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(BY AUTHORITY.)

 

 

 

 

INFANTRY TACTICS;

 

OR,

 

RULES FOR THE EXERCISE AND MANEUVRE

 

OF THE

 

UNITED STATES INFANTRY.

 

NEW EDITION.

 

BY MAJOR-GENERAL SCOTT,

U.S. ARMY.

 

 

VOL. III.

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE.

 

 

NEW YORK:

HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS,~

329 & 331 PEARL STREET,

 

FRANKLIN SQUARE

 

1861.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entered, according toAct of Congress, in the year 1840, by

 

WINFIELD SCOTT,

 

In the Clerk’s Office of the Southern District of New York.

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

INFANTRY TACTICS

 

_______

 

TITLE V.

 

 

Evolutions of the Line.

 

General principles, and divisions of the Evolutions of the Line.

1715.* The School of the Battalionappre­hending the principles and details of’ all the movements that ought, in any case, to be made by a single battalion, it remains to apply those principles to a line of many battalions.

1716. In this instruction, a line of eight battalions, making a corps d’armee of two divisions or four brigades, will be supposed but the rules herein prescribed are equally applicable to a brigade, a division, or any number of’ battalions.

1717. The School of the Battalion has been divided into five parts: the same division will herein be observed.

1718. As often as one or more brigades or divisions, united in the same line, manoeuvre together, each battalion will be designated by

 

*The paragraphs of this volume are numbered in the same series with the first and second volumes.

 

 

 

 

 

INFANTRY TACTICS.

 

ts number, according to its position in the line. The battalion on the right of the whole will be denominated first, that next on its left second, the following one third, and so regularly on to the battalion that closes the left of the line.

 

Posts of the General-in-chief, of the Major Gene­rals and Brigadier Generals, in Line and in Column.

 

1719. In line of battle, the general (that is, the particular general-in-chief) will have no fixed position; he will go whithersoever he may judge his presence necessary.

1720. In column, he will hold himself habi­tually at its head, in order to direct it according to his view.

1721. In the evolutions, he will place himself at the point whence he can best direct the gene­ral execution of the movement.

1722. In all cases the general may throw himself wheresoever he may judge his presence ne­cessary, taking care to leave in his habitual posi­tion the next in command, or the chief of his staff charged with the execution of his orders.

1723. In line of battle, major generals (gene­rals of division) will place themselves at about seventy paces in rear of the centres of their divisions.

1724. In column, they will hold themselves or the directing flank, abreast with the centres of their divisions, and at thirty or forty paces from the guides.

1725.  In line of battle, brigadier generals (ge-

 

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE.

 

nerals of brigade) will place themselves at about forty paces in rear of the centres of their brigades. 

1726. ­In column, they will hold themselves at fifteen or twenty paces outside of the guides, abreast with the centres of their brigades.

1727. Major generals and brigadier generals will look to the exact and regular execution of all commands coming from the general, or given by themselves; accordingly, they may throw themselves wheresoever they may judge their presence necessary within the extent of their di­visions or brigades.

1728. The posts of the field and staff of batta­lions have been given in Titles I and IV.

 

General rules for commands.

 

1729. When the general shall wish to cause a movement to be executed, he will give the gene­ral commands relative thereto. Each colonel will always successively repeat, with the great­est rapidity, on their reaching him, those general commands, unless the general has given, or sent to him, an order to the contrary.

1730. The colonels having repeated the gene­ral commands, as just prescribed, will immedi­ately command, and cause to he executed, with­out waiting for each other, the preparatory movements which, in their battalions, ought to precede the execution of the general movement.

1731. The brigadier and major generals will look to the prompt execution of these prepara­tory movements in their brigades and divisions,

 


 

 

 

INFANTRY TACTICS.

 

 

and rectify any error that may be committed by the colonels.

1732. The final command, or that which de­termines the execution of the general movement, will always be given by the general.

1733. The lieutenant colonels and majors will repeat the general commands, whether of cau­tion or of execution, as often as the wind or the noise of arms may prevent those commands from being easily heard from one battalion to another.

1734. When, from any cause, a colonel shall not have heard the general command, he will, on seeing the battalion next to his own executing a movement, immediately cause his battalion to execute the same movement.

1735. When a line has to execute a central movement, the general will throw himself to the point which he may select for it, and give or send to each of the neighbouring battalions the order relative to the movement which each portion of the line has to execute, as hereinafter explained.

1736. In column, commands will be extended, by repetition, according to the same principles.

1737. As often as a line breaks into several columns, the senior general officer or colonel, in each, will discharge the duties attributed above to the general or general-in-chief

 

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART I.

 

 

 

 

PART FIRST.

 

ARTICLE I.

 

To open and to close ranks.

 

1738. The general, wishing to cause ranks to be opened, will command:

 

1.      Prepare to open ranks.

 

1739. This having been repeated, the lieute­nant colonels and majors will conform themselves to what is prescribed, No. 791; the colonels will immediately command: To the rear, open order. The general will then add:

 

2. March.

 

1740. At this, briskly repeated, ranks will be opened in conformity to what is prescribed, School of the Battalion. Each battalion will execute the movement as if it were isolated; accordingly it need not be attempted to align the centre or rear rank of one battalion on that of other battalions.

1741. The general will cause ranks to be closed by the commands prescribed, School of the Battalion.

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART I.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II.

 

Manual of Arms.

 

1742. The manual of arms will never be executed in line.

 

ARTICLE Ill.

 

Loading at will, and the Firings.

 

1743. In line, only loading at will will be executed.

1744. The general, wishing to cause arms to be loaded, will command:

 

1. Prepare to load.

 

1745. This having been repeated, the general will add:

 

2. Load.

 

1746. This, immediately repeated, will be executed as prescribed, School of the Battalion.

1747. The general wishing to cause the fires to be executed, will command:

 

I.  Fire by battalion (or wing, or company.)

 

1748. This having been repeated, the general will add:


 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART I.

 

 

2. Commence firing.

 

1749.   The fire by battalion will commence in the odd numbered battalions. The com­mand commence firing, having been repeated by all the colonels, those of the odd battalions will immediately give the commands prescribed, School of the Battalion, for the execution of this particular fire.

1750. The colonels of even numbered batta­lions will not give their first command until they see some pieces brought back to the shoulder in the odd battalion to their right; the colonels of of the odd battalions, in their turn, will observe the same rule in respect to the even battalion next to the left of each, and the fire will thus be continued by alternate battalions.

1751. The fire by wing will be executed in each battalion, as prescribed, School of the Bat­talion; each colonel having repeated the com­mand commence firing, will immediately give the commands indicated for the execution of this fire, without regulating himself by the next bat­talion.

1752. The fire by company will be executed as prescribed, School of the Battalion.

1753. The fire of two ranks (or by file) will be executed in the following manner; the gene­ral will command:

 

1.Fire by two ranks (or by file.)

 

1754.   This having been repeated, each colo-

 


 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART I.

 

nel will add: 1. Battalion; 2. READY. The general will then command:

 

2.       Commence firing.

 

1755. At this, repeated by the colonels, the fire of the two ranks (or by file) will commence, and be executed as prescribed, School of the Battalion.

1756. The general will cause each of the fore­going fires to cease by a very short roll, which will be repeated by the drums of each battalion the moment it is heard. As soon as each batta­lion reloads, its colonel will give the signal for the tap on the drum for the return of captains and covering sergeants to their places in line of battle.

1757. The general, wishing to cause the fires to be executed by the rear rank, will command:

 

1.Face by the rear rank.

 

1758. This having been repeated, the colo­nels will immediately add: 1. Battalion; 2. About—FACE.

1759. The general will then cause the several fires to be executed by the commands and means prescribed above.

1760. The general having caused the firing by the rear rank to cease, and wishing to bring the line back to its proper front, will command:

 

1.Face by the front rank.

 

1761. The colonels, having repeated this com-

 


 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IL.

 

will each immediately add: 1. Battalion, About—FACE

1762. The general, wishing to give relaxation to the line, will command:

 

1.   Prepare to rest.

 

1763. This having been repeated, the general will continue:

 

2.  Order—ARMS.

 

1764. This having been repeated and executed, at will add:

3.        In place, rest (or, simply, rest.)

 

1765. This will be executed as prescribed, School of the Battalion.

1766. If, after arms are ordered, the general wishes to cause arms to be stacked, he will com­mand:

 

Stack arms.

 

1767. This having been repeated, the colo­nels will cause the stacks to be formed; which being executed, each will immediately cause ranks to be broken, without regulating himself by any other colonel, in the manner prescribed, School of the Battalion.

1768. The general, wishing to terminate the relaxation, will cause a short roll to be given


 

 

 

 EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE  PART II.

 

which will be repeated by all the drums of the line, at the instant it is heard.

1769. The roll having ceased, the colonels will each command: BATTALION, at which the men will resume the fixed position of ordered arms; if arms be stacked, the colonels will cause the men to take arms before giving the command BATTALION.

1770. The general will then command

 

Shoulder—Arms.

 

1771. This having been repeated, the line will shoulder arms.

 

PART SECOND.

 

Different modes of passing from the order in battle to the order in column.

 

ARTICLE I.

 

To break to the front, to the right or left, into

column.

 

1772. The general wishing to cause the line to break by company or by division, will com­mand:

 

1. By company (or by division) right (or left)

wheel.

1773. This having been repeated, the general will add:

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE  PART II.

 

2.Quick—MARCH.

 

1774. At this, briskly repeated, the line will break according to the principles given, School of the Battalion.

1775. In that School it has been prescribed that, the companies having broken, the guides shall stand fast at the command front, given by their captains, although one or more may not be in the direction of the preceding guides; this rule will be observed from one battalion to another, in columns composed of many battalions: thus, the leading guide of one battalion will not stir after the command front given by his captain, although he may not be in the direction of the guides of the preceding battalion; it is when the column shall be put in march, that the guides, who do not cover in file, will insensibly bring themselves on the direction so that each may march in the trace of the one next preceding him.

1776. The general, wishing to cause the line to break to the front, to the right, to march to­wards the left, will command:

 

1.    Break to the right to march to the left.

 

1777. This having been repeated, the colonel on the right will cause his battalion to commence the movement, which will be executed as pre­scribed, School of the Battalion.

1778. The following battalions will succes­sively make the same movement, the colonels


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE  PART II.

 

 

will seize the moment for causing their battalions to break, and each will be put in march, so that there may be, between its leading subdivision and the rearmost one of the preceding battalion, the distance of a subdivision and twenty-two paces. The right subdivision of each battalion will march forward twice the extent of its front, whilst the others are wheeling to the right.

1779. The general will cause the line to break to the left, to march to the right, according to the same principles.

 

 

ARTICLE II.

 

To break to the rear, by the right or left, into

column.

 

1780. The general, wishing to cause the line to break to the rear into column by company, or by division, will command:

 

 

1.   By the right (or left) of companies (or divi­sions) to the rear, into column.

 

1781. The colonels, having repeated this com­mand, will immediately add: Battalion, right (or left)—FACE.

1782. The general will then command:

 

2.Quick—MARCH.

 

 

1783. At this, briskly repeated, each  batta-

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE  PART II.

 

 

lion will break as prescribed, School of the Battalion.

 

 

 

ARTICLE III.

 

To ploy the line into close column or in mass.

 

1784. The general, wishing to ploy the line into column by division closed in mass, in rear of the first division of the first battalion, will command:

 

I. Close column by division. 2. On the first division, first battalion, right in front, into co­lumn.

 

1785. (Pl. XXXIX, figs. 1, 2.) These commands having been repeated, each colonel will add: battalion, right—FACE, which will be exe­cuted by the designated or directing battalion, as prescribed, No. 871, and following; but in the others, all the divisions will face to the right, and the chief of the first division, in each of these battalions, will place himself by the side of his right guide.

1786. These dispositions being made, the general will add:

5. Quick—MARCH.

 

1787. At this, briskly repeated, the colonel of the first battalion will ploy it in rear of its first division, as indicated, No. 873, and following.

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE  PART II.

 

 

 

1788. Each of the other colonels will, in like manner, ploy his battalion from a halt, in rear of its right division; but, pending the execution of the movement, this division will stand faced to the flank: the second and third divisions, each conducted by its chief, will be halted as it suc­cessively takes its place in the battalion column, the chief remaining by the side of his right guide; the fourth will enter in like manner, and when its head shall be at eight or ten paces from the right flank of the column, the colonel will com­mand:1. Battalion, forward; 2. Guide left , and 3. March, at the moment the right guide of this division is abreast with the others.

1789. At the command march, each battalion thus formed in mass will put itself in march, directing itself to the rear towards its point of entrance into the general column; its first divi­sion, conducted by the lieutenant colonel, will take the shortest line towards that point; the other divisions will each conform its move­ment to that of the first, marching abreast with it, and preserving exactly the distance of six (or five) paces from one guide to the next; arrived at twelve or fourteen paces from the general column, the first division will incline a little to the left, so as to enter the column perpendicularly, and leave a distance of nine paces between its guide and the guide of the last division of the preceding battalion; the other divisions will di­rect themselves parallelly to the first, and enter successively into the general column. The chiefs of division being up with the left guides of the column, will each haIt in his own person, see

 


 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE  PART II.

 

his division file past, and conform himself, in halting and aligning it, to what is prescribed Nos. 875-7.

1790. The lieutenant colonel of each battalion will detach himself thirty or forty paces in advance, to indicate the point of entrance into the column for his first division, and as each of his guides successively arrives, he will assure him on the direction.

1791. The general, or officer charged with the execution of his orders, will place himself in front of the left guide of the directing division, to superintend the formation of the general co­lumn, and to see that the left guides accurately cover each other in file. This rule is general for all ployments, whatever the division on which they may be executed.

1792. The line will be played in front by the same commands, substituting the indication left for right in front.

1793. In this case, the first battalion will execute the movement in the manner indicated, No. 883, and following.

1794. The other battalions will each execute the movement in like manner, conforming itself to what follows: the first division, which will have faced to the right with the others, will re­main by the flank whilst the battalion is ploying in front of it; the second and third, after having taken position in the battalion column, will be halted by their chiefs, who will remain by the sides of their right guides, and when the head of the fourth shall be at eight or ten paces from lbs right flank of the column, the colonel, ob

 

 


 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE  PART II.

 

 

 

serving the order of time indicated, No. 1788, will command: I. Battalion, forward; 2. Guide right; 8. MARCH.

1795. At the command march, each battalion, directing itself diagonally to the front, instead of to the rear, will be conducted and established in the general column, with slight variations, as prescribed, No. 1789; arrived at twelve or four­teen paces from the flank of that column, the head of the first division will incline to the right, instead of the left, in order to enter perpendicu­larly, and to sake its distance of nine paces; the other divisions will conform themselves to the movement of the first, and the chiefs of the whole will each conduct his division till its head is nearly up with the right guides of the general column; he will then halt his division, face it to the front, and align it by the right, its right guide having faced to the rear in placing himself on the direction.

1796. The lieutenant colonels will conform themselves to what is prescribed, No. 1790.

1797. As each battalion takes its position in the column in front of the directing division, its colonel will command: guides, about—FACE.

1798. To ploy the line in rear, or in front of the fourth (or last) division of the eighth battalion, the general will command:

 

1.       Close column by division. 2. On the fourth division, eighth battalion, left (or right) in front, into column. 3. Quick—MARCH.

 

 

1799. These movements will be executed ac

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE  PART II.

 

 

cording to the principles given in the two preceding cases but by inverse means: the fourth (or las)t division of each subordinate battalion, being the first to take its position in the general column, it will be conducted by the lieutenant colonel, and the other divisions will regulate themselves by it.

1800. If, instead of ploying the line on the first division, right battalion, or the last division of the left, as in all the preceding cases, the general wishes ­to execute the movement on the first or last division of any other battalion, he will command:

 

1. Close column by division. 2. On the first (or fourth) division (such) battalion, right (or left) in front into column. 3. Quick—MARCH.

 

1801. (P1 XXXIX, figs. 1, 2.) Whether the right or left is to be in front, the designated or di­recting battalion will execute its movement as if it were alone.

1802.   lf the right is to be in front, all the battalions in line to the right of the directing one will execute the movement as is indicated for ploying the line to the front on the left division, and the left battalions will execute the move­ment as is indicated for ploying to the rear, on the right division. If the left of the line is to be at the head of the column, the right battalions will conform themselves to what is prescribed for ploying the line to the rear, on the left division, and the other battalions to what is pre

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE  PART II.

 

 

 

scribed for ploying to the front on the right division.

1803. If the directing battalion ploys on the first, or last division, the battalion contiguous to the directing division will execute its move­ment on this division: accordingly, the last or first division of the contiguous battalion, instead of remaining at a halt, will, at the commence­ment of the movement, file into the general co­lumn, at nine paces in front or rear of the directing division.

 

Remarks on ploying a line into column closed in

mass.

 

1804. In the several ployments, the general will take, in preference, as the directing division, that of the right or left of the battalion, on which the movement is to be executed.

1805. This method of ploying a line into co­lumn unites several advantages: first, it main­tains, pending the execution of the movement, the battalions in all their strength, as each forms a separate mass; second, it occupies the least possible time, as each battalion moves over the shortest line to its place in the general column

 

PART THIRD.

 

ARTICLE I.

 

To march in column at full distance.

 

1806. The general, wishing to put the column

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE  PART III.

 

in march, will indicate to the colonel of the leading battalion the direction to be taken by the headmost guide and the colonel will immediately prescribe to this guide the means to be employed to ensure the direction of the march, ac­cording to the principles established, Nos. 902-4.

 

1807. These dispositions being made, the ge­neral will command:

 

1.   Column, forward.

 

1808. The colonels having repeated this com­mand, will immediately add: guide left, if the right be in front, or guide right, if the left be in front.

1809. The general will then add:

 

2.  Quick—MARCH.

 

1810. At this, repeated with the greatest rapidity, the column will put itself in march.

1811.    The guide of the leading subdivision will maintain himself on the direction which has been indicated to him, by the means prescribed, School of the Battalion, and the following guides each march in the trace of the one who im­mediately precedes him, without regard to the general direction.

1812. The lieutenant colonel of the leading battalion will see that the headmost guide does not deviate from the direction he ought to pursue, and the same officer of each following battalion will also see that his leading guide pre

 

 


 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE  PART III.

 

 

serves a distance equal to the front of his subdivision and twenty-two paces, which ought to separate the battalions.

1813. When a column has to prolong its march on a given line in order to form upon it to the left (or right) into line of battle, the general will always cause that line to be marked by one of the means prescribed, Nos. 929—80. The colours and general guides will throw themselves. out on that line.

1814. If, in this case, the column arrive in front or in rear of the line of battle, the general will detach, in advance, two aids-de-camp, or other mounted officers, to ascertain the intermediate points between the points of direction to the right and left; the intermediate being found, one of those officers will place himself on the line at the point at which the head of the column will arrive, and the column will conform itself to what is prescribed, No. 914, and following, or No. 928, and following.

1815. The means of finding the intermediate between two given points of direction, have been indicated, No. 1119, and following.

 

 

ARTICLE II.

Column in route.

 

1816. The column being at a halt, if the general wish to put in march in the route step, he will give the commands prescribed for the march in the cadenced step, with this difference—the

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE  PART III.

 

 

 

command march will be preceded by that of Route step, which will be repeated by the colonels.

 

1817. The column being in march, the general, in order to cause it to pass from the cadenced to the route step, and the reverse, will give the commands prescribed, Nos. 725, 728.

1818.  All the principles relative to columns in route having been developed in the Schools of the Company and Battalion, it only remains to add here that, when a column of many battalions encounters a defile, which obliges it to diminish the front of subdivisions, this movement will only be made as each battalion successively ar­rives on the ground at which the preceding battalion had executed it.

1819. Thus, for example, a column formed by company, encountering a defile which will only receive the front of a platoon, the colonel of the leading battalion will at once, or successively, according to the order of the general, diminish front by platoon: but the colonel of the, next bat­talion will not repeat the commands of the pre­ceding colonel until his battalion arrives at the samepoint, and so on of the others.

1820. The chief of the column will take care to regulate the rate of the march according to the ground and other circumstances; he will always leave with the rear of the column an aid-de-camp, to bring him prompt intelligence in it find a difficulty in following.

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE  PART III.

 

 

 

ARTICLE III.

 

To change direction in column at full distance.

 

1821. The general, wishing to cause the column to change direction, will despatch an aid-de-camp to the point of change, and give notice of his purpose to the leading colonel a little be­fore arriving at that point.

1822. The change of direction will be execut­ed according to the principles prescribed, No. 978, and following.

1823. Those rules will be observed in columns in manoeuvre, although marching, at the mo­ment, in the route step.

 

 

ARTICLE IV.

 

To halt the column.

 

1824. The general, wishing to halt the column, will command:

1. Column.

 

1825. This having been repeated, he will add:

2. Halt.

 

1826. This will be repeated with the greatest rapidity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE  PART III.

 

1827. The column being halted, if the general wish to form it to the left (or right) into line of battle he will assure the direction of the guides in the following manner.

1828. If the general direction of the column is nearly in conformity with his wishes, he will confine himself to rectifying the positions of such guides as may be without, or within, the direction; to this end he will command:

 

Guides, cover in file.

 

1829. At this, repeated by the colonels, the lieutenant colonels and majors will promptly cause the guides who may not be on the direc­tion to cover each other accurately in file.

1830. If, on the contrary, the general should think it necessary to give a new direction, and the general guides be not on the flank of the co­lumn, he (or a substitute) will throw himself fif­teen or twenty paces in front of the head, place himself, facing to the rear, on the direction which he may wish to give to the guides, select in rear of the column the second point which determines that direction, and promptly establish on it the leading general guide, and the colour-bearer of the same battalion; this being executed, the ge­neral will command:

 

L Colours and general guides on the line.

1831. At this, the colour-bearers and general guides will throw themselves on the flank of the column,and cover accurately the headmost two

 


 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE  PART III.

 

who have just been established by the general; the lieutenant colonels and majors will promptly assure (See No. 880) on the direction the general guides of their respective battalions.

1832. The general, seeing all the colours and general guides of the column correctly established on the direction, will immediately add:

 

2.Guides, on the line.

 

1833. At this, briskly repeated, the left guides, if the right of the column be in front, or the right guides, in the reverse case, will throw themselves on the direction of the colours, facing to the head of the column; the lieutenant colonel of each battalion, placed some paces in front, and facing to the headmost guide, will assure the direction of the guides of its leading wing, and the major, from a point in the rear of his battalion, will assure, in like manner, the remaining guides of the same battalion.

1834. The guides of subdivision, in throwing themselves on the direction of the colours, will each align himself correctly on the colour-lances which precede him, and not on the subdivision guides in his front; he will, moreover, take care to place himself exactly at subdivision distance from the guide next in front. Each colour-bearer will told up his lance perpendicularly between his eyes.

1835. The subdivision guides being establish­ed on the direction, the colonels, without waiting for each other, will immediately command: left (or right)—DRESS.

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE  PART III.

 

 

1836. At this, briskly repeated by the chiefs of subdivision, each subdivision will incline to its guide and be promptly aligned. If the new direction be such that a subdivision find itself many paces from it, the chiefof the subdivision will cause it to march by the flank.

1837. If the general guides be on the flank of the column, the general will first place himself behind the colour-bearer of the leading battalion, to see whether this colour-bearer and the pre­ceding general guide are accurately on the prolongation of the two points in front upon which they had marched, and, if necessary, to rectify their positions: the general will then throw himself in front, and face to the leading general guide; if the colours and general guides are not exactly on the direction, he will command:

 

1. Colours and general guides, cover in file.

 

1838. At this, the lieutenant colonels will promptly cause the colour and general guides of their respective battalions to cover those of the preceding battalions; after which, the general will add:

 

2.Guides, on the line.

 

1839. This will be executed and followed up in the manner indicated Nos. 1833—36.

 


 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE  PART III.

 

 

 

ARTICLE V.

 

To close the column to half distance, or in mass.

 

1840. Whether the column of many battalions be formed by company or by division, the distance between battalions, when the subdivisions are at half wheeling distance from each other, will be equal to the front of a subdivision; the distance between battalions will be reduced to nine paces, measured from the first guide of following battalion to the last guide of the battalion immediately preceding, when the battalions are closed in mass.

   

1st To close the column on the leading company.

 

1841. A column by company, at full distance and right In front, being in march, when the general shall wish to close it to platoon distance, he will command:

 

1.To half distance, close column.

 

1842. This having been repeated, the general will add:

 

2. Quick—MARCH.

 

1843. At the command march, the headmost battalion will close up to platoon distance on its leading company, as prescribed, No. 993, and following.

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE  PART III.

 

1844. The other battalions will continue to march; when the leading company of the second battalion is at company distance from the rearmost company of the first battalion, its captain will halt itand align it by the left: the other companies of this battalion will close up on the leading one, and the following battalions will conformthemselves to what is just prescribed for the second.

