encountered on the defensive, to seize a good
position and locate his lines, care being taken not to bring on a
general engagement unless the advance-guard commander is empowered to do
so.

(5) To remove obstacles, repair the road, and favor in every way
possible the steady march of the column.

STRENGTH AND COMPOSITION

Subject to variation according to the situation, one twentieth to one
third of a command may be assumed as a suitable strength for the advance
guard. The larger the force, the larger in proportion is the advance
guard, for a large command takes relatively longer to prepare for action
than a small one. In large commands it is usually composed of all arms,
the proportions depending on the nature of the work, character of the
country, etc.

DISTANCE FROM THE MAIN BODY

While the distance between these two bodies should be great enough to
prevent needless interruptions in the march of the main body, and to
give the latter time to deploy should the enemy be encountered, it
should never be so great that timely support of the advance guard
becomes impracticable.

[Illustration: PLATE SHOWING the IDEAS INVOLVED IN an ADVANCE GUARD

As you go from the point to the main body note that the distances are
greater as the groups become larger. Larger groups require more time and
space, when getting ready for action, than small groups. A very
important thing to remember in connection with this plate is that you
have only such groups in an advance guard as are necessary to insure
protection for the main body.]

DISTRIBUTION OF TROOPS

An advance-guard order generally describes the following distribution of
troops:

Advance cavalry.
Support.
Reserve.

The manner in which the advance-guard cavalry is employed depends upon
the situation. Its proper place is in the direction of the enemy, and
generally all or the greater part is used as advance cavalry. If weak in
numbers, it may be assigned to the support.

ADVANCE CAVALRY

The advance cavalry is that part of the advance-guard cavalry preceding
the support. It reconnoiters far enough to the front and flanks to guard
the column against surprise by artillery fire, and to enable timely
information to be sent to the advance-guard commander.

SUPPORT

Following the advance cavalry is the support, varying in strength from
one fourth to one half of the advance guard. In mixed commands it
consists of infantry, to which engi