The artillerist's manual and British soldier's compendium

by F. A. Griffiths

Street firing.

A Column at open, half, or quarter distance, formed in a street or narrow ground where deployment is impracticable, may be required to fire previous to charging forward, or by successive divisions in retiring. It will be performed in the following manner:—

If advancing, the two front Companies only will fire in succession; the leading Company firing and loading kneeling, the second Company closing to the front, and firing standing. When the enemy’s fire has been overcome, or at any favourable moment that may present itself, the column will charge briskly forward, and make good the ground it is contending for.

In retiring, the leading division will give its fire; Slope arms; Face outwards by sub-divisions; File to the rear; Re-form Company; Load; and remain halted, until its front is again clear, or the whole column is put in motion. The moment the front of the second company is clear, it will give its fire; Face outwards by sub-divisions; and file to the rear as above directed: and so on by companies in succession: the companies thus follow each other, and when the front of the column occupies the whole breadth of the street, the outward files of companies will double in the rear, to give the companies which have fired room to pass. It must never be forgotten, in entering towns or villages occupied by the enemy, that the first thing to be done, on gaining a footing in the place, is to clear the houses on both flanks, and the column should on no account proceed through the streets without previously occupying the houses on either side; the troops employed for that purpose breaking through partition walls, or pushing on from house to house, so as to accompany the march of the main body, and protect its flanks.

FORMATION OF THE BATTALION.

When the Battalion is formed, there is to be no interval between any of the Companies, and every part of the front of the Battalion should be equally strong. The Grenadiers will be on the right, Light company on the left, the other companies from right to left. The Battalion will be told off into Right, and Left wings.

FORMATION OF THE BATTALION, AT CLOSE ORDER.

The Commanding officer is advanced in front for the general purpose of exercise when the Battalion is single; but in the March in line, and in the firings, he is in the rear of the Colours. The Lieutenant-colonel is behind the colours, twelve paces from the supernumerary rank. The 1st Major is six paces in the rear of the second Battalion company from the right flank; 2nd Major at the same distance in the rear of the second Battalion company from the left; the Adjutant at the same distance in rear of the colours. One Officer is on the right of the front rank of each company, and One on the left of the Battalion; all these are covered in the rear rank by their respective Serjeants; and the remaining Officers and Serjeants are in a third rank behind their companies. The colours are placed (both in the front rank) between the two Centre companies. The supernumerary rank is at three paces distance when in Line; and when in Column, it is at the distance of one pace.

When the Battalion takes Open order.

Rear Rank take Open Order—March.

Officers of Companies and those with the Colours dress three paces in front of the Line. The 1st Major is on the right of the Officers, the 2nd Major on the left. The Adjutant on the left of the front rank. The Colonel ten paces, and the Lieutenant-colonel six paces, in front of the Colours.