PAMPHL VALEY BRE EXERCISE M\ II By GEORGE PATTEN RIC STREET, NOW READY Instructions in Heavy Artillery. By a Board of U. S. Officers. With Illustrations, ' $5 00 Notes on Artillery. By Major Broun Jw C. S. Army, V " 50 The Volunteers Camp and Field Book. 75 The Ordnance Manual. With Steel Uln r tions. (Scarce.) $5 00 Mahans' Field Fortifications, with plates. |2 Bobert's Hand-Book of Artillery. Jl Gilham's Instruction for Field Artillery, r Napoleon's Maxims of War. ?i 00 Gary's Bayonet Exercise and Skirmishers Drill. 81 Manual of Arms for Heavy Infantry. 25 The Volunteers Hand-Book. An Abridgement of Hardee's Tactics. 50 Address orders to WEST & JOHNSTON, Booksellers and Publishers, 145 Main Street, Richmond* CA VALET DRILL SABRE EXERCISE, \ AGREEABLY TO THE LATEST REGULATIONS OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT. FROM 3 Stankvb Pilitara Mw% fc By GEORGE PATTEN RICHMOND! WEST & JOHNSTON, 145 MAIN STREET, 1862. 4 PREFACE The following work is presented with the hope of meet- ing a want, now felt by the mounted troops called into ac- tive service. The knowledge of tactics acquired by militia •seldom extends beyond the requirement of infantry move- ments, so that the number possessing an acquaintance with the drill and evolutions of mounted troops is compara- tively small. It is therefore essential that the general principles of Cavalry Instruction, and the main details of the Cavalry Drill, should be speedily acquired by all enter- ing this branch of service, This book is designed to impart such instruction in a manner easily to be understood by the tyro in military knowledge; enabling the intelligent private to fully under- stand the various movements in which he takes a part, and affording the necessary instruction to officers to render them proficient in the various details of the schools of the Trooper, Platoon, and Squadron. Besides which, the sabre exercise is given, with numer- ous illustrations of the several positions of attack and de- fence. These, and the diagrams of the cavalry move- '2981 <*<% 'puoimpitf •J9ip[0s Li\VMiD eqj joj uomudraoo ?8^ood 8[q^ins t? orarqoA sjq^ jopuaj 0} sra uuoj v qons ui 2i%J.p /Z.qDiVDO oqj !jnas9.id 0} pajq'eaa uooq suq J9{idmoo oq? 'so^g 3^jap8juo() oq) jo A*auy oq^ ui pooTuqiuo qou sdocu? pG}unom oj uoyjoiu^sui \[v ^jom. sup iuojj Suiprqoxa jCft •inaq^ o^ ooaa.iojo.i Sui^ , n)T{io'Bj iCpuaaS snq 1 } i Saojaq fov$ qoiq/A oj yxo') oip ij^tm. paj-iosui oarc 'sjuotn CAYALRY DRILL. PART FIRST. INSTRUCTION ON FOOT. ARTICLE FIRST. Definitions and General Principles. A Troop is composed of ranks and files. A Rank is composed of men abreast of eacli other. A File is composed of two men, one behind the other. File-leader is a man of the front rank of a troop, relatively to the one who is behind him in the rear rank. File-closer is an officer or Sergeant posted behind the rear rank. Front is the direction perpendicular to the alignment of a troop and before it, either in column or in line. Centre is the middle of a troop. Wings are the two grand divisions into which any body of men is divided, when in line. Flank is the right or left side of a column, or line. Interval is the vacant space between two troops, or between the fractions of a troop in line. It refers more particularly to the space which the squadrons of a regi- ment in line should preserve between each other. Tbis interval is twelve paces, (twelve yards,) measurod DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL PRINCIPLES. from the knees of the Sergeant (not counted in the rank) on the left of a squadron, to the knees of the Sergeant on the right of the squadron which follows in order of battle. On foot, it is measured frqm the elbows of the same Sergeants. Distance is the vacant space from one troop to another in column, or between the ranks of a troop, either in line or in column. The distance between the open rank?, when mounted, is six yards, measured from the croup of the horses of the front rank to the head of the horses of the rear rank ; on foot, this distance is six paces. When the ranks are closed, the distance, if mounted, is two feet, measured from the eroup of the horses of the front rank to the head of those of the rear rank ; on foot, it is one foot, measured from the breast of a man in the rear rank to the back of his file-leader. When a troop is formed in column of platoons,, or divi- sions, the distances prescribed are measured from the men of one front rank to those of another front rank; on foot, they are measured from the elbows of the men of one front rank to the elbows of the men of another front rank. Depth is the space included between the head and the rear of a column. The depth of a column of platoons is equal to the front which the troop occupied in line; it is measured from the head of the horse of the officer commanding the first pla- toon, to the croup of the horses of the file closers of the last platoon. To estimate the front of a troop, and the depth of a column, it is necessary to know that a horse, when -mount- ed, occupies in breadth one third of his length ; this bre^nUh i s a little less than a yard. To avoid fractions, and arrive at the same result b}' 2 more simple calculation, having regard also to the room which the men must always preserve in the ranks, it is supposed to be one yard. The DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL PRINCIPLES. 7 length of a horse being three yards, the two ranks occupy six yards, with a distance of two feet between the ranks ; a space which is necessary to prevent them from interfering on the march. Taking the above dimensions for a base, the front of a squadron will consist of as many yards as there are files, plus the two Sergeants on the flanks. There will be a dif- ference, however, according to the corps, and the manner in which the regiment is mounted ; commandants of corps should satisfy themselves of it, by causing the front of their squadrons to be measured. Alignment is the placing of men, or troops, on the same line. There are two kinds : individual alignment and alignment hy troop. Individual alignment is when men are placed abreast of each other, in a parallel direction, and without one being in front or in rear of another. Alignment by troop is when a troop places itself on the prolongation of a line already formed. Every troop which is to form and align itself on an- other, halts on a line with the file-closers, parallel to the line of formation, to place itself afterwards on the align- ment of the troop which is already formed. The commandant of a troop places himself, to align it, on the side indicated by the command ; it is the same if the troop which he commands serves as base of alignment to another troop. But the commander of a troop which alings itself on another, moves on the opposite side to align it. A Platoon is composed habitually of twelve files; it may also be increased to sixteen ; in that case, it is divided into two sections. A Division is composed of two platoons. A Squadron is composed of two divisions, or four pla- toons. A Regiment in order of battle (or line) is com- posed of its squadrons disposed on the same line with their intervals. It is in natural order when the squadrons are placed in the order of their numbers from right tojeft 8 DEJ/iiNlTJLUiN'S AND OLNLRAL PRINCIPLED. It is in inverse order when the first squadrons are on the left of the line, and the last on the right, or when the subdivisions of each squadron are inverted. This order should be used. only when circumstances require it. A Column is the disposition of a troop which has bro- ken, and of which the fractions are placed one behind another. There are three kinds of columns j column in route, cohr/Kii with distance and close column. Column in route is formed of men by twos, or by fours. ' • Column with distance is formed of platoons, having between them the distance necessary to form in line in every way. This column may also be formed of divisions; but the proportion of a platoon front is the most advanta- geous for all movements. Close column is formed of squadrons with a distance of twelve yards from one to another; the object of this disposition is to give the least possible depth to the col- umn. The column has the right in front when its fractions are disposed according to the order of their numbers, from front to rear. The column has the left in front when the last fractions, in the order of their numbers, are in front. Fixed points, or points of direction, serve to point out the direction in which a troop in line, or in column, is to march ; or else to mark the right and left of a line. remediate points are those taken between the fixed points. They are used to preserve the desired direc- tion during the march, or to insure the rectitude of the formation of the lines. General guides are the two Sergeants who, in the formation of a regiment, mark the points where the right and the left are to rest. They are selected in the first and last squadrons, and are under the orders of the Adjutant and Sergeant Major, for the tracing of lines. DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL PRINCIPLES. 9 Principal Guides are the Sergeants who serve to mark the intermediate points in the formation in line. The Sergeants, file closers of the 1st and 4th platoons, are the principal guides of their respective squadrons. Particular Guides are the Sergeants who place them- selves on the line of formation, to mark the front of their squadrons as they arrive. The two Sergeants of the flanks, who are not co- in the rank, are the particular guides of their respective squadrons. Guide of the March in Line is the Sergeant file- closer of one of the wings, who, in the march in line, re- places the particular guide in the front rank, when the latter places himself on the alignment, to insure the direc- tion of the march by serving as an intermediate point. Guide of the column is the man on one of the 1. of the front rank of a column; he is charged with the direction of the march. The guide is always left when the right is in front; the exceptions to this general rule arc pointed out in the title of the evolutions. In the oblique march the guide is on the side tc which the inarch is made; and when the primitive direc- tion is resumed, after having obliqued, the guide is where it was before having obliqued. In a column composed of cavalry and infantry, the guides of the cavalry cover the second file of the visions of infantry on the side of the guides. In line, the officers who are in front of the squadrons, align then on the rear rank of the infantry. "Wheel is a circular movement executed by a ntan or troop, returning to the point of cle uirturc. When a troop makes a wheel, it turns upon one of its flanks; each of the men composing it describes a circle, larger in proportion to his distance from the central -int. Lbout face, or wheel, is the half of a wheel. PtiGHT or left eace, or wh; el, is the fourth of a wheel. 10 DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL PRINCIPLES. Right half, or left half face, or wheel, is the eighth of a wheel. Right quarter, or left quarter face, or wheel, is the sixteenth of a wheel. Pivot is the front rank man of the flank on which the wheel is made. There are two kinds : the fixed pivot and the moveable pivot. The pivot is fixed whenever he turn3 upon himself; he is moveable when he describes an arc of a circle. The arc of a circle described by the pivot of a rank of two, of four, of eight, or of a platoon, making the fourth of a wheel, is five yards j for a division it is ten yards ; and for a squadron it is twenty yards. Ployment is the movement by which a regiment forms from line into close column. Deployment is the movement by which a regiment forms from close column into line. Formation is the regular placing of all the fractions of a troop either in line or in column. Paces. There are three kinds : the walk, the trot, and the gallop. On foot there are two kinds of step : the common step, and the quick step. When the command does not indicate the pace, the movement is always made at a walk, if the troop is halted j if it is marching the movement is made at the pace at which it was already marching. On foot, the movements are executed habitually at the quick step, without the command being given. When they are to be executed at the common step the command should signify it. The pace, when used as a measure, is three feet. On foot it is two {'eat four inches. A horse passes over about one hundred yards per minute at a walk, two hundred and forty at a trot, and three hun- dred at a gallop. On foot the common step is at the rate of ninety per minute ; the quick step is at the rate of one hundred and twenty per minute. DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL PRINCIPLES. 11 The direct march is that which is executed by a troop in line or in column, to move off perpendicularly to its alignment. The march by a flank is that by which ground is gained to the right or left, after having made the fourth of a wheel. The diagonal march is thus called in relation to the front from which it commences by changing direction by the eighth of a wheel to the right or left, in order to arrive at a given point on the right or left. The oblique march is that by which, when moving forward, ground is gained towards one of the flanks with- out changing the front. There are two kinds; the indi- vidual oblique march, and the oblique march by troop. The individual oblique march is that which is executed by an individual movement of each man. The oblique march by troop is that which is executed by the movement, at the same time, of each of the sub-divi- sions of a troop in line. The circular march is that which is executed by de- scribing a circle or portion of a circle. Counter march is a movement by which the men of each rank, after having made successively the fourth of a wheel to the right or left, form themselves facing the rear, parallel to the first formation. The charge is a direct, quick and impetuous march, the object of which is to reach the enemy. Skirmishers (or Flankers) are men dispersed in front, in rear, or on the flanks of a troop, to cover its move- ments or its position. Obstacle is. anything in the nature of the ground, which obliges a troop in line to ploy a part of its front. Defile is a passage which compels a line to ploy into column, or a column to diminish its front. Evolutions are the regular movements by which a reg- iment passes from one order to another. Evolutions of line are these same movements execu- ted by several regiments, en one or several lines. Their 12 DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL PRINCIPLES. application combined with the position or movements of the enemy, are called manoeuvres. Commands. There are three kinds: • command of caution, which is attention. It is the signal to preserve immobility, and to give, attention. The ' preparatory command.. It indicates the move- ment which is to be executed. It is at this command that the horses are gathered. The command of execution, which is march or halt. The tone of command should be animated, distinct, and of a loudness proportioned to the troop which is command- ed. The command attention, is pronounced at the top of the voice, dwelling on the last syllable. The commands of execution are pronounced in a firm- er tone than the PREPxiRATORY commands. The commands of caution and the preparatory com- mands, are distinguished by italics; those of execution by CAPITALS. Those preparatory commands which, from their length, are difficult to be pronounced at once, must be divided into two or three parts, with an ascending progression in the tone of command, but always in such a manner that the one of execution may be more energetic and elevated (the divisions are indicated hi/ a hyphen -). The parts of com- mands which are placed in parenthesis are not pronounced. Time, in the detailed instruction, is an action of exercise which is executed at a command or part of command, and which is divided into motions, to demonstrate the mechanism and facilitate the execution of it, Soundings are the trumpet signals, which make known to the troop the movements or details of service which are to be executed. SABRE EXERCISE. 18 ARTICLE SECOND. School of the Trooper Dismounted. The preliminary instruction to be given to recruits for the mounted service, is the same as that given to the foot soldier, previous to his instruction in the manual of arms, embracing the position of the soldier, the facings and march- ing. All of which being fully described in the first part of Instruction in Infantry Tactics, need not be repeated here, as reference may be made to that book. ARTICLE THIRD. \ The Sabre Exercise. This is taught to a squad of from eight to ten men, placed in one rank, nine feet from each other, having the sabre hooked up with the hilt to the rear. The instructor commands : Draw — Sabre. Two times. 1. At the first part of the command, which is draw, turn the head slightly to the left, without deranging the position of the body ; unhook the sabre with the left hand, and bring the hilt to the front; run the right wrist through the sword-knot; seize the gripe, draw the blade six inches out of the scabbard, pressing the scabbard against the thigh with the left hand, which seizes it at the upper ring, and turn the head to the front. Fig. 1. 2. At the last part of the command, which 14 SABRE EXERCISE. Ok is sabre, draw the sabre quickly, raising the arm to its full extent; make a slight pause, carry the blade to the right shoulder, the back of it against the hollow of the shoul- der, the wrist resting against the hip, the little finger on the outside of the gripe Fig. 2. 6 F This position is the same when mounted, except that the wrist then naturally falls upon the thigh. Present — Sabre. One time. At the last part of the command, which is sabre, carry the sabre to the front, the arm half extended, the thumb opposite to, and six inches from the neck, the blade perpendicular, the edge to the left, the thumb extended on the right side of the gripe, the little finger by the side of the others. Fig. 3. Carry — Sabre. One time. At the last part of the command, which is sabre, carry the back of the blade against the hollow of the shoulder, the wrist resting against the hip, the little finger on the out- side of the gripe. Fig. 2. Return — Sabre. Two times. 1. At the first part of the command, which is return, execute the first motion of pre- sent sabre, Fig, 3. SABRE EXERCISE. 15 2. At the last part of the command, which is sabre, carry the wrist opposite to, and six inches from the left shoulder; lower the blade and pass it across and along the left arm, the point to the rear; turn the head slightly to the left, fixing the eyes on the opening of the scabbard ; return the blade, free the wrist from the sword-knot, turn the head to the front, drop the right hand by the side, and hook up the sabre with the hilt to the rear. Inspection — (of) Sabre. One time and seven ".notions. 1. At the last part of the command, which is sabre, ex- ecute the first time of draw sabre, Fig. 1. 2. Execute the second time of draw sabre, Fig. 2. 3. Present the sabre as it is prescribed, Fig. 3. 4. Turn the wrist inwards, to show the other side of the blade. 5. Carry the sabre to the shoulder. Fig. 2. 0. Execute the 1st time of return sabre. Fig. 3. 