EVOLUTIONS OF THE BATTALION.
MOVEMENTS OF THE BATTALION FROM LINE.
S. 14. 1. The Battalion halted, and correctly dressed, is to advance in Line.
| Commander’s Words of command. | Executive Words of command, Directions, &c. |
| The Battalion will advance—March (or Quick march)—Halt. |
2. When the Battalion is to retire.
| The Battalion will retire—Right about face—Quick March. |
3. While advancing in Line, the Battalion may form to either flank by the Divisions wheeling to the Bight (or Left) on the Moveable pivot, and forming on the flank Company (which will be halted in the direction of the new front) by the Echellon march of divisions.
S. 15. When a Battalion advancing in Line is to charge.
| Prepare to charge—Charge—Halt. |
S. 16. When a Battalion moving in Line passes a wood, &c., to Front or Rear, by the flank march of Companies in file.
1. If to pass to the Front.
| From the right (or left) of Companies pass by files to the front. Companies, right (or left) turn—Right (or left) wheel. |
2. If to pass to the Rear.*
| From the proper right (or left) of Companies pass by files to the rear—left (or right) turn—Right (or left) wheel—Halt—Front. | * The Battalion in Line having arrived at the point where it must break. Companies may also pass to the front or rear by Sections of Threes. |
3. If a Battalion in first Line passes through a second, which advances and relieves it.
| Pass by files to the rear—Right face—Right wheel—Quick march—Halt—Front. | The relieving Battalion marches up within twelve Paces of the front Line, the Companies of which proceed to the rear through the second Line. |
4. When the second Line does not advance to relieve the first.
| Pass by files to the rear—Left turn—Right wheel. | The first Line retires, and when within twelve paces passes through the second. |
S. 17. When the Battalion advances, or retires, by half Battalion, and fires.
1. If the Battalion is in march, and advancing.
| The Battalion will advance by wings. (2nd Major) Left wing, halt—March (or quick march). (Senior Major)* Right wing, halt—Ready—Present—Load—March (or quick march). (2nd Major) Left wing, halt—Ready, &c. | * After having advanced 15 paces. |
2. If the Battalion is in march, and retiring.
| The Battalion will retire by wings. (Senior Major) Right wing, halt—Front. (2nd Major)* Left wing, halt—Front. (Senior Major) Right wing, ready—Present—Load—Right about face—March (or quick march). (2nd Major) Left wing, halt—Front. †Left wing, ready—Present—Load, &c. | * After retiring 15 paces. † When Right wing has retired 15 paces. |
S. 18. A Battalion in Line to move to attack, or pass a bridge, &c., to the front, from either flank, or from the centre.
1. If from a Flank, by Companies, or Sub-divisions.
| Right (or left) Division to the front.—Remaining Divisions, right (or left) shoulders forward—Quick march—Forward. | Rear Divisions successively—Right (or left) shoulders forward—Forward. |
2. When the Column arrives near the point where the Line is to re-form.
| Form line on the first Division—Remaining Divisions, right (or left) shoulders forward—Forward. | Leading Division, Halt, Dress up. Remaining Divisions successively—Right (or left) shoulders forward—Forward.—Halt—Dress up—Eyes front. |
3. If the advance is from the Centre.
| Two centre Sub-divisions to the front. Remaining Sub-divisions, right and left shoulders forward—Quick March—Forward. | Right wing Sub-divisions first throw Right shoulders, and afterwards Left shoulders forward. Left wing Sub-divisions first throw Left shoulders, and afterwards Right shoulders forward, Sub-divisions successively—Forward. |
4. When the Double column arrives near the point where the Line is to be formed.
| Form line on two centre Sub-divisions.—Remaining Sub-divisions, right and left shoulders forward—Forward. | Remaining Sub-divisions successively—Right (or left) shoulders forward—Forward—Halt—Dress up—Eyes front. |
5. To form Line to the right, from the Double column.
| Form line to the right—Right wing left shoulders forward. | Right wing Sub-divisions—Halt, Dress. Left wing Sub-divisions successively—Left shoulders forward—Forward—Halt, Dress up—Eyes front. |
S. 19. A Battalion in Line to retire over a bridge, or defile, or retreat from a Flank or Flanks, in rear of the Centre.
1. If from a flank.
| Retire by Companies (or Sub-divisions) from the left (or right) in rear of the right (or left). | Left (or Right) Company—Company (or Sub-division)—Right about face—Quick march—Right (or Left) shoulders forward—Forward.
