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

(a) To form column of twos: 1. Right (left) by twos, 2. MARCH.

The right two of the leading four is the base. The other twos enter the column successively, the right two of each four being followed immediately by the left two of the same four, the left two obliquing to enter the column (par. 331). All distances are 4 feet (par. 368). Gaits are regulated as in movements from line into column (par. 337-a, c).

(b) Column of troopers is formed on the same principles at the commands: 1. Right (left) by trooper, 2. MARCH. The right trooper of the leading four is the base.

Column of troopers from column of twos is formed by the same commands as from column of fours and in accordance with the same principles.

The movements described in this paragraph are among those referred to in par. 468-b.

394. In executing any movement by which a column; of twos or troopers is formed, a four composed of less than three troopers (par. 368b-b) acts temporarily as a two—on the right of the four if the column of twos is formed right in front (par. 370); on the left of the four if the column of twos is formed left in front. When the column of fours is re-formed the troopers take their proper places in column as indicated in par. 368b-b.

395. The squad in column of fours, twos, or troopers is marched to the front, halted, marched backward, marched in an oblique direction, and marched again to the original front by the same commands as the squad in line, each element of the column conforming to the principles indicated for the squad in line (pars. 329, 374).

396. Being in column of fours, twos, or troopers, to change direction.

The movement is executed as explained in par. 329, the fours (twos, troopers) successively changing on the same ground, the guide of each element moving in the trace of the leader.

In changing direction in column of fours, mounted, the guide of each rear four slightly diminishes the pace when 4 feet from the turning point, correspondingly increasing the pace during the actual change of direction so as to have the proper distance of 4 feet from the four next in front when the turn is completed. This provision does not apply to the corresponding dismounted movement, nor to the column of twos, or troopers.