Chapter III: Patrolling

_Classification._ Patrols are classified according to their uses as tactical or strategical (discussed under “Cavalry Tactics”), security or information. Combat patrols are placed on the flanks of battle lines for the security thereof. Outposts and advance guards always send out patrols which ordinarily go but a short distance from the body which sent them out. The discussion under this heading pertains primarily to officer’s patrols sent out on independent missions. It is with such patrols that the special problems usually deal. Advance guard and outpost patrols are discussed under those headings, (Chapters IV and X.)

_Composition and Strength._ The men for a patrol should generally be selected for the purpose in view and not taken at random, or by roster. The same applies to their mounts.

For important duty on an independent mission the patrol should be commanded by an officer. However, do not get the habit of sending out officer’s patrols for _all_ duty. All officers are available to command mounted patrols when necessary. Certain officers of an infantry regiment are mounted, and dismounted officers may be provided with mounts from the horses attached to the regiment.

A patrol should never be any larger than necessary for the purpose in view. Consider how many men may be required for messengers, and whether you will probably have to fight to accomplish your mission. A good rule is that less than 6 men are too few to send messages, and more than 10 too many to be readily concealed. In a _hostile country_ you generally need _two men for each message_. In friendly country one is enough if distance is not too great, no enemy near, etc.

Mounted patrols are generally more efficient than foot patrols on account of their greater mobility, especially for information purposes. On an _independent_ mission to a distance _greater_ than two miles it is the rule to use mounted or auto patrols. But small mounted patrols must proceed very cautiously if enemy is known to have bodies of infantry in the locality. If the enemy has cavalry about, there is also great risk for either mounted or dismounted patrols. The patrol leader should select men and horses when he can. Mounted and dismounted men should not be used in the same patrol.

The mounted orderlies which form part of an infantry regiment are intended to meet the constant need for the service of mounts while avoiding the disadvantages of detailing considerable numbers of cavalry for this purpose. The uses of these mounts will be many and will include the following:

(a) For agents of communication. This is to be regarded
as the most usual function.

(b) For orderlies and horseholders.

(c) For mounted scout duty in detachments and detached
regiments when cavalry is not available.

The orderlies to whom the mounts are regularly assigned should be thoroughly trained as messengers and signalers and their usefulness may be greatly increased if they be trained also as scouts. While their prime function will be that of agents of communication the commander of a detached regiment, unaccompanied by a cavalry detail, who has need of mounted scouting will certainly use these mounts for such purpose. Such duty need not be performed by the orderlies regularly assigned, but their mounts may be used for officers and specially selected infantrymen assigned to scouting duty. Hostler duty will be required for the various mounts accompanying an infantry regiment, but hostlers need not be mounted. It is not to be supposed that the mounted men attached to an infantry regiment are to be considered primarily as hostlers, and the orderlies should not be regularly employed on such duty to an extent which would interfere with the performance of their more important functions.

The uses to which these mounted orderlies will be put will depend upon circumstances and upon the nature of their training. They will occupy space in the column and necessitate the transportation of a considerable amount of forage. They should not be utilized solely for the personal convenience and comfort of mounted officers. The skilled commander will train and utilize his mounted men in such manner as to obtain the largest possible return on the investment.

In the operations of great masses of troops which are becoming more and more characteristic of modern warfare, especially in densely populated countries, the duty of reconnaissance will be performed by the cavalry and aeronautical services. Under such conditions detachment warfare will be reduced to a minimum and there will be little occasion to employ the mounted orderlies of the infantry, except for communication, etc. The general organization may well contemplate such conditions. Detachment warfare has, however, hitherto been frequent in the wars of the United States and is very apt to continue for some years to come in military operations on this continent. The detached brigade or regiment, even if accompanied by a cavalry command, will have frequent occasion to employ all available mounted men for the duty of reconnaissance.

Motor cars are often useful in the conduct of patrols. They are swift, and can travel almost anywhere that troops operate. They are present in great numbers with modern armies and in many cases are not as apt to attract hostile attention as bodies of mounted men.

Patrolling problems ordinarily require three things:

1st. Instructions given to the patrol leader by the officer who
sends him out.

2nd. What the patrol leader does before starting.

3rd. Conduct of the patrol in various situations.

_Instructions to patrol leader before starting._ The officer sending out a patrol should give the leader very full instructions while being careful not to hamper him with details. Tell him fully what you want him to do but not _how to do it_. The information and instructions given him will include the following.

