|
817.
A battalion being in column by company, at full distance, right in
front, and at a halt, when the colonel shall wish to form it into
square, he will first cause divisions to be formed; which being
done, he will command:
1.
To form square. 2. To half distance, close column. 3. MARCH (or
double quick-MARCH).
 |
818.
At the command march, the column will close to company distance, the
second division taking its distance from the rear rank of the first
division.
819.
At the moment of halting the fourth division, the file closers of
each company of which it is composed, passing by the outer flank of
their companies, will place themselves two paces before the front
rank opposite to their respective places in line of battle, and face
towards the head of the column.
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820.
At the commencement of the movement, the major will place himself on
the right of the column abreast with the first division; the buglers
formed in two ranks will place themselves, at platoon distance,
behind the inner platoons of the second division.
821.
These dispositions being made, the colonel may, according to
circumstances, put the column in march or cause it to form square;
if he wish to do the latter, he will command:
1.
Form square. 2. Right and left into line, wheel.
822.
At the first command, the lieutenant colonel, facing to the left
guides, and the major, facing to those of the right, will align
them, from the front, on the respective guides of the fourth
division, who will stand fast, holding up their pieces, inverted,
perpendicularly; the right guides, in placing themselves on the
direction, will take their exact distances.
823.
At the second command, the chief of the first division will caution
it to stand fast; all the captains of the second and third divisions
will place themselves before the centres of their respective
companies, and caution them that they will have to wheel, the right
companies to the right, and the left companies to the left into line
of battle.
824.
The color-bearer will step back into the line of file closers,
opposite to his place in line of battle, and will be replaced by the
corporal of his file who is in the rear rank; the corporal of the
same file who is in the rank of file closers will step into the rear
rank. 825. The chief of the fourth division will command:
1.
Fourth division, forward; 2. Guide left, and place himself at the
same time two paces outside of its left flank.
826.
These dispositions ended, the colonel will command:
MARCH
(or double quick-MARCH).
827.
At this command, briskly repeated, the first division will stand
fast; but its right file will face to the right, and its left file
to the left.
828.
The companies of the second and third divisions will wheel to the
right and left into line, and the buglers will advance a space equal
to the front of a company.
829.
The fourth division will close up to form the square, and when it
shall have closed, its chief Will halt it, face it about, and align
it by the rear rank upon the guides of the division, who will, for
this purpose, remain faced to the front. The junior captain will
pass into the rear rank, now become the front, and the covering
sergeant of the left company will place himself behind him in the
front rank, become rear. The file closers will, at the same time,
close up a pace on the front rank, and the outer file on each flank
of the division will face outwards.
830.
The square being formed, the colonel will command:
Guides-POSTS.
831.
At this command, the chiefs of the first and fourth divisions, as
well as the guides, will enter the square.
832.
The captains whose companies have formed to the right into line will
remain on the left of their companies; the left guide of each of
those companies will, in the rear rank, cover his captain, and the
covering sergeant of each will place himself as a file closer behind
the right file of his company.
833.
The field and staff will enter the square, the lieutenant colonel
placing himself behind the left, and the major behind the right, of
the first division.
834.
If the battalion present ten instead of eight companies, the fourth
division will make the same movements prescribed above for the
second and third divisions, and the fifth the movements prescribed
for the fourth division.
835.
A battalion ought never to present, near the enemy's cavalry, an odd
company. The odd company, under that circumstance, ought, when tire
battalion is under arms, to be consolidated, for the time, with the
other companies.
836.
The fronts of the square will be designated as follows: the first
division will always be the first front; the last division, the
fourth front; the right companies of the other divisions will form
the second front; and the left companies of the same divisions the
third front.
837.
A battalion being in column by company, at full distance, right in
front, and in march, when the colonel shall wish to form square, he
will cause this movement to be executed by the commands and means
indicated No. 817.
838.
At the command march, the column will close to company distance, as
is prescribed No. 278. When the chief of the fourth division shall
command, Quick, march, the file closers of this division will place
themselves before the front rank.
839.
The major and the buglers will conform to what is prescribed No.
820.
840.
If the colonel shall wish to form square, he will command:
1.
