SCHOOL
OF THE GUIDES;
DESIGNED
FOR THE USE OF
the Militia of the United States
COL. EUGENE LE GAL,
55th REGIMENT, N. Y. S. M.
NEW YORK:
D. VAN NOSTRAND, 192 BROADWAY.
1862.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1859, by
EUGENE LE GAL,
in the Clerk's office of the District Court of the United
States, for the Southern District of New York.
Stereotyped by VINCENT DILL,
24 Bookman Street, New York.
PREFACE.
THE compiler offers the present work to his fellow soldiers of
the Militia, in the hope that it may be of service to the Sergeants in instructing
themselves in their particular duty as guides in battalion movements, without the labor of
searching through more voluminous works, where the details are combined with the other
parts of the military tactics.
He has endeavored to make it as plain and as concise as possible ; and
too much importance cannot be placed upon the Sergeants being thoroughly acquainted with
this special duty, as upon its correct execution depends, to a great extent, the precision
so necessary in battalion movements.
Should it be of any aid in maintaining the standard of our Militia to
the honorable position it now occupies among nations, he will be amply repaid for the
labor he has bestowed upon this work.
SCHOOL OF THE GUIDES.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION.
GENERAL RULES.
THERE will be in each battalion one color sergeant and two general
guides, (right general guide and left general guide;) there will also be one closing
sergeant (left guide of the left company), and one covering corporal.
The color sergeant will be in the centre of the battalion.
The right general guide will take post behind the right of the first or
right company and on the alignment of file closers, and the left one in the same manner on
the left of the eighth or left company.
The closing sergeant will be in the front rank, on the left of the last
company, and the covering corporal behind him, in the rear rank.
The color and general guides serve for the march of the battalion and
to take general alignments.
To open and close ranks.
1.— Prepare to open ranks.
2.— To the rear open order.
3.— MARCH.
4.— FRONT.
At the second command, the covering sergeants and covering corporal
step to the rear, taking the [4] distance of four paces opposite to their intervals, in
order to mark the alignment of the rear rank, The covering corporal will be careful to
invert his piece and elevate it perpendicularly before him, to indicate to the major the
direction which he has to give to the covering sergeants. At the third command, the rear
rank of the battalion will step to the rear and will be aligned by the covering sergeants;
the file closers two paces to the rear of the rear rank. The last file closer who is on
the left of the battalion will invert his piece in the same manner as the covering
corporal, to indicate to the lieutenant colonel the direction he will have to give to the
file closers. At the fourth command, the covering sergeants will take their place in the
front rank.
The closing of ranks will be in accordance with paragraph No. 476 of
Scott's Tactics.
Loadings and firings.
In all firings, the covering
sergeants will place themselves upon the alignment of file closers, opposite to their
intervals, and will retake their posts at the tap of the drum.
The file closers, during the loadings and firings, will remain at
shoulder or support arms, as the order may be given to them.
In all the firings, the color and its guard fall back, so that the
front rank shall be on a line with the rear rank of the battalion. The guard will always
carry the musket with bayonet fixed and in the right arm, and will reserve its fire for
the defense of the color. At the tap of the [5] drum, they will retake their place in line
of battle.
To execute the fire by the rear rank, the covering sergeants and
file closers will conform to what has been prescribed for them in paragraphs No. 512 and
513 of Scott's Tactics. The color sergeant will pass into the rear rank, and the closing
sergeant and covering corporal will change places.
In squares, the color sergeant alone retires upon the line of file
closers. The color guard will fire the same as the company of which it forms a part.
To break to the front to the right or left into
column.
Figure
No. 1.
1.— By company right wheel.
2.— Quick—MARCH.
At the first command, the covering sergeants replace their captains in
the front rank.
At the command march, the covering sergeants do not move; the left
guides as soon as they can pass, will place themselves on the left of the front rank, to
conduct the marching flank.
Each captain of company having given the command halt, the
covering sergeant will place himself on the right of the first man, the left [6] guide, at
the same time, will place himself opposite his captain, and will observe to leave space
enough between himself and the man on the right to contain the front of the company,
without occupying himself with the direction, which will only be taken when the column is
put in march.
When the battalion breaks to the left, the covering sergeant will
conduct the marching flank, and the left guide will place himself on the left of the
company the moment it halts.
Same principles to break by division.
To break to the rear by the right or left into
column.
Figure
No. 2.
1.—By the right of companies to the rear into column.
2.—Battalion — RIGHT FACE.
3.—Quick — MARCH.
At the first command, the covering sergeant will replace the captain in
the front rank.
At the second command, the covering sergeant will break to the
rear at the same time with the right files, and will place himself before the front rank
man of the first file, in order to conduct it.
At the command march, each covering sergeant [7] will conduct his
company correctly perpendicularly to the rear, and when each captain will have commanded
halt—front, the left guide will go and place the left elbow lightly against his
breast.
When the battalion breaks by the left of companies to the rear
into column, the covering sergeants will conform to what has been prescribed for the left
guides, and the left guides to what has been said for the covering sergeants.
To ploy the battalion into close column or mass.
Figure
No. 3.
1.—Close column by company.
2.—On first company right in front.
3.—Battalion—RIGHT FACE.
4.—Quick—MARCH.
Whenever a column shall be formed at half distance or closed in mass,
the file closers shall be at the distance of one pace from the rear rank.
At the second command, the covering sergeants will replace their
captains in the front rank.
At the third command, the right files of each company and the
covering sergeant will break to the rear, as has been before stated. [8]
At the command, march, the file closers will incline towards the
rear rank, so as to close to the distance of one pace from this rank. The left guide of
the first company will place himself upon its left as soon as the movement of the second
will permit him. As each company will have entered the column, and its captain will have
halted it, the left guide will place himself promptly on the direction, at five paces from
the guide who precedes him.
When the battalion is ployed in front of the first company, the
movement will be executed by the same principles; each captain having halted his company
in the column, the right guide will face to the rear, place himself at five paces from the
guide who precedes him, and will only face about, at the command of the chief of
battalion.
