320 MILITARY COMMISSION TO EUROPE 



parties immediately subordinate to it, but also to assist the neighboring parties whenever it is 

 necessary and possible. If a retreat is ordered, or forced upon them, each party rallies on that to 

 which it is subordinate. 



§ 298. In conformity with what has been said before, if firing at the chain is heard, the 

 portions of the pickets and main guards ordered to be in constant readiness at once move 

 forward, even if they have received no reports as to the advance of the enemy. In such cases, 

 the reserve, although fully ready to meet the enemy, makes no movement, without orders, until 

 the pickets and main guards are driven in. 



§ 299. Upon an attack by the enemy, the commander of every party should regulate his 

 movements in accordance with those of the nearest parties, so that he may not expose them to 

 be cut ofi' by a premature retreat on his part, or expose himself either by too tardy a retreat, or 

 by moving to the front with unnecessary rapidity. 



§ 300. It is the duty of all parties of the outposts and of all videttes to hold their positions 

 as long as possible. In the event of an attack they do not retreat without orders or pressing 

 necessity ; because, although there may be no difficulty in the retreat, and although the ground 

 abandoned may easily be reoccupied, yet the enemy gains something of which we cannot deprive 

 him, that is, a knowledge of the ground, which may have been the only object of his attack. 



§ 301. If any party is ordered to defend itself to the utmost, then, although the enemy is in 

 superior force, they resist him on the spot, and, if necessary, unhesitatingly sacrifice themselves 

 to the last man. 



§ 302. The commanders of all the posts should see that their subordinates have betimes the 

 parole, ivatchword, and countersign. 



§ 303. The commanders of pickets allow all persons who know the parole, ivatchioord, and 

 countersign to cross the chain in any direction, both by day and night, without obstacle. 

 Therefore, in time of war, the parole is not given to the men, but only to those persons whose 

 duty renders it necessary for them to possess it, and they preserve it with the utmost secrecy. 



§ 304. On this principle the parole is given only to the commanders of the main guards and 

 pickets, and to those persons who are entrusted by the proper authorities with missions which 

 render it necessary for them to cross the chain without detention. 



The watchword is given only to the non-commissioned officers sent out with patrols and 

 reliefs, and serves for mutual challenges. 



The countersign is given to all on duty at the outposts, and serves to challenge all who ap- 

 proach the chain. 



§ 305. Upon the arrival at any post of people who, by the regulations, or by special orders, 

 are not to be allowed to pass, the commander of that post sends them to his immediate chief. 

 Upon the arrival of flags of truce he watches that they do not enter into conversation with any 

 but the authorized persons. 



§ 306. At the outposts arms are not presented, nor the men mounted for any of the commanders. 

 Upon the approach of a superior officer, the party on duty at once stand to horse, the com- 

 mander of the post orders the rest to do the same, and places himself in that position ; if the 

 superior stops at the post, its commander reports what he has observed. 



§ 307. Upon the approach of the commander of the advanced guard, or of the main body, to 

 the position of the outposts, he is met and accompanied only by the commander of the outposts ; 

 the commander of each post remains with it. 



§ 308. When a post is relieved the old commander will explain to the new one everything 



