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68. GRAND GUARDS —
The Grand Guard is a force thrown out in the direction of the enemy to prevent surprise, to give notice of his approach, and to delay
his advance, and give the main body time to prepare for baffle, or make good its retreat. It is
too often called an Advanced Guard, which should only
be applied to a force thrown out to the front, when the main body is
moving, to give notice of
the vicinity of the enemy, to conceal the preparations for baffle,
and cover offensive movements. It becomes a Rear
Guard when it is placed in
the rear, either to delay pursuit, to cover the retreat, or bring up the fragments of
the column, and guard against sudden attack.
69. Grand Guard duty has by practice, in our service, been called
picket duty and
the outer sentinels,
pickets; and the guard
that furnished these sentinels the Picket
Guard. These terms have been used so variously that some illustration is necessary to a
proper understanding of them.
Sentinels.
· · · · · · · · · · · ·
Outposts.
______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______
Grand Guards.
__________ __________ __________
Pickets.
__________ __________ __________
Main Guard.
==========================
Army.
============== ============= =============
Arrangement and nomenclature of Grand Guards according to MAHAN
(See Mahan’s
Outposts.)
Sentinels.
· · · · · · · · · · · ·
Outposts.
______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______
Grand Guards.
__________ __________ __________ __________
Supports or Pickets.
__________ __________ __________ __________
Camp or Corps.
============== ============= =============
Arrangement and nomenclature according to DUFOUR and DUPARCQ.
(See Strategy and
Tactics—Dufour; Military Art and History—Duparcq.)
Videttes.
· · · · · · · · · · · ·
Grand Guards (Cavalry.)
__________ __________ __________ ___________
Pickets (Infantry.)
__________ __________ __________
Supports.
__________ __________ __________
Advance Guard.
========================
Camp or Corps.
============== ============= =============
Arrangement and nomenclature of the English and Prussian service.
(See Decker,
Arentschild und Witzleben.)
73. There are still other variations of the terms and
dispositions. In the Regulations Picket
means a supernumerary Grand Guard that remains in camp and is only
called out for an emergency, and is then marched to the point required (Reg. 593). In the English
service this guard is called the
"in-lying picket;" the
Grand Guard that is on duty, in contradistinction, is called the "out-lying
picket." In fact,
every author that has written on the subject of Out-Post and
Advanced Guard duty, has given us a different system of names and different
arrangement of the forces. This is owing, perhaps, principally to the fact that nearly every war has
had its own system, the result of the kind of troops and arms and the nature of the country in
which the war has been carried on.
74. The following diagram and extracts from General Orders No.
69, Headquarters, Army of the Potomac, February 25th, 1862, is another system of names and
arrangement of the out-posts that has grown into use in our service.
IN CAMP—Each Brigade will furnish daily the guard for its own
front, connecting with the guards of the Brigades on its right and left. Each guard will be under the direction of
a Field Officer of the Day, to be detailed at Brigade Headquarters. Senior Captains may be added to the roster of field
officers for field officers of the day, when necessity requires.
The guards of each division will be under the direction of a
General Officer of the Day, who shall receive his orders directly from the Division Commander. Colonels will be added to
the roster of General Officers for this duty.
Brigade Commanders may be excused from serving on this detail.
Each guard shall consist of a line of sentinels called PICKETS, of a line of SUPPORTS, from which the sentinels
are furnished for the front of the Brigade, and of a RESERVE, posted in the following manner: The Reserve will
occupy a commanding position, and be stationed about a mile or a mile and a half in front of the main body of
the Brigade.
The Supports, two or more, as the nature of the ground and the
length of the lines may require, will be thrown about one mile further to the front. They will be placed in such
positions as easily to communicate with each other and with the Reserve, and as near the avenues of approach from the
front as practicable. From these Supports the line of Pickets is thrown out about two hundred yards to the front. As,
upon the position of this line, and the manner in which the Pickets perform their duty, the safety of the entire
Army depends, no pains must be spared to ensure their being properly posted and instructed in their duties; and the
utmost vigilance must be observed to enforce a proper performance of them.
