This sometimes succeeds beyond expectation. A well-informed and clever officer is particularly required for this kind of duty; who speaks the language of the country, and has a knowledge of the customs, habits, hopes, and fears of the inhabitants. Such a one will be secure close to the Enemy, and be able to give the most certain and best intelligence.
It is to be remarked, that if the Leader of a Patrol, when returned, cannot answer the following questions about the roads he passed, viz:
Are they rocky, sandy, or boggy?
How many rivers and rivulets he passed; and the distances from one to the other?
Are the banks of them bold, or only an impediment, &c.?
How many bridges lead over them? wooden or massive?
Are fords beside those bridges, passable at every season for Cavalry, Infantry, or Artillery, &c.?
How many villages are on the road, and what are their names, and the distances from one to the other?
Does the road go through wood; or is it at some distance; apparently how large, and what kind?
he has lost sight of a principal point of his duty.
The foregoing Instructions can only be considered as a sketch of the duties of the Light Cavalry. The young, yet inexperienced soldier may look upon it as an introduction to his duties; he can only expect to acquire accomplishments by his own reflections and exertions.
AN ABRIDGMENT
OF
COLONEL ARENTSCHILDT'S
INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFICERS AND NON-COMMISSIONED
OFFICERS OF LIGHT CAVALRY;
BY