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PART I.
A SUPPLEMENT TO PART I.
OF THE COMPANY.
A COMPANY may be deployed as skirmishers, either forward or by the flank. It is deployed forward, when it is behind the line on which it is to be established; and by the flank when it is already on that line. In both cases it is divided into three platoons: the right and left platoons, denominated respectively, first and second platoons, form the line of skirmishers; the centre platoon, the reserve,
A company may be deployed, as skirmishers, on its left, on its right, or on its centre file.
A line of skirmishers ought, as far as possible, to be aligned; but to obtain this regularity, advantages which the ground may present for covering the men, ought not to be neglected.
The intervals between files of skirmishers depend on the extent of ground to be covered; but they should not exceed ten, or at most fifteen paces.
The front to be occupied to cover a battalion, comprehends the front of the battalion and half of each interval on the right and left of the battalion.
1st. To deploy forward. (FIG. 1.)
The company being at a halt, to deploy it forward on the left file, the captain, previously to giving the order, indicates to the left guide the point towards which he is to direct himself, and cautions the centre platoon that it is to form the reserve.
Deploy as skirmishers.- The first and second lieutenants throw themselves respectively on the right and left flanks of the company; the third sergeant places himself two paces in front of the centre of the company, to move forward on a line with the skirmishers between the platoons; the third lieutenant takes command of the centre platoon, two paces behind the centre of the file-closers, and cautions it to stand fast.
On the left file, at ten paces, take intervals. Quick (or double quick) march.- At the word march, the first and second platoons put themselves in movement; the left guide conducts the left flank towards the indicated point; the other files, throwing forward the left shoulder, advance in double quick time, or at a run, (according as the order is quick, or double quick,) diagonally to the front and to the right, in order to gain to the right the space of ten paces, which ought to separate each file from that next on its left; when the second file, counting from the left, arrives abreast with the first, it conforms itself to the direction of the latter, takes the quick step, holds itself steadily at ten paces from the first, and on the same alignment; the third file, and all the others towards the right, as they successively arrive on the alignment, conform themselves to what is prescribed for the second; the right guide arrives with the last file; the first and second lieutenants, at the commencement, throw themselves behind the centres of the right and left platoons respectively, and direct their movements.
When the left guide arrives at the point where the left of the line is to rest, the captain halts the skirmishers; each centre-rank man immediately places himself two paces on the left of his file-leader; the flies which are not yet in line promptly come into it, taking the prescribed intervals, and aligning themselves by the left.
The line being formed, the first and second sergeants throw themselves behind the first two files at the right and left respectively, and the third sergeant at a like distance behind the centre of the line.
The first and second lieutenants promptly rectify any irregularity committed in the taking of intervals; they then throw themselves twenty or thirty paces behind the centres of their respective platoons. Each of these officers has with him two men taken from his platoon before the commencement of the movement.
The fourth and fifth sergeants, and the second bugler or drummer, remain with the reserve; the fourth sergeant on its left flank, the fifth as file-closer.
At the beginning of the deployment, the third lieutenant marches the reserve, by the shortest line, to about a hundred and forty paces behind the centre of the line of skirmishers, halts, faces it to the front, and maintains it steadily at that distance; the reserve conforms itself to all the movements of the line.
The captain gives a general superintendence to the whole deployment, and then throws himself about seventy paces in rear of the line, taking with him the firsts bugler or drummer, and two or three men from the reserve.
The deployment may be made on the right or centre of the company according to the same principles and by the same commands, substituting right-file or centre-file, for left-file: if on the centre file, the right file of the second platoon closes upon the third sergeant in marching, and all the other files to the right and left, take their intervals from the centre.
On whatever file, the right , left, or centre, the deployment may be made, the rear-rank men place themselves to the left of their respective file-leaders at the moment of forming the line.
To deploy the company from a halt, on the left file, the captain, previously to giving the caution, indicates to the right guide the point on which to direct himself.
Deploy as Skirmishers.- The first and second lieutenants and the third sergeant conform themselves to what is prescribed under this command in the preceding case; the third platoon in rear of the centre platoon, cautions it to face about.
By the right flank, at ten paces, take intervals.
The centre platoon faces about, and its chief marches it to the point which it is to occupy as the reserve, halts and faces it to the skirmishers; the other platoons face to the right, the left file of the second standing fast; the first and second lieutenants, each places himself by the left file of his platoon; the right guide on the left of the right file to conduct it.