1. Information of the enemy and our supporting troops.

2. Plan of the commander.

3. Mission of the patrol--explain very carefully all that you
want it to learn.

4. Size of the patrol and where obtained.

5. Furnish patrol leader with a map if he has not one already.

6. General route of patrol and hour of departure.

7. Limits of the country it is to observe, and location of other
friendly patrols.

8. Time patrol is to return, and if necessary latest hour by
which first message should be back.

9. When and where messages are to be sent.

10. Location of Blue (friendly) outposts.

11. Contemplated movements of the command during patrol’s
absence, if any.

12. Cause patrol leader to set his watch with yours.

_Action of patrol leader before starting._ 1. He confers with the officer from whom he is to obtain his men, asks about their qualifications, or if they are his own men selects those who are specially qualified. He makes the necessary arrangements for the start, such as the hour when the men are to be called, breakfast before starting, provides for a cooked meal to be carried if patrol is apt to be out over 6 hours, especially in hostile territory, etc.

2. He provides his own equipment, which besides his mount should include the following:

(a) Arms & ammunition. (b) Watch.
(c) Field glasses. (d) Message pad.
(e) Pencils. (f) Notebook.
(g) Maps. (h) Compass.
(i) Whistle. (j) Wire cutter (if mtd.)

3. He studies his map and the route he is to take, notes distances, features of terrain, including prominent landmarks and lookout points, lays his plans, etc.

4. He assembles his detail and inspects the men and their equipment and the horses. He sees that all his men are physically fit, that they have everything that is necessary and nothing that is unnecessary. He inspects the backs, feet and mouths of the horses, has any white horses replaced by some of darker color, if practicable, and changes any horses that are said to have a habit of neighing excessively. He sees that each man has a canteen full of water or coffee, and one or two luncheons or cooked meals, as circumstances require, and that each has a feed of grain for his horse in his saddle bags. He sees that the accouterments of the men do not glisten or rattle, and that none has any maps, letters or newspapers which might be of value to the enemy in case of capture. He assures himself that both men and horses have been watered and fed before starting.

5. He questions his men as to their qualifications. He explains in detail the mission of the patrol, and the instructions he has received. He shows them his map, and points out the route and important features of the terrain. He tells them where messages are to be sent. He instructs them as to their conduct, particularly as to the necessity for keeping concealed and avoiding a fight.

6. He rehearses with his men a simple code of signals.

7. He designates a second in command (unless such exists ex-officio).

_Conduct of the Patrol._ 1. The patrol, proceeds in column of twos at a trot until the outpost line is reached. At the outpost the patrol halts and the leader calls the attention of the men to the position of the outpost. He then points out the route and such landmarks as are of importance. He questions the outpost sentry as to any knowledge he has of the enemy, etc. He tells the sentry by what route he is going, by what route he will probably return, and how long he expects to be out.

2. On leaving the outpost the patrol takes up a more extended formation. This formation is essentially that of any body of troops on the march, consisting of advance guard, main body, flank guards (when required) and rear guard. A patrol should cover a road space of not less than 100 yards nor more than 250 under average conditions. 100 to 200 yards is about correct. A large patrol is not strung out much more than a small one. The formation should be such as to reduce vulnerability and to favor the escape of at least one man in case of attack. Distances much in excess of those given offer few advantages in these respects and make control by the leader very difficult. In very open country distances may be somewhat increased. In very close country or at night they may be reduced. A good formation for a mounted patrol of 8 men is as follows: In the lead Sergeant and one man at 20 yards distance, on opposite sides of road, Sergeant in lead, 60 yards back the Lieutenant and 4 men, at 10 yards distance, alternately on opposite sides of the road, 60 yards farther to the rear the remaining 2 men, at 15 yards distance, on opposite sides of road. Flank reconnaissance done by main body. The men should all be so close that they can promptly be assembled by low command or preferably by signal. Men reconnoitering to flanks must necessarily at times be out of the leader’s sight, but they should never remain so long.

3. Remain on the road and proceed as rapidly as consistent with your mission and your safety. If you have a distant mission, and do not expect to encounter hostiles at once, and particularly if you are in a friendly country do not waste time by excessive reconnoitering at the start. You will of course grow more cautious as you approach the enemy.

