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Preface

Table of contents.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

__________

 

The following note from General Cadwalader, clearly indicates the merit of the work.

 

PHILADELPHIA, May 9, 1836

 

SIR-Permit me to thank you for your kindness in sending me a copy of the work just published by you, entitled "Tactics and Regulations for the militia," and in compliance with your desire I have given it an examination, which, although a cursory one, has satisfied me that the book is well adapted to its purposes: the course of instruction is concise, simple, and judiciously arranged, comprising all that is essential in the systems of Tactics for Infantry, Light Infantry and Rifle, Cavalry and Artillery.  The fourth part consists of abstracts from the Regulations, as to the precedence of Regiments and Corps, routine of duties in Garrison and Camps, signals, orders of encampment for each arm, Honours to be paid by Troops, Forms of Review and Inspection, calling out the militia for the service of the United States, and the manner of issuing and distributing orders.  The whole work is bound in one volume of duodecimo size, and will be found a valuable assistant to officers of volunteers and militia, to whom such a Treatise has long been a desideratum.  The names of the authors must at once stamp the character of the work-when known to be prepared and arranged by Captain Cooper, Aide-de-Camp, under he supervision of Major General Macomb, Commander-in-chief of the Army.  It has been published under the inspection of an accomplished Officer of the Army, stationed in this city.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

(Signed)                      T. CADWALADER 

 

TO MR. R.P.DESILVER,

No. 255 Market Street, Philadelphia.

_______

 

From Major-General Patterson

 

PHILADELPHIA, 14^th May, 1836

R.P. Desilver, Esq.

Dear Sir-I have examined the concise system of Instructions and Regulations for the Militia and Volunteers of the United States, prepared by General Macomb and Captain Cooper.

The system is correctly laid down and clearly explained; and every officer of volunteers and militia in the Union ought to have a copy.  I cordially recommend it to the officers of the First Division.

 

With much respect,

              Your obedient servant,

(Signed)                            R.PATTERSON

 

 

 

 

 

Recommendations.

 

Extract of a letter from Col. A.J. Pleasonton.

 

I have examined with attention this work, and with great pleasure I bear testimony to its happy adaptation to the purpose for which it has been designed.  One of the great defects of our militia system has been, heretofore, the want of proper books for elementary instruction.  This treatise, by supplying to the several corps of Cavalry, Artillery, Infantry, and Riflemen, the necessary knowledge for their respective services, will conduce, in a great degree, to the efficiency of volunteer and militia troops.  I recommend it heartily to all officers of the volunteers or militia, believing that Captain Cooper has furnished a great desideratum to his fellow-citizens in this work.

        I am respectfully,

                        Your obedient servant,

                    (Signed)                 A.J. PLEASONTON.

R.P. DESILVER.

_______

 

From the Army and Navy Chronicle, May 26

We have received and examined a work, prepared under the direction of Major-General Macomb, commander-in-chief of the Army, by Brevet Captain S. Cooper, his aid-de-camp, for the use of militia and volunteers.

A work of this kind has been long wanted: one that is concise in form, written with perspicuity, easy of comprehension, and free from all unnecessary and tedious explanations.  In our opinion a more simple and satisfactory Manual could not be produced than the one under consideration; it is written in plain English, and can be learnt with facility by anyone who will devote a few hours to the study of it.

The work is divided onto four parts.

Part first contains the whole of the Infantry instruction, (including the Light Infantry and Rifle drill,) in about 80 pages, with ample plates to illustrate the same.

Part second contains the Cavalry instructions, comprised in about 35 pages, with all the necessary plates exhibiting the formations and maneuvres.

Part third contains the artillery instructions, with plates.

Part fourth, the regulations for doing duty in camp and garrison, and indeed everything relating to the duties of officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers.

The arrangement of the book is excellent. The words of command are placed in so prominent a point of view that they strike the eye immediately on opening the book; and the plates are executed on a manner so plain that every maneuvre can be comprehended by a mere inspection of them.  The work does great credit to the author, and the country is much indebted to him for having devoted his time and talents to so useful a purpose.

 

 

 

 

 

Recommendations.

 

Hereafter there will be no mystery in military tactics, for he who can read can learn, and that promptly.  We have never seen a work of so small dimensions, containing so much matter, and that matter so happily presented.  Indeed, it is literally multum in parvo, and will be so considered when it shall be made known, that to get at the same information, it is necessary to possess

 

1st-The Infantry Tactics, by Maj. Gen. Scott, in 3 vols. each volume containing 300 pages, costing $1.25 each, or	$3.75
2nd-The Cavalry System, containing upwards of 300 pages, with plates, costing about	2.00
3rd-Lallemand's Artillery, containing about 600 pages, costing about	6.00
And finally, the book of General Regulations, containing about 425 pages, and costing	2.00
Making for the whole of these works and aggregate cost of	$13.75

 

while the work of Gen. Macomb contains but 280 pages with abundant plates, and costs $1.25.

 

Upon a comparison of Macomb's book with the several works on Infantry, Light Infantry, Riflemen, Cavalry, and Artillery, we have discovered no variation; the words of command appear to be strictly adhered to, and indeed every part is in keeping with the rules and regulations which govern the various arms of service, as well as the army in general.

 

It is a work which every officer of the militia and volunteers ought to possess, and every officer of the army will find it useful and convenient, as it embraces almost all the information which an officer on service may stand in need of

 

________

 

Extract of a note from and Officer of the U.S. Army to Col. Hickman, of Baltimore.

 

I, with much pleasure, state to you, that I consider the work compiled by Captain Cooper, of the U.S. Army, as one of the most valuable works for volunteers and militia that has ever been published-it is plain and concise, and contains all that can be desired for an officer of volunteers or militia.  The addition which Capt. C. has made to the Tactics, giving our regulations for proper police in camp and garrison, and the mode of forming parade and guard mounting, is indeed excellent, and will be of great service to our citizen soldiers.  The work is compiled for Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery, each treated of separately.  the work is cheap indeed, and I have no doubt that it will be eagerly sought after by officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of the different corps, for whose particular benefit it was got up.

 

 

 

 

Recommendations.

 

Extract of a letter from Gen. B.J. Tuppan, addressed to C.A. Harris, Esq., acting Secretary of War, under date of 16^th July.

 

FRANKLIN, Tenn.

 

Dear Sir-Your favor of the 3d ultimo, together with a copy of a System of Instructions and Regulations for the Militia and Volunteers of the United States, was duly received.  I have examined the work, and am very much pleased with it. I have no doubt but a ready sale could be had in this state for a number of copies.  A general system of Tactics, in a concise form, has been wanted, and I think the work now published will give general satisfaction.

 

_____________

 

Gen. M'Duffee, of South Carolina, was so much pleased with this work, that immediately on its publication, he purchased five hundred copies, and distributed them throughout the State: in addition, he so warmly spoke of its merits that the Legislature of the state have authorised the purchase of twenty-five hundred copies,

 

 

_____________

 

The following resolution, offered by Mr. Preston, is before the United States Senate for consideration.

 

RESOLVED, That the Committee on the Militia be instructed to inquire into the expediency of having printed, at the expense of the United States, and edition of Gen. Macomb's Book on Tactics, &c, sufficient for the supply of each commissioned militia officer in the United States with a copy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A

 

CONCISE SYSTEM OF INSTRUCTIONS AND

REGULATIONS

 

FOR

 

THE MILITIA AND VOLUNTEERS

 

OF THE UNITED STATES,

 

COMPREHENDING

 

THE EXERCISES AND MOVEMENTS

 

OF

 

The Infantry, Light Infantry, and Riflemen;

Cavalry and Artillery:

 

TOGETHER WITH

 

The manner of doing duty in Garrison and Camp, and the

forms of

 

PARADES, REVIEWS, and INSPECTIONS,

 

As established by authority for the government of the Regular Army.

_____________________________

 

PREPARED AND ARRANGED BY

BREVET CAPTAIN S. COOPER,

Aid de Camp and Assistant Adjutant General,

_____________________________

 

UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF

MAJOR GENERAL ALEXANDER MACOMB,

Commanding the Army of the United States.

________________________

 

PHILADELPHIA:

ROBERT P. DESILVER, No, 255 MARKET STREET.

_______________

 

1836

 

 

 

 

 

 

­­­­­­­­­_________________________________________________

 

ENTERED according to an act of Congress, in the year 1836, by ALEXANDER MACOMB & S. COOPER, in the clerk's office of the district court of the District of Columbia.

______________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

_________________________

 

STEREOTYPED BY JOHN FAGAN,

     PHILADELPHIA.

_________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PREFACE

____

 

In this country, the Militia, from the nature of the government, must be depended on principally for repelling sudden invasions, and suppressing domestic insurrections: it ought, therefore, to be properly organized and instructed in order to be effectual for those purposes.  The great difficulty in the way of its becoming properly instructed, has thus far been the want of a simple and uniform system of instruction-one easily to be comprehended and readily applied.  The books published for the regular army are too voluminous and diffuse to supply this want; and the various works compiled as a substitute, are all more or less objectionable.

The present volume is intended to remove the difficulty as far as practicable.  It embraces the substance of all our systems of tactics, whether for the Infantry of the Line, the Light Infantry, the Riflemen, the Artillery, or the Cavalry, together with such parts of the regulations relative to camp and garrison duties, parades, reviews, and inspections, as may be necessary to the Militia

As the same general principles regulate the tactics applicable to the different arms of service, those for the Infantry which constitute the main body of an army, are alone laid down at large.

Artillery and Cavalry should be instructed as In-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PREFACE

fantry, in order to act, when separated from their guns and horses.

The Artillery instruction in this work, embraces the service of the piece, and in the maneuvres in the field and in the batteries; that for the Cavalry, from "the mounting horse" to the maneuvres in squadron.

The words of command given by the instructor who represents the commanding officer, are printed in capitals; those of the subordinate officers in italics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

PART I.

______________

 

INFANTRY TACTICS.

 

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

A 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

____________________________________________

 

The words of command given by the instructor, (who represents the commander,) are printed in CAPITAL letters.

____________________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONTENTS OF PART FIRST.

______________

 

OF THE SQUAD                                                                          

                                                                           Page

Position of the soldier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Facings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

The direct step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

The oblique step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Manual of arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Firings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

The direct fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

The oblique fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . .21

The fire by file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Alignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

To march to the front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

The quick step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

To march the back step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

To march by the flank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

To halt and face to the front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Marching by a flank, to change directions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Marching by the front, to march by a flank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Wheelings . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Turning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

To stack arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

To resume arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

 

OF THE COMPANY

Formation of the company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . .33

To pass from two ranks into one rank . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . .34

Posts of officers and others in column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

To open ranks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Alignments in open ranks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

To close ranks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

To fire by company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

To fire by file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

To fire by the rear rank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

To advance in line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

To halt and align the company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

The oblique march in line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

To retire in line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

To halt and face to the front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

To march by the flank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

To change direction by file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

To halt and face to the front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

To form by file on right or left . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

To form by company or by platoon into line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Marching by the front, to march by the flank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Marching in column by platoons, to march by the flank in the same direction .42

To break from line into column by platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

To march in column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

To change direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

To halt the column and wheel it into line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

To diminish and increase front of column in marching . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

To diminish and increase front of column by files . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

To march in column of route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Countermarch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Marching in column of platoons, to form on right or left into line . . . . . 48

Manual of arms for sergeants and corporals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Manual of the sword for officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Colour-salute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

Instructions for the drum-major . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

 

OF THE BATTALION

 

Formation of a regiment or battalion in order of battle . . . . . . . . . .  59

To open ranks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

To close ranks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

 

 

 

CONTENTS OF PART FIRST

                                                                          Page

Manual of Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Loadings and firings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

To stack and resume arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Manner of determining a line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Movements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Movements from line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

No.  1. To break to the right into column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

     2. To break to the right to march to the left . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

     3. To break to the rear into column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

     4. To ploy into close column or mass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .67

     5. To ploy into column doubled on the centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

     6. Changes of front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

     7. To march by a flank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

     8. To advance in line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

     9. To halt the battalion and to align it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

    10. To retire in line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

    11. To halt the battalion and face it to the front . . . . . . . . . . .74

    12. Passage of obstacles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

    13. To pass a defile in retreat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Movements from open column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

No.  1. To march in column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

     2. To change direction in marching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

     3. To halt the column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

     4. To form to the left into line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

     5. To form line to the right, by inversion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

     6. To form on right into line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

     7. To form to the front into line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

     8. To form into line faced to the rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

     9, 10. To form into line by two movements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

    11, 12. To form close column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

    13. Countermarch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84

Column in route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Movements from close column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

No.  1. To form open column by the head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

     2. To form open column on the rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

     3. To form open column on the head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

     4. To change direction in marching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

     5. To change direction from a halt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

     6. Countermarch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89

     7. To form division from company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

     8. To deploy on first division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

     9. To deploy on fourth division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91

    10. To deploy on an intermediate division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Movements from column doubled on centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

No.  1. To form line to the front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

     2. To form line to the right . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Disposition against cavalry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Rules for maneuvring by the rear rank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

 

LIGHT INFANTRY AND RIFLE.

OF THE COMPANY.

Deployments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100

1.  To deploy forward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100

2.  To deploy by the flank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

3.  To extend intervals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112

4.  To close intervals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

5.  To relieve skirmishers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

To march in advance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114

To march in retreat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115

To march by a flank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115

The firings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116

Rallying and assembling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117

 

OF THE BATTALION

To deploy a battalion as skirmishers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

To rally the battalion deployed as skirmishers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART I.

__________

OF THE SQUAD

 

Position of the Soldier.

 

HEELS on the same line and as close together as the conformation of the man will permit; toes turned out equally, so as to form nearly a right angle; knees straight but not stiff; body inclined a little forward; shoulders square; arms hanging naturally; elbows near the body; palms of the hands turned a little to the front; the little finger behind the seam of the pantaloons; face direct to the front; chin a little drawn in without constraint; eyes looking to the front so as to meet the ground at a distance of fifteen paces.

EYES-RIGHT.-At the word RIGHT, turn the head gently to the right, so as to bring the corner of the left eye nearest the nose, in a line with the junction of the heels, the eyes directed in a line with the eyes of the men in the same rank.

FRONT.-Resume the position to the front.

EYES-LEFT.-Will be executed by inverse means.

REST.-Stand at ease, without moving the left foot from its position.

ATTENTION-SQUAD.-At the word SQUAD, resume the prescribed position and steadiness.

 

Facings

 

SQUAD, BY THE RIGHT (or LEFT) FLANK, RIGHT (or LEFT) FACE.-At the word FACE, turn on the left heel, by raising a little the left toe, at the same time, bring the right heel to the side of the left, and on the same line, so that the line of the heels shall be exactly at right angles with the former line.

SQUAD-ABOUT.-At the word ABOUT, turn on the left heel, bring the left toe to the front, carry the right foot to the rear, the hollow opposite to and three inches from the left heel, the feet square to each other; seize at the same time the inner corner of the cartridge-box with the right hand.

 

 

 

PART I. OF THE SQUAD.

 

FACE.-Turn on both heels, by raising the toes a little, extend the thighs and face to the rear; bring the right heel by the side of the left, and quit the hold of the cartridge-box.

If under arms, turn the left hand at the word ABOUT, as in the first motion of PRESENT-ARMS, and replace the hand and piece at the instant of bringing the right heel to the side of the left.

The Direct Step.

 

The direct step, in common time, is twenty-eight inches, reckoning from heel to heel, and at the rate of ninety in a minute.

SQUAD-FORWARD,-Throw the weight of the body on the right leg, without bending the left knee.

MARCH.-Step off with the left foot, the knees straight, the toes pointed a little downwards and turned slightly out; the body inclined a little forward, and the foot planted flat at the prescribed distance, the right foot next passed to the front in the same manner.

SQUAD-HALT.-At the word HALT, stop short on the foot advanced, and bring up the other without stamping.

 

The Oblique Step.

 

Marching in the direct step in common time.

 

RIGHT OBLIQUE-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, given at the instant the left foot comes to the ground, carry the right foot obliquely to the right and front, twenty-six inches from the left, and eighteen inches on that side, turning the toes a little inward; next advance the left foot, by the shortest line, eighteen inches in front of the right heel; continue to march in this way, keeping the head and shoulders square to the front.

 

To resume the Direct March.

 

FORWARD-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, given at the instant either foot comes to the ground, resume the direct march.

 

Manual of Arms.

 

This is taught to two men, placed at first side by side in one rank, elbow to elbow, and next in a single file, that is, one behind the other.

 

 

 

 

PART I. OF THE SQUAD.

 

Each command is executed in one time (or pause) and is divided into motions.

The celerity of each motion, with the exception of the motions relative to the cartridge, to the rammer, and to the fixing and unfixing of the bayonet, is fixed at the ninetieth part of a minute.  As the motions here excepted cannot be executed at the rate prescribed, they are notwithstanding to be executed with promptness and regularity. 

The last syllable of the command decides the brisk execution of the first motion of each time.  The commands TWO, THREE, and FOUR, decide the brisk execution of the other motions.  The men are taught to execute the time without resting in its different motions, as soon as they comprehend the positions of the several motions of a time.

Before proceeding to the manual of arms, the men, at shouldered arms, repeat the movements of EYES-RIGHT, LEFT, and FRONT, and the facings.

 

Position of shoulder-arms.

 

(FIG.1.) The musket in the left hand, the arm very little bent, the elbow back, near the body, the palm of the hand pressing on the outer flat of the butt, the outer edge of the latter on the upper joints of the fingers, the heel of the butt between the fore and middle fingers, the thumb on the front screw of the butt-plate, the remaining fingers under the butt, the butt more or less kept back, according to the conformation of the soldier, so that the piece seen from the front may appear to be perpendicular, and also that the movement of the thigh, in marching, may not raise it, or cause it to waver, the stock below the tail-band, resting against the hollow of the shoulder, just within the joint, the right arm hanging naturally, as prescribed for the soldier without arms.

SUPPORT-ARMS.-(FIG. 2.)  1^st mo.  With the right hand seize  briskly the handle, or small of the stock, four inches below the lock, raising a little, but not turning the piece.

2d mo.  Take the left hand from the butt, extend the left fore-arm upwards across the body, under the cock, the hand flat on the right breast.

3d mo. Drop the right arm smartly into its position.

REST.-Bring up smartly the right hand to the small of the stock and stand at ease.

 

 

 

 

PART I. OF THE SQUAD.

 

ATTENTION-SQUAD.-Resume the position of the third motion of SUPPORT-ARMS, at the word SQUAD.

CARRY-ARMS.-1^st mo.  Carry quickly the right hand to the small.

2d mo.  Place quickly the left hand upon the butt.

3d mo.  Let fall smartly the right hand into its position, and drop with the left, at the same time, the piece into the position of SHOULDER-ARMS.

ARMS-PORT.-(FIG.3.)  Throw the piece diagonally across the body, the lock to the front, seize it smartly at the same instant, with both hands, the right at the handle, the left at the tail-band, the two thumbs pointing towards the muzzle, the barrel sloping upwards and crossing opposite to the point of the left shoulder, the butt proportionately lowered.  The palm of the right hand above, that of the left, under the piece, and the nails of both next to the body, to which the elbows are closed.

SHOULDER-ARMS.-1^st mo.  Bring the piece smartly to the left shoulder, placing the left hand under the butt.

2d mo.  Drop the right hand smartly by the side. 

PRESENT-ARMS.-1^st mo.  Turn the piece with the left hand, the lock out, and seize the small at the same time with the right hand, the piece perpendicular, and detached from the shoulder, the left hand remaining under the butt.

2d mo.  Complete the turning inward of the piece so as to bring it erect before the centre of the body, the rammer to the front, the right hand under and against the guard; seize it smartly at the same time with the left hand above the lock, the little finger against the feather-spring, the thumb extended along the barrel and on the stock, the forearm resting on the body without constraint, and the hand at the height of the elbow.

SHOULDER-ARMS.-1^st mo.  Turn the piece with the right hand, the barrel out; raise and support it against the left shoulder with the right hand, drop the left under the butt, the right hand resting on, without grasping, the handle. 

2d mo.  Drop quickly the right hand into its position.

ORDER-ARMS.-1^st mo.  Drop the piece smartly, by extending the left arm; seize it at the same time with the right hand above and near the tail-band; quit the hold of the left hand, and carry the piece opposite the right shoulder,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART I. OF THE SQUAD.

 

the rammer in front, the little finger behind the barrel, the right hand supported against the hip, the butt three inches from the ground, the piece erect, the left hand hanging by the side.

2d mo.  Let the piece slip through the right hand to the ground without shock, and take the position about to be described.

 

Position of order-arms.

 

(FIG. 5.)  The hand low, the barrel between the thumb and fore-finger extended along the stock; the other, fingers extended and joined; the muzzle about two inches from the right shoulder; the rammer in front; the toe, or beak, of the butt, against, and in a line with the toe of the right foot, the barrel perpendicular.

REST.-Stand at ease.

ATTENTION-SQUAD.-At the word SQUAD, resume the position of ORDER-ARMS.

SHOULDER-ARMS.-1^st mo.  Raise smartly the piece with the right hand, carry it against the left shoulder, turning it, so as to bring the barrel to the front; place at the same time the left hand under the butt, and slip the right hand down to the lock.

2d mo.  Let fall smartly the right hand into its position.

CHARGE-BAYONET.-(FIG.6.)  1^st. mo.  Make a half face to the right on the left heel, place at the same time the right foot behind, and at right angles with the left, the hollow of the right foot opposite to, and about three inches from the left heel; turn the piece with the left hand, the lock outwards, and seize the handle at the same time with the right hand, the musket perpendicular and detached from the shoulder; leave the left hand under the butt.

