_Captain Jones_: “In the first place, the enemy’s patrol is trying to work around our flank to get in touch with our main body. The question to my mind is: Is it the job of the advance party to try and prevent this? We can hardly be expected to send patrols from the advance party so far afield. It will require a patrol of at least a squad, and probably two of them, to accomplish such a mission. It would seem to me that the task should be left to the support. I would, therefore, get word back to the advance guard commander of what is going on and he would send out the necessary patrols. In the next place, it will be necessary to investigate the place where the enemy was when our point fired on him and secure an identification if possible. This is close-in reconnaissance and may be undertaken by the advance party. I would send a patrol of three men under a corporal for the purpose.” _The Director_: “How would you get the message back to Captain A?” _Captain Hodges_: “Private Alley has been with the point. He has seen all that has taken place up there. I would send him back with the message to Captain A. In order that Sergeant Roberts may know what action is being taken I would send Bailey to him with a message.” _Captain Jones_: “Would you make these written or verbal messages?” _Captain Hodges_: “They would be verbal messages.” Explanation _The Director_: “This is a point I want to bring out. The platoon commander will seldom have time to write messages. He must depend upon his men, and especially his runners, to see for themselves what is going on so that when it is desired to send information back all the platoon commander has to do is to turn to one of his runners, give him a few words of a message, and the runner is off to make his report. He will not only carry the message, but he will give accurate information of what is going on. The careful training of runners will repay the trouble in large dividends when the time comes. “In the present situation I think it would be well for Lieutenant F to send one of his trained runners back to the captain with Private Bailey so that he can hear the captain’s orders and see just what he does to meet the situation. The runners will then return to Lieutenant W and tell him about it.” Solution _The Director_: “Now, Captain Hodges, let us assume that you are going to send Private Alley back with the message; just what instructions would you give him?” _Captain Hodges_: “I would say to Private Alley: “‘You go back to the captain. Repeat your message to him. Tell him about what happened at the point during the halt. Tell him I am sending a patrol to investigate the place where the enemy was fired on.’ “I would adopt the Director’s suggestion and send one of my runners with Private Alley. I would say to him: