udicial in the highest degree
to the interests of discipline. (_Davis' Military Law_).--Author.

INTRODUCTION

=1579.= Guards may be divided into four classes: Exterior guards,
interior guards, military police, and provost guards. (1)

=1580.= Exterior guards are used only in time of war. They belong to
the domain of tactics and are treated of in the _Field Service
Regulations_ and in the drill regulations of the different arms of the
service.

The purpose of exterior guards is to prevent surprise, to delay
attack, and otherwise to provide for the security of the main body.

On the march they take the form of advance guards, rear guards, and
flank guards. At a halt they consist of outposts. (2)

=1581.= Interior guards are used in camp or garrison to preserve
order, protect property, and to enforce police regulations. In time of
war such sentinels of an interior guard as may be necessary are placed
close in or about a camp, and normally there is an exterior guard
further out consisting of outposts. In time of peace the interior
guard is the only guard in a camp or garrison. (3)

=1582.= Military police differ somewhat from either of these classes.
(See _Field Service Regulations_.) They are used in time of war to
guard prisoners, to arrest stragglers and deserters, and to maintain
order and enforce police regulations in the rear of armies, along
lines of communication, and in the vicinity of large camps. (4)

=1583.= Provost guards are used in the absence of military police,
generally in conjunction with the civil authorities at or near large
posts or encampments, to preserve order among soldiers beyond the
interior guard. (5)

INTERIOR GUARD

Classification

=1584.= The various elements of an interior guard classified according
to their particular purposes and the manner in which they perform
their duties are as follows:

(=a=) The main guard.

(=b=) Special guards: Stable guards, park guards, prisoner guards,
herd guards, train guards, boat guards, watchmen, etc. (6)

Details and Rosters

=1585.= At every military post, and in every regiment or separate
command in the field, an interior guard will be detailed and duly
mounted.

It will consist of such number of officers and enlisted men as the
commanding officer may deem necessary, and will be commanded by the
senior officer or noncommissioned officer therewith, under the
supervision of the officer of the day or other officer detailed by