(4) When the enemy is encountered on the defensive, to seize a good
position and locate his lines, care being taken not to bring on a
general engagement unless the advance-guard commander is empowered to do
so.
(5) To remove obstacles, repair the road, and favor in every way
possible the steady march of the column.
STRENGTH AND COMPOSITION
Subject to variation according to the situation, one twentieth to one
third of a command may be assumed as a suitable strength for the advance
guard. The larger the force, the larger in proportion is the advance
guard, for a large command takes relatively longer to prepare for action
than a small one. In large commands it is usually composed of all arms,
the proportions depending on the nature of the work, character of the
country, etc.
DISTANCE FROM THE MAIN BODY
While the distance between these two bodies should be great enough to
prevent needless interruptions in the march of the main body, and to
give the latter time to deploy should the enemy be encountered, it
should never be so great that timely support of the advance guard
becomes impracticable.
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