OUTPOSTS. The security of troops at a halt, that is, in camp, bivouac, or cantonment, is insured by means of outposts, or detachments thrown out from the main body to protect it from surprise. These are either separate detachments. at important points, or a continuous Chaim. The latter is rarely necessary in war, because the armies are seldom in such close contact as to require it. For a few days before and after a decisive engagement it may be necessary, but dur ing the course of the operations between battles there is no such immediate danger, especially for the infantry. The cavalry is, of course, con stantly in touch with the enemy, and the best protection for it is the patrols close up to the enemy, with the main body of cavalry retired a mile or so for rest, the reconnaissance squadrons remaining assembled out in front covered by a few posts and patrols in their immediate vicinity. If the distance to the reconnaissance squadrons is very great, outpost squadrons are sent out to cover the intervening space, and as a rule they will be sufficient. Only occasionally, as on the night after a battle, is it necessary to add an outpost reserve, or main body. Each outpost squadron has a particular section of ground as signed to it, for the security of which it is re sponsible, and for observation pickets are pushed out, from which redettes are sent to the front as sentinels. In the arrangement of pickets and vedettes, particular attention is given to gaining a good outlook over the surrounding landscape and the main roads must be observed. In general, security is better insured by constant communi cation between the reconnaissance detachments and behind the pickets than it east be by a continu oils line of posts; these outposts require no spe cial outpost ander. the squadrons acting
independently.
If the screening cavalry in this way insures its own safety, it necessarily relieves the other troops in rear• from a groat part of this duty. In many cases the troops in rear can entirely dis pens with outposts; again, when there is no chance of.a battle taking place within a day or so, each subdivision may be left to look after its own security. The strength and energy of the enemy is always an important factor, as well as the feeling of the inhabitants of the country, and when the enemy is very near, a connected line of outposts is demanded. composed, in general, of mixed troops. At the end of a march the advance guard. either in whole or in part. takes charge of the outpost duly. (111 resuming the march a new advance is formed, the old being re lieved after the new has ad Vil need beyond its See .11VA NC% 'ARIL The entire outposts in this case are under one or more outpost commanders, depending on the length of the line aml the character of the ground. The main line is composed of outpost companies o• supports, for which a reserre is provided when necessary, and this is placed either in rear or On the smne line, depending on the point. where support is most desired. If there i-, no outpost cavalry available, patrols (q.v.) must be sent out by the outpost companies. but the lat ter must have a few cavalrymen as messengers, or in their stead cyclists. On coming into posi tion as picket ahead on the road is usually suf ficient, but nt night other pickets and sentinels may he required.