If the battalion be ployed in front or in rear of the eighth
company, the movement will be executed after the same principles, but by inverse means.
If the movement be made on an interior company, the guides of the
subordinate companies will face to the side of the direction, and will only face about at
the command of the chief of battalion.
March in column at full distance.
In the march in column, there are three ways of giving the direction to
the leading guide.
1.—There will be pointed out to him, two distinct and
prominent objects in front of him, on the line which he is to follow. This guide will
immediately face to it, and take for point of direction, [9] the object most distant, and
for intermediate one, the nearest to him.
2.—If the locality should offer but one distinct or prominent
object on the direction which the first guide is to follow, this guide will face to it as
soon as it shall have been pointed out to him, and will immediately select on the ground
an intermediate point.
3.—When no prominent or distinct object presents itself, the
lieutenant colonel, or adjutant, will throw himself forty paces in front and face to the
column. The chief of battalion will, by a sign with his sword, place him on the direction
which the first guide will have to follow. The lieutenant colonel being thus placed, the
guide will immediately face to him, take two points on the ground, conforming himself to
what is prescribed in paragraph No. 529, School of the Company.
Pending the march, the first guide can always assure himself that
he is in the right direction, when the point nearest to him masks the most distant.
In wheeling on the march, the guide who is on the pivot flank will
take the step of nine inches, being careful to describe a small circle so as to clear the
wheeling point. He will lengthen or shorten the step, only upon the command of the
captain.
When a column is formed at half distance or in mass, or marching
in route step, the guide who is on the pivot flank will take the step of fourteen inches,
instead of the one of nine inches [10] he will lengthen or shorten the step, only upon the
command of the captain.
In a column by platoon, there will be but one guide on the flank
of each. He will be on the left flank, if the right be in front, and on the right, if the
left be in front.
In a column by company, or by division, there will always be a
guide on each flank of the column ; they will be denominated right and left guides, and
one of them will always be entrusted with the direction.
The first duty of a guide is, to well fix in his mind the extent
of the front of the sub-division which he is to conduct, so as to correctly keep the
distance of platoon, company, or division, according to the formations which may take
place during the movements.
He must also well understand, that he is charged with conducting
his company, and not let himself be conducted by it, as frequently happens with
inexperienced guides. It cannot be too strongly impressed upon them, not to interfere
with their companies, but to strictly con form themselves to the movements of the pre
ceding guide; to follow in his traces; take his step; maintain the distance of company
between himself and this guide; pass through all the points through which he will pass,
without occupying himself with the general direction, which only concerns the leading
guide.
A guide should never alter the length or cadence of his step.
According to this principle, when, for example, a company which should have halted at
three paces behind the line of battle [11] has passed that line, if the guide has
correctly marched, the fault lies with the captain, who will not have given his commands
of caution or execution in time.
A guide is responsible for the distance, the direction, and the
step.
When a guide loses his distance, he must regain it gradually,
either by lengthening or shortening the step by one or two inches, so that there may be no
stop nor wavering on the march.
If a guide has neglected to march in the traces of the one who
precedes him, has sensibly thrown himself inside or outside of the direction, he will
remedy this fault by advancing more or less the right or the left shoulder, so as
gradually to regain the direction, thereby avoiding the inconvenience of the oblique step,
which occasions loss of distance.
When a column is halted, the guides must not move, even if they should
not have their distances, and should not be on the direction.
If, when in column of several companies, they are to break
successively into platoons, it is of the utmost importance that each guide should continue
to march the same step, neither making it shorter nor slower, whilst the company which
precedes him breaks, even if he be compelled to close entirely upon the latter. This
attention is indispensable, in order to prevent the prolongation of the column. [12]
The column arriving before or behind the line of
battle, or by one of its extremities, to prolong it on that line.
BEFORE.
Figure
No. 4.
BEHIND.
Figure
No. 5.
The general guide, at the head of the column, will direct himself on
the two points which will be indicated to him on the line of battle, without regulating
himself upon the march of the column. [13]
The color and the general guide who follow, will march abreast
with their respective companies, and will maintain themselves on the line by directing
themselves; the first, on the general guide at the head of the column, and the latter, on
the color and the general guide at the head of the column.
The guides of companies always march at four paces from the
general guides who are on the line of battle. The first guide will march abreast with the
right general guide; the following guides will march in the traces of the guide who
precedes, and will be careful to preserve the step and cadence without occupying
themselves with the general direction.
The column being halted, to march it a short
distance to the rear.
The chief of battalion causes it to face about, the file closers remain
in the front of the rear rank, and the guides will place themselves on the line of the
rear rank.
In a column by division, the covering sergeant in the centre of
the division will step into the line of file closers. [14]
Changes of direction.
Figure
No. 6.
Head of Column to the left (or to the right.)
The guide of each company will direct himself so as to graze the breast
of the marker; as soon as the first guide will have turned or wheeled, he will be careful
to direct himself immediately on the two points which will be indicated to him.
In the wheelings, the guide of each company will be careful not to
throw himself inside or outside of the arc of the circle which he is to describe, but to
pass through all its points.
When a company, marching at the quick step, has to turn or to form
itself into line, the soldiers will accelerate the pace to 130 steps to the minute. [15]
To rectify the direction of the guides of a
column, before forming it into line of battle.
THREE EXAMPLES :
1.—If the chief of battalion wishes to give a general direction,
he will place the first two guides on the direction which he may wish to give to the line
of battle, and will command,
Guides cover in file.
At this command, the following guides will place themselves lightly on
the direction of the two first, leaving, exactly, a distance of sub-division from one to
the other.
2.—If the chief of battalion does not judge it necessary to
give a general direction to the guides of the column, he will merely rectify the position
of those who may be too much in or out of the direction, by the command, guide of such
company to the right or to the left. At this command, the designated guides will place
themselves on the direction ; the others will stand fast. the flank of the column, the
chief of battalion having assured them on the direction, if they be not already there, he
will command.