7. Execute the 2d time of return sabre. When the men execute the inspection of arms correctly, to exercise them without the details, the instructor com- mands : Inspection — (o/) Arms. Each man, as the instructor passes before him, presents the sabre, and turns the wrist inwards to show the other side of the blade, od and 4th motions of inspection of sabre. As soon as the instructor has passed by two files, the man who has been inspected carries the sabre to the shoulder, returns it, 5th, 6th, and 7th motions of inspection of sabre. The troopers being at attention with drawn sabres at a carry, the instructor commands : 16 SABRE EXERCISE. Guard. One time. At the command Guard, carry th e right foot two feet from the left, the heels on the same line; place the left hand closed, six inches from the body, and as high as the elbow, the fingers to- wards the body, the little finger nearer than the thumb (position of the bridle land'); at the same time, place the right hand in tierce at the height of ; and three inches from, the left hand, the thumb extended on the back of the gripe, the little finger by the side of the others, the point of the sabre inclined to the left, and two feet higher than the hand. Fig. 4. Left MOULINET. One time and two mo- tions. U i: 1. At the last part of the command, which is moulinet, extend the right arm to the front to its full length, the hand in tierce and as high as the eyes. 2. Lower the blade in rear of the left el- bow; graze the horse's neck quickly, describing a circle from rear to front, and return to the position of guard. Fig. 5. •SABKE EXEttOISE. 17 Bight — Moulin et. One time and tuo mo- tions. 1. At the last part of the command, which is MOULINET, extend the right arm to the front to its full length, the hand in quarte, and as high as the eyes. 2. Lower the blade in rear of the right el- bow: graze the horse's neck quickly describing a circle from rear to front, and return to the position of guard. Fig. 6. Fig. 6. To execute the mouli- net without stopping, if the instructor wishes to begin by the left, he commands: Left and Rigid — Moulin et. One time and two motions. If he wishes to bagin by the right, he commands: Right and Left — Moulinet. One time and two motions. At either of these commands, the troopers, commencing from the position of guard, execute alternately what is laid down above, without stopping at any motion. 18 SABRE EXERCISE. Rear — MOULINET. One time and Fig. 7. execute several in succession, two motions. 1. At the last ptfrt of the command, which is MOULINET, raise the arm to the right and rear to its full extent, the point of the sabre upwards, the edge to the right, the thumb extended on the back of the gripe, the body slight- ly turned to the right. 2. Describe a cir- cle in rear from left to right, the hand as far as possible from the body, and return to the position of guard. Fig. 7. When the troopers execute the mouli- nets well, the instruc- tor requires them to until the command guard. In tierce — Point. One time and three motions. 1. At the last part of the command, which is point, raise the hand in tierce as high as the eyes,'throw back the right shoulder, carrying the elbow to the rear, the point of the sabre to the front, the edge upwards. Fig. 8. 2. Thrust to the front ; extending the arm to its full leDgth. SABRE EXERCISE. 3. Return to the position of guard. 19 Fig. 8. In quarte — Point. One time and three motions. 1. At the last part of the command, which is point, lower the hand in quarte near the right hip, the thumb ex- tended on the right side of the gripe, the point a little higher than the wrist. Fig. 9. 2. Thrust to the front, extending the arm to its full length. 3. Return to the position of guard. Left — Point. One time and three motions. 1. At the last part of the command, which is point, turn the head to the left, draw back the hand in tierce to- wards the right, at the height of the neck, the edge up* wards, the point directed to the left. Fig. 10. 2. Thrust to the left, extending the arm to its full length, 3. Return to the position of guard. 20 SABKB SXERCjfek Fig. 10. Fig. 11. Rig] it — Point. One time and three motions. 1. At the last part of the command, which is point, turn the head to the right, carry the hand in quarte near the left breast, the edge upwards, the point directed to the right. Fig. 11. 2. Thrust to the right, extending the arm to its full length. 3. Return to the position of guard. Rear — Point. One time and three motions. 1. At the last part of the com- mand, which is point, turn the head to the right and rear, bring the hand in quarte opposite to the rinht shoul- der, the arm half extended, the blade horizontal, the point to the rear, the edge upwards. Fig. 12. SABRE EXERCISE. 21 2. Thrust to the rear, extending the arm to its full length. 3. Return to the position of guard. Against infantry left — Point. One time and three motions. 1. At the last part of the command, which is POINT, turn """N the head to the left, raise the hand in tierce near the neck, the point of the sabre directed at the height of the breast of a man on foot. ]?ig. \ 13. 2. Thrust down in tierce. 3. Return to the position of guard. Against infantry right — Point. One time and three motions. 1. At the last part of the command, which is point, turn the head to the right, carry the hand in quarte near the right hip, the point of the sabre directed at the height of the breast of a man on foot. 2. Thrust in quarte* 3. lleturn to the position of guard. Fig. 14. ] Front — Cut. One time and three motions. At the last part of the command, which is cut, raise the sabre, the arm half extended, the hand a little above the head 22 SABRE EXERCISE. the edge upward, the point to the rear and higher than the hand. Fig. 15. 2. Cut, extending the arm to its full length. 3. Return to the position of guard. Left— Cut. One time and three motions. Fig. 16. 1. At the last part of the command, which is CUT, turn the head to the left, raise the sabre, the arm extended to the right, the hand in quarte, and as high as the head, the point higher than the hand. Fig. 16. 2. Cut diagonally to the left. 3. Return to the position of guard. Right — Cut. One time and three motions. 1. At the last part of the command, which is cut, turn ftABRE EXERCISE. the head to the right, carry the hand opposite to the left shoulder, the point of the sabre upward, the edge to the left. Fig. 17. 2. Extend the arm quickly to its full length, give a back- handed cut horizontally. 3. Return to the position of guard. These cuts are also used against infantry, observing to direct them vertically. Rear — Cut. One time and three motions. 1. At the last part of the command, which is cut, turn the head to the right, throwing back the right shoulder; carry the hand as high as, and opposite to the left shoulder, the sabre perpendicular, the edge to the left. Fig. 18. 2. Extend the arm quickly to its full length, and give a back-handed cut horizon- tally, to the rear. 3. Return to the position of guard. Right, in tierce and quarte — Cut. One time and four motions. Fig. 18. 1. At the last part of the command, which is cut, exe- cute the 1st motion of right cut. 2. Execute the 2d motion of right cut. 3. Turn the hand in quarte, and cut horizontally, 4. Return to the position of guard. SABRE EXERCISE. Left, in quarte and tierce — Cut. One time and four motions. 1. At the last part of the command, which is cut, exe- cute the 1st motion of left cut. 2. Execute the 2d motion of left cut. 3. Turn the hand in tierce, and cut horizontally. 4. Return to the position of guard. Rear, in tierce and quarte — Cut. One time and four motions. 1. At the last part of the command, which is out, exe- cute the 1st motion of rear cut. 2. Execute the 2d motion of rear cut. 3. Turn the hand in quarte, and cut horizontally. 4. Return to the position of guard. In tierce — PARRY. One time and two motions. 1. At the last part of the com- mand, which is parry, carry the hand quickly a little to the front and right, the nails downward, without moving the elbow; the point inclined to the front, as high as the eyes, and in the direction of the right shoulder; the thumb extended on the back of the gripe, and pressing against the guard. Fig. 10. 2. Return to the position of guard. SABRE EXERCISE. 25 Fig. 20. In quarte — Parry. One time and two motions. 1. At the last part of the command, which is parry, turn the hand and car- ry it quickly to the front and left, the nails upward, the edge to the left, the point inclined to the front, as high as the eyes, and in the direction of the left shoulder; the thumb extended on the back of the gripe, and resting against the guard. (Fig- 20.) 2. Return to the position of guard. For the head — Parry. One time and two motions. 1. At the last part of the command, which is parry, raise the sabre quick- ly above the head, the arm nearly ex- tended, the edge upward, the point to the left, and about six inches higher than the hand. Fig. 21. 2. Return to the position of guard. Against infantry right — Parry. -. One time and three motions. 1. At the last part of the command, which is parry, turn the head to the right, throwing back the right shoul- der, raise the sabre, the arm extended to the right and rear, the point upward, the hand in tierce, the thumb extended 2 26 SABRE EXERCISE. \ on the back of the gripe, the edge to the left. Fig. 22. 2. Describe a circle quickly on the right from rear to front, the arm extended; tarn aside the b -yoDet with the back of the blade, bringing the hand as high as the head, the the point up- ward. 3. Return to the position of guard. Fig. 23. Tig. 22. J gainst infantry left— Parry. One time and three motions. 1. At the last part of the command, which is PARRY, turn the head to the left, raise the sabre, the arm extended to the front and right, the point upward, the hand in tierce, the thumb extended on the back of the gripe, the back of the blade to the front. Fig. 23. 2. Describe a circle quickly on the left, from front to rear along the horse's neck, the arm extended; turn aside the bayonet with the back of the blade, bringing the hand, still in tierce, above the left shoulder. 3. Return to the position of guard. SABRE EXERCISE. 27 When the troopers begin to execute correctly the above cuts, thrusts, and parries, the instructor requires them to make the application of them by combined motions ; as fol- lows: In tierce — Point AND FRONT CUT. In auarle — POINT AND FRONT CUT. Left — Point and cut. Right — Point and cut. Rear — Point and cut. Against infantry right — Point AND CUT. Against in/antry left — POINT AND CUT. Carry — Sabre. As it is prescribed, and carry the right foot by the side of the left. Remarks. The instructor explains what is meant by right and left side of the gripe ; by tierce and by quarte. The right side of the gripe is the side opposite to tho guard. The left side of the gripe is the side next to the guard. Tierce is tho position in which the edge of the blade is turned to the right, the nails downward. Quarte is the position in which the edge of the blade is turned to the left, the nails upward. The object of the moulinet is to render the joints of the arm and wrist supple, and as it adds to the confidence of the men when isolated, by increasing their dexterity, they should first be exercised at it, as a preparation for the other motions. Each lesson is therefore commenced and ended with moulinets, executed with a quickness proportioned to the progress of the troopers. The instructor pays particular attention that the men do not employ a degree of force in the sabre exercise, which not only is less necessary than skill and suppleness, but which is even prejudicial. lie 28 SABRE EXERCISE. observes, also, that they do not lean to one side, in such a manner as to lose the seat, when mounted; he requires more especially, in the motions of the sabre to the rear, that the blade shall not fall too near the body, for fear of •wounding the horse. In describing a circle, the flat of the blade should be to the side, and the edge to the front, and it should be so directed as not to touch either the horse's head, or his haunches, or the knees of the rider. When the troopers execute all the motions with regulari- ty, the instructor requires each cut to be given without de- composing it; the last syllable of a command is the signal for the quick execution of it. All the cuts are then termi- nated by a half-moulinet ; which brings back to the position Of GUARD. Thrusts should always be used in preference, as they re- quire less force, and their result is more prompt, sure, and decisive. They should be directed quickly home to the body of the adversary, the sabre being held with the full grasp, the thumb pressing against the guard in the direc- tion of the blade. The instructor allows the men to rest frequently during the lesson, in which case he causes the sabre to be returned, SCHOOL OF THE TROOPER. 29 t^a.:rt second. INSTRUCTION ON HORSEBACK. ARTICLE FIRST. To Conduct his Horse to the Ground. The trooper conducts his horse to the ground, the reins passed over the neck, and their extremity engaged in the left cloak strap. He holds the reins with the right hand at six inches from the mouth of the horse, the nails under, the hand elevated and firm to prevent the horse from jumping. When the trooper is under arms, he has the sabre hooked up. Position of the Trooper before Mounting. The trooper places himself on the left side of the horse, abreast of the nether jaw: he holds the reins with the right hand at six inches from the mouth of the horse, the nails downward. The trooper has his heels upon the same line and as near together as his conformation will permit, the feet at lit- tle less than a right angle, and equally turned out; the knee straight without being stiff, the body perpendicular upon the haunches, and slightly inclned for- ward; the left hand hanging at the side, the palm a little turned out, the little finger along the seam of the pan- taloons; the head erect without being constrained, the chin drawn into th» Fig. 24. neck without covering it, the eyes fixed to the front. Fig. 24. SO SCHOOL OF THE TROOPER. When the trooper is tinder arms, he has the left hand over the sabre. To Mount. The instructor commands : Prepare to mount. One time and two motions. 1. At the command Prepare to mount, Nos. 1 and 3 of each rank move six paces to the front, stepping off with the left foot, keeping opposite their intervals, and regulating by the right. Place the right foot three inches in rear of the left; make a face and a half to the right on both heels, the right foot remaining in front; let go the right rein; slip the right hand along the left rein ; take two steps, stepping off with the right foot, and face to the left upon the point of the left foot, the right side toward the flank of the horse; car- ry back the right heel three inches in rear of the left; the right hand seizing the end of the reins is placed upon the cantle of the saddle. 2. Place a third of the left foot in the stirrup, support- ing it against the fore-arm of the horse; rest upon the point of the right foot, and seize with the left hand over the reins a lock of the mane as far forward as possible, the extremity of the lock passing out of the hand on the side of the little finger. Mount. One time and two motions. 1. At the command Mount, spring from the right foot, holding firmly to the mane, at the same time pressing the cantle to prevent the saddle from turning; the body erect. 2. Pass the right leg stretched over the croup of the SCHOOL OF THE TROOPER. 31 horse, without touching him ; sit lightly in the saddle, placing at the same time the right hand, without quitting the reins, upon the right holster, the palm of the hand rest- ing upon it, the fingers on the outside of it, and take one rein of the snaffle in each hand. (If the trooper is using the curb-bridle, he will pass the reins of it in the left hand and adjust them.) Place the right foot in the stirrup. Form — Ranks. At the last part of the command, which is Ranks, Nbs- 1 and 3 raise the wrists (or the bridle hand), and hold the legs close to the body of the horse to keep him quiet ; Nos. 2 and 4 enter the intervals without jostling and vnthout pre- cipitation. The rear rank being formed, closes to the distance of two feet from the front. Remarks. Refore the causing the command Mount to be executed, the instructor explains in detail the two times of it, and al- lows but a short interval between the first and second part of this command, because, were the trooper to remain a long time on the stirrup, the horses would become restive and move out of their proper places. The instructor will explain to the troopers, that in carry- ing the right hand to the holster before placing themselves in the saddle, they will be able to do so lightly, and will not run the risk of injuring themselves in bestriding their horses. The instructor causes the stirrups to be crossed upon the neck, the left stirrup over the right. Position of the Trooper Mounted. The buttocks bearing equally upon the saddle, and as far forward as possible ; The thighs turned upon their flat side without effort, 32 SCHOOL OF THE TROOPER. embracing equally the horse, and stretched only by their own weight and that of the legs ; A supple bend of the knees J The legs free and falling naturally ; The point of the feet falling in like manner; The loins supported without stiffness ; The upper part of the body at ease, free and erect ; The shoulders equally thrown back j ' The arms free, the elbows falling naturally; The head erect, at ease, and not drawn in between the shoulders ; One rein of the snaffle in each hand, the fingers closed, the thumb along each rein, the wrists as high as the elbow, at six inches from each other, the fingers turned toward each other, the upper extremity of the reins leaving the hand on the side of the thumb. Fig. 25. SCHOOL OF THE TROOPER. 33 To Lengthen the Reins of the Snaffle. The instructor commands : Lengthen left (or right) — Rein. One time and two n.otions. 1. At the last part of the command, which is Rein, bring the wrists toward each other without turning them in, seize the left rein with the thumb and first finger of the right hand, at one inch from the left thumb. 2. Half open the left hand, and allow the rein to slip until the thumbs touch ; reclose the left hand, and replace the wrists. To Shorten the Reins of the Snaffle. The instructor commands : Shorten left (or right) — Rein. One time and two motions. 1. At the last part of the command, which is Rein, bring the wrists toward each other without turning them in, seize the left rein with the thumb and first finger of the right hand, so that the thumbs touch. 2. Half open the left hand, elevate the right hand, and suffer the rein to slip until the thumbs are one inch apart; reclose the left hand, and replace the wrists. The right rein is lengthened and shortened on the same principles, but by inverse means. To Cross the Reins in the Left Hand. The instructor commands : Cross reins — In left iiand. One time. At the last part of the command, which is Left hand, turn in the left wrist, the nails downward, at the sarao time 34 SCHOOL OF THE TROOPER. bring the wrist opposite to the middle of the body, half open the left hand, place in it the part of the rein that was in the right j reclose the left hand and let the right fall to the side. To Take the Reins in Both Hands. The instructor commands : Separate — Reins. One time. At the last part of the command, which is Reins, half open the left hand, seize with the right hand, the nails downward, the part of the right rein which is in the left hand, and replace the wrists six inches apart. To Cross the Reins in the Right Hand. The instructor commands : Cross reins — In right hand. One time. This is executed in the same manner as -cross reins in left 7iand, but by inverse means. The Use of the Reins. The reins serve to prepare the horse for the movement he is required to execute, to direct him and to stop him. Their action should be progressive, and in accordance with that of the legs. When the trooper makes use of the reins, the arms should act with suppleness, and their movements ought to extend from the wrist to the shoulder. The Use of the legs. The legs serve to urge the horse forward, to support him, and to aid him in turning to the right and to the left. [ SCHOOL OF THE TROOPER. 