The Woods Discipline:
Tactics and Maneuvers for small detached parties in Wooded & Broken Terrain
Developed for
Warner’s Additional Continental Regiment
(re-created)
Compiled and edited by Todd Kuntz
Published by the Editor in Saratoga, NY
2008
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Contents:
Preface ii
Standing orders for Warner’s Regiment 1
Moving a Small Detachment in Heavily Wooded & Broken Ground 2
Reconnaissance & Intelligence Gathering 4
Skirmishing 6
Establishing and Defending Posts & Encampments 8
Conducting an ambush 11
THE ADVANCED GUARD 13
GLOSSARY OF MILITARY TERMS 17
References 18
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Preface
Throughout its service, Warner’s Extra Continental Regiment was called upon to patrol and skirmish in small detachments along the Lake George – Lake Champlain basins. This type of warfare, known as the woods discipline in period writings is based on light infantry and native American style maneuvers to effectively cope with irregular terrain. This discipline is part of a larger warfare philosophy referred to as petite guerre in period texts and manuals. Stevenson describes the characteristics of this kind of soldier as:
accustomed to breaking, running, rallying, and forming quickly ; but above all things to know, that though they maybe a little disordered and huddled together from the pressure of the enemy, that they are not therefore broke and to run away ; but while they keep with their company and corps are still in a condition to act.[1]
As part of the re-created Regiment’s portrayal, this manual details tactics and maneuvers for small unit warfare focusing on scouting, skirmishing, and ambush tactics in heavily wooded and irregular terrain. This information has been derived from several period sources and field experience. Period texts have been adapted by using less flowery and obtuse language to increase the ease of training. The original texts cited in this manual may be consulted by those interested and is highly recommended.
My thanks to Cliff Mullen, Dan Davies, Mike Davis, and Robert Dionne of the Regiment, and Christian Cameron of the Company of Select Marksmen for their expertise and contributions to the manual.
This Manual assumes the reader has familiarity with Warner’s Regiment (re-created) A Soldier’s Handbook and has experience in both basic and advanced open order field maneuvers. Nothing in the manual is intended to be a substitute for properly supervised drill and training.
This manual is copyrighted by Todd Kuntz and may not be copied or distributed outside Warner’s Regiment (re-created) without permission. Any distribution must include the copyright notice and unaltered text.
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Standing orders for Warner’s Regiment
1. / Arms are to be kept in good working order.2. / Arms are to be cleaned each morning and evening.
3. / Firelocks are to be cleaned after exposure to rain, fog, or snow; and as soon as practicable after being fired.
4. / Cleaning is to be conducted by squad or platoon, so there are always weapons ready.
5. / Firelocks are to have their pan open, cock eased forward, and the hammer stalled when not loaded.
6. / Immediately come to the Recover after firelocks are primed & loaded.
7. / Ramming cartridges is by order only.
8. / Elements of the Regiment assigned patrol or fatigue duty, to march, or expected to engage an enemy force, are inspected for proper equipment and fitness. Any deficiencies are corrected prior to leaving camp.
9. / Appropriate military honors and respect are to be rendered during public hours when encamped and in view of the public during parades.
10. / N.C.O.’s and soldiers are to carry their side arms when not in camp during public hours.
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Moving a Small Detachment in Heavily Wooded & Broken Ground
1. Maneuvers and evolutions are performed by single (Indian) files rather than by wheeling.
2. Firelocks are carried either at the Trail or Port, unless otherwise ordered by the commanding officer.
3. One soldier in each file is loaded at all times in order to cover his file partner.
4. When on scouts and encamped near the enemy, formal military courtesies (as detailed in the Soldier’s and NCO’s Handbooks) are not observed so not to identify officers and leaders to the opposing force.
5. When on scouts and encamped, arms and accoutrements are to be kept in good working order so as to be ready for surprise and rapid movement.
6. When in moving in detachments, the main body is divided into platoon sized elements, each forming its own column, with approximately 5 paces between each man in the column. Each column to be separated 7 or more paces apart and headed and closed by an NCO. Forward and flank guards of at least a file pair are sent approximately 20 yards from the main body as the terrain permits. (See chapter on Advanced Guards.)
7. When moving in column, keep the man behind you in sight.
8. When the column halts, all kneel and face outward – alternating to the left and right flanks from the second position in the file. The last man in the file faces to the rear.
9. As the column resumes its march, the second to last man in the file taps the last man to indicate the column is moving
10. If required to form a line to search an area, each soldier should extend as far as terrain permits, keeping the man on both sides in sight at all times.
11. All movements are to be quiet – keeping noise to a minimum. Whisper or use hand signals whenever possible (see the Soldier’s Handbook).
12. When moving and when halted, remember to look up from time to time.
13. Use the terrain to conceal the detachment’s movements:
v A detachment is easily seen when backlit by the sun; avoid marching on exposed hilltops and ridgelines.
v March within or behind the tree line when practical.
14. When passing by lakes, rivers, or ponds, keep some distance from the edge of the water to maintain a retreat avenue in case of ambush.
15. In passing through a defile or a clearing, secure the ground on the flanks and far side before moving the main element through it. The final men across the defile or clearing should be covered by the section who just preceded them. Go around the defile if possible. (See chapter on Advanced Guards.)
16. Avoid traveling in ravines or gullies without flank guards established on the high ground. These routes make for excellent ambush sites by an opposing force.
