ARTICLE THIRD. 

DIRECT MARCH OF THE SQUADRON IN LINE. 

380.—The principles of the direct march, prescribed, No. 242, and following, are applicable to the squadron.

When the troopers keep their horses’ heads, and their own, square to the front, the alignment, as well as the steady march, will be easily preserved; whether too far advanced or retired, or whether their Interval be too great, is readily ascertained by a glance of the eye, without moving thehead.

The non-commissioned officers on the flanks of pla­toons will endeavor to preserve the general alignment, by aligning themselves on each other instead of the next files towards the guide; and with the object of keeping the line of horses’ heads one yard behind the line of the croups of the horses of the platoon commanders.

The guide should not put himself in motion with pre­cipitancy, but commence the gait rather slowly; and the same in passing from a quick to a slower gait.

The direction taken by the guide has the greatest influ­ence on the regularity of the march; a distant fixed point should be given him, in a line perpendicular to the front of the squadron;this is done by the Captain, and the object is selected with the greatest accuracy from a position some distance in rear of the guide: but the non-commis­sioned officers must learn by great attention and practice to judge themselves, and select an object directly to the front; for greater accuracy, some slight intermediate object, or a succession of them, should be kept in the eye, in the line to the distant object.

The Captain should observe that the whole line moves together at the command of execution.

During the march if it is seen that the troopers carry the bridle band to the left, it is proof that the point of direction is to the left of a perpendicular, and the reverse.

381.—The platoon officers remain aligned towards the guide ; the one nearest is responsible for the gait; and the next, the most responsible for the alignment, as he regulates its base. The troopers in the platoons keep abreast with the flank files.

When the guide is centre, the sergeant on the left of the second platoon, who bears the guidon, becomes the guide; the chief of the second platoon regulates the gait, and the chief of the third platoon regulates the base of the alignment.

382.—The regularity of the march in line depending much upon the officers and flank files of platoons, they, with the right and left guides, should be exercised and practiced as a “skeleton” squadron;much attention must be paid to the preservation of Intervals; absent platoon commanders will be replaced by sergeants.

This exercise becomes more important when the number of privates in a squadron may be so reduced as to preclude the exercises of the school of the squadron; then other squadron movements will also be practiced.

383-- The squadron being in line, to move forward, the Captain commands

1. Forward.  2. Guide right, or Guide left, or Guide centre.  3. MARCH.

At the command. MARCH, the squadron moves forward.

384-—To halt the squadron, the Captain commands:

1. Squadron.  2. HALT  3 Right—DRESS, or 3. Centre—DRESS

At the second command, the squadron halts.

At the third command, the squadron aligns itself as pre­scribed. No. 311.

The squadron being aligned, the Captain commands:

FRONT.

385—The squadron marching at the walk, before passing to the trot, the Captain assures himself that the point of direction is good, and that the squadron marches with uniformity and steadiness.

When the squadron marches steadily at the trot, it passes to the gallop

The Captain observes that the troopers keep their horses quiet, and do not quicken the gait more than necessary: a common fault in the march at the gallop. For this pur­pose the chiefs of platoon, the guide and the flank files pay attention to keep their horses evenly, at the prescribed rate of gallop.

In the march at the gallop, it is necessary to slacken the pace as soon as disorder is discovered.

To march at the gallop, the squadron commences at the walk, then passes to the trot: the same progression is obse­rved in order to halt when marching at the gallop; the squadron is then exercised in moving off from a halt at the trot and at the gallop, and in halting when marching at these gaits.

COUNTER-MARCH. 

386.—The squadron being in line, to face it in the opposite direction, the Captain commands: 

1. Counter-march by the right flank.  2. MARCH.  3. FRONT.

At the first command, the chiefs of platoons turn to the right and place themselves in front of and near their right files; the members of the squadron behind the line pass Into line on its left.

