|
|
|
75th Ranger Regiment - Standing Orders
- Don't forget nothing.
- Have your musket clean as a whistle, hatchet scoured, sixty
rounds powder and ball, and be ready to march at a minutes warning.
- When you're on the march, act the way you would if
you was sneaking up on a deer. See enemy first.
- Tell the truth about what you see and what you do.
There is an army depending on us for correct information. You can lie all
you please when you tell other folks about the Rangers, but don't ever
lie to a Ranger or an officer.
- Don't ever take a chance you don't have to.
- When you're on the march we march as a single file,
far enough apart so one shot can't go thru two men.
- If we strike swamps, or soft ground, we spread out
abreast, so it's hard to track us.
- When we march, we keep moving 'til dark, so as to give
the enemy the least chance at us.
- When we camp, half the party stays awake while the
other half sleeps.
- If we take prisoners, we keep 'em separate 'til we
have had time to examine them, they can cook up a story between 'em.
- Don't ever march the same way. Take a different route
so you won't be ambushed.
- No matter whether we travel in big parties or little
ones, each party has to keep a scout 20 yards ahead, 20 yards on each flank
and 20 yards in the rear, so the main body can't be surprised and wiped
out.
- Every night you'll be told where to meet if surrounded
by a superior force.
- Don't sit down to eat without posting sentries.
- Don't sleep beyond dawn, Dawn's when the French and
Indians attack.
- Don't cross a river by a regular ford.
- If somebody's trailing you, make a circle, come back
onto your own tracks, and ambush the folks that aim to ambush you.
- Don't stand up when the enemy's coming against you.
Kneel down, lie down, or hide behind a tree.
- Let the enemy come 'til he's almost close enough to
touch. Then let him have it and jump out and finish him with you hatchet.
Major Robert Rogers, 1759
Rangers lead the way!
|