3.—Finally, if the general guides march on the flank of the
column, the chief of battalion having assured them on the direction, if they be not
already there, he will command,
Guides on the line.
At this command, the guide placed on the directing flank of each
company, will promptly place himself on the direction of the general guides, facing
towards the head of the column. [16]
The lieutenant colonel and major will rapidly align them.
To close the column in mass on the head of the
column.
Figure
No. 7.
1.—Column close in mass.
2.—Quick—MARCH.
Each guide will march in the traces of the one who precedes him, and
afterwards place himself lightly at the distance of five paces from this guide, being
careful to fix his eyes on the lieutenant colonel, who will be at the head of the column,
so as to incline either to the right or to the left, on a signal from that officer, if it
be necessary.
A guide will always be certain that he is on the direction, if the
guide who is before him masks the preceding one; he will be careful to keep his head
direct to the front to place himself on the direction. [17]
To close the column in mass on the rear of the
column.
Figure
No. 8.
1.—On eighth company close in mass.
2.—Battalion—ABOUT FACE.
3.—Column forward.
4.—Guide right.
5.—Quick—MARCH.
Same observations as for the preceding movement.
The battalion having faced about, the guides will remain in the
front rank, now become the rear.
The guides will only face about at the command of the chief of
battalion.
General rules.
The guides must well impress themselves with the rule, that in all
movements, whether in column or in line of battle, they must always face to the side of
the direction to align themselves, and not turn their backs to the point on which they are
to align, as is often done by guides who are not acquainted with their duty. [18]
To take distance on the head of the column.
Figure
No. 9.
1.— On first company take wheeling distance.
2.— Battalion—ABOUT FACE.
3.— Column forward.
4.—Guide right.
5.—Quick—MARCH.
Before the commencement of the movement, the left general guide will
throw himself promptly to the rear, a little behind the point at which the rear of the
column will arrive, and will place himself correctly on the prolongation of the two
markers placed, one opposite the first company, and the other at wheeling distance behind
the first.
The battalion having faced about, the guides will remain in the
front rank now become the rear. The captain of the first company having aligned his
company and commanded front, the marker will retire, and will be re-placed by the left
guide.
The guide of the last company will direct him self a little inside
of the left general guide. The same directions will apply to the second company.
As each company halts, the guide will face to the front, and will
place himself promptly at the distance and on the direction. [19]
To take distance on the rear of the column.
Figure
No. 10.
1.—On eighth company take wheeling distance.
2.—Column forward.
3.—Guide left.
4.—Quick—MARCH.
Before the movement commences, two markers will be placed on the left,
after the same principles as to take distance on the head of the column, and the right
general guide will place himself beyond the point at which the head of the column will
arrive, as has been before said for the left general guide.
The guides will follow the principles previously prescribed, and
as each company halts, they will face to the rear, take their distance, place themselves
on the direction, and will face about only at the command of the chief of battalion. [20]
Change of direction of column closed in
mass—
From a halt.
Figure
No. 11.
1.—Change direction by the right flank.
2.—Battalion right face.
3.—Quick—MARCH.
At the command—march, the right guide of the first company will
direct himself from the first step, on a parallel line with the two markers placed
beforehand on the new direction.
The right guide of each of the following companies will conform
himself to the direction of the right guide of the company which precedes him in the
column, so as to enter on the new direction parallel with this company, and at three
paces, or about that distance, from its rear rank.
The left guides, as the companies are halted, will place
themselves on the direction and at the distance of five paces from the preceding guides.
Same principles for a change of direction by the left flank. [21]
On the march.
This movement is always executed on the principles of a wheel.
Figure
No. 12.
1.—Battalion right wheel.
2.—MARCH.
3.—Forward.
4.—MARCH.
At the second command, the movement commences ; the first division will
wheel, as if it were part of the column, at half distance; the guide who conducts the
marching flank will be careful not to throw himself inside of the arc of the circle which
he is to describe. As soon as this division commences to wheel, the others will [22]
conform themselves to the movements. For this purpose, the left guide of each, throwing
forward a little the left shoulder, and lengthening a little the step, will incline to the
left by obliquing, and will observe to gain, at the same time, ground enough forward, so
that there shall be constantly between his division and the one which precedes it, the
distance of three paces; and, as soon as he covers the guide of that division, he will
cease obliquing, and will march exactly in his traces.
Each right guide will maintain, between his division and the one
which precedes it, the same distance as the wheeling flank.
At the fourth command, the divisions having to take the direct
march, if a guide should not cover exactly the one who precedes him, he will do so, little
by little, by throwing forward the left shoulder.
Same principles for changing direction to the left.
The counter-march.
Whether the right or left be in front, and either at full or half
distance, or in mass, the two guides will face about when their companies face to the
right or to the left, and will retake their places as soon as each chief of company, after
having conducted and aligned it, will have commanded front. [23]
In column by sub-division closed in mass at a
halt, to form divisions.
Figure
No. 13.
1.—Form divisions.
2.—Left companies left face.
3.—Quick—MARCH.
4.—Guides—POSTS.
At the second command, the right and left guides of the right, (or odd
numbered companies), will place themselves before the file which is next to them, facing
to the right, and will touch lightly with the right arm, the breast of the first rank man
of that file, in order to mark the direction.
At the command—march, the even numbered companies will be
conducted by their left guides.
The chiefs of even numbered companies having halted their
companies and faced them to the front, each left guide will throw himself promptly
forward, face to the right, and place himself correctly upon the direction of the guides
of the odd numbered companies, and so as to be opposite to one of the last three files of
his company.
At the fourth command, the guides who have marked the front of
divisions, re-take smartly, [24] their place in column, the left guide of the odd numbered
company passing through the interval which separates the two companies.
Being at full or at half distance.
The divisions will be formed in the same manner, but the chiefs of the
even numbered companies having halted them and commanded front, march them forward to
align them on the odd numbered companies, halt them anew, slightly in rear of the rear
rank of the odd numbered companies, and it is then, that the left guides place themselves
on the line in order to mark.
