The leader takes position at any point or moves in any desired direction, and at any gait that will permit the movement to be executed. The troopers ride toward the leader at an extended gallop and, in the absence of other indication, form in rear of the leader in line. The leader promptly designates the guide (pars. 371, 373), who follows the leader. The other troopers form, as they come up, on the right and left of the guide extending the line. The leader may caution: COLUMN, as the leading troopers approach. The troopers then form in column of fours instead of in line. The leading element forms first; the other troopers, as they arrive, successively form fours, extending the column to the rear. The leader designates the guide (pars. 373, 374) and cautions: NOTE YOUR NUMBERS. The rally in column is exceptional and is intended for use only on occasions when a narrow road or other circumstances of the terrain prevent the rally in line.
Should the route along which the leader is moving when the rally is ordered be too narrow to permit the formation of column of fours, the leader may caution: COLUMN OF TWOS (COLUMN OF TROOPERS) as the leading troopers approach. The movement is executed as explained for the rally in column of fours. Fours should be counted at once. The rally in columns of twos or troopers is to be regarded as very exceptional.
The squad being rallied in line, though ordinarily not in order until fours are counted (par. 470), is available at once to charge or to execute any movement that does not involve a knowledge of their respective numbers on the part of the individual troopers. Unless the charge is to be executed at once, fours should be counted without delay after rallying, so that the squad, may be in order and ready to execute any movements whatever that conditions may demand.
The rally dismounted, is always executed at a run. (Fig. [49].)
Fig. 49, par. 416.
The Mounted Attack.
417. The mounted attack is made with the pistol or saber in accordance with the principles indicated in pars. 562-565. The typical saber charge is executed in line. Under some circumstances, as in the attack of a dispersed enemy, etc., a saber charge may be made by troopers deployed as foragers. The pistol attack is usually made in foragers. In exceptional circumstances (as in breaking out from an ambush, attacking in a narrow road, etc.) it may be made in line or in column of fours, twos, or troopers.
418. Cohesion in the line and vigor in the shock are essential to the success of the saber charge. High speed is necessary for the desired shock; and in the saber charge, as executed in combat, the horses are, at the culmination of the charge, habitually "turned loose" and urged to the highest speed. This, except with men and horses that are highly trained, necessarily involves loss of control over the horse on the part of the trooper. The saber charge, executed with poorly trained horsemen, especially if on imperfectly trained or excitable house's, is apt to be futile as regards the instruction of the trooper and to result in more or less permanent loss of control over the horses. Control of the mount by the trooper is essential during the execution of the pistol attack (ordinarily made in line of foragers), and is, of course, necessary during march and maneuver. For these reasons it is considered advisable that the first instruction of the recruit in the actual saber charge be deferred until after platoon instruction and that it be given then only after the troop commander is satisfied that the recruit's progress in horsemanship and in the use of his weapon has advanced to a point when the exercise will be of value.