The fourth rule requires that no river, morass, ra vine, or consuletable hollow-way, or impassable wood, should run through the army, much less between the two lines. When such objects occur, sufficient and per manent communications must be made over them, ac cording to circumstances.
The sixth rule requires that regard be had to the ob ject we have in view. The rule is, that as soon as an army enters the camp, roads must be made on all sides, to enable the troops to march out conveniently. But in all circumstances this rule cannot be observed. For a strong camp, affording at the same time facilities for marching out, will not easily be met with. if the therefore, be to have the facility of marching forwards on the enemy, less attention is paid to the strength of the camp. If, on the other hand, it be our intention to await the attack of the enemy, less regard is paid to the facility of marching out in front, provided only that the march towards both sides, and especially towards the rear, be open and convenient.
Finally, it is obvious, that if there be heights in the neighbourhood of the wound where we wish to encamp, the camp should be placed on them, and not in the low grounds.
In order to secure a camp from surprise, it is neces sary to establish posts and field•guards. These posts must be placed in such manner, and at such distance, that the army, in whatsoever order it may happen to be, may be enabled to prepare for defence before the ene my can make their attack. They must therefore form a chain round the army, each supporting the other, so that nothing can pass through unobserved. They con sist of infantry or cavalry, with light-troops, or troops of the line. On plains, and when objects can be seen at a considerable distance, cavalry are posted ; hut in broken ground, lnfal.rty arc required. A post of light horse must be supported by one of heavy cavalry be hind ; which last is also supported by light or regular infantry. lit behind hedges, &c. light infantry ate commonly placed ; the regular infantry in villages, houses, and, last of all, behind entrenchments. Every large post places a smaller one at some distance, but in such a manner as not to be liable to be cut off. The
sentries of all these posts, two of which always stand together, must be able to sec and hear each other. The cavalry posts are frequently placed at greater distances luting the day, and drawn closer at night. The field guards of the cavalry are placed, not for fighting, but for watching ; as soon, therefore, as a superior enemy approaches them they must retire. The infantry posts, on the other hand, arc almost always placed so as to be able to maintain Cteir ground, and therefore they ought generally to defend themselves as long as they can, in order to give more time to the army to prepare for defence. As soon as any danger approaches a post, or is observed, notice must not only be communicated to the proper quarter, but when forced to retire, the circumstance must be made known to the next post.
Every camp should have a facility of obtaining sup plies of water and wood, and the army should also be provided with the necessary forage for the first few days a least. Cat e must be taken, therefore, that the wells, ponds, springs, Sec. be not wantonly spoiled, nor the forage in and around the camp.
The camp is generaly marked out before the arrival of the army. For this purpose, the regimental quar ter-masters, with the pioneers of the regiments, and some detached troops, march in advance under the con duct ol the quarter-master-general. The latter having chosen the situation for the camp, and determined, ac cording to its length, how many paces should be al lowed to each battalion or squadron, including the in tervals; tile aides-de-camp then assign to each regi ment, according to the number of its battalions and squadrons, its proper place in the first, second, or third line ; after which the regimental quarter-mas ter sets off the ground for each, according to a scheme established in the war-order of every nation, by marking out the space of each tent, those of officers as well as of privates, with stakes. When the army enters the ground, every battalion marches to the front of its en campment in order of battle ; the tents are erected, and the camp is complete.