PERKINS LIBRARY Duke University Karc Doolca i'^; (?; a.'^'*^ /.J/Z/l''^ JtlX,^, . ^.^/oJkf /tt^ ^ '"^N THE TROOPER'S MANUAL: OR, TACTICS FOR igljt Dragaons mxH ||l0iintc5) fxifltnitn. ' COMPILED, ABRIDGED AND ARRANGED BY Col. J. LUCIUS DAVIS, Graduate of the United States Military Academy, West Point; for- merly an Officer of the United States Army ; and for many years commander and instructor of Volunteer Cavalry. 9CbirI» =ElJition. RICHMOND, Va. PUBLISHED BY A. MORHIS. 1862. Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1861, By a. morris, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Confed- erate States for the Eastern District of Virginia. CHAS. H. WYNNB, PRIKTER. PREFACE. No military work is in more demand at present than a cheap, plain, brief compendium of Cavalry Tactics. All books of this description, heretofore pnb- lished, are too large and costly to serve as manuals for the Trooper. They abound, too, in matter of no interest, at least, to Mounted Volunteers. As a general rule, what have the latter to do with the tactics of the riding-house? or the drill of Lancers, Hussars, Cuirassiers, or Caribiniers? The revolver-manual, adopted in this work, is the admirable one of Capt. Bell, U. S. Cavalry. It is superseding the defective one given in every Cavalry hand-book which has preceded this. The demand for this work being immediate, the Com- piler has ventured to avail himself of that manual for the revolver, without having had time or oppor- tunity to obtain the author's permission. IV PREFACE. The Mounted Rifle drill offered is the authorized one of the United States service, prepared by Capt- Maury of the Mounted Rifles, under the orders of the War Department. * The order of the Secretary of War establishes this drill, with its single rank formation for all mounted troops, the double rank system being re- tained for garrison service only. In fact, this formation, (the single rank,) re* commended by Capt. (now General) McClellan of the Military Commission to Europe, and ap- proved by our best Cavalry commanders, is the only one suited to actual service in any portion of the American Continent. But as two ranks answer for garrison service in peace, for reviews, parades, and manoeuvres in con- tracted limits, both the single and the two rank drills are given in this book — only one, viz : the two rank formation, being found in other works. The originals have been faithfully copied, ex- cept where error demanded correction, not more than fifty pages (including notes, remarks, and Glossary,) having been introduced by the Compiler, as demanded by recent improvements in arras and otherwise. General and Field Officers and Superintendents PREFACE. V of Riding Schools will require more extended trea- tises, embracing the whole subject of I^quitation; but the Compiler hopes that this little volume pro- vides all necessary instruction for every grade, from the Trooper to the Commander of the Squadron. The Compiler. Richmond, Va., April, 1861. • INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. , Cavalry is a general term, embracing, in its modern and more extended sense, all classes of mounted soldiery. Dragoons were originally armed with muskets, and were trained equally for Cavalry and Infantry service. In the United States service. Cavalry and Dra- goons are armed and drilled alike, the distinction being merely nominal. Mounted Rifles differ from other Cavalry in arms, manoeuvres, and in habitually dismounting for the combat, their horses being chiefly the means of rapid locomotion. All American Cavalry should be well trained on foot in the Light Infantry exercises: should carry a light rifle, (as well as sabre and pistol,) and use the fire-arms mostly on foot. For actual service, the regular Cavalry saddle and equipments are necessary. The Mexican sad- Vlll INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. die, however, is generally preferred by the Mounted Kangers of the Western frontier. Fancy hats, with plumes, of ostrich or other feathers, are only suitable on parades and reviews, but, on campaign, they are a useless incumbrance. ,A conical f .rage-cap, with water-proof cover extending, when unrolled, to the shoulders; a water-proof cape reaching from the neck to the hips; one close-bodied csat, one round jacket, one over-coat, and two pairs of pants, (the four latter of dark-blue or gray cloth,) together with under- garments and short-top boots, constitute the proper apparel for all mounted troops. The Cavalry Tactics, from the drill of the Trooper to that of the Squadron, both inclusive, should be acquired by all Cavalry Corps. The pe- culiar organization and manoeuvres of the Mounted Rifles will be confined to that class of troops; but they, too, should be instructed in the general prin- ciples, laid down in the following pages, for all Cavalry exercises, adding what appertains to their own branch of the service. Volunteers, who are generally expert horsemen, sometimes enter with reluctance into the minutiae of mounting, dismounting, the prescribed manage- ment of the arms and legs, and the elementary INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. ix rules of equitation ; but every item should be practised in detail until thoroughly understood ; as they become more familiar with them, they will more fully appreciate their importance. A troop-horse, when thoroughly trained, can be guided by the arms and legs alone, thus allowing the Trooper the use of both hands, if necessary in combat. The following rules are presented substantially as laid down in the prescribed tactics, the Compiler having no authority to make any important altera- tions in the authorized text books. CAVALRY TACTICS. PART FIRST. • grill of {|)e Cr-ffoptr. For the first lessons, it is best to cbarge each In- Btrncror with a verij small squad of recruits^ having between them intervals of one yard. But it is soinetiines necessary, especially with voluutoers, for one single Instructor to take charge of a platoon, or even a squadron. In this cnse, they may be arranged in one rank, (which is bes%) or in two ranks along the sides of a square; all facing inwards toward the Instructor, who will exe- cute in person all the niotioA, or will cause them to be executed by a well-drilled trqoper, stationed in the centre. Having acquired thoroughly the motions of mounting and dismounting, the whole may be formed into a platoon or squadron, according to numbers present. When two ranks are used, they should be six yards distant, measured from head to tail. 12 THE TROOPER. To conduct horses to the drill ground. The trooper conducts his horse to the ground, the reins passed over the neck, and their extremity engaged in the left cloak-strap.* He holds the reins with the right hand at six inches from the mouth of the horse, the nails under, the hand ele- vated and firm, to prevent the horse from jumping. When the trooper is under arrns, he has the sabre hooked up. The carbine is passed over the rnjlit shoulder j the left hand hanging by the side. Having arrived on the ground, the sabre is unhooked. ' • Position of the trooper before mounting. The trooper places himself on the left side of the horse, abreast of the nether jaw ; he holds the reins with the right hand at six inches from the mouth of the horse, the nails downward. The trooper has his heels upon the same line and as near together as his conformation will permit, the feet at little less than a right angle, and equally turned out; the kne# straight without being stiff, the body perpendicular upon the haunches, and slightly inclined forward; the left hand hanging at the side, the palm a little turned out, the little finger along the seam of the pantaloons; the head * In the absence of cloak -straps, any other mode of attaching the reins to the pommel may auawcr. S THE TROOPER. 13 erect; the chin drawn in, but without constraint; the eyp8 fixed to the front. When the trooper is under armSf he has tJie left hand over the sabre. * To mount.* The instructor commands: Prepare to mount. 1 timef 2 motions. 1. At the command prepare to mount, Nos. 1 and 3 of each rank move six paces to the front, stepping off with the left foot, keeping opposite their intervals, and regulating by the right. Place the rii^ht foot three inches in rear of the left; make a face and a half to the right on both heels; let go the right rein; slip the right hand along the left rein ; take two steps, stepping off with the right foot, and face to the left upon the point of the left foot, the right side towards the flank of the horse; carry back the right heel three inches in rear of the left; the right hand seizing the end of the reins is placed upon the cantle of the saddle. 2. Place a third of the left foot in the stirrup, supporting it against the fore-arm of the horse ; rest upon the point of the right foot, and seize with the ♦The troopers bein^ aligned with the tallest on the right, the orderly serireant, (or Benior aon commis»iotie4 officer) calls the rol before mouating. • 14 THE TROOPER. left hand over the reins a lock of the m.ine as far forward as possible, the extremity of the lock pass- ing out of the hand on the side of the little finder. Mount. 1 timcy 2 motions. 1. At the command mount, ppring from the right fo'it, holding firmly to the mane, at the Fame tiijie pressing upon the cantle to prevent the saddle from turninijf; the body erect. 2. I^a-s the right leg stretched over the croup of the horse, without touching him; sit lightly in the saddle, placing at the same time the right hand, witbout quitting the reins, upon the right holster, the paliij of the hand resting upon it, the fingers on the outside of it, and take one rein of the snaffle in each hand.* (If the trooper is using the curb-bridle, he will pass the reins of it in the left hand and adjust them.) Place the right foot in the stirrup. Let fall the carbine by the side.f Position of the bridle-hand. The reins with their slide in the left hand, the little finger between the reins, the other fingers well * The To'\ns of the snaffle are thus held by recruits and beginners in equitation. The ])rii('ticod horseman will take his riding reins at once in his lf.fi hand on mounting. t Tho carbine (or rifle) is suspended by a strap over the left shoulder. THE TROOPER. 15 closed, and the thumb upon the second joint of the first fingers; the elbow slightly detached from the bod}', the hand four inches above the pommel of the saddle, the fingers six inches from, and turned to- wards the body; the little finger a little nearer the body than the upper part of the wrist, the right hand at the side. Length of the stirrups. Having: commenced the exerciPe, the instructor assures himself that the stirrups are properly adjusted. They aie of the proper length if, when the tronper raises himself on the stirrups, there is a space of six inches be- tween the fork and the saddle. Position of the foot in the stirrup. The stirrup should support only the weight of the leg; the foot ought to be inserted one-third of its length, the heel lower than the toe. The stirrup should support only the weight of (he leg: if the trooper bore too much upon the stirrups, his seat would be deranged, as well as the position of tjie legs, and the justness of their action would be impaired. The foot ought to be inserted one-third of its length: if the trooper did not insert the foot Sufficiently far in the stirrup, he would risk losing them, particularly during the lively gaits. If the foot were inserted too far, the legs would not fall naturally. The heel lower than the toe : that the foot may keep the stirrup without eflFi)rt and without stiffness: thnt the play of the joint with the leg mny remain fre&, and that the spur being further removed from the horse, there is less danger of its being improperly employed. * 16 THE TROOPEB. Form — Ranks. At the last part of the command, which is RANKS, No.s. 1 and 3 raise the wrist (nf the bridle hand), and hold the IciiS cli>se to the body of the horse to keep him quiet; No.s. 2 and 4 enter the intervals witliout jostling and without precipitation. 'The rear rank being formed, clo6es to the distance of 2 feet from the front. Before ca^ising the command mount to be executed, the instructor explains in detail the two times of it, and allows but a short interval between the first and second part of this command, because, were the trooper to remain a long time on the stirrup, the horses would become restive and move out of their proper places. The instructor will explain to the troopers, that in car- rying the right hand to the holster before placing them- selves in the saddle, they will be able to do so lightly, and will not run the I'isk of injuring themselves in bestriding their horses. « The instructor causes the stirrups to be crossed upon the neck, the left stirrup over the right.* The position of the trooper, mounted. The buttocks bearing equally upon the saddle, and jis far forward as possible ; The thighs turned upon their flat side without effort, embracing equally the horse, and stretched only by their own weight and that of the legs; A supple bend of the knees; * This is usually omitted in volunteer-cavalry exercises. THE TROOPER. 17 The legs free and falHnp: naturally; The pitint of tlie feet falling in Yike manner; (i. e. when not in the ^tirrup8.) Q'he loins supported withi)ut stiffness; The upper part of the body at ease, free and erect ; The shoulders equally thrown back ; The arms free, the elbows falling naturally; The head erect, at ease, and not drawn in be- tween the shouldera; One rein of the snaffle in each hand, the fingers closed, the thumb along each rein, the wrists as high as the elbow, at 6 inches Irom each other, the fingers turned towards each other, the upper extremity of the reins leaving the hand on the side of the thumb.* The buttocks bfaring equally upon the saddle: Serving as a base to tlie position ot the trooper, tliey ought to be equally charged with all the weight of the body to assure its steadiiieiss. And as far forward as possible: In order that the trooper ninj have greater facility in embracing his hor:^, and conforming to all his movements. The thighs turried vpon their flat side without effort, embracing equally the horse : The more the thighs adhere to tlie hor.-e, the greater is the solidity of the tiooper. If they did not embraco the horse equally, the seat of the trooper would be unfixed. Aiid stretched only by their own weight and that of the legs: If they did not fall naturaUy, they could he extend- ed only by an etlort, which would cause constraint. * NoTB. This paraprnph, referring to the mode of holding the snaffle rein, is not applicable to voluuteer-cavalry who are generally expert horuemea. 18 THE TROOPER. A supple bend of the knees: To give a facility in carrying the legs more or less to the rear, without deranging the position of the thighs. The legs free, and falling naturally, the point of the feet falling in like' manner : Stiffness in the legs would impair the goo I effects of their action. The loins supported without stiffness : The loins should be sustained, to give the ti ooper grace and solidity. Stiffness would prevent his accommodating himself to all the mo- tions of the horse. The upper part of the body at ease, free and erect'. The body can preserve its crectness only by suppleness and ease. The shoulders equally thrown hack: Were the slioulders thrown forward, the back would be curved and the breast contracted; were they thrown too much to the rear, th6 loins would be hollowed and the action of the arms con- Btrained. The arms free: In order not to employ more force than is absolutely necessary ; constrained movements produce unr-,ertain effects. The etiows falling naturally : That they may contribute to the steadiness of the seat, and communicate stiflfnesa neither to t!ie body nor fore-arms. The head erect: If the head were not erect, the body would lean towards the side it inclined to. r At ease, and not drawn in between the shoulders: To be able to turn it with ease, and that its movements may be independent of those of the body. The use of the reins. The reins serve to prepare the horse for the moveniGnts he is required to .execute, to direct him, and to stop him. Their action should be progressive, and in accordance tvith that of the legs. THE TROOPER. Ift When the trooper makes use of the reins, the arms Bhould act with suppleness, and their move- ments ought to extend from the wrist to the • fchoulder. The use of the legs. The less serve to urge the horse forward, ta support him, and to aid him in turning to the rigUt and to the left. Whenever the trooper wishes his horse to move forward, he should close the logs by degrees behind the girths, causing their effect to correspond with the sensibility of the horse, taking care neither to open nor elevate thg knees, of which the bend should be always pliant. The trooper relaxes the legs by degrees, as he closed them. The effect of the reins and the legs com- bined. By elevating a little the left wrist, and closing the legs, the trooper '^gathers his horse ;'\ by elevating again the wrist, he slackens the paoej by repeating this momement of the wrist, he stops the horse, or •' reins back." The troopers ought to elevate the wrists without curving them, afe the same time drawing them slightly towards the body. By opening the right rein and closing the righl leg, the trooper turns his horse to the right. To open the right rei^i; the wrist is carried, without 20 THE TROOPER. turning; it, more or less to the right, according to the sensibility of the horse. Bj opeuiug the left rein, and closiog the left leg, the troop'T turns his horse to the letV. To open the left rein, the left wrist is carried, without turn- ing it, more or less to the left, according to the sensibilify of the horse. By lowering slightJy the wrist, the horse is at liberry to move forward ; the closing the legs de- termines the movemeat.* To march. The instructor commands : 1. Squad (or compairt/yjor platoon) forward, 2. Mauch. At the command squad forward^ elevate slightly the wrists, and close the legs, in order ta "gather the horse." At the command marcii, lower slightly the wrists, and close the legs more or less, according to the sensibility of the horse. The horse having obeyed, replace the wrists and the legs by degrees. If the trooper did not gather his horse at the prepara- tory coraniaud, the executii)n of the second command would be too abrupt or too slow. If the trooper, at the command of execution, did not commence by lowering th6 wrist, the horse would not have the liberty necessary to enable him to move forward. If the trooper did not close equally the legs, the horse would not move directly to the front; and if he did not * The wrist of the bridle hand is of course meant. THE TROOPER. 21 do8e them progresBiyely, the horse would not obey with- out irregularity. To halt. After some steps, the instructor commarids : 1. Squad. 2. Halt. At the command i^qua/?, the trooR/sr gathers his horse, without Bhickening his pace. At the command halt, the trooper braces him- self in the .«*addle; elevate the wrists at the same time by degrees, and close the legs in order to prevent the horse from receding. The horse hav- ing obeyed, replace the wrists and the legs by degreed. When the horse does not obey, cause him to feel Bticcessively the effect of each rein, according to his sensibility. If the trooper pressed the horse with the thighs or legs,, it would be diflacult for him to stop. If he did not use (he two reins equally, and hold the legs equally near, the horse would stop in a diagonal position. ' If the trooper used the reins with too much force and precipitation, the horse would stop suddenly aud fall back. To turn to the right, and to the left.* The instructor commands : 1. Squad to the right (or to the left). 2. March. , 3. Halt. # • In pmcticing the-^urninga, let intervals be taken of 3 yards, nrom boot to boot. j'""^, 22 THE TROOPER. At the command, squad to the rijJit, gather the borsc. At the command march, opf^n the right rein, and close progressively the right leg. In order not to turn the horse too short, perform the movement upon a quarter of a circle of 3 paces.* The move- ment being almost completed, diminish the effect of the rein and the right leg, supporting the horse at the same time with the laft reirf and leg to termi- nate the movement. At the command halt, elevate slightly the wrists, and hold the legs near, in order to keep the horse straight in the new direction; replace the wrists and the legs by degrees. If the trooper did not describe the arc of the pre- scribed oii'cle, the movement would be too much shortened. If the trooper, towards the end of the movement, did Dot diminish the effect of the right rein an 1 the rlglit leg, hy means of the left rein and left leg, the horse would perform more than a turn to the right. To turn-about to the right, and to the . left. The instructor commands : 1. Squad to the right-ahout (or to the Ic/tahouty 2. March. 3. Halt. This 'movement is executed on the principles proscribed for the turn to the right or to the Ic/t, * That is, ft circular path or track 3 yards id length. TUE TROOPER. 23 with this diflference, that the hofse should pass over a semi circle of 6 paces, and face to the rear. In order to make the trooper compreheiid better the movomentH dotifiiled, the instructor places himself at tha shoulder of the horse, and describes each movement oi> foot, in marking off the arc of the prescribed circle. To make a quarter-turn to the right and to the left. The instructor commands : 1. Squad right oblique (or left ohVque). 2. March. 3. Halt. At the command Squad right ohliquej gather the horse. At the command march, open a little tKe right rein, and close slip-htiy the right leg, in order to make the horse execute a quarter turn to the right ^ cause the horse to feel, almost at the same time, the effect of the left rein and the left leg, to termi- nate the n»ovement without increasing the degree of obliquity. At the command halt, elevate slightly the wrists and close the legs, to keep the direction cf the quarter-turn to the right; replace the wrista and legs by degrees. The instructor commands halt, almost imme- diately after the comiiiand march; he does not require great exactness in this movement, the ob- ject of which is, to give the trooper the first idea cf the oblique direction. 24 THE TROOPER. The tnovemcnta detailed, after having been executed to the right, are executed to the left, according to tie same priuciplc9, but by inverse means. To rein-back, and to cease reining-back. The instructor commands : 1. Squad — Backwards. 3. Squad. 2. March. 4. Halt. At the command Squad backwards, gather the hprse. At the command march, keep a firm seafc elevate the wrist?, and close the legs. As foon as the horse obeys, lower and elevate successively the wrists, which is called yidding and checking. If the horse throws the haunches to the right, close the right leg; if ho throws them to the lefr, close the left leg. If these means are not sufficient to replace the horse in his proper position, open the rein on the aide towards which the horse throws his haunches, causing him to feel, at the same time, slightly, the effect of the opposite rein. At the command squadf the trooper prepares to stop. At the command halt, lower the wrists and close the legs. The horse having obeyed, replace the wrists and legs by degrees. If the trooper did not keep a firm seat, he vrould incline •forward, from the effect of the movement of the horse. If, instead of lowering and eleva'iiig the vrrists alter- nately, the trooper were to prolong the effect of the hands, THE TROOPER. 25 the horse woold step back suddenly, and would cross or throw himself upon his haunches. To dismount. The instructor commands: 1. Prepare to dismount. 1 time J 2 motions. 1. At the command prepare to dismount, Nos. 1 and 3 of the front rank move forward 6 paces Nos. 2 and 4 of the rear rank rein-back 4 paces) and keep themselves opposite their interval. The troopers of each rank dress by the ri'rht. Seize the carbine with the right° hand, at the lower band ; pass it over the right shoulder diago- nally, the muzzle in the air, so that it. cannot tall back. 2. Seize the' reins of the snaflae (or of the curl- hriiUe) above and near the left thupib with the right hand, the nails downward, and place this hand upon the right holster. Disengage the right foot from the stirrup, and seize with the left hand a lock of the mane over the reins. Dismount. 1 time^ 2 motions. 1. At the command dismount, rise upon the left stirrup; pass the right leg extended over the croup of the horse, without touching him, and bring the right thigh near to the left, the body well sustained J place at the same time the right o 26 THE TROOPER. hand upon the cnntle of the paddle, slipping it along the reins without letting them go; descend lightly to the ground, the body erect, the heels upon the same line. Let go the mane with the left hand J engage the extremity of the reins in the left cloak-strap with the right hand, which then seizes the left, rein. 2 Make a face and 2 steps to the left, stepping off with the left foot; slip the right hand along the left rein, seize with the same hand both reins at 6 inches from the mouth of the horse, the nails down- ward, and take the position of the trooper before mounting. Form — Ranks. At the last part of the command, which is ranks, Nos. 1 and 3 of each rank elevate slightly the right hand to keep the horse quiet; Nos. 2 and 4 return to their intervals gently. • To file off. The instructor commands : 1. Bi/ the right (or hi/ the left) — File off. 2. March. At the last part of the first command, which is FILE off, hook up the sabre; use both hands to unhook the curb and unbuckle the nose-band ; re- take the reins with the right hand, and replace the left hand at the side. At the command MARCH, the trooper of the right, in each rank, steps off with the left foot, THE TROOPER. 27 leading his horse to the front; he takes 4 steps, turns to the right, and marches in the new direc- tion, holding at the same time the hand high and firm to J)revent the horse from jumping Each trooper in each rank executes successive!}^ the same movement, when the one who precedes him has moved 4 paces to the front. To leap to the ground ; the trooper, holding the reins of the snaffle as prescribed, seizes with the left hand a lock of the mane, the fingers well closed; places the right hand upon the pommel, raises him- self upon the wrists, brings the right thigh to tho side of the left, remains an instant in this position, and descends lightly to the ground. To leap on the horse ; the trooper seizes the mane with the left hand, places the right hand which , holds the reins upon the pommel of the saddle, springs lively, raising himself upon the two wrists, remains an instant in this position, and places him- self lightly in the saddle. The instructor sometimes gives the command to rest, in marcking, in order to calm the horses nfter a quick pace, and to relieve the troopers who may become fatigued. During the rest in marching, the troopers relax them- selves a little; but without changing the pace and with- out losing their distance. The conductors always regulate the march. Being halted, to commence the move at a trot. The commands are : 1. Column forward. 2. Trot. 3. March. 28 THE TROOPER. , At the command trot, gather the horse. At the command MARCH, h)wcr the wrists and close the legs progressively ; as soon as the horse cbejSj replace the wrists and the legs by degrees. * Marching at a trot, to halt. The troopers marching at a. trot, and ia column, the instructor commands : 1. Column. ' 2. Halt. At the command column, gather the horse. At the command halt, elevate the wrists by degrees, until the horse stops; and hold the legs always near, to keep him straight and to prevent bis stepping back. The horse having obeyed, re- place the wrists and logs by degrees. The in«trnctor requires all the troopers to set off freely at the trot, at the command makch, and to stop all to- gether, without jostling, at the command halt. To pass from the trot to the trot-out, and from the trot-out to the trot. The troopers marching at the trot, and in column, the rnfitractor commands : Trot-out. At this command, lower a little the wrists and close the legs progrrssively ; as soon as the horse obeys, replace the wrists and the logs by degrees. THE TROOPER. 29 The gait being lengthened to a suitable decree, the in- structors see tliat the troopers keep their horses up to it. He pays particular attention to the position of the troopers. He reminds them tliat it is in holding the body erect, having a li^iht hand, the loins supple, and in allow- ing the thighs and le;.'s to fall naturally, they can di.ninish the eifect of the reaction of the horse, and conform»mpre readily to all his motions. To prevent the horses from overreaching, it is neces- aary to raise the wrists and close more or less the legs. To passage from the trot-out to the trot^ the instructor commands: Slow trot. At this command, elevate the wrists by degrees and close the legs, to prevent the horse from taking the walk; as soon as the horse obeys, replace the wrists and the legs by degrees. To pass from the trot to the gallop. The instructor commands : • 1. Gallop. 2. March. At the command gallop, gather the horse and keep hira perfectly straight. At the command march, carry the hand sligbtlj forward and to the left, to enable the ri^ht Bhoiii- der to move in abess, imme- diately after that of halt, and commands front when the two (or four) last files are aligned. The column marching left in front, to form line upon the prolongation and in advance of its left flank, the movement is executed following the same principles but by inverse means, at the commands : I. On the left into Itne; 2. March; 8. Halt; 4. Le/t-J)RESs: 5. March. The foregoing explanations have been given for move- ments twos or by fours, in order to avoid repetition* but they are executed by fours only after obtaining the neces- sary precision in the exercises by twos. When these 90 THE PLATOON. movements have been executed "with regularity at the walk, they are repeated at the trot and at the gallop. To form the platoon to the left in one rank. 4 The platoon being formed in two ranks, the instructor commands : 1. Lf/t into single rank. 4. Halt. 2. March. • 5. Rijht — Dress. 3. Front. G. Front. At the command march, the front rank moves forward 6 paces, dressing by the right; the trooper on the left of the rear rank turns to the left and moves forward; he is followed by all the other troopers of that rank, who execute successively the same movement. At the command front, the trooper on the left of the rear rank turns to the right, and the other troopers successively, when they have arrived nearly opposite the places they are to occupy in the rank. At the command halt, the trooper on the left halts, and successively the others, on arriving abreast of him. At the command Right — Dress, all the troopers of the rear rank dress to the right. At the Gth command, which is front, turn the head to the front. The instructor gives the 3d command, which is front, the ftioment that one-tliird of the rear rank in column have passed the front rank: he conjmands right — dress, when the trooper on the right of the rear rank has fronted. THE PLATOON. 