precautions are observed by the 

 main guard as by the pickets. — (§ 226.) 



§ 256. If it is necessary to cook in a covered place, and the commander of the outposts has 

 given permission to use a fire, the men do not leave their position to eat, but the food is brought 

 to them, and they eat, a few at a time. 



§ 257. The commander of the main guard receives the rounds in the same manner as the com- 

 mander of a picket does. — (§234.) 



§ 258. If men without the countersign, flags of truce, or deserters from the enemy, are sent in 

 from the pickets, the commander of the main guard interrogates them, and then sends them, 

 under guard, to the reserve, if there is any, or direct to the commander of the outj^osts. 



§ 259. Upon receiving from the pickets news of the approach of the enemy, or on hearing 

 firing at the chain, the commander of the main guard at once sends an officer, or a sergeant, 

 with two men to ascertain what is taking place, and reports to the commander of the outposts. 

 That part of the main guard whose horses are bitted mount and ride to the front to receive or 

 support the retreating pickets in case of necessity ; in the meantime the other portion prepare, 

 and, if the firing continues, join the advanced party. 



§ 260. If the commander of the main guard is satisfied th^t the enemy attacks really and 

 decidedly, he reports again to the commander of the outposts, and acts according to the preceding 

 instructions ; that is, he either endeavors to resist the enemy and hold his ground, or keeps up 

 the firing and retards his advance, or simply falls back upon the reserves. 



§ 261. In the night, the main guard may, as in the case of a picket, (§ 243,) try an immediate 

 attack ; but this should be made by only a part of the main guard, holding the rest in reserve 

 to support the attacking party. 



§ 262. The commander of each main guard should constantly keep up his connexion with his 

 pickets and the nearest main guards by patrols ; if the enemy advances, he must regulate his 

 movements in conformity with those of the other main guards, so that, being as nearly as possible 

 on the same line, they may be in a condition to render mutual assistance. 



§ 263. The commander of a main guard should be very careful as to his reports ; upon receiving 

 any news about the enemy from the pickets, he should endeavor to verify it in person ; if that is 

 impracticable, it is best to send to the commander of the outposts the original report received 

 from the picket. 



§ 264. If the same two companies remain upon outpost duty for several days, the pickets 

 are usually relieved every 24 hours. It is best to relieve them in the morning, that the new 

 pickets may be able to see the country. If the two companies are detailed for 24 hours only, 

 the pickets may be relieved during the day, especially if they have been alarmed, and have not 

 had time to unbit their horses. Such reliefs should be effected one or two hours before sunset, 

 to give the new reliefs time enough to become acquainted with the ground. 



