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In the early 19th century, a militia officer and publisher in New York State, named Paraclete Potter, sought to fill a void.  Like many others, He felt the infantry tactics of the time were arcane, large, and generallt too confusing for volunteer use.

He set himself the rask of making an abridgement, which is the present work, published in 1819.  The work was well received in its time, but was soon superceded by General Winfield Scott's own version, the Abstract of Infantry Tactics.   For student of early 19th century drill, a comparison is well worth the time invested.

PLATE I

Potter's Plate I

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THE


INFANTRY EXERCISE

OF THE

UNlTED STATES ARMY,
ABRIDGED


FOR THE USE

OF THE

MILITIA

OF THE

UNITED STATES

THIRD EDITION,

CORRECTED AND IMPROVED.



Poughkeepsie:

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY P. POTTER,
FOR HIMSELF, AND FOR S. POTTER & CO.
NO. 55, CHESNUT-STREET,
PHILADELPHIA.
. . . . .

1819.







        SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, ss.
BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the seventeenth day of April, in the in the forty-first yeat of the Independence of the United States of America, Paraclette Potter, of the said district has deposited in this office the title of a book the right whereof he claims as proprietor in the wordsfollowing, to wit:

    “The Infantry Exercise of the United States Army, abridged for the use of the Militia of the United States.”

        In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled “An Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and books to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned, abd extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving and etching historical and other prints.”

THERON RUDD
Clerk of the Southern District of New-York.









TO


Maj. Gen. WINFIELD SCOTT,

THIS ABRIDGMENT

OF THE

INFANTRY EXERCISE

OF THE

ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES

IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED,


As a slight testimony of the high re­gard
entertained for his character,

AS A CITIZEN AND SOLDIER, BY

THE AUTHOR.












TO THE PUBLIC.



        The Work, published by order of the War De­partment, entitled "Rules and Regulations for the Field Exercise and Manmuvres of Infantry, compiled and adapted to the organization of the Army of the United Slates, agreeably to a resolve of Congress," by a board of officers, composed of Maj. Gen. Scott and others, having been adopted as the standard of discipline in the army of the United States, several of the State legislatures, in order that their militia discipline might correspond with that of the regular army, have by law adopted the system prescribed in this work, and directed its obser­vance by their militia. Militia officers in gener­al, however, having but little leisure for reading, most of them have complained seriously of the in­conveniences of this regulation. They complain that the above mentioned work, usually called Gen. Scott's Infantry Exercise, is unnecessarily large for their use, and quite too expensive.

        To obviate these objections to Gen. Scott's work, a gentl~man of competent talents was euga­ged to make an abridgment of it. In executing this task, it has been the Compiler's design, to re­duce Gen. Scott's work to a simple Manual, for the instruction of Militia men in their ordinary duty. Pursuant to this design, the "Evolutions of the Line," have of course been omitted; and most other parts of the work have also been very much abridged,

        This abridgment has been submitted to the ex­amination of several intelligent and practical mil­itary gentlemen, whose opinion of its merits the reader will find in the following Recommendations---


RECOMMENDATIONS.

From his Ex. the Vice- President of the U. States.

                                Castleton, Staten Island, (N.Y). June 30, 1817.
        Sir---I have read the abridgment of the Infantry Execise of the Army of the United States, which you have published. A manual compiled from the system of discipline adopted by Congress is much wanted; and yours, being concise, intelligible and cheap, and accurately and judiciously executed, will be convenient, instructive and useful to Militia officers. I sincerely hope the work wi11 receive a patronage equal to its merits; and am respectfully, Sir, yours &c, DANIEL D, TOMPKINS.
    Mr. Paraclete Potter.


Maj. Gen- Tallmadge has given us the following recommendation

                                                                                                Poughkeepsie, June 21, 1817.
        Dr. Sir,--I have examined “ the Infantry Exercise of the U. States Army, abridged for the use of the Militia of the United States," and published by you. The plan appears to be well chosen, and judiciously executed, and I think this work will form a valuable and convenient compendium for militia officers. The late law of this state, adopting the rules and discipline of the Army of the U. States, had rendered necessary some work of the kind which you now give to the public.
    Yours, &c, JAMES TALLMADGE, Jun.
Mr. P. Potter

        Col. Brush has furnished us with his opinion as follows:

Mr. P. Potter,
        Sir---" The Infantry Exerecise of the United Stales Army, abridged for the use of the Militia of the United States," published by you, I have examined; and am of the opinion, that the compiler has made the abridgment with judgment and ability-The late Militia law of this state seemed to require such a work, and none could better answer the purpose.
JOHN BRUSH.
    June 24, 1817.


   Lt. Col Street expresses his approbation in the following terms:         Sir,-Having perused with some care, "The Infan­try Exercise of the United States army , abridged for the use of the Militia of the United States," published by you, and compared it with the original; I do not hes­itate to offer it as my opinion, that the plan pursued by the compiler, has been judiciously chosen; that the different parts of the work are well arranged and correctly executed; and that this abridgment will prove a valuable acquisition to the militia of the Uuited States.
       I am respectfully yours,
    R. S. STREET.
Mr. P. Potter
    Poughkeepsie, June 23, 1817.

        Maj, Livingston recommends the work as follows:

Mr, Potter---Sir, I have examined the abridgment of the Infantry Exercise of the U. States Army, published by you, and think the compiler has done justice to the work, and that the abridgment will prove a valuable and in­structive acquisition to the Militia of the United States.
1 am with respect your humble servant,
HENRY A. LIVINGSTON.

    Poughkeepsie,, June 24, 1817.

From his Ex. the Governor of the State of N. York.

                                                                                                                                                                                                        Albany, 25th Aug. 1817.
        Sir, I have perused with attention, "The Infantry Ex­ercise of the United States Army. abridged for the use of the Militia of the United States' ; and I have no hesitation in adding my recommendation to that of the respectable gentlemen who have heretofore sanctioned this work.­I consider it executed with Judgment and skilt, and well calculated to promote military knowledge.            
Yours, &;c.
DE WITT CLINTON.
Mr. Potter,

    From Brig. Gen. Cadwallader, of the state of Pennsylvania,         Sir,---I have to acknowledge the receipt of your note, and to thank you for the copy of your Abridgment of the "Rules and Regulations for the Field Exercise and Manoeuvres of Infantry, compiled and adapted to the organi­zation of the Army of the United Slates, agreeably to a resolve of Congress." A system of exercise for exercise the army being now established, it is highly important that the mili­tia should be trained according to the same principles. ­The high price of the large work has prevented its gener­al circulation among the officers of the militia; they have now, ho w ever, an opportunity of purchasing, at a cheap rate, an abridgment, which comprises all that is essential in the schools of the, soldier and the company, as to the manual exercise and movements; giving also the formation of the Regiment; the posts of field and company officers, regimental staff, non-commissioned officers, drummers, musicians, pioneers, colour and colour-guard, in line and columns; the forms of eseorting and receiving the colours; and the regulations for reviews of parade, and inspection; with plates, and explanations.
I strongly recommend to each of the company officers, and non-commissioned officers, of the regiments under my command, to possess themselves of this manual, and urge them to study it with attention.
I am, Sir, your most humble sen't.
THOS. CADWALLADER.
        Mr. Potter,

Philadelphia, Feb. 25, 1818.


                            From the Adjutant General of the State of Connecticut.

                                                                                                                                                                            Norwich,7th October 1817.
        SIR---A want of time to examine again, General Scott's system of the Field Exercise and Manoeuvres of the army of the U. S. has hitherto prevented my acknowledging your letter of the 10th of last month, accompanied by a copy of your abridgment of that work, for which you will please accept my acknowledgments. A little leisure has enabled me to compare with the original, your abridged Treatise, which I think judicious and well executed. Your Book will be highly useful for the militia, and I have no doubt have an extensive circulation in this stale, I am with respect, yours, &c.
EBENEZER HUNTINGTON.

Mr. Potter


From Major Alden Partridge, Professor of the Art of Engineering, late of the United States' Army.

                                                                                                                                                                            Norwich, (Vermont) Nov. 16th 1818.
        Dear Sir,---I had the pleasure duly to receive from the hand of Brigadier Gen. Brush, the copy of your abridg­ment of the Infantry Exercise of the United States Army, for the use of the Militia of our country. I have perused the book with some attention, and have no hesitation in giving it my decided approbation, It appears to me ex­tremely well calculated to answer the purpose intended, and ought to be in the hands of at least, every company officer. Having long regarded our militia as the only true bulwark of our liberty and independence, and their improvement, of the greatest national importance; I shall ever consider it an imperative duty, to afford all the encouragement in my power to such means as appear ealculated to accompli sit that important end. Wishing you every success in your undertaking, it so justly merits, I subscribe myself, with much respect, your very obedient servant.
A. PARTRIDGE.
    Mr. Potter,


RULES
FOR THE

EXERCISE OF INFANTRY.

-:::::::::::-

        THIS work is divided into two parts :-

        PART I. under the head of the Squad Exercise, teaches nil that the soldier executes in forming the company.
        PART II. under the head of the Company Ex­ercise, comprehends tbe discipline of the com­pany.


PART I.
SQUAD EXERCISE.

OBSERVATIONS UPON THE WORDS OF COMMAND.

    'I'he words of command should be always ani­mated and loud, in proportion to the number of men at exercise.
 
    There are two species of words of command, 'viz, those of Caution, and those of Execution.

    I'he words of caution, which are here printed in Italics, must be distinctly pronounced at the full extent of the voice, dwelling a littIe on the last syllable.

    The commands of execution, which are distinguished by capitals, must be pronounced with a firm, short tone of voice.
   
    These words of command, which are separated by hyphens, must be divided in a correspondent manner in pronouncing them.

    The drill-officer is throughout this work called the instructor.


SQUAD EXERCISE.

POSITION OF THE SOLDIER.
        The men should be placed in one rank without arms, at the distance of one pace from each other; the heels on the same line, all near each other as the conformation of the man will admit of; the feet forming with each other, an angle something less than a right one, and turned out equally ; the knees straight but not stiff; the body perpendicu­lar on the haunches, and leaning forward; the shoulders kept back and falling equally; the arms hanging naturally; the elbows not separated from the body, the palm of the hand turned a little outwards; the little finger back or behind, and touch­ing the seam of the breeches; the head well up without being constrained; the chin a little drawn in; and the eyes fixed on the ground at the dis­tance of fifteen paces.

        The position being established, the instructor will give the words of command,

1. Eyes--RIGHT.

2. FRONT.

        At the conclusion of the second part of the first word of command, the soldier turns his head to the right, but not suddenly; so that the corner of the left eye, nearest to the nose, shall be in a line with the buttons of the waistcoat, his eye being fixed in the line of the eyes ,of the men of the rank he stands in.

        On hearing the second word, he will tt the head to the direct position to the front.

        The motion of Eyes--LEFT, is executed by in­verse means.

SQUAD EXERCISE.


        The instructor should take care that the mo­tions of the head do not alter the squareness of the shoulders.

        When the instructor sees it necessary to order the ranks to rest, he will give the word,

REST.
        On hearing this word, the soldier is not requir­ed to maintain either his position or steadiness, but bis left foot must not quit its place.

1. Squad.


!. ATTENTION.


        At the second word the soldier resumes the prescribed position and steadiness.

        The facings to the right and left are executed in one motion. The instructor will give the word,

1. Squad,

2. Right (or left)-FACE.
        At the second word of command turn on the left heel, raising a little the point of the left foot and at the same time carry back the right heel to the side of the left, placing it 011 the same line.

        To the right about face is executed in two motions.


SQUAD EXERCISE.

1. Squad,

2. Right ABOUT-FACE.
        At the word about, make a half face to the right and the right foot must he slipt back to the rear, so that the hollow shall be opposite to and three full inches from the left heel, laying hold at the same time of the corner of the cartouch box with the right hand.

        At the word face, raise the points of the feet, and keeping the hams straight, turn on both heels and face to the rear, carrying back at the same time, the right heel to the side of the left, and quilting the cartouch box.

        When the soldier carries arms, at the first word of facing to the right about, he turns his musket with the left hand, as will be explained in describing the first motion of loading; and resumes the position of shouldered arms, at the moment of pla­cing the right heel in contact with the left.

PRINCIPLES OF THE ORDINARY STEP.

        The length of the ordinary step is twenty-eight inches reckoning from heel to heel; and ninety of these paces are taken in a minute. The In­structor will give the following words:

1. Forward

2. MARCH
        At the first word, throw the weight of the body on the right leg. At the second word, step off, smartly, with the left foot, projecting it a pace of twenty eight inches, smoothly, and without jerk­ing the body, the hams straight, the toes pointing a little downwards, and the knees turned somewhat outwards. At the same time carry forward the weight of the body, and without striking the sole against the ground, plant the foot flat, precisely at the distance prescribed from the right foot; the whole weight of the body resting on the foot

SQUAD EXERCISE.
that comes to the ground Then, smartly, but with­out a jerk or shock of the body, pass the right foot to the front, carrying it near the ground, and plant it at the same distance, and in the same manner as has been explained relative to the left. March in this manner without crossing the legs, keeping the shoulders square, and the head always in the direct position.


1. Squad.

2. HALT.


        At the second word, which must be given when either foot is coming to the ground, bring up the foot which is in the rear, to the side of the other, without striking it against the one planted in­ front or against the ground.


PRINCIPLES OF THE OBLIQUE STEP.

PLATE II


        This step is in common lime, ninety steps be­ing taken in a minute. In order to make the soldier comprehend the mechanism of the step, the instructor should take it to pieces, or divide it into two parts, as follows. 'l'he soldier being steady in his rank, the instructor directs him to step off, with the right foot, to the right and front obliquely, and to plant it twenty six inches from the left, observing to make him turn the point of the right foot a little inwards, to prevent the bring­ing forward of the left shoulder. At the word two, by the instructor, the soldier carries his left foot over the shortest possible line, and plants it eigh­teen inches in front of the right heel.

        He continues to march in this manner, at the word one and two, stopping at each step. and pay­ing the greatest attention to keeping the should­ers square, and the head direct to the front.

        The oblique step to the left is executed on the same principles, the soldier stepping off with the left foot.


SQUAD EXERCISE.


        To make the soldier oblique to the right and left, without dwelling on the step, the Instructor will give these words of command:
  

1. Right Oblique

2. MARCH.


        At the second word, which must be given at the instant when the left foot is coming to the ground, the soldier, who is then marching to the front, commences the oblique step to the right, observ­ing to conform to the above directions, relative to the length and execution of the step and square­ness of the shoulders to the front, but without stop­ping at each step.

        Obliqueing to the left is executed on the same principles, the instructor giving the word march, at the instant when the right foot is coming to the ground.

        In order to resume the march to the front direct, the instructor gives the word,


1. Forward

2. MARCH


        At the second word, which must be given when either foot is coming to the ground, resume the direct march, and the ordinary step of twenty eight inches.

TO MARK TIME
        The instructor will give the command:


1. Mark Time

2. MARCH
        At the second word, which is given when either foot is coming to the ground, without advancing, and at the same time keeping the cadence of the time, bring hack the heels, alternately to the side of each other, thus making a semblance of march­ing.

        When the instructor wishes the ordinary step to be resumed, he will command,

'
SQUAD EXERCISE.
1. Forward

2. MARCH
        At the second word, resume the step of twenty eight inches.


1. Change Feet

2. MARCH.


        At the second word, given when either foot is coming to the ground, bring up quickly the foot in the rear just raised from the ground, to the side of that planted in front, and step off with the lat­ter foot.

        The march to a flank is executed on hearing these words of command:


1. Squad,
2. Right (or left)-FACE.
 
3. MARCH.


        At the second command, face to the right or left.

        At the word March, step off quickly, with the left foot in common time,


        The instructor wishing to halt and front the rank, gives the following words of command:


1. Squad.

2. HALT.

3. FRONT.


        At the second word, the rank marching in file halts.

        At the third, each man fronts by facing to the left, if the march has been to the right flank, and to the right, if the march has been to the left flank.


SQUAD EXERCISE.


1. Backward. 2. MARCH,


        At the word March, step off backward, with the­ left foot, and plant it at the distance of fourteen inches from the right, reckoning from heel to heel, and so on 'till the word halt is given, which should always be preceded by that of squad.

        On hearing the word halt, carry back the foot in front, and plant it by the side of the other.


DRESSING.


        The instructor will instruct and exercise the sol­diers in the mode of dressing, one by one, in order the better to make them comprehend the princi­ples of the alignment; and for this purpose he will order the two men on the right flank to step two paces to the front, and having aligned them, will caution each man, successively, to move up into the line of dressing of the two first.

