For more complete information on 19^th Century Military Drill, visit the main page.

BACK to The Drill Network

BACK to The Liberty Greys

ABSTRACT

 

OF

 

INFANTRY TACTICS;

Page Navigation

 

SECTION IV.

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION.

 

797.  THE School of the Battalion will be divided into five parts.

798. The first will include the manner of opening ranks, and executing the different firings;

799.   The second the different methods of passing from line into column.

800. The third part will include the marching column, and various other movements relating to the column;

801.  The fourth the different methods of passing from column into line.

802.  The fifth part will include the march in line, to the front and rear;

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION.

 

the march by a flank; forming by file into line; the passage of defiles in retiring; the passage of lines; the changes of front; the column of attack, dispositions against cavalry; and rallying.

803. This school having for its object the instruction of battalions, sepa­rately, and thus to prepare them for executing all that can be required in line; and the harmony of combined movements depending necessarily on the individual instruction of battalions, on the uniformity of words of com­mand, and on the principles and means of execution, the colonels will lit­erally conform to all herein prescribed; they will endeavor to cause all the movements to be executed with the utmost steadiness, calmness and regularity. But in all the interior movements of the battalion, after it is well established In marching in common time, the word MARCH shall be preceded by the word Quick, although the latter be not found in the text or commands.

_____________________________

 

Prompt Formation of the Battalion.

804.  Every colonel will exert himself to give to his battalion the habit of forming with the greatest rapidity.

805.  At time first call, the colonel will repair to the place of assembly previously designated for the battalion, and each captain to that of his com­pany. The other company officers, and the non-commissioned officers, will hasten to turn out, and assemble their men; and the lieutenant-colonel and major will superintend and quicken the formation of the companies.

806. Each captain will post his file-closers, and instantly form his com­pany with a front not exceeding the number of files previously indicated by the adjutant. The color company will be formed with a front three files less than that number.

807.  The adjutant will, at the same time, form the color-guard on the left of the fourth company, and distribute the surplus files of the stronger companies among the weaker.  He will be assisted in these duties by the sergeant-major.

808.  The colonel will cause a roll of the drum to be given, to announce that the companies ought to be ready to unite, and afterwards a tap of the drum, as a signal for each company to march and form on the line or com­pany previously designated.

809. The battalion will form line according to the principles of succes­sive formations, which will be herein prescribed; the color-bearers having received the colors from the colonel, or the sentinel placed over them; but if there be day-light, and sufficient time, the colors will be escorted as follows:

__________________________________

 

Composition and March of the Color-Escort:

810. When the battalion turns out under arms, if the colors be wanted, one of the flank companies, in its tour, or, if they be both absent, a battalion company, will be put in march, to receive and escort the colors in the fol­lowing order: 

811.   The drum-major, drummers, followed by the band;

812. The company, formed as column of platoons, right in front, arms supported;

813. The two color-bearers, elbow to elbow, between the two platoons.

814. The detachment will march in quick time, in this order, without the sound of instrument. Arrived at the quarters of the colonel, it will form line, fronting the principal entrance; the drums and the band on the right of the line.

815.  As soon as the detachment shall be in line, the two color-bearers. preceded by the first lieutenant, and followed by a sergeant, will enter the quarters to receive the colors.

 

 

 

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART I.

 

816. When the color-bearers come out, followed by the lieutenant and sergeant, they will, halt in front of the entrance.

817. At the instant the colors are brought out, the captain will order arms, to be presented, and the drums will beat the troop.

818.  After some fifteen or twenty seconds, the captain will cause the beat to cease, arms to be shouldered, and then break the company into col­umn of platoons: the color-bearers, first lieutenant and the sergeant will resume the places before occupied by them in the column.

819. The captain will put the detachment in march, to the sound of mu­sic, in the same order as above.

________________________________

 

-        Honors Paid to the Colors.

820.  When the head of the detachment shall have arrived near to one of the flanks of the battalion, the color-bearers will file out of the column; the colonel will cause the battalion to carry arms; the music will cease playing; the color-bearers will march in quick time down the front of the battalion, elbow to elbow, at the distance of ten paces from the line, till nearly opposite to the centre; the color-bearers will then wheel to the left or right, and halt, facing the centre.

821. The colonel, placed six paces in front of the color-sergeant, who is in the centre of the line, will, as soon as the color-bearers halt, cause the battalion to present arms, and then himself salute with the sword. This executed, the color-bearers immediately pass to the right and left of the colonel, to take their places in line, and the colonel will cause the battalion to shoulder arms.

822.  As soon as the color-bearers file out of the column, the drum-major, drums and band, without playing, as also the company, march by the rear, in quick time, to take their respective places in line.

823.  The colors will be escorted back to the colonel’s quarters, in the order prescribed above.

___________________________

___________________________

 

PART I.

 

Manner of Opening Ranks and Executing the Different

Firings.

____________________________

____________________________

 

ARTICLE FIRST.

 

To Open Ranks.

824.  To effect this, the colonel will command,

 

1. Rear rank, open files. 2. MARCH.

825.  At the first command, all the covering sergeants, as also the second sergeant In the rear rank, on the left of the battalion, will step to the rear, in order to mark off the new alignment for the rear rank, and will align themselves by the right, parallel to the rank of file-closers.

826.  The lieutenant-colonel will move to the right of the rank of cover­ing sergeants, and see that it is correctly aligned, one pace from, and par­allel to, the rank of file-closers.

S27. At the word MARCH, the rear rank, as also the rank of file-closers, will step back, in common time, without reckoning the number of steps; the men will pass a little beyond their rank, halt, and place themselves ac­curately on the alignment of the covering sergeants, who will take care to align them correctly in their intervals.

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART I.

 

828.  The file-closers will place themselves two paces in rear of the rear rank, and align themselves by their right. The lieutenant-colonel, placed on the right of this rank, will align it on the file-closer of the left, who will take care to place himself exactly two paces In rear of the rear rank, and to raise his firelock perpendicularly between his eyes.

829. The colonel, seeing the ranks aligned, will command,

 

3. FRONT.

___________________________

___________________________

 

ARTICLE SECOND.

 

Manual Exercise, and Loading in Quick Time.

830.  Before the ranks are closed, the colonel will exercise the battalion in the manual, and loading in quick time.

831.  The colonel will superintend tine exercises of the front rank, and the lieutenant-colonel those of the rear rank. The captains and covering sergeants, in their respective ranks, will always half-face to the right with the men, in the first motion of loading, and front when the man next to them, respectively, in their company casts about.

_______________________

_______________________

 

ARTICLE THIRD.

 

Loading in Quickest Time, and the Firings.

832.  The colonel will cause the ranks to be closed by the commands pre­scribed for the instructer, No. 469; and will then cause the battalion to load in quickest time.

833.  The colonel will cause the battalion to fire by company, by wing, by battalion, and by file, by the commands herein prescribed.

834.  The firing by company and by file, will always be direct to the front; and the firings by wing or by battalion, may be direct or oblique.

833.  When the firing is to be oblique, the colonel must, each time, give the caution Right oblique, or Left oblique, after the word READY, and pre­viously to the word AIM.

834. Firing by company will be executed by the first and second companies of each grand division, alternately, as if each grand division were isolated; the first company will fire first; the captain of the second will not give the first command, until he sees one or two firelocks shouldered in the first, after loading; the captain of the first company, in his turn, will observe the same rule in regard to the second; the firing continuing thus, alternately.

837.  The colonel will regulate the firing by wing, in the same manner.

838.  The firing by file will commence in all the companies at the same time, and conformably to what is prescribed, No. 495.

839.  The color-guard will not fire, but remain shouldered, as in No. 760, during the firings.

840.  The colonel will cause the firing to cease by a ruffle followed by a tap of the drumstick; at the signal of the tap, the captains, covering sergeants, color-rank and color-guard will quickly resume their places in line.

841.  At the instant when the ruffle commences, the soldiers will execute what is prescribed, No. 496, and all the officers and sergeants of the bat­talion will promptly repeat the words Cease firing.

842. When the battalion rests, no person will leave his post without spe­cial permission: should a captain or the lieutenant on the left obtain such permission, he will be replaced during his absence; the former by the cov­ering sergeant, and the latter by the sergeant on the left.

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART I.

 

843. The colonel will give the commands for firing from the rear of the battalion, placing himself where he can best be heard.

844. The lieutenant-colonel will take post, during the firings, in rear of the centre of the right wing, and the major in rear of the centre of the left wing, both about ten paces from the rank of file-closers; when the bat­talion rests, they will report to the colonel such faults as they may have observed.

_________________________________

 

To Fire by Company.

845.  To effect this, the colonel will command.

 

1. Fire by company. 2. Commence—FIRING.

846.  At the first command, the captains and their covering sergeants will retire, as prescribed, Nos. 487, 488, and the lieutenant and sergeant on the left of the battalion, will retire to the rank of file-closers of the left company, the lieutenant covering the centre of the fourth section; the ser­geant, the second file from the left of the same section. This ruhe will be general in all the firings.

847.  The color-rank and the color-guard will retire in such manner, that their front rank may be in the rear rank of the battalion.

848. At the second command, the odd companies will commence firing; the captains will give the commands prescribed, No. 489, taking care to add to the word company, the designation of first, third, fifth, or seventh, according to the number of each.

849. The captains of the even companies will give, in their turn, the same commands, adding, likewise, the denomination of each company; and so on, alternately.

850. In order that the odd companies, which commence the firing, may not fire all at once, the captains will observe, (but for the first fire only,) to give the word FIRE one after another; thus the captain of the third company will not give the words AIM and FIRE, till he has heard the fire of the first company; and the captain of the Fifth will observe the same rule with respect to the third, as, also, the captain of the seventh, with respect to the fifth company.

________________________

 

To Fire by Wing.

851.  To effect this, the colonel will command,

1. Fire by wing. 2. Right wing. 3. READY. 4. AIM. 5. FIRE.

6. LOAD.

 

852.  The colonel will cause the wings to fire alternately, conforming to what is prescribed, No. 837, in relation to the intervals between the firings.

 

 

To Fire by Battalion.

853.  The colonel will command,

1. Fire by battalion. 2. Battalion. 3. READY. 4. AIM. 5. FIRE.

6. LOAD.

______________________________________

 

To Fire by File.

854. To effect this, the colonel will command,

 

1.Fire by file. 2. Battalion. 3. READY.4. Commence—FIRING.

865.  In firing by wing, by battalion, and by file, the captains, at the first command from the colonel, will retire one pace in rear of the rear rank, each opposite his interval; and the covering sergeants will move, as in firing by company, into the rank of file-closers, each covering his captain.

 

 

 

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART II.

 

856.  The color-rank and guard will, at the same command, place them­selves as prescribed, in firing by company.

_____________________________

 

To Fire by the Rear.

857.  To efect this, the colonel will command,

 

1.      Fire to the rear. 2. Battalion. 3. About—FACE.

858.  Atthe word About, the captains, covering sergeants, and file-closers, will execute what Is prescribed. Nos. 502, 503.

859.  The battalion, thus faced to the rear, will execute the firings, as above.

860.  The wings and companies, though the right has become the left, and vice versa, shall still retain their proper appellations of right or left wing, and first, second, &c company. -

861. Firing by file will commence from the left (now become the right) of companies.

862. The captains, covering sergeants, the color-rank and guard, occupy the places prescribed for them when firing to the proper front; and move to them; respectively, at the first command.

863.  To front the battalion, the colonel will order,

 

1. Battalion. 2. About—FACE.           -

864.  At the second command, the captains, covering sergeants, and file-closers, will execute what Is prescribed, Nos. 507, 508. -

_____________________

 

Remarks on the Firings.

865.  When the battalion fires with cartridges, the colonel will sometimes order the captains to inspect the arms, after firing, as prescribed, No. 515.

866.In firing by wing, the colonel will not cause the left wing to fire, till he sees many firelocks loaded in the right, and so on.

____________________________

____________________________

 

PART II.

Different Methods of passing from Line into Column.

867. THE front of the battalion column will habitually be that of a com­pany; but for passing defiles and for route marches, the front will, more frequently, be that of platoons or sections.

868.  At the caution for forming column of companies from line, the first lieutenant of the left company will retire to the rank of file-closers, and place himself opposite to the centre of the fourth section of his company.

__________________________

__________________________

 

ARTICLE FIRST.

 

To Break to the Right or Left.

869. The colonel will cause the battalion to break into column of compa­nies, by the commands prescribed for the instructer, No. 597, substituting the word companies for platoons.

870. (Plate VIII.) What has been prescribed in the School of the Com­pany, for breaking into platoons, will be executed for breaking into com­panies; the captains will observe, in respect to their companies, what is prescribed for chiefs of platoons; and the colonel, what is prescribed for the instructer.

