Cooper's Cavalry Manual
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PART II.
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CAVALRY TACTICS.
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The words of command given by the Instructor, (who represents the commander,) are printed in CAPITAL letters.
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PREFACE
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It is not to be expected that the militia or volunteer Cavalry are to be instructed in all the minutia practised by the regular Cavalry. It will be sufficient that every man learns the rudiments of Infantry formations, to act occasionally on foot, and to mount and dismount with ease, to sit a horse naturally, and to have his stirrups sufficiently short to enable his to command his horse and to rise in them to strike, when it may be necessary to use the sword or the lance.
The maneuvers are simple, and can be easily learned. The sword exercise is reduced to a very few motions. It has not been thought necessary to enter into all the cuts usually practised by Cavalry in the attack and defence; it is deemed sufficient that a milita or volunteer trooper should be able to draw and return his sword with agility, to pay the compliments with grace, and, for the attack, to come to the preparatory, of "raise sword," and dash at his adversary with cut, or point, as may be most effectual in the charge against horse or foot.
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Page
Definitions of certain terms of formations and manoeuvre.................. .. .. .. ..7
Mounting........................................................................ ..10
Position on horseback.................................................. . .................. ..10
Dismounting......................................................... .................... 11
Riding lesson................................................. . .................................11
Manual of the sword........................................ ................................ .13
Of the squad..................................................... .. .............................14
Formation of the squad...................................... ........................... 15
Alignments....................................................... ..............................15
Marches to the right..................................................... . ................ 16
Formations to the left........................................................... . ........ 16
Formations to the right or reverse flank............................... .......... .17
Formations to the front....................................................... . .......... 17
To advance and retire in line.................................................. ....... .18
Diminution and increase of front............................................. ......... .18
Formation of the company...................................................... ...... 20
Formation of the squadron...................................................... ......... ..21
Formation of the regiment...................................................... ....... .22
To open and close ranks.................... ................................ 23
Posts of officers and others in column.. ............................. ..23
Of the charge or attack.......................... ............................ .24
Rules for guides and markers.................... ....................... ..25
Movements from line............................................................... . .... .27
No. 1. To change front forward on first squadron.................. ...... 27
2. The change front to the rear on left squadron........... .......... .28
3. To change front on central squadron....................... . ............ 28
4. To break to the right into column............................ . ......... ...29
5. To break to the right to march to the left................. ....... .30
6. To break to the right to the rear, to march to the left. ..... .30
7. To ploy into close column on second squadron............... ...... ..30
8. To advance in echelon of squadrons............................... ...... ..31
9. Passage of lines to the front......................................... .... ..32
10. Passage of lines to the rear....................................... ........ .32
11. To march in line...................................................... ....... 33
Movements from close column................................................ ......... .35
No. 1. To deploy on second squadron.................................. .......... .35
2. To wheel into line on rear squadron......................... ........ ..35
3. To change direction from a halt............................... .......... .36
4. Countermarch................. ................................ ............. .....37
Movements from open column........................................ .............. ..37
No. 1. To from line to the left....................................... .......... ....37
2. To form line to the right by inversion.............. .... ..38
3. To form line to the front..................... ............... ...38
4. To form line to the front on rear company.... ....... .39
5. To form line faced to the rear............................. ........ ....39
6. To form line faced to the rear on rear company.... ....40
7, 8. To form line by two movements....................... ..... .....40, 41
9. To form on right into line........................ .................. ........41
10. To form close column............................. ................ ..42
Skirmishing............................................................. ........... ..........42
PART II.
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CAVALRY.
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Definitions of certain terms of Formation and Manoeuvre.
A Rank- Is any number of men side by side in line.
Cavalry are said to be marching by-
Files- When each front-rank man has his rear-rank man following him, the whole in one single string.
Twos- When each front-rank "two" has its rear-rank "two" following it, being a column two abreast.
Fours- When each front-rank "four" has its rear-rank "four" by its side, being in a column eight abreast.
