Captain: Your solution seems correct to me. Why did you send Corporal Gibbs' squad up between the pike and the swamp?
Sergeant Adams: It looked as if he would strike the enemy from a better quarter; there appeared to be better cover that way, afforded by the turn in the road, which must have some weeds, etc., along it, and the swamp would prevent him from getting too far separated from the remainder of the advance party.
Captain: The Sergeant's orders for the attack were very good. He gave his squad leaders some authority and attached his extra men to a squad. He did not attempt to assume direct control of individual men, but managed the three squads and made the squad leaders manage the individual men. This is the secret of successful troop leading. His orders were short, plain and given in proper sequence.
Problem No. 3 (Infantry)
(See [Fort Leavenworth map] in pocket at back of book.)
[1035]. Situation.
A Blue battalion, in hostile country, is in camp for the night, August 5–6, at Sprong (ja'). At 9:00 P. M., August 5th, Lieutenant A, Adjutant gives a copy of the following order to Sergeant B:
1st Battalion, 1st Infantry,
Sprong, Kansas,
5 Aug., '09.