168
The Soldier's Manual.
SEP.
must not be taken. If any annoyance is given, so that persons are stripped of their property, the commander, in conjunction with the civil magistrate, is bound to punish such offenses. It is the duty of the commanding officers to march in front, of the commissaries to follow in the rear and bring up and chastise the laggers. The officers are cautioned against exhausting the strength of their men by long marches, and are told that gentleness and moderation beget respect and insure obedience. When on a march, the horse soldiers are directed to go before, the foot soldiers to follow with the baggage in their rear. A inap or statement of the cities and camps before and behind should be drawn up for the information of all. It was in conformity with this rule that maps and plans were in the possession of the officers at the pass of Changtsz' ling, a few miles from Tsz'k.. The companies are directed to start together, that in case the army fall in with am. buscades, the companies in the van may with greater ease proceed to cut off the retreat of enemy, while the companies en face, or the wing, advance to attack them in the front, and the others to help and cover the companies which are ahead. On such occasions, the veterans are admonished to act in concert and to aid each other. This section winds up like all those that follow it, by ordaining that all cases of delinquency be rigidly investigated, and punished according to the nature of their guilt.
For
In the second section, advice is given about the construction of a bridge, to be followed when an army on its route encounters a canal, and neither bridge nor boat are at hand to convey it over. Reeds, bundles of straw, and planks are suggested as things likely to be with. in reach, and by help of which a temporary bridge or raft may be easily constructed. When it is necessary to encamp in the neigh- borhood of high hills and thick woods, measures should be taken to ascertain whether the enemy be not posted in their recesses. this purpose the light companies should advance before, taking care that the more able soldiers be not left too far behind, lest the ambus- cades of the enemy should sally from their hiding places and carry off the baggage. It is aeemed necessary to explore every part, and to be on your guard at every point, but not do this with anxiety. If the road diverges, the more intelligent among the villagers should be ques- tioned carefully. Spontaneous information about the road should not be credited, since it may be the interest of the informers to deceive. Counsel like that contained in the last sentence might seem too ob- vious to need inculcation, but as much may be won or lost by correct or incorrect intelligence, interpreters here find it necessary not only