        Each soldier, on receiving the caution to dress up into the alignment, turns his head and eyes to the right, keeping his body in the position of the soldier, marches in the cadence of the ordinary step, two paces to the front, shortening the last step, in such a manner, that the foot taking this step, shall be six inches behind the new align­ment, when it comes to the ground; (the new line is never to be passed so as to occasion dressing back) then moves, steadily and without jerking, forward, by short steps into the line of dressing, keeping the hams stretched; and dresses up to the man who stands next to him in the new align­ment, without deranging the position of his head, the line of tile eyes, or the square ness of the shoul­ders, so as to find himself in the line of direction of this man, whose elbow he is lightly to- touch, without opening out his arm.

        Dressing by the left is conducted on the same principles.

        When the men shall have learnt thus, one by one, to align themselves correctly, the instructor will makes whole rank align themselves at once, as follows:


SQUAD EXERCISE.

Right (or left)-DRESS.

 
        At this word the whole rank, excepting the two men placed as a base to dress on, marches steadi­ly up to, and places itself on the new line.


        The instructor seeing nearly the whole of the rank dressed, will command,


FRONT.


        At this command the men furn the head to the direct position to the front, resuming their steady posture.
       
        The instructor observing that certain files are not dressed on the alignment, wiII direct them by their number from the right (the files having been previously numbered) to dress up or dress back.
       
        Dressing back is conducted on the same princi­ples; the soldiers stepping back a little beyond the line, and then moving up to it by taking small steps to the front.

        In this case the command given by the instruct­or will be,


Right backward (or left backward)-DRESS.

        The instructor must inculcate the observance of the following principles.

        That the soldier should quietly and steadily ar­rive on the dressing line:

        That he does not bend back the body, nor the head forward.
       
        That he turn the head the least degree possi­ble and in such a manner only, as to be able to see the dressing line.
       
        That he never pass beyond the dressing line. That at the word of command, front, all move­ment cease, though the soldier may not even be on the line of dressing.


POSITION OF THE SOLDIER AT ORDERED ARMS.


PLATE v, FIG. 1.



SQUAD EXERCISE.


        The hand sunk low, the barrel between the thumb and fore-finger extended along the stock: the other three fingers extended and joined; the top of the barrel about two inches from the  right shoulder; the ramrod in front: the heel of the butt at the side of. and against the point of the right foot; and the fire lock, in this position, perpendicular,



PART II.


COMPANY EXERCISE.


        Method of ranking and sizing and of forming the company in the habitual order.
       
        The men being assembled on the parade at or­dered arms, the first sergeant will give these words of command:

1. Attention. 2. Shoulder-ARMS.


One word and two motions First Motion.
        Raise the fire lock with the right hand to the left shoulder, placing the left hand under the butt.


Second Motion.

        Let the right hand fall to tile right side.

POSITION OF THE SOLDIER AT SHOULDERED ARMS.

PLATE III. FIG. 1 & 2.

 
        The musket in the left hand, the arm being a little bent; the elbow back and joined to the body without pressure; the palm of the hand firmly against the exterior rounding
   

COMPANY EXERCISE.


        of the butt; the ex­terior edge of the butt resting on the first articu­lation joining the fingers to the palm; the heel of the 'fore part of the butt, resting bet ween the first and second fingers; the thumb above in front; the third and little finger under the butt; which must be supported: and more or less kept back according to the conformation of the man, in such a manner, that the firelock, seen from the front, may rest always perpendicular, and that the movement of the thigh in marching may not raise or disturb it in its perpendicular position; the ramrod against the point -nearly of the shoulder; and the right hand and arm hanging naturally.

        The men will then fall into one rank indis­criminately, and dress to the right.

        The Sergeant then commands:


1. Attention. 2. Company.

3. Right-FACE.

4. MARCH.

 
        Upon the third word being given, the whole rank face to the right; when the fourth is pro­nounced, the tallest men proceed to the right, and the shortest to the left, still preserving the rank entire, and changing places, so that the tallest man shall be on the right, the next in height the second on the right, and so on successively, until the shortest man in the company is on the ex­treme left.

'        l'he Sergeant then orders:

1. Front. 2. Right--DRESS

        On hearing the first word the rank will front; upon hearing the second they will dress.
       
The sergeant then directs the man on the right to call one, the next two, and so on, alternately, until he has gone through the whole.


COMPANY EXERCISE.


        The following commands are then given:


1. FRONT.
2. RIGHT---DRESS.


        On hearing the first word the rank will front; upon hearing the second they will dress.
       
        The sergeant then directs the man on the right to call one, the next two, and so on, alternately, until he has gone through the whole.
       
        The following commands are then given,


1. Form ranks.

2. MARCH.
3. FRONT.


        Upon the word march being pronounced, the men who called the number two, step back ob­liquely to the right, one pace, so as to cover the right hand man; upon the third word, they front as usual.

        The company is then by the sergeant to be divided into two platoons, called the first and se­cond platoons.
       
The word will then be given,


1. Second platoon.
2. Forward--MARCH.

3. HALT.

4. DRESS
        At the word march, the second platoon will ad­vance one pace, halt and dress.  

        The sergeant then orders:
1. Platoons.
2. Right and Icft --- FACE.

3. MARCH.


COMPANY EXERCISE.
        At the word face, the first rank of each platoon faces to the right, and the rear rank to the left. At the word march, the man on the right of the front rank of the first platoon, stands firm, the others closing upon him; the men of the rear rank march successively, face to the right, and form on the left of the front rank. At the word march, the second platoon follows the directions given to the first, excepting that the front rank advances, followed by the rear rank, both forming in front of the first platoon, and thus becoming the front rank of the company.

        The sergeant then orders,


FRONT.


        At which word the whole face to the front, and Hie company is thus formed into two ranks; the tallest men alternately on the right and left of the ranks to which they belong; and the files of the rear rank, successively taller than those of the same files before them.

        This being accomplished, the sergeant will di­vide the company into platoons and sections, and post the non-commissioned officers and pioneers in the following manner:


PLATE 1


        The second sergeant in the rank of file-closers, two paces in the rear of the left of the second platoon. This sergeant in the evolutions, is the guide of the left of his company.
       
        The third sergeant in the rank of file-closers, covering the third file of the fourth section.
       
        The fourth sergeant, in the rank of file-closers, covering the third file of the second section. (The fifth sergeant, in the rank of file-closers, covering the third file of the third section.)

        The corporals, according to their height, on the right and left of the company, ill the rear in pref­erence to the front rank.


COMPANY EXERCISE.


        (The pioneer, in the rank of file closers, opposite the centre of the second section.)

        Method of ranking and sizing and of forming the company in the occasional order of three deep.
        The company, having formed ranks as in the habitual order is then by the first sergeant, told off into three divsions from the right. 1St, 2nd, and 3rd divisions, He then commands,
  

1. 2nd and 3d divisions, forward.

2. MARCH.

3. HALT


        At the word march, the second division steps forward one pace, halts and dresses; the third division steps forward two paces, halts and dress­es. The sergeant then proceeds as in the habit­ual order, substituting the word division for pla­toon, and forming the second division in front of the first, and the third in front of the second.


        The company being formed in the habitual or­der of two deep, the captain takes the command.


PLATE 1

STATION OF THE OFFICERS


        The captain in the front rank, on the right of his company.

        The first lieutenant in the rank of file-closers, two paces in the rear of the centre of the second platoon.

        (The second lieutenant in the rank of file-clo­sers, two paces in the rear of the centre of the first platoon.

        (The third lieutenant in the rank of file closers, two paces in the rear, of' the left of the first platoon.) 'I'he ensign in the rank of file closers, two pa­ces in the rear of the centre of the
fourth section.

        The station of the first sergeant is in the rear of the captain, covering him in the rear rank. In the evolutions, this sergeant Is named the covering sergeant, and will be the guide of the
right of his


COMPANY EXERCISE.


company.

FROM TWO RANKS FORMING INTO THREE.

        The company being told off in three divisions from right to left; the captain commands,


Form three---DEEP.


        On which the third division instantly steps back one pace; he then orders,


Right-FACE.


        At the word face the third division faces to the right; the man on the right of the front rank on facing, disengages a little to his right. 'I'he word is then given,


MARCH.


        When the front rank men of the third division step off, those of the rear rank mark the time, un­til they have passed, and then follow. When the leading man has got to the right of the com­pany, the captain orders,


1. HALT.

2. FRONT.


        Upon which each man halts, faces to his left, and instantly covers his proper file leader.


FROM THREE RANKS FORMING INTO TWO.


        The company being halted, and divided into two platoons, the captain orders,


Form two---DEEP.


        Upon which the rear rank men of the second platoon instantly step back one pace; the captain then orders,
  

Left---FACE


        When the rear rank of both platoons face to the left; he then gives the word,


MARCH.


        On which the men of the rear rank of the se­cond platoon step short, until those of


COMPANY EXERCISE.




the first get up to them. They then move on with them in file; as their rear is clearing the left flank of the company, the captain (who has shifted to this flank during the movement) commands,

1. HALT.

2. FRONT.
3. Right forward---DRESS.


        And immediately dresses them on the front tank of the company, and resumes his place on the right.

        When the captain is instructor, the next in rank performs the duties of the captain in the drill, and is posted accordingly.

        The company exercise is divided into six lessons.


LESSON 1.

OPEN RANKS.


        The company being drawn up in the habitual order, the instructor orders the file-closer nearest to the left, to post himself on the left of the front rank.

        He then orders,

1. Attention.

2. Company.
3. Rear Ranks open order.
        At the third word of command, the covering sergeant and the file-closer, placed on the left of the company, nimbly step back four paces to the rear of the rear rank, (estimating the distance by the eye) and align themselves, in a direction par­allel to the rank of file closers.

        The instructor, at the same time, proceeds to the right flank, in order to ascertain whether they are parallel to the front; and if necessary, quickly ad­justs their positions, giving afterwards the word,


4. MARCH


COMPANY EXERCISE.


        At this word the front rank stands firm.

        The rear rank steps back in common time with­out counting the steps, and shall, dress on the a­lignment marked out for it, conforming to what has been laid down relative to "dressing back under the head of "dressing."

        The covering sergeant dresses the rear rank on the file-closer, who is on the left of the rear rank.

        The file closers behind the rear rank step back also at the word march, and dress at their proper distance.


FRONT.


        At this word, the file-closer on the left of the rear rank, resumes his situation in the front rank.


ALIGNMENT AT OPEN RANKS.


        The ranks being opened, the instructor, having previously numbered the files, will order the three men on the right or left of each rank, to march three, or four paces to the front, and having dressed them, will command,


        By file, right forward (or left forward)-DRESS.


        At this word, the soldiers of each rank in open file dress up, successively, to the alignment, each of them allowing the man next to him, on the side to which the alignment is made, to be advanced two paces, before he quits the original ground.

        Dressing back is conducted on the same principles.

        In this case, the command given by the instruc­tor will be.


By file, right backward (or left backward)-DRESS.


        The instructor seeing the whole of the ranks dressed, commands,


FRONT.


        At this command. the soldier turns his head to the direct position to, the front.

        Alignments by succession having habituated the soldier to dress correctly, the


COMPANY EXERCISE.


instructor will cause entire ranks to align to the front and to the rear, in parallel and oblique positions and direc­tions, always placing three men as a base of alignment for each rank. For this purpose he commands,


Right (or left) forward-DRESS, or right (or left) backward-DRESS.


        In oblique alignments at open order, the rear rank need not endeavour to move by the file lea­der in dressing, since the object in view in this species of instruction, is to exercise the soldiers in aligning themselves correctly in their respective ranks in every direction.

        In these various alignments, the instructor superintends the front, and the captain (i.e. the offi­cer who performs the duties of captain in the drill) the rear rank, placing themselves, for that purpose, on the flank to which the dressing is made.


MANUAL EXERCISE.


        The execution of every word of command, should be divided into distinct motions; and eve­ry motion be performed in one second of time.

        On hearing the last syllable of the word of command, the soldier executes the intended mo­tion smartly; on hearing the words two, and three, the remaining motions are to be performed.­When the soldiers know thoroughly the position relating to each motion included in a word of commend, they must be taught how to execute them without dwelling on each separately.



        The ranks being open, the instructor placing himself before the right flank, so as to see the two ranks, orders the manual exercise to be gone through in the following manner.

WORDS OF COMMAND.  

        Present-ARMS.

        Shoulder-ARMS.

        Advance-ARMS.

        Shoulder-ARMS. 		2 motions.

2

3

3


COMPANY EXERCISE.

        Order-ARMS. 2

        Stand at-EASE.

        Attention.

        Shoulder-ARMS.

        Fix-BAYONET.

        Front Rank one pace

        Forward-MARCH.

        Right about-FACE.

        Trail-ARMS.

        Pile-ARMS.
      
        Take-ARMS.

        Shoulder-ARMS.

        Front Rank right

        about-FACE.

        Support-ARMS.

        Slope-ARMS.

        Support-ARMS.
    
        Carry-ARMS.

        Unfix-BAYONET.

        Secure-ARMS.

        Shoulder-ARMS.

        Fix-BAYONET.
 
        Charge-BAYONET

        Shoulder-ARMS. 		2 motions.





2

3





2





3



3



3

3

3

2

2

3

2

2


COMPANY EXERCISE.


Present-ARMS.
PLATE V. FIG. 2.


   One word and two motions.
First motion.
        Turn the firelock with the left hand, the lock outwards, at the same time, seizing the small of the stock with the right hand, the firelock being detached from the shoulder, and supported per­pendicularly on the palm of the left hand remaining under the butt.


Second Motion.


        Complete the turning inward of the firelock with the right hand, in order to carry it perpendic­ularly opposite to the left eye, the ramrod in front, and the cock as high as the lowest waistcoat button, holding the firelock with the right hand at, and under the guard; seize it smartly, at the same time with the left hand above the lock, the little finger touching the feather spring, the thumb extended along the barrel and stock; keep the left arm, from the elbow, joined to the body without constraint, and remain fronted, without stirring the feet.


Shoulder-ARMS. One word and two motions. First motion.


        Spring up the firelock to the left shoulder, with the right band, turning the barrel outwards, and let fall the left, to support it under the butt.


Second Motion.


        Let fall the right hand briskly to its position.


Advance-ARMS.

One word and three motions.

First Motion.


COMPANY EXERCISE.


of presenting arms.


Second Motion.


        Seize the firelock with the left hand as high as the shoulder; and carry it, perpendicularly, with the right hand, to, and against the right shoul­der, the ramrod outwards, the right arm almost at the full extent, the right hand grasping the cock and guard.

Third Motion


        Let the left hand fall to its natural position.


Shoulder-ARMS. One word and three motions.


        Detach the firelock from the right shoulder, carrying it perpendicularly, opposite to, and between the eyes; seize it with the left hand at the height of the neck; lay hold of it with the right hand at the small of the stock; steadying it at the height of the lowest waistcoat button, with the ramrod to the front.


Second Motion.


        Raise the firelock with the right hand, the thumb extended on the plate opposite the lock, turning the barrel outward, and place the firelock at the left shoulder, letting fall, at the same time, the left hand under the butt.


Third Motion


        Let the right hand fall to its place.


Order-ARMS. One word and two motions. First Motion.


        Sink down smartly, the firelock to the full ex­tent of the left arm; seizing it at the same time with the right hand, above and near the tail pipe; carry it opposite to the right shoulder; the ram­rod in front, the little finger behind the

COMPANY EXERCISE.


barrel, the butt three inches from the ground, the right hand and fore arm supported against the haunch, the firelock perpendicular, and the left hand hanging freely by the side.


Second Motion.


        Let the firelock slip through the hand, and fall easy to the ground, without striking against it.


Stand-AT EASE.


        Place the right foot about six inches behind the left, resting the weight of the body principally on the right leg; and slightly bending the left knee; join the hands before the body, the upper part of the firelock resting against the right shoulder, the eyes to the front, and the attitude unconstrained.


ATTENTION.


        Resume the position of ordered arms.

Inspection of-ARMS.

One word and one motion.


        Face once and a half to the right, on the left heel, carry the right foot perpendicularly to the rear of the line, six inches from, and forming a right angle with the line of the left; seize the fire­lock smartly with the left. hand raised to the level of the lowest button of the waistcoat, inclining the muzzle to the rear, without moving the butt from its place, the ramrod being turned towards the body; carry, at the same time, the right hand to the bayonet, seizing it by the socket and shank in such a manner, that the extremity of the socket may be an inch above the heel of the hand; and that in drawing it the thumb may extend on the, blade; draw it from the scabbard, and fix it on the muzzle; immediately seize the ramrod, and spring it into the barrel; then face back to the front, standing at ordered arms.


