PART III.
BATTALION, BRIGADE, AND DIVISION DRILL.
BATTALION DRILL.
91. General Rules.
1. Object of battalion drill.—The instruction of the soldier is brought to a conclusion in the ranks of the company. It is necessary, however, that the companies should be drilled in battalion in order that the officers commanding companies may learn to work in unison.
2. Application of company drill.—Battalion movements are carried out by combination of companies, moving as described in Company Drill.
3. Mounted officers.—The commanding officer, the second in command, and the adjutant will be mounted.
When the battalion is acting independently, the commanding officer, accompanied by the adjutant, who will act as his orderly officer, will place himself where he can best exercise supervision.
When the battalion is in brigade in column or quarter column the commanding officer will be ten paces in advance of the centre of the leading company, the adjutant being one-and-a-half horse’s lengths in rear, and half a horse’s length to the right of the commanding officer.
In all movements the second in command will be responsible for the direction and covering; he (and the serjeant-major, if no ammunition carts are present) will generally assist the commanding officer. If a third field officer be present he should generally assist the second in command, unless detailed by the commanding officer for any other purpose.