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REGULATIONS 
 
 BECEIVED AJ^B OBSERVED 
 
 DISCIPLINE OF INFANTRY, 
 
 ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OtTICE, 
 
 Washington Cixr, 19tli March, 1813. 
 
 General Orders. 
 
 The " Hand Book for Infantry,''^ compiled and 
 published hy William Buane, of Philadelphia, will he 
 received and observed as the system of Infantry Discipline 
 for the Army of the United States. 
 
 By order of the Secretary of War, 
 
 T. H. GUSHING, Adjt. Genl. 
 

A 
 
 HAND BOOK FOR INFANTRY: 
 
 COKTAIKINO 
 
 THE FIRST PRINCIPLES 
 
 OF 
 
 MILITARY DISCIPLINE, 
 
 FOUNDED ON RATIONAL METHOD: 
 
 INTENDED 
 
 TO EXPLAIN IN A FAMIIIAR AND PRACTICAI. MANNER, 
 
 FOR THE USE OF THE MILITARY FORCE OF THE 
 UNITED STATES, 
 
 THE 
 
 MODERN IIVIPROVEMENTS 
 
 IN THE 
 
 mSCIPLIJS^E Ji^T) MOVEMEXT OF ARMIES. 
 
 THE NINTH EDITION. 
 
 BY WILLIAM iDUANE, 
 
 ADJUTANT GENEBAL IN THE ARMY OF THE TTNITED STATES. 
 
 Cest la discipline militaire qui fait la gtoire du soldat et la force des armees, 
 car elle ost le plus grand acte de son devouement et le gage le plus assm-e 
 de la victoire. Carnot, 1811. 
 
 PHI LA DELPHI A : 
 FEINTED FOE THE AUTHOR. 
 
 181*, 
 
DISriilCT OF PEA^J^SYLV^J^IJ, to wit : 
 
 *♦*«*«*•«** ^^ ^7 REMEMBERED, that on the 20th day of June, in the 
 ; J thirty-sixth year of the Independence of the United States of 
 
 ; L. ,S. 5 America, A. D, 1812, William Duane of the said district, hath de- 
 * 5 posited in this office, the title of a book, the right whereof he claims 
 
 *»»»**«»»*» j^g author, in the words following, to wit : " A Hand Rook for 
 ** Infantry : Containing the First Principles of Military Discipline, Founded on 
 ** Ratioiuil Method ; intended to explain in a familiar and practical manner, for 
 *♦ the use of the Military Force of the United States, the Modem Improvements 
 *< in the Disciplitie and Movement of Armies : By "William Duaue. C'cst la 
 *< (Usciplinc militairc qui fait la gloire du soldat et la force <les armees, car 
 *♦ elle est le plus grand acte de son devouement et Ic gnge le plus assure de la 
 «« victoire. Car/io?.... 1 811. '"" 
 
 In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, intituled ** an act 
 for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, 
 to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned;" 
 And also to the act, entiled " an act supplementary to an act, entitled * an act for 
 the encouragement of learning, by sccurmg the copies of msips, chaits, and books, 
 to the authors Hnd proprietOTS of such copies during the times therein metitioned,* 
 and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching 
 historibal and other prints.*' 
 
 I). CALDWELL, 
 Clerk of th^ Dihtrict of J^eJinshlrariu:. 
 
CONTENTS, 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 CHAP. in. 
 
 Page I 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 
 10 
 
 Principles of Military Discipline, . . 
 Carnot's idea of discipline ....Marshal Saxe.... 
 
 Guibert.... Frederic II General Lloyd.... 
 
 Salden.... Major Armstrong. 
 
 Alterations of the French System, . . 
 
 That of 1791, exceptions to....altered....New 
 Method of Oblique Movements.... imitated 
 by the English... .exemplification by Dia» 
 grams. 
 
 On the Manner of Conducting Drills, 
 What a good method consists in.. ..Absurd 
 practices to be discarded.. ..Drills com- 
 mitted to incompetent persons. ...How to 
 teach.... Officers should conduct drills,... 
 Brutal conduct pernicious. ...What is dis- 
 cipline. ...No abuse or cruelty.... How to 
 command.. ..We hug antiquated errors.... 
 Generosity and good temper important 
 and becoming in officers. 
 
 Words of Command and Military Terms, . 17 
 
 Order of Instruction, 25 
 
 First, second, third, fourth drills.... 
 Pivots and guides.. ..Fifth, sixth drills.... 
 Oblique movements... .Seventh, eighth drills. 
 
 The Practical Drill, 32 
 
 § 1. Forming and sizing....TeUing off. 
 
 § 2. Facing. 
 
 § 3. Facing about. 
 
 § 4. Marching in single file, and wheeling. 
 
 Elements of evolution, 4l 
 
 § 1. Wheeling from the right and left of sections , 
 § 2. Central movements of sections. 
 § 3. Flank movements of sections. 
 § 4. Countermarching. 
 § 5. Sections of three. 
 
*3 JT^JVD BOOK FOR IJ^FAJ^TRY. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 THE PRINCIPLES OF MILITARY DISCIPLINE. 
 
 X HE movements of men in military order and in a mili- 
 tary manner, form the first and most important of all the duties 
 of the military art ; they are the immediate objects of a good 
 discipline. Understood, this is the simplest of all arts ; perhaps 
 it may be attributed to this circumstance, that it is not attended 
 to in the manner it should be. 
 
 ** It is military discipline,'* says Carnot, in a work published 
 in 1811," which constitutes the glory of the soldier, and the 
 power of armies." 
 
 The great perfection of military discipline is to be found in 
 the art of marc/ting well ; or, as the celebrated Marshal Saxe 
 expressed it : " j^U the mystery of military discipline is t9 be 
 found in the legs, and he nuho thinks otheriyise is a fool.'** 
 
 The celel)rated Gidbert, another distinguished military man, 
 thus exDresses himself — " The Greeks and Romans had a 
 '• regular cadenced march ; what its measure was wc are igno- 
 " rant. It is in our time" (during the seven years' war between 
 175 5 and 1763) " that the cadenced march has been introduced 
 " in European armies ; I may say discovered, as for many years 
 " it slept in obscurity. Marshal Saxe esteemed it as the most 
 " interesting circumstance, and which ought one day to mark a 
 ^* great epocha in the improvement of ^ac^zcs. This great man 
 " seemed as though he had the skill of foretelling the revolu- 
 " tions which were to be made in the principles of this science, 
 *' when he wrote, in his ReverieSy that all the mystery of tactics 
 " ivas to be found in the legs" 
 
 " So essential," says Saxe, " is marching in cadence, that the 
 " army which marches best, must, every thing else being equal, 
 " in the end prevail," 
 
% i'lRST PRINCIl^XES Ot 
 
 In his chapter upon formation, Saxe says—" I propose to treat 
 "of this subject in a ^manner so new, and it is a copious one, 
 " that I shall probabjy expose myself to ridicule, but I shall 
 " nevertheless examine it. I begin with the murch : which 
 " subjects me to the necessity of advancing what will appear 
 ** very extravagant to the ignorant. According to the present 
 " method, the march is accompanied with confusion, noise, and 
 " fatigue, without any other effect ; the sole remedy for which 
 " appears to be a secret left for me to disclose. As every man 
 " is suffered to consult his own ease, some march fast, some 
 " slow. What can be expected of troops that cannot be brought 
 " to move in one regular pace, quick or slow, as directed by the 
 " commanding officer ; or, as the exigency may require, and 
 " that an officer is obliged to be posted at every turn to hasten 
 " the rear ? If, on a march, the front be ordered to quicken 
 " its pace, the rear must unavoidably lose ground before it can 
 *^ perceive the fault : to recover the ground, the rear sets to 
 " run ; the head of the succeeding corps will do the same ; and 
 " the whole appears a scene of disorder ; thus it becomes im- 
 " possible to march a body with expedition, without forsaking 
 " all order and regularity. 
 
 " The way to obviate these inconveniences, and many others 
 " of greater consequence, is very simfile, because dictated by 
 " nature ; it is nothing more than to march in cadence^ in which 
 " alone consists the whole mystery, and which answers to the 
 ■' military pace of the Romans. It was to preserve this, that 
 -' martial music was first hivented, and drums introduced. In 
 ^' this sense, strictly, is the word tactics to be understood. By 
 '' means of the cadence, you will always be able to regulate 
 " your pace at pleasure. If all march equally to the cadence, 
 " all will march over an equal distance, by an equal number of 
 " paces in equal times. Your rear can never lag behind ; and 
 " the whole will step with the same foot ; your wheelings will 
 " be formed with celerity and exactness ; your men's legs will 
 *' not mix together, and the fatigue will not be in any degree 
 " like the present irregularity. Nothing is more common than 
 " to see a number of persons dance together a whole night with 
 ^ pleasure ; but, deprive them of music, and the most indefa- 
 " tigablc of them will not be able to bear it two hours with any 
 " sJttistaCtion. If it be asked, what particular airs I would 
 
 I 
 
^^ liecommend ; I answer, without being moved by this raillei*y.t». 
 " ^Yzy airs in triple time. Marching composed the principal part 
 " of the Roman discipline'^ Saxe, book 1, chap. 1. art. 6. 
 
 This celebrated soldier was not railed at.... but he was imitated, 
 and the Great Frederick thought like him. General Lloyd, a 
 celebrated Englishman who served in tlie Austrian service, says, 
 in the preface to the history of the German war ..." Of all the 
 ** mechanical parts of war, none is more essential than marchings 
 " which may be justly called the key which opens to us all the 
 *' sublime motions of an army ; for they depend altogether upcrti 
 '» marching ivelL'* 
 
 Saldern, bred in the school of Frederic, in his Elements of 
 Tactics, part 1, p. 1,2, says...." The most essential thing in the 
 " instruction of a soldier is marching ; by frequent exercise, 
 " a large body of men moves with as much facility and order 
 " as a small one, and marching constitutes the basis of the 
 *•' science." 
 
 A work was published by an officer of the British staff, adju- 
 tant general Armstrong, in 1808, it is entitled...." Prac^/ca/ 
 " Observations on the errors committed by generals and field 
 " officers^ l^c, from 1743, to the present //w/e"....this judicious 
 officer attributes the greater number of the failures to bad dis- 
 cipline, or the want of system ; and dwells upon the importance 
 of the elementary knowledge in the following eloquent style.... 
 
 " Marching has, with great propriety, been deemed the first 
 and most essential principle in field operations. The precision 
 with which troops move, renders it easy for a general officer to 
 calculate with accuracy, the exact time at which a combined 
 attack may be executed i and he is hereby enabled to regulate 
 the movements of his columns from various distances to the 
 scene of action, with ease and certainty ; an improvement unques- 
 tionably of modern introduction ; and if celerity were joined with 
 precision in combined operations, the advantages would be iacal- 
 culaWe ; as it may with great truth be asserted, that the succe53 
 of a war has frequently depended more upon the vigorous use 
 of the legs, than on the united effects of cannon, musquetry, 
 and the sword Indeed, it seems to be admitted by sir David 
 Dundas, " that celerity in change of place cannot be too great 
 when consistent with order, as it gives the enemy less time to 
 see the intention, or to counteract such movement ;'" in advanc- 
 ing to an attack under the fire of artillery ; in anticipating an 
 
4 FIRST PRINCIPLES OJP 
 
 enemy in seizing a post or position ; instantaneous movements, 
 executed with rapidity, must be of the greatest importance, ar.d 
 attended with the most decisive effecis... .should not our infantry 
 therefore, march with greater quickness than at the rate of 2 1-4 
 rniies in an hour ? Had not Nafiolton in his Italian campaigns 
 outmarched the Austrians, the events of the war had probably 
 been very different. ...had his march from Dijon to MarcngQ-^ 
 from the shores of the channel to the plains of Jlustcrlitz ; and 
 from the interior of France to the fields of Jcna^ been conducted 
 on the slow principles of German tactics, Austria might still 
 have preserved her immense power, and the Prussian monarchy 
 have maintained its independence." 
 
 These authorities are here introduced for two purposes ; the 
 first, to repel the objections of prejudice and ignorance against 
 novelty, which happily are giving way to common sense ; and 
 second, to show what constitutes the foundation of the mos,t 
 important improvements in the modern art of war, which are 
 laid down by those great men, and which have been carried to 
 still greater perfection in our own times. 
 
 Marching may be reduced to three principles, by which, under 
 various combinations of number;--, men can be brought to move 
 in countless forms, but all their movements still depending on 
 these ihreQ elements, marchiTig.... facing, ...ivheelifig ; upon which 
 the whole art of military action depends ; to acquire skill hi the 
 application of these principles, should be the first object of him 
 who wishes to become a military man. 
 
 Notwithstanding that there is an universal concurrence on the 
 truth of these principles, the means employed to carry them into 
 effect, have been so grossly mistaken, that the application has not 
 been every where tlie same ; by some they have been totally mis- 
 understood, and by others so varied or incumbered with modifi- 
 cations as to have marred their effect ; or, what is most general, 
 military teachers, either through indifference, or indolence, or 
 the want of a due sense of the importance of attention to the first 
 minute particulars, have begun too far forward ; they have ap- 
 peared satisfied with bcliruing they knew in what the fundamental 
 principles consisted, without ever reducing them to such a state 
 as that the ignorant, by looking at them, could comprehend them. 
 Officers have been content with a general comprehension of what 
 they read, but they have left the application and exemplification 
 to their drill Serjeants and corporals y who seldom know more than 
 
MILITARY DISCirXINE, a 
 
 to imitate what they have seen or heard of, an.d teuch them 
 mechanically, but never to exemplify or explain the proper ap- 
 plication. Thus while we have had an hundred volumes upon 
 one or another set of manauvres^ and governments have issued 
 editions of thfm, which the compilers themselves did not under- 
 stand ; it was never perceived, that in order to execute great 
 evolutions, and complex and combined manoeuvres, much more 
 to carry them into practical use, it was first necessary to learn to 
 march firop.erly...Xo face p.rofi€rly..,,diX\6. to w/kc/ proJierly..,,2S\^ 
 that all these marchings and wheelings should be executed oii 
 the shcrtest lines possible. ...any of which principles neglected or 
 omitted, or performed improperly, would render any evolution 
 or manoeuvre nugatory or ridiculous. 
 
 To learn how to do any thing well, we must always keep in 
 mind the end for which the thing is to be done. The intention 
 of discipline is war, or to produce in a body of armed men, such 
 knowledge of a common and uniform mode of movement, in 
 combined numbers, as will give the whole of a large force the 
 same impulse and direction in any manner that may be required 
 by the general, add to this the confidence which every man must 
 feel, in knowing that every man acts in the same way as he does. 
 
 The nature of ground, as well as the species of the troops, 
 must render operations in some meastire dissimilar ; but the 
 perfection of discipline will be found in that system wliich 
 applies the first simple elements to every variety of circum- 
 stance, and enables various bodies, moving in different forms, to 
 preserve still the spirit of the original impulse, and though 
 moving in different directions and arrangements, to move by 
 the same uniform laws of motion. 
 
 To render this m 5re distinct, an army of ten thousand men 
 may have to face an enemy in a country where there may be a 
 itecessity of throwing the army into three, four, or five separate 
 columns ; each having to pass over ground different from the 
 others ; or there may be a necessity for farming in order of battle 
 without an opportunity of selecting or making a choice of 
 ground : a good discipline enables the general to move his 
 columns, even when out of his view, with equal certainty, and to 
 make use of such ground as he possesses with effect ; while, 
 without a good discipline, neither can be easily accomplished, or 
 it may require too much time to make the necessary dispositions. 
 
CHAP. II. 
 
 ALl ERATIONS OV THE FRENCH SYSTEAT. 
 
 1 
 
 JL HE Fi-ench system of discipline issuexl in 1791, ha?. 
 
 been improved upon several successive times^ until the whde 
 
 has become in effect a new system. 
 
 The drill or discipline of the soldier, is more minute and better 
 digested than any other which preceded it ; yet, of the first 
 fourteen pages of which the marching drill consists, more than 
 one half is properly exploded, because experience has discovered 
 that many of the principles of discipline were capable of being 
 executed by more easy and rational methods. 
 
 The drill is divided into four parts, in the French system, 
 and each part consists of four lessons. The first teaches the 
 position in single rank, and the motion of the head to right and 
 left ; the Second, facing without stepping, that is, turning on one 
 of the heels, as on a pivot, to right, or left, and about ; thirdj 
 the ordinary step ; and fourth, the oblique step. 
 
 There are strong exceptions to this manner of instruction : 
 
 -f/>5^.... After the position is taken in rank, thfe natural consi- 
 deration is what a soldier has to do : and as action is his duty, 
 and the action of the legs the first principle ; it is preposterous 
 to teach any thing that is impracticable in action, or unnatural 
 in its operation ; thus facing upon a fixed heel may answer for 
 dancing in a theatre, but it is ridiculous on a parade, and ought 
 to be exploded altogether. 
 
 The second part of the drill, contains the manual, and the 
 firing motions; platoon exercise, oblique fire, Sec. 
 
 Second... .Tht manual exercise should not be taught until the 
 recruits have gained a tolerable idea of marching in time and 
 wheeling ; of diminishing and augmenting front from the flanks 
 of platoons or sections. Their habits will be brought, by that 
 time, to a familiarity with military motion and command ; and 
 the manual exercise, being itself merely ornamental, and other- 
 wise an useless accomplishment, will be soon and easily ac- 
 quired, and serve as a relief to more useful exercises. 
 
 The third part brings five men together, teaches them to 
 step out in front, and the practice of a variety of kinds of step».».» 
 
MIHTAHY DISCIPtlNE. 7 
 
 Hj^rching to a flank.... principles of alignmenj, or dressing in 
 llbc.,.. wheeling and change of direction. 
 
 TAird....Thh lesson of the French system is premature ; it 
 should be preceded by acquiring the cadence, or marking ol^ 
 time, by the strqke of each foot alternately, and together in time, 
 to the soimd of.. ..owe, two. ..one, two. ...one, two..,.hy the officer 
 who has charge of the drill. So soon as they strike time tole- 
 rably, they should be faced to the right, and to the left, and to 
 the right about, and to the left about ; and so constantly, until 
 the ear becomes habituated to wait for the word, and npt to 
 anticipate, nor to delay after it is given ; until they are com- 
 pleted in this mode of facing, they should not be allowed to ad- 
 vance a step beyond the line upon which they were first formed. 
 
 Fourt/i....Tht lesson in the French discipline of 1791, called 
 the oblique step, is wholly exceptionable, unnatural and useless ; 
 and the moment quick time becomes the time of movement, is 
 utterly imfiructicahle ; it is therefore now very properly exploded, 
 and in its place is substituted a more elegant, natural, and useful 
 improvement, that which the French have called the Line of 
 Science, and which is accomplished, in practice, by half facing 
 and quarter facing ; meaning thereby, half or quarter of the half 
 circle which a man*s vision embraces in a standing position. 
 
 The following is an abstract view of this principle taken from f 
 the French ; it has not before appeared in English, though the 
 principle has been adopted in practice by several intelligent 
 officers in the British service, who have directed their minds to 
 the discipline of light corps, as Russei,and Coo/urin his "P?^:- 
 tical Guide for the Light Irfmtry 0^^. fr," published in 1806. 
 
 " The received method of wheeling is compared to the turning 
 of a gate upon its hinges, and the term fdvot has been given to 
 the man on that end of the rank, upon which the others move in 
 circles, each man making a movement upon his particular cir- 
 cle, of which the pivot man is the common centre. While no 
 better mode was devised, and all troops executed their mgve- 
 ments in the same way, the disadvantages were equal, but so 
 soon as a better is discovered that must necessarily be adopted: 
 
 " Another method of movement is what has been termed 
 marching by the oblique step in which it suffices to say, that it 
 is unnatural and absurd ; that it is imj)ossible for m^en to march 
 with accuracv, or tbut case and Sfi^lf collection which is reonired 
 
a FIRST prinjciples of 
 
 in action, in a position so constrained and tortured ; neitlier is 
 it adapted for a parade of show, for which it appears to have been 
 originally devised ; nor is it in any manner practicable but at a 
 slow march, and, along with slow marching, must be laid aside. 
 Indeed at the pace of 76, 90, or 120 in a minute, upon a quick 
 march, if there be any obliquity required, the body naturally 
 assumes the entire direction towards the point intended to be 
 reached, and if it be to the right, the right shoulder of every 
 man in succession falls behind the left shoulder of the file to 
 his right ; and so of files marching to the left ; and it is there- 
 fore more consistent to determine the movement in the natural 
 form vnder its proper name, rather than retain an impracticable 
 mode of movement." The movement substituted for this dis- 
 torted method is called the Line of Science, because it is esta- 
 blished on scientific principles, and because it enables troops to 
 move with perfect ease, precision, and celerity, conforming to 
 only the following rules : 
 
 1 . The men should move in a natural manner, and always 
 in a right line. 
 
 2. Every movement should be made to a detennined point. 
 
 3. Every individual in single, double, or triple ranks, or 
 any deeper order still retaining its form, and moving or 
 displaying to a fiank, should march on a distinct and 
 direct line, from the point at which the movement com- 
 mences, to the point at which it terminates. 
 
 4. Every evolution should be executed within a space equal 
 to the front of the body which executes the evolution. 
 
 To exemplify to the eye the operation of this simple method, 
 the following diagrams exhibit both methods : 
 
 rre. 1. 
 
 • if /■'/ //. ■'/, '■'.-■ 
 
 ill ii ///,■■:. 
 
MILITARY DISCIPLINE. 9 
 
 Fig. 1. represents a squad of 16 files front, in two positions. 
 The left or horizontal shaded lines represent the squad as faced 
 from the eye cf the reader, and about to receive the following 
 words of command : 
 
 Attention the squad. 
 Take care to wheel upon your right. 
 
 Mark time,.,. 
 By your right„„wheel. 
 
 The circular lines represent the course which each file mu.'jt 
 necessarily pursue ; the perpendicular shaded line represents 
 ihe squad when it has accomplished its wheel upon the right. 
 
 Fig. 2, represents the same squad about to accomplish the 
 same purpose of forming upon the right, or perpendicular to 
 the line of its horizontal front ; but to execute the movement 
 in an oblique direction, each file moving upon a distinct but 
 direct line... .the words of the drill in this case will be : 
 
 •Attention ilie quad. 
 Take care to form perpendicular to your right, 
 
 Mark time. 
 To the right.,,, half face,,.. march. 
 
 The half facing consists of each man so moving his person 
 that his right shoulder shall be placed as he stands, behind the 
 left shoulder of his right hand file ; and that on the word marchy 
 every man steps off with the left foot, and moves in a direct 
 line to the point at which he is to form, where he fronts and 
 dresses by the files which have preceded him. 
 
Al> FIRST PRIKCIPLES OF 
 
 CHAP. ni. 
 
 ON THE MANNER OF CONDUCTING DRILLS, 
 
 A GOOD method of instruction in military disciplincj 
 should exclude every thinc^ that is unnatural or not applicable 
 to actual military service in action. If any thing be admitted at 
 any time in the parades of show, mounting guard, or the like, 
 it should be taught separately, and after the principles of a ra- 
 tional discipline are well established. Thus, turning on a fixed 
 heel, as is customary in relieving centinels, and facing to the 
 right about on a fixed heel, should not be suffered in the drill, 
 nor until the habit is formed to execute every motion of the 
 body with moving feet. ...hwt it would be better to jibolish it 
 altogether. 
 
 A strong exception must be made to the old discipline, in 
 what is called setting uji the recruit ifl a stiff position, which is 
 at best unnatural and always unnecessary. 
 
