Provost Guard duty was often temporarily assigned to designated persons or units (companies, regiments, etc.) to maintain vigilance and order at specific locations, for instance in towns or to guard private residences along the line of march. Some units were detailed to the task on a longer term basis. The collection and disposition of prisoners was one of their principal duties on the battlefield. Sometimes the Provost Guard would be deployed to deal with straggling on the march or on the battlefield. They might be posted behind the battle line at intervals to prevent skulking to the rear, as well as to corral captured prisoners.