91 Manual of arms. The platoon being in one rank, the troopers execute at a halt the manual of arms. To form the platoon to the right in two ranks.* The platoon being in one rank, the instructor desig- nates the trooper who is to be on the left of the front rank, also the one to be on the right of the rear rank, and commands : 1. Right into two ranks. 3. Right — Dress. 2. March. 4. Front. At the command March, the front rank moves forward ^ puces, dressing by the rights the trooper on the right of the rear rank turns to the right as soon as the front rank has passed, and rnoves for- ward obliquing to the right; when he is nearly in rear of the trooper on the right of the front rank, he fronts by turning to the left. All the other troopers execute successively the same movement, placing themselves exactly behind their file-leaders and at their proper distances. At the command right — DRESS, all the troopers align themselves to the right. At the command front, turn the head to the front. The in.xtructor gives the command right — drkss, when the trooper on the right of the rear rank has turned to the front. 92 THE PLATOON. The exercise being finished, the troopers are ordered to dismount and file oflF. At the command prepare to dismount, the assistant instructor moves 12 paces to the front, and faces the platoon by a turn-about to th'i left; at the same com- mand the file-closer reins back 4 paces, and dismounts with the platoon. To form twos and fours at the same gait. The platoon marching in column by file, right in front, to form twos, the instructor commands : 1. Form twos. 2. March. At the command march, the first file continues to march on, and halts when it has marched 10 paces J the second file obliques to the left, and comes up abreast of the first; on arriving there, it halts and dresses to the right. All the other files continue to march straight forward, Nos 2 and 4 executing their movement in the same manner, but successively, and when Nos. 1 and 3, upon which they should form, have nearly arrived at their proper distances, and are about to halt. The platoon marching in column by twos, right la front, to form fours, the instructor commands: 1. Form /ours. 2. March. At the command MARCH, the two first files con- tinue to march on, and halt when they have marched 10 paces ; the two following files oblique to the left, and come up abreast of the two first; THE PLATOON. 93 on arriving there, they halt and dress ta the right. All the other files continue to march straijzht for- ward, Nos. 3 and 4 executing their movement in the same manner, but successively, and when Nos. 1 and 2, upon which they should form, have nearly arrived at their proper distance and are about to halt. When the column is at a trot, the formation of twos and fours at the same gait is executed following the same principles. The first, or two first files, pass to the tcalkf at the command march; the others continue to march at the trot, until they have arrived abreast of those on which they should form ; then they pass to the walk. When the column is at a gallor), the movement is exe- cuted following the same principles. The first, or two first files pass to the trot at the command march; the others continue to march at the gallop, until they have executed their formation ; then they pass to the trot. When twos or fours are formed at the trot or at the gallop, the guide is announced as soon as the first files have doubled. In executing the same movements at a walk, as the head of the column halts, the guide ^s not announced. The column marching left in front, these movements are executed following the same principles and by inverse means. To break by twos and by file at the same gait. The platoon marching in column by fours, right in front, to break by twos, the instructor commands : . 1. By twos. 2. March. 3. Guide left. At the command hy twos, all the troopers pre- pare to halt, except Nos. 1 and 2 of the leading files. 94 THE PLATOON. At the command march, Nos. 1 .and 2 of the leading files con'inue to march at the same gait; all the others halt. Files 3 and 4 of the leading rank oblique to the right the moment they are pas«od b}' the croup of the hor.^cs of the rear rank of Nos 1 and 2, a^d place themselves in column behind them. Each rank of fours executes successively the same movement, files 1 and 2 breaking as soon as files o and 4 of the rank which precedes them have cemmenced obliquing, in order to enter the column. Files 1 and 2, which break to the front, regulate their gate, so as to preserve their distances; and files 3 and 4 keep their horses straight, so as not to constrain the movements of files 1 and 2. The platoon marching in column by twos, right in front, to break by file, the instructor commands: 1. Bi/Jih. 2. March. At the command hy jile^ all the troopers prepare to halt except the right file of the leading rank of twos. At the command MARCH, the rij>ht file of the leading rank of twos continues to march at the same gait, all the others halt. . The left file of this same rank obliques to the right the moment it is passed by the croup of the rear rank horse of No. 1, and places itself in column behiud the first file. Each rank of twos executes successively the same movement, files 1 and 3 breaking as soon as files 2 and 4 who precede them have commenced obliquing in order to enter the column. THE PLATOON. 95 Files 1 and 3, which break to the front, regulate their gait so as to have their di&tauces. Files 2 and 4 keep their horses straight, so as not to constrain the movements of files 1 and 3. When the column is at the trot, to break by twos or by file is executed on the same principles; the right files of the leading; rank continue at -the trot; all the others take the tvalk at the command march, and resume the trot, ia order to enter the column ; when the column is qX. the gallop, the files which are to break take the trot at the command MARCH, and atterwards resume the gallop on entering the column. The instructor observes that the files which break, halt, change gait, and put themselves again in motion, with steadiness ; that they keep their horses strfyght, so as not to retard the movements of those which only march for- ward, and that they retake successively their distances, their directions and their original gait. The column marching left in front, the movement is executed, following the same principles, but by inversS means, at tlie commnnds: 1. By twos (or by file) from the left; 2. March. If the column marches by twos, the guide is indicated to the right, immediately after the command march. To form twos and fours, doubling the gait. Tne platoons marching in column by file, right in front, to form twos the instructor commands: 1. Forin twos — trot. 3. Guide left. 2. March. At the command form twos — trot, all the troopers prepare to take the trot, except the leading file. At the command march, all the troopers take the trot, except the leading file; the second file 96 THE PLATOON. obliques to the left, and conies up abreast of the first; on arriving there it takes the walk; all the other files continue to march forward at the trot. Files 4 and 2 execute their movement in the same manner, but successively, when 3 and 1, upon whom they are to form, have nearly arrived at their dis- tance, and are about to pass to the walk. The platoon marching in column by twos, right in front, to form fours the instructor commands: 1. Form fours — trot. 3. Guide left. 2. Marcu. At the command/orm/owrs — trot, all the |;rooper8 prepare to take the trot, except the two leading files. At the command march, all the troopers take the trot, except the two leading files; the two fol- lowing files oblique to the left, and come up abreast of the two first : on arriving there they resume the walk; all the other files continue to march forward at ike trot. Files 3 and 4 execute their movement in the same manner, but successively, when files 1 and 2, upon whom they are to form, have nearly arrived at their distance, and are about to pass to the walk. When the column is at the trot, the movement is exe- cuted on the same principles. At the command march, all the troopers pass to the gallop, except the files at the head of the column, and resume the trot when their for- mation is executed. When the column is at the gallop, the movement to form twos or fours is always executed at the same gait. The column marching left in front, the movement is executed, following the same principles, but bj inverse means, at the commands: 1. Form twos {or form fours) — trot; 2. Marcu; 3. Guide right. THE PLATOON. 97 "The instructor observes that the first file to oblique does so immediately after the command marcii ; that the gait is doubled with moderation ; that the formation ex- tends itself successively from the head to the rear of the column, the files who march straight forward keeping their horses well in hand to prevent their following those which oblique; he observes „also that the files which oblique do so a little before arriving at their distance, particular!}' in marching by fours ; and that they never pass beyond the alignment of those on whom they are to form. To break by twos and by file, doubling the gait. The platoon marching in column by fours, the instruc- tor commands: 1. By twos — trot. » 3. Guide left. 2. March. At the command hy twos — ti'otj files 1 and 2 of the leading rank of fours prepare to trot. At the command march, they commence tJie trot ; all the other files continue to march at the walk ; files 3 and 4 take the trot successively and oblique to the right, in order to place themselves ia column behind files 1 and 2. The movement being terminated, the instructor orders the walk. The platoon marching in column by twos, right in front, to break by file the instructor commands : 1. By file— trot. 2. March. At the command hy file — trot, the right file of the leading rank of twos prepares to trot. 9 98 THE PLATOON. At the command march, it commences the trot ; all the other files continue to march at the walk ; files 2 and 4 assume the trot successively and oblique to the right, in order to place themselves behind files 1 and 3 in the column. When the column is at the trot, to break doubling the gait, the instructor commands: 1. B;/ twos (or by file — gallop ; 2. March ; which is executed on the same prin- ciples. When the column is at the gallop, the movement to break by twos or by file is Executed at the same gait. In these movements, the iusti-uctor observes that the head of the column changes gait with moderation, and that the troopers who follow do not permit their horses to move off before the moment prescribed. The column marching left in front, the movement is ex- ecuted, following the same principles, but by inverse means, at the commands : 1. ]3y ttcos (or by file) from the left — trot ; 2. March. If the column is to march by twos, the guide is indicated to the right, immediately after the command march. As it is important for the precision and regularity of these movements that the troopers should not forget their numbers, the instructor should assure himself of it from time to time. Direct march of the platoon in hne. The principles of the direct march give the troopers the means, 1st. Of preserving the alignments in marching, without being disunited. 2d. Of not closing too much, and of recovering the re- quired distances when they have closed. 3d. Of not opening, and of closing upon each other again when they have opened. THE PLATOON. 99 4th. Of not throwing the guide out of bis direction, and of permitting him to return to it if be has been forced out. The most important point in the (lirect march being to keep the horses straight in the ranks, it is indisperyfiable that the troopers should preserve the head direct. To keep themselves aligned, the troopers should feel Ughtl}^ the boot of the men on the side of the guide, and march at an equal gait. The troopers should yield to all pressure coming from the side of the guide, and resist that coming from the opposite side. The guide should always march at a free and steady gait, and change it ^ith steadiness in order to avoid irregularity in the ranks. If the troopers are in front or in rear of the align- ment, too near to or too far from the man on the side of the guide, they move from or approach him gradually, and in gaining ground to the front. When the guide leels himself thrown out of his direction, he extends his arm to the front to in- dicate that there is too much pressure towards him, the troopers give a glance to the guide, relieve him, and straighten their horses as soon as he is relieve^. The corporal of the flank opposite to the guide, is no' required to preserve the head erect. He aligns himsel^ upon the guide and the general front of the plntoon. The guide is commanded alternately to the right and to the left, that the troopers may have the habit of dressing equally towards either direction. VVIien tlie platoon is halted, the alignment is ordered towards the side of the guide. 100 TUE PLATOON. When the instnictor wishes to exercise the platoon ftt the direct mnrch. it is contlucted to the extremity of a ground of Mitficient extent to admit of its marchiug some time without changing the direction. The platoon being in line, the instructor commands: 1. Opni Jiles to tJie left (or to the rvjlit-) • 2. March. 3. Riijht (or Zf/?)— Dress. 4. Front. At the coraraand marcii, all the troopers, except the right file, passage to the left, as pre.^^cribed, the second trooper straightens his horse and halts as sooQ as he has gained an interval of 1 pace between him- self and the trooper of the right. Kach of the other 'troopers executes the same movonient, regulating the interval by the trooper on his right. The troopers of the rear rank follow their file- Icadcrs, and keep at their proper distances. The instructor orders the alignment the moment the second trooper from the ripht has attained his interval. The troopers being ali/ fou7'S. 4. March. 5. Guide left (or right). At the second command, the platoon wheels to the right b)' fours. At the fourth command, the first set of fours on the ri/j;ht of the front rank moves forward ; wlien the crouj^s of their horses are op- posite the men of the set of fours of the rear rank on their right, this set turn their horses' heads to the left, and by an oblique march cover their front rank men; and so on successively. The Bets of fours of the front rank, take care not to leave more space between them and the set of fours of the front rank, which pre- cedes them, than is sufficient to admit the set of fours from the rear rank. This movement to the left is executed by inverse means. THE PLATOON. 125 The platoon having wheeled to the right (or to the left) by fours, and being formed upon a front of eight, to march to the rear in this order, the instructor causes to be executed a wheel to the right or left-about. The platoon being in line, to cause it to march to the rear, the instructor commands : 1. Bi/ fours left-ahout (or right-about) wheel, 2. March. 3. Forward. 4. Guide right (or left). After this movement, the rear rank is before the front rank, and the ranks of fours are inverted throughout the platoon. In the march to the rear, the platoon conforms to the principles of the direct march. The instructor re- quires the same precision as when they march in the natural order. The platoon is faced to the front by the same movement. Before commencing the movements by fours, the in-< structor assures himself that the troopers know their numbers, and that those of the rear rank are at their pro- per distance. He observes that the pivots do not slacken the gait at the preparatory command ; that they halt and turn without reining-back, at the command march ; that they gain ground to neither side, and sustain the haunches of their horses, regulating themselves upon the marching flanks : finally, that the men on the marching flanks turn their horses slightly towards the pivots, and that they commence and close the movement gently. In the flank movements, the assistant-instructor places himself on the side of the guide, abreast of the leading rank of eight. The file closer ^wr/25 to the right (or to the left), and marches at his place when the platoon is in line. In the wheels to the right or left-about, the platoon being in line, the assistant-instructor and file closer wheel about separately, and are placed, the assistant- 126 THE PLATOON. instructor behind the centre of the platoon, the file- closer in front of the centre of the rear rank become the front. The movements by fours should be executed to the right and to the left alternately, and at all the gaits, except the gallop. When the column is marching right in front, it wheels by fours to the left-about ; and when left in front, it wheels by fours to the right-about. ^ The platoon marching in line with open rants, and the files one pace apart, the troopers are made to execute the manual of arms. The platoon marching in column by file, the troopers having the distance of 3 paces, the instructor causes the exercise of the sabre to be executed. The exercise being terminated, the troopers are ordered to dismount and file off. To charge by platoon. To charge by platoon, the instructor orders the sabre to be drawn. The platoon is commanded by the assistant- instructor, that the instructor may be able to move where ever he can best observe the faults. The opposite line is marked out 200 paces to the front, by two troopers, the distance of the front of the platoon apart, and facing each other. To commence the move, the assistant-instructor com- mands : 1. Platoon foricard. 2. Guide right (or left). 3. March. "When the platoon has marched 20 paces, the assistant- instructor commands : 1. Trot. 2. March. THE PLATOON. 127 At 60 paces farther, he commands ; r 1. Gallop. 2. March. At 80 paces further, he commands : Charge. At this command, the troopers of both ranks take the position of raise sabre. They give hand and lengthen the gallop, without losing control of their horses or disuniting. When the platoon arrives at 20 paces from the troopers "who trace the new line, the assistant instructor commands : 1. Attention. 2. Platoon, 3. Halt. 4. Ri(jht (or left) — Dress. 5. Front. At the command attention, the troopers carry the eabre to the shoulder. At the comma,nd platoo7i, they take the trot. At the command halt, they stop. At the command riffht — Dress, they align them- selves to the right. At the command front, turn the head to the front. ♦ The troopers should be exercised at the charge with the greatest care, without being required to repeat it too often. • The instructor requires the gallop to be kept up ; he sees that the troopers preserve ease in the ranks, that they hold a light hand, so that the horses not being constrained in their movements may not become too restive. He observes that the troopers carry the upper part of the body a little forward, in order to aid the impulsion, remaining at the Bame time well seated, which gives them a facility in con- 128 THE PLATOON. ducting their horses and using the sabre ; finally, that the rear rank keeps at its proper distance. It is better, however, that the rear rank should have too much thaa too little room. ;• The instructor explains to the troopers, that it is in keeping their horses in hand, in causing them to feel from time to time the effect of the bit, in moving parallel to the flank files, and remaining always abreast of them, that the shock of the charge becomes the greatest. Finally, the instructor directs the troopers not to change the gait before the command, and to lengthen the gallop only at the command chabgk. Rallying. • To exercise the troopers in rallying, the platoon is formed at the extremity of the ground, the sabres are drawn, and the signal to disperse is sounded ; at this sig- nal, the troopers disperse and charge as foragers; the instructor and the flank tiles remain in place, to mark out the rallying point. When the troopers have marched 150 or 200 paces, the instructor orders the rally *to be sounded. At this signal, the troopers wheel to the left-abouty rejoin the platoon by the shortest line, and resume thei^ places in the ranks. The rallying should be executed rapidly, but with- out noise, the troopers entering the ranks always by the rear. * As soon as two-thirds of the troopers have joined, the instructor commands the platoon to move forward. The first time the platoon is rallied at the trot., and then at the gallop. This movement is repeated without retaining the flank files ; in this case the troopers rally behind the instructor. THE PLATOON. 129 Skirmishing. The platoon being supposed to form a part of the squadron, it is dispersed as skirmishers, in order to cover the front and the flanks of the squadron. The platoon being in line at the extremity of the ground, the instructor causes the schabraques to be raised, the holsters uncovered, and the arms loaded ; he marches the platoon forward, and when he wishes to disperse the troopers as skirmishers, he commands : 1. Six fles from right — as skirmishers.'^ 2. March. i 3. Guide right. At the first command, the file-closer places him- self in front of the six files of the left, of whom he takes command. These six files are destined to support the skir- mishers and relieve them. At the command march, the file-closer com- mands HALT, to the six files of the left, and causes them to draw the sabre. At the same command, the six fiTes of the right continue to march forward ; after going ten paces, they disperse as skirmishers, extending themselves BO as to cover the supposed front of a squadron, passing beyond each of its flanks. The right trooper obliques to I he right, the left trooper to the left. The troopers of the rear 'lank come up as soon as *Half the platoon skirmish, while the^other half remain as a support; if possible, le* each platoon have a minimum of 16; then 8 files would skirmish with 8 in reserve. 130 THE PLATOON. possible-, abrejfst of the front rank*, each one placing himself on the left of his file-leader, and as soon as they are in line, all take the position of advance — CARI5INE, or rahe — pistol. They continue to march until the signal halt, No. 2. The instructor causes tbe halt to be sounded ■when the 8kirmislj«rs are at 100 or 150 paces from the reserve. The troopers keep at 5 paces apart, regulating themselves towards the guide during the whole time they act as skirmishers. The assistant instructor places himself in rear of the ekirmishers, in order to superintend their movements. The chief of the platoon, followed by his trumpeter, places himself halfway between the skirmishers and the reserve ; he moves along the line wherever he thinks his presence most necessary. The reserve and the skirmish- ers execute their movements at tbe signals of the trum- peter who follows the officer. If the chief of the platoon wishes the skirmishers to 'move forward, he causes i\\Q forward. No. 1, to be sounded ; each skirmisher moves forward, regulating his movements by those of the guide, and preserving his interval ; the reserve follows them, keeping at its proper distance. To move the skirmishers towards the right, to th; right, No. 4, is sounded : each trooper turns to the right and marches in the direction of those who precede him, taking care to preserve his distance: the reserve also turns to the right. To face the skirmishers again to the front, to the left. No, 3, is sounded ; the skirmishers and the reserve turn to the left. To move the skirmishers towards the left, to the left. No. 3 is sounded ; e>ich skirmisher turns to the left and marches in the direction of those who prcccdo him, taking THE PLATOON. 131 care to preserve bis distance. The reserve also turns to the left. To face the skirmishers again to the front, to the right, No. 4, is sounded ; the skirmishers and the reserve turn to the right. If, after having turned to the right, the instructor wishes the skirmishers to move towards the opposite side, he orders the about, No. 5, to be sounded ; the skir- mishers and the reserve turn to the left-about, and move forward. If, after having turned to the left, the instructor wishes the skirmishers to move towards the opposite side, he causes the about, No. 6, to be sounded; the skirmishers and the reserve turn to the right-about, and move forward. During the flank movements, if the troopers are to con- tinue firing, they leave the column and face the enemy for that purpose. As soon as they have fired, they resume their places in the column, doubling the gait. The skirmishers are marching to the front or at a halt; if the instructor wishes the line to move to the rear, the chief of platoon orders the retreat to be sounded. At this signal, the troopers of the front rank move forward 5 paces, fire, then turn to the left-about, in order to move to the rear, and retire loading their pieces. When they have marched 50 paces, or more, if necessary, the chief of platoon causes the about, No. 5, to be sounded. At this signal, the troopers, who are retiring, face to the front by turning to the right-about. The troopers who are ia the first line fire and turn to the left-about, retire, loading their pieces, pass in the interval of the line which is in rear, move 50 paces farther, and face to the front at tAe signal the about, No. 5. The troopers of the line which is in rear, move 5 paces to the front the moment the troopers who retire pass into their intervals; they then commence firing by the flank indicated. The alternate movement of the two lines continues as long as the skirmishers move to the rear. When the in-* structor wishes the retreat to cease, the chief of platooa orders /oru^arrf, No. 1, to be sounded. The skirmishers 132 THE PLATOON. who fire in roar move up, doubling the gftit, abreast of those the most advanced, and all march forward until the signal (0 halt. No. 2, is sounded. If the instructor wishes the whole line of skirmishers to retire at once, he orders the about. No. 5, to be sounded. The reserve retires and faces to the front, regulating its raovemont by that of tbe skirmishers, so as to remain always at CO paces from the second line. It executes its rear movement at the moment the retreating line passes into the intervals of the line which moves forward. The rallying of skirmishers is always made on the point occupied by the officer. To rally the skirmishers, the officer places himself habitually in front of the reserve, and causes the rally, No. 6, to be sounded. At this sig?ial, the skirmishers turn-about, rally on the reserve by tlie shortest route, and draw the sfibre. If the officer is not with the re-ervc when the rally. No. 6, is sounded, the skirmishers rally upon him, and the reserve comes up and joins thoni. The troopers are thus exercised to raliy upon any point whatever of the line. If a defile is presented in advance of th? front of the line, and orders are given to pass it, the troopers who are opposite first enter it ; they are followed at some distance by the other troopers, who turn by tro"per to the left, and to the rif/ht, in order to put themselves in file. As soon as the first have passed the defile, they move 5^ or GO paces to the front; the otiicrs come up abreast of them obliquing, those of the right to the right, and those of the left to the left. The reserve enters the defile when the first skirmishers have reconnoitered it. If the skirmishers are to pass a defile placed in rear, they commence by approaching it; when the reserve is at a suitable distance it passes rapidly, and posts itself 50 or GO paces from and on the side of the passage. Tlie two troopers who are on the flunk, turn-about to the left, move to the reur so as to arrive together at the en- THE PLATOON. 133 trance of the dcfile.^which they pass inimedifttely. They are followed closely by the other troopers, who execute successively the same movement ; the centre troopers, "who cover the defile, enter it the last. At the going out of the defile, the two troopers who are in front turn, one to the left, and the other to the right; and when all the troopers have passed the defile, they stop at the signal to halt, No. 2, and face to the front. The instructor sometimes rallies the skirmishers imme. diately after having passed the defile, either to the front or to the rear. These movements are at first executed at the walk, then at the trot, and finally at the gallop. When the troopers have learned to perform these movements well, they are exercised at them, in executing the manual of arras, and in firing : and finally, with the overcoats rolled and car- ried over the shoulder. When the troopers are at the gallop, and the instructor wishes thera to pass to the trot, he orders the trot, No. 7, to be sounded ; when they are at the trot, and he wishes them to pass to the walk, he or- ders the halt, No. 2, and then the forward, No. 1, to be sounded. To commence or to cease firing, the signal is sounded. All the troopers do not fire at once, but one after another, commencing on the side of the guide. They afterwards continue firing without waiting for, or being governed by each other. Each rear-rank man has an understanding with his file-leader that, as far as practicable, the piece of one may be always charged while the other is loading; the troopers of the same file should give a mutual sup- port to each other. When the platoon skirmishes without gaining ground to the front, the skirmishers should nevertheless keep in motion always ; each trooper of the front rank, after Laving fired, moves some steps to the rear, at the same time loading his piece ; and as soon as he returns to the line, the rear-rank man of the same file fires, and moves in his turn to the rear. 12 134 THE PLATOON. In the charge as foragera, the men of the rear-rank approach within one or two paces of their file-leaders, to be able to support each other mutual!}'. As soon as the skirmishers charge, the reserve moves forwiird to support them. The skirmishers retire by turnirig-about to the left, and face again to the front by turning-ahoiit to the right. When tliey have re-formed in platoon, they return the pistol to the holster, or drop the carbine, and draw the gab re. To relieve skirmishers, the instructor commands to the reserve ; 1. Six files from left — as skirmishers. 2. March. 3. Guide right. * At the command march, the reserve disperses and moves up upon the line of old skirmishers. The right trooper of the front rank passes on the right of the right skirmisher of the front rank: the right trooper of the rear rank, on the right of the right skirmisher of the rear rank, and so on throughout, each one passing to tlie right of the one he relieves, and 5 paces beyond him. The old skirmishers turn-about and rally at a. gallop on the officer, who during the movement is placed at the point whore the six files now become the reserve should re-form. . The non-commissioned officer who commanded the six files of the left now takes command of the six files of the right. If there arc two non-commissioned officers with the platoon, each one follows the portion of the platoon to which ho is attached. THE PLATOON. 