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SECTION
IV.
Drill
of the Battalion.
The
manner in which the regiment of ten companies will be drawn up, as a
single field battalion, has already been explained.
If
the regiment consists of eighteen companies, divided into two
battalions, each composed of eight companies, divided into two
battalions, each composed of eight infantry companies and a flank
company, it will be drawn up in two battalions, with an interval
between them of twenty-four paces.
The
flank companies being numbered first and second, and the battalion
companies designated by numbers from one to sixteen, according to
the rank of the officers commanding them, the first flank company,
and the infantry companies designated by odd numbers, will form the
first battalion. The second flank company, and the infantry
companies, designated by even numbers, will form the second
battalion.
The
flank company of the first battalion will be placed on its right;
that of the second battalion will be placed on its left.
In
the first battalion, the companies of infantry are to be placed in
the following order, from right to left; the first, ninth, third,
eleventh, fifth, thirteenth, seventh, fifteenth.
In
the second battalion, the companies of infantry, are also placed
from right to left, in the following order; the second, tenth,
fourth, twelfth, sixth, fourteenth, eighth and sixteenth.
By
this arrangement, senior and junior officers are interspersed; the
two senior officers are on the right of the two wings of the
battalion; and the four senior officers are on the right of the four
divisions.
The
infantry companies of each battalion will be numbered from right to
left. They will form four divisions, which will also be numbered
from right to left.
The
formation by three ranks is deemed the most perfect, and effective,
to oppose disciplined troops.
Nevertheless,
as two ranks will be a sufficient depth to oppose to undisciplined
enemies, who deal chiefly in fire, the commanding officer will
always determine whether the formation shall be in two or in three
ranks.
The
colonel will be posted thirty paces in the rear of the interval
between the battalions; the lieutenant colonel of each battalion
will be posted twenty paces in the rear of the centre of his
battalion; the major eight paces in the rear of the centre of the
right wing; and the adjutant eight paces in the rear of the centre
of the left wing.
The
term "subdivision" will be used to signify either a
company or platoon, indifferently.
If
the regiment forms but a single field battalion, the words of
command prescribed to be given by the lieutenant colonel, will be
given by the colonel.
PART
I.
ARTICLE
I.
To
open the Ranks.
The
lieutenant colonel desiring to open the ranks, will command,
1,
Rear ranks, take distance.
At
this command the captains and covering sergeants, as also the
sergeant and corporal who are placed on the left flank of the
battalion in the first and third rank, step briskly to the rear, to
mark the line whereon the two rear ranks are to form. The captain
and the sergeant who was on the left of the first rank, dress by the
line of file closers. The covering sergeants, and the corporal who
was on the left of the third rank, will step four paces in rear of
the rank of file closers, and dress by the right.
They
will judge the distance by the eye.
The
lieutenant colonel coming to the right of the line of file closers,
will see that the line is correctly taken by the captains; and the
adjutant will dress the line of covering sergeants on the corporal
on the left, who will raise his firelock perpendicularly before his
eyes as an object for the adjutant to see.
his
being done, the lieutenant colonel will command,
2. MARCH.
The
two rear ranks will step back in common time, passing a little the
lines taken for them, and dress forward by the captains and covering
sergeants. The file closers step back at the same time, and form a
line two paces in rear of the third rank, and are dressed by the
major on the corporal on the left, who will raise his firelock
perpendicularly before his eyes.
The
ranks being dressed, the lieutenant colonel will command,
3. STEADY.
The
captains, and the sergeant who was placed on the left of the first
rank, regain their posts in the front rank.
ARTICLE
II.
Manual
Exercise.
The
colonel, lieutenant colonel, or other officer commanding the
battalion, will command so much of the manual exercise as he
pleases, and the loading motions.
He
will attend to the execution of the front rank; the major to the
second; and the adjutant to the third.
Each
captain will make a half face to the right, when the soldiers of his
company in the loading motions do the same, and face to the front
when the soldier next to him of his own company passes the firelock
to the left.