2d mo.  Bring down the piece with the right hand into the left, the latter seizing it a little in advance of the tail-band, the barrel up, the left elbow near the body, the right hand supported against the hip, the point of the bayonet at the height of the eye.

SHOULDER-ARMS.-1^st mo.  Face to the front by turning on the left heel, bring up the right by the side of the left heel; at the same time, spring up the piece with the right

 

 

 

PART I. OF THE SQUAD.

 

hand to the left shoulder, and place the left hand under the butt.

2d mo.  Let fall smartly the right hand into its position.

LOAD IN TWELVE TIMES.-LOAD.-(FIG. 7.)  1^st mo.  As the first motion of CHARGE-BAYONET, except that the hollow of the right foot is brought up against the left heel.

2d mo.  Bring down the piece with the right hand into the left, which, at the instant, seizes it at the tail-band, the thumb extended on the stock, the butt under the right fore-arm, the handle against the body and about two inches under the right breast, the muzzle at the height of the eye, the guard turned a little out, the left elbow supported against the side.  At the instant the piece falls into the left hand, the right thumb is placed on the steel above the flint, the fore-fingers closed, the right fore-arm along the butt.

2.  OPEN-PAN.-Open the pan, by pushing forward the steel with the right thumb, the left hand resisting and holding the piece firm; draw back immediately the right elbow, carry the hand to the cartridge-box, passing it between the butt and the body, and open the box. 

3.  HANDLE-CARTRIDGE.-Seize a cartridge with a thumb and the next two fingers, and place it between the teeth, the right hand passing between the butt and the body.

4.  TEAR-CARTRIDGE.-Tear the paper down to the powder, holding the cartridge upright between the thumb and next two fingers; in this position place it against the pan, the palm of the right hand turned towards the body, the right elbow supported on the butt.

5.  PRIME.-Drop the head a little, fix the eyes on the pan, fill it with powder, press together the top of the cartridge with the thumb and fore-finger, raise the head, and place the last two fingers of the right hand against the steel.

6.  SHUT-PAN.-Resisting the motion with the left hand, shut the pan smartly with the fingers behind the steel, holding carefully the cartridge with the two next fingers and the thumb; seize immediately the handle with the two remaining fingers and the palm of the right hand, the right wrist touching the body, the elbow back, and a little detached from the body.

7.  CAST-ABOUT.-(FIG. 8.) 1^st mo.  Pass the piece

 

 

 

 

PART I. OF THE SQUAD.

 

along the left thigh, after bringing it upright near the body; to effect this, press the butt strongly, extending smartly the right arm, without lowering the shoulder; turn at the same time the rammer towards the body, open the left hand to let the piece slide through it towards and near the middle band, the elbow remaining near the body, the cock bearing in the right thumb; at the same time face to the front, turning on the left heel, and carry the right foot forward, the heel against the hollow of the left foot.

2d mo.  Quit the hold of the right hand; through the left, let the piece descend to the ground, without shock, along and near the body; raise at the same time the right hand to the height of and near the muzzle, holding the top of the cartridge up, the left hand against the body, the piece touching the left thigh, the muzzle opposite to the centre of the body.

8.  CHARGE-CARTRIDGE.-(FIG. 8.)  Fix the eye on the muzzle, turn quickly the back of the right hand towards the body, in order to discharge the powder into the barrel; raise the elbow to the height of the wrist, shake the cartridge, force it into the muzzle, and leave the hand reversed, the fingers closed but not clenched.

9.  DRAW-RAMMER.-1^st mo.  Drop smartly the right elbow  and seize the rammer between the thumb and fore-finger bent, the other fingers shut; draw it smartly extending the arm; seize the rammer again at the middle, between the thumb and fore-finger, the hand reversed, the palm to the front, the nails up, the eyes following the movement of the head; clear the rammer from the piped by again extending the arm.

2d mo.  Turn rapidly the rammer between the bayonet and the face, closing the fingers, the rammer of the rear rank man grazing the right shoulder of the man in front, the rammer parallel to the bayonet, the arm extended, the butt of the rammer opposite to the muzzle, but not yet inserted, the eyes fixed on the muzzle.

3d mo.  Insert the butt of the rammer and force it down as low as the hand.

10.  RAM-CARTRIDGE.-(FIG. 9.)  Extend the arm to its full length to seize the rammer between the right thumb extended and the fore-finger bent the other fingers closed; with force ram down twice, seize the rammer at the

 

 

 

PART I. OF THE SQUAD.

 

little end, between the thumb and fore-finger bent, the other fingers closed, the right elbow touching the body.

11.  RETURN-RAMMER.-1^st mo.  Draw briskly the rammer, seize it at the middle between the thumb and fore-finger, the hand reversed, the palm to the front, the nails up, the yes following the movement of the hand; clear the rammer from the barrel by extending the arm.

2d mo.  Turn rapidly the rammer between the bayonet and the face, closing the fingers, the rammer of the rear rank man grazing the shoulder of the man in front, the rammer parallel to the bayonet, the arm extended, the little end of the rammer opposite to the first pipe, but not yet inserted, the eyes fixed on that pipe.

3d mo.  Insert the little end, and wit the thumb force it as low as the middle band; raise quickly the hand a little bent, place the little finger on the butt of the rammer, and force it down; lower the left hand on the barrel to the extent of the arm, without depressing the shoulder.

12.  SHOULDER-ARMS.-1^st mo.  Raise the piece with the left hand along the left side, the hand at the height of the chin, the fore-arm touching the piece, the barrel to the front; drop at the same time the right hand to seize the piece a little above the handle, the fore-fingers touching the cock, and the thumb on the counter-plate.

2d mo.  Raise the piece with the right hand, drop the left, and place it under the butt, bring back the right heel to the side of the left, and on the same line; support the piece with the right hand against the shoulder, in the position prescribed for SHOULDER-ARMS, the right hand resting on, without grasping the piece.

3d mo.  Let fall the right hand into its position, by the side of the thigh.

READY.-(FIG.10.) 1^st mo.  As the first motion of the first time of load.

2d mo.  Bring the piece with the right hand to the middle of the body, place the left hand, the little finger touching the feather-spring, the thumb extended on the stock at the height of the chin, the counter-plate almost turned towards the body, the rammer obliquely to the left and front.

3d mo.  Place the thumb on the head of the cock, the fore-finger under and on the guard, the other three fingers joined to the first, the elbow at the height of

the hand.

 

 

 

PART I. OF THE SQUAD.

 

3d mo.  Close the right elbow smartly to the body in cocking; seize the piece at the handle, let it descend along the body in the left hand to the tail-band, which remains at the height of the shoulder.

AIM.-(FIG.11,12.)  Drop smartly the muzzle, the left hand remaining at the tail-band; support the butt against the right shoulder, the left elbow a little down; shut the left eye, direct the right along the barrel, drop the head upon the butt to catch the object, and place the fore finger on the trigger.  The rear rank at the same time places the right foot about eight inches towards the heel of the man next on the right. 

FIRE.-Apply the fore-finger with force to the trigger, without lowering or turning the head, and remain in that position.

LOAD.- 1^st mo.  Bring back the piece quickly and take the position of the second motion of the first time of LOAD, except that the right thumb, instead of being placed against the steel, seizes the head of the cock, with the fore-finger bent, and the other fingers closed.

2d mo.  Half-cock, carry the right hand immediately to the cartridge-box, passing it between the butt and the body, and open the box. 

If, after firing, it be intended to bring the squad to the shoulder, instead of loading, the command is given:

SHOULDER-ARMS.-At the command SHOULDER, take the position of the second motion of the first time of LOAD, half-cock, shut pan, and seize the handle of the piece.  At the word ARMS, come to the shoulder and face to the front.

The squad being in the position of aim, to habituate the men to wait for the word fire, the command is sometimes given:

RECOVER-ARMS.-Withdraw the finger from the trigger, throw up smartly the muzzle, and retake the position of the fourth motion of ready.

If from this position the squad is to be brought to a shoulder, the command is given:

SHOULDER-ARMS.-At the word SHOULDER, face to the front, bring the piece to the middle of the body, the left thumb at the height of the chin, the little finger touching the feather-spring; next place the right thumb on the head of the cock, support the fore-finger on the trigger, sustain

 

 

 

PART I. OF THE SQUAD.

 

at the same time the cock in its descent till the flint nearly touches the steel, raise the cock to the half-cock notch, and seize the handle of the piece with the right hand.  At the word arms, carry the piece smartly to the shoulder, and take the position of SHOULDER-ARMS.

UNFIX-BAYONET.-1^st mo.  Drop the piece by a smart extension of the left arm, seize it with the right hand above and near the tail-band.

2d mo.  Drop the piece with the right hand along the left thigh, lengthen out the left arm, rest the butt on the ground, without shock, and carry' at the same time, the right hand to the bayonet, seize it at the socket and shank, so that the lower end of the socket may be about an inch below the heel of the palm, and that in wresting off the bayonet, the thumb may be extended on the blade.

3d mo.  Wrest off the bayonet, return it to the scabbard, place immediately the right little finger, on the butt of the rammer, lower the left hand along the barrel, in extending the arm, without depressing the shoulder.

SHOULDER-ARMS.-As the twelfth time of LOAD.

SECURE-ARMS.-(FIG.13)  1^st mo.  Seize quickly the piece with the right hand, the thumb on the counter-plate, and the fore-finger against the cock; detach the piece from the shoulder at the same time, the barrel to the front, seize it at the tail-band with the left hand, the thumb extended on the rammer, the piece erect, opposite to the shoulder, the left elbow on the piece.

2d mo.  Reverse the piece, pass it under the left arm, the left hand remaining at the tail-band, the thumb on the rammer to prevent it from sliding out, the point of the bayonet six or eight inches from the ground, the right hand falling at the same time into its position.

SHOULDER-ARMS.-1^st mo.  Raise the piece with the left hand, but not too suddenly; seize the handle with the right hand to support it against the shoulder; quit the hold of the left hand, and place it quickly under the butt.

2d mo.  Let fall smartly the right hand into its position; drop at the same time the piece into the position of SHOULDER- ARMS.

FIX-BAYONET.-1^st and 2d mos.  As the first and second motions of UNFIX-BAYONET, except at the end of the second motion, the right hand goes to seize the bayonet by

 

 

 

PART I. OF THE SQUAD.

 

the socket and shank, so that the lower (now upper) end of the socket shall extend about an inch above the heel of the palm.

3d mo.  Draw the bayonet from the scabbard, carry and fix it on the muzzle; place the right little finger on the butt of the rammer.

SHOULDER-ARMS.-As the twelfth time of LOAD.

TRAIL-ARMS.-(FIG.14.)  1^st mo.  As the first motion of ORDER-ARMS

2d. mo. Incline a little the muzzle to the front, the butt to the rear, and about three inches from the ground; the right hand supported at the hip, sustains the piece so that the man in the rear-rank may not touch with the bayonet, the man in his front.

SHOULDER-ARMS.-At the word SHOULDER, raise the piece perpendicularly in the right hand: at the word ARMS, execute what is prescribed for the shoulder, form ORDER-ARMS.

TO RIGHT SHOULDER, SHIFT-ARMS-(FIG. 15.)  Turn the piece with the left hand, lock to the front, seize it at the same time at the handle with the right hand, place it on the right shoulder, the left hand not quitting the butt, the cock above and resting on the shoulder, the muzzle up; sustain the piece in this position by placing the right hand on the flat of the butt, so that the toe of the butt may be between the first two fingers, the other two on the butt-plate; let fall the left hand by the side.

SHOULDER-ARMS.-Raise the piece by extending the right arm, seize it with the left hand above the lock, carry it against the left shoulder, turning the barrel to the front, the right hand being at the handle; place the left hand under the butt, and let the right fall into its position.

ARMS-AT WILL.-Carry the piece at pleasure on either shoulder with one or both hands, the muzzle always up.

SHOULDER-ARMS.-Retake smartly the position of SHOULDER-ARMS.

The squad being at order-arms with bayonets in the scabbards, to cause an inspection of arms, the command is given:

INSPECTION OF-ARMS.-1^st mo.  Face to the right once and a half on the left heel, carrying the right foot perpendicularly to the rear of the alignment, about six inches from and at right angles with the left foot; seize promptly the piece with the left hand a little above the middle band, incline the muzzle to the rear without displacing the heel of

 

 

 

PART I. OF THE SQUAD.

 

 

 

the butt, the rammer turned towards the body; carry at the same time the right hand to the bayonet and seize it as prescribed in the second time of FIX-BAYONET.

2d mo.  Draw the bayonet from the scabbard, carry and fix it on the muzzle; seize next the rammer, draw it as explained in loading, in twelve times, and let it glide to the bottom of the bore.

3d mo.  Face promptly to the front, seize the piece with the right hand, and retake the position of ORDER-ARMS.

The inspector inspects, in succession, the piece of each man, in passing along the front of the rank.  Each, as the inspector reaches him, raises smartly his piece with his right hand, seizes it with the left between the tail-band, and the feather-spring, the lock to the front, the left hand at the height of the chin, the piece opposite to the left eye: the inspector takes it with the right hand at the handle, and after inspecting it, returns it to the man, who receives it back with the right hand and replaces it in the position of ORDER-ARMS.

When the inspector has passed him, each man retakes the position prescribed in the command INSPECTION OF-ARMS, and returns the rammer; after which he faces to the front.

If, instead of inspection of arms, bayonets only are to be fixed, the command is given:

SPRING-RAMMERS.-Put the rammer in the barrel as explained above and face to the front.

 

To load in four times.

 

The squad being at a shoulder.

LOAD IN FOUR TIMES-LOAD.-Execute the first time of LOAD, open pan, handle cartridge, tear cartridge, and prime.

TWO.-Shut pan, cast about, and charge cartridge.

THREE.-Draw rammer, and ram cartridge.

FOUR.-Return rammer, and shoulder artms.

 

To load at will.

 

LOAD AT WILL-LOAD.-Execute the loading as in four times, but without resting on the times.

 

 

 

 

 

PART I. OF THE SQUAD.

 

FIRINGS.

 

The firings are direct or oblique.

 

The Direct Fire.

 

This is executed as prescribed in the manual of arms, and by the following commands:FIRE BY SQUAD-SQUAD-READY-AIM-FIRE-LOAD.

The Oblique Fire.

 

This is executed to the right and left, by the same command as the fire direct, the command AIM, being always preceded by the caution RIGHT (or LEFT) OBLIQUE, after the word READY.

 

Position of the ranks in the oblique fire to the right.

 

At the word READY, both ranks execute what is prescribed for the fire direct.

At the words RIGHT-OBLIQUE, both ranks throw back the right shoulder and look at the object at which they are to fire, the rear-rank holding itself ready to take aim through the same interval as in the fire direct though in an oblique direction.

At the word AIM, the front-rank takes aim to the right without stirring the feet.  The rear rank advances the left foot about six inches towards the right toe of the man in the front-rank of the same file, incline the upper part of the body forward, in bending a little the knee, and takes aim to the right.

At the word LOAD, both ranks resume the position prescribed for the fire direct; the rear-rank brings back the left foot against the hollow of the right foot, at the instant the piece is brought to the priming position.

 

Position of the ranks in the oblique fire to the left.

 

At the word READY, both ranks execute what has been prescribed for the fire direct.

At the words LEFT-OBLIQUE, both ranks throw back the left shoulder, and look at the object at which they are to fire, the rear-rank holding itself ready to take aim to the left of the men of the same file in front, and in an oblique direction.

At the word AIM, the front-rank takes aim to the left without moving the feet.  The rear-rank men advance the

 

 

 

PART I. OF THE SQUAD.

 

left foot six inches towards the right heel  of the front-rank men of their files; they also advance the upper part of the body, in bending a little the knee, and take aim through the intervals to the left of their file-leaders.

At the word LOAD, both ranks come to the priming position, the pieces still obliqued to the left, and prime; the rear-rank brings back the left heel to the hollow of the right foot.  In casting about, both ranks take the same position as in the fire direct.

 

The fire by file.

 

FIRE BY FILE-SQUAD-READY-COMMENCE FIRING.-At the word READY, both ranks take the position prescribed for the direct fire.  At the words COMMENCE FIRING, the right file aims and fires, the two men together; the next file aims at the instant the first has fired, and so on successively to the left; after the first fire, every man loads and fires without waiting for the others.  Each man faces to the front in casting about, and after returning rammer, springs up his piece with the left hand which places itself on the feather-spring, and at the height of the chin; at the same time he makes a half face to the right, taking the position of ready.

 

To arrest the fire.

 

ROLL.-At this word, the firing ceases; each man half cocks, if his piece be cocked; loads or finishes loading, if not already loaded; and shoulders arms.

 

To Mark Time.

 

Marching in the direct step in common time.

 

MARK TIME-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, given the instant either foot is coming to the ground, make a semblance of marching, by advancing first one foot and then the other, always bringing back the advanced foot, and placing its heel by the side of the heel of the other.

 

To resume the direct step.

 

FORWARD-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, given the instant either foot is coming to the ground, resume the direct step.

 

 

 

PART I. OF THE SQUAD.

 

To change step.

 

CHANGE STEP-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, given at the instant either foot is coming to the ground, bring up quickly the foot in the rear to the side of that just placed on the ground, and step off with the latter

 

Alignments.

 

Four or eight men are now united in one rank, elbow to elbow, and numbered from right to left.

The men are first taught to align themselves man by man; to effect which the two on the right are marched twp paces to the front and aligned, after which the remainder are cautioned to move up one by one, according to their numbers, and are aligned successively on the line of the two first.  Each as designated, turns his head and eyes to the right, marches in common time, two paces forward, shortening the last so as to be about six inches behind the new alignment; he then moves up steadily by steps of two or three inches, to the side of the man next to him on the alignment, so that without deranging the head, the line of the eyes, or that of the shoulders, he may find himself in the exact line of his right-hand man, whose elbow he touches without opening his own.

Alignments to the left are executed by the same principles.

When the men have learned to align themselves in this manner, the whole rank will be aligned at once as follows:

RIGHT (or LEFT)-DRESS.-At the word DRESS, the rank, except the two men placed as a basis, moves up in common time, each man placing himself on the line in the manner just prescribed.

The rank being aligned, the word FRONT is given.

Alignments to the rear are executed on the same principles, the men stepping back a little beyond the line and then dressing up, by the command RIGHT (or LEFT) BACKWARD-DRESS.

 

To march to the front.

 

A well instructed man is placed on the right or left of the squad, according to which side the guide is to be,

SQUAD FORWARD, GUIDE LEFT (or RIGHT)-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, the squad steps off with

 

 

 

PART I. OF THE SQUAD.

 

the left foot, the guide marching straight to the front and keeping his shoulders square with that line.

The following rules are to be observed:-Touch lightly the elbow towards the guide, without opening the left elbow, or the right arm; yield to pressure from the side to the guide, and resist that from the opposite side; avoid lapping elbows, and swinging the arms; keep the head to the front, the eyes cast on the ground about fifteen paces in front.

The squad is next exercised in the oblique march to the right, and left, observing always to keep the touch of the elbow towards the guide.  It is also taught to pass from common to quick time, and the reverse; but the oblique march in quick time should not be practiced until the squad it well established in the cadence.

 

The Quick Step.

 

This step is at the rate of one hundred and twenty in a minute; its length conforms to the step in common time, whether direct or oblique.

 

Marching in the direct step in common time.

 

QUICK TIME-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, given as either foot is coming to the ground, the squad steps off in quick time,

 

To resume the direct step in common time.

 

COMMON TIME-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, given on either foot as above, the squad retakes the step in common time.

 

To march the back step.

 

SQUAD BACKWARD, GUIDE LEFT (or RIGHT)-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, the squad steps off smartly with the left foot to the rear, carrying it about fourteen inches, or half the common step, and so on with the feet in succession, until the word SQUAD-HALT, when the foot in front is brought back to the side of the other.

 

To march by the flank.

 

Being at a halt and aligned.

 

SQUAD, BY RIGHT (or LEFT) LANK, RIGHT (or LEFT) FACE-At the word FACE, the squad faces to the right (or left).

 

 

 

PART I. OF THE SQUAD.

 

SQUAD, FORWARD-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, the squad steps off with the left foot in common time.  A well instructed soldier is placed by the side of the leading man to conduct him and regulate the step; this man marches elbow to elbow with the soldier.  The men cover each other accurately.  At each step, the advancing heel of every following man is planted about six inches in advance of the opposite heel (yet on the ground) of the men immediately preceding.  The knees should not be bent, in order to avoid treading on the heels of the men preceding.

 

To halt the squad and face it to the front.

SQUAD-HALT.-At the word HALT, the squad halts, each man standing fast, though he may have lost distance.

FRONT-FACE.-At the word FACE, each man faces to the left, if marching by the right flank, and to the right, if marching by the left flank.

 

To change direction while marching by a flank.

BY FILE, LEFT (or RIGHT) MARCH.-At the word MARCH, the leading man changes direction to the left (or right), and then marches straight forward; the others change direction as they successively arrive on the ground where the first changed.

 

Marching by the front, to march to a flank.

SQUAD BY LEFT (or RIGHT) FLANK-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, given a little before either foot comes to the ground, each man turns his body, plants the foot that is raised in the new direction, and steps off with the other foot, without altering the cadence of the step.

Flank marching will be executed first in common time, afterwards in quick time.

 

Wheelings.

 

Wheelings are of two kinds; from a halt or on fixed pivots, or on movable pivots.  In the latter case, the wheel will be made to the side opposite to the guide, or reverse flank.

 

To wheel from a halt, or on a fixed pivot.

A well instructed man is placed on the wheeling flank.