When at inward flank of right (or left) Division—Right (or left) shoulders forward—Forward. The other Divisions follow in succession. |
2. If the Retreat is from both flanks.
| Retire from both flanks by sub-divisions in rear of the centre. | Right (or left) Sub-division—Right about face—Quick march—Right (or left) shoulders forward—Forward. When arrived at the proper points—Right (or left) shoulders forward—Forward. |
| Remaining right, and left Sub-divisions follow in succession. Two centre Sub-divisions, when the Divisions next to them have commenced their second wheel—Right about face—Quick march. |
S. 20. A Battalion in Line to march off in Column of divisions, successively to a flank.
1. If the Movement is along the rear, and from the right flank.
| The Battalion will move in Column of Divisions (or Sections) from the right along the rear. | Right Division (or Section)—Left face—Left wheel—Quick march—Front turn. |
2. When the Movement is from the left flank.
| Left Division (or Section)—Right face—Right wheel—Quick march—Front turn. |
In both movements the Divisions follow in succession the leading division.
S. 21. When the Battalion, halted in Line, is to form Square on a named Company, or on two centre Sub-divisions.
1. If on a Central company.
| Column at quarter distance on the right (or left) centre Company—Threes, right and left shoulders forward—Double march, | When the Companies reach their places in Column, they receive successively Threes right (or left) shoulders forward—Halt, Dress. |
| Form square—Quick march. When the Second Company has closed upon the front Company, which stands fast— Sections outwards. | The two rear Companies close up, and form the rear face of the Square, receiving Halt—Right about face. The remaining Companies wheel outwards by Sections, the rear Sections closing to the front, after the wheel. |
2. If on a Flank Company, and to a flank.
| Square on the right (or left) Company—Companies right (or left) shoulders forward—Double march—Forward. | Leading Company—Halt. Second Company closes on it—Halt. Remainder (except the two last Companies), as they successively arrive at Quarter distance— Sections outwards. Two last Companies when closed up—Halt—Right about face. |
3. When the Square is to resist Cavalry.
| Prepare for Cavalry —Ready. *Kneeling ranks—Ready— Present—Load. Prepare for Cavalry (or shoulder arms). | The Kneeling ranks do not cock until required to fire. The Standing ranks fire by Files. * The Kneeling ranks, when required to fire a volley. |
4. To reduce the Square.
| Re-form column. Quick march. | Rear sections of side Faces step back to wheeling distance, pivot men facing to their proper front, and at Quick march wheel backwards—Halt, Dress. Front Company advances to quarter distance—Halt, Dress. Two rear Companies retire—Halt, Front, Dress. |
5. If the Square is to be formed on the two centre Sub-divisions.
| On the two centre Sub-divisions form square. | The outer Sub-divisions of the two centre Companies face inwards, and leading files disengage; the two flank Companies face inwards, and the remaining Companies of the Battalion face to the right about. |
| Right and left shoulders forward. Quick march. | No. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 Companies, Sections successively, Halt, Front. The two centre Sub-divisions close by the side step, upon the interval left by the Colours. The Sub-divisions of the two flank Companies are conducted to form the rear Face, the right Sub-division of the Grenadiers covering its left Sub-division, and the left Sub-division of the Light Company covering its right Sub-division, each receiving Halt, Right (or Left) face. |
6. To reduce the Square and form Line.
| Re-form line—Quick (or double) march. | The flank Companies face outwards; and the rear Sub-divisions of the centre face outwards, and file into line at Quick (or double) march—Halt, Front, Dress. The two centre Sub-divisions open by the side step to right, and left. The flank Companies move in file to their respective places. The other Companies deploy by Sections and (when at their places) receive Right (or left) shoulders forward—Forward—Halt, Dress up. |
7. But should it have been previously necessary to move the Square.
| Form double column of Sub-divisions—Quick march. | The rear Sub-divisions of the side faces fall back to Section distance, and the Pivot men face to their proper front, and at Quick march, the Sections which formed the side faces wheel backwards; and the two Sub-divisions of the front face, and four Sub-divisions of the rear face, advance to quarter distance. The Sub-divisions of front face receive—Halt. Sub-divisions of the rear face receive—Halt—Front. |
