Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Cavalry of the Army Part 48

=153.= A sentinel placed over the colors will not permit them to be moved except in the presence of an armed escort. Unless otherwise ordered by the commanding officer, he will allow no one to touch them but the color bearer.

He will not permit any soldier to take arms from the stacks or to touch them except by order of an officer or noncommissioned officer of the guard.

If any person pa.s.sing the colors or crossing the color line fails to salute the colors, the sentinel will caution him to do so, and if the caution be not heeded he will call the corporal of the guard and report the facts.

=Section 9. Privates of the Guard.=

=154.= Privates are a.s.signed to reliefs by the commander of the guard, and to posts usually by the corporal of their relief. They will not change from one relief or post to another during the same tour of guard duty unless by proper authority.

=Section 10. Orders for Sentinels.=

=155.= Orders for sentinels are of two cla.s.ses: General orders and special orders. General orders apply to all sentinels. Special orders relate to particular posts and duties.

=156.= Sentinels will be required to memorize the following:

My general orders are:

=1. To take charge of this post and all Government property in view.=

=2. To walk my post in a military manner keeping always on the alert and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing.=

=3. To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce.=

=4. To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guardhouse than my own.=

=5. To quit my post only when properly relieved.=

=6. To receive, obey, and pa.s.s on to the sentinel who relieves me all orders from the commanding officer, officer of the day, and officers and noncommissioned officers of the guard only.=

=7. To talk to no one except in line of duty.=

=8. In case of fire or disorder to give the alarm.=

=9. To allow no one to commit a nuisance on or near my post.=

=10. In any case not covered by instructions to call the corporal of the guard.=

=11. To salute all officers, and all colors and standards not cased.=

=12. To be especially watchful at night, and, during the time for challenging, to challenge all persons on or near my port and to allow no one to pa.s.s without proper authority.=

REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE GENERAL ORDERS FOR SENTINELS.

No. 1: =To take charge of this post and all Government property in view.=

=157.= All persons, of whatever rank in the service, are required to observe respect toward sentinels and members of the guard when such are in the performance of their duties.

=158.= A sentinel will at once report to the corporal of the guard every unusual or suspicious occurrence noted.

=159.= He will arrest suspicious persons prowling about the post or camp at any time, all parties to a disorder occurring on or near his post, and all, except authorized persons, who attempt to enter the camp at night, and will turn over to the corporal of the guard all persons arrested.

=160.= The number, limits, and extent of his post will invariably const.i.tute part of the special orders of a sentinel on post. The limits of his post should be so defined as to include every place to which he is required to go in the performance of his duties.

No. 2: =To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing.=

=161.= A sentinel is not required to halt and change the position of his rifle on arriving at the end of his post, nor to execute =to the rear, march=, precisely as prescribed in the drill regulations, but faces about while walking in the manner most convenient to him and at any part of his post as may be best suited to the proper performance of his duties. He carries his rifle on either shoulder, and in wet or severe weather, when not in a sentry box, may carry it at a secure.

=162.= Sentinels when in sentry boxes stand at ease. Sentry boxes will be used in wet weather only, or at other times when specially authorized by the commanding officer.

=163.= In very hot weather, sentinels may be authorized to stand at ease on their posts, provided they can effectively discharge their duties in this position; but they will take advantage of this privilege only on the express authority of the officer of the day or the commander of the guard.

164. A mounted sentinel may dismount occasionally and lead the horse, but will not relax his vigilance.

No. 3: =To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce.=

=165.= A sentinel will ordinarily report a violation of orders when he is inspected or relieved, but if the case be urgent, he will call the corporal of the guard, and also, if necessary, will arrest the offender.

No. 4: =To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guardhouse than my own.=

=166.= To call the corporal of the guard for any purpose other than relief, fire, or disorder (pars. 167 and 178), a sentinel will call, "=Corporal of the guard, No. (--)=," adding the number of his post. In no case will any sentinel call, "=Never mind the corporal="; nor will the corporal heed such call if given.

No. 5: =To quit my post only when properly relieved.=

=167.= If relief becomes necessary, by reason of sickness or other cause, a sentinel will call, "=Corporal of the guard, No. (----), Relief=," giving the number of his post.

=168.= Whenever a sentinel is to be relieved, he will halt, and with arms at a right shoulder, will face toward the relief, when it is 30 paces from him. He will come to a port arms with the new sentinel, and in a low tone will transmit to him all the special orders relating to the post and any other information which will a.s.sist him to better perform his duties.

No. 6: =To receive, obey, and pa.s.s on to the sentinel who relieves me, all orders from the commanding officer, officer of the day, and officers and noncommissioned officers of the guard only.=

=169.= During his tour of duty a soldier is subject to the orders of the commanding officer, officer of the day, and officers and noncommissioned officers of the guard only; but any officer is competent to investigate apparent violations of regulations by members of the guard.

=170.= A sentinel will quit his piece on an explicit order from any person from whom he lawfully receives orders while on post; under no circ.u.mstances will he yield it to any other person. Unless necessity therefor exists, no person will require a sentinel to quit his piece, even to allow it to be inspected.

=171.= A sentinel will not divulge the countersign (Pars. 209 to 217) to anyone except the sentinel who relieves him, or to a person from whom he properly receives orders, on such person's verbal order given personally. Privates of the guard will not use the countersign except in the performance of their duties while posted as sentinels.

No. 7: =To talk to no one except in line of duty.=

=172.= When calling for any purpose, challenging, or holding communication with any person a dismounted sentinel armed with a rifle or saber will take the position of port arms or saber. At night a dismounted sentinel armed with a pistol takes the position of raised pistol in challenging or holding communication. A mounted sentinel does not ordinarily draw his weapon in the daytime when challenging or holding conversation; but if drawn he holds it at advance rifle, raise pistol, or port saber, according as he is armed with a rifle, pistol, or saber. At night in challenging and holding conversation his weapon is drawn and held as just prescribed, depending on whether he is armed with a rifle, pistol, or saber.