COMPANY EXERCISE.


        The officer then, passing in front of the rank, inspects successively the arms of each man. As the inspector approaches, raise or recover the firelock smartly with the right hand, and seize it with the left hand between the tail pipe and feather spring, the lock being outwards, the left hand as high as the chill, and the fire lock opposite to the left eye; the inspector takes, and having in­spected the firelock, returns it to the soldier, who receives it with his right hand, and resumes the position of ordered arms.

        When the inspector shall have passed, turn into the position described at the commencement of inspection of arms, return the ramrod, and resume the original front.

        If instead of the inspection of arms, bayonets only are to be fixed, at the word,


Fix-BAYONETS. One word and one motion.


        Perform the motion of inspection of arms, ex­cept springing the ramrod into the barrel.

        If after facing with fixed bayonets, the inspector orders an inspection of arms with ramrods sprung, at the word,

Spring-RAMRODS. One word and one motion.


        Put the ramrod into the barrel, as described, and face to the front. Return the ramrod after the inspector passes, assuming the front. In this case the arms are not thrown up to a recover when the inspector passes in front. If he wish to satisfy himself, whether or not the firelock is loaded, he can take hold of the small end of the ramrod, and spring it in the barrel.

        Bayonets being fixed and arms shouldered.


Front Rank one pace forward-MARCH.


        At the word march, the front rank marches one pace to the front.


Right about-FACE.


COMPANY EXERCISE.


        The front rank faces to the right about.


Trail-ARMS.

PLATE V. FIG. 5.

One word and two motions. First Motion.

        As in the first movement of ordering arms.


Second Motion.


        Incline forward a little the muzzle of the fire­Jock, the butt towards the rear, and about three inches from the ground. 'I'he right hand support­ed against the haunch, in such a manner that the bayonets of the men of' the rear rank shall not touch those who are before them,


Pile-ARMS.


        The men of every odd file pile arms with the next file below them; the four men joining the shanks of their bayonets over their common cen­tre, giving their firelocks no more inclination than is necessary to keep them firmly together.

        l'he file-closers carrying firelocks, will pile them together on their line, opposite the centre of the company, after the arms of the rank and file arc piled; and resume them as soon as the com­pany is reassembled.

        Sergeants in line with the rank and file, will place their fire locks in the pile nearest their sta­tion.
       
        When re-assembled for the purpose of resuming arms, the men will arrange themselves as they stood when piling arms, every man placing his right hand on his fire-lock, without moving it.


Take-ARMS.


        Gently disengage the piece from the pile, as­suming the position of trailed arms.

Shoulder-ARMS. One word and three motions.


COMPANY EXERCISE.


        At the word shoulder, throw back the muzzle and forward the butt, so that the firelock be perpendicular in the right hand; at the word arms, shoulder the piece.


Front rank, right about-FACE.


    The-front rank will face to the front.

        The instructor will then close and dress the ranks.

Support-ARMS. One word and three motions. First Motion.


        Grasp the firelock, smartly, four inches below the lock, without turning it, and raise it a little.


Second Motion.


        Quit the butt with the left hand, placing the left fore-arm extended across the breast, supporting the­ cock; the hand on the right breast.


Third Motion.


        Let the right hand fall smartly to its position,


Slope-ARMS.


        Carry the firelock, indifferently on either shoul­der, with either hand, the barrel sloped.

Support-ARMS.


        Resume quickly the position of supported arms,

Carry-ARMS. One word and three motions. First Motion.

        Grasp the small of the stock with the right hand, briskly.


Second Motion.


        Drop the left hand smartly under the butt.



Third Motion.


COMPANY EXERCISE.


        Let the right hand drop quickly to the right side, and the fire lock, at the same time sink down, to its position of shouldered arms.


Unfix-BAYONET. One word and three motions. First Motion.


        Sink down the firelock by stretching the left arm, and grasp it, at the same time, with the right hand above, and near the tail pipe at the swell.


Second Motion.


        With, the right hand let down the firelock along the left thigh to the ground; seize it with the left hand placed above the right, carrying the muzzle opposite to the middle line of the body; strike off the bayonet with the right hand, returning it into the scabbard, and leaving the right band near the socket of the bayonet.


Third Motion.


        Throw the firelock to the shoulder with the left hand, seizing it at the small of the stock with the right, and complete the motion of shouldered arms.

Secure-ARMS. One word and two motions. First Motion.


        Grasp smartly the firelock with the right hand; the thumb on the S opposite to the lock, and the fore-finger against the cock; detach, at the same time, the firelock, from the shoulder, keeping the barrel outwards; seize the firelock at the tail-pipe swell, with the left hand, the thumb extending along the ramrod, the fire lock perpendicularly opposite to the shoulder, and the left elbow lying flat on the fire lock.


Second Motion.


Invert the fire lock, turning the butt backwards under the left arm, the left


COMPANY EXERCISE.


hand remaining under the swell-tail pipe, the thumb pressing against the ramrod to prevent its sliding out, the little finger supported against the haunch, and the right hand falling at the same time into its position on the right side.


Shoulder-ARMS. One word and two motions. First Motion.


        Raise up the fire lock to the shoulder, but not suddenly, lest the ramrod be projected from its pipes; seize it with the right hand at the small of the stock to support it against the shoulder, and quit the hold of the left hand, at the same time placing it smartly under the butt.


Second Motion.


        Let the right hand fall quickly into its position, sinking at the same time the firelock with the left hand to its proper place.


Fix-BAYONET. One word and three motions. First Motion.


    Done as in the first motion of unfixing bayonet.


Second Motion.


        With the right, hand let down the firelock along the thigh, the muzzle being opposite the middle line of the body; seize it with the left hand immediately above the right; grasp with the right hand the socket of the bayonet; draw it from the scabbard, and carry it, smartly, to be fixed at the muzzle; the right hand remaining at the shank of the bayonet.

Third Motion.


As in the third motion of unfixing bayonets.
Charge-BAYONET One word and two motions. First Motion.


COMPANY EXERCISE.


        Half face to the right, on the left heel, placing, at the same time, the right foot square behind the left heel, the hollow of the foot resting against that heel; turn the firelock with the left hand, the lock outwards, at the same time seizing the small of the stock, two full inches below the cock, with the right hand, the firelock being detached from the shoulder, and supported perpendicularly on the palm of the left hand, remaining under the butt.


Second Motion.


        With the right hand, bring down the fire­lock to the charge, into the left hand, which seizes it a little before the tail-pipe; the barrel uppermost, the left elbow near the body, the right supported against the haunch, and the point of the ­bayonet as high as the eye.


Shoulder-ARMS. One word and two motions. First Motion.


        Turn to the front on the left heel, bring up the right heel to the side of, and in a line, with the left; and spring up, at the same time, the fire­lock with the right hand, to the left shoulder,

Second Motion.


        Let the right hand fall quickly to its place.


PRIME AND LOAD BY TWELVE WORDS OF COMMAND.

Load-ARMS. 2 Motions.

Open-PAN. 1

Handle-CARTRIDGE. 1

Tear-CARTRlDGE. 1

Prime. 1

Shut-PAN. 1

Cast-ABOUT. 2 		2 motions.

1

1

1

1

1

2




COMPANY EXERCISE.

Charge-CARTRlDGE. 1 Motion.

Draw-RAMROD. 2

Ram-CARTRlDGE. 1

Return-RAMROD. 2

Shoulder-ARMS 3 		1 motion.

2

1

2

3


Load-ARMS.
One word and two motions. First Motion.
        Half face to the right, on the left heel, placing at the same time the right foot square behind the left heel, the hollow of the foot resting against that heel, turn the firelock with the left hand, the lock outwards, at the same time seizing the small of the stock with the right hand, the firelock being detached from the shoulder, and supported perpendicularly on the palm of the left hand, remaining under the butt.


Second Motion.


        Sink the firelock into a slanting position with the right hand, the left meeting and seizing it at the swell, near the tail-pipe, the thumb of the left hand pointing upwards along the swell, the butt under the forepart of the right arm; the breech and small stock resting against the body, two inch­es, nearly, under the right breast; the top of the barrel as high as the eyes; the guard turned a little outward; the left elbow supported on the side at the haunch; the thumb of the right hand against the top of the pan-steel, above the level of the flint, and placed there at the moment when the firelock is thrown into the slanting position; the four fingers of the right hand shut, and the right arm from the elbow to the wrist, lying along the butt


Open-PAN.


COMPANY EXERCISE.


One word and one motion.


        Throw open the pan with the thumb of the right hand, the left resisting and holding the piece firmly; apply the right hand to the cartridge box, by drawing back the elbow, and passing the hand between the butt and the body; and open the cartridge-box.

Handle-CARTRIDGE. One word and one motion.


        Take the cartridge between the two fore fingers and thumb, and carry it to the mouth, ready for the teeth to act, the right hand passing between the body and the butt.


Tear-CARTRlDGE.

PLATE III, FIG 4

One word and one motion.


        Bite off the top to the powder, holding the cartridge from where the powder has been uncovered, between the thumb and two fore fingers ; sink down the cartridge, holding it perpendicularly against the pan, the palm of the right hand turned towards the body, and the right elbow leaning on or against the butt.


Prime

One word and one motion.


        Sink forward the head, and look down to the pan filling it with powder; press close the top of the cartridge at the opening between the thumb and fore-finger; raise the head, placing the right hand behind the pan, and hold the little finger and the third finger firm against the back of the pan.


Shut-PAN. One word and one motion.


        Hold the firelock firm with the left hand; shut the pan close and firmly with the two last fingers, holding the cartridge always between the thumb and two first


COMPANY EXERCISE.


fingers; seize immediately the small of the stock with the two last fingers and palm of the right hand; keep the wrist close to the body, and the elbow pointed to the rear, and a little de­tached from the body.


Cast-ABOUT. One word and two motions. First Motion.


        With the right arm smartly stretched, without Iowering the right shoulder, swing round the-fire­lock to the left thigh, along which the butt must press strongly, turning at the same time, the ramrod towards the body, opening and letting the piece slip through the left hand as far as the mid­dle pipe, the lock resting on the thumb of the right hand; face, at the same time, to the front, turning on the left heel, carrying the right foot forward, the heel resting against the hollow of the left.


Second Motion.


        Quit the firelock with the right hand, sinking it with the left along, and near the body, raising at the same time, the right hand within two inch­es of the barrel, to the top of it; let the butt fall to the ground, without striking with any degree of shock; and let the left hand, holding the firelock as described, rest against the body, under me lev­el of the lowest waistcoat button, the musket in contact with the left thigh, the sight of the barrel opposite to the middle line of the body.


Charge-CARTRlDGE. One word and one motion.


        Glance the eye to the muzzle of the barrel; turn smartly the upper side of the right band towards the body; raise the elbow as high as the wrist; turn the cartridge into the barrel, shaking it, and leave the band reversed, the fingers loosely closed.


Draw-RAMROD.

One word and two motions.


COMPANY EXERCISE.


First Motion.


        Lower, smartly, the right elbow, and seize the ramrod between the thumb anti fore-finger bent, keeping the other lingers shut; draw the ramrod smartly, by extending the arm, with the whole of the fingers opened out; seize it back handed, at the middle, with the thumb and lore-finger, the palm of the hand outwards; turnit quick between the bayonet and body, at the same time closing the fingers upon it, the ramrods of the men in a rear rank, in turning, grazing the right shoulder of the men in the front rank, in the same file, the ramrod forming no angle with the line of the bar­rel, and parallel to the bayonet; the arm extend­ed; the eyes looking upwards, and the thick end of the ramrod kept opposite the muzzle without being entered,


Second Motion.


        Enter the butt of the ramrod into the barrel, and insert it as far as the hand.


Ram-CARTRlDGE. One word and one motion.


        Run up the right hand to the full extent of the arm, to the top of the ramrod, without letting it fall into the barrel; seize it with the thumb opened along it, and the fore-finger bent, the other fin­gers being shut; drive it forcibly into the barrel, ramming home twice; seize it again by the small end, between the thumb and fore-finger, both bent, the others being shut, and let the right elbow be. close to. the body.


Return-RAMROD. One word and two motions. First Motion.


        As in the first motion of drawing ramrod, bring the small end of it opposite the upper pipe, and hold it there without entering it.

Second Motion.


COMPANY EXERCISE.
       

        Introduce the small end, into the pipe, and slide it to its place; raise the right hand quickly, and place it somewhat bent, on the upper end of the ramrod.


Shoulder-ARMS. One word and three motions. First Motion.


        Raise the firelock with the Iefl hand, along the left side, the left hand as high as the shoulder, and seize the firelock at the small of the stock.


Second Motion.


        Raise the firelock with the right hand, let the left hand fall to seize and support the butt, carrying back at the same time, the right heel to the side of the left, and in the same line; support the firelock against, and at the left shoulder, the right hand touching the small of the stock, without pressing.


Third Motion.


        Let the right hand fall to its natural position.

        Having gone through the manual, the instructor proceeds to close the ranks.


Rear rank close order-MARCH.


        At the word march the rear rank close, in common time, each man covering his file leader.


ALIGNMENT OF CLOSED RANKS.


        The alignments of close and open order are the same, excepting that in aligning at close order, the officer who performs the duties of captain in the drill superintends the front, and the covering sergeant the rear rank.

        To rest, the instructor orders,

1. Support-ARMS, Or, Order-ARMS 2. Rest.


COMPANY EXERCISE.


        After the word rest is given, the men are not required either to be steady, or maintain their po­sition. This should take place at the conclusion of every lesson,

        When the intention is to permit the soldiers to rest themselves, but without losing their dressing; after directing arms to be supported or ordered, the further word will be.

On your ground--REST.


        When this command is given; the soldiers are not required to keep the body steady or immovea­ble, but they must, keep the left heel exactly in its place.


LESSON II.


        The Instructor gives the following words of command:


1. ATTENTION. 2. Company. 3. Shoulder—ARMS.


        He then exercises the company in the loadings and firings, in the following order:


LOAD IN QUICK TIME.


        The object of this species of loading is to make the soldier understand and distinguish what motions, under different words of command, are to be gone through without stopping; and
what mo­tions, in their execution, require more attention and regularity, constituting a pause; such as those of priming, putting the cartridge into the barrel, and ramming home.

        To inculcate this, the loading is divided into four principal pauses, denoted by words, as follows. The first set of motions, in quick time, without any sensible pause will be executed on
hearing the word of command; and the other mo­tions, without actually stopping at the words two, three and four.


Load in quick time-LOAD.


        Execute the two motions of the word load open the pan; take the cartridge, bite off the top, carry it down to the pan and prime.


COMPANY EXERCISE.


Two.


        Shut the pan; cast about, turn the cartridge into the barrel, shaking and inserting it well.


Three.
        Draw the ramrod; enter it, and ram home.

Four.


        Return the ramrod, and shoulder arms.

        Loading in quickest time Js executed without, the four pauses of loading in quick time.

        Loading in quickest time being that made use of in action; soldiers should gradually be brought to load and fire, at least, three or four times in a minute.

        In loading in quick and quickest time, when at the commencement, the troops come down to the priming position, the captain and the covering sergeant half face to the right, along
with them; and w hen the troops, in loading, cast about, they front.


DIRECT FIRINGS.

FlRING BY COMPANY.


        To effect this, the instructor orders as follows:

 
1. The Company will fire 2. Commence Firing.


        At the first word, the captain retires, quickly, behind the centre of his company, two paces in the rear of the rank of file-closers.
        The covering sergeant falls back into the alignment of the rank of file closers, opposite to the in­terval he stands in; and this rule is general, with respect to the covering sergeant during the firings.

        On hearing the second word of command, the captain orders,


1. Company. 2. Ready.



COMPANY EXERCISE.


One word and three motions.


PLATE IV, FIG. 2.

Position of the front rank. First Motion.


        As in the first motion of loading.


Second Motion.


        Bring the firelock with the right hand before the middle of the body; place the left hand, with the little finger touching the feather spring, and the thumb as high as the chin, pointing upwards along the wood of the stock, the plate opposite to the lock, being turned almost towards the body, and the ramrod towards the front; and apply at the same time, the thumb of the right hand to the head of the cock, the fore-finger under and against the guard, and the three other fingers joined to the first.


Third Motion.


        Sink down, smartly, the right elbow, cocking at the same time, and seize the firelock at the small of the stock.


Position of the rear rank:

        The three motions done in the same manner as by the men of the first rank.


AIM.

One word and one motion.


PLATE: IV. FIG. 5.