The
lieutenant colonel desiring to close the ranks, will command,
1 Close ranks.
2 MARCH.
The
two rear ranks close by the common step, each man covering his file
leader. The captains and covering sergeants take their places in the
line.
ARTICLE
III.
Loading
in the Quickest Time, and the Firings.
When
the ranks are closed, the lieutenant colonel will command,
1 Load at will.
2 Prime and LOAD.
and
place himself twenty paces behind the centre. The major and adjutant
will place themselves each eight paces behind the centre of his
wing.
To
execute the fire by company, the colonel will command,
1 Fire by company.
2 Commence firing.
At
the last command, the captains of the first and fifth companies will
commence the fire, in this manner.
1. First company.
2. READY.
3. AIM.
4. FIRE.
5. Prime and LOAD.
As
soon as the captains of the third and seventh companies hear the
captains of the first and fifth pronounce
the word "ready," they will commence giving the words of
command. The two companies of each division will fire alternately.
When
the captain of the even company has observed some muskets of the odd
company shouldered, he will commence giving the commands for the
fire.
The
lieutenant colonel, to execute the fire by wings, will command,
1 Fire by wings.
2 Right wing.
3 READY.
4 AIM.
5 FIRE.
6 Prime and LOAD.
He
will give the word to each wing alternately; giving his first
command to one, when some firelocks
of the other are shouldered.
If
the lieutenant colonel chooses to execute the fire by battalion, the
words of command are the same,
only substituting "battalion" for "wing."
If
the lieutenant colonel wishes to fire by file, he will command,
1 Fire by files.
2 Battalion.
3 READY.
4 Commence FIRING.
The
fire commences by the right file of each company, and proceeds in
succession to the left, but only
during the first round. Each file will fire when the file next to
the right have primed. The first rank
loads, and keeps up the fire; the second hand their empty pieces
with the right hand to the rear rank,
receive theirs loaded, fire them, load and discharge them a second
time, then exchange them for their
own pieces loaded by the third rank, and so keep up the fire.
The
third rank are not to fire.
In
all the firings, the colour guard draws back, so that its first rank
is even with the third rank of the
battalion, and remains at carried arms.
In
the firings, except that by companies, the captains of companies
step one pace in rear of the third rank, opposite their intervals,
at the first command of the lieutenant colonel; the covering
sergeant will step behind the captain into the line of file closers.
If
the lieutenant colonel chooses to execute the fire to the rear, he
will command,
1 Fire to the rear.
2 Battalion.
3 To the right about,-FACE.
The
captains, covering sergeants, and file closers, quickly place
themselves in the positions they ought
to occupy, as described in the drill of the company. The firings
will be executed in the same manner
as to the front, and by the same commands.
The
wings and companies will preserve their former denominations.
The
firing by file will begin at the proper right of companies, now
become the left.
The
firings to front or rear will cease at a short roll, followed by a
tap of the drumstick, at which the
captains, the covering sergeants, and guard for the colours, will
take their places in the line.
In
order to front the battalion, the lieutenant colonel will command,
1 The battalion will face to the front.
2 Battalion.
3 To the right about, -Face.
The
captains and covering sergeants will open the interval at the word
"about," and the file closers will
pass; and at the word "face," the captains, covering
sergeants, and file closers, take their respective
posts in the line.
PART
II.
Various
Modes of forming Column from the Line.
ARTICLE
I.
Wheeling
by Companies to the Right or Left into Column.
The
lieutenant colonel will command,
1 Form column of companies by wheeling to the right.
2 By companies, right wheel.
The
captain of each company steps before its centre, at two paces
distance.
The
right hand man of the front rank faces to the right.
