Duke University Libraries General orders, Conf Pam #819 no. 5 a SAD ^tlCAUX'SKTV isro. o. ' The following Rci^nlations are announced for Ihe obserrtnc* of th« troops o^ ll)'s Army, while on outpost Hervicf, : I. The commanders of all detached Artry corps, Diyisiona, Brijpide?, or Rcci> nieotft of this Army, on arriving at a position to be occupied, will carefully re- connoitre, personally and by staff officers, the ground in the vicinity and all roads and approaches thereto, for a distance of several miles, especially in the knorn direction of the enemy . The best positions for holding all such approashes under Yigilant observation, and for the prevention of surprise, will be carefully selected for the advanced line of picket sentries, which shall not be less than one mile distant from the main body of the command, nor more than three miles. The force to bo employed in this outpost service shall habitually be not less than one- fifth of the command, from which it may be detached, and the tour of duty will bo for three days. 2. The post of the Regiment, Battalion, or detachment, on outpost service, will be selected at a convenient central point, about half a mile in rear of the front line to be occupied by sentinels ; and there will be the reserve, and place for bag- gage and cooking. One-third of the command or detachment will be thrown forward in three equal parties, equi-distant from each other, to within two hun- dred yards of the extreme picket front ; and from these detachments, smaller detachments, each of from three to sis privates, with a cjmmisiioncd or non» «oiEibissioned officer in charge, from which a continuouj line of sentries will bo •stablished nlong the entire front to be held and obscrrod, connecting at al' times with the sentinel.** on the right and left, thrown forward either by the pickets, posts of l)io n.ajn Regiment, Battalion or Detachment, or established from ether XegimentH. Jlaii.i; ..i-- or I'etachments on outpost service. At night the number of seiitiii ;1 1 \mI» Imi (ist not be allowed tostny or lonnjre al.out the picket posts, or coiiversft with {;icke^ ; tliie is pniticularly cujoined ; for, under the pretence of hospitality ^ and the siwulution of the simp'e countryman, an insidious spy may be lurking to discover owr signals of recognition, countersigns, passwurda, or other information, to be betniyed to our injury. 4, Officer.'?, and non^couimif-sioncd (.flocera and poldiers, on picket service, ar© at all tinies dressed and equipped. The commander of ench outpoat command vill make frequent vi.sits and inspections of his advanced detachments, picket posts, and front line of sentinels; and he will be responsible fur ajiy surprise of hi3 lines; or Inx, ne proaching will be halted at a distance of sixty yards, if prscticable, in a loud dm tinct tone, and the signal demanded. The party challenged will then require a response from the challenging party ; this made, the latter will (trder the former to advance and give the couuteraign. Commanders of outposts will be •areful not to preventer delay the passing of cavalry piekiits, or couriers v\-ith despatches; bet when reasonable doubts uriise as to the character of the parly, he must bft rtctit, under charge of guard, at once to the Headquarters of the nearest Gen«^r»l Officer. A mounted man will not lo required to dismoutit to give the counter- sign, after having made the proper signal, nor will the countersign be required in the day time. Great circumspection must be exercised in tho use of siguaJa U) prevent their observation by lurking spies of the enemy. 6 An approach of the enemy must be resisted by the pickets as obstinately »» practicable ; the ground must only be yielded before an overwhelming force ; they wiH then retire, tighiing, on the reserve, where a stand will be made us long «» • jrf>«ckics;ble. ]f Joroed lo retire, they will take up successive positions behind ftll •dvHUtugeous shelter, and resolutely oheck and retard the advance of the enemy •»s lung as possible. Ihe best mutksmen will be selected tu cover the rear, whi»« *hu8 Tailing back, who will tire wiiU deliberation as they retire. If pressed closely .)ty Cae ent-iu)', the cummuud must be brought, if possible, to charge with the bay- loet. . 