340 MILITARY COMMISSION TO EUROPE, 



In this case prudence requires progression iu the undertakings ; beginning with those that 

 require small numbers and at the same time promise full success, such as capturing single 

 videttes ; then, upon success, to undertake the capture of pickets, and finally to pass to more 

 important enterprises. Inital successes in a campaign are of particular importance ; they produce 

 favorable impressions upon our own people and depress the courage of the enemy. 



If the enemy is at all negligent in guarding his horses, small parties may accomplish important 

 results by stampeding them at night. 



§ 507. The object of attacks upon the cantonments of the enemy may be to alarm him, to 

 capture important points, or to profit by his dispersion and attack in force so as to defeat him in 

 detail. 



§ 508. In the first two cases the operations, although on a larger scale, will be nearly like 

 those for attacking the outposts. 



In the last case, when the detachment making the attack succeeds in carrying any important 

 point, it should be at once supported by the co-operation of other troops. Thus, not being 

 delayed by the first success, it can at once move on, and, taking advantage of the dispersion of the 

 enemy, endeavor to capture his troops before they are assembled and ready for action trusting 

 to the troops in rear of it for a safe retreat. 



§ 509. It is evident that the strength of detachments detailed for sudden attacks must vary 

 very much ; to capture a vidette 3 or 4 men are enough, the fewer the better. To capture a 

 picket, and generally to attack the enemy's outposts, parties of our own advanced troops maybe 

 employed ; to attack posts of importance detachments of considerable strength may be sent out ; 

 while to attack the cantonments of the enemy, the whole of the main body is sometimes employed. 



CHAPTER II. 



OF RECONNAISSANCES. 



§ 510. A reconnaissance — that is, an ocular examination — should precede every military 

 enterprise. It is always necessary to know beforehand with what troops we have to deal, 

 and the nature of the country in which the operation is to be effected ; this information can be 

 fully obtained neither by interrogation nor from maps ; there is no other way than by a recon- 

 naissance. 



§ 511. Information obtained by a reconnaissance is preferable to that by interrogation, as 

 being more full, and generally obtained with less delay. 



§ 512. If the enemy is so near that our own chain can see everything, the reconnaissance is 'made 

 under its protection. In such a case the reconnoitring officer either takes no escort, or a very 

 small one, and, for greater secresy, leaves even that at some distance. 



§ 513. If the enemy is at some distance, distant patrols are detailed for the reconnaissance ; 

 the duty is, according to its importance, entrusted either to the commander of the patrol or to 

 a special officer (sometimes an officer of the stafi") to whom the patrol is given as an escort. 



§ 514. If it is necessary to make a close reconnaissance of the position and arrangements of 

 the enemy, detachments of considerable strength must be employed. Their composition must 

 be such that they can drive in the enemy's outposts, break through his lines to the required 

 distance, and remain long enough to gain satisfactory information. Such reconnaissances made 

 openly and in force are called forced reconnaissances. Their object is sometimes not only to 

 examine the ground and the arrangements of the enemy, but also to ascertain his strength ; 

 consequently, to alarm him to such a degree as to make him show the parties at first concealed. 