        Sink down smartly the muzzle of the piece slipping the left hand along the stock as far as the tail-pipe; apply the butt to the right shoulder; let the muzzle be a little below the level of
the eye, and the right elbow kept lowered, without being pressed against the body; shut the left eye; sink forward the head in order to level; and place the fore finger on the trigger.


PLATE: IV. FIG. 6.


        The men of the rear rank will, at the same time, step with the right foot eight inches to the right, towards the left heel of the man who is on their right.
       
        In order to habituate the soldier to the word fire, he should be frequently directed to


COMPANY EXERCISE.

Recover--ARMS One word and one motion.

        Come to the position of recovering arms firmly, as described under the second motion of Ready, remaining in the third position, after cocking, in the third motion.


AIM.

One word and one motion.

       
        Done as before described.
  

FIRE.
One word and one motion.


    Apply with force, the first finger to the trigger, without lowering or turning the head, and remain in that position.


LOAD.

One word and one motion.


        Drop the firelock, smartly, into the position of the second motion of loading, as described; with the thumb and fore finger bent, seize the top of the cock, the other fingers remaining shut. The men of the rear rank wiII carry back the right foot, behind the left, placing the hollow of that foot, against the left heel.

        In this position, the ranks are to load; at the word,


Half-cock- FIRELOCK.
One word and one motion


        Raise the cock to the half-cock, taking care to, to cock it; carry the right hand between the butt and body, and open the cartridge-box.

        When instead of loading, the ranks are to come to shouldered arms, the word will be given:


Shoulder-ARMS.



COMPANY EXERCISE.



        At the word shoulder, the soldier will half-cook, shut pan, and seize the firelock at the small of the stock. At the word arms, they will shoulder smartly, and front.

        To fire in three ranks the following rules will be observed. At the word ready, the front rank will execute the following motions:


Front rank kneeling.

One word and three motions.

First Motion.


        Turn the firelock with the left hand, the cock outward; seize it with the right hand, lit the small of the stock, as in the first motion of loading; and remain facing to the front, turning the point of the left foot a little-inwards.


PLATE: IV. FIG. 1.
Second Motion.

        Throw the right foot smartly to the rear, the heel raised, and the foot resting on the toes; kneel down with the right knee ten or twelve inches in the rear, and about six inches to the right of the left heel, observing not to come down suddenly; bring down the firelock at the same time with the right hand, and seize it with the left hand at the tail-pipe; place the butt on the ground without striking it against it; place it in front of the right thigh, in such a manner that the fore rounding of the heel of the butt, may be opposite to the left heel; and at the same time seize the cock with the thumb and fore finger.


Third Motion.

        Cock the piece,

        The motions of the second and third ranks are the same, as those of the front and rear ranks in the habitual order of two deep.

        At the subsequent command, load; when the or­der is three deep, the following motions will be executed.


LOAD.


COMPANY EXERCISE. One word and one motion.


        Drop the firelock smartly into the second motion of loading, excepting that the thumb with the fore finger bent, will seize the top of the cock, the other fingers remaining shut; the men of the front rank, will, without stooping forward, smartly spring up, keeping back the right shoulder, in or­der to avoid the firelocks of the centre rank,·and the men of the rear rank will carry back the right foot behind the left; placing the hollow of that foot against the left heel:

Half-cock- FIRELOCK.

And Shoulder-ARMS.


        Are performed as in the habitual order of two deep.


    OBLIQUE FIRINGS.


        Oblique firings are executed to thc right and left, by the same words as the direct fires, with this only difference, that the words oblique to the right or left, follow the caution ready. The men in the rear rank, on hearing the caution, fix their eyes on the opening between the two men in front of them, through which they are to aim.


POSITION OF THE RANKS IN THE OBLIQUE FIRES TO THE RIGHT.


        At the word ready, both ranks act as in the case sf a direct fire.

        At the word aim, the men of the front rank di­rect their firelocks to the right, without stirring the feet.

        The men of the rear rank advance the left foot about six inches, and towards the point of the right foot of the man of the front rank of the files they respectively belong to, advancing also the body a little, by bending the left knee, and di­recting their firelocks to the right. Both ranks throw back the right shoulder.

        On hearing the word load, both ranks resume the position of the direct fire. The rear rank men draw back the left foot, placing the heel against the hollow of the right foot, when bringing back the firelock to the loading position.


COMPANY EXERCISE.


OBLIQUE FIRING TO THE RIGIIT IN THE ORDER OF THREE DEEP.


        At the word ready, the three ranks execute the motions of a direct fire in that order. At the word aim, the men of the front rank direct their firelocks to the right, by inclining the left knee inwards, without deranging the position of the feet. In all other respects, the oblique fire to the right, is the same as in two ranks.


POSITION OF THE RANKS IN THE OBLIQUE FIRES TO THE LEFT.


        At the word ready, both ranks act as in the case of a direct fire.
       
        At the word aim, the men of the front rank di­rect their fire locks to the left, without stirring the feet.

        The rear rank advance the left foot about six inches, towards the right heel of the man before them in file; and also advance the upper part of the body, bending the left knee a little, and aiming through the opening to the left of their file- leader.

        Both ranks throw back the left shoulder.

        At the word load, both ranks draw back their firelocks in the oblique position, in which they range, and prime, the rear rank men carry back the left foot, placing the heel against the hollow. of the right foot; and in casting about, both ranks take their position as in the case of a direct fire.


OBLIQUE FIRING TO THE LEFT IN THE ORDER OF THREE DEEP.


        At the word ready, the three ranks execute precisely what has been prescribed, in case of a direct fire in that order of foundation.

    At the word, aim, the men of the front rank direct their fire locks to the left, without inclining the knee, or stirring the feet. In all other respects the oblique fire to the left, is the same in
three ranks as in two.

1. Fire by independent Files 2. Ready

COMPANY EXERCISE.


3. Commence Firing


        On hearing the second word of command, both ranks take the position prescribed in the direct and oblique firings.

        At the third word of command, the men of the right file in the first and second.rank, fire together; the next file aim at the instant the first has fired, and come down to the loading
position, and so on successively to the left; but this progression only takes place during the first fire; every man afterwards loads and fires, without waiting for the rest:
The men in the first and second rank always front in casting about; and after having loaded, spring up the fire lock to a recover with the left hand, letting the fire lock slip through the left
hand, which seizes it near the feather spring, at the height of the chin; at the same time half face to the right in order to return to the prescribed position of loading after firing; when the
firelock is sprung lip to the recover, the thumb of the right hand must be placed on the cock, in order to cock the piece, the little finger being under, and against the guard.


A RUFFLE of the DRUM.


        On hearing this, the firing ceases. Each man half cocks if cocked; loads if unloaded, and if load­ing, completes the operation of loading; and then shoulders arms.


WHEN FIRING IN THE ORDER OF THREE DEEP, THE FOLI.OWING ADDITIONAL RULES WILL BE OBSERVED.


        At the words, commence firing, the right file in the first and second rank aim together, and fire; the man in the rear rank not having to fire, loads and hands his firelock to the man in the centre rank.

        The man in the front rank loads quickly, and fires again, and continues thus to load and fire .

        The centre rank man having fired, with his right hand passes his firelock to the man who is in the rear rank of his file, who receives it with his left hand, and passes his own to the man in the centre rank, who fires, loads and fires a se­cond time, before he


COMPANY EXERCISE.


passes it back to the man of the third rank, excepting the first time .

        The man in the rear rank always hands his firelock to the man before him, without cocking.

        Before shouldering, after the ruffle of the drum, the men of the centre and rear ranks will take care to have their own fire locks.

        The soldier must observe, when he half-cocks after firing, whether smoke proceeds from the touch hole; if it does not, in lieu of reloading he will turn off to the rear, in order to prick

the touch hole, and prime a second time.

    The soldier must be careful in half-cocking, that he does not draw his piece back to a cock.

    The ruffle should always be followed by a tap of the drum; at this signal the captain and covering sergeant quickly resume their places in the line, and rectify if necessary the alignment of the­ ranks.

        If there is no drum, at the order ruffle by the instructor, the firings shall instantly cease; to ensure which every commissioned and non-com­missioned officer in the rank of file-closers; must call out, cease firing, and the word tap of the drum stick, as a signal for the captain and cover­ing sergeant to resume their original places, must likewise be repeated.


FIRING TO THE REAR.


        To accomplish this the instructor orders,


1. The company will fire to the rear. 2. Company. 3. Right about—FACE.


        At the words, right about, the captain places himself, facing, and close against, the right hand front rank man of his company, and the covering sergeant, and the officers and non-commissioned officers or the rank of file-closers, following the sergeant, step nimbly through the interval left by the captain, placing themselves, facing to the rear,


COMPANY EXERCISE.


two paces from the front rank, and opposite their respective place in line.

        At the word, face, the captain occupies his interval in line, but places himself in the rear rank, now became the front. and the covering sergeant places himself in the proper front rank, now the rear, and covering, in that situation, the captain.

        The company facing to the rear, will, by word of command from the instructor, go through the different species of firing. The captain an. cov­ering sergeant acting as has been directed.

        Independent file firing, commences from the left flank of the company, now become the right. To front the company, the instructor orders:


1. The company will front.

2. Company.

Right about—Face


        At the word, right about, the captain, the covering sergeant and the rank of file-closers, con­form to the directions given above.
       
        At the word, face, the captain and covering sergeant resume their places in line.

        The rank of file closers, are not to fire unless especially so ordered.


LESSON III.


MARCHING IN LINE.


        The company being drawn up, correctly align­ed, for the march in line, the instructor having previously assured himself, that the shoulders of the captain and the covering sergeant, are per­fectly in the line of direction of their relative­ ranks, and also that the latter correctly covers the former, places himself from fifteen to twenty paces in front of the captain, facing him, on the prolongation of the line passing between the heels of the captain and the covering sergeant.

        The instructor, having aligned himself, exactly on the directing file, commands:


Company—FORWARD,


COMPANY EXERCISE.


        At this word a non-commissioned officer, se­lected previously, from the rank of file-closers, proceeds, six paces in front of the captain; and the instructor, situated as has been just described. correctly aligns this non-commissioned officer, in the line of prolongation of the directing file .

        This non-commissioned officer, being the per­son charged with the direction of the march, must, after his own position is fixed, with his eye, mark two points on the ground, on a straight line proceeding from his own heels to, and passing be­tween those of the instructor.

        This arrangement being made, the instructor commands.


MARCH


        At this word of command, the company step off smartly together; the non-commissioned officer charged with the direction of the march, must maintain, with the greatest precision, the length and cadence of the step; must march in the di­rection of the two points taken up in the line be-ween. him and the instructor, in proportion, as he advances, and always before he arrives at the nearest of the two points originally fixed on, ta­king up new points, accurately in the prolonga­tion of the two first, and at fifteen or twenty paces from each other ; the captain constantly marches in the path traced out by the directing non-commis­sioned officer, keeping always at the distance of six paces from him; and the soldiers must keep the head to the front direct; feeling lightly the elbow of the man next to them respectively, towards the side of the file of direction, and con­forming to the following principles.

        To touch lightly the elbow of the man on the side on which the guide is.

        Not to open out the left elbow, or the right arm. To yield to a pressure coming from the direct­ing flank, and to resist that coming from the opposite side.

        To retouch, very gently, and as it were insen­sibly, the elbow of the man towards the directing flank; in case he should incline off in that direction; or in case the person


COMPANY EXERCISE.


wishing to resume the touch of the elbow, may himself, have opened out from the leading flank.

        To keep always the head direct to the front, the eyes fixed on the ground, at the distance of twelve or fifteen paces in front, on whatever flank the guide may be posted. If a soldier finds himself too far advanced, or too much behind, gradually to regain his situation, either by insensibly lengthening or contracting his step.

        The front rank men next to the captain, must be particularly careful never to project in line before him, nor push him laterally; and for this purpose, he must always keep the line of his shoulders, in a very small degree, back, or to­wards the rear; but, at the same time, in a direction parallel to those of the captain,

        The rank of file-closers marches two paces in the rear of the rear rank.

        If the soldiers loose the step, the instructor com­mands:


STEP.


        At which word, the soldiers glance to the directing sergeant, take up the step, and turn the head again immediately to the front.

        If the company is exercised without any refer­ence to its place in the regiment, the instructor posts the captain and covering sergeant, sometimes on the right, and sometimes on the left of the com­pany; but when the company exercised is a battalion company, if belonging to the right wing. the captain and covering sergeant are posted on (he left, and when belonging to the left, they are posted on the right flank.

        To halt the company marching in line, and to dress it, the instructor orders,


1. Company

2. HALT.


        At the word halt, the company halts; and the guide is to remain in his situation, unless the in­structor orders him to retire to his place in the line.

        The company being halted, the instructor will make the three files nearest to the directing


COMPANY EXERCISE.


flank, advance, and will align the company on them, as a base line, or be may confine himself to rectifying the alignment. In the last case the instructor commands


1. Right (or left)--DRESS.


        On which the captain dresses such files as re­quire it.


OBLIQUE MARCHING IN LINE.


        The company marching to the front in line, will oblique by the following commands:

1. Right (or left) oblique.

2. MARCH.


        At this command, to be given at the instant when the left foot is coming to the ground, the company will oblique; the guide must give his utmost attention to maintaining the squareness of the shoulder, parallel to the original front, and to oblique with an uniform movement and step; the captain will conform to the march of the guide; the soldiers keep up the light touch of the elbow, towards the side of the directing flank; and the man next the captain, must be careful not to pro­ject to the front, before him, nor to press him laterally.

        To resume the march direct to the front, the command will be,


1. Forward.

2. MARCH.


        At the word march, which must be pronounced, at the moment when the foot is coming to the ground, the company is to resume the direct march to the front; the guide will place himself on the prolongation of the line of the captain and covering sergeant, and marking two points on that line, proceed, as directed under the head of marching in line.

        To mark time when the company is marching in common time, to the front, the instructor com­mands,


1. Mark time.

2. MARCH.


COMPANY EXERCISE.


        To resume the ordinary step, the commands are,


1. Forward.

2. MARCH.


        To march in quick from common time, the in­structor commands,


Quick time.

MARCH.


        The word march, must be given at the instant when either foot, indifferently, is just coming to the ground.

        The length of the step is the same as that in common time, but one hundred and twenty of these steps must be taken in a minute.

        In the charge, and in all circumstances requiring great celerity of movement, quick time may be carried as far as one hundred and forty steps in a minute.

        Plummets which vibrate the required times of march in a minute, are of great utility; they ought to be in possession of and constantly referred to, by each captain; the several lengths of plummets swinging the times of the different marches in a minute are as fellows:

        Common time, ninety steps in a minute; Plum­met, 17 inches 33/100 of an inch in length.

        Quick time, 120 steps in a minute, Plummet 9 inches 78/100 of an inch in length. A musket ball suspended by a string of the dif­ferent required lengths, will answer the above pur­pose. The length of the plummet is to be meas­ured from the point of suspension to the centre of the ball.

        To resume the common time, the command is,


1. Common time.

2. MARCH.


        The word march, must be given somewhat soon­er than it is, in passing from common, to quick time, and when tither foot is on the ground in the rear.

        The company being halted, the practice of the back step will arise from these


COMPANY EXERCISE.


words of command.

1. Backwards.

2. MARCH.


TO MARCH IN LINE, WITH THE REAR RANK LEADING.


        The company being halted and aligned, the instructor is to order the march to the rear, with the rear rank leading, as follows:


1. Company 2. Right about—FACE.


        The company having faced to the right about, the instructor steps nimbly fifteen or twenty pa­ces to the front of the leading file, on the prolongation of the line of the directing file, and commands,


Company—FORWARD.


        At this command, the leading sergeant. posts 'himself, at the distance of six paces from the line of file closers, on the prolongation of the line of the directing file;

        The covering sergeant posts himself, in the alignment of the rank of file-closers, opposite to his interval; and the captain takes his place in the rear rank now become the leading rank.

        This disposition being made, the instructor gives the word of command:


MARCH.


        On hearing this word, all step off, the guide, the captain, and the soldiers conforming to the direc­tions laid down under the head of marching in line to the front.

        With the exception of stepping back, the in­structor, while the rear rank leads, will cause the company to practice all that has been directed, in the case of marching in line to the front; and the words of command, and procedure of execution, are the same as if the proper front rank led.

        When the company is halted, and the instruc­tor wishes to dress it, he will command;


1. Company 2. Right about—FACE.


COMPANY EXERCISE.


        The whole face to the right about, and the cap­tain amI. covering sergeant, take their respective posts in line.

        The instructor may, then, order the three files nearest to the directing flank to advance, to serve as a base line to dress on; or he may confine himself to the rectification of the alignment.