With the left in front, the divisions will be formed on the same
principles, applying to the even numbered companies what has been prescribed for the odd,
but the guides will face to the left.
Left into line wheel.
1.—Left into line wheel.
2.—Quick—MARCH
3.— Guides—POSTS.
At the first command, the right guide of the first company will place
himself promptly on the direction of the left guides of the column, face to them, and so
as to be opposite to one of the three right files of his company in line of battle.
At the second command, the left guides will not stir.
At the third command, the guides re-take their places in line of
battle, passing through the interval of the chief of company nearest them, [25] and in
order to allow them to pass, each chief of company will place himself before the first
file of his company, and the covering sergeant behind that same file. This rule is general
for all formations in line of battle.
With the column left in front, the left guide of the eighth
company will place himself, at the first command, on the direction of the right guides,
and the right guides will follow what has been prescribed for the left guides.
In all formations in line of battle, the file closers will place
themselves exactly at two paces in rear of the rear rank.
If the column be formed by divisions, the same means will be
employed, but observing what follows :
If the right be in front, at the command halt, given by each chief
of division, the left guide of each odd company will place himself on the line opposite to
one of the three left files of his company, and will align himself correctly on the
division guides, who, for this purpose, will invert their pieces and hold them
perpendicularly in front of their bodies at the command, left into line wheel.
If the column be left in front, the right guides of the even
numbered companies will conform themselves to what has been prescribed for the left guides
of the odd numbered companies, and will place themselves opposite to one of the three
right files of their company. [26]
SUCCESSIVE FORMATIONS.
Column at full distance on the right into line.
Figure
No. 14.
1.—On the right into line.
2.—Guide right.
3.—Guides—POSTS.
The right guide of the first company will march straight before him to
the point at which his company will turn to the right, and each guide will march in the
traces of the one who precedes him.
The first company having turned to the right, the right guide will
direct himself so that the man who is next to him will arrive opposite to the marker, who
is on the right; the company having been halted, the left guide will retire on the line of
file closers. Each right guide of the following companies, after having turned to [27]
march on the line of battle, will direct himself so as to arrive next to the man on the
left of the company which precedes him, and as each will be successively halted, each left
guide will place himself before one of the three left files of his company, facing to the
right, and aligning himself correctly on the direction.
Same principles for forming on the left into line.
When, to execute the above formation, the battalion, instead of
being at full distance or at half distance, will be closed in mass, the guides will take
the greatest care not to shorten the step in turning, in order to avoid arresting the
march of the column.
When, in executing successive formations, the chief of battalion
wishes to commence firing, (the firings are always by file), the duty of the guides is as
follows:
I suppose the execution of the above movement.
At the command, fire by file, of the chief of the first company,
the marker, placed before the right of the first company will retire, and the other will
fall back opposite to the right man of the second company; the chief of the second will,
in his turn, commence firing. When the chief of the third will have commanded front, the
marker, placed before the right file of the second company will retire at the command,
front, and the left guide will fall back, opposite to the right man of the third company,
and so on, for the following : [28]
Column at full distance forward into line.
Figure
No. 15.
1.—Forward into line.
2.—By company left-half wheel.
3.—Quick—MARCH.
4.—Forward.
5.—MARCH.
6.—Guide right.
7.—Guides—POSTS. [29]
At the sixth command, the right guide of the second company, who is
nearest the line of battle, will direct himself straight forward; the one of each of the
other companies will follow the file which will find itself before him, when the company
which precedes his has ceased to wheel.
The second company having been halted at the distance of three
paces from the line of battle, the left guide will place himself on the line, so as to be
opposite to one of the three left files of his company.
At the moment the guide of the second company turns to the right,
the guide of the third, ceasing to follow the file which is before him, will march
straight forward till the chief of his company turns it to the right; the left guide will
execute what has been said for the one of the second.
The guides of each of the other companies will execute what has
been prescribed for those of the third.
The guide of each company must be careful to turn, so as to arrive
squarely upon the line of battle.
If, during the execution of the movement, a company should meet an
obstacle, its chief will cause it to march by the flank, and the guide will continue to
follow the file behind which he finds himself, maintaining himself exactly at the same
distance from the company which precedes his.
Same principles for left in front. [30]
Column at full distance into line faced to the
rear.
Figure
No. 16.
1.—Into line faced to the rear.
2.—Battalion right face.
3.—Quick—MARCH.
4.—Guides—POSTS.
At the command march, the companies will put themselves in march : the
left guide of the second company will promptly detatch himself to mark the line of battle;
he will place himself as [31] has been prescribed for successive formations, and thus
indicates to his chief of company the point at which he is to cross the line of battle.
The left guides of the following companies will detatch
themselves, in time to precede their companies by twelve or fifteen paces on the line;
they will place themselves, so as to be opposite to one of the three left files of their
company, in line of battle.
Deployment of column closed in mass.
Every time that a company has to form itself on the line of battle, the
guide who has to mark, is always the one who is the farthest from the point of direction;
that is to say, the one who will find himself on the opposite side from the one on which
the chief of the company places himself to align it. If the guides understand this
principle well, they will never be embarrassed, whether the battalion manoeuvers in direct
order, by inverse, or by the rear rank; while often, for example, the right guides come
out on the line when it should be the one of the left, and it sometimes happens, that from
the uncertainty they feel themselves in, neither comes out to mark, and that the
lieutenant colonel or major is obliged to call them out. When a guide has to place himself
before his company to mark the direction, he will take the greatest care to place himself,
so as to be opposite to one of its three exterior files. [32]
Figure
No. 17.
1.—On first division deploy column.
2.—Battalion left face.
3.—Quick—MARCH.
4.—Guides—POSTS.
The two markers being placed before the first division, the left
general guide will throw himself on the line of battle, a little beyond the point at which
the left of the battalion will rest when deployed, and will place himself correctly on the
prolongation of the markers established before the first division.
At the third command, the left guide of the second division will
direct himself on a parallel line with the line of battle; those of the third and fourth
divisions will march on a line with him; each will preserve the distance of five paces
between himself and the guide of the division which precedes his in column.
