_The Director_: “You are right. Your place is right here with the squad at this time.”
1. Conduct class down the road on which patrol is operating.
2. Distribute sheets containing Situation No. 4 and explain.
3. Location: Fire on main body; observation; field of fire; cavalry confined to roads; reaction.
4. Position: In road; both sides of road; one side of road.
5. Conduct class to side of road when position is to be taken up.
6. Orders: Information of enemy and own troops; plan; disposition; place of commander.
It is assumed that the patrol has taken up a position on the side of the road towards which the flank guard is marching.
The Director will indicate the exact position of each man so that all members of the class will enter upon the solution of the next situation on the same basis.
The Director will now distribute the sheets bearing Situation No. 5 to the class and make such explanations as may be necessary.
The patrol has occupied a position at this point. At this moment you, Sergeant Wilkins, observe a party of enemy cavalry approaching along the road at a trot.
Two troopers are in the lead; at a distance of about 75 yards two more follow; about 150 yards in rear there are four more troopers with short distances between them. Apparently they have not observed your patrol.
The Director will point out to the members of the class the position of each of the troopers at the moment. They should be far enough away to allow the orders of Sergeant Wilkins to be given.
_The Director_: “Lieutenant Baker, what class of cavalry detachment do you estimate this to be?”
_Lieutenant Baker_: “I should say it is a contact patrol sent out from a larger body to reconnoiter. If it were the point of an advance guard we would now be seeing other troops farther to the rear of them.”
_Lieutenant Baker_: “I would open fire on the cavalrymen.”
_The Director_: “When would you open fire?”
_Lieutenant Baker_: “There are only eight of them. We have an ambuscade and ought to be able to bring down practically all of them. There would be no danger in letting them come close up.”
_The Director_: “How close would you let them come?”
_Lieutenant Baker_: “Well, sir, I would let the leading men come within 50 yards, if they would do so, before opening fire. The man farthest away would then be about 450 yards distant. I would assign a target to each man beginning at the right man taking the rear trooper and so on through the squad to the left. I would make it my particular business to see that no man passed this point.”