35 Whenever the trooper wishes his horse to move forward, he should close the legs by degrees behind the girths, causing their effect to correspond with the sensibility of the horse, taking care neither to open nor elevate the knees, of which the bend should be always pliant. The trooper relaxes the legs by degrees, as he closed them. The Effect of the Reins and Legs Combined. In elevating a little the wrists, and closing the legs, the trooper " gathers his horse;" in elevating again the wrists, he slackens the pace; in repeating this movement of the wrists he stops the horse, or "reins back." The trooper ought to elevate the wrists without curving them, at the same time drawing them slightly towards the body. In opening the right rein and closing the right leg, the trooper turns his horse to the right. To open the right rein, the right wrist is carried, without turning it, more or less to the right, according to the sensibility of the horse. In opening the left rein, and closing the left leg, the trooper turns his horse to the left. To open the left rein, the left wrist is carried, without turning it, more or less to the left, according to the sensibility of the horse. By lowering slightly the wrists, the horse is at liberty to move forward; the closing the legs determines the move- ment. To March. The instructor commands : 1. Squad forward. 2. MARCH. At the command Squad forward, elevate slightly the wrists, and close the legs in order to " gather the horse." At the command March, lower slightly the wrists, and close the legs more or less, according to the sensibility of the horse. The horse having obeyed, replace the wrists and the legs by degrees. 36 SCHOOL OF THE TROOPER. To Halt. After some steps, the instructor commands : 1. Squad. 2. Halt. At the command Squad, the trooper gathers his horse, without slackening his pace. At the command Halt, the trooper braces himself in the saddle; elevate the wrists at the same time by degrees, and close the legs in order to prevent the horse from receding. The horse having obeyed, replace the wrists and the legs by degrees. When the horse does not obey, cause him to feel succes- sively the effect of each rein, according to his sensibility. To Turn to the Right, and to the left. The instructor commands : 1. Squad to the right (or to the left.} 2. March. 8. Halt. At the command Squad to the right, gather the horse. At the command March, open the right rein, and close progressively the right leg. In order not to turn the horse too short, perform the movement upon a quarter of a circle of three paces. The movement being almost completed, diminish the effect of the rein and the right leg, support- ing the horse at the same time with the left rein and leg to terminate the movement. At the command Halt, elevate slightly the wrists, and hold the legs near, in order to keep the horse straight in the new direction; replace the wrists and the legs by degrees. To Turn-about to the Eight, and to the Left. The instructor commands : 1. Squad to the right-about (or to the le/t-about.) 2. March. 3. Halt. This movement is executed on the principles prescribed SCHOOL OF THE TROOPER. 37 for the turn to the right or to the left, with this difference, that the horse should pass over a semicircle of six paces, and face to the rear. To Make a Quarter-turn to the Right and to the Left. The instructor commands : 1. Squad right oblique (or left oblique'). 2. March. 3. Halt. At the command Squad right oblique, gather the horse. At the command March, open a little the right rein, and close slightly the right leg, in order to make the horse exe- cute a quarter-turn to the right ; cause the horse to feel, almost at the same time, the effect of the rein and the left leg, to terminate the movement without increasing the de- gree of obliquity. At the command Halt, elevate slightly the wrists and close the legs, to keep the direction of the quarter-turn to the right; replace the wrists and the legs by degrees. To Rein-back, and to Cease Reining-back. The instructor commands ; 1. Squad — Backwards. 2. March. 3. Squad. 4. HALT. At the command Squad baclcicards, gather the horse. At the command March, keep a firm seat, elevate the wrists, and close the legs. As soon as the horse obeys, lower and elevate successive^ the wrists, which is called yielding and checking. If the horse throws the haunches to the right, close the right leg ; if he throws them to the left, close the left leg. If these means are not sufficient to replace the horse in his proper position, open the rein on the side towards which the horse throws his haunches, causing him to feel, at the same time, slightly, the effect of the opposite rein. At the command Squad, the trooper prepares to stop. At the command Halt, lower the wrists and close the 38 SCHOOL OF THE TROOPER. legs. The horse having obeyed, replace the wrists and the legs by degrees. To Dismount. The instructor causes the stirrups to be let down and the feet put in them. He then commands : 1. Prepare to Dismount. One time and two motions. 1. At the command Prepare TO DISMOUNT, Nbs. 1 and 3 of the front rank move forward six paces, Nos. 2 and 4 of the rear ?-ank rein-bach four paces, and keep themselves opposite their intervals. The troopers of each rank dress by the right. Pass the right rein of the snaffle into the left hand, the extremity of the reins leaving the hand on the side of the thumb. Dismount. One time and two motions. 1. At the command Dismount, rise upon the left stirrup; pass the right leg extended over the croup of the horse, without touching him, and bring the right thigh near to the left, the body being well sustained ; place at the same time the right hand upon the cantle of the saddle, slipping it along the reins without letting them go; descend lightly to the ground, the body erect, the heels upon the same line. Let go the mane with the left hand ; engage the extremity of the reins in the left cloak-strap with the right hand, which then seizes the left rein. 2. Make a face and two steps to the left, stepping off with the left foot; slip the right hand along the left rein, seize with the same hand both reins at six inches from the mouth of the horse, the nails downward, and take the position of the trooper be/ore mounting. Form — Ranks. At the last part of the command, which is Ranks, Nbs. SCHOOL OF THE TROOPER. 89 1 and 3 of each rank elevate slightly the right hand to 7ceep the horse quiet : Nos. 2 and 4 return to their intervals gently. Length of the Stirrup. They are of the proper length if, when the trooper raises himself on the stirrup, there is a space of six inches be- tween the fork and the saddle. Fig. 26. Position of the Foot in the Stirrup. The stirrup should support only the weight of the leg the foot ought to be inserted one-third of its length, the heel lower than the toe. Fig. 26. The stirrup should support only the weight of the leg : if the trooper bore too much upon the stirrups, his seat would 40 SCHOOL OF THE TROOPER. be deranged as well as the position of the legs, and the justness of their action would be impaired. The foot ought to be inserted one-third of its length : if the trooper did not insert the foot sufficiently far in the stir- rup, he would risk losing them, particularly during the lively gaits. If the foot were inserted too far, the legs would not fall naturally. The heel lower than the toe : that the foot may keep the stirrup without effort and without stiffness; that the play of the joint with the hg may remain free, and that the spur being further removed from the horse, there is less danger of its being improperly employed. Position of the Bridie-Hand with Curb. The reins with their slide in the left hand, the little fin- ger between the reins, the other fingers well closed, and the thumb upon the second joint of the first finger; the elbow slightly detached from the body, the hand four inches above the pommel of the saddle, the fingers six inches from and turned toward the body; the little finger a little nearer the body than the upper part of the wrist, the right hand at the side. Fig. 26. The Principal Movements of the Bridie-Hand, In raising slightly the hand and drawing it in toward the body, the trooper gathers his horse ; in raising it still more, the gait is made slower. By increasing the effect of the hand, the horse is stopped ; if increased still more, the horse is reined back. In lowering slightly the hand, the horse is at liberty to move forward. In carrying the hand forward and to the right, the horse is turned to the right. In carrying the hand forward and to the left, the horse is turned to the left. As soon as the horse obeys, the bridle-hand resumes its original position. SCHOOL OP THE TROOPER. 41 In all the movements of the hand, the arm should act freely, without communicating constraint to the shoulder or body; the effect of the curb being more powerful than that of the snaffle, it should be used, progressively. ARTICLE SECOND. Manual for Colt's Revolver. The trooper being mounted, holding the reins as pre- scribed, the pistol either in the holster or pistol-case, the instructor will command : Draw — Pistol. Two times. 1. At the first command, unbuckle the holster or pistol- case, seize the pistol by the hand with the right hand, hold- ing it between the palm of the hand and the three last fin- gers, the fore-finger resting on the guard, the thumb on the handle; 2. At the second command, draw out the pistol and ele- vate it, the guard to the front, the wrist at the height of, and six inches from the right shoulder. Load in six times. 1. Load. One time and one motion. Place the pistol in the bridle-hand, holding it by the handle in front of the body, the hammer between the thumb and fore-finger, and turned to the left, the muzzle pointing upward. Carry the right hand to the cartridge- box and open it. 2. Handle — Cartridge. One time and one motion. Seize the cartridge with the thumb and the first two fin- gers, and carry it to the mouth. 42 SCHOOL OF THE TROOPER. 3. Tear — Cartridge. Bite off the end and carry the cartridge opposite the chamber nearest the lever. 4. Charge — Cartridge. One time and two motions. 1. Empty the powder into the chamber and insert the ball, pressing it down as far as possible with the thumb and forefinger. 2. Turn the pistol with the left hand, bringing the ham- mer toward the body, and cock it with the thumb of the right hand. 5. Ram — Cartridge. One time and two motions. 1. Seize the lever at the catch with the thumb and fore- finger of the right hand, ram down the ball and replace the lever. 2. Let down the hammer with the right hand, and carry the hand to the cartridge-box. Repeat as above until all the chambers are loaded. 6. Prime. One time and two motions. 1. Lower the muzzle toward the right side by turning the wrist of the bridle-hand, the muzzle pointing down- ward, the hammer to the front, the left wrist resting against the stomach; half-cock the pistol with the left thumb, turn the cylinder with the thumb and forefinger of the right hand until it clicks. Take a cap and press it ou the ex- posed cone. Turn again the cylinder until it clicks, and so on until all the cones are capped, the hammer resting on the safety notch. 2. Seize the pistol at the handle with the right hand, and bring it to the position of draw pistol. The instructor wishing to fire, will command : SCHOOL OP THE TROOPER.' 43 Ready. One time and two motions. 1. Place the pistol in the left hand, the little finger touching the key, the barrel nearly vertical, the muzzle a little inclined to the left and front, the guard to the front, the thumb on the head of the hammer, the forefinger along the guard. 2. Cock the pistol, and bring it to the position of draw pistol. Aim. One time. Lower the pistol, the arm half extended, and place the forefinger lightly on the trigger, the muzzle directed to the height of a man's waist. Fire. One time. Press the forefinger steadily on the trigger, fire, and, re- take the position of draw 'pistol. The men being at a ready, and the instructor wishing to fire all the barrels in quick succession, will give an intima- tion to that effect, and then command : 1. Aim. 2. Fire. The men will aim and fire, come to the first position of ready, cock, aim, and fire again, and so continue until the pistol is discharged; then take the position of draw pistol. The instructor wishing to reload, will command: Load at Will. Load. One time. Load the six chambers as heretofore prescribed, and take the position of draw pistol. 44 SCHOOL OF THE TROOPER. Return Pistol. One time. Lower the muzzle of the pistol, and return it to the hol- ster or pistol-case. When the troopers become well instructed in the use of the pistol, the following mode of coming to a ready will be substituted for the above : Ready. Incline the muzzle of the pistol to the front, the wrist re- maining six inches from the shoulder; place the first joint of the thumb on the head of the hammer, and cock it by an extension of the thumb, and resume the position of draw pistol. BASIS OF INSTRUCTION. 45 IPjP^TIT third. BASIS OF INSTRUCTION. Explanation of G ; , C Captain Commanding S ft C Second Captain. ^ — Lieutenant. L S | L Second Lieutenant. s £ — Sergeant. B fj — Bugler. C 1 — Corporal. — Men of Front Rank. — Men of Rear Rank. The rank of the several sergeants is designated by figures placed with the signs. 46 BASIS OF INSTRUCTION. Posts of the Officers and Non- Commissioned Officers of a Squadron- in line. (Fig. 27.) The Captain commanding is posted at the centre of the squadron, the croup of his horse one pace in front of the heads of the horses of the front rank. The 2d Captain three paces in rear of the centre of the squadron. He is charged with the alignment of the rear rank and file closers. The senior 1st Lieutenant commands the first platoon, the other 1st Lieutenant commands the fourth platoon. The senior 2d Lieutenant commands the second platoon, the other 2d Lieutenant commands the third platoon. Each of these officers is posted at the centre of his pla- toon, with the croup of his horse one pace in front of the heads of the horses of the front rank. The senior Sergeant is posted behind the third file from the right of the first platoon ; he is the principle guide when the column of squadrons is left in front. The 2d Sergeant behind the third file from the left of the fourth platoon ; he is principal guide when the column of squadrons is right in front. The 3d Serjeant is posted on the right of the front rank of the squadron ; he is not counted in the rank. The 4th Sergeant on the left of the front rank ; he is not counted in the rank. The 5th Sergeant on the left of the first platoon The 6th Sergeant on the right of the second platoon. The 7th Sergeant on the right of the third platoon. The 8th Sergeant on the right of the fourth platoon. The heads of the -horses of all the file closers are at one pace from the croup of those of the rear rank. The corporals are posted in the front rank on the right apd left of their respective platoons, and supply the places of the Sergeants when necessary. When guidons are used, they are carried by the non-com- missioned officers on the left of the first and third platoons. BASIS OF INSTRUCTION. 47 Posts of the Officers of a Squadron in Order of Column. In column of fours and twos. (Fig. 28.) .' The Captain commanding marches on £?{]§$£ the side of the guides, and four paces r- p, from the flank, and abreast of the centre pSL of their squadrons. pyj The second Captain marches on the jSSiW S ^ e opposite to the guides, four paces £p| from the flank, and abreast of the cen- (S tre of their squadrons. G-J The Senior 1st Lieutenant of the sfizED squadron marches at the head of the 1st platoon, one pace in advance of the first files, having the particular guide of the right on his right. The chiefs of the other platoons march Zi^9> on the side of the guides, one pace from c f\^fed W the flank of the column, and abreast of 5 M5 their first files; the file-closers march on CJj the side opposite to the guides, one pace till from the flank, and on a line with the l< 1 centre of their platoons. gj] They all march in a similar manner on |p] the flanks of the column when the left _A (0Pi is in front; and, in this case, it is the pcoft junior 1st Lieutenant who marches in p^i . the column at the head of the 4th pla- m^Viz toon of the squadron. £75? The particular guide, who in line is g3 posted on the left of the squadron, L2 marches behind the last files of the sfpU squadron j when the column is left in front, he takes post on the left of the oflfi- Fig. i>8. cer commanding the fourth platoon, one pace in front of the left file. "When the nature of the ground obliges the officers and 48 BASIS OF INSTRUCTION. Mfr» file-closers to enter the column, the movement is made suc- cessively; the Captain commanding, and the chiefs of pla- toons, place themselves at the head ; the second Captain and the file-closers, in rear of their respective troops. The primitive order is resumed as soon as the nature of the ground will permit. > In column of Platoons. (Fig. 29.) In this order, the distance from one platoon to another, measured from the men of one front rank to those of another front rank, is equal to the front of a platoon ; that is to say, it is twelve paces if the platoons are of twelve files. Subtracting the depth of two ranks, which is six paces, there re- mains six paces from the croup of the horses of the rear rank of one platoon, to the heads of the horses of the front rank of the next pla- toon, a distance which is equal to half of the front of a platoon. The Captain commanding marches on the side of the guides, four paces from the flank of the column, and habitually abreast of Fig. 29. the centre of the squadron. The second Captain marches on the side opposite to the guides, four paces from the flank of the column, and abreast of the centre of the squadron. The 1st and 2d Lieutenants march at the centre of their platoons, one pace from the front rank y when forming part of a regiment, those who command the platoons at the head of squadrons, preserve, besides their distance, the ground necessary to enable each squadron, in wheeling into line, to maintain its interval. BASIS OF INSTRUCTION. 