At the command, MARCH, the chief of the first platoon leads the movement, which is executed as prescribed, No. 255; the right guide follows the Lieutenant, but turns to place himself behind the left guide, with two paces between the croups of their horses; the chief of platoon taking place on his right, and superintending the alignment of his platoon; the chiefs of the other platoons move with their right files and halt, faced to the right. near the centre of their pla­toons in the new line, and close to the heads of the horses.

Those who took post on the left of the line follow the movement, and take their proper positions as they arrive at them; at the command. FRONT, the chiefs of the platoons take their usual positions.

The counter march should be executed generally at the trot. For this purpose, after the first command, the Captain Indicates the gait.

This movement is executed by the left flank on the same principles, but by inverse means, at the commands: 

1. Counter march by the left flank; 2. MARCH; 3. FRONT. 

WHEELINGS. 

387.—The principles prescribed for the platoon, Nos. 257 and following, are applicable to the squadron wheeling on a fixed or a movable pivot. The execution of it becomes more difficult as the front is extended; it requires, on the part of officers and troopers, a particular and constant attention.

During the wheel, the chiefs of platoon keep at the centre of their platoons, and correctly aligned upon each other, keeping their horses upon the arc of circle more or less great, in proportion to their distance from the pivot. The chief of the platoon on which the wheel is made regulates himself upon the chief of the platoon on the marching flank, observing to move progressively, as the latter advances in the new direction.

The chief of the platoon on the marching flank describes his circle so as neither to move from, nor approach, the other chiefs of platoon.

The files on the flanks of platoons dress upon each other, all observing the progression of the marching flank, and keeping upon the arcs they should describe.

The guide placed on the side of the pivot is the actual pivot, although he is not counted in the rank.

In every kind of wheel, the marching flank of a squadron should measure with accuracy its arc of circle;if it is too great, the files are made to open and disunite, and the wheel becomes longer; if it is too small, the files are crowded, there is confusion, and the pivot is forced. 

TO WHEEL ON A FIXED PIVOT. 

388.—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

Captain commands:

1. In circle right wheel.   2. MARCH. 

Which is executed on the principles prescribed, Nos. 257 and 387.

389.—To halt the squadron during the wheel, the Captain commands: 

1. Squadron.  2. HALT.  3. Left--DRESS.  4.   FRONT. 

At the second command, all the troopers halt.

390.—If, instead of halting, the Captain wishes to resume the direct march, he commands:

1. FORWARD.  2. Guide left. 

At the first command, the whole squadron moves forward at the gait in which it was marching before the wheel.

391.—The squadron is halted if confusion arises during the wheel; the Captain explains the origin of the fault, and the means of repairing it.

When the troopers begin to understand these movements, the whole circle is passed over several times without halting.

392 —The squadron wheeling steadily at the walk, to pass to the trot, the Captain chooses a moment in which the horses are calm.  After one or two turns, the squadron is made to resume the walk, The squadron wheeling well at the trot is exercised to wheel at the gallop, upon the same principles. After one or two turns, it passes to the trot, then to the walk.

The squadron is afterwards exercised to wheel at the trot and at the gallop, in commencing from a halt, and to halt while wheeling at these gaits.

593.—The squadron Is also exercised to commence the wheel, when marching. The Captain commands: 

1. (or left) wheel.  2. MARCH.  3. HALT, (or FORWARD.) 

Which Is executed on the same principle as in No. 266. These movements are executed at the different gaits; but they should not be repeated too frequently at the gallop, in order not to fatigue the horses.

394.—The squadron being on the march, to cause it to wheel in doubling the gait, the Captain gives the command trot or gallop before that of MARCH.

At the command, MARCH, the pivot stops short; the marching flank takes the gait indicated.

At the command, FORWARD, both move forward at the gait indicated for the wheel. 

 

TO WHEEL ON A MOVABLE PIVOT. 

