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ABSTRACT
OF
INFANTRY TACTICS;
SECTION IV.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION.
797. THE School of the Battalion will be divided into five parts.
798. The first will include the manner of opening ranks, and executing the different firings;
799. The second the different methods of passing from line into column.
800. The third part will include the marching column, and various other movements relating to the column;
801. The fourth the different methods of passing from column into line.
802. The fifth part will include the march in line, to the front and rear;
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION.
the march by a flank; forming by file into line; the passage of defiles in retiring; the passage of lines; the changes of front; the column of attack, dispositions against cavalry; and rallying.
803. This school having for its object the instruction of battalions, separately, and thus to prepare them for executing all that can be required in line; and the harmony of combined movements depending necessarily on the individual instruction of battalions, on the uniformity of words of command, and on the principles and means of execution, the colonels will literally conform to all herein prescribed; they will endeavor to cause all the movements to be executed with the utmost steadiness, calmness and regularity. But in all the interior movements of the battalion, after it is well established In marching in common time, the word MARCH shall be preceded by the word Quick, although the latter be not found in the text or commands.
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Prompt Formation of the Battalion.
804. Every colonel will exert himself to give to his battalion the habit of forming with the greatest rapidity.
805. At time first call, the colonel will repair to the place of assembly previously designated for the battalion, and each captain to that of his company. The other company officers, and the non-commissioned officers, will hasten to turn out, and assemble their men; and the lieutenant-colonel and major will superintend and quicken the formation of the companies.
806. Each captain will post his file-closers, and instantly form his company with a front not exceeding the number of files previously indicated by the adjutant. The color company will be formed with a front three files less than that number.
807. The adjutant will, at the same time, form the color-guard on the left of the fourth company, and distribute the surplus files of the stronger companies among the weaker. He will be assisted in these duties by the sergeant-major.
808. The colonel will cause a roll of the drum to be given, to announce that the companies ought to be ready to unite, and afterwards a tap of the drum, as a signal for each company to march and form on the line or company previously designated.
809. The battalion will form line according to the principles of successive formations, which will be herein prescribed; the color-bearers having received the colors from the colonel, or the sentinel placed over them; but if there be day-light, and sufficient time, the colors will be escorted as follows:
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Composition and March of the Color-Escort:
810. When the battalion turns out under arms, if the colors be wanted, one of the flank companies, in its tour, or, if they be both absent, a battalion company, will be put in march, to receive and escort the colors in the following order:
811. The drum-major, drummers, followed by the band;
812. The company, formed as column of platoons, right in front, arms supported;
813. The two color-bearers, elbow to elbow, between the two platoons.
814. The detachment will march in quick time, in this order, without the sound of instrument. Arrived at the quarters of the colonel, it will form line, fronting the principal entrance; the drums and the band on the right of the line.
815. As soon as the detachment shall be in line, the two color-bearers. preceded by the first lieutenant, and followed by a sergeant, will enter the quarters to receive the colors.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART I.
816. When the color-bearers come out, followed by the lieutenant and sergeant, they will, halt in front of the entrance.
817. At the instant the colors are brought out, the captain will order arms, to be presented, and the drums will beat the troop.
818. After some fifteen or twenty seconds, the captain will cause the beat to cease, arms to be shouldered, and then break the company into column of platoons: the color-bearers, first lieutenant and the sergeant will resume the places before occupied by them in the column.
819. The captain will put the detachment in march, to the sound of music, in the same order as above.
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- Honors Paid to the Colors.
820. When the head of the detachment shall have arrived near to one of the flanks of the battalion, the color-bearers will file out of the column; the colonel will cause the battalion to carry arms; the music will cease playing; the color-bearers will march in quick time down the front of the battalion, elbow to elbow, at the distance of ten paces from the line, till nearly opposite to the centre; the color-bearers will then wheel to the left or right, and halt, facing the centre.
821. The colonel, placed six paces in front of the color-sergeant, who is in the centre of the line, will, as soon as the color-bearers halt, cause the battalion to present arms, and then himself salute with the sword. This executed, the color-bearers immediately pass to the right and left of the colonel, to take their places in line, and the colonel will cause the battalion to shoulder arms.
822. As soon as the color-bearers file out of the column, the drum-major, drums and band, without playing, as also the company, march by the rear, in quick time, to take their respective places in line.