1845. The lieutenant colonel of the first battalion will assure the positions of the guides as prescribed, School of the Battalion.   

1846. The lieutenant colonel of each following battalion will throw himself in advance to the point at which his leading company ought to be halted, and he will assure the positions of the guides by placing himself in rear of each as the companies are successively closed.

1847. If the column, instead of being in march, be at a halt, the general will cause it to close by the same commands. At the word march, the leading subdivision will stand fast; all the others will put themselves in movement, and the battalions will close up as just prescribed for a column in march.

 

3d. To close the column on the rearmost company.

 

I848. The column being at a halt, the general, if he wish to close it to half distance on the rearmost company, will command:

 

On (such company,) eighth battalion, to half

distance, close column.       

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE  PART III.

 

 

 

1849. This having been repeated, each colo­nel will command: 1. Battalion, about—FACE; 2. Column, forward; 3. Guide right.

1850. At the first command of its colonel, the battalion will face about; each guide will remain abreast with the front rank, become the rear; the rearmost company of the eighth battalion will remain faced to the front.

1851. At the third command, the captains of the eighth battalion will throw themselves two paces outside of their guides; those of the other bat­talions will remain behind the centres of their companies.

1852. The general will then add:

 

 

2.Quick—MARCH.

 

1853. At the command march, the eighth bat­talion will close on its rearmost company as pre­scribed, No. 1004.

1854. The other battalions will close on the eighth, and when the colonel of the seventh sees that the grenadiers (or it may be, the first com­pany) of the eighth battalion has only a few paces left to take, he will command: captains, on the flank of the column. At this, the captains of the seventh battalion will throw themselves outside of their guides; when the light infantry (or, it may be, the eighth company) of this battalion is at the prescribed distance, its captain will halt it, face it to the front, and align it by the left, its guide remaining faced to the rear; the other companies will close upon this company, and

 

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE  PART III.

 

 

all the remaining battalions will each execute what was just prescribed for the seventh.

1855.  Each colonel will face his guides to the front as soon as all the companies of his battalion are aligned.

1856.  The ­lieutenant colonel of the eighth battalion will assure the positions of his guides as indicated No. 1006; the lieutenant colonels of the other battalions will conform themselves to what is prescribed, No. 1846.

 

3d. To close the column on an interior battalion.

 

1857. The general wishing to close the column on the headmost company of an interior battalion, say the fifth, will command:

 

1.On the grenadiers (or —) fifth battalion, to half distance, close column.

 

1858. This having been repeated, the colonel of each battalion in front of the fifth, will command: 1. Battalion, about—FACE; 2. Column, forward; 3. Guide right. The general will then add:

 

2.   Quick—MARCH.

 

1859. At the command march, briskly repeated by all the colonels, the fifth battalion, and those in its rear, will close up as prescribed, No. 1843, and following, for the execution of the movement on the head of the column; the bat­talions in front of the fifth will close as indicated,

 


 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE.  PART III

 

 

No. 1853, and following, for the execution of the movement on the rear of the column; the light infantry (or, it may be, the rifle, or eighth com­pany) of the fourth battalion, will close on the directing company, leaving the interval prescribed, No. 1840.

 

Remarks.

1860. A column by division will close to company distance by the same commands and means.

1861. The column being at full or half dis­tance, the general will cause it to close in mass by the same commands, substituting the indication column, close in mass, for that of to half dis­tance, close column.

1862. A column, left in front, will execute those several movements according to the same principles.

 

 

ARTICLE VI.

 

To march in column at half distance or closed in

mass.

 

1863. A column at half distance or in mass being at a halt, when the general shall wish to cause it to march, he will give the command prescribed above for putting in march a column at full distance.

1864. The means of direction indicated for column at full distance will be the same for column at half distance or in mass; but the col

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE.  PART III

 

our and general guides will not be thrown out on the flank of the column.

1865.  A column at half distance or in mass, being in march, the general will halt it by the commands as if it were a column at full distance.

1866.  The column at half distance or in mass, being halted, if the general shall wish to give a general direction to the guides, he will simply establish the two leading guides on the direction he may choose, and then command:

 

 

Guides, cover in file.

 

1867. At this, repeated by the colonels, the guides of the column will accurately cover each ether, in file, and be assured on the new direc­tion by the lieutenant colonels and majors; which being executed, the colonels will cause their battalions to be aligned as prescribed, Nos. 1835

 

ARTICLE VII.

 

To change direction in column at half distance.

 

1868. A column at half distance, being in march, and having to change direction, will exe­cute the movement as prescribed for a column at full distance, with the difference indicated, No. 1014.

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE.  PART III

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII.

 

To change direction in column closed in mass.

 

1st. In marching.

 

1869. A column closed in mass, being in march, and having to change direction, the ge­neral will halt it some paces from the point at which the change has to commence, and com­mand:

 

I.                  To change direction to the right (or left.)  2.

By battalion in mass, by the head of column,

take distance.

 

 

1870. (Pl. XL, fig. 3.) These commands having been repeated, the first battalion will be put in march by its colonel, with the guide on the flank opposite to the change of direction, if not before there; and when the battalion arrives at the point indicated, he will cause it to change direction by the means prescribed, No. 1015, and following.

1871. The colonel of the second battalion will put it in march as soon as his leading division is at the distance of forty paces from the last of the preceding battalion; he will next com­mence the change of direction at the point where the first had commenced, and in the same manner.

1872. The colonels of the other battalions, as they successively have the distance of forty

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE.  PART III

 

paces, will each conform himself to what is just prescribed for the colonel of the second.

1873.  As soon as the first battalion shall marched in the new direction a distance equal to the depth of the column in mass, the general will command:

 

Column, close in mass. 2. Quick—MARCH.

 

1874.  At the command march, the colonel of the first battalion will halt it, the other battalions will continue to march, and as each arrives at the distance of nine paces from that which precedes, ­it will be halted by its colonel

1875. At the instant of halting the first batta­lion, its lieutenant colonel will throw himself some paces in front of its leading guide, and, facing him, will assure the guides of his battalion on the ­direction of the column: the colonel will then command: left  (or right)—DRESS. At this command each division will be aligned by its chief.

1876. As the other battalions successively halt, the guides of each will promptly place them­selves on the direction; the lieutenant colonel, placing himself in rear of the guide of his last division, will rectify, if necessary, their posi­tions, the battalion will be aligned as just prescribed for the first.

1877. The last battalion having closed to the habitual distance of nine paces, the general will again put the column in march.

1878.   A column closed in mass will change direction as prescribed, No. 1869, and following,

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE.  PART III

 

 

 

as often as it shall have arrived at the point of change; but when it finds itself at sufficient distance from, and the point be not in the direction the column is pursuing, the general may employ he following means.

1879. (FL XL, figs. 1, 2.) It will be suppos­ed that the column has arrived at the point A, and has to change direction to the right in order to march to the point B, and to prolong itself on the line B C; the general will command guide right, (the right being in front,) and, instead of directing the column on the point B, he will suc­cessively direct it on the points D, F, G, M; in this manner the guide of the leading division will continually approach the point B, and when there, the front of this division will be perpendicular, or nearly so, to the direction B C, which the column has to pursue, and the change will thus be effected without causing the flank oppo­site to the direction to lengthen the step much in order to conform itself to the movement of the guide.

1880. This movement will be executed according to the rules prescribed, No. 954. The lead­ing guide will, successively, as a new point is given, face to, and march steadily upon it. Each of the other guides will follow exactly in the trace of the preceding one, taking care not to change the direction of his shoulders till arrived at the spot where the leading guide had changed direction, conformably to the principle prescribed in the number just referred to.

1881. The divisions will conform themselves to the movements of their guides very gradually,

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE.  PART III.

 

 

in order not to break the continuity of the front; chiefs os division will look to this with nice attention to prevent the men from advancing, except very ­slightly, the shoulder opposite to the direction.  The step will be but insensibly lengthened, and the light touch towards the guide preserved. 

 

Remarks.

1882.  The harmony and regularity of this movement depend mainly on the choice of the points of direction. The general, or the officer placed by him at the head of the column to direct ­it, will choose the intermediate points with greatest care. He will select them accord­ing to the distance of the column from the point entrance (B) on the new direction.

1883.  If the chosen points be too near to each other, more time than necessary will be employ­ed in effectingthe change of direction.

1884. If, on the contrary, in order to march more directly towards the point of entrance on the new direction, the intermediate points be too distant from each other, the men, to conform themselves to the movements of their guides especially if the front of the column be consider­able, would be obliged greatly to lengthen the step, and thus render it impossible to preserve the necessary connexion and order in the movement.

1885.  The same inconveniencies would hap­pen if the conducter of the column gave to the leading guide a new point of direction before

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS 0F THE LINE—PART III.

 

the first two divisions entire had entered on the same direction with their guides.

 

2d.       To change direction from a halt.

 

1886. The column being halted, when the general shall wish to p lace it in a new direction, without any immediate intention of advancing after such change, he will cause this movement to be executed by the flanks of subdivisions ac­cording to the principles prescribed, School of the Battalion.

1887. It will be supposed that the column has the right in front, and that it has to change direction to the left: the general, after having caused two markers to be established on the new direction for the leading subdivision, will command:

 

1.Change direction by the right flank.

 

1888. This having been repeated, each colonel will command: battalion, right—FACE. The general will then add:

 

 

2.Quick—MARCH.

 

1889. At this, the column will march by the right flank in the new direction in conformity with the principles prescribed, No. 1037, and following.

1890. The colonels will see, pending the execution of the movement, that the files do not

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS 0F THE LINE—PART III.

 

 

open out, that the subdivisions enter in a square with the new direction, and that the prescribed distance between their battalions be exactly ob­served.

1891.  The lieutenant colonel of the leading battalion will throw himself some paces in front, and face to the guide of the first subdivision of the column, in order to assure the direction of the guides of his battalion; the lieutenant colonel of each of the following battalions will place himself successively behind its left guides as they arrive on the new direction, to assure them in their positions.

1892.  A column in mass will change direction by inverse means, and be conducted by the left flank into the new direction.

 

 

ARTICLE IX.

 

Being in column at half distance, or closed in mass, to take distances.

 

1st. To take distances by the head of the column.

 

1893. A column by company being at half distance and at a halt, when the general shall to cause it to take distances, he will indi­cate to the lieutenant colonel of the leading bat­talion the point of direction in front, and then command:

 

By the head of column, take wheeling distance.

 

1894. This having been repeated, the first

 

 


EVOLUTIONS 0F THE LINE—PART III.

 

 

 

battalion will take its distances by the means indicated, No. 1054, and following.

1895. Each of the other battalions will take its distances in like manner; but it will not com­mence its movement till the last subdivision of the battalion immediately preceding has left, besides the space equal to the front of a company, the distance of twenty-two paces, which ought to separate battalions in line of battle.

 

2d.To take distances on the rear of the column.

 

1896. The column being at half distance, and at a halt, when the general shall wish to cause it to take distances on the rearmost company, say the light infantry, eighth battalion, he will first determine the direction of the line of battle, and direct two markers to be placed on this line as prescribed, No. 1060. The markers being established, he will cause this line to be prolonged by one of the means indicated, No. 929, and following; and as soon as these dispositions are made, he will command:

 

I. On the light infantry, eighth battalion, take

wheeling distance.

 

1897. This having been repeated, the colonel will each command: 1. Column, forward; Guide left.

1898. At this, the captains of the eighth battalion will throw themselves out on the left flank ofthe column; those of the other battalions

 

 


 

EVOLUTIONS 0F THE LINE—PART III.

 

will throw themselves before the centres of their companies. 

1899.   The lieutenant colonel and the major of the first battalion will remain in their places in line; in the other battalions each lieutenant colonel will throw himself abreast with his rear­most company, and the majors each abreast with the first.

1900.  The general will then add:

 

2.Quick—MARCH.

 

1901. At this, the whole column, except the directing company, will step off: the lieutenant colonel of the first battalion will take care to di­rect the leading guide a little within the line of battle.

 

1902.   The  eighth battalion will take its distances as prescribed, No. 1061; and following.

1903.   When the colonel of the seventh sees that only company of the eighth remains to take its distance, he will command: captains, on the flank of the column.

1904. At this, the captains will throw them­selves outside of their guides ; the lieutenant colonel will hasten to the point where his rearmos­t company ought to be halted, observing to take between it and the first company of the eighth battalion, a distance equal to the front of a company and twenty-two paces.

1905.  When his rearmost company shall arrive abreast with the lieutenant colonel, its captain will halt and alignit by the left. The other companies of the seventh will take their distan


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS 0F THE LINE—PART III.

 

ces as prescribed for those of the eighth battalion.

1906.  The remaining battalions will successively execute what has just been prescribed for the seventh. The lieutenant colonel of the first will direct the march of its leading guide to the point where the rearmost company of this battalion ought to be halted, and then the major will replace him momentarily at the head of the column.

1907. The colonels, lieutenant colonels, and majors, will conform themselves to what is prescribed for each, Nos. 1065—7.

 

3d. To take distances on the head of the column.

 

1908. When the general shall wish to cause distances to be taken on the head of the column, say the grenadiers of the first battalion, he will direct two markers to be placed on the line of direction as prescribed, No. 1068, and cause this line to be prolonged to the rear by the means indicated No. 1896; these dispositions being made, he will command:

 

I.  On the grenadiers, first battalion, take wheeling distance.

 

1909. This having been repeated, each colonel will command: Battalion, about—FACE. 2. Column, forward; 3. Guide right.

1910. At the third command, the captains of the first battalion will throw themselves out on the directing flank of the column; those of the

 

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS 0F THE LINE—PART III.

 

following battalions will remain behind the centres of their companies.

1911.  The    lieutenant colonel of the eighth will throw himself abreast with his now leading company, and the major abreast with his rearmost one: in the other battalions, the positions of the lieutenant colonels and majors will be thereverse.

1912.  The general will then add:

 

2.Quick—MARCH.

 

1913.   At this, the whole column, except the directing company, which has not faced about, will step off; the lieutenant colonel of the eighth battalion, placed by the side of the guide of its now leading company, will take care to direct this guide a little within the line of battle.

1914. The first battalion will take its distance ­in the manner indicated No. 1069, and following.

1915. When the last company but one of the first battalion shall have taken its distance, the colonel of the second will command: captains, to the flank of the column; at the same time the lieutenant colonel of this battalion will throw himself to the point at which the grenadiers (or first company) ought to be halted.

1916. This company having arrived abreast with the lieutenant colonel, its captain will halt it, face it about, and align it by the left; the other companies of this battalion will take their distances as prescribed for those of the first battalion.


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS 0F THE LINE—PART III.

 

1917. Each remaining battalion will conform itself to what has just been prescribed for the second. The lieutenant colonel of the eighth will direct the march of its leading guide to the point at which its now rearmost company ought to be halted, when he will change place with the major.

1918. The field officers will conform themselves to what is prescribed for each, Nos. 1061-7

 

 

4th. To take distances on an Interior battalion.

 

1919. When the general shall wish to cause distances to be taken on an interior company of the column, say the grenadiers of the fifth battalion, he will establish the direction in the manner indicated, No. 1908, and cause it to be prolonged to the front and rear; which being executed, he will command:

 

1.On the grenadiers, fifth battalion, take wheeling distance.

 

1920. This having been repeated, the colonel of the fifth and the colonels of the following battalions will each command: 1. Battalion, about—FACE; 2. Column, forward; S. Guide right; the colonels of the battalions in front of the fifth will each command: 1. Column, forward; 2. Guide left.

 

 

1921. The general will then add:

 

 

 


EVOLUTIONS 0F THE LINE—PART III.

 

 

3.Quick—MARCH.

 

1922.  The fifth battalion, and those placed in its rear, will execute their movement in the manner indicated No. 1910, and following, for tak­ing distances on the head of the column; the fifth will conformitself to what is prescribed, in that (same?), for the first battalion.

1923.  The first four battalions will execute the movement us prescribed No. 1898, and following, for taking distances on the rear of the column. At the commencement of the move­ment, the fourth battalion will put itself in march with the others, and its rearmost company will be halted the moment there is, between it and the grenadiers of the fifth battalion, a distance equal to the front of a company, and twenty-two paces.

1924. When distances are taken on an inte­rior battalion or the column, the headmost or rearmost company or this battalion will be designated as the directing company.

1925. A column in mass will take full distance by the commands and means just indicated. When it has to take half distances, the general will substitute, in the first command, the indication half for that or wheeling distance.

1926. All those movements will be executed to the same principles in a column left in front.

1927.  In a column by division, distances will be taken according to the same principles as in a column by company.

 

 


EVOLUTIONS 0F THE LINE—PART III.

 

 

ARTICLE X.

 

Countermarch.

 

1928. A column, right in front, being at full or half distance, when the general shall wish to cause it to execute the countermarch, he will command:

 

1.Countermarch.

 

1929. This being repeated by all the colonels, each will immediately command:1. Battalion right—FACE; 2. By file left.

1930. The general will then add:

 

2.Quick—MARCH.

 

1931. At this, briskly repeated, all the subdivisions of the column will execute the countermarch, as prescribed, School of the Battalion.

1932. With the left in front, the countermarch will be executed according to the same principles.

 

Countermarch of a column closed in mass.

 

1933. When a column in mass has to execute the countermarch, the general will command:

 

1.Countermarch.

 

1934. This being briskly repeated by all the

 

 


EVOLUTIONS 0F THE LINE—PART III.

 

 

colonels, each will immediately command 1. right and left—FACE; 2. By file left and right.  

 

1935.  The general will then add:

 

3.Quick—MARCH.

 

1936.  At this, briskly repeated, the subdivi­sion will put themselves in movement, and the countermarch will be executed as prescribed, No. 1081, and following.

 

 

ARTICLE XI.

 

 

Being in column by company and at a halt, to form divisions.

 

1937.  The column being by company, right in and at a halt, when the general shall wish divisions to be formed, he will command:

 

1.Form divisions.

 

1938. This being repeated by the colonels, each will immediately command: left companies, left—FACE.

1939. The general will then add:

 

2.Quick—MARCH.

 

1940.   At this, briskly repeated, the move

 

 


EVOLUTIONS 0F THE LINE—PART IV.

 

ment will be executed as prescribed, School of the Battalion.

1941. Each colonel will command: guides— POSTS, as soon as the divisions or his battalion are formed.

1942. If the left be in front, the general will give the same commands, and the colonels will conform themselves to what is prescribed, No. 1105.

 

 

PART FOURTH.

 

Different modes of passing from the order in column to the order in battle.

 

ARTICLE I.

 

Manner of determining the line of battle.

 

1943. The different manners of determining the line of battle have been explained, School the Battalion.

 

 

ARTICLE II.

 

Different modes of passing from column at full

distance into line of battle.

 

 

1.     To the left (or right)

2.       On the right (or left)

3.     Forward,

4.     Faced to the rear,

}

 

 

into line of battle.

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS 0F THE LINE—PART IV.

 

 

 

Column at full distance, to the left (or right) into line of battle.

 

 

1944The column being supposed to have the right in front, when the general-in-chief shall wish to form it to the left into line, he will first insure the direction of the guides by one of the means prescribed, No. 1828, and following, and No. 1837, and following; which being executed, he will command:

 

1. Left into line, wheel.

 

1945. This having been repeated by the colonels, the right guide of the company at the head of each battalion will throw himself on the di­rection of the left guides, in conformity with what is prescribed, No. 1128; the general will  add:

 

2. Quick—MARCH.

 

 

1946.   At this, briskly repeated, the column will form to the left into line of battle, and the moment it is formed, the general will command:

 

5. Guides (or colours and guides)—POSTS.

 

1947. At this, the guides will take their places line of battle, as also the colour-bearers, if in front.

1948. A column, left in front, will form to the

 

 


EVOLUTIONS 0F THE LINE—PART IV.

 

right into line of battle according to the sane principles.

 

By inversion, to the right (or left) into line of battle.

 

1949. If circumstances require that a column, right in front, should form to the right into line of battle, the general, without occupying himself with rectifying the right guides of the column, will command:

 

 

1.By inversion, right into line, wheel.

 

1950. At this, the lieutenant colonel and the left guide of every company at the head of a battalion, will conform themselves to what is prescribed, No. 1141.

1951. The colonels having repeated the above command, will each immediately give this: battalion, guide right; the lieutenant colonels and majors will rectify, with the utmost promptitude, the direction of the right guides of their respective battalions, without occupying themselves with the general direction of the column: and as soon as these dispositions are made, the general will add:

 

 

2.Quick—MARCH.

 

1952. At this, briskly repeated, each battalion will wheel up into line in conformity to what is prescribed. No. 1142.

 

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS 0F THE LINE—PART IV.

 

1953.  The line being formed, the general will command:

 

3. Guides—POSTS.

1954.  If, with the left in front, it be necessary to form column to the left into line of battle, the movement will be executed according to the same principles.

 

Successive Formations.

 

In. the successive formations, the lieutenant colonel of each subordinate battalion will always precede it on the line of battle, and es­tablish a marker at the point where the right or left of his leading subdivision is to rest. He wiII take care to leave between this marker and the next battalion already established on the line, the interval of twenty-two paces, and then place a second marker on the line at a little less subdivision distance from the first. The moment the lieutenant colonel detaches himself, he will be replaced at the head of his column by the major.

1956. As soon as the colour-subdivision of the battalion arrives on the me of battle, the colour-bearer will step out and place himself opposite to his file on the alignment of the guides already established on that line, taking care to hold up his lance perpendicularly between his eyes.

1957. As soon as there shall be two colours on the line of battle, the colonels will command:

 

 


 

EVOLUTIONS 0F THE LINE—PART IV.

 

guides—POSTS, after the last subdivision of their battalions is established on that line; but thecolour-bearers will remain in front until the entire line is formed. The general will then command: colours—POSTS.

1958. The lieutenant colonels will assure with the utmost care the markers of their respective battalions on the line of battle, taking the colours as the basis of alignment as soon as there are two established on that line, and then assure with equal precision the direction of the following guides and colour-bearer as they successively’ come on the line of battle.

1959. Each colonel, after ordering in his guides, will cause his battalion to order arms.

 

2d. Column at full distance, on the right, (or left) into

line of battle.

 

1960. A column by company, right in front, being in march, when the general shall wish to form it on the right into line of battle, he will first determine the direction of that line, and then indicate to the lieutenant colonel of the first battalion the point where the right is to rest; this officer will immediately detach himself with two markers, and establish them as indicated, No. 1146.

1961. If the direction of the line of battle be not parallel, or nearly so, to that of the column, the general, a little in advance, will take care to direct the march of the leading subdivision parallelly to that line, by the means indicated, No. 1165, so that its guide, after turning to the right,

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS 0F THE LINE—PART IV.

 

may have at least ten (or nine) paces to take in order to upon it.

1962.  These dispositions being made, when the general shall wish the movement to commence, he will command:

 

On the right, into line.

 

1963.  This having been repeated by the colonels, each

will add: battalion, guide right.

1964.  The leading subdivision having arrived opposite to the marker placed at the point of appui (rest,) will turn to the right, and the formation ­into line of battle will be executed as prescribed, No. 1149, and following.

1965; When the lieutenant colonel of the se­cond battalion sees the last subdivision of the first turn to the right, in order to move upon the line, he will detach himself with two markers, whom he will establish on the direction of the guides of the first battalion.

1966. The leading subdivision of the second battalion having arrived opposite to the first marker, will turn to the right at the command of its captain, who will halt it three paces from the line of battle and align it by the right against the two markers, placed in advance by the lieutenant colonel.

1967. The following battalions will execute their movement as just prescribed for the second.

1968. The line being formed, the general will command:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS 0F THE LINE—PART IV.

 

 

Colours—POSTS.

 

1969. At this, the colour-hearers will return to their places in line of battle. See No. 1957.

1970. The general, placed at the point of appui, will see that the colours of the two right battalions place themselves correctly on the direction which he may have determined for the line of battle.

1971. The field officers will conform themselves, pending the formation into line of battle of their respective battalions, to what has been prescribed, Nos. 1160—1.

1972. A column, left in front, will be formed on the left, into line of battle, according to the same principles.    

1973. If the general should wish to commence firing pending the execution of the movement, he will give an order to that effect, and the several battalions will successively conform themselves to what is pres-cribed, No. 1168. This rule is general for all successive formations.

   

3d. Column at full distance, forward into line of battle.

   

1974. (P1. XLI, fig. 1.) When a column all full distance, right in front, shall arrive behind the right of the line on which it has to form line of battle, the general will first determine the direction of that line, and then indicate to the lieutenant colonel of the leading battalion the point at which the right ought to rest; this officer will immediately detach himself with two markers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS 0F THE LINE—PART IV.

 

and establish them on the direction indicated, as explained, No. 1146.

