_The Director_: “Just what orders would you give? I want you to state the exact words that you would employ in meeting the situation.”
_Lieutenant Baker_: “As soon as I determine how close I am going to let the enemy come before opening fire I will order:
“‘Four men on right. Range: 450 yards. Target: Enemy cavalry on road, four men at rear of patrol. Renolds and Shane. Range: 300 yards. Target: Enemy cavalry on road, two men in center of patrol. Healy fire on second man. Corporal Jenkins take the leading man. When you get your man fire on the man next farthest away. Wait for my command to open fire.
“‘When the enemy patrol has advanced to the point where I have indicated the ranges I will command:
_The Director_: “Let us assume that the patrol came up the road and that you opened fire in accordance with your orders. The two leading men and one of the next group of two were brought down and one of the latter made his get-away. At least two of the last group were brought down. You have then inflicted five casualties on the patrol and the three remaining men got away. Now, Lieutenant A will hear the firing and will want to know what it is all about. How would you meet this requirement, Captain Hall?”
_Captain Hall_: “The action will be over in a minute. I would want to get an identification as soon as possible. I would say to Corporal Jenkins:
“‘Go out to the leading trooper we brought down and see if you can get an identification.’
While Corporal Jenkins is doing this I will call Halley, who is the expert semaphore man to me and say to him:
“‘Go back to the cross-roads and signal Lieutenant A:
“‘“Eight men, Sixth Cavalry fired on, disabled five of them, three got away.” Bring me any message that Lieutenant A may send.’
“I would assume that Corporal Jenkins secured an identification on the leading cavalryman. If he did not the message would be modified accordingly.”
_Lieutenant Barry_: “I do not understand why we go to so much trouble at this particular time to get an identification.”
_The Director_: “Suppose you were commanding the Blue force and you ran into the enemy in this locality. Cavalry troops are operating on your front and flanks. If the advance guard picks up an identification of the 6th Cavalry in its front, the flank guard does the same and we get our identification here. This information put together indicates to the Blue command that he is being opposed by a single regiment of cavalry and considering the front he is covering he cannot be very strong at any point. But suppose the identification of three different regiments are picked up. This puts a different aspect on the situation. Our commander would estimate that he is probably confronted by a cavalry division and his plans would have to be made accordingly. Make it a general rule that you secure an enemy identification when it is possible to do so. It may have little value at the time and again it may be most valuable. You play safe by getting it and sending it in.”