The line will be formed by posting groups of three men each;
these groups to he not more than 150 yards apart, and much closer when the nature of the ground or the attitude of the
enemy requires. These groups will keep up constant communication with each other; which will be readily accomplished
by one man of each group walking half way to the group on his left, another half way to the group on his
right; thus always leaving one of the three at the original station. None of the men stationed on this line will be allowed
to sit or lie down on their post, nor will they quit their arms, or relax the vigilance of faithful sentinels by day or
night. These Pickets will be relieved every two hours, and being furnished by the Supports, the latter will be divided into
three reliefs for this purpose. The Supports will be relieved from the Reserve every six hours.
The Reserve will also furnish a line of sentinels to communicate
with the Supports, as well as a line communicating with the Headquarters of the Brigade. The sentinels on these
lines will be posted within easy call of each other, so that intelligence may be passed from the Pickets to the Camp with
the utmost celerity. They are to be relieved every two hours, and while on post must keep constantly on the alert,
never being allowed to sit or lie down.
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 any 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.
The Supports, being placed in strong positions, will hold
themselves in readiness to receive the Pickets and repel an attack, retiring in good order upon the Reserve, when unable any
longer to hold their ground. One relief of the Supports will be allowed to sleep. One must constantly be on the
alert. One commissioned officer must also be up and awake at all hours.
No fires will be allowed on the line of the Supports, or outside
the line of Reserves. Any fires found burning will be promptly extinguished.
The Reserve, stationed in a strong position, and one which
commands, as far as practicable, all approaches to the camp, shall be of sufficient strength to check the advance of the
enemy, thus affording the main body of the Army ample time to form and prepare for attack. It will give a
rallying point for the Pickets and their Supports, if driven in, and, being reinforced by them, will hold its ground until ordered
by Division Commander to retire. At least one commissioned officer and one-third of the men of the Reserve must
be on the alert at all hours. Fires may be built on this line in such places as are screened from the view in front
by the nature of the ground.
The position of the Reserve should be strengthened by the use of
all such defenses as the country affords. When near the enemy, abattis should be constructed whenever practicable.
The Reserve shall, in addition to the lines of sentinels already
mentioned, send out patrols between the lines and a short distance to the front of the line of Pickets, to examine
such portions of the country as are not fully in view of the Pickets.
A detachment of Cavalry should be attached to each Reserve, which
shall send several mounted men to remain with each of the Supports, to act as messengers in case of necessity.
These men shall be relieved every six hours, and while on duty with the Support shall keep their horses saddled
and bridled. The detachment with the Reserve shall keep one half of their horses saddled and bridled, prepared to
mount at the command. This Cavalry is to be used for mounted patrols, and such other duty, in connection with the
guard, as the Field Officer of the Day may direct.
Field Artillery may sometimes be used to strengthen the position
of the Reserves, whenever the nature of the ground gives it an effective range. In all cases, when Artillery forms a
portion of the guard, it will be constantly in readiness for immediate use. The horses will never be unhitched, and their
drivers will remain within reach of them.
As a general rule, the Advanced Guard will consist of about
one-tenth of the effective strength of the command. But this, of course, varies with circumstances. The Reserve (with the
sentinels and patrols it furnishes) will comprise two-thirds of the entire guard. The other third being subdivided
for the Supports and their Pickets.
The positions of Pickets, Supports, and Reserves, will be
designated by the Field Officer of the Day for each Brigade, under the supervision and control of the General Officer
of the Day for the Division.
Each Commander of a Division will have an understanding with the
commander on his right and left as to where they are to unite with the adjoining Guards.
