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CAVALRY TACTICS:
OR,
REGULATIONS
FOR THE
Instruction, Formations, and Movements
OF
THE CAVALRY
OF THE
ARMY AND VOLUNTEERS OF THE UNITED STATES.
PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE WAR
DEPARTMENT,
AND AUTHORIZED AND ADOPTED BY
THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
By PHILIP ST. GEO. COOKE,
BRIG. GEN. U. S. ARMY.
VOL. I.
PhILADELPHIA:
J. B. LIPPINCOTT & Co.
1862.
______________________________________________________
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1861, by
J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO.
in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United
States for
the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
______________________________________________________
War Department,
November 1, 1861.
THE system of Tactics and Regulations for the Cavalry of the
United States, by Colonel PHILIP ST. Geo. Cooke, 2d Cavalry, having been
approved by the President, is now published fur the government of said service.
Accordingly, instruction in the same will be given after the
method pointed out therein; and all additions to or departures from the
exercise and maneuvres laid down in the system are positively forbidden.
SIMON CAMERON,
Secretary of War.
CAVALRY TACTICS.
___________
VOLUME I
SOHOOL OF THE TROOPER OF THE PLATOON, AND
OF THE SQUADRON.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE FIRST.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
Page.
ARTICLE I.—Formation of a regiment of ten squadrons in line 3
Posts of
the officers and non-commissioned off-
icers or the field and staff of a regiment
In line. 4
Posts
of the officers and non-commissioned off-
icers of a squadron in line. . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .5
Assembly of a regiment,
dismounted . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
The standard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . 9
Salute with the
standard and sabre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
The order of
battle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
ARTICLE II.—Formation of a regiment in column . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Order in column by twos or fours . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 11
Order in column of platoons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 13
Order in close column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 14
Order in double column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 15
Compliments by cavalry under review . . . . . . . . . . . .
.15
Form and course of inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 16
ARTICLE III.—Duties of instructors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 20
ARTICLE IV.—Division, order, and progression of instruction . 21
ARTICLE V.—Gradation of instruction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. ..22
Recruits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . 22
Corporals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . 23
Sergeants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .23
Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . 24
ARTICLE VI—Instruction to mount without saddle, and to
saddle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
. . .24
Manner of vaulting . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .25
Manner of
rolling the cloak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Manner of saddling . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
ARTICLE VII—Of training horses which
have already been rid-
den. . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Preparatory lesson. To make a horse tractable
and steady at mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page.
ARTICLE VII—Continued.
To bend or supple the horse’s neck . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 28
How to make a horse
obey the pressure of the leg . . . . . 31
Circling
on the haunches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Reining
back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
The horses
paces, walk, trot, and canter . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Demi-pirouette
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Manner of
accustoming the horses to leap . . . . . . . . . . .37
To accustom horses to firing and military noises . . . . .
.38
Practice of paces for maneuver . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . 39
ARTICLE VIII.—Definitions
and general principles . . . . . . . . . . .39
ARTICLE IX.—Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
TITLE SECOND.
INSTRUCTION ON FOOT.
School or the trooper,
dismounted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Position of
trooper, dismounted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Eyes
right—eyes left . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Right face,
left face, about face, right—oblique.
face,
left—oblique face . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Common step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . 48
To
change feet . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
To march
by a flank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
To face to
the right or left when marching . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Oblique face to the
right or left when marching . . . . . . . 50
Quick step
.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.
51
Double quick
step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Sabre
exercise . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
General
observations and directions . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . 63
Manual of
the pistol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Inspection
of arms
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
67
Target
practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Platoon, squadron,
and regiment dismounted . . . . . . . .
69
________
TITLE THIRD.
INSTRUCTION ON HORSEBACK.
1st LESSON Scbool of the trooper, mounted . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .73
Position of the trooper,
before mounting . . . . . . . . . .74
To mount . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page.
1st LESSON—Continued.
To dismount
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Position
of the trooper mounted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
The use of
the reins
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
76
The use of the
legs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
The
effect of the reins and legs combined . . . . . . . . . . . 77
To march
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
To halt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
To turn to the
right and to the left . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
To turn
about to the right and to the left . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
To make a third of a lure to the right and to the
left
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 79
To rein back,
and to cease reining back . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
To file
off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 81
2d LESSON—To march to the right hand,
and to march to the
left hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . 82
To turn to
the right and to the left in marching . . . . . . . 82
To halt,
and to step off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
To pass
from the walk to the trot, and from the
trot to
the walk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
Changes
of hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
To
turn to the right and to the left by trooper in
marching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 85
To
turn about to the right and to the left by
trooper
in marching on the same line . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
The same movements in marching in column . . . . .
. . . 86
3d LESSON—Of the spur . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
To march to
the right hand or to the left hand .
. . . . . . . .89
To pass
from the walk to the trot, and from the
trot to the walk
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
.90
Change
of direction in the breadth of the riding
house
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Change of
direction obliquely by trooper . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
To march in
a circle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
4th LESSON—To turn to the right or to the left by trooper
in
marching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . 92
To turn about to the right, or to the left, the
troopers marching on the same line, (or abreast) . . . . 93
The same,
the troopers marching in column . .
. . . . . . . .94
To pass
successively from the bead to the rear of
the column . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Being
halted, to commence the move at a trot . . . . . . . . 95
Marching
at a trot, to halt
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
95
To pass
from the trot to the trot-out, and from the
trot-out to the trot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . 96
To pass
from the trot to the gallop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
To
passage to the right or to the left, the head to
the wall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
98
To
passage to the right or to the left, being in
column . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page.
5th LESSON--To take the snaffle in the
right hand . . . . . . . . . . 101
To drop the
snaffle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
The
principal movements of the bridle hand .
. . . . . . . 101
To gather
the horse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
To march
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
To halt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 102
To turn to
the right in marching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
To turn to
the left in marching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
To turn about to the right and to the left in
marching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 103
To make an
oblique turn to the right and to the
left in marching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . 103
To rein
back, and to cease reining heck . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Exercise of
the 4th lesson with the curb bridle . . . . . . 104
To passage to the right and to the left . . . . . . . .
. . . . . 104
6th LESSON.—Principles of the gallop . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .105
Exercise et the
gallop upon right lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Exercise at
the gallop on the circle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
7th LESSON.—Exercise of the 6th lesson
with the sabre only . 107
Manual
of arms at a halt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
To fire the pistol . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
110
To load
the pistol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Inspection of arms . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Sabre
exercise at a halt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
8th LESSON.—Manual of arms in marching . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . .113
Sabre exercise
at all gaits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Leaping
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 114
To leap
the ditch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
To leap
the fence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Individual
charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Circling
on the forehand and haunches and demi-
pirouette
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Target
practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Record
and reports of target firing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
SCHOOL 0F THE PLAT0ON, MOUNTED . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.121
ARTICLE
1.—General principles of alignment . . . . . . . . . . . .
.122
Successive alignment of files in the platoon . . . . . .
. . 122
Alignment of the platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . 125
To break the platoon by file, by twos, and by fours . .
. 125
Direct march in column by file, by twos, and by
fours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . .125
Change of direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . 126
To halt, and to commence the march, in column . . . . .
127
Individual oblique march . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 127
The platoon marching in column
by file, by twos, or by
fours, to form line face to the front, to the
left,
and to the right . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Manual of arms
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page.
ARTICLE II.—To form
twos and fours at the same gait . . . . . . .131
To break by twos and by file at the same gait . . . . . .
132
To form twos and fours
in doubling the gait . . . . . . . 133
To break by twos and by file in doubling the gait . . .
135
Sabre exercise
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
136
ARTICLE III.—Direct march of the platoon in line . . . . .
. . . . . .136
Countermarch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . 141
Wheelings . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . 142
To
wheel on a fixed pivot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
To
wheel on a movable pivot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Individual
oblique march . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
The
platoon marching in line to break it by twos or by
fours at the same gait . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . 149
The platoon marching in column by twos or by fours, to
form it at the same gait . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
The platoon
marching in line, to break it by fours or by
twos, in doubling the gait . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .150
The platoon
marching in column by twos or by fours, to
form it in doubling the gait . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 151
Movements by fours,
the platoon being in column
or line . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
152
ARTICLE IV. Running at
the heads and pistol practice . . . . . . .154
To leap the
ditch and the fence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
To charge by platoon
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156
Rallying . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Skirmishing . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Prepare to fight
on foot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
SCHOOL 0F THE SQUADRON, MOUNTED . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
166
ARTICLE I.--Successive alignment of
platoons in the squadron 168
Alignment of the
squadron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
The
squadron being In line, to form a column of
fours
. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
To
break the squadron to the right or left to
march
to the front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170
To
break by fours from the right to march to the
left .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Direct
march in column of fours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Change of
direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Individual
oblique march . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
The
squadron marching in column of fours to
march
to the rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
To break by fours to
the right, column half left,
(right or half right) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 173
The squadron
marching in column by fours, by twos, and
by file, to form line faced to the front,
to the left, to the right, or to the rear . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
To regulate the
rapidity of gaits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Sabre exercises
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page.
ARTICLE II—The squadron being in line, to form it in open
column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 178
To march in open column . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Changes of direction by successive wheels . . . . . . . . 181
Individual oblique march . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Change of gait in open column . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . 182
To break by fours, by twos, and by file,
to form
twos,
fours, and platoons at the same gait . . . . . . . 182
The same movements in doubling the gait
. . . . . . . . . 185
The squadron marching in open column to
march
to
the rear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
To halt the column . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
The squadron marching in open column to
form
line faced to the left, to the right, to
the front,
and
to the rear . .. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
To break by platoons to the front . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
To break by platoons to the rear from the
right,
to
march to the left . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Movement by fours, the squadron being in open
column
ARTICLE III—Direct march of the squadron in line . . . .
. . . . . . 194
Countermarch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 197
Wheelings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
198
To wheel on a fixed pivot . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
To wheel on a movable pivot . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .200
Individual oblique march . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Oblique march by platoons . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
The squadron being in line, to cause it
to gain
ground to the rear, and to face it again to
the
front, by fours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 203
The squadron marching in line to march it to
the
rear
by wheeling the platoons about . . . . . . . . . . . 203
The squadron marching is line, to break
it to the
front, by platoons, and to reform it . . . . . . . . . . . .. 204
The same movement in doubling the gait
. . . . . . . . . . 205
Passage of obstacles . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . 206
ARTICLE IV—The Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . 207
Rallying . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Skirmishing . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
To fight on foot . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
INTRODUCTION.
To
the Adjutant General U. S. Army:
I report that, in obedience to orders, I have prepared
regulations for the instruction. formations, and movements of the cavalry of
the army and volunteers of the United States.
In undertaking this important work I wanted to give much
consideration to a growing military impression in favor of an important change
to a single rank formation.
Whilst the conservatism or prejudices of European
establishments have slowly yielded, in the infantry arm, to the extent of
reducing its formation from six to two ranks, the one great step from two to
one rank in cavalry has not yet been made; but it was tested very successfully
in the war in Portugal in 1833—’34 in a British legion. I found that it greatly
simplified all cavalry movements; a great recommendation,— but especially in
view of our national policy; it would go far toward lessening the difficulties,
by many considered insuperable, of the efficient instruction of volunteer
cavalry in a period of actual war.
Prejudices of my own against the change were overcome.
Adopting, then, the single rank formation, my work of
revision became one of construction; and I
2 lNTRODUCTION.
have
freely chosen what I judged to be the best points in the systems of France,
Russia, Prussia, Austria, and England. I have added to all. The work will be
found to amplify the old range of movements, whilst its simplicity renders it
less voluminous.
In the decisive action of cavalry the rear rank, under
another name, will be screened from much of the enemy’s fire; will be
reserved from the confusion which even success throws into the front rank; but
that rank defeated, it not only escapes being involved, but is close at
hand to profit by the impression which may have been made on the enemy.
My confidence in a single rank system is further strengthened
by its recommendation in the able work of Captain Geo. B. McClellan, and by
which I have been much assisted.
Respectfully,
P.ST.
GEO. COOKE,
Colonel 2d Dragoons.
WASHINGTON, January 11, 1860.
CAVALRY TACTICS.
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TITLE FIRST.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
______
ARTICLE FIRST.
FORMATION OF A REGIMENT
OF TEN
SQUADRONS IN LINE.
In all parades and exercises the companies will be designated
as squadrons.
The squadrons of a regiment in line are posted with Intervals
equal to a platoon front between the sergeants on their flanks; the intervals
are equal at any one time, and never less than 12 paces. When the average of
platoon front is much above this, the Colonel announces the increased uniform
interval.
The squadrons are distinguished by the denomination of first,
second, third, &c., counting from right to left; they retain these
designations in the evolutions whatever may be their relative positions But the
1st Captain commands the squadron on the right; the 2d, the tenth (on the
left;) the 3d, the fifth from the right; the 4th, the third from the right; the
5th, the seventh from the right; the 6th,
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
the
second from the right; the 7th, the ninth from the right; the 8th, the sixth
from the right; the 9th, the fourth from the right; and the 10th, the eight
from the. right
This is the habitual and parade order of the squadrons; but
in sudden formations they will take post as they arrive at the place of
assembly ; and should a Captain be permanently absent, or absent for a
campaign, the Commander of the regiment will assign his squadron position
according to the rank of the actual commander.
The formation is in one rank
Each squadron is composed of two, three, or four platoons,
according to its size. When of 40 or more files, it Is divided into four
platoons; of 30 to 40 files, into three platoons; of 20 to 30 tiles, into two.
If possible, the files of the platoons are of even number. The third and fourth
platoons are made the largest if necessary to accomplish this. The platoons are
numbered at first from right to left, and retain their numerical designations
whatever relative positions they may subsequently occupy.
That which has been prescribed for the formation mounted is
applicable to the formation on foot.
Posts of the
Officers and Non-commissioned Officers of the field
and Staff of a regiment in line.
The Colonel 50 paces in front of the centre of the regiment,
having a chief trumpeter behind him.
The Lieutenant Colonel 25 paces in advance of the centre of
the right wing.
The 1st Major 25 paces in advance of the centre of the left
wing
The 2d Major 25 paces in advance of the centre of the
regiment.
The Colonel moves wherever his presence may be necessary.
The Lieutenant Colonel and Majors move wherever the Colonel
may think proper to direct them.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
The Adjutant accompanies the Colonel.
The Regimental Quartermaster is 2 paces to the right of the
sergeant major, or accompanies the Colonel, as he may direct.
The sergeant major is in line with the regiment 2 paces from
the right flank.
The quartermaster sergeant is in line with the regiment 2
paces from the left flank.
The standard bearer is on the right of the guidon of the
centre, or right centre squadron; a corporal is 1 pace behind him.
The regimental marker is 1 pace behind the second file from
the right of the regiment
General Staff Officers serving with the regiment 25 paces In
rear of the right of the regiment.
The band, formed in two ranks, is 25 paces in rear of the
centre of the regiment
Post of the Officers and Non-commissioned
Officers of a Squadron in line.
The Captain is posted In front of the centre of the squadron,
the croup of his horse 4 paces in advance of the heads of the horses in line.
The Senior Lieutenant commands the 1st platoon; the next in
rank, the 4th platoon; the next, the 2d; and the next, the 3d. Each is posted in front of the centre of his
platoon, with the croup of his horse 1 pace in advance of the heads of the
horses In line. Sergeants supply the places of commanders of platoons, when
there are not enough officers present.
The 1st sergeant is posted on the right of the squadron not
counted in the rank; he is the squadron right guide.
The next sergeant In rank is posted on the left of the
squadron, not counted in the rank; he is the squadron left gulde.
The third sergeant In rank is the guldon bearer, and is the
left file of the 2d platoon.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
The other sergeants and corporals are placed according to
rank, as follows:
Left of 1st platoon.
Right of 4th platoon.
Right of 3d platoon.
Right of 1st platoon.
Left of 4th platoon.
Left of 3d platoon.
Right of 2d platoon.
The 1st trumpeter is posted one pace behind the 4th file from
the right of the 1st platoon.
The other trumpeter, one pace behind the 4th file from the
left of the 4th platoon.
The farrier, one pace behind the centre of the second platoon.
The sadler, one pace behind the centre of the third platoon.
There is a size-roll of the squadron, and with some allowance
for weight of man and horse, the tallest horses are assigned to the tallest
men; the men are posted according to this roll, the tallest men to the right
and left of the centre, the lowest at the flanks.
This invariable position of the soldiers is also important,
for its encouragement to companionship and mutual assistance in the sets of
fours, and to a feeling of responsibility of each to the others in conduct and
bravery.
Assembly of a Regiment Mounted.
When a regiment is to mount boots and saddles is
sounded. At this signal the horses are saddled, bridled, and fully equipped for
the occasion.
At the signal to horse, non-commissioned officers and
troopers lead into rank. The 1st sergeant calls the roll, or the sergeants of
divisions may be required to call the division rolls; the officers are present
in superintendence.
The Captain then, or the senior Lieutenant by his order,
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
orders
the squadron to count fours in each platoon, and to mount.
The Captain, first observing that every one is In his
prescribed place, and the general appearance of the squadron, marches it,
habitually by fours, to the place of assembly. If required, on reaching there
he reports absentees, by his 1st sergeant, to the Adjutant.
In case of alarm or surprise, to horse is sounded; the
men then saddle, pack up, bridle, and mount with the utmost celerity, and
repair to the place of assembly, which is always previously designated.
On occasions of parade, the trumpeters and band will proceed,
as soon as mounted, to the right of the parade ground, and be there formed In
two or more ranks. Fifteen minutes after to horse, the trumpeters sound
the assembly, for marching the squadrons to the parade.
Assembly of a
Regiment Dismounted.
When a regiment is to turn out under arms on foot, “to arms”
will be sounded; at this signal the squadrons will be formed and inspected as
prescribed
For parade, the regiment will be formed in line of columns,
as when mounted, but with intervals of two paces.
The squadron officers will take place four paces in front of
the first platoons, in order of rank from right to left, with equal intervals;
the left guides on the right of the second platoons.
DRESS PARADE AND GUARD
MOUNTING.
Dress parade and mounting of guards, mounted, are conducted
as prescribed in Army Regulations, with the following and other more obvious
variations, necessary from the difference of cavalry and infantry.
The officers take post 12 paces, the non-commissioned
officers 6 paces, in front of the guard.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
After inspection the officers take post 2 paces in front of
the centre of their guard or their platoons; a non-commissioned officer
commanding a guard the same.
The guard passes in review by guard, platoons, or fours,
having regard to its strength.
In wet weather the sabres will not be drawn by guards for
inspection, or any occasion of ceremony
At regimental parade the field officers and captains are
placed as in line; the platoon commanders, exclusively commissioned officers,
are aligned on the captains; the adjutant and sergeant major are posted 4
paces from the right and left of the line; 1st sergeants take post as right
guides of squadrons.
After the music, the Adjutant rides to a point 25 paces In
front of the centre of the line, faces it, and commands:
1. Attention.
2. Draw—SABRE.
3. Present—SABRE.
The Colonel concludes the exercises with, Return—SABRE.
The commands for the advance of the line of officers are given in a tone only
loud enough to be heard by them.
If the Colonel desires it, for the purpose of parade, he will
divide the squadron into two platoons, and form the regimental parade in line
of platoon columns at 9 paces distance—from the horse’s croups in the front
line to their heads in the other—with intervals of 6 paces.
The officers take post 4 paces In front of the first
platoons, in order of rank, from right to left, with equal intervals; if but
one officer, in front of the centre of the platoon; left guides on the right of
the 2d platoons.
To leave the parade, the squadrons will be commanded:
1. Right forward—Fours right. 2. MARCH.
Or, if by the rear, I Fours left—Columns left. 2. MARCH. In both cases
the rear platoon does not march until the leading platoon has gained sufficient
ground for their properly uniting.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
THE STANDARD.
Generally, when the standard Is used, the standard bearer
goes for it to the quarters or tent of the Colonel, escorted by two sergeants.
On special occasions, and at least once a year, it Is escorted
and received with ceremony.
Two platoons of the standard squadron, or one of the flank
squadrons, will be detached, under the orders of the Colonel, to proceed to his
quarters, as soon as mounted. It will be halted in their front in column of
platoons, with either flank toward the quarters. The standard bearer receives
the standard from the hands of the adjutant or serpent major, and takes his
post In the centre of the interval between the platoons, with a sergeant on
each side of him; the column Is then put in motion, preceded 20 paces by a
chief trumpeter and four trumpeters.
The column approaches a flank of the regiment, marching parallel
with and about 100 paces from its front, the trumpets sounding the march.
The Colonel commands the sabres to be drawn. The escort is
halted when nearly opposite the dank, the standard-bearer and two sergeants pm
on, and when 60 paces In front of the Colonel face him and the regiment and
halt.
The Colonel then orders sabres presented, and presents sabre
himself; the trumpets sound to the standard. The standard hearer then
takes his place in line.
The escort, the moment the standard bearer leaves it, turns
and is marched by the rear to its place in line.
When there is a band It may be substituted for the chief
trumpeter and four trumpeters.
On the return of the standard it has the same escort.
Salute with the Standard.
When the standard is to pay honors, the standard bearer
salutes in the following manner, in two times:
1.At
4 paces from the person who is to be saluted.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
lower
the lance gently to the front, bending as near to the horizontal line as
possible.
2. Raise the lance gently when the person saluted has passed
4 paces.
Salute with the Sabre.
When the superior and other officers are to salute, whether
on horseback or on foot, at a halt or marching, they do it in four times.
1. At 4 paces from
the person to be saluted, raise the sabre perpendicularly, the point upwards,
the edge to the left, the hand opposite to and one foot from the right
shoulder, the elbow 6 inches from the body.
2. Lower the blade,
extending the arm to Its full length, the hand in quarte, until the point of
the sabre is near the foot.
3. Raise the sabre
quickly, the point upwards, as in the first time, after the person saluted has
passed 4 paces.
4. Carry the sabre to the shoulder.
THE ORDER OF BATTLE.
The order of battle for a regiment of ten squadrons is the
four right or left squadrons deployed in line; the four squadrons of the other
flank in line of squadron columns 300 paces in rear of the first line. The 5th
squadron, In column of platoons, generally left in front, is 50 paces behind
the right flank of the first line, the line of its left guides being a platoon
front to the right of the extremity of that flank the 6th squadron, in column
of platoons, right in front, similarly disposed to the rear of the left flank
of the first line.
If a squadron be absent, the second line will he composed of
3 squadrons, in columns immediately in rear of the first line; the 5th and 6th
squadrons, counting from the flank which composes the first line, being always
the flanking squadrons.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
The Lieutenant Colonel commands the second line,
and is posted 25 paces in front of its centre.
The order of battle for a regiment of eight
squadrons is as follows:
The six right or left squadrons deployed in line;
the 7th and 8th (or 1st and 2d) squadrons are placed in columns of platoons, in
rear of the right and left flanks of the line of battle, as described for the
flank squadrons of the regiment of ten squadrons.
In the order of battle each field officer is
attended by a trumpeter,
To change from line or order of review to order of
battle in an eight squadron regiment, the 7th and 8th squadrons are wheeled by
platoons (or by fours) to the right, and conducted by the shortest lines to
their positions,
In a ten squadron regiment, the same for the 5th
and 6th squadrons; the Lieutenant Colonel takes command of the next
four squadrons, wheels platoons right, column right, and to the left,
after marching the proper distance to the rear.
ARTICLE SECOND.
FORMATION OF A REGIMENT IN COLUMN,
Order in Column by twos or by fours.
In this order the squadrons preserve distances of 3
paces more than platoon front, counting from the croups of the horses of the
last set of fours of one to the heads of the horses of the first set of the
next.
The Colonel marches at the centre of the regiment,
on the side of the guides, 50 paces from the flank of the column, having behind
him a chief bugler. He moves wherever
his presence may be necessary.
The Lieutenant Colonel on the side of the guides,
25
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
paces
from the flank of the column; he marches habitually on a line with the Captain
commanding the 1st squadron.
The 1st Major marches 25 paces from the same flank of the
column, and on a line with the Captain commanding the 10th squadron.
The 2d Major marches 25 paces from the opposite flank, on a
line with the centre of the column.
The Adjutant and Regimental Quartermaster accompany the
Colonel.
The Sergeant Major marches on the side of the guides, 2 paces
from the flank of the column, and on a line with the first files of the column.
The Quartermaster Sergeant marches on the side of the guides,
2 paces from the flank of the column, on a line with the last files of the
column.
The regimental marker marches on the side opposite to the
guides, 2 paces from the flank, and on a line with the first files of the
column,
The Captains march on the side of the guides, and 8 paces
from the flank and abreast of the centre of their squadrons.
The 1st Lieutenant of each squadron marches at the head of
the 1st platoon, 1 pace in advance of the first flies, having the right guide
on his right.
The chiefs of the other platoons march on the aide of the
guides, 1 pace from the flank of the column, and abreast of their first files;
the trumpeters march on the side opposite to the guides, 1 pace from the
flank, and on a line with the second file from the front and rear of their
squadrons; the farrier and the saddler in the direction of the trumpeters, and
opposite the ccntres of the second and third platoons.
They all march in a similar manner on the flanks of the
column when the left is in front; and, in this case, it is the commander of the
4th platoon who marches at its head and in front of the squadron columns; and
the let Major is near the head of the regimental column.
The left guide marches behind the last files of the squadron;
when the column is left in front, he takes post on the
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
left of
the officer commanding the 4th platoon, 1 pace in front of the left file.
When the nature of the ground obliges the officers and others
to enter the column, the movement is made successively; the superior officers
and others opposite the 1st divisions of squadrons place themselves at their
head; those opposite the 2d divisions, in rear.
The primitive order is resumed as soon as the nature of the
ground will permit.
Order in column
of Platoons, (open column.)
In this order the squadrons preserve distances of 2 platoon
fronts, less one pace between each other, counting from the platoon horses; the
distance of one platoon from another, measured from the forefeet of the horses
of one platoon to those of the next, is equal to the front of the platoons.
The Colonel marches at the centre of the regiment, on the
aide of the guides, 50 paces from the flank of the column, having behind him a
chief trumpeter; he moves wherever his presence may he required.
The Lieutenant Colonel marches habitually on the side of the
guides 25 paces from the flank of the column, and on a line with the Lieutenant
commanding the 2d platoon of the 1st squadron.
The 1st Major marches at the same distance from the same
flank, on a line with the commander of the last platoon; the 2d Major the same
distance from the opposite flank on a line with the centre of the column.
The Adjutant and Regimental Quartermaster accompany the
Colonel.
The sergeant major marches on the aide of the guides 2 paces
from the flank of the column, and abreast of the leading platoon.
The quartermaster sergeant marches on the side of the guides
2 paces from the flank of the rear platoon.
The regimental marker marches one pace in rear of the second
file of the leading platoon on the side of the guides.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
The Captains march on the side of the guides 8 paces from the
flank of the column, and habitually abreast of the centre of their squadrons.
The commanders of platoons march one pace in front of their
centres; those of leading platoons are answerable for the distance to the
squadron in front.
When the column marches right in front, the right guide of
each squadron marches on the right of the first platoon, and the left guide one
pace behind the 2d file from the left of the 4th platoon. The posts of these
sergeants is the reverse when the left is in front.
The trumpeters, farrier, and saddler march in rear of their
platoons as in the squadron in line.
The squadron being composed of 64 files, when it is broken
into sections, the chief of the leading platoon marches at the head of the
leading section; the chiefs of the other platoons one pace from and on a line
with their leading section, and on the side of the guides. The second sections
will he commanded by their guides, who retain their places.
Order in close
Column.
The regiment is in column of squadrons at platoon distance;
the distances are equal at any one time, and never less than 9 paces, (from the
croups of the horses of one squadron to the heads of the horses of the next.)
The Colonel is posted 25 paces from the centre of the column
at the side of the guides.
The Lieutenant Colonel and 1st Major march habitually on the
side of the guides, 12 paces from the flanks of the first and last squadrons.
The 2d Major 12 paces from the centre of the column on the
aide opposite the guides.
The sergeant major, quartermaster sergeant, and regimental
marker march as in column of platoons.
All the members of the squadrons are posted as in line except
the Captains, who march on the side of the guides
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
4 paces
from the flank, and on a line with the chiefs of the platoons.
When the guide is centre, “side of the guides” will mean the
left flank of a column right in front; the right flank if left in front.
The order in open column of squadrons (or of attack) is the
same as in close column, except the Captains; they are posted as in line.
Order in double
Columns.
The Colonel marches at the head of the column.
The Lieutenant Colonel marches abreast the centre of the
right column 25 paces distant.
The 1st Major marches abreast the centre of the left column
25 paces distant; the 2d Major behind the Lieutenant Colonel, abreast the rear
of the right column.
The Captains of each column on the outer flanks.
The left squadron guides of the right column on the left of
fist platoons; the right squadron guides of the left column on the right of
fourth platoons.
All others the same as in column of platoons.
COMPLIMENTS BY CAVALRY UNDER REVIEW.
The regiment being in line, the Colonel commands:
1. Attention.
2. Prepare for Review.
At this command, the commanders of platoons advance 3paces,
to the line of squadron commanders; the Adjutant proceeds to the right of the
regiment, and places himself 2 paces to the right of the sergeant major, who Is
on the right of the line without interval; the regimental quartermaster is 2
paces to the left of the quartermaster sergeant, who is on the left of the line
without interval. The left officers place themselves on the right of the rank
of squadron officers, according to their relative rank, and with Intervals of 1
pace.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
The band and trumpeters on a line, each in one or two ranks,
according to their strength—the band on the right— at the right of the
regiment, with an interval of 12 paces.
The Colonel then commands:
1.
Attention.
2.
Draw—SABRE.
3.
Right—DRESS.
4. FRONT.
In this parade order, the regiment awaits the approach of the
personage who is to review it; for whose guidance a camp-color will have been
placed one hundred to two hundred paces in front of the centre, according to
the extent of the line and the plain in front of it.
When the reviewing personage is midway between the camp color
and the Colonel, the latter turns his horse to the right-about on his ground,
and commands:
1. Present—SABRE.
And resumes immediately
his proper front. The officers all salute.
When the reviewing personage, who has halted until the proper
compliments are paid, advances, the Colonel brings his sabre to a carry
turns about as before to the line, and commands:
1.
Carry—SABRE.
When
the whole line remains perfectly steady, the Colonel resuming his proper front.
The reviewing personage now turns off to the right of the
regiment, passes thence, in front of all the officers, to the left, around the
left, and by the rear to the right again. While he is passing around the regiment,
no matter what his rank, the music will play; and when he turns off to take his
station near the camp-color, the music will cease.
The reviewing personage having taken a position near the
camp-color, previously placed at a proper distance, the Colonel causes the
regiment to break into column right in front by platoon or squadron. The band
and trumpeters
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
each
wheel at the same time, the latter closing upon the former; (this will be the
habitual formation of the music.)
The position of the Colonel In column of review is 6 paces in
front of the Captain of the first squadron, or officer commanding the leading
platoon; the Adjutant and regimental quartermaster are on his left.
Staff officers in one rank, according to precedence, from
right to left 6 paces in rear of the column.
The field officers are 6 paces from the flank opposite the
guides; the Lieutenant Colonel opposite the leading division; the 1st Major
that In rear, and the 2d Major the central one.
The sergeant major and quartermaster sergeant 2 paces from
the flank opposite the guides; the former opposite the leading division; the
latter the rear.
In a column of platoons, the Captains 4paces from the
flank opposite the guides, opposite the centres of their squadrons
Chiefs of platoons 1 pace In advance of the centres of their
platoons.
The column is then put in march, at a walk, with the guide
right.
The Adjutant places the regimental marker at the second turn,
so that the right flank of the column shall pass 6 paces from the reviewing
personage.
The column first passes at a walk, and afterward, if required,
at a trot,
When the head of the column arrives within 50 paces of the
reviewing personage, the music commences to play.
The music having passed, the chief bugler causes it to turn
out of the column, so as to take a position facing the reviewing personage, and
about 12 paces from the flank of the column. It continues to play until the
rear of the column has passed; it then wheels, and follows in rear.
Passing at a walk, the Colonel and all the officers salute
with the sabre as they successively arrive within 6 paces of the reviewing
personage, turning the heads towards him.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
The standard does not salute, except to the President or
Vice-President of the United States, Governors of States, Heads of Departments,
or the Commander-in-Chief; when the trumpets are to flourish In passing, the
band ceases playing, and resumes the same air or march when the flourishes have
ceased.
Arrived near its original ground, the Colonel changes the
guide of the column; on the ground, he halts it, and forms line;
otherwise he commands the trot, and passes the reviewing officer again. In
this ease the band will have retained its place near the reviewing personage,
and will commence to play at the approach of the head of the column, wheel in
front of it, and thus march off.
The officers now do not salute; and the Colonel marches on
the left of the column.
The regiment being formed in line on its original ground— en inspection
is not to follow—theColonel marches the regiment forward in
line, at the walk or trot, regulating upon the standard squadron, and halts it
50 yards from the reviewing personage. The instant the line is motionless, all
the officers, taking their time from the Colonel, salute with the Sabre. This
advance of the regiment is omitted when other troops are included.
When there are two or more regiments, the column being in
motion, the regiments will take 60 paces distance one from another.
The Brigadier General will place himself 10 paces in front of
the leading Colonel, his staff officers on his left; the music of that regiment
20 paces in front of the Brigadier General.
The Colonels do not leave their places in the column.
Forms and course of
Inspection.
The regiment being in line, the Colonel causes the squadrons
to wheel to the right.
The Colonel seeing the squadrons aligned, commands:
1. Officers and Non-Commissioned
officers to the front of your
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
squadrons.
2. MARCH. The
officers take places in one rank, 12 paces, and the non-commissioned officers
in one rank, 6 paces in advance, along the whole front of their respective
squadrons, in the order of rank, the highest on the right; the trumpeters at
the same time take post on the alignment of the squadron, 6 paces from the
right, and the farrier and saddler one pace on their left, and one pace apart.
Seeing the last order in a train of execution, the Colonel
commands: 1 Field and Staff to the front. 2. MARCH. The commissioned
officers thus designated form themselves In one rank, 12 paces in front of the
officers of the 1st squadron, in the following order, beginning on the right:
Lieutenant-Colonel, Majors, Adjutant, Quartermaster, Surgeon, and Assistant
Surgeon. The non-commissioned staff in a similar manner, 6 paces in rear of the
preceding rank. The standard hearer will take post in the centre of this rank.
The band is formed in one rank, 12 paces in rear of the column,
The Colonel now takes poet on the right of the Lieutenant-Colonel,
but such of the field officers as may he superior in rank to the Inspector do
not take post as above.
The inspection commences in front. After inspecting the dress
and general appearance of the field and commissioned staff, the Inspector, accompanied
by these officers, passes down the column, looking at each squadron in front
and in rear, with a view to the same objects. He afterwards, in a like manner,
passes and inspects the arms; as he successively approaches each squadron, its
Captain commands:
1. Attention.
2. Inspection—Arms,
which
is executed as prescribed, No. 72.
If, then, the Inspector wishes to make a particular inspection
of equipage, ammunition, &c., the Colonel commands:
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
1.
Attention.
2.
Non-Commissioned Officers—To TOUR P0STS.
3.
PREPARE TO DISMOUNT.
4.
DISMOUNT.
At the
third command numbers one and three, throughout the squadrons, ride forward 6
paces, dressing by the right the trumpeters move forward with the numbers one
and three, and take position in front of the farrier and saddler, who stand
fast.
The
regiment being dismounted, the non-commissioned staff without changing
position, the Captains command:
1. Right—DRESS.
2. FRONT. The ranks in front and rear carefully preserve the interval between
the files.