8. When the Line is retiring, the Square may be formed at once without halting.
| On two centre Sub-divisions form square. | The two centre Sub-divisions Halt—Front. The outer Sub-divisions of centre Companies “Inwards turn,” and the formation will proceed (as directed in No. 5, Section 21) at the Double march. |
S. 22. When the Battalion forms a Square, or Oblong two deep, to protect baggage, &c., against Infantry.
| 1. Form square, two deep, on the two centre Companies. Remaining Companies, right and left shoulders forward—Quick march. | The two centre Companies stand fast, remaining Companies face to the rightabout, and at Quick march the two centre Companies (4 and 5) close inwards: the remainder right, and left shoulders forward, and move into Square. Nos. 1, 2, and 3, form the right face, 6, 7, and 8 the left face, the Grenadier, and Light Infantry the rear face of the Square, respectively receiving Halt, Front, Dress. |
2. When the Square or Oblong is to march by any one face.
| The square will march to the front (rear, right, or left) face. | |
| Flank Faces—by sub-divisions on the right and left backwards wheel—Quick march. | The rear face advances two paces and faces about—Halt, Dress. |
| Quick march. | The Square marches two faces in Line, (by their centre,) and two faces in Open column of Sub-divisions. |
| Halt—Re-form square—Quick march. | The Sub-divisions in column wheel up and form their faces, and the rear face will close up and then face about. |
3. To reduce the Square.
| Form line—Right and left shoulders forward—Quick march. | The two centre Companies open out by the side step, to leave room for the Colours. Remaining Companies, Right (or left) shoulders forward—Forward—Halt, Dress up. |
S. 23. A Battalion halted in Line, to change front to the rear upon the centre.
| Change front to the rear upon the centre. | Centre Companies—Right (or left) face—Right Counter-march—Quick march—Halt, Front, Dress up—Eyes front. |
| Remaining Companies, Threes right, and left shoulders forward—Right and left counter-march— Quick march. | The Companies pass each other by the left, those of the Right wing describing a circle to allow room for the others to pass, and when in their proper position—Right (or left) shoulders forward—Forward—Halt, Dress up—Eyes front. |
CHANGES OF POSITION OF THE BATTALION FROM LINE BY MOVEMENTS OF THE OPEN COLUMN ON A FIXED POINT.
S. 24. The Battalion to change position to the front on the right halted Company, by throwing forward the whole Left, and by the flank march of Companies.
| 1. Form open column in front of the right Company—Remaining Companies—Right face—Quick march. | If the change of front is to be at right angles with the old line, the right Company stands fast; if oblique to it, that Company will wheel back on the right flank as many paces as will make it perpendicular to the new direction. Remaining Companies face to the right, and disengage to the left—Halt, Front, Dress. |
| Right wheel into line. | Halt, Dress—Eyes front. |
2. The Battalion may change its position to the Left, Right thrown forward, by the formation of the Open column in front of the left halted Company.
3. If the Change of position is effected by the formation of the Open column on a central Company, the caution will specify which flank is to be thrown forward. The Companies face inwards, and disengage.
4. When a Battalion is to change position on a flank halted Company, by throwing back the other flank.
| Form open column in rear of the right (or left) Company— Remaining Companies— Right (or left) face— Quick march. | Remaining Companies—Halt, Front, Dress. |
| Right (or left) wheel into line—Quick march. | Halt, Dress—Eyes front. |
ON A DISTANT POINT.
S. 25. The Battalion in line changes position by breaking into Open column, marching up in column to the point where its head is to remain, and entering the line by the flank march of Companies.
| Right (or left) face—Quick march. Halt. | The Battalion in Open column to form at a point where its leading flank is to be placed, receives—Halt— when its leading division is at wheeling distance short of that point. |
S. 26. The Battalion formed in line, changes position by breaking into Open column, marching to a point where its head is to rest, and to which its rear divisions form, by successively passing each other, and wheeling up.
| Form line to the reverse flank. | Leading division—Right (or left) shoulders forward—Forward—Halt, Dress. Remaining divisions successively—Right (or left) shoulders forward—Forward—Halt, Dress up. |
OPEN COLUMN MOVEMENTS.
