(d) Column of troopers: The troopers of each four follow successively, one behind another, with distances between consecutive troopers of 4 feet when mounted, or 14 inches when dismounted.
(e) Foragers: The troopers are abreast of each other, with intervals of 3 yards between troopers, unless some other interval be specially designated.
The dismounted formation corresponding to foragers is skirmishers. The interval between troopers in line of skirmishers is one-half pace unless some other interval be designated.
In the employment of a squad or other small detachment the designation of a greater interval than one-half pace is habitual rather than exceptional (par. 408).
In a line of skirmishers at one-half pace interval each man may be considered as occupying, including his interval, about 1 yard of front.
The squad may also be extended in depth as prescribed in par. 413.
Order in the Squad.
369. When it is said that a unit is in order in any formation it is meant that the arrangement and condition of the component elements is such that the unit is ready to execute, in the accustomed manner, any movement that is intended to be executed from the formation in question. The conditions essential to order in each formation of the squad are stated in paragraph 370. The squad, in line, for example, would not be in order if the troopers did not know their numbers, for it could then execute no movement based upon the division into fours, twos, or troopers.
370. The squad in line, column of fours, or foragers is in order when the troopers of each four are arranged, from right to left in the four, in the order of their respective numbers, and each knows his number.