On arriving at the position to be occupied by the Reserve, the
Commander of the Guard will advance with and station the Supports and point out the position of the line of
Pickets. The Commanders of the Supports will, accompanied by the non-commissioned officers of the reliefs, post
the Pickets of the first relief, and explain to them their duties. They will be careful to observe that the whole
ground is covered, and that perfect connection is made with the lines on their right and left. After the Pickets are
posted, the Commander of the Guard himself will visit them, see that they understand their duties and occupy proper
positions, and connect with the lines to the right and left. Should the position of the Pickets be changed, the order
must pass through the Commander of the Support to which they belong. The Commander of the Guard will make himself
thoroughly acquainted with the ground which his Guard occupies, with the approaches and communications. He
will keep up constant communication from front to rear, and from right to left, by means of lines of sentinels
and patrols. In case of alarm, he will promptly investigate the cause, and be careful not to exaggerate the
danger. Should the enemy advance, he will, by personal observation, endeavor to discover whether they are in force, and
beware of
causing unnecessary
alarm. He will communicate all important intelligence to the Field Officer of
the Day, who will report the same to the General Officer of the Day, and, if the case be urgent, directly to
Division and Brigade Headquarters. He will see that all the duties of his Guard are performed in a prompt and soldierly
manner, and enforce the strictest discipline.
The Field Officer of the Day will visit the Reserves, Supports,
and Pickets, soon after they are posted, and at least once during the night. He will see that they are in proper
positions, and connect through the whole line of his Brigade, and with the Pickets of the Brigades on the right and
left, and that they understand and perform their duties.
He will study the nature of the ground, and prepare himself to
make a vigorous defense in case his Pickets are attacked or driven in. He will communicate his dis positions and
arrangements to the General Officer of the Day and his Brigade Commander, and keep them informed of everything of
importance which may transpire.
The line of Pickets should be located with a view to the most
extensive observation possible of the country in front.
To secure this, the line during the day should pass over the
highest points, and in
front of such
ground as is covered by timber or brushwood. The sentinels should be instructed to
observe carefully the nature of the ground, and to select such places of protection for themselves as their post
will afford, to occupy in case the enemy appears within range. At nightfall the line should be drawn somewhat closer to
the Supports, and should pass through the lower ground, and just within the front of any timber or brush. By this
means the intervals are diminished and the line strengthened; and while the Pickets are themselves secured from
sight, the enemy cannot approach without being seen distinctly. Patrols will be sent frequently from the Reserve
along the lines, and all directions within the Pickets.
They will not pass beyond the line of Pickets at night, unless
especially ordered by the General or Field Officer of the Day.
All sentinels of Advanced Guards must be given the countersign
before sunset, and commence challenging immediately thereafter.
At night, care and vigilance must be redoubled by officers and
men of the Guard. Communications between the Reserves, Supports, and Pickets must be constant; and all
circumstances Out of the ordinary routine must be at once reported to the Field Officer of the Day, who will report
everything of special importance to the General Officer of the Day. Too much care cannot be urged upon all concerned to
avoid creating false alarms. The unnecessary discharge of firearms will be severely punished.
75. The unfortunate confusion of terms throws great difficulty in
the way to the young officer of learning Grand Guard duty, particularly if he has not the
opportunity of actual service, and has only books to depend upon. But in all services and under all
names it has the same object, and is by far the most important duty that the young officer has to
perform. He is here thrown, to a certain extent, upon his own resources. Whatever happens on the
tour gives an opportunity for the display of his personal fitness for an officer.
76. In the English and Prussian service the Grand Guard duty is
generally intended to consist of Cavalry, with what they call the picket, composed of Infantry.
Properly, however, Grand Guard duty is the whole subject of protecting the position of a large
body of troops when at rest in times of war, and may be composed of all arms and arranged in a great
variety of ways, according to circumstances. (See diagram of the Grand Guard duty in the Army
of the James.)
77. Annexed is a diagram showing how the Grand Guard was posted
to protect the right flank of the Army of the James in front of Richmond, in December, 1864.
