“Retire.”
The rank which happens to be in front gives its fire, and retires at the “double quick” to thirty paces in rear of the rank that is loading, and so on successively; with the simple difference of principle from firing advancing, that, whereas, while advances under accurate fire from long ranges cannot be too rapid, with due regard to the preservation of physical strength and correct firing, retreats cannot be too slow and dogged, with due regard to the danger of being pressed too closely by the enemy. Fifty paces of interval are therefore fixed as the “ordinary rule” for the advance, and only thirty for the retreat.
“Cease Firing.”
After this order, not one shot. All finish loading, the rank which happens to be in front stands up, “arms at the order;” the rank which happens to be in rear moves forward and joins it, taking up the same position.
“To the Centre, Close.”
The centre file stands fast, all to the right of it turn to the left, all to the left of it to the right, all but the centre file step off, rifles at the long trail, close upon the centre, halt, front, and take up the same bodily position as the centre file. If it has been ordered in the mean time to “fix bayonets,” the others fix bayonets successively as they come up: if to shoulder arms, the others successively shoulder, &c., &c.
“To the Right, Close.”
“To the Left, Close.”
“To (any file), Close.”
On precisely the same principles.