823. The colors will be escorted back to the colonel’s quarters, in the order prescribed above.
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Manner of Opening Ranks and Executing the Different
Firings.
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ARTICLE FIRST.
To Open Ranks.
824. To effect this, the colonel will command,
1. Rear rank, open files. 2. MARCH.
825. At the first command, all the covering sergeants, as also the second sergeant In the rear rank, on the left of the battalion, will step to the rear, in order to mark off the new alignment for the rear rank, and will align themselves by the right, parallel to the rank of file-closers.
826. The lieutenant-colonel will move to the right of the rank of covering sergeants, and see that it is correctly aligned, one pace from, and parallel to, the rank of file-closers.
S27. At the word MARCH, the rear rank, as also the rank of file-closers, will step back, in common time, without reckoning the number of steps; the men will pass a little beyond their rank, halt, and place themselves accurately on the alignment of the covering sergeants, who will take care to align them correctly in their intervals.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART I.
828. The file-closers will place themselves two paces in rear of the rear rank, and align themselves by their right. The lieutenant-colonel, placed on the right of this rank, will align it on the file-closer of the left, who will take care to place himself exactly two paces In rear of the rear rank, and to raise his firelock perpendicularly between his eyes.
829. The colonel, seeing the ranks aligned, will command,
3. FRONT.
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ARTICLE SECOND.
Manual Exercise, and Loading in Quick Time.
830. Before the ranks are closed, the colonel will exercise the battalion in the manual, and loading in quick time.
831. The colonel will superintend tine exercises of the front rank, and the lieutenant-colonel those of the rear rank. The captains and covering sergeants, in their respective ranks, will always half-face to the right with the men, in the first motion of loading, and front when the man next to them, respectively, in their company casts about.
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ARTICLE THIRD.
Loading in Quickest Time, and the Firings.
832. The colonel will cause the ranks to be closed by the commands prescribed for the instructer, No. 469; and will then cause the battalion to load in quickest time.
833. The colonel will cause the battalion to fire by company, by wing, by battalion, and by file, by the commands herein prescribed.
834. The firing by company and by file, will always be direct to the front; and the firings by wing or by battalion, may be direct or oblique.
833. When the firing is to be oblique, the colonel must, each time, give the caution Right oblique, or Left oblique, after the word READY, and previously to the word AIM.
834. Firing by company will be executed by the first and second companies of each grand division, alternately, as if each grand division were isolated; the first company will fire first; the captain of the second will not give the first command, until he sees one or two firelocks shouldered in the first, after loading; the captain of the first company, in his turn, will observe the same rule in regard to the second; the firing continuing thus, alternately.
837. The colonel will regulate the firing by wing, in the same manner.
838. The firing by file will commence in all the companies at the same time, and conformably to what is prescribed, No. 495.
839. The color-guard will not fire, but remain shouldered, as in No. 760, during the firings.
840. The colonel will cause the firing to cease by a ruffle followed by a tap of the drumstick; at the signal of the tap, the captains, covering sergeants, color-rank and color-guard will quickly resume their places in line.
841. At the instant when the ruffle commences, the soldiers will execute what is prescribed, No. 496, and all the officers and sergeants of the battalion will promptly repeat the words Cease firing.
842. When the battalion rests, no person will leave his post without special permission: should a captain or the lieutenant on the left obtain such permission, he will be replaced during his absence; the former by the covering sergeant, and the latter by the sergeant on the left.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART I.
843. The colonel will give the commands for firing from the rear of the battalion, placing himself where he can best be heard.
844. The lieutenant-colonel will take post, during the firings, in rear of the centre of the right wing, and the major in rear of the centre of the left wing, both about ten paces from the rank of file-closers; when the battalion rests, they will report to the colonel such faults as they may have observed.
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To Fire by Company.
845. To effect this, the colonel will command.
1. Fire by company. 2. Commence—FIRING.
846. At the first command, the captains and their covering sergeants will retire, as prescribed, Nos. 487, 488, and the lieutenant and sergeant on the left of the battalion, will retire to the rank of file-closers of the left company, the lieutenant covering the centre of the fourth section; the sergeant, the second file from the left of the same section. This ruhe will be general in all the firings.
847. The color-rank and the color-guard will retire in such manner, that their front rank may be in the rear rank of the battalion.