Form square. 2. Right and left into line, wheel. 3. MARCH.
841.
At the first command, the chief of the first division will caution
it to halt; all the captains of the second and third divisions will
rapidly place themselves before the centres of their respective
companies, and caution them that they will have to wheel, the right
companies to the right, and the left companies to the left into
line. The chief of the fourth division will caution it to continue
its march, and will hasten to its left flank. At the third command,
briskly repeated, the chief of the first division will halt his
division and align it to the left, the outer files will face to the
right and left, the rest of the movement will be executed as
prescribed No. 828 and following.
842.
The lieutenant colonel and the major, at the command march, will
conform to what is prescribed No. 822.
843.
If the battalion, before the square is formed, be in double column,
the two leading companies will form the first front, the two rear
companies the fourth: the other companies of the right half
battalion will form the second, and those of the left half battalion
the third front.
844.
The first and fourth fronts will be commanded by the chiefs of the
first and fourth divisions; each of the other two by its senior
captain.
845.
The commander of each front will place himself four paces behind its
present rear rank, and will be replaced momentarily in the command
of his company by the next in rank therein.
846.
If the column be at full distance, instead of at company distance,
as has been supposed, the square will be formed in the manner
prescribed No. 817 or 838, and following; and the dispositions
indicated Nos. 819 and 820 will be executed at the command form
square.
847.
If the column by division, whether double or simple, be in mass, and
the colonel shall wish to form it into square, he will first cause
it to take company distance- to this effect, he will command:
1
To form 8quare. 2. By the head of column, take half distance.
848.
The divisions will take half distance by the means indicated No. 324
and following. What is prescribed No. 820 will be executed as the
first and second divisions are put in motion.
849.
The colonel will halt the column the moment the third division shall
have its distance. As soon as the column is halted, the dispositions
indicated No 819 will be executed, and when these are completed, the
colonel may proceed to form square.
850.
If the column be in march, he will also, in the first place, cause
company distance to be taken, and, for this purpose, will command:
1.
To form square. 2. By the head of column, take half distance. 3.
MARCH (or double quick —MARCH),
851.
This movement will be executed as prescribed No. 330 and following.
What is prescribed No 820 will be executed as the first and second
divisions are put in motion.
852.
The colonel will proceed to form square the moment the third
division shall have its distance; at the command form square, the
dispositions indicated No. 819 will be executed. If it be intended
merely to dispose the column for square, the colonel will not halt
the column until the last division has its distance.
853.
In a simple column, left in front, these several movements will be
executed according to the same principles and by inverse means; but
the fronts of the square will have the same designations as if the
right of the column were in front, that is, the first division will
constitute the first front, and thus of the other subdivisions.
854.
The battalion being formed into square, when the colonel shall wish
to cause it to advance a distance less than thirty paces, he will
command:
1.
By (such) front, forward. 2. MARCH.
855.
If it be supposed that the advance be made
by the first
front, the chief of this front will command:
1.
First division, forward. 2. Guide centre.
856.
The chief of the second front will face his front to the left. The
captains of the companies composing this front will place themselves
outside, and on the right of their left guides, who will replace
them in the front rank; the chief of the third front will face his
front to the right, and the captains in this front will place
themselves outside, and on the left of their covering sergeants; the
chief of the fourth front will face his front about, and command:
1.
Fourth division, forward; 2. Guide centre.
The
captain who is in the centre of the first front will be charged with
the direction of the march, and will regulate himself by the means
indicated in the school of the company, No. 89.
857.
At the command march, the square will put itself in motion; the
companies marching by the flank will be careful not to lose their
distances. The chief of the fourth division will cause his division
to keep constantly closed on the flanks of the second and third
fronts.
858.
This movement will only be executed in quick time.
859.
The lieutenant colonel will place himself in rear of the file of
direction in order to regulate his march. 860. If the colonel should
wish to halt the square, he will command:
1.
Battalion. 2. HALT.
861.
At the second command, the square will halt, the fourth front will
face about immediately, and without further' command; the second and
third fronts will face outwards; the captains of companies will
resume their places as in square.
862.
