Forming to the Rear. An alignment may be formed to the rear of any given battalion or platoon; either by posting guides, or moving a battalion to the required position; each battalion or platoon to be then marched to its relative place in the original line. So columns may be formed upon a given section or platoon marched or pivoted in a required position.
Rear line, of an army encamped, is usually 1200 feet at least from the centre line; both of which run parallel to the front line, as also the reserve.
Rear rank. When a regiment, troop, or company is drawn up two or three deep, the last line of men is called the rear rank.
Rear ranks, all the ranks of a line, regiment, troop, or company, which are ranged in order behind the front rank.
Rear rank, take open order. A word of command which is given in the manual and other parade exercises. It is likewise used in marching by the general at a review, or on guard mounting, &c. See [Open order].
Rear half files, are the three hindermost ranks of the battalion, when it is drawn up six deep.
Rear front. When a battalion, troop, or company is faced about, and stands in that position, it is then said to be rear front. It sometimes happens, that through oversight, forgetfulness, or ignorance, and confusion, troops are so clubbed, that, on the deployment of a column, the different troops and companies not only lose their stations in the line of original formation, but the rear rank men stand where the front rank men ought to be; in the latter case, they appear rear front. This error might be easily remedied, by counter-marching the several troops or companies.
Rear rank lengthening out a line. Although a single battalion may, by opening its companies and files, from 3 deep form 2 deep, by introducing its rear rank into the other two, yet a considerable line posted, which is to be lengthened out to one or both flanks by its rear rank, must, to greater advantage, perform such operation, by each company quarter wheeling the sub-divisions of its rear rank and facing to the hand they are to march to; the last rank of each company closes up to its first; the sub-divisions, of each battalion, move up to open distances from their respective head ones, and from each other; officers from the rear are appointed to command them; those of each or of every two battalions, being considered as a battalion, they march on in column, and prolong the line. By this mode of lengthening out the line, the two front ranks remain undisturbed, and they protect the movement which is made unseen behind them.
REARWARD, the last troop or company.
RUBEEWAR, Ind. Sunday.