 

 

PART I. OF THE SQUAD.

 

BY SQUAD, RIGHT WHEEL-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, the squad steps off with the left foot, turning at the same time, the head a little to the left, the eyes fixed on the line of the eyes of the men to the left, the pivot man marks time in turning, in order to conform the movement of the marching flank; the man who conducts this flank, takes steps of twenty-eight inches, and from the first step, advances a little the left shoulder, casts his eyes, from time to time, along the rank, and feels constantly the elbow of the next man lightly, without pushing.  The other men, each feels lightly the elbow of the next man towards the pivot, resists pressure from the opposite side, and conforms to the marching flank, lengthening or shortening the step according to his greater of lesser distance from the pivot.

The squad wheels round the circle, once or twice before halting.

The wheel to the left is executed according to the same principles.

 

To halt the wheel.

 

SQUAD-HALT.-At the word HALT, each man stands fast.  The two outer men opposite to the pivot flank are then placed in the direction to be given to the squad, leaving between them and the pivot only space necessary to contain the other men.

The squad being aligned, the word FRONT is given.

Wheeling to the left is executed on the same principles.

 

To wheel in marching, or on a movable pivot.

 

RIGHT (or LEFT) WHEEL-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, given at the instant the squad arrives at the wheeling point, the wheel is executed on the same manner as from a halt, except that the touch of the elbow remains on the marching flank, instead of the side of the pivot; the pivot man, instead of turning in his place, conforms to the movement of the marching flank, feels lightly the elbow of the next man, takes steps of nine inches, and gains ground forward, in describing the arc of a small circle to clear the point of the wheel.  The middle of the

 

 

PART I. OF THE SQUAD.

 

rank bends slightly to the rear,  As soon as the movement commences, the man who conducts the marching flank casts his eyes on the ground over which he will have to pass.

FORWARD-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, given at the instant of completing the wheel, the squad moves forward, taking the step of twenty-eight inches-head direct to the front.

 

Turning or change of direction to the side of the guide.

 

This takes place only when the change of direction is to be made to the side of the guide.

LEFT (or RIGHT) TURN-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, given at the instant the turn is to be made, he guide faces to the left (or right) in marching, and moves forward in the new direction, without altering the step or pace.  The whole squad promptly conforms itself, without running, to the new direction; each man advances the shoulder opposite to the guide, takes the quick step to carry himself in the new direction, turn his head and eyes to the side of the guide, and retakes the touch of the elbow on that side, in placing himself on the alignment of the guide, from whom he takes the step, and then turns his head to the front.  Each man thus arrives successively on the alignment of the guide.

 

To stack Arms.

 

The squad being in two ranks at order-arms.

STACK-ARMS.-At this command the front-rank man of every even numbered file passes his piece before him, seizing it with the left hand above the middle band, and places the butt behind and near the right foot of the man next on the left, the barrel turned to the front.  At the same time the front-rank man of every odd numbered file passes his piece before him, seizing it with the left hand below the middle band, and hands it to the man next on the left; the latter receives it with the right hand two inches above the middle band, throws the butt about thirty-two inches to the front, opposite to his right shoulder, inclining the muzzle towards him, and locks the shanks of the two bayonets; the lock of this second piece towards the right, and its shank above that of the first piece.  The rear-rank man of every even file projects his bayonet forward, and introduces it (using both hands) between and under the shanks of the two

 

 

 

PART I. OF THE SQUAD.

 

other bayonets.  He then abandons the piece to his file leader, who receives it with the right hand under the middle band, brings the butt to the front, holding up his own piece and the stack with the left hand, and places the butt of this third piece between the feet of the man next on the right, the S plate to the rear.  The stack thus formed, the rear-rank man of every odd file passes his piece into his left hand, and, sloping the bayonet forward, rests it on the stack.

To disperse, the command is given: BREAK RANKS-MARCH.

 

To resume Arms.

 

The squad, on a signal, or order to fall in, re-forms in two ranks.

TAKE-ARMS.-At that command the rear-rank man of every odd file withdraws his piece from the stack, the front rank man of every even file seizes his own piece with the left hand, and that of the man on his right with the right hand,; the rear-rank man of every even file seizes his piece with the right hand at the middle band, advancing for the purpose, the hollow of his right foot as far as the right heel of his file leader; these two men raise up the stack to loosen the shanks; the front rank man of every odd file receives his piece from the hand of the man next on the left, and the four men retake the position of order-arms.

When companies stack arms, the sergeants, and also corporals, if in the rank of file closers, rest their pieces against the stacks nearest to them respectively, after ranks are broken, and resume their pieces on the signal to re-form ranks.

The colour-guard forms a separate stack.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART I.

__________

OF THE COMPANY.

 

Formation of the Company. (FIG. 1.)

 

The company being assembled on its ground, the sergeants, by the command fall in, cause the rank and file (corporals and privates) to form in one rank, faced to the right, and in the order of height from right to left, the tallest man on the right, (now head of the rank), the next tallest immediately covering the first, and so on to the left, or rear of the rank.

The first sergeant then gives the words:

FRONT-FACE.-At the word FACE, the company faces to the front, and the second sergeant places himself on the left of the rank. 

IN TWO RANKS,  FORM COMPANY. BY THE LEFT FLANK. LEFT-FACE.

}

At the word FACE,

the company faces to the left, except the sergeant and the man on the left, who stand fast.

MARCH.-At the word MARCH, the men who have faced to the left, step off together; the second man counting from the left, places himself behind the man next to the sergeant, and faces to the front; the two following men, in like manner, on closing up, form the next file, and all the other men come successively to form files two deep, to the right of those already formed.  The distance between the ranks is thirteen inches, measured from the breasts of the rear-rank men to the backs or knapsacks, (if they be on) of the front-rank men.

The captain now divides the company into two equal platoons, and each platoon into two equal sections.  The platoon on the right is called the first platoon, and that on the left the second platoon.  The sections are numbered from right to left, first, second, third fourth.  The corporals (four in number) are then placed on the left and right of each platoon, in the front rank according to height, and the files are numbered from right to left.

The officers and sergeants now take their posts as follows;

The captain, in the front rank on the right of the company.

The first lieutenant, two paces in rear of the rear-rank, and equidistant between the centre of the second platoon and the second file from the left of the company.

 

 

 

PART I.  OF THE COMPANY.

 

The second lieutenant, opposite the centre of the first platoon. and two paces in rear of the rear-rank.

The third lieutenant, opposite the centre of the second platoon, and two paces in rear of the rear-rank.

The first sergeant, on the right of the rear-rank, covering the captain: he is denominated covering sergeant, or right guide of the company.

The second sergeant, two paces in rear of the second file from the left of the company; he is denominated the left guide of the company.  In the left company of a battalion, this sergeant is on the left of the front rank, and is covered by a corporal in the rear rank; he is designated as the closing sergeant, and the corporal, the covering corporal.

The third sergeant, two paces in rear of the second file from the left of the first platoon.

The fourth sergeant, two paces in rear of the second file from the right of the second platoon.

The fifth sergeant, two paces in rear of the rear-rank, and equidistant between the second lieutenant and the third sergeant.

The officers and sergeants thus posted in rear of the company, constitute the rank of file-closers; this rank is two paces in rear of the rear-rank.

The pioneer is posted in the line of file-closers on the right; and the music in a line with the front rank, four paces on its right, the drummer on the right of the fifer, or bugler.

Absent officers and sergeants may be replaced, officers by sergeants, and sergeants by corporals, according to rank and the necessity of the case.

To pass from two ranks, into one rank.

IN ONE RANK FORM COMPANY.-The left guide faces to the left.

MARCH.-The left guide steps off and marches in the prolongation of the front-rank; the next file steps off at the same time with the guide; the front-rank man turns to the left at the first step, follows the guide, and is himself followed  by the rear-rank man of his file, who turns on the spot where his file leader turned.  The second file, counting from the left, and successively all the other files, march as prescribed for the first; the front-rank man of each, immediately following the rear-rank man of the file next on the left.  The captain halts the company as the last man on the right turns into the rank.  The file closers extend themselves with the movements.

 

 

 

PART I.  OF THE COMPANY.

 

Posts of Officers and others in column.

In column by Division.

Two companies united, constitute a division, and are commanded by the senior captain of those companies, who places himself two paces in front of the centre of the division; the junior captain in the front-rank, on the right of the left company of the division, covered by the covering sergeant of that company; the covering sergeant of the right company id the right guide of the division, and is on the right of the front-rank; the left guide of the left company is the left guide of the division, and is on the left of the front rank.

When the division faces by a flank, the senior captain places himself by the side of the leading guide who is in the front-rank; the junior captain by the side of the covering sergeant of the left company, who steps in the front-rank.

In column by Company.

The captain is two paces in front of the centre of his company; the first sergeant on the right of the front-rank, and is the right guide of the company; the second sergeant on the left of the same rank, and is the left guide of the company.

In column by Platoon.

The captain commands the first platoon, the first lieutenant the second platoon; each takes post two paces in front of the centre of his platoon; the first sergeant is the guide of the first platoon; the second sergeant is the guide of the second platoon; they are on the left of the front-rank of their respective platoons, if the column be right in front, and on the right if the left be in front.

If the column be marching in the route step, the chiefs of platoon take the place of the guides on the directing flank, and are covered by the latter on the rear rank.

In column by Section.

This column takes place only in the column of route, and then only when the platoons have a front of ten or more files.  The captain commands the first section; the first lieutenant the third; the second lieutenant the second; and the third lieutenant the fourth section; each taking post on the directing flank in the front-rank of his section; the two guides who are thus displaced, each falls back to the rear-rank of his section and covers its chief; the remaining file-closers place themselves in the rear rank of their respective sections, all on the side of direction.

 

 

 

PART I.  OF THE COMPANY.

 

In column, except in column by sections, the file-closers, not otherwise provided for, are in their proper places behind the rear-rank of their respective subdivisions.  In close column or column at half distance, they close up to within one pace of the rear-rank..

In column right in front, the left flank is the directing flank (except under peculiar circumstances or manouevres); the reverse is the case in the column left in front.

In column, each chief of subdivision always briskly repeats the commands march and halt, the instant he hears them given.

 

To open ranks.

 

The company being at shoulder-arms, the left guide is placed on the left of the rear-rank.

TO THE REAR, OPEN ORDER.-The covering sergeant and the left guide, step off to the rear, in the back step, four paces and align themselves parallel to the rear rank.

MARCH.-The front rank stands fast; the rear-rank steps off in the back step, in common time, without counting steps, places itself on the alignment, marked out for it, and is aligned by the right on the left guide, by the covering sergeant.  The file closers step off at the same time with the rear rank, and place themselves two paces in the rear of that rank.

The ranks being aligned the word FRONT is given

 

Alignments in open ranks.

 

The ranks are first aligned man by man, as in the squad drill, three men being placed three paces in advance of the right or left of each rank, to serve as a basis, and the words given, BY FILE RIGHT (or LEFT)-DRESS.-The men of each rank move up successively on the alignment, each man being preceded two paces, by his neighbour.

The ranks are next aligned at once, forward and backward, in both parallel and oblique directions, by the commands RIGHT )or LEFT)-DRESS, or RIGHT (or LEFT) BACKWARD-DRESS; three men in each case being placed as a basis.

Before closing the ranks, the company is exercised in the manual of arms and the loadings in twelve times.

 

 

 

PART I.  OF THE COMPANY.

 

To close ranks.

 

CLOSE ORDER-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, the rear-rank closes to the front, each man covering his file leader.

The company is next instructed in the alignments, and the manual of arms in closed ranks, and then proceed to the loadings and firings.

Loading in four times and at will, are commanded and executed as prescribed in the squad drill.  The captain and covering sergeant make a half-face to the right with the men, and face to the front when the man next to them casts about.

 

To fire by company.

 

FIRE BY COMPANY.-At this command the captain places himself opposite to the centre of his company, four paces in rear of the rank of file-closers; and the covering sergeant places himself in that rank opposite to his interval.  This rule is general for all the different firings.

COMMENCE FIRING.-At this command, the captain gives the words, company-ready-aim-fire-load.  At the word LOAD, each man brings back his piece, loads and comes to the shoulder, when the captain recommences the fire by the same commands, and thus continues it till the roll of the drum.  The captain may sometimes cause aim to be taken to the right and left, by giving the words, right (or left) oblique, between the words ready and aim.

 

To fire by file.

 

FIRE BY FILE.  COMPANY.  READY-COMMENCE FIRING.  The fire is executed as prescribed in the squad drill. 

The firing ceases by a roll of the drum, when each man loads and comes to the shoulder.  In actual firing, at the roll of the drum, the captain and file-closers give the words cease firing.  The roll is always followed by a tap on the drum, when the captain and covering sergeant resume their places in line, and rectify, if necessary, the alignment of the ranks.

 

 

 

 

PART I.  OF THE COMPANY.

 

To fire by the rear-rank.

 

FACE BY THE REAR-RANK.-At this command, the captain steps out and places himself near to and facing the right file of the company; the covering sergeant a pace behind the captain, and the file-closers two paces from the front-rank, opposite to their places in line.

COMPANY ABOUT-FACE.-At the word FACE, given the instant the last file-closer has passed through the interval, the company faces about; the captain places himself in his interval in the rear-rank, now front, and the covering sergeant covers him in the front rank, now rear.

The different firings are now executed in the manner already prescribed.  The fire by file commences on the left, now the right flank.

 

To resume the proper front.

 

FACE BY THE FRONT RANK.-This is executed as prescribed in the command FACE BY THE FRONT RANK.

COMPANY ABOUT FACE.-The company having faced about, the captain and covering sergeant resume their places in line.

 

To advance in line.

 

COMPANY, FORWARD.-At this command, a sergeant, previously selected, moves six paces in advance of the captain, and is correctly aligned on the prolongation of the captain and covering sergeant.  This advanced sergeant is charged with the direction, and will take two points on the ground in the direct line to the front.

MARCH.-The company steps off with life.  The directing sergeant observes, with the greatest precision, the length and cadence of the step, marching on the two points he has chosen; he takes in succession, and a little before arriving at the point nearest to him, new points in advance, exactly in the same line with the tow first, and at a distance of fifteen or twenty paces from each other.  The captain marches in the trace of the directing sergeant, keeping always six paces from him.  The men march with the head and shoulders square to the front, touch lightly the elbow towards the

 

 

PART I.  OF THE COMPANY.

 

captain, and resist pressure from the opposite side.  The file-closers march in their places, two paces behind the rear-rank.

 

To halt the company advancing in line, and to align it.

 

COMPANY-HALT.-The company halts at the word HALT, the directing sergeant returns to his place as a file-closer, and the captain rectifies the alignment.

 

Advancing in line, to oblique to the right or left.

 

RIGHT (or LEFT) OBLIQUE-MARCH.-The word MARCH, is given, and the movement executed as prescribed in the squad drill; the men maintaining the touch of the elbows towards the captain, who conforms his march to that of the directing sergeant.

 

To resume the Direct March.

 

FORWARD-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, the direct march is resumed.

The company is next instructed to mark time by the command MARK TIME-MARCH; to resume the march by the command FORWARD-MARCH; to march in quick time by the command QUICK TIME-MARCH; and to resume the common time by the command COMMON TIME-MARCH; the word MARCH, being given as either foot is coming to the ground.

 

To retire in line.

 

COMPANY, ABOUT-FACE.-At the word FACE, the company faces about.

COMPANY, FORWARD.-At the word FORWARD, the covering sergeant in the rear-rank, now front, moves up, opposite his interval, into the rank of file-closers, now leading; the captain replaces him in the rear-rank, now front, and the directing sergeant places himself in front of the captain, six paces in front of the rank of file-closes, and in the manner prescribed for the advance in line.

MARCH.-The company steps off in the manner prescribed for the advance in line,

The company retiring in line, executes all that is prescribed for advancing in line.

 

 

PART I.  OF THE COMPANY.

 

To halt the company retiring in line and face it to the front.

 

COMPANY, HALT. ABOUT-FACE.-As soon as the company faces about, the captain, covering sergeant, and the directing sergeant, resume their proper places in line.

 

To march by the flank. (FIG. 2.)

 

COMPANY BY THE RIGHT FLANK, RIGHT-FACE.-At the word FACE, the company faces to the right, and the covering sergeant places himself at the head of the front rank, the captain on his left.

COMPANY FORWARD-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, the company steps off in common time, the captain and covering sergeant directing their march straight forward; the men of the rear rank march abreast of their respective front-rank men, and the file closers opposite their places in line.

The march by the left flank is executed by the same commands, substituting LEFT for RIGHT.  As soon as the company faces to the left, the left guide places himself at the head of the front rank, the captain on his right.  The covering sergeant replaces the captain in the front rank.

 

To change direction by file. (FIG. 2.)

The company being faced to a flank, and either in march or at a halt

BY FILE LEFT (or RIGHT) MARCH.-At the word MARCH, the first file wheels; if to the side of the front-rank man, this man describes the short arc of a circle, shortening a little the first three or four steps, to give the rear-rank man time to conform to the movement.  If the wheel be to the side of the rear-rank man, this man conforms himself to the movement of the front rank man, by describing a short arc of a circle.  Each file wheels on the same spot where the first wheeled.

 

To halt the company, marching by the flank, and to face it to the front.

 

COMPANY, HALT.  FRONT-FACE.-At the word FACE, the company faces to the left, if marching by the right flank, and to the right if marching by the left flank: and the captain, covering sergeant, and the left guide, return to their places in line.

 

 

PART I.  OF THE COMPANY.

 

Marching by a flank, to form on right (or left) into line.  (FIG. 3.)

 

The march being supposed to be by the right flank.

 

ON RIGHT, BY FILE INTO LINE-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, the rear-rank marks time; the captain and the covering sergeant turn to the right, march six paces forward, and halt; the captain places himself on the line to direct the alignment as the men of the front-rank successively arrive on it; the covering sergeant places himself behind the captain, at the distance of the rear rank; the first man of the front-rank continues to march, passes behind the covering sergeant, turns to the right, and places himself by the left side of the captain; the second man of the same rank passes behind the first, turns to the right, and places himself on the left of the first, and thus in succession to the last man of this rank; the rear-rank marks time until two man of the front-rank are formed, when it executes the movement in like manner, each man covering his file leader.

In marching by the left flank, the movement is executed by inverse means, substituting in the command the word LEFT, for RIGHT.  The captain and the left guide return to their places in line as soon as the company is formed and aligned.

 

Marching by the flank to form by company or platoon into line.  (FIG. 4.)

 

The march being supposed to be by the right flank.

BY COMPANY INTO LINE-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, the covering sergeant continues to march straight forward; the men advance the right shoulder and march in quick time, diagonally, into line with the covering sergeant, taking the step from him as they successively arrive in line, one after the other.  The rear-rank men conform to the movements of their file leaders.  The captain superintends the execution of the movement, and when the company is formed, gives the words guide left, and places himself two paces in front of the centre, taking the step of the company.

 

Marching by the flank to form platoon.

 

BY PLATOON INTO LINE-MARCH.-The movement is executed by each platoon according to the above principles;

 

 

 

PART I.  OF THE COMPANY.

 

the captain and the first lieutenant, as their respective platoons are formed, giving the words guide left.

In marching by the left flank, these movements are executed by the same commands and according to the same principles, the words guide right being substituted for guide left, the moment the formation is ended.

 

Marching by the front, to march by a flank.

 

COMPANY, BY RIGHT (or LEFT) FLANK-MARCH.-The movement is executed in the manner prescribed for squad drill.

The company marching by a flank, may be marched to the front by the same commands and means.

 

Marching in column by platoon, to march by the flank in the same direction.

 

COLUMN, BY RIGHT FLANK-Each chief of platoon goes to its right to conduct it.

BY FILE LEFT-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, each platoon faces to the right in marching, wheels by file to the left and marches forward; the leading file of the second platoon unites with the rear file of the first, the chief and guide of the second passing through the interval to their places as file closers.

With the left in front, the movement is executed by inverse means, substituting in the commands LEFT for RIGHT, and RIGHT for LEFT.  The captain conducts the left flank and the covering sergeant returns to his place in rear of the last file.

 

To break from line into column by platoon. (FIG. 5.)

 

The company being at a halt.

 

BY PLATOON, RIGHT WHEEL. The chiefs of platoons place themselves in front of their platoons; the covering sergeant standing fast; the chief of each platoon moves a little beyond the point at which the marching flank will rest when the wheel is completed, faces to the late rear, and places himself so that the line which he forms with the man on the right, who has faced, shall be perpendicular to that occupied by the company in line.

 

 

 

PART I.  OF THE COMPANY.

 

Each platoon wheels according to the principles prescribed for the wheel on a fixed pivot, and when the man who conducts the marching flank, arrives three paces of the perpendicular, the chief gives the words, platoon halt.  The covering sergeant, and the second sergeant then move to the point where the left of their respective platoons is to rest, and are aligned by their chiefs on the man of their respective platoons who had faced to the right.  Each chief aligns his platoon by the left, giving the words left-dress, followed by front, and takes his place in column.

To break by platoon to the left, is executed according to the same principles, and by inverse means.

 

To march in column.

 

The guide of the leading platoon takes two points on the ground in a straight line to the front.

COLUMN FORWARD. GUIDE LEFT-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, the whole steps off together; the guide of the second platoon marching exactly in the trace of the guide of the first, and preserving between the latter and himself a distance precisely equal to the front of his platoon.

A column, left in front, is put in march according to the same principles, substituting in the commands GUIDE RIGHT for GUIDE LEFT.

 

To change direction, marching in column.  FIG. 6, 7.