Sections of Fours- When each front-rank "four" has its rear-rank "four" following it, being in a column four abreast.
A Platoon- Is the fourth part of a squadron. Platoons are right and left in each squadron.
A Company- Is the half of a squadron. Companies are tight and left in each squadron.
A Squadron- Two or more squadrons compose a corps or regiment. Squadrons are numbered 1st, 2d, 3d, &tc, from the right.
Close Order- The ordinary distance at which the rear-rank is formed behind the front-rank- one yard or less.
Open Order- The increased distance taken by the rear-rank on some occasions of parade- six yards or paces.
Front- The distance towards which the line faces when formed- the extent from flank to flank- that is, the breadth.
The extent of front of a squadron is to be calculated at about as many yards as it contains files
Depth- Distance from front to rear.
Distance- Space between one division and another in column.
From one horse to another when marching in file, twos, fours, or sections of fours- one yard.
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From one squadron to another in close column- ten yards.
From one squadron, company, or platoon, to another, in open column. The extent of front of each squadron, company, or platoon, taken from front-rank to front-rank, adding ten paces for the interval between squadrons when in line
The depth of two ranks, taking the length of the fullest sized cavalry horses, at eight feet, and the distance between the ranks at three feet, is to be reckoned at about nineteen feet.
Intervals- Spaces between squadrons and regiments in line- those between squadrons, ten paces; those between regiments, fifteen.
Points of Direction- Objects towards which it is intended to march in line or column. The directing guide must march perfectly straight, by always keeping in line two objects at some distance before him.
Flank- The extremity of the right or left of a military body in line or column.
Directing Flank- That flank of a column towards which the guides cover in marching. When the column is marching with the right in front, the left is the directing flank; with the left in front, the right (except under peculiar circumstances or manoeuvres.) The directing flank is indicated by the commands, guide left, or guide right, as the case may be, and the dressing is towards that flank. Pressure must be yielded when coming from that flank, and resisted when coming from the opposite flank.
Pivot- The man on the flank which forms the central point in wheeling.
Alignment- A straight line, upon which a body of troops is to form.
Every division which is to be aligned upon another, will halt abreast of the rear-rank, parallel to the line off formation, to move forward into the alignment of the division already formed.
Inversion- When the squadrons are not in their proper order; or when the right are to the left, and the left to the right.
Column- A line broken into several parts, each part following exactly behind the other.
Column of Route- A column (of twos or sections of fours) for convenience and ease.
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Direct Echellon- A line broken into several parts, moving direct to the front or rear, in this manner-
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Oblique Echellon- A line broken into several parts by wheels from line or column, less than the quarter circle, so as to be oblique to the former front, and parallel with each other- thus:
Paces- There are three paces, the walk, the trot, and the gallop.- The walk at the rate of three and a half to four miles an hour. The trot at eight miles and a half an hour. The gallop at eleven miles an hour. The gallop is not considered applicable to general purposes of manoeuvre, though it may be used occasionally for very simple formations.
The rate of charge should not exceed the speed of the slowest horse,
To preserve uniformity of movement, the trot and gallop should commence gradually, and by the whole body at the same time.
The term pace, by which distance and intervals are measured, is reckoned at one yard.
Commands- Are of two kinds, those of caution and those of execution. They should be given in a firm and clear tone, and repeated by the chiefs of subdivisions. There should be a short pause between the command of caution and of execution. At the command of caution, chiefs of subdivisions will caution their subdivisions as to the particular movement which each has to perform.
The commands march and halt should be instantly repeated by chiefs of subdivisions. When a line breaks from a halt by a wheel, the chief of each subdivision will judge of the instant when the movement ought to finish to order halt, and left, or right-dress.
At the word march, a line or column will move at a walk,
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unless the command indicates a different pace. When a command is not distinctly heard by some part of the line, each officer (when the intention is obvious) will conform as quickly as possible to the movement which he sees executed on his right or left, according to the point from whence he perceives it to be given.