135 Dragoons. — The dragoons having been sufficiently exercised in all the movements of skirmishing, will be taught to dismount and form with celerity to fight on foot. At the commencement, all the movements of this in- struction will be decomposed, in order to make them better understood. The platoon being in line, the instructor commands : Prepare to fight — On foot. 1 timej 4 motions. 1st. At the last part of the command, which is on FOOT, prepare to dismount as prescribed. 2d, Execute what is prescribed, to dismount ; Nos. 4, of each rank, will remain mounted. 3d. Return to the ranks as prescribed, face to the right, pass the reins with the right hand over the head of the horse, seize the extremity of the reins, with the left hand, seize them again with the right hand, 6 inches from the mouth of the horse, the nails upward; face to the froflt, and hook up the sabre without letting go tU^ reins. 4th. Face-about to the right, seizing the reins with the left hand, 6 inches from the mouth of the horse, the nails downward ; slip the right hand to the extremity of the, rein ; Nos. 3, of each rank, give the reins to Nos. 4, who remain mounted : Nos, 2 and 1 engage the end of the reins with both hands, in the head-stall of the bridle of the horse which is on the left, passing then? under the nose band and the cheek piece of the bridlo, and tying them in a slip knot, so tliat each horse may be about one foot from the one to which he is tied ; face again to the front by the right, unsling the carbine, and come to a carry. . . The instructor commands : Dragoons — Into line. 1 time. 136 THE PLATOON. At the l.isl part of tlie commnn'l, -which is into line, move twelve paces to the front, turninp; the back upon the platoon of horses; half the rear rank pass to the right l»y the right flank, the other half to the left by the left-flank, and place themselves behind tlieir file-leaders. Nos. 4, who remain on horseback, have charge of the dismounted horses ; they take the end of the reins of the first disTuounted horse in the left hand, holding them near the bit with the right hand, the nails downward; aa assistant-instructor, or file-closer of the platoon, remains with the dismounted horses to direct them. The dragoons having been sufficiently exercised at the diflf"erent movements of this instruction, will be required to execute them rapidly without stopping at the several motions, and at the single command, prepare to fight on foot, given by the instructor. The two ranks being formed, the platoon will be con- ducted where it is to fight on foot, and will there ma- noeavre as light infantry.* The dismounted horses will also be exercised ia changing position, by marching by rank and by fours. When the instructor wishes the dragoons to rsmount, he will rally them if they are dispersed as skirmishers. The platoon being rallied aud formed, the instructor commands : DragoonSy about — Face. ITe conducts the platoon rear-rank in front ; having come within 12 paces of the horses, he commands: Dragoons — Mount. At this command, tlje dragoons return to their horses rapidly, without alarming them ; they sling carbine, mount, and draw tlie sabre. The command, dragoons — mounts at the commencement, ♦ Draproons are armed with good lonj? range puns, nnd should be as exfxTt in tlio lif^ht infantry as in cavalry tactics; the best book is that uf Col. Haudek. THE PLATOON. 13Y will be executed in 4 motions, and from a halt, that the troopers may better understand it. For this purpose, the platoou being rallied and marching with the rear-rank iu front, is halted 12 paces from the horses: the instruc- tor then commands : Dragoons — Mount. 1 time, 4 motions, l.'At the last part of the command, which is mount, sling the carbine. 2. Rejoin the horses, the rear rank men passing to the left and right, as prescribed in dismounting; untie the horse, pass the reins over the neck, unhook the sabre, and take the position of the trooper before mounting. 3. Execute the two times of prepdre to mount. 4. Execute the two times of mount, adjust the reins, return to the ranks, and draw the sabre. To sling and unsling the carbine (or short rifle.) The piece being at the dragoon's right side, butt on the ground, that is, at the order arms, the command is : Sling — Carbine. 1 time, 2 motions. 1. At the last part of the command, which is cakbine, raise the carbine perpendicularly with the right h and, and place it in the left hand, which seizes it below the lower band, the thumb extended, the barrel to the front ; in- cline the carbine to the right, that the rings may hang down, the left hand as high as and opposite to the neck ; slip the swivel to the front with the right hand, the thumb pressing upon the short side to open it, insert it iu the rings. 138 THE PLATOON. 2. Seize the carbine at the small of the stock with the right hand, let it go with the left hand, which is dropped by the side : pass the carbine behind the back, lowering the muzzle, push the butt to the rear, and drop the right hand by the side. Unsling — Carbine. 1 time, 2 motions. 1. At the last part of the command, which is carbine, seize the carbine at the small of the stock with the right hand, raise it, seize it again with the left hand below the lower band, the thumb extended, the hand as high as, and opposite to the neck ; incline the carbine to the right, free the swivel from the rings with the right hand, and push the swivel to the rear. 2. Seize the carbine with the right hand, above and near the left hand ; bring it down, turning it at the same time, and resume the position of order. To leap the ditch and the bar. The instructor causes the troopers to leap the ditch and the bar by twos and by /ours, and then by platoon. To leap the ditch. On arriving near the ditch, give the hand and close the legs, to force the horse to make the leap. The moment he reaches the ground, raise slightly the hand in order to sustain him. To leap the bar. On arriving near the bar, rein up the horse slightly, and close the legs. At the moment of making the leap, give the hand, and elevate it slightly as soon as he reaches the ground on the other side. THE PLATOON. 139 The trooper, in leaping, should cling to the horse "with the thighs and calves of the legs, taking care to lean a little forward as the horse is in the act of springing, and to seat himself well by leaning to the rear at the moment the horse reaches the ground. Each trooper, after having made the leap, continues to move a( the trot, and takes his place in the rank which jis formed thirty paces beyond the obstacle, taking care to pass to the walk just before halting. During the first days of this exercise, the troopers leap without arms. When the troopers have leaped without arms, they re- peat the same exercise with arms, and finally with the sabre drawn. . The horses employed should be trained and accustomed to leaping. If, however, a horse refuses to leap, the in- structor aids the trooper with the whip. Remark. — The last four lessons belong to the drill of the trooper, but in most cases may be deferred until the close of the platoon exercises. CAVALRY TACTICS. PART THIRD. Jrill of tijt S^iua^in'tfn. A Squadron is composed of 4 platoons, and is the proper tactical unit of Cavalry. As the Cavalry platoon always contains 12 or 10 FILES, and is subdivided into fours, the Squadron is always (in rank and file) a multiple of 4 and of either 12 or 16. The rank and file strictly includes those only who are counted or told off in the fours. If the number of troopers is sufficient, the pla- toon of 16 files is preferable; for then there^will be in each platoon suh-divisions of 8 files, called sec- tions. Platoons of 12 are not divisible into sections, for the cavalry section requires 2 fours. Two platoons, containing 24 or 32 files, forming a company, division, or half-squadron, is drilled on the same principles as tha complete squadron ; for which purpose officers, guides and file-closers will be posted, as in the squadron formation. THE SQUADRON. 141 The senior officer is 1st Captain and Chief of the squadron ; the next in rank is 2d Captain. He is charged with the alignment and supervision of the rear-rank and file-cIosers. The \st Lieutenant commands the 1st platoon. The Lieutenant 2d in rank commands the 4th platoon. The Lieutenant 3d in rank commands the 2(1 platoon. The Lieutentant 4th in rank commands the 3d platoon. The number of officers and non-commissioned officers of a squadron is 22 : viz. 6 officers^ 8 ser- geants and 8 corporals. Vacancies, if any, must be filled from the next lower grade. In assigning positions, the Chief will be styled No. 1, the 2d Captain No. 2, and so on to the 8th corporal, who will be No, 22. The positions in line of battle are as follows : No. 1, 1 yard in front of centre of squadron. No. 2, 3 yards in rear '* ** No. 3, 1 yard in front " 1st platoon. No. 4, 1 (t '« " 4th *' No. 5, 1 i( <( (( 2d " No. 6, 1 (( " u 3(1 a No. 7, 1 No. 8, 1 rear of 3d file from right of squadron. ♦* •' left '♦ No. 9, on 1 No. 10, on [•IgHt of squadron — not counted, left " »« « No. 11, No. 12, on right Ist platoon — is counted, of 2d *' ♦• ♦' 142 THE SQUADRON. No. 13, on loft of 3d platoon — is counted. No. 14, ou right of 4tli " ♦« No. 15 " 1st «' «' No, in, on left but one, 1st platoon — is counted. No. 17, on right •' 2il " '♦ No. 18, on left of 2iJ platoon — is counted. No. 19, on right of 3d ♦' ♦♦ No. 20, on left but one, 3d plntoon — is counted. No. 21, on right " 4th '• «♦ No. 22, on left of 4th platoon — is counted. Remark. — The commamler may post his Corporals from right to left, either by their height or according to rank. Positions in columns of twos and fours. No. 1, 4 yards from flank, on side of guides, abreast centre of squadron. No. 2, 4 yards from flank, opposite the guides, abreast centre of squadron. No. 3, 1 yard in advance of the Icailing files of squadron. Nos. 4, 5 and G, 1 yard from tlu" tlixnk, on side of guides, abreast the fro>»t files of their phitoons ; this is when the rijht is in front. When the left is in front, No. 4 heads the column, and Nos. 3, 5 and G are one yard to the right of the column, and abreast of their leading files ; Nos. 1 and 2 being oa the right and left, at 4 yards distance. Nos. 7 and S (file-closers) one yard from the flank, opposite to the guides, and abreast the centre of their platoons. Nos. 11 and 12, c^c, to No. 22, in their places as counted in the twos and fours. For the order in column of platoons and divisions, see PLATOON DRILL. The music is 25 yards in year of the centre when in line; the same distance from the flauk, opposite to the THE SQUADRON. 143 guides, wben in column, until ordered to the front or rear by the commanding officer. One or more trumpeters, as may be ordered, accompany the commander of the squadron. The captain commanding causes the officers to alternate in the command of the platoons, that they may become familiar with all the positions in the squadron. He obi^erves the same course with the non-commis- sioned officers, and gives them sometimes the command of a nlatoou, to enable them to replace an officer, should it become necessary. To make the formations in line better understood, they are executed at first from a halt. In this case each pla- toon performs its movements separately and successively, at the command of its chief, on receiving notice from the captftin commanding. Each movement, after having been correctly executed by the right, is repeated by the left. When the squadron has acquired calmness and confi- dence, and one article is well understood, this article is repeated with sabres drawn, and alternately at all the gaits, except the wheels to the right, to the left, to the right' about, and to the left-about by fours, the counter-march, the wheels on a moveable pivot by squadron, the individual oblique marches when inarching by squadron, which are executed only at the walk and at the trot. The second captain is charged with the alignment of the rear-rank and the rank of file-closers; he resumes his place in line at the command front. The ciiptain comman(5ing moves wherever his presence is most required ; the troopers are required to observe absolute silence, and all rectifications are done by signs, or in a low voice. The squadron being formed in two ranks opened, the non-commissioned officers and troopers at Iho head of their horses, the chiefs of platoon mounted, at JO paces from and facing the centre of their platoon, the ca|ptaia ^ commanding commands : 144 THE SQUADRON. *1. Attention. * 3. Front. 2. Right — Dress. He then commands : , ' » In each platoon — and in each ranlc — Count (hy^ fours. At this command, the troopers count off in the four platoons at once, commencing on the ri^t of each rank. The captain commanding then gives the command to mount. At the command form — ranks, the chiefs of platoon move forward, face to the front by turning to the right-about, and place themselves before the centre of their platoons, the croup of their horses one pace from the head of the horses of the front- rank. The file-closers follow the rear-rank. Successive alignment of platoons in the squadron. ■I The squadron being in line, the captain-commanding places the two non-commissioned officers, principal guides of the right and left, upon a line parallel to the front of the squadron, at 30 paces from the particular guides, and facing each other as if they were placed on interme- diate points. i;j On receiving notice from the captain-commanding, the chief of the first platoon commands : 1. Flatoon forward; 2. Ouide right; 3. March. * T!ie orderly sergeant c»lls the roll, and reports the number of absentees to the commanding officer, as soon as the squadron is formed. THE SQUADRON. 145 At the command march, the platoon moves forward ; at one pace from the point which marks the new align- ment, the chief of the platoon commands : 1. Halt ; 2. Right — Dress. At the command halt, the chief of the platoon and the particular guide of the right, continue to march on and establish themselves immediately, the latter bringing the head of his horse against the boot of the principal guide of the right. The first platoon being correctly aligned, the first captain commands : 1. By platoon — Right — Dress. 2. Front. At the first command, the chief of the second platoon commands : 1. Platoon forward ; 1. Guide right; 3. March. The platoon having arrived abreast of the file-closers of the platoon which forma the base of the alignment, he commands : 1. Halt; 2. Right — Dress, and at the same time moves for- ward On the line of the chief of that platoon. At the command halt, the platoon stops. At the command Right — Dress, all the troopers move forward together upon the alignment. Each chief of platoon executes successively the same movement, commanding march when the one who precedes him has commanded halt. The particular guide of the left, at the command halt, from the chief of the fourth platoon, brings up the head of his horse against the boot of the principal guide of the left. The squadron being aligned, the captain com- manding commands; Front. This alignment being correctly executed, 'it is repeated, giving the new base o# alignment a direction oblique to 13 146 THE SQUADRON. the front of the squadron. For this purpose, the chief of the first platoon, on receiving notice from the captain- commanding, moves his platoon 24 paces forward, causes it to execute a half-wheel to the right at the commands : 1: Right half — Wheel; 2. Forward ; and after march- ing it 6 paces in the new direction, he halts and aligns it. The first platoon being correctly aligned, the first captain commands : 1. By platoon — Right — Dress. 2. Front. At the first command, the movement is executed successively ; each chief of platoon moves straight forward, and commands : 1. Right half — Whej:l; 2. Forward, so that his platoon may finish its wheel on a fixed pivot at the moment the right arrives opposite the left of the platoon which pre- cedes it. The squadron being aligned, the first captain commands: Front. The captain commanding causes these diflFerent align- ments to be executed by the left, following the same prin- ciples, but by inversQ means. To open and close the ranks. To open the ranks, the first captain commands : 1. Rear rank open order, 2. March. 3. Right — Dress. 4. Front. "Which is executed as prescribed for the platoon. The troopers of the rear rauii rein back 6 paces; I i THE SQUADRON. 147 and tlie chiefs of platoons, at the command MARCH, move forward 6 paces, and face the centre of their platoons by turning to the left-ahout. To close the ranks, the first captain commands : 1. Rear rank close order. 2. March. 8. Right — Dress. 4. Front. Which is executed as prescribed in the platoon drill. The chiefs of platoon move forward at the command MARCH, face to the front by a turn to the right-about, and place themselves opposite the centre of their platoons. To break the squadron by fours. The squadron being in line, the first captain commands: ' 1. B^ fours. 3. Guide left. 2. March. At the first command, the chief of the first pla- toon places himself in front of the four files of the right, the right particular guide places himself on his right. At the command march, the four first files -march straight forward, and are followed by all the other files who break successively, as prescribed in the platoon. The chiefs of the other platoons break with the four first files of their platoons, keeping abreast of them and at one pace from the flank of the column 148 THE SQUADRON. on the side of the guide, each rank of fours preserv- ing between them the distance of 2 feet. Change of direction. The column inarching in column by fours, right in front, to change the direction, the first captain commands : Head of column to the- left (or to the right). Which is executed as prescribed in the Platoon, the chief of the first platoon conforming to what is indicated for the assistant instructor. The squadron marching in column by fours, to form it to the front, to the left, or on right into line. ''•The squadron marching in column by fours, right in front, the first captain commands : 1. Front into line. 3. Right — Dress. 2. March. 4. Front. At the command march, the four first files con- tinue to march straight forward; when they have marched 30 paces, the chief of the first platoon commands : Halt. At this command, the four first files halt square* to the front, the particular guide of the right re- turns to the right of the squadron. All the other files come up successively, and without the com- mands of the chiefs of platoon, form to the left and upon the alignment of the first. THE SQUADRON. 149 The first captain, who moves to the right flank after the command march, commands the align- ment when the chief of the first platoon commands HALT. The second captain moves also to the right flank, after the command march, in order to rec- tify the alignment of the rear rank and of the file- closers. As soon as the chiefs of platoon arrive upon the line, they place themselves at the centre of their platoons and align themselves. The particular guide of the left returns to the left of the squadron, when the four last files arrive upon the line. The first captain commands front when the four last files are aligned. The column marching right in front, to form it in line on its left flank, the first captain commands : 1. Left into line. 3. Right — Dress. 2. March. 4. Front. At the command march, the four leading files turn to the left and march straight forward ; when they have marched 30 paces, the chief of the first platoon commands : Halt. « At this command, the four leading files halt, and the particular guide places himself on the right of the squadron. All the other files come up successively, and without the command of the chiefs of platoon, form to the left and on the alignment of the first, observing to keep in the same direction, before turning to the left, so 150 THE SQUADRON. as not to approach the new line until the proper time. The first and second captains, the chiefs of pla- toon, and the particular guide of the left, con- form exactly to what is prescribed for the front into line. * The column marching right in front, to form line upon the prolongation and in advance of its right flank, the first captain commands: 1. On right into line. 3. 7??'^7i^— Dress. 2. March. 4. Front. At the command marcit, the four leading files turn to the right, and march straightforward ; when they have marched 30 paces, the chief of the first platoon commands : Halt. At this command, the four leading files halt, and the right particular guide takes his place on the right of the squadron. All the other files continue to march forward, and come up succes- sively without the commands of the chiefs of platoon, forming to the left and upon the align- ment of the first, observing to keep themselves square in the same direction before turning to the right, so as not to approach the new line before the proper time. The first and second captains, the chiefs of platoon, and the left particular guide, conform exactly to what is prescribed for the front into line. The squadron is broken by the left, at the commands : 1. By fours from the left; 2. March; 3. Guide right. "When the principles of the direct march in column by THE SQUADRON. 151 fours, the cbanges of direction, the obliques, and the different formations in line are firmly impressed, all these movements are executed at the trot, and then at the . gallop. To regulate the rapidity of the gaits. • When the' marclies and formations, prescribed above, have given sufficient uniformity and precision to the gait, the captain commanding vf\\\ regulate their rapidity. For this purpose he measures off two distances, each about 1,000 paces, and causes them to be passed over succes- sively at all the gaits, to assure himself that, at the walk, from 100 to 110 paces is passed over per minute, at the trot, from 200 to 240 per minute, and at the gallop, about 300 paces per minute. When tlie rapidity of the gaits has been properly de- termined the squadron is required to pass successively from the walk to the trot, and from the trot to the gallop, and if the column becomes disunited at the gallop, it resumes the trot, and then the walk. When the squadron has acquired precision and regu- larity in the formations at the different gaits, the captain commandinff exercises the squadron in breaking by fours from a halt^a^ the trot, and at the gallop. In very even ground, the distance above indicated may be passed over in a shorter time, but the rapidity of the gaits should be increased only under extraordinary cir- cumstances. To form the squadron in one rank, and to form it in two ranks. To form the squadron in one rank, and to re-form it in two ranks, the captain commanding conforms to what is prescribed in the platoon. The formation of the squadron in one rank, is employed 152 THE SQUADRON. for inspections; in this case, the officers pass to the right of the squadron, and after them, the non-commis- sioned officers, troopers, and trumpeters, according to their rank. The squadron being in line, to form it in ■♦ column with distance. The first captain commands : 1. Platoons right wheel. 2. March. 3. Halt. At the first command, the left file of each pla- toon prepares to step ofi" promptly, and the" pivot to turn upon its own ground. At the command march, each platoon executes its wheel to the right, following the principles of the wheel on a fixed pivot, the marching flanks tak- ing care to step ofl" and wheel together. At the command halt, the marching flanks and all the troopers halt at the same instant, those of the rear rank resuming their places behind their file-leaders. The first captain commands halt, when the platoons have nearly completed the wheels. The chiefs of platoon, without leaving the centre of their platoons, observe that the movement is correctly exe- cuted ; after the wheels, if any guide finds himself not in the direction of the one preceding him, he should not en- deavor to correct his position until after the march is commenced. During the movement, the particular guide of the left passes as file-cloger behind the second file from the left of the fourth platoon. * THE SQUADRON. 153 The first captain assures himself that each officer and non-commissioned officer preserves the place assigned to him in this order of column. To march in column with distance. The squadron being in open column, right in front, the first captain commands : 1. Column forward. 2. March. 3. Guide left. At the command march, all the platoons put themselves in motion at the same time. Before the column commences the march, the first cap- tain gives the guide of the first platoon a point of direc- tion ; this non-commissioned officer selects intermediate points, so as to be sure of marching straightii The fixed object given to the guide of the first platoon, is also pointed out to the guide of the second. These two non- commissioned officers preserve, during the march, the di- rection which has been given to them. The guides of the third and fourth platoons keep ex- actly in the same direction. ' • Changes of direction by successive wheels. In the open column, the changes of direction are exe- cuted by successive wheels on a moveable pivot, so that the march of the column may not be retarded. The arc of circle described by the pivots should be of 5 paces. The column being in march, to change the direction, the first captain commands : Head of column to the left or half left (or to the right or half-right.^ 154 THE SQUADRON. At this command, the chief of the first platoon commands: 1. Left — Turn; 2. Forward; which is executed on the principles of "the wheel upon a moveable pivot. Each chief of platoon gives the same commands successively, so that his platoon may turn upon the same ground. In this change of direction while marching, the principal guide of the right, at the command htad of column to the left, moves rapidly to the side of the pivot, and places himself so that the head of his horse will mark the centre point of the arc described by the pivots. ' All the platoons commence their wheel at 2 J paces before arriving abreast of the head of the horse of the principal guide of the right, so as to prevent th* column from being thrown out. This non-commissioned officer resumes his place when the last platoon has completed its wheel. Immediately after having changed the direction of tho column, the first captain givefe a new point of direction to the guide of the first platoon. The exact preservation of distances, after the changes of direction, depends upon the equality of the increase given to the gait by the marching flanks ; it is then im- portant that the leading platoon should turn neither too rapidly nor too slowly, and that each platoon should regulate the rapidity of its wheel upon that of the one which precedes it. When the change of direction is executed from the side opposite to the guide, the pivot becomes the guide during the wheel. • ' THE SQUADRON. 155 Individual oblique march. The squadron marching in column, with distance, right in front, to cause it to gain ground towards one of its flanks, without changing the front of the column, the first captain commands: 1. Lpft (or right) oblique. 2. March. Which is executed at the same time, in each platoon, as prescribed in the platoon. ' The guides of the three last platoons pay atten- tion to march on the same line, to preserve their distances, and keep it in a direction exactly parallel to that of the guide of the first platoon. To resume the primitive direction, the first captain commands : . Forward. Which is executed at the same time, in each platoon. , When the oblique march is executed towards the side opposite to the guide, the file-closers pre- serve their places, notwithstanding the change of guide. Change of gait, being in column with distance. The column is made to pass from the walk to the trot^ and from the trot to the walk^ and when the platoons exe- 156 THE SQUADRON. ' cute these changes of gait with uniformity and steadiness, the column is made to commence the march at a trot, and to halt while marching at the trot. The first captain observes that the platoons halt, step oflp, and change the gait at the same instant. He directs the head of the column sometimes to in- crease or diminish the gait slightly, without command, to judge of the attention of the guides, and to habituate them to conforming to the movements of the guides who precede them. To break by fours, by twos, and by file ; to form twos, fours and platoons at , the same gait. The squadron marching in column with distance, right in front, to' break by fours at the same gait, the first captain commands : 1. Bi/ fours, 3. Guide left. 2. March. At the first command, repeated by the chief of the first platoon, this officer, and the particuUr guide of the right, place theinselves as prescribed, in breaking by fours from a halt. At the command march, repeated by the chief of the first platoon, this platoon breaks by fours, and the chiefs of the three last platoons command : Halt. The chief of the second platoon, and successively those of the third and fourth, command It/ fours, in sufiicient time to command march, the moment the four last files of the preceding platoon com- THE SQUADRON. 157 mence their oblique movement in order to enter the column. The squadron marches in column by fours, right in front, to break by twos, at the same gait, the first captain commands: 1. By twos. 3. Guide left, 2. March. Th« chiefs of platoon conform to what is pre- scribed in order to break by fours, and give the commands: Halt, and then— 1. By twos; 2. March, so as to cause no confusion in the column. The squadron marching in column by twos, right in front, to break by file at the same gait, the first captain commands: 1. By file. 2. March. Which is executed as just prescribed, in order to break by twos, the particular guide of the right placing himself behind the chief of the first platoon. The squadron marching in column with distance, at the trot, right in front, to break by fours, at the same gait, the first captain commands : 1. By fours. 3. Guide left. 2. March. At the first command, repeated by the chief of the first platoon, this oflBcer, and the particular guide of the right, place themselves as prescribed in breaking the squadron by fours from line, and the chiefs of the three last platoons command: Walk. 14 158 THE SQUADRON. At the command march, repeated by all the chiefs of platoon, the first platoon breaks by fours, and the three last platoons take the'ivalk. The chief of the second platoon, and successively those of the third and fourth, command hf/ fours — trot, in sufficient time to command march, when the four last files of the preceding platoon com- mence their oblique movement in order to enter the column. The same principles are applicable to breaking by twos and by file. When the column is nt the gallop, these movements are * executed on the principles just prescribed, the whole column except the four first files passing to the trot and resuming successively the gallop, as the files break in order to enter the column. The squadron marching in column by file, right in front, to form twos at the same gait, the first captain commands: 1. Form twos. 2. March. At the command form twos and march, succes- sively repeated by the chief of the first platoon, this platoon executes its movement as prescribed iu the platoon drill ; the particular guide of the right moves to the right of the chief of the first platoon, vpho commands halt, after having - marched 10 paces. The three other platoons continue to march by file, and execute successively their formation at the commands of their chiefs, who do not command MARCH, until the first files of their platoons arrive at their proper distance. THE SQUADRON. 