The Inspector having inspected the non-commissioned staff,
the Captains, as he approaches each squadron, command: 1. Attention. 2.
Open—Boxes.
As the inspection of each squadron is completed thu Colonel
may dismiss it from the parade; two platoons escorting the standard.
ARTICLE THIRD.
DUTIES OF INSTRUCTORS.
The Colonel is responsible for the instruction of the regiment,
and he shall not change, under any pretext, the dispositions contained in this
book.
He will
be present, as often as his other duties permit, at the theoretical and
practical instructions, and especially at that of the officers assembled
together.
The
Lieutenant-Colonel and Major are especially charged with the supervision of the
instruction of their respective wings.
Individual
instruction being the basis of the instruction of squadrons, on which that of a
regiment depends, and
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
the
first principles having the greatest influence upon this individual
instruction, the classes of recruits should he watched with the greatest care.
The instructors place themselves habitually
at such a distance that they can see their whole troop at a glance, and make
themselves distinctly heard by it They leave their places as seldom as
possible, and only to make the corrections which are indispensable in the
position of the men and the execution of the movements
They repeat, in a few clear and precise
words, the explanations which have not been well understood
They should often join example to precept,
should keep up the attention of the men by an animated tone, and pass to
another movement as soon as that which they command has been executed in a
satisfactory manner They should not he too exacting at first as to precision
and unity.
The instructor should sometimes question the
men, to test their attention to his words; and when at rest, to satisfy
himself that the lesson is well understood.
ARTICLE FOURTH.
DIVISIONS ORDER, AND PROGRESSION OF
INSTRUCTION.
As instruction cannot be established on a solid basis without
joining theory to practice, there is in each regiment a theoretical
instruction, independent of the exercises in the field
The Colonel assembles the officers once a
week, or oftener, if he deem it necessary, for the theory of the different
parts of their instruction.
The Captains assemble, in a like manner,
their sergeants and corporals; a selection of privates is included.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
Instruction.
Each drill lasts one hour and ten minutes, including the
rests; these should not exceed two minutes at a time.
The horses of the trumpeters should not be
excused from participating in the different classes of instruction.
All the horses must be exercised at least three times a week.
During the summer, and until the end of October, the regiment
is exercised occasionally in the details of the service in war For this
purpose the Colonel takes the regiment into the country, in order to accustom
it to pass over all kinds of ground, and to apply the evolutions to the
different localities.
On these, and on other occasions, the
Colonel will practice all the officers of the regiment in judging distances;
it is a point of much importance in the education of a cavalry officer.
When the regiment is assembled, the Colonel should direct the
superior officers to command, occasionally, in the different evolutions, in
order to judge of the progress of their instruction.
ARTICLE FIFTH.
GRADATION OF INSTRUCTION.
Recruits.
The recruit commences his instruction on foot. The first week
after his arrival at the regiment is employed exclusively in instructing him
in all the details of discipline, police, and interior service, and in those
relating to his dress and the grooming of his horse.
He is taught to mount without saddle on both
sides of the horse.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
He Is taught the name and use of the principal parts of the
arms and equipments, and the manner of keeping them clean; the manner of
rolling the cloak, of folding the effects, and of placing them in the valise.
These different instructions are given by the corporal of the
squad, under the superintendence of he sergeant and officer of the platoon.
At the end of this week, the recruit commences the fret
lesson on foot; he continues to be instructed in the above-mentioned details.
The recruits are drilled on foot twice a day, when possible,
an hour each time. Their instruction on horseback Is commenced at the same time
with the sabre exercise.
Corporals.
The Corporals should be capable of executing all the lessons mounted
and dismounted, and should be qualified to teach the school of the
trooper dismounted, and at least 4 lessons mounted.
Their theoretical Instruction should include, In addition to
these lessons, all the details relative to the functions of their grade in the
interior service, both In garrison and in campaign.
Sergeants.
The sergeants should he capable of executing, dismounted and
mounted, all that is prescribed by this book; and should he able to teach the
lessons of the school of the trooper, and to command a platoon in
the school of the squadron mounted.
The theoretical instruction of the sergeants should include
the basis of instruction, the school of the trooper, the school
of the platoon, and the school of the squadron; also, the
regulations for the interior service in garrison and in campaign, so far as
their grade is concerned.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
Officers.
Every officer should be at least able to
command according to his rank. No one will he considered fully instructed
unless he can also explain and execute all that is contained in this book.
The theory of the officers should include this book
and all the regulations which prescribe their duties in their different
positions, either in peace or war.
If the faults committed on drill by an officer, of any rank
whatsoever, arise from negligence or want of instruction, the Colonel of the
regiment shall cause him to be immediately replaced.
__________
ARTICLE SIXTH.
INSTRUCTION TO MOUNT WITHOUT SADDLE,
AND TO SADDLE.
Manner of Vaulting.
Seize the mane with the left hand, hold the reins of the
snaffle in the right hand, and place it on the withers, the thumb to the left,
the fingers to the right; raise yourself by a spring on the two wrists, the
body straight; pass the right leg extended over the croup of the horse, without
touching him, and seat yourself on his back
To dismount, pass the left rein of the snaffle into the
right hand; place this hand on the withers; seize the mane with the left hand,
raise yourself on the two wrists, pass the right leg extended over the croup of
the horse, without touching him, bringing the legs together, the body straight,
and come to the ground lightly on the toes, bending the knees a little.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
Manner of rolling the Cloak.
The cloak being entirely unfolded, the
sleeves are laid flatand extended parallel to the two front edges of
the cloak; each one is then turned up and folded near the elbow, so as to give
a length of 3 feet 6 inches from one elbow to the other, the middle of the
cloak remaining uncovered. The cape is then turned down over the sleeves, in
such a manner that the front edges may exactly cover those of the cloak.
The lower extremity of the cloak is turned
up about 10 inches; the skirts are likewise turned towards each other, so that
they may touch the fold of the sleeves, and that, being folded a second time
upon themselves, they may give to the cloak the form of a rectangle; the lower
extremity of the cloak is then turned up about 7 inches, and it is rolled as
tightly as possible, commencing at the collar and pressing the knee upon it as
it is rolled, to bold it. The part of the cloak which is rolled is then
introduced into the sort of pocket formed by the part which was turned back.
Manner of Saddling.
Approach the horse on the left aide, and lay the blanket,
folded into 6 thicknesses, on his back; the edges on the left aide.
Seize it, then, with the left hand on the withers, and with
the right on the loins; slide it once or twice from front to rear, to smooth
the hair, taking care to raise it in carrying it forward, so as not to brush up
the hair.
The blanket should be so arranged as to
project one finger a breadth beyond the bars in rear.
Seize the saddle at the pommel with the left
hand, at the cantle with the right hand, and place it gently on the horse’s
back, bringing it from the direction of his croup, in order not to frighten
him, and place it a little in rear, that the cropper may be put on without
drawing it back. Let
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
down
the girth, breaststrap, and crupper; step behind the horse, seize the tail with
the left hand, and twist the hair around the dock with the right, which then
seizes the crupper and passes the tail through it, taking care that none of
the hair remains under it, which would hurt the horse.
Step to the right side of the horse, and,
seizing the saddle at the cantle with the left hand, and at the pommel with the
right hand, raise it and carry it forward, without moving the blanket; see, at
the same time, that there are no straps caught under the saddle; place the
girth fiat, and pass it through the loop of the false martingale; return to the
left side by the head of the horse; run the left hand between the withers and
the blanket; raise the blanket up a little so that it will not compress the
withers; buckle the girth and the breast- strap.
___________
ARTICLE SEVENTH.
OF TRAINING HORSES WHICH HAVE
BEEN ALREADY RIDDEN.
Whenever a horse resists or Is restive without an apparent
cause the saddlery should be carefully examined, in order to see if any part
hurts or tickles him. Mere force, and want of skill and coolness, tend to
confirm vice and bad habits. Resistance in horses is often a work of vigor, and
proceeds from high spirits; punishment would turn it into vice.
Rearing is a bad and dangerous habit; while the horse is up,
the rider must yield the hand, and at the time he is coming down most
vigorously determine him forward; if this is done at any other time, it may add
a spring to his rearing, and make him come over. If this fail, he must be
whipped by a person from behind.
Kicking can he prevented by holding the horse’s head
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
well up
and closing the legs—if necessary, forcing him forward.
Starting sometimes proceeds from defect of sight;
which, if only in one eye, can easily be ascertained. If from fear, the horse
most be taken up to the object with great patience and gentleness and be
allowed to touch it with his lip. In no case should a horse be punished for
timidity. The dread of chastisement will increase his fear of the
object. But if a horse persistently turns back, he must be punished; always,
however, while his head is away from the object. Finding that he only suffers
while he is turned hack, and his head is away, he will desist.
If a horse turns
against a fence, and leans to it, turn his head to it, and not from it.
PREPARATORY LESSON,
To make a horse tractable
and steady at Mounting
A first act of subjection, which may appear of little
importance, will prove of great service; it makes. the horse quiet, gives him
confidence, and the man such ascendancy that the horse from the outset is
inclined to yield to the means employed to bring him under control. Two lessons
of half an hour will suffice to execute this.
Go up to the horse, pat him on the neck, and speak to him;
then taking the bit reins at a few inches from the rings with the left hand,
place yourself so as to offer as much resistance as possible to the horse when
he tries to break away; take the whip in the full of the right hand, with the
point down, raise it quietly and tap the horse on the breast; on this he will
naturally try to escape from the annoyance, and hack to avoid the whip; follow
the horse, pulling at the same time against him, but without discontinuing the
whip, in the same quiet way, showing no signs of anger, or any symptoms of
yielding. The horse, soon tired of trying ineffectually to avoid the infliction
by pulling
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
hack,
will move towards you; you must then stop and make much of him. This repeated
once or twice will prove wonderfully successful even in the first lesson. The
horse, having found out how to avoid the punishment, will not wait for the
application of the whip, but anticipate it, by moving op at the slightest
gesture; this will be of great assistance in the subsequent bending lessons, as
also of great use in mounting and dismounting, and much accelerate the training
of the horse.
To bend or
supple the Horses neck.
The balance of the horse’s body and his lightness in hand
depend on time proper carriage of the head and neck, and to these two points
attention must first, and chiefly, be directed. They should always precede and
prepare the horse by their attitude for every movement about to be executed;
and the rider has little power over the animal until he has rendered both these
points susceptible of every impulse communicated by him.
The homes, with the curb bridle on, are formed in line, at
two paces apart, their riders standing at their heads, preparatory to the first
bending lesson with the bit.
A young horse generally attempts to resist the bit, either by
bending his neck to a inside, setting his jaw against it, carrying his nose
high up or low down. We must therefore render him manageable by teaching him
to bring his head to position, and arching his neck on the reins being felt.
And it will be found in a short time that horses that required the whole
strength of a man’s arm to make them obey the action of the bit will bend to
the slightest feeling of the veins for, finding that they cannot resist the
power of the bit used in the manner hereafter shown, their instinct will teach
them to obey, and habit accustom them to time impulse received from the rider.
As a general rule, in all the ensuing bending lessons, when a
horse champs the bit, it is a sign that he no longer resists the action of the
hand; then make much of him,
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
and
allow him to resume his natural position. It Is of the utmost importance that
the horse never be allowed to take the initiative. Always oppose the raising of
the horse’s head—always lower your hands and bring it down.
See that the bit is properly placed in the horses mouth, and
the curb-chain so that you can pass your finger under it; place yourself on the
near side close to the horse’s neck and facing his head, the feet a little
apart to give you more power.
Take the off bit rein in the full of the
right band, close up, with the ring of the bit between the forefinger and
thumb; the near rein in the same way with the left hand, thumb nails toward
each other, and the little fingers outwards; bring the right hand towards the
body, extending the left one from you at the same time, so as to turn the
horse’s head to the right. The strength employed must be gradual, and
proportioned to the resistance met with, taking care at first not to bring the
horse’s nose too much in, or too close to his chest, which would make the bend
very difficult; if the horse backs, continue the pressure until he, finding it
impossible to escape from the restraint imposed upon him by the bit held thus
crossways in his mouth, stands still and yields to it.
When the bend is complete, the horse will hold his head there
without any restraint and champ the bit; then make much of him, and allow him
to resume gently his natural position, but not to throw his head rotund
hurriedly. Practice this in the same manner to the left.
This lesson not only teaches the horse to follow the indication
of the rein to both hands, hut also to yield his under jaw to the pressure of
the bit, the advantage of which will soon become apparent. And now, before
mounting, prepare the horses to rein in.
For this purpose cross the snaffle reins behind the horse’s
jaw, taking the near rein in the right hand, and the off rein in the left, at
about six inches from the ring, and draw them across each other till the horse
gives way to the pressure and “reins in.” Do not forget to oppose the
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
raising
of the horse’s head by lowering your hands and bringing it down again. When the
horse gives way to the cross pressure of the snaffle ease your hand and make
much of him.
The Instructor now orders the men to mount, and then to bend
the horses’ heads to the right and left. The reins being properly adjusted in
the left hand to bend the horse’s head to the right, seize the right
rein with the right hand well down, so as to have the reins short on the off
aide. Then draw them quietly towards you till you get the horse’s head
completely round to the right, in the same position as in the bend dismounted.
When the horse champs the bit make much of him, and allow him to resume his
natural position
When bending the horse’s head to the left, pass the right
hand over the left one, seize the left rein and draw the horse’s head gently to
the left.
Next teach the horse to rein up, arch his neck, bring his
nose into proper position, and there remain steady until the rider loosens the
reins. At the word rein in your horses lower the bridle
hand as much as possible, and turn It so that the back shall be uppermost with
the right hand— nails down—take hold of the curb reins close to the left, and
shorten them by degrees, drawing them through the left, which closes on the
reins each time they are shortened.
When the horse resists much, and holds his nose up, keep the
reins steady; do not shorten them, nor lengthen them: close the legs to prevent
the horse from hacking; he will remain perhaps a minute, or more, with his nose
up, and his jaw set against the bit; hut will then yield, bring his nose in,
and champ the bit; make much of him with the right hand, loosen the reins, and,
after a few seconds, rein him in again.
The horse will thus learn to bring his head into position
whenever you feel the reins, and this practice gives him confidence; for most
young horses are afraid of the bit, and If frightened at first by any sudden
jerk of the reins will not after go kindly “up to the hand.” or let you have
that
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
degree
of bearing which is requisite not only to the rider, as it forewarns him of
what the horse is going to do, and whether he requires more collecting (which
he does, if the hearing on the hand is too heavy,) or more freedom, (which Is
requisite if the horse rises too much in his action,) but is also necessary to
induce the horse to work boldly and well.
Some horses are so shaped that they over do
the reining in, and rest the lower jaw against the breast to counteract
this, raise his head, by the use of the snaffle, whilst the leg drives him
forward to the hand.
Some horses will not work up to the bit; that is, will not
bear on it at all. Such a horse is unfit for cavalry duty; his paces can never
be equal and steady; and in a melee or single combat he could turn to either
side, or stop and go about, before his rider could prevent him.
How to teach a horse to obey the pressure
of the leg.
On the word of command, circle to the right on the fore
hand, the horse’s head remains straight to the front; apply the left leg
well behind the girth very quietly, and without touching with the spur; press
against him until he takes a step to the right with his hind legs; take the leg
from him, and make much of him; then repeat the same, and get another step from
him, and so on until be has turned about, always pausing at the half turn. The
horses fore legs remain steady, and his hind quarters circle round his fore. At
first the men may, if necessary, assist themselves by feeling the rein on the
same side, and touching the horse very lightly with the whip close to where the
leg is applied. The spur may also be used if necessary, with a sudden and
somewhat decided thrust; but not frequently, and never with a steady pressure,
for, instead of yielding to it, the horse will soon begin to press against it.
Circle to the left on the fore hand on the same principle. It must be an
invariable role never to hurry a horse in his bending lessons.
By degrees, as the horse improves in this lesson and steps
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
freely
from the pressure of the leg, let the rider, at the word, circle to the
right on the fore hand, pass the right hand down, shortening the off rein,
and bend the horses head a little to the right, so that he may see his hind
quarters coming round; apply the left leg as usual;should the horse not
answer the pressure, use the reins on the same side with the leg, and resume
the opposite rein the moment the horse yields.
All this must be done gradually, for if you bend the horses
head round as far as it can go, and attempt thus to circle him the first time,
he will resist, finding it too difficult; but if done by degrees, he will soon
come to it.
The leg opposite the one which presses the hind quarters to
circle round the fore must he kept close to the horse, to assist in keeping him
in his place, by communicating a forward impulse, whilst the other leg
communicates the impulse, which makes the horse step from right to left, or
left to right; and in order that the pressure of the one shall not counteract
the effect of the other, the leg applied to make the horse step to either hand
should be further behind the girth than the leg used to keep him up to hand.
Both legs should he close to the horse at all times, the pressure on either
side being increased as occasion requires.
At first dismounted men are useful with the unsteady horses,
by taking hold of the curb reins on the opposite side to that which the horse
is to step to, and thus assisting the rider, who then only uses the snaffle;
hut all extraneous assistance should be as much as possible avoided.
The instructor now exercises the horses in
the riding house, trotting out to both hands. The hits should not be used much
the first few days; but the horses brought by degrees to bear slightly on
it. Ride them in the circles; trot them at a collected pace; walk and trot
again; walk, halt, and make the men bend their horses to the hand they are
working to.
Explain to the men that the horse’s head and neck must always
he bent the way he is to go, and prepare the animal by their attitude for all
turns, circles, &c,; and when.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
ever
they feel the curb reins, and the horse does not yield to them, let them keep
the bridle hand steady, and play with the snaffle rein until the horse champs
the bit. The snaffle should be continually used to prevent the horse from
leaning on the hand.
Go through the bending lessons on foot and mounted, and then
file home.
No lesson with young horses should exceed three quarters of
an hour.
CIRCLING ON THE HAUNCHES.
A few minutes being devoted to the dismounted bending
lessons, mount and begin by reining the horses in, bending them, and circling
them to the right and left on the fore hand; this being done once or twice,
proceed to the circling on the haunches.
By circling the horse on the forehand we have taught him, on
applying the leg, to move his haunches to either hand; and as he has thus
learnt to obey the leg, we can, by making use of it, prevent him from moving
his hind legs to the right or left; therefore he will now be taught to circle on
them, and in a few lessons he will be led to go completely round on his
haunches, and thus in time per. form the pirouette —a very important
accomplishment for the cavalry soldier; for when engaged, sword in hand, with
an enemy, he can turn his horse right and left, and about in an instant, and
thus gain the advantage over his antagonist. In a contest on horseback, it is
not the strongest, but the most skilful rider who is likely to he victorious.
At the command, On the haunches, right about, bend the
horses head a little to the right with the bit, pass the right hand over, and
take hold the near snaffle ruin, (not only as assistance to the horse, but to
make the men sensible of the necessity of using the outward rein in these
movements; when the horse is broken in it will be suffi-
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
cient
to carry the bridle hand to the side you wish to turn to,) apply the left leg
behind the girth to keep the haunches steady; at the word March, make
the horse step to the right with his fore feet, turning on his hind feet, by
feeling the left snaffle rein, bringing both hands a little to the right at the
same time, and applying the left leg, while keeping the horse up to the hand
with the right leg.
At first the horse must be halted and made much of three or
four times during each turn, and if his haunches are thrown out, they must be
brought back again by applying the left leg; and thus gradually led on, the
horse will learn to go about to both hands on his haunches without touching the
ground with his fore feet.
Go through the trotting lesson, then form up and repeat the
bending lessons on foot and mounted.
REINING BACK.
In reining back the horse must be well in
hand and well balanced;he can then make an equal use of all four legs,
and raise them equally from the ground. Before reining back the horse should be
square to the front, his head home, and light in hand; then apply both legs,
retaining a steady feel of both reins to make the horse lift one of his hind
legs. It is at this moment that a
double feeling of both reins will oblige him to recover his balance by stepping
backwards. Place him straight to the
front by bringing his haunches to the right or left as may be required; then
give him his head, and make much of him.
At first a few steps backward is all that should be required
of a horse; if he bring his hind legs too much under him, ease the hand, and
apply both legs to make him regain his balance forward; and for this reason
always use the legs first, and then feel the reins; because if you feel the
reins first, the horse throws his weight back;and the more weight ha
throws on his hind legs the less able he is to lift them, which is a necessary
preliminary to stepping back.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
The horse should never be allowed to hurry, or run back out
of hand, or to diverge from the straight line.
The squad must be frequently halted during the walking,
trotting, and bending lessons, to practice the reining back; and
independently of the dressing, until all the horses rein back well.
Attention must now be directed to making the men keep their
horses well up to the hit, and putting them together with the use of the hand
and leg; to see that in all turns, circles, &c. the men bend their horses’
heads and necks in the new direction before leaving the side of the horse.
Endeavor to make them perfect in their bending and trotting lessons; practice
the going about on the haunch, by frequently halting at the
side, and giving the word, On the haunches about, march.
THE HORSE’S PACES.
Walk, Trot, and Canter.
Before moving forward, the horse should be light In hand, the
head brought home, (not with the nose stuck out,) the neck arched, and he
should stand evenly on both hind legs.
Close the legs and communicate a sufficient Impulse to carry
him forward without giving the hand; for if you do, the head and neck may
relapse into a position which will defy the control of the hand.
The rider should always have a light feeling of the reins;
and when the horse bears hard on the bit, keep the hand steady, use both legs,
which, by bringing his haunches under him, will oblige the horse to take his
weight off your hand.
It is necessary, in order to make the horse handy, to
exercise him at trotting out; but it is not enough that he should trot
fast; the quickness of the pace should not detract from his lightness in hand,
or the ease with which he should be capable of answering all indications of the
hand and leg.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION,
The hand must be constantly at work to retain the head and
neck in their proper position without counteracting the forward impulse
communicated by the leg; thus the horse will acquire regularity of pace,
increased speed, and that safety which is natural to a horse well balanced and
light in hand.
The canter is a repetition of bounds, during
which the forehand rises first, and higher than the hind quarters.
The horse being properly placed, light in hand and well
balanced, throw his weight from the forehand toward the haunches, (by
increasing the pressure of the legs and restraining him with the reins,) and,
according to the hand you wish to strike off to, throw the weight of the horse
to the opposite side; that is, if he is to lead off with the off fore followed
by the off hind, (or canter to the right,) throw the weight to his near side.
This is done by pulling both reins equally to the left and closing the right
leg; the horses head remaining placed to the right, and the left leg preventing
him from throwing out his haunches. The horses off legs are thus at liberty,
and the forward impulse obliges him to use them; he could not do otherwise
without difficulty.
Cantering to the right, if the left fore leg leads, the horse
canters false. To rectify this, feel both reins to the left, in order to bring
his weight toward that side —the horse’s head remaining bent to the right—and
close firmly the left leg, to bring his haunches in again.
Teach the horse to strike off on the circle first, then on
the straight line. After that try him at changing leg
At this stage, when circling on the forehand, stop the horse
with the inward leg and outward rein at each step; make a pause, feel both
reins, close both legs, and press him up to the hand; ease the rein and leg,
take another step with the haunches, stop him again, “rein him in,’’ and close your legs. This is very useful; it
prevents the horse from getting into a habit of running round with his
haunches; it makes him obedient, as it teaches him not to yield to habit, but
to trust to the rider’s hand and leg alone
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
for
guidance; and it accustoms him to collect himself at all times,
and thus he is always ready. It is very important.
Before moving off the ground give the word, Rein in your
horses; caution the men to close their legs to the horses sides, and to
bring the spurs close, without touching them. Give the word, Spur; the
left hand is held steadily down, and the spur applied on both sides, very
gently at first; the horse should not move from his ground, but merely arch his
neck. This must be repeated two or three times, always quieting the horse after
the spur has been given.
Repeat this at intervals.
The reining back is to be practiced often. Be careful
that the men apply the legs first, and then feel the reins, to make the horse
step back. See that they sit upright in their saddles; do not hurry, and be
satisfied with one step at a time.
Demi-pirouette.
Halt the squad, riding in file, on the side
of the riding house, and give the command, On the haunches. about;
) at
this caution the rider must throw the horses weight from the forehand to the
haunches, by closing the legs and restraining him with the reins; at the
command MARCH, given almost immediately, he must carry the reins decidedly to
the side to which the turn is to be made, and close firmly the opposite leg to
prevent the horse from throwing around his haunches, and force him to turn on
his hind legs. When the about is completed, the horses should be squared
and made much of before they are put about again.
Canter on the circle to both hands, striking off from a walk,
and frequently bring them to a walk without allowing them to fall first into a
trot.
These
lessons will require at least thirty days, with one lesson a day.
Manner of
accustoming the horses to leap.
The ditch Is leaped before the bar. The horses are led at
first with a horse accustomed to the exercise in front.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
The
snaffle must be used. If necessary, the horse must he urged by a whip from
behind. A low fence is preferable to the bar; and the horse should not be
leaped often beck and forward over the same thing or at the same place.
To accustom horses
to military noises and firing.
The
horse, broken to obedience to the hand and legs, can he brought to face most
things with little trouble. Encouraged gradually to approach anything which be
fears, as a drum being beaten, until he feels it with his lip, he will then
cease to be alarmed. The field music should be practiced at the exercise
grounds or riding house.
A few trained horses are mixed with the new ones, and toward
the close of a lesson separated a little, and the troopers who ride them fire
their pistols, the riding being continued without change.
If the horses become much excited discontinue the firing
until they become calm.
In
firing from the horse’s back the pistol should at first be held vertically.
Especial care should be taken not to alter the feel of the
horses mouth when firing, or suddenly to close the legs; the rider being cool
and quiet, his horse will soon follow the example.
In all lessons, if one or more horses are so restless or
unmanageable as to excite and throw the others Into confusion, they should be
sent off and separately dealt with; they require more pains, end much caressing
and other encouragement.
When the horses are accustomed to the firing, they are formed
at the cud of the riding ground and marched abreast slowly toward a party of
dismounted men placed at the other end;these fire several volleys,
until the horses are within forty or fifty yards, when the firing ceases; the
horses are ridden steadily on until they reach the men, they are then stopped
and caressed.
Young horses are in like manner accustomed to the manual of
arms, waving of flags, military music, &c.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
Practice of
paces for maneuvre.
The remount horses must now be carefully practiced, as all
the regimental horses must be, at the paces of maneuvre.
Nothing can be more important to the regularity and order,
and often the success, of large bodies of cavalry than uniformity In the gaits.
The walk should be at the rate of three and three-fourths miles an hour, the
trot seven and a half miles an hour, and the gallop ten miles an hour. To
confirm the horses In these uniform rates, measure off a half mile and practice
the horses to walk it in eight minutes; trot It in four mlnutes, and gallop it
in three minutes.
ARTICLE EIGHTH.
DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL PRINCIPLES.
A RANK
is composed of men abreast of each other.
A FILE
is a man in rank; or two or more men, one be-hind another in ranks.
FRONT is the direction perpendicular to the alignment of a
body of troops and before it, either in column or in line.
CENTRE is the middle of such a body.
WINGS are the two grand divisions into which a
regiment, or an army, is divided, when in line.
FLANK is the right or left side of a column, or line,
INTERVAL is the vacant space between two bodies of
troops, or between files.
The interval between two troopers in rank is 4 inches from
knee to knee.
Distance is the vacant space between any two
subdivisions in column.
When a body of troops is formed in column of platoons, the
distances prescribed are measured from the fore feet of the horses of one rank
to the fore feet of the horses of another rank.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
DEPTH is the space included between the head and the rear of
a column.
The depth of a regiment In close column is about equal to a
platoon front multiplied by the number of squadrons.
To estimate the front of a troop, and the depth of a column,
it is necessary to know that a horse, when mounted, occupies in breadth one
yard. The length of a horse is considered three yards.
By the CROUP is always meant the rear extremity of the horse.
ALIGNMENT is the placing of men, or troops, on the same line.
When a body of troops Is to form and align itself on another,
it halts one horse’s length in rear of the line of formation.
A COLUMN is the disposition of
a body of troops In subdivisions, one behind another.
OPEN COLUMN is formed of subdivisions, having between them
the distance necessary to form in line in every way, being generally of
platoons, the column of maneuvre. That column is distinguished by the name, open
column.
CLOSE COLUMN is formed of squadrons, with a distance of
platoon front from one to another. The object of this disposition is to give
the least possible depth to the column.
DOUBLE COLUMN is formed by the advance from the centre of a
line, by platoons at wheeling distance, the right wing left in front, the left
wing right in front: the two columns preserving an interval between their
flanks.
POINTS OF DIRECTION serve to point out the
direction In which a troop in line, or in column, is to march; or elms Ic mark
the right and left of a line.
INTERMEDIATE POINTS are those taken between the fixed points
They are used to preserve the desired direction during the march, or to insure
the rectitude of the formation of the lines.
The two sergeants on the flank, who are not counted
in the rank, are the right guide and left guide of their respective squadrons.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
In the oblique march the guide Is on the side towards which
the march is made; and when the primitive direction is resumed, after having
obliqued, the guide is where it was before having obliqued.
In a column composed of cavalry and infantry, the guides of
the cavalry cover the second file of the subdivisions of Infantry on the side
of the guides. In line, the officers who are in front of the squadrons align
themselves on the rear rank of the infantry.
WHEEL is a circular movement executed by a body of troops in
line; each of the men describes the arc of a circle in proportion to his
distance from the pivot.
ABOUT FACE, or WHEEL, is to face or wheel so as to reverse
the front.
RIGHT, or LEFT FACE, is to face at right angles to the former
front.
RIGHT HALF, or LEFT HALFFACE, or WHEEL, is a wheel of
45 degrees.
PIVOT is the man of the flank on which the wheel is made;
there are two kinds, the fixed pivot and the movable pivot.
The pivot is fixed whenever he turns upon himself; it
is movable when he describes an arc of a circle.
The arc of a circle described by the pivot of a rank of two, of four, of eight, or of a platoon
making the fourth of a wheel, is 5 yards; and for a squadron it is 20 yards.
PLOYMENT is the movement by which a regiment forms from line
into close column
DEPLOYMENT is the movement by which a regiment forms from
close column into line.
FORMATION is the regular placing of all the fractions of a
body of troops in any prescribed order.
PACES: There are three kinds: the walk, the trot,
and the gallop.
On foot there are three kinds of step: the common step,
quick step, and the double quick step.
On foot the movements are executed habitually at the quick
step, without the command being given. When they
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
are to
he executed at the common step, or double quick, the
command should signify it.
The pace, when used as a measure, is 3 feet.
On foot the common step is at the rate of 90 per minute; the
quick step is at the rate of 110 per minute; the double quick step is at the
rate of 165 per minute.
THE DIRECT MARCH us that which is executed by troops in line
or in column, to move off perpendicularly to their alignment.
THE MARCH BY A FLANK is that by which ground is gained to the
right or left, after having made the fourth of a wheel.
THE OBLIQUE MARCH is that by which, when moving forward,
ground is gained towards one of the flanks without changing the front. There
are two kinds, the individual oblique march and the oblique march by
troop.
The individual oblique march is that which is executed
by an individual movement of each man.
The oblique march by troop is that which is executed
by the movement, at the same time, of each of the subdivisions of atroop
in line.
COUNTER MARCH, is a movement by which the men of a rank march
to form themselves facing the rear, parallel to the first formation.
THE CHARGE is a direct and impetuous march, the object of
which is to strike the enemy.
SKIRMISHERS are men dispersed in front, in rear, or on the
flanks of a troop, to cover its movements or its position.
OBSTACLE is anything in the nature of the ground which
obliges troops in line to ploy a part of their front.
DEFILE is a passage which compels a line to ploy into column,
or a column to diminish its front.
EVOLUTIONS are the regular movements by which a regiment
passes from one order to another.
Evolutions of the line, are these same movements executed by
several regiments. Their application, combined with the position or movements
of the enemy, is called maneuvres.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
COMMANDS: There are three kinds:
The command of caution, which is “Attention.” it is
the signal to preserve immobility and to give attention.
The preparatory command. It indicates the movement
which is to be executed.
The command of execution, at which the action is commenced
The tone of command should be animated, distinct, and of a
loudness proportioned to the troop which is commanded.
Preparatory commands should be uttered with all possible
distinctness.
In commands of execution articulation is not so necessary;
hut they should be prolonged, because the movement which is to follow them
being communicated from the man to the horse. all jerking or abruptness is
thereby avoided; and they will be better heard amid the noise of cavalry in
motion.
In the manual of arms, the part of the command which causes
an execution should be pronounced in a firm and brief tone.
The commands of caution, and the preparatory commands, are
distinguished by italics; those of execution, by CAPITALS.
A TIME is one of the parts into which an action Is divided to
facilitate the instruction and execution. A motion is a further
subdivision with the same object.
ARTICLE NINTH.
(The book of signals is at the end of the work.)
1. The
general.
2. Boots
and saddles.
3. To
horse.
4. The
assembly.
5.
To arms.
6. To the standard.
7. The march. (It
also answers for a quick step on foot.)
8. The charge.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
9. The rally.
10. Reveille.
11. Stable call.
12. Watering call.
13. Breakfast call.
14. Assembly of the guard.
15. Orders for the orderly sergeants.
16. Assembly of the trumpeters.
17. Retreat.
18. Fatigue call.
19. Dinner call.
20. Distributions.
21. Drill call.
22. Officers call.
23. The recall.
24. Sick call.
25. Tattoo.
26. To extinguish lights.
For the service of skirmishers.
1. Forward.
2. Halt.
3. To the left.
4. To the right.
5. The about.
6. Change direction to the right.
7. Change direction to the left.
8. Trot.
9. Gallop.
10. To commence firing.
11. To cease firing.
12. To charge as foragers.
The
rally is No~ 9, general signals.
To
change the gait to a walk, halt, and forward are sounded.
NOTE—The recall serves to withdraw troops, so that they
rejoin the main body, or the commander, at the ordinary gait; and also for the
cessation of exercises.
TITLE
SECOND.
INSTRUCTION ON FOOT.
____________
SCHOOL OF THE TROOPER, DISMOUNTED.
1.—The object of this school being the individual and
progressive instruction of the recruits, the instructor at first does not
require a movement to be executed until he has given an exact explanation of
it; and he executes himselfthe movement which he commands, so as to
join example to precept. He accustoms the recruit to take by himself the
position which Is explained, touches him to rectify it only when required by
his want of intelligence, and sees that all the movements are performed without
precipitation.
Each movement should be perfectly understood before passing
to another. After they have been properly executed in the order laid down in
each lesson, the instructor no longer confines himself to that order; on the
contrary, he should change it, that he may judge of the intelligence of the
men.
2 —The
instructor allows the men to rest two or three times in the hour; for this
purpose he commands REST.
At the command REST the trooper is no longer required to
preserve immobility, but will keep his left heel in its place.
3.—When the Instructor wishes to commence the instruction,
he commands, ATTENTION; at this command the trooper takes his position, remains
motionless, and fixes his attention.
4.—The first principles of the position and those of the
march are taught to each man individually, or, at most, to
SCHOOL OF THE
eight
at a time. In the latter case they are placed on the mane line, one yard from
each other, without being required
to
align themselves.
POSITION OF THE TROOPER DISMOUNTED.
5 —The heels on the same line as near each other as the
conformation of the man will permit;
The feet turned out equally, and forming with each other
something less than a right angle;
The knees straight without stiffness;
The body erect on the hips, Inclining a little forward;
The belly rather drawn In, and the breast advanced;
The shoulders square and falling equally;
The arms hanging near the side;
The palm of the hand turned a little to the front;
The head erect and square to the front, without constralnt;
The chin somewhat drawn In;
The eyes straight to the front.
When the trooper is armed the left hand hangs by the side
over the sabre.
