The battalion in column of companies: Two paces from the guide, in prolongation of and facing down the line.
Each captain, after dressing his company, commands: FRONT, and takes his post.
The battalion being in line and unless otherwise prescribed, at the captain's command dress or at the command halt, when it is prescribed that the company shall dress, the guide on the flank away from the point of rest with his piece at right shoulder, dresses promptly on the captain and the companies beyond. During the dress he moves, if necessary, to the right and left only; the captain dresses the company on the line thus established. The guide takes the position of order arms at the command front. (265)
[303]. Certain movements executed as in Schools of the Soldier, Squad and Company. The battalion executes the halt (See [par. 116]), rests (See [pars. 100]–101), facings (See [par. 104]), steps and marchings (See [pars. 107]–109), manual of arms (See [pars. 120]–147), resumes attention (See [par. 102]), kneels (See [pars. 174]–177), lies down (See [par. 175]), rises (See [par. 176]), stacks and takes arms (See [pars. 160]–161), as explained in the Schools of the Soldier and Squad, substituting in the commands battalion for squad.
The battalion executes squads right (left) (See [par. 221]), squads right (left) about (See [par. 228]), route step and at ease (See [par. 233]), and obliques and resumes the direct march (See [pars. 162]–163), as explained in the School of the Company. (266)
[304]. Certain movements executed as in School of the Company. The battalion in column of platoons, squads, twos, or files changes direction. (See [pars. 223]–224); in column of squads, forms column of twos or files and re-forms columns of twos or squads, as explained in the School of the Company. (See [pars. 234]–235.) (267)
[305]. Simultaneous execution by companies or platoons of movements in School of the Company. When the formation admits of the simultaneous execution by companies or platoons of movements in the School of the Company the major may cause such movement to be executed by prefixing, when necessary, companies (platoons) to the commands prescribed therein: As 1. Companies, right front into line, 2. MARCH. To complete such simultaneous movements, the commands halt or march, if prescribed, are given by the major. The command front, when prescribed, is given by the captains. (See [par. 302].) (268)
[306]. Execution of loadings and firings by battalion. The battalion as a unit executes the loadings and firings only in firing saluting volleys. The commands are as for the company, substituting battalion for company. At the first command for loading, captains take post in rear of the center of their respective companies. At the conclusion of the firing, the captains resume their posts in line.
On other occasions, when firing in close order is necessary, it is executed by company or other subdivision, under instructions from the major, as prescribed in [pars. 179]–194. (269)