871.  The captains having ordered FRONT, no guide will move, even

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART II.

 

though he should not be in the line of direction of the guides in front of him; in order that an error of a company, that has wheeled too much or too little, may not be communicated to others; and the guides who are out of the direction will not resume it, till the column is put in march.

872.   If, however, the colonel wished immediately to form line, he would previously, rectify the positions of the guides, by the means prescribed, No. 1028, and following.

873.   When the battalion breaks by company, if to the right, the guide of the right of the company will place himself by the side of the man on the right of the front rank, at the instant the captain shall command, HALT: if to the left, the guide of the left will place himself by the side of the man on the left of the front rank of his company, at the instant the captain shall command, HALT: thus, whether the right or left be in front, the front rank of each company will he included between its two guides.

875.   The battalion having broken into column, the lieutenant-colonel and major are to take post on the pivot flank of the column, the former op­posite the leading, and the latter opposite the rear division. The colonel of a battalion receiving instruction has no fixed post, but in columns of sev­eral battalions, the colonel will, habitually, take post on the pivot flank of the column, eight or ten paces from the guides, and opposite the centre of the battalion. The adjutant and sergeant-major shall be near the lieuten­ant-colonel and major, respectively. (See No. 42.)

876.   (Ph. IX. Fig. 1.) When the battalion is to prolong its direction to-wards the right or left, or is to march perpendicularly, or diagonally, to the front or rear of one of its flanks, the colonel will cause it to break to the right or left as just prescribed; but, when the battalion is to break to the right, in order to march to the left, or the reverse, the company on the flank will march forward twice the extent of its front, while the other com­panies are wheeling into column; and for this purpose, the colonel will command, Break to the right to march to the left; or Break to the left to march to the right, before commanding, Companies—right (or left) wheel.

 

 

ARTICLE SECOND.

 

To File to the Rear into Open Columns.

 

877.   To effect this, right in front, the colonel commands,

 

1.       By right of companies, rear, into column. 2. Battalion,

right—FACE. 3. MARCH.

 

878.   (Pl. IX. Fig. 2.) At the first word, the captains will place them­selves in front of the centre of their respective companies, and caution them to face to the right;

879.   At the second, the battalion will face; each captain will move quickly to the right of his company, causing the two files on the right to disengage to the rear, the front file to its right the breadth of two ranks; the second file advancing only the left shoulder; which being effected, each captain will move opposite the left file of the company, immediately on his right, placing himself se as to press lightly his breast against the left arm of time front rank man of that file; the captain of the company on the right of the battalion will place himself in the same manner as if there were a company on his right, aligning himself on the other captains; each covering sergeant will move at the same time to the rear of his company, and place himself in front of the front rank man of the first file, to conduct it.

880.  At the word MARCH, the first file of each company will wheel to the right, the covering sergeant conducting it, perpendicularly to the roar;. the following files will wheel, successively, on the same ground;

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART III.

 

the captains will not move, observing their companies file before them, and, at the instant the last file shall have wheeled, will command,

1. Company. 2. HALT. 3. FRONT. 4. Left—DRESS

881.   At the instant the company fronts, the guide of the left will place himself opposite the captain, against whose breast he will press his left arm, lightly.

882.   At the fourth word, the company will align itself on the guide of the left; the captain will direct the alignment so that the position of the company may be perpendicular to that it occupied inline; for this purpose, he will move about two paces without the flank, the better to ascertain the direction.

883.   The company being aligned, the captain will command, FRONT, and place himself in front of its centre. This will be a general rule.

884.   To file Into column, left in front, the colonel will give the same commands as above, substituting left for right.

885.   The movement is executed on the same principles, but by inverse means; the captain shifting to his left, and the guide of the left placing himself in position to lead, when the two files break to the rear.

 

 

Remarks on Filing to the Rear into Open Column.

 

886.   This manoeuvre will be employed, when want of room prevents wheeling forward, as prescribed in the preceding article; and as often as the pivot flank of the column Is to march on the prolongation of the line from which it was formed.

 

 

ARTICLE THIRD.

 

To form Close Column (or Mass) from Line.

 

(Omitted, because these formations cannot he well executed without the lock-step, and because the column at half distance is supposed sufficient in an abstract of this kind. See Art. Sixth, Part III.)

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

 

PART III.

 

March in Column, and various other Movements relating

to the Column.

 

 

ARTICLE FIRST.

 

March in Column at Full Distance.

 

932.   WHEN the colonel intends to put the column in march, he will point out to the leading guide two distinct objects, in front in the line of direc­tion; the guide will immediately face towards these objects, taking, as a point of sight, the more remote, and, as an intermediate point, the nearer object.

933. If only one distinct object offer in the line of direction, the guide will face towards it, as before, choosing, immediately, an intermediate point on the ground.

934.     Finally, if no distinct object offer, the colonel will detach the lieu­tenant-colonel thirty or forty paces in front of, and facing towards, the col­umn, and establish him by a signal with his sword, on the line of direction. The lieutenant-colonel being thus established, the leading guide will face

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART III.

 

towards him, immediately choosing two points on the ground, in the line passing between his heels; afterwards assuming, successively, new points on the ground, as the column advances, as explained, No. 522. (See, also. No. 42.)

935.   These dispositions made, the colonel will command,

 

1. Column—forward. 2. Guides—left (or right.) 3. MARCH.

 

980.   By marching always on the prolongation of the two points estab­lished, the leading guide is enabled to move correctly, on the line of direc­tion; if these points be objects elevated above the level of the ground, he is certain of being in the true direction, when the nearest point masks the most distant.

937.   The following guides will maintain the exact step and distance, marching, each, in the path of the guide immediately preceding him, with­out attending to the general direction.

938.   The lieutenant-colonel will be near the leading guide, to see that he does not deviate from the direction, and that the guide of the second di­vision marches exactly in the trace of the first.

939.   The major will post himself near the guide of the rear division, and should any of the intermediate guides deviate, sensibly, from the line of direction, he will rectify that error, and prevent its being communicated; but such correction will only take place when it may be necessary to pre­vent considerable deviations.

940.   The colonel will habitually ho on the pivot flank, and see that the step, the distance, and all the principles of marching in column, as pre­scribed in the School of the Company, are observed.

941.   These means, which the practice of the School of the Company must have rendered familiar, will enable a column to march in a given di­rection, with sufficient accuracy to form line to the front, or faced to the rear; or on the right or left; or to form close, from open column.

942.   But where a column, arriving in front or rear of a line, is to prolong that line, in order to wheel up to the left, or right, into it, it is essential that such column should neither intersect, or deviate sensibly from the new line. To ensure this, the following means will be employed:

943.   (Pl. X. Fig. 1.) If the column, right in front, arrive in front of the line, the guide of the leading division will direct his march on the intermediate point, previously established on that line, in order to indicate the point where the column is to turn to the left, and prolong the new di­rection; the chief of the leading division will not cause it to turn, till it has passed four paces beyond the line; and, at the instant it has turned, the general guide of the right will place himself on the line opposite this division, face to the two points of direction in front, which the colonel and lieutenant-colonel will point out to him, and march, correctly, on the pro­longation of those points.

944.   The bearer of the regimental color will place himself in the same manner, at the instant the color-division has turned; and will march on the line opposite his division, observing to carry the colors perpendicularly be­fore the middle of his body, and to march exactly in the direction of the general guide, who precedes him, and of the point of sight in front; which will be indicated to him.

9411. Finally, the general guide of the left will place himself also on the line, at the instant the rear division shall have turned, and march, accu­rately, in the direction of the regimental colors, and general guide of the right, who precede him.

* If there be but one color with the battalion, this might be the state color. (See note to Nos. 53, 54.)

 

 

 

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART III.

 

of the following divisions will each march in the trace of the guide who immediately precedes, as prescribed, No. 937.

947.   The colonel, placed on the flank, outside of the general guides, will see that the column marches nearly parallel to, and shout four paces inside of, the line of the general guides.

948.   The lieutenant-colonel and major will see that the general guides march, correctly, in the direction of the two points in front; and, for this purpose, they will sometimes place themselves in rear of the regimental colors, or of the general guide of the left.

951.   (Pl. X. Fig. 2.) If the column, right in front, arrive in rear of the line, the colonel will conduct the guide of the left (the pivot flank) of the leading division, not on the intermediate point situated on that line, but more to the left by, at least, the whole front of the division, ordering it to wheel to the right, in such manner that, when the wheel is finished, the guide may be four paces within the intermediate point.

952.   At the instant the leading division, having wheeled to the right, shall commence marching parallel to the line, the general guide of the right will place himself on the line, directing himself on the two points in front; the color-bearer will also place himself on the line, when his divis­ion has wheeled; and, lastly, the general guide of the left, after the rear division has wheeled.

954.   These movements will be executed in a column, left in front, and arriving in front or in rear of the line, on the same principles, by inverse means.

955.   If, lastly, the column, instead of arriving in front or in rear of the line, should arrive cot the right or left of it, anti has to prolong that line, in order to wheel up afterwards, to the left or right, into line, the colonel would order the general guides to the flank of the column, by the com­mand, General guides on the line; when these guides would prolong the line, as prescribed above.

956. If, instead of causing the column to march with the cadenced step, the colonel with it to march with the route step, the word MARCH would be preceded by Route step.

957. All that is prescribed above, for maintaining the direction, is equal­ly applicable to a column, marching with the route step.

__________________________________

 

Remarks on the March in Open Column.

959.   The march in quick time will be practised, when the soldiers are well confirmed in the cadence of the ordinary step.

960.   Two non-commissioned officers, thoroughly instructed, are to be selected as general guides; they will be particularly qualified in the ac­curacy of the step, and in prolonging, without deviation, a given direc­tion: these two non-commissioned officers will be placed in the rank of file-closers on the right and left of their battalion, and be deemed in the number of the file-closers of the right and left companies ; they will be distinguished by the appellation of general guide of the right, and general guide of the left.

961.   When the color-bearer acts as a general guide, he will carry his colors perpendicularly between the eyes, the heel of the staff as high as the waist; he will be replaced in his rank by his covering corporal.

962.   When a column prolongs a line, it is very important that the gen­eral guides should march correctly on that line; it is, therefore, necessary that the colonel, lieutenant-colonel, and major, whose duty it is to main­tain the guides on the direction, should be able, always, to see the objects on which the march of the general guide is conducted.

965.     For the direction of a column of one or two battalions, it will be sufficient to employ men on foot, to establish the line which the general guides are to follow, when objects on the ground do not offer themselves.

 

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART IlI.

 

ARTICLE SECOND.

 

Column of Route.

966. To take the route step from the cadenced step, or the reverse, the colonel will give the commands prescribed, No. 685, and following.

967. It is a fixed principle, that the depth of an open column, whether of manoeuvre or of route, shall he less then the front of its line, by the front of a division.

968. The observance of this principle requires no particular rule in a column of manoeuvre; but, as columns of route frequently meet with narrow roads, bridges, and defiles, which oblige them to diminish the front of divisions, it is necessary to point out the method to be pursued in such cases, to enable the column to march at ease as long as possible, without the inconvenience of lengthening out.

969. (Pl. Xl. Fig. 1 and 8.) A column of route, as in interior or route marches; will assume, from the commencement of each particular march, that front, which the nature of the road or defile will permit it to carry for the greater part of the distance to be gained, from halt to halt.

970. If an unforeseen want of space, only, or an occasional obstruction, render a diminution of front necessary, it will be made by the commands and means prescribed in the School of the Company.

971.   Diminutions of front will be executed by divisions, successively, on an intimation from the colonel or lieutenant-colonel, given to the chief of the leading division; each breaking on the ground where the leading one broke; or the colonel may cause all the companies or platoons to break at once, by the commands,

 

1. Break into platoons (or sections.) 2. MARCH.

 

972.   (Pl. XI. Fig. 3 and 4.) These commands will also be executed, as has been prescribed, No. 692, and following.

973.   (Pl. Xl. Fig. 5.)The column of divisions maybe caused to march by a flank, either successively, by divisions, or at once, by the whole column; in either case, by the means prescribed, No. 592, and following.

974.   If the column have the left in front, the captains and guides would place themselves as prescribed for marching by the left flank, No. 1395, and following.

975.   The leading division will follow the windings of the road, or defile; the other divisions, without occupying the attention with the direction, will, each, successively follow the preceding. The soldiers will not endeavor to avoid bad roads, but each, as much as possible, march in his particular line of direction.

9713. When the column marches by the route step, changes of direction take place always without command; the chiefs of divisions need only cau­tion them, when the change of direction is considerable ; the rear rank, and the files in the rear, will change direction, successively, on the same ground.