STAND TO HORSE.- The position of the man is on the left side of the horse, square to the front; toes on a line with the horse's fore feet; right hand, back upwards, holding the rein of the snaffle over the curb, six inches from the ring of the bitt; left hand hanging down by the thigh.
PREPARE TO MOUNT.- Face to the right, place the left hand where the right was, and run the right up to the middle of the reins or knob, which is held between the finger and thumb; step to the right, opposite the horse's shoulder, and taking both sides of the curb-rein with the left hand, just under the right, put the little finger between them, the back of the hand towards the horse's head; run down the left hand to the neck of the horse, and still holding the bridle, seize with the fore-fingers of the left hand, a lock of the mane, about a foot from the saddle; seize the stirrup-leather with the right hand near the stirrup; step back with the right foot, and place the ball of the left in the stirrup, the left knee close to the horse's shoulder, and the right hand on the cantle of the saddle.
MOUNT.- By a spring from the right foot, rise in the stirrup, bring both heels together, knees against the saddle, and body upright; place the right hand on the pommel and support the body, while the right leg passes clear over the horse, the right knee closes on the saddle, and the body comes gently into it; the left hand quits the mane, and the right the pommel; the snaffle-rein is laid with the right hand, back upwards, into the left, the middle finger dividing them, the superfluous part of the reins hanging down on the offside; both reins are pressed between the thumb and first joint of the fore-finger, the bridle hand raised so as just to feel the horse's mouth; the right foot takes the stirrup without the aid of hand or eye.
The body balanced in the middle of the saddle; head
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upright and square to the front; shoulders well thrown back; chest advanced; upper part of the arms hanging down straight from the shoulder; left elbow bent and slightly closed to the hips; little finger on a level with the elbow; wrist rounded, throwing the knuckles to the front; thigh stretched down from the hip; the flat of the thigh well turned inward to the saddle; knees a bit bent; legs hanging straight down from the knee and near the horse's sides; heels stretched down, the toes raised from the insteps, and as near the horse's sides as the heels.
PREPARE TO DISMOUNT.- The right hand takes the rein above the left; the right foot quits the stirrup; the left hand slides forward on the rein and seizes a lock of the mane about twelve inches from the saddle, feeling the horse's mouth very gently; the right hand drops the reins to the off-side, and is planted on the holster.
DISMOUNT.- Supporting the body with the right hand and left foot, the right leg is brought clear over to the near side; heels close; the right hand on the cantle preserves the balance of the body; the right foot is brought to the ground, and then the left; seize the reins with the right hand under the left, and advance, left foot first, to the position of STAND TO HORSE
Aids are given by the hand and legs; corrections and animations by the spur.
To March.- At the word FORWARD, raise the hand so as to feel gently the horse's mouth, and approach the pegs without closing them: this is called "to gather the horse," and is preparatory to all movements. At the word MARCH, turn the nails downwards, so as to give a little more rein, and close the calves of both legs according to the sensibility of the horse: when the horse obeys, ease the legs by degrees, and replace the hand quietly in its former position.
To Halt.- At the word HALT, feel the reins equally and firmly, drawing the hand towards the body, and closing for an instant both legs, in order to press the horse well up to the bridle: when the horse has obeyed, resume the former position.
To Rein Back.- Raise the hand a little and draw it gently
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to the centre of the body, bending a little forward, till the horse obeys- use the calves of the legs only to keep him straight; ease the reins after every step, and feel them again.
To Turn to the Right.- Open the right rein and close gradually the right leg, making the horse pass over a quarter of a circle of two or three paces, on the line of the shoulders; diminish the effect of the rein and right leg, to terminate the movement. Turning to the Left, is performed on the same principles, by contrary means.
To Turn to the Right (or Left) About, is performed by similar movements continued, making the horse pass over a half circle of about five paces, on the line of the shouders.
To Trot.- Ease the reins and press the calves of both legs, according to the horse's temper; then feel both reins to raise the fore-hand.