1975.  The head of the column having arrived at company distance from the line of battle, the general will halt the column, and command:

 

1.    Forward, into line.

 

1976.  This having been repeated, the colonel of the first battalion will command: by company, left half wheel; the other colonels will each command: 1. Battalion, guide right; 2. Head of column to the left.

1977.  The general will then add:

 

2.   Quick—MARCH.

 

1978. At this, briskly repeated, the first battalion will form itself forward, into line of battle by the means prescribed, No. 1172, and following.

1979.  The remaining battalions will march in column by battalion, towards the line of battle; to this end, the leading company of each will break from the general column by a wheel to the left, and then direct itself, that of the second battalionalmost parallelly to the line of battle, and that of each of the following battalions diagonally forward, so as to arrive at (g) opposite to the point of appui (rest) of its battalion, but distant from this point at least the depth of the battalion in column.

1980. The head of each of these battalions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS 0F THE LINE—PART IV.

 

 

having arrived at the point (g,) will turn to the right, in order to advance in a square with the line of battle, and when it shall be at about com­pany distance from that line, on which the lieutenant colonel will have established two markers, as explained, No. 1146, the colonel will halt his battalion, and cause it to form forward, into line of battle by the means and the commands prescribed, No. 1171, and following.

1981. The line being formed, the general will command:

Colours—POSTS.

   

Remarks on forming forward, into line of battle.

 

1982. The precision of this movement depends on the diagonal direction taken by the battalions in passing from the general column towards the line of battle; the better to assure this direction the general, colonels, and lieutenant colonels will observe the following rules.

1983. (P1. XLI, fig. 1.) Before beginning the movement, the general (k) will charge two aid-de-camp (m and n) to determine the points of appui on the line of battle for the right flanks the different battalions, which will be executed as follows.

1984. The aid (m) will gallop to battalion distance and twenty-two paces from the general placed at the point of appui, and face to him; the general will, by signal of the sword, align him on the point of direction to the left, and (a) will gallop at the same time to a like


 

 

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS 0F THE LINE—PART IV.

 

distance behind (m) face to the right, and align himself on (m) and the general.

1985.  The two aids (m and n) being thus established on the line of battle, the general will cause the movement to commence; the second battalion will direct itself on the aid (m) and the third on (n:) when the lieutenant colonel of the second arrives on the line, (m) will gallop to battalion distance and twenty-two paces be­hind (n,) and align himself on the latter and the colour to the right; the colonel of the fourth will immediately direct his battalion on the aid (m;) the aid (n) will set off in his turn, the mo­ment the lieutenant colonel of the third arrives on the line of battle, place himself again at battalion distance and twenty-two paces behind (m,) and align himself on the latter and the colours to the right; the colonel of the fifth will immediately direct his battalion on the aid (n,) the two aids will thus in turn place themselves one behind the other at battalion distance and an interval of twenty-two paces as soon as the lieutenant colonel of the battalion which directs either, comes to replace him. The aids-de-camp will be careful to place themselves accurately on the line of battle, and at the true from each other.

1986.  From the commencement of the movement, the general, or the officer he may substi­tute, willplace himself at the point of appui as in the formation on the right, into line of battle, and for the like purpose. See .No. 1970.

1987.  Every colonel will hold himself abreast with his leading company on the directing flank.

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

pending the march of his battalion towards the line of battle; and, when the battalion begins to form, he will conform himself to what is prescribed, No. 1160.

1988. Each lieutenant colonel will detach himself, in order to take the place of the aid-de-camp on the line of battle, when the head of his battalion is at about one hundred and forty paces from that line, and he will then discharge the functions, pending the formation of’ his battalion, which have been prescribed, No. 1161.

1989. A column, left in front, arriving behindthe left of the line of battle, will form forward on that line, according to the same principles and by inverse means.       

 

4th. Column at full distance faced to the rear, into

of battle.

 

1990. (P1. XLI, fig. 2.) When a column at full distance, right in front, arrives in front of the right of the line on which it has to form in order in battle, the general will first determine the direction of that line, and indicate to the lieutenant colonel of the headmost battalion the point of appui for its right; this officer will immediately detach himself with two markers, and establish them on the direction indicated, as explained, No. 1146.     

 

1991. The head of the column having arrived at about company distance from the markers the general will halt the column, and cause the leading company to be marched and dressed against the markers in the manner indicated, No. 1190. He will then command:

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

 

1. Into line, faced to the rear.

 

1992.  This having been repeated, the colonel will immediately command: battalion, About—FACE; the colonels of the following battalions each command: 1. Battalion; guide left; 2. Head of column to the right.

1993.  The general will then add:

 

2.Quick—MARCH.

 

1994.   This being briskly repeated, the first battalion will form into line of battle, faced to the rear, as prescribed No. 1191, and following.

1995.   The remaining battalions will march in column, by battalion, towards the line of bat­tle; to this end, the leading company of each will break from the general column by a wheel to the right, and the battalion will then direct itself towards the line of battle as in the forma­tion forward into line.

1996. The head of each of these battalions having arrived at the point (g,) will turn to the left in order to advance in a square with the line of battle; and when at about company distance from that line, on which the lieutenant colonel have established two markers as indicated, No. 1955, the colonel will halt his battalion, and cause it to form faced to the rear, into line of bat­tle,  by the means and commands prescribed, No. 1189 and following. See No. 1957.

 

1997.  The line being formed, the general will

command:

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

8. Colours—POSTS.

 

1998. The general, colonels, and lieutenant colonels, will conform themselves to what is prescribed, No. 1986, and following.

1999. A column, left in front, arriving before  the left of the line of battle, will be formed faced to the rear, into line of battle, according to the same principles and by inverse means.

 

ARTICLE III.

 

Formations into line of battle, composed of two

movements.

 

2000. When a column, right in front, arriving behind the line of battle, and prolonging: itself on that line, has to form upon it before the whole of the column has entered into the new direction, the formation will be executed as follows

2001. (P1. XLII, fig. 1.) It will be supposed that the general has halted the column at instant that the fourth company of the fourth battalion entered the new direction; he will rectify the positions of the general guides, whoaccording to the principles established, ought be on the flank of the part of the column which has entered the new direction, and he will establish this portion of the column on that direction, by the means prescribed, No. 1857, and following; which being executed, he will command:     

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

 

1.  To the left, and forward, into line.

 

2002. This having been repeated, the colonels of the first four battalions will each command: left into line wheel, and the colonel of the fourth, a part of whose battalion only has entered the new direction, will then add: four (or six) last companies, forward, into line.

2003.  Thecolonel of the fifth will command: 1. Forward into line; 2. By company, left half wheel; and the colonels of the last three battalions will each command: 1. Forward, into line, 2. Battalion, guide right; 3.Head of column to the left.

2004.   The general will then add:

 

2.Quick—MARCH.

 

2005.  At this, briskly repeated, the battalions form to the left and forward, into line of bat­tle, according to the principles prescribed for the two formations.

2006.   If the column, instead of arriving behind, arrive before the line of battle, the formation will be executed as follows.

2007~ (P1. XLII, fig. 2.) The general having halted the column, and assured the positions of the guides who have entered into the new direction, will command:

 

1.  To the left, and faced to the rear, into line.

 

2008.  This having been repeated the col-

 

 

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

 

nels of the first four battalions will each command: left into the line, wheel, and the colonel of the fourth will then add: four (or six) last companies, into line, faced to the rear.

2009. The colonel of the fifth will command I. Into line faced to rear; 2. Battalion, right­--FACE; the colonels of the last three battalions will each command: 1. Into line, faced to the rear. 2. Battalion, guide left; 3. Head of column to the right.

2010. The general will then add:

 

2. Quick—MARCH.

 

2011. At this, briskly repeated, the battalion will form to the left and faced to the rear, into line of battle, according to the principles prescribed for the two formations.

2012. When a column at full distance has to be formed faced to the front, or faced to the rear, into line, on any company other than that at the head of the column, the formation will be executed by the union of two movements, as will be explained.

2013. In the first case, or faced to the front the battalion on which the movement is made and those in its rear, will form forward, into line of battle; the other battalions will countermarch, and form faced to the rear, into line battle.

2014.  In the second case: the column having toform faced to the rear of the column, the battalion on which the movement is made, and those which follow, will form faced to the rear

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

 

 

into line of battle, the other battalions will countermarch, and form forward, into line of battle.

2015.  In both cases the company at the head of the battalion on which the movement is made, will be taken as the basis of the formation

2016.  (Pl. XLIII, fig. 1.) A column by company  rightin front, will be supposed: the ge­neral, wishing to form it into line of battle, faced to the front, ­on the fifth battalion, will send an order to thecolonels of the first four battalions, tocause them to countermarch, and himself cause to be established two markers before the head of the fifth battalion, as indicated, No. 1146; as soon as these markers are established, the lieutenant colonel of the fourth battalion will place two others on the same alignment, leaving between the, two battalions the interval of twenty-t­wo paces.

2017. The first four battalions having execut­ed the countermarch, the general will command:

 

1.  0n the (headmost company,) fifth batta­lion,  forward, into line.

2018.   This having been repeated, the colonel of the fifth will command: by company, left half wheel; the colonels of the last three battalions will each command: 1. Battalion, guide right 2. Head of column to the left.

2019.   The colonel of the fourth will command 1. Into line, faced to the rear; 2. Battalion, left—FACE; the colonels of the first three battalions will each command: 1. Into line, faced to the rear; 2. Battalion, guide right; 3. Head of column to the left.


 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

2020. The general will then add:

 

2. Quick—MARCH.

 

2021. At this, briskly repeated, the last four battalions will form forward, and the first four faced to the rear, into line of battle, according to the principles prescribed for the two formations.

2022. (P1. XLIII, fig. 2.) If instead of facing to the front, the line has to be formed faced to the rear of the column, the general, after sending an order to the colonels of the first four battalions to cause them to countermarch, will lace two markers before the head of the fifth battalion; the lieutenant colonel of the fourth will place two other markers on the same alignment, leaving between the two battalions an interval of twenty-two paces.

2023. The first four battalions having executed the countermarch, the general will command:

 

On the (headmost company,) fifth battalion, into line, faced to the rear.

 

2024. This having been repeated, the colonel of the fifth will command: battalion, right­--FACE; the colonels of the last three battalions will command: 1. Into line, faced to the rear; Battalion, guide left; 2. Head of column to the right.

2025. The colonel of the fourth will command: 1. Forward, into line; 2. By company right half wheel; the colonels of the first three battalions will each command: 1. Forward, into

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

line.  2.  Battalion, guide left; 3. Head of column to the right.

2026.  The general will then add:

 

2. Quick—MARCH.

 

2027.  At this, briskly repeated, the last four battalions will form faced to the rear, and the first four, forward, into line of battle, according the principles prescribed for the two formations. 

2028.  Those divers movements will be executed in a column, left in front, according to the same principles and by inverse means.

 

ARTICLE IV.

 

Different modes of passing from column at half distance into line of battle.

2029. Columns at half distance may be formed into line of battle in either of the modes prescribed for columns at full distance. See commencement of the preceding Article II.

 

1st. Column at half distance, to the left (or right)

into line of battle.

 

2030. A column at half distance having to form to the left (or right) into line of battle, the general will first cause it to take distances on subdivision he may choose to designate, by the means prescribed, No. 1896, and following; which being executed, he will form the column

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

 

into line of battle as indicated, No. 1944, and following.

2031. The general, when he judges it necessary, may order each battalion to form itself in. to line of battle as it shall successively have its distances, without waiting for the battalions engaged in the execution of this preliminary movement.

 

2d.  Column at half distance, on the right (or on the left) into line of battle.j

 

2032. A column at half distance will be formed on the right (or on the left) into line of battle, by the same commands and means as a column at full distance.

 

3d. Column it half distance, forward into line of

battle. 

 

2033. A column being at half distance, when the general shall wish to form it forward into line of battle, he will make the same dispositions and give the same commands as if the column were at full distance.

2034. The leading battalion will close in mass and deploy on the headmost company; the following battalions will break by battalion from the general column, and each direct itself towards the line of battle, as if it were at full distance. When the headmost company shall have arrived at three paces from that line, the colonel will cause the column to close in mass, and then deploy it, as prescribed for the leading battalion.


 

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

 

4thColumn at half distance, faced to the rear, Into line of battle.

 

2035.  A column at half distance will be form to the rear into line of battle, by the means and commands and means prescribed for a column at full distance.

 

 

ARTICLE V.

 

Columns closed in mass.

 

Deployment by battalion in mass.

 

2036.A column in mass, whatever the numbers of battalions, may be formed into line of battle by deployment: 1st. Faced to the front; 2d. Faced to the rear; 3d. Faced to the left; 4th Faced to the right.

 

1st. Faced to the front.

 

2037. (P1. XLIV, figs. 1,2.) & column of eight battalions, formed by division, and right in front, will be supposed; the general, wishing to deploy it, faced to the front, will first determine direction of the line of battle, and cause it to be marked by one of the means already indicated, taking care, if the column be in march, to cause a mounted officer to be placed on that line, at the point where the head of the column ought to arrive.

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

 

2038. Deployments will always be made upon lines parallel and lines perpendicular to the line of battle, according to the principle established, School of the Battalion. If the column be at a halt, the general, before deploying it, will establish it perpendicularly to the line of battle, if it be not, already so, by the means indicated, No. 1866—7, or No. 1886, and following ; if the column be in march, he will direct it on the point marked as above, but so that it may arrive perpendicularly to the line of battle, and he will halt it at three paces from that line.

2039. The column being thus established, the general will cause it to deploy by battalion in mass, on whatever battalion he may choose to designate, say the first. He will place on the line of battle two markers, the first before the right, and the second before the left file of the head most division, and then order a mounted office, to throw himself beyond the point at which the left battalion will arrive, and to place himself exactly on the prolongation of the basis of the alignment.

2040. These dispositions being made, the general will command:

 

1. By battalion in mass, on the first battalion,

deploy column.

 

2041. This having been repeated, the colonels of the first battalion will caution it to stand fast. The other colonels will face their battalions to the left.

2042. The general will then add:

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

2.Quick.—MARCH.

 

2043.  At the command march, briskly repeated, ­the movement will commence; the colonel of ­the first will command: right—DRESS; at which the first division will dress up against the markers, and be aligned by the right. At same time, the guides of the other divisions cover each other accurately in file, each wing guide taking the distance of six (or five) paces from the guide immediately preceding; ­the major will establish them promptly on the direction, and as soon as they are assured in their positions,each chief will align his division by the right. The chief of the first division, af­ter having commanded front, instead of placing himself before its centre, will remain on the right of the front rank, and the right guide will fall back to the rear rank.

2044. The other battalions will march by the left flank; the second, which finds itself nearest to the line of battle, will direct itself parallelly to that line; the others will march abreast with the second, and each preserve the distance of nine paces between the guide of its first and the guide of the last division of the battalion next towards the line of battle.

2045. The instant the movement commences, the major of the second battalion will throw him­self twenty-two paces from the left flank of the column to mark the point at which the battalion will face to the right in order to advance upon the line of battle.

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

 

2046. The lieutenant colonel or this battalion will at the same time throw himself on the line of battle, and establish two markers on it, disposed like those of the first battalion, the right marker twenty-two paces from the left flank of the battalion.

2047. When the right file of the first division, second battalion, is nearly up with the major, the colonel will command: I. Battalion, by the right flank; 2. MARCH; 3. Guide right.

2048. The first command will be given when the division has yet seven or eight paces to take, the second at the moment its right file is up with the major, and the third immediately after the second.

2049. At the command march, the battalion will face to the right (front) in marching, (See No. 604;) the chiefs of division will throw themselves before the centres of their respective divisions; the right guide of the first will so di­rect himself as to bring the right file opposite to the first marker; and when the head of the bat­talion is at three paces from the line of battle, the colonel will halt it, and command: right— DRESS. At this command, the battalion will he aligned by the right, in the manner prescribed for the first battalion.

2050. The other battalions will continue to march, and execute successively what has been indicated for the second; the lieutenant colonel and major of each of these battalions will con form themselves to what is prescribed for those of the second at the moment the battalion pre-

 

 


 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

ceding their own faces to the right in order to advance upon the line of battle.

2051. The deployment being ended, the general will command:

 

Guides—POSTS.

 

2052. At this, the markers, placed before the masses, will retire.

2053. If, instead of deploying the column on the first battalion, the general shall wish to de­ploy it on the eighth, he will begin by causing the dispositions prescribed, No. 2087, and follow­ing, to be made, and then order a mounted officer 1o throw himself on the line of battle a little be­yond the point at which the right battalion will arrive; this officer will place himself exactly on the prolongation of the markers placed before the head of the column.

2054. The general will then command:

 

1.  By battalion in mass, on the eighth battalion,

deploy column. 2. Quick—MARCH.

 

2055. At the first command, all the battalions, except the eighth, will face to the right.

2056. At the command march, the first seven battalions will put themselves in movement; the first division of the first battalion, conducted by the lieutenant colonel, will direct itself a little within the line of battle and parallelly to that line; the other battalions will regulate themselves on the first in conformity with what is prescribed No. 2044.

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

 

 

2057.  At the instant the movement commences, the major of the seventh will throw himself twenty-two paces outside of the flank of the column to mark the point at which the battalion ought to be halted.

2058.  The colonel of the eighth, seeing his battalion nearly unmasked, will command; 1.  Column, forward; 2.  Guide left; 3.  Quick—MARCH.

2059.  At the command march, which will be given at the moment the battalion is unmasked, the colonel will conduct it towards the line of battle, and when at three paces from that line, he will halt it and align it by the left.  The chief of the first division will then shift to the right as prescribed, No. 2043.

2060.  When the left file, first division, seventh battalion, is up with the major, the colonel of this battalion will command; 1. Battalion; 2.  HALT; 3.  Front—FACE. 

2061.  At the second command, the battalion will halt; at the third it will face to the front, and if there be openings between the files, they will be promptly closed to the left.

2062.  As soon as this battalion is unmasked, the colonel will conduct it to the line of battle in the manner prescribed for the eighth.

2063.  The other battalions will continue to march, and each execute in succession what has been indicated for the seventh; the major of each will throw himself twenty-two paces outside of the flank of the column, as prescribed for the major of the seventh, at the moment the next battalion in rear of his own, halts; the lieutenant colonel

 

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

will precede his battalion on the line of battle, in order to establish upon it the two markers.

2064.  The movement being ended, the general will command:

 

Guides—POSTS.

 

2065.  According to the same principles, the deployment may be made on an interior battalion of the column.  The general, after having established two markers before the head of the column, will order two mounted officers to throw themselves respectively a little beyond the points at which the right and left battalions will arrive.

2066.  The directing battalion will conform itself to what is prescribed, Nos. 2058—9, for the eighth; the battalions in its front will face to the right and be deployed in the manner indicated, Nos. 2056—7, and No. 2060, and following; the other battalions will face to the left and execute the movement as prescribed, No. 2044, and following.

2067. Those divers movements will be executed according to the same principles with a column left in front.

2068.  In the preceding examples, the line of battle has been established in front of the head of the column; the general may also establish it front of any interior battalion, and then deploy the column on this battalion, or on any other that he may judge proper.

2069.  (Pl. XLIV, figs. 3, 4.)  It will be supposed that the line of battle ought to be established in front of the sixth, and that it is intend-

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

ed to deploy on this battalion: the general will cause two markers to be placed before the first division of the designated battalion, and order two mounted officers to throw themselves, respec­tively, a little beyond the points at which the right and left battalions will arrive; he will then command:

 

I.  Line of battle on the sixth battalion.

 

2070. This having been repeated, the first five battalions, which are in front of the line of battle, will face by the rear rank; which being execut­ed, the general will add:

 

2.By battalion in mass, on the sixth battalion, deploy column. 8. Quick—MARCH.

 

2071. At the second command, all the battalions, except the sixth, will face to the left.

2072. At the command march, the deployment will commence: the colonel of the sixth will align his battalion by the left. The other battalions will put themselves in march; the direction on each side will be taken from the division the nearest to the line of battle, and the chief of this division will take care to direct its march parallelly to that line.

2073. At the instant the movement commen­ces, the major of the fifth will throw himself twenty-two paces from the flank of the column on the prolongation of the last division of his bat­talion; the lieutenant colonel will throw himself on the line of battle, place a maker at the point

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

 

of appui for the left of this battalion, and a second ­at a little more than division distance from the first, in order to leave space for the battalion to cross between them.

2074.  When the left file of the last division, fifth battalion, is nearly up with the major, the colonel will command (in the order of time indicated, No. 2048:) 1. Battalion, by the right flank;  2.MARCH; 3. Guide right.

2075.   At the second command, the battalion will face to the right (rear) in marching, in order to pass  the line of battle; the guide of the leading division will so direct his march as to graze, in passing, the marker placed at the point of appui; the battalion will cross the line of battle, and when the first division has passed it three paces, the colonel, who will have remained in front of that line, will halt the battalion,and face it by the front rank; the two guides of the first division and the covering ser­geant of its left company will throw themselves on the line of battle, and be assured in their positions by the lieutenant colonel; which being executed, the colonel will cause the battalion to be aligned by theleft.

2076.  The first four battalions will conform themselves in succession to what has just been for the fifth, and the last two will deploy as indicated, No. 2044, and following.

2077.   The movement ended, the general will command:

 

4.  Guides—POSTS.

2078.  If, in establishing the line of battle on

 

 


 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

 

the sixth, the general shall wish to deploy the column on any other, say the fourth battalion, he will command:

 

I.       Line of battle, on the sixth battalion. 2. By battalion in mass, on the fourth battalion, deploy column.  5. Quick—MARCH.

 

2079. This movement will be executed according to the principles just prescribed, but observing what follows.

2080. The markers whom the general will cause to be established before the sixth battalion to serve as the basis of alignment, will be far enough apart to permit the battalion on which the deployment is made to pass between them.

2081. At the first command the first five battalions which are in advance of the line of battle, will face by the rear rank.

2082. At the second command, the first three and the last three battalions will face to the left, the fifth will face to the right, and the fourth stand fast.

2083. As soon as the fourth battalion is un­masked, it will march; cross the line of battle, and when the first division has passed three paces beyond, the colonel will halt the battalion, face it by the front rank, and align it by the left.

2084. When the fifth battalion has gained, in marching by the flank, the twenty-two paces which ought to separate it from the fourth, its colonel will halt it, face it by the rear rank, and the moment it is unmasked, he will conduct and establish, it on the line of battle as just prescrib

 

 


 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

ed for the fourth, but he will align it by the right.

 

2085.   The sixth battalion, marching by the flank, will prolong itself on the line of battle, and be halted when it has gained the interval of twenty-two paces, which ought to separate it from the fifth.

2086. The other battalions will be deployed in the preceding example.

 

2d.  Faced to the rear.

 

2O87. When the general shall wish to deploy the column faced to the rear, he will cause it to execute the countermarch, and then deploy it by the commands and means prescribed for deploy­ing faced to the front.

 

3d.   Faced to the left.

 

2088. A closed column, right in front, having to deploy by battalion in mass, faced to the left, will execute the movement in the following man­ner.

2089. (P1. XLV, fig. 1.) If it be the wish of the general to deploy the column on the fifth battalion, he will determine the direction of the line of battle on the right flank of the column, and then command:

 

1, To deploy, faced to the left. 2. By battalion in mass, on the fifth battalion, take distance.

 

2090. These commands having been repeated,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

2100. A column, left in front, will be deployed by battalion in mass, faced to the right, according to the same principles.

 

Remark.

 

2101. It is prescribed that the masses take division distance and four paces, supposing each to be of four divisions and in three ranks—in order that, after deployment, there may be inter­vals between the masses of twenty-two paces; but, if the masses be of five divisions, in three or two ranks, or of four divisions, in two ranks, the distances to be taken will be, in the first case, two paces Less, and in the second and third cases respectively, two and seven paces more than division-distance.

 

4th. Faced to the right.

 

2102. A closed column, right in front, having to deploy by battalion in mass, faced to the right, it will change direction by the left flank, and then deploy by the means and commands above indi­cated; but as this movement is much longer than the preceding one, the general may, when circumstances re9uire it, deploy the column by inversion, according to the principles prescribed for deploying faced to the left, observing what follows.

2103. (P1. XLV, fig. 1.) It will be supposed that the general wishes to deploy the column faced to the right on the fifth battalion; he will determine the direction of the line of battle on


 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

 

the left flank of the column, and cause it to be marked by the means above indicated; which being executed, he will command:

 

1.   To deploy by inversion, faced to the right. 2.  Battalion in mass, on the fifth battalion, take

distance.  3.         Quick—MARCH.

 

2104.   This movement will be executed as No. 2092, and following, except that the colonels, whose battalions are in front of the battalion, will each command: 1. Column, forward; 2. Guide left; and the Colonels whose battalions are in its rear: 1. Column, forward;  2. Guide right.

2105. Each battalion having taken its distance, the general will command:

 

1.    By battalion in mass, change direction by the left flank. 2. Quick—MARCH.

 

2106. This movement will be executed according to the principles prescribed, No. 2097.

2107. The deployment being ended, the general will add:

 

3.Guides——Posts.

