No. 1 patrols to his left, and when returned No. 2 proceeds to No. 3, and returns to his station: No. 3 patrols to No. 2, and when returned, No. 4 will go to No. 5 and return; 5 and 6, and all the other Videttes do the same. If this is done it is impossible that anything can pass unperceived. The desertion of any man must be reported without delay.
When the Enemy is close, the following measures not only contributes to insure security, but is the best way to learn when the Enemy is on the move. A few men are to patrol during the night every hour beyond the chain of Videttes, in different directions, and to go as close to the Enemy as they can, unperceived. As soon as they are far enough, one man dismounts and listens with his ear on the ground; he will be enabled to hear at a considerable distance when Troops march. This undoubtedly gives security to the outpost; but it is particularly recommended, being the only means to ascertain the secret movements of the enemy in the night, to discover which the greatest exertions ought to be made, as it is of the utmost importance to the Commander-in-chief to be immediately acquainted with them.
The Picquets have frequently no orders to detain people that pass through the line of outposts towards the enemy; but in the evening and during the night every one attempting to do so must remain with the Picquet until daylight. Persons suspected of carrying any papers with them are to be searched, and sent to the Commanding Officer, with a written statement why they appear suspicious. Half an hour before daylight the morning Patrols will be sent on the roads in front, and as soon as it is quite light the Picquet and Videttes take up their position for the day.
SECTION VI.
PLACING OF VIDETTES.
Although little can be said upon this subject, (everything depending upon the nature of the country,) the following rules may be applicable:
By Day.
They are generally placed upon hills, to enable them to have a good view of everything in front. In a mountainous country the ravines and narrow valleys now and then cannot be observed at the top of a hill; in this case a Vidette is to be placed in the bottom. It is desirable to place the Videttes on the top of hills, near a tree or large stone, to prevent the enemy from seeing them, as he may conclude, by seeing one of them, what position the whole line of Videttes and Picquets, and even sometimes the corps to which they belong, have taken up.
When the Videttes are placed in such a manner that they can overlook their front, see each other and the ground between them, so that nothing can pass unperceived, they are placed as they ought to be.
In order to spare men and horses, no more Videttes than necessary are to be out.