977.   The front, in which the column commenced the particular march, having been that of company, when the two leading platoons have passed the obstruction, the captain will form his company, if so ordered, and the captains of the companies, following in platoons, will execute the same movement, successively, on the same ground.

978.   If the front of the column had been that of platoon, the chief of the leading platoon would, in like manner, form platoon, as soon as the two leading sections have passed the obstruction. The following chiefs of pla­toons would, without command, follow the example, as above.

9t9. Finally, the chief of the leading division will enter up to the front, files broken off, as the road or defile widens, on an intimation from a field­

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART IlI.

 

officer, which would be followed by the other chiefs on arriving on the same ground.

981.   The colonel, or lieutenant-colonel, remains at the head of the bat­talion, to regulate the rate of march of the leading division, and to indicate to the chief of that division the instant at which he is to execute the vari­ous movements prescribed shove.

__________________________________

 

General Remarks on the Column of Route.

 

997.   When the breadth of the narrowest part of the defile is previously known, it is preferable to diminish all the divisions of the battalion at once, whether by platoons, sections or files; but to increase front, it is preferable that each division should execute the movement as it comes out from the defile.

998. Divisions must step out well, in obliquing, when front is diminished or increased; and files, in breaking off, or in forming up again, must fol­low this rule. In order to avoid an elongation of the column, in diminish­ing or increasing front, successively, it is of the utmost importance, that no division should march slower, or step shorter, while the preceding one is executing the movement.

999. If the battalion has to march by a flank to pass a defile, the march will be by the cadenced step, when great care will be required to prevent the files from opening.

1000. (Pl. Xl. Fig. 6.) If a column meet with a pass so narrow, as to require defiling with a single man in front, the commander will order the front rank man of each file to pass first, followed closely by his rear rank man; the files to follow each other in proper order, as quickly as possible; the divisions to form up as they p ass, the leading division marching for­ward, till a sufficient space be left, between it and the defile, to contain the battalion in close column, when the leading division will be halted. the officers and sergeants will pass between the files, corresponding whim their respective places.

__________________________________

__________________________________

 

ARTICLE THIRD.

 

To Change Direction in Column at Full Distance.

1001. (Pl. XII. Fig. 1 and 2.) The colonel wishing the column to change direction, will caution, to that effect, the chief of the leading divis­ion, and repair in his own person to the spot where the movement is to commence; he will place himself there, whether the change of direction be on the pivot or reverse flank, (as represented, Pl. XII. Fig. 1 and 2,) and remain in that position till the rear division of his battalion arrives.

1002. The guide of each division will direct himself so as to pass before, and close to the head of the horse of the colonel ; and, when there, the chief of the division will cause his division to change direction, according to the principles, and by the commands, prescribed No. 623, and following.

1003. When the column changes direction on the reverse flank, the colonel will observe that the guide moves accurately on the arc of a circle.

1004. When there is no distinct object in the new direction, to serve as a point of view to the guide of the leading division, the lieutenant-colonel will move, beforehand, thirty or forty paces to the front, and the leading guide, as soon as he has turned, will take points on the ground, in the line passing from himself between the heels of the lieutenant-colonel, who will face towards him; this leading guide will assume new points as he ad­vances. (See No. 42.)

1005. The major will see that the guides conduct their march on the colonel, placed at the wheeling point, so as to graze the head of his horse.

 

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART IlI.

 

Remarks on the Changes of Direction in Column at Full

Distance.

1007. It has been shown, in the School of the Company, how important it is, that each division should execute, successively, the change of direction, precisely on the same ground where the leading one effected it, and arrive there at right angles to the line passing through the flank of the column; that the wheeling point should be cleared in such manner, that the wheeling division may, at no time, obstruct the movement of the suc­ceeding one, and that the guide of each division should neither step out, nor step short, in turning: the deeper the column is, the more strictly ought these principles to be observed.

1008. In instructing his battalion separately, the colonel need not post himself at the wheeling point, where it will be sufficient to station a marker.

_______________________

_______________________

 

ARTICLE FOURTH.

 

Change of Direction in Column of Full Distance, by the

Prompt Manoeuvre.

 

(Omitted.)

___________________________

___________________________

 

ARTICLE FIFTH.

 

To halt the Column.

1026. The column being in march, the colonel, wishing to halt it, will command,

 

1. Column. 2. HALT.

1027. At the word HALT, repeated promptly by the captains, the col­umn will halt; no guide will move, although he be not at his proper dis­tance, nor on the line of the guides preceding him.

1028. The column bring halted, if the colonel wish to form line, he will place himself a little in front of the leading guide; and face towards him; the latter and the following guide will fix their eyes on the colonel, in order to conform readily to the direction he may indicate to them.

1029. Should the colonel judge it necessary to place the guides on a general line of direction, he will place the two first on the line, and immediately command, 

Guides on the line.

1030. At this command, all the other guides will promptly cover the two first, precisely at wheeling distance from each other; the colonel will ver­ify their positions, and then command,

Left (or right)—DRESS.

1031. At this command, each company will align itself on its guide, by closing to the left; the captains will place themselves two paces without their guides, promptly align their respective companies parallel to that im­mediately preceding, and then command, FRONT, stopping quickly to their places in column.

1032. Should the colonel deem it unnecessary to establish the guides on a general line, he need only rectify the position of those too much within or without the line of direction, by commanding, Guide of such company, (or of such companies,) to your right, (or to your left;) at this, the guides named will place themselves on the line of direction, all use other guides standing fast.

 

 

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART IlI.

 

1033. If, finally, the general guides were marching on the flank of the column, the colonel, having halted it, would place himself in rear of the color-bearer, to ascertain whether he and the leading general guide are accurately on the prolongation of the two points in front on which they marched; if not on this line, the colonel will place them on it; the major, in like manner, will ascertain, and rectify, if necessary, the position of the general guide of the rear, which being accomplished, the colonel will command,

 

Guides on the line.

1034. At this, each guide on the pivot flank shall step quickly on the line of the general guides, facing towards the head of the column; the lieu­tenant-colonel, in front of the leading general guide, towards whom he faces; and the major, placed in rear of the general guide of the rear, shall promptly align the guides of divisions. If the general guides occupy the places where the left of the divisions, opposite to them respectively, are to rest, when dressed to that flank, (which is supposed in Nos. 943, and fol­lowing,) the particular guides of these three divisions would not place them­selves on the alignment, but would, on the next command, (below,) fall back, momentarily, to the rank of file-closers.

1035. The colonel, having verified the position of the guides, will com­mand,

 

Left (or right)—DRESS.

1036. At this command, all the companies will incline to their respective guides, and will be promptly aligned by their chiefs, who, for this purpose, will place themselves two paces outside of their respective guides.

_____________________________________

 

Remark.

(Omitted)

________________________________________

________________________________________

 

ARTICLE SIXTH.

 

To close to HalfDistance from Open Column.

1038. The battalion in column of companies, at full distance, would be closed to half distance, by the following commands from the colonel:

 

1.       Column, close to half distance. 2. MARCH.

 

1039. At the word MARCH, repeated by all the captains, except the leading one, the leading company, if halted, stands fast; its captains giving the word, Left (or right)—DRESS. But, If the column be marching, the captain of the leading company, on a caution from the colonel, will order,

1. Company. 2. HALT. 3. Left. (or right)—DRESS.

1040.At the word MARCH, from the colonel, all the companies, except the leading company, wilt step off together, each being halted as above, by its captain, when at half distance from the preceding company.

1041. At the instant each company halts, the guide of the left, (if the right be in front,) or the guide of the right, (if the left be in front,) will quickly place himself on the line of the preceding guides; the captain will move two paces outside of his guide, and command, Left (or right)— DRESS.

1042. The company being aligned, the captain will order, FRONT, mov­ing two paces in front of the centre of his company.

1044. The colonel, on the pivot flank of the column, superintends the execution of the movement, observing that the captains halt their compa­nies at half distance.

1045. The lieutenant-colonel will post himself some paces in front of the leading company, facing to its guide on the pivot flank; and carefully

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART IlI.

 

rectify the position of each guide, as each places himself on the line of direction.

1046. The major, near the flank of the rear company, will follow the movement.

____________________________________________

____________________________________________

 

ARTICLE SEVENTH.

To March in Column at Half Distance.

1049. A column at half distance is put in march from a halt by the same commands as if it were at full distance.

1050. The means of preserving the line of direction of a column at half distance are the same as for a column at full distance, with the exception of general guides.

1051. When the colonel wishes to halt the column at half distance, he will give the commands for halting a column at full distance; and if, after­wards, he deem it necessary to establish the guides on a general line, he will employ the commands and means prescribed, No. 1029.

1052. In columns at half distance, the captains will repeat the words MARCH, HALT, in a column at full distance.

____________________________________

____________________________________

 

ARTICLE EIGHTH.

To Change Direction in Column at Half Distance.

1053. (Pl. XIII. Fig. 1.) A column in march, at half distance, changes direction either on the pivot or reverse flank, on the same principles, and by the same commands, as a column at full distance, except that, in changing direction on the reverse flank, the pivot man of each company will take steps of fourteen, in lieu of seven inches; for, without this, the wheel­ing point would not be cleared in time.

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

 

ARTICLE NINTH.

To Change Direction in Close Column.

(Omitted.)

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

 

ARTICLE TENTH.

Countermarch.

1081. If the column be at full or half distance, the countermarch will be executed by the commands and means prescribed, No. 717, and following, the colonel substituting battalion for company; and each captain will put, before the caution company, which precedes HALT, the appellation of First, Second, &c. according to the number of his company.

1093. The colonel, on the pivot flank, superintends the general execu­tion of the movement. The countermarch being executed, the lieutenant-colonel will post himself near the rear division, now become the front, and the major, near the front division, now become the rear.

_________________________________

_________________________________

 

ARTICLE ELEVENTH.

To Form Close Column of Grand Division, from a Halt­

ed Close Column of Companies

(Omitted)

 

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART IV.

 

PART IV.

 

Different Methods of Passing from Column into Line.

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

 

ARTICLE FIRST.

 

Manner of Determining the Line.

1119. THE line may be marked off in three different manners.

1120. 1st. By placing two markers in the direction to be given to the line.

1121. 2d. By fixing on a point where a flank is to rest, and choosing, afterwards, a second point In the direction of the opposite flank; by means of which two points, the line is determined.

1122. 3d. In choosing, at first, the points of direction of the two flanks, and determining, afterwards, by intermediate points, the line passing be­tween these two points, both of which may sometimes be inaccessible.

1123. In the first case, the major, charged with establishing the line, will place two markers, forty or fifty paces from each other, in the direc­tion previously indicated to him; and they will constitute the base of the general alignment.

1124. In the second case, the point of appui (support) must be indicated to the major, and the point of direction on the opposite flank; the major will repair to the point of appui, and fix two markers, distant from each other a little less than the extent of the front of the leading division of the column, in the direction pointed out to him: the first of these markers will be placed at the point appui.

1125. In the third case, where the points of direction of the two flanks are given, the line passing through them is determined as follows:

1126. (Pl. XIII. Fig. 2 ) In determining this line, two markers, or mounted officers (a and b), will be employed.

1127. The two points given being the steeple (d) to the right, and the tree (e) to the left, the marker (a) will halt while the other (b), moving to same distance from him, towards the right, will bring the marker (a) and the tree (e) into the same line.

1128. The two markers then march, wheeling to the left on the point (c), as the pivot; the marker (b), during the whole movement, will regu­late himself on the marker (a), keeping him and the tree (e) always in a line.

1129. The marker (a), during the march, must keep his eyes fixed on the marker (b), in order to halt at the instant the latter masks the stee­ple (d).

1130. If the marker (b) conform exactly to the movement of the other, (a), so that the latter masks the tree (c), at the moment the former masks (d), both being on the line (c, d,)  the intermediate points are determined.

1131. The two markers, having halted, will face towards each other; it not accurately on the line, the marker (a) will rectify the position as fol­lows:

1132. Suppose the marker (a) perceive the steeple (d) to the left of the line; he will incline a little to the left; the marker (b), always intent on keeping the marker (a) and the tree (c) in a line, will follow the move­ment of the marker (a), who will halt when (b) masks the steeple (d).

1133. If, on the contrary, the marker (a) perceive the steeple (d) to his right, he would incline a little to the right, till the marker (b), who follow­ed his movement, masked the steeple (d).

1134. These intermediate points being thus found, the line is deter­mined.

 

 

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART IV.

 

ARTICLE SECOND.

 

Different Methods of Forming Line from Column at Full

Distance.

 

1st. To the left, (or right,) 2d. On the right, (or left,) 3d. To the front, 4th. Faced to the rear,

}

into line.

