614 
GROUND SCOUTS, COMBAT PATROLS, ETC. 
The scouts must learn to choose for the advance of the batteries into 
position, roads under cover, and, for themselves, good points of obser¬ 
vation from which they can give the Brigade-division or Battery 
Commander useful information; also how to benefit by the map on the 
spot, in reporting on paper, points observed by them in the vicinity, 
or in fixing the position of roads, streams, and wood visible to them. 
By constant comparison of the ground with its representation on the 
map, they will cultivate the sense of locality, and in the course of a 
little time will be able to form for themselves a general idea of the 
features of the ground beyond their reach. As, however, on service 
the scouts, for the most part, will not be furnished with maps, it is im¬ 
portant to teach them to do without them; they should, therefore, be 
practised in proceeding to certain points, being only given the direction 
and distance. This is only possible for short distances ; if the scouts 
are to be sent far away, the instructor should shew them on the map 
all the country which they have to pass through, the road by which 
they are to go and their destination, the names of the streams, woods, and 
villages which they must pass through—these should be written down 
—or the scouts should be made to take a rapid sketch of their route. 
Example .—“Start from here, point “M” on the north-western slope 
of Mont-Valerien to Rueil by the western road. From the high road 
on which the tram-rails run, turn to the right by the road to the bridge 
at Chaton ; examine this bridge, as well as the road from it to Nauterre. 
From the bridge proceed to the signal station at “ 0” in a north¬ 
western direction, examine both the roads from Chaton to Carrier, one 
of which goes up to the height, and the other down to the Seine. The 
distance to the bridge is about 4 miles, and from the bridge to the 
signal station 2^ miles. Make a sketch, with the help of the map, so 
as to know at any moment where you are. Start in 5 minutes.” 
The scout makes the sketch with a pencil, marking the road with a 
simple line and dwelling-houses and other details by the conventional 
signs, noting the principal distances and marking the roads which he 
is not to take with a negative. 
On his return the scout reports verbally what he has seen, only pre¬ 
senting a sketch if especially ordered. 
Scouts should be good riders, with an eye for country. They should 
have good eyesight and be accustomed to take in the ground they are 
moving over at any pace. They ought to have field-glasses, and, if 
necessary, carry entrenching tools. 
The Duties of Ground Scouts. 
As a rule each battery sends out two “ Ground Scouts,” but if they 
are provided with entrenching tools, a third man should accompany 
them as horse-holder. On open ground, both the scouts go together, 
but when under cover, one of them with the horse-holder carries 
out reconnaissance, and the other maintains the connection with the 
battery, which must never be broken. Having received their orders 
as to direction from the Brigade-division or Battery Commander, 
the scouts at once go on ahead a certain distance, which they always 
maintain, so as to have time to examine obstacles, and, if possible, im- 
