Details of Common Movements.
Company or division, say of sixty men, at close order in line two deep, told off into “threes,” “right and left files,” two “sub-divisions” of fifteen file each, including four “sections,” two being of eight files and two of seven files, the larger numbers always on the flanks.
Command—“From the Centre extend.”
The centre file (the left file of the right sub-division) stands fast, arms ordered, the remainder of the right sub-division turn to the right, the whole of the left sub-division to the left, arms at the long trail (horizontal in the right hand), step off, first file on each side of the centre at six paces halted and fronted quietly by the rear rank men, take up the bodily position of the centre-file, whatever it may be,—the others successively do the same as their relative distances are gained.
“From the Right extend.”
“From the Left extend.”
“From the Fourth File from the Right extend eight paces.”
“From John Wilson extend three paces.”
On precisely the same principle.
Division extended in single files.
“Double Files.”
The “left” files close to their respective right files.
“Single Files.”
The left files return to their former places.
“Single Rank.”
Rear rank men divide the distance between their own front rank men and the next front rank men towards the left.
“Two Deep.”
Rear rank men return to their ordinary places.
“Change Front to the Right, on the Centre.”
The centre file faces to the right, all files to the right of it turn to the right about; the whole, except the centre file, step off, moving by the shortest lines to take up their relative distances, as before, from the pivot file, on the new line which it has given; the direction of which line, moreover, may, in all similar cases, be at the time moderately varied by the officer in command.
Change Front to the Right, on the Right File.
Change Front to the Left, on the Right File.
Change Front to the Left, on the Left File.
Change Front to the Right, on the Left File.
Change Front to the Right, on (any) File.
Change Front to the Left, on (any) File.
On the same principle the file named facing in the direction ordered, and the remainder moving to the front or rear, BY THE SHORTEST LINES, to gain their former relative places in the new line of formation.
“Advance.”
Move forward; distances and general line from the file of direction.
“Right Incline.”[[16]]
Each file makes a half turn to the right, maintaining the line in the same general direction as before, though moving obliquely.
“Right take Ground.”
Full turn to the right, following the right file.
“Retire.”
Turn to the rear, rear rank men leading.
“Halt.”
Come to the proper front, and stand fast with ordered arms.
“Commence Firing.”
In open ground the skirmishers drop on the right knee; in intersected ground they make the best of any near cover (see “the Essentials,” [Article IV.]) Front rank men fire, (even on the drill field carefully covering an object—“Essentials” [II.];) and when these have nearly re-loaded, the rear rank men give their fire in like manner, and so on. Front rank load “as front rank,” muzzles to the front; rear rank “as rear rank,” muzzles to the rear.
“Advance.”
The front rank dashes forward fifty paces at the “double quick,” drops on the knee or makes the best of cover, and fires (as the rear rank by that time will have loaded). The rear rank then springs forward to fifty paces in advance of the front rank, repeating the same practice, and so on, alternately. The centre file of direction giving in a general manner the time of starting and the distance.
“Single Line advancing.” “Common Quick.”
(The “cease firing” not having been ordered).
The rank which is loaded steps up to one pace in front of the rank that is loading, both advance together loading and firing as they move on; the man who has fired stepping a little to the left, to allow his comrade to pass in front of him.
(In this mode of “firing” in “single line” “advancing,” there can be no running or kneeling. It may be especially useful against small and distant bodies of cavalry.)
The skirmishers may “TAKE GROUND TO THE RIGHT” OR “LEFT,” in “SINGLE LINE FIRING” to the front, on the same principle.
“Alternate Ranks.”
The front rank dashes forward fifty paces as before, all kneeling again at the halts.
“Retire.”
The rank which happens to be in front gives its fire, and retires at the “double quick” to thirty paces in rear of the rank that is loading, and so on successively; with the simple difference of principle from firing advancing, that, whereas, while advances under accurate fire from long ranges cannot be too rapid, with due regard to the preservation of physical strength and correct firing, retreats cannot be too slow and dogged, with due regard to the danger of being pressed too closely by the enemy. Fifty paces of interval are therefore fixed as the “ordinary rule” for the advance, and only thirty for the retreat.
“Cease Firing.”
After this order, not one shot. All finish loading, the rank which happens to be in front stands up, “arms at the order;” the rank which happens to be in rear moves forward and joins it, taking up the same position.
“To the Centre, Close.”
The centre file stands fast, all to the right of it turn to the left, all to the left of it to the right, all but the centre file step off, rifles at the long trail, close upon the centre, halt, front, and take up the same bodily position as the centre file. If it has been ordered in the mean time to “fix bayonets,” the others fix bayonets successively as they come up: if to shoulder arms, the others successively shoulder, &c., &c.
“To the Right, Close.”
“To the Left, Close.”
“To (any file), Close.”
On precisely the same principles.
Company in line two deep.
“Right Subdivision, cover the front.”
The officer commanding the right subdivision gives the words—
“Right subdivision,” “trail arms,” “quick march,” “from the centre extend.”
At the last-mentioned word, the centre file going steadily to the front, all to the right of it bring forward the left shoulder, and all to the left of it the right shoulder, so as to open out, successively, to the proper extended distances from the centre; each file turning full to the front as it gains its distance. The left subdivision has now become “the support.” When the line of skirmishers attains to a proper distance, it receives the order
“Halt.”