1ST.— To Form Line to the Left from Column at Full Distance,

Right in Front.

1135. The column is supposed halted; the colonel, having rectified the position of the guides, as has been heretofore prescribed, will command,

 

1. Left, into Line wheel. 2. MARCH.

1135. At the first command, the guide of the right of the leading compa­ny will move, quickly, on the line of the guides of the left, facing towards them, and placing himself so as to be immediately in front of one of the three files on the right of his company when in line. The lieutenant-colonel will see that this guide is properly placed.

1137. At the word MARCH, briskly repeated by the captains, the man on the left of the front rank of each company will face to the left, pressing his breast lightly against the right arm of his guide; the companies will wheel to the left, conforming to the principles of wheeling on a halted pivot, and to what is prescribed, No. 607. Each captain will face about to his company, to conduct the movement; and, when the right of his company is within two paces of the line, will promptly command,

1. Company, 2. HALT.

1138. The company being halted, the captain will place himself on the line, by the side of the man on the left of the company immediately on the right, align himself correctly, and promptly command,

Right—DRESS.

1139. At this command, the company will move up into the interval between its captain and the front rank man on the left; the captain directing the alignment on that man; the man of the right of the leading company, who finds himself opposite to the guide of the right, placed on the line, will press his breast lightly against his left arm.

1140. Each captain, having aligned his company, will command, FRONT, and the colonel will then command,

Guides—POSTS.

1141. At this command, the guides will resume their places in line, passing, each, through the interval of the captain nearest to them; the colo­nel will, from the right, judge of the accuracy. of the alignment, causing it, if necessary, to be rectified by the captains. If the general guides be on the alignment, they would, in like manner, retire to their places in line. at the last command, the corporal in the front rank, who replaced the bearer of the regimental colors, stepping back to the ream rank at the same time.

1142. When the companies are formed in line, the file-closers will align themselves correctly, two paces in rear of the ream rank.

1143. The battalion being correctly aligned, if it form a part of a line of many battalions, the colonel, lieutenant-colonel, and major, will occupy their habitual places in line; but if the battalion be at exercise separately, they will move wherever their presence may be required: this rule will be general, after all formations in line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART IV.

 

1144. If the column had the left in front, it would form line to the right, according to the same principles; the guide of the left of the leading company would execute, at the first command, what is prescribed for the guide of the right of the leading company, No. 1136; and the captains will, at the command, Guides—POSTS, shift to the right of their companies.

___________________________________

 

Inversion.

1145. The colonel, supposing sometimes the necessity of forming line to the reverse flank, and wishing to effect this movement in the readiest manner, will command, when the right is in front,

1.By inversion, right into line wheel. 2. Column, guides right.

1146. At the first command, the lieutenant-colonel will place himself a little in front of, and facing, the guide of the right of the leading company. and the major a little in rear of the guide of the right of the rear compa­ny; the guide of the left of the leading company will place himself, at the same time, on the line of the guides on the right of the column, facing towards them, and posting himself as prescribed, No. 1136.

1147. At the second command, the lieutenant-colonel and major will, as quickly as possible, align the guides of the right of the column.

1148. The colonel will then command,

3. MARCH.

1149. At this word, the man on the right of the front rank of each com­pany will face to the right, pressing his breast lightly against the left arm of his guide; and the column will form line to the right, according to the prescribed principles, which being executed, the colonel will command,

Guides—POSTS.

1150. At this command, the captains will shift to the right of their re­spective companies.

 

2d.—To Form Line on the Right from Column, Right in Front.

1151. (Pt. XIV.) When the column at full distance, right in front, is to form line on the right, the colonel will, beforehand, point out to the lieu­tenant-colonel where the right is to rest, as also the point of direction on the left; the major, accompanied by two markers, will proceed to establish them in the line of direction as follows:

1152. The first will be posted at the point of appui, (support,) and mark the place where the front rank man, on the right of the battalion, is to rest in line; the second will be placed on the line, so as to be immediately in front of one of the three files on the left of the leading company; they will he established, so as to present the right shoulder to the battalion when formed.

1153. The head of the column having arrived nearly at the point where the colonel wishes the right to rest, he will command,

 

1.       On right, into line. 2. Column, guides right.

1154. At the second command, the men will touch elbows towards the right; the guide of the right of the leading company will march straight forward to the point where this company is to turn to the right.

1155. The following guides will march in the trace of the guide who precedes them.

1156. The leading company having arrived nearly opposite the first marker, its captain will command,

Right turn;

1157.And, when the company has its right precisely opposite the marker, he will add,

 

MARCH.

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART IV.

 

1158. At the word MARCH, the company will turn to the right, and the guide of the right will direct his march so as to conduct the man next to him against the marker of the right.

1159. The company being arrived near the two markers, its captain-will promptly command,

1.       Company. 2. HALT. 3. Right—DRESS.

1160. At the second command, the company will halt;

1161. At the third, the company will align Itself; the two front rank men, who are opposite the markers, will press their breasts lightly against their right arms, respectively; the guide of the left will retire to the rank of file-closers; the captain will move to the right of his front rank, and di­rect the alignment on the two men whose breasts touch the right arms of the markers: this rule will he general in all successive formations.

1162. The second company will continue to march straight forward, and, when arrived opposite the left flank of the first, it will turn to the right, by command of its captain, as above, marching afterwards towards the line; the guide of the right will conduct the march so as to arrive by the side of the left hand man of the first company.

1163. When the company shall have arrived within two paces of the line, the captain will halt it, as prescribed above, and move quickly to the left of the first company, aligning himself accurately on the front rank of that company.

1164. The guide of the left will, at the same time, move to the front of one of the three files on the left of his company; and, facing to the right, place himself in the line of the two markers of the first company.

1165. The captain of the second company will them promptly command,

 

Right—DRESS

1166. The second company will move up to the line, and the captain will direct the alignment on the man of his front rank, whose breast presses lightly against the right arm of his guide of the left.

1167. The succeeding companies will arrive thus, one after the other, into line, conforming to what is prescribed for the second company; and, when the whole battalion is correctly in line, the colonel will command:

 

Guides—POSTS.

1168. At this command, the guides will retire to their places in line, and the markers, in front of the first company, will also retire: the same will take place after all formations in line; the guides will always pass through the interval of the nearest captain.

1169. The colonel will follow up the successive formation along the front of the line, and always opposite to the company about to turn, in order to move up to the line; whence he can best see and rectify any error arising from a command given too soon, or too late, to the preceding company.

1170. The lieutenant-colonel will, with the utmost care, rectify the po­sition of the guides as they arrive on the line, placing himself, for this pur­pose, some paces in rear of them on the line: this rule will be general in all successive formations.

1171. A column, left in front, wilt form line on the left by inverse means. The captains will move to the left of their companies, in order to align them; and at the command, Guides—POSTS, they will resume their places in line; and this will always be the case when a column, left in front, forms line.

___________________________________________

 

Remarks on Forming Line on the Right or Left.

117g. In order that this movement may be executed with greater regu­larity, the line will he so established, that each company, after turning, may have at least four paces to march, to arrive on the line.

1173. In the first lessons, the line will be established parallel, or nearly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART IV.

 

go, to the direction of the column; but when the captains and guides un­derstand the mechanism of the movement, the colonel will choose oblique directions, in order to habituate the battalion to form line in any direction.

1174. (Pl. XIV.) When the direction of the line forms a sensible angle with that of the march of the column (d e), the colonel will point out to the guide of the leading company, previous to commencing the movement, an object in front (f), in a direction nearly parallel to the line; the lead­ing guide will immediately conduct his march on this point, and his com­pany will conform to the new direction, at the command or caution of its captain; each of the following companies will, successively, as it arrives on the same ground, execute the same movement; by this means, all the companies arriving, each at the point where it is to turn, to place itself on the line, will have, after turning, nearly the same number of steps to take to arrive on the line.

1175. The captains will not, after placing themselves on the line, com­mand DRESS, till their guides are accurately established on the line by the lieutenant-colonel: this rule will he general in all successive formations.

 

 

3d.— To Form Line to the Front, front Column at Full Distance,

Right in Front.

1176. The column supposed to arrive right in front, in rear of the right of the line on which the formation is to take place, the colonel will Indi­cate, beforehand, to the major, the point where the right is to rest, as also the point of direction on the left, and the major will immediatelyestablish the markers on the line, as prescribed, No. 1152.

1177. The head of the column having arrived at about the distance of the front of a company from the two markers established on the line, the colonel will halt the column, and command,

 

1. To the front into line. 2. Column, guides right.

3. Companies, left wheel. 4. MARCH.

 

1178. At the word MARCH, the leading company will march up, and be established on the markers; all the other companies will wheel to the left on a halted pivot. When the colonel judges that the wheel is nearly completed, according to the direction of the line to be formed on, be will order,

5. Forward;

1179. And, at the Instant when he deems the wheel to be sufficient, he will add,

6. MARCH.

 

1180. (Pl. XV.) At the last word, (MARCH,) the guide of the right of the company, nearest the line, ceasing to turn, will march for­ward.

1181. At the same word, the guide of the right of the following compa­ny, ceasing also to turn, shall march straight forward, preserving, between his company and the preceding, the distance which separated them, when the word MARCH was given.

1182. The guide of the right of each of the following companies will ob­serve what has just been prescribed for that of the preceding company.

1183. At the instant the guide of the right of each company arriving op­posite the left file of the company which Immediately precedes his own in line, the captain will command,

1.       Right turn. 2. MARCH.

1184. These two commands will be executed as prescribed above, for forming line on the right.

1185. Each company will be halted by its captain two paces from the line; the guide of the left of each will promptly place himself on the line, in front of one of the three files, on the left of his company, and the lieu-

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART IV.

 

tenant-colonel will establish them on the direction; which being execu­ted, the captain (having placed himself on the left of the company on his right) will promptly command,

 

Right—DRESS.

1186. The formation being       effected, the colonel will command, Guides—POSTS.

1187. With the left in front, this formation will be executed by inverse means.

1188. The colonel and lieutenant-colonel will, in these formations, each discharge the duties prescribed for them, Nos. 1169, 1170.

_________________________________

 

Remarks on Forming Line to the Front, from Column at full

Distance.

1189. The precision of this movement depends on the direction which the companies may be in, at the moment the colonel commands MARCH; he will judge of the moment of giving this word, by considering, that if the direction of the line form with that of the column a right angle, the companies must wheel the half of this, and that the more acute the angle is, which these two directions form with each other, so much the more ought the companies to wheel, before they move forward.

1190. (Pl. XV.) It is essentially important that each company should so conduct its march, as to turn at the point (e) opposite the place where its captain is to move up on the line. If a company turned too soon, it would be, in part, masked by that which preceded it on time line, and would be obliged to unmask itself by the oblique step; if it turned too late, it would pass beyond the flank of the preceding company in line, and, to repair this error, would be obliged to oblique in moving up on the line.

1191. In both cases, the fault of one company, leading the next into er­ror, might communicate itself, successively, as far as the last company.

1192. The guide of each company must turn, so that his company may arrive square on the line.

1193. If the angle formed by the line with the original direction of the column were so acute that the companies, In arriving opposite to their respective places in line, should be almost parallel to the line, the captains would not give the command, Right (or left) turn, but would halt their companies two paces from the line, and, from this position, would command, Right (or left)—DRESS.

1194. If, on the contrary, the angle which the line forms with the origi­nal direction of the column, be sensibly more than a right angle, the for­mation would not be executed to the front, but on the right, (or left,) ac­cording to the principles prescribed for these formations.

1195. If a company meet with an obstacle opposing the march to the front, it would face to the right or left in marching, and follow in file the preceding company; and when the obstacle is cleared, it would re-form on the march, by command of its captain.

______________________________________

 

4th.— To Form Line faced to the Rear, from Column at Full Dis­tance, Right in Front.

 

1196. The column being supposed to arrive, right in front, in front of the right of the line, the colonel will previously indicate to the major the point where the right is to rest, as also the point of direction on the left; the ma­jor will immediately proceed to establish two markers on the line, as pre­scribed for forming line on the right.

1197. The head of the column having arrived at about the distance of a company from the two markers established on the line, the colonel will halt the column, and order the captain of the leading company to establish it, faced to the rear, on the line, close to the markers; the company will

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART IV.

 

face to the right, and wheel by file to the left, by command of its captain. pass the line, and, when the leading file has passed two paces, will wheel again to the left, in order to march at rear of the markers, where, when ar­rived, its captains will front, and align it by the right.

1198. In this position, the leading company will be faced towards the column, and, as soon as it is established on the line, the colonel will com­mand,

1. Into line faced to the rear. 2. CoIumn, right—FACE. 3. MARCH.

1199. At the second command, all the companies, except that established on the line, will face to the right, and the captains will place themselves by the side of their guide of the right.

