TOPIC:

Orders by Lt. Col. Steele
Commanding "Strathcona's Horse"
Camp Lower Tugela River

10th June 1900

R.O. 655-10-06-1900

The whole of "A" Squadron will form the advance guard, they will also furnish outposts for the night. Officers must see that the men have sufficient rations with them.

R.O. 656-10-06-1900

On the march after reveille the horses will be taken and watered they will then be herded by men detailed for that purpose. The remainder of the regiment will strike tents, pack baggage &c., horses will be brought in after grazing and saddled, men will then go to their breakfast.

R.O. 657-10-06-1900

The squadron furnishing advance guard will always furnish the night outpost.

R.O. 658-10-06-1900

Men on outpost duty will always picquet their horses which must be done most carefully.

R.O. 659-10-06-1900

Field Officer of the Day:

Today: Major Snyder
Tomorrow: Major Jarvis

Subaltern of the Day:

Today: Lieutenant Fall
Tomorrow:

AFTER ORDER

R.O. 660-10-06-1900

The advance guard and outposts will be furnished by "B" Squadron tomorrow, relieving the outposts just before daylight and must take rations with them.

"A" Squadron will form the rear guard furnishing the necessary flankers. "C" Squadron will form the main body of the march in front of the maxims.

The advance guard must be careful not to get to far in advance so that the enemy could get between them and the main body. In a rolling country like this they should keep close to the main body and enable the advance scouts to do their work properly.

R.O. 661-10-06-1900

The quarter and rear guards of the camp will mount as soon as possible after the men have attended to their horses and had their supper. These guards will remain on until they are relieved at the next camp.

R.O. 662-10-06-1900

The small arms ammunition train will be in the vicinity of the quarter guard with the exception of that for the Maxims which will be in the rear.

R.O. 663-10-06-1900

Squadron Officers will always bivouac in the one situation in the rear of their own squadron, that is to say on the flank when in column.

R.O. 664-10-06-1900

It was noticed today that the connecting links did not halt so as to let the next body see whether they were moving or not. The movements of the main body which it is placed there to protect. The advance scouts will be guided accordingly. These simple instructions will not interfere with the judgment of officers.

R.O. 665-10-06-1900

The horses will be brought into camp cool when practicable, and if so, watered, and when hay is available fed in the lines. Saddles are not to be taken off until the horses backs are perfectly cool. Officers commanding squadrons will see that the horses backs are clean, in fact the whole body should be thoroughly groomed. Any man who ,loses his grooming kit on this expedition will be severely dealt with as the health of the horses depends largely on the use of it.

R.O. 666-10-06-1900

Reveille will be at daylight and the regiment should move 1 1/2 hours later. Cooks should be called 1/2 hour before daylight.

R.O. 667-10-06-1900

There must be no noise in camp until the men are ordered to rise. The Orderly officer and the guard will be held responsible for this and anyone making un-necessary noise will be held responsible for this and any one making un-necessary noises will be brought before the C.O.

R.O. 668-10-06-1900

The regiment is going on and expedition of great importance; and it will likely require all the endurance and pluck they possess and it is hoped that all will unite to make it a success. There is a march of 250 miles through a most difficult country a large portion of it in the presence of the enemy. The C.O. knows that all are united but it must be borne in mind that great caution is necessary to prevent the regiment from being surprised. Officers and Men in the advance guards, outpost duties and all positions where they are placed to guard their comrades must bear this in mind.

R.O. 669-10-06-1900

Every N.C.O. and Man will sleep near his saddle and in case of alarm will immediately fall in in front of his saddle with his arms.