Nothing but deeply impressed instruction, or dearly bought experience, can break in them the bonds of a propensity so thoroughly at variance with good skirmishing.
VI.
In all systems of movement composed of many distinct bodies, there must be a common centre of direction, connexion and extension, or unity of purpose and effect must cease, and confusion, dispersion or concentration ensue. Such a centre there is in the minutely regular mighty moving system of the universe; and from it, down through every degree of importance, to that in the more mob-like progress of a swarm of bees.
Perhaps the greatest defect in modern skirmishing is, that, in extensive affairs, this principle of an established point of direction is not well maintained. However much it may be recognised in mere theory, it is not, in instruction, explained in sufficient fulness, or required with sufficient rigour; and from these neglects arise, in a great degree, the inversions, mixtures, and other irregularities in actual service before noticed.
It is most injudicious to encumber the minds of men and officers with a multitude of intricate or non-essential recollections; but the principle in point involves nothing of this character; it is at the same time very simple and highly essential.
For all skirmishers of the same battalion acting together, until they become thoroughly mixed with other corps—in all cases of movement, excepting only those of changes of front on the principle of the wheel on the fixed pivot, and those of taking ground to a flank obliquely or directly; the centre, or right centre file[[12]] of their own battalion skirmishers is THE POINT OF DIRECTION, unless at the time OTHERWISE ESPECIALLY ORDERED.
When detachments from several battalions skirmish together, the battalion of direction for the line in rear, is that of direction for the skirmishers in front, unless at the time otherwise ordered. If no such battalion has been pointed out, the officer commanding the extended line names to the officers in command of detachments the battalion skirmishers of direction, and takes care to keep these last to their true course and object.
Every officer in command of the skirmishers of a battalion has the option, in responsible dependence on the maintenance of the general alignement and proper communication, of changing his point of direction, by order at and for the time being, to the flank file nearest to the battalion skirmishers of direction, or otherwise as circumstances may appear to require.
In all changes of front on the principle of the wheel on a fixed pivot, that pivot is, of necessity, during the evolution, the file of direction.
In taking ground to a flank obliquely or directly, the leading file always becomes, during this movement, and no longer, unless especially ordered at the time, the file of direction.