 

2108. The battalions being thus placed by inversion, the masses will be deployed into line of battle in the direct order, when each battalion will be, in respect to the others, in the inverse, whilst its own subdivisions are in the direct order.

 

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

2109. A closed column, left in front, will be deployed by inversion faced to the left, according to the same principles.

 

Deployment of masses.

 

2110. (P1 XLIV, figs. 5,6, 7.) The line be­ing deployed by battalion in mass, it is supposed that the general wishes to deploy the masses on the first division, fifth battalion: he will cause two markers to be placed before this division, and di­rect the lieutenant colonel of the fourth battalion to place two others on the same alignment before his first division.

2111. These markers being established, the lieutenant colonels of the fifth and fourth battalions will each place a third before the centre of the same division, as prescribed, Nos. 1222 and 1243.

2112. The general will, at the same time, order two mounted officers to throw themselves respectively a little beyond the points at which will rest the left and the right of the line, and establish themselves there correctly on the prolongation of the basis of alignment.

2113. These dispositions being made, the general will command;

 

I.                  On the first division, fifth battalion, deploy masses.

 

2114. This having been repeated, the colonel of the fifth battalion will caution its first division to stand fast, and then, with each of the colonels

 

 


 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

who are to his left, command: battalion, left— FACE.

2115. The colonel of the fourth battalion, having cautioned its fourth (or last) division to stand fast, will then, with each of the colonels who are to his right, command: battalion, right--FACE.

2116. The battalions being thus by the flank their colonels will place themselves at eight or ten paces from their right flanks respectively; to this end, the colonels, whose battalions have faced to the left, will pass through the intervals which separate these battalions.

2117. The general will then add:

2.     Quick—MARCH.

2118. At this, briskly repeated, the deployment  will commence; the first division, first battalion, and the first of the eighth, each conducted by its lieutenant colonel, will direct its march a little within the mounted officer placed at the extremity of the line of battle, and parallelly to that line; the first division of each of the other battalions will follow exactly in the trace of the division which precedes it.

2119. The fifth and fourth battalions will de­ploy themselves from the halt; the fifth on its first division, and the fourth on its last division, in conformity with what is prescribed, No. 1220, and following, and No. 1241, and following.

2120. The colonel of the third battalion, see­ing that the first division of the fourth is on the point of halting, will, for his last division, say the fourth, command: I. Fourth division. 2. HALT.

 

 


 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

The second command will be given at the moment the third battalion has taken its interval of twenty-two paces; the chief of the fourth division will then add: front—FACE.

2121. The lieutenant colonel will detach him self in time, and establish on the line of battle, two markers facing to the guides of the fourth battalion; these markers being established, he will place a third at the point against which one of the three right files of the left company of directing division will arrive, and then throw himself little beyond the point at which the right of the third division will arrive.

2122. The chief of the fourth division will align it by the left against the markers the moment it is unmasked.

2123. The other divisions will continue to march, and the deployment will be made as prescribed for the fourth battalion.

2124. The second and first battalions will, successively, conform themselves to what has just been prescribed for the third.

2125. The battalions which march by the left flank will deploy themselves as follows: the colonel of the sixth, seeing that the last division of the fifth battalion is on the point of being halted, will command: 1. First division; 2. HALT.  The second command will be given at the instant the sixth battalion has taken its interval of twenty-two paces; the chief of its first division will then add: front—FACE.

2126. The lieutenant colonel will conform himself to what is prescribed, No. 2121, for the lieutenant colonel of the third battalion; the


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

markers whom he will place will face to the right, and the intermediate marker will be established so as to be opposite to one of the three left files of the right company, directing division, of this battalion.

2127.  The first division having been faced to the front, its chief will align it by the right: the other divisions will continue to march, and the deployment ended as just indicated for the fifth battalion. See No. 1957.

2128. The seventh and eighth battalions will successively conform themselves to what has just been prescribed for the sixth.

2129. The deployment being ended, the general ­will add:

3.  Colours—POSTS.

2130. The general will see that the guides and colours of the fifth, fourth, and sixth battalions ­place themselves correctly on the direction.

2131. The colonels having halted the directing division of their respective battalions, as pre­scribed above, will follow up the deployment of their divisions; and in case a chief of a sub­ordinate division commits the fault of commanding ­halt too soon or too late, they will hasten to the following division in order to prevent the fault from being propagated.

2132.  If the column be composed of not more than three, or even four battalions, the general may dispense with causing the intermediate deployment by battalion in mass; in this case the deployment will be executed according to the

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

principles prescribed, School of the Battalion, observing what follows.

2133. (P1. XLIV, figs. 8, 9.) A column of four battalions, right in front, is supposed, having to deploy itself on the last, say the fourth division of the second battalion: the general, after having placed two markers before the headmost division of the column, will cause the line of battle to be prolonged to the right and left, and command:

 

I.  On the fourth division, second battalion,.

deploy column.

 

2134. This having been repeated, the colonel of the second will caution the designated division to stand fast, and then command : battalion~ right—FACE.

2135. At this, the lieutenant colonel of this battalion will throw himself on the line of battle, and place a third marker as prescribed, N 1243.

2186. The colonel of the first battalion will give the same command as the colonel of the second.

2137. The colonels of the third and fourth each command: battalion, left—FACE, and immediately cross the column, in order to place himself on the right flank of his battalion.

2138. The lieutenant colonel of the third will throw himself on the line of battle, and establish two markers on this line, as prescribed, No. 2121, the right marker at the distance of twenty-

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

 

 

two paces from the left flank of the second battalion.

2139. The general will then add:

 

2.Quick—MARCH.

 

214O. At this, briskly repeated, the deployment will commence: the second battalion will deploy itself on the designated division as indicated, School of the Battalion.

2141. The colonel of the first will halt its last division, when his battalion shall have left betw­een it and the right flank of the second an inter­val of twenty-two paces, and the battalion wilI deploy itself on this division as has already been indicated.

2142. When the third battalion has taken, in marching by the flank, the interval of twenty-two paces from the second, its colonel will command:

Battalion, by the right flank; 2. MARCH; 3. Guide right.

2143. At the second command, the battalion will face to the right in marching, and when ar­rived at three paces from the line of battle, the colonel will halt it, and cause it to deploy on its first division. See No. 1957.

2144. The fourth battalion will continue to march; and when its right file is opposite to its it of appui, the colonel will conduct it to the of battle, and deploy it as prescribed for the third.

2145. The lieutenant colonel of this battalion will throw himself in advance on the line of battle ­and place the two markers as prescribed,


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

No. 2138, in order that the colonel may judge the moment for marching the battalion up to this line.

2146. The colonels will conform themselves pending the deployment of their respective battalions, to what is prescribed, No. 2131.

2147. The lieutenant colonels will conform themselves to what is prescribed above.

2148. The deployment being ended, the general will command:

 

3.Colours--POSTS.

 

2149. A column, left in front, will be deployed according to the same principles and by inverse means.

 

Movements which may be executed by a line of battalions in masses.

 

1st. The advance in line.

 

2150. (PL XLV, fig. 2.) The line being deployed by battalion in mass, when the general shall wish it to advance, he will designate the directing battalion, (the fifth will here be supposed) then throw himself in front of this battalion, verify the direction of its guides in respect to the perpendicularity to the line of battle, rectify the direction, if necessary, and command:

 

1. The fifth, the battalion of direction.

 

2151. At this, the lieutenant colonel of directing battalion will throw himself twenty-five


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

thirty paces in front of the guides, face to them, and place himself correctly on their pro­longation: the general, throwing himself in rear of those guides, will verify the position of the lieutenant colonel, rectify it, if necessary, and then command:

 

2.Battalion, forward.

 

2152.   This having been repeated, the co1one of the directing battalion will command: guide right, and the other colonels, guide left (or right,) according as they may find themselves to the right or left of the directing battalion.

2153. At this command, the right general guide of the directing battalion will throw himself sixpaces in front of his guides; the lieute­nant colonel will establish him on the perpendicular, ­and as soon as assured in that position, he will take points on the ground in conformity with what is prescribed, No. 1280.

2154. The chief of the first division in each of the battalions to the left of the directing one will to the left of his division, taking post in the front rank, and the guide of that flank will fall to the rear rank.

2155. The lieutenant colonel of every subordinate battalion will indicate to the guide of its headmost division the direction he ought to follow, ­and this guide will immediately take his points on the ground.

2156. These dispositions being made, the general will add:

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

 

 

3.Quick—MARCH.

 

2157. At this, briskly repeated, the line will put itself in movement; the general guide of the directing battalion will carefully conform himself to what is prescribed for the colour-bearer, No. 1287: the guide of its headmost division will march exactly in the trace of the general guide, preserving the original distance of six paces from him, but without constraining himself, in this, to minute exactness: the guides of the other battalions will direct themselves perpendicularly to the front.    

2158. The lieutenant colonel of each battalion, being, pending the march, placed by the side of the guide of his first division, will take care to maintain between his battalion and that next its right or left, on the side of the direction, the interval of twenty-two paces.

2159. The chief of each first division maintain himself exactly abreast with its guide on the opposite flank, and will superintend the march of the division according to what is prescribed, No. 1294, and following.

2160. The other divisions will conform themselves to the rules for the march in column.

2161. The colonels will hold themselves on the flanks of their respective battalions, each on the side of direction, and superintend  the movement.


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

2d. To halt the line, marching in advance, and to

align it.

 

2162.   The line being in march, when the general shall wish to halt it, he will command:

 

1.      Battalions. 2. HALT.

 

2163.   The line being halted, if the general wish to give a general alignment, he will place two markers before the directing battalion, and then command:

 

1.Guides, on the line.

 

2164. At this, the lieutenant colonel of each subordinate battalion will place two markers before its head on the alignment of those established by the general; and the chief of each first division will pass to the flank of his division on the side of the direction.

2165.  As soon as the markers are correctly esta­blished on the line of battle, the colonels; with­out regulating themselves on each other, will align their battalions by the flank of direction manner prescribed, No. 2043.

2166. The battalions being aligned, the general will command:

 

2.Guides—POSTS.

 

2d.  The line marching in advance, to cause it to change direction.

 

2167. (PI. XLV, fig. 3.) The line being in

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

 

march, it is supposed that the general wishes to cause it to change direction to the right; he will throw himself to the point at which he may wish the right of the new line to rest, and place two markers, one at the point of appui, the other at division distance from the first.

2168. These dispositions being made, the general will command:


 1.  Change direction to the right.

 

2169. This having been repeated, the colonel of the first battalion will command: I. Guide left; 2. Battalion, right wheel; at this command, the chief of the first division will throw himself before the centre of his division.

2170. The other colonels will each commands guide right; at this command, the chief of each first division will throw himself before its centre.

2171. The general will then add:

 

2.Quick—MARCH.

 

2172. At the command march, briskly repeated, the first battalion will change direction by wheeling according to the principles prescribed, No. 1018, and following; its colonel will cause it to wheel until its front is parallel to the line of battle; he will then conduct it forward, halt it three paces from this line, and align it by the right.

2173. The other battalions will be marched towards the line of battle, each executing in succession slight changes of direction to the

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

 

right, so that, on arriving at twenty paces from that line, the headmost division may be parallel to it; to this end, the leading guide, advancing insensibly the left shoulder, will direct himself circularly to the right; the other guides will follow his movement in marching exactly in his trace, and the divisions will each conform itself to the movement of its guide as prescribed, No. 1879, and following.

2174.   At the commencement of the movement, the lieutenant colonel of the second battalion will throw himself on the line of battle, and im­mediately establish a marker at twenty-two paces from the left flank of the first battalion, and another at division distance from the first, and at the instant of detaching himself, he will be replaced at the head of the column by its major.

2175. The lieutenant colonels of the other battalions will successively conform themselves to what has just been prescribed for the lieute­nant colonel of the second; each will precede his battalion, on the line of battle, by about fifty­-five paces.

2I76. The movement ended, the general will add:

 

3. Guides—POSTS.

 

2177.  Changes of direction to the left will be executed according to the same principles and by inverse means.

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

 

Remark.

 

2178. It is essential that the battalion on which the movement is made should arrive perpendicularly to the line of battle; to this end, and conformably to the principle established, No. 1022, the colonel of this battalion will cause the step of the pivot to be shortened if this should become necessary; and if, notwithstanding this precaution, some of the divisions be not able to conform themselves exactly to the movement of the first, they will, on halting the battalion, be promptly conducted by the flank into the true direction before the battalion is aligned.

 

4th. To march the line in retreat.

 

2179. The line being at a halt, when the general shall wish to cause it to march in retreat, he will command:

 

Face by the rear rank.

 

2180. This having been repeated, the battalions will face in the manner indicated, No. 1549, and following; the chief of the fourth (or last) division of each battalion will place himself on the left of his division in the rear rank, now become front rank, and the chief of each first division will throw himself before its centre.

2181. These dispositions being executed, the general will designate the directing battalion, and cause the direction to be traced as under


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

The first head, to advance in line, No. 2150, and then command:

 

1.Battalion. forward.

 

2182.   This having been repeated, the colonel of the directing battalion will command: guide right, and the other colonels, guide left (or right,) according as they may find themselves to the left or right of the directing battalion.

2183.   The general will then add:

 

2.Quick—MARCH.

 

2184. The line will march in retreat according to the principles prescribed for marching in advance.

2185. The general having halted the line, wishing to face it by the front rank, will command:

 

Face by the front rank.

 

2186. This having been repeated, each bat­talion will face by the front rank; which being executed, the chief of the first division will retake his place in line, and the chief of the fourth his in column.

 

5th. To change direction of the line marching

in retreat.

 

2187. The line marching in retreat will


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

change direction by the same means and commands as if it were advancing, observing what follows.

2188. It is supposed that the general wished to change direction to the left; he will place two markers on the new direction, the first at the point of appui, and the second at such distance from the first that the battalion may easily pass between them.

2189. The first battalion will be conducted to and established on the new direction as indicated, No. 2169 and 2172; but it will cross the line of battle; and when the first division has passed three paces beyond, the colonel will halt the battalion, and face it by the front rank.

2190. As soon as the battalion faces, the guides of the first division will throw themselves on the line of battle, and be assured in their positions by the lieutenant colonel; which being done the colonel will align the battalion by the right.

2191. The other colonels will each direct his battalion so that it may arrive when at twenty paces, parallelly to the line of battle; he will then cause it to pass that line, between the two markers placed in advance by the lieutenant colonel in the manner indicated No. 2188. When the first division has passed three paces beyond the line, the battalion will be halted faced by the front rank, and aligned as prescribed for the first.

2192. A line of battalion masses, left in front, will march and change direction, advancing and retreating, according to the same principles and inverse means; the fourth or last division of each


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

will conform itself to what is prescribed for the first, and reciprocally.

 

6th.  To break the line formed by battalion in mass, and to re-form the column into line.

 

2193. (P1. XLV, fig. 4.) The line being at a halt, when the general shall wish to break it to the right into column by battalion, he will command:

 

1. By battalion, right in front, into column.

 

2194.   This having been repeated, the lieute­nant colonel of each battalion will place a marker before the left guide of its first division, and a second at division distance from the first in a direction perpendicular to the line of battle.

2195. At the same time, each colonel will comm­and: 1. Change direction by the left flank; 2. Battalion, left—FACE.

2196. These dispositions being made, the general will add:

2.Quick—MARCH.

 

2197. At this, each battalion will change direction by the means indicated, School of the Battalion; but the divisions will be aligned by the right, and the chief of each first division will take care to halt it when its right file shall be up with the first marker.

2198.  The column thus formed will march according to the same principles which govern the movement of an ordinary column; but as, in or

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

 

der to return into line of battle, in the direst (not inverse) order, the battalions must change direction by the right flank, the column has been dressed by that flank, and will march with the guide to the right: each lieutenant colonel, placed by the side of his leading guide, will see that this guide preserves the distance (twenty-two paces) which separates his battalion from that which precedes.

2199. If the column, thus disposed, be required to change direction, as there are already sufficient distances between the battalions, there will be no necessity for taking distances; each battalion will successively change direction according to the principles prescribed, No. 1869, and following.      

2200. The column being halted, when the general shall wish to re-form it into line of battle faced to the left, he will place, in the direction he may choose to give to that line, two markers, fir the change of direction of the headmost battalion by the right flank, and then command:

 

1.Faced to the left, into line. 2. By battalion in mass, change direction by the right flank.  3.  Quick—MARCH.

 

2201. The first command having been repeated, the lieutenant colonel of each battalion will place two markers for its change of direction; he will establish them on the prolongation of those placed by the general: each colonel will, at the same time, command: battalion, right—FACE. At the command march, the movement


 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

will be executed as prescribed, No. 2097, and following.

22O2. In like manner may the same column (with distances of twenty-two paces between the battalion masses) be formed by inversion faced to the right into line of battle, by causing each battalion to execute a change of direction by the left flank. To effect this, the general will comma­nd:

 

1. By inversion, faced to the right, into line. 2. By battalion in mass, change direction by the left flank. 3. Quick—MARCH.

 

7th. To ploy  the line of masses into general co­lumn closed in mass.

 

2203. (P1. XLV, fig. 5.) When a line of battalions in mass has to be ployed into column, as the battalions, by reason of their depth, and the smallness of the intervals between them, cannot be directed diagonally towards the points at which they ought respectively to enter the co­lumn, the movement will be executed in the following manner:

22O4. It will be supposed that the line ought to be ployed on the fifth battalion, right in front; the general will throw himself in front of this battalion, and after assuring himself that the guides are correctly placed, he will command:

 

1.By battalion in mass, on the fifth battalion,  right in front, into column. 2. Quick— MARCH.

 

2205. At the first command, each colonel who


 

 

 

 EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

finds himself to the right of the directing battalion, will command: I. Column, forward. Guide left.

2206. The colonels who are to the left of the directing battalion, will each give the same commands after causing his battalion to face about.

2207. At the command march, the movement will commence; the first four battalions will march to the front, and when the last division the fourth battalion shall have passed six (or five) paces beyond the first division of the fifth, the colonel will cause his battalion to face to the left, in marching, in order to take its place me column; when the left guides arrive on the direction of those of the fifth, the colonel of the fourth will halt it, and cause it to face to the front.

2208. At the moment of halting, the left guides, facing to the rear, will place themselves on the prolongation of those of the fifth battalion; and the lieutenant colonel, placed in their rear, will assure them on the direction; which being done, the colonel will cause his battalion to be aligned by the left, and then order the guides to face about.

2209. The colonels of the first three battalions will each conform himself to what has just been prescribed for the colonel of the fourth, as his last division has passed six (or five) paces beyond the front rank, first division, of the battalion which entered the column next before his own.

2210. The last three battalions will enter the column in like manner; the colonel of the sixth

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

 

will cause it to face to the left in marching, when its first division has passed six (or five) paces beyond the rear rank, last division, of the fifth battalion, and he will halt his battalion when its left guides are on the direction of those of the fifth.

2211.  At the moment of halting, the guides of the sixth will promptly place themselves on the prolongation of those of the fifth battalion, and the lieutenant colonel will assure them on that direction; which being done, the colonel will cause his battalion to be aligned by the left.

2212.  The last two battalions will conform themselves to what has just been prescribed for the sixth, as the first division of each has passed six (or five) paces beyondthe rear rank, last division of the battalion which preceded it in column.

2213. A line of masses will be ployed into column, left in front, according to the same principles, and by inverse means.

 

Remark, on Inversions.

 

2214.  The principles prescribed, No. 1272, and following, for breaking or ploying into co­lumn a single battalion, formed in line of battle by inversion, are applicable to a line of many battalions when formed in line by inversion in the manner indicated, No. 1950, and following; and when the battalions are placed, in respect to each other, in the inverse order, whilst their subdivisions are in the direct order, as indicated, other means, to be immediately pre


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART IV.

 

scribed, will be employed for breaking or ploying the line into column if it be desired to replace the battalions in the direct order. 

2215. It will be supposed that the general, in causing the line to break, wishes to march it to the left; he will order each colonel to cause his battalion to break to the right in order to march towards the left (in column at full distance) as if it were isolated; and as soon as the battalions break, he will put them in march all at the same time: in this way the column will find itself united and formed in the direct order as soon as the last subdivision of each battalion has turned into the new direction.

2216. (P1. XLV, fig. 6.) If, instead of breaking the line (into column at full distance,) the general shall wish to ploy it into column, say on the fifth battalion, so that the first battalion may be in front, he will order the colonel of the fifth to ploy it into column, right in front, on its second division; at the same time he will order the other colonels to ploy their respective battalions, right in front, on the division nearest to the directing battalion, and then cause the masses to enter the column as follows: the first four battalions, in front, and the last three, in rear of the directing battalion.

2217. If, in breaking the line, it be desired to march towards the right, or if, in ploying it, it be desired to place the eighth battalion in front the movement will be executed according tothe same principles and by inverse means.

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

PART FIFTH.

 

ARTICLE 1.

 

To advance in line of battle deployed.

 

2218. (P1. XLVI, fig. 1.) A line of eight battalions deployed, and correctly aligned, will be supposed; the general, wishing to cause it to advance in this order, will choose as the directing battalion (say the fifth) the one which he may deem most favourably placed for the purpose; he will approach this battalion, and com­mand:

 

1.The fifth, the battalion of direction.

 

2219. This having been repeated, the colonel and lieutenant colonel of every battalion will place themselves in rear and in front of the co­lour-file of their respective battalions as prescribed, ­Nos. 1277—8.

2220. The colonel of the directing battalion, having assured his lieutenant colonel on the per­pendicular, will promptly establish two markers behind his battalion as prescribed, No. 1279.

222l. The general will verify the direction of these markers, rectify it, if necessary, and charge an officer to superintend, pending the march, the successive replacing of them.

2222. The general will then command:

 

 


 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

2.Battalions, forward.

 

2223. (P1. XLVI, figs. 1, 2.) This command having been repeated, the colour-rank of every battalion will advance six races, and its two general guides will throw themselves out abreast with this rank; the major will place himself at six or eight paces from the flank of the colour-rank, and on the side opposite to the directing battalion.

2224. The general need not occupy himself with the general alignment of the colour-rank and general guides of the different battalions; it will suffice if those of each battalion conform themselves to what has just been prescribed.

2225. These dispositions having been made, the general will add:

 

5.Quick—MARCH.

 

2226. At this, repeated with the great rapidity, the line will step off with life; each battalion will observe with the utmost care the principles prescribed, School of the Battalion, formarching in line of battle.

2227. Each colonel and lieutenant colonel will conform himself, for the maintenance of the direction and alignment, to the principles prescribed, School of the Battalion.

2228. The directing battalion being regarded as infallible by all the others, and having the greatest influence on them, its march will superintended with the utmost care; consequently, the general-in-chief, or the officer deputed by

 

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

him, placed in front of this battalion, will labour to maintain its centre steadily on the perpendicular; to this end, he will frequently throw himself from thirty to forty paces in front of the colour-bearer, face to the rear, and align himself correctly on the markers established behind the battalion; he will rectify, if necessary, the direction of the centre corporal, as well as that of colour-bearer.

2229.   If the line of direction of this battalion be badly chosen, and this may often happen, as it is very difficult to determine the perpendicular ­with precision, the general and the colonel of battalion will perceive it at the end of a few paces by the crowdings in one wing, and the openings of files in the other.

2230.   If, for example, the line of direction, instead of being perpendicular to the primitive of battle, be taken to the right of the per­pendicular, the directing battalion will soon be in oblique position to both of those lines; the interval to its right will be more and more di­minished, and that to the left increased in the same proportion, which will force all the subordin­ate battalions to oblique to the right to regai­n their intervals; the general, by placing himself on either flank of the directing batta­lion, will perceive that the battalions to its right are in advance, and those to its left in the rear, in respect to the false direction of that battalion.

2231. Promptly to remedy this fault, the ge­neral will order the major of the directing bat­talion to throw himself thirty or forty paces be­fore its centre, and to face to the rear; he will

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

himself go at the same time to a like distance behind its rear, and place by a signal of the sword, the major on the direction he may choose to give; the colonel of this battalion will immediately caution the centre corporal and the colour-bearer to conform themselves to this new direction, and the officer superintending the markers in the rear will immediately establish them on that direction.

2232.  If, at the end of a few paces, the general perceive that the new direction is not exact, he will promptly give another; but with a good coup d’oeil, and the habit of directing lines, he will rarely find it necessary to change the direction more than once.

2233.  Each subordinate battalion will maintain its interval on the side of the directing battalion.

2234. The preservation of intervals between battalions being the most essential point in the march in line, the colonels will give to it the utmost attention.

2235.  A battalion can only lose its interval by the false direction pursued by its colour-bearer. The colonel may earl perceive this by the indications noticed, Nos. 2229—30, and following, and No. 815.

