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.

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. 

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.

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.

 

SKIRMISHING. 

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 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 level 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

1.       Eight files from right, as skirmishers.  2.       MARCH.

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 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 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.

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.

The skirmishers 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:

1.       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. 4to 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.

The instructor then commands: 

Into—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.

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.