LESSON IV.


TO MARCH TO A FLANK.


        The company, standing aligned, is marched to the right flank, by the following words of com­mand:


1. Company 2. Right —FACE.

3. MARCH.


PLATE IV. FIG 1.


        At the second word, the company will face to the right; the captain will also face, moving one pace out of the ranks sideways, so as to be on the left of the covering sergeant, and near him, after be has also faced to the right, and moved lateral­Iy, to occupy, before the front rank man, the place out of which the captain has just moved.

        At the word, march, the company steps off, smartly together, in common time; the covering sergeant, placed before the man on the right of the front rank, and the captain placed at the side of the covering sergeant, will march straight for­ward. The men of the rear rank, will march, dressing on their file-leaders, and keeping the head direct to the front; and the rank of file clo­sers will march, keeping exactly opposite to the. file they respectively cover in line.

        The instructor must see that the following rules of marching to a flank are observed.

        That at each step, the man in the rear of another, plants his foot, on the spot, from


COMPANY EXERCISE.


whence the man in front of him has raised his foot.

        That the soldier does not bend the knee, to avoid treading on the heels of the man before him.

        That the head or a man preceding another, must cover in and hide from this last, the heads of all the men who may be in front.

        The march to the left flank is executed by the same words of command, excepting, that the word left is substituted for the word right. .

        At the instant that the company faces to the left, the guide of the left flank, will place him­self before the man on the left of the front rank; the captain wiII go quickly to the left, placing himself close to, and to the right of the guide of the left; and the covering sergeant wiII post himself in the front rank, occupying the place of the captain.


WHEELING IN FILE.


PLATE VI. FIG. 1.


        The company being faced to a flank, and either marching in file, or halting, will wheel its head ill file, by the following words of command:


By files right, (or left--WHEEL.

MARCH.


        At the word march, the leading file wheels: if the wheel be made on the front rank man, he is not to turn suddenly, but is to move over a small portion of a small circle, shortening a little, the three or four wheeling steps, in order to give the man in the rear rank of the same file, time to con­form to. his movement; if the wheel be made on the rear rank man, the man of the front rank in the same file, will march the step of twenty-eight inches in wheeling; and the man of the rear rank conforms to his movement, by describing a small portion of a small circle; and each file will thus wheel, on the ground on which the first wheeled.

        The Instructor should take care, that the dis­tance between the files, be preserved, and, that there be no sudden stoppage, jerking forward, or repulsion,


COMPANY EXERCISE.


on the march.


TO HALT THE COMPANY MARCHING TO FLANK, AND TO FACE IT TO ITS PROPER FRONT.


        The instructor commands:


1. Company.

2. HALT.

3. FRONT.

        At the second word, the company halts.

        At the third word, each man fronts, by facing to the left, if the march has been to the right flank; and by facing to the right, if the march has been to the left flank.

        The captain and covering sergeant, take their posts in the line immediately after the company fronts.


TO FORM THE COMPANY MARCHING TO A FLANK, BY FILES, TO THE RIGHT FLANK, IF MARCHING TO THE RIGHT, OR BY FILES, TO THE LEFT FLANK, IF MARCHING TO THE LEFT.


        The instructor will cause the company, marching to the right flank, to form, by files, to the right flank, in line, as follows:


1. Company, by files on the right form line.

2. MARCH.


PLATE VI. FIG. 2.


        At the word march, the rear rank marks time, the covering sergeant and the captain turn to the right, march straight forward, and are halted by the instructor, when they have passed at least four paces beyond the rear rank, who are marking time; the captain shifting to the right of the covering sergeant: the man on the right or the front rank will continue marching, pass behind the covering sergeant, turn to the right when beyond him, and move up to his left, dressing on him; the second man or the front rank will, in the same manner, pass in the rear of the first, then turn to the right, and move up to his left, dressing on him; and so on to the last man of this rank; the rear rank will execute the movement in the same manner as the


COMPANY EXERCISE.


first, and the right hand man of the rear rank, from marking time, is not to commence the march of his rank, till he sees three or four men of the front rank in line.

        The men of the rear rank will place themselves correctly, covering their respective file-leaders as they come up one by one, to their places in line.

        If the company is marching to the left flank, the instructor can form it yy files to the left flank, in line, by the words of command, directed above, but by inversion of mode, substituting the word left, instead of right; and the captain placed on the left of the front rank, will return to his proper situation in line, after the instructor, seeing the company formed, shall have ordered him so to do.

        The better to make the men comprehend tbe component parts of this movement, the Instructor will make each rank execute it separately; direct­ing them to form as if each rank was independ­ent of, and unconnected with the other, but always recollecting what has been directed to be done by the rear rank, relative to the moment of commenc­ing the march, after marking time.


THE COMPANY MARCHING TO A FLANK, FORMING TO THE FRONT FROM FILE, EITHER IN COMPA­NY OR BY PLATOONS.


PLATE VI. FIG. 3.


        The company is supposed marching in file, to the right flank. 'l'he instructor orders the captain to execute the intended movement. He will or­der,


1. Company, by files, form line to the front.

2. MARCH.


        At the word march, the covering sergeant continues to march straight on; the soldiers bring forward the right shoulder passing from common to quick time, and move into line, over the shortest line leading to their respective places, observ­ing to dress up one after another, without running.

        As the soldiers come into line, they are to take up the step from the covering sergeant.


COMPANY EXERCISE.


        The men of the real rank will conform to the movement of their file-leaders, whom they will allow to precede them In coming up into line.

        At the instant the movement commences, the captain will face to his company, and conduct the operation; when the company is formed to the front, he commands,


Guide to the left.


        And then posts himself two paces before the centre of the company facing to the front, and taking up the step of the company.


        At the word, guide to the left, the guide of the left nimbly springs to the left of the front-rank man there; and the covering sergeant, who is at the, opposite flank, remains there.


        When the company is marching in file to the ­left flank, the movement is executed by the same words of command, and on the same principles: the company being formed from file to the front, the captain orders, guide to the right. taking his own place, two paces before the centre, the cov­ering sergeant who is on the right of the front rank, answers the purpose of guide on the right, and the guide on the left flank remains there.

        Thus in a column of companies, the covering sergeant of each, will always be placed on the right of the front rank, and the guide of the left, on the left of the front rank man of the left flank, in their respective companies, whether the column has the right or left in front: they are called guide of the right, and guide of the left of the company, and, one of them will be charged with the direction, ac­cording as the column may be marching with the right or left in front.


        If the company marching in file, to a flank, is to be formed to a front, by platoons, the captain, having received an order so to do, commands,


1. Company, by files to the front, form platoons.

2. MARCH.

        This movement is executed according to the same rules; the captain posts himself before the centre of the first platoon, and the first lieutenant before the centre of the second platoon; they will command, guide to the right, or, guide to the left, at the instant


COMPANY EXERCISE.


that their platoon is formed.

        At the word guide to the right, or, guide to the 1eft, given by tbe chief of each platoon, the guide -- of each takes post on the requisite flank, if not al­ready there .
The guide of the right of the company, is always the guide of the right or left of the first platoon, and the guide of the left of the company, acts as guide of the right, or the left of the second pla­toon.

        Accordingly in a column of platoons there will be one guide on the flank of each, and he will al­ways be on the left flank, if the right of the col­umn is in front; and on the right flank, if the left is in front.

        Whether it is a column of companies or platoons, the officers and non-commissioned officers of the rank of file-closers, will follow and remain attach­ed to their respective platoons,

LESSON V. WHEELINGS.


        Wheelings are of two sorts ; wheeling on a halted pivot and on a moveable pivot.

        Wheelings from a halted pivot are used for wheeling from line into column and from column into line.

        Wheeling on a moveable pivot, takes place, in the changes of direction of a column when march­ing.as often as they ate executed to the reverse flank.

        When the wheel is made on a fixed point, the pivot man, simply turns in his place, marking the time.

        *Division is a general term, employed to signify any of those equal parts into which a regiment is broken, whether they are grand divisions, companies, platoons, or sections,
The pivot, or, (as it is sometimes called) the proper pivot flank of the column, is that by wheeling up to which, the division of the column ore brought into line, in their regular order and to their proper front. The other is called the reverse flank,

        The flank of a division, on which a wheel is executed, is with reference to that particular wheel, termed the pivot, although with reference to the column, it may be the reverse flank.*


   COMPANY EXERCISE.


        In wheeling on a moveable pivot, the pivot man takes steps of seven inches, in order to clear the ground for the succeeding divisions.* This is necessary, in order, that the divisions of a column may be enable to change their direction, without loosing their distances.

        In both cases mentioned, the man on the wheel. ing flank, must take steps of tweuty-eight inches.

        The movement termed turning to tile right or left, takes place only in the changes of direction of the column to the side of the guide. Great care should be taken not to confound this species of movement, with wheeling on a moveable pivot.


WHEELING ON A HALTED PIVOT.


Right wheel—MARCH.


        At the word march, the soldiers step off with the left foot, and turn at the same time the head a little to the left, their eyes fixed in the direction of the men who are on the left. The man on the pivot marks time, turning gradually, and conforming himself to the movement of the wheeling flank; the guide who conducts the wheeling flank, steps tire space of twenty eight inches from the first step, bringing forward the left shoulder a lit­tle, and casting his eyes on the ground he is to go over, and from time to time, along the rank \wheel­ing, always feeling the elbow of the man next to him, but this lightly, and without ever pushing or pressing him.

        The other soldiers keep up the light touch of the elbow, on the side the pivot is on, and resist all pressure coming from the wheeling flank, each man proportioning his step to his distance from the pivot.
Wheeling to the left is performed on the same principles.

1. Company.

2. HALT.


        At the second word, the ranks haIt, and none stir until a further command is given.


COMPANY EXERCISE.


        The ranks will then be dressed and fronted.


WHEELING ON A MOVEABLE PIVOT.


        To cause the ranks on a march to change di­rection on a reverse flank.


Right (or Left)--Wheel.

MARCH.


        The first word of command must be given.w hen the front rank is within two paces of the point, where the pivot is to commence circling.

        At the second word, the wheeling is executed as on a hailed pivot, excepting, that the touch of the elbows is kept up to the side of the guide, and not to the inner, or present pivot flank. 'I'he pivot man conforms himself to the movement of the outer-flank, feeling, lightly, the elbow of the man next to him; and takes steps of seven inch­es, gaining ground, advancing and moving on a part of the circumference of a small circle; so that he thus clears, or disengages the initial point of his wheeling, the middle of the rank curving a little towards the rear.

        The wheel being effected


Forward- MARCH.


        The first word is given two paces before the wheel is finished. '

        At the second, given the instant the wheel is effected, the man, directing the flank that has just described the larger sweep of the circle, moves straight forward, and the pivot man, together with the other men,

composing the ranks, resume the step of twenty eight inches, directing the head to the front.


TO CHANGE DIRECTION TO THE SIDE OF TIlE GUIDE


1. Left (or right) turn.

2. MARCH.


        The first word must be given, when the front rank is within two paces of the initial point of turning.
At the second word, to be given at the instant when the ranks are to commence turning, the guide on the pivot flank, turns to the left (or right) on the


COMPANY EXERCISE.


march, and without rendering more slow, or quickening the cadence of the time, and with­out lengthening or shortening the measure of the step, moves forward in the new direction; the rest or the rank, quickly conform to the new di­rection in which the guide is moving, but with­out running; and for this purpose, each man brings forward the shoulder farthest from the guide; turns the head and eyes to the flank the guide iil on; touches the elbow of the man between him and the guide; placing himself on the same alignment with the guide, and turning his head and eyes, then, to the front. Each man arrives thus, successively, on the alignment of the guide on the pivot flank.


WHEELING FORWARD BY PLATOONS FROM LINE.


        If the company is to break forward, by platoons to the right, the instructor commands,


1. Platoons-right wheel.

2. MARCH.


PLATE VII. FIG. 1.


        At the first word of command, the chiefs of platoons will place themselves two paces in front of the centre of their platoons, facing to the rear, the chief of the second platoon passing, for this pur­pose, round the left flank of the company, and they need not pay attention to dressing on each other,it being only necessary for them, to place them­selves as directed.

        At the word March, the man on the right of the front rank of each platoon faces to the right; the chief of each platoon will move, quick, over the shortest possible line, to a point on the outside of that where the left will be, when the wheel is effected; he will place himself in such a manner, that a line. drawn from him to the man on the right of the front rank, is perpendicular to the line of the company, previous to wheeling; the pla­toons wheel, according to the directions for wheel­ing from a halted pivot, in common time; and when the man, who conducts the wheeling flank, shall have arrived within two paces of the per­pendicular, the chief


COMPANY EXERCISE


of each platoon will com­mand, .


Platoon.

HALT.


        At the second word, the platoons halt; the cov­ering sergeant, who has remained in his original place, moves, at that instant, along the front of the front rank, to (he point where the left flank of the first platoon will rest, when dressed forward; the guide of the left moves to the front, where the left flank of the second platoon will rest, when dressed forward; they must take care to leave between themselves, respectively, and the man on the right of their platoons, a sufficient space to contain the front of the platoon, when dressed up; the captain and the chief of the second platoon, will regulate this, taking care to align them, between them­selves and the pivot man of their platoons, who has faced to the right.

        The guide of each platoon being thus fixed on the perpendicular, the chiefs of platoons will command,


Left—DRESS.


        The platoons dress on the perpendicular line.

        The dressing being effected, the chief of each platoon commands front, and places himself two paces in front of the centre of his platoon.

        The rank of file closers conform themselves to the movement of their respective platoons.

        The company will break forward, and wheel by platoons to the left on the same principles.­ The instructor commands,


1.Platoons, left wheel.

2. MARCH


        If the guide or the rear platoon does not exactly cover the guide of the preceding one, he must not endeavor to correct his situation till the col­umn is put in march.

        The man of the front rank of each platoon next to the pivot man, must in wheeling, gain a Iittle ground to the front in order to clear the shoulder of the pivot, which projects after he


COMPANY EXERCISE.


faces, beyond the front of the original line, a space equal to half the breadth of his body.


MARCH IN OPEN COLUMN.


        The company having broken to the right, from line into column of platoons, the' Instructor, pre­vious to putting the column in motion, will place himself on the line of the guides, at the distance of 15 or 20 paces, and facing it.

        He then, being thus in the line of direction, or­ders the guide of the first platoon, to mark two points on the ground, on the line.

        The instructor commands:


1. Column Forward.
2. Guide to the left.
3. MARCH.


        At the word march, which must be quickly, and with vivacity, repeated, by the chiefs of platoons, they and the guides, march off their platoons, with a firm decided step, throwing forward the left foot smartly, at the same instant.

        The soldiers will maintain the light touches of the elbows towards the flank the guide is on.
The man of each platoon next to the guide must always keep at the distance of six inches from him, in order to avoid pushing him out of the direction; and he must be also careful never to be more advanced than the guide.
The second guide must march, accurately, in the path of the leading guide, observing to keep at such a distance from him, as may be, exactly equal to the front of his own platoon, and to keep up the same step as that of the guide who precedes him.

        If the guide of the second platoon lose his dis­tance he ought to regain it, gradually, either by insensibly lengthening, or shortening his steps.

        If the guide of the second platoon has neglected to follow, exactly, the traces of the first, and is thereby thrown insensibly to the left or right of the proper direction, he will remedy this fault, by bringing forward, more or less, the left or right shoulder in such a


COMPANY EXERCISE.


manner, as to regain the line of direction, gradually. by the direct step; the instructor will
see that the soldiers conform to the movements of the guide.

        Whenever the line breaks into open column, the chiefs of platoon will repeat the words of com­mand, March, and Halt, given by the instructor, at the moment they hear them, and without wait­ing for each other.


IN OPEN COLUMN OF PLATOONS, WHEELING INTO A NEW DIRECTION ON A MOVEABLE PIVOT, AND TURNING ON A MARCH.


        The column marching with the right in front, will change its direction, by order of the instruc­tor, communicated to the chief of the leading platoon; the instructor will post himself at the point, where the movement is to commence, in the line of direction of the guides on the pivot flank, with his right side nearest to the head of the column.

        The guide of the head platoon must conduct his march on the instructor, in such a manner, that his left arm shall lightly touch the breast of the instructor; and when the leading platoon is near­ly up to the instructor, the chief of platoon com­mands:


1. Left-turn.

2. MARCH.


PLATE VII. FIG. 2.


        The first word of command must be given, when the pivot flank is within two paces of the turning point.
At the word, March, which must be given at the moment of arriving on the point of turning, the guide turns to the left, and the soldiers turn, as has been directed under the head of changing direc­tion to the side of the guide.