1200. (Pl. XVI.) At the word MARCH, all the companies which have faced to the right will step off together; the guide of the left (d) of the company nearest to the line will spring forward, to mark off the line; he will place himself as already prescribed for successive formations, and will indicate to his captain the point near which he is to cross the line, (two paces) in order to wheel by file to the left, so as to conduct his com­pany parallel to the line, as in (f).

1201. As soon as the leading file of this company shall have arrived near the left file of the company already formed on the line, the captain will command,

 

1. Company. 2. HALT. 3. FRONT. 4. Right—DRESS.

1202. The first command will he given when the company is within two paces of the place where it is to be halted.

1203. At the second command, the company will halt; and, if there be openings between the files, they must close quickly.

1204. The third command being given, the captain will immediately place himself by the side of the man on the left of the company on his right, and align himself on the front rank of that company.

1205. All the following companies will come on the line, as has just been prescribed, each regulating itself on that which immediately precedes; the guides of the left (e) will each spring forward, when his company is about twelve paces from the line, and place himself on it opposite to the point, where one of the three files of time left will rest in line.

1216. The line being formed, the colonel will command,

Guides—POSTS.

1207. This formation will he executed, left in front, by inverse means,

1208. The colonel and lieutenant-colonel will discharge the same duties, in these formations, as has been prescribed for them in forming on right into line.

12119. If it were desired to form line from column on the rear division, the colonel would caution that division to stand fast, and order the remain­ing divisions to countermarch, whence they would file into line as above, faced to the rear.

1210. Lastly, if a central division were selected, this would be countermarched and established on the new line; the divisions in front of this would be countermarched and ordered to the front into line, and the re­maining divisions would be ordered into line, faced to the rear.

__________________________________

 

Remarks on Forming Line, faced to the Rear,; from Column at

Full Distance.

1211. When the companies march towards the line, the captains will redirect the march as to cross the line a little in rear of their guide; and, therefore, each guide ought to quit his company in sufficient time to be correctly established on the line, before his company arrives opposite to him, to cross it.

 

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART IV.

 

ARTICLE THIRD.

 

Formation in Line by two Movements.

1212. A column, right in front, arriving in rear of the line, and prolong­ing Itself upon that line, will be halted by the colonel, if he see it expedient to form line, before the three (or any other number of) rear companies have entered the new direction; and, after rectifying the position of the guides on the line, he will command,

 

1. Left into line, wheel. 2. Three rear companies, to the front into line.

1213. At the second command, the captains of the three rear companies will command, Guide right, and the captains of the two last will add, Left wheel. The colonel will then command,

 

3. MARCH.

1214. At the word MARCH, repented quickly by the captains, the five first companies will form line to the left; the three rear companies will form line to the front, respectively, by the means prescribed for these two formations.

 

1215. The captains of each of the two rear companies will command Forward, and MARCH, when their companies have sufficiently wheeled.

1216. If, instead of arriving in rear, the column arrive in front, of the line, the colonel would command,

 

1. Left into line, wheel. 2. Three rear companies into line, faced to the rear.

1217. At the second command, the captains of each of the three rear companies will command, 1st. Company, 2d. Right—FACE.  The colonel will then command,

 

3. MARCH.

1218. At the word MARCH, from the colonel, and briskly repeated by the captains, the five companies will form tine to the left. and the three rear companies will form line faced to the rear, respectively, by the means prescribed for these two formations.

1219. These various movements would be executed by a column, left In front, according to the same principles.

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

 

ARTICLE FOURTH.

 

Different Methods of Forming Line from Column, at Half Distance.

1st. By forming line to the left or right, after the companies have taken wheeling distances by the head of the column.

2d. By forming line on the right or left.

3d.By forming line to the front.

4th.By forming line faced to the rear.

 

1st.—To Form Line to the Left, from  Column at Half Distance, Right in Front, by previously taking wheeling Distances by the Head of the Column.

1220. It Is supposed that the column is prolonging the line to be formed on; when the rear company arrives at the point where the left is to rest, the colonel will halt the column, and command,

Column, take wheeling distance.

 

 

 

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART V.

 

1221. He will order the captain of the leading company to put it in march; the captain will immediately command,

1. Company, forward. 2. Guide left. 3. MARCH.

1222. The captain of the second company, perceiving that it is nearly at its proper distance, will command, Company, forward—Guide left, and then, MARCH, at the moment he sees his company at the proper distance from the first: this will be executed successively, by the companies, to the rear of the column, each taking up the step from the one preceding.

1223. If the colonel wish to form line to the left, he will halt the column at the instant the rear company has its distance.

1224. These movements would be executed in the same manner in close column; and, if the column have the left in front, they would be executed by inverse means.

1225. The colonel will see that each company steps off the instant it has its wheeling distance.

1226. The lieutenant-colonel will be at the head of the column, and di­rect the march of the leading guide.

1227. The major is posted near the guide of the rear company.

_____________________________

 

2d.—To Form Line on the Right or Left, from Column at Half Distance.

1225. This movement will be executed as prescribed for a column at full distance.

 

3d.— To Form Line to the Front, from Column at Half Distance.

1229. This movement cannot be executed at half distance, because the distance between the companies will not admit of a wheel of forty-five degrees; it is therefore necessary that the column take wheeling distances as prescribed above, unless it may be deemed more eligible to form close column and deploy.

_________________________________

 

4th.— To Form Line, faced to the Rear from Column at Half Dis­tance.

1230. This movement will be executed as prescribed for a column at full distance.

________________________________________

__________________________________

 

ARTICLE FIFTH.

 

Deployment of Close Column.

(Omitted.)

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

 

PART V.

 

To March in Line.

 

ARTICLE FIRST.

 

To Advance in Line.

1281. The battalion being correctly aligned, and supposed to be the regulating battalion, the colonel, wishing it to advance, will previously inti­mate the same to the lieutenant-colonel; and will himself move about forty paces in rear of the color-sergeant, and face towards the battalion.

1282. (P1. XVJI. Fig. 1.) The lieutenant-colonel will move an equal distance in front of the color-sergeant, facing towards the colonel, who will

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART V.

 

by a signal of his sword, establish him opposite the color-sergeant, perpen­dicular to the front of the battalion, and then take a point of direction on the ground, to the front, if such distinct point offer itself, which may be exactly in the prolongation of the line of the lieutenant-colonel and the col­or-sergeant.

1283. The colonel will then move about sixty paces in rear of the line, and place two markers (a and b) on the prolongation of the line of the lieu­tenant-colonel and color-sergeant; these markers will face to the rear; the first (a) will be placed about twenty-five paces in rear of the battalion, and the second (b) at the same distance from the first.

1284. The color-sergeant, so soon as the lieutenant-colonel is established on the perpendicular, will assume two points on the ground, in the line passing from himself, between the heels of the lieutenant-colonel ; the nearest of these points will be taken at the distance of fifteen or twenty paces from the color-sergeant.

1285. These arrangements made, the colonel will command,

 

1. Battalion, forward.

1286. At this command, the color-rank will move six paces to the front, in common time, and the color-guard will replace them in the front rank; the two general guides (f, g) will move out, at the same time, six paces; that (f) opposite the captain of the company, on the right; the other, (g,) opposite the lieutenant, on the left of the front rank of the battalion.

1287. The lieutenant-colonel will establish, correctly, the color-sergeant between himself and the centre corporal of the color-guard, and then post himself as prescribed, No. 1295.

1288. The major will post himself at the distance of some paces on either flank of the color-rank.

1289. The colonel will then command,

2. MARCH.

1290. At this word, the battalion will step off smartly; the color-ser­geant, who is answerable for the direction, will carefully observe the cadence and length of the ordinary step, and march, accurately on the pro­longation of the two points which he has taken on the ground, between himself and the lieutenant-colonel, and will take, successively, others, as he advances, by the means prescribed, No. 522. The two color-bearers, placed, the one on his right and the other on his left, will carry the colors, bearing on the haunch, and march, without turning the head or shoulders, by the same step as the color-sergeant.

1291. The two general guides will march the same step as the color-rank, and will march nearly aligned on this rank, without attending to each other. -

1292. The color-guard, now placed in the front rank, in the centre of the battalion, will march, wellaligned, elbow to elbow, the face direct to the front, and without deranging the line of their shoulders; the centre corporal will follow, accurately, the trace of the color-sergeant; and main­tain the same cadence and length of step, without stepping out, or stepping short, but by a caution, even though he should hold himself more or less than six paces from the color-rank.

1293. The captain of the fifth company (a) will march on the same line with the color-guard, touching lightly the elbow of the corporal next to him, and keeping his face direct to the front.

* See Notes to Nos. 53, 54 and 944.

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART V.       

 

the alignment in the course of several steps, in order to avoid sudden tran­sitions, which would necessarily produce floating.

1295. The lieutenant-colonel (e), placed twelve or fifteen paces to the right of the captain of the fourth company, will keep this captain, and that of the sixth, in line with the color-guard; and, for this purpose, he will caution them to step out or step short, which will be executed gradually, as just explained.

1296. The other captains, with the lieutenant on the left, will march stead­ily on the prolongation of this base; and, for this purpose, they will look to­wards the centre, without turning the head too much, and without derang­ing the shoulders.

1297. The captains and the lieutenant on the left will, each, superintend the marching of the company next to him towards the centre; and will prevent the men from being too far advanced: they will not correct faults, nor even cause the men to step out, or step short, except it must be evi­dently necessary; because an over attention in rectifying small errors, some­times produces greater, and disturbs steadiness, silence and equality of step, which it is so important to maintain.

1298. The men will always keep the face direct to the front, preserve the light touch of the elbow towards the centre, resist pressure from the flanks, pay the utmost attention in preserving the shoulders square, and keep, in a very small degree, in rear of the line of captains, in order never to mask from them the base of alignment; the men will glance, from time to time, to the color-rank, or to one of the general guides, in order to march, constantly, with the same step as the latter.

1299. (Pl. XVII. Fig. 1.) The line of direction, determined by the two markers (a and b), will be prolonged, during the march, by placing, as the battalion advances, a third marker (i) about twenty-five paces in rear of the first (a,); the marker (b) will then post himself the same distance in rear of the marker (i); the marker (a), in his turn, will do the same; anl this will be repeated during the march of the battalion to the front. The markers, as they succeed each other, face to the rear, and correctly cover the markers already established; the adjutant, or sergeant-major, who will always be fifteen or twenty- paces in rear of the marker farthest from the battalion, will caution each when he is to quit his place, and then estab­lish him on the line of direction, which the colonel will have indicated to him.

1300. The colonel will, habitually, be fifteen or twenty laces in rear of the centre of his battalion, placing himself so as not to mask from the ma­jor (k) the markers; if, by the indications noticed No. 1310,1311,he judge that the direction of the color-sergeant is not perpendicular to the line, he will quickly command, Point of direction move to the right (or left.)

1301. At this command, the major will move quickly thirty or forty paces in front of the color-rank, face the colonel, and place himself on the line of direction which the colonel will indicate to him by signal of his sword; the centre corporal will then direct his march on the major, on a caution from the colonel, advancing the opposite shoulder; and the corporals on his right and left conform to his direction.

1302. The color-sergeant will also direct his march on the major, ad­vancing the opposite shoulder; and the latter will direct him, by signal, to incline to the right or left, till he covers, accurately, the centre cor­poral.

1303. The two general guides will conform to the new direction of the color-rank.

1304.The adjutant or sergeant-major, charged with placing the markers in rear of the centre, will, quickly, establish them on the new line of di­rection, passing through the color-sergeant and centre-corporal; the colonel will verify this direction of the markers.

1305. The lieutenant-colonel, placed as in No. 1295, will carefully see that the fourth and sixth companies, and the others, successively, conform

 

 

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART V.

 

to the new direction of the centre, but without hurry or disorder; and will endeavor, afterwards, to maintain this base of alignment, perpendicular to the line of direction on which the color-sergeant marches.

1306. He will observe the march of the wings of the battalion; and, if he see that the captains neglect to conform to the base of alignment, he will commend, Captain of (such) company, or Captains of (such) companies, on the line; but without being too particular in correcting small faults.

1307. The major, placed habitually, during the march, near the flank of the color-rank, will, frequently, move fifteen or twenty paces in front of this rank; he will face to the rear, and place himself correctly on the pro­longation of the markers, in order to ascertain whether the color-sergeant marches exactly on that line; and, if necessary, rectify the position of this sergeant, who will, immediately, take two new points on the ground be­tween himself and the major.

