. These patrols report or signal the results of their
observations and, unless they have other instructions, join their units
by the most practicable routes, other patrols being sent out as the
march proceeds and as the nature of the country required.

Deserters, suspicious characters, and bearers of flags of truce, the
latter blindfolded, are taken to the advance-guard commander.

Civilians are not permitted to precede the advance guard.

Communication between the fractions of an advance guard and between the
advance guard and main body is maintained by wire, messenger service, or
signals.

ADVANCE GUARD OF A SMALL COMMAND

In forming the advance guard of a command smaller than a brigade, the
foregoing distribution is modified, depending upon the situation. A
company or troop usually sends forward only a point, a battalion or
squadron, an advance party; but a battalion or squadron at war strength
should put a company or troop in the advance guard and a regiment should
put a battalion or squadron, if an enemy is liable to be met. Whenever
the advance guard is less than a battalion, there is no reserve.

REAR GUARDS

The rear guard is charged with the important duty of covering the
retreat.

When a commander decides to retreat, he issues the necessary order.
During a retreat the outpost for the night usually forms the rear guard
of the following day.

STRENGTH AND COMPOSITION

The strength of a rear guard depends upon the nature of the country and
the strength and character of the pursuing force. It can not, like the
advance guard, count on the support of the main body.

Machine guns are especially useful in the passage of defiles and in
covering the crossings of rivers.

Engineers and ambulance companies are usually assigned to rear guards.

The troops of a rear guard are selected from those that have had
previous local successes, or have suffered little loss and are
comparatively fresh.

DISTRIBUTION OF TROOPS

The proximity and conduct of the enemy control, to a large extent, the
formation of a rear guard. When it is not necessary to withdraw in
deployed lines, the greater part of the rear guard marches on the road
in column of route, taking up a formation resembling that of an advanced
guard faced to the rear. The distribution of troops is therefore similar
to that of an advance guard, namely:

Reserve.
Support.
Rear cavalry.

The rear cavalry is that portio