for short and frequent detachments. In cases where the detachment is more or less permanent, it is not the custom to follow these rules, but to be guided, in making the details, by the nature of the service.

118. Where there is a possibility that the soldier may be detached for a long period, he should be accompanied by his descriptive roll and clothingaccount, in order that he may draw his pay, and such clothing as he may need during his absence. This matter is sometimes overlooked by the officers, and should be remembered by the soldier, as he is most affected by the neglect.

DUTIES IN THE FIELD.

119. A soldier's duties in the field are nothing more than the practical application of the duties he has learned in camp or garrison to the purposes of war. Troops are said to be "in the field” when they are operating against the enemy, and are occupying temporarily the country, towns, cities, or intrenchments in the vicinity of the foe, or permanently encamped in their neighborhood. They are also said to be in the field when on the march through the country in times of peace.

120. In the field there are, in addition to campguards and police-guards, advanced guards, outposts, pickets, and reconnoissances. On these

guards the soldier's duty has not so much detail about it: much of the ceremony of camp-guard is omitted and modified to suit the circumstances; every thing is made subservient to the all-important end,-watching the enemy. His presence of mind, good judgment, and courage on these duties are put to the greatest test.

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121. ADVANCED GUARDS are guards thrown out to the front in the direction in which the enemy expected, to guard against attack or surprise. They may be composed of details united from the brigades, forming a "division-guard," and covering the front of the division, uniting with the guards of the divisions on the right and left; or "brigade-guards," composed of details from the different regiments of the brigade, and covering its front in the same

manner.

122. The senior colonel or other officer of a "division-guard" is the "general officer of the day;" of a "brigade-guard," a field officer or senior captain is usually detailed as "field officer of the day." These guards are usually thrown some distance in the advance, sometimes several miles, and always far enough to give the troops time to form and prepare for battle before the enemy can come upon them. If the guards are thrown out too far to be relieved daily, they go on for several days at a time.

123. OUTPOSTS are isolated advanced guards of greater or less strength. When composed of small detachments, they are called "picket-guards."

124. RECONNOISSANCES are made by troops against the enemy for the purpose of finding out his position and strength. The term generally implies a strong party. When the force is small, it is more generally called "reconnoitring" or "scouting."

125. The special duty of the soldier in advanced guards, outposts, pickets, and reconnoissances, is that of "picket,” “skirmisher,” and “flanker.”

126. PICKET. This term is used differently, and has different meanings in various works. It is used in our army to designate the advanced sentinels of an "advanced guard." Courage and common sense are the principal requisites for a picket.

127. The instructions which he receives are generally plain and easily understood: the only difficulty is to remember them at the critical moment. Pickets are either infantry or cavalry, or both together. The term "vedette" is frequently applied to cavalry pickets. The general rules for picket should be well understood by every soldier.

128. "The duties of the pickets are to keep a vigilant watch over the country in front, and over the movements of the enemy, if in sight, to prevent all unauthorized persons from passing in or out of the lines, and to arrest all suspicious individuals. In case of an attack, they will act as a line of skirmishers, and hold their ground to the last moment. If forced to retire, they will slowly close their intervals and fall back upon their supports." (General

Order No. 69, Head-Quarters Army of Potomac, 1862.) The following Regulations are important:—

"620. The sentinels and vedettes are placed on points from which they can see farthest, taking care not to break their connection with each other or with their posts. They are concealed from the enemy as much as possible by walls, or trees, or elevated ground. It is generally even of more advantage not to be seen than to see far. They should not be placed near covers, where the enemy may capture them.

"621. A sentinel should always be ready to fire; vedettes carry their pistols or carbines in their hands. A sentinel must be sure of the presence of an enemy before he fires; once satisfied of that, he must fire, though all defence on his part be useless, as the safety of the post may depend on it. Sentinels fire on all persons deserting to the enemy.

"622. If the post must be where a sentinel on it cannot communicate with the guard, a corporal and three men are detached for it, or the sentinels are doubled, that one may communicate with the guard. During the day the communication may be made by signals, such as raising a cap or handkerchief. At night sentinels are placed on low ground, the better to see objects against the sky.

"624. On the approach of any one at night, the sentinel orders-Halt! If the order is not obeyed after once repeated, he fires. If obeyed, he calls-Who goes there?' If answered-'Rounds' or 'Patrol,' he says-'Stand: Advance one with the countersign.' If more than one advance at the same time, or the person who advances fails to give the countersign or signal agreed on, the sentinel fires, and falls back on his guard. The sentinel over the arms, as soon as his hail is answered, turns out the guard,

and the corporal goes to reconnoitre. When it is desirable to hide the position of the sentinel from the enemy, the hail is replaced by signals; the sentinel gives the signal, and those approaching the counter-signal.

"639. Bearers of flags are not permitted to pass the outer chain of sentinels; their faces are turned from the post or army; if necessary, their eyes are bandaged; a non-commissioned officer stays with them to prevent indiscretion of the sentinels.

"640. The commandant of the grand guard receipts for dispatches, and sends them to the field officer of the day or general of brigade, and dismisses the bearer; but if he has discovered what ought to be concealed from the enemy, he detained as long as necessary.

"641. Deserters are disarmed at the advanced posts, and sent to the commander of the grand guard, who gets from them all the information he can concerning his post. If many come at night, they are received cautiously, a few at a time. They are sent in the morning to the field officer of the day, or to the nearest post or camp, to be conducted to the general of the brigade. All suspected persons are searched by the commanders of the posts."

129. Pickets should look out particularly for deserters; and parties representing themselves as such should be required to lay down their arms before they approach. A flag of truce should also be received with caution: it is usually a white flag, borne by an officer and accompanied by an escort. The flag is sometimes, particularly in the night, preceded by a trumpeter blowing the parley.

130. The escort is halted at a distance, and no one is permitted to advance except the bearer of the