49 The Sergeants, who arc file-closers, march on the side opposite to the guides, behind the third file of their pla- toons. "/W/wv^ a * -_ *1 Fig. 30. is in front. When the column marches right in front, the particular guide of tie right of the squadron marches on the right of the first platoon j and the particu- lar guide of the left places himself as file-closer behind the second file from the left of the fourth platoon. The posts of these Sergeants is the reverse when the left is in front. In column of /Sections. (Fig. 30.) The squadron being composed of sixty-four files, when it is broken into sections, the 1st Lieutenant of the squadron marches at the head of the first section of the first platoon ) the chiefs of the other platoons remain on the side of the guides, one pace from and on a line with the front rank of their first section. The file-closers who command the second sections, march on the side opposite to the guides, one pace from and on a line with the front rank. The posts of the commandants of sections is the reverse when the left 50 BASIS OF INSTRUCTION. In column of Divisions. (Fig. 31.) The Captain com- manding, and the second Captain, are posted as in column of platoons. The senior 1st Lieu- cjftt ; a tenant commands the $ $m 1st division, the other 1st Lieutenant the 2d ; they remain, however, at the centre of their platoons. All the other officers and Sergeants of each division are posted as Fj s- 31 - prescribed in the order in column of platoons, the file-closers remaining in their places, on whatsoever side the guide may be. Posts of Officers and Non- Commissioned Officers of a Company acting singly. The Captain in front of the centre, one pace distant from the front rank. The 1st Lieutenant in rear of the centre, in the rank of file-closers. The 2d Lieutenant commands the 1st platoon ; in the ab- sence of a 3d Lieutenant, the 2d platoon is commanded by the senior Sergeant. The chiefs of platoons are posted one pace in front of the centre of their respective platoons. The first Sergeant in rear of the right, in the rank of file-closers. The 2d and 3d Sergeants on the right and left of the troop, not told off. A non-commissioned officer is posted on the left of the 1st platoon, and on the right of the 2d. BASIS OP INSTRUCTION. 51 Corporals, next to the Sergeants who are on the flanks of platoons. The Saddler and Farrier in rear of the left of the troop eight paces retired from the line of file-closers; and the Buglers twenty paces in rear of the centre. 52 SCHOOL OP THE PLATOON, IPJ^TIT FOURTH. SCHOOL OF THE PLATOON Preluninai-y remarJcs. The troopers being sufficiently instructed to manage their horses and use their arms, are passed to the school of the platoon, the object of which is to teach them to exercise properly together, and execute all the movements of the platoon in the squadron, whether in column or in line. Each movement, after having been correctly executed by the right, is repeated by the left, following the same prin- ciples, but by inverse means; the commands being the same, except the substitution of Left for Right, and the reverse. When the movements are all executed at the walk, the instructor causes them to be repeated at the trot, requiring always the same simultaneous action and the same precision. This gradation is also followed for the exercise at the gal- lop ; but the horses are not kept a long time at this gait. The platoon is composed of twenty-four or thirty-two men {twelve or sixteen files), including the Corporals, placed io the squadron in line; a non-commissioned officer is placed as file-closer; another non-commissioned officer is charged with aiding the instructor; he is termed assistant instruc- tor. When the platoon is broken in order to march in column, the assistant instructor, at the preparatory command, places himself at one pace in front of the first files. In all the formations and marches in line, he places himself at cms SCHOOL OF THE PLATOON. 53 pace in front of the centre of the platoon, the post of the chief of the platoon j the instructor moves wherever his presence is most required. The platoon is formed in two ranks, at open order, the troopers and file-closers at the head of their horses, the assistant instructor mounted, facing the platoon, at ten paces from, and opposite the centre; the instructor commands: 1. Attention. 2. Right— 'Db.y&s. 3. Front. He then commands : In each rank — Count (by) fours. Which is executed, commencing by the right. The troopers then mount by the times, and without ex- planation. At the command Form — Ranks, the assistant instructor moves forward, turns to the right-about, and places himself at the centre of the platoon, the croup of his horse one pace from the head of the horses of the front rank. The file- closer follows the rear rank. General Principles of Alignment. The troopers, to align themselves, should regulate their shoulders upon those of the men on the side of the align- ment, and fix the eyes upon the line of the eyes, so as to perceive the breast of the second trooper of their rank on the side of the alignment; for this purpose, they should turn the head, remaining square upon their horses, feel lightly the boot of the man on the side of the alignment, and keep the horses straight in the ranks, that all may have a parallel direction. The troopers of the rear rank, independently of the alignment, should be exactly behind their file-leaders, and in the same direction, taking care to preserve the distance of two feet from head to croup. 54 SCHOOL OF THE PLATOON. Successive Alignment of Files in the Platoon. rj The two files of the right or of the V left are moved forward ten paces, and aligned parallel to the platoon by the r la J^ commands: 1. Two files from right (or J0 \ ffi ^ left) forward ; 2, March; 3. Halt ; 002 4. Right (or left)— Dress ; 5. Front. Jwv.^ a i ^ ne instructor then commands : ™ffiW ! -! D „ . i ■ , -j "v -p, mmM .x 2. Front. Fig. 32. Figure 32. At the last part of the first command, which is Dress, each file moves forward suc- cessively and steadily, the troopers turning the head to the right and taking the last steps slowly, in order to arrive abreast of the files already formed without passing beyond the alignment, observing then to halt, give the hand, relax the legs, and keep the head to the right until the command Front. • Each file executes the same movement when the preced- ing one has arrived on the base of alignment, so that only one file may align itself at the same time. At the command Front, turn the head to the front. The instructor gives the command Front when the last file is aligned. Figure 33. When the troopers exe- ^ cute correctly these alignments, this in- g, -\ struction is repeated in giving the two 7 /■' \ files of the right an oblique direction. ^ For this purpose, the two files having t W^ marched forward four paces, as has been ^ prescribed, execute a half -turn to the right, or to the left, and march six paces in this new direction. The platoon being unmasked, the re- Fig. 33. mainder of the movement is executed jwffinift- SCHOOL OF THE PLATOON. 55 by the commands and following the principles prescribed above ; each file as it arrives nearly opposite the place it is to occupy, executes a half-turn to the right, or to the left, so that having left the platoon by one straight line, it arrives upon the new alignment by another. The two files of the right or of the left, are made tP rein back four paces, and align themselves parallel to the pla- toon and opposite the place they occupied in it, by the com- mands : 1. Tie o files from the right (or left) backwards ; 2. March; 3. Halt; 4. Eight (or left) — Dress; 5. Front. The instructor then commands : 1. By file — right (or left) backwards — Dress. 2. Front- Figure 34. At the last part of the first command, which is Dress, each file reins back successive- U ly, keeping perfectly straight, the troop- ™ ers turning the head to the right, and passing a little to the rear of the files al- filiffffilttiiD'": ft ready formed, in order to come up abreast i^ of them by a movement to the front ^y which renders the alignment more easy. tig| The troopers of the front rank rein back slowly, those of the rear rank regu- Fig. 34. late themselves upon their file leaders, preserving always their proper distance. • At the command Front, turn the head to the front. The alignment is then executed by twos (or by fours.) For this purpose the two or four files of the right move forward as has been prescribed, and the instructor com- mands : i. By ticos (or by fours) — right (or left) — Dress. 2. Front. At the last part of the first command, which is Dress, the files align themselves successively by twos (or by fours), following the principles prescribed for the alignment by 56 school of the platoon. file, being particular to set out and arrive upon the align- ment together. At the command Front, turn the head to the front. Alignment of the Platoon. The platoon being in line, the instructor places the Cor- poral of the flank on which he wishes to align it in such a position that no trooper will be forced to reign back, and commands : m 1. Right (or left) — Dress. 2. Front. At the last part of the first command, which is Dress, all the troopers align themselves promptly, but with steadi- ness. At the command Front, turn the head to the front. In all the alignments, the Corporal of the opposite flank aligns himself promptly on the one toward the side of the alignment, without respect to the individual alignment of the troopers. To Open and Close the Banks. To open the ranks the instructor commands : 1. Rear rank open order. 2. March. 3. Right — Dress. 4. Front. Figure 35. At the command March, the front rank remains inf* j* moveable, the rear rank reins back y six paces, each trooper preserving the direction of his file-leader. The ,^a^ file-closer reins back until he is six [UllIIllllMl paces from the rear rank. The as- gg^^g^j sistant instructor moves forward six ~ ... y ,/yw.x*' j|^g fa side to lengthen his. gg| At the last part of the command, which (jfei is Turn, the first rank of twos or fours §f(/p\ turn to the left. The pivot turns at the same gait, describing an arc of a circle of five paces. The trooper on the opposite side turns in length- ening the gait; the other troopers turn the head towards the marching flank, to regulate their rate of march, feeling at the same time lightly the boot on the side of the pivot. At the command Forward, the troopers who had in- creased the gait resume the precise pace at which they were before moving, and the head of the column marches straight forward in the new direction. Each rank executes the same movement on arriving upon the ground where the first has turned. The assistant-instructor should give the command Left in sufficient time to command Turn, when he is at three paces from the point indicated for the change of direction ; he executes his movement in lengthening slightly the gait 64 SCHOOL OF THE PLATOON. without leaving the centre of the front rank, regulating himself upon the marching flank, so as to give the command Forward at the instant the front rank, having executed a quarter of a wheel, is in a direction perpendicular to the former one. 4 ■m & l/Mh pi M/ I ■' I lit mf(f I//// /// / // *'U wi / iA ! / l m F5*;. 4: m/// £££& I ,' ' limy / • n Fi«. 4*i Individual Oblique March. The column marching by twos or by fours, the instructor com man ands : SCHOOL OF THE PLATOON. 65 1. Right (or Ufi) oblique. 2. March. Figures 43 and 44. At the command March, each trooper executes a quarter-turn to the right. The trooper on the left of the first rank, who is guide of the column, moves straight forward in the new direction, and parallel to the assistant-instructor. The trooper on the left of each of the other ranks, who is guide of his rank, moves forward also in the new direction, observing the guide of the column so as to keep on the same line, and in a parallel direction with him. The other troopers move forward, looking occasionally to the left so as to align themselves upon their guide. Each a one places the right knee behind the left knee of the man on the right, and the head of his horse opposite the lower part of the neck of the horse on his right. The troopers march thus, in each rank, during the oblique march. To return to the primitive direction, the instructor commands — Forward, when the troopers make a quarter-turn to the left in advancing, and move forward in direction of their file-leaders. - The Platoon Marching 1 in Column by Twos or by Fours, to form it to the Front, to the Left, or on Eight, into Line. To form to the front. The platoon marching in column right in front, to form line to the front, the in- structor commands : 1. Front into line. 2. MARCH. 3. Halt. 4. Eight— Dress. 5. Front. Figures 45 and 46. At the command March, the two (or four) first files con- tinue to march forward; the other ranks Fig. 4^>. of twos ( or fo ur s) oblique to the left, 6^ 1. On the right into line. 2. March. 3. Halt. 4. Eight — Dress. 5 Front. ffl Fig. 49. Figures 49 and 50. At the command March, the two (or four) first files turn to the right and move straight forward ; the other ranks of twos (or fours) continue to march ou, and each turns successively to the right, at three paces beyond the point where the preceding rank has turned. "When the 68 m f/VM SCHOOL OF THE PLATOON. first files have march- ed twenty paces, the instructor commands Halt. At this com- mand, the first files halt square upon the line; the other files come up and form successively on their left, and dress to the right. At the command Front, turn the head to the front. The instructor gives the command Right — Dress immediately after that of Halt, and commands Front when the two (or four) last files are aligned. F'm. 50. To Form the Platoon to the Left m One Rank. « The platoon being formed in v two ranks, the instructor com- mands : 1. Left into single rank. 2. March. 3. Front. 4. Halt. 5. Right — Dress. 6. Front. Figure 51. At the command March, the front rank moves for- ward six paces, dressing by the right; the trooper on the left of the rear rank hums to the left and moves forward; he is followed by all the other troopers of that rank, who execute successively the same move- ment. At the command Front, the trooper on the left of the rear rank turns to the right, and the other troopers succes- sively, when they have arrived nearly opposite the place they are to occupy in the rank. fa ' ji 1 Mm | l/l Mi W/JZR/i Fig. 51. SCHOOL OF THE PLATOON. 69 At the command Halt, the trooper on the left halts, and successively the others, on arriving abreast of him. At the command Right — Dress, all the troopers of the rear rank dress to the right. At the sixth command, which is Front, turn the^head to the front. The instructor gives the third command, which is Front, the moment that one-third of the rear rank in column have passed the front rank; he commands Right — Dress, when the trooper on the right of the rear rank has fronted. To Form the Platoon to the Right in Two Ranks. The platoon being in one rank, the instructor desig- nates the trooper who is to be on the left of the front rank, also the one to be on the J^ right of the rear rank, and commands : \ 1. Right into two ranks. 2. m March. 3. Right— Dress. ; 4 Front. ; :|ill_„i Jill Figure 52. At the command S A March, the front rank moves forward six paces, dressing by the right ; the trooper on the Fig. 52. right of the rear rank turns to the right as soon as the front rank has passed, and moves forward obliquing to the right ; when he is nearly in rear of the trooper on the right of the front rank, he fronts by turning to the lift. All the other troopers execute succes- sively the same movement, placing themselves exactly be- hind their iile-leaders and at their proper distances. At the command Right — Dress, all the troopers align themselves to the right. At the command Front, turn the head to the front. The instructor gives the command Right — Dress, when the trooper on the right of the rear rank has turned to the front. 70 SCHOOL OF THE PLATOON. To Form Twos and Fours at the same Gait. ^3 The platoon marching in column by file, GO right in front, to form twos the instructor (|/) commands : fH 1. Form twos. 2. MARcn. (£ Figure 53. At the command March, the W first file continues to march on, and halts when it has marched ten paces ; the second j(f $l](i\$ n ^ e obliques to the left, and comes up abreast (f of the first j on arriving there, it halts and dresses to the right. All the other files ^> continue to march straight forward, Nos. ^ two and four executing their movement in . the same manner, but successively, and when Nos. one and three, upon which they should form, have nearly arrived at their proper distance, and are about to halt. The platoon marching in column by twos, (\ right in front, to form fours the instructor jTj commands : 1. Form fours. 2. March. Figure 54. At the command March, the p. r two first files continue to march on, and halt ' ' when they have marched ten paces ; the two ■A\§ following files oblique to the left, and come up abreast of the first two ; on arriving there, they halt and dress to the right. All the other files continue to march straight forward, Nos. three and four executing their movement in the same manner, but succes- *p^ S sively, and when Nos. one and two, upon which they should form, have nearly ar- M rived at their proper distance, and are about J7j5] to halt. Qfj When the column is at a trot, the forma- tion of twos and fours at the same gait is •*! executed following the same principles. The fli SCIIOOL OF THE PLATOON. 71 first, or first two files, pass to the icalky at the command March ; The others continue to march at the trot, until they have arrived abreast of those on which they should form ; then they pass to the walk. When the column is at a gallop, the movement is exe- cuted following the same principles. The first, or first two files, pass to the trot at the command March ; the others continue to march at the gallop, until they have executed their formation : then they pass to the trot. To Break by Twos and by File at the same Gait, To Break by Twos. The platoon marching in column by fours, right in front, to break by twos the instructor commands : 1. By twos. 2. March. 3. Guide left. j\| Figure 55. At the command By twos, all £| the troopers prepare to halt, except Nos. one && and two of the leading files. U At the command March, Nos. one and ffe> two of the leading files continue to march ijj] M $S at the same gait ; all the others halt. Files II three and four of the leading rank oblique H to the right the moment they are passed by the croup of the horses of the rear rank of $f • Nos. one and two, and place themselves in column behind them. Each rank of fours executes successively MM the same movement, files one and two break- Fig. 55. ing as soon as files three and four of the rank which precedes them have commenced obliquing in order to enter the column. Files one and two, which break to the front, regulate their gait so as to preserve their distances ; and files three and four keep their horses straight so as not to constrain the movements of files one and two. 72 SCHOOL OF THE TLATOON. To hreah hy file. y A The platoon marching in column by twos, a right in front, to break by file, the instruc- ts tor commands : a 1. By file. 2. March. Figure 56. At the command By file, all a the troopers prepare to halt except the right l| file of the leading rank of twos. (') At the command March, the right file of the leading rank of twos continues to march at the same gait ; all the others halt. y The left file of this same rank obliques to i the right, the moment it is passed by the $ croup of the rear rank horse of No. one, and $ ! places itself in column behind the first file. | r &i-'Jk Each rank of twos executes successively aJ 0S the game movement, files one and three S breaking as soon as files two and four who precede them have commenced obliquing [§j in order to enter the column. fitj\ Files one and three, which break to the fh front, regulate their gait so as to have their distances. Files two and four keep their ^ horses straight, so as not to constrain the Fig. 56. movements of files one and three. When the column is at the trot, to break by twos or by file is executed on the same principles ; the right files of the leading rank continues at the trot; all the others take the walk at the command March, and resume the trot, in order to enter the column ; when the column is at the gallop, the files which are to break take the trot at the command March, and afterwards resume the gallop on entering the column. SCHOOL OF THE TLATOON. 