In moving the square forward by the second, third, or fourth fronts,
the same rules will be observed. 863. The battalion being formed
into square, when the colonel shall wish to cause it to advance a
greater distance than thirty paces, he will command: 1. Form column.
864.
The chief of the first front will command:
1.
First division forward. 2. Guide left.
865.
The commander of the fourth front will caution it to stand fast; the
commander of the second front will cause it to face to the left, and
then command, By company, by file left. The commander of the third
front will cause it to face to the right, and then command, By
company, by file right. At the moment the second and third fronts
face to the left and right, each captain will cause to break to the
rear the two leading files of his company.
866.
These dispositions being made, the colonel will command:
3.
MARCH (or double quick-MARCH).
867.
At this command, the first front will march forward; its chief will
halt it when it shall have advanced & space equal to half its
front, and align it by the left.
868.
The corresponding companies of the second and third fronts will
wheel by file to the left and right, and march to meet each other
behind the centre of the first division, and the moment they unite,
the captain of each company will halt his company and face it to the
front. The division being re-formed, its chief will align it by the
left.
869.
The commander of the fourth front will cause it to face about: its
file closers will remain before the front rank.
870.
The column being thus re-formed, the colonel may put it in march by
the commands and means prescribed No. 164 and following; the right
guides will preserve company distance exactly as the directing
guides.
871.
When the colonel shall wish to re-form square, he will give the
commands indicated No. 840.
872.
To cause the square to march in retreat a distance greater than
thirty paces, the colonel will first cause column to be formed as
indicated No. 863; and when formed, he will cause it to face by the
rear rank; to this end, he will command:
1.
To march in retreat. 2. Face by the rear rank. 3. Battalion
about-FACE.
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873.
At the second command, the file closers of the interior divisions
will place themselves, passing by the outer flanks of their
respective companies, behind the front rank opposite to their places
in line of battle; the file closers of the other divisions will
stand fast.
874.
At the third command, the battalion will face about; each chief of
division will place himself before its rear rank, become front,
passing through the interval between its two companies; the guides
will step into the rear rank, now front.
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875.
The column being thus disposed, the colonel may put it in march, or
cause it to form square as if it were faced by the front rank. The
square being formed, its fronts will preserve the same designations
they had when faced by the front rank.
876.
The battalion being in square by the rear rank, when the colonel
shall wish to march it in retreat or in advance, a distance less
than thirty paces, he will conform to what is prescribed No. 854 and
following; otherwise, he will re-form the column according to the
principles prescribed No. 863, by marching forward the fourth front.
877.
If the square is to be marched to the front a distance greater than
thirty paces, the colonel will face the column by the front rank; to
this end) he will command:
1.
To march in advance. 2. Face by the front rank. 3. Battalion
about-FACE.
878.
Which will be executed as prescribed No. 878 and following. 879. If
the column be marching in advance, and the colonel shall wish to
march it in retreat, he will command:
1.
To march in retreat. 2. Battalion right about 3. MARCH (or double
quick-MARCH).
880.
At the second command, the file closers of the second and third
divisions will place themselves rapidly before the front rank of
their respective divisions. At the command march, the column will
face about and move off to the rear; the chiefs of divisions and the
guides will conform to what is prescribed No. 874.
881.
If the column be marching in retreat, and the colonel shall wish to
march it in advance, he will command:
1.
To march in advance. 2. Battalion right about 3. MARCH (or double
quick-MARCH).
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882.
At the second command, the file closers of the second and third
divisions will place themselves before the rear rank of their
respective divisions; at the third, the column will face by the
front rank. To reduce the square.
883.
The colonel, wishing to break the square, will command:
1.
Reduce square. 2. MARCH (or double quick. MARCH).
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884.
This movement will be executed in the man ner indicated No. 863 and
following; but the file closers of the fourth front will place
themselves behind the rear rank the moment it faces about; the field
and staff, the color-bearer and buglers, will, at the same time,
return to their places in column.
885.
A battalion deployed may be formed into square in a direction either
parallel or perpendicular to the line of battle.
886.
In the first case, the colonel will cause the battalion to break by
division to the rear, by the right or left, and then close the
column to half distance, as indicated No. 817 and following.
887.
In the second case, he will ploy the battalion into simple column by
division at half distance in rear of the right or left division, or
into column doubled on the centre.