395.—In wheels on a movable pivot, the pivot moves in an arc of a circle of 13 paces radius, (gaining about 13 paces to the front and the same distance to the right, in a right—WHEEL,) at the same time it slackens the gait; the marching flank increases its gait. The sixth file of the second platoon from the pivot, which is the middle of the radius of the wheel, preserves the gait at which the squadron was marching. The troopers placed between this file and the pivot diminish proportionally their gait; those placed between this file and the marching flank augment proportionally theirs.

The troopers preserve their intervals from the pivot, and their alignment by the opposite flank. After the wheel, the guide remains where it was before the wheel, and is given a new point of direction.

396—The squadron marching in line, to change direc­tion to the right, the Captain commands:

1. Right—TURN.   2. FORWARD. 

At the command, right, the pivot prepares to slacken and the wheeling flank to increase the gait. At the command, TURN, the latter trots; the pivot decreases his gait, so that he shall pass over a quarter circle of 20 paces in the same time that the middle of the second platoon passes its quarter circle, (about 47 paces,) without change of gait. Whatever error occurs, the pivot should not leave, or alter his quarter circle.

When this wheel is executed at the trot, the marching flank gallops.

To change the direction to the left, the movement is executed on the same principles, but by inverse means, at the commands: 1. Left—TURN; 2. FORWARD. 

 

INDIVIDUAL OBLIQUE MARCH. 

397.—The squadron marching in line, to muse It to gala ground towards a flank, without changing the front of the squadron, the Captain commands: 

1. Right oblique, (or left oblique.)  2. MARCH. 

To resume the primitive direction, the Captain commands: 

FORWARD. 

Which is executed as prescribed, No. 370.

During the oblique march, the Captain observes that the chiefs of platoon keep on the same line, preserve between them the same interval, and follow parallel directions, in order to preserve the general alignment.

This movement is executed at the walk or at the trot; not at the gallop.

OBLIQUE MARCH BY PLATOONS 

398.—The squadron being in line, to cause it to gain ground towards a flank, by the oblique march by platoons, the Captain commands:

1.   Platoons right half-wheel, (or left half-wheel.)

2.   MARCH.

3.   FORWARD.

At the command, MARCH, each platoon executes its half-wheel to the right, on a fixed pivot.

At the third command each platoon moves forward, conforming to the principles of the direct march.

To cause the squadron to resume the primitive direction, the Captain commands:

1.       Platoons left half-wheel.

2.      MARCH.

3.      FORWARD.

4.      Guide right, (or left.)

Which is executed as just prescribed, but by inverse means.

In the oblique march by platoons, the pivots of the platoons should all halt at the same instant, at the com­mand, MARCH, so that all the wheels may terminate at the same time.

At the command, FORWARD, the right guide on the right of the first platoon marches straight forward, or upon the point which is indicated to him; the guides of the other platoons follow the fourth trooper from the left of the platoon which precedes them, and keep at five paces from him: (this for a platoon of 12 files.)

The Captain places himself habitually at two paces out side, and abreast of the second platoon.

The chiefs of platoon at the centre of their platoons.

The guides remain at their places in line.

The oblique march by platoons is executed at the walk, at the trot, and at the gallop, the squadron being halted or in motion. 

THE SQUADRON BEING IN LINE, TO CAUSE IT TO GAIN GROUND TO THE REAR, AND FACE IT AGAIN TO THE FRONT, BY FOURS. 

399.—The Captain commands: 

1. Fours left about, (or right about.)  2. MARCH.  3. Guide right, (or left.) 

Which is executed as prescribed, No. 286.

The chiefs of platoons, guides, trumpeters, &c., wheel about Individually; the first named marching in rear of their platoons, the latter in front.

(The squadron marching thus: at the command, left forward—FOURS LEFT, it marches in column, right in front.)

The squadron marching in line, to cause it to march to the rear, the Captain commands: 

1. Fours—LEFT ABOUT, (or RIGHT ABOUT;) 2. Guide right, (or left.)

These movements by fours are executed also at the trot. 

THE SQUADRON MARCHING IN LINE, TO MARCH IT TO THE REAR BY WHEELING THE PLATOONS ABOUT. 

