Boers, and
heavy losses were suffered. The mystic atmosphere of Christmas Eve was
insufficient protection against the militancy of Christian De Wet.

BATTLE OUTPOSTS.--When a battle dies down at night, or when the forces
are in close proximity and a battle is imminent, the whole of the
troops must be kept in readiness for instant action. Protection by
Outposts in the normal formation is generally impossible and can only
be provided by patrols, who keep touch with the enemy without causing
unnecessary alarms or looking for purposeless encounters, and by
sentries over the Forward Troops, which take the place of the Piquets.
The troops must be ready at any moment to repel attacks with bullets
and bayonets. Unless otherwise ordered, the patrols should refrain
altogether from aggressive action and should confine their operations
to secret observation of the enemy.

It is, however, essential that touch with the enemy {139} should be
maintained as advances, withdrawals, and other surprise movements, are
usually prepared and often carried out under cover of darkness when
hostile troops are within striking distance. In the American Civil
War, by losing touch with the Northern Army, the Southern Army
permitted it to escape although it had been very severely mauled.
During the Third Battle of Ypres (July 31-November 6, 1917) the Allies
renewed the attack on a six-mile front from Zonnebeke to Langemarck
(the junction of the Franco-British Armies in Flanders). This action,
known as the _Battle of Broenbeck_, or _Brombeek_ (October 9, 1917),
was marked by the successful repulse of counter-attacks by the 1st
Battalion Royal Newfoundland Regiment through the correct employment of
Battle Outposts. Germans massing for the counter-attack in Taube Farm
were pinned by Lewis-gun and rifle fire, while a message sent to the
supporting artillery caused the annihilation of the enemy; another
attacking force was destroyed by Lewis-gun and rifle fire, before it
was launched. A defensive flank was also formed under heavy fire, and
from this flank a further counter-attack was similarly dealt with. The
casualties of the Newfoundlanders throughout this battle were 50
killed, 14 missing, and 132 wounded out of a total strength of 500 all
ranks, and the losses inflicted by them probably exceeded 800.

After the _Battle of Fredericksburg_ (December 13, 1862) the Army of
the Potomac under Gen. Burnside eluded the vigilance of Gen. R. E. Lee,
w