To Canter.- A light and firm feeling of the reins, to raise the horse's fore-hand; a pressure of both legs, to bring the haunches under him.
Passaging.- When ground is to be taken to a flank, by passaging the whole move at the words RIGHT (or LEFT) PASS, MARCH- until the word HALT. In passaging to the right, at the words RIGHT PASS, propel the horse's shoulders to the right, by opening the right rein and slightly closing the right leg: at the word MARCH, open the right rein and close the left leg, in order to make the haunches follow; hold the right leg ready to sustain the horse. Passaging to the left is executed by contrary movements.
Obliquing.- At the words RIGHT OBLIQUE, MARCH, each man makes a quarter turn of his horse to the right, so that his right knee comes behind the left knee of the man on his right; the man on the right of the rank marches steadily in the direction indicated to him, the others dress on him. The rear-rank moves in the same manner, and is regulated by the front-rank, which it takes care to conform to; and thus the horses' heads of the rear-rank are directed in rear of the second man from their leader towards the right. In obliquing to the left, the same principles and contrary movements are employed.
Wheeling.- Wheelings are of two kinds, from the halt
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and upon the move: in either case, the dressing is the outer or marching flank.
From the Halt.- The pivot man turns his horse on his fore-feet, keeps his ground, and comes gradually round with the rank. The outward flank man looks to his rank, regulates the pace at which the wheel is made, and conducts the flank so as to avoid crowding on the rank, the men resisting pressure from the outward and yielding to pressure from the inward flank. The rear-rank must rein back at the pivot and partly passage and incline towards the wheeling flank in order to cover.
On the move.- Both flanks are kept in motion: the inner flank describing an arc of a lesser circle: the outer flank describing an arc of the large circle and moving about one half faster than the rate at which the body is marching: the intermediate men conforming to the movements of the flanks. Pressure must be yielded when coming from the side towards the guide, and resisted from the opposite side, whether the guide be on the pivot, or on the marching flank.
In the evolutions, the wheelings are on a fixed pivot. In changes of direction in column the wheels are made on the move, so as not to retard the march, the arcs described by the pivots are five paces, and when marching in column of four, or twos, the pivots wheel without slacking the pace.
The wheelings should be first practised in single rank.
In wheeling from line into column, the dressing after the wheel is to the marching flank.
DRAW- SWORD.- Carry the right hand over the reins; run the hand to the wrist, through the sword-knot; grasp the sword and draw it six inches out of the scabbard.
Draw the sword briskly, carry it to the right shoulder, point upwards; drop the hand on the upper part of the right thigh, the little finger on the outside of the gripe, and the back of the blade in the hollow of the shoulder. This is the position of CARRY- SWORD.
SLOPE- SWORD.- Loosen the grasp of the handle, advancing at the same time the sword-hand, with the wrist turned up, so as to allow the back of the sword to rest on the shoulder in a sloping position.
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CARRY-SWORD.- Draw the hand to its position, so as to allow the sword to resume its perpendicularity.
RAISE- SWORDS.- As front rank. Raise the sword hand perpendicularly and bring it as high as the chin, blade to the left and fingers opposite the face, which is the position preparatory to give point. Raise the wrist to the height of the eyes- the arm half extended- the edge turned towards the right, and the point a little lower than the wrist.
As rear rank.- Raise the sword, the arm half extended; the wrist a little above the head; the edge upwards, the point backwards, and about one foot above the wrist. These are the positions of the sword by the two ranks just before the charge and at the shock when the men are to give point, or cut and use their swords as they see fit, after breaking the line.
CARRY-SWORDS.- Bring the sword to its original position on the thigh.
RETURN-SWORDS.- Raise the blade perpendicularly; the flat to the front, edge to the left, the thumb to the height of the chin and six inches from it. Carry the wrist near, and opposite to, the left shoulder, drop the point, turn the head to the left, return the sword, bringing the head again to the front and the hand to its position behind the thigh.