S. 27. When the leading flank of the Column is changed by the successive march of Divisions from the rear to the front.
| Halt— By successive divisions —Rear wing to the front. | If Right in front; Rear Company—Right face—Quick march—Front turn. Remaining Divisions in succession,
when their rear Division passes them—Right face—Quick march—Front turn. If left in front, the rear Divisions are faced to the left. |
S. 28. To change the Wings of a column formed upon a road, where the space does not admit of the Flank movement.
| By double files from the centre, rear wing to the front. Two centre Sections outwards wheel—Quick march.* | Rear Company—Inwards face, by Files from the centre. Remaining Companies*—Halt, Dress. Rear Division when clear of the column—Form Company—Forward. Remaining Divisions in succession when clear—Inwards face—Quick march—Form Company—Forward. |
S. 29. When the Column, at open, or half distance, is required to form a Square.
1. If the Square is to be formed on the front Company.
| Form square upon the front Company—Quick march. | (Vide [S. 21, No. 2.]) |
2. If upon a central Company.
3. If an Open column, moving to front, or rear in File, or Sections of Threes, be attacked by Cavalry.
If in File.
| Form square on the centre—Wings inward turn—Double march. | The Divisions turn to the right, and left; and if the Column be right in front, when the left centre Company has turned it receives—Sections outwards; the Wings close on the centre, at the double march, and each Company wheels outwards into Square; as in No. 2. |
If the Column is moving in Sections of Threes.
| Right (or left) shoulders forward. Forward—Square on the centre—Right wing, right about turn—Double. | The Formation proceeds as before. The Column is re-formed as directed in S. 21, No. 4. |
QUARTER DISTANCE, AND CLOSE COLUMN.
S. 30. When a Battalion forms a close, or quarter distance Column, from Line.
1. If a Close Column before, or behind, either of the flank Companies.
| Form close (or quarter distance) column on —— Company, right (or left) in front—Right (or left) face—Quick march. | All except the named Company—Halt, Front, Dress. |
2. On a central Company.
| Inwards face—Quick march. | All except the named Company—Halt, Front, Dress. |
In the same manner, Column may be formed from Line upon any Company facing to the rear; that Company countermarching by files, and the Wings facing outwards, and countermarching to the right, or left; and forming as before.
In all Counter-marches from Line, the Company of formation will be faced by the command of its own Officer.
3. If a Quarter distance Column upon any named Company.
| Form column at quarter distance, right (or left) in front, —— on Company—Remaining Companies, threes— Shoulders forward— Quick (or double) march—Forward. | Shoulders forward—Halt, Dress, as in Nos. 1 and 2. The leading threes of the Company next the one of formation must wheel upon its centre file in disengaging to the rear. |
4. The Close column may be formed from Open column.
| Close to the front—Quick (or double) march. Or without halting—Close to the front—Double. | If on the March, Leading division—Halt. Remaining divisions successively—Halt: When on the Double march—Quick. |
S. 31. When the Column, at close, or quarter distance, marches to a flank.
| Column will march to the right (or left) flank—Right (or left) face—Quick march—Halt, front. |
If the Column is at quarter distance, it may be marched to a flank in Sections of threes.
| Threes right (or left) shoulders forward—Quick march—Forward. |
S. 32. When the Column at quarter distance, moving to front, or rear, takes ground to the Right, or Left, by the Echellon march of Sections.
| 1. Sections right (or left)—Forward. 2. Re-form Column—Forward. | Officers remain on their proper pivot flank. |
Ground may be taken to a flank by the diagonal march.
| Right (or left) half turn. |
S. 33. When a Column halted, at Close, or Quarter distance, is to wheel on a fixed, or moveable pivot.
1. At close distance on a fixed pivot.
| Column to the right (or left) wheel—Quick (or double) march—Halt. | The flank file of front Company will face. Remaining Companies make a half face. Vide [S. 10. No. 6.] |
2. At close distance on a moveable pivot.
| Right (or left) shoulders forward—Halt (or forward). | Rear Divisions will make a half turn to the outward flank, and circle round. |
If the Column is to wheel in double time.
| Double—Forward—Quick. |
3. At Quarter distance on a fixed pivot.
| Right (or left) wheel— Quick (or double) march—Halt. | Rear Divisions half face to the wheeling flank. The front Division will advance six paces, and wheel at shortened pace round the Pivot, the rear Divisions circling round. |
4. At Quarter distance on a moveable pivot.
| Right (or left) shoulders forward—Double— Forward—Quick. | The Front division moves round at a short pace, the pivot-man gradually advancing in the new direction. |
S. 34. When a Close, or Quarter distance Column is to change its front by the wheel and countermarch of Sub-divisions round the centre.
