Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-17

The Dispatch Is indebted to Mr.. $. H.
walker. of Mount Meridian. for a copy
OF the interesting order given below MI
waite. was a member OF Company Il.
First Virginia Cavalry.
Headquarters Cavalry Brigade.
Army Of tho Potomac,
October is. 1861.
In order 10 systematic and render
moro uniform the conduct Of cavalry Oh
OUTPOST service, the following rules and
regulations are published, and will be
risidly observed by the cavalry OF The
Army OF the Potomac
PICKET ORGANIZATION.
The main object OF cavalry outposts
10 secure the earliest practicable luteil-
rence Of the enemy's operations. ana
communicate the same rapidly 20 The
commander. For this purpose IT Is Cd
yiously necessary TO keep as nsHr the
enemy as possible; 10 near that no move
ments of consequence could take place
without being detected.
Another object, hardly secondary In I'M
nortance. is to prevent communication
check the enemy's reconnaissance anu
keen his videttes far enough on to pre-
vent their being able 20 observe 'he
,novments of our forcs, and render by 'he
distance to be overcome sbortlVe any
attempt to surprise cur main pOdy'
our front should be as completely anu
rlosely covered as the size OF the ioICe
and the nature Of the country WIZ au-
init: at any rate. all the posslple avenues
4. eli a i.
the eligible points of observation oecI-
pied. ....s,,a
In the selection Of posts 10 be occupied
tho foregoing objects must bs kept IN
view. but care must DO taken 10 tNoiu
as much as possible the particular sPo'S
liable 10 surprise from the nature OF the
ground or contiguty TO n thcKe'' ihe
most once established, avenues ot retreat
must be open IN all directions, ior 'he
cavalry vidette is very liable to approach
by tho enemy from the rear lhe i"s's
should form continuous me u 80,
nication, which, when interrupted py hN'-
n-al obstacles must be 6spt up bv ire
quent patrols
ON account Of the advantage OF COM
pany Organization, picket guards VIII. as
n general rule, consist OF entire coii-
psnles: each company covering us Try
portion Of the front allotted 70 the segl-
uent 10 which IL belongs. EAcn posi- Gun
sisting OF picket OF not less 'h""
non-commssioned officer and three men
the captain exercising general supeihn-
,endsnce over all as officer of the guard
and the field officers OF the regiment
general superintenlence. In turn, over
All the pickets OF the regiment
IA n universal rule, tho trooper must
relieve his horse as much as possloie py
belng on foot on post but should never
when M post near the enemy, quit his
horses rein or take off bride or saddle
when the woods are thick and the use
OF a horse is thereby dangerous ana uil.
ncult. the vidette should advance Oh ioo'
thirty or forty PAGES in front or the
sIsl,c, which remains with the Lorses In
security. taking care TO observe as much
"a possible without being himself Cd
served The picket should not be restrict
ed rigldly to one particular spot as
post; on the contrary. II Is OFTEN alVlsa-
BILE, particularly at night 10 aVolu su'
prise. 10 shift the position OF the picNe'
a short distance: besides, while the top
of hin is. during the day. the most ad-
yantageous for observation, II becomes
very dangerous at night from relieving
the yidette against the sky, and Is not
as desirable for purposes OF observation
as the base of the hill on the side next
our own lines. At night every SOUND
should be carefully listened 10, as hlght
movement OF the enemy may frequently
be detected by the rumbling OF wheeis
and cracking OF whips.
Tho reserve win be composed or that
norton OF each company not required Tor
the posts, and Will be stationed at con
yenlent point In the rear, which VIII De
The habltual station OF the company com
mander
on the post the utmost vigilance must
la.tr nj mic IL
dette must bear in mind that with him
may rest the safety OF our army, and
with II our country. He should, there
fore, keep an eye single 10 his whole
duty, dlsregarding the allarements 10
comfort and slumber
Great care should be taken 10 inter
ccpt and prevent any communication OF
person going towards the enemy ana our
cavalry are particularly cautioned ana
enjoined against talking TO country peo-
PIE about the lines concerning any milf
tary topic. as information OF ereat value
hus often reaches the enemy.
III any OF the cavalry fall In the hands
VI the enemy. they must preserve
Frict reserve and silence when question
vi about our army. as 1t canot affect his
treatment. and a captive true To his
,ountry's interests receives the respect OF
IN enemy. while trucking one merits
he contempt OF all men.
Tho signals and counterslgns should be
,ept with the most rigid secrecy from all
10, belonging to the army and entitled
% know. The night signal should be
. required sixty yards on, and the day
! rgnal as soon as the parties see each
Nher
APPROACH OF THE ENEMY.
Every movement OF any consequence by
he enemy coming under the observation
n any post viii be promptly reported TO
he company commander, and the move
hent carefully scrutinized and watched.
The picket maintains is ground as long
- compatible with safety. and when
>5iiged 10 retire before superior numbers. |
/he picket will still keep the enemy In !
nbsorystien and reoolt hin mavsmants