 

A marker is placed on the direction of the guide, at the point at which the change is to take place, presenting his breast to that flank of the column

The leading guide directs his march, so that in coming up his left arm may graze the breast of the marker.  When the leading platoon arrives within four paces of the marker, its chief gives the command left turn, and adds march, the moment the left guide is opposite the marker.  The guide and the platoon turn to the left, conforming to what is prescribed in the squad drill; the guide, the moment he has turned, takes points on the ground in the new direction.  The second platoon continues to march forward until up with the marker, when it turns by the same commands and according to the same principles which governed the first.

To change direction to the side opposite the guide; when

 

 

 

PART I.  OF THE COMPANY.

 

the guide of the first platoon is within four paces of the marker, its chief gives the words right-wheel, followed by march, the instant the guide is opposite the marker.  The wheel being nearly ended the chief gives the word forward, and when completed march, when the platoon moves forward.  The second platoon wheels on the same ground where the first had wheeled, and by the same commands from its chief,

according to the same principles and by inverse means.

 

To halt the column, and wheel it into line.  (FIG. 8.)

 

COLUMN-HALT.-At the word HALT, the column halts, and the guides stand fast; their position is next rectified, if necessary.

LEFT-DRESS.-Each chief of platoon, placing himself two paces outside of his guide, directs the alignment of his platoon perpendicularly to the direction, gives the word front, and returns to his place in column.

LEFT INTO LINE WHEEL-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, the front-rank man on the left of each platoon, faces to the left, placing his breast against the arm of the guide by his side, who stands fast, and the platoons wheel to the left, on the principles of wheels from a halt.  Each chief, when the marching flank of his platoon is three paces from the line, gives the words platoon, halt, and the chief of the second returns to his place as a file closer.  The captain then goes to the point where the right of the company will rest in line, and aligns the company by the right, giving the words right-dress, followed by front

GUIDES-POSTS.-The covering sergeant covers the captain, and the left guide retires to his place as a file closer.

If the left be in front, the wheel to the right into line, is executed on the same principles, and by inverse means; the captain after halting the first platoon, goes to the left of the company to align it by the left, and shifts to his proper flank at the command GUIDES-POSTS.

 

To diminish and increase front of column in marching.

 

Diminishing. (FIG. 9.)

 

Marching in column, supposed by company.

 

BREAK INTO PLATOON.-The first lieutenant passes around

 

 

 

 

PART I.  OF THE COMPANY.

 

the left to the centre of his platoon, and cautions it to mark-time.

MARCH.-The first platoon continues to march forward; the second platoon marks time until clear of the first, when its chief gives the words, right oblique-march, and adds forward-march, the instant the guide of his platoon covers the guide of the first platoon; the guide of the first having placed himself on the left of his platoon the instant that flank was disengaged.

 

Increasing. (FIG. 10.)

 

FORM COMPANY.-The captain cautions the first platoon to oblique to the right.

MARCH.-The first platoon obliques to the right, (the covering sergeant shifting to the right flank,) and when it has nearly unmasked the second, the captain gives the words mark-time, followed by march, the instant it completes the unmasking.  The second platoon continues to move forward, and when nearly up with the first, the captain gives the word forward, followed by march, the instant the two platoons unite, when they move forward together.

In column, left in front, these movements are executed according to the same principles and by inverse means.

 

Diminishing and increasing front of column by files.

 

Files are broken off from the directing flank only, that is from the left flank if the right be in front, and from the right flank, if the left be in front.

The company marching and supposed to constitute part of a column, right in front, the captain, as a caution to that effect, gives the words, one file from left to rear, march, when the left file marks time, and as soon as the rear-rank of the company has passed the men of that file respectively, they take post as follows: the rear-rank man of the file, behind the second file from the left, and the front-rank man behind the first file, and thus continue the march. 

If another file is to break off, the same command is given, when the file already broken off, moves the space of one file to the right, leaving room for the next file to break off, and forms in its rear.

If several files are to break off at the same time, the files named mark time, each rank advances a little the left

 

 

 

PART I.  OF THE COMPANY.

 

shoulder, as it is cleared by the rear-rank of the company, obliques in rank, and places itself behind one of the two nearest files., as already prescribed.

To cause files in rear to form into line, as a caution to that effect, gives the words, one file into line, march, when the front-file returns quickly into line, and the remaining files incline the space of one file to the left.

If several files are to move up into line at the same time, the files designated advance the right shoulder, and move up and form on the flank of the company by the shortest lines.

The guide of the directing flank shifts his position, so as to be always next, on that flank, to the front-rank man remaining in line.  The file-closers who had been posted behind the files broken off, march abreast of their respective files, as in other flank marches.

To march in column of route, and to execute the movements incident thereto.

The length of the route step is twenty-eight inches, and ninety in a minute. 

The company supposed to constitute part of a column at a halt.

COLUMN FORWARD, GUIDE LEFT (or RIGHT) ROUTE STEP-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, the ranks step off together; the rear-rank takes, in marching, a distance of one pace from the front-rank; the men carry their arms at will, and are not required to keep silence or to march in the cadenced step; but the ranks are not to intermix, or to open at too great a distance.

Change of direction is executed without formal commands, on a caution from the captain.  The rear-rank changes direction on the same ground where the front-rank had changed; the pivot man, on the reverse flank, taking steps of fourteen, instead of nine inches, to clear the wheeling point

To pass to closed ranks and the cadenced step.

SHOULDER-ARMS.  CLOSE ORDER-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, the rear-rank regains the habitual distance, and resumes the cadenced step.

To resume the route step.

ROUTE-STEP-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, the company resumes the route march as above.

 

 

 

 

PART I.  OF THE COMPANY.

 

To march by a flank in the same direction.

 

Arms are first shouldered and ranks closed as above when

COMPANY BY RIGHT (or LEFT) FLANK, BY FILE LEFT (or RIGHT)-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, the company faces in marching and wheels by file, in the direction indicated.  If any files are broken off to the rear, they regain their places by wheeling, and follow the movement of the company.

 

Marching in the route step, to diminish and increase front by platoon.

 

The same commands and means are observed, as if the march were in the cadenced step, except that in the platoon which obliques, each man half faces to the right or left, and thus marches diagonally till the platoon covers or unmasks the other platoon.

 

To diminish front by section.

 

The captain causes arms to be shouldered, ranks closed, and then gives the words, break into sections-march.  The movement is executed according to the principles indicated for the same movement by platoon in the cadenced step.  As soon as the sections are formed, the route step is resumed by the proper commands.

 

To increase front by section.

 

The captain causes arms to be shouldered, ranks closed, and then gives the words, form platoons-march.  As soon as the platoons are formed, the route step is resumed by the proper commands.

Files are broken off, and formed into line, according to the principles already prescribed, the ranks being first closed and arms shouldered.

 

Countermarch.  (FIG. 11.)

 

The company being at a halt, and supposed to constitute part of a column.

COUNTERMARCH COMPANY BY RIGHT FLANK. RIGHT-FACE.-The company faces to the right, the two guides to the right-about; the captain goes to the right of his company, causes

 

 

 

PART I.  OF THE COMPANY.

 

 

two files to break to the rear, and places himself beside the leading front-rank man.

BY FILE LEFT-MARCH.- At the word MARCH, both guides stand fast; the company steps off; the first file, conducted by the captain, wheels round the right guide, and directs its march along the front-rank, so as to arrive behind, and two paces from, the left guide; each file wheels, in succession, around the right guide; when the leading file is opposite the left guide, the captain gives the words, company, halt, front-face, right-dress, aligns the company on the two guides, and adds front; he then places himself before the centre of his company, and the two guides shift to their proper places, passing always by the front-rank.

 

Marching in column by platoon, to form on right (or left) into line.  (FIG. 12.)

 

A marker is posted at a point where the right of the company is to rest in line, presenting his left shoulder to that line.  The point should be nine paces in advance of the first platoon after it has turned.

ON RIGHT INTO LINE.  GUIDE RIGHT.-The guide of each platoon shifts to the right flank, and the men touch elbows to the right.  When the head of the column is nearly opposite the marker, the chief of the first platoon gives the words, right turn, and when exactly opposite, adds-march.  The first platoon turns to the right, its guide so directing its march as to bring the man next on his left opposite the marker.  When this platoon is near the line, its chief gives the word platoon, followed by halt, when within three paces of the line.  The platoon halts, and the files not yet in line come up.  The guide throws himself on the line opposite the left file of his platoon, faces to and is aligned on the marker.  The chief of the platoon the chief of the platoon then places himself where the right of the company is to rest, and aligns his platoon on the guide and the marker, giving the words right-dress.  The second platoon continues to march forward, until its guide is

 

 

PART I.  OF THE COMPANY.

 

opposite the left file of the first, when it turns to the right at the command of its chief, and is halted in the manner prescribed for the first: at the instant it halts, the guide throws himself on the line opposite its left file, and the chief gives the words right-dress, takes his place as a file closer, passing around the left.  The captain aligns the company and gives the word front.

GUIDES-POSTS.-The two guides return to their places in line.

With the left in front, the line is formed on the left according to the same principles but by inverse means; the captain after halting the first platoon proceeding to the left of the company to align it, and shifting to his proper flank at the words GUIDES-POSTS.

As often as a company or battalion, marching otherwise than at carried arms, halts, it carries arms at the word halt; this rule is general.

 

_____________________

 

MANUAL OF ARMS.

 

FOR SERGEANTS.

 

The sergeants, like the rank and file, will always present themselves under arms with the bayonets fixed.

All sergeants, including the sergeant-major and the quartermaster sergeant, also corporals of the colour-guard, and all corporals not in the ranks and files, will carry, and handle their arms, as herein prescribed  for sergeants.

Sergeants, in the manual of arms, will observe in all the times the cadence prescribed for the rank and file.  In the loadings and firings, they will remain at the shoulder, or support arms, according to the order which they may receive.

 

 Position of Shouldered Arms.

 

The piece within the right arm, the barrel to the rear, erect, and resting against the hollow of the shoulder; the right arm nearly straight, the right hand embracing the cock and guard, and the left arm hanging by the side. 

PRESENT-ARMS.-1st mo.  With the right hand bring the piece erect, opposite to the centre of the body, the rammer to the front; at the same time seize the piece with the left hand

 

PART I.  OF THE COMPANY.

 

above the lock, the little finger against the feather-spring, the thumb extended along the barrel and on the stock, the fore-arm resting on the body, without constraint, and the hand at the height of the elbow.

2d mo.  Correct the position of the right hand, so as to bring it under, and against the guard, as in the case of the men. 

SHOULDER-ARMS.-1st mo.  Slip the left hand, on the piece, to the height of the shoulder, and with this hand, bring the piece against the right shoulder; embrace, with the right hand, the cock and guard, the right arm nearly straight. 

2d mo.  Drop the left hand smartly by the side.

ORDER-ARMS.-1st mo.  Bring the left hand promptly to the middle band; detach the piece a little from the shoulder with the right hand; quit the hold of the right hand; lower the piece with the left, seizing it again with the right above the lower band, the thumb on the barrel, the four fingers extended on the stock, the piece erect, the butt about three inches from the ground, the toe (or beak) of the butt over its place, and drop the left hand by the side.

2d mo.-  Let the piece glide throughthe right hand, opening a little the thumb and fore-fingers, so that the butt may come to the ground without shock, its toe in a line with, and against the toe of the right foot.

SHOULDER-ARMS.-1st mo.  With the right hand, raise the piece perpendicularly, the hand at the height of the right breast, opposite to the shoulder, but further out, and about two inches from the body, on which the right elbow will rest; seize the piece with the left hand under the right; drop the right hand, and with it, embrace the cock and guard, supporting the piece against the right shoulder, the right arm nearly straight.

2d mo.  Let the left hand fall smartly by the side.

SUPPORT-ARMS.-1st mo.  With the right hand, bring the piece erect between the eyes, the rammer to the front; seize the piece with the left hand at the lower band, raise this hand to the height of the chin, and grasp the piece at the same time about four inches below the lock with the right hand.

2d mo.  With the right hand turn the piece, the barrel to the front, support it against the left shoulder,

 

 

PART I.  OF THE COMPANY.

 

and bring the left fore-arm between the cock and right hand, horizontally across the body, the cock resting on the left fore-arm, and the left hand on the right breast. 

3d mo.  Drop smartly the right hand by the side.

SHOULDER-ARMS.-1st mo.  Seize the piece with the right hand, under and against the left fore-arm.

2d mo.  Bring the piece erect, with the right hand against the right shoulder, the rammer to the front; seize it with the left hand, at the height of the shoulder; correct the position of the right hand at the same time so as to embrace the cock and guard, the right arm nearly straight.

3d mo.  Drop the left hand smartly by the side.

UNFIX-BAYONET.-1st mo.  Bring the left hand promptly to the middle band, detach a little the piece from the shoulder, with the right hand.

2d mo  Lower the piece with the left hand, seize it with the right above the lower band; rest the butt on the ground, letting the piece slip through the left hand; bring the right hand immediately to the bayonet

3d mo.  Wrest off the bayonet, and return it to the scabbard; next seize the piece with the right hand a little above the lower band; drop the left hand at the same time by the side, and take the position of the soldier at ordered arms.

SHOULDER-ARMS.-As from order-arms.   

FIX-BAYONET.-1st and 2d mo.  As those of unfix-bayonet, except that at the end of the second motion the right hand will be brought to seize the bayonet by the socket and shank, so that the socket may extend about an inch above the heel of the hand.

3d mo.  Draw the bayonet from the scabbard with the right hand, carry it and fix it on the muzzle; next seize the piece with the right hand above the lower band, and drop smartly the left hand by the side.

SHOULDER-ARMS.-As from order-arms. 

 

FOR CORPORALS.

To pass from the shoulder as private to the shoulder as sergeant.

 

SHOULDER-ARMS.-1st mo.  With the right hand, seize the piece at the handle, turn it, the lock to the front, as in the first motion of present-arms.

2d mo.  Carry the piece, with the right hand, erect against the

 

 

PART I.  OF THE COMPANY.

 

shoulder, the rammer in front, the right arm nearly straight, the right hand embracing the cock and guard; seize the piece with the left hand at the height of the shoulder.

3d mo.  Drop the left hand smartly by the side.

 

FOR CORPORALS OF THE COLOUR-GUARD, (OR SERGEANTS.)

 

CHARGE-BAYONET.-1st mo.  Raise the piece with the right hand, in half-facing to the right on the left heel, and bring the hollow of the right foot opposite to, and three inches from, the left heel.

2d mo.  Drop the piece forward into the left hand, which will seize it a little above the lower band, the barrel up, the left elbow supported against the body; with the right hand, seize the handle below the guard, this hand supported against the hip, the point of the bayonet at the height of the eye.

 

Shoulder-ARMS.-1st mo.  In facing to the front, raise the piece with the left hand, bring it erect against the right shoulder, the rammer to the front; with the right hand, at the same time, embrace the cock and guard.

2d mo.   Quit hold with the left hand, and drop this hand by the side; lengthen at the same time the right arm.

FOR CORPORALS RETURNING TO THE RANKS.

SHOULDER-ARMS.-1st mo.  Detach the piece from the shoulder, bring it erect between the eyes, seize it with the left hand at the height of the neck; grasp with the right hand the handle, this hand at the height of the elbow, the rammer to the front. 

2d mo.  Raise the piece with the right hand, the thumb extended on the counterplate; turn the barrel to the front; support the piece against the left shoulder; at the same time drop the left hand, and place it under the butt.

3d mo.  Drop the right hand smartly by the side.

 

MANUAL OF THE SWORD OR SABRE,

FOR OFFICERS.

 

POSITION OF THE SWORD OR SABRE, UNDER ARMS.

 

The carry.  The gripe in the right hand, which will be supported against the right hip, the back of the blade against the shoulder.

 

 

PART I.  OF THE COMPANY.

 

TO SALUTE WITH THE SWORD OR SABRE.

 

 

1st.  At the distance of six paces from the person to be saluted, raise the sword or sabre perpendicularly, the point up, the flat of the blade opposite to the right eye, the guard at the height of the shoulder, the elbow supported on the body.

2d.  Drop the point of the sword or sabre by extending the arm, so that the right hand may be brought to the side of the right thigh, and remain in that position until the person to whom the salute is rendered shall be passed, or shall have passed, six paces.

3d.  Raise the sword or sabre smartly, and resume the position first prescribed.

 

________

 

COLOUR-SALUTE.

 

In the ranks, the colour-bearer, whether at a halt or in march, will always carry the heel of the colour-lance supported at the right hip, the right hand generally placed on the lance at the height of the shoulder, to hold it steady.  When the colour has to render honours, the color-bearer will salute as follows:

At the distance of six paces slip the right hand along the lance to the height of the eye; lower the lance by straightening the arm to its full extent, the heel of the lance remaining at the hip, and bring back the lance to the habitual position when the person saluted shall be passed, or shall have passed, six paces. 

­_____

 

INSTRUCTION

FOR THE DRUM-MAJOR (OR PRINCIPAL MUSICIAN.)

 

In column in maneuvre, the field music and band will march abreast with the left centre company, on the reverse flank.

In column in route, as well as in the passage of defiles to the front or in retreat, they will march at the head of their respective battalions. 

Beats of the drum and sounds of the bugle.

 

The number of beats of the drum, for the assembly, parade, and

 

 

PART I.  OF THE COMPANY.

 

movements of the infantry, independent of mere police calls, and the particular march of each regiment,

is fixed at eighteen. These beats are:

 

1.  The generale. 2.  The assembly 3.  To the colour. 4.  The long roll 5.  The troop. 6.  Quick time. 7.  The charging step. 8.  The reveille. 9.  The retreat.

10. The disperse. 11. Drummer's call. 12. The roll. 13. First sergeants'call. 14. Double quick march. 15. Run. 16. Halt. 17. March in retreat. 18. commence firing.

The number of bugle sounds is fixed at twenty-three, exclusive of the particular march of each regiment. These sounds are:

 

1.  The generale. 2.  The assembly 3.  To the colour. 4.  The troop. 5.  Common time. 6.  Quick time. 7.  The charging step. 8.  The reveille. 9.  The retreat. 10. The disperse. 11. Bugler's call. 12. First sergeants' call.

13. Double quick march. 14. Run. 15. Halt 16. Forward march. 17. March in retreat. 18. By the right        flank, march. 19. By the left        flank, march. 20. Commence firing.. 21. Cease firing.  22. Rally on the reserve. 23. Rally on the        battalion.

 

 

 

Signals of the drum-major (or chief musician) for the principal beats and sounds.

 

1.  The general.	Extend the right arm, seize the staff at the middle, and raise the pommel to the height of the chin.
2.  The assembly.	Extend the right arm, raise the staff about a foot from the ground, and place the thumb on the pommel.

 

 

 

PART I.  OF THE COMPANY.

 

3.  To the colour.	Raise the staff perpen-dicularly, the ferrule upwards, the arm extended, and at the height of the shoulder.
4.  The long roll.	Put the staff on the right shoulder, the ferrule to the rear.
5.  Common time.	Raise the arm, turn the wrist within, and place the staff horizontally across the body at the height of the chin.
6.  Quick time.	Project the ferrule of the staff direct and horizontally to the front.
7.  Double-quick time.	The same signal, with a brisk agitation of the staff.
10. Run.	Raise the staff perpen-dicularly, the ferrule down, the arm extended at the height of the shoulder.

 

12. The roll.

Raise the staff in the left hand in the manner of the last signal.

 

Signals for the movement of the field music

and band.

 

1st.  To march by the right flank, take the staff at the middle and extend the arm to the right.

2d.  To march by the left flank, make the same signal, extending the arm to the left.

3d.  To diminish front, let the ferrule fall into the left hand, held as high as the eyes.

4th.  To increase front, let the pommel of the staff fall into the left hand, held as high as the eyes.

5th. To change direction, turn half round to the drummers, and indicate to them, by a movement of the staff, to which side they are to wheel or turn.

6th.  To oblique to the right, extend the right arm as high the shoulder, holding the staff slantingly, and grasp the ferrule, the left hand as high as the hip.

7th.  To oblique to the left, make the contrary signal; the pommel of the staff will always indicate to which side the movement is to take place.

 

To ground drums, &c.

 

1.  To put up drumsticks.

Grasp the staff under the pommel, and raise it as high as the eyes, extending the arm to the front.

 

 

PART I.  OF THE COMPANY.

 

2.  To unsling drums.	Draw the pommel to the breast.
3.  To ground drums.	The same signal as for putting up  drumsticks.
1.  To take up drums. 2.  To suspend drums. 3.  To draw out drumsticks.	Make the same signals with the staff as for putting up drumsticks, for detaching drums, and for grounding drums.

 

Instructions for the Corporal of Pioneers.

 

In column in maneuvre, the pioneers will be on the reverse flank, abreast with the right centre company. 

In column in maneuvre, the pioneers will be on the reverse flank, abreast with the right centre company, except with the double column, when they will generally march in its rear.

In route marches, as also in the passing of defiles, to the front or rear, the pioneers will march six paces in front of the drummers.  In route marches, all pioneers of a general column (column of several battalions) may be assembled at its head. 

Pioneers and drummers may be designated as markers, and used accordingly, in the maneuvres and evolutions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART I.

__________

OF THE BATTALION

 

Formation of a Regiment, or Battalion, in order of battle.

 

(FIG. 1.)-The regiment or battalion is supposed to consist of ten companies, to wit: on grenadier company, one light infantry or rife company, and eight battalion companies.

The battalion companies are drawn up according to the rank of their captains, as follows:-1^st, 5^th, 4^th, 7^th, 3d, 8^th, 6^th, 2d, and are designated from right to left, first company, second company, third company, &c.

The grenadier company is posted on the right of the battalion, and the light infantry or rifle company, on the left of the battalion.