3 MARCH.
The
captain of each company will move quickly and direct to a point
outside of that where the left will
rest when the wheel is effected, face to the rear, and place himself
so that a line passing him and the
pivot man, will be perpendicular to that on which the company stood;
the company wheels as directed,
at the halt; and when the wheeling flank has arrived within two
paces of the perpendicular, he
will command,
1 Company.
2 HALT.
The
company halts. The left guide steps to where the left flank of the
company will rest, and the right
guide places himself on the right of the front rank. The captain of
each company will then command,
3 Left DRESS.
4 STEADY.
and
place himself before the centre of his company, at two paces
distance, facing to the front.
When
the battalion breaks into column to the right, in order to march
towards the left, the right company
shall march to the front twice the distance of its front, while the
other companies wheel into open
column. For this purpose the lieutenant colonel will command,
1 The line will break into column by the right, to march towards
the left.
2 By companies, to the right wheel.
3 MARCH.
ARTICLE
II.
To
form the Open Column by filing by Companies to the Rear.
The
lieutenant colonel will command,
1 Form column of companies by filing to the rear.
At
this command each captain of a company steps before the company and
faces it. The lieutenant colonel
then commands,
1 Battalion, by the right flank.
2 To the right FACE.
3 Companies, by files to the right.
4 MARCH.
At
the second command, the captain will inform the soldiers that they
are to face and disengage to the
right.
At
the third, the company faces to the right, and the captain quickly
disengages the three first files to
the rear, the first its whole depth, the other two just turning the
shoulder. The captain then places himself
with his breast touching the left arm of the left front rank man of
the company on the right of that
he commands; and the captain who is on the right wing of the
battalion will place himself as if there
was a company on his right, dressing by the other captains. The
covering sergeant places himself before
the first man of the first rank, to conduct him. At the word
"march," each leading file wheels to the
right, and is conducted by the sergeant perpendicularly to the rear.
The captain stands fast, and sees
his company file by him. At the instant the last file wheels, he
commands,
1. Company,
2. HALT.
3 FRONT.
4 Left DRESS.
When
the company fronts, the left guide comes to the captain of the
company, and places himself with
his left arm touching the breast of the captain. At the word
"dress," the first company dresses by its
left guide, perpendicular to the direction of the line. The captain
will step two paces outside of the left
guide, to observe the direction. Seeing it right, he will command,
5 Steady.
and
come before the centre of his company. The battalion breaks to the
rear by the left, on the same principles.
ARTICLE
III.
To
form Close Column from the Line.
This
may be done by companies, or divisions, upon the right or left
company, or division, or any
other,
with either the right or the left in front.
Suppose
it is intended to form a close column, by division on the second
division, the right in
front.
The lieutenant colonel will command,
1
Close column by division.
2
On the second division, right in front.
3
Battalion, by the right and left flank.
4
To the right and left FACE.
5
MARCH.
At
the second command, each captain commanding a division will place
himself before its centre.
At
the third the captain commanding the second division will caution it
to stand fast, and the captains
commanding
the other divisions will instruct them how they are to face.
55
At
the fourth command, the captain commanding each division that has
faced to the centre, will
cause
the three files nearest the centre to disengage to the front or
rear, as the division is to march.
The
guides nearest the centre will place themselves each before the
front rank man, to conduct him.
The
captains commanding divisions will place themselves each on the side
of the guide who leads his
division.
At
the word "march," the captain commanding the second
division orders "guide to the left." The
guide
will go quickly, and the file closers close to within one pace of
the third rank. The first division
will
file three paces to the front; and enter squarely into the column.
The third will gain three paces to
the
rear. The fourth will regulate its movement by the third. The first
division will be halted the
instant
before its guide is up with the guide of the second. The guide of
the first places himself five
paces
from the guide of the second, exactly in front of, and facing him.
The captain commanding this
division
fronts and dresses it; but the guide remains faced to the rear.
The
captains commanding the third and fourth divisions, which are to
form in the rear, halt when
opposite
the left guide of the second, see their divisions file by them, and
as the last file passes,
command,
1
Division.
2
HALT.
