The Field Manual For Battalion Drill
The field manual for battalion drill containing the exercises and
This chapter is long, so it is split into 4 parts.
The field manual for battalion drill containing the exercises
and manoeuvres ...
Henry Coppée
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ViC il e^
liMllKfiO CtLLEif LlMA«t BY EXCNANdC
i.
Entered according to Act of Ck>ngres8, in the year 1861, by J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO.
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
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PREFACE.
Tms little manual is designed to convey the entire amount of instruction on battalion-manoeuvres in the simplest and easiest form.
The school of the battalion, reduced to its simplest expression, —
that is, relieved of the crowd of details which swell it into a larger volimie,—is what is offered to officers of infontry in this little manual.
They will find in it, in the fewest words possible, the essential principles of every movement, as well as the order and relation uf the commands of all officers, ftoni the colonel to the chiefs of platoons. It t>nly presupposes a correct knowledge of the school of the company.
tt has been translated fh)m General Le Lottterel's Atde-Mimoire des Ch^s de BataHlon et Officiers d^Irtfanteriey and has been adapted, wherever it was necessary, to the system now in use in the United States service. The beautiful and Varied formations of squares here presented will be found new to our service; but it is thought that the variety will give additional interest to the book. As this was the only point of difference between the XT. S. Tactics and the French, the translator has placed at the end of the volume a tabular synopsis of the methods of forming square firom the authorized TJ. S. Tactics, that the manual may agree in every respect with our system.
The merits of the book will be found in its portable tizty in which the whole body of battalion-manoeuvres is condensed without injury; and especially in the fact that it simplifies and facilitates both the study and field practice by the manner in which the order and relation of the commands is given in the tables.
Many an officer knows the rationale of the movement, while ho is at a loss for the words of the command and the time at which it should be uttered. A glance will show that this tabular arrangement will be of great assistance.
In the table of Explanations all necessary directions are given as to the posftions of the field and staf^ guides, colors, Ac. „ 3
EXPLANATION OP THE TABLES AND THE FIGURES.
1. IH the tiible of eaepUtruOions of the movements will be fonnd only
■o much exposition as seemed needed. In case of simple move*
meuts, the matter is dismissed by a simple reference to the school of
the company, with which all officers are supposed to be familiar. Tliis table is adjusted so that the explanation in each case bears upon the command.
2. The tables of commands are arranged in such order as to indicate the time of utterance of the relative commands of the colonels, captains, Ac. The position of the commands in the table in every case determines their precedence.
8. The dotted figures represent the position of the battalion or subdivisions at the moment when the movement commences.
4. The dotted lines and arrows represent the route of the battalion or subdivisions to execute the movement
6. The heavy black lines represent their position after the execution of the movement.
6. After reading the title of the movement, a preliminary glance at the figure will make the manner of it manifest, and prepare the mind for the explanations and commands.
7. The movements may be accelerated, the doubU-quick being substituted fer the quick step: in most cases, indeed, this would be preferable.
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PAOI
To open ranks 9
To close ranks .'. 10^
Manual of arms, and loading at will 10
Fire by the front rank 11
To csase the firing to cease 12
Fire by the rear rank 14
To break by company to the right or left 16
To march in column at full distance 19
To halt the column, and to form it to the left or right into line of battle 22
The oojjintermarch 25
Formations to the right or left into line of battle by inversion 26
To break by company to the rear by the right or left into column , 28
Column in route 30
To form the column forward and faced to the rear in line of battle « 32
Column at full distance faced to the rear into line of battle 35
5
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PAOB
To form the colamn on the right or on the left into line of battle ,.... 37
To march by the flank, and to form companies and platoons while marching 40
The colamn arriving in front of or behind the line of battle, to prolong it on this line 42
Change of front perpendicularly forward on the first company 44
Perpendicular change of front to rear on the first company 47
Harch by the flank, changes of direction by file, formations by file on the right or on the left into line of battle 51
To j)as8 a defile in retreat by the right or by the left flank 52
To break to rear by the right or left into column by division 54
To march in colamn by division, to break into companies, and to form divisions .*. 54
To close the colamn to half distance on the leading division, or on the rear division 54
To march in column at half distance, and change direction .*... 58
Dispositions against cavalry 58
To form square 60
To form column 66
To cause the column to march forward and in retreat^ to halt it, and to reform the square 67
To reduce square 68
To form square when the battalion is deployed 68
Observations relative to the formation of squares 71
Square in four ranks 72
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CONTENTS. 7
PAOI
To reduce square ^^ 75
To close column in mass upon the leading, or rear, subdivision , 84
To march in column closed in mass, and change direction in marching 86
To take distances by the head of column and on the leading, or rear, subdivision 88
To break divisions, and to cause to be executed, by company, the movements indicated on pages 54, 58,
68, 84, and 88 92
Being in column by companies, to form divisions at a halt 93
To form the column by division to the right or left into line ^ 95
To ploy the battalion into close column by division 96
To execute the countermarch 99
To change direction to the right or to the left by tho flank of the column 99
To deploy the column 101
To ploy the battalion into column by division at half distance 107
To ploy the battalion into column by company at half distance, and to form it into line 107
To ploy the battalion into double column 108
To march in double column and to change direction Ill To halt the double column, and to deploy it forward..... Ill To form the double column into line of battle, faced to the right or left 114
To march in line of battle forward, or in retreat, and to pass obstacles 110
Passage of obstacles 122
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8 CONTENTS.
