The proximity of running streams is also important for the purposes of washing and bathing, and for carrying off the filth of the camp.
The camp should not be so placed as to be enfiladed or commanded by any point within long cannon range; if bordering on a river or smaller stream, there should be space enough between them to form in order of battle; the communications in rear should offer the means of retreating in case of necessity, but should not afford facilities to the enemy to make his attack on that side.
If the camp is to be occupied for a considerable length of time, as for _cantonments_ or _winter-quarters_, the greater must be the care in selecting its position and in the arrangement for the health and comfort of the soldiers.

In the latter case, (of winter-quarters,) the engineer's art should always be called in play to form intrenchments, lines of abattis, inundations, &c., to render the position as difficult of access to the enemy as possible.
A _bivouac_ is the most simple kind of camp.

It consists merely of lines of fires, and huts for the officers and soldiers.

These huts may be made of straw, of wood obtained from the forest, or by dismantling houses and other buildings in the vicinity of the camp, and stripping them of their timbers, doors, floors, &c.

Troops may be kept in bivouac for a few days, when in the vicinity of the enemy, but the exposure of the soldier in ordinary bivouacs, especially in the rainy seasons or in a rigorous climate, is exceedingly destructive of human life, and moreover leads to much distress to the inhabitants of the country occupied, in the destruction of their dwellings and the most common necessaries of life.
If the position is to be occupied for any length of time, the huts should be arranged like tents, according to a regular system, and made comfortable for the troops.