The entrenchment served the purpose of the main armies. The Grand Guard, therefore, consisted
only of a line of Sentinels and a line of Supports. The Guard was all Infantry immediately in
front of the enemy, but on the right flank along the Darbytown road was all Cavalry except the
chain of sentinels immediately in front of the works:
78. The usual post that falls to a Lieutenant on Grand Guard duty
is the charge of one or more Supports from which the outer sentinels are drawn. His first duty
is to receive and understand his orders, and if not already in writing, he should write them out
at the first opportunity. He should go round with the first relief and learn all the posts and
positions of the sentinels, and know the orders of each that is under his control, and see that there is a
connection made on the right and left with the other portions of the Grand Guard.
79. He should inform himself thoroughly about his position, and
get all the information of the enemy and the country in his immediate front. He should learn the
names of places, houses, farms, streams, etc., in his vicinity; learn all he can from the
inhabitants about the roads leading to his position, and all other information they are able or
willing to give. He should arrange in his own mind and anticipate probabilities, as to what he will do if
the enemy appear, remembering that he is not to retire before an equal or inferior force, and
only when it is greatly superior, unless positive orders to the contrary are given; and of the
existence of such a superior force there must be no doubt; nothing more unfortunate can happen to a
subaltern than the subsequent discovery that he fell back from his position unnecessarily; his
reputation as an officer hangs on the integrity of his report. At the same time he must not remain
too long and thereby endanger his capture by a superior force.
80. He should thoroughly inform himself of the ground in his
rear, fix upon the means and routes of communication with his supports. He should neglect no means of
defense for retarding the enemy, by cutting down trees, barricading the roads, taking up
the planks of bridges, and every other means that will prevent the enemy from closing suddenly
upon his position in superior numbers and capturing his party.
81. A system of Signals should be agreed upon for day and night
by which the line of outer sentinels can warn the supports and other posts in the rear with as little
delay as possible; these signals should be very few and very plain, so as not to be
mistaken. Each officer can make his own signals that will answer the purpose, which may be conveyed
in various ways, such as a flag hastily made with a handkerchief by the various modes of walking
about or running, by certain attitudes and positions of the body, by smoke, by the use of
small mirrors that soldiers generally carry, and many other means that will suggest themselves. At
night fire is used in a variety of ways. The report of firearms should always indicate an attack.
82. An officer on Grand Guard duty should always be provided with
writing materials for the purpose of sending communications to the rear, which should
always be plainly and concisely written. He should have a Memorandum Book, in which to enter
items to be remembered, in case he may be required to make a report of his tour of duty. He
should have a field-glass and a map of the country, and should make a map of his own position, for
his own improvement and reference.
83. It is as well to say it here that map-making is an essential
qualification in an officer, and he should be constantly practicing it; it produces the habit of
observing where you are going, and sharpens the faculty of locality,
which, by the way, is
nothing more than keeping one’s
eyes open to where he is going. An officer should so habituate his
observation that he may be able to tell clearly where he has been, and to go back again if necessary.
84. But the most important item is the posting and instruction of
the sentinels. The main duty is to watch the enemy, and give notice of his approach. The
sentinels should, therefore, be posted where they can see the enemy as he approaches; the next
advantageous position is where the enemy cannot see the sentinel. The next consideration is to be
where he can send intelligence to the rear with the greatest facility, the greatest perfection of
all these points is desirable.
85. Then, having posted the sentinel, it is important that he
should understand clearly and distinctly what he is there for, and what he is to do. These instructions
should be plain and simple as possible. They are limited usually to watching a certain section
in his front, to observe what is transpiring there, and then as to how he shall make his
observations known to the rear, whether by signal or by courier he should be particularly instructed not
to retire without firing his piece when the enemy appears suddenly and in force, so that he may warn
the sentinels on his right and left, as well as the supports in rear.
86. He should be instructed concerning Flags of Truce (Reg. 639),
the reception of deserters (Reg. 641), and the orders concerning parties or individuals
passing to the front. The sentinels should be visited frequently during his tour by the officer, as
it gives encouragement to the timid, and keeps himself informed of the condition of the line.
87. The men should be instructed that in retiring they should
approach the supports on the flanks, so as to uncover the front, so that the support may
command the enemy as they pursue the retiring sentinel; and the supports, when they retire, should
approach the Reserves in the same manner.