The two first companies on the right, whatever be their denomination, form the first division; the next two companies the second division; and so on to the left.

The colour-bearer (a sergeant) and five corporals, as a colour-guard, are posted on the left of the right centre battalion company, of which they make a part.  They are formed in two ranks, the colour-bearer in the front-rank, withy a corporal on his right and left, and three corporals in the rear-covering.  If there be two colours, then four corporals only will constitute the colour-guard.  The colour-bearers will be in the front-rank, with a corporal between them, covered by three corporals in the rear.

The colour-company and all on its right are denominated the right wing of the battalion; the remaining companies, the left wing.

The colonel takes post thirty paces in rear of the file-closers, opposite to the centre of the battalion; the lieutenant-colonel and major opposite to the centres of the right and left wings respectively, and twelve paces in rear of the file-closers.  The colonel, lieutenant-colonel, and major, are mounted.

 

 

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

The adjutant and sergeant-major are opposite to the right and left of the battalion respectively, and eight paces in rear of the file-closers; they aid the lieutenant-colonel and major respectively in the manoeuvres.

The quartermaster, surgeon, and assistant surgeon, drawn up in one rank, from right to left, in the order they are named, are posted on the left of the colonel, three paces in his rear.

The quartermaster sergeant is posted on a line with the front rank of the field music, and two paces on the right.

The pioneers, with the corporal of pioneers on their right, are formed in two ranks and posted on the right of the grenadiers, their left four paces from the right of that company.

The field-music is formed in two ranks, the drummers in the rear, and posted twelve paces in rear of the file-closers, the left opposite to the centre of the left centre company.  The senior principal musician is two paces in front of the field-music, the other two paces in the rear.

The band is formed in two ranks, and posted three paces in rear of the field-music.

Two sergeants, one denominated the right general guide, the other the left general guide, are posted in the line of file-closers, the first in the rear of the right, and the second in the rear of the left-flank of the battalion.

For manoeuvring, the companies in each battalion are always equalized.

 

To open Ranks.

 

PREPARE TO OPEN RANKS.-At this command, the lieutenant-colonel and major place themselves on the right of the battalion to direct the alignment.

TO THE REAR OPEN ORDER.-The covering sergeants and the covering corporal step off smartly four paces to the rear opposite to their places in line, and are aligned by the lieutenant-colonel on the covering corporal who inverts his piece and holds it erect between his eyes.

MARCH.-The rear-rank and file-closers step off to the rear in common time; the rear-rank passes a little in rear of its new line, halts, dresses to the right, and is aligned by the covering sergeants, superintended by the lieutenant-colonel.  The file-closers fall back two paces from the rear-rank, and are aligned by the major on the

 

 

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION

 

file-closer of the left, who inverts his piece and holds it erect between his eyes.

FRONT.-The lieutenant-colonel and major return to their places in line.

 

To close Ranks.

 

CLOSE ORDER-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, the rear-rank closes to the front, each man covering his file-leader.

 

Manual of Arms.

 

The ranks being closed, the manual of arms is executed in the following order:

 

Present-arms,     -     -     -     Shoulder-arms,

Order-arms,       -     -     -     Shoulder-arms,

Support-arms,     -     -     -     Carry-arms,

Charge-bayonet,   -     -     -     Shoulder-arms.

 

___________

 

LOADINGS AT WILL AND THE FIRINGS.

 

Loading at will is executed by the commands and in the manner prescribed in the squad-drill; the officers and sergeants in the ranks, half face to the right with the men, and face to the front when the men next to them cast about.

The fire by company and by file, is always direct, that by battalion and by wing, is either direct or oblique; in the latter case, the commanding officer will gives the caution RIGHT (or LEFT) OBLIQUE, between the words READY and AIM.  The colour-guard is not to fire, but to reserve itself for the defence of the colour.

 

The fire by Company.

FIRE BY COMPANY.-At this command, the captains and covering sergeants place themselves in the manner prescribed for the fire in the company drill.  The colour and its guard step back so as to bring the front-rank of the guard on a line with the rear-rank; these rules are general for all the different firings.

COMMENCE FIRING.-At this command, the right company of each division begins the fire, their captains giving the words (such) company, ready, aim fire, load,

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

The captains of the left companies of divisions, observe the same rules, each taking care not to give his first command, till he sees one or two pieces shouldered in the right company of his division; the captains of the right companies of divisions, after the first discharge, observe the same rule with regard to the left companies.  In order that the right companies of divisions may not all fire at once, their captains, for the first discharge only, give the word fire, in succession from right to left.

The commanding officer causes the firing to cease by a short roll, when the captains and all the file-closers give the words cease firing; the men complete the loading and come to the shoulder; the roll is followed by a tap of the drum, when the captains, covering sergeants, and the colour-guard resume their places in line.  These rules are general for all the firings.

The fire by Wing.

FIRE BY WING, RIGHT (or LEFT) WING. READY, AIM, FIRE, LOAD.

}

The wings

fire alternately, care being taken to see that one or two pieces are shouldered in the wing that has just fired before giving the first command for the other.

 

The fire by Battalion.

 

This is executed by the commands: FIRE BY BATTALION. BATTALION-READY. AIM. FIRE. LOAD.

 

The fire by file.

 

FIRE BY FILE.  BATTALION.  READY.  COMMENCE FIRING.

}

At the command, COMMENCE FIRING.

the firing begins on the right of each company at the same time.

To fire by the rear rank.

 

FACE BY THE REAR-RANK.-The captains, covering sergeants, and the file-closers, conform to what is prescribed in the company drill, under this head.  The colour-bearer passes into the rear-rank, the corporal of his file stepping before the corporal next on his own right, to let the colour-bearer pass, and then stepping in front of the colour-bearer to reform his file; the closing sergeant and

 

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

covering corporal change places; the lieutenant-colonel, adjutant, major, sergeant-major, field-music, and band, throw themselves before the front-rank, each opposite to his place in line, the first two passing round the right, the others round the left of the battalion.

BATTALION-ABOUT-FACE.-The battalion faces about, the captains placing themselves in their intervals in the rear-rank, now front, and their covering sergeants behind them in the front rank, now rear.

The different firings are executed by the same commands as if the battalion were faced by the front-rank.  The right and left wings and companies retain their former designations.  The fire by file, commences on the left, now right, of each company.  The captains, covering sergeants, and colour-guard, on the first command, take the places prescribed for them in the fires, with the front rank leading.

To resume the proper Front.

FACE BY THE FRONT-RANK. BATTALION-ABOUT-FACE.

}

The battalion re-turns to its proper

front in the manner prescribed for the FACE BY THE REAR-RANK.

To stack and resume Arms.

 

STACK-ARMS.-Arms are stacked in the manner prescribed in the squad drill.

BREAK-RANKS-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, the ranks disperse.

To return the battalion to the ranks, a short roll is given, during which the battalion re-forms behind the stacks of arms.

TAKE-ARMS.-This command is executed in the manner prescribed in the squad drill.

BATTALION.-At this word, the ranks fix their attention and remain immoveable.

 

Manner of determining a line.

 

The commanding officer having determined on the direction of his line, and his points A B, sends out two officers C D, to seek two intermediate points in the same line; the officer D advances, when C finds him in the direct line between himself and the point A, he advances, taking care

 

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

to keep D always between himself and the point A, which he does by making him signals to advance or retire; when D finds C in the direct line between himself and B, he makes him the signal to halt, and they will find themselves on the intermediate points, C D.

 

 

 

 

Movements.

The following movements are arranged as for eight companies, but they are applicable to ten companies.  The movements are detailed as performed from the right; the mode of doing them from the left is explained in each case.

In the successive formations, (see No.'s 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, of movements from open column, No.'s 8, 9, and 10, from close column, and 1 and 2, from column doubled on the centre,) each captain causes his company to support arms the moment the captain, who follows him commands front.

If the firing is to commence during the execution of the successive formations, the order to that effect is given to the captain whose company is first in line; this captain places himself behind the centre, and as soon as the next captain commands front, he commences the  fire by file.  At the words fire by file, the marker nearest the company just formed, places himself before the nearest file of that company, and the other marker retires.  The captain of this last company commences the fire as soon as the captain of the next following company commands front; the marker retires, and the guide before the opposite flank places himself before the nearest file of the next company, and so on in continuation.

All the successive formations, except No. 8, from open column, may be formed by inversions, and they are executed

 

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

according to the same principles as formation in direct order, the first command always being, BY INVERSION.  (See No. 5, from open column.)

The battalion being in line by inversion, to bring it back to the direct order, it first breaks or ploys, by company or by division, according as the column may have been by company or by division, before it was formed in line by inversion.

When a battalion, in line by inversion, has to ploy into column, the movement is executed according to the same principles as if the line were in direct order; but observing the following rules:-If the column is to be by company or division, with the first in front, the caution, LEFT IN FRONT, is given in the command, because the battalion being in line by inversion, that subdivision is on the left.  Each chief whose subdivision takes post in the column in front of the directing one, halts in his own person when up with the preceding right guide, and sees his subdivision file past; and every chief aligns his subdivision by the right.  When the column is to be put in march, the command GUIDE LEFT, is given, because the proper right is in front.  For the same reason, if the last subdivision is to be in front, the words RIGHT IN FRONT, are given in the command; the divisions are aligned by the left; and in putting the column in march, the words GUIDE RIGHT, are given, because the proper left is in front.

In the movements, each chief of subdivision, previous to the order of execution, steps in front of his subdivision and cautions it as to the particular movement it has to perform; the covering sergeants always replace their captains in the front-rank.

 

MOVEMENTS FROM LINE.

Movement No. 1, from line.

To break to the right into column.

BY COMPANY. RIGHT-WHEEL. QUICK-MARCH.

}

At the word MARCH, each company wheels to the right on a fixed pivot, the left guide placing himself on the

marching flank to conduct it; when that flank arrives within three paces of the point where it is to rest, the captain commands (such) company-halt; the left guide steps forward to the point where the left of the company is to rest; and is aligned by the captain on the pivot man.  Each

 

 

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

captain aligns his company by the left, giving the words, left-dress, followed by front, and takes his place in column.

Wheeling to the left into column, is performed according to the same principles, but by inverse means.

 

Movement No. 2, from Line.  (FIG. 3.)

 

When the line breaks to the right, in order to march to the left, or the reverse, the command BREAK TO THE RIGHT TO MARCH TO THE LEFT, or BREAK TO THE LEFT TO MARCH TO THE RIGHT, precedes the command BY COMPANY-RIGHT (or LEFT) WHEEL.  The company on that flank towards which the wheel is made, marches forward twice the extent of its front, while the others are wheeling, and there halts.  The lieutenant-colonel places two markers, one abreast with the leading company, the other abreast with the next company, near the directing guides.  These two companies turn to the left (or right) the moment the column is out in march.

 

Movement No. 3, from Line. 

To break tp the rear into column.  (FIG. 4)

 

BY THE RIGHT OF COMPANIES TO THE REAR INTO COLUMN.  BATTALION-RIGHT-FACE

}

The battalion faces to the right, each captain goes to the right of his

company, breaks two files to the rear, and place himself so that his breast shall touch the left arm of the front-rank man of the last file of the company on his right; for this object, the captain of the right company supposes a company to be on his right, and dresses on the other captains.

QUICK-MARCH.-Each company, conducted by the covering sergeant in front of the leading front rank man, marches perpendicularly to the rear, each file wheeling on the same ground in succession.  The captains stand fast, let their companies file past, and when the last file has wheeled, each captain gives the words (such) company-halt, front-face.  The left guide then places himself so that his arm may touch the captain's breast, and the captain adds left-dress, followed by front, and takes his place in column.

To break to the rear by the left, the same command, substituting LEFT for RIGHT, and the same means are observed.

 

 

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

The captains shifting to the left of their companies, and the left guides leading.

 

Movement No. 4, from line.

To ploy into close column, or mass.  (FIG. 5.)

 

This may be performed by company or by division.

CLOSE COLUMN BY DIVISION, ON THIRD DIVISION RIGHT IN FRONT, INTO COLUMN.  BATTALION, INWARD-FACE.

}

At the word

FACE, the divisions on the right and left of the directing division, which stands fast, face towards that division.  Each chief of those on the right goes to the left of his division, causes files to break to the front, and places himself by the side of his left guide, who is in front of the leading front-rank man.  Each chief of those on the left of the directing division, goes to the right of his division, causes files to break to the rear, and places himself by the side of his right guide, who is in front of the leading front-rank man.

QUICK-MARCH.-The chief of the directing subdivision gives the words guide-left, when its left guide places himself on its left, and the file-closers advance one pace on the rear-rank.  The other divisions, each conducted by its chief, step off together at the word, and the file-closers incline to the distance of one pace from the rear-rank.  Each division enters the column parallelly to the directing division, to effect which those next to that division march by file, the one on its right, to the front, the one on its left to the rear, each five paces before it turns to enter the column; the other divisions march diagonally towards the points where they are to enter the column.  Each division that is to form in front of the directing division, is conducted by chief till its left guide is nearly up with the left guide of the directing division, the chief then gives the words: (such) division, halt, front-face, and the left guide faces to the rear and covers the preceeding guide at a distance of five paces; the chief then adds left-dress, followed by front, and takes his place in column.  Each chief of divisions which are to form in rear of the directing division, halts when he is up with the left guide of that division, lets his division file past, and when the last file has passed him, gives the words (such) division, halt, front-face, when the left guide covers the preceding guide at a distance of five paces; the

 

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

chief then adds left-dress, followed by front, and takes his place in column.

The lieutenant-colonel rectifies the position of the guides in front, and the major, those in rear of the directing division.

If the battalion is to ploy with the left in front, it will be so expressed in the command.  The chief of the directing division gives the words guide-right, the moment the movement begins, and the formation takes place according to the same principles but by inverse means.

The battalion may ploy on any named division, with the right or left in front, according to the same principles.

The guides who have faced about will face to the front at the words GUIDES ABOUT-FACE, given by the commanding officer, the moment the movement is complete

The battalion may be ployed into column at full or half distance, on the same principles, by substituting in the commands, COLUMN AT FULL (or HALF) DISTANCE, for CLOSE COLUMN.

 

Movement No. 5, from Line.

 

To ploy into column doubled on the centre. (FIG. 6.)

 

DOUBLE COLUMN, AT HALF DISTANCE. BATTALION, INWARD-FACE

}

The two centre companies (fourth and fifth) stand

fast, the remaining companies face towards the centre.  Each captain whose company has faced, causes two files at the head of his company to break to the rear; the left guide of each right company, and the right guide of each left company places himself at the head of the front-rank, the captain by his side.

QUICK-MARCH.-The two centre companies stand fast, their chief places himself before the centre, and gives the words, guide-right.  The remaining companies, conducted by their captains, enter the column at company distance, each behind the one preceding in the same wing, the corresponding companies of the two wings uniting; that is the third company unites with the sixth, the second with the seventh, and the first with the eighth.  An instant before the union, the left guides of the right companies pass into the rank of file closers, and when the head of the companies arrive opposite the centre of the directing division, each captain gives the words (such) company,

 

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

halt, front-face; the senior captain of each division then adds right-dress, followed by front, and takes his place in column.

The divisions thus formed, are denominated first, second, third fourth, beginning at the front.

The lieutenant-colonel in rear assures the right guides of the right companies on the direction, as they successively arrive.

The double column, closed in mass, may be formed according to the same principles, by substituting in the command, CLOSED IN MASS, for that of AT HALF DISTANCE

 

Movement No. 6, from Line

 

Changes of Front.  (FIG. 7.)

 

Before the caution is given for a change of front, the base company is established on the new line, and two markers are placed in front of that company opposite the right and left files; the markers face to the right, if the company belong to the right wing; and to the left if it belong to the left wing.  If the change is to be made on the fifth company, left wing forward, that company serves as the base, and the moment it is established the fourth company is faced about, wheeled to the right, halted, and faced to the front, its right guide steps out on the line at the point where its right is to rest and covers the markers, and the captain of the fifth steps into the rear-rank to give place to the captain of the fourth, who align his company by the left.  If the change is to be made on the fourth company, right wing forward, the line is established by inverse means, the fourth company serves as the base and the fifth is aligned upon it.  In these central changes, both the central companies are established before the caution is given.

CHANGE FRONT ON FIFTH COMPANY, LEFT WING FORWARD.  RIGHT WING, ABOUT-FACE.  BY COMPANY, RIGHT HALF WHEEL.  QUICK-MARCH.  FORWARD-MARCH.  GUIDE-RIGHT.

}

At the word FACE, the com-

anies of the right wing face about, their captains behind the rank now in the rear: the companies of both wings half-wheel to the right, and the moment they have sufficiently wheeled, the words FORWARD-MARCH, are given, when they move forward in echellon towards the new line, dressing by

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION

 

 

the right.  Each company of the right wing, as it approaches the new line, turns to the right, and when it has passed the line three paces, its captain gives the words (such) company, halt, about-face; its right guide throws himself on the line opposite the right file and covers the preceding guides, and the captain placing himself on the right of the preceding company, gives the words left-dress, followed by front.  Each company of the left wing, on approaching the line, turns to the right, and when within three paces of the line, its captain gives the words (such) company, halt; its left guide throws himself on the line opposite the left file and covers the preceding guides, and the captain placing himself on the left of the preceding company, gives the words, right-dress.

GUIDES-POSTS.-The captains and guides take their places in line, and the markers retire.

In central changes, the lieutenant-colonel rectifies the position of the guides of the right wing, the major those of the left; in other cases, the lieutenant-colonel alone rectifies the position of the guides, always placing himself on their rear as they successively arrive on the line.

If the change of front is to be made forward on the right or left company, the command is given CHANGE FRONT FORWARD ON FIRST (or EIGHTH) COMPANY.  BY COMPANY, RIGHT (or LEFT) HALF WHEEL, QUIDK-MARCH. FORWARD MARCH.  GUIDE-RIGHT (or LEFT,) and the movement is executed according to the principles prescribed above for the companies of the left wing.

 

Movement NO. 7, from Line.

 

To march by a flank.

 

BATTALION BY THE RIGHT (or LEFT) FLANK.  RIGHT (or LEFT)-FACE.

}

The instant the

battalion faces, the captains step out of the front-rank,

 

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

and are replaced by their covering sergeants.  if the face be to the right, the captains place themselves on the left of their covering sergeants, and the closing sergeant, in like manner places himself on the left of the covering corporal, who steps into the front rank.  If the face be to the left, each captain goes to the left of his company, and places himself on the right of the covering sergeant of the company preceding his own; the captain of the left company, on the right of the closing sergeant, who is now in the front rank, the covering corporal in the rank of file closers.

BATTALION FORWARD.  QUICK-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, the whole step off together, the sergeant of the leading file giving the direction.

If it be necessary to change direction in marching, a marker is established at the point of change, and the commanding officer gives the words: by file, right (or left,) and adds march, the instant the leading file is abreast of the marker.  Each file wheels in succession on the same ground.

If it be intended to halt and front the battalion, the commanding officers gives the words: BATTALION, HALT-FRONT-FACE.  The instant the battalion faces to the front, the captains and covering sergeants resume their places in line, and the former rectify the alignment.

If the battalion, marching by the right flank, is form on the right by file, two markers are placed in advance, at points where the right and left of the leading company are to rest, presenting their right shoulders to the line: the commanding officer then gives the words: ON RIGHT BY FILE INTO LINE, and adds MARCH, the instant the leading file is opposite the first marker.  The movement is executed in the manner prescribed for this formation in the company drill.  Each company forms on the left of the one which precedes it.  The left guide of each company, except the leading one, places himself on the direction of the markers, and opposite to the left file of his company, the moment this file arrives on the line.

The movement ended, the commanding officer gives the words GUIDES-POSTS.

The lieutenant-colonel, in succession assures the alignment.

If the march be by the left flank, this movement is

 

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

executed according to the same principles, and by inverse means.

 

Movement No. 8, from Line.

 

To advance in line.  (FIG. 8.)

 

The commanding officer places himself forty paces in rear of the colour-file, facing to the front: the lieutenant-colonel a like distance in front of the same file, facing to the rear, and is established perpendicularly to the line by the commanding officer, who then throws himself twenty paces further to the rear and establishes two markers on the prolongation of the line passing through the colour-bearer and the lieutenant-colonel: the first marker twenty-five paces in rear of the battalion; the second, the same distance from the first, both facing to the rear.  The colour-bearer takes two points on the ground in the direction of the lieutenant-colonel, the first point twenty paces in advance.

BATTALION-FORWARD.-At the word FORWARD, the front-rank of the colour-guard advances six paces, and is re-placed by its rear rank; the two general guides also advance abreast with the colour-bearer, opposite the right and left flanks of the battalion.  The captains of the left wing shift to the left of their companies, the covering sergeant of the next on the left of the colour-company, stepping into the front-rank, and the closing sergeant replacing the covering corporal, who steps into the rank of file closers.  The lieutenant-colonel having assured the colour-bearer on the line between himself and the corporal of the colour-file, places himself fifteen paces on the right of the captain of the colour-company, to maintain this captain, and the next one beyond him, abreast with the three centre corporals.  The major places himself eight paces on either flank of the colour-rank.

QUICK-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, the battalion steps off with life: the colour-bearer is charged with the step and the direction, the corporals on his right and left, and the general guides maintain themselves abreast with him, and march in the same step; the centre corporal of the colour-guard, in the front-rank, marches in the trace of the colour-bearer.  The captains of the colour-company, and the company next on the left, with the three corporals in the centre of the front-rank, constitute the basis of alignment for both wings of the battalion; the other captains maintain

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

themselves on the prolongation of this basis.  The men march with the head and shoulders square to the front, feel lightly the elbow towards the centre, and resist pressure from the flanks, holding themselves always slightly behind the line of captains.  If opening or crowding of files occur, or any disorder ensue, the remedy will be applied as promptly, and as gently as possible.

