When feasible, considerable distance between platoons makes marching easier.
Officers should constantly move along their commands, checking irregularities, regulating the pace, and supervising every detail as regards men, mules, and loads, while avoiding harassing interference. This is especially important with pack-animals.
An officer should be in charge of the baggage if possible. In crossing fords some men should see to the loads, as the high action of the mules in passing through water is liable to unsteady them. Occasions may occur when the mule may be obliged to swim, and in such cases the saddle must be removed, and any attempt to guide the mule should be made by the slightest touch possible; pulling at the head is to be avoided. A mule swimming can be most easily turned by splashing the water against the side of the face opposite the direction required.
Keep to the spurs of hills in going up and generally in going down hill. Sometimes a short cut may be found down a ravine.
At the beginning of a march check the pace a little; make an early halt, so that men can fall out and adjust anything requiring it.
Occasional halts should be made afterwards. Short halts are best for pack-animals. At every halt non-commissioned officers and drivers inspect their animals and attend to any signs of galling or uneasiness. The rear closes up to its proper distance before halting.
On hill roads mules should be stood level across the road, heads outward from the hillside. If the path be too narrow for this, drivers must stand at their mules' heads to prevent the risk of a tumble down the hillside in attempts to graze. Mules are apt to roll when halted.
In marches with other troops, on halting always find out how long the halt is to be, and if time permits remove loads if practicable.
Advantage may be taken of long halts to water, and feed if advisable and means are at hand. A feed of grain should always be carried in the nose-bags if possible.
On long marches opportunities to feed and water should be sought for.