Awkward Squad. The awkward squad consists not only of recruits at drill, but of formed soldiers that are ordered to exercise with them, in consequence of some irregularity under arms.
SQUADRON. A body of cavalry, composed of two troops. The number is not fixed, but is generally from 100 to 250 men.
SQUARE, (Carré, Fr.) A figure with right angles, and equal sides.
The SQUARE. A particular formation into which troops are thrown on critical occasions; particularly to resist the charge of cavalry.
Solid SQUARE, is a body of foot, where both ranks and files are equal. It was formerly held in great esteem; but when the prince of Nassau introduced the hollow square, this was soon neglected.
Hollow SQUARE, is a body of foot drawn up, with an empty space in the centre, for the colors, drums, and baggage, facing every way to resist the charge of the horse.
Oblong SQUARE. A square which is not at right angles, but represents the figure of an oblong, whose sides are unequal. Thus, as eight companies of equal numbers would form a perfect square, ten make an oblong.
Perfect SQUARE. A square whose sides are equal and at right angles.
The perfect square, in the formation of troops, seems best calculated for military movements and arrangements. Battalions, for instance, which are composed of eight companies, with one hundred rank and file in each, are equal to every species of disposition. It is upon this principle, we presume, that the French have distributed their infantry. British regiments, on the contrary, consist of eight companies, one of which is grenadiers and the other of light infantry, and are so composed that no square of this kind can be formed. This is manifestly a defect in their system. It is, indeed, remedied by the grenadier and light infantry companies being occasionally detached, or cast into separate battalions; so that the remaining companies, by being told off, may be brought to eight equal parts. Tacticians will perhaps agree with us, that it would be better to have every regiment composed of ten companies, flanked by a subdivision of grenadiers, the whole being so equalized as to produce four equal sides. In this case, the light companies should be formed into separate bodies of chasseurs or riflemen, after the manner of the French.
Shakspeare uses the word square to signify squadrons; but it is now obsolete.