Pending the march, the line. determined by the two markers, is prolonged by placing, in proportion as the battalion advances, a third marker behind the first; then the second marker quits his place and throws himself behind the third; the first marker, in his turn, does the like in respect to the second, and so on in succession as long as the battalion continues to advance, each taking care to face to the rear and to cover accurately.  A staff-officer, or the sergeant-major, placed twenty paces behind the marker nearest to the battalion, assures the markers on the direction, and cautions each when to shift his place.

The major throws himself, from time to time, twenty paces in front of the colour-bearer, faces to the rear and covers the markers behind the centre, in order to rectify, if necessary, the direction of the colour-bearer, who, in such case, takes new points on the ground between himself and the major.

Movement No. 9, from Line.

 

To halt the battalion and to align it.

 

BATTALION-HALT.  COLOUR AND GENERAL GUIDES-POSTS.

}

At the word HALT, the battalion

halts.  At the word POSTS, the colour-bearer and the general guides take their places in line; the captains of the left wing shift to the right of their companies; the colour-guard falls back into the rear-rank, and the closing sergeant and covering corporal return to their places.

CAPTAINS-RECTIFY THE ALIGNMENTS.-The captains cast an eye towards the centre, align themselves under the direction of the lieutenant-colonel, and promptly dress their companies.

 

Movement No. 10. from Line.

 

To retire in line.

 

FACE TO THE REAR.  BATTALION, ABOUT-FACE.

}

At the words ABOUT-FACE, the battalion

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

faces about, the colour-bearer passes into the rear-rank now leading, the corporal of his file stepping behind the corporal on his right, to let the colour-bearer pass, and then placing himself in his rear, to reform the colour-file.  The commanding officer places himself behind the front-rank, now rear, and the lieutenant-colonel and the major before the rear-rank, now front

The same dispositions are then made as for the advance in line, except that the markers, who were then in rear, are now in front facing the battalion, the first twenty-five paces from the lieutenant-colonel.

BATTALION-FORWARD.-The colour-bearer and the corporal on his right and left, advance eight paces, and are replaced by the next rank of the guard; the general guides move out abreast with the colour rank, the covering sergeant place themselves in the line of file closers, and the captains in the rear rank, now front; the three file closers nearest the colour, unite in rear of the colour rank, to serve as a basis of alignment for the line of file closers; the captains of the left wing, now right, shift to the left, now right, of their companies.

QUICK-MARCH.-The battalion retires in line on the same principles which governed the advance in line; the file closer behind the colour-bearer, marches exactly in his trace, and the colour-bearer directs himself on the markers.  The lieutenant-colonel, on the outside of the file-closers of the colour-company, maintains the three file-closers of the basis of alignment, in a square with the line of direction; the other file-closers keep themselves aligned on this basis.

Movement No. 11, from Line.

To halt the battalion and face it to the front.

 

BATTALION-HALT.    FACE TO THE FRONT. BATTALION, ABOUT-FACE.

}

At the words ABOUT FACE, the colour-rank, general guides,

captains, and covering sergeants, retake their habitual places in line; the colour-bearer goes into the front rank, and the battalion is aligned as in No. 9.

 

Movement No. 12, from Line.

Passage of obstacles.  (FIGS. 9, 10.)

 

If the obstacle should be presented before the third com-

 

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

pany, while the battalion is advancing, it will be passed as follows:

THIRD COMPANY, OBSTACLE.-The captain of this company steps out and gives the words third company, by the left flank to the rear into column-march, and hastens to its left.  At the word march, the company faces to the left in marching, the two left files disengage to the rear, and the company, quickening the step, is conducted by the left guide, at the head of the front-rank, parallelly to, and in rear of the fourth company; the captain of the third, halts opposite the captain of the fourth, lets his company file past, and when its right file is up with him, faces his company to the right, and causes it to move forward, giving the words  third company, by the right-flank march-guide right, and placing himself before its centre; when the company  is at wheeling distance from the fourth, the captain gives the words to the step, at which it takes the step of the battalion and preserves its distance, its right guide following in the trace of the  captain of the fourth.  The left guide of the second company places himself on the left of the front rank of his company as soon as the third faces to the left, and maintains between himself and the right of the fourth company, the space necessary for the return of the third.

The obstacle being passed, the company returns into line as follows:

THIRD COMPANY, FORWARD INTO LINE.

}

The captain adds, by company, right half-

wheel, march; the company quickening its step, makes a half- wheel to the right, and when sufficiently wheeled, the captain gives the words  forward-march-guide left; the company marches straight forward towards the line, and enters it by a turn to the left; as soon as it is in line its captain, placing himself on its right, gives the words to the step, and the company takes the step from the colour-bearer.

Should the obstacle cover the front of several contiguous companies, (the three right for example,) it will be passed as follows:

THREE RIGHT COMPANIES, OBSTA-CLE, BY THE LEFT FLANK, TO THE REAR INTO COLUMN-MARCH.

}

At the word MARCH, each of the designated

companies faces to the left, disengages files to the rear,

 

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

and executes the movement in the manner prescribed for the third, each forming in rear of the one which precedes it, and as soon as it has its wheeling distance, taking the step of the battalion.

The obstacle being passed, these companies return into line as follows:

THREE RIGHT COMPANIES, FORWARD INTO LINE-MARCH.

}

At the words INTO LINE, the

captains of each of these companies adds, by company, right half-wheel.  At the word MARCH, each company conforms itself to what has been prescribed for the third company.

If the companies of the left wing are to pass an obstacle, they execute the movement according to the same principles, and by inverse means.

In retiring in line, these movements are executed on the same principles as if the battalion were advancing.

If, when advancing in line, it become necessary to halt the battalion in order to retire, and there be companies in column in its rear, these companies face about with the battalion, precede it in march, and take their places on line by the oblique step, as they clear the obstacles.

When the colour-company is to pass an obstacle, the colour-rank returns into line the moment the company faces to the right or left; the major places himself six paces before the extremity of the company behind which the colour-company marches, in order to give the step and the direction; he himself first taking the step from the battalion.

As soon as the colour-company returns into line, the front-rank of the colour-guard throws itself out six paces in front of the battalion, and is established on the perpendicular by the commanding officer, placed behind the centre; the colour-bearer then takes points on the ground between himself and the major.

If the obstacle cover several companies of the centre, each of these companies files into column behind that, still in line, and of the same wing which may be nearest to it.

 

Movement NO. 13, from Line.

 

To pass a defile in retreat. (FIG. 11, 12.)

 

If a battalion, retiring in line encounter a defile, it

 

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

 

is immediately halted and faced to the front.  If the defile be in rear of the left flank, and its width sufficient to admit a column by platoon, a marker is placed fifteen or twenty paces in rear of the file-closers, at the point around which the subdivisions are to change direction, in order to enter the defile.

 

TO THE REAR, BY THE RIGHT FLANK, PASS THE DEFILE

}

The captain of the right company

adds (such) company, by the right flank, right-face-quick-march.  At the word face, this company faces to the right; at the word march, its leading file wheels to the right, marches to the rear four paces beyond the file-closers, wheels again to the right, and marches inward towards the left flank; the remaining files of this company wheel in succession at the same point where the first had wheeled.  The next company from the right, executes in its turn, the same movement by the commands of its captain, who gives the word march, so that his first file, wheeling on its ground, may immediately follow the last file of the first company.  the following companies, each in its turn, execute what is prescribed for the second.

When the whole of the second company is on the direction with the first, the captain of the first causes his company to form by platoon into line, and the guide of the first platoon directs himself on the marker.  The other companies, each in succession, the moment the one in its rear is wholly on the direction, forms by platoon into line, in the manner prescribed for the first.

The first platoon of the leading company, when opposite the marker, turns to the left, and the following platoons execute the same movement, at the same point.  As the last companies will not be able to form platoons before reaching the defile, they so direct themselves, in entering it, as to leave room to the left for this movement.

As the platoons of each company clear the defile, companies are successively formed.

A defile in rear of the right flank is passed by the left flank, the movement being executed according to the same principles and by inverse means.

If the defile be too narrow to receive the front of a platoon, it is passed by a flank.

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

MOVEMENTS FROM OPEN COLUMN.

Movement No. 1, from Open Column.

To march in column.

COLUMN-FORWARD, GUIDE LEFT-MARCH.

}

At the words GUIDE-LEFT, the leading guide takes two

points on the ground in the direction to be marched.  At the word MARCH, the whole step off together, the leading guide marching on the points he has chosen, and taking new points as he advances; the following guides preserve both step and distance, each marching in the trace of the guide who immediately precedes him. 

The lieutenant-colonel marches abreast with the leading guide, and assures him in the direction; the major is abreast with the last subdivision, and sees that each guide marches in the trace of the one immediately preceding.

With the left in front the same commands and means are observed, substituting the words GUIDE-RIGHT for GUIDE-LEFT.

A close column, or a column at half distance may be out in march by the same commands and means.

Movement No. 2, from Open Column.

To change direction in marching. (FIG. 13.)

A marker is placed on the side of the directing guide, at the point at which the change is to take place, presenting his breast to that flank of the column; he remains in position till the last subdivision has passed.

HEAD OF COLUMN TO THE LEFT (or RIGHT)

}

Each chief causes his subdivision to change

direction, the moment it arrives opposite the marker, in the manner described in the company drill.

The major sees that the guides direct themselves on the marker, so as to graze his breast.

A column at half distance changes direction by the same commands and means, except that in the change of direction to the reverse flank, the pivot of each subdivision takes steps of fourteen inches, instead of nine, in order to clear in time the wheeling point, and the marching flank describes the arc of a larger circle, in order to facilitate the movement.

Movement No. 3, from Open Column.

To halt the column.

COLUMN-HALT.-At the word HALT, the column halts.

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

Movement No. 4, from Open Column.

To from to the left into line.

 

The column being at a halt, the guides on the directing flank are directed to cover, each at a distance equal to the front of his company.

LEFT-DRESS.-Each captain goes to the left of his company, aligns it on the left guide. and gives the word front.

LEFT INTO LINE-WHEEL.-The right guide of the leading company throws himself on the line of the left guides, opposite to where the right of his company is to rest, faces to those guides, and is assured in position by the lieutenant -colonel.

QUICK-MARCH.-Each company wheels to the left on a fixed pivot, the pivot man facing so as to present his breast against the arm of the left guide, who stands fast; when the marching flank is within three paces of the line, each captain gives the words (such) company-halt; places himself where the right of his company is to rest, and adds right-dress, followed by front.

GUIDES-POSTS.-The guides pass to their places in line through the nearest captain's interval.

With the left in front, the line is formed to the right, according to the same principles; the left guide of the left company places himself on the direction of the right guides, as prescribed above for the right guide of the right company, and the captains align their companies by the left.  At the words GUIDES-POSTS, the captains, as well as the guides take their places in line.

A column at half distance may form line in the same manner, first taking wheeling distance.

 

Movement No. 5, from Open Column.

To form line to the right by inversion.

BY INVERSION, RIGHT INTO LINE-WHEEL, BATTALION GUIDE RIGHT, QUICK-MARCH.

}

At the words guide-right, the left guide of the leading com-pany places himself

on the direction of the right guides.  At the word MARCH, the companies wheel to the right, and are aligned by the left according to the principles prescribed in the last number.

 

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

The lieutenant-colonel in front assures the guides on the direction.

With the left in front, the column forms line to the left by inversion, according to the same principles.

 

Movement No. 6. from Open Column.

To form on right into line. (FIG. 14.)

This is performed from the march.  Two markers are established in advance by the lieutenant-colonel, at points where the right and left files of the leading company will rest in line; these markers are placed so as to present the right shoulder to the battalion when formed.

ON RIGHT INTO LINE. BAT-TALION, GUIDE RIGHT.

}

When the lead-ing company is up

with the first marker it turns to the right, receiving from its captain the words right turn, march, followed by (such) company, halt when within three paces of the marker, the covering sergeant then takes his place in the rear-rank, the left guide retires as file-closer, and the captain, placing himself at the point where the right of his company is to rest, gives the words right-dress, aligns his company on the markers and adds  front.  Each of the other companies continues to march straight forward until opposite the left flank of the one which precedes it, when it turns to the right and forms on the line in the manner prescribed for the first; the left guide, the instant his company halts, places himself on the line opposite the left file, and covers the preceding guide.

The line being formed, the commanding officer gives the words GUIDES-POSTS, and the guides and markers retire.

The lieutenant-colonel placing himself in rear of the guides, as they successively arrive on the line, assures them on the direction.

With the left in front, the line is formed on the left according to the same principles; the captains go to the left of their companies to align them, and at the words, GUIDES-POSTS take their places in line. 

A column at half distance may form line in the same manner.

 

Movement No. 7, from Open Column.

To form line to the front.  (FIG. 15.)

 

The column being halted, two markers are established by

 

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

 

the lieutenant-colonel at company distance in front of the leading company, and at points where the right and left files of that company are to rest; these markers are placed so as to present the right shoulder to the battalion when formed.

FORWARD INTO LINE.-The captain of the leading company puts his company march, giving the words guide-right, halts it three paces from the markers, and aligns it against them by the right, the left guide taking his place as file closer.

 

BY COMPANY, LEFT HALF-WHEEL. QUICK-MARCH. FORWARD-MARCH. GUIDE RIGHT.

}

The re-maining companies

make a half-wheel to the left, and the moment they have sufficiently wheeled, the words FORWARD-MARCH, are given, when they move forward in echellon towards the line, dressing by the right.  Each company, on approaching the line, turns to the right on a caution from its captain, and when within three paces of the line, the captain gives the words (such) company halt; the left guide then throws himself on the line opposite the left file, facing the preceding guide, and the captain, placing himself on the left of the preceding company, gives the words right-dress, followed by front.

The line being formed, the commanding officer gives the words GUIDES-POSTS, when the guides and markers retire.

The lieutenant -colonel conforms himself to  what is prescribed in the last number.

With the left in front, the line is formed according to the same principles and inverse means. 

 

Movement No. 8, from Open Column.

To form line faced to the rear.  (FIG. 16.)

 

INTO LINE, FACED TO THE REAR.-At this command, the captain of the leading company faces his company to the right, puts it in march and directs the leading file towards the left marker; the leading file passes in rear of this marker, three paces beyond the line, wheels to the left, and when opposite the right marker, the captain halts his company and aligns it by the right on the two markers.

 

 

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

BATTALION, RIGHT-FACE. QUICK-MARCH.

}

The remaining com-panies face to the right

and at the word MARCH, move off, each, conducted by its chief, towards the point where its left is to rest; this point being marked by the left guide, who precedes his company on the line by fifteen paces and faces towards the markers.  Each captain directs his company in rear of his left guide, passes the line three paces, wheels by file to the left, and when the leading file arrives near the left of the preceding company, gives the words (such) company, halt, front-face; he then places himself on the left of the preceding company, and adds right-dress, followed by front.

The line being formed, the commanding officer gives the words, GUIDES-POSTS, when the guides and markers retire.

The lieutenant-colonel conforms himself to what is prescribed in No. 6.

With the left in front, the movement is executed according to the same principles and by inverse means.

A column at half distance, may form line in the same manner

Movement No. 9, from Open Column.

To form line by two movements.

 

Should a column, arriving behind the line, and prolonging itself on that line, be halted before all the companies have entered the new direction, it will form line as follows:

It is here supposed that the column has been halted just as the fifth company has entered the new direction, and that there are eight companies in the column; the guides of the first five companies are assured on the direction.

LEFT INTO LINE WHEEL, THREE REAR COMPANIES FORWARD INTO LINE. QUICK MARCH.

}

At the words FORWARD INTO LINE, the chief

of each of the rear companies, gives the words by company left half-wheel.  At the word MARCH, the first five companies form left into line, and the three last, forward into line, by means already prescribed: each captain of the three rear companies, when his company has sufficiently wheeled, gives the words, forward-march, guide-right.

 

Movement No. 10, from Open Column.

 

If, instead of arriving behind, the column arrive before the line, the formation will be made as follows:

 

 

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

LEFT INTO LINE WHEEL, THREE REAR COMPANIES, INTO LINE FACED TO THE REAR. QUICK-MARCH.

}

At the command, FACED TO THE REAR, the captain of each of the rear compa-

nies gives the word (such) company, right-face.  At the word MARCH, the first five companies form to the left into line, and the three last, into line faced to the rear, by means already prescribed.

With the left in front, these movements are executed according to the same principles and by inverse means.

 

Movement No. 11, from Open Column.

To form close column.

 

Marching in column by company to close on the leading company.

COLUMN, CLOSE IN MASS QUICK-MARCH.

}

At the word MARCH, the captain of the lead-

ing company halts his company and aligns it by the left, the file-closers closing one pace upon the rear-rank.  All the other companies continue to march, and as each in succession arrives at the distance of five paces from the one preceding, its captain halts it, and its left guide places himself on the direction of the guides who precede; the captain there aligns his company by the left, and the file-closers close one pace upon the rear-rank.

The lieutenant-colonel, in front of the leading guide, assures the position of the guides as they successively place themselves on the direction.  The major follows the movement abreast with the last guide

 

Movement No. 12, from Open Column.  (FIG. 17.)

 

The column by company being at a halt, to close on the rear company.

ON EIGHTH COMPANY, COLUMN CLOSE IN MASS. BATTALION, ABOUT-FACE. COLUMN FORWARD, GUIDE RIGHT. QUICK-MARCH.

}

At the word FACE, all the companies, ex-cept the desig-nated one, face

about, their guides remaining in the front-rank, now rear.  At the words GUIDE-RIGHT, all the captains place themselves two paces outside of their companies, on the directing flank.

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

At the word MARCH, the designated company stands fast, and its captain aligns it by the left.  The other companies step off at the word MARCH, and as each arrives at the distance of five paces from the one before it, its captain halts it, and faces it to the front; at the instant of halting, its left guide places himself on the direction of the guides already established, and the captain aligns his company by the left, the file-closers closing one pace upon the rear-rank.

GUIDES, ABOUT-FACE.-The guides who are faced to the rear, face to the front.

The lieutenant-colonel, in rear of the guide of the designated company, assures the position of the guides as they come up; the major is abreast of the rearmost company.

A column by company or division, at full distance may closed to half distance, by the same means and commands, substituting TO HALF DISTANCE, CLOSE COLUMN, for COLUMN CLOSE IN MASS.  Each subdivision halts at platoon distance from the subdivision immediately preceding.

With the left in front, these two last movements are executed according to the same principles.

 

Movement No. 13, from Open Column.

Countermarch.

COUNTERMARCH. BATTALION, RIGHT-FACE. BY FILE LEFT. QUICK-MARCH.

}

At the word FACE, all the companies face

to the right, and the movement is executed in the manner prescribed in the company drill.

With the left in front, the countermarch is executed by the same commands, substituting LEFT for RIGHT, and RIGHT for LEFT, and by inverse means, the companies facing to the left and wheeling by file to the right.

A column at half distance is countermarched in the same manner and by the same commands.

 

Column in Route.

 

This column, like a column in manoeuvre, ought never to have a depth greater than the front it occupied in line, less the front of a subdivision.  It is put in march, or being in march, takes the route step, and passes from the route to the cadenced step, by the commands prescribed in

 

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

company drill.  It is habitually formed by company, but it may be broken into platoons or sections, according to the width of the defile; this may be done by all the companies at once, or by each in succession, before entering the defile.  In like manner, files may be broken off, or subdivisions may be successively marched by a flank in double or single file.

Each company, as soon as the breadth of the way permits, is formed into column by section, by platoon, or by company, by commands of the captains.

In marching by a flank in double or single file, where the pass is so narrow as to oblige it to defile with a front of two men, or man by man, the captain and leading guide precede the leading file of such company, and the file-closers pass between the files corresponding with their usual positions; the whole follow closely and without loss of time.  In passing from double to single file, the rear-rank man of each file covers his front-rank man.

If the head of the column encounter an obstacle which may oblige it to relax its march, all the following subdivisions preserve the habitual step, and close up in mass, if necessary on the subdivision nearest to the obstacle, in order not to increase the usual depth of the column.  Distances are afterwards recovered as each subdivision has passed the obstacle.  If this cannot be done without running, the leading subdivision is halted beyond the obstacle, at a distance sufficient to contain the whole column closed in mass, until the rear subdivision has closed; the column is then put in march, and the subdivisions take their proper distances.

The commanding officer, at the head of the column, regulates the step of the leading subdivision, and indicates to its chief, the time for executing the various movements which the nature of the route may render necessary.

 

MOVEMENTS FROM CLOSE COLUMN.

 

Movement No. 1, from Close Column.

To form open column by the head.

 

BY THE HEAD OF COLUMN, TAKE WHEELING DISTANCE.

}

At this command the captain of the

leading company puts it in march.  The instant the second

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

company has its wheeling distance from the first, the captain puts it in march, and so with the other companies in succession.

The lieutenant-colonel, at the head of the column, directs the march of the leading guide; the major is abreast with the rearmost guide.

 

Movement No. 2, from Close Column.

To form open column on the rear.

 

Two markers are established on the direction to be given to the line, the first opposite to the rearmost company, the second towards the head of the column, at company distance from the first, both facing to the rear; the right general guide places himself on the prolongation of these markers, a little beyond the point at which the head of the column will extend.

ON EIGHTH COMPANY, TAKE WHEELING DISTANCE, FORWARD, GUIDE-LEFT, QUICK MARCH.

