When  the  sentinels  give  notice  of  the  approach  of
the  enemy  and  see  him  coming,  they  fall  back  upon
their  respective  posts,  then  upon  the  grand  guards  ;
and  the  latter,  after  ascertaining  the  exact  state  of  af
fairs,  and  that  a  serious  attack  is  made,  retire  towards
the  pickets,  skirmishing  as  they  go.  The  pickets  send
supports  to  the  grand  guards ;  receive  them  when
they  come  in ;  fight,  if  it  is  necessary  to  hold  their
positions  ;  or  fall  back  slowly  upon  the  main  body.
At  night,  the  outposts  are  strengthened,  in  order  to
increase  the  number  of  sentinels.  If  the  country  is
wooded  and  favors  surprises,  the  sentinels  are  drawn
in  nearer  their  outposts  at  nightfall,  in  order  to  avoid
risk  of  being  carried  off.  By  taking  their  places  at
the  bottom  of  the  hills,  whose  tops  they  may  have
occupied  during  the  day,  they  have  a  better  chance
of  seeing  an  approaching  enemy.
When  the  same  points  are  occupied  for  several
days,  it  is  a  good  plan  to  fortify  them,  either  by  throw
ing  up  earthworks  or  by  using  abatis.
~No  one  should  leave  the  outposts.  Houses  should
be  occupied  neither  by  officers  nor  men.  The  men
should  never  take  off  their  clothes  or  accoutrements.
Not  more  than  half  the  men  should  sit  down  or  rest
at  the  same  time,  the  remainder  being  on  the  lookout.
ADVANCED    POSTS.  383

The  outposts  receive  deserters,  stop  travellers  and
inhabitants  coming  in,  and  question  them.  Their
reports  are  to  be  received  with  caution,  as  they  are
often  false  and  generally  inaccurate.