848. At the second command, the odd companies will commence firing; the captains will give the commands prescribed, No. 489, taking care to add to the word company, the designation of first, third, fifth, or seventh, according to the number of each.
849. The captains of the even companies will give, in their turn, the same commands, adding, likewise, the denomination of each company; and so on, alternately.
850. In order that the odd companies, which commence the firing, may not fire all at once, the captains will observe, (but for the first fire only,) to give the word FIRE one after another; thus the captain of the third company will not give the words AIM and FIRE, till he has heard the fire of the first company; and the captain of the Fifth will observe the same rule with respect to the third, as, also, the captain of the seventh, with respect to the fifth company.
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To Fire by Wing.
851. To effect this, the colonel will command,
1. Fire by wing. 2. Right wing. 3. READY. 4. AIM. 5. FIRE.
6. LOAD.
852. The colonel will cause the wings to fire alternately, conforming to what is prescribed, No. 837, in relation to the intervals between the firings.
To Fire by Battalion.
853. The colonel will command,
1. Fire by battalion. 2. Battalion. 3. READY. 4. AIM. 5. FIRE.
6. LOAD.
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To Fire by File.
854. To effect this, the colonel will command,
1.Fire by file. 2. Battalion. 3. READY.4. Commence—FIRING.
865. In firing by wing, by battalion, and by file, the captains, at the first command from the colonel, will retire one pace in rear of the rear rank, each opposite his interval; and the covering sergeants will move, as in firing by company, into the rank of file-closers, each covering his captain.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART II.
856. The color-rank and guard will, at the same command, place themselves as prescribed, in firing by company.
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To Fire by the Rear.
857. To efect this, the colonel will command,
1. Fire to the rear. 2. Battalion. 3. About—FACE.
858. Atthe word About, the captains, covering sergeants, and file-closers, will execute what Is prescribed. Nos. 502, 503.
859. The battalion, thus faced to the rear, will execute the firings, as above.
860. The wings and companies, though the right has become the left, and vice versa, shall still retain their proper appellations of right or left wing, and first, second, &c company. -
861. Firing by file will commence from the left (now become the right) of companies.
862. The captains, covering sergeants, the color-rank and guard, occupy the places prescribed for them when firing to the proper front; and move to them; respectively, at the first command.
863. To front the battalion, the colonel will order,
1. Battalion. 2. About—FACE. -
864. At the second command, the captains, covering sergeants, and file-closers, will execute what Is prescribed, Nos. 507, 508. -
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Remarks on the Firings.
865. When the battalion fires with cartridges, the colonel will sometimes order the captains to inspect the arms, after firing, as prescribed, No. 515.
866.In firing by wing, the colonel will not cause the left wing to fire, till he sees many firelocks loaded in the right, and so on.
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Different Methods of passing from Line into Column.
867. THE front of the battalion column will habitually be that of a company; but for passing defiles and for route marches, the front will, more frequently, be that of platoons or sections.
868. At the caution for forming column of companies from line, the first lieutenant of the left company will retire to the rank of file-closers, and place himself opposite to the centre of the fourth section of his company.
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ARTICLE FIRST.
To Break to the Right or Left.
869. The colonel will cause the battalion to break into column of companies, by the commands prescribed for the instructer, No. 597, substituting the word companies for platoons.
870. (Plate VIII.) What has been prescribed in the School of the Company, for breaking into platoons, will be executed for breaking into companies; the captains will observe, in respect to their companies, what is prescribed for chiefs of platoons; and the colonel, what is prescribed for the instructer.
871. The captains having ordered FRONT, no guide will move, even
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART II.
though he should not be in the line of direction of the guides in front of him; in order that an error of a company, that has wheeled too much or too little, may not be communicated to others; and the guides who are out of the direction will not resume it, till the column is put in march.
872. If, however, the colonel wished immediately to form line, he would previously, rectify the positions of the guides, by the means prescribed, No. 1028, and following.
873. When the battalion breaks by company, if to the right, the guide of the right of the company will place himself by the side of the man on the right of the front rank, at the instant the captain shall command, HALT: if to the left, the guide of the left will place himself by the side of the man on the left of the front rank of his company, at the instant the captain shall command, HALT: thus, whether the right or left be in front, the front rank of each company will he included between its two guides.