This interval, in a tolerably open country, under the long range, should scarcely be less than three hundred yards; though, on the drill field, to save time, this and other similar distances may be, when it is desirable, contracted.
Any body of infantry on the march in line may “extend” from any named file on the principle just described; and, on the same principle, skirmishers on the march may “close,” by bringing up the shoulder so as to join successively the file indicated which has kept its straightforward course.
For the very important duties of supports, see “The Essentials,” [Art. VIII.]
Right subdivision extended, left subdivision in support.
“Left Subdivision, relieve.” (“The skirmishers” understood.)
The left subdivision receives the words from its commander—
“Left subdivision,” “trail arms,”
“quick march,” “from the centre extend.”
The centre file of the support marches straight upon the centre file of the skirmishers, the remaining files of the support bring forward their shoulders right or left so as to open out successively to their proper distances from the centre as skirmishers, turning again full to the front when these are attained. On reaching the line of the former skirmishers these last-mentioned receive the order,
“Right subdivision,” “retire,” “to the centre, close.”
The centre file of the new support proceeds straight to the rear, rear rank leading, the other files close upon the centre successively; the support is halted at its proper distance, the new skirmishers having, in the meantime, taken up the position and employment in all things of those relieved.
If the skirmishers are advancing when the order to “relieve” is given, they receive the word “halt,” and allowing the new line of skirmishers to pass through them to a sufficient distance to the front, close to the centre, and follow on in support.
If the skirmishers are retiring when the order to “relieve” is given, the support “halts,” “fronts,” and “extends” upon its own line. Continuing the “retreat” so soon as the new support, having closed, has attained its proper distance.
If “commence firing” has been given before the order to “relieve,” the relief takes place upon the principles just above described, with these additions—that if relieved at the halt, the old skirmishers spring up as the new skirmishers are reaching them and “double quick” to the rear one hundred paces before they begin to close—if in advancing, the new skirmishers “double quick” one hundred paces from the rear, and the same distance to the front of the old line, the latter lying down, and not rising or closing until the relief has opened its fire; and if, in retiring, the old support lies down so soon as it is extended, and allows the former skirmishers to pass through it at the “double quick” (continued for one hundred yards) before it springs upon the knee and opens its fire.
The important object of the running and lying down in relieving under fire of course being, that the new and old lines of skirmishers should not be exposed when near together as large marks for the enemy’s shot.
One subdivision extended, the other in support.
Word of Command, “Form Square;”
or,
Bugle ....... “Alarm,” “Assembly.”
The right section of the support wheels back half a quarter circle (45°) on its left, the left section half a quarter circle on its right, stepping back one or two paces so as to let the left of the right section overlap its right. The right section wheels up by threes to the left, the left section by threes to the right, threes close to the front and then face outwards, thus forming half a three deep square with the angle to the front. “Fix bayonets” and “commence firing” (outward rank kneeling in reserve) if the front is clear and the enemy near. Skirmishers run in and form the two rear faces of the square three deep, keeping to the right and left in running in so as not to hinder the fire, and not fixing bayonets until in their places.
The faces of the square are wheeled back so as to stand diamond like in reference to the general line, in order that the fire may be thrown clear of your own neighbouring squares.
“Cease Firing.”
“Right subdivision cover the Front.”
The subdivision so ordered receives the words (as before) “unfix bayonets,” “trail arms,” “quick march,” “from the centre extend,” and proceeds to its extended line, the men of the other subdivision fall into their proper places in line two deep as the support.
Word of Command, “Form Square;”
or
Bugle ....... “Alarm,” “Assembly.”
The formation commenced as before, but the enemy being too near to allow of its completion, the order is given—
Word of Command, “Rallying Squares;”
or,
Bugle ....... “Double Quick:”
upon which the support clubs into a solid mass, facing outwards on all sides; and with all skirmishers the “officers, exercising most actively their intelligence, in proper numbers and at proper distances, hold up their swords or caps, and the men rush round them into masses of defence.”—(See “The Essentials,” [art. VII.])
Advanced and Rear Guards.
An advanced guard, on a road on the line of march, consists of a large reserve, a small reserve, a support and skirmishers. The first of these, according to the “Field Exercise of the Army,” may be one subdivision, about five hundred yards in advance of the head of the main column; the second, a complete section, two hundred yards further on; and the third, one hundred yards more in advance, the remaining section of the company, throwing out one hundred yards again to its front a double file of skirmishers on the road, and a double file (if the strength of the section admits of so many) obliquely to each flank.
It is of course of the highest importance that this formation, in the whole of its progress, (maintained frequently through a long day’s march, in thick weather, and through intricate roads,) should be preserved in perfect unity by links of ocular connexion. No one portion of it should ever be, for many minutes at least, unseen by some other portion. For this reason, the distances of separation must vary with the hour of the day, the nature of the country, and the state of the weather, and one or two files of communication should remain midway between the several detachments.
The ordinary mode of forming an advanced guard of course is, for the body composing it to proceed along the intended road, dropping its different portions and files of communication as they successively attain their relative distances.
A rear guard is an advanced guard faced to its proper rear.
The foregoing details of the common rules and practice of Light Infantry drill are susceptible of being extended into a very wide range of field application. Upon this subject, much has already been advanced in the Ist, VIth, VIIth and VIIIth Articles of “The Essentials of Good Skirmishing.”