 Another exception is to confining the first instruction to one* 
 two or three recruits at a time. The recruits should not be 
 less than twenty, if practicable ; fifty are better than ten or fif- 
 teen. The men, however awkward, should be formed in one 
 rank as they reach the ground, and taught to form on any re- 
 quired front, and to the left of the first man posted ; they should 
 be told to stand perfectly free, to carry their heads erect with- 
 out being thrown back, and to stand upon their feet so that their 
 weight shall not press wholly upon the heels, but that the heels 
 press lightly on the ground. If the officer, who has charge of 
 their instruction, present in himself a good, erect and easy 
 military figure, his appearance will do more than any verbal 
 instruction; and, as soon as they begin to march, two r.r more 
 well disciplined commissioned officers, should march to the 
 front, so detached from them, as that their movements and man- 
 ner may be seen ; and they should be careful that all their 
 movements in the presence of recruits, be unconstrained and 
 uniformiy correct. Practice, with the object before the eye, 
 <aves a vast deal of time, and prevents a great waste of words 
 
MILITARY DISCIPLINE, 11 
 
 It is too much the practice to commit the charge of the ele» 
 mentary drills to non-commissioned officers, by which many 
 great evils are produced. No officer caa expect t© be compe- 
 tent to command a company, much less a regiment, (to which 
 every officer should through merit aspire) unless he has had 
 practical experience j and in no circumstance can an officer 
 no soon acquire the habit of command, or learn the mode and 
 effect of discipline, as by personally conducting the drill of 40 
 to 100 men. By devolving these fir^t duties on non-commis- 
 sioned officers, the commissioned officers remain ig?iora7if or 
 timid 3' and the chance of finding non-commissioned officers, 
 who can clearly comprehend and explain the principles of a 
 good discipline, is not one in twenty ; from which cause it is 
 twenty to one that the recruits are imperfectly or erroneously 
 taught. 
 
 It is observed by the British general, Dundas, with a degree 
 of truth that cannot be too strongly impressed upon the mind 
 of every man who holds a military commission: "That the 
 " complete instruction of an officer, enlarges with his situation, 
 « and at last takes in the whole circle of military science : but 
 '* an officer who cannot thoroughly discipline and exercise the 
 <• body entrusted to his command, (large or small) is not fit, in 
 « time of service, to lead it against an enemy ; he cannot be 
 " cool and collected, in time of danger ; he cannot profit of cir- 
 *' cumstances, from his inability (to comprehend what is doing 
 *^ by the enemy, or what is necessary 10 be done against them^ 
 •• to direct it properly ; the fate of many depends on his well or 
 '<- ill acquitting himself of his duty : for, it is not sufficient to 
 <' advance with bravery ; it is requisite to possess that degree 
 •* of intelligence, which should distinguish every officer accord- 
 ^' ing to his station : nor will soldiers act with spirit an.d anima- 
 *' tion, when they have no reliance on tlie capacity of those ivho 
 *' conduct them** 
 
 He, therefore, who has the charge of a drill, or v/ho teaches 
 Qthers, should not be himself ignorant ; nor siiould he be of- 
 fended at the ignorance of those who never had an opportunity 
 to learn ;he should be patient, but firm ; generous, but without 
 relaxing from the strictness of duty j he should command his 
 own temper in order to secure respect. Every word should be 
 explained, and a single explanation, or the comprehension of 
 
12 JflliST tftlNClPLES OF 
 
 the explanation by one or a few of those whom he is to teach 
 will not be sufficient. ...he should never be tired of rendering 
 what he teaches intelligible. ...every n)an in the drill should 
 understand every word that is used, and the use of every motion 
 and movement he makes ; and personal actions should be used 
 in explanation wherever praclicable ; so tiiat whenever a word 
 is used, or a movement commanded, not only the word shall bo 
 familiar to the ear by repeated use and illustration, but the 
 movement itself by frequent practice familiar to the eye. 
 
 All drills therefore should be conducted by commissioned 
 officers, who should always keep in mind, tiiat discipline is as 
 necessary for him that teaches, as for tho.se that are taught. lie 
 should be careful that he acts personally according to the 
 manner he teaches ; and that all his own motions conform to 
 the principles he gives : he should keep in mind that the soldier 
 very soon discovers the capacity of the officer; and that unless 
 the ofBcer possesses skill liimself, he cannot expect the soldiers 
 to confide in him, nor to respect him ; they may be made to 
 fear his power, but the confidence which is most precious to a 
 good officer, is that whicii arises out of the voluntary esteem 
 and respect, produced by the generosity of his conduct and the 
 skill which he manifests in the discharge of his duty ; wlien he 
 treats those over wliom he is placed, as men whose happiness 
 and credit he studies, rather than as slaves over whom he has 
 the right to tyrannize. 
 
 In some armies, the mind and feelings of the man are never 
 studied; his passions are never called forth, excepting to excite 
 terror and hatred of his officers ; and there have been men who 
 have held, that the army should be more afraid of their own 
 general than of the enemy I liat we must reprobate such 
 ignorance of human nature. " He who attempts to govern by 
 the lash,** said Tbnour^ " knows not how lo govern.'* There is 
 no incompatibility in exciting the generous affections of the 
 soldier with the principles of discipline. The celebrated general 
 Lloyd, speaking of the Germi:\n discipline, reprobates its savagt: 
 character by observing: "that blows may make a man a coward, 
 butnevermadea hero.*' When the officers convince the soldiers 
 that they understand their own duties, the soldiers will res- 
 pect them ; ofHccrs have only to demonstrate that they are the 
 soldiers* friends, and they may lead them to the cannon's mout'r: 
 
MIT^ITARY , DISCIPLINE. 15 
 
 wnh an enthusiasm that never fails to triumph when regulated 
 by discipline. The triumphs of the French armies, in which no 
 man is ever beaten with a cane, and in which whipping never 
 was known, is all that need be said about the futile barbarity of 
 military punishments, by the lash or by any species of degrading 
 torture.* The humblest bred man who stands in the ranks of 
 an army, is as susceptible of the seniimcnt of glory, and honor, 
 asd shame, as the proudest captain that ever carried a plume. 
 
 The ideas of the last century sliil prevail too much in the 
 military service ; while the British have been gradually, though 
 reluctantly, abandoning their mistakes and errors, to adopt prin- 
 ciples which have demonstrated their superiority in practical 
 effects over the whole of the military sys^tems of Europe, too 
 many continue to hug the errors which they have abandoned. 
 
 The principle of discipline most prevalent is terror, cruelty, 
 and degradation, ...The soldier is treated as the outcast of the 
 earth, and however different he may be when he enters the 
 ranks, the manner of his treatment too often transforms him 
 into the miserable slave which he is pre-supposed to be. 
 
 This treatment is inconsistent with reason and with hum.anity. 
 It is not necessary to discipline or subordination. A generous, 
 affectionate, and cherishing courtesy, -aIU overcome the most 
 liardened villain, and where it fails, cruelty or barbarity will 
 never succeed. The line between fauiiliarity and kind conduct 
 is easily drawn by men of sense, conscious of themselves. It is 
 incompetent men alone who will treat a soldier in the ranks 
 with contempt or cruelty. On the parade good temper and good 
 manners should never be absent. Haughtiness is incompatible 
 with true dignity ; openness, generosity, and firmness, constitute 
 the true deportment which inspires respect without exciting 
 fear, which commands with decision, and is obeyed implicitly ; 
 aad which is inflexible only m the discharge of duty. 
 
 The instructor of a drill should be of a cfceerful but firm dis^ 
 position, more disposed to laugh at the rude mistakes of the 
 first drills, than to use opprobrious language: he must have 
 discernment and good sense, to know that as the habits of men 
 
 * The author has the satisfaction to say, that since the first edition of thh 
 ^•ork was issued, "vvhipping has bceu eradicat'^d from the American militaiy 
 penal code. 
 
14 PIRST PRIA'CIPLES OF 
 
 newly entering upon military exercises, have been formed dif- 
 Terently, that they must be expected not to change their habits 
 suddenly, or embrace habits at once different from those they 
 have been accustomed to. 
 
 It should be explained that the first lessons of the marking 
 firnej ihefince, facings and ivheeling, are only like the first lessons 
 in readinp^ and writing ; that it is requisite to practise them 
 often, and to perform them with the greatest exactness, in the 
 first beginnings, in order to carry the same correctness and 
 exactness into more enlarged practice. 
 
 That the duties of a company are tlic same as the duties of a 
 regiment rnd of a whole army. ...that the whole of the military 
 art consists in inarching^ facings and ivheeling, according to the 
 rules which experience has proved to be the most effective ; 
 and that without perfection in these particulars, arms would be 
 of liUle or no use, opposed to trooj'S who are well disciplined. 
 These instructions should be introduced in familiar and persua- 
 sive language, as advice lather than command ; always with 
 good temper and kindness. ,..a(^/i5£' 7iever ! 
 
 His words of command should be clear, sufficiently loud to 
 be distinctly heard, and of a full round sound, rather than in a 
 deep or shrill voice. 
 
 The advantages and security of a good discipline should be 
 constantly brought into view ; the strength of compact lines and 
 columns, and the necessity of marching correctly, over equal 
 spaces in equal times, should be hinted at as being the means 
 by which the whole power and strength of a line or column are 
 brought to bear at the same instant. 
 
 He should, before any thing is begun, take pains to explain 
 what is intended to be done, and how it is to be done, particularly 
 in the beginning; it may be less necessary as he advances; and 
 when any thing is to be performed of which their understanding 
 may be doubtful, his explanation should be repeated. 
 
 In the manner of command, much depends upon the clear- 
 ness and distinctness of the utterance of him who teaches. At 
 drill he must not be sparing of explanation. ...but on parade he 
 gives no instruction, he only commands, and sees that what he 
 orders be executed properly. 
 
 No opportunity should be lost that is practicable to present to 
 the eye of the soldier the manner of any operation which he is 
 
MILITARY DISCIPIilXE. 15 
 
 to perform ; well disciplined rnen presented in front, whose 
 actions may accord with the command, and who may be seen 
 by the whole of the men at drill, will have an excellent effect in 
 producing a ready understanding ; it is much easier to imitate 
 what is seen than to execute what is barely described ; the va- 
 riety of habits, and the difVcrence of the meaning of the sanic 
 words in the understanding of different persjons, render verbal 
 description too generally insufficient. Tliere can be no mistake 
 by the eye, and every word should be explained which may not 
 be otherwise understood. 
 
 The intention of all discipline is to supply a kind of artificial 
 instinct, and to make this uniform throughout the whole mass 
 of an army, so that whenever any operation is required to be 
 performed by an army, no more is requisite than to assign sta- 
 tions to the several divisions,and appoint the time when the 
 movements commence, or when the concertof operations should 
 meet and produce the effect required. 
 
 To discipline men well, there must be a familiar, compre- 
 hensible, and rational method. 
 
 The more simple it is, the more easily it is understood, tlic 
 better will it be executed. 
 
 To this end, the language must be that of the science, and it 
 must be taught and explained with clearness. 
 
 There must be nothing unnecessary nor unnatural in the 
 system ; every operation and movement should bo executed 
 exactly as required ; in the sl^ortest period of time, and over 
 the shortest possible space that it can be accomplished. 
 
 All good discipline begins with learning to TTiarc/; in timc^Ziud 
 to a given pace^ and every man, from the private to the general. 
 acting by principles of movement equally wcJl known to then- 
 all, there must be reciprocal knowledge and reciprocal confi- 
 dence. The general will know in what time and order every 
 division can reach a required point; satibficd that they arc dibci- 
 plined, he will know thatthemen can accomplish with certainty 
 what he has designed, upon the foundation of their discipline ; 
 and therein all obtain an assurance of security and power ; to 
 assure a like confidence, the soldier must know, that the officer 
 who commands him, is himself competently disciplined, and 
 capable of discharging his duty. 
 
16^ riRST ruiNcirxEs of 
 
 As all discipline is intended for action, and not for parade, 
 discipline should be directed to inculcate that which is adapted 
 to action only, as fundamental, and to make all that appertains 
 to parade, secondary.. ..action must never be lost sight of in 
 teaching discipline. 
 
 Slow time must never be spoken of or heard on the parade 
 for discipline. ...marching must be taught at quick time, or the 
 time of a gay cotillion or country dance ; and the men who 
 compose the drill must be taught to mark time in rank, and to 
 go through their facings, beiore they are permitted to march a 
 single pace from the line on which they are first dressed. 
 
 In conducting the drill, so soon as the evolutions are begun, 
 they should constantly vary ; that is, the evolutions should never 
 succeed each other in the same order any two times ; the drill 
 should one day move from the right, another from the left, and 
 so on, always different evolutions ; by this means the soldier 
 will never know what movement is to follow any other, and his 
 attention will be constantly engaged to the words and their 
 meaning : the contrary practice is too prevalent, and the prac- 
 tice of what is called the nineteen manauvres, is held as the 
 consummation of military perfection ; when in fact, a well dis- 
 ciplined soldier may never have seen a single one of these 
 manoeuvres, and yet perform them or any other, at the first 
 word of command. This course obviously begets the habit of 
 attention, and is strictly analogous to the uncertainty of mili- 
 tary action. 
 
 It may be proper to remark here, for the information of those 
 who arc not already conversant in the subject; that many of the 
 words of instruction, direction, and precaution, employed in the 
 drill, cease to be employed when the battalion is completed in 
 lis discipline. As in common reading the names of the letters 
 of the alphabet are not repeated, yet their powers are employed 
 exactly as in the first instructions to read; or, as in music, the 
 notes have names, these names are not employed in the prac- 
 tice or performance of music ; so it is in military discipline.... 
 numerous words and commands are used in the elemenntary in- 
 struction, which are no longer rtxiuired to be employed, though 
 their application and their practical use are never to be omitted ; 
 of this description are the commands, mark timc....hy the aiJ^ 
 step, to the rii;/it..,.ov to t/ie left, &c. 
 
MIliITARX DISCIPXINE. 17 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 OF WORDS OF COMMAND AND OTHER MILITARY TERMS, 
 
 1 HE commands consist of general and precautionary di- 
 rections or information, concerning what is required or intended 
 to be performed; and these are of several kinds. ...they are 
 general, particular, precautionary, auxiliary, of direction, and 
 of execution. 
 
 Commands are particular when they declare the act or mo- 
 lion to be performed, and these are distinguished into two sorts 
 of words. ...thus, right. ...face. ...the word right commands the 
 thing to be done. ...the word face is called the word of execu-- 
 iio7iy because the motion must not be performed until the last 
 word is given, and because it remains yet unknown whether the 
 word to follow right. ...IS face or ivheely and which ever it is, 
 must be executed. 
 
 They are general, when the whole of the evolution or move- 
 ment designed to be executed is expressed, 2LS.,..Take care to 
 form colu7mi....ov^ take care to dis/ilay the column. 
 
 Precautionary words of the drill dire. ...Dress Attention.' 
 
 Auxiliary words are march, at the close of a word of com- 
 mand, when it becomes also a word of execution ; so arc the 
 words, ybrwarrf, cover, dress, mark ti?ne, See. 
 
 They are directory, wlien they direct how a thing is to be 
 done, as in wheeling to the right, the right hand file is directed 
 to standfast ; 50 the words, right, left, forward, are both direc- 
 tory and' executory. 
 
 Many other words are also words of execution ; but in the 
 drill it is specially applied to the lastot the words of command, 
 thus, right. ..f ace ; the word right is the word indicating the 
 direction of the motion, the word face determines the act and 
 time of its execution. Halt is a word of execution. 
 
 Dress is a word of parade, intended to direct the troops to 
 form with exactness in a straight line to the front. 
 
 The drill answers to the word School, it is there the exer- 
 cises are commenced and the first elements of military motion 
 taught. ^ 
 
 
18 FmST PRINCIPXES QF 
 
 Platoon originally signified any collection of persons on a 
 small space of ground.. ..it has been used to signify a limited 
 number of men in military order, and is still used instead of 
 company ; the word company being used in an administrative 
 sense, and the platoon in the strictly military or disciplinary 
 sense. It is derived from the French fieleton. In the batta- 
 lion exercises, the platoon consists usually of the front of a 
 company in whatever order of depth. When the companies 
 are strong, they are sometimes divided into half platoons, and 
 the half companies are then likewise called platoons. Compa- 
 nies are often not sufficiently full, and then platoons are formed 
 according to the orders of the commander, so as to place \inder 
 the command of an officer so many as he may effectually com- 
 mand in action. 
 
 A COMPANY. ...A body of men such as one man may com- 
 mand with facility, aided by subalterns ; the proper number of a 
 company is 100 men ; so that a comfiany and a Roman century 
 would agree in number ; and the rank of ce?uurion and ca/itai7i 
 would be the same. There should be an officer specially for 
 every 25 men, so that there should be 3 subalterns ; and there 
 should be for every fourth of a company, one sergeant and two 
 corporals. The Romans had an inferior officer for every 10 men. 
 
 The number of a company may vary in a regiment on the 
 peace and war establishment. 
 
 SquAD is an abrigement of the word squadron, or the French 
 escadron, and is now used to signify any small body of men de- 
 tached upon ordinary duties, such as drills and fatigjue. 
 
 File. ...A company of 100 men placed in a rank standing side 
 by side, presents an hundred files ; the same company in the 
 order of two dcefi, or two ranks, presents only 50 files ; if placed 
 three deep, then it presents 33 files, and a broken file of one 
 man. Whatever be the depth, that is, if the parade be drawn 
 up in 2, 3, 4, 5, or even 10 ranks, the whole of the men behind 
 the front rank man, form but one file ; and so behind every man 
 in the front rank, there arc files only in equal numbers to the 
 front rank. 
 
 Indian file. ...a single rank placed so that every man stands 
 successively in the rear of the rest. 
 
 Rank and file. ...signifies every man who carries and uses 
 arms in action, so that the corporals always, and sometimes the 
 sergeants, are comprehended in the r^nk and file. 
 
MWiXTARY DISCIPLINE. J$ 
 
 Supernumerary rank, is the rank composed of officers and 
 non-commissioned officers, 4 paces in the lear of the rear rank 
 of the company. ...their duty is to attend to the good and close 
 order of the ranks. ...and to attend to the disabled in action. 
 
 A rank is any number of men placed side by side, upon the 
 same front, and in a straight line. When there are two men, 
 one behind the other, and this is continued from right to left, 
 then it is, according to its composition, said to be a squad, pla- 
 toon, company, or battalion, in two ranks, or two deep, or the 
 depth of two men, or double files, or of the double order. 
 
 Section means any portion cut ©ff, or a small division of a 
 large body. ...thus, any plural number, two files or more, may 
 be called a section of a rank, two are called a double file.. ..three 
 men also may be called a triple file. ...but it will then only signify 
 the same as iivo deefi^ or three deefi ; sections are named by the 
 number of their front... .and although the number may be one, 
 two, three, or four ranks, still the sections will count only by the 
 front rank.. ..so that there may be sections of 3, 4, 5, 6, or any 
 number less than half of a superior division of the company.... 
 thus a company may, instead of being exercised in a platoon, 
 be formed into half platoons. ...then each of the half platoons 
 jmay be divided into sections according to its strength. 
 
 In military language it is a species of sub-division of a rank 
 into equal parts, as a section of two is a section of the half of 
 four, and three is a section of the half of six, or the third of 
 nine, or tlie fourth of twelve, or the fifth of fifteen, and so on; 
 it is a section of files counted by the number of men in front, 
 whatever may be the depth ; so that when the word of precau- 
 tion is given to a squad, platoon, or company, to take care to 
 advance by sections from the right ; it matters not whether 
 there be only one, or two, or three, or five ranks, the wliole of 
 the depth of the ranks which cover the men In the front rank, 
 form parts of the files, and preserve the order of their files. 
 
 All these terms are used on the drill, occasionally the squad 
 may be called z. filatoon or company. The file is the man in the 
 front rank, and every man behind him is of the first file ; but 
 face them to the right, and the first file then becomes the first 
 rank or section of the column ; while if they are fronted again, 
 the file is no longer a section; if the front rank be told off in 
 sections of any number, then whatever be the depth, they be- 
 
20 TIRST PIlINCirX.ES OF 
 
 lonj5 to that section whatever may be the movements maclc, 
 until that disposition or order is changed. 
 
 A Battalion should consist of as many companies as may 
 be governed and put in motion for battle by the means of a staff 
 of two, three, or more superior field officers and one subaltern 
 field officer; that is a colonel) lieutenant celonel, major, and 
 adjutant. 
 
 A Regiment may be composed of one or more battalions, 
 under the command of a colonel; the original signification of 
 the word colonel was the leader or commander of a column. 
 
 A BiiiGADE may be composed of two or more regiments or 
 battalions ; commanded by a general of brigade. A brigade ou 
 the peace establishment may consist of any number of batta- 
 lions ; but f r military service in the field, the brigade should 
 not exceed 4000 men. 
 
 A Division is composed of two or more brigades under a 
 major general and his staff; a division may consist of any num- 
 ber from two to four brigades. 
 
 In Line, battalions form with an interval of 12 to 16 paces ; 
 which is occupied by two field pieces: sometimes the interval 
 is enlarged to admit larger batteries of 4, 8, or 12 pieces of ar- 
 tillery in line at given points. 
 
 Discipline is the mechanical part of the art of war ; it deter- 
 mines the habits of men to certain rules of action, applicable to 
 the motion of men and the use of arms ; in an enlarged sense, 
 discipline regulates the conduct of troops in camp and quar- 
 ters ; and a go0d discipline implies the existence of a well 
 defined and exact subordination, with a complete knowledge of 
 military duties in the field. 
 
 Exercise has two significations ; the practice of marching 
 and executing evoluiionb and manoeuvres ; and the practice of 
 ihe use of arms, whether the firelock, cannon, or sword, which 
 are acquired by exercise at the drill. 
 
 Order of depth. ...the order of depth is understood to re- 
 late to a line drawn from the front to the rear as far as it goes, 
 and that is the depth ; the order of depth of the Grecian phalanx 
 was 16; the depth of battalion was in Europe at one period 12 ; 
 Gustavus Adolphus reduced it to 5 ; the prevailing order in Eu- 
 rope is now 3 decfi ; but that order is not strong enough to make 
 the charge, or to receive the shock, without a reserve. ...the third 
 rank in line should not fire, it should load for the centre rank. 
 
 I 
 
MILITARY DISCIPLINE. 21 
 
 Open order is when the ranks are two paces or more asun- 
 der.. ..this is the order of parade and inspection. 
 
 Close order is when the ranks are one pace asunder. ...this 
 is the habitual order of action and movement in all exercises 
 that resemble action. 
 
 Pace. ...the step or pace should never exceed 24 inches. ...any 
 augmentation of speed should proceed from the quickness of 
 the marchj or a greater number of pacei in a given time. 
 
 Accelerated pace is the quickening from the ordinary 
 speed of 76 or 90 in a r-iinute to 120 paces in a minute. 
 
 Marching is moving in equal paces at equal times. 
 
 Steps... .there are various steps in use, but good sense has 
 exploded all that were unnatural. The steps retained are the 
 common pace of 24 inches, and 79 in a minute. ...the short stefi^ 
 used in wheeling ; when the moving flank only steps 24 inches, 
 and the length of pace of all the rest of the files diminish in 
 length successively from the moving flank to the pivot ; the side 
 steji^ necessary for formation and dressing ; marking time^ is the 
 bare raising of the feet in musical time, without moving from 
 the ground. 
 
 The steps abolished are the oblique atefi^ the lock stefi^ or de- 
 ploy stefiy all of which are found to be totally superfluous : the 
 backward step may be said to be abolished as to every other use 
 but dressing in rank, there being now no backward wheeling. 
 