EYES
RIGHT, EYES LEFT.
6.—The instructor commands:
1. Eyes—Right.
2. FRONT.
At the first command, turn the head gently to the right. so
that the corner of the left eye, next to the nose, may be on a line with the
buttons of the jacket.
At the command FRONT, turn the head gently to the front.
7.—The movement eyes left is executed after the same
principles at the commands:
TROOPER, DISMOUNTED.
1. Eyes—Left.
2. FRONT.
8.—The instructor will take particular care that the movement
of the head does not derange the squareness of the shoulders, which would
happen if it were too sudden, or if the head were turned more than is
necessary.
As the trooper should turn the head only to align himself,
and in the wheelings, it is important that he should be accustomed to turn it but
very little.
RIGHT FACE, LEFT
FACE, ABOUT FACE, RIGHT OBLIQUE FACE, LEFT OBLIQUE FACE.
9.—The
instructor commands:
I.Right (or left.)
2.FACE.
1 time.
At the second command, raise the right foot
slightly, turn on the left heel, raising the toes a little, and then replace
the right heel by the aide of the left, and on the same line.
1. —About—FACE.
2 times.
I. At the first part of the command, make a half face to
the right, turning on the left heel, place the right foot square behind
the left, the hollow of it opposite to, and three inches from, the left heel.
2. At the command
FACE, turn on both heels to face to
SCHOOL OF THE
the
rear, raising the toes a little, the knees straight, and bring the right foot
by the aide of the left.
11.—1. Right oblique (or left oblique.)
2. FACE
1. time.
At the second command, raise the right foot a little, turn
upon the left, raising the toes slightly, and then replace the right heel by
the side of the left, on the same line, making face 30 degrees to the
right or left, (one-third of a right or left face.)
12—The instructor pays particular attention that
the position of the body shall not be deranged by these movements.
COMMON STEP.
13.—The length of the common
step is 2 feet 4 inches, measured from heel to heel its quickness is at the
rate of 90 per minute.
14.—To explain the principles and mechanism of the step, the
instructor places himself 8 or 10 paces in front, facing the squad he executes
the step slowly himself.
He commands:
1. Forward.
2. MARCH.
At the command forward, throw the weight of the body
on the right leg.
At the command MARCH, carry forward the left foot, smartly
and without a jerk, 2 feet 4 inches from the right, the knee straight, the toe
a little depressed, and slightly turned out, the upper part of the body
inclined forward;
TROOPER DISMOUNTED.
plant
the left foot, the whole weight of the body being thrown on it; carry forward
the right leg, smartly and without jerk, the foot near the ground; plant it at
the same distance, and in the same manner as has just been explained for the
left foot, and continue to march without crossing the legs or turning the
shoulders, and with the face always to the front.
15.—To halt, the instructor commands:
1. Squad.
2. HALT.
At the command, bring the foot which is in rear by the side
of the other, without shock.
16.—The
instructor marks the cadence of the step from time to time by the command one,
at the moment when the left foot should be planted; this cadence being
regulated at the rate of 90 steps per minute.
TO CHANGE FEET.
17.—The instructor teaches this to the squad one at a time;
it is used to catch the step when lost.
The foot that is being advanced from the rear is planted by
the side of the other, which is instantly advanced in its stead so as not to
lose the cadence.
TO MARCH BY A FLANK.
18—The men being in line at a halt, the instructor commands:
1. Right—FACE.
2. Forward.
3. MARCH.
SCHOOL OF THE
At the
command MARCH, the whole file step off with animation together, with the left
foot.
19.—A
well-instructed man should at first march by the side of the leading man.
The instructor will cause the men to cover each other
accurately. He will see that they do not
look downwards, and do not bend the knee.
TO FACE TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT WHEN
MARCHING.
20.—The squad marching, the instructor commands:
1. By the
right flank.
2. MARCH.
At the
command MARCH, turn the body to the right, and step off with the right foot in
the new direction, without losing the cadence of the step.
The
instructor gives the command MARCH at the moment when the left foot is coming
to the ground.
When it
is to the left, the command MARCH is given at the moment when the right
foot is coming to the ground. By this
means the new direction is always commenced with the leg on the side towards
which the turn is made.
OBLIQUE FACE TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT
WHEN MARCHING.
21.—The squad marching, the instructor commands:
1. Right oblique.
2. MARCH.
At the command MARCH the men make an oblique face to the
right (or to the left,) and march in the new direction.
22. —To resume the primitive direction, the instructor
commands:
FORWARD.
TROOPER, DISMOUNTED.
At this command the men make an oblique face to the
left, if they have obliqued to the right, and an oblique face to the
right, if they have obliqued to the left, and march straight to the front.
QUICK STEP.
33.—The length of the quick step is the same as that of the
common step, and its quickness is at the rate of 110 per minute.
The squad
being at a halt, the Instructor commands.
1. Forward,
quick time.
2. MARCH.
At the command MARCH, step off smartly with the
left foot.
24.—The squad Is exercised, when marching at the quick step,
to halt, move on, face to the right and left, half face to the right and left,
and move off again, as In common time.
25.—The
squad marching in quick time, to change to common time, the instructor
commands:
1. Common
time.
2. MARCH.
At the command MARCH, the squad takes the common step.
36.—To resume the quick step, the instructor com· mands:
1. Quick time.
2. MARCH.
At the command MARCH, the squad resumes the quick step
DOUBLE QUICK STEP.
27.—The squad marching in common or quick time, to change to
double quick time, the instructor commands:
1. Double quick.
2. MARCH.
SCHOOL OF THE
At the command MARCH, the men increase the length of step to
33 inches, and its rapidity to 166 steps in a minute.
In this march the carriage of the body is different, being
nearer that of running The body is more advanced, the knees more bent, the arms
with their natural motion.
From a halt, the command is:
1. Forward,
double quick.
2. MARCH.
SABRE EXERCISE.
28.—For this lemon the squad is composed of from 6 to 8 men,
armed only with sabres; they are placed in one rank, 9 feet from each other.
The object of the moulinet is to render the joints of the arm
and wrist supple, and as it adds to the confidence of the men when isolated, by
increasing their dexterity, they should first be exercised at it, as a
preparation for the other motions.
Each lesson is therefore commenced and ended with moulinets,
executed with a quickness proportioned to the progress of the troopers. The
instructor pays particular attention that the men do not employ a degree of
force in the sabre exercise, which not only is less necessary than skill and
suppleness, but which is even prejudicial. He observes, also, that they do not
lean to one side, in such a manner as to lose the seat, when mounted; he
requires more especially, in the motions of the sabre to the rear, that the
blade shall not fall too near the body, for fear of wounding the horse. In
describing a circle, the fiat of the blade should be to the side, and the edge
to the front, and it should be so directed as not to touch either the horse’s
head, or his haunches, or the knees of the rider.
When the troopers execute all the motions with regularity,
the instructor requires each cut to be given without decomposing it; the last
syllable of a command is the signal for the quick execution of it. All the cuts
are then
TROOPER DISMOUNTED.
terminated
by a half-moulinet, which brings back to the position of GUARD.
Thrusts should always be used in preference, as they require
less force, and their result is more prompt, sure, and decisive. They should be
directed quickly home to the body of the adversary, the sabre being held
with the full grasp, the thumb pressing against the guard in the direction of
the blade.
The parries against the lance are the same as against
the point.
29.—The instructor explains what is meant by right and
left side of the gripe; by tierce, and by quarte.
The right side of the gripe is the side opposite to the guard.
The left side of the gripe is the side next to the guard.
Tierce is the position in which the edge of the
blade is turned to the right, the nails downwards.
Quarte is the position in which the edge of the
blade is turned to the left, the nails upwards.
To rest, the sabres being returned, the instructor
conforms to what is prescribed, No. 2.
30.—The troopers being placed asprescribed, No. 28,
the instructor commands:
Draw—SABRE.
2 times.
1. At the first part
of the command, unhook the sabre with the left hand, and bring the hilt to the
front; run the right wrist through the sword-knot; seize the gripe, draw the
blade 6 inches out of the scabbard, pressing the scabbard against the thigh
with the left hand, which seizes it at the tipper ring.
2. At the command, SABRE!, draw the sabre quickly, raising
the arm to its full extent, at an angle of about 45 degrees; the sabre in a straight
line with the arm, make a alight pause, carry the blade to the right shoulder,
the back
SCHOOL OF
THE
of it
against the hollow of the shoulder, the wrist resting against the hip, the
little finger on the outside of the gripe.
Return—SABRE.
2 times.
31.—At the command, SABRE, carry the sabre vertically to the
front, the thumb opposite to and 6 inches from the neck, the blade vertical,
the edge to the left, the thumb extended on the right side of the gripe, the
little finger by the side of the others.
32. At the command, SABRE, carry the wrist opposite to and 6
inches from the left shoulder; revolve the point of the blade to the rear,
until it is nearly under the right hand, which, at the same time, is raised;
the left hand, also at the same time, takes hold of the upper part of the
scabbard; turn the eyes slightly to the left, return the blade, free the wrist
from the sabre knot, drop the right hand by the side; turning with the left the
hilt toward the body, and so round to the rear, hook up the sabre, end drop the
left hand.
32.—The sabres being drawn, the instructor commands:
GUARD.
1 time.
At the command, GUARD, carry the right foot about 20 inches
from the left, the heels on the same line; place the left hand closed, 6 inches
from the body, and ashigh as the elbow, the fingers towards the body,
the little finger nearer than the thumb (position of the bridle hand;) at
the same time, carry the right hand about 10 inches in front of the right hip,
the blade in an oblique position, the point a little raised, the edge upward,
the back of the blade resting in the hollow of the left arm, as near the body
as
Par. 32
Right Moulinet.
TROOPER DISMOUNTED.
possible;
the right hand without constraint, or feeling the weight of the sabre.
Left—MOULINET.
1 time, 2 motions.
33.—1. At the command, MOULINET, extend the right arm to the
front to its full length, the hand in tierce and as high as the eyes; the point
to the front, and a little higher than the hilt.
2. Commencing by lowering the blade, make rapidly a circle
round the hand, to the left of, and as near as safe, to the horse, and to the
elbow; returning to the first position, and then to guard.
RIght—MOULINET.
1 time, 2 motions.
34.—1. At the command, MOULINET, extend the right arm to the
front to its full length, the hand in quarte, and as high as the eyes, the
point to the front, and a little higher than the hilt.
2. Commencing by lowering the blade, make rapidly a circle
round the hand, to the right of the horse and body, returning to the first
position, and then to guard.
36.—To
execute the moulinet without stopping, if the instructor wishes to begin by the
left, he commands:
Left and right—MOULINET.
1 time, 2 motions.
38.—If he wishes to begin by the right, he commands:
Right and left—MOULINET.
1 time, 2 motions.
SCHOOL OF THE
At either of these commands, the troopers, commencing from
the position of guard, execute alternately what is laid down in Nos. 33 and 34,
without stopping at any motion.
Rear—MOULINET.
1 time, 2 motions.
37.—1. At the command, MOULINET, raise the arm to the right
and rear to its full extent, the point of the sabre upwards, the edge to the
right, the thumb extended on the back of the gripe, the body slightly turned to
the right.
2. Describe a circle in rear, commencing by motion of the
sabre towards the left, the arm being motionless to the wrist, return to the
1st position and then to guard.
When the troopers execute the moulinets well, the instructor
requires them to execute several in succession, until the command GUARD.
In tierce—POINT.
1 time, 3 motions.
38.—1. At the command, POINT, raise the hand in tierce, as
high as the right ear, and 7 inches from It, throw back the right shoulder,
carrying the elbow to the rear, the point of the sabre to the right of the
horse’s head and neck, and a little below the horizontal, the edge upwards, the
thumb on the back of the gripe.
2. Thrust forward, extending the arm to it, full length, the
edge of the sabre up.
3. Return to the position of guard.
In quarte—POINT.
1 time, 3 motions.
39.—At the command, POINT, lower the hand in
Par. 40
Par. 41
Right-POINT
TROOPER DISMOUNTED.
quarte
near the right hip, t\he thumb extended on the right side of the gripe, the
point a little higher than the wrist, edge to the left.
2. Thrust to the right front, extending the arm to its full
length, the edge of the blade to the left.
3. Return to the position of guard.
Left—POINT.
1 time, 3 motions.
40.—1. At the command, POINT, turn the head to the left,
(half face to the left In the saddle,) raise the hand in tierce as high as the
right ear, and 7 inches from It, the thumb on the back of the gripe, the edge
of the blade upwards, the point directed to the left.
2. Thrust to the left, or left front, extending the arm to
Its full length, the edge up.
3. Return to the position of guard.
Right —POINT.
1 time—3 motions.
41.—At the command, POINT, turn the head to the right, (half
face to the right in the saddle,) carry the hand in quarte near the left
breast, the edge upwards, the point directed to the right.
2. Thrust to the right, or right front, extending the arm to
its fall length, edge to the front.
S. Return to the position of guard.
Rear—POINT.
1 time 3 motions.
42.—1. At the command, POINT, turn the head to the right and
rear, (half face to the right in the saddle,) bring
SCHOOL OF THE
the
hand in quarts in front of the right shoulder, the arm half extended, the blade
horizontal, the point to the rear, the edge upwards.
2. Thrust to the rear, or right rear, extending the arm to
its full length, edge to the right.
3.Return
to the position of guard.
Against infantry, left—POINT.
1 time, 3 motions.
43.—At the command, POINT, turn the head to the left, (half
face to the left in the saddle,) raise the hand In tierce near the neck, the
thumb on the back of the gripe, the point of the sabre directed at the height
of the breast of a man on foot.
2. Thrust down in tierce.
3. Return to the position of guard.
Against infantry, right—POINT.
1 time, 3 motions.
44.—1. At the command, POINTturn the head and body
toward the right, carry the hand In quarte near the right hip, the thumb on the
right side of the gripe, the point of the sabre directed at the height of the
breast of a man on foot.
2. Thrust
in quarts.
3. Return to the position of guard.
Against infantry—FRONT POINT.
1 time.
45.—At the command, POINT, bear the weight on the right
stirrup, bend well down to the right, extend the right arm well downwards, and,
with the back of the sabre upwards, thrust forward, horizontally, and resume
the guard,
Par. 43
TROOPER DISMOUNTED.
Front-Cut.
1 time, 3 motions.
46.—1. At the command, CUT, raise the sabre, the arm half
extended, the hand a little higher than the head, the edge upwards, the point
to the rear and higher than the hand.
2. Cut to the right of the horse’s neck, extending the arm to
its full length.
3.
Return to the position of guard.
USED AGAINST CAVALRY AND INFANTRY.
1 time, 3 motions.
47.—1. At the command, CUT, turn the head to the left, (half
face to the left in the saddle,) raise the sabre, the arm extended to the front
and right, the hand in quarte, and as high as the head, the point higher than
the hand.
2. Cut
diagonally to the left, in quarte.
3.
Return to the position of guard.
This is also used against infantry, bending well forward and
down, and cutting at the necessary angle.
Right—CUT.
1 time, 3 motions.
48.—1. At the command, cur, turn the head to the right, carry
the hand near the left shoulder, the point of the sabre upwards, the edge to
the left.
2. Extend the arm quickly to its full length, give a backhanded
cut horizontally, in tierce.
3.
Return to the position of guard.
SCHOOL OF THE
Rear -CUT.
1 time, 3 motions.
49.—1. At the command, CUT, turn the head to the right,
throwing back the right shoulder, (half face to the right In the saddle,) carry
the hand near the left shoulder, the sabre perpendicular, the edge to the left.
2. Extend the arm quickly to its full length, and give a
back-handed cut horizontally to the rear, in tierce.
Return
to the position of guard.
Right, in tierce and quarte.—CUT.
1 time, 4 motions.
50.—i.
At the command, cur, execute the 1st motion of right cut, No. 48.
2.
Execute the 2d motion of right cut, No. 48.
3. Turn the hand in quarte, and cut
horizontally to the left.
4.
Return to the position of guard.
Left, in quarte and tierce—CUT.
1 time, 4 motions.
51.—1. At the command, CUT, execute the 1st motion of left
cut, No. 47.
2.
Execute the 3d motion of left cut, No. 47.
3. Turn the hand in tierce, and cut horizontally to the
right.
4.
Return to the position of guard.
Par. 53
Par.55
Against Infantry, Right—Parry.
TROOPER DISMOUNTED.
Right—Parry.
1 time, 2 motions.
52.—1. At the command, PAINT, grasp the sabre firmly, extend
the arm to the right, the hand moving horizontally, the point at the same time
describing a circular motion upwards, and with the edge to the right, parry as
strongly as possible the blow aimed at the right side.
2. Return to the position of guard.
Left—PARRY.
1 time, 2 motions.
53.—1. Raise the hand above, and about seven inches in front
of the eyes, the elbow somewhat bent, edge to the left, point downwards and
about a foot outside the horses left shoulder, and parry as strongly as
possible the blow aimed at the left side.
2. Return to the position of guard.
Head—PARRY.
1 time, 2 motions.
54.—1. At the command, PARRY, raise the sabre quickly above
the head, holding it with the utmost firmness, the arm nearly extended, the
edge upward, the point to the left, and about 6 inches higher than the hand.
The hand is carried more or less to the right, left, or rear,
according to the position of the adversary.
2. Return to the position of guard.
Against infantry right—PARRY.
1 time, 2 motions.
SCHOOL OF THE
right,
(half facing to the right in the saddle,) raise the sabre, the arm extended to
the right and rear, the point upwards, the thumb extended on the back of the
gripe, the edge to the left.
2. Parry the bayonet with the back of the blade, by a rapid
circular motion of arm and blade, from rear to front, bringing the hand as high
as the hind, the paint upwards, edge to the front.
3. Return to the position of guard.
Against infantry, left—PARRY.
1 time, 3 motions.
56—1. At the command, PARRY, turn the head to the left, (half
face to the left in the saddle,) raise the sabre, the arm extended to the front
and right, the point upwards, the thumb extended on the back of the gripe, the
back of the blade to the front.
2. Parry the bayonet with the back of the blade, by a
forcible circular motion of the arm and blade from front to rear, bringing the
band above the left shoulder, edge to the rear, the point upwards.
3. Return
to the position of guard.
PARRIES AGAINST THE LANCE, (OR SABRE.)
In tierce—PARRY.
1 time, 2 motions.
57.—1. At the command, PARRY, carry the forearm and blade
quickly to the front and right, the elbow but little moved, edge to the right,
thumb on the back of the gripe, the point being carried to the right front, at
the height of the eyes.
2. Return to the position of guard.
Par.57
In Tierce, Parry
TROOPER DISMOUNTED
In quarte.—PARRY.
I time, 2 motions.
58.—1. At the command, PARRY, carry the arm and blade quickly
to the left front, edge to the left, the point as high as the eyes, the thumb
on the back of the gripe.
2. Return to the position of guard.
59.—When the troopers begin to execute correctly the above
cuts, thrusts, and parries, the instructor requires them to make the
application of them by combined motions, such as follow:
In tierce—POINT AND FRONT CUT.
In quarte.—POINT AND FRONT CUT
Left—POINT AND CUT.
Right—POINT ANDCUT.
Rear—POINT AND CUT.
Against infantry right—POINT AND CUT.
Against infantry left—POINTAND
CUT.
As It is prescribed in No. 30, and carry the right foot to
the side of the left.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS AND DIRECTIONS.
60—Great
attention should at all times be paid to maintain the proper position and
balance of the body as by too great an exertion in delivering a cut or point a
horseman may be thrown, or be so discomposed as to lose advantage of his skill,
both for attack and defence; and he should have confidence in his parries, and
not trust to his avoiding the attack of his opponent by turning or drawing back
the body.
In delivering a forward point very little force is necessary
when the horse is in quick motion, as the extension of the
SCHOOL OF THE
arm,
with a good direction of the point, will be fully sufficient; nor should a
cut, under such circumstances, be given too strong, as the impetus of the horse
will give effective force. Even the drawing of the edge can frequently be applied
with advantage, particularly when the point, by being given too soon, may not
have taken effect; bys quick turn of the wrist the edge is drawn along the face
of your opponent, or other exposed part. The forcing, also, of the edge can be
resorted to when very near and closely pressed upon by an adversary by suddenly
extending the arm and directing the edge across his face, or where an opening
is given.
When sufficient space is allowed for choosing the point of
attack you should endeavor to take advantage of it; if not, at all events to
avoid its being made on your left rear, when a change of position alone can
bring you upon an equality with your opponent; it may be done either by making
a sudden halt, so as to allow him to pass, and then pressing upon his left
rear, or by turning quickly to the left about, and thereby having your right
opposed to his. Should you be prevented doing this, and he still keeps upon
your left, you must bear up as close as possible to him, otherwise your
opposition will be ineffectual; for in his situation, by keeping at the proper
distance from you, his cut will reach when yours will not, and consequently you
will be reduced to the defence alone.
In meeting your opponent on the left front turn sharply to
the left on your own ground, which brings you immediately with your sword arm
free, and at liberty to act upon his left. And in meeting him upon the right
front, press your horse quickly on, and by a sharp turn to the right gain his
left rear, or if pursued endeavor to keep your adversary on the right rear When
attacked by more than one you will naturally endeavor to keep them both either
to the right or left, but when they have been enabled to place themselves on
both sides, press close upon the left opponent, and endeavor to keep the right
one at a distance.
The attack or defence against the lance (it is the
common weapon of the mounted Indians) depends much upon horse-
TROOPER, DISMOUNTED.
manship,
and the judgment of the rider. It is parried like the sword; and you must press
in at your opportunity to close upon your antagonist. You must invariably
endeavor to gain his right rear when he is least able to attack or
defend; the left rear and left, weakest for the sabre, are the strongest
positions for the lance; the same may be said of the bow and arrow; in pursuit
always approach at the right rear.
When opposed to infantry, endeavor to meet an opponent on
your right; in the parry the bayonet must be struck, and by the stronger part
of your sabre; the cuts form a defence as well as attack upon Infantry, but the
point should be chiefly used in pursuit.
In the use of the sabre at speed, it is important that the
horseman should aid the impetus of the cut, and secure his own seat by
supporting the sway of the body with the opposite leg to that side on which he
Intends to cut or point; for instance, In the left cut he should support the
body by a strong pressure of the inside of the right thigh and leg against the
saddle and horse; in the right cuts support the body with the left leg, the
lower down the grip can be taken the better, not touching the horse with the
spur. It is particularly applicable and necessary in pursuit over rough and
varied ground.
Cuts very often fail from the sabre turning enough to make
the blow one with the flat; at best the wound is generally trifling compared
to those made by thrusts.
The instructor should impress upon the recruits
such occasional observations as become applicable. Opportunities should be
taken in pauses of rests; the squad should not be kept very long In positions
or movements.
MANUAL OF THE PISTOL.
61,—The army revolver being worn In a belt-holster, suspended
by the belt at the right side of the back, the instructor commands:
SCHOOL OF THE
Draw—PISTOL.
1 time.
62.—At the command, PISTOL, with the right hand unbutton the
flap of the belt-hoister, draw the pistol, and, holding it at the stock, with
the point of the forefinger reaching above the trigger guard, carry it
vertically, with the hand as high as the right shoulder, and six inches in
front of it.
63.—The instructor commands:
READY.
1 time.
At this command, place the pistol in the left hand, as the
height of the breast, the muzzle elevated and directed to the left front, cock
and raise pistol, (position No. 62.)
AIM.
1 time.
64.—At this command, lower the pistol to the front, the arm
about three-fourths extended, the forefinger upon the trigger; aim with the
right eye, the left eye closed.
FIRE.
1 time.
65.—At this command, fire and raise pistol.
66.—At the position of AIM, the instructor may command, raise—PISTOL,
at which command the men raise the pistols to the position No. 62; and if the
pistol is not fired, at the command, return—P15T0L, first let down the
hammer.
67.—To cock the pistol rapidly without the use of the
TROOPER DISMOUNTED.
left hand, place the thumb Upon and press down the hammer,
throwing forward the muzzle with a rapid motion, to assist the action of the
thumb.
68.—In a possible case requiring it, the revolver may be used
in rank dismounted with great effect, in firing to the front, or right or left
oblique, by volley or file firing.
To reload, the rank would be ordered to sit on the ground and
load at will.
69.—Being at the position of raise pistol, the
instructor commands:
Return—PISTOL.
At the
command, PISTOL, lower the pistol, carrying it to the rear, and return it to
the holster, and button the flap.
INSPECTION OF ARMS.
70.—The
instructor commands:
Inspection
—SABRE.
1 time, 7 motions.
1. At the command, SABRE, execute the first time of draw
sabre, No. 30.
2. Execute the second
time of draw sabre, No. 30.
3. Present sabre as it is described in first time of No. 31.
4. Move
the thumb to the hack of the gripe, and turn it in the hand, the edge turning
by the front, to the right
5.
Carry the sabre to the shoulder, as it is described in No. 30.
6.
Execute the first time of return sabre, No.31.
7.
Execute the second time of return sabre, No. 31.
SCHOOL OF THE
71. The instructor commands:
Inspection—PISTOL.
1 time, 3 motions.
1. At the command,
PISTOL, draw pistol, and come to the position of raise pistol, No.
62.
2. Place the pistol
in the left hand, at the height of the breast, the muzzle elevated and directed
to the left, hall cock with the right hand drop the left hand by the side, and
hold the pistol vertically, in front of, and 4 inches from, the middle of the
body, the butt at the height of the belt, the guard to the left; the right
fore-arm against the side.
3. Take the pistol in the left hand, as in No. 63, let down
the hammer, and return the pistol to the hoister, button the flap, and drop the
hand to the side.
72. When the men
execute the details correctly, the instructor commands:
Inspection—ARMS.
At the command, ARMS,the men execute the first and
second motions of inspection of pistol, No 71.
As soon as the inspector has passed the man on his left, each
man executes the third motion of inspection of pistol, and first and
second motions of inspection of sabre.
Each man, as the inspector reaches him the second time,
executes the third and fourth motions of inspection of sabre; and as
soon as the inspector has passed again the next man, he executes the fifth,
sixth, and seventh motions of inspection of sabre, No. 70.
73. The inspector passes from right to left, returning to the
right by the rear; he handles the pistols if he desires, returning them to the
troopers in the same position in which they are held for inspection.
TROOPER, DISMOUNTED.
TARGET PRACTICE.
74. The target is six feet high and two feet wide; a black
stripe 3 inches wide is painted at the centre, from top to bottom; and two feet
and a half from the top a white square of three inches is painted on the black.
When practicable a man is placed behind a ball-proof
obstacle, within reach by a wand, of the target; with this he points out the
position of each hit, immediately after it is made; so that the person firing
can see from his place.
When each has finished his shots, his hits are marked,
measured, and noted, as well as the misses.
The squad first fires at 20 yards, each man fires to the
front, rear, right, and left; one shot each a day.
The firing is next at thirty yards, and is carried regularly
by the decimal increase up to one hundred yards.
An
officer is always present at target firing.
PLATOON, SQUADRON, AND REGIMENT,
DISMOUNTED.
75.—The practice of field movements on foot is useful for the
instruction of young officers and men, and when, for any reason, mounted
exercises are not practicable.
The formation, telling off, words of command, and all the
movements are the same, with the modifications, which follow:
The walk and the trot are the only gaits substituted by the
quick time and double quick time. The word of command, “walk/’ will be
substituted by quick time; ‘trot,” by double quick.
All the movements will be In quick time when the command is
not double quick.”
In
line, at the command, right—FACE, after all face to the right, all
numbers two and four step up to the left side
SCHOOL OF THE.
of
numbers one and three; If the command is left--face, the odd numbers
step up to the right of the even numbers.
A column of twos right in front, being faced to the
left at a halt, or marching, the odd numbers step up into their places on the
right of the even numbers; if left in front, and faced to the right, the even numbers
step up between the odd numbers.
The commands and methods found in Nos. 7 to 27, inclusive,
of the school of the trooper dismounted, will be followed.
To form twos and fours, and to break by twos and file, is
always done at the same gait, without halting, closing or increasing the
distances; when increasing front, the files who have to move up doing so with a
step or two in double quick, and all together.
To break a platoon, marching in line, by fours, at the same
gait, each set, but the foremost, halt, until the one which is to precede it
has moved forward, or obliqued two steps.
On the same principle, when the squadron in line is broken by
platoon, each platoon waits until the one which precedes it has gained a
distance of three-fourths of a platoon front.
A
column of fours making a turn, the pivot shortens his step to 18 inches, (he
marches ten steps in making the turn,) and the man on the other flank increases
his to about 32 inches.
In a platoon turning, the pivot man does the same, the outer
flank moves in double quick.
To countermarch a squadron the commands are:
1. Countermarch by the right or (left)
flank.
2. Right (or
Left)—FACE.
3. MARCH.
At the first command, the right guide places himself three
paces in rear of the left guide and faces to the rear.
At the
command, MARCH, all step off together, the platoon commander by the side, and
conducting the two leading
TROOPER, DISMOUNTED.
men, who turn about, and march close to the column. When
arrived near the guide, the captain commands:
1. HALT.
2. Left (or
Right)—FACE.
3. Right (or
Left)—DRESS.
4. FRONT.
The service of skirmishers on foot is the most important; and
the theory can thus be communicated, and in a great degree put in practice,
with much more facility than when mounted.
TITLE
THIRD.
INSTRUCTION ON HORSEBACK.
_________
SCHOOL OF THE TROOPER, MOUNTED.
76. The object of this school is to make troopers skilful in
the management of their horses and arms. The recruit must not pass from one
lesson to another until he fully understands, and can execute, all which
precedes.
The method prescribed to instructors in No. 1, for giving the
lesson, is applicable to this school.
The instruction is always commenced at a walk; the horses,
excited on first leaving the stables, are thus calmed, and the trooper is
assured in his seat. The instruction is also terminated at a walk.
The most quiet and best instructed horses are chosen for the
first lessons.
77. When the instructor wishes to rest the men he commands,
REST. At this command the trooper is no longer required to remain motionless or
restrained. To resume the exercise, he commands, ATTENTION.
78. The first lessons are given, if practicable, to each man
separately; spurs are not used.
The horse is saddled, and in the snaffle, the reins over the
neck; he is led to the ground by the right hand, holding the reins near the
mouth, and his head up. When under
arms, the trooper’s sabre is hooked up, and unhooked when in position in rank
If more than one, the troopers are placed in a line three
paces apart.
Arms are not used before the 7th lesson.
SCHOOL OF THE
FIRST LESSON.
POSITION OF THE TROOPER BEFORE
MOUNTING.
79. The trooper stands faced to the front, on the left of the
horses head, his breast on a line with its mouth; he holds the reins with the
right hand, at six inches from the horses mouth, the nails downward; his body,
except his right arm, in a position of a soldier, No. 5.
TO MOUNT.
80. The instructor commands:
PREPARE TO MOUNT.
1 time, 2 motions.
1. At this command [when in close order, numbers one and
three lead straight forward four paces, and then all] turn to the right,
letting go the reins with the right, sod taking the left rein with the left
hand; step two short paces to the rear, right foot leading, so as to face the
sad-die; at the same time, the right hand, with the aid of the left, takes hold
of the reins over the pommel, feeling the horse’s mouth sufficiently to keep
him steady, and then seizes also the pommel; drop the left hand by the side.
2. Insert the fore part of left foot in the stirrup, with the
side of the left hand if necessary, and then with that hand grasp the horse’s
crest and mane.
MOUNT.
1 time.
At this command, spring up from the right foot to
an erect posture, and instantly throw the left leg over, taking
TROOPER,
MOUNTED.
your
seat gently; take the reins in the left hand, and put the right foot in the
stirrup.
Form— RANK.
At this command, given when in close order, numbers two and
four ride gently forward into rank.
TO DISMOUNT.
81. The instructor commands
PREPARE TO DISMOUNT.
1 time.
1. At this command,
(when in close order, numbers one and three ride gently four paces straight
forward, dressing by the right, and then all) grasp the reins with the right
hand, knuckles to the right, close in front of the left hand, which lets go,
and also the right side of the top of the pommel, feeling firmly the horse’s
mouth; seize with the left hand the horse’s crest and mane at a convenient distance,
at the same time disengage the right foot from the stirrup.
DISMOUNT.
1 time, 2 motions.
1. At this command, rising upon the left stirrup, with the
assisting support of the two hands, pass the right leg quickly over the horse’s
croup to the side of the left, the body for one instant erect, and descend to
the ground, the heels together; drop the left hand by the side.
2. Face to the front, the right hand leaving the pommel, and
slipping along the rein as you step, left foot first, to the position of Stand
to horse, No. 79, the right hand grasping the reins, 6 inches from the
horse’s mouth.
SCHOOL OF THE
At this command, given in close order, numbers two
and four lead forward into rank
82. The seat natural, without drawing back the thigh; the
legs hang vertically from the knees, and close the sides of the horse the balls
of the foot supported in the stirrup: the knees about an inch lower than the
toes these to the front; the stirrups
supporting the weight of the legs in a natural position.
The heal erect and square to the front ; the shoulders
square; the carriage of the body erect, but free and unconstrained.
The curb reins held in the left hand, the little finger between
them; they come out over the forefinger, where they are pressed by the thumb;
the forearm grazing the side, and nearly horizontal: the hand about six inches
in front of the body, and close above the pommel; its back is turned somewhat
under. The right arm and hand hang
naturally at the side.
83. Riding in the saddle, in the first lessons one rein of
the snaffle is held in each hand, the loose end coming out over the forefinger,
or with a turn round it, the thumb pressing upon it; hands from 4to 6
inches apart, a little higher than the elbows; the forearms touching the sides.
84. The
instructor commands:
1.
Right (or left) DRESS.
2.
FRONT.
As
prescribed in Nos. 6, 7, and 8,
THE USE OF THE REINS.
85. The
reins serve to prepare the horse for the movements he is required to execute,
to direct him, and to stop
Par. 76
TROOPER, MOUNTED.
him.
Their action should be progressive, and in accordance with that of the legs.
When the trooper makes use of the reins the arms should act
with suppleness, and their movements ought to extend from the wrist to the
shoulder.
THE USE OF THE LEGS.
86. The legs serve to
urge the horse forward, to support him, and to aid him in turning to the right
and to the left. Whenever the trooper wishes his horse to move forward, he
should close the legs by degrees behind the girths, causing their effect to
correspond with the sensibility of the horse, taking care neither to open nor
elevate the knees, of which the bend should be always pliant. The trooper
relaxes the legs by degrees, as he closed them.
THE EFFECT OF THE REINS AND LEGS
COMBINED.
87. In elevating a little the wrists, and closing the
legs. the trooper “gathers his horse;“ in elevating again the wrists, he
slackens the pace in repeating this movement of the wrists, he stops the horse,
or “reins back.” The trooper ought to elevate the wrists without curving them,
at the same time drawing them towards the body.
In opening the right rein and closing the right leg, the
trooper turns his horse to the right. To open the right rein, the right wrist
is carried, without turning It, more or less to the right, according to the
sensibility of the horse.
In opening the left rein, and closing the left leg, the
trooper turns his horse to the left. To open the left rein, the left wrist is
carried, without turning It, more or less to the left, according to the sensibility
of the horse.
By lowering slightly the wrists, the horse is at liberty to
move forward; the closing the legs determines the movement.
SCHOOL OF THE
TO MARCH.
88. The instructor commands:
I. Forward.
2. MARCH.
At the command, forward elevate slightly the wrists,
and close the legs, in order to “gather the horse.”
At the command, MARCH, lower slightly the wrists,
and close the legs more or less, according to the sensibility of the horse The
horse having obeyed, replace the wrists and the legs by degrees.
89. If the trooper did not gather his horse at the preparatory
command, the execution of the second command would be too abrupt or too slow.