PAOl To change direction in line of battle, marching forward or in retreat -. 127
Oblique march in line of battle 128
To cause the disperse to be sounded, and to rally the battalion in line in column 129
Deployment of a battalion of skirmishers 129
Rally of a battalion deployed as skirmishers 133
Other modes of forming squares 135
To form column 137
To reduce square.. 140
To form square from line of battle 141
Squares in four ranks 142
Oblique squares 145
Column against cavalry 147
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TO OPEN RANKS.
Explanation or Tin
MOYElCEirTS.
OOMMAirDB
or Thi Colohil.
or THs Gaptains or
OOMPANIEfl Ain>
DnrmoNs.
The lieutenant-colonel will place himself on the right of the rank of fileclosers, and the major four paces from the front rank.
The covering-sergeants step back four paces in rear of the front rank, as well as the sergeant who closes the left of the battalion, who will raise his piece in firont of the centre of his body, butt uppermost.
They will be aligned by the major
FIRST LESSON.
1. To open rankf.
1. Prepare to open ranks.
2. Totherear, open order.
8. Maboh.
The rear rank will step to the rear; the file-closers place themselves two paces firom the rear rank, and are aligned by the lieutenantcolonel, between the first and the last, the latter raising his piece, butt uppermost.
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10
MANUAL OF ARMS.
EZPLANATXOir or THl MOYBMUflS.
Commands
OF THB COLOHflBL.
OP THB CAPTAIirS
OF Ck)MPANIES AND
Divisions.
The colonel, seeing the ranks aligned, will command 4. Feont.
The lieutenant-colonel and major will take their places in line of battle.
2. To cloie ranks.
1. Close order.
2. March. The rear rank and the file-closers will close up, and resume the places they occupied before the ranks wer« opened.
8. Manual of arms, and loading at will.
Present arms Bhotilder arms.
Order arms Shoulder arms.
Support arms Shoulder arms.
Fix bayonet Shoulder arms.
Charge bayonet Shoulder arms.
The officers and sergeants in the ranks will re« main faced to the front during the manual of arms. l.Load at mil. 2. Load. The officers and sergeants in the ranks will make « half face to the right with the men at the eighth time of loading, and will face to the front when the men next them come te the shoulder.
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11
sxplanatiox of xhx Movements.
COMUAITM
TheColonxl.
OP THE CAPTAUra OP
Companies ams Divisions.
4. THE DIFFEBEHT PXSIHGS. By the front rank.
1. Fire I
The captains will place ihemselves four paces in rear and opposite the centre of their companies: the covering-sergeants fall back into the line of file-closers. The color and color-guard fall back so that its front rank shall be in the line with the rear rank of the battalion.
The captains of thefirsty third, fifth, and seventh companies will command..
company.
2. Commence
The captain of the third company does not begin his fire until after he has heard that of the first; the fifth, until after the third; and so in succession, for the firtt fire only.
