The artillerist's manual and British soldier's compendium

by F. A. Griffiths

13. To advance from the centre, in double column of sub-divisions.
Advance from the centre, in a double column of sub-divisions—March.	Centre division—Forward.—Trot—March. Right division—Left take ground—March. Left division—Right take ground—March.
	Nos. 1.
	2. } Right take ground—Trot.
	1. } Right take ground.
	5. } Left take ground—Trot.
	6. } Left take ground.
14. To move from a flank along the front in a column of divisions.
Move from the right, along the front, in column of divisions. March.	Forward—March. Left wheel.
Note.—To advance from the left, along the front, is done in the same manner.

15. To advance from a flank, in echellon of sub-divisions.
Advance from the right, in echellon of sub-divisions—March.
Advancing from the Left is done on the same principle.
Note.—A Battery in echellon of Sub-divisions, if required to change its front when in action,can do so at the word “Action left” (or right), by merely throwing the trails round, and bringing the gunsinto the new direction, the limbers and waggons forming in rear of their guns.
16. To advance from a flank in echellon of divisions.
Advance from the right, in echellon of divisions—March.	The right division advances, the centre moves off in succession, when at its wheeling distance, in rear of the leading one. The left division follows in the same manner.
Advancing from the Left is done on the same principle.
Note.—A Battery in echellon of Divisions, if required to change its front when in action, does so as follows:—
Change front to the left, on the left guns of divisions—March.	Nos. 1. 2. } 4. } Action left. 6. } 1. } Front limber up. 3. } Left wheel—Halt. 5. } Action front.

An echellon of Half batteries is formed in the same manner as that of divisions; the rear half battery must, however, keep its wheeling distance from the leading one. When in action, if the front is to be changed, it is better to do it on a centre gun.

Retirements in echellon, are done on the same principle as the advance.

17. To retire from a flank in column.
First Method.
Right division to the rear—March.	Right division—Sub-divisions inwards about wheel—March.
	Centre and left divisions—Forward—Right wheel—March—Right wheel.
To retire with the Left division is done on the same principle.
Second method.
Retire from the right, in column of divisions—March.	Right division—Right reverse—March.
	Centre, and left divisions—Right take ground—March—Right take ground.
	Nos. 1.
	2. } Gun left.
	4. } Gun rear.

18. To retire from the centre in a double column of sub-divisions.

In order to perform this manœuvre, the battery should be reversed, and then (with waggons leading) it is performed in the same manner as the advance from the centre, in a double column.

19. To retire from a flank by alternate Half batteries, in action.

When a battery in line, in action, is ordered to retire from a flank by alternate Half batteries, the named half battery at once limbers up to the rear, retires to its distance in echellon, and comes into action. As soon as this half battery is in action, the other limbers up to the rear, retires, passes the half battery in action, and so on. The senior officer of each half battery gives the word of command.