324 MILITARY COMMISSION TO EUEOPE. 



§ 340. To inspect the jiickets and main guards, the commander of the outposts sends out 

 "rounds," from time to time. 



§ 341. Bounds consist of an officer with two privates ; all the main guards and pickets should 

 he informed betimes what officers are ordered to make the rounds. 



§ 342. The officer making the rounds must know the parole, watchiuord, and countersign. 



§ 343. In reply to the challenge of the sentinel at the main guard or picket, the officer making 

 the rounds answers "rounds!" 



To receive the rounds, that part of the main guard or picket which is ordered to be in constant 

 readiness mounts, without drawing sabre ; those reposing are not disturbed. In other regards 

 the rounds are received as in time of peace. 



§ 344. The commander of the party visited reports to the rounds the number of men under 

 his command, the arrangements of all his posts, the number of men absent on duty, the number 

 present, and everything that has been observed. 



§345. After this the officer making the rounds examines the command, satisfies himself that 

 they are in the required state of preparation, and verifies the general number of men. Then, if 

 he has been ordered to test whether the wliole command can be promptly in the saddle, he 

 notifies the commander of the post, who at once orders all the men to mount. 



§ 346. Everything prescribed here should be done quietly, and all orders be given in a low 

 tone. After this the rounds proceed to the next post ; but the officer may demand an escort from 

 the party just inspected. 



§347. The rounds are not limited to visiting the main guards and pickets, but may be required 

 to visit the videttes ; in this case they act as prescribed for patrols sent for the same purpose- 



§ 348. The rounds are not sent out at fixed hours ; the hours of their visits depend upon the 

 judgment of the commander of the outposts, and should be so regulated that the parties to be 

 visited may not know when to expect them ; they are sent out most frequently at night, and 

 just before dawn. 



§349. Upon the return of the rounds the officer reports to the commander of the outposts the 

 condition in which he found afiairs and everything he observed. 



CHAPTER IV. 



OF PATROLS. 



§ 350. The duties oi patrols sent out by troops on the march were described in Part I, Chapter II, 

 article 5. 



In this chapter will be described the duties oi patrols sent out by troops in camp. 



§ 351. Besides the patrols sent out to visit the videttes, (§ § 332 to 339,) patrols are sent out 

 for other purposes, namely : 



1. To keep up the communication between the different parties of the outposts. 



2. To reconnoitre the enemy ; and, 



3. To examine the country. 



. § 352. When a patrol is sent out to keep up the communication between different parts of the 

 outposts, it rides to the post whither it is sent, reports to the commander whatever it was directed 

 to communicate, and everything observed on the way ; having received his instructions, the 

 patrol returiis to its party. 



§ 353. To insure the safety and tranquillity of the troops it is not sufficient for the outposts 

 merely to watch the space visible from the chain, because the enemy may send out small parties 