400.—The squadron marching in line, the Captain com­mands:

1. Platoons right about wheel, (or left about wheel.)   2. MARCH.   3. FORWARD.   4. Guide left, (or right.)

At the command, MARCH, the pivots halt short, and turn upon themselves; the marching flanks regulate themselves by the right during the first half of the wheel, so as to arrive together in column, and by the left during the second half, so as to arrive together in line.

At the command, FORWARD, the squadron resumes the direct march.

If, after wheeling about, the Captain wishes to halt, he commands: 

3. HALT. 4. Left—DRESS. 5. FRONT.

In the wheels to the right about, the right guide turns to the right, moves straight forward, a platoon front and turns again to the right, and places himself on the left of the squadron; the left guide executes the same movements, which place him on the right of the squadron.

These movements are executed from a halt, and at the trot and gallop.  

THE SQUADRON MARCHING IN LINE, TO BREAK IT TO THE FRONT BY PLATOON, AND TO REFORM IT. 

401.—The Captain commands: 

1. By platoon.  2. MARCH. 

The first platoon marches on, its chief giving no words of command. The chiefs of the other platoons command, HALT; and each, in succession, commands: 1. Right oblique, and adds, 2. MARCH, when the platoon on his right has marched three-fourths of a platoon front; the rest of the movement is executed as in No. 374.

At the trot or gallop the movement is executed on the same principles; the chiefs of the 2d, 3d, and 4th platoons commanding, instead of HALT, walk—MARCH, or trot—MARCH; and when the platoon on the right has gained the prescribed distance, indicating the original gait in the next command.

402.—The squadron marching, or at a halt, in open column, right or left in front, to form it at the same gait, the Captain commands: 

1.        Form squadron—left, (or right.)   2.        MARCH. 

Which is executed as in No. 371.

403.—The column marching at the trot, this movement is executed on the same principles, except that the chief of the first platoon commands: 1. Walk; 2. MARCH; and each of the other chiefs of platoon commands: 1. Walk; 2. MARCH; on arriving in line. The movement is executed in the same manner when the column is at the gallop, each platoon passing successively to the trot.

The squadron marching in line, it is broken by the left, on the same principles, but by inverse means, at the com­mands: 1. By the left --by platoon. 2. MARCH. 

THE SQUADRON MARCHING IN LINE, TO BREAK IT TO THE FRONT BY PLATOON, IN DOUBLING THE GAIT; AND TO REFORM IT. 

404.—The Captain commands:

1.       By platoon.-trot.   2.      MARCH.

 At the first command, the chief of the first platoon com­mands: Trot; and he repeats the command, MARCH the chief of each of the other platoons commands, in succes­sion, 1. Right oblique—trot; and adds, 2. MARCH, when the platoon on his right has marched a distance equal to three­-fourths of a platoon front.

The squadron marching in line at the trot, the movement is executed at the gallop, on the same principles.

405.—The squadron marching in open column, right or left, in front, to form It in doubling the gait, the Captain commands: 

1.       Form squadron—left (or right)—trot.  2.       MARCH. 

At the first command, the chiefs of the three last pla­toons command: Left oblique—trot.

At the command, MARCH, repeated by the chiefs of the three last platoons, the first platoon continues to march straight forward at the walk, and the rest of the movement is executed as in No. 403.

The column being at the trot, this movement is executed on the same principle at the gallop.

The squadron marching in line, it is broken by the left by platoon, in doubling the gait, on the principles pre­scribed, No. 404, but by inverse means, at the commands:  I. By the left by platoon-—trot, (or gallop;) 2. MARCH. 

PASSAGE OF OBSTACLES. 

406.—The squadron marching in line and encountering an obstacle impassable by either of the platoons in line, its chief will oblique it behind the next platoon, (if it be a central one, behind a flank platoon,) in the manner and by the commands of No. 401. The obstacle being passed, the chief of the platoon will return it to its position, as in No. 405. If the obstacle admit of it, the chief of platoon will, instead, command, by fours, or by the left—by fours.