88. PATROLS properly
belong to Grand Guards, although they may be specially detailed for the duty but, as a rule, they consist of small parties of
soldiers, varying from two to thirty men, selected from the Grand Guard, to make short reconnaissance’s
or scouts, and
procure information. A Patrol is a detachment, but always a small one,
while Detachments may be either small or large bodies of troops.
89. Patrols for reconnoitering within and in the vicinity of the
line of sentinels consist usually of three or four men, and are sent out for the purpose of detecting
scouts of the enemy, and for keeping the sentinels on the alert. The general principle that is
observed in marching any body of troops, holds good in patrols; that is, there should always be an
advance and
rear Guard,
and if there are but two men, one is the advance guard and the other the
rear guard. In the vicinity of the enemy, and when not following a road, the patrol marches in a
manner that may be called line of battle, as indicated in the figures below.
90. The distance apart of the men thrown out from the main body
of the patrol will depend upon the nature of the ground; they should always be within haling
distance or sight. In an open, com-
91. The distance between each part of the patrol should never be
beyond sight except such as the inequalities of the road may produce for a few moments at a time;
where the road passes through open country flankers may be thrown out, in which the order of
march approximates the previous disposition. The main object in the march of a Patrol is so to
conduct it that it will get the first sight of the enemy, and that no part of it can be surprised and
captured without the knowledge of the adjoining subdivision.
92. Every man of the Patrol should be cautioned and directed to
use his eyes; they should be made to understand that everything depends upon getting first
sight of the enemy. Fifteen to thirty men all using their eyes industriously cannot fall to
discover everything hostile within the range of vision.
93. Patrols may consist either of Infantry or Cavalry; the object
and the disposition remains the same. In a broken or difficult country Infantry should be used,
but Cavalry is generally used where it can be, and even with Infantry a few horsemen should
accompany the Patrol to carry intelligence to the rear.
94. The Patrol is sent out for the purpose of seeing the enemy,
not to fight him, and encounters are therefore to be avoided, and even when the enemy is
discovered in inferior numbers he is not to be attacked unless the capture of a prisoner or two would
secure the desired information for which the patrol had been sent. Ever’ then the failure of such
an attempt might produce the total failure of the object for which the patrol had been sent out.
95. The principal object in sending out patrols is usually to
ascertain the position and strength of the enemy, and to find out his intended movements; also to
ascertain the distance he is from the lines, and what is the character of the intermediate country.
96. Every precaution is, therefore, taken to march the Patrol
with as much secrecy as possible. If the enemy is discovered in small force, a Patrol perhaps, he
should be avoided either by concealment or changing the direction until he has passed.
97. If, after all precaution, the patrol is nevertheless
discovered, then the officer must make the best of it; if it is still possible to accomplish the object for
which the patrol was sent out, he should not give up, but push on; the officer must decide at once
how he will act; it may be best to feign a retreat, and fall back until the pursuit is abandoned,
and then try again; or, if his force will warrant it, to at lack and disperse the enemy’s patrol, and
endeavor in the route to press on; usually, however, the only thing that it is advisable to do, is
to attack the force and get what prisoners it is possible, and return.
98. It is in the selection of the men composing the Patrol, and
their fitness for the duty, that the success of it will mainly depend. Particularly the anon in
advance must be specially selected, quick sighted, active, and brave men, who know how to take
advantage of the inequalities of the ground and objects in advance, to approach the enemy unseen, and
who will make no mistakes in what they see. It is too often the case that an exaggerated
report defeats further investigation, that would have discovered the practicability of continuing on.
99. It is the officer in charge, however, who is the soul of the
party; if he is not fond of such duty, and has not an aptitude for it, the patrol will lack the
essential elements of success. He will, if he is zealous, provide himself with a map of his proposed
route, a compass, field-glass, or telescope, such guides as it is possible to obtain, and all the
information possible before starting. In order that he may be able to give an intelligent account of
where he has been, he should provide himself with paper, prepared for taking notes of his
route.