2236.  The interval may be momentarily diminished by openings between files; in this case, it will suffice to cause the files to close insensibly on the centre of their battalion.

2237.  The generals of divisions and bri-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

gades being placed further in rear of the line than the colonels, may each see at once several battalions; hence it will be easy for the perceive whence the loss of intervals, and they will give prompt notice thereof to the colonels.

2238.  When the loss of interval is but slight, and the battalion does not slant in respect to the perpendicular, the colonel may confine himself to cautioning the colour-bearer to incline insensibly to the right or left, without taking the oblique step: by this means the interval may be re-established without inconvenience.  As to the general alignment, the following rules will be observed.

2239.  A scrupulous attention need not be give to the maintenance of the colours and general guides of the several battalions exactly abreast with each other; consequently, the major of each battalion placed on the flank of his colour-rank on the side opposite to the direction, will not cause the colour-bearer to shorten or lengthen the step but when this may be evidently necessary to the preservation of a certain degree of general harmony.

2240.  The two general guides of each battalion will conform themselves steadily to the direction of the colour-rank of the same battalion, and hold themselves abreast with this rank, without deference to the colours and general guides of the other battalions,

2241.  Nothing contributes more to fatigue soldiers, and to derange the interior order of battalions, than frequent variations of step; the three corporals placed in the  centre of each bat-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

talion will observe steadily the length and cadence of the pace, without endeavouring to maintain themselves exactly at the distance of six paces from the colour-rank; consequently, they will not vary in either of those particulars, except on a caution, to that effect, from their colonel or lieutenant colonel.

2242. To carry through the same principle, colonels will not scrupulously endeavour to maintain their battalions abreast with each other; consequently, they will not cause the step to he lengthened or shortened, the time to be marked or quickened, except when one or the other should evidently be necessary in order to preserve a certain degree of harmony in the line; if it happen that a battalion find itself a pace or two in advance or in rear of the neighboring battalions, this slight irregularity may soon correct itself without particular orders or interference.

2243. Colonels will carefully look to the direction and interior order of their respective battalions, and the lieutenant colonels to the alignment.

2244. Brigadier and major generals will superintend the march of their respective brigades and divisions, and charge themselves especially with the preservation of battalion intervals.

2245. The general will occupy himself more particularly with the directing battalion, but his attention will at the same time be given to the whole line.


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

General remarks on the march in line of battle.

 

2246. The march in line of battle cannot be affected with the necessary order and harmony of parts, if the several battalions have not been previously and individually exercised according the same principles or School of the Batta­lion.  See.No.783.

2247.Although uniformity of step be the first element in the march in line of battle, the movement will be imperfect if the colour-bearer be not accustomed to prolong, without variation, a given ­direction, and if the colonels have not the habit of conducting their battalions with address and intelligence.

2248. It is by the uniformity of step that the different battalions can alone maintain themselves, without effort, abreast, or nearly so, with each other, pending the march. See No. 146.

2249. By exercising frequently, in advance, the sergeants as colour-bearers, in prolonging a given direction, colonels may best prevent the loss of intervals in marching in line. See No. 76.

225O. Finally, it is in forming the coup d’oeil, by  a persevering exercise, that generals and colonels can alone acquire accuracy and facility in judg­ing the line of direction, and of conducting bat­talions on every sort of ground with the address, and intelligence necessary to prevent faults, or promptly to correct them. See No. 1317.

2251. The general-in-chief may choose, as the directing battalion, either in the line that he may judge the best posted for the particular march, yet, other considerations being equal, he

 

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

 

ought to give the preference to a central battalion.

 

 

 

ARTICLE II.

 

To halt the line, and to align it.

 

2252. (P1. XLVI, figs. 3, 4.) The line being in march, and the general wishing to halt it, he will command:

 

I. Battalions.

 

2253. This having been repeated, the general will add:

 

2.HALT.

 

 

2254. This having been repeated with the utmost rapidity, the line will halt. The colour-rank and general guides of each battalion, will halt, but remain in front of the line.

2255. The line being halted, and the general wishing to give it a general alignment, hewill throw himself some paces on the right of the directing colour, in order the better to see the whole line, and thence to determine the new direction.

2256. He will next order the colour-bearer and the left general guide of this battalion to face to him, when he will place them on the di­rection he shall have chosen; the right general guide will face to the left and align himself


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

on the colour-bearer and the left general guide of the same battalion; the lieutenant colonel will assure him on this direction, and the two corporals of the colour-rank will fall back into their places in the line of battle.

2257. The basis of alignment being thus assured, the general will command:

 

1. Colours and general guides on the line.

 

2258. This having been repeated, the colour­-bearers and general guides of all the batta­lions will face to the colour of the directing battalion; those of the next battalion to the right and left., respectively, will align themselves correctly on the colour and general guides of that battalion; those of the other battalions will align themselves on the colours; the lieutenant colonel and major of each battalion will promptly assure the colour-bearer and general guides of their battalions on the new direction: all the bearers will carry their colours perpendicularly between their eyes, and the corporals of their rank will fall back into their places in line.

2259. These arrangements being made, the general will add:

 

2.Guides, on the line.

 

2260. This having been repeated, it will be executed in conformity with what is prescribed, No. 1337, and following, and as soon as the guides are assured on the line, each colonel will cause his battalion to be aligned upon its centre


 

 

 

 EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

without regulating itself on the other battalions.

2261. All the battalions being aligned, the general will command:

 

3. Colours and guides—POSTS.

 

2262. If the new direction should throw one or more battalions back from the position occupied at halting, each colonel of these battalions, as soon as he perceives the necessity by the direction of the colours, will face his battalion about, march it to the rear, and then face it about when it has passed the new direction.

 

 

ARTICLE IlI.

 

Change of direction marching in line of battle.

 

2263. A deployed line, marching in the order in battle, when the general shall wish to cause it to change direction, so as to throw forward a wing, the movement will be executed as follows.

2264. (P1. XLVIII, figs. 1, 2, 3.) If the left wing be the one intended to be thrown forward, the general will go to the right battalion and place before it, on the new direction he may wish to give to the line of battle, two markers, distant from each other fifty or sixty paces, the first marker at the point of appui (rest) for the right of the line; the markers being established, he will cause the line to be prolonged by mounted officers.


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

2265.  These dispositions made, the general command:

1.  Change direction to the right. 2. MARCH.

 

2266.   At the command march, briskly repeated, the movement will commence: each battalion ­will change direction according to the princip­les prescribed, No. 1848, and following: the right battalion will wheel until it is parallel to new line of battle; its colonel will then direct it forward, halt it four paces within the markers, and command: 1. Colour and general guides--ON THE LINE.

2267. The colour-bearer and general guides will face to the general placed on the right of line, who will establish them on the new direc­tion; which being executed, the colonel will command: 2. Guides—ON THE LINE.  3. On the cen­tre--Dress.

2268. As each battalion has sufficiently disengaged itself by wheeling, its colonel will add: Forward—MARCH; at this, the battalion will resume the direct march.

2269. The colonel of the second battalion will so direct it as to cause it to arrive parallelly to the line; and to this end, he will cause it to execute successive slight changes of direction in proportion as it advances towards the line.

2270. Its lieutenant colonel will, in advance, throw himself on the line, and place upon it two markers, asindicated, No. 2264.

2271. The colonel of the second having halted his battalion at four paces from the new line,

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

will command: 1. Colour and general guides--ON THE LINE.

2272. At this, the colour-bearer and two general guides of the second battalion will face to the right, and promptly place themselves on the line of battle. The major, from the rear of the left general guide, will align them correctly on those of the first battalion; which being executed, the colonel will add: 2. Guides—ONTHE LINE. 3. On the centre—DRESS. See No. 1957.

2273. Each of the remaining battalions will conform itself to what is just prescribed for the second.

2274. The lieutenant colonel of each battalion will precede it on the line, by about one hundred paces, and conform himself to what is prescribed for the lieutenant colonel of the second.

2275. The general, or the officer whom he may substitute, placed on the right of the line, will take care that the colours of the first two battalions are correctly assured on the new direction: and when the last battalion is established on the line, he will command:

Colours—POSTS

2276. Changes of direction to the left, in order to throw forward the right wing, will be executed according to the same principles and by inverse means.

   

Remarks on changes of direction marching in line

of battle.

2277. The means prescribed for changing the

   

 

 


 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

direction of a line marching in the order in battle, whether to throw forward, or to refuse one its wings, give the facility of establishing a line on any direction that may be deemed best, without breaking the battalions into subdivi­sions.

2278. The battalions marching in echelons, are reciprocally protected; and if, before the end of the movement, it should become neces­sary to re-form the line, the battalions not yet on the new direction, say the fifth and eighth in­clusive, may form themselves into a full line, by an opposite change of direction to the one they were engaged in executing. This line, composed of the last four battalions, would form an angle with that composed of the first four already established on the new direction.

 

 

ARTICLE IV.

 

To retreat in line of battle.

 

2279. The line being halted, when the general shall wish to cause it to march in retreat, he will command:

 

1.Face to the rear.

 

228O. This having been repeated, each colon­el will command: Battalion about—FACE, when he line will face about, each battalion conforming itself to what is prescribed, No. I366.

228l. The general will then add:

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

2.The (—) the battalion of direction.

 

2282. At this, the colonels and lieutenant colonels will conform themselves, within their respective battalions, to what is indicated, No. 1361, and the colonel of the directing battalion will cause markers to be established as prescribed, No. 1562. These dispositions being made, the general will add:

 

3.Battalions, forward.

 

2283. This having been repeated, the colour-rank, the general guides of each battalion, the captains, covering sergeants, and file closers will conform themselves to what is prescribed, School of the Battalion. The general will then command:

 

4.Quick—MARCH.

 

2284. The line will march in retreat according to the principles prescribed for advancing in line of battle.

 

 

ARTICLE V.

 

To halt the line marching in retreat, and to align it.

 

 

2285. A deployed line, marching in retreat, will be halted by the same commands as a line


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

marching in advance; and when the general shall wish to re-face it, he will command:

 

1.Face to the front.

 

2286. This having been repeated, each colonel will command:, battalion,  about—FACE, when the line will face about, each battalion conforming itself to what is prescribed, No. 1872.

 

 

ARTICLE VI.

 

Change of direction in marching in retreat.

 

2287. A deployed line, marching in retreat, if the general wish to cause it to change direction in order to refuse the one or other wing, he will cause the movement to be executed as follows:

2288. It will be supposed that it is the left wing, become the right, that the general wishes to refuse: he will pass to the right battalion, now the left, and establish two markers before it onthe new direction which he may wish to give tothe line in the manner prescribed for changing direction in marching in advance; he will thencommand:

 

1.Change direction to the left.

 

2289. This having been repeated, the general willadd:

 

 


 

 EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

2. MARCH.

 

2290. This, briskly repeated, every battalion will commence its change of direction according to the principles prescribed, No. 1573.

2291. The first battalion will wheel until it find itself parallel to the markers: the colour-bearer will then march it forward, cause it to cross the line of battle, and when the front rank, now the rear, shall have passed four paces beyond this line, he will halt the battalion, face it about and establish it on the line by the commands and means indicated, Nos. 2271—2.

2292. The colonel of each of the other battalions will direct it towards the line of battle, as indicated, Nos. 2268—9, so that it may be parallel to this line several paces before arriving upon it; the colonel will then cause the battalion to pass the line, and when four paces beyond it, he will halt and face the battalion about; he will then establish it on the line by the means prescribed for changing direction advancing.

2293. The lieutenant colonels will conform themselves to what is prescribed, Nos. 2270 and 2274, and the general to what is indicated, No. 2275.

2294. Changes of direction to the right, in order to refuse the right wing, become the left, will be executed according to the same principles and by inverse means.


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

ARTICLE VII.

 

March in line of battle of a line of battalions in columns.

 

2295.   The march in line of battle of a deployed line, presenting many difficulties, particula­rly if the ground be not favourable, it may frequently be advantageous to ploy each battalion ­into column, and to cause the line to march this order, preserving, between every two bat­talions, the interval necessary for deployment.

2296. A line will be supposed of eight batta­lions: the general, wishing to ploy or to break each battalion into column doubled on the centre or into simple column, either by division or by company, will command:

 

1.Movement by battalion.

 

2297. This having been repeated, the general will give the commands of caution prescribed, School of the Battalion, for the particular formation into column which he may desire to have executed.

2298. These commands having been repeated, each colonel will give the preparatory commands required for the particular movement indicated by the general.

2299. The general will then add:

 

2. Quick—MARCH.

 

2300.  At this, each battalion will ploy itself

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

into column in the manner prescribed, School of the Battalion.

2301. The line thus formed, will march according to the same principles as a line of battalions deployed, but observing what follows.

 

1st. To cause the line of columns to advance.

 

2302. (P1. XLVII, fig. 1.) It will be supposed that each battalion has been ployed into double column, and that the general has chosen the fifth as the directing battalion: he will go to this battalion, see whether the direction of its guides be perpendicular to the line of battle, rectify the direction, if necessary, and then command:

 

1. The fifth, the battalion of direction.

 

2303. The colonel of each subordinate battalion having repeated this command, will see whether his guides on the side of the directing battalion be established perpendicularly to the line of battle; if not, he will make the necessary rectification, and then throw himself thirty paces to the rear on the prolongation of those guides; the lieutenant colonel will throw himself a like distance in front, and on the same perpendicular.

2304. The colonel of the directing battalion will establish in the rear two markers on the prolongation of the guides, as prescribed, No. 222O.

2305. The general will now command:

 

2.      Battalions, forward.

 

2306. This having been repeated, the colonel


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

of the directing battalion and the colonels to his right, will immediately command: guide right, the other colonels, guide left.

2307. At this, the right general guide of each battalion will throw himself out six paces in front of its headmost guide; he will be assured the perpendicular by the lieutenant colonel, immediately take points on the ground, as prescribed for the colour-bearer, No. 1230; the lieutenant colonel will then fall back to the side of his headmost guide.

2308.   The chief of each leading division will take post in the front rank of his division, on the side opposite to that of direction, and the guide who was there will fall back into the rear rank.

2309. The major will place himself in rear of guides charged with the direction.

2310.   These dispositions being made, the general will add:

 

3.Quick—MARCH.

 

2311. (P1. XLVII, fig. 2.) At this, repeated with the utmost rapidity, the line will step off with life.

2312. The right general guide of each battalion ­will direct his march perpendicularly to the front, and the leading guide will follow exactly his trace.

2313.   The chief of the leading division will maintain himself abreast with his guide on the opposite flank, and see that the march of the division be in conformity with the principles pre­-


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

scribed, No. 1294. The other divisions will conform themselves to the rules for marching in column.

2314. The lieutenant colonel and major conform themselves to what is prescribed, Nos. 909—10.

2315. Every colonel, placed on the side of direction, will superintend the march of his battalion in column, and labour to preserve its interval.

2316. As the directing battalion has to regarded as infallible by all the others, the general will attach himself to it, and with greatest care maintain the general guide and guides of this battalion on the perpendicular according to the principles established, No. 2228.

2317. If the direction given to this battalion has been badly chosen, the general will promptly perceive it by the crowdings and openings among the files of the headmost division, according to the side to which the guide deviates from the perpendicular. Those irregularities, although less sensible than they would be in a deployed battalion, will nevertheless sufficiently show that the false direction of the general guides ought to be promptly corrected.

2318. Colonels of the subordinate battalions will look with so much the greater care to the preservation of intervals, as a fault committed in this respect will not be as promptly perceived as in a deployed line.

2319. In every battalion the lieutenant colonel will perform the duty attributed to the major

 


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

No. l298, as often as the colonel may wish to change the point of direction.

2320.   (P1. XLVII, fig. 3.) The line of batta­lions in columns being in march, when a subordinate battalion encounters an obstacle, this battalion will turn it in a manner so as to deviate ­the least from the direction it ought to follow, and quicken the step at the same time as prescribed, No. 1376, in order to return into line  as soon as the obstacle is passed. When again in line, the battalion will be careful to re­establish its interval by insensible degrees.

2321. If it be an interior battalion that has to execute the passage of an obstacle, the next battalion towards the side of direction will take care to keep a double interval until the former battalion comes again into line.

 

Remarks on the march of a line of battalion

columns with deploying intervals.

 

2322. It has been supposed above, that the battalions of the line were ployed into double columns; but the rules just prescribed are equally applicable to a line of battalion columns formed in any other manner.

2323. When the battalions of the line are in simple columns, the directing battalion will take a guide to the left or right, according as it may have the right or left in front, and the sub­ordinate battalions will take the guide on the side next to the directing battalion.

2324. With the right in front, the right ge­neral guide in each battalion will be charged


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

with its direction; the left general guide in the reverse case.

2325. If the battalions be in masses, each colonel will hold himself, pending the march, at thirty paces in the rear of his battalion on prolongation of its guides: the columns being half, or full distance, each colonel will hold himself on the flank of his column on the side of direction.

 

2dTo halt the line of columns, and to  deploy it.

 

2326. A line of battalions in columns will halted by the same commands as a line of battle.

2327.  The line being at a halt, if it be wish of the general to give a general alignment, he will conform himself to what is prescribed, No. 2163, and following.

2328.  If the battalions be in columns at half or full distance, and the general shall wish to deploy them, he will halt the line by these commands: 

 

I.  Columns, close in mass. 2. Quick—MARCH.

   

2329.  At the command march, each battalion will close up on its leading subdivision.

2330.  The line being halted and aligned, if it be the wish of the general to deploy the battalions, and they are in double columns, he will command:


 

 

 

    EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

1. Deploy columns 2. Quick—MARCH.

 

2331. If the battalions be in simple columns, the general will, in his first command, designate the subdivision on which each battalion ought deploy itself.

2332. In both cases, the movements will be executed, in every battalion, in the manner prescribed, School of the Battalion.

 

2d. The line of columns marching in advance, to cause it to change direction.

 

2333. (P1. XLVII, figs. 4, 5.) A line of battalions, in columns, marching to the front, and it being the wish of the general to cause it to change direction to the right, he will establish two markers on the new line of battle in front of the position to be occupied by the right battalion; he will at the same time charge two mounted officers to determine successively, in the manner indicated, No. 1988, and following, the points at which the other battalions ought respectively to arrive; these dispositions made, he will command:

 

1. Change direction to the right. 2. MARCH.

 

2334. The first command having been repeated, each colonel will cause his battalion to take the guide to the right, if that be not already the directing flank; at the same time the chief of the leading division, in each battalion, will throw himself before the centre of his division.

 


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

and the general guide, charged with the direction, will retire.          

2335.At the command march, the colonel of the right battalion will cause it to change direction to the right, and then direct it against the two markers placed by the general; when its leading division is at three paces from the markers, the colonel will halt the battalion; ii the rear divisions have not yet entered the new direction, their chiefs will promptly bring these into it, and as soon as they are established on it, the colonel will align the battalion by the right.

2336. Each of the other colonels will direct his battalion towards the new line of battle, so that its leading division may be, when at a distance equal to the depth of the column, paralIel to that line: to this end, the colonel will cause the guides of this division to advance, insensibly, and successively, the left shoulder; and when this guide has arrived at three paces from the line of battle, the colonel will halt the battalion, and cause it to be aligned by the right.

2337. At the beginning of the movement, the lieutenant colonel of the second battalion will throw himself on the line of battle, and replace the mounted officer whom the general had sent thither; he will immediately establish two markers for the head of his battalion, the first at de­ploying distance from the battalion to the right, and the second at division distance from the first; the lieutenant colonel of each of the other battalions will throw himself in like manner on the line of battle, when the head of his battalion is at a hundred paces from this line.

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

2338. The last battalion column being established on the line, the general will command:

3. Guides—POSTS.

2339.   Changes of direction to the left, will be executed according to the same principles and by inverse means.

2340.  If the general shall wish to cause the columns to deploy, he will give the order to that effect to the colonels, who will cause their battalions to close up in halting, and then deploy them.

 

4th. To cause the line of columns to march in

retreat.

 

2341. A line of battalions, in columns, being halted, when the general shall wish to cause it to march in retreat, he will command:

 

1.Face by the rear rank.

 

2342. This having been repeated, each battalion will face by the rear rank; the chief of the last division of each battalion, will place himself in the rear rank, become the front, on the side opposite to that of the direction; the chief of each first division will take his place in the co­lumn.

2343. The line being thus faced by the rear rank, it will be put in march by the same commands and means as a line of battalions in co­lumns faced by the front rank, observing to esta­-


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

blish markers before the directing battalion, ac­cording to the principles, prescribed, No. 1362.

2344. The line marching in retreat, will conform itself to the principles prescribed for a line of battalions, in columns, marching in advance.

 

5th. To halt the line of columns marching in retreat, and to align it.

 

2345. The line marching in retreat will be halted by the same commands as if it were marching in advance; and when the general shall wish to face it about, he will command:

 

1.Face by the front rank.

 

2346. This having been repeated, each battalion will be faced by the front rank; the chief of the first division in each will retake his place in line, and the chief of each last division his column.

 

6th. The line of columns marching in retreat, to cause it to change direction.

 

2347. The line, marching in retreat, will change direction by the same commands and means as if it marched by the front rank, observ­ing what follows.

2348. The two markers established by the general before the position tobe occupied at halting by the first battalion, instead of being opposite to the right and left files respectively of the leading division, will be far enough apart to per-


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

mit   this battalion to cross the line of battle between them, and the same of the markers established for the other battalions.

2349. Each colonel will direct his battalion towards the line of battle, as prescribed for a change of direction forward, and so that all its divisions may be parallel to this line before passing it; when the first division, now in the rear, is three paces beyond the line, the colonel will halt the battalion, and face it by the front rank; the guides of the first division will throw themselves on the line between the two markers, and as soon as they are assured in their positions the lieutenant colonel, the colonel will align the battalion by the right.

235O. The general, if it be his wish to deploy the columns, will give a caution to that effect to the colonels, who, in halting, will each cause his battalion to close up on its leading division as boon as the latter has passed the line of battle by a distance equal to the depth of the column and three paces more; he will then face the battalion by the front rank, and deploy it.

 

 

ARTICLE VIII.

 

To pass a defile in front.

 

2351. A deployed line encountering, in ad­vancing, a defile which it has to pass, will execute the movement as follows.

2352. (P1. XLIX, fig. 1.) It will be supposed that the defile is opposite to the interval between


 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

the third and fourth battalions, and that itswidth is sufficient to give passage to the front of a company: the general, seeing that the line has arrived near the defile, will halt it, and command:

 

1. To pass defile in front, by the right of the fourth battalion. 2. By platoon, left and right, into column.

 

2353. These commands having been repeated, the colonels of the first three battalions will each command: by platoon, left wheel, and each of the other colonels: by platoon, right wheel.

2354. The general will then add:

 

3.Quick—MARCH.

 

2355. At this, briskly repeated, the battalions will break by platoon to the left or right.

2356. The battalions having broken, the general will cause two markers to be placed at the points around which the two columns ought to turn in order to enter the defile; the markers will be posted a little more than the front of a company apart. The general will then com­mand:

 

4.        Column, forward.

 

2357. This having been repeated, each colonel whose battalion has broken to the left, will command: guide right, and each whose battalion has broken to the right, guide left. The general will now add:


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

5.Quick—MARCH.

 

2358. (Pl. XLIX, fig. 2.) At this command, briskly repeated, the two columns will march to each other, and when the two leading platoons ­have arrived opposite to the respective markers, they will turn one to the right, and the other to the left, in order to unite in the defile; the moment of union, they will take, by command of their respective chiefs, the platoon on right, the guide to the left, and the left platoon, the guide to the right.

2359. The two united platoons will march side by side, each regulating itself on the two guides placed elbow to elbow between them: these guides will direct themselves by the defile.

2360. The two next platoons, and, successively, all the others, will conform themselves to what has just been prescribed for the two leading platoons on coming up with the markers placed before the entrance of the defile. The platoons of the first battalion (supposing the line to consist of but five) will march in simple co­lumn behind the right column.

2361. The united platoons will pass the defile at the cadenced pace, and with ranks closed, each regulating itself on the two guides placed in the centre, who will march elbow to elbow ex­actly in the traces of, and at platoon distance from, the guides who immediately precede them.

2362. In proportion as the two columns issue from the defile, each captain will re-form his

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

company as follows: in the right column, the first platoon, which is in rear of the second of the same company, will oblique to the right until it find itself unmasked, and then march forward; in the left column, it will be the second platoon of each company, which will oblique to the left, and then march up abreast with its first. At the moment of obliquing, the men will half-face to the right or left, and each platoon will quicken the step in order to rejoin its corresponding platoon in front. See No. 737.

2363. (P1. XLIX, fig. 3.) If it be the wish of the general, after passing the defile, to re-form line, he will throw himself in advance to thedistance at which he may wish to establish the line of battle, and place two markers on this line for the head of the right column, and two others for the head of the left, leaving the interval of twenty-two paces between the two columns.

