336 MILITARY COMMISSION TO EUROPK. 



CHAPTER IX. 



PRECAUTIONS TO BE OBSERVED FOR THE SECURITY OF CANTONMENTS. 



ARTICLE 1. 



Of advanced detachments. 



§463. Troops in cantonments being scattered over a great space, and requiring much time to 

 assemble, are not covered by a continuous chain of outposts. In this case, the arrangements for 

 the early discovery of the approach of the enemy are made entirely by the cavalry, who must, by 

 means of their outposts, patrols, and parties, watch the whole space in front of the cantonments 

 towards the enemy. 



§ 464. These outposts consist entirely of independent posts, whose arrangement depends alto- 

 gether upon circumstances. It can only be said that, as they are sent out to discover the enemy, 

 they are posted in preference on the main roads, at the junctions of roads on which the enemy 

 must move, and in places favorable to defensive operations. If there is any place on the flank 

 of the cantonments oifering advantages to the enemy, it must be occupied. 



§465. The posts should be strong in proportion to the importance of the road on which they 

 are placed, their distance from the cantonments, and the facility for defence offered by the ground. 



§ 466. The precautions to be observed by these posts have a two-fold object : (a) their own 

 safety; (b) to afford timely information of the approach of the enemy. In this matter they con- 

 form to what is prescribed in Part II, Chapter I, article 6, of these regulations. 



§467. The more extensive the space over which the outposts are scattered, the more are they 

 left to their own resources, and the more must their success depend upon the good sense of the 

 commander of each party. His only means of obtaining news of the enemy are his own eyes, 

 sentinels, videttes, patrols, and information from travellers and the inhabitants ; but it depends 

 upon his own sagacity to apply them with the greatest success. 



§468. To support the independent pickets, there may be sent out main guards, and on the 

 most important points of all the roads leading towards the enemy main advanced detachments. 



§ 469. These last, being intended not only to support the cavalry outposts and parties, but 

 also to check the enemy long enough to enable the troops in the cantonments to assemble at the 

 designated rendezvous, should possess a certain independent strength ; therefore they should 

 consist of all three arms, according to the importance of the point. 



§ 470. These detachments are j)ushed one or two marches from the cantonments, and occupy 

 strong positions, which they may sometimes strengthen by field works. 



§ 471. If the intervals between them are considerable, smaller posts are placed between them, 

 to keep up the communication and secure the cantonments from being alarmed by light detach- 

 ments of the enemy. 



§472. The commander of a main advanced detachment must make himself well acquainted 

 with the country in the vicinity, examine all the approaches by which the enemy may arrive, 

 and take all measures to discover his movements betimes, as well as to secure the best possible 

 defence of the post. 



§ 473. All the outposts are subordinate to the commander of the main advanced detachment ; 

 he arranges their movements, and receives from them all news of the enemy. 



§ 474. The main advanced detachments post camp and quarter guards. All the men should 

 be in readiness for action ; therefore the horses are saddled at the picket ropes, arms loaded, 