875. The battalion having broken into column, the lieutenant-colonel and major are to take post on the pivot flank of the column, the former opposite the leading, and the latter opposite the rear division. The colonel of a battalion receiving instruction has no fixed post, but in columns of several battalions, the colonel will, habitually, take post on the pivot flank of the column, eight or ten paces from the guides, and opposite the centre of the battalion. The adjutant and sergeant-major shall be near the lieutenant-colonel and major, respectively. (See No. 42.)
876. (Ph. IX. Fig. 1.) When the battalion is to prolong its direction to-wards the right or left, or is to march perpendicularly, or diagonally, to the front or rear of one of its flanks, the colonel will cause it to break to the right or left as just prescribed; but, when the battalion is to break to the right, in order to march to the left, or the reverse, the company on the flank will march forward twice the extent of its front, while the other companies are wheeling into column; and for this purpose, the colonel will command, Break to the right to march to the left; or Break to the left to march to the right, before commanding, Companies—right (or left) wheel.
ARTICLE SECOND.
To File to the Rear into Open Columns.
877. To effect this, right in front, the colonel commands,
1. By right of companies, rear, into column. 2. Battalion,
right—FACE. 3. MARCH.
878. (Pl. IX. Fig. 2.) At the first word, the captains will place themselves in front of the centre of their respective companies, and caution them to face to the right;
879. At the second, the battalion will face; each captain will move quickly to the right of his company, causing the two files on the right to disengage to the rear, the front file to its right the breadth of two ranks; the second file advancing only the left shoulder; which being effected, each captain will move opposite the left file of the company, immediately on his right, placing himself se as to press lightly his breast against the left arm of time front rank man of that file; the captain of the company on the right of the battalion will place himself in the same manner as if there were a company on his right, aligning himself on the other captains; each covering sergeant will move at the same time to the rear of his company, and place himself in front of the front rank man of the first file, to conduct it.
880. At the word MARCH, the first file of each company will wheel to the right, the covering sergeant conducting it, perpendicularly to the roar;. the following files will wheel, successively, on the same ground;
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART III.
the captains will not move, observing their companies file before them, and, at the instant the last file shall have wheeled, will command,
1. Company. 2. HALT. 3. FRONT. 4. Left—DRESS
881. At the instant the company fronts, the guide of the left will place himself opposite the captain, against whose breast he will press his left arm, lightly.
882. At the fourth word, the company will align itself on the guide of the left; the captain will direct the alignment so that the position of the company may be perpendicular to that it occupied inline; for this purpose, he will move about two paces without the flank, the better to ascertain the direction.
883. The company being aligned, the captain will command, FRONT, and place himself in front of its centre. This will be a general rule.
884. To file Into column, left in front, the colonel will give the same commands as above, substituting left for right.
885. The movement is executed on the same principles, but by inverse means; the captain shifting to his left, and the guide of the left placing himself in position to lead, when the two files break to the rear.
Remarks on Filing to the Rear into Open Column.
886. This manoeuvre will be employed, when want of room prevents wheeling forward, as prescribed in the preceding article; and as often as the pivot flank of the column Is to march on the prolongation of the line from which it was formed.
ARTICLE THIRD.
To form Close Column (or Mass) from Line.
(Omitted, because these formations cannot he well executed without the lock-step, and because the column at half distance is supposed sufficient in an abstract of this kind. See Art. Sixth, Part III.)
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March in Column, and various other Movements relating
to the Column.
ARTICLE FIRST.
March in Column at Full Distance.
932. WHEN the colonel intends to put the column in march, he will point out to the leading guide two distinct objects, in front in the line of direction; the guide will immediately face towards these objects, taking, as a point of sight, the more remote, and, as an intermediate point, the nearer object.
933. If only one distinct object offer in the line of direction, the guide will face towards it, as before, choosing, immediately, an intermediate point on the ground.
934. Finally, if no distinct object offer, the colonel will detach the lieutenant-colonel thirty or forty paces in front of, and facing towards, the column, and establish him by a signal with his sword, on the line of direction. The lieutenant-colonel being thus established, the leading guide will face
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART III.
towards him, immediately choosing two points on the ground, in the line passing between his heels; afterwards assuming, successively, new points on the ground, as the column advances, as explained, No. 522. (See, also. No. 42.)
