d
procedure would be adopted in order that the information might be
supplemented as quickly as possible. The commander would reinforce his
Vanguard with infantry from the Main Guard, and should be able to force
the enemy to disclose his position and strength, but unless ordered to
do so would take care not to become so involved in action that the Main
Body would be compelled to come up and extricate them.

(c) If the enemy is encountered when the Advanced Guard commander knows
that it is the intention of his superior to deliver an attack the
information would be transmitted with an outline of the steps taken in
seizing and securing all tactical points that will be of service to the
Main Body. The Advanced Guard would work on a wider front than would
otherwise be used by a force of that strength, and the artillery would
be posted with a view to its position being adopted as the main
artillery position.

{112}

(d) If, under similar circumstances, the intention not to be drawn into
a decisive engagement is known by the Advanced Guard commander he would
limit his activities to reconnaissance of the enemy's position and
numbers, and while hampering the enemy and preventing him from finding
out particulars concerning the Main Body, he must take care not to
become involved in a general engagement.

(e) A case may easily occur in which vigorous action is demanded,
whether the commander of the Main Body intends to attack at once or to
defer an engagement. Such a situation would arise if the Vanguard
discovered the approach of the enemy towards a ridge or other position
of tactical advantage, and if the Advanced Guard commander could, by a
rapid advance, forestall the enemy in the occupation of such a
position, his failure to do so, or hesitation in waiting for explicit
orders to do so, would be a grave neglect of duty.

(f) In the American Civil War a tactical blunder of another kind, due
to the impetuosity of the commander of the Independent Cavalry of the
Army of Northern Virginia, prevented the Southern commander from
obtaining a great strategical advantage over the Army of the Potomac.
The latter force had been withdrawn by General McClellan, after the
Seven Days' Battle around Richmond, to a secure position at Malvern
Hill, where the assaults of the Army of Northern Virginia were beaten
back with heavy losses. McClellan continued the withdrawal and had
reached Harrison's Landing on the James River. The Independe