DIGEST

It is of the utmost importance that every officer, (captain or lieutenant,) should be accustomed to bring a company into its proper place at any time and under whatever circumstances. He must therefore be thoroughly conversant, theoretically and practically, with the School of the Soldier and the Company. As a militia officer has not very frequently an opportunity of practising the School of the Battalion, let him take blocks, suppose any manoeuvre to be executed, give aloud the commands, leading atthe same time the blocks into their proper places. Here is his company or platoon, there the place to which he must take it.

Very well; one moment's reflection, and then the loud and distinct command. Hesitation is a blunder which, in active service, may be followed by disaster.

There are cases when the companies should form in line of battle or in square without regard to their proper places. For instance: the battalion has been extended in skirmishing line, parts of the companies, of course, in rear as supports, and the color company as reserve. Large masses of cavalry appear, and the accidents of the ground do not favor the skirmishers sufficiently. The colonel, seeing that there is time enough to form square before the cavalry can charge, and being sure of the discipline of officers and men, gives the signal to rally on the reserve. The skirmishers rally at a run on their supports, which at the same time run on the shortest line towards the color company, form, without regard even to front and rear rank, in close order the four faces of the-

perhaps somewhat irregular - square, charge bayonets, and are ready to execute the command ”fire." Again: when surprised, it is infinitely more necessary that the battalion should form line or column without regard to the numbers of the companies, but ready to resist or to charge, than to wait, arrange, and be decimated. It will be easily understood that perfect familiarity with the manoeuvres and their objects, as well as perfect discipline, can only enable an officer to do his duty before the enemy and 'to set an example to his men, who, seeing this, will implicitly trust, obey, and follow him.

2.To open and close ranks. No.'s 22 to 29,

HARDEE.

There are many manoeuvres, in minor tactics, which appear to have no direct connection with any operation on the battlefield; yet they are necessary, because they produce those habits which must distinguish

the soldier. Thus, "to open and close ranks" is certainly not a manoeuvre to be executed in active service, but only to allow inspection. No captain should ever neglect to open ranks after having formed his company, in order to inspect the men's dress, cleanliness, and arms. The habit of cleanliness of the body and dress will keep the men healthy in camp and on the marsh the habit of keeping arms and accoutrements in good order will enable them to be ready for duty at a moment's notice, and to be relied on in battle. Besides, certain parts of the drill executed with open ranks can be made more thoroughly instructive, as the officer can see better each man and his faults and blunders. Perfect uniformity and precision can best be attained by perfect drill of each man.

3. To align a battalion in line of battle.

638 to 651.

The battalion being formed, it must be aligned and remain so as nearly as possible. Now, the colors are the magnet by which the men of the battalion are attracted on which they rally. The colors, therefore are placed in the centre of the line, so that distance and direction can be easily taken from them.

If the line shows but little bends irregularities, the colonel will order the captains to correct them, when they first align themselves on the color-guard, and then their companies. (No. 639.)

But if the irregularities should be great, or if a different alignment should be necessary, the colonel places first, (no.'s 640, 650 to 651,) the general guides and color-bearer as directing points in the desired alignment, then the guides of the companies, and lastly the companies.

The former simple proceeding, will generally be sufficient in active service. The latter method, however, should be frequently practised, that officers and men may accustom themselves to march into the line and align themselves with rapidity and ease, to take the touch of the elbows, and to turn their eyes, as it were, mechanically in the right direction, that is, towards the colors.

It is stated in 643 that the captains of the right wing should shift to the left of their companies before the command "on the centre dress " be given. This is done because the companies of the right wing have the centre on their left, must therefore dress to the left; hence the captains must be on the left to assist the men to align themselves well. It is a general rule that the captains should be on the right of their companies at the command "right dress" or its equivalent, and on the left at the command left

dress" or its equivalent, and return to the right at the command "guides posts."

4.To advance and retreat in line of battle.

587 to 622, and 664 to 675.

The colors mark the centre of alignment at a halt and march on the directing point when the battalion is advancing or retreating. The color-guard marches six paces in front of the battalion, (both in the advance and retreat,) that every man can see it and take the step from it. Let it be stated here at once that the file-closers, (lieutenants and sergeants,) must Pay attention, and correct in the moment they see men of their company inclined to Press towards the centre or the flank. They can do a great deal to keep a battalion steady, and must do so, particularly on a difficult ground, or when the bullets of the enemy take effect. Let them cause the Wounded to fall to the rear and the ranks to be closed again; for an effect can only be

produced on the enemy when the battalions approach in an unwavering line, ready to charge or to halt and fire. When a battalion of the bravest men comes up with the enemy like an armed mob, the men will be in each other's way, and can effect very little or nothing.