}

At the words GUIDE-LEFT, the captains place themselves two paces outside

of the directing flank.  At the word MARCH, the designated company stands fast; its captain aligns it by the left on the first marker, and gives the word front, when the marker, replaced by the left guide, retires, and the captain takes his place in column.  All the other companies step off at the word march, the guide of the leading one directing himself a little within the right general guide; when the company next the rearmost one arrives opposite the second marker, its captain halts and aligns it on that marker, in the manner prescribed for the rearmost company.  As each of the other companies arrives at wheeling distance from the one in the rear, its captain halts and aligns it on the left guide, who, at the instant of halting, places himself on the direction, facing to the rear.

The movement ended, the commanding officer gives the words, GUIDES, ABOUT-FACE, when they face to the front.

The lieutenant-colonel successively assures the guides on the direction, placing himself in their rear; the major, at the head of the column, directs the march of the leading guide.

Movement No. 3, from Close Column.

To form open column on the head.  (FIG. 10.)

 

Two markers are placed in the manner just prescribed,

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

one abreast with the leading company, the other at company distance in rear of the first, both faced to the rear; the left general guide places himself on the prolongation of the markers, a little beyond the point at which the rear of the column will extend.

ON FIRST COMPANY, TAKE WHEELING DISTANCE. BATTALION, ABOUT-FACE. COLUMN, FORWARD, GUIDE-RIGHT. QUICK-MARCH.

}

All the compa- nies. ex-cept the

designated one, face about, the guides remaining in the front-rank, now rear.  At the words GUIDE-RIGHT, the captains throw themselves outside of their guides.  At the word MARCH, the designated company is aligned by the left, as in the last number; the other companies are put in march, and as each arrives at wheeling distance from the one in its rear, it is halted, faced about, and aligned by the left.

The lieutenant-colonel and major, conform themselves to what is prescribed in the last number.  With the left in front, these movements are executed according to the same principles.  To take half distance, the word HALF is substituted for WHEELING, in the command.  A column at half distance takes wheeling distance in the same manner.  Distances are taken according to the same principles, in a column by division.

 

Movement No. 4, from Close Column.

To change direction in marching.  (FIG. 19.)

 

The change is made to either flank, on the principles of wheeling in marching.  A marker is placed at the point of change, and the battalion takes the guide on the flank opposite to the intended change; as soon as the direct march is resumed, and the last subdivision is in direction, the battalion takes the guide on its proper flank, the commanding officer giving the words, GUIDE LEFT (or RIGHT.)

BATTALION, RIGHT WHEEL-MARCH.-The leading division wheels to the right, the pivot-flank taking steps of fourteen inches, and the marching flank conforming to the movement of the pivot, by describing the arc of a large circle.  The other divisions at the same time, conform to the movement of the first; the left guide of each advancing slightly the left shoulder, and lengthening a little the step obliques to the left, and gains so much ground to the front that

 

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

there may constantly be an interval of three paces between his division and that which precedes it; as soon as he covers the preceding guide, he ceases to oblique, and marches exactly in his trace.  Each division conforms itself to the movement of its guide.

The lieutenant-colonel regulates the march of the leading guide, and the major, in rear, regulates the march of the following guides.

FORWARD-MARCH.-The leading division resumes the direct march; the others conform to its movement.

 

Movement No. 5, from Close Column.

To change direction from a halt.  (FIG. 20.)

 

This is executed by the flank of subdivisions.  Two markers are placed on the new direction, at points where the right and left flanks of the leading subdivisions are to rest.

CHANGE DIRECTION BY THE RIGHT FLANK. BATTALION, RIGHT-FACE. QUICK-MARCH.

}

At the word FACE, the column faces to the right

and each chief of the subdivision places himself by the side of his leading guide.  At the word MARCH, all the subdivisions step off together; the leading guide of the first, directs himself from the first step, parallelly to the markers; its chief stands fast, lets his subdivision file past him, and as soon as the last file has passed, halts it, faces it to the front, and aligns it by the left on the two markers.  Each of the following subdivisions enters the column parallelly to, and three paces from the subdivision which precedes it; the chief, on arriving at the point where the left of his subdivision is to rest, halts, let it file past him, and when the last file has passed, halts it, faces it to the front, (the left guide placing himself on the direction,) and aligns it by the left.

In changing direction by the left flank, the same means are observed, substituting in the commands the word LEFT for RIGHT.  Each chief conducts his subdivision until the leading file arrives at the point where it is to rest, when the subdivision is halted and aligned as already described.

The lieutenant-colonel in front, assures the guides as they successively arrive on the direction; the major follows abreast with the last subdivision.

 

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

Movement No. 6, from Close Column.

Countermarch.  (FIG. 21.)

 

COUNTERMARCH. BATTALION, RIGHT AND LEFT-FACE.

}

At the word FACE, the odd

divisions, counting from the head of the column, face to the right, the even divisions, to the left; the right and left guides of all divisions face about; each chief goes to the head of his division, breaks two files to the rear, and places himself by the side of his leading front-rank man.

BY FILE LEFT AND RIGHT. QUICK-MARCH.

}

At the word MARCH, each division  conducted  by

its chief, steps off, the guides standing fast; each odd division wheels by file to the left around its right guide; each even division wheels by file to the right around its left guide, each division so  directing its march as to arrive behind its opposite guide, and when its head is up with this guide, the chief halts the division, faces it to the front, and aligns it by the right, the chiefs of the even divisions shifting to the right for that purpose.  As each division is aligned, its chief gives the word front, and the guides shift to their proper flanks.

A column left in front, is countermarched by the same commands and means, except that the divisions are aligned by the left.

The movement ended, the lieutenant-colonel places himself abreast with the leading; and the major abreast with the rearmost division

A close column by company is countermarched by the same means and commands.

 

Movement No. 7, from Close Column.

To form divisions from close column of companies.  (FIG. 22.)

 

FORM DIVISIONS, LEFT COMPANIES, LEFT-FACE,

}

The left companies face to the left, and their

captains place themselves by the side of their left guides.  The right companies stand fast, the right and left guides of each place themselves before the right and left files of their respective companies, the guides facing so as to rest the right arm against the breast of the front-rank man of the file.

QUICK-MARCH.-The left companies only are put in march, their captains standing fast; each captain as the left

 

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

file of his company has cleared the right company, gives the words; (such) company halt, front-face, and places himself on the left of the right company of his division; the left guide at the same time places himself before the left file of his company, faces to the right and covers the guides of the right company; the captain then gives the words right-dress, and aligns his company on the left guide; which being done, he adds front, and remains in his position.

GUIDES-POSTS.-The captains and guides take their places in column, the left guide of each right company passing through the interval in the centre of the division.

A column at full or half distance, forms divisions in the same manner; but the captains of the left companies, after commanding front-face, give the words: company, forward, guide-right-march, followed by halt, front, right-dress.

If the left be in front, these movements are executed by inverse means; the right companies conform themselves to what is prescribed for the left companies, and the guides in front of the left companies face to the left.

 

Movement No. 8 from Close Column.

To deploy on the first division.  (FIG. 23.)

 

The column being at a halt, the lieutenant-colonel establishes three markers, three paces in front of the leading division, one opposite the right and left files of that division, and one opposite the left file of the right company; these markers face to the right; the left general guide covers these markers, at a point a little beyond where the left of the battalion is to rest.

ON FIRST DIVISION DEPLOY COLUMN. BATTALION, LEFT-FACE.

}

At the word FACE, the three last divisions face to the left, and the

chief of each places himself by the side of its left guide.

QUICK-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, the chief of the first division goes to its right and gives the words right-dress; the division is aligned on the markers, each captain aligning the his left and giving the word front.  The other divisions march parallelly to the line; the chief of the second stands fast, sees his division file past him, and the instant its right guide is abreast with him, halts his division and faces it to the front, giving the words second division halt, front-face; the left guides of both companies then

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

step out and cover the markers, each opposite to the left file of his company, and the chief placing himself on the left of the first division, gives the words right-dress, when the division is aligned in the manner indicated for the first.  The instant the second division is halted, the chief of the third halts in his own person, sees his division file past him, and when its right guide is abreast with him, halts his division and faces it to the front in the manner indicated for the second, he then gives the words forward, guide-right, march, followed by halt when his division is within three paces of the line: the division is then aligned in the manner indicated for the second.  The chief of the fourth division conforms himself to what is prescribed for the third.

The movement ended, the commanding officer gives the words GUIDES-POSTS, when the captains and guides take their places in line and the markers retire.

The lieutenant-colonel conforms himself to what is prescribed No. 13, in movements from open column.  The major follows abreast with the last division.

 

Movement No. 9 from Close Column.

To deploy on the fourth division.  (FIG. 24.)

 

The markers are established as indicated in the last number, facing to the left, the central marker opposite the right file of the left company, and the right general guide covers them at a point a little beyond where the right of the battalion is to rest.

ON FOURTH DIVISION DEPLOY COLUMN. BATTALION, RIGHT-FACE. QUICK-MARCH.

}

At the word FACE, the first three divisions face to the right and the chief of each places himself by

the side of his right guide.  At the word MARCH, these divisions step off, the guide of the first directing himself, three paces within the line marked by the general guide.  The chief of the third stands fast, sees his division file past him, halts it when his left guide is abreast with him, and faces it to the front.  The chief of the fourth, the moment his division is unmasked, causes it to advance, giving the words fourth division, forward, guide-left, march; when this division is three paces from the marker, its chief halts it and gives the words left-dress; each captain aligns the company on his right and gives the word front.  The instant the third division

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

is unmasked, its chief causes it to approach the line, and halts it in the manner prescribed for the fourth; the moment it halts, its right guide, and the covering sergeant of the left company, place themselves on the line opposite the right files of their respective companies, and cover the markers; the division is then aligned in the manner prescribed for the fourth.  The second and first divisions are in succession halted and aligned by the left in the same manner as the third, their chiefs giving the words left-dress, the moment their divisions face to the front and the guides are on the line.

The movement ended, the commanding officer gives the words GUIDES-POSTS, when the captains and guides take their places in line and the markers retire.

The lieutenant-colonel conforms himself to what is prescribed in the last number.  The major follows abreast with the last division.'

If the left be in front these deployments are made according to the same principles, and by inverse means.

 

Movement No. 10, from Close Column.

To deploy on an intermediate division.

 

The line is  first traced by the means already indicated, both the general guides throwing themselves out in the manner above prescribed.

ON-DIVISION, DEPLOY COLUMN. BATTALION, OUTWARD-FACE. QUICK-MARCH.

}

Whether the right or left be in front, the

divisions, which, in line, belong to the right of the directing division, face to the right, those which belong to the left of that division, face to the left; the divisions in front of the directing division, deploy by the means indicated in No. 9; those in its rear, deploy as prescribed No. 8.  The directing division, the moment it is unmasked, approaches the line, taking the guide left or right, according as the left or right is in front.  The chief of this division aligns it by the directing flank, and then steps into the rear-rank, to give place to the chief of the next division for aligning his division.  At the words GUIDES-POSTS, all the captains take the right of their companies.

The lieutenant-colonel assures the positions of the guides

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

on the right of the directing division; the major, those on the left.

A column at half distance, may ploy into line by one of the means here prescribed, the column first closing in mass.

A column by company may be ployed in the same manner as a column by division.

 

MOVEMENTS FROM COLUMN DOUBLED ON THE

CENTRE.

 

Movement No. 1.

To form line to the front.  (FIG. 25.)

 

The line is first traced in the manner prescribed in the last number.

DEPLOY COLUMN, BAT-TALION, OUTWARD-FACE. QUICK-MARCH.

}

The column is deployed on the two companies at its head, according to

the principles prescribed for deployment of close columns.  The captains of these companies, each, at the word MARCH, places himself on the right of his own company and aligns it by the right; the captain of the fourth stepping into the rear-rank the moment he aligns his company, to give place to the captain of the third to align his company by the left.

The deployment ended, the command is given GUIDES-POSTS.

 

MOVEMENT No. 2.

To form line to the right.  (FIG. 26.)

 

RIGHT INTO LINE WHEEL, LEFT COM-PANIES ON RIGHT INTO LINE. BATTA-LION, GUIDE-RIGHT. QUICK-MARCH.

}

At the words GUIDE-

RIGHT, the left guide of the fourth company, places himself on the line at the point where the left of his company will rest, and covers the right guides.  At the word MARCH, the right companies wheel to the right into line, and the left companies move forward and form on right into line, in the manner prescribed in No. 5, from open column.

The column may form line to the left according to the same principles.

Dispositions against Cavalry.

 

The battalion is first formed into column by division, at

 

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

 

half (or company) distance; or into column, doubled on the centre, at half distance.  (FIG.  27.)

The commands for forming the column with a view to the square, are always preceded by the caution, TO FORM SQUARE.

The moment the column is formed, the file-closers of the fourth division, passing by the outer flanks of their companies, throw themselves two paces before the front-rank opposite to their respective places in line, and face towards the head of the column.  The music, formed in one rank, place themselves at platoon distance, behind the inner platoons of the second division, and the pioneers behind the colour-guard.  The lieutenant-colonel and major are abreast with the leading division, the former on the left, and the latter on the right flank of the column.

The column may now be put into march, or it may form square, as follows:  (FIG. 28.)

 

FORM SQUARE.-The lieutenant-colonel, facing to the left guides, and the major, facing to the right guides, align them from the front, on the respective guides of the fourth division, who stand fast, holding up their pieces inverted, perpendicularly; the right guides, in placing themselves on the direction, take their exact distances.

 

RIGHT AND LEFT INTO LINE WHEEL.-The chief of the first division cautions it to stand fast; all the captains of the second and third divisions throw themselves before the centres of their respective companies, and caution them that they are to wheel, the right companies to the right, and the left companies to the left, into line.  The colour-bearer steps back into the line of file-closers, opposite to his place in line, and is replaced by the corporal of his file.  The chief of the fourth division gives the words, fourth division, forward, guide left, and places himself two paces outside of its left flank.

QUICK-MARCH.-The first division stands fast, but its right file faces to the right, and its left file to the left.  The companies of the second and third divisions wheel to the right and left into line, and the music advances a space equal to the front of a company.  The fourth division closes up to form a square, and when closed, its chief halts it, faces it about, and aligns it by the rear-rank; the junior captain passes into the rear-rank, now front, and is covered by the covering sergeant of

 

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

 

the left company, in the front-rank, now rear; the file-closers close up a pace on the front-rank, and the outer file of each flank of the division face outwards.

 

GUIDES-POSTS.-The chiefs of the first and fourth divisions, as well as the guides, enter the square.  The captains whose companies have formed to the right into line, remain on the left of their companies, covered by their left guides in the rear rank; the covering sergeant of each of these companies places himself as a file-closer behind the right file of his company.  The field and staff enter the square, the lieutenant-colonel placing himself behind the left, and the major behind the right of the first division.

If the battalion present ten instead of eight companies, the fourth division makes the same movements prescribed above for the second and third divisions, and the fifth, the movements prescribed for the fourth.

The fronts of the square are designated as follows: the first division is always the first front; the last division the fourth front; the right companies of the other divisions the second front; and the left companies of the same divisions the third front.  These designations are always maintained, whether the column shall have been right or left in front.  Each front is commanded by the lieutenant-colonel, the major, or the senior captain.  The commander of each front places himself four paces in its rear, and if a captain, he is replaced momentarily in command of his company, by the next in rank therein.

In a simple column, left in front, the square is formed according to the same principles and by inverse means.

If the square is to advance, the movement is performed as follows: (FIGS. 29, 30.)

 

FORM COLUMN.-The commander of the first front adds, first division, forward, guide left; the commander of the fourth front cautions it to stand fast; the commander of the second front causes it to face to the left, and then gives the words, by company, by file left; the commander of the third front causes it to face to the right, and then gives the words by company, by file right.  At the moment the second and third fronts face to the left and right, each captain in them causes the two headmost files of his company to break to the rear.

QUICK-MARCH.-The First front marches forward; its chief

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

halts it when it shall have advanced a space equal to half its front, and aligns it by the left.  The corresponding companies of the second and third fronts wheel by file to the left and right, and march to meet each other behind the centre of the first division, and the moment they unite, the chief of each division halts it, faces it to the front, and aligns it by the left.  The commander of the fourth front causes it to face about; its file-closers remaining before the front rank.

The column may now be put in march.

If the square is to be reformed, the column is first halted, and the square is reformed in the manner already prescribed.

If the square is to march in retreat, the column is formed as above, and as soon as formed the command is given; (FIG. 31.)

TO MARCH IN RETREAT, FACE BY THE REAR-RANK.

}

At the words FACE BY THE REAR-RANK,

the file-closers of the interior divisions throw themselves, passing by the outer flanks of their respective companies, behind the front-rank opposite their respective places, in line; the file closers of the other divisions stand fast.

BATTALION, ABOUT-FACE.-The battalion faces about; each chief of division throws himself before its rear-rank, become front, passing through the interval between its two companies; the guides step into the rear-rank, now front.

The column may now be put in march; or it may form square, as if it were faced by the front-rank, its fronts preserving the same designations as when faced by the front-rank.  (FIG. 32.)

The battalion being in square by the rear-rank, may march in retreat, or in advance, by reforming column according to the principles already prescribed, the fourth, instead of the first front marching forward.  If the column, thus reformed, is to continue the march in retreat, it remains faced by the rear rank; but if it is to advance, it faces to the front by the commands, TO MARCH IN ADVANCE.  FACE BY THE FRONT RANK.  BATTALION, ABOUT-FACE.

To reduce the square.

REDUCE SQUARE. QUICK-MARCH.

}

This is executed in the manner prescribed for forming column

from square; but the file-closers of the fourth front throw

 

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

 

themselves behind the rear-rank the moment it faces about, and the field and staff, the colour-bearer, pioneers, and music, return to their places in column.

A column by company may also form square in the manner prescribed for a column by division. The leading and rearmost companies conform themselves to what is prescribed for divisions in those positions.  The other companies form by platoons to the right and left into line; each chief of platoon, after halting it, places himself on the line, as if the platoon were a company, and is covered by the guide in the rear-rank.

A battalion in column at full distance, having to from square, always closes on the leading subdivision; and a column closed in mass, always for the same purpose, takes distances by the head.

When a battalion is ployed, with a view to the square, it should always be in the rear of the right or left subdivision, in order that it may be able to commence firing pending the execution of the movement.   The double column affords this advantage, and being more promptly formed than any other, is to be preferred.

In firing in square, the colour-guard will fire like the men of the company of which it forms a part.

 

 

Rules for manouevring by the rear-rank.

 

 

The battalion being by the front-rank, to cause it to manouevre by the rear-rank, the command is given, FACE BY THE REAR-RANK-BATTALION, ABOUT-FACE.

If the battalion be deployed, this movement is executed as prescribed for the fire by the rear-rank.

If the battalion be in column by company, or by platoon, right, or left in front, the chiefs of subdivision, in taking their new places in column, each passes by the left flank of his subdivision, and the file-closers by the right flank; the guides place themselves in the rear-rank.

If the column be formed by division, the chiefs pf division, each passes by the interval in the centre of his division, and the file closers by the outer flanks of their respective companies; the junior captain in each division steps into the rear-rank, and is covered in the front-rank by the covering sergeant of the left company.

PART I.  OF THE BATTALION.

 

 

The lieutenant-colonel is abreast with the leading subdivision, and the major abreast with the rearmost one.

The battalion being faced by the rear-rank, the companies, divisions, and wings preserve their prior denominations respectively.

The manoeuvres by the rear-rank, are executed by the same commands and on the same principles as if the battalion faced by the front-rank; but in such manner that when the battalion shall be brought to its proper front, all the subdivisions may find themselves in their regular order from right to left.

According to this principle, when a column, formed by the rear-rank, is deployed, the subdivisions which, in line by the front-rank, ought to find themselves on the right of the subdivision on which the deployment is made, face to the left; and those which ought to placed on its left, face to the right.

When a battalion in line, faced by the rear-rank, is to be ployed into column, the words LEFT or RIGHT IN FRONT, are announced in the commands, according as it may be intended, that the first or last subdivision shall be at the head of the column, because of the first subdivision is on the left, and the last on the right of the battalion faced by the rear-rank.  The column by the rear-ranks takes guide to the right, if the first division be in front, and to the left in the reverse case.

A column, faced by the rear rank is brought to its proper front by the commands, FACE BY THE FRONT RANK.  BATTALION, ABOUT-FACE, which are executed in the manner prescribed for facing by the rear-rank.  If the column be formed by company or by platoon, the chiefs of subdivision, in order to take their new places in column, pass by the left of subdivision, now right, and the file-closers by the right, now left.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

LIGHT INFANTRY AND RIFLE.

 

A SUPPLEMENT TO PART I.

________________

 

OF THE COMPANY.

____________

 

Deployments.

 

A COMPANY may be deployed as skirmishers, either forward or by the flank.  It is deployed forward, when it is behind the line on which it is to be established; and by the flank when it is already on that line.  In both cases it is divided into three platoons: the right and left platoons, denominated respectively, first and second platoons, form the line of skirmishers; the centre platoon, the reserve,

A company may be deployed, as skirmishers, on its left, on its right, or on its centre file. 

A line of skirmishers ought, as far as possible, to be aligned; but to obtain this regularity, advantages which the ground may present for covering the men, ought not to be neglected.

The intervals between files of skirmishers depend on the extent of ground to be covered; but they should not exceed ten, or at most fifteen paces.

The front to be occupied to cover a battalion, comprehends the front of the battalion and half of each interval on the right and left of the battalion.

 

1st.   To deploy forward.  (FIG. 1.)

 

The company being at a halt, to deploy it forward on the left file, the captain, previously to giving the order, indicates to the left guide the point towards which he is to direct himself, and cautions the centre platoon that it is to form the reserve.