888.
To ploy the battalion into column upon one of the flank divisions,
the colonel will command:
1.
To form square. 2. Column at half distance by division. 3. On the
first (or fourth) division. 4. Battalion right (or left)-FACE. 5.
MARCH (or double quick —MARCH).
889.
This movement will be executed according to t.e principles
prescribed No. 119 and following.
890.
If the battalion be marching in line of battle, and the colonel
shall wish to form square in a direction perpendicular to the line
of battle: he will command:
1.
To form square. 2. On the first (or fourth) division; form column.
3. Battalion by the right (or left). 4. MARCH (or double
quick-MARCH).
891.
This movement will be executed according to the principles
prescribed for ploying a column by division at half distance, No.
150. The chief of the first division will halt his division at the
command march.
892.
To ploy the battalion into double column, the colonel will command:
1.
To form square. 2. Double column at half distance. 3. Battalion
inwards FACE. 4. MARCH (or double quick-MARCH)
893.
This movement will be executed as prescribed No. 778 and following.
894.
The battalion being in march, to ploy it into double column to form
square, the colonel will command:
1.
To form square. 2. Form double column. 3. Bat talion by the right
and left flanks. 4. MARCH (or double quick-MARCH).
895.
This movement will be executed as prescribed No. 788. The chief of
the leading division will halt his division at the command march.
896.
When the colonel shall judge it proper to have a reserve, this
reserve, in a column of three divisions, will be formed of the inner
platoons of the second division. The second division will, in this
case, close to platoon distance on the first division. When the
square is formed, the reserve platoons will move forward a distance
nearly equal to a platoon front.
897.
In re-forming column, the first division will move forward platoon,
instead of company distance.
898.
If the column be formed of four divisions, the inner platoons of the
third division will compose the reserve; then, in re-forming column,
the first division will conform to the general rule, and the chief
of the third, as soon as his division is formed, will close it to
platoon distance on the second division. The colonel may, if
necessary, form the reserve of the entire third division. In this
case, the movement will be executed in the following manner.
899.
If the column be at full distance, when it shall close, at the
command to form square, to half distance, the chief of the third
division will cause four files to break to the rear from the right
and left of his division; the guides will close upon the outer files
remaining in line, and the left guide will march exactly in the
trace of the file immediately in front of him. This division will
then close in mass on the second division; and the chief of the
fourth division will close to half distance on the same division.
900.
At the command form square, the chief of the reserve division will
command,
1.
Third division forward. 2. Guide centre;
at
this command, the guides on the flanks will fall into the line of
file closers. At the command march, the reserve will move forward
the distance of a company front. When halted, its chief will cause
the platoons to be doubled, and for this purpose will command:
1.
On the centre double platoons. 2. MARCH.
901.
At the first command, the chiefs of platoon will place themselves in
front of the centre of their respective platoons; the chief of each
outer platoon will face his platoon towards the centre, and cause to
break to the rear two files from the left op right At the command
march, the outer platoons will direct their march so as to double on
the centre platoon at the distance of four paces; their chiefs will
align these outer platoons on the centre, and the files previously
broken to the rear will come into line.
902.
If the column be at half instead of full distanoe, the colonel
before forming square will order the chiefs of the third and fourth
divisions to move forward their divisions as prescribed No. 899.
903.
If the column be closed in mass, at the command to form square, the
chief of the third division will break four files to the rear from
each of the flanks as prescribed No. 899.
904.
The colonel will halt the column as soon as the second division
shall have gained its distance.
905.
If the colonel shall wish the column to continue marching, at the
command, by the head of column take half distance, the chief of the
reserve division will give his cautionary commands in sufficient
time to place his division in motion simultaneously with the one
which precedes it. The chief of the fourth division will give the
command march at the instant there is company distance between his
division and the second.
906.
When the colonel shall wish to re-form the column, at the command
form column, the chief of the third division will command, Form
division; at this command, the chiefs of the outer platoons which
have doubled in rear of the centre platoons, will give the commands
and make the preparatory movements for deploying on the centre
platoons, which will be ekecuted at the command march given by the
colonel and briskly repeated by the chief of this division. The
division being re-formed, the chiefs of the outer platoons will
retake their places in column, and the chief of this division will
again cause four files from each of its flanks to break to the rear.