Now, to enable a battalion to advance or retreat so that at every halt its line shall be parallel to the original one from which they started, there are, firstly, the colors, who march steadily on a line perpendicular to the battalion, corporal behind the color-bearer following in the trace of the latter; and secondly, the general guides, who march abreast with the colors. The duties of color-bearer render it necessary that of that he should be a steady and practised soldier. It is evident that there must be some means in order to assist him to march on the perpendicular. The rules laid down in 587 to 590, 606 to 611, aid 666, 667, should be

11.

strictly attended to, and very frequently practised on the parade-ground; yet on the field of battle it will be sufficient for the colonel to point out to the color-bearer one or more objects in advance on which to direct his march and in the direction of which he keeps him. If the color-bearer neglect his duties, (that is, to march steadily and evenly on the perpendicular,) one wing will be crowded and the other in very loose order, or rather disorder, which would prevent the men from using their arms properly at the decisive moment. Even greater attention must paid when the battalion advances at the double-quick, when it charges. It is on this occasion that the captains and file-closers should particularly exert themselves to keep the men in good order, so that the muskets may form one unbroken row of steel- the moral effect of this alone is enormous. When the enemy has been overthrown the men must remain in their ranks, for now

follows the volley to finish the work; detachments pursue, not the battalion. Much more, of course, must the officers exert their energy when the advance has been unsuccessful, and a retreat in quick time or at the double-quick has become necessary. If they do not, the retreat will degenerate into a flight, or at least into straggling, which costs more men and demoralizes more than any regular, steady retreat, ever so closely followed by the enemy. The retreat should be executed in such order that, at the halt or facing to the front, the battalion can be easily reformed and made ready to advance again.

In 693 there is stated a principle, viz: When a battalion in line of battle advances or retreats, the captains should shift to that flank of their company which is the farthest from the colors, because they can from this place better align their company on the centre, and keep it in alignment during the march.

5.To halt a battalion marching in line of battle. 635 to 637, and 676 to 680.

If the battalion halts in order to remain in this position, the color-guard and the general guides are no longer wanted in front of it. They are therefore recalled after the command "halt" (637), and they take their original places at the command "about face." (677.)

6.Oblique march in line of battle. 623

to 634.

The oblique march is used when ground must be gained forward and sideways at the same time. It requires very steady and thoroughly drilled troops. The men will easily lose their distances and the off-wing will hang back, so that at the command "forward march," both the touch towards the colors and the original alignment are lost. Yet it cannot be avoided for short distances, e. g., when the intervals of the

battalions of a brigade advancing in line of battle have been lost, or when a more advantageous position must be reached. The captains can do much towards the proper execution of the diagonal march, by remaining themselves aligned with the corporals in the centre and with one another, and by keeping the first file of their company close to their arm. Also the file-closers can render themselves very useful.

7.Change of direction and of front.652

to 663 ; 681 ; 743 to 775.

Changes of front should be covered by other troops, so that they may not be observed by the enemy, or at least that they may not be disturbed. They are executed either because the object of our offensive operations requires it, or because the enemy appears unexpectedly in our flank.

He who knows the difficulties of wheeling by companies, will not hesitate to pronounce

the change of direction and therefore front, explained in 652 to 663, to be not very easy even under the most favorable circumstances, the less so as the captains of the two wings must regulate their march and the direction of their shoulders not by the wheeling flank, but by the centre corporals. Unless a very small segment of a quadrant is all that may be desired in order to advance at once in this new direction, it should be avoided. A column doubled on the centre, however, now much more used for advance and retreat than line of battle, could very easily perform the change direction at right angle to the former direction, and then deploy if necessary. This is the more easily practicable as the manoeuvre should not be executed under the fire of the enemy.

The same remarks hold for change direction on the rear rank, that is, in retreat, as explained 681.

More time is required and greater difficulties are to be conquered by the method described in 743 to 776, viz: change of front on one of the flank companies, either at a halt or in march, forward or to the rear. Each captain must cause the guide to march in the proper direction; he must give the command 61 right (left) turn, march," as soon as the latter has arrived in rear of the last file of the preceding company; he must command "halt" when he has arrived near the alignment, the change of front being forward, and after the company has passed through the line of markers, the change of front being to the rear. The detail of execution is the same as in "forward into line," or "into line faced to the rear," from open column. If the change of front should not amount to a right angle, the captains need not command "turn," because the companies will be already nearly parallel to the new alignment.