4. The usual method of advance for a mounted patrol is by “successive bounds.” This means, in brief, from behind each crest look ahead to the next, and if the coast is clear ride rapidly ahead, repeating the process from the next crest. Of course the view may be limited also by turns of the road. Important cross roads should be reconnoitered as far as the next crest or turn. Shunt roads, if not too long, may be traversed by a couple of men. Woods may be reconnoitered in the judgment of the leader. It is well to see the country beyond them if practicable. Defiles should be approached with caution. In passing such send a couple of men through if defile is not too long or else reconnoiter it on a broad front. Men sent out from the patrol should be told where to go and when to rejoin. Sometimes they may be told to report direct to the commander any information they obtain. As a rule, however, avoid an actual splitting of the patrol, except for short distances and for local security. Men detached from a patrol for any purpose are very apt to become permanently separated.

5. From time to time the patrol leader designates a rendezvous in case patrol is scattered.

6. Houses and villages on the line of march should be approached with caution, especially in hostile country. Generally it is better to reconnoiter a village from a distance and then pass around it unless this would waste time, or unless there is some particular reason for entering the town. Ordinarily keep out of inclosures.

7. The patrol leader should verify his map and make essential military corrections to it as he proceeds. He should point out important landmarks to his men.

8. Water the horses in the morning after being out about an hour, and again in the afternoon.

9. Do not allow civilians to precede the patrol.

10. Security or covering patrols will fight whenever necessary to their mission of guarding the main body from observation, and they will be made strong enough for this purpose. Information or reconnoitering patrols, however, should as a rule endeavor to avoid fighting and keep themselves concealed, as far as practicable, from observation. They will usually fail to accomplish their mission of gaining information if they allow themselves to be drawn into unnecessary combats with hostile patrols. Fighting, however, may be permissible or even necessary in some cases:

(a) To gain important information, or escape with information
gained.

(b) To avoid capture.

(c) In exceptional cases, to prevent an enemy from gaining important
information or escaping with information gained. In general,
however, reconnoitering patrols will not be expected to
perform also the duty of covering and preventing hostile
observation.

(d) To prevent hostile patrols from getting in rear and thus
endangering the transmission of important messages.

(e) In exceptional cases, to capture prisoners if this may be
done without great danger and there is a probability that
important information may be gained from them.

In the above cases and such others as may arise, the patrol leader must consider his own mission, and whether his chances of success will be improved by fighting. The best patrolling is where the patrol accomplishes its mission without being seen by the enemy. As a rule the patrol should not fight for the sake of capturing prisoners. But if any be captured they should be closely questioned and a record made of any information gained from them. If this appears to be sufficiently important to warrant such a procedure the prisoners may be sent back to the outpost. Otherwise they may be deprived of their arms and mounts and turned loose, taken along with the patrol, or otherwise disposed of as circumstances may warrant, or instructions require.

11. Take advantage of all good lookout points for observation. The leader himself should take a look with his glasses, posting a couple of men near him to guard him from surprise.

12. Make your halts in concealed places, and generally utilize a halt for observation from some lookout. Put out “march outposts” during a halt.

13. If a hostile patrol passes you it may be well to take his back trail--you are less liable to meet others than on a new road, and may also intercept important messages.

14. In concealing yourself make sure your retreat is not cut off.

15. If attacked by superior force scatter if necessary, and assemble later; if cut off make a detour; if checked on one line of advance take another.

16. Exchange information with any friendly (Blue) patrols you happen to meet, but generally keep out of the territory assigned to them.

17. Watch carefully for indications of the enemy--small points may often be important. In estimating strength of a hostile column try to gain a position from which you can see the entire column, rather than wait for it to pass a single point. The following table is useful for estimating strength of a column:

Troops passing a point in one minute:’

Infantry in 4’s 175
Infantry in 2’s 88
Cavalry in 4’s 110 (walk) 200 (trot)
Cavalry in 2’s 55 ” 100 ”
Guns or caissons 5

A thick cloud of dust indicates infantry.

A high, thin cloud indicates cavalry.

A broken cloud indicates artillery or trains.

18. A patrol should never desist until its mission is accomplished.

19. The main roads are best for travel. The enemy is more apt to be encountered there which may or may not be an advantage. It is sometimes advisable to return by a different route. Often it may be best to travel on a less frequented side road from which the main road can be observed.

20. A patrol’s mission is usually to locate the enemy’s main body, or at least a hostile force large enough to affect the plans of the commander who sent out the patrol. So keep on until you have done this. When you have located such a body hang to it as long as there is anything of value to be learned. Your commander will want to know the enemy’s location, strength, movements and intentions.