 Countermarch. ...this means when one flank by marching 
 exchanges place with the opposite flank. ...countermarching may 
 be executed by files, sections, platoons, or battalions: in the 
 front of an enemy there must be no countermarching of greater 
 extent than a platoon. 
 
 Evolutions signify the evolving or opening of the deter- 
 mined parts which compose a battalion, regiment, brigade, or 
 the line of an army. The word evolution implies a sigle move- 
 ment or manner of movement, of the component parts of the 
 body moved. 
 
 Manoeuvres are composed of a variety of evolutions, per- 
 formed at the same time, or at distant times and points, for a 
 common purpose ; so that a manoeuvre consists of the applica- 
 tion of various kinds of evolutions to one purpose. Different 
 parts of the same array may execute diff'erent manoeuvre?. 
 
22 yiRST PRIXCIPiES ai? 
 
 Deploy.. ..Display.. ..the same sense, signifying the unfolding 
 of a body of men in deep order and extending them in a length- 
 ened order or aligmnent. 
 
 Pivots are fixed or moveable ; the term is derived from a 
 point OP post turned upon ; when fixed, the man who forms the 
 pivot does not move from the ground, but turns upon it ; when 
 moveable, the man who is the pivot moves in the direction best 
 adapted to effect the movement with accuracy and precision in 
 the least required time. 
 
 Flank. ...this term signifies the extreme of a body or rank 
 formed for military purposes ; it is simply the extremes or ends 
 of a rank or line ; thus a battalion formed in the order of battle, 
 its left end is called its left flank ; and its right end, its right 
 ilank ; so in whatever order a military body is formed, the sides 
 are the flanks. The right is generally understood in discipline 
 to imply the re-vcrse Jlank^ in opposition to the established flank 
 ar left, all movements being presumed to be made upon the left 
 as the pivot flank. This rule is going out of use, and ought to 
 be abolished, as the principles of disposition forbid any determi. 
 nate rule for the violation of which there is a necessity ; moving 
 with the right in front, and ordered to form to the right of the 
 pivot, the principle of a reversed flank is totally destroyed, for 
 the right becomes the pivot and the left the reverse flank. 
 
 Alignment is the formation of the line, or the junction of 
 two or more bodies of troop* in a common line; which is called 
 the alignment. 
 
 Line. ...an army formed in the order of battle is said to be 
 formed in line of battle ; but the order of battle may be compos- 
 ed of several lines, two, three, and even four lines. The charge 
 is generally made in line, the reason of which is, that the impulse 
 or shock may be simultaneous, or the same every wh<5rc at the 
 same moment. The term is derived from the analogy of a line 
 formed by their front,but the order is not always a straight line; 
 the nature of the ground may prevent the arrangement in a 
 straight line; the line may therefore be curved as wellas straight. 
 The term line is also applied in several ways.. ..thus, an oflicci 
 in the army is said to be an ofiicer of the line, contradistinguish- 
 ed from an officer of the militia ; the line is understood to ex- 
 press the order in which a brigade or any greater number of 
 battalions is formed ; but is never applied singly to a regimejit, 
 
 1 
 
MILITARY DISCIPLINE. 2S 
 
 though a regiment may be described as formed according to 
 the line of battle, implying that the oQicers arc posted in the 
 same way as if prepared for battle. 
 
 Second line in the order of battle....the second line is some- 
 times stronger in numbers, sometimes weaker, than the fin»t or 
 front line. Second lines arc often composed of distinct columns 
 destined to move without relation to each other. 
 
 Lines of the order of battle are usually from 200 to 
 300 yards apart. Lines are divided sometimes into wings, as 
 right and left, without any centre ; at other times with a centre 
 equal in number to either of the wings. 
 
 The line is composed also of divisions, which are again 
 composed of brigades, and the brigades of regiments or batta- 
 lions : and each part of the line is composed of one or more of 
 these parts. 
 
 Army. ...the whole of the military force collected for the pur« 
 poses of war, and consisting of all the different kinds of troops» 
 
 Column ...when the depth of a military body is greater than 
 its front, it is said to be formed in column; the column is the 
 most certain lever in the hands of a skilful general for moving 
 an army, and presenting his force with celerity on any side, 
 cither in the deep order, divided into ssiall columns, or into 
 great close columns, or displaying into the extended order. All 
 manoeuvres of close columns should as much as possible be 
 executed upon the centre. 
 
 Folard's column is fixed at any number from 25 to 40 in front, 
 but not less. 
 
 Open column. ...when the parts of a column are distant from 
 each other to an extent equal to the front, or at wheeling dis- 
 tance, it is called an open column, or in open order, and the 
 officers or covering rank are then in the interval. 
 
 Close ooLyMN....wh€^ the parts of a column are oRly a pace 
 or two paces distant, it is called close column : the field ofliccrs 
 are then on the flank, upon which they are to move ; but the 
 captain and all platoon officers should in all circumstances be on 
 the right front rank of the company or platooH. 
 
 EcHELLON, from echelle, stairs. ...a battalion is formed in 
 echellon in various modes....by wheeling companies a given 
 number of paces less than their front on the right or left, they 
 form an eehellon of companies ; if upon the right they form an 
 
 'V 
 
2* TIRST PRINCIPUES OF 
 
 cchellon right in front while so wheeled ; wheeled upon the 
 left, an echellon, left in front while so wheeled ; these are 
 echellons in the oblique order. To form echellons in the per- 
 pendicular order, the right companies may be advanced succes- 
 sively to the front, each to a distance equal to the length of its 
 front, they will then form perpendicular echellons, the left only 
 retainmg its position ; so if the left advance, the right may 
 retain its position ; in like manner the centre may be advanced 
 and the flanks held back ; or the centre held back and the flanks 
 advanced. 
 
 Tactics comprehends the whole science of war ; it consists 
 of two branches, the first elementary or disciplinary and me- 
 chanical, appertaining to the duties to be performed : the 
 second the more enlarged duties to be commanded^ which com- 
 prehends the first, together with a knowlege of the coufi dUil ; 
 the first belongs to the movements from a company to a divi- 
 sion ; the second belongs to the movements of a whole army. 
 Armies ai*e put in military movement according to certain 
 rules of discipline, which must be uniform and exact through- 
 out the whole of an army. 
 
 Oblique movement,,. .This signifies the movement upon lines 
 oblique to the actual point of a line of parade ; the movement 
 of a rank forwards would be perpendicular or direct ; the oblique 
 requires that each man be faced to the right or left as may be 
 required, by the word quarter face or halfface^ and the squad 
 being then moved, each man moves in a line oblique to the 
 original line of the rank. 
 
 Diagonal 7novement, is the movement of any body in entire 
 rank, after being quarter or half wheeled. 
 
 Diminishing and augmenting- front.. ..this consists of taking 
 from one flank a given number of files, and adding them to the 
 next section in the rear ; or taking from a rear and adding to a 
 front. All augmentations or diminishing in battalion should be 
 made by even numbers of files, as tivoj four ; and in drill and 
 evolutions, where practicable. 
 
 « 
 
MILITARY DISCIPLINE. 25 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 THE ORDER OF INSTRUCTION. 
 THE FIRST DRILL. 
 
 1 HIS will consist, first, in forming with the tallest men 
 on the right, diminishing successively to the left, and dressing ; 
 which mast be executed without any stiffness or turning of the 
 head ; but wholly by the glance of the eyes. 
 
 The second process will be teaching to mark time. 
 
 The third will be facing to the right or lefc side, and a^owr, as 
 commanded, always with a raised and moving foot. 
 
 The fourth, of ranking and sizing, or reducing the rank to 
 the order of the tallest men on the extremes or ilanks, and the 
 smallest men to the centre. 
 
 THE SECOND DRILL. 
 
 This commences the marching, and teaches the rank to step 
 off in paces of two feet, with a bent knee, at 76 and then at 90 
 paces in a minute. The pace of 120 in a minute is not to be 
 taught till the discipline of the company is commenced. 
 
 The first mode, is marching to a front direct, facing and 
 wheeling upon right lines and angles. This must be perfectly 
 taught in single rank ; and the whole must be marched and 
 wheeled in single or Indian file, before any modification of the 
 movements takes place. 
 
 THE THIRD DRILL. 
 
 The operations of this drill, consist in marching in more thati 
 single file, and this will combine three other important branches 
 of discipline. 
 
 First. ...telling off into double files, and into sections of any 
 Kcquired number at command. 
 
 Second. ...marching and wheeling in the order of those files 
 and sections. 
 
 Third. ...augmenting or diminishing the number of the files 
 or sections during the march, and in the wheelings. 
 
S6 FIRST PRINCIPLES OP 
 
 THE FOURTH DRIItL. 
 
 The movements in single rank in this drill, should con^mence 
 with marching forward in a rank well dressed ; then facing the 
 rank to the right, and moving forward in single or Indian file, 
 at 90 paces in the minute ; the rank may then be wheeled in 
 this order to the right, and to the left, and to the right about, in 
 line and in single files, marking time, and going round at a re- 
 gular cadenced pace in every instance. The rank should be 
 marched then back to the original ground, faced to the left, and 
 marched off again, and put through wheelings in every diree- 
 tion ; never following the same routine, but throughout the 
 whole course of the drills, always varying the circumstances of 
 each succeeding facing or wheeling. ...When brought to the pa- 
 rade again, the rank should be kept at marked time, until well 
 dressed, and then halted. 
 
 From the first movement on parade, which should always be 
 preceded by the word attention. ...and begin with the word...* 
 mark time ; the feet should preserve their uniform cadence, 
 without intermission, until the word halt is given ; after which, 
 no evolutions should be commenced, without the prelude of 
 attention^ and the auxiliary word of movement.. ..marA' time. 
 
 PIVOTS AND GUIDES. 
 
 In this stage of the instruction, guides are to be introduced ; 
 at first, by well drilled men or non-commissioned officers, plac- 
 ed, for the purpose, on alternate flanks ; by these will be shown 
 the principles of wheeling upon a pivot, and effacing pivots, at 
 the cautionary word....while the rest of the rank, who are not 
 pivots, wait for the second, or word of execution : as, for exam- 
 ple, the word being given to a rank drawn up, by the right 
 ....FACE ; the man on the right of the rank is the pivot, and at 
 the vfovd.... right, he faces to the right, while the rest of the 
 rank continue at marking time until the word...//ce is given, 
 when they turn in the same direction. This principle extends 
 to both facing and wheeling, in rank and on the march ; and 
 through every operation of wheeling, whether of files or batta- 
 lions, the pivot always takes the direction signified by the word 
 of precaution. ...and the rest of the rank, section, platoon, or bat- 
 talion, wait for the word of execution. 
 
MILITARY DISCIPLINE. 37 
 
 The correctness of the movemeBts, the regularity of the 
 wheelings, and their exactness and precision, greatly depend 
 on the instructions and explanations given by the officer who 
 has charge of the drill, and by his constant attention to the use 
 of the pivots ; which is the more necessary in this stage of ex- 
 ercise because the principle is extended to the naoveable guides 
 of evolution in a more advanced stage of discipline. ...which 
 consists only of placing men well disciplined on the advancing 
 flank^ or outer flank, or as it is called, the reversed flank, in a 
 wheel.. ..while ihQfiivot is on what is called in common wheel- 
 ing, the standing flank, or inner flank. 
 
 THJB FIFTH DRILL. 
 
 As soon as the squad can march and wheel with correctness, 
 the firelock is introduced ; and the manual exercise taught : 
 this is very soon acquired ; but the greatest attention must be 
 bestowed in teaching the firing motions minutely, exactly, and 
 frequently : every act that must be performed in a real loading 
 and firing, should be executed with studied exactness, counting 
 each motion and allowing a second of time to pass between 
 every motion. This may appear tedious at first, but the forma- 
 tion of the habit to exactness will repay the pains bestowed on it. 
 THE SIXTH DRILL. 
 
 After direct marching aftd wheeling are well practised in 
 single rank, and all the practicable variety of movements exe- 
 cuted, which example and ingenuity, aided by patience and 
 good temper, can contrive and employ, to give the rank of the 
 drill an early facility in evolutions, and a sufficient understand.- 
 ing of them ; then the most important branch of modern im- 
 provements is introduced. 
 
 OBLIC^UE MOVEMENTS. 
 
 This is the oblique movement, expressed by the French mi- 
 litary writers of the revolutionary period, under the name of 
 the Line of Science ; in the latter systems ; expressed demi a 
 gauche, half-left....z;n quart d'a-droit, a quarter face to the rightj 
 or a quarter face to the left. It is the constant method of aug- 
 menting front, and reducing the front of platoons or sections, 
 in passing the defile or obstacle ; it is the nniform method of 
 the light troops ; and is frequently denominated the loose otxier 
 of formation. 
 
28 FIRST PRIxVCIPLES OF 
 
 This principle should be commenced as a new drill, and the 
 men should be so informed ; the direct, or perpendicular move- 
 ments, should be now introduced as sparingly as possible, and 
 only to give opportunities for practising the oblique movements. 
 They should commence with single ranks, and half facing only; 
 as qwarter facing is, for a single man, not so easily distinguish- 
 able ; though, when extended to four men in front or more, it 
 becomes of great consequence ; so that, in the facing of single 
 men» half facing only is to be used ; half and quarter facing 
 come into use, when the movements in sections of any number 
 beyond two men are required. 
 
 The objects and uses of this improvement, are to produce 
 flexibility, with compactness, order, and accuracy ; to save time 
 in performing evolutions ; to shorten the space, diminish the 
 labor, and prevent unnecessary fatigue ; objects which call for 
 the constant care of a judicious officer on actual service; it is 
 not to save time, or trouble, or fatigue, on the parade or drill, 
 but to be able to execute in a less time than by the ordinary 
 method, the same and better evolutions. The detail of these 
 oblique movements, must be first commenced with lialf facing 
 to the right, and tlien fronting.. ..half facing to the left, and then 
 fronting. ...then facing to the right direct, and half facing to the 
 left ; which will bring the rank into the same position as when 
 first half faced to the right : these half facings sheuld be varied 
 in every direction, right and left, front and rear. Never for- 
 getting that the whole of these facings must be performed with 
 THOving feetf and at marked time. 
 
 The French discriminate between o^Z/yt^e and diagonal move- 
 ments ; the oblique now means the movement of each individual 
 upon a distinct line ; the diagonal movement is that of a whole 
 rank, as a movement by echellon of companies to the right or 
 left, after a quarter wheel of companies. 
 
 The principles of the oblique line, or line of science, should 
 next be extended to two men ; the rank should be told off by 
 the voices of the men. ...orzc, tiuo....onef two ; from right to left ; 
 and the men should be informed, that in half wheeling to the 
 righ^, the right hand men, or those who counted one in each 
 file, are to be the pivots ; that wheeling half to the right, is 
 only the extension of the principle of half facing from one man 
 to two men, in which the pivot should act as in half facing, and 
 
MILITARY DISCIPLINE. 29 
 
 face at the word of command ; while the second man of each, or 
 those who counted tnuo, should wait for the word of execution^ 
 and step out at one pace, inclining his face to the right, bring- 
 ing up his right foot and marking time, and dressing by the 
 pivot, so that the whole rank would then present a series of 
 double files, half wheeled to the right ; they might then be 
 further half wheeled to the light, which would bring them 
 into a column of double files, the right in front ; they might 
 then be half wheeled to the left, in which case, the men who 
 counted /wo, should be apprised that they become the pivots 
 and must half face at the word of covimand....2Lnd are again 
 half wheeled to the left. It would be then perceived, whether 
 they had wheeled accurately, or not, as the rank would be well 
 or ill dressed, or if the wheeling was well or ill executed. 
 
 These principles should progress to three, four, five, and 
 up to ten or twelve men in front ; half faced and wheeled, 
 upon the same principles ; and when in that position, half 
 wheeled, tUey should be told, that they were then in the posi- 
 tion called the echellon, a word which signifies steps of stairs, 
 which the outline of their formation represents ; and that this 
 order of the echellon is susceptible of the greatest uses and 
 application to an infinite variety of modes of formation. 
 
 In this position, they should learn that movements of every 
 kind are to be executed by the time of the ordinary or quick 
 marching pace ; that the moving flank, or guide, of every 
 rank, must march only twenty-four inches, and that the inter- 
 mediary files must shorten their paces, so as to dress, and 
 always dress by the moving flank, touching the file on the 
 side upon which they move, and looking to the moving flank . 
 that, when wheeling upon the left, the left hand man is the 
 pivot, and the Jeft arm is to be bent so as never to lose tlie 
 touch of the left hand man, while the eye is turned m tl^e 
 opposite direction upon the moving flank ; so that the touch 
 being always kept, without too much pressure, there is no 
 danger of breaking or bellying out the rank on that side ; and 
 by looking at the moving flank, and never advancing beyond 
 it, but shortening the pace in proportion as the man is near 
 the pivot, the evolution is always executed with exactness and 
 beauty. 
 
so nilST PRINCIPLES OF 
 
 These elementary principles, so far well tauglit, and under- 
 stood in their application to the theory, all the supposed com- 
 plexity of military evolutions and mancEUvres begins to disap- 
 pear. The principles of marching thus far unravelled, the 
 application which succeeds consists only of modifications of 
 these principles, and their use in producing combinations of 
 movements adapted to numbers ; to the proposed object of the 
 movement ; and to the circumstances of the ground. 
 THE SEVENTH DRIXL. 
 
 The next process of the drill will be that of carrying into 
 effectual exercise, the same direct and oblique movements 
 with double ranks i when assembled on parade, the whole drill 
 forms in single rank, the tallest men on the right. The com- 
 mander of the drill, or an assistant, takes care that the forma- 
 tion be exact ; and as soon as formed, the men must not be 
 permitted to remain in tliat position too long. 
 
 The rank which is thus formed, will be brought to ?nark time^ 
 and by the wheeling of the even files upon the right, or odd 
 files, and countermarching the front rank or even files, throw 
 the series of tallest men alternately to the right and left. To 
 bring the whole to that order by which the tallest men shall be 
 on the flanks of both ranks, and those of the rear rank taller 
 than those of the front ; this method must be pursued. The 
 files tell off as usual by the voices of the men....07ze, two...,one^ 
 ^wo.,..the number of files being found, say 36 men compose the 
 rank ; the officer will give the precautionary information and 
 explain the object, and he will tell them that the 18th file is the 
 left of the first or right section of the rank, and that the odd 
 files of that section will be the pivots ; that the 1 9th to the 30th 
 iMe form the second section of the rank, and that the even files 
 of that section will form the pivots ; that the second or left 
 section will wheel upon its left or even files : that the first or 
 right section will wheel upon its right or odd files. He will 
 then give the words of precaution : 
 
 MienXion, 
 
 Take care to form double files, by wheeling 
 outward from the centre. 
 
 Mark time. 
 
 BoublefiU8..'{from the ccntre.^.outward wheeJ. 
 
MILITARY BISCIPLINE. 31 
 
 They are then brought to their proper distance by either of 
 t>vo modes, and both modes should be practised. The first 
 mode is by the words, 
 
 Front face*" 'hy the side step to the centre, to the right, 
 or, to the left" •'incline. 
 
 Or, as the right section will have been already faced to tire 
 right, the words will be given.... 
 
 Left section to the right about" "face. 
 In close order* "'Cover, 
 Frontface. 
 
 Should it be more eligible, from the nature of the position, 
 that the formation should be made to the left, then the right 
 section may be faced to the right about, dressed, closed, and 
 fronted in that form. They are thus ranked and sized by evo- 
 lution, a method preferable to the common mountebank tricks 
 by which men are made to skip backward and forward, and to 
 the front and to the rear : exercises totally unfit for soldiers, 
 and inconsistent with military utility. Nor should any thing be 
 admitted in discipline, which is ridiculous, contrary to reason, 
 or without utility. 
 
 To prepare for evolutions, the first principles of the drill, for 
 moving in sections, countermarching, and wheeling in all di- 
 rections, and several sections, each section in different direc 
 tions, will be commenced. 
 
 THE EIGHTH DRIiL. 
 
 This drill carries into effect the movements direct and oblique 
 for the whole company ; and extends the practice of a variety 
 of evolutions in single and double ranks. 
 
 Throughout these drills it may be perceived that the move- 
 ments are progressive, from something easy, to something a 
 little different, but all performed upon the same principles ; the 
 officer in charge of the drill will keep in mind, that though the 
 steps of instruction are progressive, the exercises should con- 
 stantly vary as soon as a little progress is made, so that the at- 
 tention be always kept awake. 
 
 And it must be kept in mind, that this distribution of the drill 
 into six classes, has reference only to the stages of discipline, 
 the degrees by which the soldier is taught : the following chap^ 
 ters are divided into sections for the purpose of reference 
 
32 FIRST PKINCIPI.es OF 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 THE PRACTICAL DRILL 
 
 § 1. After the drums have beaten, and the hour appoint- 
 ed for parade has arrived, the officer who has charge of the drill, 
 attended by one or two non-commissioned officers, having come 
 upon the ground ; the officer either gives the word to fall in 
 ....or it is executed at the beat of the drum. 
 
 The recruit should not be put under restraint.. ..he should 
 stand in the easiest position for himself, with his feet neither 
 too near nor too distant, his whole weight balancing on the balls 
 of his feet, and without pressing upon his heels, his eyes to the 
 front, and face erect ; his hands suspended without restraint or 
 stiffness by his side, without being pressed too close, or fingers 
 extended on his thighs : the palms of his hands in the direction 
 of his thighs, so that the middle fingers may fall about the seams 
 of his pantaloons, his body equally presented to the front ; his 
 knees straight but not stiff, and his shoulders neither thrown too 
 much back, nor raised by constraining the arms, nor pressed 
 forward ; but so easy that the respiration be perfectly free. 
 
 The rule of the drill should be, that the whole form one rank, 
 the tallest men take their ground on the right, and so in succes- 
 sion to the left. One or two non-commissioned officers go to 
 the rear and correct any errors which the men may themselves 
 make on falling in, this operation is called sizing; to bring 
 them to the proper position for exercise, the tallest men must 
 be on the right and left of the rank, and the smallest successive- 
 ly to the centre. There are various methods of sizing, but that 
 which is executed with greatest celerity, and in the manner 
 best adapted to familiarise the men with military movementSj 
 is to be preferred. To effect this, therefore, the following words 
 of command are given, and they are executed according to the 
 method here prescribed. 
 
MILITARY DISCIPIINE. 3S 
 
 The officer of the drill having taken his position from ten to 
 twenty paces in front, and faced towards the rank, which is now 
 supposed to stand with the tallest men on the right : he gives 
 the general precautionary word : 
 
 Attention, 
 
 On this word the whole rank stand erect, with their eyes 
 throWH to the front, without any motion or noise. ...in this posi- 
 tion : 
 
 II 
 
 H §§ ft f 1 9t ft it §§ §§ ti if i^ §§ ff §® §1 §§ ft ft 
 
 The officer who has charge of the drill will then give his 
 precautionary instructions to the following effect : 
 
 The squad is now so formed that the tallest men are on the 
 rights and the smallest on the left f it is next to be disfiosed so 
 that the tallest men shall be on the right and left of the rank^ and 
 the lowest men in the centre. 
 
 This is to be done by ranking and sizing. To effect this the 
 rank will be told off in odd and even files^ by the right hand?nan 
 calling out one, the second man two, and the third man onEj the 
 fourth man two ; and continued to the left^ so that the whole shall 
 consist of files one and two, or odd and even files, when they er.e 
 told off from right te left. 
 
 The squAD will take care to tell o?f by dou» 
 
 BLE FILES. 
 