The second division having been halted, the two left guides of the
companies forming the division, will place themselves on the line and on the direction of
the markers. The right guides of the third and fourth divisions, in conducting their
divisions on the line, will be careful to direct them so as to arrive next to the man on
the left of the division which precedes them. The two left guides of companies of each
division, will [33] place themselves on the line at the moment each division will have
been halted anew, at three paces from the line of battle.
Same principles for deployment on the fourth division. In this
case, it is the right general guide who detaches himself, to mark the line of battle, and
the guide of the first division will direct himself three paces inside of this general
guide. If the movement takes place on an interior division, both general guides will
detatch themselves.
Advance in line of battle.
Figure
No. 18.
1.—Battalion forward.
2.—MARCH.
At the first command, the front rank of the color will step forward six
paces, and be re-placed by the second rank. The color sergeant will take two points on the
ground, on a line between himself and the lieutenant colonel, in advance.
The two general guides will place themselves on a line with the
color; the right one in front of the chief of the first company, the left one in front of
the closing sergeant. [34]
The covering sergeant of the fifth company will step into the
front rank in the place of his chief of company, and the closing sergeant will step into
the rear rank; the covering corporal on the line of file closers.
At the second command, the battalion will put itself in march.
The color sergeant entrusted with the step and the direction, will
scrupulously observe the length and cadence of the step, will march on the prolongation of
the two points which he will have taken on the ground between himself and the lieutenant
colonel, and will successively take others, as has been prescribed in the School of the
Company, No. 531. The corporal on his right and left will march in the same step, keeping
the head and shoulders square to the front.
The two general guides will march in the same step with the color
sergeant, and will keep themselves, as nearly as possible, on a line with him, paying no
attention to one another. Their object is, to indicate to the wings the step of the centre
of the battalion, and to facilitate the establishment of the wings on the direction of the
centre, should they bo too far in the rear.
The three corporals of the second rank of the color guard, placed
in the centre of the battalion, will march, well aligned, elbow to elbow, the head to the
front, and without deranging the line of their shoulders. The one who is in the centre
will march exactly in the traces of the color sergeant, and will maintain the same step,
without either lengthening or shortening it, except upon the notice of the chief of the
battalion or [35] of the lieutenant colonel, even if he should find himself at more or
less than six paces from the color rank.
These three corporals, with the chiefs of the fourth and fifth
companies, will form the basis of alignment of the battalion.
The covering sergeant of the fifth company will march, elbow to
elbow, and on the same line with the three corporals of the centre ; he will keep his head
direct to the front.
Point of direction to the right (or to the left.)
At this command, the major will throw himself thirty or forty paces in
advance, and will place himself on the direction indicated by the chief of the battalion;
the corporal in the centre of the battalion, will direct himself upon the major, upon
notice from the chief of the battalion, by throwing forward the opposite shoulder, the
corporals on his right and on his left will conform themselves to his direction.
The color sergeant will also direct himself towards the major, by
throwing forward the opposite shoulder; the major will cause him to incline to the right
or to the left, until he covers the corporal of his file; the color sergeant will then
take two points upon the ground in the new direction.
The two general guides will conform themselves to the new
direction of the color sergeant.
1.—Right (or left) oblique.
2.—MARCH.
The color sergeant and the corporal in the centre, [36] must oblique by
an equal movement, and maintain their shoulders square to the front; the color sergeant
will oblique neither more nor less than the corporal; the major will attend to this. When
the direct march is re-taken, the color sergeant will immediately take two points on the
ground between him and the major, who will have thrown himself thirty paces in advance.
Halting the battalion, marching in line of
battle, and aligning it.
Figure
No. 19.
1.—Battalion.
2.—HALT.
The battalion being halted, if the chief of battalion wishes to give it
a general alignment, he will place himself a few paces outside of the general guide of
either wing, (the right is supposed.) the right general guide and the color will face to
him, and he will promptly establish them on the direction which he may wish to give to the
battalion ; this done, the left general guide will place himself on the direction, and the
major will assure him in his position. [37]
The two corporals of the color guard will return to their places
in line of battle.
These dispositions being made, the chief of battalion will
command—
1.—Guides on the line.
2.—On the centre dress.
3.—Color and guides—POSTS.
At the first command, the right guide of each of the companies of the
right wing, and the left guide of each of the companies of the left wing, will place
themselves on the direction of the color, and the two general guides; face to the color,
and each place himself in rear of the guide who is immediately before him, at a distance
equal to the front of his company; they will align themselves on the color, and the
general guide in front of them.
The battalion being aligned, the color and guides will re-take
their places in line of battle. The general guides, in placing themselves upon the line,
will be careful to go a little outside of the wings of the battalion. [38]
Change of direction in marching in line of
battle.
Figure
No. 20.
1.—Change direction to the right.
2.—MARCH.
The color rank will take the step of fourteen inches, and will direct
itself circularly to the right, observing to advance, insensibly, the left shoulder, and
will describe an arc of the circle, neither too large nor too small.
The right general guide will merely pivot; the left general guide
will march, circularly, the step of twenty-eight inches, and will align himself on the
color and the right general guide.
The corporal in the centre of the battalion, will take the step of
fourteen inches and will [39] wheel to the right, by gradually advancing the left
shoulder.
1.—Forward.
2.—MARCH.
The battalion will re-take the direct march. The major, having thrown
himself thirty or forty paces in advance, on the perpendicular line which the corporal in
centre of the battalion will have to follow, will place the color sergeant opposite that
file; the color sergeant will, immediately, take two points on the ground between himself
and the major.
To march the battalion in retreat.
The battalion being halted, if the chief of battalion wishes to march
it in retreat, he will command—
1.—Face to the rear.
2.—Battalion—ABOUT FACE.
At the second command, the color guard and the general guides, if they
are before the front, will re-take their places in line of battle; the color sergeant will
step into the rear rank, now become the front.
3.—Battalion forward.
4.—MARCH.
