The Body Proper has the following sequence for its information:
1. Enemy.
2. Your Own Troops.
3. Terrain.
4. Your Plan.
The body then would appear something like this:
“To Commanding Officer, Advance Guard, 71st Brigade:
Squadron of enemy’s cavalry encamped in meadow 600 yards southeast of here. Our officer’s patrol, which we met at ZION CHURCH at 8-10 a. m., reported two regiments enemy’s infantry intrenched at railroad one mile south of here. Tail of our second battalion at PARKSBURG steel bridge 7-20 a. m. Battalion was marching south. MARTIN’S CREEK unfordable at any point between SMITH’S CORNERS and GREENSBURG. Will move southeast from here along creek bed in order to complete mission.”
On account of lack of space, paragraphing is impossible: but if this sequence is followed the thought is easily gained. If some one of our own troops tells us concerning the enemy, this information should come between 1 and 2, and should be definitely shown to be hearsay and not our own observation.
Of course, all of the parts, 1, 2, 3, and 4, do not always occur. The order is nevertheless followed.
The Ending consists of
The Signature