The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-04
HOW AN ARMY MARCHES.
Description of the Exact Order in
Which a British Column van
London Express.

London Express.
A British column advancing in time of
war through an enemy's country is at once
a magnificent and a remarkable spectacle;
or, rather, TO be quite correct, il would be,
provided the eye could take in all the de-
tails at a single glance.
But that is just precisely what the eye
cannot do. A column of even moderate
strength, when on the move, lengthens it.
self out abnormally; so much so, indeed,
that a body of troops which in review or
der could be packed within a moderate
sized parade ground, will occupy ribbon
wise eight, ten, or even more miles of
country.
We will. therefore, take up a position on
watch in imagination a column of British
regulars marching on, say, Pretoria.
First there will come in sight, riding at a
walking pace athwart the bolder-strewn
veldt a solitary pair of horsemen. These
are the advance points, as they are termed,
and are thrown forward perhaps a mile
ahead or the vanguard. They are on the
biot of danger lGr snf It s fs t5sir and and on on the the fir first
to left and right and alarm the fankers.
These latter are thrown out fanwise from
the cavalry which screens the infantry
vanguard. and they in their turn pass the
word back along the trailing, snakelike
ribbon of armed men. till within half an
hour, say, of the enemy's being first sighted
ened danger and is prepared to deal with il.
The two advanced points nave been we'll
likened to a couple Of electric buttons.
which, on being touched, thrill the alarm
down both TANKS throughout the entire
length of the column with which they are
in communication. The smile is not quite
perfect, however, for the alarm is sounded
by these living electric buttons while vet
the danger is remote. Some hundreds of
yards in the rear of the cavalry screen
comes the advance guard. subdivided into
a vanguard and a main guard. This latter
constitutes the first fighting unit of the adj
vancing column. and its strength is. of
course. proportionate to the strength of the
force il is covering. With Ii are field and
machine guns. sappers. miners. engineers,
ambulances. reserve, ammunition wagons.
and so forth. In fact, the advance guard of
a large column constitutes in itself a fight
ing force-a miniature army, so to speak.
complete in practically all essential details.
After the advance guard has passed we
shall probably see-emerging from the
clouds of dust which always, except in wet
weather, envelop as with a mantle a COL
umn on the -march-another solitary pair of
horsemen. and then at intervals another
and yet another. These are the connecting
links. \ half troop, or perhaps. II the force
is a large one, a whole troop of cavalry
will come next. then more connecting links.
and lastly the officer commanding, sur
rounded and accompanied by his staff.
The uninitiated in matters military will
row probably expect 10 see the main BODY
of the army; but no. A single infantry
battalion, or maybe two. will perhaps pass.
marching strictly Ito attention. bayonets
fixed and officers swords carried naked at
the slope; after which there will heave