The
guides on the left place themselves in the direction of the guides
of the first and second, each
three
paces from the rear rank of the division before him.
The
captains commanding these divisions then order,
3
FRONT.
4
Left DRESS.
5
STEADY.
And
then the lieutenant colonel commands,
Guides
to the FRONT.
When
the guides who are facing to the rear will face to the front. The
major will observe the
guides
in front of the division of direction, and the adjutant those to the
rear.
The
column with the left in front will be formed in the like manner.
56
When
it is desired to form the battalion into close column to the rear
upon the right division, the
lieutenant
colonel will command,
1
Close column by division.
2
In rear of the right division.
3
Battalion, by the right flank.
4
To the right FACE.
5
MARCH.
The
right division stands fast. The captain commanding this division
will order,
Guide
to the left.
when
the word "march" is given.
If
it is desired to form the close column of divisions on me left, and
in front, the lieutenant colonel
will
command,
1
Close column by division.
2
In front of the fourth division.
3
Battalion, by the left flank.
4
To the left FACE.
5
MARCH.
The
fourth division stands fast, and its captain commands "guide to
the left," as soon as the
movement
commences. These instances are deemed sufficient.
PART
III.
ARTICLE
I.
To
march in Column at full Distance of Companies.
The
lieutenant colonel will point out to the first guide two objects in
line with him, at some
distance
from each other; the guide will face thereto, and take them as
points of direction.
The
lieutenant colonel will then command,
1
Column, forward.
2
Guide to the left.
3
MARCH.
57
The
left guide of the leading company advances towards the objects
chosen. The following guides
march
in his steps. The companies march even with the guides. The major
watches that the leading
guide
preserves the direction, and that the next follows his steps. The
adjutant will correct any errors
committed
by the guides toward the rear of the column. The lieutenant colonel
rides on the directing
flank,
and attends to the distances, the step, the touch of the elbow, and
the positions of men and arms.
These
means will enable a column to march with a sufficient degree of
correctness, where it is to
form
a line by the successive
movement of
subdivisions, or to form a close column.
But
when the column is to march along a direction on which it is to form
the line at
once, by
wheeling
to the left or right, it is material that the column should pursue
the direction, without
deviation.
To effect this the following means will be pursued.
The
column, with the right in front, arriving in front of the line, the
guide of the leading company
will
direct his march on the intermediate point, which shall have been
placed previously on that line,
in
order to indicate the spot where the column is to wheel to the left,
and pursue the new direction; the
captain
of the leading company is not to wheel until his company has passed
four paces beyond the
line
on which the battalion is to form. At the instant when this company
has wheeled, the general
guide
of the right shall
place himself on the true direction, opposite to the leading
company, facing to
the
two points of direction to the front, which the major will point out
to him, and he will march
exactly
toward those points.
At
the instant when the company of the colours has wheeled, the ensign
with the colours shall
place
himself on this direction, and march on it accurately, keeping the general
guide of the right
between
him and the distant point, and carrying the colours perpendicularly
before his body.
At
the instant when the last company has wheeled, the general
guide of the left
will place himself
on
the direction, and march accurately, in line with the leading general
guide, and the ensign
who
carries
the colours.
The
guide of the leading company will march even with the general
guide, and about four
paces
from
him; the guides of the following companies will each march in the
steps of the guide who
immediately
precedes him.
When
a column with the right in front arrives in rear of the line, the
commanding officer will
conduct
the guide of the leading company the distance of a company to the
left of the intermediate
point;
and cause that company to wheel to the right, so that when the wheel
is completed, the left
guide
will find himself four paces to the rear of the line, and the
intermediate point on his left.
58
When
the leading company, having wheeled to the right, commences its
march parallel to the line,
the
general guide of
the right will place himself on the line, directing his march on the
two points in
front;
the ensign, carrying the colours, when his company wheels, will
place himself on the line also;
and
lastly the general
guide of the left.