73 To Form Twos and Fours in Doubling the Gait. To form twos. The platoon marching in column by file, right in front, to form twos the instructor commands : 1. Form twos — trot. 2. March. 3. Guide left. At the command Form tioos — trot, all the troopers pre- pare to take the trot, except the leading file. At the command March, all the troopers take the irot f except the leading file ; the second file obliques to the left, and conies up abreast of the first; on arriving there it takes the walk ; all the other files continue to march for- ward at the trot. Files four and two execute their move- ment in the same manner, but successively, when three and one, upon whom they are to form, have nearly arrived at their distance, and are about to pass to the walk. To form fours. The platoon marching in column by twos, right in front, to form fours the instructor commands : 1. Form fours — trot. 2. March. 3. Guide left. At the command Form fours — trot, all the troopers pre- pare to take the trot, except the two leading files. At the command March, all the troopers take the trot, except the two leading files ; the two following files oblique to the left, and come up abreast of the two first ; on ar- riving there they resume the walk ; all the other files con- tinue to march forward at the trot. Files three and four execute their movement in the same, manner, but succes- sively, when files one and two, upon whom they are to form, have nearly arrived at their distance, and are about to pass to the walk. When the column is at the trot, the movement is execu- ted on the same principles. At the command March, all the troopers pass to the gallop, except the files at the head of the column, and resume the trot when their formation is executed. 4 74 SCHOOL OF THE PLATOON. To Break by Twos and by File in Doubling the Gait. To break by twos. The platoon marching in column by fours, the instructor commands : 1. By twos — trot. 2. March. 3. Guide left. At the command by twos — trot, files one and two of the leading rank of- fours prepare to trot. At the command March, they commence the trot ; all the other files continue to inarch at the walk ; files three and four take the trot successively and oblique to the right, in order to place themselves in column behind files one and two. To break by file. The platoon marching in column by twos, right in front, to break by file, the instructor commands : 1. By file — trot. 2. March. At the command By file — trot, the right file of the lead- ing rank of twos prepares to trot. At the command March, it commences the trot ; all the other files continue to march at the walk ; files two and four assume the trot successively and oblique to the right, in order to place themselves behind files one and three in the column. When the column is at the trot, to break in doubling the gait, the instructor commands : 1. By ticos (or by file) — • gallop; 2. March; which is executed on the same prin- ciples. When the column is at the gallop, the files which are to break take the trot at the command March, and afterwards resume the gallop on entering the column. SCHOOL OF THE PLATOON. 75 Direct March of the Platoon in Line. The principles of the direct march give the troopers the means, 1st. Of preserving the alignments in marching without being disunited ; • 2d. Of not closing too much, and of recovering the re- quired distances when they have closed ; 3d. Of not opening, and of closing upon each other again when they have opened; 4th. Of not throwing the guide out of his direction, and of permitting him to return to it if he ha« been forced out. The most important point in the direct march being to keep the horses straight in the ranks, it is indispensable that the troopers should preserve the head erect. To keep themselves aligned, the troopers should feel lightly the boot of the men on the side of the guide, and march at an equal gait. The troopers should yield to all pressure coming from the side of the guide, and resist that coming from the op- posite side. The guide should always inarch at a free and steady gait, and change it with steadiness in order to avoid irregu- larity in the ranks. If the troopers are in front or in rear of the alignment, too near to or too far from the man on the side of the guide, they move from or approach him gradually, and in gaining ground to the front. When the guide feels himself thrown out of his direc- tion, he extends his arm to • the front to indicate that there is too much pressure toward him. Then the troop- ers carry the hand toward the opposite side, give a glance to the guide, and straighten their horses as soon as the guide is relieved. When the platoon is halted, the alignment is ordered to^ wards the si-de of the guide. 76 school or the platoon. To march the platoon forward, the instructor com- mands : 1. Platoon forward. 2. Guide right (or left. 3. March. At the command March, all the troopers move straight forward, at the same gait with the men on the side of the guide. . To halt the platoon, the instructor commands : 1. Platoon. 2. Halt. 3. Eight (or left) — Dress. 4. Front. At the command Halt, the troopers stop. At the command Right — Dress, they align themselves. At the command Front, turn the head to the front. Counter-march. The platoon having arrived at the extremity of the ground, in order to change the direction, the instructor com- mands : 1. Counter-march — hy the right-flank. 2. By file to the right. 3. March. pvv <[SI Figure 57. At the command : - rf$H ^ Counter-march — by th e r ig h t Li".".".". "$j& | g flank, t h e assistant instructor ,-;;.::-r fr -vL ; ::^^ ^j places himself facing to the rear r , i ^ 1 at six paces from the rear rank, [[ ':'^W) and in such a position that the %-*K trooper who is to be placed on his left may find himself in the direc- Q* tion of the left file of the platoon. The file-closer places himself on Fig. 57. the right of the platoon, facing to the right, the croup of his horse one pace from, and on the line of haunches of the horses of the rear rank, in order to mark the wheeling point. At the command March, the trooper on the right of each rank turns to the right, the rear rank man joining SCHOOL OF THE PLATOON. 77 in his movement the front rank man ; they then wheel to- gether to the right, the latter lengthening a little his gaii ; : they pass before the file-closer, very near the croup of the horses of the rear rank, and are followed by the other troop- ers, who execute successively the same movement, taking care to pass over the same ground. When the first file is within two paces of the assistant-in- structor, who indicates the point on which it is to form, the instructor commands : 1. Front. 2. Halt. 3. Itight — Dress. 4. Front. At the commands Front and Halt, the first file turns to the left and halts, the trooper of the rear rank taking care to slacken the pace, and place himself exactly behind his file-leader. All the other files execute successively the same movement. At the last command, which is Front, turn the head to the front. The instructor gives the command Right — Dress, imme- diately after that of halt, and commands Front, when the last file is aligned. The assistant-instruetor and file-closer return to their places. Wheelings. There arc two kinds of wheels: the wheel on a fixed piv- ot, and the wheel on a moveable pivot. The wheel is always on a fixed pivot, except when the command is right (or left) — Turn. The troopers should execute this movement without dis- uniting, and without ceasing to observe the alignment. In every kind of wheel, the conductor of the marching flank should measure with his eye the arc of the circle he is to pass over, so that it may not be necessary for the files either to open or close. He turns his head occasionally to- wards the pivot j if he perceives that the troopers are too much crowded, or too open, he increases or diminishes grad- 78 SCHOOL OF THE PLATOON. ually the extent of his circle, in gaining more ground to the front than to the side. Each trooper in the front rank should describe his circle in the ratio of the distance at -which he may be from the pivot. As these different arcs are all passed over in the same time, it is necessary that each trooper should slacken his pace in proportion to the distance from the marching flank. During- the wheel, the troopers should turn the head slightly toward the marching flank, to regulate the rapidity of their march and to keep themselves aligned; they should also' feel lightly the boot on the side of the pivot, in order to remain close to that side. They should, nevertheless, yield to pressure coming from the pivot, and resist that from the opposite direction. The horses are slightly turned to- ward the pivot, in order to keep them upon the circular line they have to pass over.- In every kind of wheel, the troopers should cease wheel- ing and retake the direct march at the command Forward, at whatever point of the wheel they maybe; it is necessary to observe, also, that the flanks which become pivots, or marching flanks, do not slacken or augment the pace before the command of execution. To Wheel on a Fixed Pivot. , The object of a wheel on a fixed pivot is, when the pla- toon forms a part of the squadron, to pass from the order of battle to the order of column, and the reverse. The trooper who forms the pivot of the wheel turns upon his own ground, without advancing or reining back, and without passing to the right or to the left, so that the centre of gravity of his horse remains always on the same point. Thus, in wheeling to the right, the shoulders of the pivot horse describes an arc of circle in passing from left to right, while the haunches describe another in passing from right to left SCHOOL OF 1HE PLATOON. 7i» The trooper at the pivot should turn his head slightly to- wards the marching flank, that he may continue aligned on the conductor of that flank. When the platoon- is marching the pivot halts, and the_ marching flank executes its movement at the same gait as before the wheel. If tne instructor indicates a new gait, in order to wheel, the marching flank wheels at this gait; all the other troop- ers, who regulate the rapidity of their march in accordance with their distance from the marching flank, take freely the new gait at the command Forward. When the platoon is halted after a wheel on a fixed piv- ot, the. alignment is always ordered toward the side of the inarching flank; but as the pivot should never move from its place, the marching flank should come up abreast of it. When the platoon is marched forward after a wheel on a fixed pivot, the guide is ordered on the side of the march- ing flank, immediately after the command Forward, un- less the movement of the platoon in the squadron requires the contrary. The wheelings are executed at first ; n single rank : for this purpose the front rank is marched forward," and halted when arrived at a distance from the rear rank equal to double its front; the file-closer remains at his place ; the assistant-instructor places himself behind the front rank ; each ot them observes the rank behind wliich he is placed. The ranks being aligned, the instructor commands : 1.* Platoon in circle right (or left) ivheel. 2. MARCH. Figure 58. At the command March, the troopers put themselves in motion, turning the head toward the march- ing flank. The non-commissioned officer who conducts this flank marches at a walk, measuring with the eye the extent of the circle he is to pass over, that neither opening nor closing may be caused in the rank, and that the troopers may keep aligned. The pivot man turns upon his own 80 SCHOOL OF THE PLATOON. ground, regulating himself upon the (Ja. 35 2a"N marching flank. <^ \ When the platoon has made seve- ral wheels, to halt it the instructor commands : / 1. Platoon. 2. Halt. 3. Left (or i^\ / right) — Dress. 4. Front. i? ^-;---»" ^-r-;_'' * At the command Halt, the troop- ra- •/** Vk, ~ ers straighten their horses and halt ^ \ with steadiness. At the command Left (or right) pff/HlMMlMI^ —Dress, they align themselves to- \ «>» ward the side indicated. • \ / At the command Front, turn the \.^ j>« head to the front. The two ranks are then marched Fig. 58. forward', preserving between them the same distance, and made to recommence the wheel. When the instructor wishes the platoon to take the direct, march, he commands : 1. Forward. 2. Guide left (or right.) At the first command, which is Forward, the pivot re- sumes the gait at which it was previously marching. All the other" troopers straighten their horses, and the two flanks move forward at the same gait, conforming to the principles of the direct march. •At the command guide left (or riyht), the troopers regu- late their movement toward the side indicated. When the troopers have executed several wheels to tlie right and to the left, interrupted occasionally by direct marches, and when the horses become calm, the instructor causes them to pass to the trot; after several wheels at the trot, they resume the walk. If the platoon is wheeling to the right, and the instructor wishes it to change the wheel to the left without halting, he commands : SCHOOL OF THE PLATOON; 81 1. Platoon in circle left wheel. 2. MARCH. At the command March, the left flank halts, and be- comes the pivot. The right flank assuming the gait at which the left flank was marching, moves forward and describes a circle proportionate to the extent of the front. All the other troopers straighten their horses, and guide them so as to pass over new circles in all inverse sense. The troopers being sufficiently exercised at the wheels in single rank at the walk and the trot, the ranks are closed and the wheels executed by platoon, in following the same gradation. The instructor commands: 1. Platoon in circle right (or left) tcheel 2. March. Fig. 59. At the command March, the troopers of the front rank execute this movement, as prescribed. The troopers of the rear rank turn the head and carry the hand towards the marching flank, so that each one may be out of the direction of his file-leader by two troopers. For this purpose, the moment the wheel commences, each rear rank man executes a quarter-turn to the left, sustaining the haunches of the horse with the right leg, when the wheel Fig. 59. is to the right, (or a quarter-turn to the right, in sustaining the haunches of his horse with the left leg when the wheel 82 SCHOOL OF THE PLATOON. is to the left,) keeping during the wheel in the direction of his new file-leader, and remaining at the distance of two feet from the front rank. The two rear rank men on the marching flank, who are without file-leaders, should describe their circle without being farther outside of the front rank than is necessary, and be able to resume their places behind their file-leaders easily. During the wheel, they should regulate their gait, so that the rear rank, which aligns itself upon them, may be at its proper distance. To stop the wheel, the instructor commands : 1. Platoon. 2. Halt. 3. Left (or right) — Dress. 4. Front. At the command Platoon, the rear rank men straighten their horses and return' to the direction of their file-leaders. At the command Halt, all the troopers stop. At the command Left (or right) — Dress, they align themselves towards the side indicated. At the command Front, turn the head to the front. When the instructor wishes the platoon to resume the direct march, he commands: 1. Forward. 2. Guide left (or right). At the first command, which is Forward, the rear rank men replace themselves behind their file-leaders, and march straight forward. To give the troopers the habit of correcting faults, the pivot man is directed to bear against the rank, so that the other troopers, feeling the pressure from that direction, may learn to gain ground towards the marching flank. The pivot is then directed to gain ground in the opposite direc- tion, which would require the other troopers to approach him gradually.' When the troopers have acquired in the execution of these movements, at the walk, the intelligence and skill necessary to avoid confusion, they are repeated at the trot. The platoon being halted, to place it in a direction SCHOOL OF THE PLATOON. 83 perpendicular to the original front, the instructor com- mands : 1. Platoon right (or left) wheel 2. March. 3. Halt. 4. Left (or right) — Dress. . 5. Front. Which is executed on the same principles of the wheel on a fixed pivot. The instructor gives the command Halt, when the marching flank has nearly terminated its wheel. The platoon being halted, to face it to the rear, the instructor commands: 1. Platoon right-about (or left-about) icheel. 2. MARCH. 3. Halt. 4. Lejt (or right) — Dress. 5. Front. Which is executed following the principles prescribed for a wheel on a fixed pivot, the platoon passing over a half circle. The instructor gives the command Halt, when the marching flank has nearly completed the half circle,, and the platoon is on a line parallel to the original front. The platoon being halted, to place it towards its right in a direction oblique to the original front, the instructor com- mands : 1. Platoon right half (or left half) wheel 2. March. . 3. Halt. 4. Left (or right) — Dress. -5. Front. Which is executed on the principles of the wheel on a fixed pivot. The instructor gives the. command Halt, when the marching flank has nearly completed its half-wheel to the right or to the left. Before dressing the platoon, the trooper on the marching flank is made to come up abreast of the pivot man, so that the other troopers will not have to rein-back in order to align themselves. • The platoon being on the march, the same movements are executed at the commands: I. Platoon right (or left) wheel, right-about' (ox left-about). wheel, right-half (or . 84 SCHOOL OF THE PLATOON. left-half) wheel: 2. March; 3. Forward; 4. Guide right (or left). At the command March, the wheeling flank wheels at the gait at which the platoon was marching ; the pivot flank halts. At the third command, which is Forward, the pivot resumes its original pace, and the two flanks move forward at the same gait. These movements being properly executed from a halt and at the ivalk, are repeated at the trot. To Wheel on a Moveable Pivot. The wheel on a moveable pivot is employed in the suc- cessive changes of direction in column. fl| In this wheel) the object of the moveable pivot is to leave I by degrees the ground on which the movement commences, by advancing in the new direction. The conductor of the marching flank should increase his gait and describe his arc of circle so as to cause the files neither to open nor close. The pivot describes an arc of five paces in slackening the gait. In each rank, the troopers from the centre to the marching flank increase the gait progressively, so that the centre man preserves the gait at which the platoon was marching. The troopers from the centre to the pivot slacken the gait progressively. At the end of the wheel on a moveable pivot, the portion of the rank which had augmented its gait should slacken it, and that which had slackened its gait should augment it. All the troopers straighten their horses ; the marching flank and the pivot resume the gait at which they originally marched. » The platoon being on the march, and supposed to be the the head of the column, to cause it to change direction, the instructor commands : ( . '. Head of column to the right (or to the left). At this command, the assistant-instructor commands : 1. Right (or left)— Turn. 2. Forward. SCHOOL OF THE PLATOON. 