“Left Subdivision, relieve.” (“The skirmishers” understood.)
The left subdivision receives the words from its commander—
“Left subdivision,” “trail arms,”
“quick march,” “from the centre extend.”
The centre file of the support marches straight upon the centre file of the skirmishers, the remaining files of the support bring forward their shoulders right or left so as to open out successively to their proper distances from the centre as skirmishers, turning again full to the front when these are attained. On reaching the line of the former skirmishers these last-mentioned receive the order,
“Right subdivision,” “retire,” “to the centre, close.”
The centre file of the new support proceeds straight to the rear, rear rank leading, the other files close upon the centre successively; the support is halted at its proper distance, the new skirmishers having, in the meantime, taken up the position and employment in all things of those relieved.
If the skirmishers are advancing when the order to “relieve” is given, they receive the word “halt,” and allowing the new line of skirmishers to pass through them to a sufficient distance to the front, close to the centre, and follow on in support.
If the skirmishers are retiring when the order to “relieve” is given, the support “halts,” “fronts,” and “extends” upon its own line. Continuing the “retreat” so soon as the new support, having closed, has attained its proper distance.
If “commence firing” has been given before the order to “relieve,” the relief takes place upon the principles just above described, with these additions—that if relieved at the halt, the old skirmishers spring up as the new skirmishers are reaching them and “double quick” to the rear one hundred paces before they begin to close—if in advancing, the new skirmishers “double quick” one hundred paces from the rear, and the same distance to the front of the old line, the latter lying down, and not rising or closing until the relief has opened its fire; and if, in retiring, the old support lies down so soon as it is extended, and allows the former skirmishers to pass through it at the “double quick” (continued for one hundred yards) before it springs upon the knee and opens its fire.