334 MILITARY COMMISSION TO EUROPE. 



as observe it, then it should be occupied by infantry in force proportionate to the importance oi 

 the case, or the possibility of holding it long enough to permit other troops to arrive. 



§ 444. Such posts are called independent defensive posts. 



If an independent defensive post is far from camp, and it is only intended to delay the advance 

 of the head of the enemy's column, and then fall back on the other troops, cavalry should occupy 

 it in preference. 



§ 445. In such cases mounted riflemen are of great use, because they repulse the enemy by 

 acting as infantry, and can retreat with the rapidity of cavalry when it becomes necessary ; and, 

 when covering the retreat of other troops, they can act sometimes as infantry, sometimes as 

 cavalry, according to the nature of the ground and the necessity of the case. 



§ 446. In an independent defensive post, the party on duty dismounts and occupies the point 

 to be defended as infantry ; the rest of the men repose near the horses, observing the precautions 

 prescribed for main guards ; they are placed in rear of the men acting as infantry, and keep 

 the horses bitted. 



§ 447. In all the cases mentioned in this chapter, precise instructions are given to the com- 

 mander of each party as to what is to be done in the event of the appearance of the enemy. 



§ 448. As a conclusion to this chapter, it may be stated that, although the disposition of the 

 outposts, according to the nature of the ground, is of the utmost importance, for the reason that 

 success in watching the enemy depends neither on the number nor strength of the outposts, but 

 on their skilful arrangement, all that can be said on the subject is limited rather to an explanation 

 of the general importance of objects than to laying down any precise rules. In all cases theory 

 must yield to the judgment of the commander, for a blind and unconditional following of rules 

 may result in injury rather than advantage. 



From all that precedes, it appears that troops may be guarded either by continuous chains 

 with lines of supports, or by independent posts, or by patrols, or, finally, by all three methods 

 combined. 



But there is no doubt that, if we carefully conform to the principles laid down for each of 

 these arrangements, one of them will often suffice ; while, on the contrary, if we neglect these 

 principles, the employment of all three may be insufficient. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



PRECAUTIONS TO BE OBSERVED IN THE CAMP OF THE MAIN BODY. 



§ 449. To avoid fatiguing the troops by keeping all of them constantly ready for a movement 

 and combat, but at the same time to secure them against attack, and be able to afford prompt 

 assistance to the outposts, a portion of the main body is detailed as an inlying picket. 



§ 450. The inlying picket must always be ready for action on the first order or signal. The 

 men should therefore always be to the front, and be dressed both by day and night ; their arms 

 should be loaded, and their horses saddled but unbitted and picketed ; they are taken to water 

 by turns, in parties. In the artillery, the men of the inlying picket are always dressed, the 

 horses have their collars on, and are taken to water only by piece or by section. 



§ 451. It rests with the commander of the main body, according to the news he has of the 

 enemy, whether to direct additional precautions on the part of the inlying picket ; for instance, 

 that the men should wear their accoutrements, &c. 



§452. The strength of the inlying picket is regulated by the commander of the detachment. 