85 Fig. 60. At the first part of the first command, which is right (or left,) the pivot prepares to slacken, and & ^Si tne marching flank to augment the ^ll/^p gait. ««Mife j a At . th ? s f 0l ; d - p £ rt of \ th V ame MfflttttMfi i ' % command, which is Turn, the platoon fflfflM® * turns to the left or to the right, the s tS pivot slackening its gait, in describing Fig. 60. an arc of five paces; the marching flank augments its gait, and regulates itself by the pivot during the whole of the wheel. At the last command, which is Forward, all the troopers straighten their horses, the pivot and marching flank mov- ing forward in the gait at which the platoon was originally marching. ■a* Individual Oblique March. The platoon marching in line, to cause it to gain ground towards one of its flanks, without changing the front the instructor command : 1. Right (or left) oblique. 2. March. Fig. 61. At the command March, the troopers execute all at the same time, a quarter-turn to the right, so that the head of each horse may be opposite the extremity of the neck of the horse on his right, and that the right knee of each trooper may be in rear of the left knee of the trooper on his right. The first movement being executed, the troopers move forward in the new direction, regulating themselves upon the guide. When the platoon has obliqued sufficiently, the instructor commands : Forward. At this command, the troopers straighten their horses, and move forward, regulating themselves upon the guide. In the oblique march, the guide is always on the ob- 86 SCHOOL OP THE TLATOON. liquing side, without being indicated j and after the com- mand Forward, the guide returns, without indication, to the side on which was originally. *i I& nbDDOM Fig. 61. The Platoon Marching 1 in Line, to Break it by Fours or by Twos at the same gait. The instructor commands : 1. By fours (or by twos). 2. March. 3. Guide left. At the command March, the four (or two) first files of the right continue to march forward at the same gait; the other files halt and break successively by fours (or SCHOOL OF THE PLATOON. 87 by twos,) according to the principles prescribed for break- ing from a halt. The platoon marching in line, to break it by file, the movement is executed on the same principles, the first file only continuing to march forward. The platoon marching at the trot, it is broken on the same principles, the first files continuing to march at the same gait, all the other files assume the walk at the com- mand March, and resume the trot as they break from the platoon. The Platoon Marching* in Column by Twos or by Fours, to Form it at the same Gait. The platoon marching in column, right in front, the in- structor commands : 1. Form Platoon. 2. March. 3. Guide right. The movement is executed as prescribed for front into line from a halt. The platoon marching in column at the trot, right in front, the instructor commands : 1. Form Platoon. 2. March. 3. Guide right. At the command March, the two (or four) first files pass to the loalk ; the other files continue to march at the same gait, oblique immediately to the left, march straight forward in this direction, make a quarter turn to the right on coming opposite the place they are to occupy in the pla- toon, and pass to the icalk on arriving upon the alignment of the first. At the command Guide right, they dress towards the right. When the command is at the gallop, the platoon is formed on the same principles. The two (or four) first files take 88 SCHOOL OF THE PLATOON. the trot, at the command March ; the other files continue to march at the gallop, and take the trot on arriving upon the alignment of the first. The Platoon Marching in Line, to Break it by Fours or by Twos, in Doubling the Gait. The instructor commands : 1. By fours (or by twos) — trot. 2. March. 3. Guide left. At the command March, the four (or two) first files of the right take the trot ; the others continue to march at the walk, and take successively the trot when they oblique to the right, in order to enter the column. The platoon marching at the trot, the instructor com- mands : 1. By fours (or by tioos) — gallop. 2. March. 3. Guide left. Which is executed according to the principles prescribed for marching at a walk. The Platoon Marching in Column, by Twos or by Fours, to Form it in Doubling the Gait. The platoon marching in column, right in front, the in- structor commands : 1. Form platoon — trot. 2. March. 3. Guide right. At the command March, the two (or four) first files con- tinue to march forward at the same gait; the other files take the trot, oblique immediately to the left, march in this direction, make a quarter-turn to the right on coming opposite the place they are to occupy in the platoon, and pass to the walk on arriving upon the alignment of the first. SCHOOL OF THE TLATOON. 89 At the command Guide right, they dress towards the right. The platoon marching in column at the trot, the right in front ; the instructor commands : 1. Form platoon — gallop, 2. March.' 3. Guide right* When the column is at the gallop, the platoon is always formed at the same gait. When the column is marching by file, the platoon is formed on the same principles. Movements by Fours, the Platoon being in Column or in Line. The platoon being in column, right in front, the instruc- tor commands : 1. By fours — left (or right) wheel 2. MARCH. Figure 62. At the command March, each rank of fours executes its wheel to thp left, ac- cording to the principles of the wheel on a fixed pivot; Nos. four turn Fig. G2. upon themselves, sustain- ing with the left leg the haunches of their horses, in order not to constrain the movement of the rank immediately behind them ; all the troopers regulate themselves towards the marching flanks. The movement being nearly completed, the instructor 'commands : 1. Halt. 2. Right (or left.) — Dress. 3. Front. At the command Halt, the troopers straighten their horses and halt with steadiness. 90 SCHOOL OF THE PLATOON. In this movement the front and rear rank execute sepa- rately a wheel on a fixed pivot. Each rank of fours be- longing to the rear rank is placed at the side of the rank of fours, composed of its file-lenders. When the move- ment is terminated, the platoon is in one rank. The. platoon being hi one rank, it is put again in column by the command : 1. By fours le.Jt (or right) wheel 2. MARCH. Then the troopers of the rear rank are placed in front of their file-leaders. In executing again two icheels to the left bv fours, the platoon is put in its natural order. In the first wheel to the left by fours, the leading rank of fours should- execute its movements slowly, in order to give the others time to execute theirs; but in the second icheelto the left by fours, the last rank of fours, which be- comes head of the column, should execute its movement in lengthening a little the gait, so as not to retard the rear^of the column. The platoon being in column, and having executed a wheel by fours as above described, to face it in the opposite direction, the instructor commands : 1. By fours left-about (or right-about) wheel. 2. March. At the command March, each rank of fours ivheels to the left-about on the principles prescribed for the ifhcel to the left by fours. To halt, after having wheeled about, the instructor com- mands : 1. Halt. 2. Right (or left) — Dress. 3. Front. To put the platoon again in column in the natural order, the instructor causes to be executed a wheel to the left ' °y fours. When the column is marching, the movement is execu- ted as prescribed, observing that, at the command March, SCHOOL OF THE PLATOON. 91 the pivots halt immediately and turn upon themselves, sup- porting with the left leg the haunches of their horses. The movement being nearly terminated, the instructor commands : 1. Forward. 2. Guide right (or left). At the first command, which is Forward, the pivots and all the other troopers, conforming to the principles of the direct march, regulate themselves towards the guide. The platoon marching in column, and having made one wheel to the left by fours, which puts it in single rank, the instructor. causes to be executed a wheel to the left-about (or to the right-about) by fours ; the movement being nearly terminated, he commands : 1. Forward. 2. Guide right (or left). To put the platoon again in column in the natural order, the instructor causes to be executed a wheel to the left (or to the right) by fours, and indicates the guide to the left. The platoon marching in column by fours, right in front, to cause • it to march to the rear, the instructor com- mands : 1. By fours left-about (or right about) wheel. 2. Marcii. 3. Forward. 4. Guide right (or left). Which is executed on the principles prescribed for the same movement from a halt observing that the ranks of fours should finish the movement at the same time ; that they should commence the last half of the wheel gently, regulating themselves upon the last rank of fours, which, becoming the head of the column, lengthens the gait so as not to retard the others. After this movement, the troopers of the rear rank are placed in front of their file-leaders. 92 SCHOOL OF THE PLATOON. To put the column again, in the natural order, the in- structor causes to be executed a wheel to the right-about (or to the left-about) by fours. The platoon being in line, to cause it to gain ground towards its right or towards its left, the instructor com- mands : 1. By fours right (or left) wheel. 2. March. 3. Forward: 4. Guide left (or right). The platoon having wheeled to the right by fours, the troopers are formed upon a front of eight. Each rank of fours having executed the movement separately, the four troopers of the rear rank find themselves on the right of the four troopers of the front rank. The platoon having wheeled to the right (or to the left) by fours, and being upon a front of eight, to change the direc- tion, the instructor commands : Head of column to the left (or to the right). At this command the assistant-instructor commands : 1. Left (or right) — Turn. 2. Forward. This is executed as prescribed, each rank of eight wheeling upon the same ground with the first as they reach it. To put the platoon again in line, the instructor com- mands : 1. By fours left (or right) wheel. 2. March. 3. Halt. 4. Right (or left) — Dress. 5., Front. The platoon having u-heeled to the right (or to the left) by fours, and being formed upon a front of eight, to march to the rear in this order, the instructor causes to be execu- ted a wheel to the right or left-about. SCHOOL OF THE PLATOON. 93 The platoon being in line, to cause it to march to the rear, the instructor coin- rl) mands : ./. 3 1. By fours left-about (or right-about) it-heel 2. March. 3. Forward. 4. Guide right (or left). Figure 63. After this movement, the rear rank is before the front rank, and the ranks of fours are inverted through- out the platoon. In In the march to the rear, the platoon j I ' conforms. to the principles of the direct [IXiJjlHi'lJ march. The instructor requires the same M/W\(\/WUW\ precision as when they march in the nat- ni ural order. v The platoon is faced to the front by Fig. G3. the same movement. To Charge by Platoon. The charge wHl be practiced by file, by twos, fours, and sections, before the charge by platoon. Two troopers being stationed at two hundred paces from the line to mark the new line. To commence the move, the assistant-instructor com- mands : 1. Platoon forward. 2. Guide right (or left). 3. March. When the platoon has marched twenty paces, the assis- tant-instructor commands : 1. Trot. 2. MARcn. At sixty paces farther, he commands : 1. Gallop. 2. March. 94 SCHOOL OF THE PLATOON. At eighty paces farther, he commands : Charge. At this command, the troopers of both ranks take the position of Raise — Sabre. They give hand and lengthen the gallop, without losing control of their horses or dis- uniting. When the platoon arrives at twenty paces from the troopers who trace the new line, the assistant-instructor commands : 1. Attention. 2. Platoon. 8. Halt. 4. Right (or left) — Dress. 5. Front. At the command Attention, the troopers carry the sabre to the shoulder. At the command Platoon, they take the trot. At the command Halt, they stop. At the command Right — Dress, they align themselves to the right. At the command Front, turn the head to the front. SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. 95 jpj^ttrr fipth. SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. ARTICLE FIRST. The object of the school of the squadron is to instruct the platoons to execute together what they have been taught separately, and to prepare the squadron to perform what it will be required to do when a part of the regiment. To make the formations in line better understood, they are executed at first from a halt. In this case each platoon performs its movements separately and successively, at the command of its chief, on receiving notice from the captain commanding. Each movement, after having been correctly executed by the right, is repeated by the left. When the squadron has acquired calmness and confi- dence, and one article is well understood, this article is re- peated with sabres drawn, and alternately at all the gaits, except the wheels to the right, to the left, to the right-about, and to the left-about by fours, the counter-march, the wheels on a moveable pivot by squadron, the individual oblique marches when marching by squadron, which are executed only at the walk and at the trot. The second captain is charged with the alignment of the rear-rank and the rank of file-closers ; he resumes his place in line at the command Front. The captain commanding moves wherever his presence 96 SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. is most required ; the troopers are required to observe abso- lute silence, and all rectifications are done by signs, or in a low voice. The squadron being formed in two ranks opened, the non- commissioned officers and troopers at the head of their horses, the chiefs of platoons mounted, at ten paces from, and facing the centre of their platoons, the captain com- manding commands : 1. Attention. 2. Bight — Dress. 3. Front. He then commands : In each platoon — and in each rank — Count (by) Fours At this command, the troopers count off in the four pla- toons at once, commencing on the right of each rank. The captain commanding then gives the command to mount. At the command Form — Ranks, the chiefs of platoons move forward, face to the front by turning to the right-about , and place themselves before the centre of their platoons, the croup of their horses one pace from the head of the horses of the front rank. The file-closers follow the rear rank. Successive Alignment of Platoons in the Squadron. The squadron being in line, the captain commanding places the two non-commissioned officers, principal guides of the right and left, upon a line parallel to the front of the squadron, at thirty paces from the particular guides, and facing each other as if they were placed on intermediate points. On receiving notice from the captain commanding, the chief of the first platoon commands: 1. Platoon forward ; 2. Guide right ; 3. March. At the command March, the platoon moves forward ; at one pace from the point which marks the new align- ment, the chief of the platoon commands: 1. Halt. 2. Right — Dress. SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. 97 At the command Halt, the chief of the platoon and the particular guide of the right, continue to march on and es- tablish themselves immediately, the latter bringing the head of his horse against the boot of the principal guide of the right. The first platoon being correctly aligned, the first captain commands : 1. By platoon — Right — Dress. 2. Front. rg|s D- If j'j ^s go Fig. 64. Figure 64. At the first command, the chief of the second platoon commands : 1. Platoon forward : 2. Guide right : 3. March. Having arrived abreast of the file-closers of the platoon which forms the base of the alignment, he com- mands : 1. Halt: 2. Right — Dress, and at the same time moves forward on the line of the chief of that platoon. At the command Halt, the platoon stops. At the com- mand Right — Dress, all the troopers move forward to- gether upon the alignment. Each chief of platoon executes successively tlie same 5 98 SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. movement, commanding March when the one who pre- cedes him has commanded Halt. $ tThe particular guide of the left, at the command Halt from the chief of the fourth platoon ; brings up the head of fl£ J SWIi Cl[jC SQJI, •d~ — — ^ —— ^ ^nr ^ Fig. 65. his horse against the boot of the principal guide of the left. The squadron being aligned, the captain commanding commands : Front. SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. 99 This alignment being correctly executed, it is repeated, giving the new base of alignment a direction oblique to the front of the squadron. For this purpose, the chief of the first platoon, on receiving notice from the captain command- ing, moves his platoon twenty-four paces forward, causes it to execute a half-wheel to the right at the commands: 1. Right half — Wheel ; Forward ; and after marching it six paces in the new direction, he halts, and aligns it. The first platoon being correctly aligned, the first captain commands : 1. By platoon — Right— DRESS. 2. FRONT. Figure 65. At the first command, the movement is executed successively ; each chief of platoon moves straight forward, and commands : 1. Right half- — Wheel: 2. For- ward, so that his platoon may execute its wheel on a fixed pivot at the moment the right arrives opposite the left of the platoon which precedes it. The squadron being aligned, the first captain commands : Front. Alignment of the Squadron. The captain commanding, after having placed the right particular guide, so that no trooper will be compelled to rein back, commands : 1. Right — Dress. 2. Front. At the command Right — Dress, all the troopers align themselves steadily but promptly to the right. The squadron being aligned, the first captain commands : Front. To open and Close the Ranks, To open the ranks, the first captain commands : 1. Rear rank open order. 2. March. 3. Rights Dress. 4. Front. This is executed as described in the School of the Pla- 100 SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. toon. The troopers of the rear rank rein back six paces;! and the chief's of platoon, at the command March, move forward six paces, and face the centre of their platoons by turning to the left-about. To close the ranks, the first captain commands : 1. Rear rank dose order. 2. March. 3. Right-*- -Dress. 4. Front. This is executed as prescribed in the School of the Pla- toon. The chiefs of platoon move forward at the command March, face to the front by a turn to the right-about, and] place themselves opposite the centre of their platoons. To Break the Squadron by Fours. The squadron being in line, the first captain commands : 1. By fours. 2. March. 3. Guide left. At the first command, the chief of the first platoon places himself in front of the four files of the right, the right par- ticular guide places himself on his right. At the command March, the first four files march straight forward, and are followed by all the other files who break successively. The chiefs of the other platoons break with the first four files of their platoons, keeping abreast of them and at one pace from the flank of the column on the side of the guide, each rank of fours preserving between them the distance of two feet. On arriving upon the drill ground, the first captain com- mands : 1. Column. 