Should
the column arrive on the right or left of the line, the commanding
officer would order
"Colours
and genera/guides
on the line:"
they would place themselves on the line, conforming to what
has
been directed.
Two
well trained non-commissioned officers, remarkable for marching
accurately, will be
appointed
as general
guides, and placed
one behind the right, the other behind the left company of the
battalion,
in the rank of file closers.
Article
II.
Column
of Route.
The
lieutenant colonel wishing to march by the route step, will command,
1
Column, forward.
2
Guide to the left.
3
Route step.
4
MARCH.
5
Arms at ease.
The
captains repeat the word "march," and the whole step off
together. The ranks open to three feet
distance.
The men will carry their firelocks as they please, on either
shoulder, the bayonets elevated.
They
need not observe the step, or keep silence; but will preserve about
three feet distance, and not
confuse
the ranks, or pass the guides.
The
direction is changed without command, by the captain of the leading
company.
If
a defile is to be passed that will only receive a platoon, the
colonel will command,
1
Form platoons.
2
MARCH.
And
the officers of companies and platoons will proceed as directed to
form platoons.
59
If
the narrowness of the defile renders it necessary to reduce the
front, the officer of the first
platoon
will command,
1
One file from the right to the rear.
2
MARCH.
The
soldiers of this file mark time, they turn forward the right
shoulder, and the third rank man
places
himself behind the third file in line; the second rank man, behind
the second file, and the first
rank
man behind the first file.
In
this manner files will be broken off, alternately from either flank.
The
files already broken off will advance the outward shoulder a little,
and gain a file inward.
The
file closers will march behind the files which remain in line.
As
the road widens, the officer of the first and each succeeding
platoon, will command,
1
One file on the right in line.
2
MARCH.
and
the first file in the rear will quickly form in line.
In
like manner three or four files may be broken off at once. The files
ordered will mark time,
advance
the right shoulder, and place themselves behind the three nearest
files which remain in line.
The
road widening, the officer of the first platoon will command,
1
Three first files into line.
2
MARCH.
The
files directed will step quickly, by the shortest way, into line.
The guide will march by the
first
man in front.
This
lesson is important, as a column should never occupy, from front to
rear, more ground than
would
be required to form it in line.
If
a leading subdivision is obstructed by a difficult pass, which
occasions it to decrease the rate of
its
march, the following subdivision will not shorten its pace until it
arrives at the same place,
although
it may close up on the leading one. The same rule will be observed
to the rear of the column.
When
the obstacle is passed, the distances will very naturally be
recovered.
60
When
a column meets with a pass admitting only one or two in front, as a
log bridge across a
deep
steam, the commander will order one or two files at a time to pass
from the same flank; they will
follow
as close as possible; the first subdivision will form when the files
have passed, and march
forward
so far, that between it and the defile a close column may form,
containing the whole; it will
then
halt, and wait until the rear has passed the defile.
To
form Platoons on the March.
The
lieutenant colonel will command,
1
Form platoons.
at
this word of command, the officers of second platoons step before
them, and the captains of
companies
step before the first platoons; the officers of second platoons
order,
Mark
time.
The
lieutenant colonel orders,
2
MARCH.
and
as soon as the first platoon clears the second, the officer of the
second command,
1
Oblique to the right.
2
MARCH.
The
first platoon marches on, and the covering sergeant passing before
the front rank, places
himself
as guide on its left. The second platoon obliques to the right, and
when the left guide is nearly
in
line with the guide of the first platoon, the officer of the second
commands,
1
Forward.
2
MARCH.
taking
care to give the word "march," when the guides are in
line.
To
form Companies on the March.
The
lieutenant colonel will command,
Form
companies.
61
and
each captain will command,
1
Form company.
2
First platoon, oblique to the right.
3
MARCH.
The
first platoon obliques to the right. Each second platoon continues
to march straight on by the
guide
on the left, and when the first platoon has unmasked the second, the
captain will order,
1
First platoon, mark time.
2
MARCH.
