which, in turn, consists of the sender’s surname and his rank, thus,
FLETCHER,
SGT.
The outline of the whole message construction, then, would be as follows:—
| { | 1. Name of sending detachment. | |||
| { | 2. Location of sending detachment (place). | |||
| The Heading | { | 3. The Date. | ||
| { | 4. The Hour of Issue. | |||
| { | 5. The Number of the Message. | |||
| { | 1. Enemy. | |||
| The Body | { | 1. To whom sent. | { | 2. Your own troops. |
| { | 2. The body proper. | { | 3. Terrain. | |
| { | 4. Your plan. | |||
| The Ending—The Signature | { | 1. Surname. | ||
| { | 2. Rank. | |||
The message we have composed, when assembled, would appear as follows:
Combat Patrol, 318th Infantry,
Cross Roads 500 yds. south of CLINTON SCHOOL HOUSE.
No. 3. 9 Jan. 18. 9-45 a. m.
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.
FLETCHER,
SGT.