2. Halt. Direct March in Column by Fours. When the column is halted, the captain commanding as- sures himself that the officers, the file closers, and the par- ticular guides, are placed as prescribed ; then he commands ; 1. Column forward. 2. March. 3. Guide left. SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. 101 The column having marched by fours, a quarter of an hour at least, the first captain commands : 1. Trot. 2. March. At the command March, the troops take the trot, always taking care not to fret their horses, and to calm them should they become restive. When the column has marched about one thousand paces at the trot, the first captain commands : 1. Walk. 2. March. Change of Direction. The column marching in column by fours, right in front, to change the direction, the first captain commands : Head of Column to the left, (or to the right.') This is executed as prescribed in the School of the Pla- toon, the chief of the first platoon conforming to what is in- dicated for the assistant instructor. Individual Oblique March. The squadron marching in column by fours, right in front, to cause it to execute the individual oblique march, the first captain commands : 1. Left (or right oblique.) 2. March. Which is executed as prescribed in the School of the Platoon. The Squadron Marching in Column by Fours, to Form it to the Front, to the Left, or on Eight into Line. To form Front into Line. The squadron marching in column by fours, right in front, the first captain commands : 102 SCHOOL OF THE SQUADHON. fcrTHT'j""- "!,^-,-, -t ~u^- -.-~r; «=* W, i i! I If* \ \ \ \ N i !j \\xA j ji \\m V « \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ ^ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ s \ \ \ v \ \ \ \ \ \ m \ v \ \ \ \ \ •; \ s .^a; \ \ \ \ \ \ \ v \ nCS \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ gg v \ \ \ v \ v, . [vn \ v v \ \ \ % > v v *£p?) « \ \\\\.\\ mfa \ \ \ \ \ \ fig] \\W\tB m Fig. G6. SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. 103 1. Front into line. 2. March. 3. Right — Dress. 4. Front. Figure 66. At the command March, the four first files continue to inarch straight forward j when they have march- ed thirty paces, the chief of the first platoon commands : Halt. At this command, the first four files halt square to the front, the particular guide of the right returns to the right of the squadron. All the other files come up successively, and without the commands of, the chiefs of platoon, form to the left, and upon the alignment of the first. The first captain, who moves to the right flank after the command March, commands the alignment when the chief of the first platoon commands : Halt. The second captain moves also to the right flank, after the command March, in order to rectify the alignment of the rear rank and of the file-closers. As soon as the chiefs of platoon arrive upon the line, they place themselves at the centre of their platoons and align themselves. The particular guide of the left returns to the left of the squadron, when the last four files arrive upon the line. The first captain commands Front when the last four files are aligned. To Form to the Left into Line. The column marching right in front, to form it in line on its left flank, the first captain commands : 1. Left into line. 2. March. 3. Eight — Dress. 4. Front. At the command March, the four leading files turn to the left and inarch* straight forward; when they have marched thirty paces, the chief of the first platoon com- mands : Halt. At this command, the four leading files halt, and the 104 SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. particular guide places himself on the right of the squad- ron. All the other files come up successively, and without the command of the chiefs of platoon, form to the left and on the alignment of the first, observing to keep in the same direction, before turning to the left, so as not to approach the new line until the proper time. The first and second captains, the chiefs of platoons, and the particular guide of the left, conform exactly to what is prescribed for the front into tine. To Form on the Right into Line. The column marching right in front, to form line upon the prolongation, and in advance of its right flank, the first captain commands : 1. On right into line. 2. March. 8. Right — Dress. 4. Front. At the command March, the four leading files turn to the right, and march straight forward ; when they have marched thirty paces, the chief of the first platoon com- mands : Halt. At this command, the four leading files halt, and the right particular guide takes his place on the right of the squadron. All the other files continue to march forward, and come up successively without the commands of the chiefs of platoon, forming to the left and upon the align- ment of the first, observing to keep themselves square in the same direction before turning to the right, so as not to approach the new line before the proper time. The first and second captains, the chiefs of platoon, and the left particular guide, conform exactly to what is pre- scribed for the front into tine. SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. 105 ARTICLE SECOND. The Squadron being in Line, to Form it in Column with distance. c^ V"' A /' /V' /V-A A ^ A^v V ■> 7 r~/ t'vW^ . 1 - . :> \j i 'n, ; j\i >w A/ - a, slZla Fig. 67. €* The first captain commands : 1. Platoons r\gld-v:liceJ. 2. March. 3. Halt. Figure 67. At the first command, the left file of each platoon prepares to step off promptly, and the pivot to turn upon its own ground. At the command March, each platoon executes its wheel to the right, following the principles of the wheel on a fix- ed pivot, the marching flanks taking care to step off and wheel together. At the command Halt, the marching flanks and all the troopers halt at the same instant, those of the rear rank re- suming their places behind their file-leaders. The first captain commands Halt, when the platoons have nearly completed the wheels. To March in Column with Distance. The squadron being in open column, right in front, the first captain commands : 1. Column forward. 2. March. 3. Guide left. 106 SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. At the command March, all the platoons put themselves in motion at the same time. Before the column commences the march, the first cap- tain gives the guide of the first platoon a point of direction ; this non-commissioned officer selects intermediate points, so as to be sure of marching straight. The fixed object being given to the guide of the first platoon, is also pointed out to the guide of the second. Changes of Direction by successive Wheels. In the open column, the changes of direction are executed by succes- sive wheels on a movea- ble pivot, so that the march of the column may not be retarded. The arc of cir- cle described by the pivots should be of five paces. The column being in march, to change the direction, the first captain com- mands : Head of column to the right or half- right, for to the left or half-left.) Fig. 68. J ; Figure 68. At this command, the chief of the first pla- toon commands : 1. Right— Turn. 2. Forward ; which is executed on the principles of the wheel upon a moveable pivot. Each chief of platoon gives the same commands succes- sively, so that his platoon may turn upon the same ground. In this change of direction while marching, the princi- pal guide of the right, at the command head of column to the right, moves rapidly to the side of the pivot, and places himself so that the head of his horse will mark the centre point of the arc described by the pivot. All the platoons commence their wheel at two and a half SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. 107 paces before arriving abreast of the bead of the horse of the principal guide of the right, so as to prevent the column from being thrown out. This non-commissioned officer re- sumes his place when the last platoon has completed its wheel. Immediately after having changed the direction of the column, the first captain gives a new point of direction to the guide of the first platoon. Individual Oblique March. t,^ The squadron marching in col- umn, with distance, right in front, to cause it to gain ground towards one of its flanks, without changing the front of the column, the first captain commands : 1. Right (or left) oblique. 2. March. Figure 69. Which is executed at the same time, in each platoon, as prescribed in the School of the Platoon. The guides of the last three pla- toons pay attention to march on the same line, to preserve their dis- tances, and to keep in a direction exactly parallel to that of the guide of the first platoon. To resume the primitive direction, the first captain com- mands : Forward. Which is executed at the same time, in each platoon, as prescribed in the School of the Platoon. When the oblique march is executed towards the side op- posite to the guide, the file-closers preserve their places not- withstanding the change of guide. 108 SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. Change of Gait, being in Column with Distance. The column is made to pass from the ivalk to the trot, and from the trot to the walk, and when the platoons exe- cute these changes of gait with uniformity and steadiness, the column is made to commence the march at a trot, and to halt while marching at the trot. To Break by Fours, by Twos, and by File; to Form Twos, Fours, and Platoons at the same Gait. The squadron marching in column with distance, right in front, to break by fours at the same gait, the first cap- tain commands : 1. By fours. 2. March. 3. Guide left. At the first command, repeated by the chief of the first platoon, this officer places himself in front of the first four files, and the particular guide of the right places himself on his right. At the command March, repeated by the chief of the first platoon, this platoon breaks by fours, as prescribed in the School of the Platoon, and the chiefs of the last three platoons command Halt. The chief of the second platoon, and successively those of the third and fourth command by fours, in sufficient time to command March, the moment the last four files of the preceding platoon commence their oblique movement in order to enter the column. The squadron marching in column by fours, right in front, to break by twos, at the same gait, the first captain commands : 3 . By twos. 2. March. 3. Guide left. The chiefs of platoon conform to what is prescribed in order to break by fours, and give the commands : Halt, and then 1. By twos ; 2. March, so as to cause no confu- sion in the column. • SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. 109 The squadron marching in column by twos, right in front, to break by file at the same gait, the first captain commands : 1. By file. 2. March. Which is executed as prescribed in the School of the Pla- toon, the particular guide of the right placing himself be- hind the chief of the first platoon. The squadron marching in column with distance, at the trot, right in front, to break by fours, at the same gait, the first captain commands : 1. By fours. 2. March. 3. Guide left. At the first command, repeated by the chief of the first platoon, this officer, and the particular guide of the right, place themselves as prescribed in the School of the Platoon, and the chiefs of the last three platoons command: Walk. At the command March, repeated by all the chiefs of platoon, the first platoon breaks by fours, and the last three platoons take the walk. The chief of the second platoon, and successively those of the third and fourth, command By fours — trot, in suffi- cient time to command March, when the last four files of the preceding platoon commence their oblique movement in order to enter the column. The same principles are applicable to breaking by twos and by file. When the column is at the gallop , these movements are executed on the principles just prescribed, the whole col- umn except the first four files passing to the trot and resu- ming successively the gallop, as the files break in order to enter the column. The squadron marching in column by file, right in front, to form twos at the same gait, the first captain commands : 1. Form twos. 2. March. At the command Form twos and March, successively repeated by the chief of the first platoon, this platoon exe- 110 SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. cutcs its movement : the particular guide of the right moves to the right of the chief of the first platoon, who com- mands Halt, after having marched ten paces. The three other platoons continue to march by file, and execute successively their formation at the commands of their chiefs, who do not command March until the first files of their platoons arrive at their proper distance. The squadron marching in column by twos, right in front, to form fours, at the same gait, the first captain com- mands : 1. Form fours. 2. March. Which is executed as prescribed to form twos. The squadron marching in column by fours, right in front, to form platoon at the same gait, the first captain commands : 1. Form platoons. 2. March. At the first command, the chief of the first platoon com- mands: Form platoon. At the command March, repeated by the chief of the first platoon, the particular guide of the right places him- self on the right of this platoon, which forms as prescribed ; the chief of the platoon commands Halt, after having marched twenty paces. The other platoons continue to march in column by fours, and form successively at the commands : 1. Form "platoon ; 2. March, given by their chiefs in sufficient time to com- mand Halt, when the first four files of their platoon arrive at six paces from the platoon which precedes. When the column is at the trot, the same principles are conformed to, except that instead of halting, the first two or four files of the first platoon pass to the walk, at the command March given by their chief. The other platoons continue to march at the trot, and execute their movement at the same gait, the first two or four files of each platoon passing also to the ivalk, at the command March given by their chiefs, when they arrive at their proper distance. SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. Ill When the column is at the gallop, to form twos, fours, etc., the same principles are observed, the first two or four files of each platoon passing to the trot at the command March, given by their chief. When these formations are executed at the trot, and at the gallop, the guide is announced by the first captain as soon as the first files have doubled, or the first platoon is formed; in the last ease only, eaoh clrief of platoon re- peats the command of the guide as soon as his platoon is formed. To Break by Fours, by Twos, and by File ; to Form Twos, Fours, and Platoons, in Doubling the Gait. The squadron marching in column with distance, right in front, to break by fours, in doubling the gait, the first captain commands : 1. By fours — trot. 2. March. 3. Guide left. At the first command, repeated by the chief of the first platoon, this officer places himself in front of the first four files, and the particular guide of the right on his right. At the command March, repeated by the chief of the first platoon, the first four files take the trot, the others take the trot when they oblique to enter the column. The other platoons continue to march at the walk ; their chiefs command successively by fours — trot, in sufficient time to command March, the moment the last four files of the preceding platoon commence their oblique movement in order to enter the column. These principles are applicable to breaking by twos and by file. When the column is at the trot, to break at the gallop, the same principles are observed, at the commands : 1. By fours^-gallop ; 2. March: 3. Guide left. When the column is at the gallop, these movements are always executed at the same gait. The squadron marching in column by file, to form twos, in doubling the gait, the first captain commands : 112 SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. 1. Form twos — trot. 2. March. 3. Guide left. At the command form twos, trot, and March, succes- sively repeated by the chief of the first platoon, this platoon executes its movement as prescribed in the School of the Platoon, and the particular guide of the right moves to the right of the chief of the first platoon. At the first command, the chiefs of the last three pla- toons command : trot. At the command March, repeated by them, the last three platoons take the trot. The chief of the second platoon, and successively those of the third and fourth, command : Form twos, in sufficient time to command March, the moment the first file of their platoons is nearly at its proper distance; the first file then passes to the walk. The squadron marching in column by twos, to form fours, in doubling the gait, the first captain commands : 1. Form fours — trot. 2. March. 3. Guide left. Which is executed as prescribed in order to form twos. The squadron marching in column by fours, to form pla- toon, in doubling the gait, the first captain commands : 1. Form platoons — trot. 2. March. 3. Guide left. At the first command, the chief of the first platoon com- mands : Form 'platoon — trot. The chiefs of the last three platoons command trot. At the command March, repeated by these officers, the first platoon forms as prescribed in the School of the Pla- toon, and the particular guide of the right places himself on the right of this platoon. The last three platoons take the trot, and form succes- sively at the command Form platoon, given by their chiefs in sufficient time to command March, when the first four files arrive at their proper distance from the pla- toon which precedes them j then these first four files take the walk. SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. 11; The first captain commands guide Ir/t when the first pla- toon is formed, and gives a point of direction. Each chief of platoon repeats successively the command of the guide as soon as his platoon is formed. When the column is at the (rot, these formations are ex- ecuted at the gallop, following the same principles, at the commands : 1. Form twos, or form Jours, or form platoons — gallop-, 2. March. The Squadron Marching in Column with Distance, to Face it in the Opposite Direction, and to Face it Again to the Front. The squadron marching in open column, right in front, the first captain commands: 1. Platoons left-ahout wheel 2. March. Figure TO. At the first command, the trooper on the left of each platoon, who becomes the pivot, prepares to halt, without, however, slackening his pace. cr r*//\ / m \ / ?Wk$U 4^ ! i Fig. 75. At the command March, repeated by these officers, the first platoon moves forward ; its chief repeats the indication of the guide. Each of the other chiefs of platoon, when their half- wheel to t\& right is executed, commands : 1. Forward; 2. Guide left, and then marches straight forward. When the left of his platoon arrives in the direction of the SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. 121 platoon which precedes, he commands : 1. Left half -wheel ; 2. March; 3. Forward, in order to enter the column. The first captain does not announce the guide until the first platoon has broken to the front ; and he gives the guide a point of direction. To Form Front Into Line. lj &:& jr. 4 Fig. 7< 122 SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. The squadron being in column with distance, right in front, to form it in line upon the head of the column, the first captain commands : 1. Front into line. 2. March. 