907.
If before the formation of the square, the column had been left in
front, it would be formed by the same commands and according to the
same principles. The second division, in this case, would form the
reserve.
908.
The column being formed, if the colonel should wish to march it in
retreat he will face it to the rear rank. The files of the third
division broken off to the rear, will face about with the battalion,
and when the column is put in motion will march in front of the rear
rank. But should the colonel wish to re-form the square, he will
cause the battalion to face by the front rank.
909.
If the battalion be in line, instead of in column, the chief of the
reserve division will bring it into column in such manner that there
may be a distance of only four paces between this division and the
one which is to be immediately in front of it; and when this
division is halted and aligned, its chief will cause the usual
number of files to be broken to the rear. The chief of the division
which should occupy in column a position immediately in rear of the
reserve division will, on entering the column, take a distance of
twelve paces between it and the division established immediately in
front of the reserve division.
910.
If the square formed in two ranks, according to the preceding rules,
should not be deemed sufficiently strong, the colonel may cause the
square to be formed in four ranks.
911.
The battalion being in column by company at full distance, right in
front, and at a halt, when the colonel shall wish to form square in
four ranks, he will first cause divisions to be formed, which being
executed, he will command:
1.
To form square in four ranks. 2. To half distance, close column. 3.
MARCH (or double quick-MARCH.
912.
At the first command, the chief of the first division will caution
the right company to face to the left, and the lef company to face
to the right. The chiefs of the other divisions will caution their
divisions to move forward.
913.
At the command march, the right company of
the first
division will form into four ranks on its left file, and the left
company into four ranks on its right file. The formation ended, the
chief of this division will align it by the left.
914.
The other divisions will move forward and double their files
marching; the right company -of each division will double on its
left file, and the left company on its right file. The formation
completed, each chief of division will command, Guide left. Each
chief will halt his division when it shall have the distance of a
company front in four ranks from the preceding one, counting from
its rear rank, and will align his division by the left. At the
instant the fourth division is halted, the file closers will move
rapidly before its front rank.
915.
The colonel will form square, re-form column, and reduce square in
four ranks, by the same commands and means as prescribed for a
battalion in two ranks.
916.
If the square formed in four ranks be reduced and at a halt, and the
colonel shall wish to form the battalion into two ranks, he will
command:
1.
In two ranks undouble files. 2. Battalion outward -FACE. 3. MARCH.
917.
At the first command, the captains will step before the centres of
their respective companies, and those on the right will caution them
to face to the right, and those on the left to face to the left.
918.
At the second command, the battalion will face to the right and
left.
919.
At the command march, each company will undouble its files and
re-form into two ranks as indicated in the school of the company No.
376 and following. Each captain will halt his company and face it to
the front. The formation completed, each chief of division will
align his division by the left.
920.
If the column be in march, with divisions
formed in four
ranks, and the colonel shall wish to re-form them into two ranks, he
will command:
1.
Guide centre. 2. In two ranks, undouble file& 3. MARCH.
921.
The captain, paced in the centre of each division, will continue to
march straight to the front, as will also the left file of the right
company, and the right file of the left company. Each company will
then be re-formed into two ranks, as prescribed in the school of the
company.
922.
The battalion being formed into two ranks, the colonel will command,
Guide left (or right).
923.
To form square in four ranks on one of the flank divisions, the
colonel will command:
1.
To form square, in four ranks. 2. Column at bar distance, by
division. 3. On the first (or fourth) division. 4. Battalion, right
(or left)-FACE. 5. MARCH (or double quick-MARCH).
924.
At the second command, each chief of division will place himself
before the centre of his division, and caution it to face to the
right.
925.
At the fourth command, the right guide of the first division will
remain faced to the front, the battalion will face to the right.
926.
At the command march, the first file of four men of the first
division will face to the front, remaining doubled. All the other
files of four men will step off together, and each in succession
will close up to its proper distance on the file preceding it, and
face to the front, remaining doubled. When the last file shall have
closed, the chief of division will command, Left —DRESS.