At the third command, the color sergeant and the two corporals of the
rear rank of his guard, will step eight paces to the front, and will be re-placed by the
front rank of that guard; the two general guides will step out on a line with [40] the
rank of the color guard, the covering sergeants on the line of file closers. The three
file closers nearest the centre of the battalion, will unite behind the rank of the color
guard, so as to serve as a basis of alignment for the rank of file closers.
The battalion will march in retreat by the same principles as by
the front rank. The file closer, who finds himself behind the color sergeant, will follow
exactly in his traces.
If it be a battalion of direction, the color sergeant will direct
himself upon the markers. If it be a subordinate battalion, he will maintain himself on
the perpendicular line, by means of the points which he will select upon the ground.
1.—Battalion.
2.—HALT.
3.—Face to the front.
4.—Battalion—ABOUT FACE.
At the fourth command, the color rank, the general guides, and the
covering sergeants will re-take their places in line of battle ; the color sergeant will
step into the front rank.
Change of direction in marching in retreat.
A battalion, marching in line of battle, in retreat, will change
direction by the means indicated. When marching by the rear rank, the three file closers,
united in the centre of the battalion, will conform themselves to the movement of the
color rank, and will wheel the same as this rank; the file closer, who finds himself in
the centre, will take the step of fourteen inches and [41] will always maintain himself at
the same distance from the color sergeant.
The rank of file closers, will conform itself to the movement of
the centre.
Passage of obstacle—advancing and
retreating.
The companies ploy to the rear into column, at full distance.
Figure
No. 21.
1.—Third company obstacle.
The company will face to the left in marching, at the command of its
chief; the two files on the left, will break promptly to the rear, and the company will
accelerate the step; the left guide will place himself at the head of the front rank, to
conduct it, and direct himself parallely with the company behind which he is to form in
column. The company will face to the right in marching, taking the guide on the right.
This guide will accelerate the step, until the command, to the step, given by his chief of
company, he will then take the step of the battalion, and will march in the traces of the
chief of company, behind which he finds himself. [42]
As soon as the third company will have faced to the left, the left
guide of the second will place himself on the left of the front rank of his company, and
will maintain between it and the right of the fourth, the necessary interval for the
return of the third into line.
Figure
No. 22.
2. — Third company—FORWARD INTO LINE.
The company will form itself into line, by the principles for the
formation of forward into line.
Same principles and inverse means, for executing the passage of an
obstacle, before a company of the left wing.
If the passage of an obstacle, before several companies at one
time has to be executed, (for example: the three companies of the right or the three
companies of the left,) the guides, with the exception of the one nearest to the
battalion, in marching by the flank, will be careful to incline towards the battalion.
[43]
Same principles for executing the passage of an obstacle in
marching in retreat, as in marching by the front rank.
When the company, of which the color rank forms a part, has to
execute the passage of an obstacle, the color rank will return to its company the moment
it faces to the right or to the left, and as soon as it returns in line, the color rank
will promptly throw itself six paces in front of the battalion, and will take the step
from the major, who will immediately throw himself twenty-
five or thirty paces before the color sergeant, establish himself on the perpendicular,
and the color sergeant will immediately take two points on the ground between himself and
the major.
It has been prescribed, as a general rule, that the companies of
the right wing must execute the passage of an obstacle, by the left flank, and those of
the left wing, by the right flank; but, if the obstacle covers, at the same time, several
companies of the centre, each one of those companies will ploy behind the company to which
it will be nearest in the wing to which it belongs. [44]
To pass a defile in retreat by the right or left
flank.
Figure
No. 23 [45]
1.— To the rear by the right flank, pass the defile.
The chief of the first company having commenced the movement, the right
guide, after having passed the line of file closers by four paces, and having again turned
to the right, will direct himself towards the left of the battalion, and when the chief of
company will form it by platoon into line, this guide, who is at the head of the column,
will direct himself towards the marker, who will have been placed at fifteen or twenty
paces from the file closers, at the point where the companies will have to change
direction to enter the defile.
The other companies follow the movement, so as to be at the proper
distance in marching by the flank, until the formation by platoons; but without, however,
being constrained to maintain the step of the company which precedes it. If the defile be
too narrow to pass by platoons, it will be traversed by the flank; the file closers will
watch that the files close up in marching. Same principles and inverse means for passing a
defile by the left flank.
Marching by the flank.
In this march, the sergeant who is at the head of the battalion, will
take points on the ground to insure the direction, and will be careful to preserve the
length and cadence of the step.
In the march by the right flank, the sergeant who closes the left
of the battalion will place [46] himself as a chief of company ; the covering corporal
behind him as a covering sergeant.
In the march by the left flank, the sergeant who closes the left
of the battalion will place himself as a covering sergeant, and the corporal who is behind
him will pass into the line of file closers. The covering sergeant of the first company
will place himself on the right of the front rank man of the first file.
The file closers will watch that the files neither close nor open
their distance, and that they only insensibly regain it, should they have lost it.
To form the battalion in the right or left by
file into line of battle.
The right or left guide of each company, (according to the formation,)
except the one of the company who finds himself at the head, will place himself on the
direction of the markers, opposite the first or last file, the moment that file arrives on
the line. [47]
Change of front.
Figure
No. 24.
1.—Change front, forward on first company.
2.—By company, right-half wheel.
3.—Quick—MARCH.
4.—Forward.
5.—MARCH.
6.—Guide right.
7.—Guides—POSTS.
At the third command, the left guides will [48] place themselves on the
left of their companies the instant they can pass.
At the fifth command, the right guide of the second company will
march straight before him, till the moment his company will have to turn to the right; the
right guide of each of the other companies will follow the file, which at the moment the
wheeling ceases, he will find before him in the company which precedes his, and will march
in the traces of that file, until the company of which it forms a part turns to the right
to march towards the line. place themselves on the left of their companies the instant
they can pass.
Each right guide in turning towards the line, will direct himself
so as to arrive squarely thereon.
Each company will be halted at three paces from the line of
battle, and at the same instant the left guide will place himself upon the line.