1. If at the halt.
| Counter-march by Sub-divisions round the centre—Right (or left) Sub-divisions—Right about face—Quick (or double) march—*Halt, Front, Dress. | The Reverse sub-divisions face about. The whole wheel round in succession. * When the leading Sub-division is in a line upon the new front of the Column. Front applies to the Reverse sub-divisions only. |
2. If the Column at Quarter distance is on the march.
| Right (or left) Sub-divisions—Right about turn—Front turn—Forward. |
S. 35. When a Column at close, or quarter distance, is to open out to full, or half distance, from front, or rear.
1. If from the front.
| Column will open from the front—Right about face—Quick march. | The requisite number of paces are counted by the leaders of each Division. Halt, Front. |
2. If from the rear.
| Column will open from the rear—Quick march. | Each Division leader gives Halt to the Company in his front, when at the ordered distance. |
DEPLOYMENTS.
Deployments are made from Column invariably on the base of the front Company; Close columns deploy in File.
S. 36. When the Battalion in column of Companies, at Close, or Quarter distance (right in front), deploys into Line.
FROM CLOSE COLUMN.
1. On the Front Company.
| Deploy on the front Company—Remaining Companies, left face—Quick march. | Each Company, in succession—Front turn—Halt, Dress up—Eyes front. |
2. On the Rear Company.
| Deploy on the rear Company—Remaining Companies, right face—Quick march. | When the front of the named Company is clear, the Officer commanding it gives— Double march—Halt, Dress up—Eyes front—Remaining Companies successively —Halt, Front. When uncovered, Quick march, and when in the alignement, Halt, Dress up—Eyes front. |
Deployments on a central Company are performed in a similar manner. In deploying on a rear, or central Company, the Company of formation will be moved up in Double time.
FROM QUARTER DISTANCE COLUMN.
3. When a Battalion in Column of Companies at quarter distance, right in front, deploys upon its Front division.
| Deploy on the front Company—Remaining Companies, threes— Right shoulders forward —Quick (or double) march—Forward. | Left shoulders forward—Forward— Halt, Dress up—Eyes front. |
4. On a Rear Company.
| Deploy on the rear Company—Remaining Companies, threes— Left shoulders forward —Quick march—Forward. | When the Front is clear, Rear Company —Double march—Halt, Dress up—Eyes front. The other Companies successively —shoulders forward—Halt. When uncovered —Quick march—Halt, Dress up—Eyes front. |
The Base points are three paces in advance of the Front Company of the Column.
ECHELLON FORMATIONS AND MOVEMENTS.
S. 37. When a Battalion from Line wheels forward by Companies, to either flank, into Echellon.
| 1. Companies —— paces to the —— wheel—Quick march. | Halt, Dress. |
2. When the Echellon thus formed marches forward, and halts.
| Quick march—Halt. |
S. 38. When the Battalion having wheeled from Line into Echellon, has marched, and halted, and is to form back parallel to the Line it quitted.
| Wheel back into line—Quick march. | Halt, Dress—Eyes front. |
S. 39. When the Battalion having wheeled from Line into Echellon, has marched and halted, and is to form up oblique to the Line it quitted.
1. If the Formation is made forward.
| Leading Division, —— paces right (or left) wheel— Quick march. Form line—Quick march. | Leading Division—Halt, Dress—Eyes front. Remaining Divisions—shoulders forward—Halt, Dress up—Eyes front. |
2. If the wheel of the leading Division exceed the number of paces which it before wheeled from Line into Echellon, the others wheel up one-half of that excess, move on, and successively dress up with it.
3. If the formation is to be on the prolongation of the front Division as it stands, the others wheel back one-half of what they originally wheeled forward, then move on, and dress up with it.
