The main principle in encampments is, that the army be placed in the same order as for battle ; so that no thing more is necessary than to march out ready for fig..t. But as this principle is not always without ex ception, such measures must be taken as shall enable the army to make the necessary alterations in its order of battle, before an actual attack is made by the ene my. In order to be enabled to form more rapidly, and also to encamp in places where there is otherwise a want of depth, the king of Prussia, to whom the art of war is so much indebted in modern times, invented what has been called the method ol encamping in order of battle ; in which there are no passages for the com panies, and the tents are placed close together in three rows for the three lines.
By foraging is meant bringing in food for the horses, when it is done by the cavalry themselves. Forage, as we have already observed, is either green or dry.
The first thing to be done in foraging is to ascertain, whether there be forage sufficient for the number of horses. In dry foraging, therefore, the magazines are inspected ; in green foraging, an experienced officer is sent out to reconnoitre the quantity. This officer en deavours to ascertain how much corn and hay are con tained within a certain space, which he measures by the square steps of his horse. He then prepares the field, and determines the number who can forage upon it, deducting one-third of the whole space for the spots upon which nothing grows. Practice renders this task very easy, and will enable one to determine the quantity, as well as the extent, tolerably well merely by the eye.
An order is then issued to the army, or to that part of it which is intended to forage, to have their foragers ready at a certain time and place, in order to forage for so many days. When there is to be a general foraging of the whole army, it must first be ascertained that no thing is to be apprehended from the enemy while the people are out. Otherwise the army forages by flanks, in order that they may be prepared to resist the attack of the enemy in the camp.
When foraging is carried on under cover of the army, nothing more is necessary than to see that order, tem perance, and proper discipline are preserved, which, however, requires great attention. The foraging itself is conducted in the following manner : When the forage is green, a particular spot is assigned to every regiment, when their foragers dismount, and set to work by fours, while one holds the horses. The former reap the corn, bind it up, and place it on the horses. The rider then mounts, and when they are all ready, they march off by regiments ; first the artillery, and other trains, then the infantry, and last of all the cavalry. In dry foraging, the villages are assigned to the regiments, from which they are to forage ; and it is best when the peasants are made to bring together outside of the village what they are required to provide, which is then divided ; by which means all excesses are more easily prevented.
If an attack upon the foraging party is apprehended, they must be covered by a force proportioned to that of the enemy, the extent of the foraging ground, and the means of defence which it affords. It should consist of heavy and light horse, with infantry. The relative pro portion of these troops must be regulated according to the nature of the ground.
The covering force should march on the previous evening, and occupy the ground which is to be foraged. The chain is afterwards formed in the morning. while the foragers leave the camp. When the covering force marches at the same time, and at the head of the fora gels, no man should be allowed to dismount and com mence reaping until the chain is formed, and the order is given by the commanding officer.
As soon as the light troops, preceding the party, ar rive upon the foraging ground, they carefully reconoitre the neighbourhood, to ascertain whether there be any places where the enemy might lie concealed, such as woods, villages, ravines, Zee. Bridges, and other ap proaches, must be occupied by a strong party. Cavalry and infantry posts are then placed, who must form a chain of centries, who allow none to pass the limits for the purpose of foraging, and give immediate notice of every thing that approaches. These posts are estab lished on the same principles as those round a camp ; and this is called the chain, which, however, is only formed in this manner in green foraging. When the light troops and posts give notice that the enemy is no where to be seen, the commander orders the foragers to dismount. He places himself with his corps either at the most important station, or if more than one attack is apprehended, in such a situation, as will enable him conveniently to oppose the approaching enemy at every point. When the ground is of considerable extent, he divides his corps into divisions, which he places at the most dangerous points, so that they can always afford assistance to each other. But when he hears or per ceives that an attack is made in any quarter, he ought not to hasten thither immediately with his whole corps, but must only engage so far as is necessary to oppose the force employed by the enemy ; because the attack may be merely a feint. So long as the enemy does not appear in superior force, the commander must always endeavour to complete his foraging ; but when the ene my is too strong, the foragers must be immediately sent to the rear without their forage ; the chain must be drawn together, and the whole covering force make its retreat in the best possible order. In dry foraging, the dispositions are much the same, only that it is unneces sary to form any proper chain, as the forage is brought to one spot, and the men, therefore, are kept better to gether ; and, indeed, the whole business is much less complicated.