1308. All the principles of the march in line are the same for the subor­dinate battalions as for the regulating battalion; but when the battalion is supposed subordinate, markers are not required.

_______________________________________

 

Remarks on the March in Line.

1309. If, in the elementary exercises, the officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers, be not confirmed in the position under arms, and In the length and cadence of the step, the march in line will be floating and unconnected.

1310. (Pl. XVIII. Fig. 1.) If, for example, the color-sergeant, advanc­ing the left shoulder, pursued a direction more or less to the right of the perpendicular, the right wing would be obliged to step short, the left to step out; the alignment would be lost; crowding would take place In the right wing, and opening of files in the left: similar consequences would happen, if the color-sergeant, advancing the right shoulder, pursued a di­rection to the left of the perpendicular.

1311. The same consequences would also take place, if the base of align­ment were not perpendicular to the line of direction; if, for example, the captain of the fourth company, instead of keeping, accurately, aligned on the color-guard, were in rear of the line of its front, and if the captain of the sixth company were in advance of that line, the left wing would be forced to step out, and the right, to step short.

1312.It is, therefore, of the utmost importance, that the color-sergeant should march perpendicularly to the front; and that the base of the align­ment be always perpendicular to the line of direction.

1313. After the battalion marches a few paces, the colonel may easily judge, from the indications mentioned above, whether the color-sergeant is marching on a line perpendicular to the original front.

1314. It will be also easy for the lieutenant-colonel, placed twelve or fifteen paces to the right of the captain of the fourth company, to perceive whether the captains of the fourth and sixth companies are in front or in rear of the line of the color-guard, by observing whether the captains in the wings are compelled to step out, or step short; by this attention he will he enabled to maintain the base of alignment perpendicularly to the line of direction, and thus to prevent floating in the line.

1315. If openings take place, if the files crowd, or if any disorder arise, the remedy must be applied as speedily as possible, but with calmness and steadiness.

1316. The general guides serve to indicate to the companies towards the thanks, the cadence and length of step of the centre, and afford a facility to these companies to re-establish themselves on the direction of the centre; these guides should, therefore, maintain the same cadence and length of step, and march, very nearly, as far advanced as the color-rank, which will be easy to effect, by glancing, from time to time, towards that rank.

1318. Should a battalion lose the step, the colonel would command,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART V.

 

STEP, at which the captains, lieutenant on the left, and the men, glance to the color-rank, or to one of the general guides, and promptly resume the step.

1319. In fine, it is of the utmost importance, with respect to the march in line, to accustom the battalion to execute with regularity and facility the movements prescribed, No. 1301, and following, in order to rectify a false direction; the colonel ought to acquire the aptitude of judging at a glance (coup d’oeil) the direction which he ought to give to the battalion.

1320. When a battalion or line advances to the charge, at the distance of —— paces from the enemy, the colors, general guides and staff, if in front, will be ordered to resume their places in line. (See Nos. 466, 47.)

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

 

ARTICLE SECOND.

 

Passage of Obstacles, Advancing or Retiring in Line.

1321. The battalion advancing in line, when a company is to practise the passage of a supposed obstacle, the colonel will command, (Such) company, pass obstacle.

1322, The captain of the company will move two paces to the front, face to his company, and, if of the right wing, command,

1. (Such) company, by the left flank. 2. By file right. 3. MARCH.

1323. (Pl. XIX.) At the word MARCH, the company will face to the left in marching, wheel by file to the right, and will follow, at the distance of one or two paces, the two files on the might of time company on its left; the company having its left thus conducted, the captain will not lead the front file, but march by the side of his covering sergeant, (in the rear,) who will step into the front rank.

124.   If the company belong to the left wing, it would face to the right, wheel, by file, to the left, and follow the two files on the left of the com­pany immediately on its right; the captain will, in this instance, conduct the leading file, by marching by the side of his covering sergeant.

13211. The obstacle being supposed past, the colonel will command. (Such) company into line. The captain will command,

1. Into line. 2. MARCH.

1326. At the word MARCH, the files will move up, successively, in quick time, into line, as prescribed, No. 576, and following; the captain, if his company march by the left flank, will resume his place in line with the last file.

 

 

Remarks on the Passage of Obstacles.

1327.   In the right wing, the guide of the left of the company which is immediately on the right of that executing the passage of the obstacle, moves up to the front rank of the left of his company, and preserves be­tween himself and the right flank of the company, in rear of which the company marches by a flank, the space requisite to contain it in line; in the left wing, the captain of the company which is immediately on the left of that in file, will observe what is just prescribed for the guides of the left, in the right wing.

1328. When the color-company has to pass an obstacle, the color-rank will retire to its place at the moment the company faces; the major will take post six paces in front of the company in rear of which the color-company marches, when he will take up the step of the battalion, and be re­sponsible for the step and direction.

1329. When the color-company moves into line, the color-rank will march quickly forward six paces, taking up the step from the major, who will spring fifteen or twenty paces in front of the colors, and face the colonel in the rear: the latter will establish him on the perpendicular,

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART V.

 

which being executed, the color-sergeant will instantly take two points on the ground, between himself and the major.

1330. When more than one company has to pass an obstacle, they will form open column in rear of the company nearest to them towards the cen­tre, by command from the colonel, as will be explained. Let it be sup­posed, that an obstacle covers the four companies on the left; when the battalion has arrived at somewhat more than the front of a company from the impediment, the colonel will command,

 

1. Four left companies, by the right flank. 2. In rear into column.

3. Quick—MARCH

1331. (Pl. XX.) At time first command, the captains of the named companies will place themselves in front of the centre of their respective com­panies, and caution them to face to the right.

1332. At time word MARCH, the named companies will face to the right, in marching; each captain of a company will cause its head to disengage to the rear, and then conduct it, in quick time, by the right flank, in rear of the fourth company, conforming to what is prescribed for the prompt manoeuvre; as each company arrives in rear of the fourth, its captain will command, HALT, FRONT, and follow the preceding company in common time.  The four companies on the left will thus follow, in open column, the fourth company; when the rear company of this column shall have passed the obstacle, the colonel will command,

 

1. Rear companies into line.

1333. At this  command, the captain of each of these companies will command, 1st. Guide right;  2d. Company, left wheel.

1334. The colonel will then command,        

 

2. Quick—MARCH.

 

1335. At the word MARCH, repeated by each captain of the four companies of the left, each of these companies will wheel to the left, and march towards the line, at the words, Forward—MARCH, given by the captain, when he judges that his company has sufficiently wheeled; each company will form in line, according to the principles prescribed for forming line to the front; as the companies move up, the captains will take their places in line, commanding, STEP; the company wilt then take the step from the color-sergeant, or from the major, if the former have not resumed his place in front. 

1336. In retiring in line, these different methods of passing obstacles are executed on the same principles.         

1337. If a battalion, advancing in line, find it necessary to retire, when a company, which had met with an obstacle, is marching by a flank, as pre­scribed, No. 1322, and following; and if the ground will not admit of moving up into line, it will halt with the battalion, but will not face about; the two files of the battalion in front of this company will face to the right, (or left,) on a caution from the file-closer nearest to them; at the same time that the battalion faces to the right-about, and will afterwards wheel, by file, in order to follow the two next files, when the battalion is put in march, rear rank leading; and these two files will be followed by the com­pany, en potence, conforming to what is prescribed for passing a defile, No. 1499.

1338. By means of this movement, the company which, in advancing, was in file in rear of the rear rank, will, when the battalion is retiring, be arranged in the same order in rear of the front, now become the rear rank.

1339. If a battalion were advancing in line, and obliged to halt, face about, and retire, when some of the companies were in open column in the rear; these companies would halt, face about, and be put in march to the rear with the battalion preceding, in this manner, the rear rank of the bat­talion become the front rank; and these companies would afterwards oblique into line, as the ground may admit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART V.

 

ARTICLE THIRD.

 

To Change Direction Marching in Line.

(Omitted. See Article Eleventh, Part V.)

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

 

ARTICLE FOURTH.

 

Oblique March in Line.

(Omitted. See Article Eighth, Part V.)

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

 

ARTICLE FIFTH.

 

To Hall the Battalion Advancing in Line, and to Align it.

1366. To halt the battalion, the colonel will command,

1. Battalion. 2. HALT.

11167. At the second word, the battalion will halt; the color-rank and the general guides will remain in front, unless the colonel the word, Colors and guides—POSTS; and this order will be given when the battal­ion is not to resume the march to the front, nor to undergo a general alignment.

1363. When the colonel does not wish to give the battalion a general alignment, he will, if he think proper, cause the alignment to be rectified; he will, in this ease, command, Captains, rectify the alignment; the cap­tains will immediately turn their eyes towards the centre, arrange them­selves on the base of alignment which the lieutenant-colonel has carefully preserved in a good direction. and promptly align their respective companies. The lieutenant-colonel will caution the captains who are not accu­rately on the alignment, Captain of (such a) company, or Captains of (such) companies, move up, or fall back.

1369. (Pl. XVII. Fig. 2.) When the battalion requires a general align­ment, either parallel or oblique, the colonel will place himself outside of one of the general guides, ordering them and the bearer of the regimental colors to face towards him, and, by a signal of his sword, will promptly es­tablish them on the new line. The bearer of the national colors, and the color-sergeant, will retire to their places in line, and the color-guard to the rear rank.

1370. If the new direction carry the position of one or more companies of a wing to the rear, the colonel will, at first, cause three companies to march to the rear, either by the back step, or by facing them to the righ­t about, according as the direction may be more or less in rear of that wing; he will then establish the color-bearer and the general guides, as just ex­plained.

1371. This arrangement made, the colonel will command,

 

1. Guides—ONTHE LINE.

1372. At this command, the guide of the right of each of the companies of the right wing, and that of the left of each of the companies of the left wing, will place themselves in the line of the color-bearer and general guides; they will face to the color-bearer, and take their stations on the line, each, at the distance of the front of his company from the guide who is immediately before him.

1373. The captains of the right wing will move to the left of their re­spective companies, except the captain of the fourth, who will remain on the right of his company, and place himself in the rear rank.

1374. The lieutenant-colonel will promptly rectify, if necessary, the position of the guides of the right wing; and the major, that of the guides of

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART V.

 

the left wing; the colonel, having verified the position of the guides, will command,

2. Centre—DRESS.

1375. At this command, the companies will step off together, in common time, in order to move up to the guides, where having arrived, each cap­tain will align his own company according to the prescribed principles; the lieutenant-colonel will align the company of the colors.

1376. If the alignment be oblique, the captains will direct their compa­nies accordingly, in conducting them towards the line of the guides.

1377. The battalion being aligned, the colonel will command,

 

3. Colors and guides—POSTS.

1378. At this command, the color-bearer, the general and company guides, as also the captains of the right wing, resume their places in line.

__________________________________

__________________________________

 

ARTICLE SIXTH.

 

To Retire in Line.

1379. The colonel, having halted the battalion, in order to cause it to retire, will command,

1. Battalion—about—FACE.

1380. The moment the battalion has faced about, the color-rank and the general guides, if in front, will resume their places in line; the color-rank will take post in the rear rank, become the front; the corporals of the color-guard will half-face to the right, to allow the passage of the color-rank be­tween them; the colonel moves in rear of the front, become rear rank; and the lieutenant-colonel and major proceed to the front of the rear, become front rank.

1381. If the battalion be the regulating one, the markers will be placed In the same manner as for advancing, except that they will face to the battalion; the colonel will move about forty paces in the rear of the color-sergeant, and place the markers, if they be not already established; or, if established, the adjutant or sergeant-major charged with superintending them, will cause them to face about, so soon as the battalion has faced to the rear.

1382. If it be a subordinate battalion, the colonel will post himself as just explained; the lieutenant-colonel will place himself about forty paces in front of the rank of file-closers, opposite to the color-sergeant, and the colonel will establish him on the line of direction, as prescribed for advanc­ing in line.

1383. The arrangements being made, the colonel will command,

2. Battalion—forward.

1384. At this command, the color-rank will march eight paces forward, and its place will he occupied by the color-guard; the two general guides will move out in line with the color-rank; the covering sergeants will step forward into the rank of file-closers, and the captains occupy their places in the rear rank, become front; the three file-closers nearest to the centre of the battalion, will unite in rear of the color-rank, in order to serve as a base of alignment for the rank of file-closers.

1385. The colonel will then command,

3. MARCH.

1386. The battalion will march with the rear rank leading, on the same principles as when the front rank leads: if it be a regulating battalion, the color-sergeant will direct his march on the markers, who will them­selves, successively, move to the rear of the most distant marker, as the battalion approaches them; the adjutant or sergeant-major superintending them will see that they place themselves correctly on the line of direc­-

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART V.