407.—The squadron marching in line, to pass broken ground by the head of each platoon, the Captain commands: 

1. In each platoon.—by fours, (or by twos.)   2. MARCH.   3. Guide right, (or left.) 

At the command MARCH, each platoon breaks by fours as prescribed , No. 278, the chiefs of platoon march in front of the first set of fours or twos; the right and left guides as in column by fours or twos, trumpeters, &c, in rear of their platoons.

If the ground requires a platoon to deviate from its direc­tion, it should return to it as soon as possible, and recover its proper interval and alignment.

In marching thus, the captain may cause the squadron to break by twos and by file, observing to form twos and fours as soon as the ground will permit.

Thesemovements are executed In increasing the gait, or when the squadron is marching at the trot or at the gallop.

408—To reform the squadron, the Captain commands: 

1 Form platoons.   2. MARCH.

Or he will add to the first command the Indication of the increased gait.These movements are executed by the left, on the same principles, but by inverse means, at the commands: 

1. In each platoon, by the left—by fours. (or by twos;) 2. MARCH; 3.  Guide left, (or right.)

 

ARTICLE FOURTH. 

CHARGE. 

409.—In the charge, as in every other direct march, it is important to keep the horses straight. As soon as any confusion is observed, it is necessary to halt and recom­mence the movement.

The squadron is exercised at the charge: 

1. In line; 2. In column; 3. As foragers.

The charge in line is executed by the squadron when in line; it should be as short as possible, so as to reach an enemy in good order, and without fatiguing the horses.

The charge in column is executed by the squadron broken in open column.

To execute the charge as foragers, all the troopers of the squadron disperse, and direct themselves in couples upon the point each wishes to attack, observing not to lose sight of their officers, who charge with them.

410—The squadron being in line, the Captain orders the sabres to be drawn, and the platoons to charge one after another, commencing by the right.

For this purpose the Captain advances 240 paces to the front, taking the squadron guides, to make the line on which the platoons halt and dress after charging; and when he wishes the movement to commence, be gives a signal.

The first platoon then moves forward at the commands of its chief, as prescribed, No. 292. It passes successively from the walk to the trot, from the trot to the gallop, and from the gallop to the charge.

The three other platoons break in their turn, when the preceding one has halted.

411.—To execute the charge by the entire squadron, the Captain places himself in front of the centre of his squad­ron, and commands:

1. Forward.   2. Guide centre.   3. MARCH. 

When the squadron has marched forward 20 paces, he commands:

1. Trot.   2. MARCH. 

At 60 paces further, he commands:

1. Gallop.   2. MARCH. 

At 80 paces further, he commands:

CHARGE.

At this command, repeated by the chiefs of platoon, the troopers take the position of charge sabre.

 When the squadron has passed over 60 paces at the charge, the Captain commands:

1. Attention.   2. Squadron.   3. HALT.   4. Centre—DRESS.   5. FRONT. 

At the command, attention, repeated by the chiefs of pla­toon, the troopers slacken the pace, and carry sabre.

At the command, squadron, the chiefs of platoon com­mand, platoon, and the troopers pass to the trot.

At the command, HALT, repeated by the chiefs of platoon, the troopers halt.

At the command, centre—DRESS,they align themselves to the centre.

The squadron being aligned, the Captain commands, FRONT.

To assure himself that the principles prescribed, No. 293, are exactly followed, the Captain sometimes places himself in front of the squadron, facing it, and at the distance that will enable him to remark better the faults. In this case, the next in command gives the commands.

412.—When the squadron executes the charge correctly, instead of halting when the charge is finished, the Captain commands:

1. Attention.  2. Trot.  3. MARCH. 

At these commands, repeated by the chiefs of platoon, the squadron passes to the trot, and at 20 paces beyond he commands:

1. First (or fourth) platoon—as foragers.  2. MARCH.

At the first command, the chief of the platoon commands, gallop; he repeats the command, MARCH, and having gained 20 yards in advance of the line, he commands, CHARGE AS FORAGERS. The platoon then disperses and charges as fora­gers. The trumpeter follows the chief of the platoon.