2364. The head of the column having passed the defile, the general will order the colonels of the third and fourth battalions to direct themrespectively on the markers which he has established; and when the leading subdivision of each of these battalions has arrived at three paces from the line of battle, each colonel will cause his battalion to close in mass in halting.

2365. The colonels of the second and fifth will each, as the head of his battalion issues from the defile, cause it to change direction, the second to the right, and the fifth to the left, and then direct it perpendicularly towards the line of battle, the second, at twenty-two paces from the right of the third, and the fifth, the same distance


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

From the left of the fourth. In halting, at three paces from that line, each battalion will be closed in mass on its leading company.

2366. Each of the remaining battalions (whatever the number) will follow the movement of the one that immediately precedes it in column, march towards the line, and establish itself upon In column, as just prescribed for the second and fifth.

2367. Or, as soon as the head of the battalion which the general wishes to cause the de­ployment to be made, is established on the line of battle, he will cause the movement to commence, and immediately give notice thereof to the colonels whose battalions are yet in the defile.

2368. These colonels, as their battalions successively issue from the defile, will cause them to change direction to the right and left, then set them behind the line, so that each may be in position to form itself on the right or on the left into line of battle, next to the preceding battalion of its column already in line.

2369. If, instead of re-establishing the line, as in the preceding examples, it be the wish of the general to rest one of the wings, say the right, at the defile, he will cause both columns to take the guide to the right, and halt them the instant at the last company of the right column issues from the defile: this column may then be formed to the right, and the left column on the right, into line of battle.

 

237O. If it be the left wing that is to rest at


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

the defile, the line may be formed according the same principles, and by inverse means.

 

Remarks on the passage of defiles in advancing.

 

2371. The two columns being formed by platoon, if the defile should widen sufficiently, companies may be formed in each column without waiting till the head has issued from the defile.

2372. When a sudden narrowing of the defile shall oblige the chiefs of platoon to break off, for the moment, one or two files to the rear, this diminution of front, as an exception to the rule established, (No. 718) will be made from the side opposite to the guide.

2373. If the defile be of sufficient width to receive the front of a division, the general, instead of causing the line to break by platoon, will cause it to break by company; but, in this case, the company that is to lead in each column, instead of wheeling, will march forward twice the extent of its front; and when the columns are put in movement, these companies will close upon each other, marching by the flank, in order to unite at the entrance of the defile.

2374. If the defile be not of sufficient width to receive the front of a company, it will be passed in simple column by platoon, right or left front.

2375. The passage of defiles to the front always be executed by the subdivision of the right, or that of the left of a battalion; and when the defile happens not to be exactly opposite to aninterval between two battalions, the leading

 

 

 


 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

 

subdivisions, after uniting, will direct themselves diagonaIly towards the entrance of the defile.

2376. The means given, No. 2263, and following, for re-forming the line, render it easy to establi­sh it with the utmost promptness, and on any battalion that may be preferred. If, for exam­ple, the outlet of the defile be so placed, in respect to the enemy, as to render it necessary to form line on the head of the column immedia­tely after passing: in this case, the general would cause the third and fourth battalions to close into masses, and immediately deploy them; the other battalions would form on the left, and on the right, into line of battle.

 

 

ARTICLE lX.
               

To pass a defile in retreat.

 

2377. The line marching in retreat, and encountering a defile which it has to pass, the gener­al will cause a halt, and face the line to the front.

2378. (Pl. L, figs. 1, 2,8.)  It will first be supposed that the line is composed of eight, or any other even number of battalions; that the defile is opposite to the interval between the two cen­tre battalions, (fourth and fifth,) and its width sufficient to give passage to the front of a com­pany, The general will, cause two markers to be placed at fifteen or twenty paces behind the closers, in front of the defile, and at a little more than company distance apart, in order to

 

 

 


 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

indicate to the two columns the points around which they ought to change direction to enter the defile; which being executed, he will command:

 

To the rear, by the wings, pass the defile.

 

2379. This having been repeated, the colonel of the right battalion of the line, will command to the rear, by the right flank, pass the defile, and the colonel of the left battalion, to the rear by the left flank, pass the defile.

 

2380. The two battalions of the wings will immediately commence the movement in conformity with what is prescribed, No. 1398, and following; and when the leading platoon of each column has arrived opposite to the marker placed at the point for changing direction, these two platoons will turn at the same time, one to the left, and the other to the right, in order to unite in the defile: to this end, if the head of one of the columns arrive before the other, it will wait for the head of the corresponding battalion, before turning. As soon as the two platoons unite, they will take, by command of their respective chiefs—the platoon, now on the left, the guide to the right, and the other, the guide to the left; the remaining platoons of these two battalions will successively conform themselves to what has just been prescribed for those of the head, and the two columns will thus march together according to the principles indicated, No. 2359, for the passage of a defile in front.


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

2381. The other battalions will successively execute the same movement; the colonel of each will give one of the commands prescribed, No. 2379, according as his battalion has to pass the defile by the right or left flank, and so that its leading platoon may follow, at the desired distan­ce, the rearmost platoon of the battalion immediately preceding; the battalions will enter the defile, side by side, as prescribed for the two battalions of the wings.

2382. If the defile become of sufficient width to give passage to a division marching by the front, each captain, as his platoons successively enter the enlarged width, will cause them to form company according to the principles presc­ribed, No. 2862; otherwise this movement will only be executed as each company issues from the defile.

2383. If it be the wish of the general, after passing, to re-form line facing to the defile, he will throw himself in advance to the distance at which he may wish to establish the new line of battle, and determine its direction by establish­ing, for the head of the column, two markers distant from each other a little more than the front of a division; he will then cause this line to be prolonged to the right and left by mounted officers.

2384. The head of the column will be so di­rected as to cross the line of battle between the two markers placed by the general; and when four paces beyond, the column, composed of the right battalions, will take the guide to the left, and turn to the left; the column, composed of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

the left battalions, will take the guide to the right, and turn to the right; the two columns will thus prolong their march, in opposite directions, parallelly to the line of battle, on which the colours and general guides will throw themselves.

2385. Each column will be halted soon as its last subdivision has entered the new direction, and so that, on re-forming line, the two battalions which were the rearmost, may find themselves separated by the interval of twenty-two paces. One of the two columns will be made to countermarch, and the general, having rectified, if necessary, the general direction, will cause the column to form to the left or right, into line of battle,

2386. (P1. LI, figs. 1, 2, 8.) The line consisting of eight battalions, if it be the wish of the general, instead of placing four battalions the left of the defile, as in the last example, to place only three on that side, and to throw the other five to the right, the movement will be executed in the following manner.

2387. The last three battalions which are to be formed to the left of the defile, will be halted as soon as the leading subdivision of the eighth battalion arrives at company distance from point of appui for the left of the line, and be formed to the right, into line of battle.

2388. The fifth battalion, instead of following the movement of the last three, will continue to march straight forward after having crossed the line of battle, and close in mass as soon as its leading subdivision has left between it and the


 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

line the necessary space to contain the battalion in mass.

2389.  The last subdivision having closed, this battalion will be made to countermarch, and then to deploy, so that it may find itself twenty-two paces from the right of the sixth.

2390.  The column composed of the right battalions will continue to march, and when its last subdivision has passed a distance equal to the front of a company beyond the point of appui, for the left of the fourth battalion, the major general in command of this particular column (See No. 1737,) will halt it, cause it to countermarch, and after having assured the direction of its guides on the colours of the battalions already established, he will cause it to form to the right into line of battle.

2391.  The defile, in the preceding examples, has been supposed to be behind the centre of the line composed of an even number of battalions; but it may frequently be otherwise.  For instance, it may be, that there are five battalions on the right, and only three on the left side of the defile.  In this case, the general would first send an order to the colonels of the first and second battalions to pass the defile in simple column in advance, and then, seizing the proper time, give the command indicated, No. 2378, so that there may be no interruption in the movement.  So, of the line present an odd number of battalions, a similar course would be pursued in respect to the odd battalion on the right or left of the defile.

2392.      When the defile happens to be behind

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

the right or left battalion of the line, the general will cause it to pass by a single wing: to this end, he will substitute, in his command, the indication by the left wing or by the right wing, for that of by the wings. The movement will commence by the wing the farthest from the defile, so that the battalion opposite to it may be the last to enter.

 

 

ARTICLE X.

 

Changes of front.

 

 

Perpendicular changes of front.

 

1st Changes of front forward.

 

(P1. LII. Movement of the first line.)

2393. A line being deployed, and the general wishing to cause it to change front on the right, he will first determine the direction of the new line of battle, cause two markers to be placed on it before the position to be occupied by the right company, first battalion, and immediately cause this company to be established against those markers; he will at the same time charge two mounted officers to determine successively the points on the line at which the subordinate battalions ought respectively to arrive, as indicated No. 1984, and following. He will then command:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

1. Change front forward, on the first battalion.

 

2394. This having been repeated, the colonel of the first will immediately cause his battalion to execute a change of front forward, as pre­scribed, No. 1435, and following.

2395. Each of the other colonels will cause his battalion to ploy into double column, at compa­ny distance; which being executed, he will command: 1. Column, forward; 2. Guide right.

2396. These dispositions being made, the general will add:

 

2.        Quick—MARCH.

 

2397. At this, briskly repeated, the subordi­nate battalions will put themselves in movement towards the line of battle; the leading guide of each, advancing the left shoulder, will so direct himself that, on arriving at the point (g) opposite to the right marker (h,) placed in advance by the lieutenant colonel, he may find himself at a distance from the line of battle equal to the depth of the column.

2398. The head of each battalion having ar­rived at the point (g,) will turn to the right in order to march perpendicularly up to the line of battle, and when at three paces from this line, its colonel will cause the column to close in mass and to deploy.

2399. Each colonel will hold himself on the side of the direction, abreast with the leading di­-

 

 


EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

vision of his battalion, pending its march toward the line of battle.

2400. The lieutenant colonels will throw themselves in advance on the line, as prescribed, No 2357, for changes of direction of a line of battalions in columns. See No. 1967.

2401. The line being formed, the general will command:

 

Colours—POSTS.

 

 

2402. A line will change front forward on its left, according to the same principles and by inverse means.

 

2d. Changes of front to the rear.

 

(Pl. LIII. Movement of the first line.)

 

2403. To change front to the rear, on the right of the line, the general will cause the right company, first battalion, to be established on new direction, and place two markers before this company as prescribed, No. 1488; he will then command:

 

1.Change front to the rear, on the first battalion.

 

2404. This having been repeated, the colonel of the first will immediately cause his battalion to execute a change of front to the rear as prescribed, No. 1459, and following.

2405. Each of the other colonels will cause his battalion to ploy into double column at com-


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

pany distance, face it by the rear rank, and then command: 1. Column, forward; 2. Guide left.

2406. These dispositions being made, the ge­neral will add:

 

2. Quick—MARCH.

 

2407. This having been briskly repeated, the subordinate battalions will put themselves in movement towards the line of battle; the lead­ing guide, advancing the right shoulder, will direct himself as prescribed, No.2597.

2408. The leading division of each battalion having arrived at the point (g,) will turn to the left in order to march up perpendicularly to the line of battle, then cross this line between the markers, placed in advance by the lieutenant colonel; and when the head of the battalion has

passed the line a distance equal to its depth (closed) and three paces more, the colonel will cause the column to close in mass, to face by the front rank, and to deploy.

2409. The lieutenant colonels will throw themselves in advance on the line of battle, and esta­blish upon it the two markers as prescribed, No. 2348.

2410. Changes of front to the rear, on the left of the line, will be executed according to the same principles and by inverse means.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

3d. Central changes of front.

 

(Pl. LIV. Movement of the first line.)

 

2411. The general wishing to change front on the fifth battalion, by throwing forward the left wing, will cause two markers to be placed on the direction he may wish to give to the new line before the position to be occupied by the right company of that battalion, and then cause this company to be established against the markers; he will, at the same time, order the colonel of the fourth to have the left company of his battalion conducted to and established on the same alignment, at twenty-two paces from the right of the fifth battalion.

2412. These dispositions being made, the general will command:

 

 

1.Change front on the fifth battalion, left wing, forward. 2. Quick—MARCH.

 

2413. The colonel of the fifth will immediately cause his battalion to execute a change. of front forward on its right company, and the colonel of the fourth a change of front to the rear on the left company of his battalion.

2414. The battalions to the left of the fifth will each execute its movement as prescribed for the subordinate battalions in changes of front forward on the right of the line, and the battalions to the right of the fourth, will each execute its movement as indicated for changes of front to the rear on the left battalion.


 

 

 

EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

2415. The general, wishing to throw the right wing forward, instead of the left, will take, as the basis of alignment, the left company of the fourth battalion, and command:

 

 

1.Change front on the fourth battalion, right

wing forward. 2. Quick—MARCH.

 

2416. The fourth, and the battalions to its right, will execute a change of front forward, on the left of the fourth battalion.

2417. The fifth, and the battalions to its left, will execute a change of front to the rear, on the right of the fifth battalion.

 

 

Oblique changes of front.

 

2418. Oblique changes of front will be executed according to the same principles as the perpendicular changes, but observing what follows:

 

(Plates  LV, LVI, LVII. Movement of the first

line.)

 

2419. The directing battalion will conform it­self to what is prescribed, No. 1453; the subor­dinate battalions, after being ployed into double columns will be directed towards the new line of battle by the means indicated, No. 2356, or No. 2349, according as their change of front may be forward or to the rear.

 


 

 

 

EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

 

Remark on changes of front.

 

2420. In changes of front of several battalions, the general will always take the right or left company of one of the battalions as the basis of the movement.

 

Changes of front of two lines.

 

2421. When two lines, drawn up one behind the others have to change front, the first will always execute its movements as if it were alone.

2422. The position of the second line being necessarily subordinate to that of the first, it cannot, like the first, execute its movement on fixed pivot, consequently it will employ, in order to pass into thenew position, the means about to be indicated.

2423. The general of each line will cause the movement to be commenced as soon as basis of the new direction is established.

 

1st. Changes of front perpendicularly forward on

the right of the first line.

 

2424. (P1. LII.) It is supposed that two each of eight battalions deployed, are so placed that the centre of each battalion of the second line is opposite to the middle of the interval to the right of the corresponding battalion of first line; the general-in-chief, wishing to cause achange of front forward to be executed on the

 

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

right of the first line, will determine the direction of this line; he will place upon it three markers, two before the position to be occupied by the right company of the first battalion, and the a hundred paces beyond.

2425. These markers, who form the basis of alignment for the first line, being established, the basis will be prolonged by mounted officers in the manner indicated, No. 1983, and following.

2426. The general-in-chief will then order another officer to trace the new direction for the second line, which, it is supposed, ought to be established at three hundred and seventy paces from the first, and parallelly to this line; he will, at the same time, advise the general of each line the movement he wishes to have executed.

2427. The officer designated to trace the direction of the second line, (See figure 2,) will take three hundred and seventy paces along the front of the first line from its right, place a marker (B) where he halts, then a second (E) at a hundred paces from the first marker, in a direction parallel to the new position of the first line; and, finally, a third marker (D) at the point of appui for the right of the second line.

2428. The basis of the second line being thus established, it will be prolonged by mounted offi­cers as above.

2429. The general of the second line will or­der the major general of its right wing to cause the three battalions on the right to break by company to the left in order to march to their new position. He will, at the same time, order the other major general of this line to give the com-


 

 

 

EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

mands, and make the preparatory dispositions for the execution or a change of front forward on the third battalion, by all the battalions to the left of the third, and then to direct these battalions upon their new position, to the left of the first three.

2430. As soon as the three battalions of the right shall have broken into column by company, and the five battalions of the left shall have been ployed into double columns, the major general of each portion of the line will put it in movement.      

2431. The column, formed of the three battalions of the right, will march towards the new position, and be so directed as to pass, in its whole depth, the marker (D,) placed at the point where its right will rest when in line; arrived opposite to this marker, the column will prolong itself on the new line of battle; and when the right company (now in the rear) of the first battalion has arrived opposite to the point of appui (D,) the major general, who commands this column, will halt and form it to the right, into line of battle.

2432. The five battalions of the left will march diagonally to their front towards the new line of battle, in order to form successively to the left of the first three. This movement will be executed according to the principles prescribed for changes of front forward. The colonel of the fourth will take care so to direct his battalion as to prolongit in rear of the line, leaving between the right flank of his column, and the line, a distance of at least fifty-five paces. The leading

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

 

battalion having arrived at the point (g,) oppo­site to the right marker (h) placed in advance by the lieutenant colonel, will turn to the right in order ­to march up perpendicularly to the line of battle, and when it shall be at three paces from this line, the colonel will close the battalion into mass and deploy it.

2433. Each of the remaining battalions will regulate itself by that to its right; arrived at the point (i,) opposite to its right marker, the batta­lion will finish its movement as just prescribed for that of the fourth.

2434. The general of the second line will superintend its whole movement, but more particularly see that the three battalions which broke by company, and which form the basis of align­ment, be promptly and correctly established on the new line of battle. This rule is general for s second line in all changes of front.

2435. The change of front on the left of the line will be executed according to the same principles and by inverse means; but as, by the sup­position made, No. 2424, the second line is out-flanked on the left, to the extent of a half batta­lion, by the first line, only two battalions on the left of the second, will break into column by company.

 

2d. Changes of front perpendicularly to the rear, on the right of the first line.

 

2436.   (Pl. LIII.) The general-in-chief, wish­ing to cause a change of front to the rear to be executed on the right of the first line, will cause

 

 

 

 

 

EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

the right company of the first battalion to be thrown back on the new direction; he will direct two markers to be placed before this company, and a third at a hundred paces from the point of appui for the right; he will next cause the line of battle to be prolonged by mounted officers, as indicated, No. 2425, and charge an officer to trace the new direction of the second line, which it is supposed ought to be established at three hundred and seventy paces from the first, and in a parallel direction.

2437. The officer charged with establishing the new direction of the second line (See figure 2,) will take three hundred and seventy paces in he prolongation of the first from its right; he will place a marker (B) where he halts, then a second (E,) at a hundred paces from the first marker in the direction that has been indicated to him, and a third (G) on the prolongation of the other two at the point of appui for the right of the second line.

2438. The basis of alignment being thus as­sured, it will be prolonged, and another marker or mounted officer placed at the point (C) where the right battalions will have to cross the new line of battle.

2439. The general of the second line will or­der the major general of its right wing to cause the three battalions of the right to break bycompany to the right, in order to march to their new position. He will at the same time order the other major general of this line to give the commands, and to make the preparatory dispositions, for the execution of a change of front

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

to the rear, on the third battalion, by all the battalio­ns to the left of the third, and then to direct these five battalions upon their new position to the left of the first three.

2440. As soon as the three battalions of the right have broken into column by company, and the five battalions of the left have ployed into double columns and faced by the rear rank, the major general, of each portion of the line, will put it in movement.

2441. The column, formed of the battalions of the right, will be directed on the officer (C) placed at the point where it ought to cross the new line of battle; and when this column has passed the line, it will change direction to the left in order to prolong itself on the line. The leading subdivision having arrived at company distance from the point (G,) the major general will halt the column and form it to the left and faced to the rear, in line of battle.

2442. The battalions of the left will march diagonally towards the new line of battle, accord­ing to the principles prescribed for changes of front, to the rear; but each leading guide, in­stead of advancing the shoulder, will turn to the left at the moment of putting himself in march. The fourth battalion will march in rear of the old position, and be so directed that, on arriving at its point of formation on the new, it may be perpendicular to this line, when it will be formed on it to the left of the first three battalions as prescribed, No. 2408, and following.

2443. Each of the remaining battalions will regulate itself on that which precedes it in the

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

movement, and conform itself to what has just been prescribed for the fourth.

2444. The general of this line will conform himself in the execution of the movement, to what is indicated, No. 2434.

2445. The change of front to the rear on’ the left of the first line will be executed according to the same principles and by inverse means; ifthe second line be outflanked on the left by the first, as supposed above, only the two batta­lions on the left of the second line will break into column by company.

 

3d. Changes of front perpendicularly on the fifth battalion of the first line, the left wing thrown forward.

 

2446. (P1. LIV, figs. 1, 2.) The general-in-chief, wishing to cause a change of front to be executed on the fifth battalion, first line, by throwing forward the left wing, will determine the new direction of this line, by placing before the right of the fifth battalion, three markers in the manner indicated, No. 2424. As soon as they are established, he will cause the left company of the fourth battalion to be conducted to and established on the new alignment, and then cause two markers to be placed before this company

2447. The basis of the new direction of the first line being thus established, the general-in­-chief will cause it to be prolonged by mounted officers; he will, at the same time, charge an officer to trace the new position of the second


 

 

 

EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

line, which it is supposed ought to be established three hundred and seventy paces from the first, and in a parallel direction.

2448. The officer charged with tracing the direction of the second line will pass along the front of the first towards its left, and take three hundred and seventy paces from the right of the fifth battalion; he will place a marker (B) where he halts, then a second (D) at a hundred paces, in front of the first line, in the direction that has been indicated to him, and a third (E,) a hundred paces in the rear on the prolongation of the two others.

2449. The basis of the new direction of the second line being thus established, it will be prolonged, and another marker or mounted officer placed at (C,) the point of intersection of the old and new positions of the second line.

2450. The general of the second line will cause the first seven battalions to break by com­pany to the left, and order the colonel of the eighth to ploy his battalion into double column, at company distance, in order to march on the ‘line of battle, and to form upon it to the left on the seventh.

2451. The first seven battalions having broken by company, the general of the line will put them in march; this column will march straight for­ward, and after having crossed the new line of battle, it will change direction to the right, and prolong itself on that line. The fifth company, fifth battalion (counting from its right) having nearly arrived opposite to the right of the cor­responding battalion of the first line, which has

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

served as the basis of the movement, the general of the second line will halt the column, and form it to the right and faced to the rear, into line of battle.

2452. As soon as the eighth battalion is ployed into double column, its colonel will conduct it to the new line of battle, in conformity with what is prescribed for the fourth battalion in changing front forward on the right of the first line.

2453. The general-in-chief will superintend the movement of the two lines: he will see that, in the first line, the directing battalions (the fifth and fourth) as well as the subordinate battalion which change front forward, execute their respective movements promptly, in order to facilitate the establishment of the second line, and he will retard the execution of the movement of the subordinate battalions which change front to the rear, until those of the second line may be sufficiently advanced not to obstruct the former.

2454. If, in changing front on the centre, it be wished to throw the right wing forward, the movement will be executed on the left of the fourth battalion, first line; but if the second line be outflanked to the left, as has been supposed, the last six battalions only will break by compa­ny to the right, and these battalions will be con­ducted to and formed on the line according to the principles prescribed, No. 2451. The column will be halted at the moment the left company of the fourth battalion arrives opposite to the colour of the corresponding battalion of the first line, which battalion has served as the basis of the movement.

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

2455. The second and first battalions will each execute its movement as prescribed for the eighth, No. 2452, but by inverse means.

 

Oblique changes of front.

 

1st. Oblique change of front forward on the right of the first line.

 

2456. (Pl. LV, figs. 1, 2.) This movement will be executed according to the principles pre­scribed, Nos. 2421, and following, and No. 2424, and following, but observing what follows.

2457. If it be intended to establish the second line parallelly to the first, the general-in-chief, after having determined the direction of the first line, will cause the angle formed by the old and new directions to be measured in the manner fol­lowing.

2458. The lieutenant colonel (See No. 42) of the right battalion, first line, will, on an intima­tion from the general-in-chief, place himself be­fore and near the right file of this battalion; then face to the left, march fifty paces along the front rank, halt, and face to his right; he will next march perpendicularly to the front of this battalion, counting his paces; the general-in-chief, placed on the right, will halt him the mo­ment that he comes between the general and the point of direction to the left of the new position; the lieutenant colonel will stand fast, till he receive an intimation to return to his battalion, and the general, after receiving a report of the num­ber of paces taken by that officer to the front.


 

 

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE —PART V.

 

(and the number will here be supposed to be seventy,) will cause the basis of alignment to be established as indicated, No. 2424.

2459. The basis of the new position of the first line being assured, and the angle formed by the old and new positions measured, the general-­in-chief will charge an officer to trace the new position of the second line; to this end, he will give to this officer the number of paces to be taken along the front of the first line, say four hundred and sixty and the number of paces which the lieutenant colonel had counted marching ­perpendicularly to the front, which, as has just been seen, was seventy.

2460. The officer designated will march towards the left of the first fin the given distance; and in order to determine the new direction of the second line, he will, by order of the general, cause the lieutenant colonel of the battalion before which he halts, say at the point (B,) to repeat the operation indicated, No. 2458; the lieu­tenant colonel, setting off from the point (B,) will march fifty paces along the front of the line towards its left, and then seventy perpendicular­ly to the front, from (z) to (x;) (B x) will be the new direction of the second line.

