Part 50 (1/2)

=206.= Though the guard be already formed he will not fail to call, ”=Turn out the guard=,” as required in his special orders, except that the guard will not be turned out for any person while his senior is at or coming to the post of the guard.

=207.= The sentinels at the post of the guard will warn the commander of the approach of any armed body and of the presence in the vicinity of all suspicious or disorderly persons.

=208.= In case of fire or disorder in sight or hearing, the sentinel at the guardhouse will call the corporal of the guard and report the facts to him.

=Section 11. Countersigns and Paroles.=

=209.= _Seventy-seventh article of war._--Any person subject to military law who makes known the parole or countersign to any person not ent.i.tled to receive it according to the rules and discipline of war, or gives a parole or countersign different from that which he received, shall, if the offense be committed in time of war, suffer death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct. (See Par. 171.)

=210.= The =countersign= is a word given daily from the princ.i.p.al headquarters of a command to aid guards and sentinels in identifying persons who may be authorized to pa.s.s at night.

It is given to such persons as may be authorized to pa.s.s and repa.s.s sentinels' posts during the night, and to officers, noncommissioned officers, and sentinels of the guard.

=211.= The =parole= is a word used as a check on the countersign in order to obtain more accurate identification of persons. It is imparted only to those who are ent.i.tled to inspect guards and to commanders of guards.

The parole or countersign, or both, are sent sealed in the form of an order to those ent.i.tled to them.

=212.= When the commander of the guard demands the parole, he will advance and receive it as the corporal receives the countersign. (See Par. 133.)

=213.= As the communications containing the parole and countersign must at times be distributed by many orderlies, the parole intrusted to many officers, and the countersign and parole to many officers and sentinels, and as both the countersign and parole must, for large commands, be prepared several days in advance, there is always danger of their being lost or becoming known to persons who would make improper use of them; moreover, a sentinel is too apt to take it for granted that any person who gives the right countersign is what he represents himself to be; hence for outpost duty there is greater security in omitting the use of the countersign and parole, or in using them with great caution. The chief reliance should be upon personal recognition or identification of all persons claiming authority to pa.s.s.

Persons whose sole means of identification is the countersign, or concerning whose authority to pa.s.s there is a reasonable doubt, should not be allowed to pa.s.s without the authority of the corporal of the guard after proper investigation; the corporal will take to his next superior any person about whom he is not competent to decide.

=214.= The =countersign= is usually the name of a battle; the parole, that of a general or other distinguished person.

=215.= When they can not be communicated daily, a series of words for some days in advance may be sent to posts or detachments that are to use the same parole or countersign as the main body.

=216.= If the countersign be lost, or if a member of the guard deserts with it, the commander on the spot will subst.i.tute another for it and report the case at once to headquarters.

=217.= In addition to the countersign, use may be made of preconcerted signals, such as striking the rifle with the hand or striking the hands together a certain number of times as agreed upon. Such signals may be used only by guards that occupy exposed points.

They are used before the countersign is given and must not be communicated to anyone not ent.i.tled to know the countersign. Their use is intended to prevent the surprise of a sentinel.

In the daytime signals such as raising a cap or a handkerchief in a prearranged manner may be used by sentinels to communicate with the guard or with each other.

=Section 12. Guard Patrols.=

=218.= A guard patrol consists of one or more men detailed for the performance of some special service connected with guard duty.

=219.= If the patrol be required to go beyond the chain of sentinels, the officer or noncommissioned officer in charge will be furnished with the countersign and the outposts and sentinels warned.

=220.= If challenged by a sentinel, the patrol is halted by its commander, and the noncommissioned officer accompanying it advances alone and gives the countersign.

=Section 13. Watchmen.=

=221.= Enlisted men may be detailed as watchmen or as overseers over prisoners, and as such will receive their orders and perform their duties as the commanding officer may direct.

=Section 14. Compliments from Guards.=