935. These dispositions made, the colonel will command,
1. Column—forward. 2. Guides—left (or right.) 3. MARCH.
980. By marching always on the prolongation of the two points established, the leading guide is enabled to move correctly, on the line of direction; if these points be objects elevated above the level of the ground, he is certain of being in the true direction, when the nearest point masks the most distant.
937. The following guides will maintain the exact step and distance, marching, each, in the path of the guide immediately preceding him, without attending to the general direction.
938. The lieutenant-colonel will be near the leading guide, to see that he does not deviate from the direction, and that the guide of the second division marches exactly in the trace of the first.
939. The major will post himself near the guide of the rear division, and should any of the intermediate guides deviate, sensibly, from the line of direction, he will rectify that error, and prevent its being communicated; but such correction will only take place when it may be necessary to prevent considerable deviations.
940. The colonel will habitually ho on the pivot flank, and see that the step, the distance, and all the principles of marching in column, as prescribed in the School of the Company, are observed.
941. These means, which the practice of the School of the Company must have rendered familiar, will enable a column to march in a given direction, with sufficient accuracy to form line to the front, or faced to the rear; or on the right or left; or to form close, from open column.
942. But where a column, arriving in front or rear of a line, is to prolong that line, in order to wheel up to the left, or right, into it, it is essential that such column should neither intersect, or deviate sensibly from the new line. To ensure this, the following means will be employed:
943. (Pl. X. Fig. 1.) If the column, right in front, arrive in front of the line, the guide of the leading division will direct his march on the intermediate point, previously established on that line, in order to indicate the point where the column is to turn to the left, and prolong the new direction; the chief of the leading division will not cause it to turn, till it has passed four paces beyond the line; and, at the instant it has turned, the general guide of the right will place himself on the line opposite this division, face to the two points of direction in front, which the colonel and lieutenant-colonel will point out to him, and march, correctly, on the prolongation of those points.
944. The bearer of the regimental color will place himself in the same manner, at the instant the color-division has turned; and will march on the line opposite his division, observing to carry the colors perpendicularly before the middle of his body, and to march exactly in the direction of the general guide, who precedes him, and of the point of sight in front; which will be indicated to him.
9411. Finally, the general guide of the left will place himself also on the line, at the instant the rear division shall have turned, and march, accurately, in the direction of the regimental colors, and general guide of the right, who precede him.
946. The, guide of the leading division will always march opposite the general guide of the right, and about four paces inside of him; the guides
* If there be but one color with the battalion, this might be the state color. (See note to Nos. 53, 54.)
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART III.
of the following divisions will each march in the trace of the guide who immediately precedes, as prescribed, No. 937.
947. The colonel, placed on the flank, outside of the general guides, will see that the column marches nearly parallel to, and shout four paces inside of, the line of the general guides.
948. The lieutenant-colonel and major will see that the general guides march, correctly, in the direction of the two points in front; and, for this purpose, they will sometimes place themselves in rear of the regimental colors, or of the general guide of the left.
951. (Pl. X. Fig. 2.) If the column, right in front, arrive in rear of the line, the colonel will conduct the guide of the left (the pivot flank) of the leading division, not on the intermediate point situated on that line, but more to the left by, at least, the whole front of the division, ordering it to wheel to the right, in such manner that, when the wheel is finished, the guide may be four paces within the intermediate point.
952. At the instant the leading division, having wheeled to the right, shall commence marching parallel to the line, the general guide of the right will place himself on the line, directing himself on the two points in front; the color-bearer will also place himself on the line, when his division has wheeled; and, lastly, the general guide of the left, after the rear division has wheeled.
954. These movements will be executed in a column, left in front, and arriving in front or in rear of the line, on the same principles, by inverse means.
955. If, lastly, the column, instead of arriving in front or in rear of the line, should arrive cot the right or left of it, anti has to prolong that line, in order to wheel up afterwards, to the left or right, into line, the colonel would order the general guides to the flank of the column, by the command, General guides on the line; when these guides would prolong the line, as prescribed above.
956. If, instead of causing the column to march with the cadenced step, the colonel with it to march with the route step, the word MARCH would be preceded by Route step.
957. All that is prescribed above, for maintaining the direction, is equally applicable to a column, marching with the route step.