2461. The basis of the new position of the second line being assured, it will be prolonged to the left and right.

2462. Those dispositions being made, the general of the second line will establish it in the new position by the means indicated, No. 2429, and following; but he will cause only the first


 

 

 

EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

and second battalions (under their brigadier general) to break by company.

2463. This column being formed, the second and first battalions will march straight forward, as soon as the head of the column has pass­ed the new line of battle, it will change direc­tion to the right in order to prolong itself on this lineand to form to the right, into line of battle, in the manner indicated, No. 2451.

2464. Each of the other six battalions will execute its movement according to the princi­ples prescribed for a change or front perpendi­cularly forward; the third battalion will break from the old line by a slight wheel to the left, in conformity with what is prescribed, No. 2452, for the fourth battalion.

2465. The change of front on the left of the line will be made according to the same principle­s; but if, according to what has been supposed, the second line be outflanked on the left by the first, only the eighth battalion will break to right by company.

 

Oblique change of front to the rear, on the right of the first line.

 

2466. (P1. LVI, figs. 1, 2.) This movement will be executed according to the principles pre­scribed, No. 2419, and following, and No. 2456, and following, but observing what follows.

2467. The general-in-chief, after having deter­mined the new direction of the first line, will cause the angle formed by this direction with the old to be measured behind the rear rank of

 


 

 

 

EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

the first battalion, by the means indicated, 2458.

2468. The officer who traces the new direction of the second line will march on the prolongation of the first, to the right of its point of appui the number of paces the general has indicated to him; he will place a marker (B) at the point where he halts, and a second (z) at fifty paces from the first towards the right of the line. An officer whom he will have designated, will throw himself close to the second marker (z,) and march perpendicularly to the rear, the number of paces fixed for the opening of the angle, which will be supposed to eighty; which being executed, the basis of alignment will be traced in the manner indicated, No. 2458, and then prolonged to the left; another marker or mounted officer will be placed at the point (C) where the old position of the second line, prolonged, cuts the new.

2469. These dispositions being made, the second line will be established in the new position by the means indicated for a change of front perpendicularly to the rear; but only two battalions will be broken by company, and these will then conform themselves to what is pre-scribed, No. 2441.

2470. The remaining six battalions will each execute its movement in the manner prescribed, No. 2442, and following: the third battalion will conform itself to what is there designated for the fourth.      

2471. The oblique change of front to the rear and the left of the first line, will be executed ac-


 

 

 

EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

cording to the same principles; but if, as has been supposed, the second line be outflanked to the left by the first, the eighth battalion only, of the second line, will break by company to the left.

 

3d. Oblique change of front, on the fifth battalion,

the left wing thrown forward.

 

2472. (Pl. LVII, figs. 1, 2.) This movement will be executed according to the principles pre­scribed, No. 2419, and following, and No. 2446, and following, but observing what follows.

2473. The general-in-chief will throw him­self on the right of the fifth battalion, and after having determined the new direction of the first line, he will cause the lieutenant colonel of this battalion to execute what is prescribed, No. 2458.

2474 The officer who traces the new position of the second line will, in passing along the front of the first towards its left, take from the right of the fifth battalion, the distance that the ge­neral-in-chief has given to him; he will then, in the name of the general, cause the lieutenant colonel of the battalion before which he halts, to repeat the operation just prescribed for the lieutenant colonel of the fifth; which being done, he will establish the basis of the new position, cause it to be prolonged to the left and right, and place a marker, or mounted officer, at the point (C) of intersection of the old and new positions of the second line.

2475, These dispositions being made, the second line will he established in its new position by

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

the means indicated for a perpendicular change of front on the centre; but only the first five battalions will break by company: each of these battalions will finish its movement in the manner indicated, No. 2451.

2476. Each of the last three battalions will be ployed into double column, and established in the new position to the left of the first five, in the manner indicated, No. 2452; the sixth and seventh battalions will each, conforming itself to what is prescribed for the eighth, break from the old line by a slight wheel to the left.

2477. If, in changing front on the centre, if be wished to throw forward the right wing, the movement will be executed according to the same principles on the left of the fourth battalion, but observing what follows:

2478. The last five battalions will break by company to the right, and be established in the new position according to the principles prescribed, No. 2475, but by inverse means.

2479. The three other battalions will each be ployed into column doubled on its centre and established in the new position according to the principles prescribed, No.2476; the third and second battalions will break from the old line by a slight wheel to the right.

 

Remarks on changes of front of two lines.

 

2480. The distance between the two lines and the position of the second in respect to the first cannot be fixed, as both distance and position depend on the ground and other circumstances.

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

2481.  In the preceding examples, the distance between the two lines has been calculated at about three hundred and seventy paces, and the position of the second line supposed to be near parallel to that of the first; but the rules which have been prescribed are applicable to all changes of front of two lines, and give the means of throwing the second line to any distance from first, and of establishing it in whatever direction the general-in-chief may judge best.

2482. So in halting, sooner or later, the battalions of the second line which have broken into column by company, the general-in-chief can to this line any point of appui he may wish, consequently cause it to outflank the first to the right or left by any number of companies or battalions he may desire; or, finally, he can so dispose the second line that each of its battalions shall find itself exactly behind the corresponding battalion of the first line.

2483. In oblique changes of front, the distance to be paced by the officer charged with tracing the new position of the second line, will always greater than that which it is desired should separate the two lines after the termination of the movement; and this difference will be increased in proportion as the angle formed by the old and new directions is diminished.

2484. The number of battalions of the second line which ought to break by company, depend on the movement to be executed; thus, in chan­ges of front forward, it will be the battalions be­tween the point of appui (G) of the old position

 

 

 

 


 

EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

and the point (C) where the new position, prolonged, cuts the old.

2485. In changes of front to the rear, the number of battalions to break by company will be determined by the distance which there ought to be from the point of appui  (G) of the new position, to the point (C) where the old position prolonged, cuts the new.         

 2486. What has just been said in the two preceding numbers applies to all changes of front, either perpendicular or oblique; but as, in the latter, the distance between (G) and (C) is less than in the perpendicular changes, and as it diminishes in proportion to the lessening of the angle formed by the old and new positions, it follows that the number of battalions to be broken by company ought also to be less.

2487. The same rule will be observed for changes of front on an interior battalion of the line as for changes of front forward; thus, in the change of front on the fifth battalion, left wing thrown forward, described No. 2446, and follow­ing, all the battalions are made to break by company which, in the old position, found themselves between the point of appui (G) and the point (C) where that position is cut by the new one.

2488. The battalions which break by company, having to serve as the basis of movement for the second line, the general of this line will carefully see that they are correctly established in the new position; to this end, he will assure himself, before these battalions are formed into line of battle, that they are in the proper direction, and, if not, make the necessary rectifications.


 

 

 

EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

2489.   This attention is particularly necessary when the second line is to be established parallely to the first; for, in this case, if the change of front be perpendicular, the direction of the second line will depend solely on the coup d’oeil of the officer charged with tracing it, and if it be an oblique change, the means indicated for establishing the parallelism of the two lines (and which have been adopted on account of their simplicity) may make a difference between the angles formed by each old direction with its new. A part of the first line being already es­tablished in its new position, at the time for halting the battalions of the second line which are in column by company, it will always be easy for the general of the second line, with a practised eye, to rectify any error that max have been committed in the first trace made for his

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI.

 

 

Order in echellon.

 

2490. Echellons may be formed parallelly, or obliquely to the line of battle, either by the right or left of the line, and by battalion, brigade or division, as will be explained.

 

 

Direct echelons in advancing.

 

2491. The general, wishing to form direct


 

 

 

EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

echellons by the right and by brigade, will command:        I

1.    Echelons by brigade, at (so many) paces. 2. Forward, by the right, form echelons.

2492. (PI. LVIII, fig. 1.) These commands having been repeated, the brigadier general of the right brigade of the line will put it in march by the commands and means indicated, No. 22l8, and following, for marching a line in the order in battle, and take the first as the directing battalion.

2493. The right battalion of the first echellon becoming thus the regulator of the march of all the echelons, the general, if he think it necessary, will cause markers to be placed behind this battalion in order to assure its direction.

2494. The following echellons will, in succe­sion, put themselves in march, each observing to maintain between itself and the preceding echel­lon the number of paces prescribed in the first command; each brigadier general will cause that number of paces, taken by the preceding echellon, to be counted, before putting his own in march.

2495. In each subordinate echellon, a file closer, designated in advance, will place himself in rear of and opposite to the left file of the preceding echellon. This file closer will march exactly in the trace of that file and abreast with his own battalion; by this means, the colonel of the right battalion in each subordinate echellon will always be able to maintain the interval be-

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

tween his own battalion and that on the left of the preceding echellon.

2496. The right battalion in each echellon be charged with preserving the perpendicula­r distance which ought to separate it from the preceding echellon; the left battalion will march abreast with that on its with on its right, and take care to preserve its interval to the right.

2497. The echellons being in march, when the general shall wish to re-form the line, he will give an order to the brigadier general of the first echellon to halt it.

2498. The first echellon being halted, the general will determine the direction to be given to the line, and the brigadier of the first echel­Ion will establish it on that direction.

2499. The other echellons will continue to march, and be successively halted by their re­spective brigadiers at four paces from the line of battle.

2500. The second echellon being halted, its brigadier general will command: 1. Colours and general guides—ONTHE LINE. At this, the colours and general guides of each battalion will face to the right, and promptly place themselves on the alignment of the colours of the first echellon; which being done, the brigadier of the second will add: 2. Guides—ONTHE LINE. Each colonel, seeing his guides esta­blished, will align his battalion.

2501. The remaining echellons will establish themselves successively on the line of battle by the same means.

2502. Each brigadier will give the command,

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

Guides—POSTS, as soon as his echellon is aligned; but the colours will not fall back into their places until the general shall add: colours--POSTS, which will be given after the establislment of the last echellon on the line of battle.

2505. If, instead of re-forming the line, it be the wish of the general to halt the echellons, he will give an order to that effect to the brigadier of the first, and send a caution to the brigadiers of the others, to halt their echelons each in the position where it finds itself.

2504. Echellons by the left will be formed according to the same principles and by inverse means.

 

Direct echellons in retreat.

 

2505. (P1. LVIII, fig. 2.) It being the wish of the general to march in retreat by echelon, he will command:

 

1.     Echelons by brigade, at (so many) paces. 2.

In retreat, by the right, form echellons.

 

2506. These commands having been repeated, the brigadier of the first echellon will cause it to  face about, and then put it in march.

2507. The brigadier of the second echellon will cause it toface about, soon enough to be able to put it in march the moment it has its distance from the first.

2508. Each of the remaining echellons will execute in its turn what has just been prescribed for the second.       

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

2509. Each following echellon will throw out a file closer in the manner and for the purpose prescribed, No. 2495.

2510.   The general, wishing to re-form the line, will order the brigadier of the first echellon to halt it.

2511.   This echellon being halted, its brigadier will face it to the front, and establish it on the direction which may be indicated to him.

2512. Each following echellon will continue to march, and when at four paces beyond the line of battle, its brigadier will halt it, face it to the front, and, establish it on the line by the means prescribed, Nos. 2500—1.

25l3. Echelons in retreat will be formed by the left according to the same principles and by inverse means.

 

Oblique echelons.

 

2514. (Pl. XLIX, figs. 1, 2, 5, 4.) It being intended to form echellons obliquely to the line of battle, the movement will be executed in the fol­lowing manner.

2515. Say that the movement is to made by the right: the general will throw himself on the right of the line, and determine the new direc­tion according to his views.

2516. The lieutenant colonel of the right battalion will then, on an intimation from the ge­neral, execute what is prescribed, No. 2458, for measuring the angle formed by the new and old directions. It will be supposed that the opening of this angle is such, that the lieutenant colonel,

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

after marching fifty paces along the front of the battalion, had to take thirty perpendicularly forward, to bring himself in a line between the general and the point of direction to the left.

2517. The opening of the angle being thus ascertained, the brigadier of the first echellon will immediately cause it to change front forward on its right company.

2518. The general will then send an order to each of the other brigadiers to cause his echellon to change front forward to thirty paces on its right company.

2519. As each subordinate echellon shall have changed front, its brigadier will cause it to take its interval from the left of the echellon next on its right; to this end, he will cause it to break to the rear into column by company by the left; which being executed, he will order the left ge­neral guide of the left battalion to throw himself on the prolongation of the right guides a little beyond the point where the left of the echellon will rest when in line.

2520. The general guide being correctly established, the brigadier of the echellon will put the column in march in order to prolong it on it on its line of battle; the leading guide will direct himself on the general guide, and when the right company, now in the rear, shall have passed twenty-two paces beyond the left of the echellon next on its right, the brigadier of the echellon, in column, will halt it, and form it to the right into line of battle.

2521. The echellons being thus formed, the general will order the brigadier of the first

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

echellon to put it in march; each of the other brigadiers will put his echellon in march as soon as he sees the preceding one in movement.

The echellons thus disposed will march, be halted, or re-formed into line, according to the principles prescribed, No. 2492, and following, for direct echellons.

2523. Echellons will be formed obliquely by the left according to the same principles and by Inverse means.

 

Remarks on the order in echelon.

 

2524. The distance between echellons cannot be fixed, the number of paces necessarily de­pending on the views of the general; but it ought to be such as to allow the echellons to form themselves into squares without danger of their firing on each other.

2525. In the formation of oblique echellons, the distance between them will depend on the extent of their fronts and he angle formed by the old and new directions; this distance may be either too great or too small; if too great, the general, before putting the echellons in march, will give an order to the brigadiers of the sub­ordinate echellons to advance, and then halt them at the prescribed distance: if, on the con­trary, the distance be too small, the subordinate echellons will only put themselves in movement as each has the given distance from the one next in its front.

2526. In changes of front, for the formation of oblique echellons. the angle formed by the old

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

and new directions being necessarily acute, the subordinate battalion in each echellon will change front by the same means as the directing one, instead of ploying into double column in order to march and deploy on the new line.

2527. A line of battalions, deployed, will habitually march in echellons; but if the general judge it to be more advantageous, he may ploy each battalion into column by division, in rear of its first division, if the echellons are formed by the right, and in rear of the last division of the battalion, if echellons be formed by the left.

2528. When echellons are composed of bat­talions in columns, if the movement be by the right, the file closer who ought to march abreast with the directing battalion of each subordinate echellon, will place himself on the prolongation of the right guides of the left battalion in the echellon next preceding his own, and march ex­actly in the trace of those guides. If the move­ment be made by the left, the file closer will place himself on the prolongation of the left guides of the right battalion in the preceding echelon.

 

 

ARTICLE XII.

 

To retreat by alternate battalions.

 

2529. The retreat by alternate, or odd and even battalions, will be executed as follows.

2530. (Pl. LX.) The general, intending to execute the retreat by alternate battalions, will

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

give information of his purpose to the two next officers in rank, who are respectively to command the lines of odd and even battalions, and at the same time indicate to the one who is to com­mence the movement the position in which he will halt his line. The general will then com­mand:

 

1. Retreat by alternate battalions. 2. Odd (or even) battalions, commence the movement.

 

2531. These commands having been repeated, the officer (first major general or first brigadier) entitled to command the line of odd battalions, and which line it is supposed ought to commence the movement, will command:

 

I.  Odd battalions, face to the rear.

 

2532. This having also been repeated, the colonels of the designated battalions will cause them to face about.

2533. The commander of the odd battalions will then add:

 

3.        The (—) the battalion of direction. 3. Bat­talions, forward 4. Quick—MARCH.

 

2534. At the command march, briskly repeat­ed by the colonels of the odd battalions, these battalions will commence the march, and direct themselves perpendicularly to the rear. The co­lonels of the subordinate battalions will maintain them abreast with the directing one in confor-

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

mity with what is prescribed, No. 2242, when the line arrives at the position indicated by the general-in-chief, the general of this line will command:

 

1.Battalions. 2. HALT.

 

2535. At the second command, the line will halt, each colonel will immediately face his battalion about, the commander of the line will rectify the alignment of the directing battalion, the other battalions will be dressed by that, without constraint, however, as to being absolutely on the same general alignment.

2536. As soon as the odd battalions which form the second line have faced about, the general of the first line (of even battalions) will command:

 

1.Face to the rear.

 

2537. This will be executed as prescribed, No. 2532; the general of this line will then command:

 

2. The (—) the battalion of direction. 3. Bat­-

talions, forward. 4. Quick—MARCH.

 

2538. The first line will march in retreat by the means prescribed, No. 2534; each battalion will be directed upon the middle of the corre­sponding interval in the second line, cross this line, and march perpendicularly to the rear. When it arrives at the position indicated by the


 

 

 

EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

general-in-chief, the first line will be halted and faced about, by the commands and means indicated, Nos. 2534—5.

2539. The second line, become first, will exe­cute the same movement, and so on alternately.

 

254O. The general-in-chief will superintend both lines, and determine, according to the ground and the distance he may wish to have between the lines, the position each ought suc­essively to occupy.

 

 

To re-form the line.

 

2541. The general-in-chief, wishing to re­-form the line, will cause the drums to beat a short roll after the first line (the one actually in front) is put in march, which roll will be briskly re­peated by all the drums of this line.

2542.The battalions of the first line will con­tinue to march, and when they find themselves exactly in their intervals of the second, their respective colonels will halt them, face them about and rectify their alignment: the general-in-chief, will then give a general alignment if he judge it necessary.

 

 

Remarks on the retreat by alternate battalions.

 

2543. The general of each line will endea­vour to maintain the necessary harmony between its battalions, notwithstanding the intervals be­tween them; to this end, he will look to the

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

strict execution of what is prescribed, Nos. 2534—5.

2544. He will more particularly see that all the battalions, after crossing the second line, direct themselves perpendicularly to the rear, this being the only means by which the intervals can be preserved with sufficient accuracy to enable the two lines to re-form into one.

 

ARTICLE XIII.

 

Passage of lines.

 

 

Passage of lines in retreat.

 

2545. (P1. LXI, fig. 1.) The general-in-chief wishing to execute the passage of lines in re­treat, will send an order to the general of the second line to place it in the position it ought to occupy, if it be not already so placed.

2546. The battalions of this line will form double columns, closed in mass, and so disposed that the centre of each mass may be opposite to the middle of the interval to the right or left of the corresponding battalion of’ the first line according to the order given by the general-in-chief.

2547. These dispositions being made, the general-in-chief will send an order to the general of the first line, to execute the passage of lines in retreat: the latter will immediately command:

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

1.Pass the line in rear.

 

2548. This command having been repeated, each colonel will cause his battalion to face about; which being executed, the general of the first line will add:

 

2.Battalions, forward. 3. Quick—MARCH.

 

2549. At the word march, briskly repeated, the line will march in retreat; each colour-bearer will direct himself upon the middle of the corre­sponding interval in the second line.

2550. The first line being about forty paces from the second, each colonel will cause the com­panies of his battalion which are masked by the second line to execute the passage of obstacles, which will be executed as prescribed, School of the Battalion.

2551. The battalions of the first line will con­tinue to march, and pass the second, when the colonels will immediately cause the companies which were broken to the rear to return into line.

2552. The colonels of the second line, without regulating themselves on each other, will begin to deploy their battalions as soon as the latter are cleared by the battalions of the first line.

2553. As soon as the first line arrives at the distance in the rear indicated by the general-in­-chief, the general of this line will halt it, face it about, and then make the dispositions which may have been ordered.

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

Passage of lines in advancing.

 

2554. (P1. LXI, fig. 2.) The general-in-chief, wishing to cause the passage of lines advancing to be executed, will send an order to the ge­neral of the second line, to make the dispositions in rear of the first indicated, Nos. 2545—6, If they be not already made.

2555. The second line being thus disposed, the general-in-chief will send an order to the general of this line, to execute the passage of lines advancing, and give notice thereof to the general of the first line.

2556. The general of the second line will immediately command:

 

I. Pass the line in front. 2. Battalion., forward.

 

2557. These commands having been repeated, each colonel will command: guide centre.

2558. The general of the line will then add:

 

3.Quick—MARCH.

 

2559. At this, briskly repeated, the second line will advance; each battalion will direct itself upon the middle of the corresponding interval in the first line.

2560. At the approach of the second line, each colonel in the first will cause the right and left companies of his battalion to be ployed, as in mass, behind the contiguous companies in time

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

 

not to arrest the movement of’ the battalions of the second line.

2561. The battalions of the second line will thus pass the first; and when they shall have cleared it7 the general of the second will desig­nate the directing battalion. This battalion will take the guide to the right, and the subordinate battalions will take the guide on the side next to the directing battalion.

2562. The battalions having arrived at the given position, the commander of the line will cause them to halt and to deploy.

2563. As soon as the second line has passed be first, the colonels of the latter will cause the right and left companies of their respective bat­talions to return into line.

 

 

ARTICLE XIV.

 

 

Dispositions against cavalry.

 

2564. No matter what the number of batta­lions which compose a column or line, not more than two, or three, will be formed into the same square.

2565. A square of more than one battalion ought always to have a reserve. If of three battalions, this reserve will be formed of the fourth (or last) division in the first and second battalions: in a square of two battalions, the reserve will be the last division of the first batta­lion. This rule is general whether the column be formed with the right or left in front.

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

2566. (P1. LXII, fig. 1.) Three battalions will be supposed in column by company at full distance and right in front: the commander (major general or brigadier general) wishing to form square, will first form divisions; which being executed, he will close the column to half (com­pany) distance on any division he may desig­nate, say the headmost one; to this end, he will command:

 

1.To form square. 2. To half distance, close column. 3. Quick—MARCH.

 

2567. At the command march, the column will close to half distance by the means heretofore indicated, but observing what follows.

2568. The last division, first battalion, and the last of the second battalion, having to re­main in reserve in the square, the chiefs of these divisions will, at the commencement of the move­ment, break off to the rear three files from the right and three from the left; the guides will close upon the outer files remaining in line, and the left guide of each of these divisions wit march in the trace of the file opposite to him in the division immediately preceding his own. Each of these two divisions will close in mass on that which precedes it.

2569. In the second and third battalions, the first division will close to half distance on the one next to the last (there may be either five or four divisions per battalion) in the preceding battalion; the lieutenant colonels of the second and third battalions will each throw himself in


 

 

 

EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

advance to mark the halting point for his first division.

257O. The last division, third battalion, will close in the manner indicated, No. 1482.

257l. The pioneers and music, of each bat­talion, will conform themselves to what is pre­scribed, No. 1483.

2572. At the commencement of the move­ment, the major of the first battalion will place himself abreast with its first division, the major of the second battalion in a corresponding posi­tion, and the major of the third abreast with its last division—all on the right flank of the co­lumn. The column being closed, the lieutenant colonel of the third battalion will place himself abreast with its last division.

2573 If, instead of closing the column on its headmost division, it be the wish of the general toexecute the movement on any other, say the first of the second battalion, he will command:

 

1. To form square. 2. On the first division,, se­cond battalion, to half distance dose column. 3. Quick—MARCH.

 

2574. The first and second commands having been repeated, the chief of the last division, first battalion, will break off to the rear three files from the right and three from the left; which being done, the colonel will cause the battalion toface about.

2575. The files broken to the rear, will face about with their division. The lieutenant colonel will throw himself in advance at company

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

distance from the first division, second battalion, to mark the point for halting the last division, but one (the third, if there are but four) of his battalion.

2576. At the command march, the battalion will close; the files of the last division broken off will march in front of its rear rank, now, leading; and when the front rank of this division has passed six paces beyond the lieutenant colonel, the chief of the division will halt it, face it about, and align it by the left.

2577. The division next to the last will be halted opposite to the lieutenant colonel. The other divisions of the battalion will close by the means indicated, No. 1008, and following.

2578. The second and third battalions will each execute its movement as prescribed, No. 2568, and following.

2579. The preparatory column being formed at half distance, the general can, according to circumstances, put it in march, or cause it to form square; if the latter, he will command:

 

1.Form square.

 

2580. (P1. LXII, fig. 2.) This having been repeated by the colonels, each will command: right and left, into line, wheel.

2581. At this command, the lieutenant colonel and major, first battalion, will align their left and right guides on those of the last division, third battalion, who, to this end, will each stand fast, but hold his piece perpendicularly between the eyes, the butt up.

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

2582. The chief of the headmost division of the column will caution it to stand fast, and the chief of the rearmost division will command: 1. fourth (or fifth) division, forward; 2. Guide left.

 

2583. In all the intermediate divisions, except in reserve, each captain will throw himself before the centre of his company, and caution it that it will have to form to the right or to the left, into line.

2584. The chiefs of the two divisions in reserve will each command: I. Fourth (or fifth) division, forward; 2. Guide centre. At this last command, the guides on the flanks will retire to the line of file closers.

2585. The colour-bearer, pioneers, and music, will conform themselves to what is prescribed, Nos. 1487, 1485.

2586. The general will then command:

 

3.Quick—MARCH.