The squadron follows this platoon at the trot; when it has passed over 150 paces, the Captain causes the rally to be sounded. At this signal, repeated by the trumpeter of the platoon dispersed as foragers, the latter rallies upon the squadron, as prescribed, No. 294, and when three-fourths of the platoon have rallied, and are in line, the Captain commands: 

1. Attention.   2. Gallop.   3. MARCH.   4. CHARGE.

The squadron executes again the charge In line; the troopers, who have not been able to rally, charge upon the flanks of the squadron.

The Captain may order, two right (or left) platoons as foragers.

413.—To exercise the troopers in rallying upon any point whatever, the Captain, during the march at the trot, causes the squadron to gain ground towards one of its flanks by executing a half -wheel to the right or to the left, or by breaking by platoons to the right or to the left, and reforming immediately in a new direction.

414 —The squadron marching in open column at the trot, the Captain commands: 

1. To the charge.   2. MARCH. 

At the first command, the chief of the first platoon com­mands, gallop

At the command, MARCH, repeated by the chief of the first platoon, this platoon commences the gallop.

The other platoons follows at the trot, each taking the gallop, when the platoon which precedes it at the distance of 60 paces.
When the first platoon has passed over 80 paces at the gallop, its chief commands, CHARGE.

At this command, the platoon executes the charge; and when it has passed over 60 paces, its chief causes it to pass to the trot by the commands: 1. Attention; 2. trot; 3.  MARCH.

The other platoons pay attention to the movements of the platoon which precedes them, so as to change the gait in time, and to resume their ordinary distance; the Captain halts the column when he thinks proper.

These charges are executed, each platoon taking In its turn the head of the column.

A platoon that has failed in this charge, or is dispersed, would rally in rear of the column.

415.—The squadron marching in open column at the trot, the Captain commands: 

1. First platoon—as foragers.   2. MARCH. 

At the first command, the chief of the platoon com­mands, gallop; he repeats the command, MARCH, and having gained 20 yards, he commands, CHARGE AS FORAGERS.

The squadron continues to march at the trot, and when it has passed over 100 or 150 paces, the Captain causes the rally to be sounded.

At this signal, the platoon rallies and reforms at the rear of the column, or at its place in line if the squadron has been put in line.

The charge as foragers Is used against artillery, or in a pursuit. A squadron skirmishing, or from line, ordered to charge a battery, might, when within range of grape, especially if hidden by smoke, open from the centre, and make for its flanks. The reserve advances to charge, if necessary, the support of the battery. 

RALLYING. 

416 .—To give the troopers the habit of rallying prompt­ly, after having been dispersed, the Captain places the squadron at the extremity of the ground; and after giving notice to the files on the flanks of platoons to remain upon the line with him, he causes the charge as foragers to be sounded. At this signal the troopers disperse and charge as foragers; when they are at the distance of 150 or 200 paces, the Captain causes the rally to be sounded, which is executed as prescribed, No. 294.

The Captain observes that the troopers disperse without confusion; that, in rallying, they direct themselves to the right and to the left, outside of the flanks of the squadron, in order to unmask promptly the front of the squadron, and to reform in passing by the rear.

When the troopers rally without confusion, this move­ment is repeated without requiring the flank files to remain on the line of the squadron.

At the signal to charge as foragers, the squadron disperses In every direction to the front.

When the squadron is dispersed, the Captain causes the rally to be sounded.

At this signal, the officers, the non-commissioned officers, and the troopers, rejoin rapidly; the officers align them­selves promptly upon the Captain, and the non-commis­sioned officers mark immediately the flanks of the platoons.

As soon as the Captain has formed two-thirds of the squadron, he moves forward, charges again, and halts.