Quick (or Double-Quick)-March.- At the word march, given the instant the centre platoon has cleared the line, the first platoon stands fast until joined by the second, when the lieutenant of the former gives the words, (such) platoon, forward, quick (or double-quick) march; in the mean time the second platoon commences the movement; its left file stands fast; the next file halts at the distance of ten paces from the first, the third at the same distance from the second, and so on to the right file of the first platoon. As each file halts in succession it faces to the enemy, and each rear-rank man places himself two paces on the left of his file leader.
The captain and first and second lieutenants conform themselves to what is prescribed in the first case.
The deployment on the right file is executed on the same principles, substituting in the command, left for right.
(FIG. 2.) To deploy on the centre, the captain, previously to giving the caution, causes the centre platoon to march towards its position as the reserve, closes the intervals between the remaining platoons, and indicates to the two guides the direction in which each ought to march.
Deploy as skirmishers, by the right and left Flanks, take Intervals.
The right file of the second platoon stands fast; the first platoon faces to the right, the second to the left; the right and left guides place themselves by the side of the leading files of their respective platoons to conduct them.
Quick (or Double-Quick)- March.- The two platoons march in opposite directions; the file next on the right, and the file next on the left of the centre file, each halts at ten paces from this file, and all the other files halt each at the same distance from the file next in its rear.
The officers conform themselves to what is prescribed in then first case.
Any interior file, other than that on the right of the second platoon, may be designated as the direction file; in which case the third sergeant places himself on the right of the designated file, and the deployment is executed in the manner just prescribed.
The line of skirmishes being at a halt, intervals are extended to the left as follows: (FIG. 3.)
By the left flank, five (or---) paces, Extend intervals. Quick (or Double-quick)- March.
The number of paces designated, will be understood as so many paces in addition to the then intervals. The right file stands fast, the others face to the left, and extend in the manner prescribed in the second case.
The line being in march to the front, will be extended by the right as follows:
On the left file five (or ---) paces, ex-tend intervals. Quick (or Double-quick)- March.
The left file continues tomarch on the point of direction, all the others extend intervals in the manner prescribed in the first case.
Intervals may be extended by the right flank, by the right and left flanks at once, and also on the right file according to the principles just given.
(FIG. 3.) If, in extending intervals, the object be to make one company occupy a line as skirmishers, which had been occupied by two, the files of the retiring company throw themselves successively to the rear, and form company in close order, in proportion as they are replaced on the line.
The line of skirmishers being at a halt, will close on the left as follows: (FIGS. 4 & 5.)
By the left flank, five (or ___) paces, Close intervals. Quick (or Double-quick)-March.
The left file stands fast; the others face to the left, close on that file the number of paces prescribed, and face to the right as each halts.
The number of paces named in the command, denote the number of paces less than the then intervals.
The line being in march to the front, will close on the left file as follows:
On the left file, five (or ---)paces, Close intervals, Quick (or Double-quick)-March.
The left file continues to march on the point of direction; the other files, each throws forward the right shoulder, assumes the double-quick step or run, according as the command is quick or double-quick and inclines to the left until its interval is reduced the prescribed number of paces.
LIGHT INFANTRY.
Intervals are closed by the right flank, and on the right or centre file, according to the principles just given.
(FIGS. 4 & 5.) When intervals are reduced in order to receive a reinforcement of skirmishers, that is, for example, to cover the same extent of ground with two companies which had been covered by one, the new company is so deployed as to finish the movement at about twenty paces behind the line which it will have to occupy, and its files successively throw themselves on that line in proportion as they are unmasked by the files of the old company. The reserves of the two companies unite behind the centre of the line.
5th. To relieve a company deployed as skirmishers.
(FIGS. 6 & &.) When a company so deployed, is to be relieved, the captain is advised of the intention, and communicates it to the first and second lieutenants.
The new company executes its deployment forward so as to finish the movement at about twenty paces in rear of the line. Arrived at this distance, the files of the new company by command of their captain, throw themselves a few paces beyond the old line and halt; the new line being established, the old company assembles on its reserve.
If the skirmishers to be relieved are marching in retreat, the company thrown out to relieve them, deploys by the flank, a s prescribed in the second case. The old skirmishers continue to retire with order, and after having passed the new line, they rally on their reserve.