159 The squadron marching in column by twos, right in front, to form platoon at the same gait, the first captain commands: 1. Form fours. 2. March. Whicli is executed as prescribed, in order to form twos. The squadron marching in column by fours, right in front, to form platoon at the same gait, the first captain commands : ' 1. Form platoons. 2. March. At the first command, the chief of the first pla- toon commands : Form platoon. At the command march, repeated by the chief of the first platoon, the particular guide of the right places himself on the right of this platoon, which forms as prescribed in the platoon drill ; the chief of the platoon commands halt, after having marched 20 paces. The other platoons continue to march in column by fours, and form successively at the commands : 1. Form platoon; 2. March, given by their chiefs in sufficient time to command halt, when the four first files of their platoon arrive at 6 paces from the platoon which precedes. When the column is at the trot, the same principles are conformed to, except that instead of halting, the two or four first files of the first platoon pass to the walk, at the commaTid mabch given by their chief. The other platoons continue to march at the trot, and execute their move- ment at the same gait, the two or four first files of each platoon passing also to the walk^ at the command march 160 THE SQUADRON. given by their chiefs, when they arrive at their proper distance. When the column is at the gallop, to form twos, fours, &c., the same principles are observed, the two or four first files of each platoon passing to the trot at the com- mand MARCH, given by their chief. When these formations are executed at the trot, and at the gallop, the guide is announced by the first captain as soon as the first files have doubled, or the first platoon is formed ; in the last case only, each chief of platoon re- peats the command of the guide as soon as his platoon is formed. In these formations at the walk, the guide is not an- nounced, as the head of the column halts. To break by fours, by twos, and by file ; to form twos, fours, and platoons, doubling the gait. The squadron marching in column with distance, right in front, to break by fours, doubling the gait, the first captain commands : 1. By fours — trot. 2. March. 3. Guide left. At the first command, repeated by the chief of the first platoon, this officer and the particular guide of the right, place themselves as prescribed in breaking by fours from line. At the command march, repeated by the chief of the first platoon, this platoon breaks by fours, as prescribed in the platoon drill. The other platoons continue to march at the • xoalk ; their chiefs command successively hi/ fours THE SQUADRON. 161 — troty in sufficient time to command march, the moment the four last files of the preceding platoon commence their oblique movement, in order to enter the column. These principles are applicable to breaking by twos and by file. When the column is at the trot, to break at the gailop, the same principles are observed at the commands: 1. By fours — gallop; 2. March; 3. Guide left. When the column is at the gallop, these movements are always executed at the same gait. The Tsquadron marching in column by file to form twos, doubling the gait, the first captain commands: 1. Form twos^trot 2. March. 3. Guide left. At the command form twos — trot and march, successively repeated by the chief of the first platoon, this platoon executes its movement as prescribed in the platoon drill, and the particular guide of the right moves to the right of the chief of the first platoon. At the first command, the chiefs of the three last platoons command : trot. At the command march, repeated by them, the three last platoons take the trot. The chief of the second platoon, and successively those of the third and fourth, command : Form twos, in sufficient time to command march, the moment the first file of their platoons is nearly at its proper distance ; the first file then passes to the walk. * 162 THE SQUADRON. The squadron marching in column by twos, to form fours, doubling the gait, the first captain commands : 1. Form fours — trot. 3. Guide left. 2. March. Which is executed as just prescribed in order to form twos. The squadron marching in column by fours, to form platoon, doubling the gait, the first captain commands : 1. Form platoons — trot. 3. Guide left. 2. March. At the first command, the chief of the first pla- toon commands: Form platoon — trot. The chiefs of the three last platoons command trot. At the command march, repeated by these offi- cers, the first platoon forms as prescribed in the platoon drill, and the particular guide of the right places himself on the right of this platoon. The three last platoons take the trot, and form successively at the command form platoo7i, given by their chiefs in sufficient time to command march, when the four first files arrive at their proper distance from the platoon which precedes them ; then these four first files take the walk. The first captain commands guide left when the first platoon is formed, and gives a point of direction. Each chief of platoon repeats successively the com- mand of the guide as soon as his platoon is formed. When the column is at the trot, these formations are THE SQUADRON. 163 executed at the gallop, following the same principles, at the commands: 1. Form twos, or form fours, or fortn platoons — gallop; 2. March. When the .column is at the gallop, these movements are executed as prescribed, in forming at the same gait, the head of the column passing to the trot at the command MARCH. , The foregoing movements are employed in passing de- files, the first captain placing himself always at the head of his squadron in order to direct the movements of it according to the localities. If it happens that the chiefs of the last platoons do not hear the command, they con- form immediately to the movements of the platoons which precede them. * The squadron marching in column with distance, to face it in the opposite direction, and to face it again to the front. The squadron marching in open column, right in front, the first captain commands : 1. Platoons left'dbout loTieel. 2. March. At the first command, the trooper on the left of each platoon, who becomes the pivot, prepares to halt, "without, however, slackening his pace. At the command march, the pivots halt, and the marching flanks wheel at the gait in which the column was marching, regulating themselves upon the outer flank of the platoon at the head of the column, so as to complete the first half of the movement at the same instant. 164 THE SQUADRON. The marcbing flanks are then governed by the platoon, which becomes the head of the* column after the movement is completed. The movement being nearly finished, the first captain commands : 1. Forward. 2. Guide right. During this movement, the particular guide of the left places himself on the left of the fourth platoon; the particular guide of the right takes his place as file-closer in rear of the second file from the right of the first pla- toon, and the other file-closers pass to the side opposite to the guide. To cause the squadron to resume its primitive direc- tion, the first captain commands: 1. Flatoons, righi-ahout wheel; 2. March; 3. Forward; 4. Guide left; which is executed as just prescribed, but by inverse means. The wheel-about is usually commanded towards the side of the guide; it may, however, be towards the other side when it becomes necessary. To halt the column. The column being on the march, to halt it, the first captain commands : 1. Column. 2. Halt. At the first command, all the platoons prepare to halt. At the command halt, all the platoons halt at the same time. After the command kalt, there shjould be no movement THE SQUADRON. *165 in the platoons, the distances and directions should be corrected only in marching. The first captain places himself behind the guide of the second platoon, to see if the guides of the first and second platoon have marched upon the point indicated ; he also observes if the prescribed distances have been preserved. If they have not been, and if the guides have not marched upon the point indicated, the column is put again in march, in order to correct their distances and direction. To form line on the left. The squadron being in column with distance, right in front, to form it in line on its left flank, the first captain commands : 1 . Left into line wheel. 4. Right — Dress. 2. March. 6. Front. 3. Halt. At the first command, the particular guide of the right moves upon the prolongation of the direction of the guides of the column, at the distance of the front of a platoon, facing the side towards which the line will be formed. At the command march, the squadron wheels into line, the trooper on the left flank of each platoon serving as pivot, and turning upon his own ground. The first captain commands halt, the moment the marching flanks have nearly completed their movement, and then right — dress. At this command, all the platoons align them- selves. 166 * THE SQUADRON. The squadron being aligned, the first captain commands FRONT. During the wheel, the particular guide of the left resumes his place in line. The first captain, after haviug commanded left into line wheel, assures himself, before commanding march, that the particular guide of the right is exactly upon the direction of the guides of the column. Immediately after commanding halt, he moves rapidly to the right flank of the squadron, to observe that the pivots execute their movements properly, and that the oflBcers and troopers align themselves correctly. The particular guide, who moves upon the prolonga- tion of the guides of the column, should take rather too much ground than not enough. The conductor of the maiching flank of the leading platoon should align him- self upon this guide, without endeavoring to approach him. To form the squadron in column with distance, left in front, the first captain commands: 1. Platoon left tvheel; 2. March; 3. Halt; which is executed as prescribed, ■when riffht in front, but by inverse means. To march in column with distance, left in front, the first captain commands: 1. Column forward; 2. March; 3. Guide right; which is executed as prescribed, when the column has the right in front. The changes of direction by successive wheels, and the individual oblique march, when the column has the left in front, are executed on the same principles as when the right is in front; except that, in the changes of direc- tion, it is the principal guide of the left who marks the point of the wheel, placing himself as has been prescribed for the principal guide of the right, when the right is in front. The squadron marching in column with distance, left in front, it is made to break by fours, by twos, and hy file, to form twos, fours, and platoons, at the same gait, or THE SQUADRON. 167 doubling the gait, following the principles prescribed "when the right is in front, but by inverse means. To break by fours, twos, &c., the first captain com- mands : 1. By fours (or by twos, or by file) from the left; 2, March. The squadron marching in column with distance, left in front, to face it in the opposite direction, the same principles are followed as when the right is in front, but by inverse means. The squadron marching in column with distance, left t*in front, to halt it,' conform to the principles prescribed when the right is in front. The squadron being in column with distance, left in front, to form it in line on the right, the first captain com- mands : 1. Right into line wheel; 2. March; 3. Halt; 4. Left — Dress; 5. Front. To break by the right to march to the left. The squadron being in line, the first captain com- mands ; 1. Platoons hrealc hy the right — to march to the left 2. March. ■ At the first command, the chief of flie first platoon commands: 1. Platoon forward; 2. Guide left. At the command march, repeated by the chief of the first platoon, this platoon marches 10 paces to the front, turns to the left, and moves forward at the commands: 1. Left — Turn; 2. Forward. The chief of the second platoon, and successively those of the third and fourth, command : 1. Platoon 168 THE SQUADRON. forward; 2. Guide Ifft; when the chief of the phitoon on their right commands march ; and they command march, when the chief of that platoon, after having turned to the left, commands : For- ward. To form line to the right by inversion. The squadron marching in open column, right in front, to form it in line upon its right flank by inversion, the first captain changes the guide; for this purpose, he com- mands : Guide right. The second captain passes by the rear of the column to the side opposite to the guides ; the first captain passes by the head of the column to the side of the new guides, rectifies their direction, then halts the column, and com- mands : 1. By inversion right into line icheel. 2. March. 4. Left — Dress. 3. Halt. 5. Front. Which is executed as prescribed, bul by inverse ineans,''as in forming line on the left. During the movement, the particular guide of the left places himself on the right of the fourth platoon, and the particular guide of the rii^ht, who moves on the prolongation of the new guides of the column, remains on the left of the first platoon. To put the squadron again in column, right in front, the first captain commands: 1. Platoon left wheel; 2. Maecu; 3. Halt (or Foeward) ; 4. Guide left. THE SQUADRON. 169 The first captain passes to the side of the guides, the second captain passes to the opposite side. The squadron may also be put in line in natural order, by wheeling the platoons to the left (or to (he right) about. The secqnd captain follows the marching flank of the platoon behind which he is placed. The squadron being in line, it is broken by the left to inarch to the right, on the piinciples prescribed, but by inverse means, at the commands: 1. Platoons break by the left — to march by the right; 2. March. The squadron marching in column with distance, left in front, it is formed in line ou its left flank by inversion, (after having changed the guide and halted the column,) on the principles prescribed, but by inverse means, at the commands: 1. By inversion left into line loheel ; 2. March; 3. Halt; 4. Right — Dress; 6. Front. To put the squadron again in column, left in front, the first captain commands: 1. Platoon right icheel ; 2. March; 3. Halt (or Forward) ; 4. Guide right. The squadron may also be put in natural order, by wheeling the platoons to the right (or left) about. To break to the rear by the right to march to the left. The BquadroQ being in line, the first captain com- mands : 1. Platoons hreaJc hy the right to the rear — to march^o the left. 2. March. At the first command, the chief of the first pla- toon commands : Platoon right-about wheel. 15 1.70 THE SQUADRON. At the command march, repeated by the chief of the first platoon, this platoon executes its wheel to the right-ahout ; when nearly terminated, its chief commands : 1. Forward ; 2. Guide hft ; and after marching 10 paces straight foi*ward, he commands: 1. Right — Turn; 2. Forward. The chief of the second platoon, and successively; those of the third and fourth, command : Flatoon right-ahout icheel, when the chief of the platoon on their right commands march, and they command MARCH, when that platoon has passed over three- fourths of its first wheel. To form on right into line. The squadron marching in column with distance, right in front, to form it in line on the prolongation and in advance of its right flank, the first captain commands : 1. On right into line. 3. Guide right. 2. March. 4. Front. At the first command, the chief of the first pla- toon commands, Right. At the command march, he commands, Turn; the platoon turns to the right and moves forward at the command Forward ; when it has marched 30 paces, its chief commands, Halt, and then Right — Dress. The other platoons continue to march forward, without approaching the line; as soon as ^ch one arrives abreast of the fourth file from the left of the platoon which should be on its right, its chief commands: 1. Right — Turn; 2. Forward; this THE SQUADRX)N. 171 platoon then directs itself towards the place it is to occupy in line, and on arriving abreast of the file-closers, its chief commands, Halt, and then Right — Dress. The squadron being aligned, the first captain commands, Front. To form on left into line by inversion. The squadron marching in column with distance, right in front, to form it in line upon the prolongation and in advance of its left flank, the first captain commands : 1. By inversion on left into line. 2. March. 3. Guide left. 4. Front. At the first command, the chief of the first pla- toon commands. Left. At the command march, he commands, Turn ; the platoon turns to the left, and moves forward at the command forward ; when it has marched 30 paces, its chief commands, Halt, and then Left — Dress. The other platoons continue to march forward, without approaching the line ; as each platoon arrives abreast of the fourth file from the right of the platoon which should be on its left, its chief commands: 1. Left — Turn; 2. Forward; this platoon directs itself towards the place it is to occupy in line, and on arriving abreast of the file- closers, its chief commands. Halt, and then Left — Dress. 172 THE 'SQUADRON. The squadron being aligned, the first captain commands : Front. The squadron being in line, it is broken by the left to the rear to march to the right, on the principles pre- Bcribed, but by inverse means, at the commands : 1. Pla- toons break by the left to the rear — to march to the right; 2. March. The squadron marching in column with distance, left in front, to form it in line on the prolongation and in ad- vance of its left flank, follow the principles prescribed, but by inverse means, at the commands: 1. On left into line; 2. March; 3. Guide left; 4. Front. The squadron marching in column with distance, left in front, to form it in line upon the prolongation and in advance of its right flank, conform to the principles pre- scribed, but by inverse means, at the commands: 1. By inversion on right into line ; 2. March ; 3. Guide right ; 4. Front. To break by platoons to the front. The squadron being in line, the first captain commands : 1. By platoons to the front.* 2. March. 3. Guide left. At the first command, the chief of the first pla- toon commands : Platoon forward, and the chiefs of the three other platoons : Platoon right half wheel. At the command march, repeated by these offi- • The words "to the front," are superfluous; it is better to com- mand: By platoons, March, Guide left. THE SQUA*DRON. 173 cers, the first platoon moves forward; its chief repeats the indication of the guide. Each of the other chiefs of platoon, when their half-wheel to the right is executed, commands : 1. Forward; 2. Guide left, and then marches straight forward. When the left of his platoon arrives in the direction of the platoon which pre- cedes, he commands: 1. Left half-wheel; 2. March ; 3. Forward, in order to enter the column. The first captain does not announce the guide until the first platoon has broken to the front ; and he gives the guide a point of direction. To form front into line. The squadron being in column with distance, right in front, to form it in line upon the head of the column, the first captain commands : 1. Front into line. 3. Guide right, 2. March. 4. Front. At the first command, the chief of the first pla- toon commands : Platoon forward, and the chiefs of the three other platoons command : Platoon left half -wheel. At the command MARCH,^epeated by these offi- cers, the first platoon moves forward ; its chief repeats the indication of the guide, and when it has marched 30 paces, he commands: 1. Halt; 2. Right — Dress. Each of the other chiefs of platoon, when the left half wheel is executed, commands: 1. Forward; 174 THE feQUADRON. 2. Guide rightj and marches straight forward. When the right of his platoon arrives opposite the left of the platoon which precedes, he com- mands: 1. Ri(jlU half ichcd ; 2. Fqrward ; and when he arrives abreast of the file-closer : 1. Halt ; 2. Ri(/Ju — Dress. The squadron being aligned, the first captain commands : Front. This formation is executed in the same manner, when the column is on the march ; in this case, the chief of the first platoon, continuing to march on, does not command platoon forward, nor march, but repeats the indication of the guide. The squadron being in line, it is broken by the left by platoons to march to the front, on the principles pre- scribed, but by inverse means, at the commands ; 1. lif/ the left-^bi/ platoons to the front ; 2. March ; 3. Guide right.* The squadron being in column with distance, left in front, it is formed in line on the head of column, fol- lowing the principles just prescribed, but by inverse means, at the commands: 1. Front into line; 2. March; 3. Guide left ; 4. Front. This formation is executed, when the column is march- ing, as prescribed above. To break by platoons to the right, and to move forward after the wheel. The squadron being in line, the first captain commands: 1. Platoons right wheel. 3. Forward. 2. March. 4. Guideleft. * It is better to command, By platoons from the left. THE SQUADRON. 176 At the first command, the left file of each platoon prepares to step ofi" promptly, and the pivot to turn upon itself. At the command march, each platoon executes its wheel to the right, following the principles of the wheel on a fixed pivot. At the third command, the platoons march straight fc>rward. The first captain cotntnanrls forward, when the wheels are nearly completed, and gives a point of direction to the guide of the column ; he observes that the marching flanks step off at the same instant, wheel and arrive together in column, and that the pivots commence the march together at the command forward. To form line to the front by inversion. The squadron being in open column, right in front, to form line by inversion upon the head of the column, the first captain commands : 1. Bi/ inversion front into line. 3. Guide left. 2. March. 4. Front. At the first command, the chief of the first pla- toon commands, P/a^ooii ybrt^aro?; and the three other chiefs of platoon command, Platoon right half wheel. At the command march, repeated by these offi- cers, the movement is executed as prescribed for forming front into line, but by inverse means. This formation is executed in the same manner, when the column is marching ; in this case, the chief of the first platoon does noi command platoon forward, nor march, but repeats the indication of the guide. 176 THE SQUADRON. The squadron being in line, it is broken by platoons to tlie left, in order to move forward after the wheel, follow- ing the principles prescribed, but by inverse means, at the commands: 1. Platoons left wheel; 2. Marcu; 8. Forward; 4. Guide right. The squadron being in column with distance, left in front, to form line by inversion upon the head of the column, follow the principles just prescribed, but by in- verse means, at the commands : 1. By inversion front into line; 2. March; 3. Guide right: 4. Front. This formation is executed in the same manner, when the column is marching ; in this case, the chief of the first platoon does not command platoon forward^ nor march, but repeats the indication of the guide. To break by platoons to the right, head of column to the left or half left. The squadron being in line, the first captain commands : 1. Platoons*riglit wheel — head of column to the left or half left. 2. March. 8. Forward. 4. Guide left. At the command MARCH, each platoon executes its wheel to the right. At the third command, the chief of the first pla- toon commands, 1. Left — Turn; 2. Forward; the other platoons move on and turn successively at the command of their chiefs, on the ground upon which the first had turned. The first captain commands, forwariH when the wheels are nearly completed, and gives a point of direction. THE SQUADRON. 177 To form line faced to the rear, on the rear of the column. The squadron bein^ in column with distance, right in front, to form Hne faced to the rear, the first captain commands : 1. Platoons left about wheel. 4. MARCH. 2. March. 5. Guide left. 3. Front into line, 6. Front. At the second command, each platoon executes its wheel to the left about. At the fourth command, the chief of the fourth platoon, which becomes the head of the column, when its wheel is nearly completed, commands : 1. Forward; 2. G^iide left; and when it has marched 30 paces, 1. Halt ; 2. Left — Dress. The chiefs of the other platoons, on completing three-fourths of their wheel, command : 1. For- ward ; 2. Guide left ; and direct themselves towards the place they are to occupy in line, con- forming in other respects to what is prescribed for front into linej when the column has its left in front. The first captain commands front into line, in sufficient time to command march, and (/vide left, when the pla- toons have completed three-fourths of their wheel. To form line faced to the rear, by inver- sion, on the rear of the column. The squadron being in column with distance, right in front, and obstacles are presented upon its left flank, to form line faced to the rear, the first captain commarnds : 178 THE SQUADRON. 1. Platoons right-about wheeL 4. March. 2. March. 5. Guide right. 3. By inversion front into line. 6. Front. At the second command, each platoon executes its wheel to the right-about. At the fourth command, the chief of the fourth platoon, which becomes the head of the column, when its wheel is nearly completed, commands : 1. Forward; 2. Guide right; and when it has marched 30 paces, 1. Halt ; 2. Right — Dress. The chiefs of the other platoons, at three fourths of the wheel, command : 1. Forward; 2. Guide rijht ; and direct themselves towards the place they are to occupy in line, conforming, in other respects, to what is prescribed for Ijj inversion front into line, when the left is in front. The squadron being in line, to break it by platoons to the left, head of column to the right (or half right), fol- low the principles prescribed, but by inverse means, at the commands : 1. Platoons left wheel — head of column to the right (or half right) ; 2. Marcu ; 3. Forward ; 4. Guide right. The squadron being in column with distance, left in front, to form line faced to the rear, follow the principles prescribed, but by inverse means, at the commands; ]. Platoons right-about wheel; 2. March; 3. Front into line; 4. March; 5. Guide right ; 6. Front. The squadron being in column with distance, left in front, and- obstacles are presented on its right flank, to form line faced to the rear, follow the principles pre- scribed, but by inverse means, at the commands : 1. Pla- toons left-about wheel; 2. March; 3. Bg inversion front into line ; 4. March ; 5. Guide left ; 6. Front. i THE SQUADRON. 179 To break by platoons to the right, head of column to the right (or half right.) The squadron being in line, the first captain com- mands : 1. Platoons riyht loheel—head of column to the right (or half right^ 2. March. 3. Forward. 4. Guide le)t. At the command march, each platoon executes its wheel to the riyht. At the third command, the chief of the first pla- toon commands : 1. Right — Turn; 2. Forward. The other platoons move on, and turn successively at the command of their chief, on the same ground. The first captain commands Forwaed, when the' wheels are nearly completed. To form hne faced to the rear on the head of the column. The squadron being in column with distance, right in front, to form line upon the head of the column faced to the rear, the first captain commands : 1. By inversion front into line. 3. Guide left, 2.' March. ^ Which is executed as prescribed for hy inversion 180 THE SQUADRON. front into line, right in fronty but without rectify- ing the alignment. The squadron being formed, the first baptain immedi- ately commands : 1. Platoon le/t-ahout wheel, 4. Right — Dress. 2. March. 5. Front. 3. Halt. • To form line faced to the rear, by inver- sion, on the head of the column. The squadron being in column with distance, right in front, and obstacles are presented on its right flank, to form line upon the head of the column, faced to the rear, the first captain commands ; 1. Front into line. 3. Guide right. 2. March. "Wtich is executed as prescribed for front into line, right in front, but without rectifying the alignment. The squadron being formed, the first captain immedi- ately commands : 1. Platoons right-ahout wheel. 4. Left — Dress. 2. March. 5. Front. 3. Halt. I The squadron being in line, to break by platoons to the left, head of column to the left or half left, follow the principles prescribed, but by inverse means, at the com- ^ mands : 1. Platoons left wheel — head of column to the left (or half le/l) ; 2. March; 8. Foewabd; 4. Ouide right. THE SQUADRON. 181 The squadron being in column ^ith distance, left ia front, to form line upon the head of the column, faced to the rear, follow the principles prescribed, but by inverse means, at the commands : 1. By inversion front into line; 2. March; 8. Guide right; and the squadron being formed, 1. Platoons right-about wheel; 2. MaHcu; 8. Halt; 4. Left — Dress; 6. Front. The squadron being in column with distance, left ia front, and obstacles are presented upon its left flank, to form in line upon the head of the column faced to the rear, follow the principles prescribed, but by inverse means, at the commands: 1. Front into line; 2. March; 3. Guide left; and the squadron being formed, 1. Pla- toons left-about wheel; 2. March; 3. Halt; 4. Right — Dress ; 5. Front. All these formations faced to the rear are executed in the same manner, when the column is marching. Movements by fours, the squadron being in column with distance. The squadron being in column with distance, right ia front, to cause it to gain ground towards its left flank, the first captain commands : 1. By fours left wheel. 3. Forward. 2. March. 4. Guide right. At the command march, the wheels are executed in each rank by fours, as prescribed in the platoon. If, instead of moving forward, after having wheeled to the left by fours, the first captain wishes to halt the column, he commands: Halt. To take a direction parallel to the first, and return to column with distance, the first captain commands: • 16 182 THE SQUADRON. 1. Bt/ fours right wheel. 