As soon as the captains of the even companies see eome pieces brought to a ready in the companies which form divisions with them, they give the same
1. Such com" pany,
2. Ready.
3. Aim.
4. Fire.
5. Load.
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12
FIRS BT THE FRONT RAKK.
Explanation op ths motbkkhts.
COMMAinMS
OP
Thb Colonel.
OP THE Captains
COHPANIBS AND
Divisions.
commands, without, however, regulating themselves upon one another.
The captains of odd companies, seeing some pieces brought to a ready in the eyen companies, will recommence their fire, and so in succession alternately.
To cause the firing to cease.
To cause the firing to cease, the colonel will cause the short roll to be beaten, and a tap to be giyen*^ for the captains to resume their places in line of battle, as well as the covering-sergeants and the color. 1. Fire '
The captains, covering- wing, sergeants, color, and color-guard will take the places indicated when firing by company 2. Right
wing. 8. Ready.
4. Aim.
5. Fire.
6. Load. As soon as the colonel sees some pieces brought t«
a ready in the right wing, he gives the same commands for the left wing, and so on, alternately.
If the colonel should wish to cause the battalion to
* Or the signal to ceaw firing may be made npon the bng^e, and a single bngle note afterward instead of tbe tap.
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FIBS BT THE FKONT RANK.
13
ISmkVAnov or m
MOTIMEZfXB.
ComiANDS
or
THI CkiLORZL.
OF THE CaPTAIMS
OF
COMPAimS A!f]>
DiVMIOIfS.
execute the oblique firings, he would add the command riffht {or.left) oblique, between readt/ and aim.
The firing wiU cease according to the manner just indicated.
The captains, coTeringsergeants, color, and color-guard take the places indicated when firing by company or by wing (p. 11) l.Mreby battalion.
2. Battalion^ 8. Rbady.
4. Aim.'
5. FiRB.
6. Load.
If the colonel should wish to execute the oblique firings, he would conform in the commands to what has been prescribed for firing by wing, (p. 12.)
To cause another fire to be executed, he must wait until all the pieces are loaded.
Like all the other firings, that of the battalion is caused tc cease by a short roll; the captains, covering-sergeants, color, and color-guard resume their places at the tap which A>llows the roll. 1. Firt by file.
The captains, file-closqrs, color, and color-guard take the places already indicated 2. Battalion,
The fire will commence 8. Ksadt.
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14
FIRB BT THE REAR RANK.
ExpijufATioif or Tm, Movuoirrs.
COMMAIIBS
or TbiColohil.
or THB CAmim or
COMPAimCS AKD
DinsioNS.
1. Face hy the rear rank.
on the right of each com- 4. Commence pany. firing.
The fire by file is always a direct fire.
To cause it to cease, the colonel will cause the roll to be beaten, followed by a tap, at which the captains, coybring-sergeants, color, and color-guard resume their places in line of battle.
Fire by the rear rank.
The captains step out from their intervals and place themselves in front of the first file in thcfront rank; the covering-sergeants and fik-closers of each company pass quickly through the captain's interval, and place themselves—the covering-sergeants one paee behind the captain, and the file-closers two paces in rear of the front rank, passing behind the covering-sergeants.
The color will pass into the rear rank, the two non-commissioned officers of the set changing places.
The lieutenant-colonel
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FIRI BY THB REAR RANK.
15
EzPU.irATioir or thi
MOYEXIITTS.
Commands
OP
Thi CohowKL.
OF THB CaPTAIVS
OP
COMPAIflXS AKB
DlTISIONS.
passes bj the right and the major by the left, and place themselves at their posts in line of battle behind the front rank 2. Battalion^ 8. About— Face.
The captains plaoe themselves in the rear rank, now become the front, and the coYering-sergeants in the front, now become the rear.
The firings are executed by the rear rank as by the front. The companies and wings preserve their num* bers and designation.
In firing by file, the firing will commence on the l^ 'of the companies, now become riffht
The captains, covering-sergeants, color, and colorguard will take the places indicated in firing by the &ont rank.
To re-face the battalion by the front rank, the colo> nel will command,
The captains, covering-sergeants, file-closers, color-corporals, color, lieutenant-colonel, major, and field-music will execute what has been
explained on page
1. Face by the front rank.
2. Battalion, 8. About— Face.
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16 TO BREAK BY COMPANY TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT.