If the trooper, at the command of execution, did not commence
by lowering the wrists, the horse would not have the liberty necessary to
enable him to move forward.
If the trouper did not close equally the legs, the horse
would not move directly to the front; and if he did not close them
progressively, the horse would not obey without irregularity.
TO HALT.
90. After some steps, the instructor commands:
1. Squad.
2. HALT.
At the command, squad, the trooper gathers his horse,
without slackening his pace.
At the command, HALT, the trooper braces himself in the
saddle; elevate the wrists at the same time by degrees, and dose the legs in
order to prevent the horse from receding. The horse having obeyed, replace the
wrists and the legs by degrees.
TROOPER MOUNTED.
TO TURN TO THE
RIGHT AND TO THE LEFT,
FROM
A HALT
91.—The instructor commands:
1. To the right, (or To the left.)
2. MARCH.
3. HALT.
At the command, to the right, gather the horse.
At the command, MARCH, open the right rein, and close
progressively the legs, until the horse moves. In order not to turn the horse
too short, perform the movement upon a quarter circle 3 paces round.
At the command, HALT, elevate slightly the wrists, and hold
the legs near, in order to keep the horse straight in the new direction;
replace the wrists and the legs by degrees.
TO TURN ABOUT TO THE RIGHT, AND TO THE
LEFT, FROM A HALT.
93.—The instructor commands:
1. Right about, (or Left about.)
2. MARCH.
3. HALT.
This movement is executed on the principles prescribed for
the turn to the right, or to the left; but the horse passes over
a semicircle of 6 paces, and faces to the rear.
94—In order to make the trooper comprehend better the
movements detailed, Nos. 91 and 93, the instructor places himself at the
shoulder of the horse, and describes each movement on foot, in marking off the
arc of the prescribed circle.
TO MAKE A THIRD OF A TURN TO THE RIGHT
AND TO THE LEFT, FROM A HALT.
95.—The instructor commands:
SCHOOL OF THE
1. Right oblique, (or left oblique.)
2. MARCH.
3. HALT.
At the command, right oblique, gather the horse.
At the command, MARCH, open a little the right rein, and
close slightly the legs, in order to make the horse execute a third of a turn
to the right.
The command HALT follows immediately; elevate slightly the
wrists, and close the legs, to keep the oblique direction; replace the wrists
and legs by degrees.
96. —The movements detailed, Nos. 91, 93, and 95, after
having been executed to the right, are executed to the left, according to the
same principles, but by inverse means.
TO REIN
BACK, AND TO CEASE REINING BACK.
97.—The instructor commands:
I. Backwards.
2. MARCH.
3. Squad.
4. HALT.
At the command, backwards, gather the horse.
At the command, MARCH, close the legs, and at the moment the
horse lifts a leg elevate the wrists, with a stronger feel of the mouth. As
soon as the horse obeys, lower and elevate successively the wrists, which is
called yielding and checking. If the horse throws the haunches to the
right, close the right leg; if he throws them to the left, close the left leg.
If these means are not sufficient to replace the horse in his proper position,
open the rein on the side towards which the horse throws his haunches, causing
him to feel, at the same time, slightly the effect of the opposite rein.
At the command, squad, the trooper prepares to stop.
TROOPER, MOUNTED.
At the command, HALT, lower the wrists and close the legs.
The horse having obeyed, replace the wrists and the legs by degrees.
TO FILE OFF.
98.—The squad being dismounted as prescribed, No 81, the
instructor commands
1. By the right (or by the left)—FILE
OFF.
2. MARCH.
At the command, FILE OFF, hook up the sabre, (when in use,)
and unhook the curb; retake the reins with the right hand, and replace the left
hand at the side.
At the command, MARCH, the trooper of the right steps off
with the left foot, leading his horse to the front; he takes 4 steps, turns to
the right, and marches in the new direction, holding at the same time the hand
high and firm to prevent the horse from jumping. Each trooper executes
successively the same movement when the one who precedes him has moved 4 paces
to the front.
The troopers conform to the same principles to file off by
the left.
SECOND LESSON.
99.—The instructor may unite for this lesson 8 troopers, hut
not more; they are placed on the same line 3 paces apart; they are without
spurs; the horses are saddled and in the snaffle.
Two corporals, or instructed troopers, are designated to be
conductors; they are placed on the right and on the left of the troopers.
The instruction is divided into several stages, commencing
alternately by the right and by the left.
SCHOOL OF THE
MARCH TO THE LEFT HAND.
100. —The instructor commands:
1. To the right (or to the
left.)
2. MARCH.
At these commands the troopers conform to what is prescribed
in order to execute a turn to the right from a halt, No 91; then
lowering the wrists and closing the legs, march straight forward, and follow
the conductor.
At the extremity of the riding-house the conductor turns to
the right; the troopers follow, having between them the distance of 4 feet from
head to croup.
101.—The trooper “marches to the right hand, when he
has the right side towards the interior of the riding-house. He marches to
the left hand when it is the left side.
The instructor follows the troopers, keeping on the inside of
the track.
He observes that their seat is not deranged, and warns them
to conform with suppleness to all the motions of the horse.
Passing from one trooper to another, he occupies
himself successively with all the details of the position of each, so as to
instruct without confusing them.
TO TURN TO THE RIGHT, AND TO THE
LEFT, IN MARCHING.
102.—The troopers follow the conductor, and make, on arriving
at the angles of the riding-house, a turn to the right (or to the
left) in marching. To turn to the right or left in marching, the trooper
opens the rein to the side toward, which the turn Is made, and closes both
legs, the outer one most.
TROOPER, DISMOUNTED.
TO HALT, AND TO STEP OFF.
103.—The troopers marching in column on one of the long
sides, the instructor commands
1. Squad.
2. HALT.
The troopers stop as prescribed, No. 90.
104.—To recommence the march, the instructor commands:
1. Forward.
2.
MARCH.
The troopers move forward as prescribed, No 90. The
instructor causes the squad frequently to stop and to move off, to habituate
the troopers in conducting their horses. He observes that they do not incline
the body too much forward at the moment of stopping, and that they do not lean
back at the moment of starting. When the troopers have stopped, he rectifies
their position.
TO PASS FROM THE
WALK TO THE TROT, AND FROM THE TROT TO THE WALK.
105.—The troopers becoming habituated to the movement of the
horse, the instructor causes them to pass to the trot. When they are in column upon one of the
long sides, he commands:
1. Trot.
2. MARCH.
At the command, trot, gather the horse without
increasing his gait.
At the command, MARCH, lower a little the wrists, and
SCHOOL OF THE
close
the legs more or less, according to the sensibility of the horse. As soon as
the horse obeys, replace the wrists and the legs by degrees.
106.— The instructor employs this gait at first cautiously,
and at a moderate trot, that the men may not lose their position.
He makes them understand that it is in remaining well seated,
and in relaxing, measurably, all the parts of the body, especially the thighs
and legs, that they can acquire the necessary ease and solidity. He observes
also that they do not bear too much upon the reins in this gait.
When he perceives that their position is deranged, he causes
them to resume the walk, and even to stop.
107.—To pass from the trot to the walk, the
instructor commands:
1. Walk.
2. MARCH.
At the command, walk, gather the horse without
affecting his gait.
At the command, MARCH, elevate the wrists by degrees, and
hold the legs near, in order to prevent the horse from stopping. As soon as the
horse obeys, replace the wrist and the legs by degrees.
CHANGES OF HAND.
108. —When the troopers have marched some time to the
right hand, (or to the left hand,) to make them change hands, in the
breadth of the riding-house, without stopping, the instructor commands:
Right (or left)—TURN.
At the command, TURN, the conductor turns to the right, and
crosses the riding-house in its breadth, followed by the troopers.
TROOPER, MOUNTED.
The conductor being at two paces from the opposite track, the
instructor commands:
1. Left (or right) —TURN.
At the command. turn, the conductor turns to the left, and
follows the track.
All the other troopers turn successively on the same ground.
The instructor causes these changes of hand to be executed at a walk, and
at a trot.
109.—The instructor occasionally orders the reins carried
together in the left hand; when so held, the trooper, in order to turn to the
right, carries the hand forward and to the right; to turn to the left, he
carries the hand forward and to the left, the nails always downward.
TO TURN TO THE RIGHT AND TO THE
LEFT BY TROOPER, IN MARCHING.
110.—The troopers marching in column, and having arrived
about the middle of one of the long sides, the instructor commands:
1. To the right (or to the left.)
2. MARCH.
At the command, to the right, gather the horse.
At the command, MARCH, each trooper executes a turn to the
right in marching, and moves straight to the front.
The troopers being at two paces from the opposite track, the
instructor commands:
1. To the right (or to the left.)
2. MARCH.
At the command, MARCH, each trooper executes a turn to the
right, following the same principles; and all return to the track.
The same movements are repeated to resume the order in which
the troopers were originally.
SCHOOL OF THE
TO TURN-ABOUT TO THE RIGHT AND TO THE LEFT
BY TROOPER, IN MARCHING ON THE SAME LINE.
111.—The troopers having made a turn to the right, as has
just been explained, and having arrived near the opposite track, the instructor
commands:
1, Right-about
(or Left-about.)
2. MARCH.
At the
command, right-about, gather the horse.
At the command, MARCH, each trooper executes a turn-about
to the right in marching, following the principles prescribed, No. 102,
and moves directly to the front
The instructor gives the command MARCH, at the moment the
troopers are within 2 paces of the track; the troopers are then reformed in
column upon the opposite track, by the movement of to the right (or to
the left.)
TO
TURN-ABOUT TO THE RIGHT AND TO THE LEFT BY TROOPER, IN MARCHING IN COLUMN.
112—The troopers marching in column, and the conductor having
arrived near the end of one of the long sides of the riding-house, the
instructor commands:
1. Right-about (or
Left-about.)
2. MARCH.
At the
command, right-about, gather the horse.
At the command, MARCH, each trooper executes a turn-about
to the right in marching, and moves forward
On arriving
at the opposite short side, the conductor turns to the left without command;
the squad returns to the order in which it was originally, in executing the inverse
movement.
TROOPER, DISMOUNTED.
113—The object of the turns to the right, to the left,
right about, and left-about, in this lesson, is to habituate the troopers
to turning in all directions their horses; the Instructor causes these
movements to be executed at a walk only, he not only observes the squad
generally, but watches and rectifies with the greatest care the means employed
by each trooper in turning his horse.
In the instruction to the right hand, the turns to
the right, and right-about, are executed and in the work to the
left hand, those to the left, and left-about. When the
troopers have become accustomed to these movements, the instructor causes them
to be executed in returning to the tracks, by turns to the right or to
the left, without having regard to the change of hand.
114.—To rest the squad, the instructor causes the troopers to
turn to the right, or to the left, when they are about the middle
of one of the long sides of the riding-house, and gives the command, HALT, when
they are out of the track.
The instruction Is re-commenced by a turn to the right or
to the left.
To terminate the drill, the Instructor commands the troopers
to dismount, and file off.
THIRD LESSON.
115.—When the troopers begin to execute this lesson
correctly, the instructor changes their horses each day of the instruction, to
give them the habit of managing different horses.
During the rests, the instructor exercises the
troopers in vaulting on and from their horses, without
commands, and without using the stirrups.
To leap to the ground; the trooper, holding the reins of the
snaffle as prescribed, No 82, seizes with the left hand a lock of the mane, the
fingers well closed; places the right hand upon the pommel, raises himself upon
the wrists, brings the right thigh to the side of the left, remains an instant
in this position, and descends lightly to the ground.
SCHOOL OF THE
To leap on the horse: the trooper seizes the mane with the left
hand, places the right hand upon the pommel of the saddle, springs up, raising
himself upon the two wrists, remains an instant in this position, and places
himself lightly in the saddle.
All the movements in this lemon are explained in detail by
the right: they are executed by the left according to the same
principles, but by inverse means
116.—From 12 to 16 troopers are united, and wear spurs.
The horses are saddled, and in the snaffle.
The troopers are placed with the horses at 1 foot from each
other. Corporals or instructed troopers are placed one on the right, one in the
middle of the rank; and it would be well to have one on each flank of the two
divisions.
The instructor makes the troopers count off by fours, as
prescribed, No. 197; he then orders them to mount.
OF THE SPUR.
117——The instructor explains to the troopers the use and the
effect of the spur
If the horse does not obey the legs, it is necessary to employ
the spur.
The spur is sometimes used to chastise when necessary, use it
vigorously, and at the moment the horse commits the fault.
In order to use the spur, it is necessary to keep steady the
body, the waist, and the wrists; to cling to the horse with the thighs, and the
calves of the legs; turn the point of the feet a little out; lower a little the
wrists; press the spurs close behind the girths, without moving the body
replace then the wrists and the legs by degrees.
When the troopers employ the spur, the instructor observes
that they do not bear too upon much upon the reins, which would counteract the
effect of the spur. He also observes that the troopers do not use the spur
unnecessarily.
TROOPER,DISMOUNTED.
118.—To
conduct the squad to the riding-house, the instructor commands:
1. By file to the right, (or to
the left)
2. MARCH.
At the command, By file to the right, gather the
horse.
At the command, MARCH, the trooper on the right executes a turn
to the right, and moves forward; this movement Is executed by all the other
troopers successively.
TO MARCH TO THE RIGHT HAND, AND TO
THE LEFT HAND.
119.—On reaching the opposite side of the riding-house, the
instructor commands, right—TURN.When the squad is making a turn
from the long to a short side of the riding-house, the instructor halts the
half of the squad in rear, with a corporal at its head, at the angle, and
orders it to wove forward, when the leader of the first half of the squad
reaches the diagonal angle.
The troopers preserve the distance of 4 feet from head to
croup.
The conductors regulate the pace of their horses so as to
arrive at the same time at the opposite angles of the riding. house, the
conductor of the second division regulating him. self on him of the first.
The instructor observes that the position of the troopers
becomes more and more regular; that they march at a free and even pace; that
they keep their horses straight and look constantly before them In order to
maintain themselves in the direction of the conductors; that they preserve
their distances, and recover them gradually when lost.
120.—The Instructor reminds the troopers of the principIes
prescribed, No. 102, to turn to the right or to the left,
SCHOOL OF THE
and
directs them to gather their horses a little before arriving at each corner.
The horses should not enter the corners too far, neither
should they commence to turn too soon. To pass a corner to the right, a turn
to the right is executed; to pass a corner to the left, a turn to the
left is executed in marching; the troopers should act as if there were no
walls; and as the movement of each one should be independent of the trooper who
has gone before, their hands and legs alone should determine the horse to go
to the right or to the left.
TO PASS FROM THE
WALK TO THE TROT, AND FROM THE TROT TO THE WALK.
121.—The troopers marching in column upon the long sides, the
instructor causes them to commence the trot.
Whenever the change is made from a slow gait to one more
rapid, as from the walk to the trot, it is necessary to commence
slowly, and increase it gradually to the degree prescribed.
The troopers marching In column at the trot upon the
long sides, the instructor causes them to pass to the walk.
Whenever the change is made from a lively gait to one more
slow, as from the trot to the walk, it is necessary to commence
the last gait gradually.
The squad passes frequently from the walk to the trot,
and from the trot to the walk, in order to accustom the
troopers to the changes of gait.
CHANGE OF
DIRECTION IN THE BREADTH OF THE RIDING-HOUSE.
122.—The instructor causes the change of direction In the
breadth of the riding-house, as prescribed for the changes of hand, No. 108.
taking cure to give the command in sufficient time to prevent the columns from
meeting at the end of the change of direction.
TROOPER, MOUNTED.
The change of direction ought to be executed so as neither to
stop nor check the rear of the column; the troopers, and particularly the
conductors, ought to turn without slackening the pace, aiding themselves not
only with their bands, but also with their legs.
CHANGE OF
DIRECTION OBLIQUELY BY
TROOPER.
123.—The squad changes direction in the length of the
riding-house; and as soon as all the troopers have turned, and are in the same
direction, the instructor commands:
1. Column.
2. HALT.
The troopers stop at the same time, keeping their horses
straight and at their distances.
The instructor causes the troopers to make an oblique turn
to the right or to the left from a halt, as prescribed.— No. 95.
This movement being executed, the Instructor assures himself
of the exactness of the directions and the intervals, and then commands:
1. Squad,
2.
MARCH.
The troopers march at the same gait, each in the direction
he has taken.
When they arrive at 1 foot from the track, the instructor
commands:
FORWARD.
At this command, make an oblique turn to the left in advancing,
in order to follow the track.
The instructor causes these movements to be repeated without
halting; for this purpose, alter having commenced
SCHOOL OF THE
the change of direction in the length of the
riding-house, as soon as the two ranks are in column, he commands:
1. Right (or Left) oblique.
2,
MARCH.
1.
FORWARD.
At the
command, right oblique, gather the horse.
At the command, MARCH, execute an oblique turn to the
right; having taken this direction, keep the legs equally near, and march
straight forward at the same gait.
At the command, FORWARD, turn to the original direction on
the track.
TO MARCH IN A CIRCLE.
124.—When the conductors have passed about a third of the
long sides, the instructor commands:
1. In
circle to the right, (or left.)
2.
MARCH.
At the command, MARCH, the conductors turn to ride on
circles, touching the two tracks of the long sides; the troopers exactly
following them.
Every horse should bend to the curve he is to pass over; the
trooper keeps him in its direction by the inner rein, supporting him, at the
same time, with the outer leg.
To resume the direct march, when the conductors are at the
track, the instructor commands:
FORWARD.
125.—To reunite the troopers in order to conduct them to the
quarters, the instructor causes them to close to the distance of 2 feet.
The
column having arrived in the yard of the quarters, the instructor commands:
1. Left
into line.
2.
MARCH.
3.
HALT.
TROOPER, MOUNTED.
At the first command, MARCH, the first trooper turns to the
left and moves straight forward.
At the command, HALT, the trooper stops.
All the other troopers execute a turn to the left successively,
when they are nearly opposite the place they are to occupy in the rank, and
halt abreast of it.
To terminate the exercise, the instructor gives the command
to dismount, and to file off, as prescribed, No. 98.
FOURTH LESSON.
TO TURN TO THE RIGHT OR TO THE LEFT,
BY TROOPER, IN MARCHING.
126.—.The instructor causes this movement to be executed as
prescribed, No. 110, at the commands: 1. To the right; 2. MARCH;
observing that the troopers marching in two columns, the preparatory command
ought to be given so as to command MARCH at the moment the conductors arrive
opposite to the last trooper but one of the other column.
The troopers move straight forward, preserving their gait and
their direction, so that each one may find before him the interval and the
place he is to occupy in the column on the opposite track.
In passing into the intervals, the legs should be kept near,
to prevent the horse slackening his gait.
The instructor attaches much less importance to the uniformity
of these movements than to the manner in which each trooper conducts his horse.
This is executed also at the trot.
TO
TURN ABOUT TO THE RIGHT, OR TO THE LEFT, THE TROOPERS MARCHING ON THE SAME
LINE, (OR ABREAST.)
127.—The instructor causes these movements
to be exe-
SCHOOL OF THE
cuted as prescribed, No. 111, the troopers of the two
divisions passing by the intervals at the middle of the riding house.
TO TURN ABOUT TO THE RIGHT, OR TO
THE LEFT, THE TROOPERS MARCHING IN COLUMN.
12~—-The instructor causes these movements to be executed as
prescribed, No. 112.
In each column, the last trooper, who becomes the head of the
column, should pay attention not to slacken the gait in making his movement, in
order not to retard the others.
This principle is equally applicable to the troopers who take
the head of the columns in re-entering upon the tracks.
TO PASS
SUCCESSIVELY FROM THE HEAD TO THE REAR OF THE COLUMN.
129. —To make the troopers masters of their horses, to force
them to use both the reins and the legs also, to accustom the horses to leaving
each other, the instructor requires the troopers to pass from the head to the
rear of the column; each one, becoming in his turn conductor, regulates himself
accordingly.
This movement is executed successively in the two columns,
at a simple warning from the instructor, by two right about (or left
about) turns.
The trooper designated to pass to the rear of the column
gathers his horse and executes the movement in advancing so as not to retard
those who are behind him. He holds the outer leg near, in order not to describe
a semicircle of more than 6 paces; he marches then parallel to the column, and
when he has re-entered upon the track by a second turn, he closes to the
distance of 4 feet from the last trooper.
The trooper who follows and who becomes conductor
TROOPER, MOUNTED.
should
gather his horse and direct him with the outer rein and the inner leg, to
prevent his following the horse which has left the column.
The instructor also requires the troopers to leave the
column, without commencing at the head. In this case, he directs the troopers
who follow the one designated to close to the prescribed distance; or if he
thinks proper, in order to habituate the troopers to holding in their horses,
he causes the place of the absent trooper to continue vacant.
When the troopers have been thus misplaced, the instructor
halts the squad, and directs each trooper to return to his place before passing
to another movement.
BEING HALTED, TO COMMENCE THE MOVE
AT A TROT.
130.—The troopers being in column upon the long sides, the
instructor commands:
1. Forward, trot.
2. MARCH.
At the command, trot, gather the horse.
At the command, MARCH, lower the wrists and close the legs
progressively; as soon as the horse obeys, replace the wrists and the legs by
degrees.
MARCHING AT A TROT, TO HALT.
131.—The troopers marching at a trot, and in column,
upon the long sides, the instructor commands:
1.
Column.
2.
HALT.
At the command, column, gather the horse.
At the command, HALT, elevate the wrists by degrees, until
the horse stops; and hold the legs always near, to keep him straight and to
prevent his stepping back. The
SCHOOL OF THE
horse
having obeyed, replace the wrists and the legs by degrees.
The instructor requires all the troopers to set off
freely at the trot, at the command MARCH, and to stop all together
without jostling, at the command HALT.
TO PASS FROM THE
TROT TO THE TROT-OUT, AND FROM THE TROT-OUT TO THE TROT.
132.—The troopers marching at the trot, and in column
upon the long sides, the instructor commands:
Trot--OUT.
At this command, lower a little the wrists and close the legs
progressively as soon as the horse obeys, replace the wrists and the legs by
degrees.
The gait being lengthened to a suitable degree, the
instructor sees that the troopers keep their horses up to it.
He pays particular attention to the position of the troopers.
He reminds them that it is in holding the body erect, having a light hand, the
loins supple, an(l in allowing the thighs and legs to fall naturally, they can
diminish the effect of the reactions of the horse, and conform more readily to
all his motions.
To prevent the horses from overreaching, it is necessary to
raise the wrists and close more or less the legs.
The lengthened gait is executed only during one or two turns
towards each hand; in continuing it longer, the horses lose their steadiness,
and the equality of their gaits Is destroyed
To pass from the trot-out to the trot, the instructor
commands:
SLOW TROT.
At this
command, elevate the wrists by degrees and close the legs, to prevent the horse
from taking the walk; as soon
TROOPER, MOUNTED.
as the
horse obeys, replace the wrists and the legs by degrees.
TO PASS FROM THE TROT TO THE GALLOP.
133.—When the troopers have acquired some suppleness and
confidence, and preserve at the trot an easy and regular position, the
instructor causes them to make a few turns at the gallop. He does not
explain to them at first the mechanism of this gait, neither the means of
assuring its regularity he only requires that each trooper accommodates
himself to the motions of his horse without losing his seat.
Before commencing this exercise, and when the 2d division
arrives upon one of the short sides of the riding-house, it is formed, by
causing the troopers to FRONT and HALT, as prescribed, No. 125, paying
attention to make them move forward 6 paces from the track.
The troopers of the 1st division continue to march, take
between them the distance of 4 paces, pass to the trot, and commence
successively the gallop, at the indication of the Instructor, as
follows:
Riding to the right, on approaching the corner, lengthen the
trot, and gather the horse; then feel both reins to the left, and close the
right leg; throwing the weight to the left, and leaving the right shoulder
entirely free.
The horse having taken the gallop, hold a light hand
and the legs near, to keep him at this gait.
After one or two turns at the most, the troopers pass from the
gallop to the trot, and from the trot to the walk. The instructor
makes them change hand in the breadth of the riding-house, and recommence the
same exercise to the left hand. The troopers of the first division are
then formed as those of the second, upon the other short side.
The troopers of the 2d division go through with the same
exercise.
SCHOOL OF THE
TO PASSAGE TO THE RIGHT OR TO THE LEFT,
THE HEAD TO THE WALL.
134.—The two columns marching at the walk upon the
long sides, the instructor causes to be executed the movement to the right,
or to the left, as prescribed, No. 126; but he causes the troopers
to halt when the horses reach the opposite track, their heads to the wall, and
he commands:
1. Right (or left) pass.
2.
MARCH.
At the command, right pass, bear the shoulders of the
horse to the right, in opening a little the right reins.
This movement is only preparatory; it indicates to the
trooper that the shoulders of his horse should always commence the march, and
precede the movement of the haunches.
At the command, MARCH, open the right rein to incline the
horse to the right, closing at the same time the left leg that the haunches may
follow, without leaning the body to the left make use of the left rein and the
right leg to support the horse and moderate his movement.
After some steps upon the side, the instructor halts the
squad.
At the command, HALT, cause to cease insensibly the effect of
the right rein and the left leg, employing the opposite rein and leg;
straighten the horse and replace the wrists and legs by degrees.
To passage to the left, and to halt, employ the same
principles and inverse means.
135—The instructor causes this movement to be executed In the
commencement by each man separately, and then by all at the same time. He
explains to each one the means to be employed
The trooper should hold his horse obliquely to the track, to
render his movement more easy. He ought to commence this movement moderately,
and look to the side
TROOPER, MOUNTED.
towards
which he passes, without inclining the body to the opposite side, which
would derange his seat and constrain the movement of the horse.
The horse having obeyed the aids, the trooper should keep up
the effect by gentle means.
If the horse steps too quickly to the side towards which the
trooper posses, diminish the effect of the right rein and left leg.
If the horse moves forward against the wall, it is necessary
to diminish the effect of the legs, and increase that of the hands, in yielding
and checking the horse alternately.
If, on the contrary, he steps back, it is necessary to increase
the effect of the legs and diminish that of the hands, inclining always the
shoulders of the horse to the side towards which he passes for it is generally
the constraint that he experiences when the movement of the shoulders does not
precede that of the haunches, which causes him to back.
TO PASSAGE TO THE RIGHT OR TO THE
LEFT, BEING IN COLUMN.
136.—After having executed the passages, the head to the
wall, the troopers having returned to the track, and marching to the right
hand or to the left hand, the instructor orders a change of
direction in the length of the riding-house; and when the two columns are by
the side of each other, he halts them and causes them to execute passage to
the right (or to the left.)
When the troopers have nearly arrived at the track, the Instructor
halts them again.
The horses being quieted, he orders the passage to the left,
and each trooper returns to the place he occupied before halting in the middle
of the riding-house.
When the troopers have reached the track, the instructor may,
if he thinks proper, cause them to march in column
SCHOOL OF THE
upon
this same track, in order not to keep the hones too long at the movement of passing.
137.— When the troopers have passed the hand to the
wall, the instructor causes them sometimes to rein back, and to
cease reining hack, as prescribed, No 97.
138.—-During the last days of this lesson, the instructor
requires, from time to time, the reins to be held in the left hand, so that the
troopers, conducting their horses with this hand alone, may be somewhat
prepared for the exercises in the curb bridle. He observes that each trooper
keeps himself square upon the horse.
139.—Toterminate the lesson, and return to quarters,
the Instructor conforms to what is prescribed, No. 125.
140.—The troopers being proficient in the third and fourth
lessons, they are repeated without stirrups; these being crossed, altar
mounting, in front of the saddle.
FIFTH LESSON.
141.—The same number of troopers are united as for the third
lesson.
The horses are saddled and in both curb and snaffle. In all
other respects conform to what is prescribed, No. 115, and following.
The troopers are conducted to the riding-house as prescribed,
No. 118.
In entering the riding-house the instructor conforms to what
is prescribed, No. 119; and when the two columns are upon the long sides, and
exactly opposite, he commands:
1. To the right (or to the left.)
2.
MARCH.
3.
HALT.
He explains the position of the bridle hand, as prescribed,
No. 82.
TROOPER, MOUNTED.
TO TAKE THE SNAFFLE IN THE RIGHT
HAND.
142.—The Instructor commands:
Snaffle—IN
THE RIGHT HAND.
1 time.
At the last part of the command grasp the snaffle at the
middle of the reins with all the fingers of the right hand, the nails downward,
without lowering the body; hold the reins of the snaffle over those of the
curb, and lower the left hand so as not to bear upon the bit.
143.—In using alternately the curb and snaffle, the trooper
relieves the bars of the horse’s mouth; he should never use both at the same
time.
The troopers are required to take the snaffle in the right
hand during the commencement of the exercise in the curb bridle, In order to
make the change of position of the rider less abrupt, and to bring up his right
side, which is apt to remain in rear.
TO DROP THE SNAFFLE.
144.—The
instructor commands:
Drop—SNAFFLE.
At the last part of the command, which is SNAFFLE, replace
the left hand, and let fail the reins of the snaffle so that they will be under
those of the curb, the right hand to the side.
THE PRINCIPAL
MOVEMENTS OF THE BRIDLE HAND.
In raising slightly the hand and drawing it in to-
SCHOOL OF THE
wards
the body, the trooper gathers his horse; In drawing it in still more, the gait
is made slower. By increasing the effect of the hand, the horse is stopped; if
increased still more, the horse is reined back.
In lowering slightly the hand, the horse is at liberty to
move forward.
In carrying the hand forward and to the right, the horse is
turned to the right.
In carrying the hand forward and to the left, the horse is
turned to the left.
As soon as the horse obeys, the bridle hand resumes its
original position.
In all the movements of the hand, the arm should act freely,
without communicating constraint to the shoulder or body; the effect of the curb
being more powerful than that of the snaffle, it should be used progressively,
particularly in stopping and reining back.
The instructor causes the following movements to be executed
by the commands prescribed in the first lesson.
TO GATHER THE HORSE.
146.—Elevate slightly the hand, drawing it at the same time
towards the body, and close the legs.
TO MARCH.
147.—Lower slightly the hand, the wrist always opposite the
middle of the body, and close the legs progressively.
As soon as the horse obeys, replace the hand and
legs by degrees.
TO HALT.
l48.—The trooper braces himself in the saddle: elevate the
hand by degrees in drawing it in towards the body, and close the legs to keep
the horse straight and prevent him
TROOPER, MOUNTED.
from stepping back.
As soon as the horse obeys, replace the hand and the legs by degrees.
TO TURN TO THE RIGHT IN MARCHING.
149—Carry the hand forward and to the right, according to
the sensibility of the horse; close the legs, the left leg the most. The
movement being nearly finished, replace the hand and the legs by degrees.
TO TURN TO THE LEFT
IN MARCHING.
150.—Carry the hand forward and to the left, according to the
sensibility of the horse; close the legs, the right leg the most. The movement
being nearly finished, replace the hand and legs by degrees.
TO TURN-ABOUT TO THE RIGHT AND TO THE
LEFT MARCHING.
151.—The
same principles as prescribed to execute a turn to the right, or to the left,
observing to pass over a semicircle.
TO MAKE AN
OBLIQUE TURN TO THE RIGHT AND TO THE LEFT MARCHING.
152.—The
same principles as prescribed to execute a turn to the right, or to the left,
observing that the movement of the hand does not require the horse to do more
than make a third of a turn to the right, or to the left.
TO REIN BACK, AND
TO CEASE REINING BACK.
153.—The same principles as prescribed for the
halt, ob-
SCHOOL OF THE
serving,
as soon as the horse obeys, to lower and raise the hand alternately that the
movement may be regular.
To cease reining back, relax the effect of the hand and close
the legs; as soon as the horse obeys, replace the hand and the legs by degrees.
154 —The instructor does not require these different
movements to he executed simultaneously, but observes particularly the manner
in which the trooper employs his bridle hand. He always rectifies its position
before passing from one movement to another.
EXERCISE OF THE FOURTH LESSON WITH
THE CURB BRIDLE
155—-When the troopers begin to understand the movements of
the bridle hand, the instructor causes them to march upon the track, first at
the walk, and then at the trot. He requires the squad frequently to
halt, to move off, to change direction, and to execute successively the
different movements of the fourth lesson, observing that each trooper makes an
exact application of the principles prescribed when at a halt.
The habitual fault with the troopers being to carry the left
hand forward, and to throw back the right shoulder, the instructor is
particular in requiring them to keep the hand above the pommel of the saddle
without deranging the position of the body.
TO
PASSAGE TO THE RIGHT, AND TO THE LEFT.
156.—The Instructor causes the squad to passage to the right,
and to the left, the head to the wall and in column.
To passage to the right, bear the shoulders of the horse to
the right, by inclining the hand to the right, at the same time bear
sufficiently on the bit to prevent the horse
TROOPER, MOUNTED.
from
moving forward; close the left leg that the haunches will follow, keep the
right leg near, to sustain the horse.
In order to cease passaging, straighten the horse, hold the
right leg near, and replace the hand and the legs by degrees.
To passage to the left, and to cease passaging, employ the
same principles, but inverse means.
SIXTH LESSON.
PRINCIPLES OF THE GALLOP.
157.—A horse gallops on the right foot, when the right fore
and hind leg move in advance of the left fore and hind leg. This gait Is
generally divided Into three distinct times or treads. The 1st time is marked
by the left hind foot, which reaches the ground first; the 2d by the left fore
and right hind foot, which touch at the .me instant; and the 3d by the right
fore foot.
A horse gallops on the left foot when the left fore and
hind
leg move in advance of the right fore and hind leg. In this case, the right
hind foot first reaches the ground. then the right fore and left hind foot, and
lastly the left fore foot.
A horse gallops true when he gallops on the right foot, in
exercising or turning to the right hand, and on the left foot, in exercising or
turning to the left hand.
A horse gallops false when he gallops on the left toot, in
exercising or turning tothe right hand, and on the right foot, In
exercising or turning to the left hand.
A horse Is “disunited” when he gallops with the near fore leg
followed by the off hind leg, or with the off fore leg followed by the near
hind leg.
When the horse is disunited, the trooper experiences in his
position Irregular movements; the centre of gravity of the horse Is deranged,
and his strength impaired.
SCHOOL OF THE
EXERCISE AT THE GALLOP UPON RIGHT
LINES.
158.—When the troopers preserve in the 4th lesson their
proper position at the gallop, they are taught to move off on a straight line
to either hand
After the troopers of the 2d division are formed, as prescribed,
No 133, the instructor causes the men of the front rank to take the distance of
4 paces from each other; these troopers marching to the right hand upon
one of the long bides, the instructor commands
1. Gallop.
2. MARCH.
At the command, GALLOP, gather the horse, increasing the
pressure of the legs, and restraining him with the reins.
At the command. MARCH, carry the hand slightly to the left,
feeling both reins equally, to enable the right shoulder to move in advance of
the left, and close the right leg. The horse having obeyed, hold a light hand
and the legs near, to keep him al his gait. To make him gallop on the left foot
inverse means are used.
159.—The instructor requires the troopers to be calm, to
conduct their horses with mildness, and particularly to preserve a light hand
that the gallop may be free and regular.
During the first days of the exercise at the gallop, the
troopers are required to take the reins of the snaffle in the right hand, in
order to calm their horses; this is discontinued when they have acquired the
habit of managing them with the curb bridle alone.
To preserve the movement of the horse true, it is necessary
for the trooper to accommodate himself to all his motions, particularly in
passing the corners, where the slightest derangement in the seat would render
the action of the horse irregular.
When a horse gallops false, if to the right, the trooper will
feel both reins to the left, in order to bring his weight
TROOPER, MOUNTED.
to that side, the horse’s head remaining bent to the
right, and close firmly his left leg, to bring his haunches in again, and then
as in No. 158.