3. Halt. 2. Marcu. Which is executed on the same principles, but by inverse means. If, instead of halting, the first captain tpishes the column to march forward, he commands : 1. Forward ; 2. Guide left. The squadron being in column -with distance, right in front, it is caused to gain ground towards its right flank, by the commands: 1. By fours right wheel; 2. March; 3. Forward; 4. Guide left-, and to resume the primitive direction at the commands: 1. By four g left wheel; 2. March; 3. Forward; 4. Guide left; (or 3. Halt.) The squadron being in column with distance, right in front, to cause it to march to the rear, the first captain commands: 1. By fimrs left-ahout wheel. 3. Forward. 2. March. 4. Guide right. At tlie command march, the movement is exe- cuted, in each rank, by fours. If, instead of moving forward after the wheel to the left' about by fours, the first captain wishes to halt the column, he commands: Halt. To return to the primitive direction, the first captain commands : 1. By fours right-ahout wheel. 3. Halt. • 2. March. "Which is executed as just prescribed, but by in- Terse means. THE SQUADRON. 183 If the first captain wishes the column to march for- ward, he commands: 1. Forward; 2. Guide left. In all the movements to the left^ and to the right by fours, the chiefs of platoon move up abreast of the first rank of their platoons, on the side of the guide. The first and second captains, the file-closers, and the partieuhvr guides of the right and left preserve their places after the wheel to the left or right by fours is com- pleted, facing in the new direction. In the wheels to the left or right-about by fours, the chiefs of platoon march behind the centre of their pla- toons, and the file-closers in front. The particular guide of the right is on the left of his platoon, and the partic- ular guide of the left in front of his. During the march by flank, the first captain observes that all the ranks march on the same line, regulate their movements towards the side of the guide, and preserve a direction parallel to that of the first platoon; that the troopers keep exactly at the distance of two feet from, and follow those who precede them ; he observes that the chiefs of the three last platoons preserve their proper in- tervals on the side of the guide, so that it may not be necessary to correct distances when the squadron returns to the order in column. The movements by fours are executed in the same man" ner, when the column is marching. The squadron marching in column with distance, left in front, all these movements are executed on the same principles. Direct march of the squadron in Hne. The troopers, to keep aligned, should feel lightly tha boot of the men on the side of the guide ; this principle is borne constantly in mind, as it is the only means of being at ease in the ranks, and preserving the individual alignment. With respect to the general alignment, the non-commissioned officers and flank files endeavor to re- main aligned between each other; consequently they will 184 THE SQUADRON. not be required to keep the eyes to the front, but from time to time will give a glance towards the guide, in or- der to keep on the eame line, avoiding to carry the bridle hand in that direction, that there may be no crowding in the ranks. It has already been stated that the guide of a troop should never put himself in motion suddenly; the guide of the squ^vdron should then commence the gait indicated, slowly. He should also pass gradually fr^ra a slow gait to a quick gait, and from a quick to a slow gait; this principle is applicable also to the troopers, who should correct their positions with respect to the alignment by degrees, quickening or slackening the pace. The direction given to the guide having a great in' fluence upon the regularity of the march, it is necessary that the fixed point should be always chosen in a direc- tion exactly perpendicular to the front of the squadron ; if the localities do not permit the particular guide to take intermediate points sufficiently prominent, they are sup- plied by the file-closers, who are placed facing the guide, at 60 paces apart ; they replace themselves on the pro- longation of the same direction, as the squadron reaches them. The first captain, after having announced the guide* moves to the rear, and gives him a fixed point of direction upon which the squadron is to march, and indicates it also to the non-commissioned officer, who replaces tho particular guide in the front rank, the latter serving as an intermediate point for the former. The fixed point is also made known to the second captain. ' The first captain, if he thinks proper, may charge the second captain with giving the direction. The point of direction being given, the first capta^^n moves to the centre of his squadron, and faces it, to assure himself that the troopers step oflF together at the com- mand of execution. He afterwards moves wherever he thinks his presence is most required. THE SQUADRON. 185 The officers Bhould remain constantly aligned upon the particular guide placed on their line, keep at one pace from the centre of their platoons, and march straight forward ; for it is upon their alignment that that of the squadron depends. The particular guide, who marches abreast of the offi- cers, should march always at an even gait, so as not to oblige the opposite flank to increase or diminish its pace. This guide, as he advances, should take new interme- diate points, to be able to direct himself upon the given points without deviating. The file-closer, who» replaces the particular guide, marches so that the latter may conceal from him the given point of direction. He should keep the head of his horse constantly at one pace from the croup of the horse of the guide, and inform the guide if he departs from the given point, as he is more especially charged with the direction of the march. During the march, the second captain should superin- tend the guide charged with the direction, and for this purpose he marches at 10 or 15 paces in rear of this guide. If, after commencing the march, he percfiives that the troopers carry the bridle hand to the left, it is a proof, almost certain, that the point of direction is the left of the perpendicular line : if, on the contrary, the troopers are obliged to open to the right, it is an evidence that the point of direction is to the right of the perpendicular line ; the second captain then gives a point of directioa more to the right or more to the left. The second captain observes that the rear-rank men are exactly at their proper distance, and that the file-closers inarch well aligned. The regularity of the march in line depending much upon the attention which the flank files pay to their 186 THE SQUADRON. ftlignment, these files should be at first exercised sep- arately. The squadron being in line, and correctly aligned/tho first captain commands: 1. Flank Jiles forward. 3. March. 2. Guide right. At the second command, the particular guide of the righl moves up abreast of the chiefs of platoon j he is immediately replaced by the file-closer of the first platoon. At the command march, the chiefs of platoon, the flank files, (right and left file of each platoon,) and the particular guides, move straight forward, the flank files preserving between each other the necessary interval, in ord[er to receive the troopers of their platoons, and when they have marched 30 paces, the first captain commands : 1. Flank Jiles. 2. Halt. At the command halt, the chiefs of platoon, the flank files and the particular guides, halt. The first captain, after being assured that the flank files have marched in a direction perpendicular, and upon a line parallel to the front of the squadron, commands : 1. Squadron forward, 3. March. 2. Guide rujht. At the command march, the flank files and the Bquadron move forward. i 4 THE SQUADEON. 187 The flank files and the squadron having marched cor- rectly in the given direction, to halt them, the first cap- tain commands: 1. Squadron, 2. Halt. At the command halt, the squadron and the flank files halt. To cause the platoons to re-enter their places, the first captain, after giving notice to the flank files to stand fast, commands: 1. Squadron forward. 2. March. And when at one pace from the flank files, he com- mands : ^ 1. Squadron. 2. Right — Dress. 3. Halt. 4. Front. At the second command, the troopers halt. At the third command, the particular guide and the file-closer, who replaced Jjim in the front rank of the squadron, resume their places in the line; the troopers return to their intervals together, and dress to the right. The squadron being aligned, the first captain commands, Front. This exercise having been executed several times at the walk, is repeated at the trot. "When fhe flank files have become habituated to regulate their movements upon each other, the entire squadron is marched in line, first at the walk, and progressively at the trot and gallop. 188 THE SQUADRON. The squadron being in line, to move forward, the first captain commands : 1. Squadron forward. 3. March. 2. Guide right. At the second command, the particular guide and file-closer of the' first platoon conform to what is prescribed. At the command march, the squadron moves forward. To halt the squadron, the first captain commands : 1. Squadron. 3. Right — Dress. 2. Halt. 4. Front. At the second command, the squadron halts. At the third command, the squadron aligns itself The squadron being aligned, the first captain commands, Front. The squadron marching at the walk, before passing to the trot, the fii'st captain assures himself that the point of direction is good, and^hat the squadron' marches with uniformity and steadiness. When the squadron marches steadily at the irot, it passes to the gallop. The first captain observes that the troopers keep their horses quiet, and do not quicken the gait more than ne- cessary, a common fault in the march at the gallop. For this purpose, the chiefs of platoon, the guide and the flank files pay attention to kee^ their horses at an even and moderate gallop. In the marches at the trot, and pa^icularly at the gaU lop, it is necessary to slacken the pace as sooil as any disorder is discovered. To march at the gallop, the squadron commences at the walkj then passes to the trot; the same progression is THE SQUADRON. 189 observed in order to halt when marching at the gallop ; the squadron is then exercised in moving off from a halt at the trot and at the gallop, and in halting when march- ing at these gaits. The squadron is exercised in marching with the guide on the left, as with the guide on the right. Counter-march. The squadron being in line, to face it in the opposite direction, the first captain commands : 1. Counter-march hy the right JlanJc, 2. By file to the right. 3. March. At the second command, tbe chiefs of platoon turn to the right j the chief of the first platoon placing himself in front of his first file; the file- closers turn to the left, and pass to the left of the squadron; those of the second division abreast of the front rank, the second captain on their left; those of the first division abreast of the rear rank. The particular guide of the right places himself promptly behind tbe particular guide of the left, facing to the rear, the croup of his horse at 6 paces from the rear rank. - Af the command march, the movement is exe- cuted as prescribed in the platoon. "When the first file is at 2 paces from the particular guide who indicates the place where it is to form, the first captain commands: 1. Front. 3. Right — Dress. 2. Halt. 4. Front. 190 . THE SQUADRON. The 61e-closers follow the movement, and resume their places as they arrive at them. After havinp: commanded march, the first captain moves rapidly to the flank by which the movement is executed, in order to direct the head of the column, and to re-form the squadron to the rear upon a line parallel to the one it at first occupied. At the commands halt and right — dress, the second captain turns-ahout and places himself abreast of the rear rank to align it. The squadron beiog aligned, the first captain commands, front. At this command, the chiefs of platoon face to the front, by a turn to the left. The counter-march should be executed generally at the trot. For this purpose, after the second command, the first captain indicates the gait. This movement is executed by the left flank, following the same principles but by inverse means, at the com- mands: 1. Counter-march by the left flank ; 2. By file to the left; 3. March; and 1. Front; 2 Halt; 8. Left — Dress ; 4. Front. Wheelings. The principles prescribed for the platoon, are applica- ble to the squadron wheeling on a fixed or moveable pivot. The execution of it becomes more difficult as the front is extended; it requires on the part of oflicers and troopers, a particular and constant attention. During the wheel, the chiefs of platoon keep at the centre of their platoons, and correctly alif^ned upon each other, keeping their horses upon the arc of circle more or less great, in proportion to their distance from the pivot. The chief of the platooa on which the wheel is made, THE SQUADRON. 191 regulates himself upon the chief of the platoon on the marchitig flank, observing to move progressively, as the latter advances in the new direction. The chief of the platoon on the marching flank, describes his circle so as neither to move from, nor approach the other chiefs of platoon. The files on the flanks of platoons dress upon each other, all observing the progression of the marching flank, and keeping upon the arcs they should describe. The particular guide placed on the sides of the pivot is the actual pivot, although he is not counted in the rank. In every kind of wheel, the marching flank of a squad- ron should measure with accuracy its arc of circle ; if it is too great, the files are made to open and disunite, and the wheel becomes longer; if it is too small, the files are crowded, there is confusion, and the pivot is forced. To wheel on a fixed pivot. The squadron is exercised in wheeling on a fixed pivot, first at the walk, then at the trot ; also at the gallop, when the troopers are confirmed in all the principles. The squadron being halted and correctly aligned, the first captain commands: 1. Squadron in circle right wheel. 2. March. Which is executed on the principles prescribed for the plato6n. To halt the squadron during the wheel, the first captaia commands; 1. Squadron. 3. Left — Dress. 2. Halt. 4. Front. At the first command, the troopers of the rear 192 THE SQUADRON. rank straighten their horses, and resume their places behind their tile-leaders. At the second command, all the troopers halt. At the third command, the squadron dresses to the left. The squadron being aligned, the first captain commands. Front. If, instead of halting, the first captain wishes to resume the direct march, he commands : 1. Forward. 2. Guide left. At the first command, the troopers of the rear rank straighten their horses, and place themselves behind their file-leaders, and the whole squadron moves forward at the gait in which it was marching before the wheel. The squadron is halted, if the slightest confusion arises during the wheel; the first captain explains the origin of the fault, and the means of repairing it. When the troopers begin to understand these move- ments, the whole circle is passed over several times without halting. If the first captain wishes to halt the squadron during the wheel, it is necessary, particularly in the quick gaits, to command squadron in sufficient time to enable the troopers to prepare to halt, and halt when the marching flank is in the act of arriving upon the new direction, so that the pivot may not be required to move.* The squadron wheeling steadily at the walk, to pass to the trot, the first captain chooses a moment in which the horses are perfectly calm. After one or two turns, the squadron is made to resume the walk. The squadron wiieeling well at the trot, is exercised to wheel at the gallopy upon the same principles. After ono/or two turns, it passes to the irotf then to the walk. THE SQUADRON. 193 The troopers being habituated to these movements, are exercised in changing the side of the vrheel, with- out halting. These changes of wheel to both hands are executed at the walk and at the trot, but never at the gallop. The squadron wheeling to the right, at the walk or at the trotf the first captain commands ; 1. Squadron in circle left wheel. 2. MARCH. Which is executed as prescribed for the platoon. The wheels at the gallop, and the changes of wheel without halting require much attention on the part of the troopers and non-commissioned officers ; the correct execution of these movements depends upon their measur- ing properly the arc to be passed over, and regulating the rapidity of the gait. The squadron is afterwards exercised to wheel at the trot and at the gallop, commencing from a halt, and to halt while wheeling at these gaits. The squadron being halted, the first captain commands : C right (or left) wheel. 1. JSquadroUf < riijht-ahout (or left-ahout) wheel, (_ right-half (or left-half) wheel. 2. March. 5. Left (or right)— Dress, 3. Squadron. 6. FRONT. 4. Halt. Which is executed as prescribed for the platoon. The first captain allows suflBcient time to elapse between the first and second command, for the troopers to gather their horses, that they/may commence the move together. These movements are executed at the different gaits; but they should not be repeated too frequently at the gallop, in order not to fatigue the hoDses. 17 194 THE SQUADRON. « To eicrd'C the squadron while mnrcliing at the wheels on a fixed pivot, the first captain commands: C right (or If/t) ichcel. 1. Squadron, < rijht-abont (or Irftahnut) wheel. {^right-half {CT hft-half) wheel. 2. March. 3. Forward. 4. Guide left (or guide right.) The squadron being on the march, to cause it to wheel, doubling the gait, the first captain gives the commaud trot or gallop before that of march. At the command march, the pivot stops short; the inarching flank takes the gait indicated. At the command forward, both move forward at the gait indicated lor the wheel. To wheel on ti moveable pivot. In the wheels on a moveable pivot, the pivot should describe an arc of circle of^Opac.f, at the same time slack- ening the gait; the marching flank increases its gait. The sixth file of the second platoon, which is the middle of the radius of the wheel, preserves the gait at which the squadron was marching. The tronptM's placed between this file and the pivot diminish proportionally their gait ; those placed between this file and the marching flank augment proportionally theirs. The wheel on a moveable pivot ia executed upon the guide, or upon the opposite flank. After a wheel on a moveable pivot, the guide remains where it was before the wheel, and is given a new point of direction. The squadron marching in line, to change direction to the right, the first captain commands : 1. Right — Turn. 2. Forward. \ THE SQUADRON. 195 Which is executed as prescribed for the platoon, the pivot describing an arc of circle of 20 paces. When this wheel is executed properly at the walk, the marcliing flank taking the trot, it is repeated at the irotf the manihing flank taking the gallop. To change the direction to the left, the movement is executed on the same principles, but by inverse means, at the commands : 1. Left — Turn ; 2. Forwabd. Individual oblique march. The squadron marcWng in line, to cause it to gain ground towards its right flank, without changing the front of the squadron, the first captain commands: 1. Riyht oblique. 2. MARCH. To resume the primitive direction, the first captaia commands : Forward. Which is executed as prescribed in the platoon. The squadron marching in line, it is made to gain ground towards its left flank, without changing the front, on the same principles, but by inverse means, at the com- mands: 1. Left oblique ; 2. March; it resumes the primi- tive direction at the command Forward. During the oblique march, the first captain observes that the chiefs of platoon keep on the same line, preserve between them the same interval, and follow parallel directions in order to preserve the general alignment. The particular guide who marches abreast of the chiefs of platoon, after having executed a quarter turn to the right, moves straight forward. This movement is executed at the walk, or at the irotf but never at the gallop. 196 THE SQUADRON. Oblique march by platoons. The squadron being in line, to cause it to gain ground towards its right flank, by the oblique march by platoons, the first captain commands : 1. Platoon right half-wheel. 3. Forward. 2. March. 4. Guide right. At the command march, each platoon executes its half-wheel to the right, on a fixed pivot. At the third command, each platoon moves forward, conforming to the principles of the direct march. To cause the squadron to resume the primitive direc- tion, the first captain commands : 1. Platoons left-half wheel. 3. Forward. 2. March. 4. Guide right. Which is executed as just prescribed, but by in- verse means. In the oblique march by platoons, the pivots of the pla- toons should all halt at the same instant, at the command MARCH, 80 that all the wheels may terminate at the same time. During this march, the right guide of the first platoon marches directly upon the point which has been indicated to him. The guides of the other platoons preserve their distances, take for file-leader the fourth trooper from the left of the platoon which precedes them, and keep at two paces from him. The first captain places himself habitually at two paces outside and abreast of the front-rank of the second platoon. THE SQUADRON, 197 The second captain behind the guide of the first pla- toon in order to superintend bis direction; The chiefs of platoon at the centre of their platoons, the head of their horses on a line with the boot of the rear-rank man of the platoon which precedes ; The particular guides, and the file-closers, remain at their places in line. If the squadron is marching, and this movement is executed, the particular guide who marches abreast of the chiefs of platoon, makes a half-turn to the rights and then marches straight forward. The oblique march by platoons is executed at the walJcy at the trot, and at the gallop, the squadron being halted or in motion. The squadron being in line, it is made to gain ground towards its left flank on the same principles, but by inverse means, at the commands: 1. Platoon left half- tcheel ; 2. March; 3. Forward; 4. GuUe left, and re- sumes the primitive direction at the commands: 1. Fla^ toons right half-wheel; 2. March; 3. Forward; 4. Guide right. Movements by fours. The squadron being in line, to cause it to gain ground towards its right flank, the first captain commands : 1. B^ fours right wheel. 3. Forward. 2. March. 4. Guide left. "Which is executed as prescribed in the platoon. The chiefs of platoon march on the side of the guide, at one pace from, and abreast of the leading files of their platoons. The particular guide of the right marches in front of the column, at one pace from the leading 198 THE SQUADRON. rank of eight, the particular guide of the left behind the last rank of eight of the fourth platoon. The squadron having wheeled to the right by fours, and being in column, to change direction to the left, the first captain commands : Head of column to the left. The chief of the first platoon commands: 1. Left — Turn; 2. Forward. • To change direction to the right, the movement is exe- cuted Qn the same principles, but by in^rerse means, at the command : Head of column to the right. To put the squadron again in line, the first captain commands : 1. Bj/ fours left wheel, 4. Right — Dress. 2. March. 5. Front. 3. Halt. Which is executed as prescribed in the platoon, the particular guides resuming their places in line. These movements are executed by the left, on the same principles, at the commands: 1. Bi^ fours left wheel; 2. March; 3. Forward; 4. Guide right; and 1. By four t right wheel ; 2. March ; 3. Halt ; 4. Left — Dress ; 5. Front. The squadron being in line, to cause it to gain ground to the rear, and to face it again to the front. The squadron being in line, to face it in the opposite direction, the captain commands : THE SQUADRON. 199 t 1. By fours right-about wheel, 3. Forward. 2. March. 4. Guide left. The chiefs of platoon, the file-closers, and the particular guides, wheel-about individually and inarch, the chiefs of platoon behind the centre of their platoons, the file-closers in front, and the particular guides abreast of the rear rank, become the front. At the fourth command, the file-closer nearest the guide passages to the left, in order to place himself in front of the particular guide; the first captain gives *him a point of direction, which is also indicated to the particular guide, who, in this movement, remains on the flank of the squadron. The squadron \{ faced again to the front, by a movement similar to the one just stated. The wheels to the left-about by fours are executed on the same principles, but by inverse means. These movements by fours are executed from a halt, and in marching at the walk and at the trot. The squadron marching in line, to break it by platoons, to the right, and to form it again in line. # The squadron marching in line, to cause it to gain ground towards its right flank, the first captain com- mands: 1. Platoons right wheel. 3. Forward. 2. March. 4. Guide left. 200 THE SQUADRON. Which is executed as prescribed, the pivots halt- ing short, and the left file of each platoon stepping out promptly and regulating its movements upon that of the platoon which is in front, so as to arrive together in column. To put the squadron again in line, the first captain commands: 1. Platoons left wheel. 3. Forward. 2. March. 4. Guide right. The marching flanks regulate their movementa upon those of the platoon at the head of the column, so as to arrive together in line. * The second captain gives a point of direction to the particular guide, who moves up on the line of officers, and indicates it also to the file-closer, who replaces him on the flank of the squadron. These movements are executed on the same principles, when the squadron is marching at the trot and at the gallop. The squadron marching in line, it is made to gain ground towards its left flank, on the same principles, but by inverse means, at the commands: 1. Platoons left wheel; 2. March; 3. Forward; 4. Guide right; and is put again in line at the commands: 1. Platoons right wheel; 2. March; 3. Forward; 4. Guide left. The squadron marching in line, to march it to the rear by wheeUng the platoons about. The squadron marching in line, guide right, the first captain commands : THE SQUADRON. 201 1. Platoons right-about wheel. 3. Forward. 2. March. 4. Guide left. At the command march, the pivots halt short, and turn upon themselves; the marching flanks step oflf at the same instant, regulating themselves by the right during the first half of the wheel, so as to arrive together in column, and by the left during the second half, so as to arrive together in line. In each platoon, the rear rank and the file- closers carry the hand towards the marching flank, in order to facilitate the movement. At the third command, the squadron resumes the direct march. At the fourth command, the particular guide on the side indicated moves up on the line of, officers; he is immediately replaced, and a point of direction given. If, after ■wheeling about, the first captain wishes to halt the squadron, instead of commanding forward, he commands : 3. Halt ; 4. Left — Dress ; 6. Front. This movement is executed by the left, on the same principles, but by inverse means, at the commands : 1. Platoons left-about wheel; 2. March; 3. Forward; 4. Guide right. In these movements, the particular guide of the right turns to the riyhty moves straight forward the extent of the front of a platoon, and turns again to the rights in order to place himself on the left of the squadron. The particular guide of the left executes the same movement, to place himself on the right of the squadron. 202 THE SQUADRON. « These movements are executed from a halt, and in marchiug at the trot and at the gallop. The squadron marching in line, to break it to the front by platoons, and to re- form it. The first captain commands : 1. Bi/ platoons to the /rant. 3. Guide left. 2. March. Which is executed as prescribed in breakinc: from a halt, except that the chief of the first platoon, continuing to inarch on, does not command platoon /oricardij nor MARCH, but repeats the indication of the guide. This movement is executed in the same manner, at the trot and at the gallop. The squadron marching in column with distance, right in front, to form it at the same gait, the first captain commands: 4 1. Form squadron. 2. March. 3. Guide right. The squadron marching at the (rot, this movement is executed on the same principles, excopt that the chief of the first platoon commands: 1. }V'alk ; 2. March;, the right particular guide, at the command guide right, moves up on the line of officers, and each of the other chiefs of platoon commands: 1. Walk; 2. March: on arriving in line. The movement is executed in the same manner "when the column is at the gallop, each platoon passing successively to the trot. The squadron marching in line, it is broken by the THE SQUADRON. 203 left, on the same principles, but by inverse means, at the commands : 1. By the left — by platoons to the front: * 2. March; 3. Guide right. It is re-formed at the same gait at the commands: 1. Form squadron; 2. March; 3. Guide left. The squadron marching in line, to break it to the front by platoons, doubling the gait, and to re-form it. The first captain commands : 1. Bi/ platoons to the front — trot. 3. Guide left. 2. March. At the first command, the chief of the first pla- toon commands, Trot ; and those of the three other platoons command, Platoon right halfxche.el — trot. At the command march, repeated by these offi- cers, the movement is executed as prescribed in breaking from the line halted. The squadron marching in line at the trot, the move- ment is executed at the gallop on the same principles. The squadron marching in column with distance, right in front, to form it, doubling the gait, the first captaia commands: 1. Form squadron — trot. 3. Guide right, 2. March. At the first command, the chiefs of the three * It is bettor to command: 1. "5y platoons from the left; 2. March ; 3. Guide right." 204 THE SQUADRON. last platoons command, Platoon left Imlf-wliecl — trot. At the command march, repeated by the chiefs of the three last platoons, the first platoon con- tinues to march straight forward at the loalk, and its chief repeats the indication of the guide. The three other platoons execute their half-wheel to the left at the trot, on a fixed pivot. The half-wheels being nearly terminated, the chiefs of these platoons command: 1. Forward; 2. Guide right; they move straight forward, and as soon as the right file of the platoon is in the direction of the left file of the platoon which precedes, they command: 1. Right half-wheel; 2. March; 3. Forward; and then, walk; in suffi- cient time to command MARCH, when their platoon arrives in line ; then the troopers resume the walkf and align themselves in marching. Each platoon, after its half-wheel to the lefty moves straight forward on the point where it is to turn, and without obliquing towards the platoons which precede it. The second captain gives a point of direction to the particular guide of the right, who moves upon the line of officers at the command, guide right. The column being at the trot, this movement is exe- cuted at the commands: 1. Form squadron — gallop; 2. March ; 3. Guide right ; the first platoon continues to march at the trot^ and the three last platoons take the gallop, and resume the trot when they arrive on the lino of the first. When the column is at the gallop, the squadron is formed at the same gait as prescribed, each platoon passing successively to the trot. THE SQUADRON. 