When a company, deployed as skirmishers, marches in line, the guide is habitually in the centre; if it be intended that the directing guide shall be on the flank, the words guide-left (or right) will precede the word march.
Whether the skirmishers march in line, or by a flank, the first and second lieutenants, and in case of need, the sergeants repeat, with the greatest rapidity, all the commands for the movement.
Skirmishers forward.- The three sergeants throw themselves on the line, the first on the right, the second on the left, and the third in the centre; the chief of the reserve gives the words, platoon, forward, guide left.
Quick (or double-march) march.- At the word march, the line and the reserve step off; the guide charged with the direction, marches on the point indicated to him; the skirmishers hold themselves aligned on this guide, and preserve their intervals towards him. The first and second lieutenants, each directs the movements of his platoon, holding himself behind its centre.
To halt the skirmishers advancing.
Skirmishers-Halt.- At the word halt, the line and the reserve halt; the first and second lieutenants, if necessary, promptly rectify the alignment and intervals, and then take their places, as also the three sergeants.
Skirmishers, in retreat.- The reserve and skirmishers face about; the skirmishers individually, the reserve by command of its chief. and the three sergeants throw themselves on the line as prescribed for the advance in line.
Quick (or double quick) March.- At the word march, the skirmishers and the reserve step off in conformity with what is prescribed in the advance in line. The chief of the reserve in front of the rear-rank, now front, maintains his platoon opposite the centre of the line at the prescribed distance.
To halt the skirmishers retreating.
Skirmishers, Halt.- At the word halt, the skirmishers and the reserve halt and face to the front, the skirmishers individually, the reserve by command of its chief. The first and second lieutenants rectify the alignment and intervals, and then resume their places, as also the three sergeants.
Skirmishers, by the right flank.- The skirmishers face to the right; the right guide throws himself to the side of the leading man, to conduct him; the reserve also faces to the right by command of its chief.
Quick (or double quick) march.- At the word march, the skirmishers and the reserve put themselves in march; the right-guide directs himself on the point indicated to him; each skirmisher follows in trace of the one immediately preceding, and preserves his distance.
LIGHT INFANTRY.
The march by the left flank is executed according to the same principles, substituting in the commands left for right.
To halt the skirmishers marching by a flank
Skirmishers-Halt.-At the word halt, the skirmishers and the reserve halt and face to the front.
The fire is given either at a halt, or in marching, and alternately by the two men of the same file, who so arrange it between them that one or the other always has his piece loaded; to this end, the right hand (front-rank) man fires and loads; the left hand (rear-rank) man withholds his fire until the first shall have rammed; the second, in his turn, waits, in like manner, for the first, and so on in continuation.
To fire at a halt.
Commence Firing.- This command is executed according to the rules just prescribed; the men are not to remain in the same place whilst reloading, unless covered by some chance object.
To fire marching.
This fire, like that at a halt, is executed by the command, commence firing.
At this command, if the line be advancing, the front-rank man of every file halts, fires, and reloads, before throwing himself forward; the rear-rank man of the same file continues to march eight or ten paces beyond the first, halts, fires, and reloads; the front-rank man having reloaded, throws himself forward a like distance beyond his rear-rank man, and fires again, conforming himself to what has just been prescribed, and so on in continuation.
If the line be marching in retreat, the front-rank man of every file halts, faces about, fires, and then reloads whilst throwing himself to the rear; the rear-rank man of the same file continues to march, halts at eight or tem paces beyond the front-rank man, faces about, fires, and then observes what is just prescribed for the front-rank man; the latter man at the same distance in rear of his rear-rank man, halts again, finishes loading, fires, and then does as he had done before, and thus the alternate fire by the men of the same file is continued.
If the company be in march by the right flank, the front-rank man of every file faces to the enemy, steps one pace forward, halts, fires, and throws himself behind his rear-rank man, who had been next behind him, reloading as he marches; as soon as this second man, who has continued to march, shall judge that the first has rammed, he in his turn faces to the enemy, steps one pace forward, halts, fires, and throws himself behind his front-rank man, reloading as he marches, and thus the fire is continued.
If the company be in march by the left flank, the fire is executed in the same manner; but it is the rear-rank man (the leader) who fires first.
In executing this fire, the files must avid mingling with each other; consequently, the man who has continued to march, must never pass a man of another file, who shall be at a halt, for the purpose of firing.