 

tion; if the battalion be subordinate, the color-sergeant will march on the perpendicular, by means of points taken on the ground, and the centre file­-closer of the three united in rear of the color-rank, will exactly follow his trace.

1387. The colonel and major act as when the battalion is advancing In line.

1388. The lieutenant-colonel, placing himself outside of the file-closers of the fourth company, will care fully maintain the file-closers constituting the base of alignment perpendicular to the line of direction; the other file-closers will align themselves on that base.

____________________________________

____________________________________

 

ARTICLE SEVENTH.

 

To Halt the Battalion Retiring in Line, and to Front it.

1389. The colonel, having halted the battalion, and wishing to front it, will command,

1. Battalion, about—FACE.

1390. At this command, the color-rank, general guides, captains and covering-sergeants, will resume their places in line; the color-rank will repass to the front rank.

1391. If the colonel intend to give a general alignment to the battalion, he will command,

2. Colors and general guides—ON THE LINE.

1392. At this command, the colors and the general guides will move in front, and face the colonel, who is either on the right or left; and he, after establishing them on the line which he intends giving the battalion, will command,

3. Guides—ON THE LINE. 4. Centre—DRESS.

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

 

ARTICLE EIGHTH.

 

To March by a Flank.

139.1. The colonel will sometimes exercise the battalion in marking time, and, when it is confirmed in the cadence and length of the step in common time, he will change to quick time; he will also exercise the bat­talion in marching by a flank, and, to effect this, will command,

 

1. Battalion. 2. Right—FACE. 3. Forward—MARCH.

 

1394. At the second command, the captains and covering sergeants will place themselves, as prescribed, No. 557. The lieutenant and sergeant on the left flank face and march in their respective ranks.

1395. But, when the battalion marches by the left flank, the captains and covering-sergeants will face and march in their respective ranks; the sergeant, who was on the left of the line, will place himself in front of the front rank, and the lieutenant, who was on the same flank, will place him­self by the right side of this sergeant, to conduct the march.

1396. Whether the battalion march by the right or left, the lieutenant­-colonel will take post opposite the leading file, and the major, opposite the colors; and both on the front rank side of the battalion, removed from it about six paces.

1397. At the third command, the battalion will step off smartly; the ser­geant, placed in front of the leading file, will preserve the exact length and cadence of the step, and march straight forward.

1398. The lieutenant-colonel and major will march always the same step as the head of the battalion, and these give the step to the battalion.

1399.     The captains and file-closers will vigilantly observe, that the files

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART V.

 

neither open nor crowd, and that they regain their distance, insensibly, should they have lost them.

1400. To wheel by file, the colonel will command.

 

1. By file, right (or left.) 2. MARCH.

1401. The files will wheel, conforming to the principles prescribed, No. 503.

1402. The colonel will, in this lesson, cause the battalion to wheel to the right and left in such manner, that it may exhibit different divisions wheeling at the same time, some to the right, and some to the left, without any alteration of the step, or loss of the lock-step.

1403. This lesson is one of the best that can be given to confirm the bat­talion in the cadence and lock-step.

__________________________________

__________________________________

 

ARTICLE NINTH.

 

To Form Line by File on the Left or Right.

1404. If the battalion, marching by the left flank, is to form line on the left, the colonel having determined the line, the lieutenant-colonel will place two markers on it, distant from each other about the front of a com­pany, and so situated as to present the left shoulder to the battalion, when in line.

1405. The head of the battalion having arrived nearly opposite to the first marker, the colonel will command,

 

1.On left, by file, into line. 2 Captains, heads of—COMPANIES.

3. MARCH.

 

1406. At the second command, all the captains place themselves on the right of the leading file of their respective companies, except the captain of the left company, who takes the place of the lieutenant on the left; the latter will move to the rank of file-closers.

1407. At the word MARCH, the sergeant on the left of the front rank of the battalion will turn to the left, and press his breast against the left arm of the first marker on the line; the battalion will form, successively, by file, on the left, conforming to what is prescribed in the School of the Company; each captain will place himself on the line, at the same time with the front rank man on the left of his company, posting himself on the left of that man.

1408. The guide of the right of each company, except that of the com­pany of the left, will place himself on the line of the markers, opposite to the right of his company, at the instant when that file arrives on the line.

1409. The colonel will then command, 

Guides—POSTS.

1410. At this command, the captains, the lieutenant on the left, and the guides, will resume their places in line; the two markers will retire.

1411. If the battalion be marching by the right flank, the movement will he executed by inverse means, the second command being omitted.

1412. The two markers, placed previously on the line, will have their right shoulders nearest to the battalion when formed.

1413. The guide of the left of each company, except that of the company on the right, will place himself in the line of the markers, at the instant when the last file of the company arrives on the line, posting himself in front of that file.

1414. The colonel will superintend the successive formation of the com­panies, following up each as it forms.

1415. The lieutenant-colonel will regulate the positions of the guides, and will prevent the men of the front rank, in dressing up to the line, from passing it.

 

 

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART V.

 

ARTICLE NINTH.

 

Passage of Lines.

___________________________________

 

Movement of the First Line, retiring.

1416. (Pl. XXI. Fig. 1.) The battalion being supposed of the first line, retiring in line, and about to pass through the second line; when about twenty paces from it, the colonel will command,

1.Battalion, by the left frank. 2. Companies, by file right. 3. MARCH.

1417. At the Word MARCH, the battalion will face to the left, in march­ing; the head of each company will disengage, and wheel to the right; immediately the color-rank and the general guides will resume their places; the covering sergeant of each company, placed before the leading file of his company, and the captain, placed by his side, will direct their march towards the respective openings made in the second line for their passage.

1418. The intervals between the companies, marching by the flank, will be preserved by the left, as well as the alignment of the heads of companies.

1419. The colonel, after passing about one hundred paces beyond the second line, will command,

1. Battalion. 2. HALT. 3. FRONT. 4. Left—DRESS.

5. Left into line, wheel. 6. MARCH.

1420. (Pl. XXI. Fig. 2.) At the second command, repeated by all the captains, the battalion will halt;

1421. At the third, the captains, placed by the side of their guide of the right, will each move to the front of the centre of his company; the colonel, placed before the guide of the left of the first company, will rectify the po­sition of the guides, previous to giving the fourth command.

1422. At the fourth word, given when the guides are correctly estab­lished each captain will conform to what is prescribed in No. 1031.

1423.  At the moment the first company has passed the second line, the colonel, placing himself in rear of its captain, will indicate to him a point of direction in front, if any offer; the captain will immediately take inter­mediate points, or the lieutenant-colonel will proceed, quickly, thirty or forty paces in front of the captain, who will take two points on the ground, between himself and the lieutenant-colonel, and, successively, new points, as he advances.

1424.  The colonel will see that order is preserved, and the company distances maitained, and that the first company marches accurately in the direction given.

1425.  The lieutenant-colonel (b), placed a few paces on the left of the first company, and the major (k), placed also on the right of the left company, will see that the leading flanks of the companies march well aligned.

____________________________________________

 

Movement of the Second Line in the Passage of Lines.

1426. The battalion being supposed of the second line, and that, from a halt, platoons are to double, in order to open passages for the first; the colonel will, in sufficient time not to retard the movement of the battalion of the first line, command,

1. Battalion, double platoons. 2. Second platoons. 3. Right—FACE.

                                                                4. MARCH.

1427. At the first command, all the captains will step quickly in front of the centre of their respective companies.

1428. (Pl. XXI. Fig. 3.) At the second command, each will caution the first platoon to stand fast, and the second to face to the right;

 

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART V.

 

1429. At the third, the second platoon of each company will face to the right; the captain will cause immediately the two files on the right to dis­engage in the rear;

1430. At the fourth, the second platoon of each company will march by the right flank in rear of the first, at the distance of one pace from the rear rank; and will be halted by its chief, who, from the rear, will command,

 

I. Platoon. 2. HALT. 8. FRONT. 4. Left—DRESS. 6. FRONT.

 

1431. At the last word, the officers of each company will arrange them­selves as follows: the captain and second lieutenant on the right and left, respectively, of the front rank of the first platoon; the ensign and third lieutenant on the right and left, respectively, of the rear- rank of the second platoon; end the other file-closers, in rear of the second platoon, equidis­tant from each other.

1432. If the number of company officers be not complete, flanks must be covered by substituting sergeants. This arrangement has for object to prevent the first line, should it pass in disorder, from deranging the second.

1433. The battalion of the first line having passed, the colonel of the second line will command,

 

1. Second platoons, into line. 2. Left—FACE. 3. MARCH.

1434. At the word MARCH, the second platoons will march by the left flank, and, when unmasked, their chiefs will command,

1.Platoon. 2. HALT. 3. FRONT. 4. Right—DRESS.

1435. At the instant the second platoons march, conducted, each, by its first lieutenant, the other company officers, who had shifted, resume their habitual places in line.

1486. This arrangement for the passage of lines, which has been consid­ered here as applicable to retiring, may be equally applied to offensive operations, to replace the first line by fresh troops of the second.

1437. In this last case, the battalion of the second line will advance, in line, in order to approach the first; and the colonel, in sufficient time not to interfere with the movement about to be executed by time first line, will command,

 

1. Battalion, double platoons. 2. Second platoons—MARCH.

1438. At the second command, the second platoon of each company will mark time; as soon as the first platoon shall have cleared Its flank, the second will oblique to the right, in order to double in rear of the first; these movements must be executed on a caution from the chief of the second platoon, in the rank of file-closers; the officers will post themselves as in No.1481, and the battalion will continue to advance in this order.

1439. The second lieutenants, placed on the left of the first platoons, will, in the right wing, preserve platoon distances between themselves and the captain of the company next to them, on the left

1440. The second lieutenant, on the left of the first platoon of the color-company, will march in the trace of the bearer of the regimental colors, whom the major will cause to incline to the right, so as to cover the second lieutenant on a line perpendicular to the front.

1441. The captains of the left wing will preserve platoon distance be­tween themselves and, the second lieutenant on the left of the first platoon of the company next on their right.

1442. The color-guard will double with the platoon to which it belongs, but the color-rank and general guides will remain in front.

1443. The colonel of the battalion in the first line, seeing the second line arrived within about twenty paces of him, will command,

1. By right of companies, rear. 2. Battalion, right—FACE

3. MARCH.

1444. The battalion of the first line will file through the second, halting

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART V.

 

at the distance which may be prescribed; and then form line as explained above.

1445. As soon as the first line has passed, the colonel of the battalion of the second will command,

1. Second platoons, into line. 2. MARCH.

1446. At the word MARCH, the second platoon! will oblique to the left; the officers will resume their places in line, and the first platoons continue to march steadily forward.

1447. As soon as the second platoons are unmasked, the chief of each will command,

1. Forward. 2. Quick—MARCH.

1448. The second platoons will move up to the line, taking, of their own accord, the step and alignment.

1449. The colonel of the battalion of the second line may halt it as soon as the first has passed; the second platoons will then quickly deploy into line, at the command, Second platoons, into line; or the battalion may continue to advance for some time previous to halting.

__________________________________________

 

General Remarks on the Passage of Lines.

1450. It is supposed, in this article, that the companies retiring march by the right flanks; but the colonel of the battalion of the first line may cause the movement to be executed by the left of companies; in this case, the companies will preserve distances, and alignment of leading flanks, by the right, (the proper left,) and form line to the right.

1451. In order to execute the various movements explained in this arti­cle, the colonel will sometimes suppose the battalion, of the first, and some­times of the second line.

1452. If the front of companies be not less than twenty-eight files, giving to sections a front of seven files, it will be preferable to double fourth sections on rea­r of third sections, in the passage of lines.

1453.  In this case, the colonel, in the commands, would substitute, in the commands, sections for platoons, and the movement be executed on the principles above; the fourth sections would double in rear of the third sections, and form up into line by command of the chiefs of the former, (first lieutenants,) who will also substitute, in the commands, sections for platoons, and the compa­ny officers arrange themselves as follows:

1454. Captains and second lieutenants place themselves on the right and left, respectively, of the front rank of companies; that is, of the three sec­tions in line; third lieutenants on the left of fourth sections in the rear rank; the other file-closers in the rear of the first, second end fourth sections.

______________________________________

______________________________________

 

ARTICLE ELEVENTH.

 

Change of Front.

1456. The battalion being in line, the colonel, wishing It to change front, will place two markers on the new direction, distant from each other some­thing less than the front of a company, and in front of that which is to be the base of alignment.

1456. It is supposed here, that the colonel wishes to change front forward on the first company; he will place two markers as just explained, and will direct its captain to establish it close to, and in rear of, the markers; when this is effected, the colonel commands,

 

1. Change front, forward, on first company.

2. Companies, right—wheel. 3. MARCH.

4. Forward—MARCH. 5. Guides right.

 

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART V.

