“Our main body is halted and will remain so for at least an hour. Our advance guard is so disposed that it will be able to take up its new formation without confusion. The advance party can cover the main road and, in general, the head of the column. Our patrols, of which I assume there are two on the exposed flank, will form march outguards and protect that flank. I would send out another patrol of one squad to cover the other flank and prevent enemy scouts from working around there and observing the main body.
“My decision is to form a march outpost.”
The Director: “What Captain Hall has said constitutes Captain A’s ‘Estimate of the Situation.’ These are the points that would flash through his mind as soon as he gets the information that the halt is to be made. Lieutenant Barry, what is now necessary to put the decision into effect?”
Lieutenant Barry: “It is necessary to issue an order.”
The Director: “How would you go about this?”
Lieutenant Barry: “I would assemble the two platoon commanders, the platoon sergeants and the first sergeant, and have them write down my order in their message books. This would give me a sufficient number of copies for all purposes.”
The Director: “This shows the necessity for a company commander having some means whereby several copies of an order may be made by a duplicating process—carbon paper. I believe the plan of having the first sergeant or a clerk carry a duplicating book would solve the problem. Now, Lieutenant Hunt, you may dictate Captain A’s order.”
Lieutenant Hunt: “In order to save a repetition and at the same time let all of the company with the support know what is going on I would have the men give me their attention. My order would be:
“‘There is no further information of the enemy. Our battalion halts for one hour.
“‘The advance guard will establish march outposts.