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Remarks on the March in Open Column.
959. The march in quick time will be practised, when the soldiers are well confirmed in the cadence of the ordinary step.
960. Two non-commissioned officers, thoroughly instructed, are to be selected as general guides; they will be particularly qualified in the accuracy of the step, and in prolonging, without deviation, a given direction: these two non-commissioned officers will be placed in the rank of file-closers on the right and left of their battalion, and be deemed in the number of the file-closers of the right and left companies ; they will be distinguished by the appellation of general guide of the right, and general guide of the left.
961. When the color-bearer acts as a general guide, he will carry his colors perpendicularly between the eyes, the heel of the staff as high as the waist; he will be replaced in his rank by his covering corporal.
962. When a column prolongs a line, it is very important that the general guides should march correctly on that line; it is, therefore, necessary that the colonel, lieutenant-colonel, and major, whose duty it is to maintain the guides on the direction, should be able, always, to see the objects on which the march of the general guide is conducted.
965. For the direction of a column of one or two battalions, it will be sufficient to employ men on foot, to establish the line which the general guides are to follow, when objects on the ground do not offer themselves.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART IlI.
ARTICLE SECOND.
Column of Route.
966. To take the route step from the cadenced step, or the reverse, the colonel will give the commands prescribed, No. 685, and following.
967. It is a fixed principle, that the depth of an open column, whether of manoeuvre or of route, shall he less then the front of its line, by the front of a division.
968. The observance of this principle requires no particular rule in a column of manoeuvre; but, as columns of route frequently meet with narrow roads, bridges, and defiles, which oblige them to diminish the front of divisions, it is necessary to point out the method to be pursued in such cases, to enable the column to march at ease as long as possible, without the inconvenience of lengthening out.
969. (Pl. Xl. Fig. 1 and 8.) A column of route, as in interior or route marches; will assume, from the commencement of each particular march, that front, which the nature of the road or defile will permit it to carry for the greater part of the distance to be gained, from halt to halt.
970. If an unforeseen want of space, only, or an occasional obstruction, render a diminution of front necessary, it will be made by the commands and means prescribed in the School of the Company.
971. Diminutions of front will be executed by divisions, successively, on an intimation from the colonel or lieutenant-colonel, given to the chief of the leading division; each breaking on the ground where the leading one broke; or the colonel may cause all the companies or platoons to break at once, by the commands,
1. Break into platoons (or sections.) 2. MARCH.
972. (Pl. XI. Fig. 3 and 4.) These commands will also be executed, as has been prescribed, No. 692, and following.
973. (Pl. Xl. Fig. 5.)The column of divisions maybe caused to march by a flank, either successively, by divisions, or at once, by the whole column; in either case, by the means prescribed, No. 592, and following.
974. If the column have the left in front, the captains and guides would place themselves as prescribed for marching by the left flank, No. 1395, and following.
975. The leading division will follow the windings of the road, or defile; the other divisions, without occupying the attention with the direction, will, each, successively follow the preceding. The soldiers will not endeavor to avoid bad roads, but each, as much as possible, march in his particular line of direction.
9713. When the column marches by the route step, changes of direction take place always without command; the chiefs of divisions need only caution them, when the change of direction is considerable ; the rear rank, and the files in the rear, will change direction, successively, on the same ground.
977. The front, in which the column commenced the particular march, having been that of company, when the two leading platoons have passed the obstruction, the captain will form his company, if so ordered, and the captains of the companies, following in platoons, will execute the same movement, successively, on the same ground.
978. If the front of the column had been that of platoon, the chief of the leading platoon would, in like manner, form platoon, as soon as the two leading sections have passed the obstruction. The following chiefs of platoons would, without command, follow the example, as above.
9t9. Finally, the chief of the leading division will enter up to the front, files broken off, as the road or defile widens, on an intimation from a field
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART IlI.
officer, which would be followed by the other chiefs on arriving on the same ground.
981. The colonel, or lieutenant-colonel, remains at the head of the battalion, to regulate the rate of march of the leading division, and to indicate to the chief of that division the instant at which he is to execute the various movements prescribed shove.
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General Remarks on the Column of Route.
997. When the breadth of the narrowest part of the defile is previously known, it is preferable to diminish all the divisions of the battalion at once, whether by platoons, sections or files; but to increase front, it is preferable that each division should execute the movement as it comes out from the defile.