S. 40. When the Battalion formed in Line changes front on a fixed flank Company, by throwing forward the rest of the Battalion.
| Change front on —— Company, right (or left) thrown forward, —— Company —— paces right (or left) wheel. | Company of formation—Halt, Dress. |
| Remaining Companies, —— paces to the —— wheel—Quick march.* Quick march.† | Remaining Companies— * Halt, Dress. † —— shoulders forward—Halt, Dress up—Eyes front. |
S. 41. When the Battalion changes front on a fixed flank Company, by throwing back the rest of the Battalion.
| Change front on —— Company, right (or left) thrown back. | —— Company on the —— backwards wheel—Quick march—Halt, Dress. |
| Remaining Companies, right about face, —— paces to the —— wheel—Quick march. | Halt, Dress. |
| Quick march (or march). | —— shoulders forward—Halt, Front, Dress up—Eyes front. |
S. 42. When the Battalion changes front on a central Company, by advancing one Wing, and retiring the other.
The Company of the Wing to be thrown back is wheeled backward, and the Company of the wing to be brought forward is wheeled forward; or a Central Company is wheeled upon its centre into the new direction.
| —— Wing, right about face—Companies —— paces inwards wheel—Quick march. | Halt, Dress. |
| Quick march. | Companies successively—shoulders forward— and when in Line, those of the advancing Wing receive—Halt, Dress up: the retiring Wing—Halt, Front, Dress up. |
S. 43. When, from Open column, the Companies wheel backward into Echellon, in order to form in Line on the front Company.
| 1. Form line on the leading Division. Remaining Divisions —— paces on the —— backward wheel—Quick march. Quick march. | The front Company remains square to the Column, or is wheeled backward into the intended direction of the Line by its Officer. If the front Company remains square, the remaining Companies wheel back four paces, or the eighth of a circle; but if the direction be Oblique, then the remaining Companies wheel one-half the number wheeled by the front Company, in addition to the eighth of a circle—Halt, Dress. —— shoulders forward—Halt, Dress up—Eyes front. |
2. If the Line be formed on the rear Company of the Column, that Company will stand fast, the others will receive.
| Right about face, —— paces on the —— Backwards wheel—Quick march. Quick march. | Halt, Dress. —— shoulders forward—Halt, Front, Dress up—Eyes front. |
3. If the Line is to be formed on a rear Company, but facing to the Rear.
| Form line on rear Company, facing to the rear. The column will counter-march. | Halt, Front, Dress—Eyes front. |
| —Face—Quick march. Form line on the leading Division. Remaining Divisions, four paces on the —— backward wheel—Quick march.* Quick march.† | * Halt, Dress. † —— shoulders forward—Halt, Dress up—Eyes front. |
4. If the Line be formed on a Central Company of the Column.
S. 44. When from Line the Companies of a Battalion march off in Echellon, successively and directly to the front; and again form Line to the front, or flank.
1. When the intention is to form Line to the front.
| Advance in direct echellon of Companies from the right (or left). | When the leading Division receives—Halt, the others move on, and Halt, Dress up, in line with it. |
2. When the intention is to form Line to the flank.
| Form line to the right (or left) flank. | Leading Division—Halt, Dress—Eyes front. |
| By Divisions, shoulders forward—Forward. | Remaining divisions—Halt, Dress up— Eyes front. |
3. If a Column is to be formed to the flank, from a direct Echellon.
| Form column in rear of the leading Division—Threes— Shoulders forward— Forward. | —— shoulders forward—Halt, Dress. |
S. 45. When a Battalion, in Echellon of Companies, halted, or in motion, is required to form square.
| Companies right (or left) shoulders forward—Forward—Form square. | The formation will proceed as directed in Section 29. |
S. 46. When a Battalion marching in Line is to take ground to a flank by the Echellon movement of Sub-divisions, or Sections.
| 1. Sub-divisions (or Sections) right (or left)—Forward. |
2. When sufficient ground has been taken to the flank.
| Re-form line—Forward— Halt. |
3. When sufficient ground has been taken in Echellon to a flank, and a forward formation of the Line is to be made.
| Form line on the leading Division. | The head Division is wheeled up two paces more and halted. Divisions successively —— shoulders forward. Halt, Dress up—Eyes front. |
In taking ground to a flank, if a small degree of obliquity from the former position is to be taken, the Line may wheel forward by Companies; if a greater, by Sub-divisions; and if a greater still, by Sections.