Deploy as skirmishers.- The first and second lieutenants throw themselves respectively on the right and left flanks of the company; the third sergeant places himself two paces in front of the centre of the company, to move forward on a line with the skirmishers between the platoons; the third

 

 

 

LIGHT INFANTRY

 

lieutenant takes command of the centre platoon, two paces behind the centre of the file-closers, and cautions it to stand fast.

On the left file, at ten paces, take intervals.  Quick (or double quick) march.- At the word march, the first and second platoons put themselves in movement; the left guide conducts the left flank towards the indicated point; the other files, throwing forward the left shoulder, advance in double quick time, or at a run, (according as the order is  quick, or double quick,) diagonally to the front and to the right, in order to gain to the right the space of ten paces, which ought to separate each file from that next on its left; when the second file, counting from the left, arrives abreast with the first, it conforms itself to the direction of the latter, takes the quick step, holds itself steadily at ten paces from the first, and on the same alignment; the third file, and all the others towards the right, as they successively arrive on the alignment, conform themselves to what is prescribed for the second; the right guide arrives with the last file; the first and second lieutenants, at the commencement, throw themselves behind the centres of the right and left platoons respectively, and direct their movements.

When the left guide arrives at the point where the left of the line is to rest, the captain halts the skirmishers; each centre-rank man immediately places himself two paces on the left of his file-leader; the flies which are not yet in line promptly come into it, taking the prescribed intervals, and aligning themselves by the left.

The line being formed, the first and second sergeants throw themselves behind the first two files at the right and left respectively, and the third sergeant at a like distance behind the centre of the line.

The first and second lieutenants promptly rectify any irregularity committed in the taking of intervals; they then throw themselves twenty or thirty paces behind the centres of their respective platoons.  Each of these officers has with him two men taken from his platoon before the commencement of the movement.

The fourth and fifth sergeants, and the second bugler or drummer, remain with the reserve; the fourth sergeant on its left flank, the fifth as file-closer.

At the beginning of the deployment, the third lieutenant

 

 

 

 

OF THE COMPANY.

 

marches the reserve, by the shortest line, to about a hundred and forty paces behind the centre of the line of skirmishers, halts, faces it to the front, and maintains  it steadily at that distance; the reserve conforms itself to all the movements of the line.

The captain gives a general superintendence to the whole deployment, and then throws himself about seventy paces in rear of the line, taking with him the firsts bugler or drummer, and two or three men from the reserve.

The deployment may be made on the right or centre of the company according to the same principles and by the same commands, substituting right-file or centre-file, for left-file: if on the centre file, the right file of the second platoon closes upon the third sergeant in marching, and all the other files to the right and left, take their intervals from the centre.

On whatever file, the right , left, or centre, the deployment may be made, the rear-rank men place themselves to the left of their respective file-leaders at the moment of forming the line.

 

2d.  To deploy by the flank.

 

To deploy the company from a halt, on the left file, the captain, previously to giving the caution, indicates to the right guide the point on which to direct himself.

Deploy as Skirmishers.- The first and second lieutenants and the third sergeant conform themselves to what is prescribed under this command in the preceding case; the third platoon in rear of the centre platoon, cautions it to face about.

By the right flank, at ten paces, take intervals.

}

The centre platoon faces about, and its

chief marches it to the point which it is to occupy as the reserve, halts and faces it to the skirmishers; the other platoons face to the right, the left file of the second standing fast; the first and second lieutenants, each places himself by the left file of his platoon; the right guide on the left of the right file to conduct it.

Quick (or Double-Quick)-March.- At the word march, given the instant the centre platoon has cleared the line, the first platoon stands fast until joined by the second, when the lieutenant of the former gives the words, (such)

 

 

 

LIGHT INFANTRY.

 

platoon, forward, quick (or double-quick) march; in the mean time the second platoon commences the movement; its left file stands fast; the next file halts at the distance of ten paces from the first, the third at the same distance from the second, and so on to the right file of the first platoon.  As each file halts in succession it faces to the enemy, and each rear-rank man places himself two paces on the left of his file leader.

The captain and first and second lieutenants conform themselves to what is prescribed in the first case.

The deployment on the right file is executed on the same principles, substituting in the command, left for right.

(FIG. 2.) To deploy on the centre, the captain, previously to giving the caution, causes the centre platoon to march towards its position as the reserve, closes the intervals between the remaining platoons, and indicates to the two guides the direction in which each ought to march.

Deploy as skirmishers, by the right and left Flanks, take Intervals.

}

The right file of the second platoon

stands fast; the first platoon faces to the right, the second to the left; the right and left guides place themselves by the side of the leading files of their respective platoons to conduct them.

Quick (or Double-Quick)- March.- The two platoons march in opposite directions; the file next on the right, and the file next on the left of the centre file, each halts at ten paces from this file, and all the other files halt each at the same distance from the file next in its rear.

The officers conform themselves to what is prescribed in then first case.

Any interior file, other than that on the right of the second platoon, may be designated as the direction file; in which case the third sergeant places himself on the right of the designated file, and the deployment is executed in the manner just prescribed.

 

3d.  To extend intervals.

 

The line of skirmishes being at a halt, intervals are extended to the left as follows: (FIG. 3.)

 

 

 

OF THE COMPANY.

 

By the left flank, five (or---) paces, Extend intervals.  Quick (or Double-quick)- March.

}

The num-ber of paces designated,

will be understood as so many paces in addition to the then intervals.  The right file stands fast, the others face to the left, and extend in the manner prescribed in the second case.

The line being in march to the front, will be extended by the right as follows:

On the left file five (or ---) paces, ex-tend intervals.  Quick (or Double-quick)- March.

}

The left file con-tinues to

march on the point of direction, all the others extend intervals in the manner prescribed in the first case.

Intervals may be extended by the right flank, by the right and left flanks at once, and also on the right file according to the principles just given.

(FIG. 3.)  If, in extending intervals, the object be to make one company occupy a line as skirmishers, which had been occupied by two, the files of the retiring company throw themselves successively to the rear, and form company in close order, in proportion as they are replaced on the line.

 

4th.  To close intervals.

 

The line of skirmishers being at a halt, will close on the left as follows: (FIGS. 4 & 5.)

By the left flank, five (or ___) paces, Close intervals.  Quick (or Double-quick)-March.

}

The left file stands fast; the

others face to the left, close on that file the number of paces prescribed, and face to the right as each halts.

The number of paces named in the command, denote the number of paces less than the then intervals.

The line being in march to the front, will close on the left file as follows:

On the left file, five (or ---)paces, Close intervals,  Quick (or Double-quick)-March.

}

The left file con-tinues to

march on the point of direction; the other files, each throws forward the right shoulder, assumes the double-quick step or run, according as the command is quick or  double-quick and inclines to the left until its interval is reduced the prescribed number of paces6

 

 

 

LIGHT INFANTRY.

 

Intervals are closed by the right flank, and on the right or centre file, according to the principles just given.

(FIGS. 4 & 5.)  When intervals are reduced in order to receive a reinforcement of skirmishers, that is, for example, to cover the same extent of ground with two companies which had been covered by one, the new company is so deployed as to finish the movement at about twenty paces behind the line which it will have to occupy, and its files successively throw themselves on that line in proportion as they are unmasked by the files of the old company.  The reserves of the two companies unite behind the centre of the line.

 

5th.  To relieve a company deployed as skirmishers.

 

  (FIGS. 6 & &.)  When a company so deployed, is to be relieved, the captain is advised of the intention, and communicates it to the first and second lieutenants.

  The new company executes its deployment  forward so as to finish the movement at about twenty paces in rear of the line.  Arrived at this distance, the files of the new company by command of their captain, throw themselves a few paces beyond the old line and halt; the new line being established, the old company assembles on its reserve.

If the skirmishers to be relieved are marching in retreat, the company thrown out to relieve them, deploys by the flank, a   s prescribed in the second case.  The old skirmishers continue to retire with order, and after having passed the new line, they rally on their reserve.

 

To march in advance.

 

When a company, deployed as skirmishers, marches in line, the guide is habitually in the centre; if it be intended that the directing guide shall be on the flank, the words guide-left (or right) will precede the word march.

Whether the skirmishers march in line, or by a flank, the first and second lieutenants, and in case of need, the sergeants repeat, with the greatest rapidity, all the commands for the movement.

Skirmishers forward.- The three sergeants throw themselves on the line, the first on the right, the second on the left, and the third in the centre; the chief of the reserve gives the words, platoon, forward, guide left.

 

 

v

 

 

OF THE COMPANY.

 

Quick (or double-march)  march.- At the word  march, the line and the reserve step off; the guide charged with the direction, marches on the point indicated to him; the skirmishers hold themselves aligned on this guide, and preserve their intervals towards him.  The first and second lieutenants, each directs the movements of his platoon, holding himself behind its centre.

 

To halt the skirmishers advancing.

 

Skirmishers-Halt.- At the word halt, the line and the reserve halt; the first and second lieutenants, if necessary, promptly rectify the alignment and intervals, and then take their places, as also the three sergeants.

 

To march in retreat.

 

Skirmishers, in retreat.- The reserve and skirmishers face about; the skirmishers individually, the reserve by command of its chief.  and the three sergeants throw themselves on the line as prescribed for the advance in line.

Quick (or double quick) March.- At the word march, the skirmishers and the reserve step off in conformity with what is prescribed in the advance in line.  The chief of the reserve in front of the rear-rank, now front, maintains his platoon opposite the centre of the line at the prescribed distance.

 

To halt the skirmishers retreating.

 

Skirmishers, Halt.- At the word halt, the skirmishers and the reserve halt and face to the front, the skirmishers individually, the reserve by command of its chief.  The first and second lieutenants rectify the alignment and intervals, and then resume their places, as also the three sergeants.

 

To march by a flank.

 

Skirmishers, by the right flank.- The skirmishers face to the right; the right guide throws himself to the side of the leading man, to conduct him; the reserve also faces to the right by command of its chief.

Quick (or double quick) march.- At the word march, the skirmishers and the reserve put themselves in march; the right-guide directs himself on the point indicated to him; each skirmisher follows in trace of the one immediately preceding, and preserves his distance.

 

 

 

 

  LIGHT INFANTRY.

 

The march by the left flank is executed according to the same principles, substituting in the commands left for right.

 

To halt the skirmishers marching by a flank

 

Skirmishers-Halt.-At the word halt, the skirmishers and the reserve halt and face to the front.

 

The Firings.

 

The fire is given either at a halt, or in marching, and alternately by the two men of the same file, who so arrange it between them that one or the other always has his piece loaded; to this end, the right hand (front-rank) man fires and loads; the left hand (rear-rank) man withholds his fire until the first shall have rammed; the second, in his turn, waits, in like manner, for the first, and so on in continuation.

 

To fire at a halt.

 

Commence Firing.- This command is executed according to the rules just prescribed; the men are not to remain in the same place whilst reloading, unless covered by some chance object.

 

To fire marching.

 

This fire, like that at a halt, is executed by the command, commence firing.

At this command, if the line be advancing, the front-rank man of every file halts, fires, and reloads, before throwing himself forward; the rear-rank man of the same file continues to march eight or ten paces beyond the first, halts, fires, and reloads; the front-rank man having reloaded, throws himself forward a like distance beyond his rear-rank man, and fires again, conforming himself to what has just been prescribed, and so on in continuation.

If the line be marching in retreat, the front-rank man of every file halts, faces about, fires, and then reloads whilst throwing himself to the rear; the rear-rank man of the same file continues to march, halts at eight or tem paces beyond the front-rank man, faces about, fires, and then observes what is just prescribed for the front-rank man; the latter man at the same distance in rear of his rear-rank man, halts again, finishes loading, fires, and then does as he had done before, and thus the alternate fire by the men of the same file is continued.

 

 

 

 

OF THE COMPANY.

 

If the company be in march by the right flank, the front-rank man of every file faces to the enemy, steps one pace forward, halts, fires, and throws himself behind his rear-rank man, who had been next behind him, reloading as he marches; as soon as this second man, who has continued to march, shall judge that the first has rammed, he in his turn faces to the enemy, steps one pace forward, halts, fires, and throws himself behind his front-rank man, reloading as he marches, and thus the fire is continued.

If the company be in march by the left flank, the fire is executed in the same manner; but it is the rear-rank man (the leader) who fires first.

In executing this fire, the files must avid mingling with each other; consequently, the man who has continued to march, must never pass a man of another file, who shall be at a halt, for the purpose of firing.

Skirmishers should also be taught to load and fire kneeling and lying.  In commencing the fire, officers are to see that all the files do not fire at once, but in succession.

Marching in retreat, the commander of the skirmishers takes advantage of any chance object the ground may present, to arrest the mach of the enemy as long as possible.

The fire is stopped by the sound or beat indicated for that purpose: at this signal, the men cease firing, and those who have not reloaded, load.  If the line be in march, it continues the movement; and of the two men in the same file, the one in front waits until the other is abreast with him.

 

Rallying and assembling.

 

A company, deployed as skirmishers, rallies to resist cavalry; it assembles under other circumstances.  The rally is made at a run; the assembly in quick time.

 

To rally on the reserve. (FIG. 8.)

 

Rally on the reserve.- This command being given, the captain throws himself on the reserve, the chief of which begins the formation of the circle by throwing back a little the two flanks of the reserve.  The skirmishers running in, form themselves as they successively join the reserve, on its right and left, in two ranks, without regard to height, face outwards and complete the circle.  The officers and sergeants

 

 

LIGHT INFANTRY.

 

direct the execution of the movement, and then place themselves within the circle.

These dispositions being made, the captain profits by any interval of time the cavalry may allow him for putting himself in safety against its attacks, either by rejoining his battalion, or by gaining some advantageous position: to this end he reduces the circle, and reforms the company into column by platoon, and in two platoons; he marches in this order by the front or rear-rank; and if threatened anew by the cavalry, he halts and again forms circle, by throwing back the flanks of the two platoons; the second platoon, if not already faced by the rear-rank, is first so faced, and the other platoon by the front-rank.

The company being formed into circle, is deployed as skirmishers, as follows:

Reduce circle.- At this command, the officers and sergeants pass out; the chief of the reserve aligns it on its centre; the first and second lieutenants reform their platoons on the right an left of the reserve; which being executed, the company is deployed by one of the means already indicated.

If the suddenness of the attack leave no time to rally the skirmishers on the reserve, the rally is made by platoon; the first and second lieutenants each rallies his platoon on the ground the most advantageous behind the line of skirmishers.  Pending the movement, the captain throws himself on the reserve, and so disposes it as to protect the rallying of the platoons and to resist the cavalry.  The platoons being rallied, they rejoin the reserve as promptly as possible.

 

To rally on the battalion.

 

The company being deployed as skirmishers, rallies on the battalion as follows:

Rally on the battalion.- The skirmishers of each platoon and the reserve unmask the front of the battalion, directing themselves, in a run, towards its nearest flank, and then form in its rear.

The company being formed, it places itself, for the time, whatever be its designation or number, on the left or right of the battalion, according as it may belong to the left or right wing, and if not a flank company, it will not resume

 

 

 

 

OF THE BATTALION.

 

its proper place in line, except by order of the commanding officer.

 

To assemble on the reserve.

 

The company being deployed as skirmishers, assembles on the reserve, as follows:

Assemble on the reserve.- At this command, the reserve is formed in the precise order it stood before the deployment; the skirmishers assemble upon it, and each resumes his place in his previous rank and file.  The company being reformed, rejoins the battalion.

 

 

 

_________________

 

OF THE BATTALION.

_____

 

To deploy the battalion as Skirmishers.  (FIG. 9.)

 

The battalion being in line, it is supposed to consist of but eight companies, and that it is to deploy on the sixth company holding the three right companies in reserve.  This example will serve for a battalion of ten, or any other number if companies.  Each company, deployed as skirmishers, is supposed to occupy a front of one hundred paces.

The commanding officer, previously to giving the cautionary command, communicates his purpose to the lieutenant-colonel, the adjutant, and the major, the last of whom is charged with the command of the battalion reserve.  He also indicates to the lieutenant-colonel the direction to be given to the line, as well as the point of rest for the sixth company, and to the major, the position in which to establish the reserve.  The lieutenant-colonel throws himself eight or ten paces before the right of the sixth company, and the adjutant, a like distance before its left.

DEPLOY AS SKIRMISHERS, BY COMPANY, AT A HUNDRED PACES, ON THE RIGHT OF THE SIXTH COMPANY, TAKE INTERVALS.

}

At this command, the sixth and fifth

captains march their companies eight or ten paces forward, make the preparatory dispositions, and give the preparatory command for deploying forward, the sixth company on its right file, the fifth on its left file.  The fourth captain causes

 

 

 

LIGHT INFANTRY.

 

his company to face to the right, the seventh and eight captains cause their companies to face to the left.

QUICK (or double-quick) MARCH.- At the word march, the movement commences.  The sixth and fifth companies deploy forward; the right guide of the sixth, directing himself on the point indicated to him by the lieutenant-colonel.  The companies which have faced to the right and left, march straight forward.  The fourth takes its interval of a hundred paces from the left of the fifth and then deploys forward on its left file; the seventh and eighth, each takes the like interval from the nearest file of the company next on its right, and then deploys forward on its right file.  Each of the five companies deploys according to the principles prescribed for an isolated company, and those on the right or left of the sixth and fifth, are each aligned on these central companies, the first deployed.

The lieutenant-colonel and adjutant follow up the deployment, the first towards the right, the second towards the left, and when finished, place themselves near the commanding officer, the first on the right, the second on the left.

The company reserves are established as echellons in respect to each other, as follows: the reserve of the sixth, at one hundred and forty paces behind the right of its skirmishers: the reserves of the fourth and fifth, united, opposite to the interval between their skirmishers, and thirty paces nearer the line than the reserve of the sixth; the reserves of the seventh and eighth, also united, opposite to the interval between their skirmishers, and thirty paces farther from the line than the reserve of the sixth.

The major, on receiving the orders of the commanding officer, marches the battalion reserve thirty paces to the rear, and ploys it into column by company, at half distance; which being done, he conducts it to the position indicated by the commanding officer.

The commanding officer superintends the general movement, and when finished, throws himself at a point in rear of the line, whence his view may best embrace all the parts, in order to direct their movements.

If, instead of deploying forward, it be intended to deploy by the flank, the sixth and fifth companies are marched eight or ten paces forward, halted and deployed, the sixth on its right file, the fifth on its left, by the means indicated

 

 

 

 

OF THE BATTALION.

 

in the second case in the drill of the company.  Each of the other companies marches by the flank, and as soon as the last file of each, nearest to the point of direction, shall have taken the interval of one hundred paces, the company moves up on the line, halts, and deploys.

The battalion, in the preceding cases, has been supposed to commence each movement from line; if, on the contrary, it be in column, the deployment is made by the same commands and according to the same principles, observing what follows"- If to deploy forward, the directing company, as soon as unmasked, marches eight or ten paces ahead of the line which had been occupied by the head of the column, halts, and then deploys on the designated file; each of the other companies, marching by the flank, takes its interval to the right or left, halts, and then deploys forward.-If to deploy by the flank; the directing company advances as before, and then deploys on the designated file; each of the other companies, having taken its interval to the right or left, moves up on the line, halts, and then deploys as soon as the company next towards the direction shall have finished its deployment.

The echellons in the example given, descend from right to left; they may posted on the same principles so as to descend from left to right.  The commanding officer indicates to the captains, before the commencement of the deployment, the number of paces which the reserve of each company ought to take to the rear.

When the colour-company is to be deployed a skirmishers, the colour, without its guard, is detached, and remains with the battalion reserve.

 

To rally the battalion deployed as skirmishers.

(FIGS. 10, 11.)

 

The commanding officer rallies his battalion by the commands indicated for the rally of a company, and so disposes the battalion reserve as to protect this movement.

The companies deployed as skirmishers rally in squares on their respective reserves; each reserve forms the first front of the square; the skirmishers who rally first from the lateral fronts, and the other files the fourth front.  The officers and sergeants direct the rally, and form the men, as

 

 

 

 

LIGHT INFANTRY.

 

they successively arrive, into two ranks, without regard to height, and cause them to face outwards.

The rally being effected, the commanders of company squares (senior captain and sixth captain) profit by an interval of time the cavalry may allow for putting them in safety, either by marching upon the battalion reserve, or by taking an advantageous position: to this end, each of those squares is formed into column, and marched in this order, and if threatened anew, it halts, and again forms itself into square.

As the companies successively arrive near the battalion reserve, each reforms as promptly as possible, and, without regard to designation or number, takes the place in the column next in rear of the companies already in it.

The battalion reserve also forms square, if itself threatened by cavalry.

 

Indication of movements which may be executes by the sounds of the bugle, or beats of the drum.

Double-quick march. Run…………………………………….. Forward March………….. Halt………………………………….. March in retreat….. Commence firing……..

No. of sounds. 12 13 14 15 16 17

No. of beats. 15 18 5 17 18 19

Cease Firing………………………… March by the right flank………………………….. March by the left flank Rally on the reserve. Rally on the battalion.

No. of sounds. 18   19 20 21 22

No. of beats. 14   1 12 2 3

 

REMARK.- The words of command given by the instructor who represents the commander in the company manoeuvres of Light Infantry, are printed in italics at the beginning of the paragraphs; but in the battalion manoeuvres of Light Infantry, they are printed in capitals.

 

 

 

OF THE COMPANY.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIGHT INFANTRY.

 

 

 

 

OF THE COMPANY.

 

 

 

 

 

LIGHT INFANTRY.

 

 

 

 

 

OF THE BATTALION.

 

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