General Orders, H.Q. Montreal. 4th July 1814.

Rules and Regulations for Outpost Duty.

"... On advanced posts the bayonets are never to be fixed as they form a conspicuous object, visible at a great distance, are an inconvenient incumbrance in the woods and from the nature of the duties of light troops can be rarely required and never so suddenly but that the soldier will have ample time to fix his bayonet, unless he is neglegent in the first and most important of his duties vigilence.

The firelock is to be carried by sentries with the barrel upward resting on the hollow of the elbow and for relief may be shifted to either arm. When a stranger or suspected person approaches his post, the sentry is to raise his piece to the port, prepare to cock, in that position he will ascertain who is approaching, he will not suffer anyone to come near enough to spring upon him to seize his arms nor to loiter near his post.

When he ascertains that an officer is passing he is to carry his arms advanced, stand steady on his post looking towards the enemy or such point or communication as may have been pointed out for this more particular attention. When a General or Commanding Officer approaches outpost guards or piquets, the party are to get under arms and to form in that position which they would occupy in the event of their post being attacked, their arms advanced, no compliment to be paid, but the Officer or Sergeant commanding, reports his guards and any occurrances which may have taken place.

It is to be strongly impressed upon troops in advanced posts and their detached sentries that the duties required of them are of the most important and confidential nature, on their vigilence and circumspection depends in a great degree the safety of the army.

The first object of their attention must be to watch the movements of the enemy and to give timely notice of his approach, advanced sentries are always to be posted double if the strength of the party will admit of it and in case of any occurence of importance one of the sentries is instantly to be sent in to report, every report is to be taken down in writing by the first or intelligent non-commissioned officer who receives it, to prevent the errors so likely to occur from frequent repetition of verbal communication.

Files or double sentries are never to give their fire together. When the one who has fired returns his ramrod he gives the word to his comrade "ready". It is never expected of advanced sentries and but seldom of advanced posts that they can materialy check or retard the advance of the enemy, they are therefore to be cautious not unnecessarily to sacrifice themselves in vain attempts, they are to retire as slowly as they can consistent with the ultimate security of their retreat keeping up a constant fire for the double purpose of checking the enemy and giving intelligence of his advance.

The most advanced sentries fall back upon each other in succession taking advantage of every favourable position to gall the enemy in his advances for which purpose every officer ought to make himself perfectly aquainted with the country he has to occupy and to improve and strengthen by every means in his power all the strong features of defence it may present. These are to qbe defended in succession but not persivered on beyond their relative importance. The defeat of the enemy at Lasale (Lasalle) and Chateauguay afford brilliant examples of this efficiency of well established advanced posts occupied with judgement and defended with valour.

The Officers in command of posts that constitute the reserves or appiece of those on advance, and are succeptible of receiving prompt and efficient support will always be provided with specific instructions for their guidence."

--Edward Baynes, Adjutant General.