28.
Duty.--To back up the point and the advance cavalry (if any) if
fired upon; remove enemy bodies and other obstacles.

B. Principles:

1. Describe general mission to inferiors.
2. Explain individual duties to inferiors.
3. Send out point and connecting files.
4. Form in platoon; zig-zag.
5. Keep going; prosecute engagements briskly, not to delay main
column.
6. Procedure under fire: deploys and drops, when fired upon;
looks for enemy's direction and assigns target and range.
Advance under cover if any, when fire light; when heavy seek
to divert fire to you away from main body of advance guard to
facilitate latter's disposition for advance to your support.
Seek to drive off a weaker enemy, and to hold off a stronger.
7. Speedy decisions. Value of imaginary situations, while on the
march; and planning your commands.

Fifth Problem: Combat Patrol:

A. Definition and Function.--Contrasted with covering detachment,
which is large enough to offer considerable resistance, the combat
patrol is primarily to _Warn_, especially against flank attacks. Size
varies widely because of looseness in definition, _e.g._, 100 men
might be _covering detachment_ for a regiment, but a combat patrol
for a brigade.