Same principles for changing front to the rear; the guides cross
the line of battle so that the front rank will have passed by three paces. Same principles
and inverse means for changing front on eighth or last company. [49]
Double column at half distance.
Figure
No. 25.
1.—Double column at half distance.
2.—Battalion—INWARD FACE.
3.—Quick—MARCH.
The three companies of the right will be conducted to take their places
in column by the left guides, and the three left companies by the right guides.
The left guide of the fifth company will place himself in the
front rank, on the left of the division, as soon as he can pass.
Each company having entered the column and faced to the front,
each left guide of the right companies will pass into the line of file closers.
The right guides will be careful to place themselves correctly on
the direction, and to take their distances, before the chief of division will have
commanded, right dress.
The double column will habitually take the guide on the right, but
it may take it on the left [50] or on the centre; the divisions will take the
denominations of first, second, third, and fourth divisions, according to the position
which they occupy in column.
Deployment of the double column faced to the
front.
This deployment will be executed by the principles prescribed for the
deployment of column in mass.
When the double column will be formed into line of battle, faced
to the right or to the left, the duties of the guides are the same as in the movements,
right or left into line, wheel, and on the right or on the left into line.
Disposition against cavalry.
Figure
No. 26.
1.—To form square.
2.— To half distance close column.
3.—Quick—MARCH.
At the moment the last division will halt, the [51] file closers of
this division, passing by the outer flank of their companies, will throw themselves
rapidly in front of the front rank, and face towards the head of the column.
Figure
No. 27.
1.—Form square.
2.—Right and left into line—WHEEL.
3.—Quick—MARCH.
4.—Guides—POSTS.
At the first command, the lieutenant colonel, facing to the left
guides, and the major, facing to those of the right, will align them upon the guides of
the fourth division, who will stand fast, holding up their pieces inverted,
perpendicularly in front of their bodies; the right guides, in placing themselves on the
direction, will take their exact distances.
At the second command, the color sergeant will step back into the
line of file closers, opposite to his place in line of battle, and will be replaced by the
corporal of his file who is in the rear rank. [52]
At the third command, the square will be formed; the fourth
division having closed up, its chief will face it about: the chief of company who is in
the interval, will change places with the covering sergeant; the file closers will at the
same moment, close up a pace.
At the fourth command, the guides will enter the square ; in the
companies which have formed to the right into line of battle, the left guides will place
themselves behind their chief of companies, and the covering sergeants will place
themselves as file closers of their companies.
Figure
No. 28.
1.—Form column.
2.—Quick—MARCH.
The file closers of the last division will remain before the front
rank.
When a column, disposed for the formation of the square will be on
the march, it will change direction the same as a column at half distance, but only by
wheelings.
During the march, the right guides will preserve, exactly, company
distance, the same as the left guides. [53]
1.— To march in retreat.
2.—Face by the rear rank.
3.—Battalion—ABOUT FACE.
At the second command, the file closers of the interior divisions will
throw themselves, passing by the outer flank of their respective companies, behind the
front rank, opposite to their places in line of battle. Those of the other divisions will
stand fast.
At the third command, the guides will step into the rear rank, now
become the front. When the column will be faced by the front rank, the guides and file
closers will conform to the principles prescribed above.
To reduce square.
1.—Reduce square.
2.—Quick—MARCH.
This movement will be executed in the manner indicated for the
formation of column; but the file closers of the last division will throw themselves
behind the rear rank at the moment it will face about; the color sergeant will re-take his
place in column.
Remarks.
If the column, instead of being at full distance, as has been supposed,
be at half distance at the command of form square, the file closers of the last division
will throw themselves before the [54] front rank. The left and right guides will be
aligned on those of the last division, as has been said. At the command, right and left
into line, wheel, the color sergeant -will step back into the line of file closers, and
will be re-placed by the corporal of his file who is in the rear rank. At the command of
quick—march, the formation will be executed after the prescribed principles.
When a column having to form square, will not have time to form
divisions, it will be formed by the commands and means previously indicated; the first and
last companies will conform to what has been prescribed for the first and fourth divisions
; the other companies will form by platoons, to the right and left, into line of battle.
A battalion being in line of battle when it is desired to form
square, whether the column is formed in simple or double column, the dispositions
particular to the formation of squares will be executed. The division which has to take
post in the rear of the column, will take distance of column closed in mass, and as soon
as it will be halted, the file closers of this division will throw themselves before the
front rank.
The rally.
The battalion being dispersed, when the chief of battalion wishes to
rally it, he will cause the drums to beat to the color, and will place at the same time,
the color sergeant and two markers on the direction which he wants to give to the
battalion. [55]
The color company will be promptly aligned against the markers;
each of the other companies will be rallied about six paces in rear of the post which it
will have to occupy in line of battle ; it will afterwards be brought upon the alignment
of the color company and established thereon, according to prescribed principles.
If the battalion has to be rallied in column, the chief of the
battalion will cause the drums to beat the assembly: two markers will be posted before the
position to be occupied by the first company; the chief of this company will rally it
behind the markers, and the chief of each of the other companies will rally it at platoon
distance, in rear of the one which has to precede it in order of column.
Rules for maneuvering by the rear rank.
The battalion being by the front rank, when the chief of battalion
wishes to face it by the rear rank, he will command,
1.—Face by the rear rank.
2.—Battalion.
3.—ABOUT FACE.
If the battalion be deployed, this movement will be executed as has
been indicated for the firings by the rear rank.
If the battalion be in column by companies or by platoon, the
chiefs of companies, to take their new places in column, will pass by the left flank [56]
of their companies, and the file closers by the right flank. The guides will place
themselves in the rear rank, become the front.
If the column be formed by divisions, the chiefs of divisions will
pass through the intervals which are in the centre of their respective divisions, and the
file closers by the outer flank of their respective companies; the junior captain will
step into the rear rank, become the front, and his covering sergeant will step behind him
in the front rank, become the rear.
The companies and divisions will preserve the same denominations
as by the front rank. The column will be faced to the front, by the means prescribed
above.