3. Guide right. 4. Front. Figure 76. At the first command, the chief of the first platoon commands : Platoon forward, and the chiefs of the three other platoons command : Platoon left half wheel. At the command March, repeated by these ofiicers, the first platoon moves forward ) its chief repeats the indication of the guide, and when it has marched thirty paces, he commands : 1. Halt. 2. Right — Dress. The squadron being aligned, the first captain commands : Front. This formation is executed in the same manner, when the column is on the march ; in this case, the chief of the first platoon, continuing to march on, does not command platoon forward, nor March, but repeats the indication of the guide. To Break by Platoons to the Right, and to Move For- ward after the Wheel. The squadron being in line, the first captain commands : 1. Platoons right icheel 2. March. 3. Forward. 4. Guide left. At the first command, the left file of each platoon pre- pares to step off promptly, and the pivot to turn upon itself. At the command March, each platoon executes its wheel to the right, following the principles of the wheel on a fixed pivot. At the third command, the platoons march straight for- ward. The first captain commands Forward, when the wheels SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. 123 are nearly completed, and gives a point of direction to the guide of the column ; he observes that the marching flanks step off at the same instant, wheel and arrive together in column, and that the pivots commence the march together at the command Forward. To Form Line to the Front by Inversion. The squadron being in open column, right in front, to form line by inversion upon the head of the column, the first captain commands : 1. By inversion front into line. 2. March. 8. Guide left. 4. Front. At the first command, the chief of the first platoon com- mands : Platoon forward ; and the three other chiefs of platoon command : Platoon right half wheel. At the command March, repeated by these -officers, the movement is executed. To Break by Platoons to the Right, Head of Column to the Left or Half Left. The squadron being in line, the first captain commands:: 1. Platoons right-wheel — head of column to the left or half left, 2. March. 3. Forward. 4. Guide left. At the command March, each platoon executes its wheel to the right. At the third command, the chief of the first platooa commands : 1. Left — Turn. 2. Forward. The other platoons move on and turn successively at the command of their chiefs, on the ground upon which the first had turned. The first captain commands Forward, when the wheels are nearly completed, and gives a point of direction. 124 SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON, To Form tine Faced to the Rear, on the Rear of the Column* "X •N. *m \ The squadron being in coiunm with distance, right in front, to form / XAjvYwvvvvvyA line faced to the rear, / ^/ feCvv^^T the first captain com- / / / [Es==-!Es£ j maDd8: / />\ «fc>*\ / / / .^- Jl— ^T - 1 / / / /%/' [ r ~~~~~"~~T~ JK \ / /' //* sfr \ eft ^ j-J M^WAfA ;VA ^>v\a:vn/\ /\ V"SV_ f ! ^H B *SH? C3 Fig. 77. 1. Platoons Jeft-about wheel 2. MARCH. 3. .F/wi* into Zme. 4. March. 5. GWtfe fe/l. 6. Front. Figure 77. At the second command, each platoon exe- cutes its wheel to the kft-ahmit \ SCHOOL OV THE SQUADRON. 125 At the fourth command, the chief of the fourth platoon, which becomes the head of the column, when its wheel is nearly completed, commands : 1. Forward; 2. Guide left; and when it has marched thirty paces, 1. Halt; 2. Left — Dress. The chiefs of the other platoons, on completing three- fourths of their wheel, command: 1. Forward; 2. Guide left ; and direct themselves towards the place they are to occupy in line, conforming in other respects to what is pre- scribed for Jroiit into line, when the column has its left in ront. The first captain commands front into line, in sufficient time to command March, and guide left, when the platoons have completed three-fourths of their wheel. To Form lane Faced to the Rear, by Inversion on the Rear of the Column. The squadron being in column with distance, right in front, and obstacles are presented upon its left flank, to form line faced to the rear, the first captain commands : 1. Platoons right-ahout wheel. 2. March. 3. By inversion ront into line. 4. March. 5. Guide right. 6. FRONT. At the second command, each platoon executes its wheel to the right-about. At the fourth command, the chief of the fourth platoon, which becomes the head of the column, when its wheel is nearly completed, commands: 1. Forward; 2. Guide right ; and when it has marched thirty paces, 1. Halt; 2. Right — Dress. • The chiefs of the platoons, at three-fourths of the wheel, command ; 1. Forward ; 2. Guide right ; and direct them- selves towards the place they are to occupy in line, con- forming, in other respects, to what is prescribed for by in- version front into line, when the left is in front. 126 SCHOOL Off THE SQUADRON. To Break by Platoons to the Right; Head of Column to the Right (or Half Right.) The squadron being in line, the first captain commands : 1. Platoons right wheel— head of column to the right (or half right.) 2. March. 3. Forward. 4. Guide left. W 43 p^-^-i ii/L— ~^^- y i-.J -Hfe m Xrgl q[ic VIST [g. 78 SCHOOL OU THE SQUADRON. 127 At the command March, each platoon executes its wheel to the right. At the third command, the chief of the first platoon commands: 1. Right — Turn; 2. Forward. The other platoons move on, and turn successively at the command of their chief, on the same ground. The first captain commands, Forward, when the wheels are nearly completed. To Form Line Faced to the Rear on the Head of the Column. The squadron being in column with distance, right in front, to form line upon the head of the column faced to the rear, the first captain commands : 1. By inversion front into line. 2. March. 3. Guide left. Fig. 78. Which is executed as prescribed for by inver- sion front into line, right in front, but without rectifying the alignment. The squadron being formed, the first captain immediate- ly commands : 1. Platoons left-about wheel. 2. March. 3. Halt. 4. Right —Dress. 5. Front. To Form Line Faced to the Rear, by Inversion, on the Head of the Column. The squadron being in column with distance, right in front, and obstacles' are presented on its right flank, to form line upon the head of the column, faced to the rear, the first captain commands : 1. Front into line. 2. March. 3. Guide right. Which is executed as prescribed for front into line, right in front, but without rectifying the alignment. 128 SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. The squadron being formed, the first captain immediately commands : 1. Platoons right-ahout icheel. 2. March. 3. Halt. 4. Left — Dress. 5. Front. Movements by Fours, the Squadron being in Column with Distance. To gain distance towards a flank. The squadron being in column with distance, right in front, to cause it to gain ground towards its left flank, the first captain commands : 1. By fours left wheel. 2. March. 3. Forward. 4. Guide right. Fig. 79. At the command March, the wheels are executed in each rank by fours, as prescribed in the School of the Platoon. If, instead of moving forward, after having wheeled to left by fours, the first captain wishes to halt the column, he commands: Halt. To take a direction parallel to the first, and return to column with distance, the first captain commands : 1. By fours right wheel. 2. March. 3. Halt. Which is executed on the same principles, but by inverse means. If, instead of halting, the first captain wishes the column to march forward, he commands : 1. Forward; 2. Guide left. The squadron being in column with distance, right in front, it is caused to gain ground towards its right flank by the commands: 1. By fours right wheel; 2. March; '6. Forward; 4. Guide left; and to resume the primitive di- rection, at the commands: 1. By fours left wheel; 2. March; 3. Halt (or Forward ;) 4. Guide left. To march to the rear. SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON, 129 [1 CTK «^^« ■^ S m$fa i fegggifo Fig. 130 SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. IJH *k^l The squadron being in column with distance, right in front, to cause it to march to the rear, the first captain commands : ca S3 08 ! j{J*j ta 'L^ tXX7 i^i H? ! I' i^ l.JJBfy /owrs left-about wJieel. 2. March. 3. Forward. 4. W(f« Figure 80. At the command March, the movement is executed, in each rank by fours, as prescribed in the School of the Platoon. If, instead of moving forward after the wheel to the left-about by fours, the first captain wishes to halt the column, he commands : Halt. To return to the primitive di- rection, the first captain commands : 1. By fours right-about wheel. 2. March. 3. Halt. Which is executed as just pre- scribed, but by inverse means. If the first captain wishes the column to march forward, he com- mands : 1. Forward. 2. Guide left. In all the movements to the left and to the right by fours, the chiefs of platoon move up abreast of the first rank of their platoons, on the side of the guide. SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. 131 ARTICLE THIRD. Direct March of the Squadron in Line. The principles of the direct march, prescribed in the School of the Platoon, are applicable to the squadron. The troopers, to keep aligned, should feel lightly the boot of the men on the side of the guide ; this principle is borne constantly in mind, as it is the only means of being at ease in the ranks, and preserving the individual alignment. With respect to the general alignment, the non-commissioned officers and flank files endeavor to remain aligned between each other ; consequently they will not be required to keep xl$ Sift C^C £§I ffil *3 4 A% sflz I ' < !. SJIPC. Fig. 81. the eyefl to the front, but from time to time will give a glance towards the guide, in order to keep on the same line, avoid- ing to carry the bridle hand in that direction, that there may be no crowding in the ranks. The regularity of the march in line depending much upon 132 SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. the attention which the flank files pay to their alignment, these files should be at first exercised separately. The squadron being in line and correctly aligned, the first captain commands : 1. Flank files forward. 2. Guide right. 3. March. Figure 81. At the second command, the particular guide of the right moves up abreast of the chiefs of pla- toon ; he is immediately replaced by the file-closer of the first platoon. At the command March, the chiefs of platoons, the flank files, (right and left file of each platoon,) and the particular guides, move straight forward, the flank files preserving between each other the necessary interval, in order to receive the troopers of their platoons, and when they have marched thirty paces, the first captain com- mands : 1. Flanh files. 2. Halt. At the command Halt, the chiefs of platoon, the flank files, and the particular guides halt. The first captain, after being assured that the flank files have marched in a direction perpendicular, and upon a line parallel to the front of the squadron, com- mands : 1. Squadron forward. 2. Guide right. 3. March. At the command March, the flank files and the squad- ron move forward. The flank files and the squadron having marched cor- rectly in the given direction, to halt them, the first captain commands : 1. Squadron. 2. Halt. At the command Halt, the squadron and the flank files halt. To cause the platoons to re-enter their places, the first SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. 133 captain, after giving notice to the flank files to stand fast, commands : 1. Squadron forward. 2. March. And when at one pace from the flank files, he commands : 1. Squadron. 2. Halt. 3. Right — Dress. 4. Front. At the second command, the troopers halt. At the third command, the particular guide and the file-closer who replaced him in the front rank of the squad- ron resume their places in the line ; the troopers return to their intervals together, and dress to the right. The squadron being aligned, the first captain commands : Front. The squadron being in line, to move forward, the first captain commands : 1. Squadron forward. 2. Guide right. 3. March. Fig. 82. Fig. 82. At the second command, the particular guide and file-closer of the first platoon conform to what is pre- scribed. At the command March, the squadron moves forward. To halt the squadron, the first captain commands : 1. Squadron. 2. Halt. 3. Eight — Dress. 4. Front. At the second command, the squadron halts. At the third command, the squadron aligns itself as pre- scribed. The squadron beiug aligned, the first captain commands : Front. 134 SCHOOL OP THE SQUADRON. Counter-march. The squadron being in line, to face it in the opposite di- rection, the first captain commands : 1. Counter-march by the right jlanh. right. 3. MARCH. 2. By file to the 3$ %> Figure 83. At the second com- mand, the chiefs of platoon turn to the right, the chief of the first platoon placing himself in front of his first file ; the file-closers turn to the left, and pass to the left of the squadron, those of the second division abreast of the front rank, the second captain on their left, those of the first divi- sion abreast of the rear rank. The particular guide of the right places himself promptly behind the particular guide of the left, facing to the rear, the croup of his horse six paces from the rear rank. At the command March, the movement is executed as prescribed in the School of the Platoon. When the first file is at two paces from the particular guide who indi- cates the place where it is to form, the first captain commands : 1. Front. 2. Halt. 3. Right— Dress. 4. Front. The file-closers follow the movement, and resume their places as they arrive at them. After having commanded March, the first captain moves rapidly to the flank by which the movement is exe- cuted, in order to direct the head of the column, and %~*# Fief. 83. SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. 135 to reform the squadron to the rear upon a line parallel to the or, e it first occupied At the command Halt, and Bight — Dress, the second captain turna-about and places himseli abreast of the rear rank to ali^n it. The squadron being aligned, the first captain commands : Front. At this command, the chiefs of platoon face to the front, by a turn to the left. The counter-march should be executed generally at the trot. For this purpose, after the second command, the first captain indicates the gait. Wheelings. The principles prescribed for the platoon are applicable to the squadron wheeling on a fixed or a moveable pivot. The execution of it becomes more difficult as the front is extended; it requires, on the part of the officers and troop- ers, a particular and constant attention. To Wheel on a Fixed Pivot. The squadron is exercised in wheeling on a fixed pivot, first at the walk, then at the trot ; also at the gallop, when the troopers are confirmed in all the principles. The squadron being halted and correctly aligned, the first captain commands : 1. Squadron in circle right wheel. 2. March. Which is executed as prescribed in the School of the Platoon. To halt the squadron during the wheel, the first captain commands : 1. Squadron. 2. Halt. 3. Left — Dress. 4. Front. At the first command, the troopers of the rear rank straighten their horses, and resume their places behind their file-leaders. 136 SCHOOL OF THE SQUADRON. At the second- command, all the troopers halt. At the third command, the squadron dresses to the left. The squadron being aligned, the first captain commands : Front. If, instead of halting, the first captain wishes to resume the direct march, he commands : 1. Forward. 2. Guide left. At the first command, the troopers of the rear rank straighten their horses, and place themselves behind their file-leaders, and the whole squadron moves forward at the gait in which it was marching before the wheel. The squadron wheeling to the right, at the walk or at the trot, the first captain commands : 1. Squadron in circle left wheel. 2. MARCH. At the first command the rear rank men return to the direction of the file leaders. At the command March the left flank halts and becomes the pivot. The right flank as- suming the gait at which the left was marching, moves for- ward and describes a circle proportionate to the extent of the front. All the other troopers straighten their horses, and guide them so as to pass over new circles in an inverse sense. The squadron being halted, the first captain com- mands : C right (or left) wheel. 1. Squadron. 1 right-about (or left-about) wheel, {^right-half (or left-half) wheel. 2. March, o. Squadron. 4. Halt. 5. Left (or right) — Dress. 6. Front. Figure 84. Which is executed as prescribed in the School of the Platoon. The first captain allows sufficient time to elapse between the first and second command, for the troopers to gather their horses, that they may commence to move together. These movements are executed at the different gaits ; SCHOOL Ot THE SQUADRON. 13' but they should not be repeated too frequently at thegallojj, in order not to fatigue the horses. &? ! \ \ I I ! ! i ' / / ; ' / ' / / i / / / / ' / / / Fig. 84. 138 SCHOOL OF THE SQUADKON. To Wheel on a Moveable Pivot. In the wheels on a moveable pivot, the pivot should de- scribe an arc of circle of twenty paces, at the same time slackening the gait ; the marching flank increases its gait. The sixth file^of the second platoon, which is the middle of the radius of the wheel, preserves the gait at which the ft 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 V // r *A i\ site Ms 4 ;';' ^ Second Edition. Revised and improved Vnr.r, $3 00. By mail, $3 50 Address orders to "West & Johnston, PUBLISHERS & BOOKSELLERS. 145 Main Street, Richmond, Va THE FIRST YEAR OF THE WAR, I'.v EDWARD A. POLLARD, author of -Black Diamond, etc. Price, $2 00. By mail, $2 50. EXTRACTS FROM THE PRESS. From the Atlanta Ga. Southern Confederacy. "The First Year of the War" is from the large and sing publishing house of West & Johnston, Richmond, of the best informed men upon the political history of this coun try, and a most forcible and vigorous writer. * * * It is i most readable and instructive book, gotten up with surprising ac j ind will n pay a can ful pe rusal.'' From the Richmond Examiner. " It is the most elaborate and valuable literary contributioi that ha ' been m ide to the interest!! of the South , thai it wil not only entice, but repay, the curiosity of all readers " nterpn- nd writ- &c, one Address orders WEST & JOHNSTON, Publishers and Booksellers, 145, Main St., Richmond ' THE SREAT jWHETIC BOOK I THE PARTISAN LEADER. Snuther» Confederacy, by Ji;i>gb Beveulby Tucker of Virguna. Originally published in IH'M\ now i (published and edited by Rev. Tk&mas A. Ware. Price $1 50. By mail, $1 75. Fi'om Richmond Dispatch. Those indefatigable publishers, West & Johnston, have repro- duced another book, which is having a great run, and, what is better, deserves to have it. " The Partisan Leader,"' that cele- brated work published by the late Judge Beverley Tucker in 1838, and which so marvellously applies to current events that some persons, not acquainted with its origin, have seemed to suspect that it must have been gotten up since the beginning of the present war. It is a thrilling and powerful narrative. From Christian Observer. l^^^^^^^^l WEST & JOHNSTON. Publishers and Booksellers, 145 Main Street.