REPORT OF CAPT. GEORGE B. M^CLELLAN. 3213 



§ 330. Intelligent irregular cavalry, inured to war, may be employed advantageously as inde- 

 pendent pickets and patrols ; but the supports must always be of the regular cavalry. 



§ 331. Sometimes, even when at a great distance from the main body of the enemy, there may 

 arise the necessity for the greatest precautions ; for example, when the population is disposed to 

 insurrection, or when the country is full of hostile partisans. 



In such cases the precautions should be in proportion to the danger. 



CHAPTEK III. 



OF VISITING THE OUTPOSTS. 



§ 332. Small parties, consisting of a non-commissioned officer and two good men, are sent out 

 by the pickets and main guards to ascertain whether the videttes observe the proper vigilance 

 and precaution. These parties are called patrols. Patrols also offer the advantage that they 

 may happen to stumble upon the enemy stealing across the chain. 



§ 333. The non-commissioned officer of the patrol must have the loatcktvm-d and countersign. , 



§ 334. A patrol sent to visit the videttes proceeds as follows : the non-commissioned officer 

 has his sabre at a carry ; the two men follow him with carbines advanced, or pistols drawn and 

 cocked. They proceed to one flank of the chain belonging to their command ; cross to the 

 outside of the chain near the flank videttes, and approach the chain silently from the outside to 

 test the vigilance of the videttes. When the vidette challenges, the non-commissioned officer 

 replies, "patrol," and, at the command, "advance, sergeant, with the countersign/' advances 

 to about 10 paces from the vidette, and gives the countersign in a low voice. The patrol then 

 proceeds, in the same manner, to the first vidette of the next picket^ or main guard, near which 

 it recrosses to the interior of the chain, returns to its party, and reports whatever has been 

 observed. 



§ 335. If the. non-commissioned officer finds the post of any pair of videttes abandoned, he 

 leaves one of his own men there, and sends in a man of the next pair to inform the commander 

 of the picket. 



§ 336. The patrol must carry back with it all persons found detained at the chain, and all 

 met with without the countersign. 



§ 337. If two patrols meet at night, and cannot recognize each other's faces, the one which 

 first perceives the other cries, "Salt! who comes there?" and, having received the reply, 

 "Patrol!" cries "Advance, sergeant, ivith the countersign!" the non-commissioned officer of 

 the second patrol gives the countersign, and, in his turn, then demands the watchword ; if the 

 replies are all correct, both patrols then proceed on their march, each having informed the 

 other of anything extraordinary observed or suspected. 



§ 338. Upon suddenly meeting the enemy, patrols act as prescribed for videttes. 



§ 339. The number of patrols sent to visit the videttes must be increased in proportion to the 

 difficulty of seeing the videttes from the pickets, the darkness of the night, the obstructions of 

 the ground, the thinness of the chain, and the fatigue of the men, whether arising from a long 

 march or a combat. 



Under these circumstances patrols are sent out continually, that is, on the return of one, 

 another is at once sent out. 



In the day time, in clear weather, and in open country, but few patrols are despatched, 

 though the videttes must be kept in constant expectation of them. 