927.
The other divisions will ploy into column in the same manner as with
a battalion in two ranks, observing what follows: the chiefs of
division, in. stead of allowing their divisions to file past them on
entering the
column, will continue to lead them, and as each division shall
arrive on a line with the right guide of the first division, its
chief will halt the right guide, who will immediately face to the
front; the first file of four men will also halt at the same time
and face to the front, remaining doubled. The second file will close
on the first, and, when closed, halt, and face to the front,
remaining doubled. All the other files will execute successively
what h., just been prescribed for the second. When the last file
shall have closed, the chief of division will command, Left-DRESS.
928.
If the battalion be in march, the colonel will command:
1.
To form square, in four ranks. 2. On the first division, form
column. 3. Battalion, by the right flank. 4. MARCH (or double
quick-MARCH).
929.
At the second command, each chief of division will step in front of
the centre of his division and caution it to face by the right
flank. The chief of the first division will caution his covering
sergeant to halt, and remain faced to the front.
930.
At the command march, the battalion will face to the right; the
covering sergeant of the first division will halt and remain faced
to the front, the first division will then form into four ranks as
heretofore prescribed. The other divisions will ploy into column in
the same manner as if the movement had taken place from a halt.
931.
If the colonel should wish to form a perpendicular square in four
ranks, by double column he will command:
1.
To form square, in four ranks. 2. Double column, at half distance.
3. Battalion inwards-FACE, MARCH (or double quick-MARCH).
932.
At the second command, the captains of companies will place
themselves before the centres of their respective companies, and
caution those on the right to face to the left, and those on the
left to face to the right. The captain of the fifth company will
caution his covering sergeant to stand fast.
933.
At the third command, the battalion will face to the left and right;
at the command march, the left file of the fourth and the right file
of the fifth company will face to the front, remaining doubled. The
fourth company will close successively by file of fours on the left
file, and the fifth company, in like manner, on the right file; the
files will face to the front, remaining doubled. The formation
completed, the chief of division will command, Right dress. The
junior captain will place himself in the interval between the two
companies.
934.
The other companies will close as prescribed for the double column
in two ranks, observing what follows: each captain will halt the
leading guide of his company the moment the head of his company
arrives on a line with the centre of the column. In the right
companies, the left guides will step into the line of file closers,
and the left file of four men will face immediately to the front,
remaining doubled. and by the side of the right guide of the left
corn pany. The companies will each form into four ranks, as
prescribed No. 926, the right companies on the left file, and the
left companies on the right file. The formation completed, the
junior captain will place himself between the two companies, and the
senior will command, Right dress.
935.
If the battalion be in march, the colonel will command:
1.
To form square, in four ranks. 2. Form double column. 3. Battalion
by the right and left flanks. 4. MARCH (or double quick-MARCH).
936.
At the second command, the captains will place themselves before the
centres of their respective companies, and those on the right will
caution them to face by the left flank, and those on the left to
face by the right flank; the captain of the fifth company will
caution his covering sergeant to halt and remain faced to the front.
937.
At the command march, the fourth and fifth companies will halt. The
battalion will face to the left and right; the covering sergeant of
the fifth company will halt and remain faced to the front; the
movement will then be executed as if the battalion was at a halt.
938.
The battalion being in line of battle, when the colonel shall wish
to form the oblique square, he will command:
1.
To form oblique square. 2. On the first division form column.
939.
At the second command, the lieutenant colonel will trace the
alignment of the first division in the following manner: he will
place himself before and near the right file of this division. face
to the left, march twelve paces along the front rank, halt, face to
the right, march twelve paces perpendicularly to the front, halt
again, face to the right, and immediately place a marker at this
point. The covering sergeant of the right company will step, at the
same time, before its right file, face to the left, and conform the
line of his shoulders to that of the shoulders of the marker
established by the lieutenant colonel. These two markers being
established, the lieutenant colonel will place a third marker on the
same alignment, at the point where the left of the division will
halt.
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940.
The chiefs of division will place themselves in front of the centres
of their divisions; the chief of the first division will immediately
establish it by a wheel to the right on a fixed pivot, against the
markers, and align it by the left. The chiefs of the other
divisions will caution them to face to the right. The colonel will
then command:
3.
