338 MILITARY COMMISSION TO EUROPE. 



§ 486. If it is necessary, inlying pickets are detailed in the villages nearest the enemy; the 

 state of preparation in -which they are kept is regulated by the commander-in-chief according 

 to circumstances. If necessary, distant patrols are sent out by these inlying pickets. 



§ 487. In addition to the guards at regimental head(|uarters, and in the different parts of 

 large villages, infantry guards are posted at the outlets of the villages on the side of the enemy. 

 These guards post sentinels, and are ordered to prevent the passage of people without the 

 countersign at night, or both by day and night, according to circumstances. 



§ 488. Signal stations and telegraphs must be arranged in the cantonments. The signals to 

 turn out and form must be explained to the troops. 



§ 489. That the troops may meet the enemy in force if he attacks, points of rendezvous must 

 be designated near the quarters for regiments, divisions, and other parties. 



§ 490. In addition to the general rendezvous, there is a special one for the troops in each 

 village. This is chosen outside of the village, on the side nearest the general rendezvous ; and 

 measures are taken betimes that all the roads leading to the rendezvous may be open and free 

 from obstacles. 



§ 491. When the troops march to the rendezvous, only the wagons of the 1st class accompany 

 them ; special rendezvous are given for the other wagons, so that the troops may not be delayed 

 or embarrassed by them either when moving to the rendezvous or in case of retreat. 



§ 492. For the march of the troops to the rendezvous roads are chosen for each party, so that 

 they may neither cross nor delay each other on the march. 



The roads should be examined and repaired betimes. 



PART III. 



OF THE PRINCIPAL OPERATIONS OF SPECIAL DETACHMENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 



OF SUDDEN ATTACKS UPON THE ENEMY. 



§ 493. Sudden attacks upon the enemy are made with several objects : 



1. To alarm his posts ; 



2. To capture one or more of them ; and 



3. To attack his quarters. 



§ 494. For all such enterprises, cavalry are chosen in preference. Mounted rifles, or dragoons, 

 uniting the defensive force of infantry with the velocity of cavalry, may be of particular advantage 

 in the last two cases, esi3ecially in passing to the defensive and covering a retreat, in case of a 

 failure in the enterprise. 



§ 495. The principal conditions of success in all enterprises of this kind may be stated to be : 

 1. Complete knowledge of the ground, and positive information as to the force and distribution 

 of the enemy ; 2. A concealed approach to the point on which the attack is to be made ; 3. 

 Rapidity of movement, seconded by the secresy and unexpectedness of the attack ; and 4. To 

 keep the movements of the different parties as closely united as possible until the last moment, 

 so that no one of them may be delayed by unexpected obstacles, or discovered by the enemy on 

 account of having separated too soon ; finally, the whole force must be perfectly ready for action 

 at a moment's notice. 



§ 496. In accomplishing a concealed approach to the point on which the attack is to be made 

 we will be assisted by selecting the time when the enemy least expects an attack, that is, in the 