 Tell off. 
 
 The first man tells one, the second two, and so on to the leftj 
 in the following order : 
 
 P4}OoO«OaiOCJOd>0(UOai04)Oa> 
 
 ft If It It ft ft It It ft ft %^ It ft It ft II h t§ ft ft 
 
 The company (platoon or squad J are next tofor?n double files 
 faced to the right ; the front rank will then be faced to the right 
 about and countermarched upon the left of the rear rank ; while 
 the files composing the rank who have called one^fnove up to the 
 right hand fie, still facing to the right. 
 
 But in this instance, as in all others, when movements are to 
 be made, every movemjent must be preceded by the order to 
 mark time. 
 
34 riRST PRINCIPLES Ot 
 
 This operation consists of an alternate raising of the feet. 
 The left foot h raised about four inches from the ground slow- 
 ly, and brought down quick, and the right raised to the same 
 height as the left, strikes the ground ; thus alternately, striking 
 the ground in given times ; whence it is called marking timej 
 and the ofhcer of the drill will count with the rising of the left 
 foot, one^ iwo....one, two. ...one, riyo. ...until he thinks the ear and 
 the feet of the men have found an agreement in the time. 
 
 When he has succeeded in this, he gives the precautionary 
 instruction : 
 
 Take care to form double files, wheeling by 
 your right on the odd files. 
 
 The odd files on the j^rst ivorcl will face to the right. 
 The second or even files will wait for the second word. 
 
 The whole will take care to mark time. 
 Mark thne.„.onej two,.,,one) two. 
 Might, „wheel. 
 
 The squad will present the following positions on the firsv 
 
 word. ...RIGHT.... 
 
 21212121212121212121 
 df $ f t S f § iS §§ ^ if S if S f I 3 f§ S t§ $ f § S 
 On the second word. ..."zy^ct'/... .the squad will present the 
 •bllowing disposition : 
 
 ^to ^feO ^to Igto Uto ^bO Ǥto "^^ S^o ^bO 
 
 The even files now form the front rank, and it being the ob- 
 ject to bring them all into one rank, the front rank must be 
 countermarched, by the following words: 
 
 Even files. ., .right tthouU...face. 
 Upon tlie left countermarch, ...march. 
 
 They will then move, and exhibit the following movetnent : 
 3 3 3S:3 3SS33S:(S 
 
MILITARY DISCIPLINE. SB 
 
 The odd files here move into close order on the front file, 
 the even files countermarch on the left of the odd files. 
 
 The tallest men are on the right, and so diminishing in 
 height from right to left, by taking each alternate, or every 
 second man, and carrying them in progression to the left, tUe 
 tallest man is thus placed on the right, the next tallest on the 
 left, and so diminishing to the centre. 
 
 The officer will now give the precautionary instruction to 
 form and cover well ; and as they are to form a rank faced to 
 the front. ...he will then give the word : 
 
 Cover. 
 
 By this word is intended that the men in succession from 
 the head of the rank, should cover the space from the first to 
 the last man in a direct line ; each man looking directly at the 
 back of the head of the man before him. It must be kept in 
 mind, that the whole of this drill must be performed at ^narked 
 time, and that attention must be constantly paid to this, and na 
 motion begun until the time be well kept in the motion that ha^t 
 been last ordered. 
 
 The officer will then give the word : 
 
 Frontface. 
 
 19 f§ f§ f§ ft ft ft §1 It ft ft ft it id f§ it f§ §§ It ii 
 
 The whole having assumed this position, without any move^ 
 ment of the head, now look to the rij^ht, and dress by the right 
 iiand man. 
 
 This being accomplished in the first few drills, it may be 
 proper to accustom them to cease moving their feet, in order 
 to bring them to a correct movement from the first step to- 
 gether ; this is done by the word 
 
 Halt. 
 
 §2. But after a few drills, there should be no halt, until a 
 considerable number of marches or evolutions shall have been 
 executed. 
 
 The first movement, after being thus halted in the first dnlU, 
 1$ again signified by the word of precaution. 
 
36 IPIRST PIlINCItLBS O* 
 
 Mention, 
 
 Take care to face to the right. 
 
 This is simply intimating what is intended to be done ; the 
 recruit must be told that he is not to execute this command, 
 until he hears the word /«ce, that there will be a pause between 
 the words ?7^A?....and/acc, but that, until the word face be ut^ 
 tcred, the position mu^t not be altered. 
 
 Mark time* 
 
 The feet, beginning with the left, nre alternately lifted at o;2f, 
 :nvo....one^ two. 
 
 Right.„»face. 
 
 On the word face^ the left foot is lifted briskly, and the toe 
 of that foot turned in a short curved step towards the right side j 
 the right foot is briskly turned in the same direction, and the 
 body comes round with the direction of the right at the third 
 short stroke of the left foot ; when the rank will stand in Indian 
 file, in the following position ; and if the rank be not exactly 
 straight, the officer will give the ^vovd. .. .dress. ...ov 
 
 Cover. 
 
 The next movement, is the same word of command, rig'/ii 
 Jitce, repeated, intended to bring the rank with their faces to the 
 rear. Care is to be taken that they mark time correctly ; and 
 they must be apprized, that the turning commences with the 
 left foot, and that the word right, is not to be the signal for 
 facing, but the word which follows it. ...that the first word com- 
 Viands or tells what is to be done ; and the second word is the 
 word of execw^fon... .the word is then given, and they present 
 the following position : 
 
 Biglufact. 
 19 H H II H II H 91 99 H II H H i« 11 M l« l« fill 
 
 They are kept at marked time, and dressed in this position , 
 that is, faced to the rear from their first position ; they ar*- 
 again faced to the right, and present this position : 
 
MIXITART DISCIPXISfE. 37 
 
 Miglitface. 
 
 They will be exercised in the same manner in facing to the 
 fro7itj when they may, instead of the word right face, receive 
 the VI ovd front face ; by which they will be placed in their first 
 position ; and they will then be faced to the left in like manner 
 three successive times, by which they gain their first position 
 faced to the front. 
 
 § 3. The facings must be repeated frequently, and the officer 
 of the drill will find his labor in the progress much easier, if he 
 will not be sparing of pains in these first facings : after they 
 have faced to the right several times successively, and executed 
 it well, they are to be faced to the left until they face together 
 at the word ; they should be then faced to right and left alter- 
 nately and ©ften ; and only then they should proceed to 
 
 Mghi dbout,„^ace. 
 
 This consists in carrying the body round by its right side, to 
 the opposite position, or about. The men must be told that 
 they must not attempt to move about until the word yace is 
 given, nor to move like a block upon an axis ; they must use 
 their legs ; then the left foot is raised and takes a larger course 
 than in simple facing ; the right foot turns in the same direc- 
 tion, and the third step or the second stroke of the left foot is 
 made when the body is faced exactly right about.. ..it must be 
 executed in three steps. ...and the drill officer, if the facing is 
 not well executed, must bring them repeatedly about. ...telling 
 97ie, two, three. ..,one^ two, three. ...these numbers answering to 
 the first step with the left, the second with the right, and the 
 third with the left. They may be occasionally exercised in 
 simple facing right and left, and right and left about, for the 
 purpose of accustoming them to wait for the word; as recruits 
 are too apt to be confused, and especially when discouraged by 
 ill nature or morosenessin the officer, they become eager to do 
 their duty, and in their confusion mistake the side tg which 
 they are to form : patience and a little good humored raillery, 
 which will excite pride and not contempt, sooner correct these 
 
3S riBST PRIiVeiPLES OB 
 
 errors than any other mocle....strikin{^ a soldier on parade or any 
 where else is execrable-. -a man who is an officer in his soul 
 will never strike a man who he knows dare not return the blow 
 but on pain of disgrace or death. 
 
 § 4. After the facings are gone through, the habit oimarkhii^ 
 time must be presumed to be tolerably well acquired ; and the 
 squad is prepared to commence the most important part of all 
 the military exercise ; that is, marching. 
 
 The officer of the drill commences with the precaution : 
 
 Mention, 
 
 The squad will take care to march in single file? 
 by the right. 
 
 He will then explain to them the meaning of the word file 
 that it means one man when there is only one rank ; when two 
 ranks, the files are double ; and that a file consists in any num- 
 ber of men behind each other, so that if the ranks were eight 
 deep, the number of files would be no more than the numbers 
 of the front rank ; he will then make them acqwainted with 
 the lengtli of the pace ; that every step taken must be exactly 
 9A inches, or two feet from heel to heel; and that this must 
 be the length of the step at all times, whether moving fast or 
 slow ; every man must step two feet ;!ind no more. He will 
 then give the word : 
 
 Illght„„face. 
 
 The whole will then be faced in single file to the right, as iii 
 the second position ; and having marched in that direction 
 equal paces and in equal times, as far as is convenient, they 
 receive the word : 
 
 Right,,. wheel. 
 
 They then appear in the following position : 
 
 s^ll 
 
 II 
 
 n 
 
MILITARY DISCIPXI>E. 39 
 
 An important part of instruction commences wiih the wheel- 
 ing to the right. The difference between /adw^-and nvheeli7igi% 
 to be explained ; thaty«cf«^ always applies to each individual ; 
 ivheeling always to more than a single individual ; or that in 
 facing every man turns on his own centre ; in wheeling every 
 man moves as if he composed a common mass with the rest of 
 the rank ; that several wheel, and several face, but one only 
 never wheels alone, unless a rank is marching in single files, 
 when it implies that every file which follows must wheel in the 
 same direction : if the word of command be risht.,..face^ every 
 man must face to the right, and it would then be a rank faced 
 lo the right ; but in wheeling to the right, the direction that the 
 leading file takes, the whole of the files take. 
 
 The squad is wheeled several times by the right, and ai 
 length into its first position and faced to the front ; and then it 
 is faced to the other flank and wheeled to the left in the follow- 
 ing form : 
 
 w/^ 
 
 n 
 
 if 
 
 68 
 
 19 
 
 The squad being marched and wheckd by the left, returns to 
 its original position, and is faced to the front as before : the 
 drill now requires to mix the movements, by facing and wheel- 
 ing in different directions. The words are given with an inter- 
 val. ...which produce the following disposition : 
 
 §1 
 
 n 
 ft 
 ft 
 ft 
 
4bO FIRST PRINCIPLES OF 
 
 The squad having now been faced and wheeled in difFerenl 
 directions ; the drill officer will caution the men to attend parti- 
 cularly to his word of command, that it is his intention to take 
 them by surprise, and face them to the right or left when they 
 may not expect it : and he uses his discretion in this, frequent^ 
 ly facing them in different directions, and marching them into 
 their first position in single rank. 
 
 He then changes his flank, and commences the opposite dis- 
 position, with 
 
 Ijeft'-*-face. 
 Riglit'»-'jvlieel» 
 
 ft 
 §» 
 ft 
 ft 
 
 If \^ 
 
 The company is now marched int« the first position, and re- 
 ceive the words, 
 
 Hatt....resf. 
 
 When they have been well exercised in these facings and 
 wheelings, they will have learned to mark time with accuracy.... 
 the whole rank giving but one sound with their feet.. ..they will 
 have learned to face in three short curved steps, and to face to 
 the ri^he about in three long curved steps. They will have 
 their ears habituated to wait for the word of execution : if they 
 have not acquired these habits, the fault must be in the officer 
 who teaches. It is impossible, if well taught, that these effects 
 are not produced. 
 
 When the word rest is given, it always signifies that the men 
 may stand without constraint, but on their ground, from which 
 they must never move without permission. As a rule for rest 
 in ranks, the left foot should retain its position where the rank 
 halted; and the right might be easily withdrawn and the knees 
 easily bent, so as that the limbs may be at ease, and thereby 
 refreshed by a relaxation from the disciplinary position. 
 
 ^ 
 
MILITARY DISClBLlIf je. *1 
 
 CHAP. ni. 
 
 ELEMENTS OF EVOLUTION. 
 
 §1. It now becomes time to divide the rank and to make 
 preparation for a prompt execution by different parts of the same 
 company or squad at one common command ; or, that the rank 
 in two distinct divisions shall perform the similar operations at 
 the same time, by one word. 
 
 The "use of guides must be attended to in this stage of the 
 exercises with great diligence and attention to exactness ; ex- 
 planation must not be spared.. .non-commissioned officers, or 
 other well disciplined men, must be directed to post themselves 
 $t the points of wheeling and formation of every section ; and 
 to take their stations, so that each shall be in front of the secticfli 
 which is to dress by them, facing to the distant flank of the 
 section ; and the flank man of the section forming, faced to the 
 side of the guide. 
 
 The uses of the simple but invaluable contrivance of tellinsj 
 off, are further developed in this drill ; the men themselves 
 must be accustomed to do, what by the old method was done 
 by a non-commissioned officer. This will be found, in the pro- 
 gress of the drill and of the more enlarged movements of bat- 
 talion, of the greatest importance, as it will at length become a 
 hat)it in the minds of the men to know their number and place 
 in the rank, and they will with ease be capable of executing 
 formations on any front, without repeated telling off, or any 
 other direction than the general word of commmul. The offij 
 cer will give the word, 
 JLttention, 
 
 And he will follow it by the precautionary information of 
 such movements as are proposed to be executed. 
 
 The company will tell off its number of file: 
 from right to left, 
 Tell off. 
 
 # I s I i § I § ^" 5 . -^ cT . ^> 
 
 i J § M 1 1 1 1 ^ 5 1 1' ^ -: I 1 1 s i 
 If II ft §f §1 1^ it ft it §t n n n n nmnmmn 
 
 G 
 
^'2. FIRST PRIXCIPI.es OF 
 
 The officer then states, as precautionary : 
 TJiere arc twenty Jil"s^ which form Ivjo scctvms. 
 
 Ao. 1 z.v the rights Ac, 10 left of the first sectiov, 
 J^o. 1 1 is the righJ^ Ao. 2.) the left of the second section.' 
 The two sections will now take care to cxccu'e the same tnevc" 
 ments by one word rf command. 
 
 The whole. „.mavk time. 
 The whole raise the left foot gently about four inches from 
 the ground together, strike it briskly to the ground together ; 
 raising the right foot and striking it also, and so each foot alter- 
 nately, which they must on all occasions continue to do until 
 they receive the word halt. The officer will, to give them the 
 time, tell constantly, until they are well drilled to time....o«e, 
 two, ...one, two. The officer will then give the precaution : 
 
 The whole will take care to face to the right 
 
 AND TO WHEEL TO THE RIGHT (orrcavj BY HEADS 
 OF SECTIONS. 
 
 The tvhole„.,rightfacc. 
 By heads of sections,.,. right wheel. 
 This presents the first position, of single files, and the first 
 movement in broken lanks. 
 
 U M 
 
 The sections are now marched and wheeled to the right, and 
 again brought to their first ground and fronted ; when they re- 
 ceive the precaution, 
 
 The whole will iakk care to face to the left, 
 
 AND WHEEL TO THE LEFT. 
 
 The wholc„„left„..face. 
 Heads of seclions„..lfft„„wheel. 
 
 H H 
 
 M 19 
 
 The whole being repeatedly wheeled by the left, and brought 
 into their first position in single rank, will proceed to move- 
 ments on tVie centre. 
 
MILITARY DISCIPLINE. 43 
 
 §2. The squad will now proceed to execute the facings in- 
 ward from the flanks, and movements by the centre. 
 
 The sections will take care to face inward for 
 to the centre) and advancz in double files to the 
 
 FRONT. 
 
 This operation w II be performed by the right section facing 
 to the left, and the left facing to the right, and the Ic't man of 
 the right section, and the right man of the left section, facing 
 to the front... 
 
 These two centre men form the pivots in this motion, and 
 attending to precautionary words, advance in double files from 
 the centre to the front j they should remain faced tc the frontj 
 when the following command is given : 
 
 Sectious„..io the centre.„Jnward.,..facp, 
 From ti e centre.... double Jiks,..^ 
 To the front iv heel.;. march. 
 
 mm 
 
 m ft 
 M m 
 
 ^J ft ft v^ 
 
 The next command brings this column of double files faced 
 to the right about, and then marches to the same ground they 
 •had left, on the ioliowing words of precau ion and command : 
 
 The whole.... right ah out.. ..face. 
 Heads of sections... .outivard....wheel. 
 
 Hi! 
 
 urn 
 
 ^ mB> ^ ^ msi <m <*£si ^ '^1 m> i^ ^ m> ^ ^ 'aa» ^ c^ 
 
 The whole will resume the first posit on cii rca.hing the 
 ground, on the word, 
 
 Marli timc....f rant face.. ..halt. 
 The teacher of the drdl may require to be here again re- 
 minded, that though the course of movements, or the different 
 
4* FIRST PRINCIPLES OP 
 
 forms, are progressive, he must in his practice resort frequently 
 to those movements already taught, so as indeed to keep the 
 -word of command and the manner of evolution constantly pre- 
 sent to the memory, until they become a habit ^ until the language 
 of the exercise and the mode of movement in exercise become 
 predominant over every other mode of expression and habit. 
 
 § 3. The next movement will be from the outward flanks oT 
 the two sections by opposite motions to the rear, then moving 
 in directions parallel to their original front ; gaining their first 
 ground by facing to the right about, and each resuming iis for- 
 mer position by corresponding wheels. 
 
 The whole., ..mark time. 
 
 From the eentre,,., right and left outward,,,. face. 
 
 Heads of sections „„to the rear„„wheel. 
 
 The right i^ectlon here faces and wheels to the right. ...the 
 left, to the left. 
 
 II n 
 
 By angther word, 
 Inward„„whe€L 
 
 4D«»«»<!to «m fm> im ?» 
 
 40 40 4B> 40 Sl^ <l^ Vt^ ^0 
 
 9§ II 
 
 IISSS3SS SSSSSSH 
 
 They move towards each other, where they may be dressed 
 and fronted, or made to execute any of the former movements 
 a;^ the discretion of the officer. When in order to be brought 
 to their first position, they are faced from the ripr/it about and 
 ■vOheeled again into their first position. 
 
 Marli time,,,. 
 
 The 7vhole„„rigJit alout,„.face. 
 
 Heads of sections.*., front wheel. 
 
MILITART DISCIPLINE. f^ 
 
 n ^ 
 
 These movements should be followed by countermarching: 
 which means only the act of the two extremes of the same rank 
 changing places by military marching. 
 
 § 4. The practice of countermarches in drill may be employ- 
 ed to the greatest advantage in fixing the exactness of /zwzf, and 
 the length of the fiace ; in habituating the men to wheeling 
 without confusion in the midst of varied movements and ranks, 
 each file always attending to its distance and the evolution in 
 Avhich each is particularly engaged, and not attending to th^? 
 movement of others. 
 
 The rank is now supposed to be divided at the centre, and 
 the object in view is so to march them that the files on the 
 right shall be brought to the left ; and those on the left brought 
 to the right. Being in one rank and faced outward, if they 
 both wheel about on the same line, they must meet, and canr 
 not pass each other without deviating from a direct line ; it 
 must be so ordered that the sections move one by the front and 
 the other by the rear ; this will be accomplished by the fol • 
 lb wing precaution and commands : 
 
 Mteniion, 
 
 The sections will take care to countermarch 
 
 UPON their present GitOUND, AND FORM, FACED 
 TO THE REAR. 
 
 Sections. . „outivard face. 
 
 Heads of sections.... right about. ...wheel. 
 
 Co untermarch.. ..march . 
 
 They will then move in this form : 
 
 Bs ^S SiV > 
 
 9 ^ ^ ^ ^ <^ <99 «9 «» em ^ Q» si» «9 <i?** *3i9> «a> ia»> 
 
 1, r^ <Sa Siit 
 ^ ^^ •489 9v 
 
 When they have so marched as that the rear of each section 
 covers, in this form : 
 
^6 FIRST PRINCIPLES O* 
 
 They receive the word of command : 
 
 Mark time. 
 Rearface.,„dress,..,halt. 
 
 The company is then brought by the right about face, to its 
 former position, dressed and halted ; and is informed that it is 
 intended to take a position to the rear of the present ground 
 twenty paces, faced to the rear, and that this will be executed 
 by countermarching. 
 
 *9.ttention. 
 
 Take care to take post in the rear twenty 
 
 PACES, BY A countermarch FROM THE FLANKS. 
 
 SecUons„..outward face. 
 
 Rear wheel. 
 Inward.... wJieel. 
 
 Rear....face. 
 Mark time. 
 
 Right aho2it....face...,dress....haU^ 
 
 If M 
 
 II H li H 91 II 11 H if m H «i H 91 1« 91 ii H 
 
 The company is brought to the right about and halted. 
 There will be only two more movements of countermarch here 
 specified ; the officer of the drill, preserving the main princi- 
 ples of cadence^ length of pace^ wheeling upon pivots, cannot 
 vary his exercises of countermarching too much ; he may 
 form squares, orbs, and other figures, by wheeling round, any 
 number of a section, and facing the whole to the right about, 
 
MIHTART DISCIPLINE. 47 
 
 unfold the figure, and display his rank ; it is a ^reat object in 
 discipline to render exercises amusing to the men ; exercise be- 
 comes then a recreation which never tires, and by which disci- 
 pline is better established than by cruelty and abuse, or ungene- 
 rous treatment. Precautionary ; 
 
 *lttcniion. 
 
 Take care to countermarch from the centre by 
 the flanks to the front, and advance to th« 
 
 FRONT BY DOUBLE FILES. 
 
 Mark time. 
 
 Sections., .,inght and left outward.„.facc. 
 Heads of sections,.,. front,.,xount€rmarc1u 
 Bouhle files. „.front wheel. 
 
 
 ^ Its 
 
 The next movement in countermarching is more complex, 
 and is one of those which is well adapted to ensure exactness 
 in wheeling movements. It is performed by the following 
 precautions and words of command : 
 
 ^ Take care to countermarch by the centre to 
 
 THE rear. 
 
 Sections.,., to the centre,,., face. 
 
 By double files. ...from the centre to the rear wheeL 
 
 March. 
 Outward wheel. 
 
 Outward whetl^ 
 
 l^u 
 
i8 JflRST miNCIPLES ©F 
 
 ^•N if IS li 11^ 
 
 ^'^tf 1$ 11 §§''^ 
 
 f f ill® ft 
 
 ^ ii II s 
 
 \zS iliJ 
 
 The double files irom the centre having rcth'ed a few files,, 
 'chey are countermarched outward twice successively, which 
 brings them to iheir first ground, upon which they receive the 
 word, 
 
 Front. ,.»face,„Jialt. 
 
 These drills will have prepared the men for the next stage of 
 the drill, that of forming larger sections. 
 
 § 5. The next progression of formation will be into files of 
 three, or sections of three, or three in front. ...and here we find 
 the use of having explained our terms in Chap. IV, 
 
 Those explanations will lead us up with more perspicuity to 
 the method of formation of the order of three in depth, which 
 will pursue the same principles, but apply them to accomplish 
 other useful ends at the same time. 
 
 A single rank being formed as usual, it will be required to 
 tell off by sections of three from right to left ; and the move- 
 ments of the sections will now be so ordered, that by the advance 
 of the first section of three from its ground, and an immediate 
 wheel of the section upon its left, the successive sections will be 
 taken up in their proper places, as the preceding, sections pro- 
 ceeded along the front. By this means steadiness is obtained in 
 the rank, distance is easier preserved, and when the whole have 
 formed into the column of sections of three, wdieelings in that 
 order may be practised, and the accuracy of the pace tested by 
 every wheel of section, and corrected with the most careful ex- 
 actness. At'cntion to exactness at this period saves a great 
 deal of trouble, and expedites discipline beyond belief. 
 
 Pl^ECAUTlONS. 
 