Pistol and carbine exercise are omitted, because it is deemed best to let every man use his pistol or carbine as may be most convenient to him.
Officer's Salute Mounted.
Being at the position of "CARRY-SWORDS," raise the hand by a circular motion as high as, and opposite to, the chin, with the edge of the blade to the left, then stretching the arm out, and at the same time brining the point of the blade in a line with the knee and the foot, the edge still kept to the left.
The salute being made with the sword is recovered bringing it back smartly to CARRY-SWORDS.
Dismounted.
The salute is the same as that prescribed for the infantry.
The first drills should be in single rank of squads not exceeding twelve men. The following examples apply to a
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squad of sixteen men in two ranks, but they are equally applicable to a squad in single rank, by leaving out what regards the rear-rank in the instructions.
The marches and formations should be executed as often by the left as by the right; but in order to avoid repetitions of right and left, they are laid down with reference to the former hand only.
After the men go through the whole correctly at a walk, the marches as formations should be performed generally at a trot.
Short halts should take place at intervals: the men should also be dismounted at least once during the drill.
The squad is formed in two ranks at open order, six yards distance; the men in the position of STAND TO HORSE.
ATTENTION, SQUAD.- TELL OFF BY FOURS.- The men of each rank number themselves one, two, three, four, from right to left.
PREPARE TO MOUNT.- Numbers two and four step forward with the right foot, face their horses, take the snaffle rein with both hands near the ring, rein back their horses gently to the distance of four yards, and all prepare to mount.
MOUNT.- As already explained. Being mounted, numbers two and four move into their intervals gently, and the rear-rank closes to the distance of one yard from the front rank. (FIG. 1.)
In dismounting in two ranks, at the words PREPARE TO DISMOUNT, numbers one and three of the front-rank move forward four paces, and two and four of the rear-rank rein back the same distance.
The whole are then dismounted as already explained.
The three right files of each rank are placed four paces forward and aligned.
BY FILE, RIGHT-DRESS.- The men of each rank advance singly and dress on the men of their respective ranks already established, taking care not to pass beyond them, and feeling the touch of the boot gently to the right.
FRONT.- The men turn their heads to the front. Dress-
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ing back is practised in the same manner. After the men are sufficiently practised to align by files, they are taught to align by the whole rank at once, by the command RIGHT-DRESS.
FOURS, RIGHT.- Each rank wheels by fours to the right. (FIG. 2.)
GUIDE LEFT-MARCH.- The whole move forward, dressing to the left.
By Sections of Fours.
SECTIONS OF FOURS-RIGHT.- The leading four of the front-rank marches straight forward, its rear-rank inclining and covering it; the remainder move off their ground in succession in the same manner: first a front-rank four, and then a rear-rank four, alternately. (FIG. 3.)
By Twos.
TWOS-RIGHT.- The right hand two of the front-rank wheels to the right; the remainder turn their horses heads to the right.
MARCH.- The leading two marches straight forward, followed by its rear-rank two; the remainder move off their ground in succession in the same manner; first a front-rank two and then a rear-rank two, alternately, the whole covering by the left. (FIG. 4.)
Marches by the right By Files, are made according to the same principles as By Twos, substituting in the command FILES for TWOS. The files should be instructed to cover accurately.
If the column is marching by subdivisions of eight, or if the front of subdivisions exceed that number, the column must be halted before it is wheeled into line; in other cases the formations may be made from the move.
From Fours.
COLUMN-HALT-LEFT INTO LINE WHEEL-
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MARCH.- The whole of the fours wheel to the left, and dress to the right.
From Sections of Fours.
LEFT INTO LINE-MARCH.- The leading four wheels to the left, and moves up three horses' lengths, followed by its rear-rank; the remainder continue moving on, and as each four arrives opposite its place, it wheels to the left, and forms up to the rank to which it belongs, dressing to the right. (FIG. 6.)
Formations to the left, From Twos and Files, are made according to the same principles and by the same command as From Sections of Four. (FIG. 7.)
