REPORT OF CAPT. GEORGE B. M'CLELLAN. 317 



ARTICLE 5. 



The reserves of tJie outposts. 



§ 265. These may be employed with two objects : 



1. To facilitate the retreat of the outposts, if they are very distant from the camp ; or, 



2. To retard the advance of the enemy if the ontposts are close in. 



In the first case, the reserve need not be very strong ; if the ground permits the action of 

 cavalry, it is composed of that arm in preference ; from two to four companies or more may be 

 detailed for the service. In the second case, the composition of the reserve depends upon the 

 ground and the length of time it is desired to detain the enemy ; in localities at all favorable 

 to infantry, the reserve is composed of that arm, and it is of cavalry only on perfectly open 

 plains ; in this last case, the deficiency in defensive strength is supplied by the addition of horse 

 artillery. 



§ 266. In general a reserve of the outposts is detailed only for the protection of a considerable 

 body of troops, as, for instance, 3 or 4 divisions. For detachments consisting only of a division 

 or so, there is no reserve of the outposts ; the detachment itself constitutes the reserve. 



§ 267. The bivouac of the reserve of the outposts is selected as near as possible to water, wood, 

 straw, forage, &c. ; but in no case should any military advantages be lost sight of, they being 

 much more important in such a case than any considerations of mere convenience. 



§ 268. An inlying picket, of from J to ^ of the entire reserve, is detailed, which should be 

 perfectly ready to mount, to support the outposts if necessary. The inlying picket is placed a 

 little in advance of the rest, and acts as the guard of the artillery, if there is any ; its men 

 should wear their accoutrements, and have their horses constantly saddled and bitted. 



§ 269. The rest of the horses are not unsaddled, but stand at the picket ropes, or are hobbled, 

 except the horses of the guns, which are fed in harness, and are unhitched only to go to water, 

 and that by turns ; the caisson horses may be unhitched. 



§ 270. The reserve always bivouacs in order of battle, that is with the companies in line ; 

 the guns ought to be in position, in full readiness for action, a little in advance. If the reserve 

 is partly composed of infantry, the cavalry is so placed that the party standing to horse may be 

 covered by the infantry. 



§ 271. The arms should be loaded. The men change their dress, and unsaddle to examine 

 their horses backs, a few at a time ; in a company by section, in a regiment by companies. 



The men who are reposing may take off their shakos, but not their accoutrements. 



§ 272. The use of fire is allowed, unless peculiar circumstances render it improi3er. 



§ 273. The reserve secures itself by camp and quarter guards, posted as in time of jjeace. 

 The duty in the reserve is performed as in ordinary bivouacs ; guards and sentinels present 

 arms as usual, but no signals by drum or trumpet are allowed. 



§ 274. When the outposts take up their jjositions, if it becomes necessary to reinforce any of 

 the main guards, or to establish new pickets, it is done from the reserve. 



§ 275. The commander of the outposts is habitually with the reserve ; therefore, all reports 

 from the main guards and independent pickets are sent thither, that its movements may be 

 regulated in conformity with the reports received. 



§ 276. When the commander of the reserve receives a report of the approach of the enemy he 

 acts according to circumstances ; that is, he either sends a reinforcement to the pickets, or 

 advances to support them with the whole reserve, or joining them himself does everything that 