 

2587. At this, briskly repeated, the square will be formed; the headmost and rearmost divisions of the column will conform themselves to what is prescribed for the same divisions in a batta­lion square; the companies of the remaining divisions, except of those in reserve, will each form itself to the right or to the left, into line, according to its position on the right or left flank of the column. The music and the divisions in reserve, will advance a space equal to the front of a company.

2588.  As soon as the divisions in reserve halt,

 

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

their chiefs will cause their platoons .to double; for this purpose, each chief will command: 1. On the centre, double platoon.; 2. Quick--MARCH.

2589. At the first command, each chief of platoon will throw himself before its centre; the chief of each outer platoon will cause it to face inwards, and then break the three headmost files to the rear.

2590. At the command march, these outer platoons will double on the interior or standing platoons, and place themselves in the rear, at three paces from the latter; their chiefs will on the centre, and the files which hadbeen broken to the rear, will return into line.

2591. The square being formed, the general will command:

 

2. Guides POSTS.

 

2592. At this, which will not be repeated, the guides, the general and his staff, the field and staff as well as each chief of division, who are without, will enter the square.

2593. The captains whose companies have formed to the right, into line, will remain on the left of their companies. Their left guides will cover them in the rear rank, and the covering sergeant, will take post as file closers behind the right of their respective companies.

2594. The three lieutenant colonels will place themselves behind the third front; the one of the first battalion, near the angle formed by the first and third fronts; the one of the second bat-

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

Ilion, opposite to its first division, and the other near the angle formed by the third and fourth fronts. The majors will place themselves be­hind the second front opposite to these positions oftheir respective lieutenant colonels.

2595. The second, third, first, and fourth fronts the square will be commanded by the field officers according to rank.

2596. If the column be at a half instead of full distance, the general will, before forming square, order the colonels of the first and second battalions each to close his last division in mass, on the one preceding it; which being executed, the colonels of the second and third battalions will march them forward, and each halt his battalion When its first division is at company distance from the last division but one of the preceding battalion; the chiefs of the divisions in reserve, will each, on putting his division in march, in order to close, cause three files to break off to the rear from the right and left of the division.

2597. If the column be closed in mass, the general will cause it to take half distance on any division he may designate, say the first of the second battalion; to this end, he will command:

 

 

1. To from square. 2. On the first division, second battalion, take half distance. 3. Quick— MARCH.

 

 

2598. (Pl. LXII, fig. 7.) The column will take distances according to the principles and

 

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

by the means indicated, No. 1920, and following, but observing what follows.

2599. Before the movement begins, the general will send two officers to place themselves on the prolongation of the guides, a little beyond the points at which the headmost and rearmost divisions of the column will arrive. The majors of the first and third battalions, placed respectively by the side of their leading guides, will see that each directs himself exactly on the officer in his front.

2600. At the third command, the lieutenant colonel, first battalion, will throw himself to company distance in front of the first division, second battalion, in order to mark the halting point for the last division, but one, of his battalion. The chief of its last (fifth or fourth) division will, at the moment of putting the column in march, cause the three files on its right, and the three on the left, to break off to the rear as prescribed, No. 2584, and he will halt his division the instant the one immediately preceding shall arrive oppo­site to the lieutenant colonel.

2601. The colonel of the second, whose battalion takes its distances to the rear, having repeated the first and second commands, the chief of its last division will immediately cause files to be broken off as above; which being done, they colonel will cause the battalion to face about.

2602. The files of its last division, broken to the rear, will face about with the battalion, and whilst taking distance, they will march in front of the rear rank; the chief of this division wit regulate himself by the division next in his rear,

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

and command HALT at the moment the latter halts.

2603. In the third battalion, the lieutenant co­lonel will, in advance, throw himself to compa­ny distance behind the guide of the last division but one of the second battalion, in order to mark the halting point for the first division of his bat­talion.

2604. If it be the wish of the general, instead of forming square, merely to dispose the column for the execution of this movement, in case of need, he will, on this supposition, cause distan­ces to be taken by the head of the column; to this end, he will command:

 

1. To form square. 2. By the head of column,

take half distance.

 

2605. This movement will be executed as prescribed, No. 1894, and following; but the divisions to be held in reserve, and the one, re­spectively, next in their rear, will observe what follows.

2606. At the first command, each chief of a reserve division will cause files to be broken off as above; he will then give the cautionary commands in time to enable his division to march at the same instant with the one next in front.

2607. Each chief of division that immediately follows a reserve division will give the command march, the moment his division has company distance from the last, but one, in the preceding battalion.

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

2608. In each battalion, the music will place themselves as prescribed, No. 1483, behind the inner platoons of the second division, as soon as the latter has taken its distance.

2609. In a column left in front, those divers movements will be executed according to the same principles and by inverse means, except that the same divisions will be held in reserve, as in a column right in front.

2610. The column being formed into square, when the general shall wish to march it in advance, he will command:

 

1.Form column. 2. Quick—MARCH.

 

2611. (Pl. LXII, fig. 3.) This movement will be executed as prescribed, No. 1508, and follow­ing, but observing what follows.

2612. At the first command, the chief of each division in reserve will command: form division.

2613. At this, the chief of each outer platoon, now in the rear of a centre platoon, will give the commands and make the preparatory movement, for deploying on the corresponding centre pla­toon, and at the command march, briskly repeated by the colonel and the chief of the reserve division, the movement will be executed.

2614. The division being re-formed, the chief of the outer platoons will retake their places in column, and the chief of the division will again break off three files from each of its flanks.

2615. If, before the formation of the square, the left of the column had been in front, the co-

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

umn would be re-formed by the same commands and according to the same principles.

2616. (PL LXII, fig. 4.) For marching in retreat, the general will form the column by the commands and means just indicated.

2617. The column being formed, the general will cause it to face by the rear rank by the commands and means indicated, No. 1515, and following, and No. 1549, and following; the headmost and rearmost divisions will execute, in this case, what is prescribed for the first and fourth divisions in a battalion square.

2618. The chiefs of the reserve divisions, before causing them to face about, will cause their broken files to return into line; each chief will then close his division in mass on the one next in front; which being executed, he will again cause the same files to break off to the rear.

2619. (P1. LXII, fig. 5.) The column, thus disposed, will march and form square as if it faced by the front rank, or it may be faced by the front rank and marched in advance by the com­mands and means indicated, Nos. 1520—1. If it form square, whilst faced by the rear rank, each chief of a reserve division will cause its outer platoons to double as prescribed, No. 2688, and following.

2620. The square being formed by the rear rank, the column, for marching, will be re-formed according to the principles prescribed, No. 1519. Each chief of a reserve division, will cause it to re-form as indicated, No. 2612 and following.

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

To reduce the square.

 

2621. A square, of several battalions, will be reduced by the commands and means prescribed, No. 1522, and following.

 

Remarks on the formation of squares.

   

2622. (Fl. LXIII, fig. 2.) A column disposed for the formation of the square, being in march, when the general shall wish to cause it to be covered by skirmishers, he will cause one or more companies of the reserve to be thrown out for the purpose: these skirmishers will never pass beyond the distance of fifty paces from the square.    

2623. The general, wishing to form square, will halt the column and cause the drums to beat to the colour for the re-entrance of the skirmishers.

2624. The reserve divisions being intended not only to furnish skirmishers for covering the column, but also to sustain the parts of the square which may be the most hotly attacked, no fixed place can be assigned to those divisions in a square; but, when in column, each will take the place which has been indicated.

2625. When a column, closed in mass, has to form square, it will begin by taking company distance; but if so suddenly threatened by ca­valry as not to allow time for this disposition, it will be formed in the following manner.

2626.  The general will command:

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

 

 

1.Column against cavalry.

 

2627. (P1. LXII. fig. 8.) This having been repeated, the guides will pass into the lines of file closers; the chief of the headmost division will caution it to stand fast, and pass behind the rear rank: the chief of the rearmost division will cause it to face about, and its file closers will pass at the same time behind the front rank, become the rear; the outer file of each of these divisions will then face outwards.

2628. In the intermediate divisions, each cap­tain will put as many files, from the outer flank of his company, into line of battle, as will close up the distance in front of its outer flank. The cap­tains in the division next to that in the rear, will also close up, in like manner, the distance be­tween their outer flanks and the rearmost divi­sion. The files of each company, remaining in column, will close on their outer files, formed into line of battle, in order to create a vacant space in the middle of the column.

 

 

To form square from line of battle.

 

2629. The three battalions being deployed, they will form square by the means indicated, School of the battalion.

263O. If it be intended that the direction of the square shall be parallel to the line of battle, the general will cause the line to break to the tear into column by division, with the right or

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

left in front, and then close the column to company distance, on any division he may prefer according to the principles prescribed, 1461 1841, and following, and No. 2566, and following.

2631. (P1. LXII, fig. 6.) The intention being that the square shall be perpendicular to the line of battle, the general will cause the line to ploy into column by division at company distance, but in preference on the right or left division of a battalion; to this end, he will command:

 

1. To form square. 2. Column at half distance by division. 3. On the first (or fifth) division

(such) battalion, right (or left) in front

column. 4. Quick—MARCH.

 

2632. This movement will be executed according to the principles prescribed (See No. 901) for ploying a line into column by division at company distance, but observing what follows.

2635. The chief of each reserve division will cause it to take its place in the column, so that there may be only three paces between it and the division next in front; and as soon as his division has been halted and aligned, he will break off to the rear, the three files from each flank.

2634. The chief of each division that enters the column next after a reserve division, will cause it to take company distance from the division next in front of the reserve division.

2635. (Pl. LXIII, fig. 2.) The preceding ex-

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

amples have been given to serve for a line of three or two battalions; but if the line be com­posed of a sufficient number of battalions to be divided into many squares, the latter will be dis­posed by echellons. The perpendicular distance between the echellons will be such that, the squares being formed, the first front of the se­cond may find itself at least fifty paces farther to the rear than the fourth front of the first echellon. This rule is equally applicable to a co­lumn to he formed into several squares.

2636. When the echelons have to march in advance or in retreat, they will be formed accord­ing to the principles prescribed, No. 2491, and following, whether the battalions, which are to compose the echellons, be already disposed for the formation of squares, or be yet deployed. If the echellons are to remain at a halt, they will be formed on the centre, or on one of the wings, as will be explained.

2637. It is supposed that the general-in-chief wishes to form the echellons on the centre: he will command:

 

1. To form square. 2. Echellon by battalion (or brigade) at (so many) paces. 5. On (such) battalion (or brigade) right (or left) wing in front, form echellons. 4. Quick—MARCH.

 

2638. At the command march, the portion of the line which is to form the directing echellon will stand fast.

2639. All the other echellons will put themselves in march at the same time, each taking its

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

direction from the side of the directing echellon, and whether it march to the front or the rear, it will be halted by its commander when it has taken the given number of paces from the next echellon on the side of the direction.

2640. At the commencement of the movement, the directing echellon will form square; the commander of each of the other echelons, after halting it, will rectify the alignment so that it may be parallel to the directing echellon, and then cause it to form square.

2641. A column which has to be divided into several squares will be thrown into echellons according to the same principles: the portion which is to constitute the directing echelon will stand fast, and the others will march to the right or left, to the distance fixed by the general-in-chief; either by the flank, or by breaking from the ge­neral column by a wheel.  

   

Oblique squares.

 

2642. A line threatened by cavalry, and with­out time to form squares disposed in echellons, will be formed into oblique squares by battalion in the following manner:

The general-in-chief will command:

 

I Oblique squares by battalion. 2. On the first division, form square

 

2643.(Pl. LXIII, figs. 5, 4.) At the second command the lieutenant colonel of each battalion will trace the alignment of the first division

   

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

 in the following manner: he will place himself before and near the right file of this division, face to the left, march twelve paces along the front rank, halt, face to his right, march twelve paces perpendicularly to the front, halt again and immediately place a marker (o) at this point.

The covering sergeant (s) of the right company will step, at the same time, before its right file, half face to the right, and conform the line of his shoulders to that of the shoulders of the marker (o.) These markers being established, the lieu­tenant colonel will place a third (d) at the point where the left of the division will halt.

2644. The chief of the first division will imme­diately establish it by a wheel to the right on a fixed pivot, against the markers, and align it by the left.

2645. Pending the execution of those disposi­tions, the colonel will give the commands, and make the preparatory movements for ploying his battalion into column at company distance in rear of the first division; and as soon as this di­vision is in the new direction, he will cause the movement to commence, which will be executed in the manner indicated, No. 1528 and No. 1581, but observing what follows.

2646. The chief of the second division, instead of breaking the headmost files to the rear, will break them to the front, and at the command march, he will conduct his division towards the point of entrance into the column. Arrived at this point, he will halt in his own person, cause his division to wheel by file to the right, instruct­ing the right guide to direct himself parallelly

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

to the first division; and as soon as the left file has passed, its chief will halt the division, and align it by the left. The other divisions will break to the rear, but slightly; each will enter the column as prescribed for the second, and the moment the battalion is ployed into column, the colonel will cause it to form square.

2647. The formation of battalions into oblique squares, on the left division of each, will be executed according to the same principles, and by inverse means.

2648. In the preceding example the line was supposed to be deployed; but if it be formed of battalions already in columns, the desired obliquity will be established by causing each battalion to change direction by the flank; to this end, the general-in-chief will command.

 

1. To form oblique squares by battalion. 2. Change direction by the right (or left) flank.

 

2649. (PL LXIII, figs. 6 and 7.) At the second command, the lieutenant colonel of each battalion will trace the new direction in the following manner: he will place before the right and left files, of the headmost division, two markers (s r,) and a third (p) on the prolongation of the first two, on the side of the change of direction, and at twelve paces from the flank of the column.  He will then place himself before the third marker, and take twelve steps perpendicularly to the front, halt and finish the tracee of the new direction in the manner indicated, No. 2643. Pending this operation, each colonel will give the commands, and make the preparatory dispo-

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

sitions for a change of direction by the flank, and cause it to be executed as soon as the new direction is traced. The change of direction having been executed, he will cause the square to be formed.

2650. A column at full distance may be form­ed into oblique squares by the same means: each battalion will be closed to half distance on its headmost subdivision; which being execut­ed, the battalion will change direction, as has just been prescribed, and then form square.

 

To re-form the line.

 

2651. (Pl. LXIII, fig. 5.) The line being dis­posed in oblique squares, when the general-in-chief shall wish to re-form it, he will cause the squares to break; to this end, he will com­mand:

 

1.Reduce squares.

 

2652. At this, briskly repeated, each colonel will cause his square to break. Pending the ex­ecution of the movement, the general-in-chief will throw himself fifty or sixty paces in front of the square he may judge the most conveniently placed to become the directing battalion, say the third; he will place two markers (d h) in the di­rection he may wish to give to the line, and as soon as they are established, he will command:

1. The third, the battalion of direction. 2.

Guides—ONTHE LINE.

2653. These commands having been repeated,

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

the lieutenant colonel of each battalion will detach himself with two markers) whom he will establish on the prolongation of those placed by the general-in-chief, preserving its interval oftwenty-two paces on the side of the directing battalion.

2654. As soon as the markers are established before the front of a battalion, its colonel wilt command: 1. Column, forward; 2. Guide right; 3. Head of column to the left; 4. Quick—MARCH.

2655. At the command march, the battalion will put itself in movement; the first division will wheel to the left, and direct itself so as to arrive parallelly to the line of battle; when at three paces from this line, the colonel will halt the battalion, and if any division be not yet in the new direction, it will be promptly brought into it. The battalion being halted, the colonel will align it by flank next to the directing batta­lion

 

Remark on Oblique Squares.

 

2656. The formation of a line into oblique squares, gives the facility of placing it, what­ever be its extent, as promptly in safety against the attacks of cavalry as if it were a single battalion, without causing the line to quit the position it occupies, and then, after re-forming each square into column, the line may be marched in any direction. The fires of oblique squares also cross each other in every direction, except that of the squares themselves, and this

 

 


EVOLUTI0NS OF THE LINE—PART V.

 

 

even when the battalions, before being formed into squares, happened not to be on the same alignment, and it is thus that they are represent­ed Plate LXIV.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

0F

 

Vol. Ill.

 

 

TITLE V.

 

EVOLUTIONS OF THE LINE.

 

NOTE—The references are to paragraphs, by number, and not to pages, unless so expressed.

 

General principles and division of the evolutions of the line, -     -   -   -   -   -   -  No. 1715

Posts of the generaI-in-chief; or the major generals and brigadier generals

    in line and in column   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  -   -   -   -    -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  1719

General rules  for commands, -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 1729

 

PART FIRST.

 

Opening and closing ranks, and the execution of the different fires.

     ART. 1. To open ranks,   -          -   -  -   -   -    -   -   -    -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - No. 1739
          To close ranks, -   -        -   -    -   -    -   -    - -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  -   -1741
ART. 2. Manual of arms,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  -   -   - -   -   -   -   -   -   1742
ART. 3.  Loading at will, and the firings,   -   -   -    -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  -1743
          To rest,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -1762

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

 

 

PART SECOND.

 

Different  modes of passing from the order in battle to the order in column.

ART. 1. To break to the front to the right or left

              into column,        -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   No. 1711

            To break to the front to the right to

            march to the left, and the reverse,    -   -    -   -  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -    1776, 1771

ART. 2. To break to the rear by the right or left

            into column,-   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  1780

ART. 3. To ploy the line into close column or mass:

            (General rule,)    -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   1791

            In rear of the directing battalion,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   1784, 1798
            In front of the directing battalion,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  1792, 1799

            On an interior battalion,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  1800

 

PART THIRD.

 

March in column, and the other movements incident thereto.

ART. 1. To march in column at full distance,  -   -   -   -   -  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -No. 1808      The column arriving in front, or in rear

           of the line of battle, to prolong it on

            that line,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -    1813

ART. 2. Column in route,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 1818

ART. 3. To change direction incolumn at full
     distance   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -1821

ART. 4. To halt the column,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -1824

ART. 5. To close the column to half distance or in mass:

            1st. On the leading company,    -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -1841
     2d. On its rearmost company,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  -   -   -   -   -   -   - -1848
     3d. On an interior battalion,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -1857

ART. 6. To march in column at half distance,
        or closed in mass,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   1863

ART. 7. To change direction in column at half
        distances,   -   -    -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 1868

ART. 8. To change direction in column closed in mass:

                    1st. In marching,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -1869

                 2d. From a halt,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  1886

ART. 9. Being in column at half distance, or closed

                  in mass to take distances:

            1st. By the head of the column,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   1893

           2d. On the rear of the column,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -1896

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS.

 

 

       3d.   On the head of the column,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -No. 1908

       4th. On an interior battalion,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   1919

ART. 10. Countermarch,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -1928

ART. 11. Being in column by company, and at a

       halt to form divisions,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 1937

 

PART FOURTH.

 

Different modes of passing from the order in column, to the

order in battle.   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   Page 52

ART. I. Manner of determining the line of battle,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -No. 1943

ART. 2. Different modes of passing from column

                 at full distance into line of battle:

           1st. To the left or right,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -    1944

                    By inversion to the right or left, -    -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -1949

(SuccEsSIVE FORMATiOns.)

2d. On the right or left,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   1960        (General rule),    -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -    1972

3d. Forward,    -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -     -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -1974

4th. Faced to the rear    -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -    -   1990

ART. 3. Formations into line of battle composed

        of two movements:

1st. To the left or right, and forward,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  2001 2d. To the left or right, and faced to

          the rear,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2006 3d. Forward on an interior battalion,  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 2016

4th. Faced to the rear on an interior

battalion.   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 2022

ART. 4. Different modes of passing from column

                  at half distance into line of battle:

1st. To the left or right,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  2030

2d. On the right or left,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2032

3d.  Forward,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 2053

4th. Faced to the rear.   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2055

ART. 5. Columns closed in mass. Deployment

by battalion in mass:

1st. Faced to the front,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  2057

On the headmost battalion,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  2039

On the rearmost battalion,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2055

On an interior battalion,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -    -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  2065 2d. Faced to the rear,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -2087

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS.

 

 

3d. Faced to the left,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -No. 2088

4th. Faced to the right,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2102

       Same movement by inversion,    -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  2103

Deployment of masses,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 2110

Deployment of a column without the

in­termediate deployment by battalion

       in mass,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  2132

Movements which may be executed by a line of battalions in masses

1st. The advance in line,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  2150

2d. To halt the line marching in ad­-

       vance, and to align it,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2162

3d. The line marching in advance to

cause it to change direction,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -2167
4th. To march in retreat,    -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -2179
5th. To change direction of the line
       marching in retreat,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 2187
6th.To break the line formedby bat-
       talion in mass, and to re-form  the
       column into line,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  2193
7th. To ploy the line of masses into
       general column closed in mass,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -2203

Rules for inversions,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 2214

 

PART FIFTH

 

To march In line, and movements incident thereto.

ART. 1. To advance in line of battle deployed,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  2218

ART. 2. To halt the line, and to align it,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -2252

ART. 3. Change of direction advancing in line of

 battle,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -2263

ART. 4. To retreat in line of battle,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  2279

ART. 5. To halt the line marching in retreat, and

to align it,    -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  2283

ART. 6. Change of direction in marching in re­treat,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2287

ART. 7. March in line of battle of a line of bat­-

talions in columns,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  2295 1st. To cause the line of columns to

advance.  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 2307

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS.

 

2d. To halt the line of columns, and

          to deploy it,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -No. 2326

3d. The line of columns marching in

advance, to cause it to change direc­-

          tion,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  2335

4th. To cause the line of columns to

          march in retreat,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2541

5th. To halt the line of columns march­-
ing in retreat and to align it,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2345

6th. The line ofcolumns marching   

         in retreat to cause it to change direc­-
                     tion,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  2342
ART. 8. To pass a defile in front,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 2351

To re-form the line after passing the
                      defile,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2363
ART. 9. To pass a defile in retreat,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -    -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 2377

To re-form the line after passing the
                      defile,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2383

Second example of the same move­-
                      ment,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -2386
ART. 10. Changes of front:

Perpendicular changes of front, -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  Page 144

Movements of the first line:

1st.    Forward on the right battalion,  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -No. 2393

           Forward on the left battalion, -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2402
2d.      To the rear on the right battalion,   -   -   -   -  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -2403
           To the rear on the left battalion,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 2410
3d.      Central changes of front,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -2411
           Oblique changes of front,   -   -   -   -   -   -  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -2418

 

CHANGES OF FRONT OF TWO LINES.

 

1st. Perpendicularly forward on the

                right of the first line,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 2424
           (General rule,)   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  2434

Perpendicularly forward on the
           left of the first line,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  2435

2d.  Perpendicularly to the rear on
           the right of the first line,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2438

Perpendicularly to the rear on
           the left of the first line   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 2445

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS.

 

 

3d. Perpendicularly on the fifth or

fourth battalion of the first line,

the left or right wing thrown

           forward,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - No. 2446, 2251

 

Oblique changes of front.

 

1st. Forward on the right of the first line,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2456

2d.  Forward on the left of the first line,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 2465

3d.  To the rear on the right of the first line,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  2466

To the rear on the left of the first

           line,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2471

On the fifth or fourth battalion the

left or right wing thrown for-

           ward,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  2472, 2477

ART. 11. Order in echellon:

                  Direct echellons inadvancing,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2491
To re-form the line,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2497
Direct echellons inretreat,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2505
To re-form the line,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2510
Oblique echellons,     -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2514

                  Formation of oblique echellons,   -    -   -   -   -   -   -   -    -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2517

                  To put the echellons in march,    -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  2521

                  To re-form the line,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2541

ART. 12. To retreat by alternate battalions,            -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -2529

                  To re-form the line,    -    -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 2541

ART. 13. Passage of lines:
In retreating,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2545
In advancing,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -     -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 2554

ART. 14. Dispositions against  cavalry:
(General rules,)   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -     -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 2584, 2565

Being in column by company at full distance, to form square   -  -     -   -   -   -   -  2566

Being in column at half distance, to

form square,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -2596

Being in column by division, closed in

mass, to form square   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -2597

To form the square into column In or­der to march in advance, or retreat,  2610, 2616

                  To reduce the square,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2621

Prompt formation of the square from a

column closed in mass   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  2623


 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

 

To form square from line of battle:

     Parallely to the line,     -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  No. 2630

     Perpendicularly to the line,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -2831

Squares disposed in echellons,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  2835

Oblique squares,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2642

To form a line of battalions in  columns
into oblique squares,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -2648

To form a column at full distance into
oblique squares,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2650

To reduce squares, and to re-form line,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  2651

The fire of oblique squares,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2656
   

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TABLE OF CONTENTS.

 

To form square from line of battle:

     Parallely to the line,     -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  No. 2630

     Perpendicularly to the line,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -2831

Squares disposed in echellons,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  2835

Oblique squares,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2642

To form a line of battalions in  columns
into oblique squares,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -2648

To form a column at full distance into
oblique squares,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2650

To reduce squares, and to re-form line,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  2651

The fire of oblique squares,   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2656