Battalion, right-FACE. 4. MARCH (or double quick-MARCH).
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941.
The three rear divisions will direct their march so as to place
themselves at half distance from each other, and in the rear of the
first division, as previously indicated, observing what follows:
942.
The chief of the second division, instead of breaking the headmost
files to the rear, will break them to the front, and, at the command
march, will conduct his division towards the point of entrance into
the column. Arrived at this point, he will halt in his own person,
cause his division to wheel by file to the right, instructing the
right guide to direct himself parallelly to the first division; and
as soon as the left file has passed, its chief will halt the
division, and align it by the left. The other divisions will break
to the rear, but slightly; each will enter the column as prescribed
for the second, and the moment the battalion is ployed into column
the colonel will cause it to form square.
943.
The formation of a battalion into oblique square on the left
division, will be executed according to the same principles and by
inverse means.
944.
Should the battalion be in march, the colonel will first cause it to
halt.
945.
In the preceding example, the battalion was supposed to be deployed;
but if it be already formed in column, the desired obliquity will be
established by causing it to change direction by the flank; to this
end, the colonel will command:
1.
To form oblique square. 2. Change direction by the right (or left)
flank.
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946.
At the second command, the lieutenant colonel will trace the new
direction in the following manner: he will place before the right
and left files of the headmost division, two markers, and a third on
the prolongation of the first two, on the side of the change of
direction, and at twelve paces from the flank of the column. He will
then place himself before the third marker, march twelve paces
perpendicularly to the front, halt, and finish tracing the new
direction in the manner indicated No. 939.
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947.
The colonel will then command:
3.
Battalion right (or left)-FACE. 4. MARCH (or double quick-MARCH).
948.
The change of direction having been executed, the colonel will cause
the square to be formed.
949.
Should the column be in march, the colonel will first cause it to
halt.
950.
Oblique squares in four ranks will be executed by the same means,
and according to the principles prescribed for the formation of
squares in four ranks.
951.
Whether the battalion be ployed into simple or double column, the
particular dispositions for the formation of the square will be
executed as prescribed No. 819 and following. The division which is
to form the rear of the column will be closed in mass, and, as soon
as it is aligned, the major will rectify the position of the guides
on the side of the column opposite to the direction.
952.
If it be the wish of the colonel merely to prepare for square, he
will in all formations with that view substitute the command prepare
for square in place of to form square, and in that case the last
division will enter the column at company distance. Remarks on the
formation of squares.
953.
It is a general principle that a column by company, which is to be
formed into square, will first form divisions, and close to half
distance. Nevertheless, if it find itself suddenly threatened by
cavalry without sufficient time to form divisions, the colonel will
cause the column to close to platoon distance, and then form square
by the commands and means which have been indicated; the leading and
rearmost companies will conform themselves to what has been
prescribed for divisions in those positions The other companies will
form by platoon to the right and left into line of battle, and each
chief of platoon, after having halted it, will place himself on the
line, as if the platoon were a company, and he will be covered by
the guide in the rear rank.
954.
A battalion in column at full distance, having to form square, will
always close on the leading subdivision; and a column closed in mass
will always, for the same purpose, take distances by the head. In
either case, the second subdivision should be careful, in taking its
distance, to reckon from the rear rank of the subdivision in front
of it.
955.
If a column by company should be required to form square in four
ranks, the doubling of files will always take place on the file next
the guide.
956.
When a column, disposed to form square, shall be in march, it will
change direction as a column at half distance; thus, having to
execute this movement, the column will take the guide on the side
opposite to that to which the change of direction is to be made, if
that be not already the side of the guide.
957.
A column doubled on the centre at company distance or closed in
mass, may be formed into square according to the same principles as
a simple column.
958.
When a battalion is ployed, with a view to the square, it will
always be in rear of the right or left division, in or4er that it
may be able to commence firing, pending the execution of the
movement. The double column, also, affords this advantage, and being
Sore promptly formed than any other, it will habitually be employed,
unless particular circumstances cause a different formation to be
preferred.
959.