The
covering sergeant passing the front takes his place on the right of
the company. The platoons
unite,
and the captain commands,
1
Forward.
2
MARCH.
If
the column marches with the left in front, the obliquing of the
platoons will be to the left, and
the
second platoons will lead.
ARTICLE
III.
To
Change the Direction.
The
lieutenant colonel will inform the officer commanding the leading
subdivision of the intention,
place
himself where the change of direction is to take place, and send the
major thirty paces forward
on
the new direction, who will halt and face the lieutenant colonel.
The
captain of the leading subdivision, when he arrives near the
lieutenant colonel, will command,
if
the change is to the side of the guide,
1
To the left, turn.
2
MARCH.
which
last command will be given as the guide passes the head of the
lieutenant colonel's horse.
The
wheel is made as prescribed in the drill of the company.
62
ARTICLE
IV.
Change
of Direction by the Prompt Manoeuvre.
When
the lieutenant colonel has determined on the change of direction,
and pointed out an object
in
the new direction to the leading guide, the first company wheels as
prescribed in the change of
direction.
When two companies have wheeled into the new direction, the
lieutenant colonel will
command,
1
Prompt manoeuvre by the right flank.
2
Six last companies, quick time.
3
MARCH.
The
six last companies at the word "march," face to the right
on the march, wheel by files to the
left,
and by the quick step, inclining to the head of the column, enter
parallel. The captain of each
company
stops on the left flank; his company files by him; and when his left
guide has arrived even
with
him, he rapidly commands,
1
Company.
2
HALT.
3
FRONT.
4
MARCH.
5
Guide to the left.
The
word "march," is to be given by the captain of each
company when it has its distance.
In
practicing this manoeuvre, it will first be necessary to delay the
head of the column, by giving
after
the word "march" by the lieutenant colonel, the command,
Mark
time in front.
The
principal use of this manoeuvre seems to be, to prepare to form a
line of battle facing to the
rear,
on the right and left of that whereon the column is advancing.
Should
the commander give the word "halt" before all the
companies have filed into the column,
those
placed in column only would halt; the companies marching by flank
would incline to the rear,
enter
the column at their proper distances, and halt, front, and dress. If
the column should have
wheeled
up into line, they would also successively wheel into line.
63
ARTICLE
V.
To
halt the Column.
The
lieutenant colonel will command,
1
Column.
2
HALT.
The
captains will repeat "halt," and no guide will move. The
major will place himself at twenty
paces
before the leading guide, facing him. The second guide will dress by
the first, and the major.
The
lieutenant colonel will then command,
3
Guides in line.
At
this command, the guides will place themselves on the same line with
the major and the two
leading
guides, at the distance of a company.
The
lieutenant colonel will command,
4
To the left, DRESS.
Each
company will approach its guide. The captains will step two paces
outside of the line of
guides,
and command,
1
Left, DRESS.
2
STEADY.
and
take their places two paces before the centers of their respective
companies.
ARTICLE
VI.
To
close the Column.
The
battalion in column of companies at fall distance, die lieutenant
colonel will command,
1
To the front close the column.
2
MARCH.
The
captain of each company, except the leading one, will repeat the
word "march." The first
company
will stand fast if halted. If on a march, its captain will command,
64
First
company. HALT.
Left,
DRESS.
STEADY.
At
the word "march," all the other companies will step off
together, and be
halted in like manner,
when
closed. The major and adjutant will see that the left guides are
placed correctly in line. The
captain
of each company will, in dressing it, place himself two paces
outside of the line of guides,
afterwards
taking his place two paces before the centre of his company.
To
form the column at half company distance, the commander will
substitute the words "to half
distance,"
in place of "to the front."
ARTICLE
VII.
To
march in Close Column.
The
lieutenant colonel will command,
1
Column, forward.
2
Guide to the left.
3
MARCH.
In
columns, whether close or at half distance, the words
"march," and "halt," are to be repeated by
the
commanding officers of divisions, companies or platoons, according
as the column may be formed
of
divisions, companies or platoons, as is done in columns at the whole
distance.