160—The troopers are permitted to make only a turn or two at
the gallop to each hand, and always required to pass to the trot,
or walk in order to change hand.
When the horses have become quiet, and the troopers
begin to manage them well, the distance between them is gradually diminished to
4 feet.
2d
division is carried through the same exercise, and then both at the same time.
EXERCISE
AT THE GALLOP ON THE CIRCLE.
161.—When the troopers have been sufficiently exercised at
the gallop upon straight lines, the instructor causes them make a few turns
on the circle, following the principles prescribed, No. 124
This exercise is commenced on very large circles; the
liameter is diminished as the troopers become more skilful.
To terminate the lesson, and return to the
quarters, conform to what is prescribed, No. 125.
SEVENTH
LESSON.
162.—The same number of troopers compose the squad
is for the 6th lesson; they have their arms.
The instructor is mounted. He has an assistant instructor. The
assistant instructor, also mounted, is armed like the troopers, in order to
execute the manual of arms, as given in detail by the instructor.
EXERCISE OF THE SIXTH LESSON, WITH THE
SABRE ONLY.
163.—The first days of the
7th lesson are employed in repeating all the movements of the 6th, the
troopers being
SCHOOL OF THE
armed
with the sabre on]y. The troopers are then furnished with all the arms. Before
commencing the manual of arms, a few movements at the walk and the
trot are executed, in order to calm the horses; during the remainder of the
lesson, the exercise at a halt is interrupted by movements at the different
gaits. The instructor requires them to be executed with the greatest
regularity, so that the troopers, in learning to manage their arms, perfect
themselves at the same time in conducting their horses.
MANUAL OF ARMS AT A HALT.
164.—The troopers are formed by the commands FRONT and
HALT, as prescribed, No. 125, and are 4 Inches from knee to knee.
The instructor commands:
Draw-SABRE
2 times.
165.—1. At the command, DRAW, incline slightly the head to
the left, carry the right hand above the reins, engage the wrist In the
sword-knot, seize the gripe, disengage the blade 6 Inches from the
scabbard, and turn the head to the front.
2. At the
command, SABRE, draw quickly the sabre, raising the arm to its full length at
an angle of 45 degrees, the sabre in a straight line with the arm; hold the
sabre In this position an instant, then carry It to the right shoulder, the
back of the blade supported against the hollow of the shoulder, the wrist upon
the top of the thigh, the little finger on the outside of the gripe.
Present—SABRE.
1 time.
166.—At the command SABRE, carry the sabre up and
to
Par. 168
TROOPER, MOUNTED
the front, the thumb opposite to and 6 inches from the
neck, the blade perpendicular, the edge to the left, the thumb along the right
side of the gripe, the little finger joined to the other three.
Carry—SABRE.
1 time.
167 -—At the command, SABRE, replace the sabre, the
back of the blade supported against the
hollow ofthe shoulder, the wrist upon
the upper part of the thigh, the little finger outside of the gripe.
Charge—SABRE
1 time, 2 motions.
168.—1. At the command, SABRE, raise the hand in
tierce as high as the right ear and 7 inches from it, the right shoulder and
elbow well back, the thumb on the back of the gripe, the point of the sabre to
the front and slightly below the horizontal, the edge up.
2. Thrust to the front, the edge up, the arm at Its full
extent.
Carry—SABRE.
1 time.
169.—At the command, SABRE, draw back the arm and replace the
sabre as in No. 165.
Return—SABRE.
2 times.
170.—1. At the command, RETURN, execute the movement of present
sabre.
SCHOOL OF THE
2. At the command,
SABRE, carry the wrist opposite to and 6 inches from the left shoulder, lower
the blade in passing it near the left arm, the point to the rear, raising at
the same time the right hand; incline the head slightly to the left, and fix
the eyes upon the mouth of the scabbard; return the blade, disengage the wrist
from the sword-knot, turn the head to the front
The instructor commands:
Draw —PISTOL.
171.—This is executed as prescribed, No. 62.
TO FIRE THE PISTOL.
The Instructor commands:
READY.
172.—This Is executed as in No. 63.
AIM.
1 time.
173.—This
Is executed as in No. 64.
FIRE.
1 time.
174.—At this command, FIRE, and raise pistol.
175.—At the position of aim, the instructor may com· wand, raise—PISTOL; the men will
raise the pistol to the position No. 62. If the pistol is not fired, at the
command return--pistol, first let down the hammer.
176.--To cock the pistol rapidly, without the use of the left
hand, whilst pressing back the hammer with the right
TROOPER, MOUNTED.
thumb,
to assist its action throw forward the muzzle with a quick motion.
TO LOAD THE PISTOL.
The horses must be quiet; at the position of raise—pistol,
the instructor commands:
Load at—WILL.
At this command, let the reins rest on the pommel, half cock
the pistol, take it by the stock with the left hand, the guard to the right,
and lower it until the hand rests upon the inner side of the left thigh, the
butt of the pistol touching the saddle, the hand and cylinder resting against
the side of the pommel, the pistol being inclined to the front and right; with
the right hand take a cartridge and place it in a chamber, turn the cylinder
and force in the ball; repeat this until all the chambers are loaded. Then hold
pistol against the right side of the pommel, pointing downward, to the right
and front, and put on the caps. Take
the position of raise--pistol.
Return—PISTOL.
178—At the command, PISTOL, place it in the holster, and
button the flap
The manual of a second pistol carried in a saddle
holster is the same; where it is furnished, the manual mounted applies to it;
and it will be the first used.
INSPECTION OF ARMS.
179.—The instructor commands:
Inspection—PISTOL.
1 time, 3 motions.
SCHOOL OF THE
1. At the command, PISTOL, draw the pistol and take the
position, raise—pistol.
2 Lower the pistol into the left hand, to half cock It, then
hold it by the right hand vertical, guard to the left, about three inches above
the bridle hand, in front of the middle of the body; the right fore-arm
touching the side.
3. Place the pistol
in the bridle hand, to let down the hammer, return it to the holster or belt,
button the flap, and bring the right hand to the side.
The
instructor commands:
Inspection—SABRE.
1 time, 7 motions.
180.—1. At the command, SABRE, execute the first time of draw
sabre.
2.Execute the second
time of draw sabre.
3. Present sabre.
4. Move the thumb to the back of the gripe, turn it
in the hand, the edge turning by the front to the right.
5 Carry
sabre.
6. Execute the first
time of return sabre.
7.Return the sabre.
181.—When troopers execute correctly the inspection of arms,
they are exercised at it without detail, at the command:
Inspection—ARMS.
At this command the troopers execute the first and second
motions of inspection of pistol.
As soon as the inspector has passed the man on his left, each
trooper executes the third motion of inspection of pistol, and the first
and second motions of inspection of sabre.
Each trooper, as the inspector reaches him the second time,
executes the third and fourth motions of inspection of sabre.
TROOPER, MOUNTED.
As soon as the inspector has passed the next man on
his left he executes the fifth, sixth, and seventh motions of inspection of
sabre, the inspector governs himself as in No. 73.
SABRE EXERCISE, AT A HALT.
The troopers marching at a walk in two columns, the
instructor causes them to take the distance of two paces from another, and when
the two columns are on the long side, he commands: 1. To the right, (or left.)
2. MARCH. 3. HALT. He causes them to exercise the sabre exercise, as taught
on foot.
EIGHTH LESSON.
MANUAL OF ARMS, IN MARCHING.
183.—The troopers are required to draw sabre, and to return
sabre, while marching in column at a walk.
The instructor observes that neither the seat nor the position
of the bridle-hand is deranged. He also requires the troopers to keep the legs
near, in order to prevent the horses from slackening the gait. When the
troopers have the sabre drawn, the instructor observes that they do not throw
back the right shoulder.
As the troopers become more skilful, they are required to draw
sabre, in marching first at the trot, and then at the gallop.
They also take the position of charge sabre, in marching at the
different gaits.
The sabres are returned in marching At a walk; for
this purpose the troopers are directed to support the back of the blade against
the left arm, until the point has entered the scabbard.
The
troopers are exercised, sabres drawn, in turning to the right and
to the left at the trot and at the gallop, and to the right-about
and left-about at the trot only.
SCHOOL OF THE
SABRE EXERCISE AT ALL GAITS.
184.—The troopers execute progressively, at the different
gaits, the exercise of the sabre, taking care to preserve between each other a
distance of 2 paces.
LEAPING.
185.—For this exercise the width of the ditch should be from
3 to 5 feet, and the height of the bar or fence from 1 to 3feet. The
width and height of each are increased as the troopers and horses become more
habituated to leaping.
The instructor forms the squad 30 spaces in rear of the
obstacle.
At the warning of the instructor, each trooper moves off at a
walk, directs his march towards the obstacle, and at a third of the way
commences the trot.
TO LEAP THE DITCH.
186.—On arriving near the ditch, give the hand and close the
legs, to force the horse to make the leap. The moment he reaches the ground,
raise slightly the hand in order to sustain him.
TO LEAP THE FENCE.
187.—On arriving near the obstacle, rein up the horse
slightly and close the legs. At the moment of making the leap, give the hand,
and elevate it slightly as soon as he reaches the ground on the other side.
The trooper, in leaping, should cling to the horse with the
thighs and calves of the legs, taking care to lean a little forward as the
horse is in the act of springing, and to
TROOPER, MOUNTED.
seat himself well by leaning to the rear at the moment
the horse reaches the ground.
188. —Each trooper, after having made the leap, continues to
move at the trot, and takes his place in the rank which is formed 30
paces beyond the obstacle, taking care to pass to the walk just before halting.
During the first days of this exercise the troopers leap
without arms; the horses ridden on the snaffle.
When the troopers have leaped without arms, they repeat the
same exercise with arms, and finally with the sabre drawn.
The horses employed in the school of the trooper should
be trained and accustomed to leaping. If, however, a horse refuses to leap, the
instructor aids the trooper with the whip.
INDIVIDUAL CHARGE.
189.—To exercise the troopers at the charge, they
conducted to the extremity of a ground which presents a course of sufficient
extent without obstacle. There they formed in line and required to draw the
sabre.
The instructor places himself 150 paces in front of
the right of the troopers; a corporal, 60 paces further; and a corporal or
trooper, 20 paces beyond him; he serves as the point of direction for the
trooper on the right.
The assistant instructor remains at the point of departure,
to see that the troopers move off one after another, and repeat to them what
they are required to do.
To execute well the charge, the troopers should be
careful to march straight forward, not to change the gait before arriving at
the points indicated, and to increase or diminish the gait calmly.
Eacb
trooper marches 15 paces, and takes the trot.
Having trotted 50 paces, the assistant instructor commands
the gallop
When he
reaches the instructor, the latter commands:
SCHOOL OF THE
CHARGE.
At this command, quicken the gallop to nearly full speed,
keeping the horse at the same time under control ; bear upon the stirrup, and
take the position of CHARGE SABRE.
Abreast of the corporal the trooper retakes the trot and
carries the sabre.
At 10 paces from the second corporal he takes the walk, and
halts abreast of him.
All the other troopers execute successively the same movement,
the assistant instructor causing each one to set off when the trooper who
precedes him has halted. Each trooper takes for his point of direction the
place he is to occupy in the rank, and places himself on the left of the
troopers already formed.
190.—The first charge being completed, the instructor breaks
the squad by file to the right, and reforms in facing to the rear, by
the commands FRONT and HALT.
The troopers then charge in the opposite direction on the
same principles
191. —The charge should be executed only twice the same day.
It usually terminates the exercise; after executing it the squad marches at a walk
a sufficient time to enable the horses to become calm before entering the
stables.
CIRCLING ON
THE FOREHAND AND HAUNCHES, AND DEMI-PIROUETTE.
192.—The troopers are now taught on instructed horses to
circle on the forehand and haunches, and the demi-pirouette, conforming to
Article 7, Title 1st, all of which article they are made to understand and
practice.
The practice of new horses at the paces for maneuvre
is made useful fur the instruction of the recruits, as well as for their
practice in riding.
TROOPER, MOUNTED.
TARGET PRACTICE.
193.—For
the target practice on horseback, the target
should be 8 feet high and 3 feet broad; at 6 feet of its
height it is marked with a black band 3 inches wide, with a square at its
centre—white.
The
troopers are first practiced at 10 paces, firing at a halt, to the front,
right, left, and rear.
In firing to the front, aim directly over the horse’s
head, as in that position a smaller mark is presented to an enemy, and the
trooper’s person is partly covered by the horse.
The distance is Increased to 20, 30, 40, and to 50 paces.
Afterwards the troopers are exercised, at the same distances,
at the walk.
In firing the troopers must not halt, or at all
change gait or direction.
They are then practiced at the same kind of target, and on
the same principles at the trot.
For the most advanced practice, a cylindrical post,
12 inches in diameter, and 8 feet high, will be used as a target, a barrier
will extend out 12 feet, so as to require the trooper in passing to ride rather
more than that distance in a line with the target, and parellel with the track,
a small post will be set up, 10 paces on each side.
The troopers will first be exercised a little at a walk.
and at a trot The trooper will be instructed first to march past the
target to his right, and without disturbing the motions of his horse, to fire
to the right front, choosing his point anywhere from the small post to the
barrier.
Next he will pass with the target on his left,
firing to left front, at any point in his course between the small post and the
harrier.
Next he will pass, with his right to the target,
and fire between the barriers and the small post, to his right rear.
Finally, with his left to the target, he will fire to his
left rear. within the prescribed limits of his course.
This practice at a gallop is the final and principal
exercise of the target fixing.
SCHOOL OF THE
RECORD
AND REPORTS OF TARGET FIRING.
194.—Beside the foregoing progressive instruction for
recruits, there will be target fixing in every three months in every squadron;
on each occasion, the best practiced troopers firing at least 12 shots mounted;
every member of the squadron, not a capital prisoner, will join in the
exercise.
There will be a record of target firing in each squadron kept
in a book, giving the name and performance of each member. In the string
measure, each miss at dismounted practice counts 24 inches, at mounted
practice, 36 inches.
The book will be in printed blanks of the following form, and
ruled for the number of members of the squadrons, (companies,) viz:
Record of target practice of _____
squadron, _____ regiment, United States _____, for the quarter
ending ______, 18___.
|
Names.
|
Rank.
|
DISM0UNTED.
|
MOUNTED.
|
|
50 yards.
|
100 yards.
|
At the halt—5O yds.
|
Gallop practice.
|
|
No. of
shots.
|
String
measure.
|
No. of
shots.
|
No. of
hits.
|
No. of
shots.
|
String
measure.
|
No. of
shots,
|
No. of
hits.
|
|
Totals. . . . .
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The
squadron practiced, dismounted, on the _____ days of _____, 18___; and
mounted, on the ____ days of _____, 18____.
The above is a true record of the practice.
_________________Captain.
SCHOOL OF THE
195. On the 1st
of May and 1st of November, annually, the captains will report to the
regimental commander an abstract giving the totals, from this record. At
the same time he will make report of the names of the first and second best
performers of the squadron, at the gallop practice at the round target.
On receipt of these reports the commander of the regiment
shall publish, in regimental orders, the first and second best squadrons, and
the names of the two best shots in each squadron of the regiment.
PLATOON, MOUNTED.
SCHOOL OF THE PLATOON,
MOUNTED.
19f ——The troopers being sufficiently instructed to manage
their horses and use their arms, are passed to the school of the platoon, the
object of which is to teach them to exercise properly together, and execute all
the movements of the platoon in the squadron, whether in column or in line.
Each movement, after having been correctly executed by the
right, is repeated by the left
When the movements are all executed at the walk, the
instructor causes them to be repeated at the trot, requiring always the
same simultaneous action and the same precision. This gradation is also followed
for the exercise at the gallop; but the horses are not kept a long time
at this gait.
The platoon is composed of from 12 to 24 men, including 2
corporals; the instructor moves wherever his presence is most required; the
platoon is under arms.
197.—The platoon formed in line, the troopers at the head of
their horses, the instructor commands:
1. ATTENTION.
2. Right—DRESS.
3. FRONT.
He then commands:
COUNT FOURS.
At this command, the men, in a firm voice, commencing on the
right, count, one, two, three, four, from right to left.
The troopers then mount by the times, and without
explanation.
SCHOOL OF THE
ARTICLE FIRST.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF ALIGNMENT.
198.—The troopers, to align themselves, should regulate their
shoulders upon those of the man on the side of tha alignment, and for this
purpose they should turn the head, remaining square upon their horses, and so
correct their positions as just to perceive the breast of the second trooper
from them, and keep the horses straight in the ranks, that all may have a
parallel direction.
SUCCESSIVE ALIGNMENT OF FILES IN THE
PLATOON.
199.—The two ales of the right or of the left are moved
forward 10 paces, and aligned parallel to the platoon by the commands:1. Two
files from right (or left) forward; 2. MARCH; 3. HALT; 4. right (or
left) DRESS; FRONT.
The instructor commands
1. By file—right (or left) DRESS.
2. FRONT.
At the command, DRESS, the files move forward successively
and steadily, the troopers turning the head to the right, and taking the last
steps slowly, In order to arrive abreast of the files already formed without
passing beyond the alignment, observing then to halt, give the hand, relax the
legs, and keep the head to the right until the command FRONT.
Each file executes the same movement when the preceding
one has arrived on the base of alignment, so that only one file may align
Itself at the same time.
PLATOON, MOUNTED.
At the command, FRONT, turn the head to the front
200.—When the troopers execute correctly these alignments,
this instruction is repeated in giving the two files of the right an oblique
direction. For this purpose, the two files having marched forward 4 paces,
as has been prescribed, execute a half turn to the right, or to
the left, and march 6paces in this new direction.
The platoon being unmasked, the remainder of the movement is
executed by the commands and following the principles prescribed, No. 199, each
file, as it arrives nearly opposite the place it is to occupy, executes a half
turn to the right, or to the left, so that having left the platoon
by one straight line, it arrives upon the new alignment by another.
201. —The two files of the right, or of the left, are made to
rein back 4 paces, and align themselves parallel to the platoon and opposite
the place they occupied in it, by the commands 1. Two files from right (or
left) backwards; 2. MARCH; 3. HALT; 4. Right (or left) DRESS;
5. FRONT.
The instructor commands:
1.
By file—right (or left) backward—DRESS.
2. FRONT.
At the command, DRESS, each file reins back successively,
keeping perfectly straight, the troopers turning the head to the right, and
passing a little to the rear of the files already formed, in order to come up
abreast of them by a movement to the front, which renders the alignment more
easy.
At the command. FRONT, turn the head to the front
The alignment of the rear gives the means of repairing a
fault by returning to the alignment when it has been passed over; but it should
be avoided as much as possible.
202.—The alignment is then executed by twos (or by fours.)
For this purpose, the two or four files of the right move forward as has been
prescribed, and the instructor commands:
SCHOOL OF THE
1. By twos (or by fours)—right (or
left)—DRESS.
2. FRONT.
At the command, DRESS, the files align themselves successively
by twos (or by fours) following the principles prescribed for the alignment by
file, being particular to set out and arrive upon the alignment together
At the command, FRONT, turn the head to the front.
203.—The instructor observes that the troopers align
themselves on the breast of the second man towards the side of the alignment, and
not upon the extremity of the rank, (which would prevent their remaining square
in their seats;) that they are neither too much opened nor closed. The troopers
are also required to align themselves promptly, that the horses may not be kept
a long time gathered.
204.—When a platoon is not aligned, it arises from the fact,
generally, that the horses are not straight in the ranks.
When a platoon dresses to the right, if the left wing is in
rear, It is presumed that most of the horses are turned to the left; it is
necessary to observe if this is the case, and to command the troopers to carry
the hand slightly to the right, at the same time closing the right leg, which
brings the horse upon the alignment.
When a platoon dresses to the right, if the left wing is in
advance, it is presumed that the horses are turned to the right; the troopers
are then required to carry the band to the left, closing at the same time the
left leg, which causes the horse to step back to his proper place.
In dressing to the left the same faults are corrected by
Inverse means.
205.—During the alignment, the instructor places himself in
front of the troopers, to be assured that they execute the movement steadily,
and do not turn the head more than is prescribed; that they preserve their
intervals of 4 inches between the knees; that they take the last steps slowly;
that they align themselves without losing time as
PLATOON, MOUNTED.
they
arrive; and that they give the hand and replace the legs immediately after
being aligned.
206 —The instructor insists upon all these principles; but
the alignments will be occasionally interrupted by marches in column, in order
to calm the horses.
ALIGNMENT OF THE PLATOON.
207.—The platoon being in line, the instructor places the
corporal of the flank on which he wishes to align it an such a position that no
trooper will be forced to rein beck, and commands:
1. Right (or left) —DRESS.
2. FRONT.
At the command, DRESS, all the troopers align themselves
promptly, but with steadiness.
At the command, FRONT, turn the head to the front.
208.—In all the alignments, the non-commissioned officers on
the flanks of platoons align on each other, without respect to the individual
alignment of the troopers.
TO BREAK THE PLATOON BY FILE, BY
TWOS, AND BY FOURS.
209.—The platoon being in line the instructor commands:
1. By file, by twos, (or by fours.)
2. MARCH.
At the first command, the first file, or files, gather their
horses
At the command MARCH, the right file, or set of twos or
fours, moves straight to the front; the next moves forward, when the croups of
the horses of the first are even with the heads of their horses, or—which is
the same—when the first file or set has marched 3 paces; they march 3 paces
SCHOOL OF THE
straight
to the front, then make an individual oblique turn to the right, (30 degrees,)
march in that direction until they are in column: then they make an oblique
turn to the left to follow the first; the other files or sets do the same, In
succession.
A second set of fours, commencing the oblique movement one
length behind the first, marches 24 feet, and gains 20.78 feet to the front, to
enter the column; losing the fraction in the two turns, there will be 4 open
feet between them; the same difference in the distances to be marched exists
with other sets. This is the distance to be preserved, in each of the three
columns.
If the platoon be marching, at the command MARCH, the right
four, or two, move on; and all the others halt, and then proceed as described.
DIRECT MARCH IN
COLUMN BY FILE, TWOS,
AND
BY FOURS.
210.—The troopers should keep their horses straight, and
their eyes to the front; marching exactly behind each other in the column,
preserving the distance of 4 feet from croup to head. The greater the depth of
the column the more attention is necessary to the equality of the gait, and the
preservation of distances.
The trouper on the left of the first set, right in front, or
on its right, left in front, is guide of the column; he moves straight forward,
and—when the platoon is led— preserves a gait which keeps the set one pace
behind the chief of the platoon. The troopers behind him are the guides of
their sets; the:’ preserve the distance; and the others align themselves on
him, preserving from that side their intervals.
CHANGE OF DIRECTION.
211.—The column marching by file, twos, or fours,
the instructor commands:
PLATOON, MOUNTED.
Left—TURN;
or, Right—TURN.
At the first part of the command, the leading trooper, or
set, gathers the horses.
At the command, TURN, the leading set turns, the pivot taking
care not to slacken his gait, and to march over a quarter circle of five paces
extent, thus gaining both to the front, and to the new direction, a distance of
10 feet. The trooper on the opposite side trots—increasing his gait so that the
set shall be squarely aligned during the turn; the dressing is to this side;
intervals are preserved from the pivot. Having made a full turn, the troopers
who have Increased their gait resume the same gait they had been marching, and
which is preserved by the pivots.
Each fraction marches steadily to the point where the first
commenced the turn; and it should be explained to them that the distance on
the outer flank must properly be much increased during the turn. The pivots are
apt to lessen their speed, which, with the error of attempting to preserve
distance unchanged, causes those in rear gradually to oblique.
TO HALT, AND TO COMMENCE THE MARCH
IN COLUMN.
212.—The column marching, the instructor commands:
Column—HALT.
To move off, the instructor commands:
Forward—MARCH.
INDIVIDUAL OBLIQUE MARCH.
213.—The column marching by file, by twos, or by fours, the
instructor commands:
1. Left (or right) oblique.
2. MARCH.
SCHOOL OF THE
At the command, MARCH, each trooper executes individually a
third of a turn, or face, to the left, without checking his motion.
The trooper on the left of the first set, who is guide of the
column, moves straight forward in the new direction the trooper on the left of
each of the other sets, who is its guide, moves forward also in the new
direction, keeping in a perpendicular line to the proper front, passing through
the guide of the column, and moving in a parallel direction with him.
The other troopers having turned, and marching in a parallel
direction with their guide, align by him and keep their persons in a line
parallel with that of their front before commencing to oblique; thus the
horse’s head of each will be opposite the shoulder of the next horse towards
the guide, who, during the movement, is always on the flank towards which the
oblique march is made.
To return to the primitive direction the instructor commands:
FORWARD.
At this command the troopers return to the original direction
by an oblique turn while advancing, and move forward.
THE PLATOON
MARCHING IN COLUMN BYFILE, BY TWOS, AND BY FOURS, TO FORM
LINE FACED TO THE FRONT, TO THELEFT, AND TO THE RIGHT.
214. —The platoon marching in column, right In fronts to form
line faced to the front, the instructor commands
1. Front into line.
2. MARCH.
3. HALT.
PLATOON, MOUNTED.
4. DRESS.
5. FRONT.
At the command MARCH, the leading file or set
continues to march forward, the others oblique to the left, march in that
direction, and when opposite their places in line make an oblique turn to the
right.
When the first files have marched twenty paces, the
instructor commands: 1. HALT. 2.
DRESS. The other files come up
successively on their left, halt and dress to the right until the command
FRONT.
215.—A column marching left in front, the movement is
executed on the same principles, but by inverse means, at the same commands.
216.—The column marching left in front, to form line faced to
the left, upon the prolongation and in advance of its left flank, the
instructor commands:
1. Front into line.
2. MARCH.
3. HALT
4. DRESS.
5. FRONT.
At the command MARCH, the first file or set turns
to the left and moves straight forward, the others march straight on, and each
turns successively, one, two or four paces beyond the point where the preceding
one has turned.
When the first files have marched twenty paces, the
instructor commands: 1. HALT. 2.
DRESS. The other files successively
halt and dress to the left until the command FRONT.
217.—The column marching right in front, to form line faced
to the right, upon the prolongation and in advance of its right flank, the
movement is executed on the same principles, but by inverse means, at the
commands 1. On right into line. 2.
MARCH. 3. HALT. 4. DRESS.
5. FRONT.
218.—A column marching by file, or by twos, right in front,
to form line faced to the left, the instructor commands:
SCHOOL OF THE
1. Left into line.
2. MARCH.
3. HALT
4. DRESS.
5. FRONT.
At the command, MARCH, the first file or set of twos turns to
the left and moves straight forward, the others continue to march on, and turn
successively to the left three paces before arriving opposite the places they
are to occupy in the line, which is each on the left of the preceding one.
When the first files have marched twenty paces, the instructor
commands: 1. HALT. 2. DRESS. The other files come up, halt in succession, and
dress until the command FRONT.
219.—The column, by file or by twos, marching left in front,
to form line faced to the right, the movement is executed on the same
principles. but by inverse means, at the commands: 1. Right into line. 2.
MARCH. 3. HALT. 4. DRESS. 5. FRONT.
220.—A column of fours right in front, marching or halted, to
form line, faced to the left, on its left dank, the instructor commands:
1. Left into line wheel.
2. MARCH
3. Right—DRESS.
4. FRONT.
At the command, MARCH, each set of fours executes its wheel
to the left, according to the principles of the wheel, on a fixed pivot, No.
283; Nos. 4, &.c., turn upon the fore-feet of their horses ; the other
troopers, preserving their intervals from the pivot flank, regulate their
alignment by the marching flank. At the command right—DRESS, the
troopers halt, straighten their horses, and align themselves until the command
FRONT.
221.—A column of fours left in front is formed in line. faced
to the right, on its right flank, on the same prin-
PLATOON, MOUNTED.
ciples,
by inverse means, at the commands: 1. Right into line wheel; 2. MARCH;
3. Left—DRESS; 4. FRONT.
222.—Line may also be formed to either side, without
regard to right or left being in front. When the movements are executed with
regularity at the walk, they are repeated at the trot and at the gallop.
MANUAL OF ARMS.
223. —The troopers being in line, execute at a halt the
manual of arms, as prescribed, No. 165, and following.
224.—The exercise being finished, the troopers are commanded
to dismount and file off. The instructor remains mounted until the last horse
in the platoon has filed off.
ARTICLE SECOND.
FORM TWOS AND FOURS AT THE SAME GAIT.
225.—The platoon marching in column by file, right in front
to form twos, the instructor commands:
1. Form twos.
2. MARCH.
At the command, MARCH, the first trooper continues to march
on, and halts when he has marched 12 paces; the second obliques to the left,
and comes up abreast of the first; on arriving there, he halts and dresses to
the right. AII the others continue to march straight forward, Nos. 2 and 4
executing their movement in the same manner, but successively, and when Nos. 1
and 3. upon which they should form, have nearly arrived at their proper
distance, and arc about to halt
226. —The platoon marching in column by twos, right in front,
to form fours, the instructor commands:
1. Form fours.
2. MARCH.
SCHOOL
OF THE
At the command, MARCH, the
first two troopers continue to march on, and halt when they have marched 12
paces; the two following oblique to the left, and come up abreast of the first
two; on arriving there, they halt and dress to the right. All the others
continue to march straight forward, Nos 3 and 4 executing their movement in
the same manner, but successively, and when Nos. 1 and 2, upon which they
should form, have nearly arrived at their proper distance, and are about to
halt.
227—When the column is at a trot the formation of twos
and fours at the same gait is executed, following the same principles. The first
two troopers pass to the walk, at the command, MARCH; the others
continue to march at the trot, until they have arrived abreast of those
on which they should form; then they pass to the walk.
When the column is at a gallop the movement is executed,
following the same principles. The first, or first two troopers, pass to the
trot at the command, MARCH; the others continue to march at the gallop, until
they have executed their formation; then they passj to the trot.
When twos or fours are formed at the trot or at the
gallop, the guide is announced as soon as the first files have doubled. In
executing the same movements at a walk, as the head of the column halts, the
guide is not announced.
The column marching left in front, these movements are
executed, following the same principles and by inverse means, at the same
command.
TO BREAK BY TWOS
AND BY FILE AT THE
SAME
GAIT.
228.—The platoon marching
in column by fours, right in front, to break by twos, the instructor commands:
1. By twos.
2.
MARCH.
At the command, by twos, all the troopers prepare to
halt, except the first number, 1 and 2.
PLATOON, MOUNTED.
At the command, MARCH, these continue to march at the same
gait; all the others halt. Nos. 3 and 4 of the leading rank oblique to the
right the moment they are passed by the croup of the horses of Nos. 1 and 2,
and place themselves in column behind them.
Each set of fours executes successively the same movement,
Nos 1 and 2 breaking as soon as files 3 and 4 of the rank which precedes them
have commenced obliquing, in order to enter the column.
229.—The platoon marching in column by twos, right in front,
to break by file, the instructor commands:
I. By file.
2. MARCH.
This is executed on the same principles as the preceding.
230.—When the column is at the trot, to break by twos
or by file is executed on the same principles; the right files of the leading
rank continue at the trot; all the others take the walk at the
command, MARCH, and resume the trot, in order to enter the column; when
the column is at the gallop. the files which are to break take the
trot at the command, MARCH, and afterwards resume the gallop on
entering the column.
The instructor observes that the files which break, halt,
change gait, and put themselves again in motion, with steadiness; that they
keep their horses straight, so as not to retard the movements of those which
only march forward, and that they retake successively their distances, their
directions, and their original gait.
231.—The column marching left in front, the movement is
executed, following the same principles but by inverse means, at the commands:
1. By the left, by twos, (or by file;)
2. MARCH.
SCHOOL OF THE
TO FORM TWOS AND FOURS IN DOUBLING
THE GAIT.
232.—The platoon marching In column by file, right in front,
to form twos, the instructor commands:
1. Form
twos—trot.
2. MARcH.
At the first command, all the even numbers prepare to take the
trot.
At the command, MARCH, numbers two and four throughout take
the trot, oblique to the left, and come up abreast of Nos. 1 and 3; then
all trot except the first twos, who continue the walk; the others
trot, until they arrive at their proper distance, when they pass to the walk.
233.—The platoon marching in column by twos, right in front,
to form fours the instructor commands:
1. Form
fours—trot.
2. MARCH.
At the 1st command, all the numbers three and four prepare
to take the trot.
At the command, MARCH, numbers 3 and 4 throughout take the trot,
oblique to the left, and come up abreast of Nos. I and 2; the 1st set of
fours continue the walk; all the others trot, until they arrive at their proper
distance, when they pass to the walk.
234.—When the column is at the trot, the movement is
executed on the same principles. At the command, MARCH, numbers 3 and 4
throughout take the gallop, &c.; and all resume the trot when their
formation is executed.
When the column is at the gallop, the movement to form
twos or fours is always executed at the same gait, as prescribed, No 227.
235.—The column marching left in front, the movement Is
executed, following the same principles but by inverse means, at the same
commands.
PLATOON, MOUNTED.
236.—The platoon marching in column by fours, the instructor
commands:
1. By
twos—trot.
2. MARCH.
At the command, MARCH, Nos.
1 and 2, of the leading set of fours, commence the trot; all the others
continue to march at the, walk; Nos. 3 and 4, the moment the croups of the
horses of No.. 1 and 2 pass their horses’ heads, oblique to the right at the
trot, to place themselves in column behind them; then the next No.. 1 and 2
take the trot, then the next Nos. 3 and 4 trot and oblique as soon as they are
passed, and so on.
237.—The platoon marching in column by twos, to break by
file, the instructor commands:
1. By
file—trot.
2. MARCH.
This is executed on the same principles, No. 236.
To Break by Twos and By File, In Doubling the Gait.
238.—When the column is at the trot, to break
in doubling the gait, the instructor commands: 1. By twos, (or by
file)— gallop; 2. MARCH; which is executed on the same principles.
When the column is at the gallop, the movement to
break by twos or by file is executed at the same gait as prescribed, No. 230.
In these movements, the instructor observes that the head of
the column changes gait with moderation, and that the troopers who follow do
not permit their horses to move off before the moment prescribed.
239—-The column marching left in front, the movement is
executed on the same principles, by inverse means, at the commands: 1. By
the left—by twos (or by file) 3. MARCH.
SCHOOL OF THE
SABRE
EXERCISE.
240. The instructor causes the sabre exercise to be executed
at a halt; for this purpose he orders the odd numbers to march forward 6 paces;
he then commands:
I. By the left (or
by the right)—open files.
2. MARCH.
At the command, MARCH, the right trooper of each rank moves
forward 6 paces; the second and third oblique to the left, and come up abreast
of the right files, with intervals of 4 paces; the others first turn to the
left, march forward, and turn to the right so as to come into each line with
the same intervals.
241. When the instructor
wishes to form the platoon, he commands:
1. Second rank
into line.
2. MARCH.
At the second command, the
troopers ride into the middle of their intervals; the instructor then
commands:
1. Close files
to the right (or left.)
2. MARCH.
At the command, MARCH, the right file moves forward
6 paces; the second and third oblique to their places; the others turn to the
right, march forward, and turn to the left, into their places.
ARTICLE
THIRD.
DIRECT MARCH OF THE PLATOON
IN LINE.
243.—The most important point in the direct march .being
to keep the horses straight in the ranks, it is indispensable that the troopers
should preserve the head direct.
PLATOON,
MOUNTED,
The troopers should yield to all pressure coming from the
side of the guide, and resist that coming from the opposite side.
The guide should always march at a free and steady gait, and
change it with steadiness, in order to avoid irregularity in the ranks.
If the troopers are too near to or too far from the man on
the side of the guide, they move from or approach him very gradually, and in
gaining ground to the front, but not immediately; the irregularity generally
results from errors which will correct themselves, and which precipitancy will
only aggravate.