205 The squadron marching in line, it is broken by the left by platoons, doubling the gait, on the principles pre- scribed, but by inverse means, at the commands,* 1. By the left — by platoons to the front — trot (or gallop) ; 2. March; 3. Guide right. The squadron is re-formed, doubling the * gait, at the commands, 1. Form squadron — trot [ot ^llop) ; 2. March ; 3. Guide left. Passage of obstacles. The squadron marching in line, to execute the passage of obstacles, the first captain commands : . 1. Obstacle. 2. First platoon. 3. Halt. At the command halt, repeated by the chief of the first platoon, this platoon halts, and its chief immediately commands, 1. Left oblique — trot; 2. March ; and this platoon doubles upon the second. When the platoon which has obliqued is in rear of the one upon which it has doubled, its chief com- mands,^!. Forward; 2. Guide right; 3. Walk; 4. March. To cause the 'platoon "which has obliqued to return to its place, the first captain commands: 1. First platoon. 2. Into Line. At the command into line, the chief of the pla- toon commands, 1. Right oblique — trot; 2. March; when opposite the ground the platoon is to occupy, he commands, 1. Forward; 2. Guide left; 3. Walk; and when the platoon is in line, 4. March. * Bxj platoons from the left— Trot (or gallop); 2. March; 3. Guide right. 18 206 THE SQUADRON. The chief of the platoon commands, Forward, a little before its left file has passed beyond the right file of the platoon on which it is to form. ' If the guide is to the right, as soon as the first platoon has re-entered upon the line, the first captain indicates the new guide ; he does the same as soon as the fourth platoon is in line, if the guide is to the left. The second platoon, executes the sanje movement, in obliquing to the rightt>chind the first platoon; the third in obliquing to the left behind the fourth, and the fourth in obliquing to the right behind the third: each platoon should always double upon that with which it forms the division. The chiefs of platoon give the prescribed commands rapidly, and cause the degree of obliquity to be a lit- tle increased, that the movement may be more prompt- Ip executed, and to enable the platoons to take their distances. All these movements are executed first at the walk. When the squadron is at the trot, the movement is exe- cuted at the gallop. The squadron marching in line, to execute the passage of obstacles upon the head of each platoon, the first cap- tain commands : 1. In each platoon hy fours (or hy twos) — trot, 2. March. 3. Guide right. At the first command, the chiefs of platoon com- mand : Bf/ fours (or by twos) — trot. At the command march, repeated by these ofii- cers, each platoon breaks by fours as prescribed, the chiefs of platoon march at the head of their platoons; the particular guide of the right, who marches on the line of ofiicers, places himself on the right of the chief of the first platoon; the particular guide THE SQUADRON. 207 of the left, in rear of the fourth platoon, and the file-closers upon the right flank of their platoons. Each platoon being thus broken in column, should preserve a direction parallel to that of the one which is the guide, keeping on the same line, and always at the distance of its front, to be able at any moment to re-form in line. If the ground requires a platoon to deviate from its direction, it should return to it as soon as possi- ble, and recover its proper distance with respect to the side towards the guide. In marching thus, the first captain may cause the squadron to break by twos and by file, observing to form twos and fours as soon as the ground will permit. These movements are executed when the squadron is inarching at the trot or at the gallop. This formation being only momentary, the guide re- mains on the side it was during the march in line, that the base of the alignment may not be changed. To re-form the squadron, each platoon having broken by fours or by twos at the trot, right in front, the first cap- tain commands : 1. Form platoons. 3. Guide right. 2. Marcu. At the first command, the chiefs of platoon com- mand : Form platoon. At the command march, repeated by these offi- cers, each platoon forms as prescribed in the platoon drill. If the ground does not permit all the platoons to form at once, the one before which the obstacle is presented, forms in rear of the other platoon of 208 THE SQUADRON. its division, and retakes its place in line as soon as practicable. These movements are executed by the left, on the same principles, but by inverse means, at the commands : 1, In tach platoon — by fourt (or by twos) — from the left — trot ; 2. March ; 3. Guide left ; and to re-form the squadron, 1. Form platoons ; 2. Marcu; 8. Guide left. CHARGE.— RALLYING.— SKIRMISHING. Charge. In the charge, as in every other direct march, it is im- portant to keep the horses straight. As soon as any con- fusion is observed, it is necessary to halt and recommence the movement. The squadron is exercised at the charge: 1. In line; 2. In column ; 3. As foragers. The charge in line is executed by the squadron when in line : it should be as short as possible, so as to arrive in good order, and without fatiguing the horses. The charge in column is executed by the squadron broken in column with distance. To execute the charge as foragers, all the troopers of - the squadron disperse, and direct themselves each upon t the point he wishes to attack, observing not to lose sight of their officers, who charge with them. The line upon which the squadron should re-form after the charge is marked out, as prescribed, (see Platoon Drill,) by two non-commissioned officers, who are file- closers, and who are placed 240 paces in front, facing, and at a distance from each other equal to the front of the squadron. THE SQUADRON. 209 Non-commissioned officers are also placed opposite the right flank at the different points where the changes of gait should take place. If the guide is on the left, they are placed opposite the left flank. The squadron being in line, the first captain orders the sabres to be drawn, and the platoons to charge one after another, commencing by the right. For this purpose, the first captain advances 24Q^ paces to the front, taking a trumpeter with him ; and when he wishes the movement to commence, he causes a signal to be given. The first platoon then moves forward at the commands of its chief. It passes successively from the walk to the trot, from the trot to the gallopj and from the gallop to the charge. The three other platoons break in their turn, when the preceding one has halted. To execute the charge by the entire squadron, the first captain places himself in front of the centre of his squad- ron, and commands : 1. Squadron forward. 3. MARCH. 2. Guide right (or left.) When the squadron has marched forward 20 paces, he commands : 1. Trot. 2. March. At 60 paces farther, he commands : 1. Gallop. 2. March. At 80 paces farther, he commands : Charge. At this command, repeated by the chiefs of pla- toon, the troopers take the position of raise sabre. 210 THE SQUADRON. "When the squadron, after having passed over 60 paces at the charge, is 20 paces from the non-commissioned officers who mark the line, the first captain commands : 1. Attention. 4. Right — Dress. 2. Squadron, 5. FRONT. 3. Halt. At the command attention, repeated by the chiefs of platoon, the troopers^repare to slacken the pace, and carry the sabre to the shoulder. At the command squadron, the chiefs of platoon command, Platoon, and the troopers pass to the trot. At the command halt, repeated by the chiefs of platoon, the troopers halt. At the command right — dress, they align them- selves to the right. The squadron being aligned, the first captain com- mands. Front. To assure himself that the principles prescribed are exactly followed, the first captain sometimes places him- self in front of the squadron, facing it, and at the distance that will enable him to remark better the faults. In this case he is replaced on the line of officers by the second captain, who gives the commands. When the squadron executes the charge correctly, in- stead of halting when the charge is finished, the first captain commands : 1. Attention. 2. Trot. 3. March. At these commands, repeated by the chiefs of platoon, the squadron passes to the trot, and at 20 paces beyond the line marked out, he commands : OfiE SQUADRON. 211 1. First (or fourtli) platoon — as foragers, 2. March. At these commands, repeated by the chief of the platoon designated, the platoon moves forward at the gallop, and dispei^es as foragers. A trumpeter follows the chief of the pmtoon. The squadron follows this platoon at the trot ; when it has passed over 160 paces, the first captain causes the rally to be sounded. At this signal, repeated by the trumpeter of the platoon dispersed as foragers, the latter rally upon the squadron, as prescribed in the Platoon Drill ; and when three-fourths of the platoon have rallied and are in line, the first captain commands : 1. Attention. 3. March. 2. Gallop. 4. Charge. The squadron executes again the charge in line ; the troopers, who have not been able to rally, charge upon the flanks of the squadron. To exercise the troopers in rallying upon any point whatever, the first captain, during the march at the trot^ causes the squadron to gain ground towards one of its flanks, by executing a half-wheel to the right or to the left^ or by breaking by platoons to the right or to the left, and re- forming immediately in a new direction. The squadron marching in column with distance, at the troty the first captain commands : 1. To the charge. 2. March. i At the first command, the chief of the first platoon commands, Gallop. At the command march, repeated by the chief of the first platoon, this platoon commences the gallop. 212 THE SQUADRON. The other platoons follow at the trotj-esLch taking the ^aZ/op, when the platoon which precedes is at the distance of 50 paces. When the first platoon has passed over 80 paces at the gallopy its chief commands, Charge. At this command, the platoon executes the change ; and when it has passed over 60 paces, its chief causes it to pass to the trot, by the commands : 1. Atten- tion; 2. Trot; 3. March. The other platoons pay attention to the movements of the platoon which precedes them, so as to change the gait in time, and to I'esume their ordinary distance : the first captain halts the column when he thinks proper. These charges are executed, each platoon taking in its turn the head of the column. The squadron marching in column with distance, at the trotf the first captain commands : 1. First platoon — as foragers. 2. March. At the command march, repeated by the chief of the first platoon, this platoon disperses as foragers. The squadron continues to march at the troty and when it has passed over 100 or 150 paces, the first captain causes the rally to be sounded. At this siojnal, the platoon rallies and re-forms at the rear of the column, or at its place in line, if the squadron has been put in line. Rallying. To give the troopers the habit of rallying promptly, after having been dispersed as foragers, the first captain THE SQUADRON. 213 places the squadron at the extremity of the ground ; and after giving notice to the files on the flank of platoons, the file-closers and the trumpeters, to remain upon the line ■with him, he causes the disperse to be sounded. At this signal, the troopers disperse and charge as foragers ; when they are at the distance of 160 or 200 paces, the first cap- tain causes the rallj/ to be sounded. The first captain observes that the troopers disperse ■without confusion; that, in rallying, they direct them- selves to the right and to the left, outside of the flanks of the squadron, in order to unmask promptly the front of the squadron, and to re-form, passing by the rear. When the troopers rally without confusion, this move- •ment is repeated without requiring the flank files, &c., to remain on the line of the squadron. At the signal to disperse, the squadron disperses in every direction to the front. When the squadron is dispersed, the first captain causes the rail]/ to be sounded. At this signal, the officers, the non-commissioned offi- cers and the troopers rejoin rapidly ; the officers aliga themselves promptly upon the first captain, and the non- commissioned officers mark immediately the flanks of the platoons. As soon as the first captain has formed two-thirds of the squadron, he moves forward, charges again, and halts. W^en the squadron is dispersed as foragers, the first captain should sometimes establish himself to the right or to the left of the direction followed by the troopers, and then order the rallj/ to be sounded, to accustom them to rally upon any point he may select. These movements are first executed at the irot, and then at the gallop. Light cavalry should be particularly exercised in charge ing as foragers and in rallying. 214 THE SQUADRON. Skirmishing. When the squadron is in sight of the skirmishers, the first captain orders no signal except the rally. The chief of the skirmishers observes the movements of the squad- ron he covers, and conforms to them as soon as practicable, requiring his trumpeter to sound the necessary sigtmls. When the squadron changes front, the chief of the skir- mishers moves upon the new front, unless the first captain gives orders to the contrary. If the squadron is out of sight of the skirmishers, the first captain causes the signals which correspond to the movements he executes to be sounded, in order to give notice to the chief of the skirmishers, who conforms to them as soon as practicable. The trumpeter who follows the chief of the skirmishers should give the signals only upon the order of that officer. The skirmishers should execute their movements only by the signals of the trumpeter who accompanies the officer ■who commands them. . With respect to the signals, as well as to commence and to cease firing, the troopers conform to what is prescribed in the Platoon. When several platoons act as skirmishers, the firing is commenced by the right of each platoon. When a squadron is acting as skirmishers, the first cap- tain is always followed by a trumpeter. The others are placed several steps in rear of the line of skirmishes, at equal distances from the centre to the extremities, in order to repeat as soon as possible the signals given by the trumpeter of the first captain. The squadron being in * line, the first captain com- mands : 1. First (ox fourOi) platoon — as skirmishers. 2. March. At the first command, the chief of the first pla- toon orders the sabres to be returned, the holsters THE SQUADRON. 215 to be uncovered, and the arms to be loaded ; he then commands: \. Platoon forward ; 2. Guide right ; 3. Trot. At the command march, repeated by the chief of the platoon, this platoon moves forward. After marching 100 paces to the front, the chief of the platoon commands: 1. Six files from ri(/ht (or from left) — as skirmishers ; 2. March; 3. Guide right; (or guide left); which is executed as prescribed in the Platoon. When the first captain "wishes the skirmishers to re- enter the squadron, he causes the ralli/ to be sounded. At this signal, the chief of the skirmishers rallies his platoon, as prescribed in the Platoon, and then rejoins the squadron at the gallop, directing himself upon one of the flanks to resume his place in line. When the first captain, wishes to relieve a platoon "which is skirmishing, the chief of the new platoon, after causing the arras to be loaded, moves forward upon the reserve of the platoon which is acting as skirmishers. On coming up abreast of it, he orders out 6 files as skir- mishers, as has been explained ; the remaining 6 files halt and draw sabres. As soon as the new skirmishers have passed 5 paces beyond those they are to relieve, the latter iurn-about and rally upon their reserve. The platoon having rallied, is conducted back to the squadron at the trot. When the entire squadron is to act as skirmishers, the first captain orders the sabres to bo returned, the holsters to be uncovered, and the arms to be loaded ; he then com- mands : 1. Squadron forward. 3. Trot. 2. Guide right. 4. March. 216 THE SQUADRON. Having arrived at the point where the reserve is to be established, about 100 paces from the front of the body to be covered, and more if it has been commanded, the first captain commands : 1. Three first (or three last) platoons as skir- rmshers. 2. March. At the command march, the chief of the platoon ■which is to support the skirmishers, halts that pla- toon, and orders the sabres to be drawn. The chiefs of the three other platoons continue to march on, each directing himself by the shortest route, 100 paces to the front towards the part of the line his platoon is to occupy, and having reached it, ho disperses his platoon as skirmishers. The right platoon covers the right of the regi- ment, and extends 30 or 40 paces beyond it ; an- other platoon covers the centre, and the left platoon covers the left, extending also 30 or 40 paces beyond. The chiefs of these platoons remain 25 paces in rear of the line of skirmishers, and pass over the extent occupied by the troopers of their platoons. The reserve remains in rear of the centre of the line of skirmishers. If the first captain thinks proper to divide it, each fraction moves upon the point designated, the first commanded by the officer, the oiher by the non-commissioned officer who waa the file-closer. The squadron having moved forward to cover the regi- ment, if the first captain wishes only one division to act as skirmishers, he commands: 1. First (or second) divi- THE SQUADRON. 217 sion — as skirmishers ; 4. March ; which is executed as prescribed above. The division which serves as a reserve remains as a single troop, or, if the first captain thinks proper, it is divided into two parts. The first captain, followed by the first sergeant, keeps habitually half way between the reserve and the skir- mishers, to direct the movements. The second captain, followed by the second sergeant, passes the line, and gives notice to the first captain of every thing that it Is important for him to know. If the first captain wishes to rally the skirmishers upon themselves, he causes the rally of skirmishers, No. 6, to be sounded. At this signal, each platoon rallies as rapidly as possible upon its chief. If the first captain then wishes to rally the squad- ron, he moves upon the point where he intends it shall form, and causes the raUj^ to be sounded when three-fourths of each platoon have rallied. At this new signal, the reserve and each platoon of skirmishers move at a gallop upon the point where the captain commanding is placed. The troopers, who did not rejoin their platoon when it rallied upon itself, direct themselves towards the squadron. The squadron being dispersed as skirmishers, if the first captain wishes it to rally immediately, he orders the ralli/ to be sounded ; at this signal, the officers, the skir- misliers and the reserve rally upon the point occupied by the first captain. The troopers being dispersed as skirmishers, if the first captain wishes them to charge as foragers, he orders them to cease firing, and causes the disperse to be sounded, i 19 218 THE SQUADRON. At this signal, the chiefs of platoon move for- ward in line, and the skirmishers draw sabres; they* charge immediately. The reserve follows at the trot or at the gallop ^ as may be necessary. After the charge, the first captain orders the rally to be Bounded, when the troopers rally in rear of the reserve. The skirmishers being rallied by platoons, as pre- scribed above, if the first captain wishes to charge, he orders the charge to be sounded. At this signal, each chief of platoon conducts his platoon to the charge in good order; the re- serve supports the movement at the trot or at the gallop. The first captain places himself so as to be able to direct the general movement. The second captain charges with the platoon nearest to him. The platoons rally behind the reserve: the first captain noves upon that point at the same time that he orders the rally to be sounded. If, in a squadron of dragoons, one platoon dismounts to fight on foot, the first captain commands : 1 . First (or fourth) platoon — prepare to fight on foot. 2. March. At the first command, the chief of the platoon orders the sabres to be returned. At the command march, repeated by the chief of the platoon, this platoon moves forward, having marched^ 12 paces, the chief of the platoon halts it and commands: Prepare to fight — on foot. Which is executed as prescribed for dragoons, in the platoon drill. THE SQUADRON. 219 The platoon being formed on foot, it is conducted to the point it is to defend, and is exercised as light in- fantry. Tlie horses without riders will bo led in rear of the centre of the squadron. When the first captain wishes the dismounted platoon to remount, he orders the rally to be sounded. At this signal, the chief of this platoon places himself at the point on which he wishes the dragoons to rally, if dis- persed as skirmishers, and the rally is executed as pre- scribed for the dragoons. The platoon being formed, is conducted by the rear rank to within 12 paces of the ground occupied by their horses, and the chief of this platoon gives the command, dragoons mounts which having been executed, it resumes its place in the squadron. If the first captain wishes a division to dismount, he commands : First (or second) division — prepare to fight on foot. "Which is executed on the principles prescribed for the platoon. The 2d lieutenant commanding the second platoon of the division remains with the horses of the dismounted men; the 1st lieutenant commands the dis- mounted dragoons ; he forms two platoons which are exercised on the principles prescribed in the drill of the platoon. If i\ie whole squadron dismounts to fight Stl foot, the first captain commands : Prepare to fight — ON FOOT. Which is executed by the whole squadron, as pre- scribed for the platoon. The second captain and an officer remain with the horses of the dismounted men : the first captain moves his dismounted squadron upon the point it is to defend, and conforms to what is prescribed in the light infantrj tactics. The squadron remounts by the commands and on the principles prescribed for the platoon. 220 THE SQUADRON. The right file of the squadron remftins raounted. The pirticulnr guides dismount, and also the two trumpeters who follow the first captain and the lieuten- ant commanding the skirmishers. The file-closers who remain mounted take their places in front of their platoons. The horses of the oflicers who dismount are held as follows : Those of the first captain and the lieutenant com- manding the first platoon, by a trumpeter who remains mounted on the right of the squadron. He holds the captain's horse on his right and the other on his left. The trooper on the right of the front rank holds tho horses of the two other commandants of platoons. The trooper on thcright of the rear rank, holds with his right hand the horse. of the particular guide of the right, and the horses of the two trumpeters are linked on his left. The trooper on the left of the front rank holds the horse of the particular guide of the left with his left hand. The trooper on the left of the rear rank holds the horse of the file-closer who dismounts. THE COLUMN BY DIVISIONS. The squadron being in line, if the first captain wishes to form it in column by divisions, he commands: 1. Divisions right (or left) wheel. 2. March. 3. Halt (or Forward.) 4. Guide left (or right.) Which is executed as prescribed, in order to break the squadron by platoons to the right or to the left, halting after the wheels or without halting. THE SQUADRON. 221 The same movements are executed, when the squad- ron is marching in line. The principles prescribed for the column by platoons, are applicable to the march in column by divisions, the diflFercnt modes of passing from line into column, and from column into line. To gain ground towards its flanks or to the rear, cm- ploy the means proscribed for the column by platoons. The wheels-about can be also executed by divisions. The distance measured from the croup of the horses of the rear rank of one division, to the head of the horses of the division which follows, should bo equal to the front of the division, minus the depth of the two ranks. In the wheels on a moveable pivot by divisions, the ninth file of the platoon upon which the wheel is exe- cuted, is the middle point of the radius of the wheel. The pivot describes an arc of circle of ten paces. The squadron marching in column by platoons, right in front, to form the divisions at the same gait, the first captain commands : 1. Form divisions. 2. March, At the first command, the chiefs of the second and fourth platoons command, Platoon left TialJ- whed. At the command march, repeated by the same officers, the second and fourth platoons execute a half-wheel to the left on a fixed pivot. The first and third platoons continue to march straight for- ward, and after having marched 30 paces, their chiefs command : Halt. The chiefs of the second and fourth platoons, when the half-mheel to the left is nearj^y terminated, command, 1. Forward; 2. Guide ri , — 2d platoon. 1st platoon. MOUNTED RIFLES. 237 In line of battle there will be an interval of one yard between the corporal on the left of each sec- tion and the sergeant on the right of next section. In column of platoons the same interval will be observed. In column of platoons the captain will be habit- ually on the side of the guide, and about ten yards outside the centre of the column. The other offi- cers, non-commissioned officers, &c., will occupy the positions above indicated. In column of sections the captain will be ten yards ouiside the flank of the column on the side of the guide. The first lieutenant will be five yards outside the flank of the column on the side of the guide, and opposite the centre of the interval between the 1st and 2d sections. The second lieutenant will be five yards outside the flank of the column on the side of the guide, and opposite the centre of the interval between the 3d and 4th sections. The sergeants will be one yard in front of the centre of their respective sections, and will com- mand them. The corporals will be in the rank of their respective sections. The buglers will accompany the captain, or will be on the right of the leading sergeant of the column. In column of fours, twos, or file, the oaptain will be ten yards outside the centre of the flank of the column, on the side of the guide. The 1st lieutenant will be five yards outside of 238 SKIEMISH DRILL FOR the centre of the flank of his platoon, on the side of the guide. The 2d lieutenant will be five yards outside of the centre of the flank of his platoon, on the side of the guide. The sergeants (except "the sergeant of the lead- ing section) will be abreast of the leading four, two, or file of their respective sections, and on the side opposite the guide. The sergeant of the leading section will be iff front of its leading four. In all columns the brevet 2d lieutenant, when there is one serving with the company, will be five yards outside of the centre of the flank of the column, and on the side opposite the guide. The corporal will, in all columns of fours, twos, and files, be on the side opposite the guide, abreast of the last set, two, or file. In columns of com- panies, platoons, or sections, he remains in the rank. The company having been thus formed, will be drilled by the means and directions laid down in Calvary Tactics for the squadron. The section will be drilled by the means and directions laid down in Calvary Tactics for the platoon. The only changes necessary, in order to make the one answer for the other, are those which result from the diminished depth of the rank and the use of the words "company" and "section," instead of '^squadron" and "platoon :" — (c. g.) In forming to left into line from column of fours, MOUNTED RIFLES. 239 the command must be changed to, '' By fours left wheel." To mount. ^ 2. — The command being dismounted in line of bnttle, the men standing to horse, tu mount, the commands of the chief are : 1. Prepare to mount. 2. Mount. At the first command, the sergeant and numbers two and four of each section move five yards to the front, stepping off with the left foot, and regulating by the riglit. The corporals and numbers one and three stand fast until the others have cleared them; all then prepare to mount according to the princi- ples laid down in Cavalry Tactics, except tha« they take the end of the reins in the right hand, draw them through the left, which holds them above the middle of the neck of the horse between the thumb and hand, with the palm down, until the horse just feels the bit; then with the right hand adjust the stirrup to the left foot, and with the left hand take up a lock of the mane so that its end comes out by the thumb; then take the surplus part of the reins in the right hand between the thumb and hand, with the palm up, and seize the right side of the pommel with the right hand. At the second command, all mount together, and the corporals and numbers one and three immediately move forward, and place theOiselves boot to boot with the sergeants and numbers two and four. 240 SKIRMISH DRILL FOR t The chief corrects the alignment, if it be neces- sary, commanding '* Right — dress." The assistant places himself at this command on the right of the line, looking along it, and correcting the files who are out of place. The chief remains in front, in order to super- intend the alignment. The assistant commands "Steady," when the files are all corriectly aligned; and then the chief commands " Front." To dismount. ^ 3. — The command being mounted in line of battle, to dismount it the commands are : 1. Prepare to dismount. 2. DISMOUNT. At the first command, the sergeant and numbers two and four in each section move to the front five yards; the corporals and numbers one and three stand fast. All then prepare to dismount in other respects as laid down in Cavalry Tactics, except that they take the reins in the left hand with a lock of the mane, and carry the right hand to the right side of the pommel. At the second command all dismount, leaving the reins over the pommel; the sergeants and numbers two and four stand to horse, while the corporals and numbers one and three lead forward and form rank with them. To link. To link after dismounting, the man stands to horse, faces about to the rear, takes the link which MOUNTED BIFLES. 