Chapter I: Front Matter

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-COMMISSIONED OFFICER, ON PICQUET.

SECTION I. PARADING THE PICQUET.

The Commanding Officer of a Picquet, as soon as the same has been given up to him, should take care to have the names of his men written down, as well as the Regiment and Troop they belong to; inspect their ammunition and fire arms; and order them to load. He likewise should inquire if the men are provided with provisions and forage, and in case they are not, it must be reported to the Regiment, in order that supplies may be sent after them. Inquiries are likewise to be made where 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 Officer must pay great attention in examining the country, and particularly observe the places where he would make a stand in case the Picquet should be attacked by the Enemy: for instance, behind a bridge, a ravine, between bogs, &c., in order to keep off the enemy as long as possible. This is of the utmost importance to give the Corps time to turn out. The Commander of a Picquet who retires with his men at full speed, and the Enemy at his heels, deserves the severest punishment; he must retire as slow as possible, and constantly skirmish.