MILITARY DISCIPLINE. 49 
 
 The companij ivill proceed to move by sections of three; 
 they will tell o^ by threes from right to left; the left hand 
 ?nan, or file who tells three, will be the pivot of each sec- 
 tion of three, wheeling' on the left; should the company 
 xuheel on the right in sections ofthree^ tjie right hand man 
 of each section will be the pivot. 
 
 •Ittention, 
 
 Sections of three,.. Ml off. 
 
 The officer will see that "no file misses nor repieats the num- 
 ber, and that it be owe, two^ three^ from right to left.... the right 
 Irand man saying one, £^c. 
 
 3 2 13 2 13 2 13 2 13 2 13 2 1 
 
 if If it §f §1 If it if f t it §t if it if if §f ft If 
 
 Take care to advance fkom the right by sections 
 of three. ...wheeling by the left on the front 
 of the company. 
 
 Company.,,. mark time. 
 By sections of three.... from the right. 
 
 Fortvard.,.. march. 
 Left....wheel. 
 
 At the word march, the first section step^s out with the left 
 foot, and continues to mark time in that direction, until the word 
 left is given, ut which word, the left hand man, who is the pivot 
 of the section, faces to the left, and marks time, until the word 
 wheel is given, when the other two men step off', and wheel 
 upon their pivot. ...and the section steps /orwart/ at the word, 
 and so each section of three in succession. 
 
 ^ ^321^ 
 
 * ^ ft f I ff 
 
 If if If if ft If it If if If if if if ft It 
 
 The same course of movements is now to be pursued, a's in 
 the first drills of single files ; and the wheelings are to be 
 executed upon the same princijies, from the left flank to th<'. 
 
 n 
 
50 tIEST PRINCIPLES i}E 
 
 front and rear. The first formation of the rank by retl^ucing 
 the column is made by left wheelings from the preceding posi- 
 tionj as exemplified in the following figure ; the company being 
 ▼heeled to its first position, so that the left files shall stand on 
 the ground from which they first moved. They receive the 
 precaution, 
 
 Take care to form front, by wke^ling on the left 
 OF sections. 
 
 Mark time. 
 
 Sections, . . .left, . . .wheel. 
 
 If • • f§ • • ft ' • ft • • if • • it • • If • • if 
 
 s s s 
 3 ^ s 
 
 S ^ ^ a» ^ 6» eS ^sav/ 
 
 Upon the word left, the left hand man or pivot of the section 
 faces to the left, which is the original front... .the rest wait for 
 the word wheel , when they move into their positions, as before. 
 
 The rank may be brought into column of three in front, by 
 th*© following command : 
 
 Take care to form column of sections of thref, 
 left in front. 
 Sections of three„..left...,w1ieel, 
 
 ^ ^ T, Z Z ' ' ' 
 
 X Z Z Z Z ' 
 
 Z' •€• -S- -S- 'S- •:SfiiiSiiif Igif if 
 
 The left half of this figure describes the position after the 
 GOiAmand is accomplished ; the right half as at the word lefi. 
 
 They may now be marched left in front, faced to the right, 
 and marched by heads of sections ; faced again to the right, 
 when the right will be in front ; and wheeled into line and 
 hiUed. 
 
MULITAEY DISCIISI'INE* 51 
 
 CHAP. Yin. 
 
 SECOND STAGE OF ELEMENTARY EVOLUTIONS. 
 
 § 1. IN this place it may be proper to apprise officers' who 
 have Hot been \rell acc«stomed to the drill, or undertake the 
 discipline of men, or who have never entered into an investiga- 
 tion of the use and importance of evolutions, nor of the great 
 power which a body well disciplined will possess, in producing 
 rapid manoeuvres, in time and order ; in this place it may be 
 proper to apprize them, that as there is no possible mode in 
 lyhich men can form that the form of the ground and other 
 circumstances may not require them to form in action, there- 
 fore they should be prepared for all that is possible, and although 
 they may in the drill acquire a knowledge of movements which 
 they may seldom have occasion to perform, still their knowledge 
 of evolutions will never encumber thera, and they will at least 
 be accustomed to perform at command ; nor will they be at a 
 loss to comprehend the movements of others which they may 
 see. At the same time, that as the habit of obeying, (and the 
 perfection of discipline is in obeying promptly and correctly), is 
 necessary ; it becomes indispensible to understand what is or- 
 dered, in order to know how to perform it. A good discipline 
 forms the habit to the requisite knowledge, both of the words 
 and the manner of accomplishing what is ordered. 
 
 The drills are now to be continued by single rank, but "with 
 sections formed from the division of the rank. 
 
 The company being paraded as usual, ranked and sized* they 
 will be told that the rank will now be divided intj two parts, 
 each of which will be called a division, or half platoon) in order 
 to distinguish the half of the squad from lesser sections ; the 
 centre will be told off, and the Avholc will receive the word^gf 
 precaution : 
 
 *Attaition» 
 The company will move by sections of threi-: 
 
 from the right of platoons. 
 By sections of t1irce,,..from the j^ight of platoon$,i,,. 
 
 Forward,„*march, 
 Lfft.**.Ti^ieeK 
 
6^ TIRST PRINCIPXES OF 
 
 M Si ft f « ^1 ft ft If ft ft It If 
 
 This movement, it will he perceived, differs from the move- 
 ynent from the right of the rank, only in the division of the rank 
 into two parts, which, if the drill be full, may be called first and 
 second platoon instead of divisions : or, right and left platoon ; 
 if small, they may be called half platoons. 
 
 The exercises may be extended to sections of four, six, eight, 
 from each platoon, according to the strength of the squad. 
 
 § 2. From the sections of three, the progress may be augment- 
 ed to sections of four or five, which will be executed in a singte 
 rank in the same manner, and all the corresponding evolutions 
 will be practised as in the formations and movemenis in single file> 
 
 Attention, 
 
 The company will take care to move by sections 
 
 of five from the right. 
 I'ell off..„sections of Jive, 
 
 f; 4 3 2 I 5 4 3 2 1 5 4 r» 2 1 5 4 3 2 I 
 
 ti If ft If tl ft If ft f 9 ft 1$ $$ f f 9t ft ft §§ ft ft It 
 
 The company is now wheeled upon its left, in front of the 
 rank, into column of sections of five, marched and wheeled to 
 the right, and to the left in column, and brought, as in § 3, chap. 
 VII. to wheel into rank upon the left file. 
 
 It may be proper to remark here once more, that there is 
 great utility in this method of wheeling into column from the 
 right upon the front of the rank j as it secures the dress of the 
 rank, and determines the time of stepping off*, for every succeed-- 
 ing section, in a manner much better adapted to assure correct- 
 ncfts than any other method. The same may be done from the 
 left of the rank, for the same purpose, as soon as the habit is a 
 little formed to evolution. 
 
 § 3. A new evolution may now be introduced, occasionally ; 
 at once to familiarize the men to moving exact distances, as well 
 as to give variety to the exercises. After being told off, the 
 officer gives the word, 
 
MItlTART DISCIPLINE. 53 
 
 The company will prepare to execute -with ex- 
 actness A HEW MOVEMENT. ...THE ECHELLON UPON 
 THE LEFT SECTION OF FIVE. 
 
 T/ie left section will keefi its ground. 
 
 The third section vjill advance a nwnbcr of fiacea equal to 
 
 its front. 
 The second Section ivill advance a number of /lacts equal tc 
 
 double its front. 
 And the first section tvill advance a number of paces equal 
 
 to trifile its front, 
 
 Mark time. 
 Sections upon the left, to the blront fork 
 
 ECHELLONS-... 
 
 Forward„„march. 
 
 They, thereup^on, form th^e following disposition : 
 
 1 §t if ft ft ft 
 
 HHHffft 
 
 Hit If if ft 
 
 ^MilMHfi 
 
 A useful and important instruction may be here communica- 
 ted ; as the sections are to advance perpendicularly to the front, 
 a number of paces equal to the front of the sections from right 
 to left ; there being four sections ; and one of them remaining 
 on its position, the right section will have to move a number of 
 paces equal to the front ©f three sections of five files, so that 
 the right will have to advance fifteen paces, the second ten paces, 
 and the third five paces ; these principles should be inculcated 
 at every opportunity ; and the echellon disposition is particu- 
 larly adapted to teach it accurately and test it by' wheelin.^ 
 
5* riEST PRINCIPLES OP 
 
 From ihi$ position the following may be formed : 
 Sections,, „upon your lcft.,,wheeh 
 They then present a front to their former Ictt, and the lefl, 
 which was before thrown back, now appears advanced, and tht 
 right appears thrown back in this form : 
 
 s 
 
 s 
 s 
 
 s 
 
 
 s 
 
 4 
 
 By the order being given : 
 Sections..„right.,..'wheeL 
 
 They are replaced in their former position. Tiiey may be 
 then formed on any section in rank by naming and moving the 
 section to the point desired, and the respective sections move 
 >ip to that position, and dress by the section designated ; if in 
 front they come to their right about, or, by file and wheeling, 
 assume their position ; or, if exercised, as ought to be done at 
 iimes, in rough or bushy ground, brought up by heads of sectiops. 
 
 The infinity of positions and movements to be produced from 
 the simplest modifications of the echellon, of which these are 
 only the first simple elements, the assiduous officer will soon 
 percfelve and appreciate 
 
MILIXARY DISCITLINli. ^^^ 
 
 Eyery species of section, platoon, company and battalion is 
 s\Isceptiblc of disposition in this form, and during the wal' in 
 Europe, lines of echellon have been formed, covering the wholb 
 front of several hundred miles, they affording in every direc- 
 tion points of contiguity and support, and comprehending in 
 their scope of evolution, a square equal to the extent of a day'^ 
 evolution on every side. 
 
 § 4. The formation of any number of sections or any num- 
 Ijer of fUcs in a section, is not usually taught by old teachers \ 
 for what reason is not easy to discover, since the skill or trou- 
 ble in acquiring it for forming any number is not great, and the 
 want of the practice of forming any number of files in evolution 
 will be obvious upon considering that all movements in frorj: 
 must be governed by the extent of the ground to be passed over : 
 so that it would be very absurd, if passing a defile, or abridge, 
 or a gate, though it would admit of 7, 9, or 11 files, and a ragu- 
 Tation was estabhshed forbidding sections of any greater number 
 than 5 or any less, the want of a flexible capacity in the evorlu« 
 tions of the battalions would retard the march. 
 
 The section should not be limited to any number of files in 
 platoon, and it should be so disciplined as to form sections <jf 
 any required front, either to augment or to reduce promptly i^t 
 command. All formations in battalion, however, should be, a.^ 
 far as is practicable, composed of even numbers of files. 
 
 When this elementary discipline is taught to cavalry, they 
 should be advised that mounted men, unless in passing the d*e- 
 file, never move or deploy in odd numbers of Jiles ; that their 
 numbers must always be even ; which is required, because the 
 length of the horse does not admit of l^is wheeling on a square 
 f qual to his front. 
 
 We shall now proceed to augment the number of files in \^v. 
 section. 
 
 AtUniian. 
 
 Take care to wheel into column by sp:ctions of 
 
 six.. ..the right in front. 
 TeU off. 
 
 654321654321654321 
 
 Hfdf§ltttititlttf$tfft9§fiflfttil§§f 
 Tlie whole„„Mightfac€. 
 Bij lieuds of sections,. *.fi1ght wlieef. 
 
56 FIRST PRI^^CIPLES OF 
 
 The following exhibits those sections in the state of wheeling 
 by the right, or heads of sections : 
 
 3 33 333 333 333 
 
 H H II II 
 
 n II n H 
 
 H H U H 
 
 The following is the state of open column after having wheel- 
 ed to the rear and faced to the left, their distances being equal to 
 their front.. ..they receive the word, 
 Mark time. 
 Left face. 
 
 3 3 3 3 
 
 3 3 3 3 
 
 3 3 3 3 
 
 3 3 3 3 
 
 3 3 3 3 
 
 3 3 3 3 
 
 This column may be reduced to a single rank by a wheel rta 
 the left file, or by the oblique order, which is only mentioned 
 here to have it understood, that it is first necessary to acquire 
 the wheeling movements in the common mode ; and that in the 
 practice of formations at a subsequent state, wheelings in rank 
 will be superoeded by the quarter facing or oblique order of 
 movement, which is sometimes called the loose order of forma- 
 tion, the basis of which is the Line of Science ; whiclj will be 
 exemplified in a subsequent chapter ; and in plates V. VI. and 
 VII. ; and in the same way the principle of quarter wheeling 
 and half wheeling may be exemplified to form rank by sectioQs 
 of any given or required number, according to the front proposed 
 to be assumed. 
 
 The principles of movement and evolution, exemplified in the 
 preceding page»> apply equally to the movements of a squad of 
 20 or a battalion of 1000 men, and to any depth of line. 
 
 § 5. An important principle remains to be exemplified, in the 
 elementary part of formation, which is one of the most essential 
 parts of improvement in modern discipline, and by which all 
 movements in line and cdumn are necessarily to be reduced to 
 
MILITARY DISCIPLINE. 57 
 
 •or augmented, as the nature of the ground shall require or admit 
 of movements. 
 
 This principle consists in aut^menting or diminishing front 
 from the proper flank, and to the proper flank when moving in 
 open column of manoeuvre, or iw close column of attack. The 
 first movements are to be acquired always in open order, and 
 they are to be first taught to a single rank, divided into a suita- 
 ble number of sections. 
 
 The basis of this principle consists in this rule -, that the 
 position of every file in the line shall maintain its correspon- 
 dence through every evolution of the colunm. This may be 
 understood, by counting the files, beginning on the right, and 
 supposing the whole to be formed into sections of seven ; the 
 sections being then wheeled upon their right into column of 
 seven files in front; the disposition shall bs such as that, pro- 
 ceeding from right to left, the files shall be continuous as they 
 first stood : the first file of tlie second section counting 8 and 
 the last 14 ; the first file of the third section counting 15 and 
 the last 21 ; the first file of the fourth section counting 22 and 
 the last 28 ; and so on. Let it be supposed, that the column of 
 seven files front is formed : 
 
 it t§ §f f« if iiii 1st section. 
 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 
 
 §f «§ if f t ft f f ft 2d section. 
 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 
 
 §t §1 §§ ft §§ §S t« Sd section. 
 21 20 19 IS if 16 15 
 
 it m f§ it §i ft n 4th secuau, 
 S'8 27 26 25 24 23 22 
 
58 FIRST PHINCIPJLES OF 
 
 § 6. It is required to augment the front from se.ven to nine 
 files, so as to make a column of nine files in front. 
 The column being in motion, the word is given.... 
 
 Take care to augment column to sections of 
 nine in front. 
 
 In order to render the first formations easy, and until the 
 habit is formed to it, the column may be brought to retain its 
 position in column at marked time^ preserving open order until 
 the augmentation of the front is completed, for which purpose* 
 after the precaution is given, the word, 
 
 Mark time, 
 
 Form sections of nine.„»March, 
 
 ■ df §f ft ft it ft §f 
 
 M M ft ft ft %% ^ 
 
 ilftft '^^^^ 
 
 ft «^^^^^ 
 
 This view represents only the movements from the right, 
 the movements from the left to occupy the spaces vacated on 
 the right, are performed at the same time by a side step, by di- 
 rect facing to the right, when on the ground, without advancing ; 
 or by a quarter facing and advancing on a diagonal line so as to 
 cover the right hand file of the leading section, when in motion, 
 which must be performed in every section from front to rear. 
 The diagonal facings must be by every single man from his 
 front to the direction in which he is to march and occupy, his 
 
MIIITARY DISCIPLINE. 59 
 
 left shoulder in the rear of the man moving before him. So 
 that the augmentations shall always come from the right of each 
 successive section to the left of the section in its front. 
 
 The aagmentation here presents an appearance, which, by 
 anticipation, unfolds the nature of the Line of Science or diagonal 
 movement ; as the front section must be necessarily augmented 
 by the files which would count next to it in tlie rank, the two right 
 hand files of the second section, necessarily must march diago- 
 nally from the right of the second to the left of the first, so that 
 No. 9 becomes the left file of the first section, on the left of the 
 files No. 7 and 8 ; and No. 10 becomes the right of the second 
 section ; for which purpose, that file must moVe two paces to the 
 right ; this second section having been deprived of two men on 
 the right, in order to possess the required number, No. 2 must 
 obtain four men from the right of the third section, which four 
 must move diagonally to the left of the second from the right of 
 the third ; and so the sections successively receive from the 
 right of the sections in their rear, the numbers necessary to give 
 them their required front. The augmentation being constantly 
 made from the right of the next rear section to the left of the 
 next front section. 
 
 Let it not be kept ©ut of sight an instant,that all these shanges 
 are to be executed on the march at the quick time of a lively 
 dance. 
 
 § 7. These examples will afford the ofTicer who has charge of 
 the drill, opportunities to exercise his own taste, and form his 
 habit to com;wawc/.... and prepare him for the exccutioaof 7nan<fw- 
 ■vres ; the men will find gratification in it themselves ; a few 
 wheelings into an oblique order will suffice to close the instruc 
 lions for the drill with a rank of single files. The squad being 
 formed and dressed, the officer will give the precautions ; 
 
 Attention. 
 The s^uad will take care to take groukd to the 
 left of the left platoon by av oblique move- 
 ment isr sections of four. 
 
 Tell off.,. .sections of four* 
 Mark time. 
 
60 FIRST PRIXCIPLES or 
 
 The sections will half wheel upon the left four paces.. ..the 
 right hand man will take care to step only four paces and dress. 
 
 Sect ions,,,. upon your left,,,. 
 Half wli0cL.„march, 
 
 .* ^.* »* «,* «* 
 
 ** «* «* ** ** 
 
 The sections are now marched to the required ground, and 
 nvay be wheeled into column, by the words : 
 
 Take care to form column by half wheeling on the 
 
 LEFT of sections.... 
 
 Sections „„upon yo7ir left„.,lialf wheel. 
 
 The sections may be mxi half wheeled upon their right into 
 oblique order again ; and to give variety to their movements, 
 they may receive the word.... 
 
 Sections,... 
 
 Upon your left half ■whcel„„riglit.,„f ace. 
 
 They will then present this position ; 
 
 1^ * '^ * ^ 
 
 They may be then faced and brought to the same position as 
 if they had been half wheeled upon the right of a section : 
 Seclions,...rigUface, 
 
 * ♦^ *- *^ "^A 
 
 They may be then wheeled up(ji their right into column, or 
 upon their left into single rank, or from column wheeled into 
 rank, which will pJace all the sections reversed, and the rank 
 faced to the rear ; the original right sections being the left of the 
 rank ; a useful evolution may be now executed, that is the coun- 
 iitrmarch^ by which th© sections may each move distinctly and 
 
 fg 
 
MIXtTARY DISClPXINJi. 61 
 
 produce their original formation to the proper point. It may 
 be executed by the following \vords....the rank being now formed 
 faced to the rear : 
 
 Take care to resume your original disposition, uv 
 countermarching sections. 
 
 Sections.,., by your left..., 
 Countermorch...,mareh„.,frontface. 
 
 They -will then exhibit this position : 
 
 S S S ^ S 
 
 The following will shew the application of the cchelion to tho 
 change of front, or the forming of a rank or line in a new direc- 
 tion ; the company is presumed to be already in rank, and 
 wheeled upon its right into the position of the last figure of the 
 preceding page, the following precaution is given : 
 
 The company will form a new alignment. ...faced 
 t® the right.. ..akd fo'rm upon the third section, 
 Mark time. 
 
 Third section., ..right face. 
 Third section,,. .upon ijour right jHe.„^orm, 
 
 The right file or head of the section here keeps his place, but 
 faces to the right; the other files come up succe^ively on his 
 left and dress by the right. 
 
 The left sections will perform exactly the same motions, will 
 face to the right, advancing their head file, till in line with the 
 third section, and then dress by the third section ; the right 
 sections will move till the head of each shall come into the line 
 with the right of the third section, they will front and dress by 
 that section at marked time, and continue till halted. 
 
 A <k * ^ *• 
 
flKST PllINClPLES OF 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 EVOLUTIONS IN THE ORDER OF TWO DEEP. 
 
 § 1 . JL HE formation of the order of two ranks, for evolution, 
 may now commence. 
 
 The squad being; drawn up in single rank, as usual, and the 
 parade being dressed and steady, the whole ranked and sized, as 
 in chap. V. receive the precaution : 
 
 Mtention. 
 
 The company will prepahe to exercise in double 
 
 FILES. 
 
 Tell off, 
 
 OnCy two.., .one, i'ivo...,o7ie, iivo....one, two. 
 
 The right hand man speaks out in a clear, quick voice, one, 
 the second, two, the third, one, the fourth, ^wo....and so on to the 
 left. 
 
 The order of formation is that the tallest men shall be on the 
 right and left of the rank, and that the men of the rear rank shall 
 be sucoessively taller than those of the same file in front ; this 
 must be accomplished in a soldierly manner. 
 
 A moment's reflection will show that if the files be now form- 
 ed out of the company, ranked and sized from the flanks to the 
 centre, the common way, that the men of the front rank on the 
 left half of the company, will be taller than the men in their 
 rear, while the contrary will be the case on the right ; it will be 
 necessary to obviate this by a more accurate method.. ..The com- 
 pany being told off, the centre is found, and the following in- 
 structions and commands will be given : 
 
 The covifiayiy will wheel ii^to double Jiles from the centre out- 
 ward ; the odd files will in this movement be the pivots of the 
 right half platoon, so that when the words. ...n^-A^ and /f//,are 
 given, the even files of the left half platoon face to the left, and 
 the odd flics of the right half platoon face to the right. They 
 receive the precaution : 
 
MILITARY DISCIPHNE. 63 
 
 Attention, 
 
 Take care to wheel into double files from the 
 
 centre outward. 
 Mark time. 
 
 Sections,,., ly double jilts. 
 Bight and left„„oiLtward.,„wheel, 
 
 This will be the disposition at the word right and left ; at the 
 word wheel, they will move into this disposition. 
 
 Thereupon they will receive either the words, 
 
 Frontface, 
 And they will present this disposition, 
 
 ft 
 
 ft 
 
 ft 
 
 ft 
 
 M 
 
 ft 
 
 ft 
 
 ft 
 
 §1 
 
 ft 
 
 ft 
 
 ft 
 
 ft 
 
 ft 
 
 ft 
 
 ft 
 
 Or they will receive the word, 
 
 Left secHons.„,rig1it ahout„„facc. 
 Close order, ,.,form.,„halt. 
 
 They will now close up into the order of marching in double 
 files, and will present the following disposition, which may be 
 called a column of double files, or two ranks faced to the right 
 
 § 2. The next operation is to put the column in motion, whicii 
 corresponds in general with the movements in single file ; the 
 principal difference in modern discipline is, the care that is re- 
 quired in making all wheelings upon the principle of the/2/z;ojr, 
 by which is to be understood, that every man who is at the point 
 upon which a wheel is made, is called the pivot ; and so must 
 every man be, whatever be the number of men in the rank, sec- 
 tion, or platoon, above one. This will be exemplified in the two 
 views of a wheel to the right. 
 Attention, 
 
<i* :FI119T PItINCIPX.ES OF 
 
 The column will take care to wheel to the 
 
 RIGHT. 
 
 Mark time. 
 The righU.. 
 
 This word is to the single man on the head of the column, 
 and on the right, the ivord of execution ; he must, as is repre- 
 sented, face to the right, while all the rest wait for the word 
 Wheel. 
 