When the squadron is dispersed as foragers, the Captain should sometimes establish himself to the right or to the left of the direction followed by the troopers, and then order the rally to be sounded, to accustom them to rally upon any point he may select.

These movements are first executed at the trot, and them at the gallop. 

Troopers being dispersed, and closely pursued, must avoid defenceless confusion of a crowd. They must scatter as go, and will thus soon put themselves on an equality with the pursuers.  These may, in their turn, be the pursued. 

SKIRMISHING. 

417.—When the squadron acts independently, it will usually send out one platoon to skirmish; circumstances may require two or three platoons to he sent.

When the squadron is in sight of the skirmishers, the Captain orders no signal except the rally. The chief of the skirmishers observes the movements of the squadron he covers, and conforms to them as soon as practicable, re­quiring his trumpeter to sound the necessary signals.

When the squadron changes front, the chief of the skirmishers moves upon the new front, unless the Captain orders to the contrary.

The trumpeter who follows the chief of the skirmishers should give the signals only upon the order of that officer.

The skirmishers should execute their movements only by the signals of the trumpeter who accompanies the officer who commands them.

What is prescribed in the school of the platoon, mounted, is conformed to by the troopers, and by the squadron line of skirmishers.

When several platoons act as skirmishers, the firing com­mences at the guide in the centre of the line, progressing to the right and left.

When a squadron is acting as skirmishers, the Captain is always followed by a trumpeter; the other is placed several steps in rear of the centre of the line of skirmishers, in order to repeat as soon as possible the signals given by the trumpeter of the Captain.

418—The squadron being in line, the Captain commands: 

1. First (or fourth) platoon—as skirmishers.   2. MARCH. 

At the first command, the chief of the first platoon, It not already drawn, orders sabres to be drawn, and then commands: 1. Forward; 2. Trot.

At the command, MARCH, repeated by the chief of the pla­toon, it moves forward. After marching 100 paces to the front, the chief of the platoon commands: 

1. Eight files from right (or from left)—.as skirmishers; 2. MARCH; 

which is executed as prescribed, No. 295.

419.—When the Captain wishes the skirmishers to re­enter the squadron. he causes the rally to be sounded.

At this signal the chief of the skirmishers, joining the reserve, or placing himself conveniently for resuming his place in the squadron, repeats the signal, and the platoon being rallied, he joins it at the gallop or trot.

420.—When the captain wishes to relieve a platoon which is skirmishing, the chief of the new platoon moves forward upon the reserve of the platoon which is acting as skirmishers. On coming up abreast of it, he orders out 8 files as skirmishers, as has been explained.

As soon as the new skirmishers have passed 6 paces be­yond those they are to relieve, the latter turn about and rally upon their reserve at a trot. The platoon having rallied, is conducted back to the squadron at the trot.

421.—When the entire squadron is to act as skirmishers, the Captain orders the sabre to be drawn. He then com­mands:

1.       Forward—trot.  2.       MARCH.

Having arrived at the point where the reserve is to be established, about 100 paces from the front of the body to be covered, and more if it has been commanded, the Cap­tain commands:

1.       Three right (or three left) platoons—as skirmishers.  2.       MARCH.
At the command, MARCH, the chief of the platoon, which is to support the skirmishers, halts that platoon; the right guide joins the skirmishers, and when they deploy, takes his place in the centre, there to be the guide of the whole line; the left guide accompanies the Captain. The chiefs of the three right platoons continue to march on, each directing himself by the shortest route, 100 paces to the front towards the front of the line his platoon is to occupy, and having it, he deploys his platoon at the commands 

1. As skirmishers; 2. MARCH.

The right platoon covers the right of the regiment, and 20 or 30 paces beyond it; another platoon covers the centre, and the left platoon covers the left, extending also 20 or 30 paces beyond;the extremities of the line are thrown back. The chiefs of these platoons remain 25 paces in rear of the line of skirmishers, and pass over the extent occupied by the troopers of their platoons.

