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DUTIES
IN THE FIELD.
119.
A soldier's duties in the field are nothing more than the practical
application of the duties he has learned in camp or garrison to the
purposes of war. Troops are said to be "in the
field" when they are operating against the enemy, and are
occupying temporarily the country, towns, cities, or intrenchments
in the vicinity of the foe, or permanently encamped in their
neighborhood. They are also said to be in the field when on the‑
march through the country in times of peace.
120.
In the field there are, in addition to campguards and police-guards,
advanced guards, outposts, pickets, and reconnoissances. On these
guards the soldier's duty has not so much detail about it: much of
the ceremony of camp-guard is omitted and modified to suit the
circumstances; every thing is made subservient to the all-important
end, -- watching the enemy. His presence of mind, judgment, and
courage on these duties are put to the greatest test.
121.
ADVANCED GUARDS are guards thrown out the front in the direction in
which the enemy is expected, to guard against attack or surprise.
They may be composed of details united from the brigades, forming a
" division-guard," and covering the front of the division,
uniting with the guards of the divisions on the right and left; or
"brigade-guards," composed of details from the different
regiments of the brigade, and covering its front in the same manner.
122.
The senior colonel or other officer of a "division-guard"
is the "general officer of the day;" of a
brigade-guard," a field officer or senior captain usually
detailed as "field officer of the day." These guards are
usually thrown some distance in the advance, sometimes several
miles, and always enough to give the troops time to form and prepare
for battle before the enemy can come upon them.
If the guards are thrown out too far to be relieved daily,
they go on for several days at a time.
123.
OUTPOSTS are isolated advanced guards of greater or less strength.
When composed of small detachments, they are called "
picket-guards."
124.
RECONOISSANCES are made by troops against the enemy for the purpose
of finding out his position and strength. The term generally implies
a strong party. When the force is small, it is more generally called
"reconnoitring" or "scouting "
125.
The special duty of the soldier in advanced guards, outposts,
pickets, and reconnoissances, is that of "picket,"
"skirmisher," and "flanker."
126.
PICKET. This term is used differently, and has different meanings in
various works. It is used in our army to designate the advanced sentinels
of an "advanced guard."
Courage and common sense are the principal requisites for a picket.
127.
The instructions which he receives are generally plain and easily
understood: the only difficulty is to remember them at the critical
moment. Pickets are either infantry or cavalry, or both together.
The term " vedette"
is frequently applied to cavalry pickets. The general rules for picket
should be well understood by every soldier.
128.
"The duties of the pickets are to keep a 'vigilant watch over
the country in front, and over the movements of
the enemy, if in sight, to prevent all unauthorized persons from
passing in or out of the lines, and to arrest all suspicious
individuals. In case of an attack, they will act as a line of
skirmishers, and hold their ground to the last moment. If
forced to retire, they will slowly close their intervals and fall
back upon their supports." (General Order No. 69, Head-Quarters
Army of Potomac, 1862). The
following Regulations are important:
"620.
The sentinels and vedettes are placed on points from which
they can see farthest, taking care not to break, their connection
with each other or with their posts. They are concealed from the
enemy as much is possible by walls, or trees, or elevated ground. It
is generally even of more advantage not to be seen than to see far.
They should not be placed near covers, where the enemy may capture
them.
“621.
A sentinel should always be ready to fire; vedettes carry their
pistols or carbines in their hands. A sentinel must be sure of the
presence of an enemy before he fires.; once satisfied of that, he
must fire, though all defence on his part be useless, as the safety
of the post may depend on it. Sentinels fire on all persons
deserting to the enemy.
"622.
If the post must be where a sentinel on it cannot communicate with
the guard, a corporal and three men are detached for it, or the
sentinels are doubled, that one may communicate with the guard.
During the day the communication may be made by signals, such as
raising a cap or handkerchief. At night sentinels are placed on low
ground, the better to see objects against the sky.
“624.
On the approach of any one at night, the sentinel orders - `Halt!'
If the order is not obeyed after once repeated, he fires. If obeyed,
he calls - ' Who goes there ?' If answered - 'Rounds' or
'Patrol,' be says - ‘Stand: Advance one with the
countersign!’ If more than one advance at the same time, or
the person who advances fails to give the countersign or signal
agreed on, the sentinel fires, and falls back on his guard. The
sentinel over the arms, as soon as his hail is answered, turns out
the guard, and the corporal goes to reconnoitre. When it is
desirable to hide the position of the sentinel from the enemy, the
hail is replaced by signals; the sentinel gives the signal, and
those approaching the counter-signal.