 S eS w S 3> <S eS <im s» «j»S3v 
 
 Upon this word, tHe man who has faced, steps out, and his 
 left hand man wheels up on his left side ; and so every right 
 Mnd man, on coming to the same ground on which the first 
 man stood, faces briskly to the right, and marks time till 
 his comrade on the left gains the same front by a wheel on 
 his left ; they then dress and advance. The following figure 
 exemplifies the operation of the wheel, conformably to this rule. 
 
 The officer will signify that all the movements now are to be 
 made in two ranks or double files ; and that the intimation of 
 double Jiles^ will now cease to be used. 
 
 R\^t wheel. 
 Fortvard...,march. 
 
 (a» S ^ S S ^ 
 
 1191 
 
 WH 
 1199 
 
 99 99 
 
 The right hand man instantly faces to the ri^ht, on his gain- 
 ing the rear of the advancing file ; the left hand man wheels 
 round his left on as short a line as possible. 
 
 The following movements are simple wheelings of the same 
 column to the right and to the left, upon the same principles, in 
 single files, by the word. 
 
MIXITARY I>ISCIPIiI?fE» 65 
 
 Bight wheel. • E E ^\ 
 
 II ii 
 
 nil 
 nil 
 nil 
 
 Left whed. ^ S S » S 
 
 s» S S eS 
 
 § 3. The progress of the drill next extends to sections in 
 double ranks... .they form in two ranks, and are divided into two 
 sections ; they receive command as follows : 
 
 Mtention, 
 
 Mark time. 
 
 The ivhole„„rightface. 
 
 By heads (^ sections.,., to the left....whefil. 
 
 ft ft if if 
 
 33S33S Sit 333333311^ 
 
 3333333 ^ 3333333 ^ 
 
 The sections are, as in the drills of single ranks, after some 
 marching, moved into their first position, and then follow move- 
 ments to the rear : by the words of command which are now 
 familiar. 
 
 Take care to wheel to the rear ry heads 
 sections. 
 
 TJie whole.,. .right face. 
 
 By heads of sections...,right„..wheeh 
 
 tm stt> (S9 6Qi>^s]&i9^ sm sm ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ si^ 
 
 33333333 II 333333311 
 
 5^1111 ^11 II 
 
 ^n II ^11 II 
 
 II II II II 
 
66 FIRST PKINCIPLES OF 
 
 The numbers of files are augmented in the following figures., 
 merely to display the movements more distinctly ; two bodies 
 drilled by different oflicers, or when the drill is advanced, may 
 be purposely brought into such relative positions, and be 
 moved in a military manner, by such wheelings or counter- 
 marchings, as shall be best adapted not to occupy the ground, 
 or interrupt the evolutions of the other body. 
 
 These two bodies may be meved out of each other's way by 
 one word of command . 
 
 Heads of sectio7rs,.*Jeft whech 
 
 w Hi m II 
 
 Mil HH 
 
 The two following counter dispositions, the left section facing 
 to the left, and wheeling twice successively to the right ; and 
 the right facing to the right and wheeling twice successively to 
 the right ; exhibit a countermarch.... 
 
 Heads of sections.,,. 
 Bight wheel.. ..right wheel 
 
 S 3 3 S 3 
 33333 
 
 nn 
 
 ItM 
 
 #1333333 3333333 
 3S33S3S 3333333IIII 
 
 ?^|||| 
 
 3SSSII 
 
 i 
 
MIIITARY DISCIPLINE. 67 
 
 § 4. V/heeling inw ard in double files, and to the rear in column 
 of sections of four.. ..and outward in double files from the centre 
 
 Take care to form column upon the, centre.. . 
 four in front. ...wheeled to the rear. 
 
 Mark time. 
 
 Sections,.„inward,.,.face,...dres», 
 From the centre. „Jieads of sections.,..outward wheel 
 ....march. 
 
 H ii II n 
 
 nn nn 
 mi nn 
 
 Facing inward. ...and wheeling to the front from the centre 
 by sections of four, exhibits another method of forming column 
 on the centre. 
 
 Sections. ...iifward face. 
 
 From the centre....heads of seclions.... front whcd. 
 
 n if di ft 
 
 m If 
 
 ^ 
 
 These evolutions, which may be varied to advantage, will suf- 
 fice for the first movements in double files, or two ranks; as we 
 approach a larger section the subject becomes more familiar in 
 practice, and more interesting, as it yields an inexhaustible 
 variety; although it must be now clearly perceived that it con- 
 sists in the application of only the three primitive principles of 
 marching exactly, yacf^z^ and ivheeling correctly. 
 
 The formation of column upon the centre is further illustra- 
 ted in chapter XI. § 5 and 6. The words of command will by 
 this time be sufficiently understood. 
 
68 FIRST PRINCIPLES OP 
 
 Take care to form column in the rear of the 
 centre sections. 
 
 Mark time. 
 
 The tivo centre sections 'will keep their position:. 
 The sections right of the centre "mil face to the lefty the ^ ifc- 
 tions Hvillface to the right. 
 
 Inward face. 
 
 To the rear....quarter J ace.^„marcli. 
 
 Mark time....front form.,.. dress.. Jialt. 
 
 These movements are also illustrated in the plates III. and 
 IV. and explained in the following chapters. 
 
 The formation of two ranks, by wheeling into double files and 
 facing to the front, is not the usual mode in any system hitherto 
 practised ; various contrivances have been made, ingenious as 
 matters of mere parade and agility ; and some of them applica- 
 ble to particular descriptions of troops ; such as by telling oft' 
 from right to left in terms by the men, the first beginning with 
 rightf the second with lefty and so on from right to left ; and by 
 the word of command, left files. ...to the rear double^ which 
 brings the left files in the rear of the right hand files. This 
 method is well enou.fiih adapted to mere parade, and it may serve 
 for the parade of guards, and even for the drill of rifle corps 
 where the advancing and retiring by files is part of their 
 discipline. But as it is expressly required, that no move- 
 ment or evolution be admitted, but such as is conformable 
 to the mode of movement for action, it is thought fit to repeat 
 it here, because having formed double ranks by movements in 
 cadence, with which the common modes of movement do not 
 accord, so throughout each progressive variation of evolution 
 is to be conducted upon the same principles ; the method of 
 action is the base of all military instruction ; if other modes 
 are admitted on parade, or for the amusement of officers, let 
 them arise as incidents, or matters by which the ofiicer can 
 shew the diversity of his skill in imitating all kinds ef discipline ; 
 let the system for actual discipline and movement, be founded 
 on simple, intelligible, uniform, and scientific principles. 
 
MILITARY DISCIPXINE. 69 
 
 CHAP. X. 
 
 DIAGONAL MOVEMENTS. 
 
 § 1. Diagonal movements huve been always in use. 
 employed as an incident arising out of necessity, without any 
 rule or regulation : instead of following nature, disciplinarians 
 have opposed it; and they have been sought to be overcome 
 instead of being explained. The passion of military writers 
 and parade officers has been to please the eye and accomplish 
 movements without knowing why or wherefore, and by means 
 adopted without investigation ; instead of drawing a rule from 
 natural data, they assumed as a fact, that all military move- 
 ments were to be regulated by circles, or parallel lrnes....and 
 held every deviation from these to be a violation from military 
 principles. Even the Greek and Roman examples were thrown 
 away. It came, however, to be discovered, when officers learned 
 to reason, and men who were fit to command had the regula- 
 tion and equipment of armies, that the faculties and capacities 
 of men were the first consideration... that their faculties of mind 
 and spirit were limited only by disease or physical impossibility ; 
 but that certain operations of war depended upon celerity, pre- 
 cision, and the preservation of the muscular power of the men. 
 To diminish the quantity of fatigue, was to preserve the un- 
 wasted portion of human power for service. To shorten the 
 space of military motion, was by the same means to save labo7' 
 and time. 
 
 When it is considered that during the long war of Louis XIV 
 of France, eight of those who had risen to ths rank of marshah 
 of France, were so very incompetent as to have brought France 
 to the verge of ruin ; and that not more than three really me» 
 rited the name of generals ; that England, so renowned for 
 admirals, has not produced an equal number of general officers 
 in three centuries ; and that Marlborough alone stands upon the 
 
70 FIKST PKIVCIPLES OF 
 
 same elevated ground with Tuvenne, Conde, and Luxembourg ; 
 we shall not be surprised that military priiiciples, like truths of 
 every kind, have had to fight their way through the thickest 
 disorder of ignorance, and the quackery of men appointed to 
 stations for which God had denied them the smallest qualifica- 
 tion. The devotion to old forms is generally the effect of a 
 total ignorance of what is good or right in any form. Folard, 
 whose columns are now universally adopted, was persecuted to 
 death by those who hated him for the innovation ; Guibcrt, 
 though not quite so unfortunate, improved military science so 
 much as to be hated ; the improvements in light artillery which 
 have produced such wondrous effects, forced the inventor out of 
 France into a foreign service, from which his improvements at 
 last forced France to recal him ; and Grimoard, who lives at 
 this day, was a persecuted man, because he sought to promote 
 improvements in science, at the head of which were at that 
 time placed the greatest blockheads, and particularly in the 
 military art. 
 
 Saxe and the Prussian Frederick had employed the great 
 principles of the oblique movements ; but it was left for the 
 French revolution to reduce them to the utmost simplicity. 
 
 The principle consists in avoiding, wherever practicable, 
 movements upon the periphery of a circle, of which the centre 
 is the pivot of a rank : in the ordinary way, if a platoon of 25 
 men are ordered to wheel upon their right, the line upon which 
 they stand would forna one side of a rectangle, and the line to 
 which they have to move would form the other side ; each man 
 excepting the pivot man, would have to move the fourth part of 
 a circle, and there would be several circles successively larger 
 in proportion as the rank extended from the pivot to the left ; 
 and as the distance moved upon the whole of a circle is to the 
 diameter as about 3 to 1, so the movement upon the fourth of 
 the circle must be in the like proportion. The rank being 25 
 men, gives 75 feet for the front of the rank, and that must 
 necessarily be the length of a semi-diameter.. ..the order be- 
 ing given to wheel upon the right, the soldier on the out- 
 ward or left flank will have to perform his march in the 
 wheeling on the exterior or periphery of the circle : and this 
 will be in length more than a right line drann from the centre, 
 as one half of the circle is to one fourth of the periphery, or at- 
 
MILITARY DISCIPLINE. Vl 
 
 50 to 75, he will have to march 75 feet, or 900 inches ; instead 
 of 50 feet or 600 inches ; but as he must reach that point, it is 
 necessary he should do so ; the new principles determine that 
 it must be done in the shortest time, with the least labor, and 
 therefore by the most direct line ; and so of every man, each 
 is required to go direct to the position in which he is to form ; 
 and the shortest line is that which is called the hypothenuse of 
 a rectangled triangle ; thus every man moves upon a direct line 
 drawn from the point upon which he stands, to that which he 
 is to occupy. The operation of the circular wheel 1% shewn in 
 fig. 1. and the oblique in fig. 2. 
 
 pre. 1. 
 
 ;7 ////////'.''.'-: 
 
 Fir. 2 
 
 To carry this principle into immediate operation^ the first 
 drills of the augmentation of front have afforded occasion to 
 commejnce it, and it remains to give a variety to the exercises. 
 
 It must be begun with a single rank, who must be exercised 
 for a short time in facing to the right and left, at marked time ; 
 after which the officer must inform them of a method devised 
 to shorten evojutious ; and that it consists of facing not quite 
 as far round as in facing to the right or left, but about half 
 that space, whence it will be called half facing ; that the pur- 
 pose of it is to place every man in that position, that by 
 pursuing a straight line from the point on which he stands to 
 that into which he is to be formed, he may execute the move- 
 ment more exactly^ directly^ and in less time. lie gives the 
 word of precaution, and follows it by the movements. 
 
7^ FIRST PRINCIPLES 01 
 
 Attention* 
 
 Mark time, 
 
 Bightface, 
 
 Front face, 
 
 Right., .Malffa ce . 
 
 Front face, 
 
 Leftface, 
 
 Front face, 
 
 Left„„half face. 
 
 Front. 
 § 2. As soon as this is tolerably well understood and practised, 
 and that in half facing to the left, the left shoulder of the second 
 man is in the rear of the right of the first, and they all dress 
 well half faced.. ..the rank, formed and half faced to the left, will 
 present this appearance. 
 
 ThGy are then fronted and dressed in rank as usual. 
 
 To give them a gradual acquaintance with the mode of move- 
 ment. ...they must be directed to tell off by sections of three, 
 and receive the words in the following order : 
 
 Attention. 
 Take care to tell off by sections of three. 
 
 Tell off, 
 One^ twOf three. .„oney two, three.,.. 
 Precaution.... 
 
 The company will now form column, three in front, 
 
 FACED to Tn-B, RIOHT (OR ON OBLrqUB LINES.) 
 
 The sections will move fro^ rank into column bt 
 the line of science. 
 
 Mark time, 
 nig1it,„.half face. 
 
mixitJlRY discipline. 73 
 
 Xhey should now be formed into rank by quarter facing to 
 the left.. ..the left hand man of each section as usual facing at the 
 word left^ and moving into rank at the vfovd..,.. front form ; the 
 men forming the pivots face to the front, the other two files 
 feft waiting for the word half face. 
 
 Take care to form front upon the left of sec- 
 tions. 
 
 Left.Jialf face. 
 Front. ,..form„„marcK 
 
 § 3. The same method may be now pursued with sections of 
 4, and 6, 8, 12, or 20. ...and at length the whole parade may be 
 made to move up by the line of science j guides of evolution 
 must be employed in these exercises. 
 
 Plate I. represents a company in three positions, with officers 
 posted; tha two first conform to the old mode, which is still 
 retained and used when necessary ; the third describes the new- 
 oblique order, or line of science. This plate and plates 2, 3, 4^ 
 6 and 7, will serve to illustrate the new method of movement. 
 
 Fig. 1, plate I- represents the company after having been told 
 off by the voice, into twenty double files with the officers posted, 
 the captain on the right, the first lieutenant on the left, and the 
 second lieutenant and ensign forming the supernumerary rank 
 in the rear ; the officer of the parade intimates as in § 1, 2, chap. 
 VII. that the company is to form two sections or half platoons, 
 of which 1 is the right and 10 the left of the first half platoon ; 
 11 i3 the right and 20 the left of the second half platoon ; that 
 the company is to advance by half platoons from the outward 
 flanks to the front ; and the whole being dressed receive the fol- 
 lowing wonis, which all lead from the first to the second posi° 
 lion : 
 
Jitimtion the whole. 
 
 The company will take care to advance by hai.> 
 platoons from the flanks to the front. 
 
 Half platoons. .^outward face. 
 
 To the front wlieeh,. forward,,. .march 
 
 Mark time. 
 
 The front rank man on each flank of the rank are the pivots 
 and do not move on the word outward facc^ the precautionary 
 word having taught them that as they are to wheel upon the 
 flanks, they act as pivots. 
 
 Fig. 2. plate I. shows the company advanced in columns of 
 double files in half platoons, and the officers posted on the inner 
 flanks. 
 
 Fig. 3. plate I. represents very distinctly the new method of 
 formation, by the line of science. To comprehend the inten- 
 tion of the plate, it must be understood that the men in column 
 described in outline only, in fig. 3. represent the same men as 
 those formed in column in fig. 2. and that they are here showB 
 in the two dispositions the better to exhibit the method of move- 
 ment from the columns by the oblique line, into the platoon of 
 double files ; so that the outer ranks on both ends of the figures 
 2 and 3, constitute the rear rank when in order of platoon. 
 
 The old method of wheeling would face the two half platoons 
 inward : but the new method only quarter fices them, and 
 moves them by the following words ; which immediately suc- 
 ceed mark time. 
 
 The company will take care to half face in-vyard, 
 and form front by the oblique movement.*.. 
 
 Half platoons,,, .inwa7'd,'„.half face: 
 To the front form„„march, 
 Mark time,.,.dress,„.ha}t, 
 
 ^ ^. The plate annexed, No. II. presents the movements of 
 the company in sections of five, in three dispositions, the two 
 first corresponding with the principles laid down in chap. VIII 
 and the cvoltitions by sections wheeling to tlic right by htads 
 of sections. 
 
MILITARY DISCXPIilXB. 75 
 
 Tbe company in fii^. 1. is represented in two ranks, as having 
 received the following words of command and completed them : 
 
 Company, taUe care to advavce to the front by 
 the right of sections. 
 TJi€whole.,„mar]i time. 
 Right face. 
 
 The captain is posted on the right, the hrst lieutenant on the 
 left, the second lieutenant and ensign in the rear or left when 
 faced ; the right hand man of each section on hearing in the 
 precaution that the sections are to advance by the right of sec- 
 tions, will hold themselves as pivots^ and will not face lo the right, 
 so that as presented in the plate it will he perceived these pivots 
 keep their position, but they must mark time with all the rest ; 
 and the captain also retains his front t© command and lead. 
 
 Fig. 2. plate II. represents the company in the position it has 
 taken, upon the execution of the following words immediately 
 after the preceding. 
 
 Reads of sections„.,left.,.»wheel.,,.inarch„.,halL 
 
 Here sections are formed and an officer posted on the left of 
 the leading files of each section, according to the old method; 
 but the new method requires the leaders of sections to be on 
 the right. 
 
 Fig. 3. plate II. presents the method ol formation by the im- 
 proved oblique movement, or line of science. Particular atten- 
 tion paid to this mode of formalion, in one instance, will render 
 every similar movement easy and faniiliar ; there is no difficulty 
 in it other than as it differs in form from the operation of 
 wheeling, but it affects only one file ; thus, as the left hand man 
 of each file when the company is wheeled into sections upon 
 their right, belongs to the rear rank when formed in ranks en- 
 tire, when the quarter facing^ for the oblique movement takes 
 ^ace, these files which belong to the rear rank, must so govern 
 their facing as to fall into the rear of the man wiio forms their 
 right in sections and their front in rank. 
 
 The company being formed in sections as in the unshaded 
 lines, fig. 3. is required to form to the front by moving in the 
 new oblique order, by the following words of command ; the 
 fiivot meuy or those on the right of each section who belonged 
 to the front rank, retain their position to the front. 
 
T6 FIRST PRINClPttS Of 
 
 Mention. 
 
 Take care t® form front by the oBLiquE Movti'- 
 
 MENT. 
 
 Left,,*. quarter face, 
 March„„mark tim€„„dress„„1ialt, 
 
 § 5. Plate III. represents the formation of column upon the 
 centre of platoons. This method is now adopted in the French 
 system for the movement of lines in advance or retreat, in pre- 
 ference to that in the regulation of 1791, without however ex- 
 cluding the latter, whenever a flank formation maybe preferred. 
 
 The militnry movements are the same as in the preceding, 
 the company forms two half platoons by numbers told ; and 
 instead of being wheeled on the outward flanks, they are now 
 wheeled upon the inner flank of half platoons, as in § 4^ 
 Chap. IX. 
 
 Attention, 
 
 The company will take care to form column 
 upon the centre, by wheeling upon the centre 
 to the front. 
 
 Mark time* 
 
 Half platoons. „,in'ward„,. face, 
 
 Front wheel, 
 
 Mark time. 
 
 Fig. 1. represents the company faced inward, all but the cen- 
 tral or leading section of the column. 
 
 Fig. 2. represents the company advanced in column four in 
 front. 
 
 Fig. 3. represents the formation to the front, by the display 
 of the column according to the new oblique mode of 
 movement, which is executed by the following words of 
 cotnmand : 
 
 Half platoons„„outward.„,quarterface, 
 ITpon the centre.„,frontform,,*,march. 
 Mark time,„,dress.,„haU. 
 
 § 6. Plate IV. represents the company advancing from the 
 centre of half platoons. This method of movement is very im- 
 portant ; it has been adopted in the French system, in prefer- 
 ence to the movements from the flanks, in the formation of 
 columns of attack, upon the recommendation of general Meu« 
 
MILITARY DISCIPIIXE. 7.; 
 
 jiier, and was practised at Rhamanie, in Egypt, by columns ot 
 very large depth and front, who were separated from front to 
 rear, and made to form distinct columns upon some occasioni. 
 The company is as usual told by the voice and in numbers, and 
 the vyhole company now forms two half platoons, and four quar- 
 ter platoons or sections, as the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, form the first sec- 
 tion; 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, the second section ; 1 1, 12, 13, 14, 15, the 
 third section ; 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, the fourth section. 
 
 It being intended that they should move to the front from the 
 centre of half platoons, the necessary precaution is given. ...and 
 the words in the following manner : 
 
 •Atteiition. 
 
 The company is to advance by sections frok 
 the centre of half platoons. 
 
 The files 5 and 6, 15 and 16, will necessarily be the pivots^ 
 and the whole will be faced so that the left sections of each pla- 
 toon shall be faced to the right, excepting only the pivot men, 
 and the right sections face to the left, except the pivot men..,, 
 they then receive the words as follows, and execute them : 
 
 Mark time. 
 
 Sections ».»*to the centre of half j)Uitoons.„Anward 
 face. 
 
 To the front,.,. in column„„march, 
 
 Mark time, 
 
 l^g. 1. plate IV. represents the sections faced to the ce^itre 
 of half platoons. 
 
 Fig. 2. plate IV. represents the half platoons advancing in 
 two columns of four in front, in which position they are brought; 
 to mark time. 
 
 Fig. 3. plate IV. represents the sections as about to form 
 front by the new method, that is by quarter facing outivardy all 
 but the pivot man of the front rank of each section. It will be 
 perceived that the rear rank men of the company form now the 
 two interior ranks in file, and the front rank men form the two 
 exterior ranks, so that the two men who form the actual centre 
 of each front rank in column, belong to the rear rank in line ; 
 and they must move accordingly when the rest move obliquely 
 
||78 I^IRST PRINCIPIXS OF 
 
 into their posiiions ; this being an outward instead of an inward 
 diagonal movement ; the follov/ing are the words of command : 
 
 Take care to form front by an osLiquE move- 
 ment. 
 
 Upon the centre of half platoons.,, frontfoimi. 
 Outward,,.Jialf face, 
 Mafrch„„dress„„halt. 
 
 As soon as the drill of double ranks shall have been gone 
 hrough, and those diagonal movements are well practised, lead- 
 ing by the oblique movement into every evolution, with the prin- 
 ciples of pivots and guides ; the men being able to execute 
 these, are competent to enter into the battalion, and partake in 
 the enlarged application of these principles ; which may be done 
 when the battalion is manoeuvred without arms. 
 
 The morning drills of those now exercised should be the 
 manual exercise ; to begin with the firing motions, with a 
 •wooden stopper for a flint. The first and last motions should 
 be those of firing. 
 
 Firing and taking aim must be a particular exercise. ...and 
 must be taught with ball and by shooting at a target, at given 
 distances, so as to find the range of the shot and the level. 
 
 The principles laid down being completely executed in suc- 
 cessive drills, must now be varied every day,nevcr commencing 
 with the same exercise ; after lyiarking tirne, facing y ivheelin^, 
 and stefifiing out the firofier length of tivofeet, have become a 
 habit uniform and correct, and the company capable of perforna- 
 ing them in double ranks. 
 
 The exercises may be varied so as to admit of an infinite 
 diversity of changes of front, flank, formations of sections, 
 moving in different dispositions at the same time ; every thing 
 done by such movements now properly assumes the name of 
 evolution. 
 
 It must be observed with regard to the positions of officers in 
 ftlatoouf half filatoouy or sectioriy whenever an officer leads either, 
 that, contrary to the old method, the place of him who com- 
 mands any of these component parts of battalion, is on the right 
 and front of his command. Supernumerary subalterns, either 
 tak^ pQSt on the left or rear. 
 