ARTICLE
VIII.
To
change Direction in Column, at half or Platoon distance.
A
column at half distance will change its direction either to or from
the side of the guides by the same
words
of command as are prescribed for a column at whole distance; but if
the change is made from
the
side of the guide the pivot man will take steps of twelve inches,
instead of steps of six inches; to
avoid
stopping the next company.
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ARTICLE
IX.
To
change the Direction of the Close Column.
The
battalion being halted, and the commander desiring to place it in a
new direction facing
toward
the left, two markers with bannerols will be placed, one of them
before the right hand file, the
other
behind and facing toward him, at company distance, on the new
direction.
The
lieutenant colonel will then command,
1
Change direction by the right flank.
2
Battalion, to the right FACE.
3
MARCH.
At
the second command, the whole face to the right, and the captains
place themselves beside
their
right guides. At the word "march," the whole step off
together. The leading file on the right of
the
first company, will be conducted by the right guide exactly parallel
with the two markers, who are
placed
to ascertain the direction of the new front. The captains will halt
on the left of the column; see
their
companies file by them; and when the left guide of a company is
advanced into the line of guides
on
the left of the column, the captain will command,
1
Company.
2
HALT.
3
FRONT.
4
Left DRESS.
5
STEADY.
The
lieutenant colonel will be on the side the companies march to; the
major before the first
company;
the adjutant behind the last.
The
direction will be changed from the left flank to face toward the
right, in a similar manner; only
that
the captains will conduct their companies until their left guides
are in the proper direction of the
left
flank of the column.
In
this manner the column may be established on any direction included
within half the horizon.
By
countermarching it may take any direction included within the other
half; and thus take any
direction
required.
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ARTICLE
X.
To
Countermarch.
The
countermarch of the open column, will be performed as described in
the drill of the company;
each
company countermarching on its own ground.
The
lieutenant colonel will command,
1
Countermarch.
2
Battalion, by the right Hank.
3
To the right FACE.
4
By file to the left, countermarch.
5
MARCH.
At
the second command, each captain will go to the side of his guide on
the right.
At
the third command, the left guide faces to the right about.
At
the fifth command, the left guide stands fast. The company wheeling
by file to the left, its right
arrives
two paces in rear of the left guide, who stood fast.
The
captain of the first company will command,
1
First company.
2
HALT.
3
FRONT.
He
will then place himself two paces outside of the guide who stood
fast, and command,
4
Right DRESS.
5
STEADY.
and
take his place two paces before the centre of his company. The left
guide passes along the front to
his
post on the left. The covering sergeant takes his post as guide on
the right.
The
other companies are brought to the front in the like manner; each
captain designating his
company
by its number on the battalion.
The
major and adjutant will exchange places, the head of the column
being changed.
The
close column formed of division, the right in front, being to
countermarch, the lieutenant
colonel
will command,
67
1
Countermarch.
2
Battalion, by the right flank.
3
To the right FACE.
4
Even divisions, forward. MARCH.
The
even divisions march by the right flank. Their left guides, who
faced to the right about, stand
fast.
So soon as the even divisions unmask the odd divisions, the
lieutenant colonel will command,
6
Even and odd divisions.
7
By file to the left, countermarch.
8
MARCH.
The
countermarch being completed, the divisions will be dressed, as has
been explained.
ARTICLE
XI.
To
form Divisions from the Close Column of Companies, at the Halt.
Supposing
that the close column of companies has the right in front, the
lieutenant colonel will
command,
1
Form divisions.
2
Even companies by the left flank.
3
To the left, FACE.
4
MARCH.
At
the second command, each captain of an even numbered company will
step to the guide on the
left.
At the third command these companies will face; and the right and
left guides of the odd
numbered
companies will place themselves, facing to the right, before the
flank files of those
companies,
to mark the direction of the divisions. At the fourth command, the
even companies will
march;
their captains will see them file by them; and when they have nearly
uncovered the odd
companies,
will command,
1
Company.