1 he ufmofitcare must be taken to prevent the men fiotu crowding cm mcwac, iijjallitig Piok., ao ihcy will offer a target for artillery; and the men must b« taufioi eii ugainst. and prevented from making a precipitate reireat from an .out« •fiOyft, imUer >.oy cireiJislauces. L .While on outjot duty, no officer or soldier will be penuitfed to Se^velKa iiu ;w I, •:vch;)ut expfcts authority from the commaiider, except upon a jSprgt>6,ii'« ■;.jV:lieate. Ceu2iii,'vRd«ra of ounpostif must rawai* ooostactly duri«g'th» it«^^^^ ^^^ baggage of the Brigade to which the detachment belongs. TroojjjM^utpost aervice are expected to bivouac. jB^ 10. As soon as the enemy shall have developed with certainty a dSign to ad- /rance, the commanders of oiitposti will at once despatch couriers to the General cnimandirig the Corj.s or Division, to which the outpost belongs, giving informal tiori of iho inovciiient.s of the enemy, his probable strength, kind of force, and whether moving rapidlv or not, route or routes taken, and such other information us may be oi service. The report of mere rumored movements must always be •voided, or at least distinguished from what may :e ascertained by the Military. 11. The commander of each outpost will publish these orders every tour, befor© esfablishin"; his picket post, or posting his picket sentries; they will likewise be read to each cunipany or detachment of the line of advanced picket parties. — They will be careiiill)' preserved and transferred to the next commanders of the oat post. 12. Any pcr.^on found in the act of eluding the outposts, and failing to halt *hou directed to do so, will be fired upon by the sentinels ; and any person, if t^uiipccted 111' eluding the outpo.sts, will be at once ari'ested and sent to the nearest Provost Marshal. 13. Cavalry pickets will be required by sentries and picket posts, to show au- thority of their Colonel or other (Jomaiander, for the service, before being allowed {.(» pass ; and couriers, with dispatches, must be furnished with passes properly •igned. • • . . 14. The roll of troops at outposts must be callft^. fi|84titiS*ly ia^inc the day, and •t Retreat there shall be an inspection of Armsjind ammunition. ' v • 15. Staff officers may be sent by the General^ or other officer in command, to inspect thn outposts of his conatmi^d. ^» t ^w » ^V, —J 16. Sentries mu?t always ber^a(t'y W fire, but willbe sure of the presence oTthe enemy before firing, and will carefully -st^^/ahe^l^arms. Oyce satisfied that the tjnemy ia at hand, the sentinel, though all «fen^ oHiras^aTtMrtiy be useless, musk fire, as the safetv of the Army may depend on the alarm he will then give. — i'ioket sentries should te relieved every hour, at night, and, as a precaution •gainst surprise, should be instnii;t«'d in some signal for the night before giving the countersign to others of tin; mixw outpost detachment. 17. In the immediate or near jnt'renceof the enemy, the main and company rcseryea must stand to their arms, for an hour immediately before daybreak. — Patrols will be made ."lowlv. aiU-ntly, and with the utaiost precaution, to ensura •gainst surprise* or being mistaken for the enemy by our own men. When pi»troiii are sent out, infonoation of the fuel mubt le spread ihrougbout the piAet jK^etb «a 1 sentries. Ceralry Pickets nttd ViAetten, |ddition to Infantry outposts, the wbolc front of atsy force i-^ pr>nu.io!i ,st be completely observed and covered by cavalry ; a!! coiisfij:sndin;» servation will be occupied ; and all possible aveoues of approach wiil 13 near to the enemy's lines as the oature of the ountry will admit, permit without substantial resistance. Positions iuu.>-t be avnoed. lemy can approch under cover, or turn. There must be an uoDrok^o line of communication, on the right and left, between all the posts and vidctfeK The horse should be relieved by his rider as much as possible, but when near tb« enemy; the vidette must never quit his rein, or take off hriJIe or saihlle. 19. Cavalry picket detachments, when practicable, will consist of entire compa- nies, and each company will cover its proportion of the front to be occupied The picket posts, detached in advance, will not be of less than one noo-coiumis- eioned officer, and three troopers, each. The Captain of each company will serv* as officer of the Guard, for his company, on picket service, and a Seid officer, oi senior Captain will be officer of the day, for the whole line of the Regiment., Bat- tallion or squadron, on out post duty. 20. The Company Commander will be habitually with the reserve^ establiibaJ at a central point, in rear of the picket posts. By command of GtKN. Beaureqald THOMAS JORDAN, A. AdJ't CVa, —OFFICIAL— (Signed.) CLIFTON II. SMITH, - ^ A. Adft Gen. (^.^^dt^ HoUinger Corp. pH 8.5