18. All Officers in command of Picquets, Patrols, &c., must make written reports of any thing which occurs. There are few occasions when it is necessary to send a verbal report, and it should, if possible, be avoided, as it is very difficult to find Non-commissioned Officers, and Soldiers, who will deliver it correctly. A commander of a Post or Patrol, must be very cautious not to create unnecessary alarms; he must report as fully and as correctly as possible. If he reports the movements of the Enemy, he must recollect that considerable confusion may arise from saying "to the right," or "to the left;" he must say, to _our_ right, or to _our_ left, or to "the ENEMY'S right," or to "the ENEMY'S left." If a Non-commissioned Officer cannot send a written report, he must explain the message thoroughly to the Private, and should the latter deliver it incorrectly, he must expect to be punished. FINIS. CONTENTS. I. ON THE CONDUCT TO BE HELD BY AN OFFICER, OR NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER, ON PICQUET. SECT. I.--Parading the Picquet, 11 II.--Marching for his destination, 12 III.--If no Picquet was on the spot before, 12 By Day, 12 By Night, 14 IV.--Relieving another Picquet, 15 V.--During his stay on Picquet, 17 By Day, 17 By Night, 19 VI.--Placing of Videttes, 21 By Day, 21 By Night, 22 VII.--Instructions for the Videttes, and what the Officer commanding the Picquet has to Observe on their making signals, 23 By Day, 23 By Night, 24 VIII.--On the arrival of a Flag of truce, 25 IX.--Deserters coming from the Enemy, 26 At Daytime, 26 At Night, 27 X.--When the Picquet is attacked, 27 By Day, 27 By Night, 32 II. ADVANCED GUARD. By Day, 33 By Night, 36 III. REAR GUARD.