21. Be cautious about interviewing the inhabitants in a hostile country--they may betray your presence to the enemy. But in a friendly country the inhabitants may give you valuable information, and will generally refrain from giving the enemy information about you--though not always. Take all hearsay evidence for what it is worth.

22. If a patrol remains out over night it is, of course, advisable to camp near the enemy in order to keep touch with him. Care should be exercised, however, in selecting a bivouac. In a friendly country the inhabitants _may_, with caution, be applied to for shelter. In a hostile country such a proceeding is dangerous. A patrol should usually avoid spending two successive nights in the same place in hostile territory.

23. If patrols go to a great distance and it is probable that there will be many important messages to be sent back, arrangements may be made to relay the messages. This is not usual, but is sometimes done, especially in a hostile country. Relay posts insure the safety and rapidity of transmission. These posts would ordinarily be placed at intervals of about 5 miles. They may be established by the patrol itself by dropping off a few men at intervals along the route, or they may be established by other bodies. To illustrate, suppose a company of infantry with some mounted men were holding a bridge 10 miles in front of the outpost line, and on the route of a patrol sent to the front. This company could establish 3 relay posts, one midway between the bridge and the outpost, one at the bridge and one 5 miles beyond. The two isolated relay posts should consist of two or more mounted men and 6 or 8 infantrymen for protection. In such a case the messengers coming in from the patrol might return to it from the outermost relay post, after a rest. The commander of each relay post should read and record all messages that arrive, and assure himself that they are safely transmitted to the next post.

24. _Messages._ The only strictly reliable information is that obtained by personal observation of a reliable officer. Do not report as a _fact_ something that has been told you, but give the source of your information and your opinion as to its reliability if this seems advisable.

Generally send _written_ messages by two men (giving each a copy). Repeat the messages to them and have them repeat to you. Tell them the route to take, rate of speed, and caution them to destroy the messages rather than allow them to fall into the hands of the enemy. The rates of speed for a mounted messenger are, ordinary 5 miles per hour, rapid, 7 to 8, urgent, 10 to 12.

If you are in a friendly country, not too far out, with no enemy in your rear, one man may be enough to carry a message.

Messengers, as a rule, do not rejoin.

Intermediate commanders along the route, such as the outpost commander, may read messages.

In your messages, ordinarily give time and place of sending and state what you will do next. But if you have reason to fear that this will compromise your safety or lead to your capture and hence _your failure_, should message fall into hands of the enemy, this information may be omitted, especially if it is of no particular value to the commander. For similar reasons it may be advisable to omit the name, rank and organization, and even in some cases the location, of the superior to whom the message is sent, addressing it simply “Blue commander,” the messenger being given the necessary instructions as to its delivery. Arrangements are often made to have messages delivered at stations other than that occupied by the main command, preferably of course, a place connected by telegraph or telephone with the command. This may avoid danger of capture of messengers and insure more prompt delivery.

In each message usually give a rèsumé of important information in previous messages, in case these should not have been delivered, also any information obtained in the meantime, but which was not important or urgent enough for a special message. Keep a record of all you learn in your notebook and make a full report on your return.

The style of messages should be brief and clear, somewhat like telegrams. All cautions as to clearness and brevity in orders apply similarly to messages.

Messages should be numbered serially as a rule. Use your message pad in the solution of problems. Names of places should be PRINTED IN CAPITALS.

25. _What to report._ A patrol’s mission is not alone to gain certain information but to transmit it to the commander, and this last duty may be the more difficult. Information is of greatest value if promptly transmitted. The first certain information of the enemy must be promptly reported. Thus, if you see two Red cavalrymen, report the fact at once, unless your commander was previously aware of the presence of small hostile parties in the locality. In such case the information is of no immediate value and need only be noted for final report. In reporting the presence of a hostile force always make sure that it is not immediately followed by other troops, and state this in your report. The next important information will usually be something concerning the enemy’s main force, or at least a considerable body. It is not necessary to report every patrol that you meet. Ordinarily do not send in _negative_ messages, unless the commander desires negative information or has ordered you to send in a message by a certain hour. In some cases, however, negative information may be of the greatest importance. The patrol leader should always make use of the telegraph and telephone for transmitting messages when such facilities are available.

(For the use of Air Craft in reconnaissance see Chap. XVIII.)