EZPLAKATION OF TBI MOYUfSNTS.
Ck>MMANS8
OF TBI COLOHIL.
OF THB OaPTAIM
OF
Ck>lfPANIES AHD
DmSIONS.
The captains and covering-sergeants will resume their places in line in the front and rear ranks.
If the colonel should wish to give the men relaxation, he may cause arms to be stacked and ranks to be broken as in the school of the company.
SECOND LESSON.
1. To break by company to the right or left. (Fig. 1.) The captains place themselyes two paces be- 1. By comfore the centre of their pany, right companies, and caution wheel. them that they are to wheel to the right. The covering-sergeants place themselves in the front rank 2. Maboh.
The left guides place them&elves on the left of their companies, as soon as the movement is commenced.
When the wheelingflank of each company arrives, three paces from the perpendicular, the captain commands - 1. Such com The covering-sergeant jp«ny,
places himself on the] 2. Halt.
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TO BESAK TO THB BIGHT OR LIFT.
17
KXPiAiTAnoir or m
M0VIIIB5T8.
COMXAMSS
OF
Thi CoLomn..
or THX GAPTAIVg
GOMPANIXS Ain> Divisions.
right of the first file in the front rank.
The left guide being established on the i^lignment, the captain steps out two paces from that
flank, and commands
and he then places himself two paces in front of the centre of his company.
8. Left dress. 4. Fbont.
Pig. 1.
0
I
L I
^:u^ki:i:]'
The lieutenant-colonel, A, places himself on a line with the first company on the side pt direction; the major, B, on a line with the last company; the colonel, C, on the flank on the side of direction.
This moTement, left in front, will be executed by inverse commands and means.
To break by division^ the denomination division must be substituted for that of company; in this case, the
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18
TO BREAK TO THl RIGHT OR LEFT.
Explanation or the
MOYKMENTS.
Commands
ThX Ck>LONEL.
I Of IHK GaPTAINB Of
Companies and
DlYISIONS.
junior captain places himself in the interral, in the centre of the division, at the moment when the chief of the division places himself two paces in front of its centre.
If it be desired to break to the right to march to the left, this command is given before By company right wheel. When the battalion is broken, the lieutenantcolonel places a marker against the right guide of the first company. When the column is put in motion, this company wheels to the left, marches ten paces forward, and wheels again to the left. After the second wheel, its captain commands. Guide left.
The lieutenant-colonel will place a marker where the first company is to change direction the second time.
If the colonel should desire to carry the column forward without halting it, he will caution the battalion to that effect, and will command 1. By company, right wheel. 2. March.
At the first command, the captains will execute what has been already prescribed for breaking into column from a halt.
The pivots will wheel in their places, and, when the oompanies arrive upon the perpendicular, the colonel
will command..
Forward—
4. March.
5. Guide Uft, (or right.)
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BZPLANATIOlf OF VHI MOYZMEMTS.
CoiOiAnM
or Thb Colonel.
OP THJI CAPTAINf
COMPAiaU AHD
Divisioirs.
The column will then march forward. The lieutenant-colonel and the guides will obserre what has been prescribed for the march in column.
This moTement, left in front, will be executed by inyerse means and commands.
If the battalion is marching in line of battle^ and it should be desired to ploy it into column, to march immediately in a perpendicular direction, the colonel would giye exactly the commands of the preceding moYement; and, at the moment when each company arrives upon the perpen
dicular, mand
he would com
3. Forward—
4. March.
5. Guide right {or left.)
And immediately the lieutenant-colonel and the guides will conform to all that has been prescribed for the march in column.
2. To march in colnrnxL at full distance.
The colonel will indicate to the leading guide a distant point upon which he may direct his march by taking points on the
ground, and mand.
will com
The third command is briskly repeated, as is also the time of the march;
1. Column forward,
2. Guide left, (or right.)
3. March.
March.
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20 TO MARCH IN COLUMN AT FULL DISTANCE.
EZPLANATION OF USUI MOYKMENTS.
COMUAKDS
Thi Colomsl.
OF THI Captains
OF
Companies and DmsioNS.
as common iimey guickf or double-quick, according to the will of the colonel.
The leading guide is alone charged with the direction; every other guide must march in the traces of the one preceding him, and must preserve the proper distance and the step.