MILITARY DliSCIPlINE. 79 
 
 CHAP. XL 
 
 EVOLUTIONS. 
 
 1. Evolutions are the movements of a single corps 
 either for the purpose of taking a new position in order of battle, 
 or a new order of depth or formation, in the line or on a march. 
 The purpose of discipline is to teach the method of executing 
 evolutions in a proper manner ; and it is essential to every 
 evolution, that it shall be executed upon the best received prin« 
 ciples, and these are best which effect good order, directness, 
 precision ; whicl) cover the least space, and occupy the least 
 time in the operation, without creating any unnecessay fatigue. 
 All evolutions, though executed by a single corps upon princi- 
 ples which are confined to itself, must in their design and pur- 
 pose as well as in their execution, have reference to their con- 
 nexion and dependence on other corps. Thus one battalion 
 may form a column in the order of attack, that is an evolution 
 to form column ; another battalion may at the same instant 
 throw back a wing or half wing upon a menaced flank, this may 
 be executed by the evolution of the echellon ; these two evo- 
 lutions make but one manoeuvre ; and whatever may be the 
 number of corps which move at the same moment under a 
 given order, each distinct corps will perform an evolution, 
 while the whole execute a manoeuvre. But the wings of the 
 same army may perform different manoeuvres, and in such 
 cases it has been usual to give to such movements the tiile of 
 the grand manauvre. These explanations of the terras will 
 enable us to proceed with more confidence in the knowlege oi 
 what we are about. 
 
 The drills through which we have passed are to be considered 
 only as the means to acquire a due knowlege of the mechanical 
 practice of military movements. ...the habit of executing them by 
 any number of men in the same time and in a proper manner 
 -,.atid a thorough knowlege of the language used in military 
 
.80 FIRST PRINCIPLES OF 
 
 exercises. The instructor who fails to teach the meaning of 
 the words as well as to put, the men in mo|^on, leavrrs the prin- 
 cipal part of his duty undone. Every soldier should know the 
 meaning and use of every step he takes, as well as the sailor 
 should know the name and use of every rope in a ship. 
 
 Evolutions are simple and compound, and in this respect are 
 often confounded with manoeuvres. A simple evolution is when 
 a Avhole corps moves in one manner in a direction ordered ; a 
 compound evolution is when a corps moves to one point by two 
 different forms of evolution. 
 
 All evolutions are to be performed by at least two ranks, or 
 files two deep ; and they should be practised in three and four 
 deep. The principles being the same, the only difference con- 
 sists in the manner of forming the ranks of more than two 
 deep ; which cannet be difficult when the principles in this work 
 are well understood. 
 
 The simplest evolutions, and those of the greatest use and 
 variety, and which afford the greatest facilities for manoeuvre 
 and change of front, flank, or position, are the echellons. By 
 these columns are formed or reduced, wings are advanced or 
 thrown back, new alignments taken up, countermarches exe- 
 cuted, and an enemy deceived both as to the number of the 
 force, and the purposes proposed by particular movements, as 
 they afford the facilities of support without disorder, at any re- 
 quired point. 
 
 Next to the echellon, the column, which affords a like variety 
 to the formation and reduction, or the display of whieh the 
 principle of the echellon is an excellent auxiliary and introduc- 
 tion. 
 
 To accustom men to move in every required manner, (and 
 there is no poss?.ble manner in which it may not be required to 
 move,) the movements in echellons should assume every possi- 
 ble variety... .they should commence with the direct or perpen- 
 dicular echellons ; and the echellons formed, should be marched, 
 faced to the left, so that the left of platoons should be the front, 
 faced to the right about, so as to give the opposite direction.... 
 wheeled upon the right and left so as to present different fronts 
 ....the wing that was thrown back advanced. ...and both wings 
 advanced, the centre thrown back, ...and t^c conlrary....wedge8 
 
MIXITAHY DISCIPLINE. fii 
 
 and sheers of the ancients are thus formed. ...crosses, squarcsy 
 of the niodern form. ...and the practice should go to teach pla* 
 toons to take different directions, and while retaining each pla- 
 toon complete, the order of the whole should be restored, by 
 a general command to form lint, column or echcllon, on a 
 given platoon. ...so that each officer with a platoon should then 
 take the command, and march it to his position in the most 
 direct and best military manner. 
 
 Another exercise of the evolution drill should be to teack the 
 platoons to disperse as if thrown into disorder, and to rally at a 
 signal. ...a course of exercise of the greatest importance, but 
 which no system has touched upon as elementary. 
 
 The elementary discipline being confined to the acquisition 
 of those principles which go into the movements of the batta- 
 lion, should be the same throughout the largest armies ; a 
 perfect method of unfolding and countermarching corps, the 
 flexibility of evolution, the udoption at ever/ instant of that 
 evolution which is best adapted to the ground upon which the 
 operations are made ; ease and celerity in passing the obstacles 
 with which the ground may fee incumbored, or the attack to be 
 made or resisted. ...are the objects to be familiarly attained. If 
 an officer feels k want of a due knowlege of these principlesj 
 and every one who has not had experience must, the necessity 
 of beginning well and going through with the elementary 
 principles, and acquiring them with earnest assiduity, will be 
 obvious. 
 
 To discriminate between the two classes of commands, those 
 in battalion given by the superior officer are expressed by 
 SMALL CAPITALS. ...these words must b.e understood as repeated 
 by each company officer, and followed by those commands 
 which arG necessary to their execution by each company, and 
 are expressed in Italic letters. 
 
 It now remains to render familiar the different modes of 
 changing front ; the use of guides of evolution, in determining 
 with accuracy the new line of formation by echellon....ihe for- 
 mation and display of the column. ...and the most improved me- 
 thods of forming and reducing columns of attack, with one or 
 more Jines, and the method of retreat in order of battle 
 
 M 
 
9d riRST PKINCIPXES OF 
 
 § 2. ECHELLONS. 
 
 The perpendicular or direct echellon, is described in Chap. 
 VIII. § 3 ; and the half wheels in Chap. VIII. § 7, describe the 
 c'chellons of the oblique order. 
 
 The following is an example of the perpendicular echellon 
 with the centre platoon advanced, and the wings thrown back ; 
 this may be accomplished, by either of the following words of 
 command, supposing the battalion to be paraded. 
 
 The battalion will form echellons of platoons, 
 
 the centre advanced. 
 March. 
 
 Centre platoon—forvjord march. 
 
 [^Each platoon advances a number of paces equal to the front 
 of all the platoons on its flanks.'] 
 
 Or a line being formed, it is required that they assume the 
 disposition without moving the centre platoon. 
 
 The battalion will form echellons on the centre 
 platoon... .wings thrown back. 
 
 Centre platoon — stand fast. 
 
 Flank platoons — right about face — march, 
 
 [All the platoons luill tkrov) their guides to the points ^hich 
 they are to occupy and move to them at marktd time.1 
 
 . ^ 
 
 1 he echcUona aL c, e, bhcw the movement ordered ; the pla- 
 toons a, a, a, shew the right wing as wheeled or marched : heads 
 of platoons and faced in cc4iclIons to the right. 
 
MILITARY DISCIPXINE. ^3 
 
 The first of thes3 dispositions enables the officer to advance 
 or hold back either wing.. ..thus, if he chooses to advance the 
 left wing, he will execute it by these words.. ..and it will display 
 the following position. 
 
 Take care to advance the left wing in echellons 
 
 UPON THE centre. 
 
 March. 
 
 Left platoon,., forvoard. 
 
 The principle of the echellon may be applied, as well to 
 throw back a wing, as to form upon any given platoon. The 
 application of the principle is all that is required in an elemen- 
 tary work. 
 
 As soon as an order is given for a formation out of the line then 
 occupied, the business of the guides is to take their positions on 
 the points upon which each platoon must rest in the line moved 
 upon, and facing in the direction to which the new front is to be 
 made, remain there until the sections or platoons are about to 
 occupy their ground, when the guides should face to the pivot 
 flank, and each platoon should dress by the shoulder of the 
 guide or pivot on its right. 
 
 This principle may be gradually extended to larger sections 
 but not until the manoeuvres begin to be formed in double 
 ranks ; because then the guide taken from the front rank does 
 not leave any interval, as the rear rank man always steps into 
 his place, and falls into his own when the guide resumes it. 
 
 A battalion drawn up in close order is required to take a 
 new alignment, by advancing the right wing sixty paces on a 
 platoon named. ..the officers ar» all at their stations ; the ser 
 jeants on the right and left of each company ; the serjeant on 
 the right of the rear rank is the covering serjeant of the platoon 
 
8* riRST P11INCIPI.ES OY 
 
 officer of each flank, and performs the function o\ guide or pivot,, 
 according as the rie^ht or left advances ; in the present move- 
 ment the Serjeant on the right is the guide of the right, the 
 Serjeant on the left is the pivot. 
 ^ As soon as the battalion is formed, the word mark tiine ceases 
 as a general word of command, but the action of marking time 
 commences with the first word of con^mand for movement, 
 and must continue until the word halt is given ; the captains 
 will see that it be strictly performed. 
 
 The order of comrnand corresponding with attention in the 
 drill, ii usually a ruffie of the drum^ by an orderly drummer who 
 atfends the commanding officer.. ..these and similar directions 
 will be given in a smaller letter. 
 
 kufflc-.C/or attentiron.J 
 
 Battalion take care to form a new alignment, by 
 advancing the right flank sixty paces in front 
 ....movement by echellqns of platoons on the 
 third platoon from the left, 
 
 Guides to your posts. 
 Jlfari time. 
 
 The major or adjutant on the right moves to the 60th pace 
 and faces to the left : the adjutant or serjeant major, on the 
 left, proceeds to the forming point of the battalion, and faces to 
 the right : and the serjcants from each company step out briskly 
 and dress in a line with the major and adjutant, and then all facing 
 to the third platoon from the left, which is now the wheeling or 
 forming point ; in the following diagram, the original line is mark- 
 ed by a horizontal line of points ; the platoons are wheeled from 
 the line upon their left int© echcllon ; the two platoons on the 
 left, upon the word march, come to the right about, and move 
 to the new alignment which is thrown back fiom their first line; 
 the platoons on the right at the same time move to the front, 
 where their guides are posted on the new line, which is described 
 by flags on its : xtrcmes ; they remain in this position so that 
 each company shall move up to its own guide : but the compa- 
 nies continue to mark tin»e fiom the moment the guides step out, 
 and they wait for the word of execution. ...which will be cither 
 FORWARD; or March. 
 
Zeft ouarter fi'heeL 
 
 $5 
 
 
 \ '• \ \ <»*' 
 
 
 t- 
 
 / 
 
 The annexed plate V. is from the French system, plate XX. 
 and represents two operations in which accuracy of formation 
 is assured by guides. Fig. 1. in the upper division, represents 
 a battalion about to advance a required distance in line, direct ; 
 to preserve its parallelism, three guides are thrown into the 
 rear ©f the centre, perpendicular to the line of the battalion, 
 who dress by the colors, and by a tree which is in front of the 
 line y. The three guides, i, a, d, in the rear, are to preserve the 
 perpendicular movement of the centre, and two on the flanks 
 dress by the centre, where the colors are ; the major, adjutant, 
 and serjeant-major, aid in correcting the movements of the 
 guides ; the major places himself at k, and a guide takes a posi- 
 tion in front of the colors, and facing round to the battalion 
 marks the direction with the colors and the three dressed guides 
 in the rear ; as the battalion advances, two or three guides in 
 front advance successively, and facing to the battalion, dress, so 
 that as the rank approaches a guide, that guide hastens to the 
 front, an.d takes a position twenty, forty, or fifty paces beyond 
 that which is farthest ; e represents the serjeant-major attend- 
 ing to the dressing of the line ; i the adjutant on horseback f 
 //are the guides which dress with the colors. 
 
 Fig. 2. the advance of the same battalion presents it as about 
 to advance the left wing ; / and g represent where are posted 
 the major and adjutant as the flank guides, dressed with the 
 
83 FIRST PaiftfCIPlBS OP 
 
 colors, the moving guides having resumed tlieir posts on the 
 flanks of the battalion... .the movement now required is to ad- 
 vance the left wing upon a new alignment. The right there, 
 fore is now the /livot flank, and the guides ef platoon are thrown 
 forward from the left of platoons : as soon as the word is given, 
 to advance the left in line, the a(!jutant gallops to the point that 
 advances, and faces towards the right, the major on the right 
 faces towards the adjutant on the left, the guides of platoons 
 move out and dress by the major and adjutant, facing to the 
 pivoi flank which is now the right, and the whole move into 
 Jine as before. 
 
 In the lower division of this plate is Fig. 3. which is from 
 plate XXII. of the French system. The principle of the move- 
 ment by the guides is here the same. Fig. \, dis the first po- 
 sition. Fig. 2, shews an advance of the left wing, as in the pre- 
 ceding figures, c and g- shew the guides, and i and g the guides 
 in the oblique alignment, / the position of the major.... ^ shews 
 the serjeant-major dressing the line..../ the adjutant directing 
 the movement in front into the new alignment.. ..c is a line pa- 
 rallel to the second movement or oblique line. 
 
 § 3. The plate No. VI. exhibits the application of the line of 
 science to several useful purposes, that is what is denominatecl 
 the loose order of movement ; which instead of wheeling ranks, 
 quarter faces the files, moving either in Jile or line or column. 
 Fig. 1, Plat© VI. represents a company in the order of three 
 deep faced to the right and wheeling by the head of the platoon 
 to the left. The guide leads at c, the captain on the wheeling 
 side at A, an officer at c directs the perpendicular line of the 
 right. The officers and sub-officers are at their stations on the 
 right of the column, the captain occasionally at their head. 
 
 Having reached a point at which they must wheel to the left, 
 they receive the command, and the officer at c directs the wheel- 
 ing. Having half wheeled to the left, and reached a further 
 point, they are wheeled into platoon in the loose order instead of 
 ranks of files at fig. 2. 
 
 Fig. 3, Plate VI. represents the platoon moving from a to a, in 
 column or head ot platoon in front ; the dotted lines on the rear 
 shew the original position of the column ; the darkened figures, 
 the men formed by a half face to the left.. ..the guide at the head 
 
MILITARY DISCIPLINE. S7 
 
 of the column pursues the line marked for him ; the new line 
 perpendicular to the left of the old, is formed by the movements 
 of the single files, not directly after the guide but on oblique line^ 
 to the left. The officers and covering rank are on the right of 
 the movement, as that side is the rear ; they are seen in the rear 
 of the new line. 
 
 The arrow in the plate is reversexl, but it way serve to shew 
 that the movement may be made in that direction also. 
 
 § 4. THE COLUMN OF ATTACK. 
 The column contains the great secret of modern tactics^ it 
 is the most certain lever in the hands of a skilful (;fiiccr....its 
 advantages are found in its comprehending a large number 
 in a small compass, for various ends ; first, in order to be 
 displayed upon any required point at the moment that it may 
 be most effective. Second, that it deceives an enemy as to 
 your force and intention, an example of which was seen in the 
 battle of Jena. Third, that the evolutions of a close column 
 executed upon ground of small extent, are less liable to error 
 and better adapted to correct faults, than any other disposition. 
 Fourth, they render the movements of an army simple and 
 easy. Fifth, that there be an equal column in reserve^ at sus- 
 (ai7iing distance. 
 
 Columns of attack with the bayonet may be composed of 
 battalions of 500, 800, or 1000 men ; and two or more of these 
 columns may form a common front in column, or they may be 
 displayed into several columns in echellon to a centre column 
 advanced or to a flank column ; or so disposed that two flank 
 columns sustaining one, may advance upon the charge of the 
 advanced column and display upon the flank of an enemy. 
 
 It is to be understood that the use of the column for action, is 
 now preferred by a formation on the centre ; although forming 
 the column upon a flank platoon or battalion, is not laid aside, 
 because the position of the enemy may render a flank the most 
 proper ; but as a general rule, wherever there is a choice to be 
 made, the column should always be formed on the centre, and 
 reduced by the flanks. 
 
 The dispositions of the column, as laid down in Steuben's tract, 
 are known ; the principles are the same, and the only variation 
 is in the application of guides^ the quick fiace as the only pace 
 
88 MBST pitiNCii^Es or 
 
 for mov«mcnt ; forming column at slow march is well enough 
 for a funeral but never for service ; and in order to escape the 
 derision of men of experience, it should not be permitted on any 
 occasion. No man who enters into the spirit of military disci- 
 pline will suffer it. 
 
 The elementary exercises of the column should begin with 
 the company, divided into half platoons and sections or fourths 
 of platoons. 
 
 The company being drawn up as usual, in the usual order, 
 receives the 
 
 Rufflc-ffor attention. J 
 Take cake to form column in open order upon the 
 right half platoon, right in front. 
 
 Left half platoon — right face. 
 Right quarter face — march. 
 Front face — halt. 
 
 The same movement by quarter platoons formed on the left. 
 Take care to form column of quarter platoons... 
 
 LEFT IN front. 
 
 Ruffie — ffor a caution. J 
 Mark time. 
 
 Right tections — left face. 
 March. 
 
 Left quarter fuce—tnardi. 
 Front — halt. 
 
 § 5. After a front line has given a certain quantity of fire ; or 
 that an impre&sion has been premeditatedly made by the tirail- 
 leurs or riflemen in front, to cover the movement of the second 
 line as a fresh corps, to bring them to the charge of bayonet, 
 tbe following will convey an idea of tlie two operations advanc- 
 ing and retreating in column by the centre of battalions. 
 
 First line, centre half platoons thrown back. 
 
 Sbcond line advancing in columns formed upon the centre. 
 
MILITARY DISCKPLINE, 89 
 
 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 The retreating line acts differently from the advancing- : for 
 the same reason that the echequier of platoons is exploded, 
 and as a retreat adnpits of no los« of time in formation, when the 
 first line indicates by a movement on its right or left the purpose 
 to retreat ; the second line will immediately form columns on 
 the centre of battalions ; meanwhile the first line retires in per- 
 fect order, and when it reaches the second line now formed in 
 columns, the first line throws back the two central half platoons 
 of each battalion in order to pass the columns, the first line is now 
 to become the second, and assumes a front towards the enemy, 
 forms columns to that front, and is ready to support the second 
 now in the position of the first. 
 
 The second line being in column when the first moved 
 through the centre, will act as ordered ; it will cither reduce 
 the column and display the line, or it will advance in column 
 and display, as may be ordered ; the dispositions to the eye in 
 this case are apparently similar ; the difference consists in this, 
 that in retreat, the moving line preserves that order and passes 
 with'only throwing back two half platoons, while the posted 
 second line forms column on its position. 
 
 On the other hand, in the advapce, the second line forms and 
 moves in column to the front and through the centre of the bat- 
 talion of the first line^ which remain displayed in line only 
 with its two central half platoons thrown back to admit the 
 passage of the second line in column.. ..the following fig;ure 
 exhibits the retreating first lin^ : 
 
^0 riRSt 1*A1NCIPLB8 01 
 
 ia 
 
 The passage of lines, by alternate platoons, which Is laid 
 clown in the French regulations of 1791, and adopted from 
 thence by the English, has been superceded, in the French 
 system, wherever the movement is in the face of an enemy. 
 The exceptions to the old method are these : the line retiring, if 
 in retreat, is too much broken ; and the single company is not 
 sufficiently strong to sustain a sudden attack ; the second line 
 in like manner loses its compactness, which is essential to 
 repel the charge by being open at several points to admit the 
 passage of alternate companies ; the movements cannot be 
 made in good order when in such small bodies and under so 
 many detached commands, and the loss of a platoon or even an 
 officer of one of these detached parts, may endanger the whole. 
 
 The method adopted obviates all these objections ; instead of 
 echequier of companies, that formation is now coniii^.ed to bodies 
 not less than a battalion ; that is several battalions each main- 
 taining its Una of front, either in line or column, may move in 
 echequier, but no such movement, except for disciplinary exer 
 cise, must be made of any body less than a battalion. 
 
 The movement of a battalion advancing in a line, or retiring 
 through a second line, is by column of platoons formed on the 
 centre of the battalion ; that is the two central half platoons 
 form the head of the column, whether it be a second line ad- 
 vancing, from the rear of the front line posted, to charge bayonet, 
 or retiring through the first line to take a new position 200 yards 
 in the rear of the first line. 
 
 These principles being understood, it remains only to sup- 
 pose several battalions formed in line of battle. 
 
 § 6. These ©perations apply to the largest bodies ; plate VII. 
 annexed, from the Military Library, exhiibits the formation of a 
 
MILITARY DISCIPLINE. &1 
 
 column of eight battalions, of two platoons in front ; formed 
 ppon the fourth battalion. 
 
 The seventh plate is given (thongh it properly belongs to the 
 evolutions of the line") with a view to illustrate the various appli- 
 cations on the largest scale of numbers, to the same principles 
 developed in the exercises of a company. This plate represents 
 a line of eight battalions. It is required to form the whole into 
 a single column, right in front, \vith a view to such a movenvent 
 as was made hy the king of Prussia at Ro^dac/i and Koli?i ; the 
 object in view by the miOvement,andthe ground, determines the 
 formation to be on tjie second half wing of the fourth battalion. 
 The extent of ground covered by such a body, determines the 
 mode of movement. The oi der is issued through an aid to the 
 commander of each battalion on the right and left, which desig- 
 nates t\\Q front they are to preserve, and the battalion on which 
 they are^o form ; the officers on the left know they must pro- 
 ceed to the right, and in an obiique direction to the rear of the 
 fixed battalion, they calculate the depth of the column and the 
 angle it forms with their then line, and half wheeling their 
 quarter battalions on the right, face to the right, and march as 
 is seen on the left division of the line. The right battalions 
 also throv/- their quarter battalion* into echellon, by a wheel on 
 their right and face to tb.e left. 
 
 The guides posted in a line betwcee the two trees, determine 
 the prolongation ef the column. Manoeuvres of this kind are 
 intended to prepare for new dispositions. ...or for a nciarch. 
 
 In this plate the eight battalions are in line, and the order i^ 
 ^iven to form column two platoons in front; the right battalion 
 to lead. 
 
 The officer in command issues the following order, which is 
 taken down in writing by an aid for the right, and by another 
 for the left, who proceed rapidly, and deliver the order to each 
 commander of battalion. 
 
 The line will form column, upon the third anp 
 
 FOURTH platoons OF THE FOURTH BATTALION. 
 
 The trees in front and rear serve as guides of alignment or 
 formation of the column ; and the commanders of battalions, as 
 fast as they receive the order, throw their several battalions into 
 the disposition best adapted to reach the point upon wh^ch they 
 must form in the shortest time^ 
 
92 riKST PKINCIPLES Oi 
 
 The officer of the battalion repeats the order, aud follows ii, 
 thus.... 
 
 Tie battalion — left face. 
 
 By double platoons — to the right incline. 
 
 Foruard-'-marcb. 
 
 Each battalion to the right pursues the same course, only 
 making its route to the right of the preceding battalion. 
 
 The battalions on the left face to the right, and pursue a cor- 
 responding course to the rear of the fourth platoon ; the proper 
 officers attending to the directness of the movement and the 
 cbrrectness of the formation, 
 
 § 7. THE RALLY. 
 
 No system of discipline has laid down a method of accustom- 
 ing troops to retrieve the disorder of a sudden charge, or to rally 
 after being broken. The occasion occurs in almost every close 
 action, but no elementary instruction has made the occurrence 
 familiar....The following method is the result of a very success- 
 ful drill practice by the author. 
 
