226

RECONNOITRING.

question, and what upon the authority of others; and in the latter case, they willmention the source of their information, in order that a judgment may he formed ofthe degree of credit to which they are entitled.

“ They will consider it their duty to apprise the Quarter-Master-General of everyreconnaissance report, sketch, &c., executed by them; whether done by order of theGenera! Officer to whom they are attached, or upon any other occasion, as all theirlabours are understood to belong to the Department, and to be the property of thepublic.

(Signed) “ Geo. Murray, Q. M. G.

“Cartaxo, Dec. 2nd, 1810.”

In addition to the points mentioned in the above instructions, the Report shouldstate to what extent the banks of the rivers are liable to be flooded by falls of rain,melting of snow, or breaking of embankments, and how long it usually takes forthese inundations to subside; the alterations liable to be caused by floods in the direc-tion or depths of the channels, and the periods during which the rivers are usuallyfrozen over; what materials are available for making rafts, such as are afforded bytimber-yards, the beams of houses, trees, &c.; what number of boats can be collectedat given points within a certain time; the exact w idth of the bridges, the numberand spans of the arches, the nature of their masonry or other materials, the facilitiesfor fording the river near them, so as to prevent a column in passing over on the lineof march being lengthened out by the narrowness of the roadway; the space avail-able for deploying on each side, or for constructing works, as bridge-heads; theprobabilities of certain parts of the roads being rendered impassable by the march oftroops over them, and the means at hand for repairing them W’ith fascines, rails offences, &c.; also whether, in that case, carriages could be got through by merelysending Infantry to assist.*

The Officers making a reconnaissance must take care to verify personally as much aspossible of the information which they may obtain ; but all persons who may be met withshould be cautiously and separately interrogated, employing art rather than force,—inquiring about subjects of a different nature from that on which information is required,so as to lead to it casually, and writing down what is important without beingobserved, so as to prevent being suspected by the enemy, who, by sending out a fewparties, would probably surprise them; to prevent which, the greatest precautionsmust be taken, particularly by keeping the horses ready-saddled at night. Prisonersor deserters should be interrogated as to the numbers, strength, and position of theirregiments and divisions, the names of the Generals , the positions of detachments andof head-quarters, alterations of positions expected, latest orders given out, numbersof wounded or recruits, quantity and localities of provisions, artillery, siege, andbridge equipments; also whether the enemy are repairing any roads, bridges, &c., orconstructing intrenchments; and inquiries must be made of the principal inhabitantsas to the movements and positions of the enemy, as also the arrangement of theircolumns on the line of march.

Spies must be employed with great caution, making use of them so as to be checksupon each other, and giving them nothing in writing but what will serve to misleadthe enemy; also paying them liberally, and, if possible, retaining their families aspledges for their fidelity.

The form given on the next page for Reports on particular roads has been foundvery useful, as it shews at a glance the information required, which must often,

* See ‘ Passage of Rivers.’