998. Divisions must step out well, in obliquing, when front is diminished or increased; and files, in breaking off, or in forming up again, must follow this rule. In order to avoid an elongation of the column, in diminishing or increasing front, successively, it is of the utmost importance, that no division should march slower, or step shorter, while the preceding one is executing the movement.
999. If the battalion has to march by a flank to pass a defile, the march will be by the cadenced step, when great care will be required to prevent the files from opening.
1000. (Pl. Xl. Fig. 6.) If a column meet with a pass so narrow, as to require defiling with a single man in front, the commander will order the front rank man of each file to pass first, followed closely by his rear rank man; the files to follow each other in proper order, as quickly as possible; the divisions to form up as they p ass, the leading division marching forward, till a sufficient space be left, between it and the defile, to contain the battalion in close column, when the leading division will be halted. the officers and sergeants will pass between the files, corresponding whim their respective places.
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ARTICLE THIRD.
To Change Direction in Column at Full Distance.
1001. (Pl. XII. Fig. 1 and 2.) The colonel wishing the column to change direction, will caution, to that effect, the chief of the leading division, and repair in his own person to the spot where the movement is to commence; he will place himself there, whether the change of direction be on the pivot or reverse flank, (as represented, Pl. XII. Fig. 1 and 2,) and remain in that position till the rear division of his battalion arrives.
1002. The guide of each division will direct himself so as to pass before, and close to the head of the horse of the colonel ; and, when there, the chief of the division will cause his division to change direction, according to the principles, and by the commands, prescribed No. 623, and following.
1003. When the column changes direction on the reverse flank, the colonel will observe that the guide moves accurately on the arc of a circle.
1004. When there is no distinct object in the new direction, to serve as a point of view to the guide of the leading division, the lieutenant-colonel will move, beforehand, thirty or forty paces to the front, and the leading guide, as soon as he has turned, will take points on the ground, in the line passing from himself between the heels of the lieutenant-colonel, who will face towards him; this leading guide will assume new points as he advances. (See No. 42.)
1005. The major will see that the guides conduct their march on the colonel, placed at the wheeling point, so as to graze the head of his horse.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART IlI.
Remarks on the Changes of Direction in Column at Full
Distance.
1007. It has been shown, in the School of the Company, how important it is, that each division should execute, successively, the change of direction, precisely on the same ground where the leading one effected it, and arrive there at right angles to the line passing through the flank of the column; that the wheeling point should be cleared in such manner, that the wheeling division may, at no time, obstruct the movement of the succeeding one, and that the guide of each division should neither step out, nor step short, in turning: the deeper the column is, the more strictly ought these principles to be observed.
1008. In instructing his battalion separately, the colonel need not post himself at the wheeling point, where it will be sufficient to station a marker.
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ARTICLE FOURTH.
Change of Direction in Column of Full Distance, by the
Prompt Manoeuvre.
(Omitted.)
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ARTICLE FIFTH.
To halt the Column.
1026. The column being in march, the colonel, wishing to halt it, will command,
1. Column. 2. HALT.
1027. At the word HALT, repeated promptly by the captains, the column will halt; no guide will move, although he be not at his proper distance, nor on the line of the guides preceding him.
1028. The column bring halted, if the colonel wish to form line, he will place himself a little in front of the leading guide; and face towards him; the latter and the following guide will fix their eyes on the colonel, in order to conform readily to the direction he may indicate to them.
1029. Should the colonel judge it necessary to place the guides on a general line of direction, he will place the two first on the line, and immediately command,
Guides on the line.
1030. At this command, all the other guides will promptly cover the two first, precisely at wheeling distance from each other; the colonel will verify their positions, and then command,
Left (or right)—DRESS.
1031. At this command, each company will align itself on its guide, by closing to the left; the captains will place themselves two paces without their guides, promptly align their respective companies parallel to that immediately preceding, and then command, FRONT, stopping quickly to their places in column.
1032. Should the colonel deem it unnecessary to establish the guides on a general line, he need only rectify the position of those too much within or without the line of direction, by commanding, Guide of such company, (or of such companies,) to your right, (or to your left;) at this, the guides named will place themselves on the line of direction, all use other guides standing fast.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART IlI.