"639.
Bearers of flags are not permitted to pass the outer chain of
sentinels; their faces are turned from the post or army; if
necessary, their eyes are bandaged; a non-commissioned officer stays
with them to prevent indiscretion of the sentinels.
“640.
The commandant of the grand guard receipts for dispatches, and sends
them to the field officer of the day or general of brigade, and
dismisses the bearer; but if he has discovered what ought to be
concealed from the enemy, he is detained as long as necessary.
“641.
Deserters are disarmed at the advanced posts, and sent to the
commander of the grand guard, who gets from them all the information
he can concerning his post. If many come at night, they are received
cautiously, a few at a time. They are sent in the morning to
the field officer of the day, or to the nearest post or camp, to be
conducted to the general of the brigade. All suspected persons are
searched by the commanders of the posts."
129.
Pickets should look out particularly for deserters; and parties
representing themselves as such should be required to lay down their
arms before they approach. A flag of truce should also be received
with caution: it is usually a white flag, borne by an officer and
accompanied by an escort. The flag is sometimes, particularly in the
night, preceded by a trumpeter blowing the parley.
130.
The escort is halted at a distance, and no one is permitted to
advance except the bearer of the flag. If the bearer has only a
letter to deliver, it is taken and receipted for, and the bearer and
his escort turned back to their own lines. If it is necessary to
take the bearer to the commanding officer, his eyes are bandaged,
and he is escorted thither.
131.
Great precaution must be exercised with regard to parties passing
out, to see that they are authorized to go and that they are not
deserters. Soldiers frequently, from idle curiosity, or a spirit of
adventure, or a desire for plunder, may take advantage of a friend
or messmate being on post, and seek the indulgence of passing beyond
the lines. Sentinels and soldiers should know that this is
exceedingly irregular, and may be fraught with terrible
consequences. No personal considerations should influence a soldier
to so serious a neglect of his duty.
132.
All sentinels of advanced guards should receive the countersign
before sunset, and, whether this is neglected or not, they should
commence challenging immediately after.
Compliments
are dispensed with on picket-duty.
133.
The practice of pickets firing upon those of the enemy is barbarous;
and retaliation is scarcely a sufficient excuse for doing it.
Pickets should not fire unless an advance is intended, or in the
cases heretofore indicated.
134.
Firing on pickets has a tendency to produce false alarms, or its
habitual practice may create indifference, and thus an actual attack
pass unobserved until a decided advantage is gained by the enemy.
135.
The habit of pickets communicating with those of the enemy is
irregular, and should not be indulged in, unless sometimes by the
officers for some specific object.
136.
SKIRMISHERS are soldiers thrown forward and deployed at intervals of
from ten to twenty paces, according to the point they are to cover;
if a column on the march, or a line of battle advancing to attack,
to conceal the movements or to give timely notice of the enemy. They
may be either infantry or cavalry.
137.
On the march, the column usually proceeds on the road, preceded by
an advanced guard proportioned to the strength of the column, -
usually about one-tenth of the whole force. From this the
skirmishers are taken, one‑third being retained for a reserve;
the remainder are deployed as skirmishers on the right and left of
the road, and from one hundred and fifty to three hundred yards in
advance of the reserve, which itself is about four hundred yards in
advance of the head of the column.
138.
A non-commissioned officer, with two or three men, march on the
road, and the skirmishers, on the right and left of the road,
regulate their march on them. In this manner the march is conducted
under the direction of the commanding officer of the advance, who
has his instructions from the commander of the column.
139.
The skirmishers should endeavor not to advance beyond or fall in
rear of the line, should keep their proper intervals, and be guided
by the centre of the line.
140.
Skirmishers should use their eyes and ears. They are the feelers
with which the army searches its way into the enemy's country; and
every suspicious or important circumstance should be reported at
once to their immediate superiors. No one should be allowed to
escape from their approach who might give information to the enemy;
and all suspicious characters should be arrested and sent to the
rear.
141.
When skirmishers precede a line of battle preliminary to an attack,
they advance and engage the enemy, unless otherwise instructed; and
when the line arrives within range of the enemy, they are usually
recalled, and form in the rear of the command to which they belong.
142.