It is very rare that a single battalion is compelled to execute this manoeuvre, more frequently a brigade, &c., and then always protected by detachments more in front. Much easier and with more safety can the front be changed in this way: form double column on the centre, wheel and deploy if necessary. The manoeuvres as described in 743, seq., may be excellent practice on the parade ground, but are too complicated for militia, and can be avoided as just stated. Officers who have a decided predilection for complicated movements of a battalion in line of battle, will find it interesting to know that one of the European armies has a shorter way to change front. Let it be desired to change front to the right. Command: "Right wing about face, battalion right wheel, double-quick, march." The captains of the left wing command "halt," those of the right wing "right about front," when in the alignment, marked by the guides, at 90

degrees to the original position. But even this manoeuvre has been condemned.

8.To advance and retreat by the right (left)

of companies.105 to 116.

This manoeuvre was formerly much used to take a battalion through difficult ground, through the intervals of the pieces of a field battery, &c.

At the preparatory command "by right (left) of companies to the front (rear)," the captains hasten to take their position in front of their companies. The reason is this: as long as the battalion remains in line, it is one unit, and all the parts execute the command of the colonel simultaneously. As soon, however, as the preparatory command indicates a manoeuvre by which the line, the unit, is to be broken into its subdivisions, the commanders of the letter assume command under the colonel, become responsible for the proper execution of the

manoeuvre, and therefore place themselves at once in front of their subdivision. . other rule must be observed in all manoeuvres, viz: as often as the captains leave their places in the front rank, they are replaced by the covering guides, because there must not be any break or gap in line of battle. At the command "battalion right (left) face," or "by the right (left) flank march," the captains hasten to that flank in order to direct the guide and first file. They then cause the first and second files to break to the front (rear), in order allow the guide the time, to place himself once in the new direction, perpendicular the line of battle, before the command "march " be given. Lastly, it is of paramount importance, that both captains and guides should carefully attend to the distance of the companies from one another, so that the command "by companies into line", there should be just room enough for each

company to form line again. For if the distance be too small, crowding will be the consequence, and the men cannot use their arms; if the distance be too large, the companies will be detached instead of forming all one unit; they will be compelled to oblique at a moment when the greatest steadiness should be shown, and when the battalion should be under the control of the colonel.

9.To march by the flank and to form order

in line. 722 to 742.

The march by the flank will be necessary when ground must be gained sideways on the same line on which the battalion is drawn up in line, e.g., to gain the proper distance from the next battalion on the right or left; to take a battalion behind a cover, in order to avoid unnecessary exposure, &c. When the battalion is at a halt, the command is "right (left) face, march," when marching

"by the right (left) flank, march." The men who just touched each other's elbows would now be in rear of each other, with very little interval, and the march, executed in this way on uneven and soft ground, would cause the files to widen out, and produce a dangerous length of the battalion,even straggling. To prevent this and to allow the men to step freely forward, the double file has been introduced. It can be now exacted that the files keep their proper distances. At the command "halt, front," the men must be neither crowded nor loose; either would require much valuable time to give way towards the flanks or to close towards the centre. The file-closers must assist the men, particularly those of the company at the bead.

The flank march is an excellent test of the thoroughness of the drill of the men, and should therefore be frequently practised in companies. First, the simple march by the

flank, followed by "halt, front," on which the ploying and deploying of a battalion depends; next, flank march from the march in line, and vice versa; lastly, from marching in line into flank march, at the command, "by the right flank by file left" (by the left flank by file right), and again "by company into Line."

In order to march by the flank on a straight line, the guide should be accustomed to take points of direction, and to march without varying the length of steps. The captains march by the side of their guides at the head, in order to regulate the better the proper execution of the movement; they take their places in the front rank again, as soon as the battalion faces to the front or rear.

To form a battalion, marching by the flank, on the right (left) by file into line, implies a change of front to the original rear, a complete counter march, and will be sometimes of advantage, particularly when exe-

cuted by a detached company. Yet it must be properly protected by skirmishers. It would take a battalion much time to excel this manoeuvre. In order to assist the companies to form the battalion in the alignment which the colonel considers the most advantageous, markers are placed for the direction of the company at the head, and then the guide of each company aligns on them soon as the last file of the company arrives in the line.

On a march far from the enemy, it necessary to allow the men all possible convenience, compatible with strict order, and to leave the road open to communication, which would be stopped by marching in broad front. This would be unnecessarily inconvenient both to the troops and to traffic. The battalion marches in such cases by the flank on both sides of road. The chapter on Route march 198 seq., contains many very practical rules

which do not require any explanation, and which ought to be carefully read.