If the colonel wishes to change direction, he will place a marker A at the point where he wishes the movement to be executed, and will command
When each company arrives at four paces from the marker, its captain commands
and when the guide touches the breast of the marker ffead of column to the right, (or left.)
1. Right (or left) wheeL
2. Mabcu.
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TO MARCH m COLtTMN AT FULL DISTANCE. 21 Kg. 2.
CfV
^T
IB The guides on the side of direction most ^ continue to march at the full step, without
concerning themselves about their compa■■ nies.
■ The companies should come up without
■■ change of direction to the point A; that is, ■■ they should not commence to turn or wheel
until the command March. The major should watch to see the guides
=3 direct themselves exactly upon the marker -3 A, so as to touch his breast with their right
or left arm. =3 The colonel may cause the companies to
break into platoons, or the divisions into companies, all at once, at his command, =3 which is executed according to the principles
explaihed in the school of the company for breaking into platoons and sections.
The column may be caused to execlite the about while marching; to this end the colonel will command:
1. Battalion, right about,—2. March.. 8. Ouide right, (or left.) At the second command the companies will execute the right about, and continue to march to the rear. The captains (and, if broken by platoons, the chiefs of platoons^ will remain behind the front rank; the file-closers in front of the rear rank, and the guides on a line with that rank.
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22
TO HALT THS COLUMN.
EXPLANATIOW OP THE MOYEMENIS.
Commands
OP
The CoLoifXL.
OP THE Captains
Companies and Divisions.
The lieutenant-colonel remains abreast of the first subdivision, and the major "will give a point of direction to the rear (now become the leading) guide, and will remain abreast of that guide.
3. To halt the colunm, and to form it to the left or right into line of battle.
The column is halted, and the guides do not stir, whether they haye lost distance or not; the soldiers bring their pieces to the shoulder.
If the position of the guides is only slightly defective, the colonel rectifies it; if very much so, he causes the two first guides to be placed upon the new direction, and commands and then .
The captains place themselves two paces outside their guide, dress their companies, command
1. Column^
2. Halt.
3. Guides, cover,
4. Left (or riff ht) dress.
Halt.
Fkont,
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TO HALT THE COLUMN.
23
BzPLANAnoir of thi
MOYXiaNTS.
ComiAirDS
OF TnX COLOITKL.
OF TH£ Captains
OF COMPANIXS AND
DiTisioirs.
and resume their places in front of the centre.
If the colnmn is right in front, the colonel will then command The covering-sergeant of the first company places himself, at the first command, upon the direction of the other guides, and faced toward them, at company distance.
When the marchingflank of each company has arriyed at three paces from the line of battle, its captain commands....
After which he places his person alongside the last man of the front rank of the company preceding, and adds
The colonel then commands
1. Left into Une wheels
2. Mabch.
4. GuidesPosts.
Masch.
1. Such tfompany,
2. Halt.
8. Right dress, 4. Front.
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24
!rO HALT THE COLUICK.
Explanation of the Movements.
COMMARSS
Of
Thb Colonu.
OF THE Captains
OF
gompaniks and Divisions.
This movement, left in front, will be executed by inverse commands; in that case, the captains would betake themselves to the right at the command Guides—^Posts.
If the column should be by division, right in front, the guides would raise their pieces, butt up, at the first command. The left guides of the odd companies would spring upon the Une at the command Halt, given to their division, and face to the right. If the left is in front, the covering-sergeants would in the same manner step out on the line, faced to the left.
The column, while marching, may be formed into line of battle, without being halted beforehand, by the commands By companies right (or left) wheel— March, if the line is to move forward.
But if the line is to be hcdted, the command is, Left into line wheel—
March.
At the command Halt, the guides halt at once, and the lieutenantcolonel promptly rectifies their position.
If the colonel wishes to carry the line immediately forward, he will command, at the moment when the companies in wheeling arrive upon the line of
battle • 1. Forward—
2. March. 8. Guide centre.
At the second command all the companies take the direct march; at the third, the colonel, lieutenantp colonel, major, color-bearer and color-guard, the general guides and the captains, will rapidly execute idl that has been prescribed for the march in line of battle. (Lesson VI., No. 1.)
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9HS COUNTERMARCH.