241 hangs from the halter ring of the horse of his left file in his right hand, seizes his own horse by the bit near the mouth, and draws the horse of his lefi file towards his own until he can hook the snap into the curb ring; in hooking, the nails of his right hand are down. When he dismounts he leaves his reins over the pommel of the saddle. To facilitate the linking, the horse holder should bear his horse's head well towards number three. ^4. — Form and course of inspection for the single rank formation: The company being formed in line, in one rank, mounted, the officers and non-commissioned officers, in their places, (see section 1,) to inspect it — the commands are : 1. For inspection. — Prepare to dismount. 2. Dismount. At the first command, the first and second lieu- tenants move forward ten yards. The brevet second lieutenant places himself upon the line with them, in front of the left file of the company; they all then return sabre and prepare to dismount. The non-commissioned ofiicers move forward ten yards, and prepare to dismount. Numbers two and four move forward five yards, and prepare to dismount. Numbers one and three prepare to dismount in their places. At the second command, all dismount and stand to horse. They then shift the pistol holster to- wards the front of the body sufficiently to enable 21 242 SKIRMISH DRILL FOR the inspecting officer readily to withdraw the pistol. The men then unsling rifles, order arnis, and spring rammers without noise, with the right arm passed through the rein; they then allow the rifle to fall across the body obliquely into the hollow of the left arm, which holds it with the fore-arm extended down, the barrel between the thumb and closed fingers. In this position they await the inspec- tion. As soon as the inspecting officer perceives that the second command has been executed, he leturns his sabre, dismounts, gives his horse to a trum- peter to hold, ancf commences his inspection on the right of the line of officers. He passes along the front of the line, around its left, and along its rear; he then passes to the front of the line of non- commissioned officers, which he inspects in the same manner. He draws and inspects the pistol of each man as he comes to him, and, after inspect- ing, returns it to the holster. He then passes to the right of the front line of men, draws and in- spects the pistol of the man on the right of that line, returns it to the holster, takes the rifle from the position in which it rests, and, after inspecting, returns it to that position ; and so on throughout the line. Each man slings his rifle and re-adjusts his pistol, as soon as the inspector has passed one file beyond him. After having completed his in- spection of the men, horses, arms, equipments, &c., from the front, the officer passes around the left and along the rear of the line, examining as he goes the condition of men, horses, arms, and equip- MOUNTED RIFLES. 243 ments. He then inspects the rear line of men in the same manner. After which he mounts, and commands : 1. Prepare to mount. 4. Right. — Dress. 2. Mount. 5. Front. 3. Form rank. At the first command all prepare to mount in their places. At the second command all mount, and the rear line of men move forward to their places, boot to boot with the front line of men. All then move forward together to the line of non-com- missioned officers, on which they are alijjned by the fourth and fifth commands. The sabres are then inspected, as directed in Cavalry Tactics, bj the command : •1. Inspection of sabre. If the company be in tents or other quarters, the valises or saddle bags and clothing are inspected in the quarters. If in the field, the men will unstrap and display them on the ground at their feet, as they stand to horse, before they unsling rifles. The trumpeters will be near and in rear of the inspecting officer when he gives the fir.«t command. They will dismount with the rest. One of them holds the horse of the other, who goes to take that of the inspector. 244 SKIRMISH DRILL FOR ARTICLE II. Skirmish drill for mounted rifles. § 5. Preliminary remarks. For this drill the men should be dressed so as to secure the greatest freedom of action, as in the blouse or sack, and in the forage cap, with the chin- strap down. The revolver will be worn in a belt- holster upon the right side of the man. The gun will be slung across his back, with the butt near his right hip. In addition to the usual equipment of a cavalry soldier, each man will be provided with a *Mink," for the purpose of securing his horse when- ever he dismounts. It will be buckled in the halter-ring of the headstall, and when not wanted for immediate use, will be hooked up by the snap in the same ring. At the signal " boot and saddle," the horses will be saddled and bridled. At the signal "to horse," the command will be formed according to the instructions already given in section 2. Should the command be less than a complete company, the officer in charge of it will make such changes in its organization as are necessary in con- sequence of the absence of members. Every command, be it a full company or a scout- ing party less than a company, will be divided into four equal sections if possible. A section must contain at least eight men. MOUNTED RIFLES. 245 Some portion of every command will be held in reserve, unless it is so small as to manifestly render it unwise to divide it. Any section may form the reserve; and its commander will be assigned by selection and not according to rank. A "set of four" means the four men who tell ofiF together. A *' chief of four *' is the right file of the set, or " number one " of the set, and will be habitually the guide of his set; when in column of fours, he will command the set to which he belongs. He will be responsible that the men of his set jiever separate from each other, and for the interval, distance, and alignment. The senior officer on drill is termed the " Chief," his next in rank is termed the "Assistant." Before skirmishing, two or three men will bo detained to accompany and protect the Chief. Preparatory to skirmishing, a section will take open order. The interval between men in open order, mea- * sured from " boot to boot," is twenty-seven inches. In a column of fours, open order, the distance be- tween the sets of four, from croup to head, is 4 yards. In a column of twos, open order, the distance from croup to head is eighteen inches. In a column "by file," open order, the distance from croup to head is eighteen inches. These distances and interval are deduced from the length and breadth of the horse, and from the agreement which must exist between the depth of a column) and the length of the line into which it will wheel. 246 SKIRMISH DRILL FOR The interval of twenty-seven inches will be found in practice ample to enable the men to mount and dismount in their places in line or in column, without the necessity of the alternate files moving out to the front for that purpose. In an enemy's country, or when in danger of sudden attack or ambuscade, the leading section of the company or scouting party should march in open order, so as to be able to get jit once into action. To take open order. I 6. Being in line, right in front, the commands of the Chief are : « 1 . 1st section, (or 2d or Sd, as the case may he,") open order — Gallop. 2. March. At the first command all gather their horses; at the second command all take the gallop, except the centre file of the section, which trots out directly to the front. Those on the right of the centre oblique to the right, each man continuing to ob- lique until he has an interval of twenty-seven inches between him and the next file on his left; those on the left of the centre continue to oblique to the left until each man has twenty-seven inches interval between him and the next file on his right. They all then align themselves on the centre, take up its gait, and continue to move to the front until the next command of the Chief. MOUNTED RIFLES. 247 To rjeturn to close order. Being in line, right in front, in open order, the com- mands of the Chief are : 1. Close order — Trot. 2. March. ' At th-e first command all gather their horses ; at the second command the centre file moves to the front at the ^alk, the others close in towards him at the trot; each in succession taking up the walk and aliizning on the centre as he gains his positioa in the line. \ 7. The section being in line, right in front, open or- der, breaks into columns of fours, by the commands : 1. Bi/ fours — Trot, (or Gallop.) 2. March. At the first command the first set of four gathers its horses, and takes the trot together at the second. After the first set has cleared the front of the line, or marched three yards, the second set moves out at the trot, (or gallop,) marches straight to the front until clear of the line, and then obliques to the right until in position in column exactly be- hind the first set, and at four yards distance from it, when it marches to the front to take its place ia column. The third set follows the second, and so on throughout the section, according to the forego- ing directions. Care must be taken to avoid losing distance in this movement. The sets of four must move out 248 SKIRMISH DRILL FOR promptly in turn, and oblique together. The Chief commands "Guide right" when the first set is out. A column of "twos" and "file" may be formed on the same principles and by the same means, ex- cept that the distance in these cases is only eighteen inches from head to croup. In all formations of this drill, the same princi- ples will be observed in regard to increasing the gait as are now established in Cavalry Tactics. When in column of fours, twos, or file, the va- rious methods of forming into line (front, right, or left,) can be executed by the commands and means laid down in Cavalry Tactics for the platoon. Observe : that as there is no rear rank, linos can be formed at once on either flank by wheeling by fours to the right or left. When the right of the column is in front, and the, wheel is made by fours to the right, the sets will be in line by inversion. The men of each set will not be inverted. When the men are not well instructed in the drill, the deployments from close order into opea order, and from open order into skirmishing order, should be made at the walk or trot. Habitually they should be executed at the gallop ; and in ac- tion, with the greatest possible celerity compatible with steadiness. In deploying, the officers and non-commissioned officers will fall to the rear of the line in order to superintend the movement. Every movement not fully described in the fol- lowing pages will be understood to be executed aa is now ordered, in the system already in use. MOUNTED RIFLES. 249 2 8. To form column of twos, open order, from col- umn by file, marching at the walk, right in front, the commands are : 1. Form twos, open order — Trot. 2. Marcbt. At the second command numbers two and four, oblique to the left at the trot, and move to the front when in rear of their places in columns of twos, until in line with their respective ones and threes. The leading set of twos then being at the walk, all the others close up at the trot to their places, with distance of eighteen inches, and inter- Tal from boot to boot of twenty-seven inches. \ 9. To form column of fours, open order, from col- nmn by file, when marchiDg at the walk, right in front, the commands are : 1. Form foursj open order — Trot. 2. March* At the first command number one of each set continues to march at the walk to the front ; twos, threes, and fours of every set oblique to the left at the trot, each moving to the front when in rear of the place he will occupy in his set of four ; when they have gained their places in line with numbers one, the leading set being at the walk, the others take up the trot, which they keep until each has arrived at the distance of four yards from the one preceding it; each in turn then takes up the walk. The Chief commands *^ Guide right" when the first set is formed. 2 10. To form column of fours, epen order, from col- umn of twos, open order, when marching at the walk, with right in front, the commands are: 250 , SKIRMISH DRILL FOR J. Form fours — Trot. 2. March. At the second command threes and fours obliqua to the left at the trot, until opposite their places in the sets of four, when they move to the front, taking up the walk when in line with ones and twos. The Chief commands *' Guide right" when the move- pient is completed. Oaes and -twos preserve the walk and direction during the movement ; and after the other files have moved out, must take care noi to diminish the distance left by them. If the column is trotting when the movement is ordered, it will be executed at the gallop. ^11. To break from column of fours into column o^ tvros, open or close ofder, marching at the walk, with right in front, the commands are : 1. By twos. 2. March. At the second command numbers three and four halt until numbers one and two have cleared them, when they oblique to the right, promptly, in to their places in column of twps. The Chief commands *' Guide right'' as soon as the movement is com- pleted. ^♦§ 12. To break a column of twos, in open or in close order, into column by file, when marching at the walk, , right in front, the commands are : « 1. Bi/ file—TROT. 2. March. At the second command number one of the leading set takes the trot. As soon as he has MOUNTED RIFLES. 251 cleared number two of the first set, number two obliques to the right at the trot, and enters the column behind number one. Number three then moves in his place in column at the trot, followed by number four, who, by obliquing at the trot^ takes his place in rear of number three; and.so on throughout the column, each even-numbered file obliquing at the trot as soon as the odd-numbered file on his right has cleared him. The files must move very promptly and exactly in their proper time, so as not to lose distance in this movement. Being in column of twos, wheels to the left may be executed when the right is in front; or to the right with the left in front, but not the reverse of theie, for then the twos would be inverted in theii: respective fours, and confusion would result on ac- count of the change in position of the horse holder. § 13. To deploy forward as skirmishers, from a line, right in front, halted, or marching at any gait, the com- mands are : 1. On (such) set — Deploy as s7drmishcrs-r- Gallop. 2. March. At the second command all take the gallop except the designated set, which trots out to the front. Those on the right and left of it oblique at tl^e gallop to the right and left, each set taking up the trot when on line with the directing set, and at fifteen yards from the nearest file of the next set on the side of direction. In this movement the chiefs of four will be held 252 SKIRMISH DRILL FOR responsible for the direction and interval and align- ment of the men of their respective sets, and will Bee that the sets are at proper intervals from each other. The Chief will halt the line when it has reached the point where it has to act. " The following movements will enable cavalry, when on a march, to get into action with the least possible delay, in case of an attack when passing a defile or of any other ambuscade. It is understood that always, when dismounted to fight, the horse-holders remain mounted, unless otherwise ordered. In all the manoeuvres of this article the com- mands numbered " 1 '' are cautionary. ARTICLE III. § 14. To dismount to fight when in column of fours, open order, right in front, halted or marching at any gait, to meet an enemy on the left and front, the com- mands are : 1. Dismount to fight. 2. Action front and left. 3. Commence firing. At the first command all halt, spring to the ground, link horses, unsling rifles, and step one yard to the front. At the second command the first set moves forward four yards, and at the third command commences firing. The' other sets move at the double quick obliquely to the left, and take their places on the line with the first set. Each set, as soon as it arrives upon the line, commences firing. MOUNTED lllFLES. . 253 In case it is desired to form the line towards the right of the head of the column, the. commands are: 1. Dismount to jight ; 2. Action front and riglit } 3. Commence firing. ' All' the s\3ts except the first will then gain their placeii in the lii^e by obliquing to the right. The ^ets- will be in line by inversion. The men in each se|i ^ill be in direct order. \ ' v.. V § 15. Being in column of fours, open order, right in front, marching al any gait, or halted, to meet an attack on left of rear, the commands are : 1. Dismount to fight. 2. Action rear and left. 3. Commence firing. At the first command all halt, spring to the ground, link horses, unsling rifles, and step one Jjird to the front. At the second command the men of the rear set face to the right, and, led by their chief, file to the right around the rear set of horses to a line five yards in rear of their croups. At the second command all the other sets face to the left, and move at the double-quick. Each pian as he clears the column moves obliquely to the left and rear^to his place on the line with the rear set. If it be desired to get at once into action, the Chief commands "Commence firing'' as soon as the Ifet first on the line is established. This set then commences the fire; and each of the others takes it up in succession as it arrives upon the line ; and in- all of the following movements the same rule will be observed. 22 254 SKIRMISH DRILL FOR { IG. Being in column of four?, open order, right in front, marching at any gait, or haltiMl, to meet an attack from the right of the column, the commands are: 1. Dismount to fight. 2. Action riyht. At the first command all halt, spring to the ground, link horses, unsling rifles, and step one yard to the front. At the second command all move briskly upon a line five yards outside the right flank of the column, where they take theii* places, in line of battle, faced to the right. The sets will be in order by inversion ; but the men in each set will be in direct order, the chief being on the right. From this position they may be deployed forward as skirmishers, if it be desired. 2 17. When in column of fours, open order, right in front, halted or marching, to meet an attack from the left, the commands are : 1. Dismount to fiyht. 2. Action left. At the first command all halt, spring to the ground, link horses, unsling rifles, and step one yard to the front. At the second command all move briskly to the left, and place themselves on a line five yards outside the left flank of the column, facing to the left of it, and in their proper places in line of battle. From this position they may bo deployed forward as skirmishers, if desired. § 18, Being in column of twos, with right in front, marching at «iny gait, or halted, to meet an enemy on left of front, the commands are : MOUNTED RIFLES. 255 1. By twos, left wheel — MARCH. 2. Dismount to Jight. 3. Action front and left. At the first command, the twos wheel to the left and halt. At the second command all dismount, link horses, unsling rifles, and step one yard to the front. At the third command the leading set moves to a line five yards to the right of the right flank, as now formed, and facing in that direction. The others move obliquely to their right and front, at the double quick, and take their places on line with the first. If it be desired to form the line towards the right of the head of the column, the commands are : 1. By twos, left wheel — March. 2. Dismount to jight. 3. Action front and right. Each of the sets in rear of the leading set will then gain its place in the line by passing through the interval on the right of its set of horses, and moving obliquely to the right and front, to its place in line with the leading set. The sets will be in line by inversion. • ^ 19. Being in column of twos, right in front, march- ing at any gait, or halted, to meet an enemy in rear, the commands are: 1. By twos, left wheel — MarCH. 2. Dismount to fight. 3. Action rear and left. 256 SKIRMISH DRILL FOR At the first command all wheel by twos into line to the left, and halt. At the second command all dismount, link horses, unsling rifles, step one yard to the front, and await the next command. At the third { cm uand the rear set faces to the left, and moves at the double-quick to its place on a line five yards to the left of the left flank, as now formed, and facing in that direction. The other sets face obliquely to the left, and move off' at the double- quick to their places in the line with the rear set. If it be desired to form the line to the right in- stead of the left, the first two commands are the same as in the other case; the third command is, "Action rear and right;" at which the rear set takes its place on tlie line as before, and the others pass through the intervals to the left of their sets of horses, respectively, and take their places in succession on the left of the set first es- tablished. The sets will then be in line by inver- sion. g 20. Being in column of twos, marching at any gait, or halted, with right in front, to dismount to fight, in order to meet an enemy on the right flank, the com- mands are : 1. Bt/ twos, left wheel — March. 2. Dismount to fight — Action right. At the first command the twos wheel into line to the left and halt. At the second command all dis- mount and link. In linkinp:, the men remain faced to the front, and take the link to the left hand, and the bit in the right. After linking they face about, MOUNTED RIFLES. 257 unsling rifles, and take their places in a line five yards outside the croups of the horses. The cau- tionary words "ACTION right" should be uttered imraediately after " dismount to fight" The method of linking is changed in this instance to avoid the inconvenience which might result from the men having to stoop under the links, after link- ing, in order to pass to their position in r^ear of the horses. § 21. Being in column of twos, right in front, march- ing at any gait, or baited, to dismount to fight, to meet an enemy on the left, the commands are: 1. By twos, left wheel — MARCH. 2. Dismount to fight. At the first command wheel by twos into line to the left and halt j at the SQCond command all dis- mount, link horses, unsling rifles, step five yards to the front and stand fast. In case it should be desired in any of the pre- ceding manoeuvres to form the line in an oblique direction, the commands would be the same; but the set first in the line would be placed in the desired direction; and the others would conform to it. The chief will judge from the circumstances which of the manoeuvres to adopt — whether the flank, the front, or the rear. In all the cases of this article the command "Commence firing" will be the signal for the set first on the line to open fire. The other sets, if not on the line when it is given, will commence firing as soon as practicable after they arrive on the line. ^?K 258 SKIRMISH DRILL FOR ARTICLE IV. 1 22. To deploy as skirmishers, when dismounted, the command is ; * 1. On (such) set Deploy — FORWARD. At this command the section springs forward at ^ the double-quick. The sets on the right, ofr. the di-. recting set move obliquely towards the right until opposite their places in line of battle, when they move to the front, aligning by the left. The sets on the left of the directing set move obliquely towards the left until opposite their places in line of battle, when they move to the front, aligning by the right. All move forward until halted by the chief. When in proper position in line of battle, thus deployed, there will be. fifteen yards between sets and three feet between files in each set. The firing will commence at the command of the chief. If it be desired to deploy on the line already occupied, the command will be *' On (^such) set — Deploy." The directing set stands fast ; the sets to the right and left of it face to the right and left, respectively, and move at the double-quick to take their inter- vals ; then face to the front, and align themselves on the directing set. 2 23. To deploy as skirmishers, mounted, from a column of fours, right in front, the commands are: 1. On (such) set — Deploy — Gallop, 2. March. MOUNTED RIFLES. 259 At the second command the directing set trota out to the front ; those in front of it oblique to the right at the gallop ; those in rear to the left at the gallop; and all take trot when they have gained their intervals of fifteen yards, aligning themselves by the directing set. The chief will halt the line when it has arrived where it is to act. , ,.. To assemble the skirmishers into line or column again, the chief will place himself at, or otherwise indicate, the point at which the directing set is to rest, and have the rally sounded. At this signal the sets will close in at the gallop upon the indicated point and take their places in line of battle. When the line is formed, it will be broken into column, in order to advance or retire as may be necessary. § 24. Having been thus deployed into line for skir- mishing, to commence action, the commands are : 1. Dismount to fight. 3. Halt. 2. Forward. 4. Commence firing. At the first command, all, except the horse- holders, dismount, link horses, unsling rifles, step one pace to the front, and await the next order. At the second command, the line moves forward at the double-quick until halted. At the fourth com- mand, the right file of each set delivers his fire, and he is followed in succession by the other two. The chief of four will take care that there is always one gun loaded ^in his set; this will never be neglected, whether in advancing or retreating. The files of each set must depend upon each other 260 SKIRMISH DRILL FOR for support and assistance ; they must never sepa- rate; every kind of cover must be seized and occu- pied by the skirmishers ; each chief of four must be alert to perceive such advantages for his set, taking care, however, that in attempting to secure them he does not separate too far from the other sets of the line to receive or give support when necessary. The horses will be habitually kept at about one hundred yards in rear of their riders, although they should be nearer, when they can find shelter from fire which will admit of it. Fifty yards will be far enough when the enemy does not use fire arms. They will be under charge of a non-commissioned ofiicer; and when it is desired to re-mount rapidly, should be advanced to meet their riders. The re- serve will be kept mounted and where it can best protect the horses of the dismounted men and get into action best. The deployed line will be manoeuvred by the commands, signals, and means provided in the Cavalry Tactics. If it be desired to fight mounted, the chief will command the charge. The men will then draw sabre or pistol and cl^rge. ^ 25. The section being in column of fours, open order, right in front, and at the walk, to take close order, the commands are: 1. Close order — Trot. 2. March. At this command, number one of the leading set marches to the front at the walk. The other MOUNTED RIFLES. 261 • men of his set closing upon him at the trot until each has p;ained his place in the set of four in close order. The set then walks. The other sets close at the trot in the same manner, each walking when it has closed to eighteen inches from that in its front. g 26. The section being in columns of twos, right in front, open order, to take close order, the commands are: 1. Close order, 2. March. At this command, numbers two and four incline to the right, slightly quickening the gait and place themselves boot to boot with numbers one and three. § 27. To form column of fours, in close order, when marching in column of file at the walk, with right in front, the commands are: 1. Form fours. 2. Trot — March. At the second command, number one of the lead- ing set contioues to march to the front at the walk. All the others oblique to the left at the trot ; each man marching to the front when in rear of his place in his set of fours in close order, and aligning by number one of his set. All of the sets (except the leading set) continue the trot until they have closed up to within eighteen inches of each other, and then take the walk. 262 SKIRMISH DRILL FOR ARTICLE V. I 28. To sling rifles, from carry arms, the command is : 1. tSlhig rijlt's. At this command, raise the piece with the right hand a little higher than the hip, inclining the barrel over the rightr shoulder, and in rear of the head; at the same time, with the left hand near the right shoulder, move the sling out from the barrel, thrust the head, right shoulder and right arm through the opening ; let the piece full into its position, steadying it with the right hand, and drop the hands by the side. To unsling rifles, the command is : 1. Unsling rijies. At this command, pass the right hand through the opening between the sling and piece near the right hip, bear the piece towards the front with the right arm, seize it with the right hand as in carry arms, and raise it a little above the right hip ; at the same time, with the left hand, free the sling from the bead, and lower the piece to the position of carry arras. § 29. All of the movements described herein are supposed to be executed when the right is in front. It will be understood that they can all be executed when the left is in front upon the same principles by inverse means. MOUNTED RIFLES. 263 The men should always, after dismounting, leave their reins over the pommel of the saddle. When more than two full companies are serving together, and their front in single rank would be unduly extended, all lines should be. formed of companies in column of platoons at wh'eeling dis- tance. As far as possible, the composition of the different sets will remain unchanged, and every thing should be done which will promote the mutual dependence of the men of each set on each other. They .>-hould act together as much as possible on all kinds of duty, as well in the fatigue duties of the camp or garrison as when on drill or in action. All details should be made, as much as practica- ble, of sets of four, rather than of individuals from different sets ; and the chief of four should be always in command of his set, and invested with the authority of a non-commissioned officer over it. He must see that his men stand by each other in action, and whether in the charge, in pursuit, or in retreat, that they never separate. After the men and horses are familiar with the drill, all of its movements should be executed at the gallop. The men should be made to saddle up with the greatest possible dispatch whenever the " boot and saddle" sounds. Always before using their guns, the men must dismount. In order to avoid fretting their horses, the men should be at least five yards from them before they commence firing. When the men are in action on foot, they should 264 SKIRMISH DRILL FOR be manoeuvred with due reference to the safety of their horses. While the horses should be so far in rear of the men as to be out of the range of the enemy's fire, they should not be so far that their riders cannot reach them before the enemy, if an attempt should be made to capture or stampede them. Generally, in open ground, one hundred yards will be about the maximum distance. They should be nearer, if they can be safe from fire. One of the non-commissioned officers of each sec- tion should be left in charge of its horses when the men dismount to fight, and he will be held responsi- ble for their security and proper management. The other will dismount with his section,^ linking his horse to that of the nearest number one. In this drill, inversions of platoons^ of sections, and of sets of four'shoufd be freq'iiently practiced, but the individual ineri' of the sets should never, either when mounted ot on foot, be inverted in their sets. .