318 MILITARY COMMISSION TO EUROPE. 



is necessary or possible. It is the duty of the reserve to prevent the enemy from falling sud- 

 denly in force upon the main body, and to use every exertion to retard his advance, in order to 

 afford the main body time to prepare to receive him, and take the measures necessary under the 

 circumstances. The more vigorously the enemy attacks, the more stubbornly must the reserve 

 resist him. 



§ 277. The troops composing the reserve may relieve the main guards and independent 

 pickets ; this relief is effected once or twice in 24 hours. The reserve itself is relieved by the 

 special order of the commander of the main body. 



ARTICLE 6. 

 Independent pickets. 



§ 278. If there is near the advanced chain any point the occupation of which is necessary or 

 very advantageous — for example, if it will strengthen a flank of the chain not sufficiently secured 

 by the nature of the ground, if it commands an extensive view, or if the enemy must necessarily 

 pass over it, and its distance is such that the chain cannot be extended to it without a consid- 

 erable increase in the number of men, then this point is occupied by a special detachment, 

 called an independent picket. 



§ 279. They are sent out from the nearest main guard, or from the reserve of the outposts, 

 and are under the orders of the commander of the outposts. They are posted as the ordinary 

 pickets, with the difference that their videttes are solely for their own security, and are so 

 placed as to prevent the enemy from attacking the picket unawares. 



§ 280. Not having a direct connexion with the other parties, they must maintain it by means 

 of patrols, and should also send patrols in the direction of the enemy ; therefore the strength of 

 an independent picket will be determined by the indispensable number of videttes and jjatrols to 

 be furnished. For examjjle, if it is necessary to post two pairs of videttes and one sentinel at 

 the picket, and to send out patrols on two roads leading towards the enemy, and on one 

 towards the nearest picket, then, each patrol consisting of two men, there will be 11 men in 

 each relief, or 33 privates in the whole picket. 



§ 281. The greater the distance of an independent picket from the other parties of the out- 

 posts the stronger should it be. In all cases it should have a secure retreat. 



§ 282. It is the duty of independent, as of ordinary pickets, to be always prudent, to watch 

 the enemy, to obtain information of his nearest parties and distant movements ; but as they are 

 more exposed than the others to be attacked and cut off, they should redouble their vigilance 

 and precautions. 



ARTICLE 7. 



The general duties of all parts of the outposts. 



§ 283. Precaution and indefatigable vigilance are the first duties of all parts of the outposts. 

 Independently of the security of the outposts themselves, this duty assumes a peculiar im- 

 portance from the fact that upon its fulfilment depend the tranquillity, safety, and sometimes 

 the existence of the troops guarded. 



§ 284. If the positions of the outposts are not already occupied by our own troops, the parties 

 detailed for outpost duty will march to their posts with all the usual military precautions — 

 that is, with advanced, flank and rear patrols. Besides this, it is well, upon approaching the 



