THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
469 
of several army corps, would detach one for its advanced guard; if com¬ 
posed of divisions, one or more divisions would be sent. Where, however, 
a large compact body is sent forward as an advance to the whole army, it is 
not, strictly speaking, an advanced guard, as generally understood. It is 
simply a powerful detached body, which must expect to fight unsup¬ 
ported, and its mission does not obviate the necessity of having particular 
advanced guards to the head of each column. If, again, this detached 
body of troops is kept within fighting support of the main body, it will 
become tactically necessary to divide it into several columns, and it becomes 
virtually a series of advanced guards covering the heads of the columns of 
the army. It is, then, simply necessary to consider the ordinary case of an 
advanced guard covering the head of a column of an advancing army. It 
must be remembered, however, that as each column has its own advanced 
guard, that of the army consists of the sum of these several bodies—-each 
being, as it were, linked to those adjoining it. 
In the march of an army, again, it is often necessary to provide flanking 
detachments—sometimes improperly called advanced guards. The action of 
these bodies will not be considered, as their employment varies so much 
according to the circumstances of the case, and, not being on the true front 
of an army, they cannot properly be considered as advanced guards. On 
account of the space covered by a large number of troops, more than a corps 
is never marched on a single road, if it can be avoided, and marching by 
divisions is preferable. During the last war, the Germans always marched a 
division on each road when practicable/ The question, then, resolves itself 
into the consideration of the advanced guards of a corps and a division, as 
applicable in the generality of cases. 
Tor convenience of reference, the composition and strength of the divisions 
and corps are supposed to be similar to those maintained in the army of the 
North German Confederation, the constitution of which is followed, more or 
less, by the great military powers . 3 The union of two or more army corps 
forms an army . 3 
According to the best military writers, the role of an advanced guard is to 
facilitate the march and guard against surprise. The country through which 
1 u More than a division was seldom placed on one road.”—Pamphlet bj Duke of Wurtemburg. 
1st Division.- 
Men. 
1st Brigade { Tw ZIXSCf° f }. 6350 
2nd Brigade { Tw ° t SSioTs h f] . 3332 
One regiment cavalry. 677 
One division field artillery. 634 
Guns. 
24 
( Total (adding Staff) . 14,066 24 
2nd Division. 14,066 24 
One battalion rifles. 1056 
Corps artillery—six batteries and train . 2601 36 
Administrative services, pioneers* train, &c. 4482 
Total. 36,421 84 
An army corps will hare thus about 31,000 fighting men. 
A division n 14,000 „ 
3 “ Precis of Modern Tactics,” Home. 
Duties of 
Advanced 
Guards in 
general. 