When the guide feels himself thrown out of his direction, he
extends his arm to the front to indicate that there is too much pressure
towards him. Then the troopers carry the bridle hand towards the opposite side,
give a glance to the guide, and straighten their horses as soon as the guide is
relieved; but the troopers must be taught to correct the intervals of files
more by the leg than by the hand.
244.—The corporal of the flank opposite to the guide is not
required to preserve the head direct. He aligns himself upon the guide and the
general front of the platoon.
The guide is commanded alternately to the right and to the
left, that the troopers may have the habit of dressing equally towards either
direction.
When the instructor wishes to exercise the platoon at the
direct march, it is conducted to the extremity of a grouud of sufficient extent
to admit of its marching some time without changing the direction.
245.— The platoon being in line, the instructor commands:
1. Open files
to the left (or to the right.)
2. MARCH.
3. Right
(or Left)—DRESS.
4. FRONT.
At the command, MARCH. all the troopers, except the right
file, passage to the left, as prescribed, No. 134; the
SCHOOL OF THE
second
trooper straightens his horse and halts as soon as he has gained an interval of
I pace between himself and the trooper of the right.
Each of the other troopers executes the same movement,
regulating the interval by the trooper on his right.
The troopers being aligned, the instructor indicates to the
guide of the right, or of the left, a fixed point In a direction perpendicular
to the front of the platoon he instructs him to take an intermediate point,
never to lose sight of these two points, in order to keep himself always In the
proper direction, and to select a more distant point as he approaches the one
nearest to him.
To give a point of direction, the instructor places himself
exactly behind the right file, or the left file, and indicates to the trooper
of the front rank an object on the ground which is immovable and can be distinctly
seen, such as a tree, or a rock.
246.—To march the platoon forward the instructor commands:
1. Forward.
2. Guide right,
(or left)
3. MARCH.
At the command, MARCH, all the troopers move straight forward
at the same gait with the men on the side of the guide.
The troopers should give a glance from time to time towards
the guide.
During the march the Instructor is sometimes at the side of
the guide, to assure himself that the troopers march on the same line; and
sometimes behind the guide, to observe that he follows the direction indicated.
247.—To halt the platoon, the instructor commands:
1. Platoon.
2. HALT.
3. Right (or
left)—DRESS.
4. FRONT.
At the command, HALT, the troopers stop.
PLATOON, MOUNTED.
At the command, FRONT, turn the head to the front.
248.—The
troopers having been sufficiently exercised in marching with open files, the
instructor halts the platoon, and commands:
1. Close files
to the right, (or to the left.)
2. MARCH.
3. Right (or
Left)—DRESS.
4. FRONT.
At the command, MARCH, all the troopers except the right
file, passage to the right and resume their places
249.—When the troopers begin to manage their horses properly
at the walk, they are required to open and close files, marching at the
same gait, taking care not to repeat these movements too often, but to make
them march some time after having opened the files, before closing them, and
after having closed the files, before opening them; for this purpose the
instructor commands:
1. Open files
to the kit (or to the right.)
2. MARCH.
At the command, MARCH, all the troopers except the right file
make an oblique turn to the left, at the same time advancing and
preserving their alignment. When they are at one pace from the man on the
right, they straighten their horses and move forward.
250.—To close files, the instructor commands:
I. Close files
to the right (or to the left.)
2. MARCH.
This movement is executed
following the same principles, but by inverse means. Each trooper should close
the leg in sufficient time to preserve his interval from the file to which he
closes.
251. These movements having been executed to the
SCHOOL OF THE
right and
to the left in marching at the walk, they are repeated at the trot.
The platoon is then exercised in commencing the trot from
a halt, and in halting while marching at this gait.
252.—After the troopers have been exercised sufficiently in
the direct march to confirm them in the principles, the instructor makes use of
the following means, which consist in causing faults to be committed that the
troopers may learn how to correct them.
The platoon being on the march, the instructor directs the
guide to augment or slacken his gait by degrees, and from time to time without
command. He gives notice to the troopers that they must employ the means
prescribed to replace themselves upon the alignment.
The instructor next instructs the guide to take a direction
which carries him a little out, repeating to the troopers that they should gain
ground to the side only in advancing.
When the troopers learn to reclose with steadiness, the
Instructor directs the guide to take a direction that will cause crowding in
the ranks; then the troopers yield to the pressure, and gain insensibly ground
towards the opposite direction.
The instructor reminds them that to repair irregularities too
rapidly would create new ones.
When the troopers have acquired, in the execution of these
movements at the walk, the necessary skill to avoid confusion, they are
repeated at the trot.
253.—As one of the most necessary instructions for preparing
the soldier to act In squadron, Is the method of marching perfectly straight,
by keeping in line two objects, for this purpose each man will be successively
placed on the directing flank.
254.—To exercise the troopers in the direct march at the
gallop, the progression established for the exercise at the walk and
at the trot is followed, except that the ranks are neither opened nor
closed, nor arc faults committed to be again repaired.
When marching at a gallop, the platoon should habitu
PLATOON, MOUNTED.
ally
pass to the trot and the walk before being halted; but when the
troopers are masters of their horses, it may be halted sometimes without
changing the gait.
COUNTERMARCH.
255 —The platoon having arrived at the extremity of the
ground, in order to change its direction to face to the rear, the instructor
commands:
1. Countermarch
by the right flank.
2. MARCH.
3. FRONT.
At the command, MARCH, the non-commissioned officer on the
right turns to the right about, No. 93, moves to the rear, and turns to the
right, and moves forward, so as to pass one pace in rear of’ the croups of the
horses of the platoon; arriving near the flank he turns to the left, and halts
behind the left file, with two paces between the croups of their horses. The
other troopers move, each when the one on his right has gone five paces,
(nearly completed his about turn,) performs his right about and right turn
from his own ground independently, and will thus find himself one pace behind
the trooper who had been on his right; and each turns to the left so as to come
into his place in line as before, halts, and dresses to the right. But the
troopers who are at the left of the centre of the platoon, make at first a right
turn, moving so as to follow each other with distances of one pace, and
turn again to the right opposite their places, and move up into line, dressing
by the right.
At the command, FRONT, all turn their eyes to the front.
256.—The countermarch is executed by the left flank on the
same principles
The countermarch should generally be executed at the trot;
the instructor adding that word to the first command.
SCHOOL OF THE
WHEELINGS.
257.—There are two kinds of wheels: the wheel on fixed pivot,
and the wheel on a movable pivot.
The wheel is always on a fixed pivot, except when the command
is right (or Left)—TURN.
The troopers should execute this movement without disuniting,
and without ceasing to observe the alignment.
In every kind of wheel, the conductor of the marching flank
should measure with his eye the arc of the circle he is to pass over, so that
it may not be necessary for the files either to open or close he turns his head
occasionally towards the pivot; if he perceives that the troopers are too much
crowded, or too open, he increases or diminishes gradually the extent of his
circle in gaining more or less ground to the front than to the side.
Each trooper should describe his circle in the ratio of the
distance at which lie may be from the pivot. As these different arcs are all
passed over in the same time, it is necessary that each trooper should slacken
his pace in proportion to the distance from the marching flank.
During the wheel, the troopers should turn the head slightly
towards the marching flank, to regulate the rapidity of their march, and to
keep themselves aligned; they must also preserve the intervals of files on the
side of the pivot, in order to remain closed to that side. They should
nevertheless yield to pressure coming from the pivot, and resist that from the
opposite direction. The horses are slightly turned towards the pivot, in order
to keep them upon the circular line they have to pass over.
When the troopers have opened, they should approach the pivot
insensibly, diminishing their circle by degrees, in gaining more ground to the
front than to the side. In this case, they give alternately a glance to the
pivot and to the marching flank, taking care not to force the pivot.
When the troopers have closed too much, they should
PLATOON, MOUNTED.
endeavor
to correct the fault gradually In Increasing their circle by degrees, and
gaining more ground to the front than to the side. For this purpose, they give
alternately a glance to the marching flank and to the pivot.
In every kind of wheel, the troopers should cease wheeling
and retake the direct march at the command FORWARD at whatever point of the
wheel they may be. It is necessary to observe, also, that the flanks which
become pivots, or marching flanks, do not slacken or augment the pace before
the command of execution, a very common fault, arising chiefly from want of
care in giving the commands with exactness as to time.
TO
WHEEL ON A FIXED PIVOT.
258.—The use of a wheel on a fixed pivot is, when the platoon
forms a part of the squadron, to pass from the order of battle to the order of
column, and from the order of column to the order of battle.
The trooper who forms the pivot of the wheel turns his horse
upon his forefeet, keeps his ground, and comes gradually round with the rank.
When the platoon is marching, the pivot halts, and the
marching flank executes its movement at the same gait as before the wheel.
If the instructor indicates a new gait, In order to wheel,
the marching flank wheels at this gait; all the other troopers regulate the
rapidity of their march in accordance with their distance from the marching
flank, and take freely the new gait at the command FORWARD.
When the platoon is halted after a wheel on a fixed pivot,
the alignment is always ordered towards the side of the marching flank.
259. – The platoon being formed in line, the instructor
commands:
SCHOOL OF THE
TROOPER
1. In circle
right (or left) wheel
2. MARCH.
At the command, MARCH, the troopers put themselves in motion;
the non-commissioned officer who conducts the moving flank marches at a walk,
measuring with the eye the extent of the circle he is to pass over, that
neither opening nor closing may be caused in the rank, and that the troopers
may keep aligned. The pivot man turns upon his own ground, regulating himself
upon the marching flank.
260 —When the platoon has executed several wheels, to halt
it, the instructor commands:
1. Platoon.
2. HALT.
3. Left (or
right) DRESS.
4. FRONT.
At the command, HALT, the troopers straighten their horses
and halt with steadiness.
At the command, Left (or right)—DRESS, they
align themselves towards the side indicated.
At the command, FRONT, turn the head to the front.
26l.—The platoon Is then marched forward, and made to
recommence the wheel. When the instructor wishes the platoon to take the direct
march, he commands:
1. FORWARD
2. Guide left (or
right.)
At the command, FORWARD, the pivot resumes the gait at which
it was previously marching.
All the other troopers straighten their horses, and the two
flanks move forward at the same gait, conforming to the principles of the
direct march.
At the command guide left (or right,) the
troopers regulate their movement towards the side indicated.
PLATOON, MOUNTED.
262.—When the troopers have executed several wheels to the
right and to the left, interrupted occasionally by direct marches, and when the
horses become calm, the instructor causes them to pass to the trot; after
several wheels at the trot, they resume the walk.
263.—If the platoon is wheeling to the right, and the
Instructor wishes it to change the wheel to the left without halting, he
commands:
1. In circle
left wheel.
2. MARCH.
At the command, MARCH, the left
flank halts, and becomes the pivot. The right flank assuming the gait at which
the left flank was marching, describes a circle proportionate to the extent of
the front. All the other troopers first straightening their horses, guide them
so as to pass over the new circles.
264.—The platoon being halted, to place it in a direction
perpendicular to the original front, the instructor commands:
I. Right (or
Left) wheel.
2. MARCH.
3. HALT.
4. Left (or right)—DRESS.
5. FRONT.
Which is executed on the
same principles of the wheel on a fixed pivot.
The instructor gives the command, HALT, when the marching
flank has nearly terminated its wheel.
265.—The platoon being halted, to wheel it about, or to place
In an oblique direction to the right or left, the instructor gives the
command:
1. Right about (or
left about) wheel; or, right half (or left half)whul; 2.
MARCH; 3. HALT; 4. Left (or right) DRESS; 5.FRONT.
Which is executed on the principles of the wheel on a fixed
pivot, No. 258.
SCHOOL OF THE
Before dressing the platoon, the trooper on the marching
flank is made to come up, if necessary, abreast of the pivot man, so that the
other troopers will not have to rein back in order to align themselves.
266.—The platoon being on the march, the same movements are
executed at the commands: I. Right (or left) wheel, right about (or
left about) wheel, right half (or left half) wheel; 2. MARCH 3.
FORWARD
At the command, MARCH, the wheeling flank wheels at the gait
at which the platoon was marching the pivot flank halts.
At the command, FORWARD, the pivot resumes its original pace,
and the two flanks move forward at the same gait, with the guide as before.
These movements being properly executed from a halt and at the
walk, are repeated at tile tret
TO WHEEL ON A MOVABLE PIVOT.
267. -—The wheel on a movable pivot is employed in the
successive changes of direction in column.
In this wheel, the object of the movable pivot is to leave by
degrees the ground on which the movement commences it allows each platoon to
wheel on the same ground, without altering distances, or retarding the column.
The conductor (of the marching flank should increase his gait
and describe his arc of circle so as to cause the files neither to open nor
close. The pivot describes an arc of a circle, the radius being about 10
feet; and consequently, in a right, or left turn, the trooper on
the flank gains about 10 feet to the front, and as much to a flank, his quarter
circle being 5 paces. The troopers from the centre to the marching flank
increase the gait progressively; the centre man preserves the gait at which the
platoon was marching. The troopers from the centre to the pivot slacken the
gait progressively; the pivot trooper slackens his gait, so as to pass over his
5 paces in the same time that the centre man takes to pass round his arc
without changing his gait. At
PLATOON, MOUNTED.
the end
of the wheel on a movable pivot, the portion of the rank which had augmented
its gait should slacken it, and that which had slackened its gait should
augment it. All the troopers straighten their horses the marching flank and the
pivot resume the gait at which they originally marched.
268.—The platoon being on the march, to cause it to change
direction, the instructor commands:
1. Left (or
righl)—TURN.
2. FORWARD.
At the first command, the platoon turns to the left or to the
right, the pivot slackening its gait, in describing on arc of five paces; the
marching flank augments its gait, and regulates itself by the pivot during the
whole of the wheel.
At the command, FORWARD, all the troopers straighten their
horses, the pivot and marching flank moving forward In the gait at which the platoon
was originally marching
The troopers not having been exercised to wheel at the
gallop on a fixed pivot, they are made to wheel on a movable pivot only in
marching at the walk, that the marching flank, which should increase its
gait, will have to take only the trot.
269 —To exercise the troopers in wheeling at the gallop on
a fixed pivot, the progression established for the exercise at the walk and
at the trot is followed : but the platoon is always halted before
changing the direction of the wheel.
The instructor changes the gait frequently, and avoids
galloping too long to the same hand
The platoon is exercised also to wheel at the trot and
at the gallop, in setting out from a halt, and to halt while wheeling
at these gaits.
INDIVIDUAL
OBLIQUE MARCH.
270 —The platoon marching in line, to cause it to gain ground
towards one of its flanks, without changing the front, the instructor commands:
SCHOOL OF THE
1. Right (or
left) oblique.
2. MARCH.
At the command, MARCH, the troopers execute, all at the same
time, a turn of 30 degrees to the right, so that the head of each horse
may be opposite the shoulder of the horse on his right, and that the right knee
of each trooper may be in rear of the left knee of the trooper on his right. This
first movement being executed, the troopers move forward in the new direction,
regulating themselves upon the guide.
When the platoon has obliqued sufficiently, the instructor
commands:
FORWARD.
At this command, the troopers straighten their horses and
move forward, regulating themselves upon the guide.
In the oblique march, the guide is always on the obliquing
side, without being indicated; and after the command, FORWARD, the guide
returns, without indication, to the side on which it was originally.
When the troopers are not closed they should Increase
progressively the gait, in order to approach the side towards which they march;
they should insensibly slacken the gait if they are too much closed, or more
advanced than the flank towards which they oblique.
27 1.—The platoon marching at the walk, to execute the
oblique at the trot the instructor commands: 1. Right (or feft)
oblique—trot; 2. MARCH.
When the platoon has obliqued sufficiently, the instructor
commands: FORWARD.
The guide observes particularly to commence the trot
without precipitation.
The same course Is observed If the platoon Is marching at
the trot, and the object is to oblique at the gallop.
PLATOON, MOUNTED.
THE PLATOON MARCHING IN LINE,
TO BREAK IT BY FOURS OR BY TWOS AT THE SAME GAIT.
272.—The instructor commands:
I. By fours (or
by twos.)
2. MARCH.
At the command, MARCH, the
first four (or two) files to the right continue to march forward at the same gait;
the other files halt and break successively by fours, (or by twos.) as
prescribed, No. 209.
The platoon marching in line, to break it by file the
movement is executed on the same principles, the first file only continuing to
march forward.
273.—The platoon marching at the trot, it is broken on
the same principles, the first files continuing to march at the same gait, all
the other files assume the walk at the command MARCH, and resume the trot
as they break from the platoon.
The same course is observed when the platoon marches at the
gallop; the first files continue to march at that gait, the others assume
the trot at. the command MARCH, and resume the gallop as they commence
to oblique.
274.—To break the platoon by the left, the movement Is
executed, following the same principles, but by inverse means, at the commands
1. By the left—by fours. (or by twos.) 2. MARCH.
THE
PLATOON MARCHING IN COLUMN BY TWOS OR BY FOURS, TO FORM IT AT THE SAME GAIT.
275 —The platoon marching in column, right or left In front,
the instructor commands:
SCHOOL OF THE
I. Form
platoon.
2. MARCH.
3. HALT.
The movement is executed as prescribed for front into
line, No. 214.
276—The platoon marching in column at the trot, right
or left in front, the instructor commands:
1. Form
platoon.
2. MARCH.
3. Guide right (or
left.)
At the command, MARCH, the first two (or four) files pass to the
walk; the other files continue to march at the same gait, oblique
immediately to the left, march straight in this direction, make an oblique turn
to the right on coming opposite the place they are to occupy in the
platoon, and pass to the walk on arriving upon the alignment of the
first.
At the command, guide right, they correct their
alignment towards the right.
277. —When the command is at the gallop, the platoon
is formed on the same principles. The first two or four) files take the trot
at the command MARCH; the other files continue to march at the gallop,
and take the trot on arriving upon the alignment of the first.
When the column is marching by file, the platoon is formed on
the same principles.
THE PLATOON MARCHING IN LINE, TO BREAK IT BY FOURS OR BY TWOS, IN
DOUBLING THE GAIT.
278. —The instructor commands
1.
By
fours (or by twos)—trot.
2.
MARCH
At the command, MARCH, the first four (or two) files of the
right take the trot; the others continue to march at the
PLATOON, MOUNTED.
walk,
and take
successively the trot when they oblique to the right. in order to enter
the column.
279—The platoon marching at the trot, the instructor
commands:
1. By fours (or
by twos)—gallop.
2. MARCH.
Which is
executed as prescribed, No. 278.
The platoon marching in line, to break it by file, the
movement is executed on the same principles.
When the platoon marches at the gallop, it is always
broken without doubling the gait.
280.—To break the platoon by the left, the movement is
executed on the same principles, but by inverse means, at the commands: 1. By
the left, by fours (or by twos)—trot (or gallop:) 2. MARCH.
THE
PLATOON MARCHING IN COLUMN BY TWOS OR BY FOURS, TO FORM IT IN DOUBLING THE
GAIT.
281.—The platoon marching in column, right or left in front,
the instructor commands:
I. Form
platoon—trot.
2. MARCH.
3. Guide right (or
left.)
At the command. MARCH, the first two (or four) files continue
to march forward at the same gait; the other files take the trot, oblique
immediately to the left, march in this direction, make an oblique turn to the
right on coming opposite to the place they are to occupy in the platoon,
and pass to the walk, on arriving upon the alignment of the first.
282.—The platoon marching in column, at the trot, right
or left in front, the instructor commands:
SCHOOL OF THE
1. Form
platoon—gallop.
2.
MARCH.
3. Guide right (or
left.)
Which is executed as prescribed, No. 281.
When the column is at the gallop, the platoon is
always formed at the same gait.
When the column is marching by file, the platoon is formed on
the same principles.
MOVEMENTS
BY FOURS, THE PLATOON BEING IN COLUMN OR IN LINE.
283 —The platoon being in line, to form it in a column of
fours, the instructor commands:
1. Fours,
right, (or left
2. MARCH.
3. HALT.
At the command, MARCH, each set of fours executes its wheel
of a quarter of a circle, on the principles prescribed for the wheel on the
fixed pivot; Nos 1 or Nos. 4 turn upon the fore feet of their horses gradually,
keeping square with the other flank: the others preserve their intervals from
the pivot, and also regulate their alignment by the marching flank. At the
command, HALT, the troopers straighten their horses and halt. If the command,
HALT, is omitted, they move off straight in the new direction at the gait of
the marching flank.
284 —The platoon, marching in column of fours, to march it in
line to a flank, the instructor commands:
1. Fours—RIGHT,
(or Fours—left.)
2. Guide left (or
right)
At the first command, the pivots halt, and the wheels are
executed on the same principle, (No. 283,) and at the moment of their
completion all move forward in line.
PLATOON , MOUNTED.
285.—The platoon, marching in line, to cause it to march to
either flank, the instructor commands:
Fours—RIGHT, (or Fours—LEFT.)
This command is executed on the same principles as in the
preceding, No 284.
286.—The platoon being in line, or column of tours to face it
to the rear, the instructor commands
1. Fours left (or
right) about.
2. MARCH.
3. HALT.
At the command, MARCH, each set of fours wheels to the left
about, on the principles prescribed for the wheel to the right or left, No.
283.
At the command, HALT, the troopers straighten their horses,
and halt in line or column, faced to the rear.
If the command HALT be omitted, they move straight off, in
the new direction, at the gait of the wheeling flank of the fours. If they are
in line, the instructor then adds, guide right.
287 —The platoon marching in line, or column of fours, to
cause it to face and march in the opposite direction, the instructor commands:
1. Fours—LEFT
ABOUT, (or RIGHT ABOUT.)
And if in line:
2. Guide right
(or left.)
At the command, LEFT ABOUT, or RIGHT ABOUT, each set of
fours, its pivots halting, executes the wheel of a half circle, on the
principles prescribed No. 283, and having completed it, moves off in the new
direction. The wheel being nearly completed, the instructor may command: 2.
HALT.
288.—The wheels by fours must be executed with care and
steadiness, regulating, in wheels from line, by the left when wheeling to the
left, by the right when wheeling to the right; in the about wheels from column,
the first half of the wheel by the fours in front, arid the last half by those
that are becoming the front. Thus all the wheels, commenced gently, must be
completed by the fours at the same moment.
SCHOOL OF THE
It is absolutely necessary that the pivots should not move,
except to turn their horses on the fore feet. When previously in motion, it is
the more important that the instructor should observe and insist upon this
point.
289 —These movements being correctly executed at the walk,
they are taught at the trot. Not
at the gallop.
ARTICLE
FOURTH.
RUNNING AT THE HEADS, AND PISTOL
PRACTICE.
290 —To perfect the troopers in the use of their arms and in
managing their horses, they are exercised at running at heads and rings,
connected with target firing.
For this purpose a quadrangular track will be laid out, 90
yards long and 30 wide, or larger, movable posts will be prepared—two 9 feet
high will have a horizontal bar from the top about 3 feet long, from the end of
which an iron ring about 3 inches in diameter is suspended—for the
practice of the points: one post 6 feet high, with a vertical pin in the top,
on which will revolve a block of wood about 18 inches long, balancing a light
pole about 6 feet long inserted in one end, to represent a lance or sabre, and
which will be easily turned by a parry, but will have the end blunted, one post
4 feet high, made otherwise the same, the pole to represent a bayonet; there
will also be three posts 7 feet high and three 4 ½ feet high, to represent horsemen and infantry; these six to be
surmounted by rawhide or canvass heads (balls) stuffed with hay.
Heads will also be used, resting on the ground, for the
practice of the points against infantry; (they, and more commonly Indians or
other irregulars, often throwing themselves flat to escape the blows, &c.,
of cavalry)
For blank cartridge firing smaller balls may be used, placed
upon the posts.
PLATOON, MOUNTED.
At 3 paces diagonally outside an angle of the track, a round
post, 12 inches in diameter 8 feet high, will stand for a pistol target
The posts will be placed about 3 feet from the track, on
either side or end: the pole, representing a bayonet, will be placed
perpendicular to the track, reaching about one foot from it; that representing
a sabre, pointing towards the rider, but nearly parallel with the track; next
to each will be placed a post with a head, for the delivery of a thrust or cut;
these will be the closer as the troopers improve in skill, until they are as
near as 6 feet
The track should turn the angles in a quarter circle of 15
feet ; the disposition of posts, at or very near the turn, will be suitable to
advanced practice; the target post being placed as directed, the balls will
range within one quarter of the surrounding grounds.
The platoon will be formed in two lines near the ends, facing
the centre At first not more than two troopers exercise at once;moving,
at the same time, at the signal of the instructor, from the left of each
line—if to ride to the right hand—and returning to their right flank. They
will, in general, at the uninterrupted canter, first draw pistol and fire a
blank cartridge at a head, return pistol, draw sabre. and commence its use as
soon as possible—the decreasing distance from the firing point marking the improvement
and skill of the trooper, as also his promptness in firing after using the
sabre.
In every squadron, at n period of exercises, there will be
exercises in this article for one hour and a half one day in every week.
The Captains will, on the 1st of June and 1st of December,
each year, report to the commander of the regiment, in writing, the names of
the two best troopers at these exercises. They will be announced in regimental
orders
On application the Colonel may grant trials of skill between
squadrons, and also between members of different squadrons. He will preside and
judge, or appoint judges who will make report to him.
SCHOOL OF THE
TO LEAP THE
DITCH AND THE FENCE.
291.—The instructor causes
the troopers to leap ditches and low fences, by twos and by fours, and then by
platoon; observing the principles prescribed, No. 185 and following.
TO
CHARGE BY PLATOON.
292.—The charge will be practiced by twos, fours, and half
platoons, before the charge by platoon.
To charge by platoon the
instructor orders the sabre. to be drawn; he commands:
1. Forward.
2. Guide right,
(or left.)
3. MARCH.
When the platoon has marched 20 paces, the Instructor
commands:
1. Trot.
2. MARCH.
At 60 paces further, he commands:
1. Gallop.
2. MARCH.
At 80 paces further, he commands:
CHARGE.
At this command, the troopers take the position of charge—SABRE
They give hand and lengthen the gallop without losing control of their horses
or disuniting.
When the platoon has charged 60 paces, the Instructor
commands:
1. Attention.
2. Platoon.
3. HALT.
4. Right (or
left)—DRESS.
5. FRONT.
PLATOON, MOUNTED.
At the command attention, the troopers carry the sabre
to the shoulder
At the command platoon, they take the trot.
At the command HALT, they stop
293. The troopers should be
exercised at the charge with the greatest care, without being required to
repeat it too often.
The instructor requires the gallop to be kept up; he
sees that the troopers preserve ease in the ranks; that they hold alight
hand so that the horses not being constrained in their movements may not become
too restive; and, on the other hand, that the intervals between files is not
increased: the guide must at first have an object pointed out, toward which to
direct his whole course.
RALLYING.
294.—To exercise the troopers in rallying, the platoon is
formed at the extremity of the ground, the sabres are drawn, and the signal charge
as forager is sounded; at this signal, the troopers gallop forward in
couples and charge as foragers; the instructor and the flank files remain in
place, to mark out the rallying point. When the troopers have marched 150 or
200 paces, the instructor orders the rally to be sounded. At this
signal, the troopers wheel to the left about, and, as rapidly as
possible to be well in hand, pass to the rear outside of the flanks, to turn
again and resume their places in rank. As soon as two-thirds of the troopers
have joined, the instructor commands the platoon to move forward. At first the platoon is rallied at the
trot, and then at the gallop. This movement is repeated without
retaining the flank files; in this case the troopers rally behind the
instructor.
8KIRMISHING.
295.—The objects of employing skirmishers are, to cover
movements and evolutions, to gain time, to watch the movements of the enemy, to
keep him in check, to prevent his approaching so close to the main body as to
annoy the
SCHOOL OF THE
line of
march and to weaken and harass him by their fire; to prepare the way for the
charge on infantry, by rendering them unsteady, or drawing their fire.
In flank movements they cover the front and flank of the
column nearest to the enemy. The trooper skirmishing is much thrown upon his
own intelligence and resources as much coolness as watchfulness is required of
him; and he should especially guard against exciting his horse.
On service, regularity in skirmishing and correctness of
distance cannot always be maintained. On account of the movements of the enemy,
and the nature of the ground but the general rules and practice will be easily
conformed to. ant applied according to circumstances.
Skirmishers should be much practiced in conforming to changes
of front or position, and movements in column, without requiring orders and
commands for the purpose. Above all,
they must be instructed to look to the nature of the ground, and the supposed
opposite movements of the enemy. Skirmishers must be very exact and alert in
noticing and instantly obeying the signals made for their guidance, whether
preceeding from their immediate commander— as by a wave of the arm and sabre—or
from the trumpet. It should be impressed upon the troopers on all occasions to
Ievel low, and never to fire without deliberate aim having first come steadily
to a halt. The fire-arms will never be cocked until the time comes for firing;
and on actual service, officers and non-commissioned officers, when the signal
to commence firing is heard, must watch that only those men fire who see the
enemy within suitable range.
296.—The platoon being supposed to form a part of the
squadron, it is dispersed as skirmishers, in order to cover the front and
flanks of the squadron
The platoon being in line at the extremity of the ground,
arms loaded and sabres drawn, the instructor marches the platoon forward, and
when he wishes to disperse the trooper, as skirmishers, he commands
I. Eight files
from right, as skirmishers.
2. MARCH.
PLATOON. MOUNTED.
At the command, MARCH, the left guide commands the four or
more files, of the left, to halt; they constitute the reserve. At the same
command, the eight files of the right continue to march forward ; after going
10 paces, they disperse as skirmishers, extending themselves so as to cover the
supposed front of a squadron, and some paces beyond each of its flanks The
right troopers oblique to the right, the left troopers to the left. As soon as
they are in line they return sabre, and take the position of raise— pistol.
They continue to march until the signal halt, No. 2.The instructor
causes the halt to he sounded, when the skirmishers are 100 or 150 paces
from the reserve The troopers keep 10 paces interval, regulating themselves
toward the guide during the whole time they act as skirmishers.
If a less or greater interval is desired, the command would
be given:
1 Eight files from right as
skirmishers, at (so many) paces.
2. MARCH.
The guide for lines of skirmishers will habitually be at the
centre, and so need not be designated in the command; the instructor names the
man. But if it he desired that the guide should be right or left, it will be
expressed after the command, MARCH.
297—The chief of the platoon, followed by his trumpeter,
places himself habitually halfway between the skirmishers and the reserve ; he
moves along the line wherever he thinks his presence most necessary. The
reserve and the skirmishers execute their movements at the signals of the
trumpeter who follows the officer, or at his commands
If the chief of the platoon wishes the skirmishers to move
forward, he causes the forward, No I, to be sounded; each skirmisher
moves forward, regulating his movements by those of the guide, and preserving
his interval; the reserve follows them, keeping at its proper distance.
To move the skirmishers who are at a halt, or moving
SCHOOL OF THE
forward,
by their right flank, to the right, No. 4is sounded; each
trooper turns to the right and marches in the direction of those who precede
him preserving his distance the reserve also turns to the right.
To face the skirmishers again to the front and to move
forward, to the left, No 3is sounded; the skirmishers and the
reserve turn to the left.
To move the skirmishers who are at a halt or moving forward
by their left flank, to the left. No 3is sounded; each
skirmisher turns to the left and marches in the direction of those who precede
him, preserving his distance; the reserve also turns to the left.
To move the skirmishers again to the front, to the right No.
4 is sounded; the skirmishers and the reserve turn to the right
The direction of the flank march of the skirmishers will be
changed at the order of their commander.
To change the front of the line, change direction to the
right, No. 6, or, change direction to the left, No 7, is sounded;
the first flank will halt, and the wheeling flank continue its previous gait
At the signal halt, under all circumstances the skirmishers
face to the front. (to the enemy.)
If the skirmishers are to retire without firing, the about
No. 5 is sounded.
During the flank movements, if the troopers are to fire, they
leave the column a few paces and face the enemy for that purpose as soon as
they have fired, they resume their places in the column in doubling the gait
298.—When it is desired that a line of skirmishers engaged
shall retire firing, the commander of the platoon orders the retreat to
be sounded. At this signal all the troopers who are numbers I and 3, fire, if
loaded, together, then turn to the left about and move to the rear They turn by
trooper to the right about on the most favorable ground from 40 to 60 yards in
rear, to cover the retreat or the line of twos and fours; which then
immediately fires. (an enemy being within fire,) and turns by trooper to the
PLATOON, MOUNTED.
left
about and retires through the Intervals of, and turns when it is 40 to 60 yards
in rear of, the line of ones and threes; who then fire and retire, and so on.
The troopers of the line next to the enemy keep up the fire if opportunities
offer; and it is only the files which have opportunity of effective fire, who
fire at the moment before the line turns about, which it does all together.
The reserve retires and faces to the front, regulating its
movement by that of the skirmishers, so as to be about 60 paces from the 2d
line.
At a signal, forward No. 1, or halt No. 2, the
line of skirmishers in rear move up.
If the line be retreating without firing, at the signal, commence
firing, Nos. 1 and 3 would move on, whilst Nos. 2 and 4 would halt and
face the enemy, and all would act as prescribed for firing in retreat. If the
line be firing in retreat, at the signal to cease fire the line most
retired would await the other, and the retreat would be continued in one line
299.—The rallying of skirmishers is always made on the point
occupied by the officer.
To rally the skirmishers, the officer places himself
habitually in front of the reserve, and causes the rally to be sounded.
At this signal the skirmishers turn left about, rally on the reserve by
the shortest route, and draw sabre.
If the officer is not with the reserve when the rally Is
sounded, the skirmishers rally upon him, and the reserve comes up and joins
them. The troopers are thus exercised
to rally upon any point whatever of the line.
300 —If a defile is presented in advance of the front of the
line, and orders are given to pass it, the troopers who are opposite first
enter it; they are followed by the other troopers, who turn, by trooper, to
the left and to the right for that purpose.
As soon as the first have passed the defile, they move 50 or
60 paces to the front and halt; the others come up abreast of them by
obliquing, those of the right to the right, and those of the left to the left.
The reserve follows.
SCHOOL OF THE
If the skirmishers are to pass a defile in their rear, the
reserve passes it rapidly, and posts itself 50 or 60 paces on the side of its
outlet, facing it. When the line is within 50 or 60 paces, the two troopers,
who are on the flanks, turn about and move toward the entrance of the defile,
and entering together immediately pass it. They are followed closely by the
other troopers, who execute, in succession, the same movements; the centre
troopers, who cover the passage of the defile, being the last
On emerging from the defile, the troopers oblique to the
right and left, reforming the line with the same intervals.
301.—These movements are first executed at the walk, then
at the trot, and finally at the gallop. When the troopers have
learned to perform these movements well, they are exercised at them in firing.
When the troopers are at the walk or gallop, and the instructor
wishes them to pass to the trot, the trot No. 8 is sounded; when
at the trot or gallop, and he wishes them to walk, he
orders the halt No. 2, and the forward No. 1, to be sounded.
302.—To commence, or cease tiring, the signal is sounded. All
the troopers do not fire at once, but one after another, commencing at the
guide. They afterward continue tiring without waiting for each other, except by
couples. Nos. I and 2, and Nos. 3and 4; these have an understanding
that they fire alternately, giving each other a mutual support.
303.—When the platoon skirmishes without gaining ground to
the front, the skirmishers should nevertheless, when under fire, if not behind
a cover, keep in motion, each about his own ground.
304.—If the commander of the platoon wishes the skirmishers
to charge, he orders the charge as foragers, No 12. to he sounded, the
troopers return pistol, draw sabre, and charge.
In the charge as foragers, the even numbers approach within 2
or 3 paces of their companions, Nos. I and 3, to be able to support and protect
each other.
