When we are advancing upon an enemy our advanced groups constitute what
we term the "advance guard." If we are retreating from the enemy, our
rear groups compose the "rear guard." The main general ideas of an
advance guard are illustrated by the husband who takes his wife and
family to his house after an evening's absence. The house is dark and
without occupants. The wife and children are apprehensive of danger. The
husband goes first, turns on the light, and searches for any indications
of an enemy. He looks, if desirable, in the closets and under the beds.
If there is any one that may harm his family it is his duty to find out
and dispose of him.
In the advance guard we have exactly the same general scheme as with
outposts. Far advanced to the front (and often to the sides or flanks)
we have small groups (called, when considered collectively, the "advance
party") whose business it is to inform us of the presence of the enemy.
Next we have a large group ("support") to assist these small and rather
helpless ones in advance in case of difficulty.
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