The platoon leaders move forward through the center of their respective platoons; men to the right of the platoon leader march to the left and follow him in file; those to the left march in like manner to the right; each platoon lender thus conducts the march of his platoon in double column of files; platoon guides follow in rear of their respective platoons to insure prompt and orderly execution of the advance.
[214.] Being in skirmish line: 1. Squad columns, 2. MARCH.
Each squad leader moves to the front; the members of each squad oblique toward and follow their squad leader in single file at easy marching distances.
[215.] Platoon columns are profitably used where the ground is so difficult or cover so limited as to make it desirable to take advantage of the few favorable routes; no two platoons should march within the area of burst of a single shrapnel.[1] Squad columns are of value principally in facilitating the advance over rough or brush-grown ground; they afford no material advantage in securing cover.
[216.] To deploy platoon or squad columns: 1. As skirmishers, 2. MARCH.
Skirmishers move to the right or left front and successively place themselves in their original positions on the line.
[217.] Being in platoon or squad columns: 1. Assemble, 2. MARCH.
The platoon or squad leaders signal assemble. The men of each platoon or squad, as the case may be, advance and, moving to the right and left, take their proper places in line, each unit assembling on the leading element of the column and re-forming in line. The platoon or squad leaders conduct their units toward the element or point indicated by the captain, and to their places in line; the company is re-formed in line.
[218.] Being in skirmish line, to advance by a succession of thin lines: 1. (Such numbers), forward, 2. MARCH.
The captain points out in advance the selected position in front of the line occupied. The designated number of each squad moves to the front; the line thus formed preserves the original intervals as nearly as practicable; when this line has advanced a suitable distance (generally from 100 to 250 yards, depending upon the terrain and the character of the hostile fire), a second is sent forward by similar commands, and so on at irregular distances until the whole line has advanced. Upon arriving at the indicated position, the first line is halted. Successive lines, upon arriving, halt on line with the first and the men take their proper places in the skirmish line.