As soon as the skirmishers charge, the reserve moves forward
to support them.
PLATOON, MOUNTED.
Theskirmishers retire by turning about to
the left, and facing to the
front by turning about to the right. When they are formed in
platoon, they return the pistol to the holster and draw the sabre.
305.-- To relieve skirmishers, the instructor commands to the
reserve:
I. As
skirmishers.
2. MARCH.
At the command, MARCH, the reserve disperses and moves with
regular intervals five paces beyond the line of old skirmishers. The old
skirmishers turn left about and rally at a trot on the officer,
who, during the movement, is placed at the point where the 8 files now become
the reserve should reform.
The platoon right guide then takes command of them.
306.—The troopers having been sufficiently exercised in all
the movement, of skirmishing, will be taught to dismount and form with celerity
to fight on foot.
At the commencement all the movements of this instruction
will be decomposed, in order to make them better understood.
The platoon being in line, the instructor commands:
Prepare to
fight --ON FOOT.
1 time, 3 motions.
1. At the command, all prepare to dismount, except Nos. 4.
2. Dismount, except
Nos. 4, and form rank.
3. Nos. 1, 2, and 3 pass the reins with the right hand over
the horses heads; Note. 3 hand their reins to Nos. 4 to hold, and Nos. 1
and 2 tie their reins to the cheek piece and nose hand of the halters and
bridles of the horses of Nos 2 and 3 by a tight slip knot, and with only about
one foot play; then all face to the front, and hook up their sabres.
SCHOOL
OF THE
The instructor then commands:
lnto—Line.
At this command, move twelve paces to the front, and close in
on the centre.
Nos 4, who remain on horseback, have charge of the dismounted
horses; they take the end of the reins of the first dismounted horse in the
left hand, holding them near the bit with the right hand, the nails downward; a
noncommissioned officer remains with the dismounted horses to direct them.
The troopers having been sufficiently exercised at the
different movements of this instruction, will be required to execute them
rapidly without stopping at the several motions, and at the single command, prepare
to fight—ON FOOT, given by the instructor.
The platoon being formed, it will be conducted where it is to
fight on foot.
The dismounted horses will also be exercised in changing
position, by marching by rank and by fours.
When the instructor wishes the troopers to remount, he will
rally them if they are dispersed as skirmishers.
The platoon being rallied and formed, the instructor
commands:
ABOUT—FACE.
He conducts the platoon to within 12 paces of the hors, and
commands:
MOUNT.
At this command the troopers return to their horses rapidly,
without alarming them; return pistol, mount, and draw sabre.
PLATOON, MOUNTED.
The command, MOUNT, at the commencement, will be executed in
4 motions, and from a halt, that the troopers may better understand it. For
this purpose, the platoon being rallied and marching to the rear, is halted 12
paces from the hoses; the instructor then commands:
MOUNT.
1 time, 4 motions.
1. At the last part of
the command, which is MOUNT, return pistol.
2. Rejoin the horses,
untie the horse, pass the reins over the neck, unhook the sabre, and take the
position of the trooper before mounting, prescribed, No. 79.
3. Execute the two
times of prepare to mount, as prescribed, No. 80.
4. Mount, as
prescribed, No. 80; adjust the reins, and draw the sabre.
SCHOOL OF THE
SCHOOL OF THE
SQUADRON,
MOUNTED.
307 —The object of the school of the squadron is to
instruct the platoons to execute together what they have been taught
separately; and so, to prepare the squadron to act independently, or perform
what it will be required to do when a part of the regiment.
The squadron is composed as prescribed, title 1st, article
1st.
The school of the squadron being the base of the evolutions
of the regiment, the Captain observes that the chiefs of platoons execute
with regularity what is required of them, and that they give the commands at
the proper time and in the proper tone. He requires the guides to act with
calmness and without hesitation in the different movements.
The Captain causes the officers to alternate in the command
of the platoons, that they may become familiar with all the positions in the
squadron. He observes the same course
with the non-commissioned officers who command platoons.
To make the formations in line better understood, they are
executed at first from a halt. In this case each platoon performs its movements
separately and successively, at the command of its chief, on receiving notice
from the Captain.
Each movement, after having been correctly executed by the
right, is repeated by the left. Habitual formations and dressing by the right
causes the horses to carry a habit to a vicious extreme, and crowd and press
that flank.
When the squadron has acquired calmness and confidence, and
one article is well understood, this article is repeated with sabres drawn, and
alternately at all the gaits, except the wheels to the right, to the left,
to the right about, and to the left about by fours, the counter march, the
wheels on a movable pivot by squadron, the individual oblique marches
SQUADRON, MOUNTED.
when
marching by
squadron, which are executed only at the walk and at the trot.
The troopers mount and dismount by the times,
but without explanation.
The squadron is exercised at the manual of arms and sabre
exercise once a week.
The Captain requires the distance between the platoons to be
observed exactly in all the movements; he sees that the troopers preserve the
required intervals between the knees; the distances in column of fours; and
especially the pivots of platoons, who must understand the necessity of, and
practice, exactitude.
The Captain moves wherever his presence is most required;
the troopers are required to observe absolute silence, and all rectifications
are done by signs, or in a low voice After the command, halt, every
individual must remain motionless.
All columns right in front having the guide left, and when
left in front having the guide right, as a general rule, the troopers
will understand it; and the guide is not commanded unless in exceptional
cases. When a commander sees it necessary, he will direct attention to the
alignment by commanding: Guide left, or guide right.
A platoon being an integral force, it can march or fight,
equally, whether at the right or the left of any other platoon.
The squadron will be accustomed to feel equally confident in
sudden formations in every direction.
Columns are right in front when the subdivisions
originally on the right in line are in front; and left in front when
those of the original left are in front.
308. —The squadron being formed in line, the non-commissioned
officers and troopers at the head of their horses, the chiefs of platoon
mounted, at 8 paces from, and facing the centre of their platoons, the Captain
commands:
1. Attention.
2. Rzght—DRESS.
3. FRONT.
SCHOOL
OF THE
He then commands:
In each platoon—COUNT——FOURS.
At this command the troopers count off in the four platoons
at once, commencing on the right.
The Captain then gives the command to mount.
At the command, form—RANK, the chiefs of platoon move
forward, face to the front by turning to the right about, and place
themselves before the centre of their platoons, the croup of their horses one
pace from the heads of the horses of the platoon.
SUCCESSIVE ALIGNMENT OF PLATOONS IN THE SQUADRON
300.—The squadron being in line, the Captain places the two
non-commissioned officers, guides of the right and left, upon a line parallel
to, and 30 paces in front of, the squadron, facing each other, and 3 platoon
fronts apart.
On receiving notice from the Captain, the chief of the first
platoon commands: 1. Forward; 2.
Guide right; 3. MARCH.
At the command, MARCH, the platoon moves forward; at one pace
from the guide, the chief of the platoon commands: 1. HALT; 2. Right—DRESS.
At the command, HALT, the chief of the platoon moves on and
halts with the head of his horse against the boot of the guide of the right.
The platoon is aligned so that the heads of their horses are in a line one pace
behind the croup of the horse of the chief of platoon.
The first platoon being correctly aligned, the Captain
commands:
I. By platoon—DRESS
At the
first command, the chief of the second platoon commands: 1. Forward; 2. Guide
right ; 3. MARCH. The
SQUADRON , MOUNTED.
heads
of the platoon horses having reached the line of the croups of the horses of
the platoon on the right, he commands: 1. HALT; 2. DRESS; and, at the same
time, moves forward on the line of the chief of that platoon.
At the command, HALT, the platoon stops. At the command
DRESS, all the troopers move forward together upon the alignment.
Each chief of platoon executes successively the same
movement, commanding MARCH when the one who precedes him has commanded HALT.
The chief of the fourth platoon brings the head of his horse
to the boot of the left guide.
The squadron being aligned, the Captain commands:
FRONT.
310.—The Captain observes that the officers align themselves
promptly on the base of the alignment; that they do not suffer too much time to
elapse between the commands HALT and DRESS, so as not to retard the successive
alignments; he also observes that the non-commissioned officers pay attention
to the general and not individual alignment.
ALIGNMENT
OF THE SQUADRON.
311.—The Captain, after having placed the right guide so that
no trooper will be compelled to rein-back, commands:
1. Right—DRESS
2. FRONT.
At the command, right—DRESS, all the troopers correct
their distance from the chiefs of platoon, and align themselves steadily but
promptly to the right.
SCHOOL OF THE
COLUMN OF FOURS.
312. The squadron
being in line, the Captain commands:
1. Fours right,
(or left)
2. MARCH.
3. HALT.
At the command, MARCH, each set of fours wheels to the right
as prescribed, No. 283; the chief of the first platoon places himself in front
of the column, the right guide on his right. The chiefs of the other platoons
one pace from the flank of the heads of their platoons.
If the Captain omit the command, HALT, the column moves
forward
The squadron marching in line, the Captain commands:
Fours—Right, (or left.)
The squadron conforms throughout to what is prescribed, No.
285.
TO BREAK THE SQUADRON BY FOURS TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT TO MARCH TO THE
FRONT.
313.—The squadron being in line, the Captain commands:
1. Right (or
left) forward—fours right, (or left)
2. MARCH.
At the first command, the chief of the platoon and guide
place themselves in front of the four on the right (or left) of the squadron.
At the command, MARCH, they move straight forward; every
other set of fours in the line wheels to the right (or
SQUADRON, MOUNTED.
left)
and moves forward; but that next to the flank set turns when it has made
two-thirds of its wheel, (four yards,) following the flank set; and all the
others, in succession, turn on the same ground.
314. The squadron marching in line, the Captain commands:
Right(or Left) forward—FOURSRIGHT,
(or LEFT.)
Which will be executed on the same principles.
T0
BREAK THE SQUADRON BY FOURS FROM THE RIGHT TO MARCH TO THE LEFT.
315.—The squadron being in line, the Captain commands:
I. Fours from
the right—to march to the left.
2. MARCH.
At the command, MARCH, the four on the right move forward,
and having marched 6 paces, the chief of the first platoon commands, Left—TURN.
When the turn is half completed the next set of fours moves forward, and so
each, in succession, marching 6 paces forward and turning to the left without
command.
The squadron will break from the left to march to the right,
on the same principles, at the command, 1. Fours from the left—to march to
the right. 2. MARCH.
This is a movement of mere occasional convenience.
DIRECT MARCH IN COLUMN OF FOURS.
316.—When the column is halted, the Captain assures himself
that the officers and men are placed as prescribed; he commands:
1. Forward.
2. MARCH.
SCHOOL OF THE
317.—The object of this march in column being to calm the
horses and make them uniform and steady in the different gaits, the troopers
will endeavor to keep their horses as quiet as possible; hut the Captain
requires them to conform to all the principles of the direct march ; he observes
that the ranks of fours are exactly aligned ; that the files march in the same
direction ; that the troopers preserve intervals and distances; conduct their
horses without employing more force than necessary, and preserve the proper
position of the body and bridle-hand.
318 —The column having marched a quarter of an hour at least,
the Captain commands:
1. Trot.
2. MARCH.
At the command, MARCH, the troopers take the trot, always
taking care not to fret their horses.
When the column has marched about 1,000 paces at the trot,
the Captain commands:
1. Walk.
2. MARCH.
Having marched some time at the walk, they resume the
trot, and after marching again about 1,000 paces, they pass to the
walk.
To change the gait, the Captain selects a moment when the
horses are calm and march uniformly; all the troopers assume, at the same time
and with steadiness, the gait indicated
319—To halt the column, the Captain commands:
I. Column.
2. HALT.
CHANGE
OF DIRECTION.
320.—The squadron marching in column of fours, or twos or
file, to change the direction, the Captain commands:
Column left, (or right)
SQUADRON, MOUNTED.
Which Ii executed as prescribed, No. 211, the chief of the
leading platoon giving the command:
Left--TURN.
INDIVIDUAL
OBLIQUE MARCH.
321.—The squadron marching in column of fours or twos, to
cause it to execute the individual oblique march, the captain commands:
1. Left (or
right) oblique.
2. MARCH.
Which is executed as prescribed, No. 213.
THE
SQUADRON MARCHING IN COLUMN OF FOURS, TO MARCH TO THE REAR.
322 —The squadron marching In column of fours, the Captain
commands:
Fours—LEFT ABOUT, (or RIGHT ABOUT.)
The fours wheeling about and moving forward; the column being
changed from right to left in front, or the reverse.
TO
BREAK BY FOURS TO THE RIGHT, COLUMN HALF LEFT, RIGHT, OR HALF RIGHT.
323.—The squadron being in line, the Captain commands:
1. Fours
right—oolumn half left, (right, or half right.)
2. MARCH.
At the command, MARCH, each met of fours wheels to the
SCHOOL OF THE
right,
and the chief of the first platoon instantly commands: 1. Left—TURN. 2.
FORWARD. (Omitting the 2d command if it be a full turn—to the “right.’)
The squadron is broken to the left, and the direction changed
to the half-right, left, or half-left, on the same principles.
THE
SQUADRON MARCHING IN COLUMN BY FOURS, BY TWOS, AND BY FILE, TO FORM LINE FACED
TO THE FRONT, TO THE LEFT, TO THE RIGHT, AND TO THE REAR.
324 —The squadron marching in column by fours, right in
front, the Captain commands:
I. Left—front
into line.
2. MARCH.
3. DRESS.
4. FRONT.
At the command, MARCH, the first four files continue to march
straight forward; when they have marched 30 paces, the chief of the first
platoon commands: HALT.
At this command the first four halt square to the front, the
right guide returns to the right of the squadron. All the other files oblique
and come up successively, and without the commands of the chief of platoon,
form to the left and upon the alignment of the first, as prescribed, No. 214.
The Captain, who moves to the right flank after the command.
MARCH, commands the alignment when the chief of the first platoon commands HALT
As soon as the chiefs of platoon arrive upon the line. they
place themselves at the centre of their platoons an’l align themselves.
The left guide takes his post on the left of the squadron,
when the four last files arrive upon the line.
SQUADRON, MOUNTED.
The columns of twos, and by file, are formed into line by the
same principles and at the same commands.
325 —-The column of fours marching right in front, or at a
halt, to form it In line, faced the left, on its left flank, the Captain
commands:
1. Left into
line wheel.
2. MARCH.
3. Right—DRESS.
4. FRONT.
It is executed throughout as prescribed, No. 220.
The chiefs of platoons not repeating the commands, they align
themselves, and the guides take their places on the right and left.
326.—The column of fours marching right in front, to form
line faced to the right, upon the prolongation and in advance of its right
flank, the Captain commands:
1. On right
into line.
2. MARCH.
3. DRESS.
4. FRONT.
At the command, MARCH, the leading four turn to the right,
and march straight forward; when they have marched 20 paces, the chief of the
first platoon commands : HALT
At this command they halt, and the right guide takes his
place on the right of the squadron. All the other fours continue to march
forward and turn and come up successively without the commands of the chiefs
of platoon, forming to the left and upon the alignment of the first, as
prescribed, No. 217, observing to keep themselves square in the same direction
before turning to the right, so as not to approach the new line before the
proper time
The Captain, the chiefs of platoon, and the left guide,
conform to what is prescribedfor left—front into line, No.
324. The column by file, or twos forms
line on the same principles, and at the same commands.
327—The column of foursmarching, right in front, to
SCHOOL OF THE
form
line faced to the rear, on the rear of the column, the Captain first commands: Fours—LEFT
ABOUT; which is executed as in No. 277; and then: 1. Right—front into line;
2. MARCH; 3. DRESS: 4. FRONT; which is executed as prescribed, No. 124. To
form the line on the head of the column, the Captain first commands: 1. Right—front
into line; 2. MARCH; 3. DRESS; 4 FRONT; and then : 1. Fours left about; 2.
MARCH; 3. HALT; 4. Right—DRESS; 5. FRONT.
328.—The columns marching left in front, to form line faced
to the front, left, right, and rear, Nos. 324, 325, 326, and 327, is executed
on the same principles, by inverse commands and means.
329.—A squadron in column of fours, right in front, having
occasion to make instant face to the right, the Captain commands: 1. Right
into line wheel; 2. MARCH; 3. Right— DRESS 4. FRONT; and there being
a necessity to form front into line, with an obstacle to the left-front, the
Captain commands: Right front into line; 2. MARCH; 3 DRESS; 4. FRONT;
which would be executed as has been prescribed; the proper left would be
considered the “right;” the left, the “right guide,” &c , as long as that
formation continued.
The column being left in front, under inverse
circumstances, lines would be formed on the same principles as above, and by
inverse commands and means.
The same principle applies to the formation of line faced to the
rear, hut generally with an obstacle to the left— right in front—line might be
formed on the head of the column; or, with obstacle to the right, on the rear
of the column; and left in front, the reverse.
330 —The squadron marching in column by tows, or by file,
right in front, to form line faced to the left, the captain commands:
1. Left into
line.
2. MARCH.
3. DRESS.
4. FRONT.
SQUADRON, MOUNTED.
Which is executed by the leading platoon, as prescribed, No.
218, the chief giving the command, HALT, only; the other platoons form also
the same, but without any further commands; the chiefs of platoon align
themselves, and the guides take their posts on the right and left.
331 —The column by twos, or by file, left in front, to form
line faced to the right, the Captain commands: 1. Right into line; 2.
MARCH; 3. DRESS; 4. FRONT; which is executed on the same principle by inverse
means.
332—-In all these formations greater regularity is required
in the execution, as the troopers become more habituated to them, and the
horses become more calm.
The first instruction is repeated several successive days;
and when the principles of the direct march in column by fours, the changes of
direction, the obliques, and the different formations in line are firmly
impressed, all these movements are executed at the trot, and then at the
gallop.
TO
REGULATE THE RAPIDITY OF THE GAITS.
333.—When the marches and formations, prescribed above, have
given sufficient uniformity and precision to the gait, the Captain will
regulate their rapidity. For this purpose he measures off a mile, if
practicable, and marches over it at all the gaits; the mile at a walk, in
sixteen minutes; at a trot, in eight minutes; and at the gallop, in
six minutes.
SABRE EXERCISE.
334 —To practice the sabre exercise at a halt, the squadron
being in line, the Captain commands:
For Sabre Exercise—CALLOFF.
At this command, the trooper on the right calls out, “20 :‘
the next man calls out, “15 ;“ the third man. “ 10 ;‘ the fourth,
“5;” the fifth man, “stand fast ;“ the sixth, “20 ;‘ the seventh, “ 15;”
the eighth, “10 ;“ the
SCHOOL OF THE
ninth,
“5 ;“ the tenth, “stand fast ;“ and in the same manner through to the
left.
The Captain then commands:
Sabre Exercise— MARCH.
At this command, those troopers who have called out ‘20,’’
march forward 20 paces and halt; those who have called “ 15,’’ march forward 15
paces and halt, and so on; the fifth men standing fast.
During the exercise, the commander of the 2d platoon is
placed 10 paces in front of the right of it; of the 3d platoon, 10 paces in
front of its left; they face their platoons.
The commanders of the 1st and 4th platoons superintend their platoons
from the right and left flank.
335.—Theexercise being concluded, the Captain commands
:
I. Into line—MARCH.
2. Right—Dress.
3. FRONT.
Atthe command, MARCH. the troopers who advanced 20
paces standing fast, the others move forward and halt abreast of them.
336—The squadron being in line, the Captain commands it to
dismount, and to file off. The Captain and chiefs of platoons remain mounted in
order to superintend the movement; the latter until the last trooper of their
platoons has filed off.
ARTICLE
SECOND.
THE SQUADRON BEING IN LINE,
TO FORM IT IN OPEN COLUMN.
337.—The Captain commands:
1. Platoons,
right wheel.
2. MARCH.
3. HALT (or 3.
FORWARD)
SQUADRON, MOUNTED.
At the command, MARCH, each platoon executes its wheel to the
right, following the principles of the wheel on a fixed pivot, the marching
flanks taking care to step off promptly together; the three left platoons
carefully regulating by the right, so that they all complete the quarter
circle at the same moment.
At the command, HALT, the marching flanks and all the
troopers halt at the same instant, and remain motionless
The Captain commands HALT, so that, when executed, the wheels
will be completed.
The chiefs of platoon, without leaving the centre of their
platoons, observe that the movement is correctly executed; after the wheels, if
any guide finds himself not in the direction of the one preceding him, he
should not endeavor to correct his position until after the march is commenced.
During the movement, the guide passes to the rear of the
second file from the left of the fourth platoon
The Captain assures himself that each officer and noncommissioned
officer preserves the place assigned to him in this order of column. (Title
1st, article 2d.)
If the Captain, instead of HALT, gives the command, 3.FORWARD,
the platoons move straight forward; the command, FORWARD, being given the
moment before the wheels are completed.
The Captain then gives a point of direction to the guide of the column.
338.—The squadron marching in line, to form it in open
column, it is done on the same principles, at the same commands, the pivots
halting at the command, MARCH.
To form the open column left in front is executed on the same
principle, by inverse means, at the commands, 1. Platoons left wheel; 2.
MARCH; 3. HALT.
TO MARCH IN OPEN COLUMN.
339.—In this order of column, the guides should preserve
between them a distance equal to the front of their platoons, and regulate
their gait upon that of the preceding
SCHOOL OF THE
guide;
his gait is regulated by the chief of the leading platoon.
The preservation of the distances being the most essential point
of the march in column, everything else should yield to it but the guides must
endeavor to avoid changing the gait as much as possible, without the command;
and if it happens that their distance is increased or diminished, the fault
is repaired gradually and with steadiness.
The chiefs of platoon are answerable for the preservation of
the distance, which, measured from the croup of the horses of one platoon to
the head of the horses of the next platoon, is three paces or yards less than
the number of troopers in the platoon.
The unevenness of the ground may make it sometimes impossible
to preserve the direction of the guides; it is then sufficient to require the
guide of each platoon to pass by the same points as the guide of the preceding
platoon.
The leading platoon of a column should always commence the
march moderately, in order to give the column time, from head to foot, to take
a uniform and regular movement.
340 —The squadron being in open column, the Captain commands:
I. Forward.
2. MARCH.
At the command, MARCH, all the platoons put themselves inmotion
at the same time.
Before the column commences the march, the Captain gives the
guide of the first platoon a point of direction; this non-commissioned officer
selects intermediate points, so as to be sure of marching straight. The fixed
object given to the guide of the first platoon is also pointed out to the guide
of the second. These two non-commissioned officers preserve during the march,
the direction which has been given to them.
The guides of the third and fourth platoons keep exactly in
the same direction.
SQUADRON, MOUNTED.
WHEELS.
341.—In the open column the changes of direction are executed
by successive wheels on a movable pivot, so that the march of the column
may not be retarded. The arc of circle described by the pivots should be
of 5 paces long.
The column being in march, to change the direction, the
Captain commands:
Column left, or half left, (or right, or half right.)
At this command, the chief of the leading platoon commands:
1. Left—TURN; 2. FORWARD; which Is executed on the principles of the
wheel upon a movable pivot.
Each chief of platoon gives the same commands successively, so
that his platoon may turn upon the same ground.
Immediately after having changed the direction of the column,
the Captain gives a new point of direction to the guide of the first platoon.
The exact preservation of distances, after the changes of
direction, depends upon the equality of the increase given to the gait by the
marching flanks. It is then important that the leading platoon should turn
neither too rapidly nor too slowly; and that each platoon should regulate the
rapidity of its wheel by that of the one which precedes it.
INDIVIDUAL
OBLIQUE MARCH.
342.—The squadron marching in open column, right In front, to
cause it to gain ground towards one of its flanks, without changing the front
of the column, the Captain commands:
1. Left (or right)
oblique,
2. MARCH.
SCHOOL OF THE
Which is executed at the same time, In each platoon, as
prescribed, No. 270.
The guides of the three last platoons pay attention to
preserve their distances, and to keep in a direction exactly parallel to that o
the guide of the first platoon.
To resume the primitive direction, the Captain commands:
FORWARD.
Which is executed at the same time, in each platoon, as
prescribed, No. 270
CHANGE
OF GAIT IN OPEN COLUMN.
343.—The column is made to pass from the walk to the trot,
and from the trot tothe walk; and when the platoons
execute these changes of gait with uniformity and steadiness, the column is
made to commence the march at a trot; and to halt while marching at the trot.
The Captain observes that the platoons halt, step off, and
change the gait at the same instant.
He directs the head of the column sometimes to increase or
diminish the gait slightly, without command, to judge of the attention of the
guides, and to habituate them to conforming to the movements of the guides who
precede them.
TO
BREAK BY FOURS, BY TWOS, AND BY FILE, TO FORM TWOS, FOURS, AND PLATOONS, AT
THE SAME GAIT.
344 —The squadron marching in open column, right in front, to
break by fours at the same gait, the Captain commands:
1.
By
fours.
2.
MARCH.
SQUADRON, MOUNTED
At the first command, the chief of the first platoon places
himself one pace in front of the third file from the right; the right guide
places himself on his right.
At the command, MARCH, each platoon breaks by fours, as
prescribed, No. 209.
345—The squadron marching in column by fours, right In front,
to break by twos, at the same gait, the Captain commands:
1. By twos.
2. MARCH.
This is executed throughout the squadron, as prescribed for
the platoon, No. 228.
346.—The squadron marching in column by twos, right in front,
to break by file at the same gait, the Captain commands:
1. By file.
2. MARCH.
Which is executed as prescribed, No. 345, to break by twos;
the right guide placing himself behind the chief of the first platoon.
347.—The squadron marching in open column at the trot, right
in front, to break by fours, at the same gait, the Captain commands:
1. By fours.
2. MARCH.
At the command, MARCH, each platoon breaks by fours, as
prescribed, No. 273.
The same principles are applicable to breaking by twos and by
file, throughout the squadron, as in the platoon, No. 230.
348.—When the open column is at the gallop, these movements
are executed on the principles just prescribed, each platoon, except its right
set of fours, passing to the trot, and resuming successively the gallop,
as the fours oblique, in order to enter the column; and to to break by twos or
file, the whole column, except the leading two, or one, passing
SCHOOL OF THE
to the trot,
and resuming the gallop as the files break, in order to enter the
column.
349 —The squadron marching In column by file, right in front,
to form twos at the same gait, the Captain commands:
1. Form twos.
2. MARCH.
This is executed throughout the squadron, as prescribed for
the platoon, No. 225.
350 —The squadron marching in column by twos, right in front,
to form fours, at the same gait, the Captain commands:
I. Form fours.
2. MARCH.
Which is executed as prescribed, No. 349, in order to form
twos.
351—The squadron marching in column by fours, right in front,
to form platoon at the same gait, the Captain commands:
1. Form
platoons.
2. MARCH.
3. HALT.
At the command, MARCH, each platoon is formed as prescribed,
No. 275; after marching 20 paces, the Captain gives the command, HALT, when
each platoon halts.
352.—When the column of fours is at the trot, each
platoon at once conforms to No. 276; the Captain omits the command guide
left.
In the column by file, or by twos, at the trot, to
form twos or four, those leading the squadron pass to the walk.
When the column is at the gallop, to form twos, fours,
and platoons, the same principles are observed.
SQUADRON, MOUNTED
TO BREAK BY
FOURS, BY TWOS, AND BY FILE; TO FORM TWOS, FOURS, AND PLATOONS, IN DOUBLING
THE GAIT.
353 —The squadron marching in open column, right In front, to
break by fours, In doubling the gait, the Captain commands:
1. By
fours—trot.
2. MARCH.
At the first command, the chief of the first platoon and the
right guide place themselves as prescribed, No. 344.
At the command, MARCH, each platoon breaks by fours, as
prescribed, No. 278.
To break by twos and by file is executed throughout the
squadron, as prescribed for the platoon, Nos. 236, 237.
354 —When the column is at the trot, to break at the gallop,
the same principles are observed at the commands:
1. By fours—gallop;
2 MARCH.
When the column is at the gallop, these movements are always
executed at the same gait, as prescribed, No. 348
355 —The squadron marching in column by file, to form twos,
in doubling the gait, the Captain commands:
1. Form
twos—trot.
2. MARCH
This is executed throughout the squadron, as prescribed for
the platoon, No. 232.
356.—The squadron marching in column by twos, to form fours,
in doubling the gait, the Captain commands:
1. Form
fours—trot.
2. MARCH.
Which is executed as prescribed, No. 355, In order to form
twos.
357.—The squadron marching in column by fours, to form
platoon, in doubling the gait, the Captain commands:
SCHOOL OF THE
1. Form
platoons—trot.
2. MARCH.
At the command, MARCH, each platoon Is formed at once, as
prescribed, No. 281.
358.—When the column is at the trot, these formations
are executed at the gallop, following the same principles.
When the column is at the gallop, these movements are
executed as prescribed, No 352, the head of the column, or the heads of
platoons, as the case may be, passing to the trot at the command MARCH.
The open column marching left in front, It breaks by fours,
by twos, and by file, at the same gait, and in doubling the gait, on the same
principles, by inverse means, at the commands: 1. By the left—by fours, (by
twos or by file.) 2. MARCH.
359.—The foregoing movements are employed in passing defiles,
the Captain placing himself always at the head of his squadron in order to
direct the movements of it according to the localities.
THE SQUADRON MARCHING IN OPEN COLUMN, TO MARCH TO THE REAR.
360.—The squadron marching in open column, the captain
commands:
1.
Platoons left about wheel, (or right about wheel.)
2. MARCH.
3. FORWARD.
At the first command, the trooper on the left of each
platoon, who becomes the pivot, prepares to halt, without however slackening
his pace.
At the command, MARCH, the pivots halt, and the marching
flanks wheel at the gait in which the column was
SQUADRON, MOUNTED.
marching,
regulating themselves upon the outer flank of the platoon at the head of the
column, so as to complete the first half of the movement at the same instant.
The marching flanks are then governed by the platoon, which
becomes the head of the column after the movement Is completed.
The movement being nearly finished, the Captain commands:
FORWARD.
During this movement, the right and left guides of the
squadron invert their positions, the one in front being always aligned with the
platoon, the one in rear behind the last platoon.
TO HALT
THE COLUMN.
361 —The column being on the march, to halt it, the Captain
commands:
1. Column.
2. HALT.
At the first command, all the platoons prepare to halt.
At the command, HALT, all the platoons halt at the same time.
After the command, HALT, there should be no movement In the
platoons, the distances and directions should be corrected only in marching.
The Captain places himself behind the guide of the second
platoon, to see if the guides of the first and second platoon have marched upon
the point indicated; he also observes if the prescribed distances have been
preserved. If they have not been, and if the guides have not marched upon the
point indicated, the column is put again In march, in order to correct their
distances and direction.
SCHOOL OF THE
THE
SQUADRON MARCHING IN OPEN COLUMN, TO FORM LINE, FACED TO THE LEFT, TO THE
RIGHT, TO THE FRONT, AND TO THE REAR.
362.—The squadron being in open column, right in front, to form
it in line faced to the left, on its left flank, the Captain commands:
1. Left into
line wheel.
2. MARCH.
3. Right—DRESS.
4. FRONT.
At the first command, the right guide moves upon the prolongation
of the direction of the guides of the column, at the distance of the front of a
platoon, facing the side towards which the line will be formed.
At the command, MARCH, the squadron wheels into line, the
trooper on the left of each platoon serving as pivot, and turning upon his own
ground and the fore feet of his horses.
The Captain commands, right—DRESS, the moment
the marching flanks have nearly completed their movement.
At this command all the platoons align themselves.
The squadron being aligned, the Captain commands, FRONT.
During the wheel the left guide resumes his place in line.
363.—The Captain observes that the pivots execute their
movements properly, and that the officers and troopers align themselves
correctly.
The guide, who moves upon the prolongation of the guides of
the column, should take rather too much ground than not enough. The conductor
of the marching flank of the leading platoon should align himself upon this
guide, without endeavoring to approach him.
SQUADRON, MOUNTED.
364.—To form line to the left, on It. left flank, from open
column, left in front, the commands are the same, and are executed in the same
manner, except that the left guide takes his place where the right of the
fourth platoon Is to rest; and the right guide resumes his place in line, (on
the left.)
365.—To form the squadron in open column, left in front, the
Captain commands: I Platoons, left wheel; 2 MARCH; 3. HALT; which
is executed as prescribed, No. 337, but by Inverse means.
366.—The squadron being in open column, left In front, to
form it In line, faced to the right, on its right flank, the Captain commands:
1. Right into line wheel; 2. MARCH; 3. Left—DRESS; 4 FRONT; which
is executed as prescribed, No. 362, but by inverse means.
367.—To form line to the right, on its right flank, from open
column, right in front, the commands are the same, and are executed in the same
manner, with the exception of No. 304; the actions of the right and left guides
being Inverse
368.—The column marching, the formations of line to the left
and right may be made the same, and at the same commands; the pivots halting
at the command, MARCH.
369.—The squadron marching in open column, right or left in
front, to form line to the left or right, without halting, the Captain commands:
I. Platoons
left (or right) wheel.
2. MARCH.
3. FORWARD
4. Guide right (or
left.)
The marching flanks will regulate by that of the platoon at
the head of the column. The pivots, halting at the word MARCH, promptly move off
together at the command, FORWARD
This movement is executed at all the gaits.
370.—The squadron marching in open column, to form
SCHOOL OF THE
line,
faced to the right or left, on the prolongation and In advance of its right or
left flank, the Captain commands:
1. On right
into line, (or on left into line)
2. MARCH.
3. Guide right,
(or left.)
4. FRONT.
At the first command, the chief of the first platoon commands:
Right.
At the command, MARCH, he commands: TURN; the platoon turns
to the right and moves forward at the command FORWARD; when it has marched 20
paces, its chief commands: HALT, and then Right—DRESS.
The other platoons continue to march forward without
approaching the line; as soon as each one arrives abreast of the fourth file
from the left of the platoon which should be on its right, its chief commands:
1. Right—TURN; 2. FORWARD; this platoon then directs itself towards the
place it is to occupy In line, and on arriving abreast of the croups of the horses
in line Its chief commands: 1. HALT; 2. DRESS. The squadron being aligned, the
Captain commands: FRONT.
371.—The squadron being In open column, halted, or marching,
to form It In line, faced to the front, upon the head and to the left, or to
the right, of the column, the Captain commands:
1. Left front
into line, (or right front into line.)
2. MARCH.
3. FRONT.
At the first command, the chief of the platoon in front
commands, if at a halt, forward; the chiefs of the other platoons
command: Left oblique.
The command, MARCH, is repeated by these officers; (the chief
of the leading platoon omits it, if his platoon is in motion;) when it
has marched 30 paces, he commands: 1. HALT; 2.
Right—DRESS.
Each of the other chiefs of platoon, when his platoon
SQUADRON, MOUNTED.
arrive,
opposite its place in line commands, FORWARD; when his platoon arrives with its
horses’ heads in line of the croups of the horses on the right, he commands:1.
HALT; 2. DRESS.
The squadron being aligned, the Captain commands, FRONT.
372.—The squadron being at a halt, or in motion, in open
column, to form line faced to the rear, on the rear and to the left, or on the
rear and to the right, of the column, the Captain first wheels the platoons
about, No. 360, and then commands: Right—front into line, or Left—
front into line; which are executed as prescribed in No. 371.
In the first case, he should usually wheel the platoons to
the left about; in the last, to the right about; in either case,
he may first halt, or he may give the command to be executed, at the moment the
wheels are completed; or he may move forward a space before beginning the
second movement.
373.—The squadron being halted, or in motion, in open column,
to form line faced to the rear, on the head, and to the right of the column,
the Captain forms, right —front into line, No. 371, and then commands:
1. Platoons
left about (or right about) wheel.