25
SXPLANATIOir or THI HOYZMKNTS.
OOMMAIIM
OF
Thi Colonil.
or TH£ Gaptaiks
Of
OOXPANIIS AVD
DlYISIOITB.
4. The eonntermaroh.
When at full distance or at half distance, the colonel commands The battalion faces to the right if the column is right in front, and to the left if left in front. The two guides of each company face about Each company executes what is prescribed in the school of the company.
If the column is closed in mass, the colonel will command (fig, 8.) The odd companies or divisions will face to the right, and the eyen ones to the left. All the guides face about 1. Counter' march.
2. Battalion^ right (or left) face.
8. ByfiUUft, (or right.) 4. MARCH.
1. Countermarch.
2. Battalion, right and left— Fack.
3.
By file left and right. 4. March.
All the companies or diyisions are conducted by their chiefs two paces in rear of the guides, halted, faced to
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26 FORMATIONS INTO LINE OF BATTLE BY INVERSION.
EzvL^Anoir op thi
MOVXMENTS.
GOMMANSfl
OF TUCOLOMZL.
OP THB Captains
Ck)MPANIE8 AKD DIVI8IOK8.
^ the front, and dressed to the right if the left should be in front, after the moyement; and to the left im the contrary case. The commands of the colonel do not change, so that the even companies or divisions always face to the left, and the others to the right.
The captains of companies or divisions who find themselves on the side opposite to that upon which the alignment is to be made, will go rapidly to that flank as soon as they have halted their subdivisions.
Flg.S..
2d DiTision.
4th IHvisioii. W^
J lit DiTision.
^ Sd DiTision.
5. Ponoations to the risht or left into line of battlo by invertion.
The column being in march, and supposed to be right in front, the colonel commands............•••
1. Bi/ invertion
into line wheeU
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27
EZFLAKAflON OP THE MOVElUlfTS.
COMMAKDS
OP THI COLORIL.
OP THS Captains
. OP
Companies and Divisions.
The lieutenant-colonel
places himself in front of
, the right guides, and
promptly rectifies their
position, if necessary
2. Battalion^ guide right.
8. March.
The right file of each company or division faces to the right; the right guides halt, and the left guide of the first company or diyision goes rapidly to place himself on the direction of the right guides and faced toward them.
The companies or divisions are halted at three paces from the line of battle, and then dressed to the left.
When the formation is finished, the colonel will order the guides to their posts: the chiefs of subdivisions place themselves, at the same time, on their right.
This movement, left in front, will be executed, according to the same principles, by inverse means and commands.
If it is desired to march the battalion, formed in line of battle immediately forward, in a direction perpendicular to that of the column, and without halting, this movement will be made in conformity to what has been prescribed when forming into line from column in the natural order, (p. 24,) by causing the words By inversion to precede the command Bg companies right (or left) wheel.
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^
TO BREAK TO THE REAR INTO COLUMN.
EZFLAVAnOK or THB
HoTXMXiras.
Commands
OF
Thi Colovvl.
OP THE Captains
OP
Companies ajid Divisions.
THIRD LESSON.
1. To break by company to the rear by the right or left into oolnmn.
The captains will place themselTes before the centre of their companies, and will caution them that ihey are to face to the right, the covering-sergeants stepping into the front rank The battalion faces to the right. The captains go and place their breasts against the left arm of the last file in the front rank of the preceding company^ and cause the three first files of their own to break to the rear.
When the last file of each company is about to arrive on a line with the captain, he commands 1. Such eom>'
The left guides rest pani/,
their left arms against 2. Halt.
the breast of the captains, 3. Front.
who then step two paces to the rear and command 4. Left dress.
1. By the right of companies to the rear into column.
2. Battalion^ right— Face.
8. March.
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TO BREAK TO THE REAR INTO COLUMN.
29
SXPLANATIOir or THE MOYIMSMTS.
OOIWAIISS
OF
Thi Colonxl.
or THB Captaihb
or
Companies ako
Dnrisioifs.
and place themselves two 6. Front.
paces in front of the centre.
This moTement, the left being in front, will be executed, according to the same principles^ by inverse commands and means.
If it be desired to break hy dmston^ it is suflfieient to substitute in the commands the word divition for company. In this case the junior captain in each division marches alongside the covering-sergeant of the even company, and places himself in the interval when the division is faced to the front.