Skirmishers should also be taught to load and fire kneeling and lying. In commencing the fire, officers are to see that all the files do not fire at once, but in succession.
Marching in retreat, the commander of the skirmishers takes advantage of any chance object the ground may present, to arrest the mach of the enemy as long as possible.
The fire is stopped by the sound or beat indicated for that purpose: at this signal, the men cease firing, and those who have not reloaded, load. If the line be in march, it continues the movement; and of the two men in the same file, the one in front waits until the other is abreast with him.
A company, deployed as skirmishers, rallies to resist cavalry; it assembles under other circumstances. The rally is made at a run; the assembly in quick time.
To rally on the reserve. (FIG. 8.)
Rally on the reserve.- This command being given, the captain throws himself on the reserve, the chief of which begins the formation of the circle by throwing back a little the two flanks of the reserve. The skirmishers running in, form themselves as they successively join the reserve, on its right and left, in two ranks, without regard to height, face outwards and complete the circle. The officers and sergeants direct the execution of the movement, and then place themselves within the circle.
These dispositions being made, the captain profits by any interval of time the cavalry may allow him for putting himself in safety against its attacks, either by rejoining his battalion, or by gaining some advantageous position: to this end he reduces the circle, and reforms the company into column by platoon, and in two platoons; he marches in this order by the front or rear-rank; and if threatened anew by the cavalry, he halts and again forms circle, by throwing back the flanks of the two platoons; the second platoon, if not already faced by the rear-rank, is first so faced, and the other platoon by the front-rank.
The company being formed into circle, is deployed as skirmishers, as follows:
Reduce circle.- At this command, the officers and sergeants pass out; the chief of the reserve aligns it on its centre; the first and second lieutenants reform their platoons on the right an left of the reserve; which being executed, the company is deployed by one of the means already indicated.
If the suddenness of the attack leave no time to rally the skirmishers on the reserve, the rally is made by platoon; the first and second lieutenants each rallies his platoon on the ground the most advantageous behind the line of skirmishers. Pending the movement, the captain throws himself on the reserve, and so disposes it as to protect the rallying of the platoons and to resist the cavalry. The platoons being rallied, they rejoin the reserve as promptly as possible.
To rally on the battalion.
The company being deployed as skirmishers, rallies on the battalion as follows:
Rally on the battalion.- The skirmishers of each platoon and the reserve unmask the front of the battalion, directing themselves, in a run, towards its nearest flank, and then form in its rear.
The company being formed, it places itself, for the time, whatever be its designation or number, on the left or right of the battalion, according as it may belong to the left or right wing, and if not a flank company, it will not resume its proper place in line, except by order of the commanding officer.
To assemble on the reserve.
The company being deployed as skirmishers, assembles on the reserve, as follows:
Assemble on the reserve.- At this command, the reserve is formed in the precise order it stood before the deployment; the skirmishers assemble upon it, and each resumes his place in his previous rank and file. The company being reformed, rejoins the battalion.
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To deploy the battalion as Skirmishers. (FIG. 9.)
The battalion being in line, it is supposed to consist of but eight companies, and that it is to deploy on the sixth company holding the three right companies in reserve. This example will serve for a battalion of ten, or any other number if companies. Each company, deployed as skirmishers, is supposed to occupy a front of one hundred paces.
The commanding officer, previously to giving the cautionary command, communicates his purpose to the lieutenant-colonel, the adjutant, and the major, the last of whom is charged with the command of the battalion reserve. He also indicates to the lieutenant-colonel the direction to be given to the line, as well as the point of rest for the sixth company, and to the major, the position in which to establish the reserve. The lieutenant-colonel throws himself eight or ten paces before the right of the sixth company, and the adjutant, a like distance before its left.
DEPLOY AS SKIRMISHERS, BY COMPANY, AT A HUNDRED PACES, ON THE RIGHT OF THE SIXTH COMPANY, TAKE INTERVALS.
At this command, the sixth and fifth captains march their companies eight or ten paces forward, make the preparatory dispositions, and give the preparatory command for deploying forward, the sixth company on its right file, the fifth on its left file. The fourth captain causes his company to face to the right, the seventh and eight captains cause their companies to face to the left.
