Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Cavalry of the Army / of the United States 1917. To be also used by Engineer Companies (Mounted) for Cavalry Instruction and Training

by United States. War Department

When but a single trooper is available for an incomplete four the four is habitually broken up and a trooper is placed as an extra file closer. This rule may, however, be modified in connection with the instruction of recruits.

The squad having counted fours, the leader causes the squad to mount (par. 358).

351. The formation in column of fours, twos, or troopers (par. 368-b, c, d) is similarly executed. The leader commands: LEAD INTO COLUMN (COLUMN OF TWOS, COLUMN OF TROOPERS). The trooper upon whom the formation is based (par. 350) becomes No. 1 of the leading four. The elements of the column form, in order from front to rear, with distances of 4 feet between successive, fours, twos, or troopers. In column of fours or twos each four or two forms on its right trooper as in line.

When the formation is in column of fours the command COUNT FOURS is omitted. The leader cautions: NOTE YOUR NUMBERS.

352. The squad may also form in similar manner after the troopers mount. In this case the leader causes the troopers to mount individually after saddling and commands: RIDE INTO LINE (COLUMN, COLUMN OF TWOS, COLUMN OF TROOPERS). The interval between the mounted troopers is 6 inches from knee to knee.

TO FORM THE SQUAD, DISMOUNTED.

353. For the dismounted formation of the squad, in line, when not armed with the rifle, the leader designates the trooper to act as the base, indicates the latter's position, and takes his own position as described in par. 350, above. He then commands: FALL IN. The troopers form as in pars. 57 and 58. The leader then calls the roll and causes the squad to count fours.

If armed with the rifle, the troopers fall in with rifles at the order. As soon as the line or column is formed the leader commands: 1. Inspection, 2. ARMS, 3. Right shoulder, 4. ARMS (par. 91-2d), and calls the roll. Each man, as his name is called, answers here and executes order arms.

The formation in column of fours, twos, or troopers is conducted in accordance with the modifications indicated. The commands of the leader are: FALL IN, IN COLUMN (COLUMN OF TWOS, COLUMN OF TROOPERS). The distance between successive fours is 92 inches; between successive twos, 40 inches; between successive troopers, 14 inches.

TO MOUNT AND DISMOUNT.