^ ^ - v- When the companyls about to be formed, two or three' men will be detailed to accompany th6 chief during the drill or skirmish. Whenever the men are dismounted, at the com- mand *' mount," they will run to their horses with- out unnecessary noise, unlink and mount. When the' '* rally'' is" sounded, the skirmishers will close upon the indicated point at the gallojf, and by' the quickest means. *•' -^ • When charging in line wfth- pistols or sabresj the officers must ride in the rank j the captain 6n the right bf the ^fil:sV"pktdf(iri,Hh^ firSt li^utebant MOUNTED RIFLES. 265 on the left of it, the second lieutenant on the right of the second platoon, and the brevet second lieu- tenant on its left. In case of the absence of any one of them, his place must not be supplied by the next in rank, except on the flank of the company. All the commands should be habitually given with the trumpet; and, on drill, the trumpeters should always accompany the chief. It is very important that, in this drill, the men should learn perfectly what the signals mean. 23 A GLOSSARY OP TERMS USED IN CAVALRY TACTICS. About. — About-face is a change of front on the heels as pivots over an arc of 180°, that is to say over a senii- , circle ; about-wheel is a circular movement of the line on one flank as pivot, so that the uevr front is the former rear. Alignment. — The act of straightening or forming troops or individuals on right lines, marked by fixed points or guides. It also signifies the line itself. Assembly. — A trumpet call. The collecting and uniting together in order the units or parts of military corps. Akmy. — An armed body of men. It is usually applied to large collections of troops comprising several arms of service. Artillery. — All the offensive weapons of war; techni- cally, cannon and such weapons as are too heavy for the use of single men. As a distinct arm of service, it embraces only those corps whose appropriate arms are of the last named description. Light artillery ♦ drawn by horses should be organized in squadrons. Breech. — The extremity of a gun nearest the vent or cone. Breech-loader. — All fire-arms not loaded by the muzzle. These, including revolvers and repeating arms, are the only suitable guns for horsemen. 268 GLOSSARY. Brigade. — The command of a Brigadier-General ; com- posed of 2 or more regiments ; 2 or more brigades form a division. Cavalrt, — Soldiers vrho serve chiefly on horseback ; for- merly they were confined to the mounted service ; and those who were armed with muskets, serving often on foot, were called dragoons. In our service the difference is merely nominal. Carbine. — A short musket much used by cavalry. The only varieties of carbine now approved by expe- rienced commanders are such as load at the breech, and revolvers. Charge. — A rapid movement either at the gallop or trot- out, by which actual contact with the enemy is ob- tained. Column. — Parallel lines of troops, generally at equal dis- tances. In signification, it is opposite to line^' also in cavalry, it means single men and horses arranged one behind another, or a similar arrangement of twos, fours, sections, platoons, &c. Column of route. — Is usually a column of files, twos or fours, but should be formed of platoons, when obsta- cles do not prevent. Column with distance. — Column of platoons with wheel- ing distance, that is, distance between them equal to the front of a platoon. Close Column. — Column of squadrons with 12 yards dis- tance. Countermarch is usually understood as a moveinent which changes the direction to one opposite : its tactical meaning is, a flank movement by files which changes the front to the former rear. Commands are of three kinds: 1st. That of caution* which is ** attentioji," the last syllable being strongly emphasized ; 2d. The preparatory command, which indicates the desired movement; 3d. That of execu- tion, such as ^^Marchf" or *'JIalt,^* on receiving GLOSSARY. 269 ■which the execation of the commands follows in- stantly. In the manual at arms and in the foot drill the commands especially of execution should be dis- tinct, but very short ; but all others should be pro- longed considerably. The commands are numbered 1, 2, 3, &c., which numbers are not expressed in giv- ing the commands. Company. — A company of soldiers usually varying from 50 to 100. This is the regimental unit for infantry, but not for cavalry; the latter should therefore be required by law to organize in squadrons. Croup. — The buttocks of a horse. Cuirassier. — A horseman wearing defensive armour. Distance is measured perpendicular to the proper front, or from front to rear ; thus the distance between the front and rear ranks in close order is 2 feet ; that be- tween squadrons in close order is 12 yards. Depth is the extent fjom the head to the rear of a column. Deployment. — The movement from close column into line. Defile. — A narrow pass between obstacles compelling a reduction of the front of column or line. Division, in the squadron, is composed of 2 platoons ; a half-squadron : iu an army a division is two or more brigades. Direct-march is a forward movement perpendicular to the alignment. Diagonal-march is one which commences with a wheel of an eighth of a circle, to gain a certain point to the right or left. Evolutions of a regiment are the movements by which a regiment passes from one formation to another; evolutions of the line are the corresponding move- ments of two or more regiments. Execution. — The carrying into effect any order. This must be done with promptness on the reception of a command. 270 GLOSSARY. File. — The import of this term depends on the number of ranks; in infantry forraatiotis in 3 ranks a file ■would be 3 men; in cavalry formations in 2 ranks a file consists of 2 men, mounted or dismounted; when there is but one rank a file is only 1 man; in gen- eral a file is 1 man for every i-ank in the formation ; a T^/eo/ men in common parlance is 2 private soldiers. In file, the men stand one behind the other. File-leader is the front man of the file. FiLE-CLosERS are the non-commissioned officers, posted 1 yard behind the rear rank ; but sometimes com- missioned ofl&cers thus posted act as file-closers. Front is the direction perpendicular and before the line or column ; the reverse of rear. Flank. — The right or left side of a column or line. FLANK-MARgii. — A movement to the right or left, com- mencing by a wheel over a quarter circle. Formation, — The mode or order of arranging troops; also the act of placing the fractions of corps in line or column. Forage. — Food for animals; as a verb, to range over the country in quest of provisions for man and beast. Foragers, — Soldiers detailed to impress or otherwise collect food, or anything else for public service. Forager's charge. — A charge in open and extended order, each trooper acting separately and according to circumstances. Field-officers. — Those above the rank of captain and not being of the staff; but field officers by rank often serve on the staff. Guide. — The trooper, either sergeant, corporal or private, by whose march that of the others on his right or left is regulated. Guide of the column is the man on one of the flanks of the front rank of a column, who is charged with the direction of the march. GLOSSARY. 271 Guide of the march in line. — The sergeant, file-closer of one of the wings, who in the march in line, re- places the particular guide, when the latter places himself in the line of officers, to ensure the directiou of the march by serving as an intermediate point. General Guides are the two sergeants who, in the form- ation of a regiment, mark the point where the right and left flanks are to rest; they are selected in the first and last squadrons, and are under the orders of the Adjutant and Sergeant-Major, for the tracing of lines. Guides Principal. — The principal guides are the ser- geants who serve to mark the intermediate points of fbrmation in line. The sergeants file-closers of the 1st and 4th platoons are the principal guides of their squadrons. Guides particular are the sergeants who place them- selves on the line of formation to mark the front of their squadrons as they arrive. The two sergeants of the flanks, who are not counted in the rank, are the particular guides of their squadrons. In marcli- ing, the position of the guide who regulates the movement of the line or column is indicated by the commands guide left or guide right; as a general rule the guide is left when the column is right \n front, and vice- versa, unless especially ordered otherwise; in the oblique march the guide is on the side toward ■which the oblique is made, and when the primitive direction is resumed, the guide is where he was be- fore obliquing. In columns composed of cavalry ah d infantry, the cavalry guides cover the 2d file of the subdivisions of infantry, on the side of the guides. , In line, officers in front of squadrons align themselves on the rear rank of infantry. Gallop. — The speed at the slowest gallop is 300 yards per minute. Guidon. — A small pennon or flag carried on the le/l of the Ist and 3d platoons. 272 GLOSSARY. Gatheb H0B8E. — This is the sign by "which the trooper prepares his horse for any movement. It is made by raising the bridle hand and drawing it slightly towards the body, at the same time closing the legs a little, behind the girths. Haunches. — Tlife hinder portions of the horse in advance of the buttocks and after the last ribs. Interval. — The lateral space between squadrons, or troops, or fractions of troops. Inverse, — Opposite to what is customary and natural. Inverse order. — An arrangement reversing the ordi- nary and natural relative positions ; when the subdi- visions of a corps are in inverse order, their right is where their left would naturally be. Inversion. — The change from the natural to the inverse order. Infantry. — Foot soldiers; but infantry is sometimes mounted temporarily for rapid movements. Light Horse. — Cavalry lightly armed and equipped; now synonymous with light cavalry or light dragoons. Line, or Line of Battle. — That order or disposition of troops, in which all the companies, squadrons, &c., stand in the same row or line, in 1, 2 or 3 ranks; the line being either curved or straight. Lance. — A weapon with a wooden shaft and metalic head and point; much used among the semi-civilized races ; also used, to some extent, by European cav- alry, but little used by ours. The length varies from 8 to 11 feet, 10^ 1[)eing the most approved length from butt to point. Manceuvbes. — Tactical changes of position by troops. Movement is nearly allied to vianceiivre ; equally so to march, each term implying change of position; but a manoeuvre is generally considered to embrace sev- eral movements or marches. March. — The word of execution at which the required movement is instantly commenced ; also the simul- GLOSSARY. • 273 taneous or successive movement of troops from one point to another. A dijy''s march, without unusual impediments, is from 15 to 17 miles; longer -day's- journeys are called forced marches ; these are used only when required by circumstances; light troops often march on urgent occasions from 20 to 40 miles in one day, and small bodies of cavalry have, in re- treat or pursuit, accomplished 90 miles in less than 24 hours. Such marches are, of course, destructive to man and beast and must not be allowed, except when vitally essential to the success of important enterprises. Oblique. — A direction between front and flank. Oblique march. — A march gaining ground to the flank without changing front. In the individual oblique march, each man executes an oblique movement; making a quarter*turn to the right or left as ordered. Oblique march by troop is executed by the movement, at the same time, of each of the sub-divisions of a troop in line. In general the different changes of front of squadron require oblique movement by the half- wheeling of sub-divisions. Obstacle. — "Whatever obstructs the march, requiring a temporary reduction of the extent of front. Organization. — Arrangement and distribution of the di- visions, sub-divisions, and corps of every sort, under suitable chiefs, into eff"ective bodies. Pace. — In cavalry, one yard ; the pace or step, when not mounted, is 28 inches. Picket. — A short stake to which the trooper attaches the rein or rope which is to confine his horse in the camp or bivouac. It should be at least 18 inches long, , and of tough, elastic material. The animal is best confined by a strap around the pastern. Pivot. — The man or flank which in a wheel turns without gaining or losing ground, and in a turn 274 GLOSSARY. mnrcbes over a sb^rt curved path or arc of circle ; in 2 ranks the front rank man is pivot. In wheeling, the pivot is said to be fixed, because it turns on its own centre 'without advancing or receding. In turning, the pivot is said to be moveable, because it marches on an arc of circle. The TURN is sometimes called a wheel on a moveable pivot. Where there are more than one single file, the arc is increased in proportion to the number of files abreast. Single files turn on an arc 3 yards long. But the pivot man of any number in line, from 2 to 15 inclusive, turn on an arc of 5 yards. The curved path or arc, moved over by a pivot — Of twos, fours, sections of 8 files, and platoons of 12, is 5 yards. Of Divisions of 24 files, is 10 yards. Of Squadrons of 48 files, is 20 yards. Of Platoons of 16 files, is G yards. Of Divisions of 32 files, is 12 yards. Of Squadrons of 64 files, is 24 yards. The abf)ve is the length of the pivot-arcs in the wheel, or rather turn over a quarter of a circle ; the arc will be shortened or lengthened as the turn is less or more than 90 degrees. Pivot FLANK is that flank around which is executed the wheel into line in natural order. Platoon. — The fourth of a squadron, or the half of a division; it is composed of 12 files in the squadron of 48; of 16 files in the squadron of 64: when it has 16 files, it is sub-divided into sections of 8 files. Ployment. — The movement from regiments in line, to close column ; it is the reverse of deployment, the latter being the movement from column into line. Points. — Points of direction, or fixed points, serve to point out the direction in which a troop in line or column is to march ; also to mark the right and left of lines. GLOSSARY. 275 Intermediate points are those taken between the fixed points, to preserve the exactness of direction and Btraightness of the lines. QuARTE (pronounced Carte, f- — The position of the right hand, holding the sabre with the fingers to the left, nails upward ; opposite to tierce. Rank. — Relative grade or degree among military men; a rank of soldiers is a row of them siiJe by side, or abreast. Cavalry is organized in 1 or in 2 ranks ; the single or 1 rafik system is believed by experi- enced officers to suit our service best. Rank and File. — The order of the common soldier ; in common phrase, it is applied to all who are not commissioned officers. In this book it is limited to its strict signification, viz : those who compose the ranks and the files, therefore excluding all who are not counted into fours. Regiment. — The command of a< colonel ; 3 to 5 squadrons are understood as forming a regiment; these latter numbers are the most approved for cavalry manoeu- vres and 3 are preferable to 6. Reverse flank. — The flank opposite to the pivot and usually opposite to the guide. Rifle. — The short breech loading^ rifle is the best arm for our mounted service ; in battle the troopers should be dismounted when circumstances permit, using the rifle on foot jind mounting again when necessary to pursue or retreat. Sabre. — The cavalrj' sabre should be very slightly curved, as light as consistent with strength, and the point more relied on than the edge. Schabraque ( pronounced Shab-rack, ) is the saddle cover ; it should be water-proof. Squad is usually from 4 to 12 men united in 1 rank for drill. Squadron. — 48 or 64 files of mounted soldiers, divided into 4 platoons, 2 platoons making 1 division. 276 GLOSSARY. Skirmishers. — Light troops thrown forward in advance of the main body to observe the movements of the enemy, check his advance, and prevent surprise. Strategy. — The movements and operations of armed bodies when not within reach of projectiles. Staff. — OflBcers and non-commissioned officers not im- mediately connected with the line ; those of the quartermaster's department ; inspectors, paymas- ters, adjutants, &c., are of this class ; there is a medical staflF also, a general staflF, brigade staflF, and a regimental staff. Tactics. — The movements of armed bodies when in reach of projectiles or weapons. Tampion. — A cylindrical piece of wood or other mate- rial to close up the muzzle of a gun. Tierce. — Opposite to quarte, the position of the sword- band when the finger-nails are downward or to the right. Tboop. — Any number of armed horsemen ; it is usually applied to a company or division of 2 platoons. Trooper. — An armed horseman. Trot. — The cavalry movement, intermediate between the walk and the gallop ; the common trot is about 240 yards per minute, the trot out is from 275 to 300 yards per minute. Turn. — A sort of whe?l in which the pivot is moveable, or gains ground. Unit. — A sub-division or part of armed bodies, most re- garded in the organization of those bodies ; thus, the squadron is the proper unit of a regiment. Vault. — To mount without stirrups, by leaping or springing from the ground. "Wheel. — A movement to the right or left in which one flank turns in its own place ; see pivot and turn. The definitions of wheel and turn are peculiar to mounted troops. The IKtter touch boot exclusively to the pivot, dress by both flanks, but especially by the wheeling or marching flank. INDEX. PART I.— DRILL OF THE TROOPER. PAGE. First lessons, . . . . .11 To conduct the horses to the ground, 12 Position before mounting, 12 Prepare to mount, 13 To mount, 14 Bridle hand, 14 Length of stirrup, 16 Position of foot in stirrup, 15 Form ranks, 16 Position mounted. 16 Use of reins, 18 Use of legs. , 19 Effect of reina, 19 To march. 20 To halt, 21 To turn, 21 To turn about, 22 Quarter turn; oblique, 23 Rein back. 24 Dismount, 25 File off, 26 Forward, trot. 27 Trot out, . .28 Slow trot, gallop. 29 Right or left pass. 30 Movements of bridle hand. 31 Halt; turn; turn-about, . 32 . 24 278 INDEX. Quarter turn ; rein back ; the spur, Preparation for sabre exercise, Draw sabre, Present; carry; return sabre, Inspection of eabre. Raise sabre, Open and close files. Cut, thrusts, moulinet. Tierce, quarte, guard, Moulinet, . Tierce point; quarte point Left point; right point, Rear point; against infantry, right and left point Front cut; right cut; left cut, Rear cut; right, left and rear in quarte and tierce Parry, . Against infantry — parry, Manual for Colt's revolver, To loa 1 the repeating rifle. To load with powder and ball, Manual of breech-loader, Self-priming breech-loader. Inspection of revolver pistol, Inspection of breech-loader. PAOI. 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 51-55 57 67 68 69 60 61 PART II.— PLATOON DRILL. Platoons in 2 ranks ; posts, Squadron in line ; posts. Column of twos and fours. Column of platoons. Column of Divisions, Form platoon, (company or squadron,) Rif;ht dress ; count by fours, Alignment, By file, right backwards dress, By twos, right or left dress, To correct the alignment, 62-64 64-65 66-67 67-68 69 69 70 71 72 73 74 INDEX. 279 To open and close ranks, To rein back, To brtnk by files, To march in column by files, To change direction, Halt; forward trot; oblique, Platoon, front into line. Left into line, On right into line. Oft left into line, By twos (or fours,) Direct inarch by twos (or fours,) Head of column left (or right,) Left turn, Left (or right) oblique, Cohunn of twos or fours, front into line. Column of twos or fours, left into line. Column of twos or fours, on right into line, Left into single rank. Right into 2 ranks, . ^ To form twos or fours at same gate, To break by twos or file, same gait. By file, march, Form twos — trot, Form fours — trot, To break by twos and cy file, doubling gait, March in line. Open files. Close files. Open and close files Countermarch, Front, halt, "Wheelings, Fixed pivot, In circle wheel. marching. PAQB. 75-76 7C-77 77 78 78 79 80 81 82 82 83 84 84 85 88 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 280 INDEX. Platoon right (or left) wheel, *' " about wheel, ** ♦* half wheel, Moveable pivot, . . . . ■ Left (or right) turn, Individual oblique, Platoon marching in line, to break by fours or twos, ' . Platoon marching, by twos or fours, form platoon By fours (or twos) — trot. Form platoon — trot, . . Form platoon — gallop, ... By fours, left (or right) wheel. By fours, left (or right) about wheel, ♦Halt, right dress, front, Forward, guide right (or left,) To march the column of fours to the rear, To gain ground, right or left. Movements by fours. To charge by platoon, The charge. Rallying, Skirmishing, Prepare to fight on foot, Dragoons on foot, Bling and unsling carbine. Leaping the ditch and bar. PAOB. Ill 112 112 113 114 116 116 117 118 119 120 120 121 122 122 123 123 124 125 126 127 128 129-134 135 136 137 138 139 PART III.— THE SQUADRON. The squadron, . , Positions in line. Positions in column, twos or fours. Directions, . . Count by fours. 140 141 142 143 144 INDEX. 281 Successive alignment, To open and close ranks, To break the squadron by fours, . Column of fours, front into line, . " " left " << " on right into line, Rapidity of gaits, To form in one rank and two ranks, Column with distance. Changes of direction, (( «< . . , Left or right oblique, Change of gait, In column of platoons, to break by fours. By twos ; by fours ; by file. Column by file, form twos, , . Column by twos, form fours, Column by fours, form platoons, . By fours — trot. Form twos — trot. Form fours — trot; form platoons — trot, Platoons left-about wheel. To halt the column, Left into line wheel, Column with distance, left in front. Break by the right to march to the left, 'Form line to the right by inversion. Break by the right to the rear to march to the left. On right into line. By inversion on left into line. To break by platoons, Front into line, Break by platoons and move forward, Line to the front by inversion, Platoons right wheel, head of column left, Line faced to rear on rear of column. Right about wheel, by inversion front into line. Platoons right wheel, head of column right, INDEX. Line faced to the rear, on head of column, Line faced to rear, by inversion on head of column Movements by fours, Direct march in line, Flank files forward ; halt, Squadron forward; march, Squadron, halt, Countermarch, "Wheelings, Fixed pivot; wheeling in circle. Right or left; right about, or left about, wheel. Moveable pivot, turning, . Right oblique. Platoons right half (and left half) wheel, By fours right wheel. By fours left wheel, By fours right about wheel, Platoons left wheel, Platoons right about, Break by platoons, marching. Form squadron, Break by platoons, doubling the gait, Form squadron — trot, Passing obstacles, In each platoon by fours or twos — trot. Form platoons, Charge — rallying — skirmishing. Charge, . . . To the charge, march. As foragers, . . Rallying, . Skirmishing, "Whole squadron as skirmishers. Three first platoons as skirmishers. One division as skirmishers, 1st or 4th platoon prepare to fight on foot, INDEX. 283 PAGE. 1st or 2d division prepare to fight on foot, 219 Column by divisions, .... 220 Form divisions, ..... 221 Column by divisions, by platoons march, 222 Form divisions — trot, 223 By platoons — trot, . . . « 22ft Divisions, break by right to march to left, 225 Squadron of 64 files, . . . 226-227 PART IV. SINGLE RANKS. Single rank formations. . 228 Positions, 229 In one rank form squadron. . 230 Count by fours; prepare to mount, . 231 By files to the right, . 231 Side of the guides. . * 232 Front, halt, ...» . 233 DRILL OF MOUNTED RIFLES, 235 Aeticle I. SECTION. 1 2 3 4 Composition of company and posts, etc., To mount, ... . . To dismount and to link, . Form and course of inspection, Article II. Skirmish drill; preliminary remarks, . . 5 To take open order and return to close order, (in line,) ..... 6 Open order in line — to break into fours, twos, and files, ...... 7 In column of file to form twos, open order, . 8 In column of file to form fours, open order, . 9 284 INDEX. SECTION. In column of twos, open order, to form fours, open order, . . . . .10 In column of fours to form twos, open or close order, . . . . .11 In column of twos to form files, open or close order, 12 To deploy as skirmishers from line, . . 18 Article III. In open order column of fours ; action front and left, . . . . . .14 In open order column of fours ; action rear and left, 15 In open order column of fours ; action right, . 16 In open order column of fours; action left, . 17 In open order column of twos ; action front and left, 18 In open order column of twos ; action rear and left, 10 In open order column of twos; action right, . 20 In open order column of twos ; action left, . 21 Article IV. To deploy as skirmishers when dismounted, . 22 To deploy as skirmishers from column of fours, 23 After deploying as skirmishers to commenpe action, 24 Column of fours open order to return to close order, 25 Column of twos open order to return to close order, 26 Column of file to form fours in close order, . 27 Article V. Changes of the Manual. To sling and unsllng rifles, . . ,28 Concluding remarks, . . . .29 /r-ofZe-f-y 3M. ^^ ^«'<=^- BUaZiE SZaNAZ.S. No. 1. The General. Vivace "FF^FF^?=FF 3 [zrm — ^^r-| — r "n'-*""i!^^ ^'■'"Laz"! — ail — m — t ;f^ff 3 ^ iwi 1^-^531334: B No. 2. Boots and Saddles. ro No. 3. To Horse. I'resato r\ '00 o 00 ^^ ^ tr~i — Z'^T^'^r^ — T trC** — ^~r^ ♦7" ^^ ^^LJ ^^ " No. 4. Assembly. Allegro Aloclemto 'n: h; -*-w- FFF^-FF EF 3^ pgjEi^g_^-Fj No. 5. To Arms. Allegro rrrrrrr-r-t:^r~--r— rrr— :i~r ^ ^ pg|^^gg:^fL No. 6. To the Standard. ■'^ — -U} — *"i \"^ — rrn^~i'r-r;»-r~»"f» — ^nn :c ^i: 2.10. EEi eIsPS :€:n: :*'^*-* — ^^r ■Fh --pE 3zio. :ii: -6~^-d2F=]: q~::::LDnjqq:r-iz]=~zz: ;FjvF EPEa^ :i:rza 0'0 13 1 — r~r"f — r *^*t^ *ll "• "i~S t:j"_:r"^ — — r~r~r~ rrH^i^rTr -1 — I' I I p^i3:E'-^-^ — I" -m- i__] _j I. fZ qziTi :£ vj^Zir -F r^ — I r :q^ No. 7. March. Allegro —3- -3-- > g. .3. _ T~r~r~ i — r h^f ~" i tirjHHzrir^SSI?^' - 3 *-r-( — rrr-r*r*~r ""^ — zr_x~ No. S. The Charge. Allegro No, 9. Rally -3- 3- :«zc:ic ■ca-, iiiMini—i *- JMJitMM ) i M m| p All« No. 10. Reveille. n — IS" r *Tr*i — *~nsr I » i # rrs^ -_ #_ _# *tl:*:[zi*z*~ Ad. libitum. ^3- -7. ns?^^^^ 1^-— =:2-T:--zz--t2=i Alloffro -l^V-TZ- IN'Inre in. ;£E ^^ iijzd:^ Trr\ f "r~rrf n — rr C*^ « — ^"T j-nl ^^»~rr""r~i — f~- r — i — ^■^"r — n"~in^ «^«~i — I — LI — I I — I — ^ tpi~] — \\~v: i:£ Allegro ii^E^§L^£^^^ i£— flizrrritri^ZD fzJrE^EEEz:^. ^T *^ i * rr Id-! '^^^eS^^^ "I — rrr *~r * r EEE— EEE: CZH. ^zrrrrfnfzbc — I . I "ns: J~ tz "mTz:i!zz:[:~zziiziis[ — * — — * ^-^ No. 11. Stable Call. Allegro -"TT ^^ — iH"H- ,^ «^P *"**** ^000 I ■ ■ — J__ T). C. -!« 'I r -^-^a Allejs^ro ^ez=. No. 12. Waterino; Call. * — I — »~"l — * rzuz'i * *~x ^z r~ AlloKl'O No. 13. Breakfast. • # 3 # — I — I — r\ — I — ^" hi — rrrzzi — i — ti p""t zZj^ - 1 i — ^ — [ .— a. ^_Jjzr ± - = j^^ -- ^ No. 14. Assembly of Guard. — P^ p -a- ^ ^^ I 'Ji I: [^r~r i — v\ rr\~^!r_ r~r~:r:l ♦"♦TI * rf*~(* r^i~r b: rrcr_zi~-: r:rnr-.r ~r: rv\_s^. _ riz: t_ |lE=i£L^ No. 15. Orders. 3 #_#*# (• . rr rzrr # ### « 3 rri — I — rrci" •'"r^irzcrriri, rmiri;^ No. 16. Assembly of Buglers. 3 ILiy — m — Li — I'rr- 1 — trizirrrz-rzuM 6^ o. — 'aTi — r I — ^'^ ^ Ui rrri_ nr r ^S^ 3 »iP9 49 **'(H*'. No. 17. Retreat. Allegro modernto i ^---FF^FF^l: T* fel:f^f As a Signal, plaj' to llie mark =*. 2do. _-- |^gg:EdMfe^S I ^-v 3zio. •-»> « "♦ I ♦ r I mi'r ♦ ri r I I — r~ VJ- ■ r-^_r_^^ri:l i — ^-^-\- \ — i — i — h— li — -^ r 10 Al* ffiig^:^g^ig -R^ •^it±i — i — I — I — fi — ^ I'! — ! r ' I! — ! — r I rr7i~i~i ^ri h rrt r^pi iz:r "^&r "P ^^feriliiJl? f* ri ♦ r*r^ I No. IS. Fatigue Call. — --♦— ni — rri — i lo: n r-r i — ''•n — i Allegro I — rrr: '^ ■rj^ 3 000_ T—rn — p- -i — rri — [~ 1 PTI — 1 — wo»*'*W" 'I — rn"^r~ ^1 — rri — r- ^ |- I r- ^ p -^ 11 No. 19. Dinner Call. Allep;ro :-, — *- * •- IS'! ;^ --«, vn^-i:- ~-~==^- :js:i:~ iiif5rF^:-tziS:=irE=tEt i *- — * ^^ No. 20. Distributions. Allegro ICIX- :S:=i^ e K^<^. "f^Bil3ff£S 'Sim — *- -'^^'f^^ia*!^ No. 21. Drill Call. SSlssfi 12 No. 22. Officers' Call. Allegro. ;/:tt ^''-i"! I — I — «"i — r~n — m-i — \ — I — ^h f^J^Fz F2.rF F F^7^^ ft No. 23. Common Step. Tempo cii IMarcia, Imo. . Q :rs^ 'p— r-ri: :::!- i/A 2flo. 3zio. ■q" ;?^ '^?-f?fFFFrrh "rrrrj Li — ^n — I I r 0'^ ■F^ .E" I r i=^E^;gg^:|^5|5 13 ^-f — fTr i:~*^'i: r-hPff*f: ^-=w :g: ^'- _nrEE^^ ziii: ^ 1^ t^ '^^: -'^rjjjjdi^.bz'^i _l::ziiizzizr;pnrzrT:frr3zt -ri — I — r ~r+ *F^ £if^:i+^' ±1 — I — LI — -J— r: o*_, i£ *^*"*"*" 'I M I I r ;Efi^QE^Q; ■a:«a:M_i ii u t -r- n^rr-r-r rrf~r -St :<: ^' , « :\~S^r WSf^3^=l qrtoj-itfJS= '•^•»i0 ■f:t :r'*w" 14 F^f^F^F I — f " ^ — ri — rj — I -r No. 24. Cease Firing. /TV ;y>E: 1 No. 25. Officers take place. 3 3 0^0 -3- — No, 26. Sick Call. ;:sE^fe ^:4~K"' I rn ^' F" — , 3^ * — I 3^«-r Elfcl --?-»*- t3?±crc±| 15 No. 27, Tattoo. ^- FT 2do. .^ j jTv 3zio. iWj ^-# — ^-# — , ?zrr|_:ri:f i: 1-* r ^n izi r I * r p«i — p ^-— — 1 ■ -w- ,3:5,ifE^E^S;i -nz:ri-fi:qzl n — I u I I ^E^= _^ 16 FOll THE SERVICE OF SKIRMISHERS. No. 1, Forward. ijr —^ m''M m i — m' -0 f I [— I I r ^S « rr No. 2. Halt. o -C__L ^ -6iv- No. 3. To the Left. -4--R 1 No. 4. To the Right. Alley-ro 4 1 I I 1^^ No. 5. About. c\ r I I I * f^ ♦ ♦ "!g- ~nrn~r-i"~r~p: r: ^eeIeI rr^ Pres ^^, No, 6. Rally on Chief. &Ji -^ 3 ;S3: ^1 17 ^-3- 1 1^ m -00 — * 0-0-0 No. 7. Trot. Moderato :G' n7 jTrTr f rf fT i7 ft I v ^\ Allegrro No. 8. Gallop, Allejcro No. 9. Commence Firing. IS iii*3Lim*: 5*~$ 3E5S :^tS=:E7tzzLtJtryd No. 10. Disperse. Presto 3 pi ^s «; n?- Ie^^^^W: S L_ ■aiaMiaiaitrza: ' : ^m— -[—"" ri \ ^ ■ 3 S 18 Quick March. Allegretto Imo. =:£.[=-ti[iisi _3zio. 5s; iifis *»i I — ^^ r~i — ST :z:]_^_z|_nsr _ijv X ^zE^El I 1 "n — ^si~iz.~m[ 1 — * — £' I — I — w- -m- — ~^ — "J — I iz:n_ #_ EEzEl :nzn"^"n: — 1^ 19 fe" -IL _^g f^. ^-3" :sc=i— ^-'- :p^S I i=Jiq=g:q^ -j — — — r ^- r*~"*~i*~ "*x — i^^' — 0^ «. I \ r "I I r .jn... i£g i= "H" ~1 ^' _i I — t. _- ,-f-* — -P-. 6 "^"=f- r I ^ I — _ u — ,' fXJOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCXXXXXXXXXXXXiOOOOOCXDOO G 9 G & g JOSEPH FUNK AND SONS, g g SINGERS' GZiEN, g e ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 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