17. When moving through heavy brush or deep snow, rotate the advance and flank elements frequently to reduce fatigue.
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Reconnaissance Intelligence Gathering
1. Whenever possible, use a guide familiar with the territory or consult an accurate map.
2. Never approach closer to the objective than necessary to gain the information required. If you can see what you need from half a mile away, do not go closer than that.
3. Take special notice of hills, valleys, woods, lakes, swamps, rivers and streams, fords and bridges, roads, ravines, defiles, meadows and fields which the main force will encounter or must avoid to maintain security.
4. Always approach an enemy’s encampment or posts with great caution and stealth. Generally the safest time to approach a post is during the night, well before dawn. Enemy patrols are most likely encountered around dawn and least likely encountered around noon.
5. When gathering information about the enemy’s force and encampment make note of:
v their location
v defenses
v their number, including officers
v routes and direction of march
v weapons carried
v the terrain
Sketch the fortifications if possible.
6. Never stare at one person - glance at the individual. Staring attracts the person’s attention.
7. The eye is attracted to movement – whenever possible move slowly and cautiously.
8. If discovered by the enemy, immediately withdraw the reconnaissance element to a safe distance and location. If feasible, make another attempt to complete the reconnaissance. As the enemy is aware of your initial observation post, observe from a different location to avoid being ambushed.
9. Avoid decisively engaging enemy troops until having withdrawn to a position where support from the Main Guard is possible, or enticing the enemy into a previously arranged ambush.
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Skirmishing
1. Firing by squad (or files) -Advancing, -Withdrawing, and -Standing are done in Common time. All other maneuvers are done in Quick time unless otherwise ordered.
2. When attacked, immediately take cover by falling prone or kneeling down. Engage by files (or squads) taking advantage of trees, large stones, broken enclosures, old houses, or any feature offering cover from enemy fire. Take particular care not to run in crowds to cover.
3. When using cover, the file leader takes aim from the right of the object. After firing, he is to step back 2 paces to make room for his file partner to fire from the same position.
4. When exchanging places during firing, the moving soldier keeps his file partner to his non-firing (left) side.
5. If forced to retreat, Withdraw – firing, by squads, files, or pairs so the opposing force faces continuous fire.
6. When the opposing force’s main body is equal to yours, extend the flanks occasionally to threaten theirs.
7. If the opposing force is larger, support and strengthen your flanking parties to make them equal to the other force; attempt to push the flank elements back to the main body and then attack with equal force in each flank and in the center.
8. If the rear of the detachment is attacked, the main body and flankers face to the enemy except for the forward guard, which now becomes the rear guard. If either of the flanks is attacked, follow the same procedure, the far flank element becoming the rear guard.
9. When in danger of being surrounded, disperse the detachment, each man taking a different route to an arranged rendezvous point. If the unit is actually surrounded, form into a square, or if in the woods, a circle. If possible, make a stand until darkness can cover your escape.
10. If it is necessary to cut through an enemy force which has occupied your avenue of retreat, charge with full speed to break through their line.
11. If you attempt to rally after a retreat, seek high ground which will give an advantage and opportunity to repulse superior numbers.
12. If the opposing unit is forced into a retreat or withdraw, use your flanking parties as part of the pursuit to prevent them from gaining any high ground where they would be able to rally and re-attack.
13. When the enemy is encamped near the banks of a river or lake, leave a small detachment on the opposite shore in ambush to cut off their retreat
14. If the enemy pursues your rear, circle back until you come to your own tracks and form an ambush.
15. When pursuing any party in the vicinity of enemy forts or encampments, avoid following directly in their tracks, so not to be discovered by their rear-guards. If possible, take a different route to head and lay an ambush.
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Establishing and defending
Posts Encampments
1. The Commanding Officer directs his most capable subordinates (regardless of rank) to scout the area for piquet and guard post locations. These posts are chosen for the best possible defense, as well as, the ability of the post to control access to the camp, town, or location being defended. The Commander must only attempt to defend as much ground as his troops in their posts can cover, and should never attempt to defend more ground than he has the resources to cover.
2. The Commanding Officer places a number of troops in each post which allows the post to watch all approaches and defend itself against a reasonable number of attackers. At the very least, the post must guarantee it can give warning. All posts should be within easy support of the main body (generally 100 yards).
3. The Grand Guard and/or Quarter Guard is positioned to defend the most likely route of enemy attack. If the encampment or post is sufficiently small, only one Grand Guard is required. If the defensive area is very large, the commander may require Quarter Guards instead—that is, fortified posts in different locations to support his encampment. The Grand Guard post should be secured and historically, in most cases, was fortified.
4. Outposts -- individuals or pairs of sentries to cover gaps in the defenses may be set at the Commanding Officer’s discretion. These men’s purpose is solely to raise an alarm.
5. After setting all of his posts, the commander sets patrolling guards (vedettes).
6. No more than one half of a total force should be in posts; another quarter may be used as vedettes, and the last quarter should be resting.
7. No fires or lights are to be made at guard posts during the night.
8. No post, guard, sentry, or outpost stands his watch for more than two hours.[2] Relief should be accomplished with a minimum of noise.
9. The relief party should approach quietly and cautiously, if possible varying its route on every approach, and using the terrain as much as possible to screen the party from the most likely hostile direction.
10. Sentries and guards are to challenge all persons attempting to pass the post. [See Challenging Sentries – Signs & Counter signs on the training page of www.warnersregiment.com]