REPORT OF CAPT. GEORGE B. M'CLELLAN. 337 



hy known fords, passages, or narrow defiles, then, if these points are occupied by- 

 pickets, there will no necessity for a continuous chain of videttes. 



Bemark. — Whenever the camp is behind a river, the outposts should convey to their own side 

 all the boats and other means of crossing. 



§ 432. In such cases, the independent pickets are posted at points which the enemy cannot turn. 



§ 433. For their own safety, they post videttes ; if the ground permits, they communicate with 

 each other by means of patrols. 



§ 434. If it is necessary to support the independent pickets, reserves are placed as directed in 

 §412. 



§ 435. Example of the arrangement of the outposts in a locality where the enemy can approach 

 only by a few passes, Plate 8. 



It is supposed that a detachment, composed of a brigade of cavalry and a division of infantry, 

 is placed at the village A to guard, in connexion with another detachment at B, the troops 

 following from the north, and that outposts are to be posted ; and that it is known that the 

 advanced troops of the enemy, approaching from the south, have not yet occupied the village N, 

 and that they cannot turn the passages over the stream P. 



§ 436. It is evident that it is unnecessary, in this case, to post a continuous chain of videttes 

 and that it will be sufficient to place independent pickets on the main roads, at proper distances 

 from the advanced detachment to be supported by it, and keep up the communication with the 

 detachment at B. 



§ 437. Upon examining the ground in front of A and B, it is evident that the stream P is the 

 most advantageous line of observation, and that the main detachment will be perfectly secure if 

 the crossings of the stream are occupied by independent pickets. 



§ 438. The crossings are at the points Q, K, S, T, U, and V. Supposing the crossing at Q to 

 be occupied by a picket from the detachment at B, and that each picket consists of a platoon, the 

 detachment at A must furnish 5 platoons, or 6 if the flank picket at K consists of a company. 



§ 439. Main guards, consisting of a company each, are posted near the villages F and I; and 

 there may be a reserve of 4 or 5 companies and a few guns at the village D. 



§ 440. The pickets posted near K, S, and T, should send out patrols to the village N, and the 

 pickets near U and V send patrols to the village W ; a small detachment should be sent through 

 the village N, to keep on until it finds the enemy; this should be composed of a company. 



§ 441 . On these principles the commander of the outposts receives the following instructions : 



1. The Nth. regiment of cavalry and 2 pieces of the Nth. horse battery are detailed for the 

 outposts. 



2. Until the enemy arrives at the village N, the outposts will keep only independent pickets 

 at the crossings of the stream P, at E, S, T, U, and V ; the main guards to be companies near 

 F, I, and L ; in order to observe the enemy better, one company will be sent through the villao'e 

 N, to keep on until it finds the enemy; the remainder of the cavalry and the guns will be posted 

 in reserve near the village D. Near patrols will be sent out, as usual, from all the pickets in 

 the direction of the villages N and W, and distant patrols to keep on until they find the enemy. 



To carry out these instructions the outposts may be arranged as shown in Plate 8. 



§ 442. If the line observed by the independent pickets is very far from the camp, and it is not 

 intended to defend it, but they are restricted to observation and giving notice of the enemy's 

 approach, then this line is occupied by cavalry alone, according to the rules for independent 

 pickets. 



§ 443. But if the line is near the camp, or for other reasons it is necessary to defend as well 