1033. If, finally, the general guides were marching on the flank of the column, the colonel, having halted it, would place himself in rear of the color-bearer, to ascertain whether he and the leading general guide are accurately on the prolongation of the two points in front on which they marched; if not on this line, the colonel will place them on it; the major, in like manner, will ascertain, and rectify, if necessary, the position of the general guide of the rear, which being accomplished, the colonel will command,
Guides on the line.
1034. At this, each guide on the pivot flank shall step quickly on the line of the general guides, facing towards the head of the column; the lieutenant-colonel, in front of the leading general guide, towards whom he faces; and the major, placed in rear of the general guide of the rear, shall promptly align the guides of divisions. If the general guides occupy the places where the left of the divisions, opposite to them respectively, are to rest, when dressed to that flank, (which is supposed in Nos. 943, and following,) the particular guides of these three divisions would not place themselves on the alignment, but would, on the next command, (below,) fall back, momentarily, to the rank of file-closers.
1035. The colonel, having verified the position of the guides, will command,
Left (or right)—DRESS.
1036. At this command, all the companies will incline to their respective guides, and will be promptly aligned by their chiefs, who, for this purpose, will place themselves two paces outside of their respective guides.
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Remark.
(Omitted)
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ARTICLE SIXTH.
To close to HalfDistance from Open Column.
1038. The battalion in column of companies, at full distance, would be closed to half distance, by the following commands from the colonel:
1. Column, close to half distance. 2. MARCH.
1039. At the word MARCH, repeated by all the captains, except the leading one, the leading company, if halted, stands fast; its captains giving the word, Left (or right)—DRESS. But, If the column be marching, the captain of the leading company, on a caution from the colonel, will order,
1. Company. 2. HALT. 3. Left. (or right)—DRESS.
1040.At the word MARCH, from the colonel, all the companies, except the leading company, wilt step off together, each being halted as above, by its captain, when at half distance from the preceding company.
1041. At the instant each company halts, the guide of the left, (if the right be in front,) or the guide of the right, (if the left be in front,) will quickly place himself on the line of the preceding guides; the captain will move two paces outside of his guide, and command, Left (or right)— DRESS.
1042. The company being aligned, the captain will order, FRONT, moving two paces in front of the centre of his company.
1044. The colonel, on the pivot flank of the column, superintends the execution of the movement, observing that the captains halt their companies at half distance.
1045. The lieutenant-colonel will post himself some paces in front of the leading company, facing to its guide on the pivot flank; and carefully
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION—PART IlI.
rectify the position of each guide, as each places himself on the line of direction.
1046. The major, near the flank of the rear company, will follow the movement.
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ARTICLE SEVENTH.
To March in Column at Half Distance.
1049. A column at half distance is put in march from a halt by the same commands as if it were at full distance.
1050. The means of preserving the line of direction of a column at half distance are the same as for a column at full distance, with the exception of general guides.
1051. When the colonel wishes to halt the column at half distance, he will give the commands for halting a column at full distance; and if, afterwards, he deem it necessary to establish the guides on a general line, he will employ the commands and means prescribed, No. 1029.
1052. In columns at half distance, the captains will repeat the words MARCH, HALT, in a column at full distance.
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ARTICLE EIGHTH.
To Change Direction in Column at Half Distance.
1053. (Pl. XIII. Fig. 1.) A column in march, at half distance, changes direction either on the pivot or reverse flank, on the same principles, and by the same commands, as a column at full distance, except that, in changing direction on the reverse flank, the pivot man of each company will take steps of fourteen, in lieu of seven inches; for, without this, the wheeling point would not be cleared in time.
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ARTICLE NINTH.
To Change Direction in Close Column.
(Omitted.)
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ARTICLE TENTH.
Countermarch.
1081. If the column be at full or half distance, the countermarch will be executed by the commands and means prescribed, No. 717, and following, the colonel substituting battalion for company; and each captain will put, before the caution company, which precedes HALT, the appellation of First, Second, &c. according to the number of his company.
1093. The colonel, on the pivot flank, superintends the general execution of the movement. The countermarch being executed, the lieutenant-colonel will post himself near the rear division, now become the front, and the major, near the front division, now become the rear.
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ARTICLE ELEVENTH.
To Form Close Column of Grand Division, from a Halt
ed Close Column of Companies
(Omitted)