Formation to the Right or Reverse Flank.
These formations are made from the move.
From Fours.
ON RIGHT INTO LINE- MARCH.- The rear-rank fours check their pace till the front-rank fours of the rank next behind come up abreast of them; in the meantime the leading four of the front-rank wheels to the right, and advances three horses lengths beyond the right flank of the column, and halts; its rear-rank wheeling to the right, covering it and moving up to the proper distance; the remainder continue to move on, each four wheeling to the right when opposite its place, and forming up to the rank to which it belongs, dressing to the right. (FIG. 8.)
From Sections of Fours.
ON RIGHT INTO LINE- MARCH.- The leading four of the front-rank wheels to the right, advances three horses lengths, and halts; its rear-rank four arriving behind it, wheels, covers, and moves up to the proper distance; the reminder continue moving on, and as each four arrives opposite its place, it wheels to the right, and forms up to the rank to which it belongs, dressing to the right. (FIG. 9.)
Formations to the right from Twos and Files, are made according to the same principles and by the same command as From Sections of Fours. (FIG. 10.)
These formations are made from a halt, or move.
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From Fours.
FRONT INTO LINE- MARCH.- The leading four of the front-rank advances three horses lengths, and halts, its rear-rank fours moving up by an incline, to its proper distance and covering it; the rest of the rear-rank fours check their pace till the front-rank fours of the rank next behind come up abreast with them, the whole moving up into line by inclining to the left, and dressing, as they come up, by the right. (FIG. 11.)
From Sections of Fours.
FRONT INTO LINE- MARCH.- The leading four of the front-rank advances three horses lengths and halts, its rear rank four moving up to its proper distance and covering it; the remainder move up into line, by inclining to the left, and dressing, as they come up, to the right. (FIG. 12.)
Formations to the front, From Twos and Files, are made according to the same principles and by the same commands as From Sections of Fours. (FIG. 13.)
SQUAD, FORWARD, GUIDE LEFT (or RIGHT) MARCH.- The whole move forward together, dressing towards the guide, who marches straight to the front on the points of direction.
To Retire in Line.
This may be done either from a halt, or on the move: in both cases the wheels about must be on a fixed pivot.
FOURS RIGHT (or LEFT) ABOUT.- Each rank wheels about by fours.
GUIDE RIGHT (or LEFT)- MARCH.- The word MARCH, to be given, the instant the fours have gone about, and the whole move forward together, dressing towards the guide.
To resume the natural order the same commands and means are observed.
Diminution and Increase of Front.
These movements are intended for the passage of defiles, and will be executed by the sub-divisions in successions, at the same given point.
In diminishing from platoons to sections of fours and so
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down to files, it will be necessary first to halt the column, in order to avoid crowding and confusion, which would, otherwise, obviously arise from the want of space necessary to execute the movements.
Diminish. From Squadron to Companies.
BY COMPANIES, MARCH.- The right company continues to move forward; the left company halts until its right is cleared, when its chief gives the words right oblique, march, and as soon as it covers in column, forward guide- left.
From Companies to Platoons.
BY PLATOONS-MARCH.- The first platoon continues to move forward; the second platoon halts until its right is disengaged, when its chief gives the words right oblique, march, and as soon as it covers in column, forward guide- left. The fourth platoon executes the same movement when it arrives at the place where the second platoon broke.
From Platoons to sections of Fours.
BY SECTIONS OF FOURS, MARCH.- The leading right hand four continues to move forward followed by its rear-rank; the leading left hand four halts until its right is disengaged when it obliques to the right, followed by its rear-rank, and covers in column by the left. All the other fours execute the same movement, as they arrive in succession on the same ground.
From sections of Fours to Twos.
BY TWOS, MARCH.- The leading right hand two continues to move forward followed by its rear-rank; the leading left hand two halts until its right is disengaged when it obliques to the right, followed by its rear-rank, and covers in column by the left. All the other twos execute the same movement, as they arrive in succession on the same ground.
