352 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
lords should allow the troops to pass over the lands and farms for ten 
or twelve miles round. The damage done would be slight, as the 
pioneers follow the troops, and repair at once any damage done to 
ditches, fences, &c. The manoeuvres could be confined to a week or 
a fortnight at such time of the autumn as would do least damage. 
Any way, the subject might be seriously considered, and the co-ope¬ 
ration of the landlords tested. 
Our army was drawn up, with its front towards the expected 
advance of the enemy; the troops all posted according to the nature 
of the ground, and as much under cover and out of sight as possible; 
arms piled; dragoons and artillery dismounted; and animated discus¬ 
sions with maps in hand going forward everywhere, as reports came 
in of the enemy’s movements from the cavalry outposts, which had 
started early in the morning, to feel for the enemy, and were spread 
out like a fan for miles in our front and flanks. Every wood, every 
hillock, every village, every farm, every bridge, every road, every 
steeple, every railway station, was occupied by cavalry videttes of 
one, two, three, four, or more, men ; officers, cavalry, and staff looking 
out with the greatest earnestness and interest for the movements of 
the enemy, which were reported rapidly to the main body in writing; 
the supports to these outposts—consisting of troops, half-troops, 
sections, squadrons—were concealed all over the country, behind 
haystacks, farms, barns, w T oods, &c., receiving reports from the front, 
and communicating them to their reserves. In fact, so perfectly, 
intelligently, and earnestly was this duty carried on, that nothing 
could escape the u eyes and ears ” of this army, and every movement 
of the enemy was brought back. 
The duty is varied by enterprises and constant attempts to capture 
videttes, patrols, officers, and orderlies carrying messages; and it is 
so earnestly executed, that it is common to see officers, patrols, or 
single dragoons riding as for their lives, pursued at racing pace by 
single lancers, or parties of horse. 
So it will be seen that the rules of war are strictly carried out, 
and that the information acquired by the outposts, or staff officers, 
must be obtained, as in the field, at the risk of capture. 
Infantry outposts are thrown out, also, where necessary. The 
Prussians have an excellent plan, by-the-bye, which should be 
adopted by us : that is, having two or three dragoons with every 
advanced infantry piquet. I think myself that an officer’s piquet 
should never be without one dragoon or hussar, at least. 
At our exercises at Aldershot it is common to see generals and 
staff officers surveying the positions of their enemies under a deadly 
rifle fire, or under the immediate fire of field guns. Such things are 
not allowed in Prussia. They soon let slip a party of hussars, or 
lancers, at any officers attempting to get a near view. I saw a 
general and his staff who had, in this way, gone forward in their 
eagerness, charged by a party of lancers at full gallop. The general 
fled, followed by his staff—a most exciting pursuit, which ended by 
some officers, who were not given to hard riding across country, 
being captured by the Uhlans, and carried off in triumph to their 
own side! 