        The guide of the first platoon, having turned to the left, must fix on two points on the ground, in the new direction, in order to march on them.

        The second platoon marches off with the first,


COMPANY EXERCISE.


and proceeds straight forward, its guide grazing the surface of the breast of the instructor, placed at the turning point, and when arrived there, this second platoon will turn to the left by the same words of command and by the same rules as the first platoon.

        In order to wheel, on a moveable pivot, to the flank opposite to that on which the guide is, the instructor, after giving orders to that effect, to the chief of the first platoon, will immediately proceed to the point where the change of direction is to commence. The guide of the leading platoon conducts himself as has been directed above; and when arrived within two paces of the instructor, placed on the initial point of wheeling, the chief of platoon will command.


1. Right Wheel,
  
2. MARCH,


PLATE VII. FIG. 3.


        At the word march, which is to be given at the instant when the guide shall arrive at the point, when the circling on the moveable point commences, the platoon will execute the wheel to the right. The wheel being effected, the chief of platoon commands.


1. Forward.
  
2. MARCH.


        The first platoon resumes the direct march. The second platoon continues to march straight forward, the guide conducting it on, and towards the instructor; this platoon will wheel on a move­able pivot, in its turn, at the same point, by the same words of command, and by similar means as the first, resuming likewise the direct march.

        The changes of direction of a column, having the left in front, are executed on the same principles, and by inverted means.


TO HALT THE COLUMN.


    The column is halted by the instructor, as follows:
Column.

HALT.


        At the word halt, quickly repeated by the chiefs of platoons, they must all halt, at the same


COMPANY EXERCISE.


time; and the guides must not stir, even though they should not have their distances nor direction, unless the instructor, thinking it necessary to form the line, begins with rectifying the line of direction.


WHEN A COLUMN OF PI,ATOONS WlIEELS TO THE LEFT, OR RIGHT, INTO LINE.


        The instructor having halted the column wfth the right in front, in order 10 wheel it up into line, will, immediately thereafter, proceed 10 the dis­tance of one platoon from the leading guide, whom. hefaees ; and will, so placed on the line of the guides, rectify, if requisite, the position of the se­cond guide, giving then the command,


Left-DRESS


        At this word, which is not to be repeated by the chiefs of platoons, each chief of platoon will, quickly, proceed to the distance of two paces to the outside of his guide, and there direct the align­ment of his platoon to be made perpendicular to the direction of the column.

        The chiefs of platoons, having aligned their re­spective platoons, will order front, and nimhly ""lace themselves before the centre of their pla­toons.

        This arrangement being made, the instructor is to command,

Left into line, wheel.

MARCH.


PLATE VII. FIG. 4.


        At the word march, quickly repeated by the chiefs of platoons, the man in the front rank, on the left of each platoon, will face to the left, and is to bear his breast, lightly, against the right arm of the guide placed by his side, who does not stir; the platoons wheel to the left, on the principles of wheeling on a halted pivot; and each chief of platoon turns to his platoon to conduct the wheel, giving the following words, when the right of hill platoon arrives within two paces of the line.


COMPANY EXERCISE.


Platoon.

HALT.


        The chief of the second platoon, having halted his platoon, retires to the rank of file-closers.

        The captain having halted the first platoon, places himself, nimbly,. on the line, at the point where the right will rest when dressed forward; and commands as soon as he plants himself there,


Right-DRESS.


        At this word, the two platoons dress up into the alignment; the man of the first, who is oppo­site to the instructor placed on the directing line, will dress up to him, and lightly, with his breast, touch his left arm. The captain will direct the alignment on the guide of the left, and then command,


FRONT


and resumes his place in line.


    The instructor, seeing the company formed steady in line, will command,

Guides to your-POSTS.


        At this word of command, the covering ser­geant will retire behind the captain, the guide of the left retiring to the rank of file-closers.

        In order to wheel the column up into line, with the left in front, the wheel being to the right, the instructor will place himself, facing the leading guide, on the directing line, at the distance of a platoon from him,
rectifying, if necessary, the po­sition of the second guide; after effecting which he commands,


Right into line, wheel.

MARCH.


        At the word, march, the front rank man on the right of each platoon, will face to the right, and bear his breast, lightly against the left arm of the guide placed by his side, who does not move, each platoon wheels to the right, and will be halted by its chief, when the wheeling flank


COMPANY EXERCISE.


is within two paces of the line; and for this purpose, the chiefs of platoon will give the words of com­mand,


1. Platoon.

2. HALT.


        The chief of the second platoon , having halted his platoon, will retire to the rank of file closers.

        The captain, having halted the first platoon, will step, nimbly, to the left flank of the company, placing himself at the point where the left hand front rank man will rest when the company is in line; and being there, will command,


Left-DRESS.


        At this word of command, the two platoons dress up to the alignment.

        The company being aligned; the captain will command,


FRONT.
        The instructor will then command,


Guides to your-POSTS.


        At this command, the captain will take his post on the right of the company; the covering sergeant, will take his place in the rear-rank cov­ering the captain; and the guide of the left will retire to the rank of file-closers.

        The instructor previously to commanding left (or right) into line wheel, ought to see that the rear platoon has its proper column distance; this attention is important as it habituates the guides never to neglect so very essential a point.


LESSON VI.


TO BREAK OFF FILES, AND TO MOYE THEM UP

AGAIN TO THE FRONT.


        The company marching, and supposed to con­stitute a part of a column, with the right or left in front, and the instructor intending to break 0!T files, will give an order, to that effect, to the cap­tain, who immediately faces to his company, and commands,


COMPANY EXERCISE.


        One file from the right (or left) break off.


2. MARCH.


        At the word of command, march, the first file on the right will mark time, and the company will continue to march on; the man of the rear rank of that file, will move as soon as the rear rank of the company shall have passed him, to the left, and place himself behind the second file from the flank then marching on; the man of the front rank will likewise move behind the first file, at the instant when the rear of the company shall have passed him; and each man of the file will move to his indicated situation, by bringing for­ward a little the outward shoulder, taking great care not to lose his distance, by falling too far behind.


PLATE VIlI. FIG.9.


        The instructor seeing it necessary to break off another file, will gjve an order to that effect, to the captain who will repeat the former orders for breaking off a file.

        At the word, march, by the captain, the file al­ready broke off, and in the rear, advancing the exterior shoulder a little, will gain the space of one file to the left, and contract the step in order to make room for the new file in its front; and the new file will break off in the same manner as the first did, and place itself between the compa­ny and the file first broken off.

        Breaking off files from the left is done in the same manner, the captain substituting the word left or right.
The instructor will, thus, be enabled to dimi­nish successively, the front of the company by as many files as he may judge necessary, always breaking off new files from the same flank, till two files, only, remain forming the front.

        The rank of file.closers must arrange them­selves behind the part of the company that has not diminished itself, by breaking off files.

        When the instructor sees it necessary to direct some files in the rear, to form up, he will order the captain to effect this, by the following words of command,


I. File of the right (or left) into line.


COMPANY EXERCISE.

2. MARCH.


PLATE VIII. FIG. 10.


        On the word march, the front file of those broken, off and marching behind the flank, will move up, quickly, to the front; and the files in the rear will, by bringing forward the right shoulder, incline the breadth of one file to the left, if is behind the ­left flank, that the files are; or will, by bringing. forward the left shoulder, incline the space or one file to the right, if it is behind the right flank that the files broken off are placed.

        The captain facing his company, will see that the movement is executed according to the prescribed rules.


PLATE VIII. FIG. 11.


        The instructor having, thus, caused files to break off, and form up, successively, will order, that two or three files shall break off together, or at the same time; the number of named files will mark time; each rank when the rear of the com­pany has passed. will bring forward, a little the exterior shoulder; will oblique together, and place itself behind one of the two nearest files, as if the movement were executed file by file, observing not to lose the distance.

        The instructor will, afterwards, order the cap­tain to cause two or three files, at the same time, to move to the front; and for this purpose, the captain commands,


1.Three front files into line.

2. MARCH.


PLATE VIII. FIG. 12.


        The three named files will move up quickly over the shortest lines leading to their places.

        As often as files are broken off, the guide on the flank will close in to that flank to the right, or left, in proportion as the front diminishes, so as to be always close to the flank of the company, from which a file, or files have been broken off; and he will incline


COMPANY EXERCISE.


off from the flank, in proportion as files are ordered to move up.


        By successively, throwing files to the rear of the same flank, the front may he reduced to two files, behind which the broken off files march.

        When the front is reduced to four files by break­ing off from each flank, and a further diminu­tion is necessary, the division must march in file, with the right or left flank in Iront. For that pur­pose, the files of the flank which is to be in front, must rapidly countermarch from the rear to the front: and the rest of the division will follow in file.


MARCIl IN COLUMN OF ROUTE, AND TO EXECUTE
THE VARIOUS FILE MOVEMENTS PRESCRIBED
ABOVE.


        The company being hailed', and supposed to form a part of a column, the instructor, to make the column march at ease, will give the following words of command
1. Column forward. 2. Guide to the left (or right) 3.Route Step. 4. MARCH.


        On the word march, repeated by the captain, the ranks step off together, taking open order, to about the distance of three feet from rank to rank. 'l'he instructor commands.


Arms at-EASE.


        At this word the arms may be carried in either hand, or at either shoulder, the soldiers taking care to keep the muzzles of their muskets up· wards ; and they will no longer be required to march with a cadenced step, or to keep silence; the files march at ease, but the ranks must never intermix, and the men of the front rank must never be further advanced to the front than the guide, who is on the pivot flank, and the rear rank must keep at the distance of about three feet, from the front rank.

        Were the column marching: with the cadenced step, the route step would be assumed from




COMPANY EXERCISE.
the following words of command:


1. Column.
2. Route step.

3. MARCH.


        On the word march, the front rank continues to march the step of twenty eight inches, and the rear rank will take open order on the march, to the distance of about three feet from rank to rank; and the instructor will then order,


Arms at-EASE.


        The soldiers marching at ease, the instructor will cause the direction of the column to be changed on the pivot. or on the reverse flank, which is to be executed without a formal word of command and simply on a caution given by the captain; the rear rank will, successively, when on the spot where the front rank effected the change, wheel on a moveable pivot, or turn to the right or left, conforming, though marching at ease, to the principles which have been detailed for changing the direction, when marching at close order and with the cadenced step; with this only difference, tha tin changes of direction on the side opposite to the guide, the pivot man takes steps of fourteen Inches, in order to clear or disengage the wheeling point.

        The instructor will also direct the captain, to exercise the men in the various file movements before detailed; and he will close the ranks, by directing the captain to give the words,


I. Rear rank close order.

2. MARCH.


        At the word march the front rank resumes the cadenced step; the rear rank and also the files which may be behind the flanks broke off, quickly close up, taking up, afterwards, the cadenced step; and both ranks will support arms.

        When the company marching at ease, halts, the rear rank closes up at the word, halt, and the men support arms.


COMPANY EXERCISE.


        Were the company marching at closed rank, if halted, arms would be carried. This rule is gen­eral, whatever may be the number of companies. In the drill of the company, a column of route will march in common time. In the drill, of the battalion and on service, without observing the cadence of the step, it will march, as nearly at that rate, as the nature of the ground will admit.


BREAKING AND FORMING COMPANY ON THE MARCH.
To break into platoons.


PLATE VIII. FIG. 1.


        The company marching with the cadenced step, and being supposed to form a part of a column, with the right in front, the instructor in order to break into platoons, will give the order for the purpose to the captain, who is to command,


1. Break into platoons.


        The captain takes post before the centre of the first platoon.

        The chief of the second platoon, placed in its rear, will, on hearing the last word of command, post himself, also, before its centre, where, when arrived, he will command,


Mark time.
        The captain will then command,


2. MARCH.


        The first platoon is to continue to march straight forward, and the covering sergeant will place himself on its left flank, when that flank separates, or is clear of the right flank of the left platoon, which is marking time, passing, for this purpose, along the front of the first platoon.

        The second platoon will mark time, as previ­ously cautioned by its chief, till the rear rank of the first platoon has passed beyond its front, and then will oblique to the right.

        The guide on the left of the second platoon, hav­ing nearly arrived on the line of direction of the first, the chief of the second platoon will command,


Forward.


        And at the instant when the guide of the se­cond platoon covers the guide of the first,


COMPANY EXERCISE.


he will command,


MARCH.


        The formation of the platoons, when the left is in front, is effected by inverse means.
       
        The left being in front, the guide of the left will move to the right flank of the second platoon, when clear of the left flank of the-first platoon; and the covering sergeant on the right flank of the first platoon remains there.


TO FORM COMPANY.


PLATE IX. FIG. 2.


        The column marching in platoons, with the right in front, the instructor directs the captain to form company; the captain effects this by the following words of command,


1. Form Company.


        The captain having given this word, is to cau­tion the first platoon to prepare to oblique to the right.

        The chief of the second platoon, will warn his platoon to continue to march, steadily, straight forward.

        The captain will then command, -


2. MARCH.


        At this word, which must be repeated by the chief of the second platoon, the first platoon will oblique to the right to uncover the second, and the covering sergeant, placed on the left flank of {he first platoon will move to its right, passing, for this purpose, along the front .

        When the first platoon shall have nearly .un­covered, or cleared the front of tire second, the captain is to give the word forward; and that of MARCH, at the instant when his platoon has com­pletely uncovered the second.

        During this operation, the second platoon is to continue to march straight forward al the same pace, and the first, after uncovering the second platoon, will mark time,


COMPANY EXERCISE.


waiting for the second, to which it will unite when up to it.

        The company is formed, when the left is in front, by inverse means.
In this case the guide of the second platoon placed on the right flank of it, will move to the left flank, when the obliqueing commences; and the guide of the first platoon, placed on its right flank, remains there.

        The instructor will, afterwards, exercise the company in breaking and forming company, when marching at ease, in column of route; which is effected by the same words of command, and by similar means of execution, as w hen marching with the cadenced step, with this only difference, that in the platoon which obliques, each man will half face to the right or left, instead of maintaining the squareness of the shoulders to the front.


COUNTERMARCH.


        The company being halted, and supposed to constitute part of a column with the right in front, the Instructor, in order to make it countermarch, will command,

1. Company-countermarch.
2. Right-FACE.

3. Left Countermarch.

4. MARCH.


PLATE IX. FIG 3.


        At the second word, the company is to face to the right; the captain will move to the side of the guide of the right; and the guide of the left will face to the right about.

        At the fourth word, march, the guide of the left is not to move; the company will step off smartly; the leading file, conducted by the captain, must wheel to the left about, moving along the front rank, now marching in file so as to arrive at the distance of two paces in real of the guide of the left who has not moved nor followed the compa­ny; each tile will wheel, successively, on the same ground on which the leading file, wheeled, and in the same manner; and when the leading tile has arrived as far as the guide of the left, the captain must command,


1. Company.



COMPANY EXERCISE.



2. HALT.

3. FRONT.

4. Right-DRESS.


        The first word of command is to be given, when the leading file is within two paces of the point where the company ought to halt.

        On the second word, the company is to halt, On the third word, the company face to the side the front rank is on.

        At the fourth the word, the company will move up to the alignment market! by the position of the guide of the left; the man on the right of the front rank, will place himself to the left and by the side of the guide; the captain will place him­self at the distance of two paces to the right of the guide, in order to.direct the alignment, when effected, he must command, FRONT, placing him­self before the centre of the company; the cover­ing sergeant will then place himself on the right of the front rank; and the guide of the left, who was there, will move to his place, to the left of the front rank.
In a column with the left in front, the counter­march would be executed on the same principles, but by inverse means.

        Finally, if it were a column of platoons, the countermarch would be executed by the same words of command and in the same manner.


TO FORM TO EITHER FLANK, FROM OPEN COLUMNS
OF PLATOONS.


        The company being in open columns of platoons to form on the right, in line, the instructor will command,

I. On the right form company. 2. Guides to the right.


        At the second word of command, the guide of each platoon, moves, nimbly, to the right flank of his platoon; and the soldiers will take the light touch of the elbows from the right; and the


COMPANY EXERCISE.


column will continue to march straight forward.

        The instructor having given the second word. of command, wiII move, nimbly, to the point where the right of the company is to rest in line; placing himself there, facing to the left of the new line he has chosen.

        The line fixed on, ought to be so situated that each platoon, after having turned to the right, with the left shoulder forward, may have, at least four paces to march up to 'the line.

        The head of the column having arrived, nearly,. as far as the Instructor, placed at the point of appui, the chief of the first platoon will command,


Right Turn.

       
        And when it shall be opposite to' the instructor.