From Twos to Files.
BY FILES, MARCH.- The leading right hand file continues to move forward, followed by its left hand file, which obliques to the right for the purpose. All the other files make the same movements as each arrives at the same point.
Increase. From Files to Twos.
FORM TWOS, MARCH.- The leading file continues to
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Dress forward; the remainder move on at a trot, numbers two and four, forming on the left of one and three, as they successively arrive at those last formed, and then dropping into a walk.
From Twos to sections of Fours.
FROM SECTIONS OF FOURS, MARCH.- The leading twos move steadily forward; the remainder move on at a trot, numbers three and four forming on the left of one and two, as they successively arrive at those last formed, and then dropping into a walk.
From sections of Fours to Platoons.
FORM PLATOONS, MARCH.- The leading section moves steadily forward the others move on at a trot, the left sections forming on the left of the right sections of platoons, as they successively arrive at those last formed, and then dropping into a walk.
From Platoons to Companies.
FORM COMPANIES, MARCH.- The first platoon moves steadily forward; the others move on at a trot, the second platoon forming on the left of the first, and the fourth on the left of the third, as they successively arrive at the same point, and then dropping into a walk.
From Companies to Squadrons.
FORM SQUADRON, MARCH.- The right company moves steadily forward; the left company moves at a trot, obliques to the left, forms on the left of the right company and then drops into a walk.
In the foregoing movements, the column is supposed to be marching right in front. If the column should be marching with the left in front, the movements would be executed by inverse means.
Each company forms on its own parade, in single rank, according to size from tight to left, the tallest men and horses on the right.
Then company is next divided into two equal parts, those on the right to compose the front-rank, those on the left, the rear-rank.
IN TWO RANKS FORM COMPANY- The men composing
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the front-rank advance four paces dressing by the right. The men of the rear-rank turn their horses heads to the right.
MARCH.- The men of the rear-rank file off to the right in rear of the front-rank: and as each arrives opposite his file-leader, he turns to the left and covers at the distance of one yard.
The company is then divided into two platoons, the first platoon on the right, and the second on the left; each consisting of eight files.
The non-commissioned officers are next posted as follows the first sergeant, on the right of the company, in the rank of file-closers, (one yard from the rear rank,) the second, third, fourth, and fifth sergeants, in the front-rank on the left and right of each platoon, each covered by a corporal. The company thus formed will present including sergeants and corporals in the ranks, or sixteen files.
The captain is in front of the centre of the company, one yard from the front-rank; the first lieutenant commands the first platoon, and the second lieutenant commands the second platoon, each taking post in front of the centre of his platoon, in a line with the captain.
The saddler and farrier are in the rear of the left of the company, eight yards in rear of the rank of file-closers; and the trumpets twenty yards in rear of the centre.
The company being formed, the men, including the non-commissioned officers in the ranks are told off by fours, beginning on the right of each rank.
It is recommended to the militia to form and exercise on single rank, both as a simpler formation and as more useful and effective on many occasions in which they may be required to act.
Two companies constitute a squadron, and when united for that purpose, the platoons are number from right to left, first, second, third, fourth, fifth.
The officers are posted as follows:
The senior captain commands the squadron and is in front of the centre, one yard from the front-rank. The junior captain three yards on rear of the centre. The first lieutenants in front of the centre of their respective companies on
PART II. CAVALRY.
a line with the senior captain, each commanding his own company: the second lieutenants in rear of the centre of their respective companies in the rank of file-closers.
The first sergeants of companies are, one on the right and one on the left of the squadron, in the rank of file-closers, to be employed as markers. The other non-commissioned officers retain their places in line.
The saddlers and farriers retain their places in their respective companies: the trumpets are twenty yards in rear of the centre of the squadron.
When a single company of militia acts on one rank, it should, unless very weak in number, be told off and formed as a squadron.
Formation of a Regiment. (FIG. 14.)