The reserve takes position in rear of the centre of the line of skirmishers. The Captain’s habitual poet is halfway ­from the reserve to the skirmishers.

422—If the extent of the regiment and circumstances require it, two squadrons are sent as skirmishers. Six platoons, “as skirmishers at 4 paces,’ will cover six squadrons in line. Thus a squadron from each flank, with a platoon in reserve, would cover each its wing of the regi­ment.

The Colonel would order the skirmishers to be commanded by the senior Captain, or by a field officer but always rally by squadron, and at the flank from which they come.

The proportionate strength of reserves will depend upon instances, especially the distance of strong support. The chief objects of a reserve are their moral effect—for rallying points—for supplying vacancies and re-enforcing, and for relieving the skirmishers. The main body may be so near that sometimes skirmishers may be deployed with­out a reserve.

423—The squadron being dispersed as skirmishers, to rally if the Captain orders the rally to be sounded; at this signal the officers, the skirmishers, and the reserve rally upon the point occupied by the Captain.

If the rally sounds from the commander of the regiment, It will be repeated by the commander of the skirmishers, at a position ordered by the Colonel, or chosen by his own judgment of the circumstances. Unless otherwise ordered, the squadron, or squadrons, having rallied, will then be conducted at the trot in the nearest and quickest way to their place in the regiment; if the regiment be advancing, they would not retire to rejoin it.

424.—The troopers being dispersed as skirmishers, If the Captain wishes them to charge as foragers, he causes the signal to be sounded.

At the signal the chiefs of platoons move forward Into line, and the skirmishers draw sabres; they charge Imme­diately. The reserve follows at the trot or at the gallop, as may be necessary.

After the charge the Captain orders the rally to be sound­ed, when the troopers rally in rear of the reserve, if he is with it; the reserve may have charged. The Captain may rally the troopers advancing.

425—If, in a squadron, one or two platoons are to dis­mount to fight on foot, the Captain commands:

1. First (or fourth) platoon, (or such platoons)—to fight on foot.   2.   MARCH. 

At the first command, the commander orders the sabres to be returned, and gives the command, forward.

At the command, MARCH, repeated by him, the platoon moves forward; having marched 20 paces, the chief halts it and commands:

 Prepare to fight—ON FOOT.

 Which is executed as prescribed, No. 306. The platoon being formed on foot, it is conducted to the point it is to defend.

The horses without riders will be led In rear of the centre of the squadron.

When the Captain wishes the dismounted platoon to re­mount, he orders the rally to be sounded. At this signal the chief of this platoon places himself at the point on which he wishes to rally, if dispersed as skirmishers, and the rally is executed as prescribed, No. 399.

The platoon, being formed, Is conducted to within 12 paces of the ground occupied by their horses, and the chief this platoon gives the command, mount, which is executed as prescribed, No. 306; it resumes its place in the squad­ron.

When two platoons dismount, the junior commander re­mains with the horses.

If the whole squadron dismounts to fight on foot, the Captain commands:

 Prepare to fight—ON FOOT.

 Which is executed by the whole squadron, as prescribed a platoon, No. 306.

An officer remains with the horses; the left guide, one trumpeter, and the right and left troopers of the squadron remain mounted. The horses of the officers who dismount are held as follows: Those of the Captain and chief of the platoon, by the trumpeter: those of the other chiefs of platoon. the right guide and dismounted trumpeter, by the .t and left troopers.

The Captain moves his dismounted squadron to perform duty required of it, No. 75.

The squadron remounts by the commands, and on the principles prescribed for a platoon, No. 306.

426.—A column of twos, or fours, passing a defile, if sudden­ly attacked or threatened on either flank, if they receive command, prepare to fight—ON FOOT, would instantly dismount, leaving their horses with the numbers 4, who remain mounted, and form a line of skirmishers, with from two to three paces intervals, faced toward the enemy.

Generally the skirmishers should charge with the revolver; they have the sabre for the last resort.