The artillerist's manual and British soldier's compendium

by F. A. Griffiths

S. 11. Echellon.

The Echellon position and movements are applicable to the oblique or direct changes of situation, which a Battalion may be obliged to make to the front or rear, or on a particular fixed division of the line. The oblique changes are produced by the wheel (less than the quarter circle) of divisions, which places them in the echellon situation. The direct changes are produced by the perpendicular and successive march of divisions from line to front or rear. In Echellon, the inner flank, (or that which first joins its preceding division when the line is to be formed forward,) is the directing one; and in Oblique echellon the wheels are made on it, into echellon—forward, and into line—backward.

Practical rule for the Battalion and Line on all occasions of Wheeling by Companies into echellon.

“Each covering Serjeant having previously placed himself before or behind a given file (the 8th) from the standing flank, will take the named number of paces from the centre of that file on the arc of the circle, and thereby become a direction for the Company to wheel up to, and halt.”

As eight paces from the eighth file complete the Quarter circle, so four paces give the One-eighth, and two paces the One-sixteenth of the circle. All changes of front by the Echellon march are performed by the forming divisions wheeling half the angle wheeled by the division to be formed upon. In all changes of position by echellon, whether direct or oblique, the leaders of companies will invariably be on that flank towards which the change of position is to be made. But in taking ground to a flank on the march, in echellon of Sub-divisions or Sections, Companies’ leaders remain in their places as when in line.

S. 12. Squares.

Squares are formed either from Line, or from Column at full, half, or quarter distance. The Hollow square, four deep, is sufficiently solid to oppose an attack of Cavalry: it possesses, at the same time the advantage of rendering the fire of all the men available to the resistance of the enemy. The Solid square should seldom be adopted, because a proportion of the men cannot give their fire. Close columns should in all cases when practicable, open therefore to quarter distance, and form Square (as in Sec. 21, No. 1, Part III.). But as every position in which a Battalion may be placed should be susceptible of ready resistance against Cavalry, the Close column can always assume an efficient posture of defence, by the six centre Companies wheeling outwards by Threes, and closing to the front, and the two rear Companies facing to the right about: the Officers and Serjeants taking post in the centre. The wing of a battalion can in like manner form the solid square from a Close column of Sub-divisions. When Cavalry is not to be resisted, it will be sufficient to form the Square two deep to the rear. The formation of Battalion squares, either from Line or Column, is to be completed as expeditiously as possible; and the Squares may afterwards be placed in direct echellon for mutual defence.

S. 13. Firings.

In all movements, Firing should commence after a formation. In firing by Companies, the Leaders will give the Word “Ready” when the previous division fires, preserving the pause of slow time between this and “Present,” the men firing when they have covered their objects. In firing by wings, one wing will receive the word “Ready,” the instant the other has completed its loading. Great care must be taken in file firing that it is not hurried, and that the men “Present” deliberately. The value of a soldier’s ammunition, and a jealousy of its expenditure without effect, must be carefully inculcated; for in proportion as a cool and well-directed fire serves to distract and throw an enemy into disorder, so is a wild, confused, and hurried fire (which is always without effect) calculated to give him confidence, and a contempt for his opponent. Soldiers should, therefore, bear in mind that nothing makes so strong an impression on an enemy, as the thinning of his ranks by a well-directed fire; and that nothing tends more to animate and encourage troops than the diminished fire from ranks so thinned; affording also the most favourable opportunity for a successful charge. In firing in square, the two front ranks are to come to the kneeling position without cocking, on preparing to receive cavalry. The standing ranks in square will fire independently from the right of faces.