“The out sentry’s to be particularly attentive….”
Orders:
55th Regiment, Company of Light Infantry
Standing Orders for Out-Centrys.
Article
I. Of the Inspection of Out-Centrys.
The
officers and non-commissioned officers will not allow the soldiers for any
guards to march on parade without first examining them
to see that the men and their cloathing are clean and their arms clean and in
good order.1 They must also, see that the men’s
ammunition and accoutrements are in good order.2
Officers are to see that the out-centrys are loaded with a running ball.3
Article
II. Of the Placement of Out-Centrys.
Every
centry is to be placed within sight of one another, in order to effectively communicate
with one another.4 They need to be posted so as not to be cut
off from each other, if too far apart the enemy may pass by unseen and surprize
the army. Out-centries must be within
hearing distance of musket shot of the out-post, so
that they maybe supported. They must be placed
facing towards the enemy.5 For the out-centry’s safety they should be
placed where they will not be espied by the enemy, in the skirts of a wood if
possible.6
If the centrys are posted to an out-post in a
wood several of the centrys should be placed in tall trees.7 At night and if the enemy is in close
proximity to the out-post, centrys should be doubled,
single centrys often are prone to false alarms.8
Article
III. Of General Instructions and Duties of
Out-Centrys.
“All
Sentries are to be vigilant on their posts; neither are they to sing, smoke
tobacco, nor suffer any noise to be made near them. They are not to sit down, lay their arms out
of their hands, or sleep; but to keep moving about their posts, as the weather
will allow of it.” “They are not to
suffer any one to touch or handle their arms; or, in the night-time, to come
within reach of them.” No Centry is to
be relieved, or removed from his post, but by the Corporal of the guard. If a Centry is taken ill he is to call for
the Corporal of the guard in order to be relieved.9 Centrys must never unnecessarily expose their
arms to the sun or moon-light. They
should not wear hats that cover their ears.10 Out-centrys are to pay no compliments to
anyone not even the general, the only exception is
when they are being relieved.11 Out-centrys are to have their bayonets fixed,
to receive the enemy.12
Of challenging, countersigns, & watchwords.
Centrys
are to stop every person, and examine them.
When someone approaches within twenty paces, the centry is to boldly
challenge, Who comes there? If there is no answer, but still the person
approaches the centry is to challenge another time and to make ready their
arms. If there is still no answer,
challenge a third time, if there is no answer to this third challenge the
centry is to fire his firelock, and return to the guard. When a Centry challenges and answered Relief, he is to then order them to
stand, by saying Stand Relief, advance
Corporal! The corporal orders his
men to halt and rest their arms, he advances within
one pace of the centry, quietly giving him the counter-sign.13 At night, when the corporal comes to
the centry, the centry is to place the bayonet of his firelock at the breast of
the corporal. Centrys are to receive all
rounds and
patrols with rested arms with their thumbs upon the cocks of their firelocks,
this is intended more for their own security than as a compliment.14 When the centry is answered after challenging by, Round, or Patrole. He is to
say, Advance with counter-sign, then
if correct say, Pass Round, or Patrole.
When a out-centry is answered after
challenging by, The Visit, it is the
officer of the guard on his visit, the out-centry should then say, Stand Visit, advance one with the
counter-sign. 15 At night when patroles or scouts come back
through the out-centrys position he is to challenge them and get the
counter-sign from the leader, then have them wait until the serjeant of the
guard and a party can come to examine the patrole.16
Counter-signs & Watchwords: The out-centrys should only be given the
counter-sign, and only suffer those that know it to pass. The watchword should only be known by the
officers and serjeants, without which no patrol is to pass the out-guard post. The counter-sign maybe changed, however the
watchword cannot be unless someone with knowledge of it deserts.17
Of the Instructions for double Out-Centrys.
When
out-centrys are doubled, which should be done at most out-guards, they must be
silent and very attentive. If they hear
any noise one of them is to quietly retire to the guard, and acquaint the
officer of it. The one that remains is
to continue listening to the noise, to discover from whence it came from, and
to make his firelock ready, and stand upon his guard.18
Of the Reception of a Flag of Truce.
When
a party with a flag of truce or drummer of the enemy comes to an out-centry’s
post he is to, stop the party and inform the officer of the
out-guard of it. The flag bearor,
officer, or drummer will then be blindfolded and brought to the
out-guard, and remain there. The
officer of the guard will send the letter, letters, or message to the commander
of the army, and will keep the flag bearor, drummer, or officer so that they
may not be able to see any of the post, out-works, or camp, till an answer is
returned. If the messenger insists that
he is to deliver the message in person, he is not to be allowed to do so. A proper guard is to be always sent for
security.19
Article
IV. Of
being Relieved.
When
an out-centry is to be relieved, the corporal who comes with the relief is to
order his men to halt six paces from the centry. He then has the party rest their firelocks;
the centry being relieved does the same.
The corporal orders the man to do duty to Relieve the Centry. The
relieving soldier recovers his arms and advances within one pace of the centry,
halts, and rests his arms. The centry
being relieve gives the relief any orders or instructions relating to that
post. They then recover their arms, and
exchange places, and rest arms again.
Upon this being done the corporal orders the men to shoulder their
arms. The centry relieved then falls in
the rear of the relief and the corporal marches them to the next post.20