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.