2
HALT.
3
FRONT.
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The
captains will then come beside the left front rank men of the odd
companies, and dress on
them
correctly; the left guide of each even company, will place himself
before one of the three left
files
of his company, facing to the right, and in line with the guides of
the odd company. The captain
will
command,
4
Right DRESS.
The
second company of each division will dress into the alignment of the
division, the front rank
man
opposite the left guide just touching with his breast the guide’s
right arm. The captain will then
command,
5
STEADY.
but
he will remain himself in the front rank. The lieutenant colonel
will command,
Guides
to your posts.
The
guides pass to their places, on the flanks and in the rear; and the
captains of the odd
numbered
companies will take their places, two paces before the centers of
the divisions.
In
marching to the flank, the even companies should carefully lock up
the files. And great
attention
should be given to halt those companies at the proper time. By first
choosing the points of
direction
of the two flanks, and then fixing on intermediate points.
69
In
the first case, the adjutant will place two markers with bannerols,
forty paces from each other,
in
the direction pointed out to him; the line between them will be the
basis of the alignment.
In
the second case, the point of rest being shown to the adjutant, and
the object of direction on the
opposite
flank, he will fix two markers with bannerols at a distance some
what less than the extent of
the
leading subdivision of the column, one of them at the point of rest,
the other on the line towards
the
object of direction, on the opposite flank.
In
the third case, where distant objects are given for the direction of
the two flanks, the
intermediate
points are thus found.
The
major and adjutant will proceed to a point supposed to be in a
direct line between the two
distant
objects, and where the right of the line will rest. The adjutant
will proceed directly towards the
object
on the left, the extent required, and face the major, who will have
taken care by moving to the
right
or left, to keep the adjutant directly between himself and the
distant object on the left. Should the
adjutant
then perceive that the line is to his right or left, he will face
and approach to it. The major
will
move in the same direction, to keep in line with the adjutant and
the distant object on the left.
When
the adjutant perceives that the major is in line between him and the
object on the right, he will
make
him a signal to halt; and thus the two intermediate points are
ascertained.
PART
IV.
Different
Modes of forming the Line from Columns.
ARTICLE
I.
The
line may be fixed on, in three different manners.
1.
By placing two bannerols in the direction to be given to the line.
2.
By fixing on a point where one of the flanks is to rest, and
choosing afterwards an object on the
opposite
flank, to determine the direction of the line.
ARTICLE
II.
Different
Methods of forming a Column at full distance, Right in Front, into
Line.
To
the left. On the right. To the front. Facing to the rear.
1.
Column at full
Distance, right in front, to the left in Line.
The
column being halted, and the guides on the left dressed, the
lieutenant colonel will command,
70
1
To the left in line, wheel.
2
MARCH.
At
the first command, the left hand man of the front rank of each
company will face to the left, his
breast
touching the guide's arm; and the right guide of the front company
will place himself on a line
with
the left guides, facing the left guide of that company at nearly the
distance of a company from
him.
The major will attend to this guide.
At
the word "march," which each captain will quickly repeat,
the companies will wheel according
to
the directions given for wheeling on a standing pivot.
When
the right of the company has arrived within two paces of the line,
the captain will
command,
1
Company.
2
HALT.
3
Right DRESS.
The
company will move up between the captain and the man on the left of
the front rank, who
faced
to the left. The man on the right of the leading company will
lightly touch his breast against the
left
arm of the right guide of that company. Each captain having dressed
his company, will command,
4
STEADY.
and
take his place in line. The lieutenant colonel will command,
Guides
to your posts.
The
captains and covering sergeants will open the interval, by stepping
to the left behind their
respective
ranks, and allow the guides to pass.
The
file closers will dress correctly two paces from the rear rank. If
the column had the left in
front,
the wheel would be to the right into line, on the same principle | 