2. MARCH.
3. HALT.
4. Right—DRESS.
5. FRONT.
To form the line on the head and to the left of the column,
the Captain forms, left—front into line; and then wheels the platoons to
the right about.
TO BREAK BY PLATOONS TO THE FRONT.
374.—The squadron being in line, the Captain commands:
1.
By
platoon.
2.
MARCH.
SCHOOL OF THE
At the first command, the chief of the 1st platoon commands,
forward; the others command, right oblique.
The chief of the 1st platoon repeats the command, MARCH; the chief
of the 2d platoon, and successively those of the 3d and 4th command, MARCH,
when the platoon on his right has moved a distance equal to three-fourths of a
platoon front
When the 2d platoon arrives directly in rear of the 1st, its
chief commands, FORWARD; and so in succession with the 3d and 4th platoons, at
the moments of their arrival directly in rear of the 2d and 3d.
When the movement is to be made at the trot, that word is
added to the preparatory command.
The squadron is broken, by the left, on the same principle,
by inverse means, at the commands: 1. By the left— by platoon; 2. MARCH.
If in line, the 4th platoon he on the right, the 3d next, and
so on, and the command be by platoon, the 4th platoon, on the right,
leads; if the command be by the left— by platoon, the 1st platoon, on
the left, leads.
TO BREAK BY PLATOONS TO THE REAR FROM THE RIGHT TO
MARCH TO THE LEFT.
375.—The squadron being in line, the Captain commands:
1. Platoons
from right to rear—to march to the left.
2. MARCH.
At the first command, the chief of the 1st platoon commands,
right about wheel.
At the command, MARCH, repeated by him, this platoon executes
its wheel to the right about; when nearly terminated, its chief commands: 1.
FORWARD; 2. Guide Left. After marching 10 paces straight forward, he
commands:
1. Right—TURN
; 2. FORWARD.
SQUADRON, MOUNTED.
The chief of the 2d platoon, and successively those of the 3d
and 4th, commands, right about wheel, when the chief of the platoon on his
right commands, MARCH; and commands, MARCH, when that platoon has passed over
two-thirds of its first wheel; each wheels about, marches 10 paces to the rear,
and turns the same.
The squadron being in line, it is broken from the left to the
rear to march to the right, on the same principle, by inverse means at the
commands: 1. Platoons from left to rear— to march to the sight; 2.
MARCH.
MOVEMENTS BY FOURS, THE SQUADRON BEING IN OPEN COLUMN.
376.—The squadron being In open column, to cause It to move
to its left flank, the Captain commands:
1. Fours—Left.
2. MARCH.
3. Guide right.
At the command, MARCH, the wheels are executed In each
platoon by fours, and the column marches by its left flank, as prescribed, No
283.
377.—If the column be marching, the commands are: 1. Fours—left;
2. Guide right, No. 284.
To resume the direct march, in open column, the Captain
commands:
Fours—RIGHT.
At this command the fours all wheel to the right, and move
forward, with the guide left or right, as the right or left may
be In front.
The open column gains ground to its right flank by inverse
means and commands. To resume its first direction, without moving forward, the
commands are: 1. Fours— LEFT; 2. HALT.
378.—The squadron being In open column, it may gain
SCHOOL OF THE
ground
to the rear by a movement by fours; the Captain commands:
1. Fours—Left about.
2. MARCH.
3. Guide right.
If the left is in front, the command habitually would be: 1. Fours--right about; and 3. Guide
left.
The column being in motion to the rear, to resume the march
to the front, the Captain commands: Fours—RIGHT ABOUT.
If he wishes it to halt, he adds: 2. HALT.
379.—In these movements, to the left, or to the
right by fours, the chiefs of platoons move abreast of the first fours; the
right and left guides preserve their places, facing in the new direction.
The fours being wheeled about, the chiefs of platoons
march behind their platoons; the squadron guide With the platoon that has
become in front, marches now on its flank as its guide; the other keeps his
place on the flank of the platoon now in rear.
During the march hy flank, the Captain observes that the
fours preserve their distances of four feet, and that the chiefs of platoons
preserve the proper interval toward the side of the guide.
ARTICLE
THIRD.
DIRECT MARCH OF THE SQUADRON IN LINE.
380.—The principles of the direct march, prescribed, No. 242,
and following, are applicable to the squadron.
When the troopers keep their horses’ heads, and their own,
square to the front, the alignment, as well as the steady march, will be easily
preserved; whether too far
SQUADRON, MOUNTED.
advanced
or retired, or whether their Interval be too great, is readily ascertained by a
glance of the eye, without moving thehead.
The non-commissioned officers on the flanks of platoons will
endeavor to preserve the general alignment, by aligning themselves on each
other instead of the next files towards the guide; and with the object of
keeping the line of horses’ heads one yard behind the line of the croups of the
horses of the platoon commanders.
The guide should not put himself in motion with precipitancy,
but commence the gait rather slowly; and the same in passing from a quick to a
slower gait.
The direction taken by the guide has the greatest influence
on the regularity of the march; a distant fixed point should be given him, in a
line perpendicular to the front of the squadron;this is done by the
Captain, and the object is selected with the greatest accuracy from a position
some distance in rear of the guide: but the non-commissioned officers must
learn by great attention and practice to judge themselves, and select an object
directly to the front; for greater accuracy, some slight intermediate object,
or a succession of them, should be kept in the eye, in the line to the distant
object.
The Captain should observe that the whole line moves together
at the command of execution.
During the march if it is seen that the troopers carry the
bridle band to the left, it is proof that the point of direction is to the left
of a perpendicular, and the reverse.
381.—The platoon officers remain aligned towards the guide ;
the one nearest is responsible for the gait; and the next, the most responsible
for the alignment, as he regulates its base. The troopers in the platoons keep
abreast with the flank files.
When the guide is centre, the sergeant on the left of
the second platoon, who bears the guidon, becomes the guide; the chief of the
second platoon regulates the gait, and the chief of the third platoon regulates
the base of the alignment.
SCHOOL OF THE
382.—The regularity of the march in line depending much upon
the officers and flank files of platoons, they, with the right and left guides,
should be exercised and practiced as a “skeleton” squadron;much
attention must be paid to the preservation of Intervals; absent platoon
commanders will be replaced by sergeants.
This exercise becomes more important when the number of
privates in a squadron may be so reduced as to preclude the exercises of the
school of the squadron; then other squadron movements will also be practiced.
383-- The squadron being in line, to move forward, the Captain
commands
I. Forward.
2. Guide right, or Guide left, or Guide centre.
3. MARCH.
At the command. MARCH, the squadron moves forward.
384-—To halt the squadron, the Captain commands:
I. Squadron.
2. HALT
3 Right—DRESS, or 3. Centre—DRESS
At the second command, the squadron halts.
At the third command, the squadron aligns itself as prescribed.
No. 311.
The squadron being aligned, the Captain commands:
FRONT.
385—The squadron marching at the walk, before passing
to the trot, the Captain assures himself that the point of direction is
good, and that the squadron marches with uniformity and steadiness.
When the squadron marches steadily at the trot, it passes to
the gallop
The Captain observes that the troopers keep their horses
quiet, and do not quicken the gait more than necessary: a common fault in the
march at the gallop. For this purpose the chiefs of platoon, the guide
and the flank files pay attention to keep their horses evenly, at the
prescribed rate of gallop.
SQUADRON, MOUNTED.
In the march at the gallop, it is necessary to slacken
the pace as soon as disorder is discovered.
To march at the gallop, the squadron commences at the walk,
then passes to the trot: the same progression is observed in order
to halt when marching at the gallop; the squadron is then exercised in
moving off from a halt at the trot and at the gallop, and in
halting when marching at these gaits.
COUNTER-MARCH.
3t6.—The squadron being in line, to face it in the opposite
direction, the Captain commands:
1. Counter-march
by the right flank.
2. MARCH.
3. FRONT.
At the first command, the chiefs of platoons turn to the
right and place themselves in front of and near their right files; the members
of the squadron behind the line pass Into line on its left.
At the command, MARCH, the chief of the first platoon leads
the movement, which is executed as prescribed, No. 255; the right guide follows
the Lieutenant, but turns to place himself behind the left guide, with two
paces between the croups of their horses; the chief of platoon taking place on
his right, and superintending the alignment of his platoon; the chiefs of the
other platoons move with their right files and halt, faced to the right. near
the centre of their platoons in the new line, and close to the heads of the
horses.
Those who took post on the left of the line follow the
movement, and take their proper positions as they arrive at them; at the
command. FRONT, the chiefs of the platoons take their usual positions.
The counter march should be executed generally at the trot.
For this purpose, after the first command, the Captain Indicates the gait.
This movement is executed by the left flank on the same
SCHOOL OF THE
principles,
but by inverse means, at the commands: 1. Counter march by the left flank; 2.
MARCH; 3. FRONT.
WHEELINGS.
387.—The principles prescribed for the platoon, Nos. 257 and
following, are applicable to the squadron wheeling on a fixed or a movable
pivot. The execution of it becomes more difficult as the front is extended; it
requires, on the part of officers and troopers, a particular and constant
attention.
During the wheel, the chiefs of platoon keep at the centre of
their platoons, and correctly aligned upon each other, keeping their horses
upon the arc of circle more or less great, in proportion to their distance from
the pivot. The chief of the platoon on which the wheel is made regulates
himself upon the chief of the platoon on the marching flank, observing to move
progressively, as the latter advances in the new direction.
The chief of the platoon on the marching flank describes his
circle so as neither to move from, nor approach, the other chiefs of platoon.
The files on the flanks of platoons dress upon each other,
all observing the progression of the marching flank, and keeping upon the arcs
they should describe.
The guide placed on the side of the pivot is the actual
pivot, although he is not counted in the rank.
In every kind of wheel, the marching flank of a squadron
should measure with accuracy its arc of circle;if it is too great, the
files are made to open and disunite, and the wheel becomes longer; if it is too
small, the files are crowded, there is confusion, and the pivot is forced.
TO WHEEL
ON A FIXED PIVOT.
388.—The squadron is exercised in wheeling on a fixed pivot,
first at the walk, then at the trot; also at the gallop when
the troopers are confirmed in all the principles.
SQUADRON, MOUNTED.
The squadron being halted and correctly aligned, the
Captain
commands:
1. In circle
right wheel.
2. MARCH.
Which is executed on the principles prescribed, Nos. 257 and
387.
389.—To halt the squadron during the wheel, the Captain
commands:
1. Squadron.
2. HALT.
3. Left--DRESS.
4. FRONT.
At the second command, all the troopers halt.
390.—If, instead of halting, the Captain wishes to resume the
direct march, he commands:
1. FORWARD.
2. Guide left.
At the first command, the whole squadron moves forward at the
gait in which it was marching before the wheel.
391.—The squadron is halted if confusion arises during the
wheel; the Captain explains the origin of the fault, and the means of repairing
it.
When the troopers begin to understand these movements, the
whole circle is passed over several times without halting.
392 —The squadron wheeling steadily at the walk, to
pass to the trot, the Captain chooses a moment in which the horses are
calm. After one or two turns, the
squadron is made to resume the walk, The squadron wheeling well at the trot
is exercised to wheel at the gallop, upon the same principles. After
one or two turns, it passes to the trot, then to the walk.
The squadron is afterwards exercised to wheel at the trot and
at the gallop, in commencing from a halt, and to halt while wheeling at
these gaits.
SCHOOL OF THE
593.—The squadron Is also exercised to commence the wheel,
when marching. The Captain commands:
1. Right (or
left) wheel.
2. MARCH.
3. HALT, (or
FORWARD.)
Which Is executed on the same principle as in No. 266. These
movements are executed at the different gaits; but they should not be repeated
too frequently at the gallop, in order not to fatigue the horses.
394.—The squadron being on the march, to cause it to wheel in
doubling the gait, the Captain gives the command trot or gallop before
that of MARCH.
At the command, MARCH, the pivot stops short; the marching
flank takes the gait indicated.
At the command, FORWARD, both move forward at the gait
indicated for the wheel.
TO WHEEL ON A MOVABLE PIVOT.
395.—In wheels on a movable pivot, the pivot moves in an arc
of a circle of 13 paces radius, (gaining about 13 paces to the front and the
same distance to the right, in a right—WHEEL,) at the same time it
slackens the gait; the marching flank increases its gait. The sixth file of the
second platoon from the pivot, which is the middle of the radius of the wheel,
preserves the gait at which the squadron was marching. The troopers placed
between this file and the pivot diminish proportionally their gait; those
placed between this file and the marching flank augment proportionally theirs.
The troopers preserve their intervals from the pivot, and
their alignment by the opposite flank. After the wheel, the guide remains where
it was before the wheel, and is given a new point of direction.
396—The squadron marching in line, to change direction to
the right, the Captain commands:
SQUADRON, MOUNTED.
1. Right—TURN.
2. FORWARD.
At the command, right, the pivot prepares to slacken
and the wheeling flank to increase the gait. At the command, TURN, the latter
trots; the pivot decreases his gait, so that he shall pass over a quarter
circle of 20 paces in the same time that the middle of the second platoon
passes its quarter circle, (about 47 paces,) without change of gait. Whatever
error occurs, the pivot should not leave, or alter his quarter circle.
When this wheel is executed at the trot, the marching
flank gallops.
To change the direction to the left, the movement is executed
on the same principles, but by inverse means, at the commands: 1. Left—TURN;
2. FORWARD.
INDIVIDUAL
OBLIQUE MARCH.
397.—The squadron marching in line, to muse It to gala ground
towards a flank, without changing the front of the squadron, the Captain
commands:
I. Right
oblique, (or left oblique.)
2. MARCH.
To resume the primitive direction, the Captain commands:
FORWARD.
Which is executed as prescribed, No. 370.
During the oblique march, the Captain observes that the
chiefs of platoon keep on the same line, preserve between them the same
interval, and follow parallel directions, in order to preserve the general
alignment.
This movement is executed at the walk or at the trot;
not at the gallop.
SCHOOL OF THE
398.—The squadron being in line, to cause it to gain ground
towards a flank, by the oblique march by platoons, the Captain commands:
1. Platoons right
half-wheel, (or left half-wheel.)
2. MARCH.
3. FORWARD.
At the command, MARCH, each platoon executes its half-wheel
to the right, on a fixed pivot.
At the third command each platoon moves forward, conforming
to the principles of the direct march.
To cause the squadron to resume the primitive direction, the
Captain commands:
1. Platoons
left half-wheel.
2. MARCH.
3. FORWARD.
4. Guide right, (or
left.)
Which is executed as just prescribed, but by inverse means.
In the oblique march by platoons, the pivots of the platoons
should all halt at the same instant, at the command, MARCH, so that all the
wheels may terminate at the same time.
At the command, FORWARD, the right guide on the right of the
first platoon marches straight forward, or upon the point which is indicated to
him; the guides of the other platoons follow the fourth trooper from the left
of the platoon which precedes them, and keep at five paces from him:
(this for a platoon of 12 files.)
The Captain places himself habitually at two paces out side,
and abreast of the second platoon.
The chiefs of platoon at the centre of their platoons.
The guides remain at their places in line.
The oblique march by platoons is executed at the walk,
at the trot, and at the gallop, the squadron being halted or in
motion.
SQUADRON, MOUNTED.
THE
SQUADRON BEING IN LINE, TO CAUSE IT TO GAIN GROUND TO THE REAR, AND FACE IT
AGAIN TO THE FRONT, BY FOURS.
399.—The Captain commands:
1. Fours left
about, (or right about.)
2. MARCH.
3. Guide right,
(or left.)
Which is executed as prescribed, No. 286.
The chiefs of platoons, guides, trumpeters, &c., wheel
about Individually; the first named marching in rear of their platoons, the
latter in front.
(The squadron marching thus: at the command, left forward—FOURSLEFT, it marches in column, right in front.)
The squadron marching in line, to cause it to march to the
rear, the Captain commands: 1. Fours—LEFT ABOUT, (or RIGHT ABOUT;) 2. Guide
right, (or left.)
These movements by fours are executed also at the trot.
THE
SQUADRON MARCHING IN LINE, TO MARCH IT TO THE REAR BY WHEELING THE PLATOONS
ABOUT.
400.—The squadron marching in line, the Captain commands:
1. Platoons
right about wheel, (or left about wheel.)
2.
MARCH.
3. FORWARD.
4. Guide
left, (or right.)
At the command, MARCH, the pivots halt short, and turn upon
themselves; the marching flanks regulate themselves
SCHOOL OF THE
by the
right during the first half of the wheel, so as to arrive together in column,
and by the left during the second half, so as to arrive together in line.
At the command, FORWARD, the squadron resumes the direct
march.
If, after wheeling about, the Captain wishes to halt, he
commands: 3. HALT. 4. Left—DRESS. 5. FRONT.
In the wheels to the right about, the right guide
turns to the right, moves straight forward, a platoon front and turns again to
the right, and places himself on the left of the squadron; the left guide
executes the same movements, which place him on the right of the squadron.
These movements are executed from a halt, and at the trot and
gallop.
THE SQUADRON
MARCHING IN LINE, TO BREAK IT TO THE FRONT BY PLATOON, AND TO REFORM IT.
401.—The Captain commands:
1. By platoon.
2. MARCH.
The first platoon marches on, its chief giving no words of
command. The chiefs of the other platoons command, HALT; and each, in
succession, commands: 1. Right oblique, and adds, 2. MARCH, when the
platoon on his right has marched three-fourths of a platoon front; the rest of
the movement is executed as in No. 374.
At the trot or gallop the movement is executed
on the same principles; the chiefs of the 2d, 3d, and 4th platoons commanding,
instead of HALT, walk—MARCH, or trot—MARCH; and when the platoon
on the right has gained the prescribed distance, indicating the original gait
in the next command.
402.—The squadron marching, or at a halt, in open
SQUADRON, MOUNTED.
column,
right or left in front, to form it at the same gait, the Captain commands:
1. Form squadron—left,
(or right.)
2. MARCH.
Which is executed as in No. 371.
403.—The column marching at the trot, this movement is
executed on the same principles, except that the chief of the first platoon
commands: 1. Walk; 2. MARCH; and each of the other chiefs of platoon
commands: 1. Walk; 2. MARCH; on arriving in line. The movement is
executed in the same manner when the column is at the gallop, each
platoon passing successively to the trot.
The squadron marching in line, it is broken by the left, on
the same principles, but by inverse means, at the commands: 1. By the left
--by platoon. 2. MARCH.
THE SQUADRON
MARCHING IN LINE, TO BREAK IT TO THE FRONT BY PLATOON, IN DOUBLING THE GAIT;
AND TO REFORM IT.
404.—The Captain commands:
1. By
platoon.-—trot.
2. MARCH.
At the first command, the chief of the first platoon commands:
Trot; and he repeats the command, MARCH the chief of each of the other
platoons commands, in succession, 1. Right oblique—trot; and adds, 2.
MARCH, when the platoon on his right has marched a distance equal to three-fourths
of a platoon front.
The squadron marching in line at the trot, the
movement is executed at the gallop, on the same principles.
405.—-The squadron marching in open column, right or
SCHOOL OF THE
left,
in front, to form It in doubling the gait, the Captain commands:
1. Form
squadron—left (or right)—trot.
2. MARCH.
At the first command, the chiefs of the three last platoons
command: Left oblique—trot.
At the command, MARCH, repeated by the chiefs of the three
last platoons, the first platoon continues to march straight forward at the walk,
and the rest of the movement is executed as in No. 403.
The column being at the trot, this movement is
executed on the same principle at the gallop.
The squadron marching in line, it is broken by the left by
platoon, in doubling the gait, on the principles prescribed, No. 404, but
by inverse means, at the commands: I. By
the left by platoon-—trot, (or gallop;) 2. MARCH.
PASSAGE OF
OBSTACLES.
406.—The squadron marching in line and encountering an
obstacle impassable by either of the platoons in line, its chief will oblique
it behind the next platoon, (if it be a central one, behind a flank platoon,)
in the manner and by the commands of No. 401. The obstacle being passed, the
chief of the platoon will return it to its position, as in No. 405. If the
obstacle admit of it, the chief of platoon will, instead, command, by fours,
or by the left—by fours.
407.—The squadron marching in line, to pass broken ground by
the head of each platoon, the Captain commands:
1. In each
platoon.—by fours, (or by twos.)
2. MARCH.
3. Guide right,
(or left.)
At the command MARCH, each platoon breaks by fours as
prescribed , No. 278, the chiefs of platoon march in front
SQUADRON, MOUNTED.
of the first set
of fours or twos; the right and left guides as in column by fours or twos,
trumpeters, &c, in rear of their platoons.
If the ground requires a platoon to deviate from its direction,
it should return to it as soon as possible, and recover its proper interval and
alignment.
In marching thus, the captain may cause the squadron to break
by twos and by file, observing to form twos and fours
as soon as the ground will permit.
Thesemovements are executed In increasing the gait,
or when the squadron is marching at the trot or at the gallop.
408—To reform the squadron, the Captain commands:
1 Form
platoons.
2.
MARCH.
Or
he will add to the first command the Indication of the increased gait.
Thesemovements are executed by the left, on the same
principles, but by inverse means, at the commands: 1. In each platoon, by
the left—by fours. (or by twos;) 2. MARCH; 3. Guide left, (or right.)
ARTICLE
FOURTH.
CHARGE.
409.—In the charge, as in every other direct march, it is
important to keep the horses straight. As soon as any confusion is observed, it
is necessary to halt and recommence the movement.
The squadron is exercised at the charge: 1. In line; 2.
In column; 3. As foragers.
The charge in line is executed by the squadron
when in line; it should be as short as possible, so as to reach an enemy in
good order, and without fatiguing the horses.
The charge in column is executed by the squadron broken in open
column.
SCHOOL OF THE
To execute the charge as foragers, all the troopers of
the squadron disperse, and direct themselves in couples upon the point each
wishes to attack, observing not to lose sight of their officers, who charge
with them.
410—The squadron being in line, the Captain orders the sabres
to be drawn, and the platoons to charge one after another, commencing by the
right.
For this purpose the Captain advances 240 paces to the front,
taking the squadron guides, to make the line on which the platoons halt and
dress after charging; and when he wishes the movement to commence, be gives a
signal.
The first platoon then moves forward at the commands of its chief,
as prescribed, No. 292. It passes successively from the walk to the trot,
from the trot to the gallop, and from the gallop to
the charge.
The three other platoons break in their turn, when the
preceding one has halted.
411.—To execute the charge by the entire squadron, the
Captain places himself in front of the centre of his squadron, and commands:
1. Forward.
2. Guide
centre.
3. MARCH.
When the squadron has marched forward 20 paces, he commands:
1. Trot.
2. MARCH.
At 60 paces further, he commands:
1. Gallop.
2. MARCH.
At 80 paces further, he commands:
CHARGE.
At this command,
repeated by the chiefs of platoon, the troopers take the position of charge
sabre.
SQUADRON, MOUNTED.
When the squadron has passed over 60 paces at the charge, the
Captain commands:
1. Attention.
2. Squadron.
3. HALT.
4. Centre—DRESS.
5. FRONT.
At the command, attention, repeated by the chiefs of
platoon, the troopers slacken the pace, and carry sabre.
At the command, squadron, the chiefs of platoon command,
platoon, and the troopers pass to the trot.
At the command, HALT, repeated by the chiefs of platoon, the
troopers halt.
At the command, centre—DRESS,they align
themselves to the centre.
The squadron being aligned, the Captain commands, FRONT.
To assure himself that the principles prescribed, No. 293,
are exactly followed, the Captain sometimes places himself in front of the
squadron, facing it, and at the distance that will enable him to remark better
the faults. In this case, the next in command gives the commands.
412.—When the squadron executes the charge correctly, instead
of halting when the charge is finished, the Captain commands:
1. Attention.
2. Trot.
3. MARCH.
At these commands, repeated by the chiefs of platoon, the
squadron passes to the trot, and at 20 paces beyond he commands:
1. First (or
fourth) platoon—as foragers.
2. MARCH.
At the first command, the chief of the platoon commands, gallop;
he repeats the command, MARCH, and having gained
SCHOOL OF THE
20
yards in advance of the line, he commands, CHARGE AS FORAGERS. The platoon then
disperses and charges as foragers. The trumpeter follows the chief of the
platoon.
The squadron follows this platoon at the trot; when it
has passed over 150 paces, the Captain causes the rally to be sounded.
At this signal, repeated by the trumpeter of the platoon dispersed as foragers,
the latter rallies upon the squadron, as prescribed, No. 294, and when
three-fourths of the platoon have rallied, and are in line, the Captain
commands:
1. Attention.
2. Gallop.
3. MARCH.
4. CHARGE.
The squadron executes again the charge In line; the troopers,
who have not been able to rally, charge upon the flanks of the squadron.
The Captain may order, two right (or left) platoons
as foragers.
413.—To exercise the troopers in rallying upon any point
whatever, the Captain, during the march at the trot, causes the squadron
to gain ground towards one of its flanks by executing a half -wheel to the
right or to the left, or by breaking by platoons to the right or
to the left, and reforming immediately in a new direction.
414 —The squadron marching in open column at the trot, the
Captain commands:
1. To the
charge.
2. MARCH.
At the first command, the chief of the first platoon commands,
gallop
At the command, MARCH, repeated by the chief of the first
platoon, this platoon commences the gallop.
The other platoons follows at the trot, each taking
the gallop, when the platoon which precedes it at the distance of 60
paces.
SQUADRON, MOUNTED.
When the first platoon has passed over 80 paces at the gallop,
its chief commands, CHARGE.
At this command, the platoon executes the charge; and when it
has passed over 60 paces, its chief causes it to pass to the trot by the
commands: 1. Attention; 2. trot; 3. MARCH.
The other platoons pay attention to the movements of the
platoon which precedes them, so as to change the gait in time, and to resume
their ordinary distance; the Captain halts the column when he thinks proper.
These charges are executed, each platoon taking In its turn
the head of the column.
A platoon that has failed in this charge, or is dispersed,
would rally in rear of the column.
415.—The squadron marching in open column at the trot, the
Captain commands:
1. First platoon—as foragers.
2. MARCH.
At the first command, the chief of the platoon commands, gallop;
he repeats the command, MARCH, and having gained 20 yards, he commands,
CHARGE AS FORAGERS.
The squadron continues to march at the trot, and when it has
passed over 100 or 150 paces, the Captain causes the rally to be
sounded.
At this signal, the platoon rallies and reforms at the rear
of the column, or at its place in line if the squadron has been put in line.
The charge as foragers Is used against artillery, or in a
pursuit. A squadron skirmishing, or from line, ordered to charge a battery,
might, when within range of grape, especially if hidden by smoke, open from the
centre, and make for its flanks. The reserve advances to charge, if necessary,
the support of the battery.
SCHOOL OF THE
RALLYING.
416 .—To give the troopers the habit of rallying promptly,
after having been dispersed, the Captain places the squadron at the extremity
of the ground; and after giving notice to the files on the flanks of platoons
to remain upon the line with him, he causes the charge as foragers to
be sounded. At this signal the troopers disperse and charge as foragers; when
they are at the distance of 150 or 200 paces, the Captain causes the rally to
be sounded, which is executed as prescribed, No. 294.
The Captain observes that the troopers disperse without
confusion; that, in rallying, they direct themselves to the right and to the
left, outside of the flanks of the squadron, in order to unmask promptly the
front of the squadron, and to reform in passing by the rear.
When the troopers rally without confusion, this movement is
repeated without requiring the flank files to remain on the line of the
squadron.
At the signal to charge as foragers, the squadron
disperses In every direction to the front.
When the squadron is dispersed, the Captain causes the rally
to be sounded.
At this signal, the officers, the non-commissioned officers,
and the troopers, rejoin rapidly; the officers align themselves promptly upon
the Captain, and the non-commissioned officers mark immediately the flanks of
the platoons.
As soon as the Captain has formed two-thirds of the squadron,
he moves forward, charges again, and halts.
When the squadron is dispersed as foragers, the Captain should
sometimes establish himself to the right or to the left of the
direction followed by the troopers, and then order the rally to be
sounded, to accustom them to rally upon any point he may select.
These movements are first executed at the trot, and them
at the gallop.
SQUADRON, MOUNTED.
Troopers being dispersed, and closely pursued, must avoid
defenceless confusion of a crowd. They
must scatter as go, and will thus
soon put themselves on an equality with the
pursuers. These
may, in their turn, be the pursued.
SKIRMISHING.
417.—When the squadron acts independently, it will usually
send out one platoon to skirmish; circumstances may require two or three
platoons to he sent.
When the squadron is in sight of the skirmishers, the Captain
orders no signal except the rally. The chief of the skirmishers observes the
movements of the squadron he covers, and conforms to them as soon as
practicable, requiring his trumpeter to sound the necessary signals.
When the squadron changes front, the chief of the skirmishers
moves upon the new front, unless the Captain orders to the contrary.
The trumpeter who follows the chief of the skirmishers should
give the signals only upon the order of that officer.
The skirmishers should execute their movements only by the
signals of the trumpeter who accompanies the officer who commands them.
What is prescribed in the school of the platoon, mounted, is
conformed to by the troopers, and by the squadron line of skirmishers.
When several platoons act as skirmishers, the firing commences
at the guide in the centre of the line, progressing to the right and left.
When a squadron is acting as skirmishers, the Captain is
always followed by a trumpeter; the other is placed several steps in rear of
the centre of the line of skirmishers, in order to repeat as soon as possible
the signals given by the trumpeter of the Captain.
418—The squadron being in line, the Captain commands:
SCHOOL OF THE
1. First (or
fourth) platoon—as skirmishers.
2. MARCH.
At the first command, the chief of the first platoon, It not
already drawn, orders sabres to be drawn, and then commands: 1. Forward; 2.
Trot.
At the command, MARCH, repeated by the chief of the platoon,
it moves forward. After marching 100 paces to the front, the chief of the
platoon commands: 1. Eight filels from right (or from left)—.as
skirmishers; 2. MARCH; which is executed as prescribed, No. 295.
419.—When the Captain wishes the skirmishers to reenter the
squadron. he causes the rally to be sounded.
At this signal the chief of the skirmishers, joining the
reserve, or placing himself conveniently for resuming his place in the
squadron, repeats the signal, and the platoon being rallied, he joins it at the
gallop or trot.
420.—When the captain wishes to relieve a platoon which is
skirmishing, the chief of the new platoon moves forward upon the reserve of the
platoon which is acting as skirmishers. On coming up abreast of it, he orders
out 8 files as skirmishers, as has been explained.
As soon as the new skirmishers have passed 6 paces beyond
those they are to relieve, the latter turn about and rally upon their
reserve at a trot. The platoon having rallied, is conducted back to the
squadron at the trot.
421.—When the entire squadron is to act as skirmishers, the
Captain orders the sabre to be drawn. He then commands:
1. Forward—trot.
2. MARCH.
Having arrived at the point where the reserve is to be
established, about 100 paces from the front of the body to be covered, and more
if it has been commanded, the Captain commands:
1. Three right (or
three left) platoons—as skirmishers.
2. MARCH.
SQUADRON, MOUNTED.
At the command, MARCH, the chief of the platoon, which is to support
the skirmishers, halts that platoon; the right guide joins the skirmishers, and
when they deploy, takes his place in the centre, there to be the guide of the
whole line; the left guide accompanies the Captain. The chiefs of the three
right platoons continue to march on, each directing himself by the shortest
route, 100 paces to the front towards the front of the line his platoon is to
occupy, and having it, he deploys his platoon at the commands 1, As
skirmishers; 2. MARCH.
The right platoon covers the right of the regiment, and 20 or
30 paces beyond it; another platoon covers the centre, and the left platoon
covers the left, extending also 20 or 30 paces beyond;the extremities
of the line are thrown back. The chiefs of these platoons remain 25 paces in
rear of the line of skirmishers, and pass over the extent occupied by the
troopers of their platoons.
The reserve takes position in rear of the centre of the line
of skirmishers. The Captain’s habitual poet is halfway from the reserve to the
skirmishers.
422—If the extent of the regiment and circumstances require
it, two squadrons are sent as skirmishers. Six platoons, “as akirmishers at 4
paces,’ will cover six squadrons in line. Thus a squadron from each
flank, with a platoon in reserve, would cover each its wing of the regiment.
The Colonel would order the skirmishers to be commanded by
the senior Captain, or by a field officer but always rally by squadron, and at
the flank from which they come.
The proportionate strength of reserves will depend upon
instances, especially the distance of strong support. The chief objects of a
reserve are their moral effect—for rallying points—for supplying vacancies and
re-enforcing, and for relieving the skirmishers. The main body may be so near
that sometimes skirmishers may be deployed without a reserve.
423—The squadron being dispersed as skirmishers, to rally if
the Captain orders the rally to be sounded; at this
SCHOOL OF THE
signal
the officers, the skirmishers, and the reserve rally upon the point occupied by
the Captain.
If the rally sounds from the commander of the
regiment, It will be repeated by the commander of the skirmishers, at a
position ordered by the Colonel, or chosen by his own judgment of the
circumstances. Unless otherwise ordered, the squadron, or squadrons, having
rallied, will then be conducted at the trot in the nearest and quickest way to
their place in the regiment; if the regiment be advancing, they would not
retire to rejoin it.
424.—The troopers being dispersed as skirmishers, If the
Captain wishes them to charge as foragers, he causes the signal to be
sounded.
At the signal the chiefs of platoons move forward Into line,
and the skirmishers draw sabres; they charge Immediately. The reserve follows
at the trot or at the gallop, as may be necessary.
After the charge the Captain orders the rally to be
sounded, when the troopers rally in rear of the reserve, if he is with it; the
reserve may have charged. The Captain may rally the troopers advancing.
425—If, in a squadron, one or two platoons are to dismount
to fight on foot, the Captain commands:
1. First (or
fourth) platoon, (or such platoons)—to fight on foot.
2. MARCH.
At the first command, the commander orders the sabres to be
returned, and gives the command, forward.
At the command, MARCH, repeated by him, the platoon moves
forward; having marched 20 paces, the chief halts it and commands:
Prepare to fight—ONFOOT.
Which is executed as prescribed, No. 306. The platoon being formed
on foot, it is conducted to the point it is to defend.
The horses without riders will be led In rear of the centre
of the squadron.
SQUADRON, MOUNTED.
When the Captain wishes the dismounted platoon to remount, he
orders the rally to be sounded. At this signal the chief of this platoon
places himself at the point on which he wishes to rally, if dispersed as
skirmishers, and the rally is executed as prescribed, No. 399.
The platoon, being formed, Is conducted to within 12 paces of
the ground occupied by their horses, and the chief this platoon gives the
command, mount, which is executed as prescribed, No. 306; it resumes its
place in the squadron.
When two platoons dismount, the junior commander remains
with the horses.
If the whole squadron dismounts to fight on foot, the Captain
commands:
Prepare to fight—ONFOOT.
Which is executed by the whole squadron, as prescribed a
platoon, No. 306.
An officer remains with the horses; the left guide, one
trumpeter, and the right and left troopers of the squadron remain mounted. The
horses of the officers who dismount are held as follows: Those of the Captain
and chief of the platoon, by the trumpeter: those of the other chiefs of
platoon. the right guide and dismounted trumpeter, by the .t and left troopers.
The Captain moves his dismounted squadron to perform duty
required of it, No. 75.
The squadron remounts by the commands, and on the principles
prescribed for a platoon, No. 306.
426.—A column of twos, or fours, passing a
defile, if suddenly attacked or threatened on either flank, if they receive
command, prepare to fight—ONFOOT, would instantly dismount,
leaving their horses with the numbers 4, who remain mounted, and form a line of
skirmishers, with from two to three paces intervals, faced toward the enemy.
Generally the skirmishers should charge with the revoIver;
they have the sabre for the last resort.
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