10. Passage of obstacles. 692 to 708.

As our battles are now often fought on a ground which does not favor the unobstructed advance in long lines, obstacles would too frequently interfere with the proper execution of a manoeuvre in line. The frequent breaking of companies to the rear, and taking them into line of battle again, requires very well drilled troops, indeed it requires a higher degree of drill than we can reasonably expect of militia. The troops move better in columns when there are obstructions, and deploy when the necessity arises.

In executing, however, these manoevures, the captains must keep their companies very well together, and the guide on the flank of the company next to that which has broken to the rear, should scrupulously attend to

the duty of keeping the space for that company open. The company which breaks to the rear, and comes forward into line again, must do so at a more rapid gait, than that in which the battalion moves, in order not to interrupt the advance of the whole body. If, however, the battalion advances in double quick, it must resume quick time during the execution of the manoeuvre of the company, because wild running and utter confusion would be the necessary consequence, if the battalion should not do so.

11.To pass a defile in retreat. 709to 721.

A defile should be passed as rapidly as possible, even if the enemy does not press very closely on the marching troops, much more so when he does. Detachments, skirmishers keep the enemy in check, whilst the battalion forms the most compact mass possible, when passing the bridge. This mass however should at the same time allow the

reforming of the battalion, without loss of time, on the opposite side of the defile. Neither of these requisites appears in the method explained in 709, seq. It is more in the spirit of modern tactics to employ another method, for instance that which the reader will find explained in the chapter treating on Column doubled on the centre.

12. Loading at will and firing. 31 to 63.

Battalions always load at will during an engagement. The captains and file-closers, all in rear of course during the firing, must do their best to prevent overhurrying, firing, at random, and loading several cartridges one upon the other. A regiment should never be brought to the field of battle unless the men have not only had frequent target practice, but also been drilled thoroughly in the different firings with blank cartridges. The few dollars spent for powder and caps, the time and trouble spent in washing and

cleaning the muskets, are exceedingly well employed. It is when firing by battalions, wings, or companies, not to speak of firing by file, that it becomes very difficult for the colonel to keep young troops in that perfect discipline which frequently decides the fate of the day, at least the fate of the regiment. The men are too much inclined to waste the ammunition and to disregard the word command or the signal; they are carried away by excitement. The fire by files should be rarely used. The commander loses almost the possibility of keeping his men well in hand; the never-dissolving column of smoke in front of his troops prevents him from seeing whether there is still an object worth the ammunition; the men fire blindly as fast as possible, no cartridge is left after an incredibly short time, and the regiment is worse than useless in position. Let the officer never give his command, aim, fire," before he is sure of

being in range. The fire by battalion should be used when several battalions form the line of battle, or if only one battalion being engaged, the volley is to be followed by the charge. In general, it is better to fire by ranks. The effect is good, the smoke is not so dense, there is time for its clearing away, half the men have their guns loaded, ready for any emergency; the men remain cool, and hence more inclined to obey the signal which, given when one rank has fired the volley, can be distinctly understood as: advance, retreat, form square, etc. The fire by companies is under many circumstances good, yet its moral and actual effect on the enemy is less decided, and besides, it multiplies the commands - it may degenerate into a fire by files.

The fire by the rear rank may be practised as well as manoeuvres by the rear rank. There is however, this difference, that the latter will be frequently executed in active

service, whilst the former can only happen very rarely, if ever; and only when the battalion is suddenly attacked in rear. It is evident that before the fire by the rear rank can be commanded, all file-closers should have an opportunity of getting out of the way, that is, of forming in the rear, former front, of the battalion.

B. -BATTALION IN COLUMN.

Infantry forms in column on the march and when charging..

To pass from order in line into column, means to place the fractional parts of the battalion in rear of one another, so that the line can be easily reformed.

A column is right in front when that subdivision is at the head which in line of battle formed the right flank.

A column is left in front when that

subdivision is at the head which in line of battle formed the left flank.

Whether a column shall be right or left in front, depends on the accidents of the ground or the position of the troops. If, for instance, a battalion in line leans with its left flank on the road on which it is to advance, column left in front would be formed, otherwise right in front. It is therefore necessary that both formations should be equally familiar to officers and men.

A column is doubled on the centre when the left wino of the battalion forms column right in front, the right wing column left in front on the two centre companies.

The extent of front of a column depends on the front of the subdivision into which the battalion is broken.

Column by sections and column by platoons, on the march beyond the range of the ene-

my's fire. They are , mostly formed from the column by companies.

Column by companies and column by divisions for manoeuvres on the field of battle. The broader the front of a column the less will be its depth, and the easier can it be handled. The column by companies or divisions can be formed:

Either by breaking to the flank (wheeling),

Or, by breaking to the rear by the right (left) of companies or divisions,

Or, by ploying.

