INSTRUCTIONS
FOR OFFICERS AND NON-COMMISSIONED
OFFICERS OF CAVALRY,
ON
OUTPOST DUTY;
BY
LIEUT.-COLONEL VON ARENTSCHILDT,
First Hussars King's German Legion:
WITH
AN ABRIDGMENT OF THEM
BY
LIEUT.-COLONEL THE HON. F. PONSONBY,
Twelfth Light Dragoons.
J.W. RANDOLPH:
121 MAIN STREET, RICHMOND, VA.
1861.
THIS
VALUABLE DIGEST
OF
INSTRUCTIONS FOR OFFICERS AND NON-COMMISSIONED
OFFICERS OF CAVALRY ON OUTPOST DUTY,
IS REPRINTED FROM THE LONDON EDITION
BY ORDER OF
BRIG'R GENERAL PHILIP ST. GEO. COCKE,
WHILST COMMANDING POTOMAC MILITARY DEPARTMENT
OF VIRGINIA,
AND DEDICATED BY HIM TO
CAPTAIN LAY AND HIS "POWHATAN TROOP"
OF CAVALRY.
THIS DIGEST IS EARNESTLY COMMENDED TO THE ATTENTION
OF THE OFFICERS AND NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS
OF CAVALRY OF VIRGINIA, AND OF THE
CONFEDERATE STATES.
OUTPOST DUTY.
I.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR OFFICERS AND NON-COMMISSIONED
OFFICERS:
BY LIEUT.-COLONEL VON ARENTSCHILDT.
II.
AN ABRIDGMENT OF THE SAME:
BY LIEUTENANT-COLONEL THE HON. F. PONSONBY.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL VON ARENTSCHILDT'S
INSTRUCTIONS ON
OUTPOST DUTY.
INSTRUCTIONS
FOR
OFFICERS AND NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS
ON OUTPOST DUTY.
I. ON THE CONDUCT TO BE HELD BY AN OFFICER, OR NON-COMMISSIONEDOFFICER, ON PICQUET.
Section I. PARADING THE PICQUET.
The Commanding Officer of a Picquet, as soon as the same has beengiven up to him, should take care to have the names of his men writtendown, as well as the Regiment and Troop they belong to; inspect theirammunition and fire arms; and order them to load. He likewise shouldinquire if the men are provided with provisions and forage, and incase they are not, it must be reported to the Regiment, in order thatsupplies may be sent after them. Inquiries are likewise to be madewhere the reports are to be sent to.
SECTION II.
MARCHING FOR HIS DESTINATION.
On the march to the spot where the Picquet is to be placed, the Officermust pay great attention in examining the country, and particularlyobserve the places where he would make a stand in case the Picquetshould be attacked by the Enemy: for instance, behind a bridge, aravine, between bogs, &c., in order to keep off the enemy as long aspossible. This is of the utmost importance to give the Corps time toturn out. The Commander of a Picquet who retires with his men at fullspeed, and the Enemy at his heels, deserves the severest punishment; hemust retire as slow as possible, and constantly skirmish.
SECTION III.
IF NO PICQUET WAS ON THE SPOT BEFORE.
By Day.
Being arrived at the spot chosen by himself, or pointed out to him,he forms his Picquet, and takes out as many men as he thinks he hasoccasion for as Videttes. To fix upon the number of Videttes, ismuch facilitated