If the column be formed by companies or by platoons, the chiefs of
companies, to take their new places in column, will pass by the left of companies, become
the right; and the file closers by the right, become the left. [57]
INSTRUCTION FOR SKIRMISHERS.
To deploy forward.
THE first, second and third sergeants follow the movement; they will be
placed on the right, on the left, and in the centre of the company; one of them will be
charged with the direction.
The line being formed, these three non-commissioned officers will
throw themselves ten paces behind the first two files of the right and left, respectively,
and opposite to the centre of the line.
The reserve will be commanded by the third lieutenant, who will
have with him the fourth and fifth sergeants. The third. lieutenant will place himself two
paces in front of it, the fourth sergeant on the left flank, and the fifth sergeant as
file closer.
If no reserve be formed, the third lieutenant, fourth and fifth
sergeants will take their place in line of battle, abreast with the first, second, and
third sergeants.
To deploy by the right or left flank.
The first three sergeants will place themselves as has been directed
for the deployment forward; one of them will be charged with the direction. [58]
If the deployment takes place on the centre, the two sergeants,
who are on the right and on the left of the company, will be charged with the direction.
The right guide will place himself hy the side of ths right file to conduct it, and the
left guide by the side of the left file.
To march forward and in retreat.
The commands of the captain will be repeated with the greatest rapidity
by the lieutenants, and if necessary, by the non-commissioned officers. This rule is
general, whether the company marches by the front or by the flank.
The three sergeants will throw themselves on the line : the first
on the right, the second on the left, and the third in the centre. They will retake their
places in line of battle, as soon as the line will be halted.
The non-commissioned officers will scrupulously observe that order
is maintained.
To march by the flank.
The right or the left guide, will place himself by the side of the man
on the right or on the left, to conduct the line.
The rally and the assembly.
The rally is made in a run; the assembly in quick time. [59]
The rally.
The third lieutenant will begin the formation of the reserve, by
throwing back a little the two flanks of the reserve.
The non-commissioned officers will direct the execution of the
movement, and then place themselves within the circle.
When there will not be time to rally on the reserve, the rally
will be made by platoon on the ground the most advantageous, behind the line of
skirmishers.
When the rally is made on the battalion, each platoon and the
reserve will unmask the battalion by directing themselves, in a run, towards the nearest
flank, and then form in its rear.
To reduce the circle.
The sergeants will pass out; the third lieutenant will align the
reserve; the platoons will form on its right and left.
The assembly.
The reserve will be formed in the order in which it was before the
deployment; the skirmishers will assemble upon it, and each will resume his place in his
rank.
Remarks.
In a battalion deployed as skirmishers, each company will have its
reserve; the rally will be [60] made upon the same principles as for an isolated company;
but, instead of forming in circle, they will form square by two ranks, and by echelon at
thirty paces; the reserve will form the first front, the skirmishers who arrive first will
form the lateral front, and the others the fourth front; the non-commissioned officers
will direct the movement.
When several companies are deployed at one time, each company will
deploy on the principles prescribed for an isolated company, and will align itself on the
ones already deployed.
FINIS.
LIEUTENANT COLONEL, ... X
MAJOR, A
GENERAL GUIDE, $
GUIDE, O
POINTS ON THE GROUND, - - - o
MARKERS, - . - - - ?
SCHOOL OF THE GUIDES.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION.
GENERAL RULES.
To open and close ranks.
Loadings and firings.
To break to the front to the right or left into column.
Figure
No. 1.
To break to the rear by the right or left into column.
Figure
No. 2.
To ploy the battalion into close column or mass.
Figure
No. 3.
March in column at full distance.
The column arriving before or behind the line of battle, or by one of its extremities, to
prolong it on that line.
Figure
No. 4.
BEHIND.
Figure
No. 5.
The column being halted, to march it a short distance to the rear.
Changes of direction.
Figure
No. 6.
Head of Column to the left (or to the right.)
To rectify the direction of the guides of a column, before forming it into line of battle.
To close the column in mass on the head of the column.
Figure
No. 7.
To close the column in mass on the rear of the column.
Figure
No. 8.
General rules.
To take distance on the head of the column.
Figure
No. 9.
To take distance on the rear of the column.
Figure
No. 10.
Change of direction of column closed in mass—
From a halt.
Figure
No. 11.
On the march.
Figure
No. 12.
The counter-march.
In column by sub-division closed in mass at a halt, to form divisions.
Figure
No. 13.
Being at full or at half distance.
Left into line wheel.
SUCCESSIVE FORMATIONS.
Column at full distance on the right into line.
Figure
No. 14.
Column at full distance forward into line.
Figure
No. 15.
Column at full distance into line faced to the rear.
Figure
No. 16.
Deployment of column closed in mass.
Figure
No. 17.
Advance in line of battle.
Figure
No. 18.
Point of direction to the right (or to the left.)
Halting the battalion, marching in line of battle, and aligning it.
Figure
No. 19.
Change of direction in marching in line of battle.
Figure
No. 20.
To march the battalion in retreat.
Change of direction in marching in retreat.
Passage of obstacle—advancing and retreating.
The companies ploy to the rear into column, at full distance.
Figure
No. 21.
Figure
No. 22.
To pass a defile in retreat by the right or left flank
Figure
No. 23.
Marching by the flank.
To form the battalion in the right or left by file into line of battle.
Change of front.
Figure
No. 24.
Double column at half distance.
Figure
No. 25.
Deployment of the double column faced to the front.
Disposition against cavalry.
Figure
No. 26.
Figure
No. 27.
Figure
No. 28.
To reduce square.
Remarks.
The rally.
Rules for maneuvering by the rear rank.
INSTRUCTION FOR SKIRMISHERS.
To deploy forward.
To deploy by the right or left flank.
To march forward and in retreat.
To march by the flank.
The rally and the assembly.
The rally.
To reduce the circle.
The assembly.
Remarks.
FINIS.
SIGNS
USED IN THIS BOOKLET