A column is open or at wheeling (full) distance when the subdivisions have a distance from one another equal to their front. Columns by sections or platoons are always at wheeling distance.

A column is at half distance when the subdivisions have a distance from one another equal to half their front.

A column is close or in mass, when the

front rank of the following subdivision has a distance of six paces from the guide of the preceding one. The fractional parts of the battalion in column must be so arranged that line can be formed with ease, order, and rapidity.

A column at full distance can pass into order in line of battle:

Either by wheeling into line,

And on the right (left) into line, when the enemy is in the flank of the column;

Or, by forward into line, when the enemy is in front of the column;

Or, into line faced to the rear, when the enemy is in rear of the column.

The three last methods bring the companies successively into line, the first all at the same time.

A column closed in mass passes into order in line of battle by deploying.

A column doubled on the centre forms line by deploying, which takes but half the time

of the same manoeuvre of a column right or left in front, because both wings deploy at the same time.

As soon as the colonel's preparatory command indicates that column is to be formed, the captains take command of their subdivisions and place themselves therefore in front of them. As long as the battalion remains in order in column, the chiefs of the subdivisions repeat the commands "halt" and "march."

All columns right in front have their guide left, responsible for distance and alignment, because they are on the pivot flank; for the same reason all columns left in front have guide right.

I. - COLUMN AT FULL DISTANCE.

The text-book explains how to form column by company, because each battalion consists of a certain number of companies,

each commanded by a captain. Each company is subdivided into platoons and sections; the column by platoon or section can therefore be formed from column by company, according to the rules laid down in the School of the Company. Two companies form a division, commanded by the senior captain; the column by division can be easily formed from column by company

1. To form columm at full distance.

a. By the wheeling of companies. 68 to 86.

The text-book explains three different cases:

The battalion in line is at a halt and breaks into column which is also to halt.

The battalion in line is at a halt and breaks into column which is to move in the new direction.

The battalion in line marches and breaks into column which is to continue marching.

All are executed according to the same

principles. All companies wheel on a fixed pivot, which is explained in the School the Soldier. When the column is not to move, each captain gives the commands, takes the guide of the wheeling flank into the alignment of the pivot man, and dresses his company. Therefore he must be time at the point where the wheeling flank is to rest. Let him never allow the men pass beyond the alignment, because it is difficult to cause them to fall back, easy move them forward. Having seen his company dressed, he commands "front," and takes his place two paces in front of centre. When the column is to advance soon as formed, the guide of the wheeling flank of each company takes at once the responsibility for distance and alignment, hence the captains remain in front of their companies; they have to give no command because the colonel moves the whole battalion at once in the new direction. The

guides of the wheeling flank must now be careful not to wheel any further than necessary to take the company at right angles to its original position in line; they mark time if the command "forward, march," should not be given in time in consequence of the unequal number of files of the companies. Let the guides of the wheeling flank march on an are, which corresponds with the number of files of their company; they can greatly assist the men and prevent either crowding- or looseness.

b. By breaking to the rear. 87 to 104.

The method of forming column at full distance by breaking to the rear by the right (left) of companies is (104) considered to be at once the most prompt and regular one. It allows, like the preceding method, the formation of column from a halt and in march, the column can halt or continue marching as circumstances may dictate.

There are two points particularly to be attended to: firstly, that the right (left) guides, according as the column is to be right or left in front, should march on a line perpendicular to the battalion in line of battle, and secondly that each captain should give his command "halt, front " promptly, as soon as the other guide comes up with him. At the command, "battalion right (left) face," each captain hastens to the flank indicated, and places himself so that his breast touches the left (right) arm of the nearest front rank man of the neighboring- company, and remains there in order that the guide at the command, "halt, front," or "by the left (right) flank march" should be at once aligned, and that none of the companies should be compelled to move to any extent to the right or left to come into the proper alignment. He also causes the two first files to break to the rear, partly to avoid pushing, at the command

march," and partly to allow the guide to place himself in front of the front rank man, and to take the direction perpendicular to the original line of battle.

This manoeuvre can only succeed when the men have been thoroughly trained to execute the march by the flank; for if the files lose distances and the command "halt, front," or "by the left (right) flank, march," has been given, it will require much time and moving sideways before the men can take the touch of the elbows towards the guide, and before they can be ready to execute promptly another manoeuvre.

2.To pass from column at full distance into

line of battle.

a.To the left (right) into line of battle.

390 to 411.

The column at full distance right in front has its left guides aligned, and the men have taken the touch of the elbows towards them.