Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-03-07

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the civil officer TO the officer OF the militis
should be, 30 far as possible, made in writing
1t Is the duty of the officer in command tC
execute such directions according to his best
Judgment. No unconstitutional or contra
dictory orders from a civil officer or officers
are to be obeyed by the military officer IL
charge. The attainment OF the object FOL
which the militia is called out Is OF far more
Importance than mere form. An officer who
stands drawing out red tape, instead OF using
his sword, should be cashiered. The militia
should remember that they are not licensed
marauders that they are not law breakers
but enfoicers of law. So much force may
be used as is necessary for the accomplish
ment of a legal act, and no more. When
the civil officers have no more need for the
services OF the militia, the fact should be
communicated to the commander In writ
ing; when called out by the United States, the
order of return can come only from the gen
eral government. 1t is not my province TO
60 into the details of action under the call.
| The Green Mountain Boys have ever dis
played wisdom, as well as bravery, in the
field, and while the examples of Allen and
Stannard and thousands of other brave SOL
| diers remain, we can not doubt
that men of the same blood and
metal and brain will still be found in the
ranks of Vermont soldiers.
After the reading of Lieut.. Halls paper,
Col. Estey took in charge the arrangements
for company drill, and detailed the neces-
sary officers. The afternoon drill, as well as
the mornings, was well performed. 1nstruc-
| tions were given in some points of the man.
ual of arms The officers then dispersed
until o'clock p. M, when they reassemblcd
at the parlors of the American Hotel, meet
| ing His EIcellency Governor Barstow and
other distinguished officials aud military
men. At 7:30 o'clock the officers of the
National Guard with Governor Barstow,
members of his staff, and distinguished
guests proceeded to the City Hall, where
they were honored with the military salute
by the Students Battalion OF the L. V. NJ
drawn up under arms. Col. Greeuleaf, in n
few pleasant words then introduced Lieut..
ii. L. Tutherly, who spoke, substantially, as
follows:
Guard Duty.
Tie purpose for which we are here 10.
night is to illustrate and execute guard
mounting as laid down in tactics for a regi-
ment of infantry, and l have been requested
before illustrating that ceremony to briefly
explain the whole system Of guards and out
posts about an army, in which this regiment
al guard forms but one interior line.
This drawing, (pointing TO q large dia-
gram, represents an army corps of $500
men in camp, in a free and open country,
with all guards and outposts stationed The
corps consists of the first line of battle, the
second line and the reserve; which is per.
hsps, as nearly a model formation for an
army awaiting attack as any that can be
chosen to clearly illustrate the whole system
of supports and defense.
This army consists according to tactics of
three divisions OF the line, one brigade OF ar
tilery and one division of cavalry the usual
proportions Of cavalry being from one-tiflh
to one-sixth, the entire command.
Two divisions are In line of battle aud one
division with the cavalry and artillery in re-
serve. Each division has three brigadrs
and each brigade four regiments. In each
brigade two regiments are in the first line OF
battle and two in the second, 81 that the brl-
gades are kept together one half supporting
the other halt The same formation is OBJ
served by the division in reserve, except that
the regiments are in column ready TO move,
aud the cavalry and artillery held in the rear
ready to be sent to either flank or throu5 n
the interval inthe line.
Guards: Around each of these separate
regiments is a close line Of sentinels, as much
for the purpose of dicipline within the CON-
mand as to keep out persons who may have
cvaded the advanced posts. These regimen
tai guards are designated in tactics, police,
guards and are entirely under the coloners
command. About ten sentinels usually sur.
| round the camp
About go yards in advance of the line Of
regiments is the line of grand guards, there
being one in front of each brigade, supplied
| from that brigade Two bundled yards in
front of the grand guards is the line of small
posts or pickets. Fifty or sixty yards in front
| of this line is the line of sentinels
or videttes, being called sentinels when
| on foot, and videttes when mounted
The sentiuels and videttes are placed so Gloss
together that no one can pass unobserved
and are usually doubled during the night.
The line is about 1000 yards from the enemy
or sometimes the sentines OF two belligerenI
armies come 50 close together as to exchange
| conversation. Variations in the surface o.
| the country necessitate variations in thi:
| systematic arrangement. The line of senti
nels might be convex or 1t might be con
cave-or the nature of the country might re
| Quiie these grand guards sent two or three
miles in advance in some village or the fOrh
of road, with the advance post on higl
points near, and the scntines or videttc
shielded by some cover. But the genera
system would still be observed, Eacl
cavalry and artillery company or bat
terry has separate stable guarC
still within the line OF sentinels of the rcgi
ment, for the protection Of horses and feel,
pieces as n commander might about as wtl
loose his ammunition as his horses
All guards are changed every tewenty-fou
hours, AMI sentinels are relieved every twt
hours, throughout the day and night.
| Patrols are kept moving within these line
to keep up communication between the diI
ferent posts, and also without the line as ia
as it is safe to venture, for the purpose OF gain
ing information of the country and enemy
movements. The patrols within the line
are small, consisting only Of non-commit
stoned officer and from Two to eight men.
Those for accommodating in advance of IA
line arc mounted, and consist Of an office
and Twelve men o. IN re, up 10 the stfengt
If a company.
The men in advance on the tanks and i
rear ride two and two, so that one can 60 in I
the commander vita Information. while tn
: other keeps his place to watch. These me
dismount in turn and place their cars to til
ground to listen. With these precaulion
5 patrols ought not to be in danger of captur,
SO the officer is always held responsible f.
| their loss. The commander of pat rol
should br!r L hack sketches OF the Cou1tr
passed over with memoranda Conformation
g At night patrols challenge each other an
. their commanders are required to give I'll
, Countersign rs pre- scrlbei for parties IA sin
c Il otntiuel's post Of the guard.
a Grand Rounds There is still ano her bod
. that makes the rounds of the posts With
j The liIe called grand rounds, which conf
4 Of the officer Of the day in IN osoIri Of