322 MILITARY COMMISSION TO EUROPE. 



§ 317. Secret retreats are usually made at night, during wliich time it is endeavored to keep 

 up the hivouac fires, that the enemy may not observe the absence of the troops. 



§318. To facilitate the retreat of the outposts themselves, should they be attacked during the 

 night, certain measures of precaution are adoirted. The officers should thoroughly acquaint 

 themselves with the roads of retreat, placing several posts on the roads, for greater security, 

 and especially at crossings of streams, on cross roads, and in places where the roads diverge. 



§ 319. A little before dawn, all the main guards are assembled and gradually retreat in the 

 required direction ; after them follow the pickets, and finally, at dawn, the whole chain com- 

 mences its retreat, joining the pickets at a^trot or gallop. 



§ 320. With a certain, although small, extension of the line of outposts it is impossible for them 

 all to retire by one road without serious delay. Therefore there should, if possible, be designated 

 for their retreat several roads which unite with the main road, even if at a great distance ; if 

 this is impossible, it is best to concentrate them rapidly on one point, in order thus to form a 

 detachment of sufficient strength to resist the attempts of the enemy. 



§321. As a general rule, the moment when troops are breaking up their camp is the most 

 favorable for the enemy to attack ; it is, therefore, best to execute such things secretly, although 

 there may be no other reason than this. If the means thus adopted are successful, the main 

 body may sometimes accomplish theobject of its movement before the enemy perceives its absence. 



CHAPTER II. 



THE ARRANGEMENTS OF THE OUTPOSTS AT A DISTANCE FROM THE ENEMY. 



§322. If the enemy is so far from us that he cannot pass over the intervening space in a 

 single march, and is, therefore, obliged to move by the roads, it will be sufficient to limit the 

 operations of the outposts to watching the roads. 



§323. In such cases it is only necessary to send out independent cavalry pickets on the roads 

 leading towards the enemy ; they communicate with each other by means of patrols. 



§ 324. As far as regards obtaining information of the enemy, it is best to push out these pickets 

 as far as possible, but, on the other hand, it is more dangerous for the pickets themselves ; 

 therefore they should not be pushed so far in advance as to be in great danger of being cut oif. 



§ 325. The distance to which they may be advanced will be increased in proportion to the number 

 of roads occupied, the difficulty which the enemy must experience in moving secretly by each 

 road, the distance to which patrols are sent out from each post, and the distance of the enemy 

 from our position. It is necessary to be more cautions, and to draw in the pickets as the enemy 

 approaches. 



§ 326. The force of each independent picket must depend upon the number of videttes and 

 patrols it is to furnish, and upon the degree of strength it ought to possess. 



§ 327. Every such picket is posted according to the rules laid down in § § 220 and 221. The 

 routine of duty, and the measures of precaution are exactly as in ordinary pickets. 



§ 328. As a general rule they preserve their mutual communication by patrols ; in addition, 

 they send out j)atrols as far as possible towards the enemy, to obtain the earliest possible 

 news of him. 



§ 329. If they are far from the army, they must be supported by small detachments placed in 

 reserve at points when several roads unite, or at places whence it is easiest to afibrd prompt 

 assistance to those pickets which may be expected to be attacked first. 