MARCH


        On the word, march, the first platoon will turn, to the right, and then move to its front; the guide will conduct himself in such a manner, that the man of the front rank next to him, and by his side arrives opposite to the instructor; the captain is to march two paces in front of the centre of the first platoon; and when it arrives at the situation of the instructor, will command;


1. Platoon;

2. HALT.


        At the word, halt, the platoon is to halt; the guide will immediately on that, move along the new line till opposite to one of the three files on the left of his platoon; he will face towards the instructor, who aligns him on the point of direc­tion beyond the left; and the captain is to move, at the same lime, to the point where the right, will rest when dressed up, commanding, when: there,


Right-DRESS.


        At this word, the first platoon is to dress for­ward.

        The second platoon will continue to march straight on until it arrives opposite to the left. flank of the first; when, by command of the chief, it will turn to the right and


COMPANY EXERCISE.


move up, then, to­wards the line, the guide conducting his march on the left file of the first platoon .

        The second platoon, being arrived within two paces of the line, will be hailed by its chief, by the same words of command prescribed for the first; at the instant of halting, the guide is to spring forward, nimbly, placing himself on the line. of formation, facing the guide of the first platoon; the instructor will direct him to move to the right or left, till he is on the line; and the guide must take care to be opposite to one of the three files on the left of his platoon.

        The chief of the second platoon, seeing his guide established on the line, will command,


Right-DRESS.


        The chief of the second platoon, after giving this order, wiII quickly retire to the rank of file­-closers, passing between the first and. second platoons, and the second platoon is to dress up to the first.

        The man of each platoon, who is opposite to the guide placed before him will, in dressing, gent­ly press his breast against the arm of the guide, at the moment of coming up to the line.

        The instructor on seeing the company in line, is to give the word of command,


Guides to your-Posts.


        At this word of command, the covering sergeant will go to his situation, covering the captain; and the guide of the second platoon, will retire to the rank of file-closers.

        A column of platoons, with the left in front, will form on the left flank, on the same principles; and by the same words of command, except­ing that the word left, is substituted for the word right.
In going through the four last lessons, the instructor should often order the company to support arms, and accustom the men to march thus, with the same regularity and precision as if arms were shouldered.

        When the men support arms marching, they may be permitted, either to let the right hand re­main at the small of the stock of the firelock, or to let it fall to the side, as they may find either


COMPANY EXERCISE.


position most convenient.


MANUAL EXERCISE OF THE SERGEANTS.


        The non-commissioned officers, as also all the men of the battalion, must always, when under arms, have their bayonets fixed.

        The covering sergeants, and the non-commis­sioned officers in the rank of fife closers, as well as those attached to the guard of the colours, will have their fire-locks in the position about to be described.

       

      ADVANCED ARMS.


        The firelock in the right hand, against the point nearly of the shoulder, the barrel perpendic­ular, and to the rear, the ramrod outwards, the right arm almost at its full extent, the right hand embracing the cock and guard, the butt along the right thigh, and the left hand hanging by the left side.


Present-ARMS.
One word and two motions. First motion.


        Carry the firelock with the right hand perpen­dicularly, opposite to the left eye, the ramrod, to the front, the cock as high as the lowest waist­coat button; grasp, at the same time, the fire lock with the left hand, the little finger against the feather spring of the pan-steel, the thumb stretch­ed upwards along the barrel and stock, the fore part of the arm held close to the body, without constraint; and remain facing steady to the front, without stirring the feet.


Second Motion.


        Grasp the firelock with the right hand under, and at the guard, as the rank and file do.


Advance-ARMS.
One word and two motions.   First motion.
        Slip the left hand as high as the shoulder, and carry, with this hand, the fire lock perpendicularly, to, and against the right shoulder; grasp, with the right hand, the cock and guard,


COMPANY EXERCISE.


extending the right arm, almost fully, downwards.


Second Motion.


        Let the left hand fall.

Order-ARMS.
One word and two motions.
First motion.
        Carry, smartly, the left hand to the centre pipe; detach a little, with the right hand the fire lock from the right shoulder; quit hold, at the same time, with the right hand; sink down the firelock with the left hand; seize it again, with the right hand above the tail-pipe, the right thumb on the barrel, in order to grasp it, the four fingers extended on the stock, the firelock perpendicular, the butt at three inches from the ground, the heel of the butt hanging over the spot, on the side of the point of the right foot; and let the left hand fall.


Second Motion.


        By opening, a little, the fingers of the right hand, let the firelock slip through them, and fall to the ground, in such a manner, that the heel of the butt may rest at the side of, and close to the point of the right foot.


Advance-ARMS.
One word and two motions. First motion.
        Raise the firelock, perpendicularly with the right hand, as high as the right breast, opposite to the shoulder, at the distance of two inches from the body, the right elbow being held close to it; seize the firelock with the left hand, under the place of the right, or nearly, at the tail-pipe; and, immediately let fall the right hand to grasp the cock and guard, leaning the firelock against the shoulder.


Second Motion.


COMPANY EXERCISE.
        Let fall the left arm, the right arm being, nearIy, fully extended.

Support-ARMS.
One word and three motions.
First motion.
        Carry the firelock to the front of the body, per­pendicularly opposite to, and between {he eyes, with the right hand, the ramrod outwards; seize the firelock with the left hand at the tail pipe, raise it as high as the chin; and at the same lime, grasp the firelock, with the right hand, four inches under the lock.


Second Motion


        Turn the firelock with the right hand, so as to bring the barrel to the front, conducting it, at the same time, to the left shoulder; and pass the left fore, arm, horizontally, on, or across the breast, between the right hand and the cock, supporting the cock on the left fore arm, the left hand resting on the right breast.


Third Motion.


        Let the right hand fall to the right side.
Advance-ARMS.
One word and three motions.
First motion.
        Grasp the firelock with the right hand, under, and close to the left fore arm.


Second Motion.
        Carry the firelock, perpendicularly,with the right hand to, and against the right shoulder, the ramrod to the front; seize it with the left hand as high as the right shoulder; and turn the right hand, at , the same 'time, in order to grasp the cock and guard, the right arm extending downwards nearly to its full length.
     

Third Motion.


        Let fall the left arm.


COMPANY EXERCISE.


MANUAL EXERCISE OF THE CORPORALS.
        When the corporals are in the ranks, they use their arms in the same manner, as the other rank and file do; but should they be in the rank of file closers, or conduct the head of a body of men, or have charge of a relief of sentinels, or belong to the colour guard they, must carry the firelock in the right hand, like the sergeants.


SWORD MANUAL OF THE OFFICERS.

MODE OF CARRYING THE SWORD WHEN IN THE RANKS.
        The gripe of the sword in the right hand, which ought 10 be placed as high as and against the right haunch, the blade being supported or leaning against the shoulder.

        When the ranks order arms, the officers drop the blade of the sword by the right side wit h the point a little advanced, and about two inches from the ground.


SWORD SALUTE, WHETHER IN THE RANKS, OR MARCHING.


Four motions.


        One. Raise the sword perpendicularly, with the point uppermost, the flat of the blade opposite o the right eye, the guard as high as the right breast, and the elbow against the body.

        Two. Bring down the blade smartly, by ex­tending the arm in such a manner that the right hand may be placed at the side of the right thigh, and rest in that position, until the person saluted shall have passed two paces.

        Three. Raise up the sword again smartly, holding it as descri bet! at one.

        Four. Carry the sword to the right shoulder, or sink the blade into the left hand, according to circumstances.


SALUTE OF THE COLOURS.
I

        n the ranks, whether halting or marching, the bearer of the colours, must always bear the bot­tom of the staff against the right haunch, and the salute is executed as follows.
When within six paces of the person to be saluted, sink down, gently the staff, within


COMPANY EXERCISE.


six inch­es of the ground, without moving the bottom of the staff from the haunch, facing steadily in the same direction as before saluting; raise up again, gently, and slowly the staff, when the person sa­luted shall have been passed, or shall have passed­ two paces.




APPENDIX:

CONTAINING

FORMATION OF A REGIMENT

IN THE ORDER OF

BATTLE AND LINE.

REVIEWS, &c. &c.

-----: :----

FORMATION OF A REGIMENT IN ORDER OF BATTLE, OR LINE.

PLATE 1.

        Whatever may be the situation of a brigade in the order of battle or line, the oldest regiment will be formed on the right, and the youngest on the left.

        Every regiment constitutes a battalion, and is known by that denomination in exercise and ac­tion.
'I'he interval between battalions is twelve paces.


APPENDIX.


        The battalion consists of eight battalion companies and two of light infantry.

        The battalion companies are divided into two. half battalions, called the right and left wings­ the right wing will be composed of the companies of the first, third, fifth, and seventh battalion cap­tains. T'o the left wing belong the companies of the second, fourth, sixth, and eighth battalion captains.

        The battalion companies will be drawn up from the right to the left of the battalion, in the follow­ing order, according to the rank of the captains; first, fifth, third, seventh, second, sixth, fourth, eighth.
The two companies of light infantry are denom­inated first and second, according to the seniority of the captains who command them, and will be posted on the right of the battalion, according to rank,

        A different disposition is made of the light In­fantry companies, when performing the peculiar duties of light infantry.

        The battalion companies as posted, will be reck­oned by the names of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eight, successively, commencing on the right, and ending on the left of the battalion.

        The first and second battalion companies will form the first grand division; the third and fourth, the second grand division; the fifth and sixth, the third grand division; the seventh and eighth, the fourth grand division; the first and second com­panies of light infantry will compose a grand di­vision of light infantry.

        Every company will be divided into two pla­toons, called the first and second.

        Every platoon will be divided into a right or left section of equal size, to be called the first, second, third and fourth sections; commencing on the right, and ending on the left of the company. 'I'he files will be numbered from the right to the left flank of the company, 1, 2, 3, &c.

        The habitual order of formation will be that of two ranks, with a rank of file- closers.


APPENDIX.


        Every company, whatever may be its place in the battalion, will be formed of men sized from the flanks to the centre. When formed in two ranks, one half, consisting of the shortest men, will form the front rank-- when formed in three ranks, one third pari, consisting of the shortest men, will form the front rank; one third part, consisting of the tallest men, will form the rear rank; and the re­maining third will form the intermediate rank.

        The distance from rank to rank will be one foot, which will be measured from the breasts of the men of the rear ranks, to the backs of the men who are in front of them respectively in their files. When the knapsack is on, the foot will be measured to. the back of the knapsack.

        The companies must be always equalized, by assigning over men, if necessary, from one compa­ny to another.

        The situation of the officers and non commissioned officers in the order of battle or line, is the same, as when the company is formed in the ha­bitual order of two deep.


SITUATION OF THE FIELD OFFICERS AND REGIMENTAL STAFF


        The field officers and commissioned regimental staff will be mounted. ~

        The colonel will be posted twenty paces in the rear of the rank of file-closers, and opposite to the centre of the battalion.

        The lieutenant colonel, the major, the adjutant, and the sergeant major, will all be ten pa­ces in the rear of the rank of file-closers,

        The lieutenant colonel will be opposite to the centre of the right wing. The major opposite to the centre of the left wing. The adjutant oppo­site to the right, and the sergeant major opposite to the left of tbe battalion. The adjutant will aid the lieutenant-colonel, and the sergeant major will aid the major in the performance of their respective duties in the evolutions.

        The quarter-master, surgeon, and surgeons's males, drawn up from right to left, in the


APPENDIX.
order in which they are mentioned, will be posted on the left of the colonel, three paces in the rear of him.

        The quarter-master-sergeant will be posted in line with the front rank of the pioneers, three pa­ces on the right of them.


POSTS OF THE DRUMMERS AND MU­SICIANS IN LINE.


        The drummers and filers of the battalion will be formed in two ranks, the fifers in front. They will be placed twelve paces in rear of the rank of file-closers, opposite to the left centre company.

        The senior principal musician will be in front, and the other in rear, of the whole.

        When there is a regimental band, it will be placed in one rank, two races behind the drum­mers.

        The pioneers, drawn up in two ranks, will be posted twelve paces in the rear of the rank of file­-closers, opposite to the right centre company.­The corporal of pioneers will be two paces in front of them.


COLOURS AND COLOUR-GUARD.


        The national and regimental colours will be borne by two sergeants.

        The colour-guard consists of a sergeant and three corporals.

        The colours and their guard will be posted on the left of the fourth company and are to be reck­oned among the number of files of that company, which on that account is to have three files less than the other companies.

        The colour-bearers will be placed in the front rank, with the sergeant of the colour-guard be­tween them.
       
        The three corporals will be placed behind them in the second rank.

        When the order of formation is three deep, three more corporals must be added to the guard, and, placed in the third rank behind the others.

        The corporals of the colour guard, and all ser­geants, will have their arms advanced.

        It is of the utmost importance in marching in order of battle (or line.) that the sergeant,


APPENDIX.


placed between the colours, should be thoroughly disci­plined.


POSITION OF THE BATTALION OFFICERS WHEN MARCHING IN
OPEN COLUMN.

        In a battalion receiving elementary instruction the colonel has no fixed place assigned him; but in columns composed of several battalions, he will habitually take post, on the pivot flank of the col­umn at the distance of eight or ten paces from the guides and opposite to the centre of the battalion,


        The lieutenant colonel and major on the pivot flank of the column, the former in the line of the front of the leading, and the latter, in that of the front of the rear division .


        The adjutant and sergeant major, near the lieutenant·colonel and major, to aid them.


POSITION OF THE DRUMMERS AND FIFERS.


        In column of manoeuvre, the drums march on the reverse flank, dressing with the front of the left centre company.

        In column of route, as also in passing defiles to the front, or rear; in retreating, they must march at the head of the battalion.


FORMATION AND ORDER OF MARCH OF A PARTY TO ESCORT THE COLOURS.


        When the drums beat for parading the battalion under arms, if the colours are required, one of the two companies of light infantry, or if' they are detached, one of the battalion companies, will march to bring and escort the colours, in the fol­lowing order.

        The drum-major, and the drummers of the bat­talion, followed by the band, the detachment in column of platoons, with supported arms; and the two sergeants appointed for carrying the colours, abreast, between the two platoons.

        The party marches, in this order, without mu­sic, or beat of drum.

        When arrived in front of its colonel's quarters, the platoons wheel up into line, with the band formed on the right.


APPENDIX.


        As soon as the detachment is in line, the two sergeants who are to carry the colours, will pro­ceed to receive them, accompanied by the lieu­tenant, and a sergeant belonging to the party.

        When afterwards, the two sergeants come out with the colours, followed by the lieutenant and sergeant, they will halt before the door, or gate.

        At the instant when, the colours are brought out, the officer commanding the party will order arms to be presented, and the drums will beat the troop.

        After beating sometime accompanied by the band, the officer commanding the party will direct the beating and music to cease; and he will order the party then to shoulder arms, and to wheel or file into platoons; the two sergeants who carry the colours, place themselves, side by side be­tween the two platoons; and the lieutenant and sergeant resume their places.

        The officer commanding will then, march off the party in the same order in which it arrived, in order to join the regiment assembled, on the parade. The drums beat and the music plays.


COMPLIMENTS PAlD TO TIlE COLOURS.


        When the colours arrive, the colonel will or. tier arms to be shouldered, the drums will cease heating, and in quick time, with the party, will resume their places in line, passing for that purpose in rear of the regiment; and the colonel will place himself six paces in front of the file in the centre of his battalion.
The bearers of the colours, will march, in quick time, side by side, at the distance of ten paces be­fore the front, halting opposite to the centre of the battalion, and facing towards it; the colonel will, then, order arms to be presented,. he himself, im­mediately afterwards, saluting with the sword: the bearers of the colours will immediately, take their posts in the centre of the battalion, and the colonel is to order arms to be shouldered, when the colours take post in line: the colours are es­corted back in the order prescribed above.


REVIEW OF PARADE.


APPENDIX.


        When a regiment or battalion is to be reviewed, it will be drawn up in the habitual order and pre­pared tor review in the following manner:

        The ranks at open order; the colours six paces before the centre of the battalion; the colonel on foot twelve paces before the colours; the Iieutenant-colonel on foot twelve paces before the centre of the right; the major on foot in line with the lieutenant-colonel, before the centre of the left wing; the adjutant on the right of the regi­ment in the line of officers, the captains eight pa­ces before their intervals, the other officers in the same line, opposite to their respective places; the covering sergeants in the front rank; the other sergeants in the rank of file-closers, except one in the front rank or the left of the battalion; the musicians and pioneers on the right.

        The general officer, who is to review the battal­ion, will approach the centre. When he arrives within forty paces of the colonel, the latter will order:


Battalion.