100. Various methods are recommended for this purpose, and one is
laid down in Regulations (page 100). The simplest is to take ordinary writing paper, if
none prepared for the purpose is to be had, and rule it into squares by a system of parallel lines
perpendicular to the lines already on the paper. These squares can be assumed as a quarter, half, or
mile square, as may be most desirable, then assuming the top of the sheet to be always north,
and knowing the general directions of the route, it is easy to select the point on the
paper where you start from according
as you are to travel,
north, south, east, or west.
101. The sketch of the roads north of Deep Bottom was made by
riding out from the entrenchments at Deep Bottom to the Kingsland road, along the Kingsland road to
its intersection with the New-Market road, then turning to the left up the New-market
road to Signal Hill, there a farm road led across to the Darbytown road, then returning by the last
road by Fussel’s Mill to the Newmarket road and back to Deep Bottom. The distance
travelled,
and the sketch required about three hours. There are no actual measurements, everything is
estimated, but it serves as
an
excellent aid to the memory in remembering the various points,
and the sketch together with the verbal description of the various points which the officer would
be able to give, might prove of great service at a critical moment. The dotted lines are
conjecture, the other parts are put in by actual observation from different points in the roads. This
qualification in an officer is invaluable, and should be practiced constantly as an exercise; it can be carried to a great state of
perfection by consulting books devoted to the subject.
102. It would be impossible to anticipate all the conditions that
may exist, and offer in a work like this suggestions for the emergency. The natural capacity of
the officer for the duty will, especially if he has studied the subject, and takes an interest
in it, suggest the means best suited to the end in each individual case. The distance to be travelled,
the nature of the country to be passed over, the time of day, and the object to be attained,
together with the kind of troops to be used, the number and character of their arms, and many other
considerations must be considered on such duty, and everything should be provided for and
anticipated.
103. If the Patrol is passing through a section where the enemy
would probably expect it, the advance should be cautiously made, and all kinds of cover should first be
examined before the patrol passes on. When the Patrol reaches ground where the enemy
would hardly expect it, then the Patrol can move more rapidly, and with less caution, and in
fact the rapidity of the march is the safety of the patrol, as before dispositions can be made to
receive it, it will have passed the dangerous points where it would be interrupted.
104. The officer must set the example, and be ready to face any
danger that may assail them, and capable of suffering any fatigue or exposure with the men. When
the patrol has arrived in the vicinity of the enemy the main force should be kept back
concealed, and the officer advance with one or two men, and endeavor to get sight of the enemy’s
position, and to ascertain his strength and condition. He should, whenever it is possible, look for
himself, and not trust it to any of the men. Sometimes it is necessary to make a dash at the enemy’s
line to capture some of his pickets, or, at least, to drive them in and create an alarm, by which he
will be made to display his force. The officer should always be with the advance in these affairs,
in order that he may see for himself whatever is to be seen.
105. Night marches of Patrols require to be conducted with still
greater precautions than in the day-time. The men are kept within speaking distance of each
other; signals are agreed upon, in case of separation, in order that the men may recognize each
other in the night. The most safe course to pursue is to procure a countryman, and by bribery or
threat, if good-will falls, induce him to show the way as far as he is familiar with the country,
and then procure another in the same way. The Guides furnished seldom know enough to answer all
the purposes of such an
expedition.
106. When an officer returns from such a reconnaissance he must
be able to answer all questions, as to the kind of a road passed over, the number and
nature of the streams crossed, the character of the banks and bed, and whether passable for all
kinds of troops or not. The number and character of the bridges, the resources of the country as
relates to forage, provisions, horses, mules, beef cattle, and other supplies useful to troops. An
officer who has not the facility to remember accurately these points should never fail to keep a
record as he marches along.
107. Patrol duty has also an important part to perform in
connection with Advance and Rear Guards. To understand how to do this it is necessary to have a
correct knowledge of the principles on which they are organized and directed. (See
Reconnaissance, page 94, Reg.)
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