When it is desired to execute this movement while the battalion is marching in line of battle, the colonel
will command By the right
of companies to the rear into column.
2. Battalion^ by the right flank.
3. March. At the first command the captains spring in front of the centre of their companies, and caution them that they are to march by the right flank.
At the command March, the battalion will face to the right; and each company, without being halted, will break to the right, and will be conducted by the covering-sergeant placed in front of the first file in the front rank. The captains go to where the left of their company will bo, until the colonel commands. By the left flank—March.
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30
COLUMN IN ROUTE.
Explanation of thb Movements.
Ck>MMANDS
The Ck)LONEL.
OF THE CaPIAIXS OF
Companies and Divisioxs.
When all the compa-"] nies shall have entered 4. Battaliotiy upon the perpendicular, > by the left <he colonel will com- jlank, mand J 6. March.
6. Guide left.
And each one will execute what is prescribed for the march in column, (p. 19.)
This movement to the rear by the left would be executed by inverse commands and means.
2. CoImnxL in route*
The column being at"] a halt, by company, and I right in front, the colonel will command
1. Column forward.
2. Guide left.
3. Route step.
4. ^Iarch.
March.
The rear rank shorten the step until the distance between it and the front rank is twenty-eight inches; the men in both ranks carry t^eir anna at will.
If the column should encounter a defile too narrow for the front of a company, the colonel will cause all the companies to break into platoons by his own command, or will give the order to the captain of the first, who will form platoons in his company, and all the others will successively break into platoons, at the same place where the first did: these movements take place before entering the defile.
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COLUMN IN ROUTE.
31
EXPIJl^ATIOIT OP THX MOYIMSirtR.
Ck)MMAin>8
OF
Thx Colonsl.
OF THE GaPTAI.VS OF
Companies Ain> Dnnsioxs.
As soon as the companies are broken, the chiefs of platoons place themselves in the front rank, in place of their guide, who falls back into the rear rank.
If the defile becomes still narrower, the column is broken into sections, successiTely and at the same place, if the platoons be of at least twelve files. The first sections are commanded by the captain and by the second lieutenant;. the second by the first lieutenant and orderly sergeant, and, if they be wanting, by the company guides.
They all place themselves in the front rank, on the side of direction.
To execute this movement, each chief of platoon causes his platoon to come to shouldered arms, and to come to close order; as soon as the platoon is broken, its chief gives the direction to carry arms at will and to increase the distance between the ranks.
When the colonel wishes to close the ranks, he will command 1. Right
shoulder— Shift arms.
The rear rank will come at once to close order. If the platoons be less than twelve files, files should be broken to the rear hy twos^ until the front is reduced to six files, not including the chief of platoon; and if it be necessary still further to reduce the front, the men would be brought to right shoulder shift armsy would (ako the quick (or double-quick) step successively and at the command of the chiefs of platoons, so that the rearrank men, as well as the files broken to the rear, should
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close to fifteen inches, after which the platoons might be reduced to a front of four files, not including the chief.
If, finally, the defile is not wide enough to give passage to six men abreast, the moyement is made by bringing the arms to the shoulder,
and marching by the flank.
In proportion as the defile widens, column is formed by platoon, or by section, and the men are again permitted to carry their arms at will.
The ground becoming still wider, companies are formed.
The first subdivision follows all the windings of the defile; the others march upon its traces, without concerning themselves about the direction.
The soldiers must not seek to avoid the bad parts of the road; they are to march, as far as practicable* directly before them.
The changes of direction are executed at the order of the chief of each subdivision, without other commands.
The files can only be broken to the rear, on the side of the guide.
8. To fbrm the columiL forward and faced to the rear in line of battle.
The first of these movements is executed when the column arrives in rear of the right of the line of battle.
The colonel having indicated to the lieutenanteolonel the point where the right of the battalion is to be established, the latter detaches himself with two markers, A and B, and establishes them, faced to the right upon the line, at company distance from each other. The column, supposed to be right in front, having arrived opposite to and at company distance
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TO FORM THE COLUMN IN LINE OF BATTLE. 33
EZPLARATION OF TBI HOYEMZNTS.