 

1457. (Pl. XX II. Fig. I.) At the second command, the captains will move in front of the centre of their companies;

1458.  At the third, the companies will commence wheeling to the right on a halted pivot; when the colonel perceives that they have sufficiently wheeled, he will give the two last commands,

1459. At the fourth command, the companies will cease wheeling, and will march straight forward;,

1460. At the fifth, they will touch elbows towards the right; and the whole will conform to what is prescribed, No. 1181, and following.

1461. The formation being accomplished, the colonel will command,

Guides—POSTS.

1462. To change front to the rear on the first company, the colonel, after having caused this company to be established on the new direction, and a marker to be placed in front of the file on the right and left, will command,

 

1. Change front to the rear, on first company.

2. Battalion_, about—FACE. 3. Companies, left—wheel,

4.MARCH. 5. Forward.,—MARCH.  6. Guides left.

1463. (Pl. XXII. Fig. 2.) At the second command, all the companies, except the first, will face about;.

1464. At the third, the captains of the companies which have faced about, move in rear of the centre of their companies, two paces from the front (become rear) rank.

1465. At the fourth word, the companies will commence wheeling on a halted pivot.

1466. At the fifth command, they will cease wheeling, and move straight forward towards the new line;

1467. At the sixth, they will touch elbows to the left, and the guide placed on the right flank of each (become the left) will conform to what is prescribed, No. 1460.

1468. The right (become the left) of the second company, having arrived opposite to the left of the first, already established on the new line, the captain of the second will command,

1. Left turn. 2. MARCH.

 

1469. The second company will turn to the left, march inward, and be halted by its captain, when arrived at the rank of file closers of the first company; the captain will then cause the second company to face about, and will align it, as already prescribed in successive formations.

1470. All the other companies will execute what has been prescribed for the second company.

1471. The formation being    effected, the colonel will command,

 

Guides—posts.

1472. The colonel will cause the battalion to change front forward, or to the rear, on left company, on the same principles.

1473. The colonel will superintend the general execution of the move­ment.

1474. The lieutenant-colonel will correct, if necessary, the position ofthe guides as they come on the line, conforming to what is prescribed in successive formations.

1475. The colonel may cause the battalion to change front on any central company, and at any required angle. In this case, one of the wings will change front forward, and the other to the rear, both conforming to what has bean prescribed.

1476.  If, for instance, the change of front is to be executed on the fifth company, and if the left wing is to be thrown forward, and. the right to the rear, the colonel will place two markers on the new direction, in front of the fifth company, and will order its captain to establish it on the markers.

1477. The fifth company being thus established in the new direction, the fourth company is to be formed an the new alignment, by command

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART V.

         

from its captain; and the guide of the right of the fourth company will im­mediately station himself before the file on the right of his company, and covering the markers placed before the fifth; the colonel, having verified the position of this guide, will command,

1. Change front on fifth company—left wing forward.

2. Right wing, about—FACE. 3. Companies right—wheel

4. MARCH. 5. Forward—MARCH. 6. Guides right.

1478. (Pl. XXIII. Fig. 1.) At the second command, all the companies, to the right of the fourth, will face to the right about.

1479. The movement will be executed according to the principles pre­scribed above.

1480. When the movement is a central one, as in this instance, the lieu­tenant-colonel rectifies the position of the guides of the right wing, as they come up on the line; and the major will correct, if necessary, the position of those of the left wing.

_____________________________________

 

Remarks on Changes of Front.

1481. When the new direction is nearly at right angles to that of the battalion, the companies wheel, about the eighth of the circle, before they march forward; but, when the two lines are oblique to each other, the less the angle, so much the less ought the companies to wheel previous to marching forward; and, when the angle is very acute, the colonel will cause the companies to wheel only as much as will disengage them from each other.

1492. The precision of the movement depends on the colonel’s aptitude of judging by the eye, (coup d’oeil,) relative to the instant at which he ought to give the words, Forward—MARCH.

1483. If the new line forms a very acute angle with the battalion, the companies will arrive on the line, nearly parallel to it, without any neces­sity for the word, Right (or left) turn, when the companies have arrived opposite to their respective places.

________________________________

 

General Remarks m Successive Formations, whether from Column or Line.

1484. It is of the utmost importance, that the divisions be, as they successively come up, rapidly and accurately aligned.

1485.The markers of the leading or directing divisions ought to be es­tablished on the new line, in some five or seven seconds, by the proper field and staff officers, and the column or line put in motion as quickly as the commands can be repeated.

1486. A well instructed captain will, at the word HALT, given to his division preparatory to dressing up, have already reached the flank, by which his division is to align itself; in an instant more, he will place himself in line, his shoulders square to the front, his person erect, and his eyes turned towards his division.

1487. As soon as he perceives the guide (or marker) of the opposite flank on the alignment, he will, to fix attention on himself, command, Right, (or left,) and, after a pause of a second, loudly add, DRESS— FRONT.

1488. If the formation be made on a central division, it is obvious that its captain ought to be exceedingly prompt in dressing it, and placing him­self, momentarily, between its ranks, as another captain will have to dress another division, from the same interval.

1489. If the successive formation, by company, for example, be made within reach of the enemy’s fire, the colonel may, as soon as he sees the leading or directing company established on the markers, command,

1. Fire by company.

 

 

 

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART V.

 

1490. At this, the captain of that company will retire, as prescribed, No. 487.

1481 Each of the remaining captains will, on coming on the line, place both of his guides on the base of the alignment, in a manner corresponding with the markers in front of the directing company, and each captain, after giving the command for eyes front, will retire as above.

1492. As soon as the colonel perceives two companies established on the line, he will add,

2. Commence,—FIRING.

1493. This will be executed as has been prescribed in No. 489. and following, for odd and even companies; and, at the word (Such) company, given by each captain, the guides or markers in its front shall retire.

1494. If, under the same circumstances, the formation be by grand di­visions, the two markers would be placed in front of the odd company of the directing grand division, and, on marching up to the markers, the two guides of the even company would place themselves in its front, on the base of the alignment, (at the first command given by the colonel as above,) when, also, both captains of the grand division retire.

1495. The front of each of the other grand divisions would be marked by itsfour guides.

1496.On seeing the first grand division established on the line, the colonel would give the second command, Commence—FIRING, which would be executed as has been just prescribed.

_______________________________

 

ARTICLE TWELFTH.

 

Passage of a Defile, in Retiring, from either Wing.

1487. The battalion being in line, and the colonel supposing the defile in rear of the left flank, he will command,

 

To rear, by the right, pass defile.

1498. (Pl. XXIII. Fig. 2.) The captain, on the right flank, will imme­diately command,

 

1.       Company. 2. About—FACE. 3. MARCH.

1499. At the word MARCH, the first company will step off; the leading file will wheel to the right, march four paces to the rear of the rank of file-closers, wheel again to the right, and march towards the left wing; all time other files of this company will wheel, successively, on the same ground.

1500. The second company will be put in motion, in its turn, by com­mand of its captain, who will cause it to face to the right, when the lead­ing file of the first company has arrived opposite to him, and give the word, MARCH, so that the leading file of the second company may follow imme­diately the rear file of the first, but without effort to take up the step of the preceding company; the leading file of the second company will wheel to the right, and all the other files will wheel, successively, on the same ground.

1501. The succeeding companies will execute, each in turn, what has been prescribed for the second.

1502. The first file of the first company, having arrived opposite the de­file, supposed in rear of the left flank of the battalion, will wheel, by file, to the left, in order to enter the defile; and all the following files will wheel, each on the same ground.

1503. The companies pass the defile, marching by the flank; or, as the defile widens, sections, platoons or companies will be formed, as may be ordered, according to the principles prescribed.

1504. If it be supposed that the defile is in rear of the right wing, it would be passed on the same principles, but by inverse means; the colonel,

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART V.

 

in his command, substituting left for right, and captains shifting to the left of their companies.

1535. As soon as the first company shall have passed the defile, if the right he in front, the head of the column may change direction to the left, in order to be, afterwards, wheeled up into line; or the head of the column may wheel to the right, in order to form line on the right.

_____________________________

 

            ARTICLE THIRTEENTH.
            Column of Attack.

(Omitted, because its formation and deployment are made on the principles

of other close columns.)

______________________________

 

ARTICLE FOURTEENTH.

Dispositions against Cavalry.

(Omitted.)

_______________________________

 

ARTICLE FIFTEENTH.

 

Dispersing and Rallying.

1504. The battalion being in line, the colonel will cause the pioneers march to be beat; and, on this signal the battalion will break and disperse.

1555. When the colonel wishes to re-assemble it, he will place two markers and the colors on the line on which the battalion is to assemble and form; after which he will order the assembly to beat.

1506. Each captain will assemble his officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers, about six paces in the rear of the place which they are to oc­cupy in line.

1557. The colonel will, quickly, cause the color-company to he formed on the line, close to the markers; each company, by order of its captain, will move up, immediately, on the alignment of the color-company, and will be dressed on the line, according to prescribed principles.

___________________________

___________________________

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION,

Arranged in Lessons; for the Exercise of a Battalion.

_______________________

Lesson I.

1st. To open ranks.              

2d.  Manual exercise, and loading in quick time.     

3d.  To close ranks.

4th. Loading in quickest time, and the firings.                    

______________________

Lesson II.

1st. To break to the right or left, into column.

2d. To march in open column, with the cadenced step, for a considerable time, the guide at the head directing the march on two objects taken on the ground; to change direction on the pivot flank, and on the reverse flank; and to form platoons, sections and companies, by doubling and form­ing up on the march.

3d. To countermarch, and repeat the same movements.

4th. To change direction by the prompt manoeuvre. (Omitted.)

5th. To assume the route step; to form platoons and sections; to go through, in succession, the various movements detailed in the article of Column of Route.

 

 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART V.

 

6th. To halt the column, and to wheel to the left, or right, into line.

7th. To wheel into line, by inversion.

_____________________________

 

Lesson III

1st. To form open column of companies, right or left in front, by filing to the rear.

2d.  To form line, to the front, and faced to the rear, from column.

3d.  To form line, from open column, on the right or left flank.

4th. To march by a flank, and to form companies, platoons or sections on the march.

5th. To prolong the march of the column, in front or rear of the line, and to wheel it to the left, or right, into line.

6th. To change front forward, and to the rear, on the right or left flank, perpendicularly and obliquely.

7th. To change front on a central company, by throwing forward the left or right wing, perpendicularly and obliquely.

________________________________

 

Lesson IV.

 

1st. From line, to form close column of grand divisions or companies, on the right or left division, and in front, or rear of it, or on a central division, with either right or left in front. (Omitted.)

2d. To change direction in close columns. (Omitted.)

3d. To countermarch the column.

4th. To march in close column. (Omitted.)

5th. To open out from the head of the column.

6th. To close to half distance, and change direction; to close the col­umn, halt, form column of grand divisions from a halt and deploy into line. (Partly omitted.)

7th. To form and deploy the column of attack, and to practise the differ­ent manoeuvres of this column, including the dispositions against cavalry. (Omitted.)         

_____________________________

 

Lesson V.

 

1st. To march in line, advancing and retiring; and to execute the pas­sage of obstacles.

2d.  To change direction in line. (Omitted.)

3d.  To march obliquely. (Omitted.)

4th. Passage of lines, as a battalion of the first, and as a battalion of the second line.

5th. To march by a flank; to wheel successively by file; and to form line, on the right or left by file.

6th. To pass a defile retiring.

7th. To cause the battalion to disperse and to re-assemble.

_____________________________________

 

Remarks on this Division of the School of the Battalion

into Lessons.

1568. The first lesson, which includes the loadings and firings; the second, which includes the march in column, and all that relates to it; the fifth, which comprehends the march in line, and the various movements connected with it, being the most essential parts of this instruction, are, therefore, those that should be most dwelt on, in the exercises of the battalion.

1569. The battalions which are expert in the execution of the second and fifth lessons will, in a very short time, attain perfection in the execu­tion of the third and fourth.

1570. In marching in line, the men will not be allowed to support arms, until they are thoroughly confirmed in the habit of marching with arms carried.

 

 

 

LIGHT-INFANTRY AND RIFLE.

 

1571. The quick step will not be used in the instruction of battalions sepa­rately, either marching in line, or in column, or in formations, until they are thoroughly confirmed and grounded in the cadence of the ordinary step.

1572. The non-cadenced, or route step, will not be used in this school, except to repeat the movements relating to a column of route.

 

 

For more complete information on 19^th Century Military Drill, visit the main page.

BACK to The Drill Network

BACK to The Liberty Greys