A battalion, in square, will never use any other than the fire by
file and by rank; the color being in the line of file closers, its
guard will not fall back as prescribed No. 41; it will fire like the
men of the company of which it forms a part.
960.
If the square be formed in four ranks, the first two ranks will
alone execute the firings prescribed above; the other two ranks will
remain either at shoulder or support arms 961. The formation of the
square being often necessary in war, and being the most complicated
of the manoeuvres, it will be as frequently repeated as the supposed
necessity may require, in order to render its mechanism familiar to
both officers and men.
962.
In the execution of this manoeuvre, the colonel will carefully
observe that the divers movements which it involves succeed each
other without loss of time, but also without confusion; for, if the
rapidity of cavalry movements requires the greatest promptitude in
the formation of squares, so, on the other hand, precipitancy always
results in disorder; and in no circumstance is disorder more to be
avoided.
963.
When the colonel shall wish to cover by skirmishers the movements of
a column preparing to form square, he will detach for this purpose
one or two inner platoons of one of the interior divisions of the
column. In this case, the exterior platoons of this division and the
following subdivisions, will, according to circumstances, close on
the preceding subdivision, in such manner, that there may be between
them only the distance necessary for forming into line.
964.
When the colonel shall be ready to form square, he will, in order to
recall the skirmishers, cause to the color to be sounded. If,
on the return of the skirmishers, there be not room for them to form
into ine of battle, they will double on the outer platoons of their
respective companies.
965.
When a column closed in mass has to form square, it will begin by
taking company distance; but, if so suddenly threatened by cavalry
as not to allow time for this disposition, it will be formed in the
following manner:
966.
The colonel will command:
1.
Column against cavalry. 2. MARCH.
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967.
At the first command, the chief of the leading division will caution
it to stand fast and pass behind the rear rank; in the interior
divisions each captain will promptly designate the number of files
necessary to close the interval between his company and the one in
front of it. The captains of the divisions next to the one in rear,
in addition to closing the interval in front, will also close up the
interval which separates this division from the last; the chief of
the fourth division will caution it to face about, and its file
closers will pass briskly before the front rank.
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968.
At the command march, the guides of each division will place
themselves rapidly in the line of file closers. The first division
will stand fast, the fourth will face about, the outer file of each
of these divisions will then face outwards; in the other divisions
the files designated for closing the intervals will form to the
right and left into line, but in the division next to the rearmost
one, the first files that come into line will close to the right or
left until they join the rear division. The files of each company
which remain in column will close on their outer files, formed into
line, in order to create a vacant space in the middle of the column.
969.If
the column be in march, the column against cavalry will be formed by
the same commands and means. At the command march, the first and
fourth divisions will halt and the latter division will face about;
the interior divisions will conform to what has been prescribed
above.
970.
The battalion being no longer threatened by cavalry, the colonel
will command:
1.
Form column. 2. MARCH.
971.
At the command march, the files in column will close to the left and
right to make room for those in line, who will retake their places
in column by stepping backwards, except those closing the interval
between the two rear divisions, who will take their places in column
by a flank movement. The fourth division will face about, the guides
will resume their places.
972.
If the colonel should be so pressed as not to have time to order
bayonets to be fixed, the men will fix them, without command or
signal, at the cautionary command, column against cavalry.
973.
As this manoeuvre is often used in war, and with decided advantage,
the colonel will frequently cause it to be executed in order to
render it familiar.
974.
The battalion being in line of battle, the colonel will sometimes
cause the disperse to be founded, at which signal, the battalion
will break and disperse.
975.
When the colonel shall wish to rally the battalion, he will cause to
the color to be sounded, and at the same time place two markers and
the colorbearer in the direction he may wish to give to the
battalion.
976.
Each captain will rally his company about si paces in rear of the
place it is to occupy in line of battle.
977.
The colonel will cause the color-company to be promptly established
against the markers, and each company by the command of its captain
will be aligned on the color-company according to the principles
heretofore prescribed.
978.
When the colonel shall wish to rally the battalion in column, he
will cause the assembly to be sounded, and place two markers before
the position to be occupied by the first company; the captain of
this company will rally his company in rear of the two markers, and
each of the other captains will rally his company at platoon
distance, behind the one which should precede it in the order in
column. |
