A Catechism Of Outpost Duty

This Is A New Release Of The Original 1895 Edition.

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1895 edition. Excerpt: ... should consist of cavalry and light artillery (horse artillery, if possible), as these troops can be more readily withdrawn than infantry. In the pursuit of a beaten foe, or whenever the object is to follow and keep touch with the enemy, the proportion of cavalry should be as great as possible. Q. What should be done by the advance guard when the enemy is encountered? A. As soon as the enemy is seen, the advance guard must endeavor to ascertain promptly whether it has to deal with an outpost of a stationary force, an advance guard of a marching body, or a flanking detachment of a column. It should lose no time in discovering where the enemy's main position is, or how far away is the marching column. The relative numbers and position and the orders under which the advance guard is acting will decide the question of attacking or taking up a defensive position. The offensive is generally the best if an attack seems at all likely to succeed. If between the advance guard and the enemy there is an exceptionally good position, the enemy should be attacked vigorously, in order that the position may be occupied and held for the deployment of the main body. If the defensive has been decided upon, and a good defensive position has been passed a 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, it will be necessary to fall back slowly and stubbornly to the position or upon the main body; the commander of the advance guard sending to the commander of the main body prompt warning of the threatened or actual attack. (For the drill in forming advance guard, see Appendix II.) OUTPOSTS. Q. What are outposts, and with what duties are they charged? See Note K, Appendix...

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