QUICK (or double-quick) MARCH.- At the word march, the movement commences. The sixth and fifth companies deploy forward; the right guide of the sixth, directing himself on the point indicated to him by the lieutenant-colonel. The companies which have faced to the right and left, march straight forward. The fourth takes its interval of a hundred paces from the left of the fifth and then deploys forward on its left file; the seventh and eighth, each takes the like interval from the nearest file of the company next on its right, and then deploys forward on its right file. Each of the five companies deploys according to the principles prescribed for an isolated company, and those on the right or left of the sixth and fifth, are each aligned on these central companies, the first deployed.
The lieutenant-colonel and adjutant follow up the deployment, the first towards the right, the second towards the left, and when finished, place themselves near the commanding officer, the first on the right, the second on the left.
The company reserves are established as echellons in respect to each other, as follows: the reserve of the sixth, at one hundred and forty paces behind the right of its skirmishers: the reserves of the fourth and fifth, united, opposite to the interval between their skirmishers, and thirty paces nearer the line than the reserve of the sixth; the reserves of the seventh and eighth, also united, opposite to the interval between their skirmishers, and thirty paces farther from the line than the reserve of the sixth.
The major, on receiving the orders of the commanding officer, marches the battalion reserve thirty paces to the rear, and ploys it into column by company, at half distance; which being done, he conducts it to the position indicated by the commanding officer.
The commanding officer superintends the general movement, and when finished, throws himself at a point in rear of the line, whence his view may best embrace all the parts, in order to direct their movements.
If, instead of deploying forward, it be intended to deploy by the flank, the sixth and fifth companies are marched eight or ten paces forward, halted and deployed, the sixth on its right file, the fifth on its left, by the means indicated in the second case in the drill of the company. Each of the other companies marches by the flank, and as soon as the last file of each, nearest to the point of direction, shall have taken the interval of one hundred paces, the company moves up on the line, halts, and deploys.
The battalion, in the preceding cases, has been supposed to commence each movement from line; if, on the contrary, it be in column, the deployment is made by the same commands and according to the same principles, observing what follows"- If to deploy forward, the directing company, as soon as unmasked, marches eight or ten paces ahead of the line which had been occupied by the head of the column, halts, and then deploys on the designated file; each of the other companies, marching by the flank, takes its interval to the right or left, halts, and then deploys forward.-If to deploy by the flank; the directing company advances as before, and then deploys on the designated file; each of the other companies, having taken its interval to the right or left, moves up on the line, halts, and then deploys as soon as the company next towards the direction shall have finished its deployment.
The echellons in the example given, descend from right to left; they may posted on the same principles so as to descend from left to right. The commanding officer indicates to the captains, before the commencement of the deployment, the number of paces which the reserve of each company ought to take to the rear.
When the colour-company is to be deployed a skirmishers, the colour, without its guard, is detached, and remains with the battalion reserve.
To rally the battalion deployed as skirmishers.
(FIGS. 10, 11.)
The commanding officer rallies his battalion by the commands indicated for the rally of a company, and so disposes the battalion reserve as to protect this movement.
The companies deployed as skirmishers rally in squares on their respective reserves; each reserve forms the first front of the square; the skirmishers who rally first from the lateral fronts, and the other files the fourth front. The officers and sergeants direct the rally, and form the men, as they successively arrive, into two ranks, without regard to height, and cause them to face outwards.
The rally being effected, the commanders of company squares (senior captain and sixth captain) profit by an interval of time the cavalry may allow for putting them in safety, either by marching upon the battalion reserve, or by taking an advantageous position: to this end, each of those squares is formed into column, and marched in this order, and if threatened anew, it halts, and again forms itself into square.
As the companies successively arrive near the battalion reserve, each reforms as promptly as possible, and, without regard to designation or number, takes the place in the column next in rear of the companies already in it.
The battalion reserve also forms square, if itself threatened by cavalry.
Indication of movements which may be executes by the sounds of the bugle, or beats of the drum.
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Double-quick march. Run .. Forward March .. Halt .. March in retreat .. Commence firing .. |
No. of sounds. 12 13 14 15 16 17 |
No. of beats. 15 18 5 17 18 19 |
Cease Firing March by the right flank .. March by the left flank Rally on the reserve. Rally on the battalion. |
No. of sounds. 18
19 20 21 22
|
No. of beats. 14
1 12 2 3 |
REMARK.- The words of command given by the instructor who represents the commander in the company manoeuvres of Light Infantry, are printed in italics at the beginning of the paragraphs; but in the battalion manoeuvres of Light Infantry, they are printed in capitals.
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