FLANKERS are skirmishers placed on the flanks of an advancing
column, three or four hundred yards distant, extending from the
extremities of the line of skirmishers to the rear of the column,
and parallel to it. They march in file, with intervals of ten to
twenty paces.
143.
Their duty is to guard against an attack from the flank, and to give
notice of the approach of an enemy in that direction. Their duties
are entirely similar to those of skirmishers; and when forced to
retire, they fall back fighting and form on their reserves
or supports that
are marching inside of them in the direction of the column.
The
Infantry Soldier.
144.
In the infantry is the main strength of an army.
Cavalry and artillery are the auxiliaries.
The final results of a war or campaign are achieved by this arm of
the service; and the foot-soldier should bear in mind the importance
of his position, and seek to achieve the highest perfection of his
arm.
No cavalry or artillery can stand against perfect infantry properly
handled.
145.
The sharpshooters, deployed as skirmishers, and supported by the
main column of infantry, out of range, will pick off the cannoneers,
and silence in a short time a battery of artillery; and the best
cavalry will disperse before a firm line of infantry that reserves
its fire until the enemy is whithin short range, and shows a
determination to receive them on the bayonets of their empty
muskets.
146.
The infantry soldier should bear in mind that, with whatever
exultation the cavalry or artillery pass him in advancing upon the
enemy, the grand result cannot be achieved without him, and that the
presence of the musket and its proximity is what enables them to
precede him in the fight.
147.
A well-instructed and disciplined infantry-man is always prepared
for duty.
His hours of leisure are devoted to preparation.
His clothing is prepared and cleaned, his knapsack always packed,
his arms and accoutrements are in order, and his ammunition secure.
148.
The supply of necessary articles in the field should be limited to
the smallest possible amount; and industry will make up for many a
deficient article.
Messes unite, and each carries an article that can be used in
common.
149.
By repeated washings and cleanings, one suit of clothes can be made
to look as well as if a change were on hand.
For fatigue-duties, thin cotton overalls and blouse worn over the
only suit will protect it and make it last much longer, and are much
lighter than an extra suit.
150.
The shoes are the most important item of clothing to the
foot-soldier.
The army bootee is much the best.
The soles should be broad, the heels low and broad.
Woollen socks should be worn.
The feet should be bathed frequently in cold water.
Boots are universally impracticable for marching.
If the ankles require support, the French gaiter can be worn: they
are also a very good protection from mud and dust, and protect the
trousers.
151.
An hour's drill, morning and afternoon, when not marching, is a
necessary exercise, no matter may be the proficiency of the regiment
or company.
It keeps the body in condition for service at any moment, and is
conducive to health.
152.
A good soldier makes his company and regiment his home, and never
absents himself without proper permission, and then returns
punctually at the expiration of his pass.
The habit of always being absent is exceedingly pernicious; it
cultivates tastes and habits that are detrimental to the soldier's
best interests, and he is almost sure to be absent when most wanted,
and loses, perhaps, a favorable moment to do himself a credit.
153.
He should learn to wait: a soldier's life is made up in waiting for
the critical moments.
The times for distinction are few, and quickly pass; and, once gone,
he has a long time to wait for the next opportunity.
Constant training and faithful watching are necessary, so that he
may see the proper moment and be in the best possible condition to
perform his duty.
154.
A soldier is dependent on his officers for pay, clothing,
subsistence, and medical attendance; but his health, success, and
promotion depend, in the main, upon himself.
Within certain limits, he must look out for himself.
155.
He must learn to make the most of his pay and allowances.
His rations are abundant for his subsistence, and, if not always
palatable, a little ingenuity in cooking, an little management in
exchanging for the products of the country, will make his rations do
him; whilst spending his pay for things to eat, and disregarding his
rations, is a want of frugality that should be corrected.
156.
His clothing is also sufficient; and many soldiers save from sixty
to one hundred dollars of their clothing allowance, which is paid to
them in money at the expiration of their enlistment.
A little industry in mending and cleaning his clothes will well
reward his labors in the savings of the frugal soldier.
To this end, he should be provided with a little wallet, containing
an assortment of thread, needles, buttons, scissors, &c., and
should economize and use up faithfully his allowance of soap.
157.
He can readily save all his pay, and make his spending-money by
labor during leisure hours in many ways which are afforded him in
the vicinity of a camp or garrison.
The effort, however, to lay up money should not be carried to an
extent that would interfere with his duties as a soldier.
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