        This word will be repeated by the lieutenant­ colonel and major; and then the colonel will order;


Present--ARMS.


        This command having been repeated, the regi­ment will present arms; the officers will salute with the sword; the last motion of the salute correspon­ding in time with the last motion of presenting arms; the colours will salute at the same time, and the drums will beat, according to the rank of the reviewing general. As soon all he turns to go to the right, the colonel will command:


      Shoulder-ARMS.


        This command will be repealed by the lieutenant-colonel and major, and the regiment will shoulder arms, the officers recovering their swords at the same time.


        The general having arrived at the right, will pass along the front to the left; the whole remain­ing steady; from the left he will turn off to place himself in front.*


        *A camp colour should be placed about 80 or 100 paces in front of the centre of tile battalion to designate the station of the reviewing officer.


APPENDIX.


        The colonel, lieutenant-colonel, major, and adjutant, will pass to the rear, mount on horse-back, and take their positions, when the colonel will command:


Rear ranks, close order.


        This command having been repeated, the officers will face to their companies; the colonel will then command:

MARCH.

        At this word repeated, the rear ranks close to the front, and the officers, stepping off, at the same time, take their posts in the line.

        The colonel will then form the open column of companies by wheeling to the right, and com­mand,


'l'HE REGIMENT WILL PASS IN REVIEW.
       

        This caution will be repeated, and the lieulenant colonel, and major, will place themselves at the head of their respective divisions, each four paces before the captain, who commands the lead­ing company; the regimental staff will take post in the rear of the column; the colonel will place himself on the right of the lieutenant colonel, the musicians will precede the colonel six paces; the colonel will then command:


1. Support-ARMS.

2. Column forward.
3, Guide to the right.

4. MARCH.


        These words of command will be severally re­peated by the lieutenant-colonel and major; the last by the captains commanding companies, also; and the column will move. It will change direction twice to the left, the companies wheel­ing on a moveable pivot. The wheeling points having been previously ascertained by the adju­tant, a camp colour or marker should be placed at each; that the march of the column may be correct and that the platoons may all wheel ex­actly on the same ground. The right flank of the


APPENDIX.


column should pass within four paces or the reviewing general. When the first company arrives within fifty paces of the general, the lieu­tenant colonel will order the battalion to carry arms, the rear ranks to take open order imd the mu­sic to play, at which time the officers in the rank of file closers will move to the front, and station themselves two paces in front of their company and opposite to their respective places.

        The soldiers and guides will march with the head direct to the front; the officers will throw back the shoulder a little, and look steadily at the general as they pass; when within six paces they will salute with the sword, and recover when {hey have respectively passed him two paces. The colours will salute, if the rank of the review­ing officer entitles him to that honour.

        When the colonel has saluted at the head of the regiment be will advance to the general, and' place himself near him, until the whole have pas­sed. At the same time the musicians will be wheeled to the left by the drum major, and formed opposite to the general, where they will play un­til the last company passes, then cease and follow in its rear. The officers commanding companies having passed the reviewing officer thirty paces, will successively close the rear ranks of their companies, and the other platoon officers resume their places in the line of file closers.

        When the head of the column arrives opposite and in front of the ground on which the left of the left wing stood, it will change direction to the left, march to its original ground, halt, wheel into line, and order arms; the general will then order the performance of such exercise and manoeuvres as he thinks proper.


REVIEW OF INSPECTION.


        The battalion is drawn up in companies at open order, the drams and fifes on the right, and the colours on the left of the fourth battalion com­pany.

        The inspector will begin with a general review, passing along the front of the battalion, from right to left, accompanied by the field and staff officers. The general review being over,


APPENDIX.
the colonel will command:


1. Rear ranks close order.

2. MARCH.
        The rear ranks will close to the front, the offi­cers remaining in front.


I. By Companies, right wheel.

2. MARCH.


        Each company wheels to the right; the cap­tains will then open the ranks, and order:

1. Non-commissioned officers.
2. To the front.

3. MARCH.
        The officers take post four paces, and the non­commissioned officers two paces in front of their companies.

        The whole then order their firelocks, and pre­pare for inspection by words of command of their captain.
The field and staff officers accompany the inspector while he inspects the companies; and when the inspection is over, the colonel will cause the battalion to perform any exercise or manceuvres the inspector may think proper.



EXPLANATION
OF THE

PLATES.
---: :---
GENERAL REMARKS
---: :---
        In all the plates, the heavy or deep drawn lines represent the front rank. 'l'he dotted double lines indicate the position occupied previous to the movement.

        The parallelogram-figures, not etched by a sha­ding of parallel small black lines, represent the troops subsequent to executing the first movement.

        The parallelogram figures etched with small parallel lines, represent the bodies of men, ether in the ultimate position after executing the whole movement, or in the last stage of effecting it.

        The single dotted lines mark the part over­ which the troops are to move from one position to another.

        The figure of an arrow on irregular close dot­ted lines, indicates the direction in which the guides on the pivot flank of companies are to be conducted.

        The letter (C) represents the captains of companies, and the situation of this letter shows the direction in which they are facing.
        The small squares on the right and left of com­panies represent the guides, and the heavy or deep strokes, forming one of the sides of these squares, shows in what direction these guides are facing.


EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.


        The colonel is represented on horseback.

        The lieutenant colonel and major are represent­ed on foot, with a sword; and the adjutant and sergeant-major on foot, carrying canes.

        The arrow to be seen in some of the figures, indicates the direction of the march.


PLATE I.


        Represents the formation ora regiment and compa­ny in the order of battle, or line.


PLATE II.


Principles of the Oblique Step.


        This plate shows the mechanism of the oblique ­step to the right. It appears that the soldier has planted his right foot eighteen inches to the right of its original situation, and also eighteen inches to the right and front of the left heel. This will give the diagonal (a b,) over which the right foot moves, nearly twenty- six inches. The left foot is then carried from (a) to (c) about eighteen in­ches in front of the right heel. The line (a c) is about forty inches.

        Note. The figure in the plate is copied from nature, and is represented at the moment at which the foot is coming to the ground, after the extent of the step has been taken.


Figures 4, 5, and 6,
Represent the soldier after having executed the first, second, and third compound movements of loading in quick time.


PLATE ·IV.
Figure 1.

Represents the front rank man kneeling and hav­ing made "ready" for firing.

Figure 2.

Represents the centre rank man in the position of having made "ready" for firing.

Figure 3.

Represents the rear rank man in the position of having made "ready" previous to aiming.

Figure 4.

Represents the front rank man in the attitude of "aiming."


EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.


Figure 5.
 
Represents a man of the centre rank in the attitude of "aiming.”

Figure 6.

Shows a rear rank man with his firelock "aimed.”

PLATE V.

Figure 1.

Represents a man standing at "ordered arms.”

Figure 2.

“Presented arms."

Figure 4.

" Charging bayonet."

Figure 5.

" Trailed arms”

PI.ATE VI.

Figure 1.
Represents a company, marching in file, to the right flank, wheeling its head by files, to the left, and afterwards to the right.
        Note. In the first case it may he perceived that the men of the front rank do not wheel abruptly; and that the men of the rear rank begin to step previous to their arriving at the angle formed by the two directions, which naturally arises from this species of movement. In the second case it appears that the men of the rear rank describe proportional small arcs of con­centric circles, while the corresponding man of the front rank, is going over a greater arc, in order to wheel to the right in file.

        The chief of the platoon (b) is placed by the side of the covering sergeant (a) in order to con­duct the leading file, The front rank is somewhat nearer to the rear rank than when in line; and jt follows the movement of the rear rank by conforming to it. •


EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.


        The instructor (c) is posted at the wheeling angle in order to superintend the execution of the movement.

Figure 2.

Represents a company marching in file to the right flank and forming to the right flank, by flies, successively.  

         Note. Five front rank men appear formed in line, while only three of the rear rank appear, at the same time, formed; in consequence of the method prescribed for this species of formation.
The instructor (d) stationed in a line with the front rank, and removed at the distance of some paces from it, directs the formation, in proportion as the men arrive on the line.

Figure 3.

Represents a company marching in file to the right flank, and forming to the front, from file.

        Note. The covering Sergeant (a) appears marching straight forward; the soldiers bring the right shoulder forward, and change to quick time, moving over the shortest lines leading to their places, which they are to occupy, file after file, in quick succession. Each file as it forms up on the march, will resume the common time. The captain faces to the rear, in order to give the command, guide to the left, after the last, or rear file, has formed up


PLATE VII
Figure 1.

Represents a company wheeling forwards from line into open column of Platoons.

        Note. It appears that upon the word march, the right hand man (c) of the front rank of each pla­toon has faced to the right. The officer of each platoon has placed himself; as represented by the letter (a) in a line with the front rank of the platoon as it will will stand after effecting the wheel of ninety degrees. This officer posts himself at the distance of some paces from what will be the pivot, after accomplishing the wheel, and faces to the rear.


EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.

        When the man who conducts the wheeling, has, in wheeling, arrived within two paces of the point, perpendicular to the position in line, the figure shows the platoon halted in this posi­tion by the officer commanding it.

        At the word halt, the covering sergeant, and the file closer, from the left of the rank of file-clos­ers represented by the letter (e) have placed themselves in the direction ascertained by the platoon officer, who has, immediately afterwards, com­manded; Left-DRESS; FRONT; and, then, moved to the front of the centre of his platoon, his posi­tion being marked (f.)

Figure 2.
Represents a company marching in column of pla­toons, and turning on the march, into a new alignment, or direction. The wheeling is on the pivot flank.

        Note. The plate shows that the guide (g) at the instant of his having arrived at the wheel­ing point (h,) has turned to his left, and continued the march at the same uniform rate; the wheeling point bus a marker (h) placed at it; each man, in his file, brings forward the right shoulder a little, arriving, in quick. time, successively on the line of dressing, as represented by the files on the right (i); the files on the left (k) are represented after having successively wheeled, and formed up, continuing the march.

        The Instructor (I), is posted near the wheeling. point, superintending the movement.

Figure 3.
Represents a company, marching in column of platoons, and wheeling on a moveable pivot, on the reverse flank.

        Note. At the word, march, given at the instant when the guide (d) on the pivot flank, has arrived at the marker (m) previously placed, the platoon executes the wheel to the right on a moveable pivot, taking the touch of the elbow from the left, the pivot flank; and not from the right, the reverse flank. The pivot man on the right, continues taking steps, in wheeling, of seven inches, in order to clear the ground for the succeeding platoon. The letter (f') represents this pivot-man on th' right. The guide on the left, the pivot flank of the column, takes the usual step of twenty-eight inches. From the nature of


EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.


the movement, the platoon curves a little at the centre, towards the rear as the figure shows.


        The guide of the second platoon (e) follows, ex­actly, in the track of the preceding guide. Each guide, in its turn, takes care, in describing his arc of a circle, not to open out from, or close in to the point round which the pivot-man wheels.

        The chiefs of platoons, during the wheel, are to turn round to them, in order to conduct the wheel.

Figure 4.

Represents a company in column of platoons, wheeling forward, to the left, into line.

        Note. The instructor (a) has moved forward in front of the pivots, placing himself in a line with the guides on the pivot flank facing towards, and at the specified distance from them.

        At the word, march, the man (h) on the left of the front rank of each platoon faces 10 the left; the guides (e) stand fast; and when the platoon-­right flank of each platoon has in wheeling, ar­rived within two paces of the line of guides, the platoon officer commands, platoon halt.

        At the word, dress, given by the captain, the two platoons dress forward to the line, by completing the wheel.

        The officer of the second platoon, after giving the word halt, retires to the rank of file closers. 'l'he captain directs the dressing of both pla­toons.


PLATE VIII.

Figure 1.

Represents the leading company of a column of route, forming platoons.


        Note. The platoon officers, and non-commis­sioned-officers (II) are represented on the pivot rank of their respective platoons.

Figure 2.

Represents a leading platoon after having on ac­count of the increased narrowness of the defile,


EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.


broken off a file on the right (d,) and a file on the left (b.] The two files broke off from the rank of file-closers (e.)

Figure 7.

Represents the platoon marching on a front of eight files, by causing .the file of the right (x). and the file of the left (y,) to move up to the front. The file of the officer (z) inclines to the left, in order to make room for the file (y,) which is going to move up to the front.

Figure 9.

Represents a company whom want of requisite breadth of road obliges to break off a second file. (B,) 'I'he file (A,) already in the rear, obliques the breadth of one file to the righI, and steps short, in order to enable the file (B) to take its place in front of the file (A.)

Figure 10.

Represents a company which, by the increase of breadth of the road, has one file (D,) ordered to the front. The last file (E,) which still remains in the rear, obliques at the same time to the left, in order to cover the file (D.) Finally, the road continuing to increase in width, the Iast file (E,) is ordered to move up into line.

Figure 11.

Represents a company after passing the obstacle, when the three files (H ,) in the rear are form­ing up to the front, at once. 'I'he guide of the right (I,) inclines to the right in order to make room for the files moving up together in line.


PLATE IX .

Figure 1.

Represents a company marching in column, with the right in front, forming platoons.

        Note. (a) and (b) represent the two platoon officers, who, on the first word of command, have moved forward in front of the centre of their two platoons; on the word, march, the second platoon marks the time; the first continues to match straight forward; and as soon as the first is disen­gaged from the second, the second obliques to the right, in order


EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.

to be at platoon distance in rear of the first.

Figure 2.

Represents a company in column or platoons; marching with the right in front, and forming company.

Figure 3.

Represents a company supposed composing part of a column with the right in front, executing. the countermarch.

        Note. The figure shows the guide of the left (a) who has faced to the right-about; the company, marches to the right flank, and wheels by files (h) successively one hundred and eighty degrees, or in a small semi-circle, to the left about; and when the leading file has arrived opposite to, and as far as the guide (a) the company halts, fronts and dresses on the guide (a.) At the word,front. the covering sergeant (d) occupies the place of the guide of the left, who places himself on the left of the front rank, passing to his situation along the front of the company.

        The instructor (f) remains on the flank, in or­der to superintend the execution of the movement.


INDEX.

PAR'l' I.

SQUAD EXERCISE.

Observation on the words of command

Position of the soldier

To the right, left, and right about face

Principles of the ordinary step.    March to front

Principles of the oblique step

To mark time

To change feet

To march to a flank

The back step

Dressing

Position of the soldier at ordered arms		 9

10

12

13

14

16

ib

17

ib.

18

20


PART II.

COMPANY EXERCISE .

Forming the company

Principles of shouldered arms 		21

ib.


LESSON I.

Station of officers

Station of non-commissioned-officers  		26

27

INDEX.

To open ranks

Alignment of open ranks

Manual exercise

To close ranks

Alignment of closed ranks 		29

30

32

53

ib.

 
LESSON II.


Loading in quick and quickest time

Firing by company

Independent file firing

Firing to the rear 		55

56

64

67

 
LESSON III.

Marching in line

To halt the company marching in line and
     to dress it

Oblique marching in line

To mark time, to march in quick time and
       the back step

To march in line with the rear rank leading 		68


72

ib.


73

75

LESSON IV.

To march to a flank

Wheeling in file

To halt the company marching to a flank, and
       to face it to its proper front.

To form the company marching to a flank by
       files, to the right flank, if marching to the
       right, or, by files, to the left flank,
       marching to the left

To halt the company marching to a flank, forming
       to the front, from file, either in company
       or by platoon 		77

79


ib.




80



82


INDEX


LESSON V.

Wheeling

Wheeling forward by platoons from line

March in open column

In open column of platoons, wheeling into a
       new direction, on a moveable pivot, and
       turning on the march
 
To halt the column

When a column of platoons wheels to the left
       or right, into line  		85

89

92



93

96


97


LESSON VI.

To break off files, and to move them up
       a­gain to the front

To march in column of route, and to execute
       the various file movements prescribed
       above

Breaking and forming company on the march

Countermarch

To form to either flank from open column of
       platoons

Manual exercise of the sergeants

Manual exercise of the corporals

Sword manual of the officer

Sword salute, whether in the ranks or marching

Salute by the colours

Appendix

Formation of a regiment in the order of
       battle, or line  

Situations of the company officers, and
       non-commissioned officers, in
       the order of battle, and line

Situation of the field officers and
       regimental staff in line

Posts of the drummers and musicians in line

Posts of the pioneers

Colours and colour-guard

Position of the battalion officers when march-
       ing in column

Formation and order of a party to escort the
       colours

Review of parade

Review of Inspection

Explanation of the plates 
101



105

108

111


113

117

122

ib.

122

123


125

ib.



128


ib.

129

ib.

ib.


130


131

133

137

139
 

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