Commands
OF
Tea CoLOMXL.
OF THB Captains
OF
Companies and Divisions.
from the markers, is halted, after which the colonel commands
The captain of the first company immediately commands This company is halted at three paces from the line of battle and dressed to the right against the markers.
All the captains place themselves two paces in front of the centre of their companies.
When the companies^ have wheeled sufficiently to the left, the colonel will command
l,Forwardin' to line.
. By company left half wheel.
. Maboh.
Forward— March.
1. Company f forward,
2. Guide right,
8. Maech«
6. Guide right.
The guides will follow exactly in the trace of the file behind which they find themseWes at the command March, up to the moment when that file shall change his direction.
The right of each company being about to come on a line with the left of the preceding company, the cap
tain will command.
And when each company krrives three paces from the line of battle the captain will add
1. Right turn,
2. March.
3. Such com" pany,
4.JLALT.,
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34 TCr FORM THE COLUMN IN LINE OF BATTLE.
COMMAITDS
EZPLAlf ATIOR or TBI
OF
OF THS
CAPTAIKB
OF
Tot
Companies
CoLOOTi. ahb
]>iyiBI01T8.
The left guide springs out upon the line, faced to the right, and, as soon as he is 6. Right
established on it, the captain places
dre89. 6.
himself on the left of the last file in the Fbont.
front rank of the preceding company, and
adds
The formation being finished, the colonel 7. Guides commands
— Posts.
Plg.4.
) :
M^
B
1. M. M..
A
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COLUMN AT FULL DISTANCE FACED TO THE REAR.
35
SZVI.ANATION or XHl 1I0TCM£NT8.
GOMXAIIDS
OF Thb GoLONZIu
or THE CAPTAI58
Compares kvj> Divisions.
This movement, left in front, is executed according to the same principles and by inverse commands.
If the angle formed by the line of battle with the column be so acute that the companies on arriving opposite their respective places on the line find themselves nearly parallel to it, the captains will not give the commands right (or left) turriy but simply Halt^ Right (or left) drest. If, on the contrary, it is greater than the right angle, the formation would be on the left or on the right into line, in preference.
This movement, while marching, is executed in precisely the same manner and by the same commands, only at the first command the captain of the leading company will command, Guide rights and will establish it, after halting it, against the two markers placed in advance.
Column at fall distance fiued to the rear into line of battle. (Fig. 6.) The dispositions already explained on p. 32 having been executed, the colonel
will command..
All the captains place themselves in the centre.
The captain of the first company commands 1. Into line faced to the rear.
1. Company,
2. Right face,
3. By file left.
4. March.
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COLUMN AT FULL DISTANCE FACED TO THE REAR.
DZFIAKATIOX OF TBI HOYBMSNTS.
COMMAlfDS
OF THB OoLOIOIm
OF THB Captains
OF
OOMPAMIES AKI»
DiTXSIOKS.
2. Battalion^ 8. Right face.
and leads his company three paces in rear of the markers: he will then
command 5. Company,
The first company 6. Halt.
haying been established 7. Front.
against the markers, the _ 8. Right dress.
colonel will command....
All the captains place themselvej? at the side of the coveringsergeant.... 4. March.
The companies, conducted by their captains, are then directed diagonally toward the place where they are to cross the line of battle, indicated to them by the left guides, who detach themselyes, twelve or fifteen paces in advance, to place themselves on the line faced to the right. Each company crosses the line of battle three paces, files
to the left, and, as soon as it arrives opposite the place it is to occupy, its
captain commands 1. Such com'
party, 2. Halt. a. Front.
After which he places himself on the left of the last file in the preceding
company, and adds 4. Right dres9.
5. Front.
When the formation is finished, the colonel commands. Guides—
Posts.
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TO TOBX THE COLUMN IN UNI 07 BATTUt. 37
ExPLARAnoir or thi Mothobnts*
COMMAIIM
Tm
I or THI Ga^aiks
OF
OOMFimU AND
Dintioifs.
fig. 6.
This moTement, left in front, ' ' ,,''' will be executed according to 1 1^'' the same principles and by in
Terse commands. It may also be executed while the column is marching, and without halting it; the dispositions are similar. But the second and third commands of the colonel will be, 2. Battalion^ by the right fiank, 3. March.