The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-06-05
EEENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS TO
BE MADE BY COr11ANDERS.
staff Correspondent Describes the Various Move
ments of an Army on the March and the Ar
ranging of Forces in Case of Attack

main body brings up the rear at a distance
oil QUO yards behind the reserve, beins con-
nected by one or two files.
OF course there are many other forma-
ticns which may be used. according 10 eA-
listing conditions, but this is typical one,
and the Texas troops have been drilling
according 10 1t for several days past. When
an advance guard larger than enc company
Is made necessary the same relative forma-
tion is permissible, the distances being iu-
creased. On the march the commander of
the vanguard is with tie support, nnd the
commander OF the advance guard is with
the reserve
AS regards the distance ST the advance
guard from the min body, 10 definite re-
stiictions are given by authorities. but q
Tough rule cited by Captain Wagner is to
the effect that the minimum Distance
should be equal to the depth OF the main
, body. Under such an arrangement the time
required for the rear troops to deploy to
the head of the column would not be great
er than that taken by the advance guard In
falling back
| When the main body is one Of considera-
BILE size the advance guard is usually ac-
companiod by staff officer, who selects
the camp and remains at the point selected
with a detail until the main body arrives
The advance guard in the meantime con-
tinues to go ahead. and. temporarily at
Advance guards formed CT cavalry are
made up along practically the same lines
of those of the infantry, except for the fact
that the distances are greater, a trooper
being able to cover much moro ground
without fatigue than a foot soldier. The
formation is shown in figure q
! Eminent authorities, however, advise the
use of advance guards composed of all
arms Artillery, it is pointed out can be
used to great advantage In clearing the way
for the infantry attack and in compelling
| the enemy 10 deploy at distance, anu,
used in connection with both cavalry aud
| infantry forms an advance guard of I'M
usual strength. The use of a few en-
| gineers, for the purpose OF repairing
bridges removing obstacles. etc, Is also
| recommended.
1t is the duty of the advance guard to
ascertain, as soon as the enemy is sight
ed whether an outpost an advaI-,e guard
| or a thanking detachment of a column. Is
| to be dealt with. On this. together with
the condition of the surrounding country
| from the standpoint of availability for Of
| fonsive or defensive operations, the future
course of the guard depends. IF, " to again
quote Captain Wagner. "the defensive has
been decided on and a good defensive posi-
! ton h1s been passed short time before
the enemy Is encountered. or If the latter
is in such force that the advance guard
( can not hold its own against him, 1t will be
neoc ssary to fall back slowly and stubborn
! ~ to the position, or upon the main body
| the commander of the advance guard send
ing to the commander of the main body
prompt warning of the threatened or actual
attack.
OUTPOSTS.
Outpcsts are to stationary bodies of
trocrs what advance guards are to troops
OF the march In actual service IL is nb-
sc!utely necessary that soldiers be given
every possible opportunity for rest and
slcep when halted at night and 10 the end
that they be not disturbed by needless
alarms, it is highly important that the Ut
nest vigilance be exercised by the soldiers
and officers composing the outposts.
| The outpost is divided into four parts.
as follows Sentnels or vedettes; pickets.
supports, reserve. In infantry Cutpo5ls the
pickets are from 100 to 400 yards in the
rear of the sentinels. the supports from
400 to 500 yards in the rear Of the pickets'
and the reserve about the same distance
back of the supports. In cavalry outposts
these distances are increased. but IN no
case can q definite rule be applied, as much
depends on the formation OF the ground, the
state of the weather, the nearness OF the
enemy etc The general formation is SIM
liar to the shape CT an open fan, the SEN
'tinels being outermost An idea of the
manner in which the formation is made
can be gained from figure 3, which repre-
sents regiment OF infantry on uuty dc
outpost for division.
In one system of outposts as now pre-
lscribed the Gordon, in which the entire
front is covered by a chain of sentineis
is used, while on the Patrol system only
tbs avenues OF approach are guardeu by
sentlnels, the surrounding country being
constantly patrolled. Some authofltios
recommend combination OF the TWO.
Sentinels are guards who do not Walk
thar nosts but remain stationary Two
men are usually posted together, so tna'
ore may remain at the post while the othei
gees to investigate anything that may ap'
mar suspicious, They may, however, pe
pcsted singly or in groups. They are
usually kept within a distance OF fcom
100 to 400 yards apart. The sentinel mas
very important duty to pnrform ana the
Istrictest injunctions regarding quletness
lana caution should be laid upon him,
From twenty to fifty men are usually
used in the formation of pickets, from
which two to four double sent'neis OF
vedettes are furnished, three relieis peins
provided for each post. Authorities aaNlse'
generally speaking the use OF ABOUT one,
third of the picket for patrolling, put OF
course this is a variable rule and depends
great deal on the condition or the coun'
try.
This portion of the outpost has very i'm,
portant work TO do and great care ano
caution is necessary. Fires are never
, lighted unless 1t is possible TO ehectuallJ
screen them from the enemy, and pc|
, ton OF the men composing the picket az
kent constantly on the alert against sur
prige. When danger eeems imminent, now
, ever. thu entire body must be in reaiine''
Q 10 resist attack. -.
; Tie support is the force upon when IN
: pickets fall back If forced to retreat. II !
located In as central position as reearn'
9 the pickets as is made possible by exslinl
conditions but should never be 50 faI u
l that II would be unable 10 render ala ~nei
: necessary or so far out that IL would DC in
, valued In the rout OF the piekeis snoui'
a the opposing force be large enough TO nIinl
Fabout such a result. The immediate sal ~
!, Of The body itself Is provided for By tn
r use OF sentinels and vedettss. but, BEN
4 protected by the two lines farther out, IN
y men are usually allowed 10 stack arms an
n remove their accoutremf nts except w
"a cartridge belt They are not. however, pr