 After the company has acquired the habit of being moved in 
 cchellon with some dexterity, move the several sections, say of 
 8 or 12 files, in single rank, in different directions, wheel one 
 to the rig/it, face another to the right, ivheel a third to the left, 
 quarter ivheel a fourth, bring a fifth to the rightabout, and march 
 them so that they shall all be in apparent disorder.. ..then select 
 a section, say the third, and give the word : 
 
 The whole. ...take care to form columx on th« 
 
 THIRD section. 
 [Care then is taken to move the third section to the front required^ and 
 each leader of section moves his oiun section up t» its proper place in 
 front or rear of the third section.'} 
 To rally, when the ranks are broken, pursue the same course, 
 always apprising them that at a certain beat of the drum they 
 must rally, when the sections are all thrown into the different 
 directions as above.. ..beat a retreat and give the word disjierse^ 
 the ranks break, and while retiring to their quarters, the rally Is 
 beaten... .the platoon or section leader should previously arrange 
 some signal to be known to the men of his section, a handker- 
 chief or the like, to which they should rally. 
 
 Afi soon as the drum beats the rally, the leaders of sections 
 or platoons should place themselves so as to display their sig- 
 nals, and each section vyrould then fall in, the w hole facing upon 
 hie first man posted by the officer, in whatever direction formed : 
 
MILLTAHY DISCIPLINK. 9o 
 
 and as soon j^s formed in section, they should move so as to 
 form column in the same way as in the preceding movements. 
 This may be diversified greatly to the pleasure of the soldiers, 
 and military men will discern the utility of the habit thus ac- 
 quired Whenever troops are brought to action. 
 § 8. FORMING COMPANY. 
 
 In § 1, of Chap. IX. the mode of forming by a wheel 
 outward of double files is described. The present purpose 
 is to describe the formation of a company with its officers of 
 both kinds attached, in the order in which they must go into 
 the battalion. 
 
 The order of two or three in depth makes no difference as to 
 the positions of any of the officers. The following general rule 
 should be constantly observed. 
 
 Wh;atever may be the position of the company in line or in 
 column, the captain should be posted at ail times on the right, 
 or at the head of his company ; and even when the left may be 
 in front, the capiain should still keep his position on the right of 
 the advanced front.. ..The motive for placing the captain and 
 other commissioned officers on the left flank of the company or 
 platoon, was because the ordination made the left the pivot un- 
 der the ancient discipline, and the captain acted as the guide in 
 those formations which are now performed by pivots and guides 
 of platoon.... But these modern and useful contrivances leave the 
 captain and other platoon officers free from othjer duties, and 
 they always will have ample employment beside; on the march, 
 in manoeuvre, and in action. 
 
 The corporals are comprehended in the rank and file, and 
 there should be one on each flank of the front rank, the other 
 two itiay be on the right and left of the half companies or half 
 platoons ; or on the left of the rear rank. 
 
 The company drawn up, ranked and sized, sliould, before any 
 movement with the battalion, be to'd off, and distributed in equal 
 portions for manoeuvre, the half company or half platoon, 
 Should be subdivided each into two parts or sections, so that each 
 company shall have eight established equal parts. 
 
 The company in close order, will then be placed in this posi- 
 tion, the strong lines represent the front of the ranks, 
 
 A a a A 
 
 A I I r -| 1 I r— I A 
 
 a 
 
94 FIRST PRINCIPLES OF 
 
 The captain on the right, covered by an expert Serjeant in 
 the rear rank. 
 
 The first lieutenant on the left flank of the front rank covered 
 by an expert Serjeant in the rear rank. 
 
 The second lieutenant and ensign in a supernumerary rank 
 at three paces from the rear rank, a Serjeant on their right and 
 left in the same rank, the four at equal distance from each other. 
 Where the subalterns are more or less in number they must be 
 distributed equally. 
 
 The men will stand in rank so that on bending the elbow on 
 either side they each touch the man on that side ; the space 
 each man usually occupies in front is 22 inches, 2 inches are 
 allowed for the ease of movement; so that the front of each 
 file is equal to one military pace of 24 inches. 
 
 In the depth of the ranks in close order, the heel of the front 
 rank man stands two feet from the toe of the next rank, so that 
 taking the depth of the man to be 1 6 inches, and his knapsack 6 
 inches, the single man will occupy exactly 22 inches in depth 
 with the allowance of two inches for movement. So that a 
 single man in military order may be computed as occupying two 
 feet square. 
 
 In open order the ranks will stand two paces apart more than 
 in close order ; and the officers will be posted as annexed : 
 
 13 A 
 
 a a a a 
 
 The ranks may, for inspection or other purposes, take open 
 order at four or more paces distant, at command. 
 
 The supernumerary rank four paces in the rear of the com- 
 pany in close order, is for the purpose of keeping the rear 
 ranks well dressed ; and to render assistance of various kinds 
 in action. When marching in close colun^n this supernume- 
 rary rank, if there be not room on the flanks of its own com- 
 pany in the column, continues in the rear, but closed up to the 
 same distance as other ranks. The Serjeants of the rear rank 
 in open order must attend to the dressing of that rank and move 
 on the rear if necessary 
 
 § 9. THE BATTALION. 
 
 The ordination of the distribution of companies in the battalion 
 rn the generality of systems, present^ such absurdities as could 
 
IdlLlTA^^ DISCIPLINE. 95 
 
 hardly be expected from reasonable men. The prevailing rfotion 
 that governs the distribution of companies, is an imaginary im- 
 portance ^attached to the position of a company, deduced from 
 the analogy of the position of battalions in the line of battle. But 
 that may be real and infiportant in relaiion to the distribution 
 of battalions or colunins, which cannot be of any moment in 
 the position of companies either in line or column ; simplicity 
 should therefore supercede trifling vagaries. 
 
 The order of distribution of companies should be by a fixed^ 
 simple and rational rule ; that of numbering from right to left, 
 and the battalion consisting of eight platoons, tlic 1, 2, 3, 4, 
 should form the right wing or half battalion. The 5, 6, 7, 8? 
 the left ; or if there must be a variation from the simple order, 
 let it be 1, 3, 5, 7, right wing; 2,4, 6, 8, the left wing. The 
 companies here shall be placed in a numerical order : and the 
 following is the ordination of the battalion with its staff. To 
 avoid confusion by a multitude of arbitrary characters, it is only 
 necessary to state here that the order cf every company in a 
 battalion in close order, conforms to the preceding view of the 
 company ; and so in open order every company presents its 
 officers, commissioned and non-commissioned, in the same 
 positions as in open order of company ; so that the views of tho 
 battalion to be here given exhibit only the positions of the regi- 
 mental staff, music, pioneers, in close and open order. 
 
 BATTALION IN CLOSE ORDER. 
 , , . Pioneers. 
 . . . Staff. 
 DrumsOoOoOo D D D D 
 
 n Lt.Col. 1st D MajoK 
 
 D Colonel, 
 n 2d Major. 
 
 BATTALION IN OPEN ORDER. 
 
 Adjt, D n Serjt. Major. 
 
 1-t. Col. Q fffi n l8t Major. 
 D Colonel. 
 n SdMaior 
 
^^ FIRST PfilXCIPXES Ot 
 
 The artificers which should be attached to every regiment^ 
 march in fiont when there is one corps only in column ; when 
 the battalion is in close order for exercise or line of battle, they 
 arc in the rear, together with the subaltern staff, as paymaster, 
 surgeon, quarter master, &c. ; when the battalion parades in 
 open order for inspection, the musicians are all formed on the 
 right, or in two divisions on the right and left of the battalion ; 
 in this order the pioneers parade still farther on the right of the 
 n^iusic ; if the music is all on the right, the pioneers parade on 
 the left. 
 
 The platooT) officers are paraded four paces in front of their 
 companies when in open order : as shewn in the company. 
 
 The colonel, when there is only his own regiment, takes post 
 in front equal to the length of a wing from the centre ; if more 
 than his own and the order is line of battle, his position is twenty 
 paces in the rear of the centre, the lieutenant colonel ten paces 
 fro«i the centre of the rear of the right wing ; the first major the 
 same distance from the centre of the left ; the secohd major, 
 adjutant, paymaster, surgeon, and mates, with the colonel. The 
 colonel may require the lieutenant colonel to remain with him, 
 and the majors to take charge of the battalions. 
 
 The battalion in close order for field exercise ; the colonel in 
 front, the lieutenant colonel ten paces from the right and in front 
 of the right wing, the major ten paces from the left. The ad- 
 jutant as aid to the colonel ; the serjeant major in the rear. 
 
 The colors on the right of the second wing in close order ; at 
 open order advanced in a line with the platoon officers four paces 
 in front. The colors to be carried by two ensigns or on a march 
 by four, who relieve each other, and who form the guard of the 
 colors, with four of the most respectable senior Serjeants of com- 
 panies ; the four ensigns form a rank with a serjeant on each 
 side, and are covered by the other scrjcants in the rear rank. 
 In open order the non-commissioned qfficers occupy the front 
 rank with arms advanced. 
 
 In column the colonel leads the first wing or battalion ; the 
 lieutenant colonel the second ; the major in the rear, with the 
 regimental staff; the adjutant and serjeant major on the flanks. 
 These dispositions are generally conformable to usage ; ex- 
 .cepting that the commander of platoon or company must at all 
 time^ be on the right, whether the left of the column or the 
 j'ight in front, 
 
MILITARY DISCIPIIN?. 97 
 
 CHAP. xn. 
 
 THE MJl^UAL EXERCISE. 
 
 § i. Jb OR several years the iDost important object of military 
 discipline was suppoi^ed to consist in the performance of certain 
 unmeaning and frivolous motions with the firelock in the hands, 
 which was called the Manual Exercise on that account. During 
 the last ten years this dangerous error has been in a great measure 
 corrected in the general judgment, and it is now perceived and 
 acknowleged, that beside the acquisition of exactness in the hand- 
 ling of the firelock, and loading and firing correctly, and with 
 skill. ...the knowlege of the different parts of the firelock... .the 
 name of each part and its use ; every thing else of the manual 
 exercise is superfluous, or at best ornamental for parades only. 
 
 The manual exercise properly consists of two parts ; a manual 
 of discipline, and a manual of parade. 
 
 In the manual of discipline should be comprehended all the 
 motions that arc required under all circumstances in the use of 
 the firelock for action. The second part would comprehend the 
 first, together with all those motions which are necessary for a 
 parade, for guard, for marching, for convenience, or for show. 
 
 The only effectual parts of the manual, are those which go 
 into action, they are the priming, loading and firing, the fixing 
 and charging of bayonets, and the manner of carrying the fire- 
 lock ; all other motions are motions o^ convenience, and therefore 
 proper to be observed. ...or motions oi fiarade or respect, which 
 may be preserved or rejected without disadvantage. Among the 
 motions of convenience are the slofie, trails advanccy su/ifiortj the 
 secure and the stackmg orjiling of arms ; motions have been in 
 use which are improper, such as grounding arms. It is strictly 
 in the spirit of good discipline, not to accustom men to any 
 motions which convey humiliating ideas ; an American citizen 
 must disdain submission to any invader. The laying down arms 
 being the last act pf subjection of a vanquished army, and like 
 passing under the yoke among the ancients, has been banished, 
 from our exercise. 
 
 Independent of the policy, there is also utility in rejecting the 
 motions of grounding apd taking up firelocks. On service in the 
 fi'eW jt J") never proper nor useful... .gn duty as ceminels, it is not 
 
yS FIRST PRINCIPLES OF 
 
 admissible ; and as a matter of prudence and economy,it ought not 
 to be suffered. Iron acquires rust very rapidly in every part of our 
 country. Laying the firelock on the moist earth or grass, is 
 therefore destructive to arms and to ammunition. The stacking 
 of arms by two contiguous files in the order of two deep, or in 
 the order of three deep, is now the mode adopted ; stacking the 
 firelocks of the three is easy, by facing the centre rank to the 
 right, and stepping w ith the left foot six inches backward ; and 
 the front rank coming to the right about ; the firelocks stand in 
 regular order : they are secured fi om moisture, and are easily 
 resumed by the members on returning into the ranks. 
 § 2. FIRST DRILL OF THE MANUAL. 
 The drill of the manual should comprehend all that is practi- 
 cal in the motions made in actual priming and loading, and Uie 
 carriage of the firelock in battalion ; and afterwards all that is 
 merely ornamental. The preliminary drill with the fij clock 
 should commence v/ith the priming and loading. 
 
 The soldier having taken his place in the rank for drill with 
 ordered arms, the precaution is given : 
 Attention / 
 The soldier stands firm, his eyes to the front, his left hand 
 down by his side, not constrained but straight ; his right hand 
 fingers on front of the firelock, the but of which is close to his 
 right foot and dressed with it ; the barrel rests against the right 
 shoulder, the thumb of the right hand behmd the barrel, the 
 arm a little bent.. ..and the following motions are executed io the 
 manner described : 
 
 1. Recover arms. 
 
 3. Open pan. 
 
 S. Handle cartridge. 
 
 4. Prime. 
 
 5. Shut pan. 
 G, Load. 
 
 7. Brarv ramrod. 
 
 8. Ram doivn. 
 
 9. Return ramrod. 
 
 10. Make ready. 
 
 11. Aim. 
 
 12. Fire. 
 
 13. Half cock. 
 
 1*. Shoulder arms. 
 
 15. Shut pan. 
 
 16. Order arms^ 
 
MIXITAHY DISCIPLIICB- 99 
 
 EXPLANATIONS. 
 Recoveb ARMS-.-riyo motions.. .A. The right arm, which 
 was somewhat bent, is straightened, and the firelock is seized as 
 low down as is practicable without stooping. 2. The firelock 
 is brought briskly up, perpendicular in front of the right arnn, 
 so that the left hand catches the stock at the swell, the right 
 hand holds the handle or small of the stock, the ramrod to the 
 front. 
 
 Open pan.... Three motions.... 1 . The firelock is now lowered to 
 the /zorr or priming position, the piece resting on the left hand, 
 the butt thrown by the right side, so that it rests about the hip, 
 with the person of the soldier half faced to the right. The 
 muzzles of the rank of the same elevation will all range to the 
 front ; on about a level with the top of the head. 2. As the fire- 
 lock is brought to the slope, the right footis raised, and the body 
 gently half faced to the right. 3. The hammer is thrown open 
 with the thumb of the right hand. 
 
 Handle C ARTRiDGE....rwo motiojis.... I . The right band opens 
 the cartridge box, seizes the cartridge, shuts the case of the 
 cartridge box. 2. Bite the top of the cartridge off. 
 
 Prime. ...rwo motions. ...\. Pour the priming into the pan. 
 2. Bring the two latter fingers of the hand before the hammer. 
 
 Shut pan..../71'9 motions. ...\. With the cartridge between the 
 two fore fingers and thumb, the pan is shut by the third and fourth 
 fingers hooked. 2. The but is then sulfercd to sink gently 
 through the left hand to the front, so that when it reaches the 
 ground the but shall rest on the ground opposite the toe of the 
 left foot, and the muzzle sloped so as to stand in front of the 
 right breast 10 inches from the body. 
 
 LoAD....on<? motion. ...ThQ cartridge is then emptied into the 
 muzzle and the empty paper pushed in with the finger. 
 
 Draw ramrod. ...rwo motions,.. .\. The rammer is then seiz- 
 ed with the thumb and two first fingers of the right hand, and 
 drawn up about a foot, with the right hand so turned that the 
 back of the hand shall be towards the face, and the little finger 
 uppermost. 2. The rod is thus drawn out and the hand adroitly 
 turned so that the broad end ©f the rammer shall be placed in 
 the muzzle and the iittle finger undermost. 
 
 Ram down..,. f wo motions... A. When firing with powder the 
 firelock is raised perpendicular and a slight stroke is given with 
 the heel of the but on the ground to level the powder. 2. The 
 
100 WRST PRINCIPLES OF 
 
 wadding is then rammed down the barrel in the perpendicular 
 position. 
 
 Return ramrod... ./Ti^o motions>...l. The rammer is agai'n 
 briskly raised eight inches or a foot with the thumb and two fin- 
 gers, and as before seized with the reversed hand, drawn out, 
 and turned. 2. The ramrod is returned to its place with a 
 pressure of the palm of the hand ; the body still retaining its 
 half faced positions. 
 
 Make ready.... T'wo motions. ...\, The firelock is now brought 
 up to the same position as on the word recover arms ; the left 
 hand holding the firelock perpendicular opposite the left eye ; 
 the right hand holds the but at xXyq grasp. 2. The firelock is 
 cocked with the thumb of the right hand. 
 
 Aim.... Two viotions.,.. 1 . The firelock held by the right hand is 
 now thrown gently into a hoiizontal position to the front, and 
 caught on the palm of the left hand which is easily extended 
 with an elbow slightly bent to the front ; the sole of the but i^ 
 placed against the right shoulder. 2. The right foot is thrown 
 back about six inches, and the left eye being shut the right eye 
 glances along the barrel. 
 
 Fire.... T'wo motions.,.A» The fore finger of the right hand 
 pulls the tricker ; and, 2. as soon as the fire is made, the iirelock 
 is again brought to the fiort or priming position ; or the word 
 recover arms is given when firing has ceased ; and it is followed 
 in either case by 
 
 [The use of the second finger at the tricker is recommended 
 where the structure of the hand will allow it ; the fore finger 
 will then be placed before the guard of the tricker and the 
 middle finger within ; this method prevents any jarring of the 
 firelock in the act of firing.] 
 
 Half CooK..,.Owe motion, ..If this be done as preparatory to 
 firing, it is done in the priming position, sloped to the front by 
 seizing the cock with the fore fingers and thumb of the righ^ 
 hand; if it follows the recover^ then it is followed by Shoulder 
 arms ; but if the firing continues, then the position half faced to 
 the right is retained, and priming and loading goes on in that 
 position. When the firing is closed, then 
 
 Shoulder arms. .../our motions„..\. The left hand, which 
 held the firelock with the arm a little bent below,i8 now carried 
 as low down as possible without bending the body. 2, The fire- 
 lock is brought up to the stioulder st) that the left hand shall wit'i 
 
>lIIiITARY DISCIPLINE. lOjL 
 
 the back in front be as high as the eyes. 3. The right hand 
 crosses the body at the same instant, and holds the but at the 
 grasp under the lock, and the left hand quitting its hold, is 
 brought down open and flat, and tells upon the but, the thurob 
 to the front, the sole of the but lying well on the half palm and 
 inner joint of the fingers forming a hollow in the hand, upon 
 which it rests so that the barrel shall be perpendicular. 4. The 
 body fronts as the firelock reaches the shoulder. 
 
 Shut Vk^... .Three motions.., A. Tlie firelock being at the 
 shoulder, the right hand open is carried across the breast. 
 2. The pan is shut with the palm. 3. The hand brought again 
 to the right side. 
 
 Order AB.Tsis...,Three motions. ..A. The firelock held on the 
 left hand with an elbow somewhat bent, not so much as to place 
 the but too low, is now lowered the whole length of the left 
 arm. 2. The right hand seizes the firelock aboVe the lock. 3. 
 Brings it across the body, to the right side, where it is suffered 
 to slide perpendicular to the first position on the outside of the 
 right foQt. 
 
 § 3. MANUAL OF PARADE. 
 
 The soldier reaches parade with his arms trailed or sloped ; 
 and on falling in he comes to an order at ease without word of 
 command. On the beat of the drum as a preparative, or com- 
 mand of the officer. ...ar/en/fon, the ranks dress to the right or 
 left as required. The officer then gives the precaution. 
 
 Take care to perform the manual exercise oe 
 
 PARADE. 
 
 1, Fix bayonets. 
 
 In this motion, the firelock is seized with the left hand, about 
 the upper band, and without moving the but from the side of the 
 right foot, is thrown easily in front of the body in a sloping po- 
 sition ; the right hand is carried at the same moment between 
 the firelock and the body to the bayonet, which is seized and 
 fixed briskly on the firelock, which is then brought into the 
 position of the order. 
 
 2. Prime and load. 
 
 This comprehends the ten first motions' in the first drill of* 
 the manual ; here it is executed at one word of command, the 
 motions are....l. recover from the order.. ..2. open pan. ...3. han- 
 dle cartridge... .4. prime. ...5. shut pan. ...6. load. ...7. draw rani:^ 
 i'0d....8, ram cartridge.. t..9. return ramrod.. ..10. make ready. 
 
lOi! iriRST nilNCIPLES 01 
 
 3. Make ready* 
 
 4. Take aim, 
 
 5. Fire. 
 
 6. Half cock. 
 
 7. Charge hayoneL 
 
 8. Prime and load. 
 
 9. Present arms. 
 
 10. Advance arms. 
 
 11. Order arms. 
 
 12. Handle arms. 
 
 13. Un^o? bayonet, 
 
 14. Trail arms. 
 
 15. Shoulder ai'ms. 
 
 16. Support arms. 
 
 17. Carinjarms, 
 
 18. Secure arms. 
 
 19. Shouldei* arms. 
 
 20. Slope arm^. 
 
 The manual of parade consists of twenty words of command, 
 In the strict order of duty ia action, beside the firing motions of 
 the first drill ; the eighth is the precautionary load after a suc- 
 cessful charge, and the enemy has been defeated ; and the ad- 
 vance a motion of ease, on resuming the order of parade after 
 action ; the ninth, the salute to the commanding ofBcer after 
 victory ; and the trail and order, the movements of ease and rest 
 after action. 
 
 Here the repeated shouldering, the groundings and taking ufi, 
 are all omitted ; and no motion is repeated but the priming and 
 loading motions, which cannot be too often or dextrously per- 
 formed. 
 
 The manual of discipline should comprehend all these mo- 
 lions, and convey plain ideas of the duties to be performed.—. 
 The disciplinary and parade manual then might begin with the 
 motions indicative of this principle, as fixing bayonet, and prim- 
 inp and loading. 
 
 There remains but to explain the motions of the manual of 
 parade and discipline not before described. 
 EXPLANATIONS. 
 
 Fix bayonet. ...This operation is performed in two modes, at 
 the right and at the left side. At the right side, it is performed 
 at the order, by drawing the bayonet from the scabbard and fix- 
 ing it on with the right hand, and letting the firelock remain at 
 the order. ^This is the shortest and best method ; the other 
 
MILITARY DISCIPLINE. 4*03^ 
 
 method from the shoulder, may be performed from the shoul- 
 der, in five motions, in this manner : at the word Jix bayonets^ 
 I. the right hand crosses the body and holds the grasp ; 2. the 
 left hand is carried up and seizes the firelock ; 3. it is brought 
 down with the left hand to the left side ; 4. the bayonet is there 
 fixed, which is followed, 5. by the shoulder. 
 
 Charge Bayonet.... 7 7yo motions.,. A. seize the firelock at 
 the handle. 2. Bring it lo a horizontal position in front, the but 
 on a level with the hip, the right hand thrown a little behind the 
 right side with the arm bent, and the left hand holding the fire- 
 lock firmly at the swell. 
 
 Prime and load — (As before.) 
 
 Present ARMs....i''owr motions... .\. Seize the firelock at the 
 handle with the right hand, bring it to the front of the left eye 
 with the lock in front. 2. Strike the firelock with the palm of the 
 left hand on the sling or ramrod, the cock on a level with the 
 nipple of the left breast. 3. With the right hand sink the but in 
 front of the left thigh, so that the cock may be on a range with 
 the navel ; the barrel in front of the left eye, the lock to the right 
 side and left hand gently grasping the firelock at the swell. 4. 
 The right foot drawn back so as that the heel of ^e left foot 
 shall be near the hollow of the right. 
 
 Advance Arms.. ..is the position in which Serjeants carry their 
 arms, in battalion ; it may be executed from the shoulder, the or- 
 der, the recover, or the present; it consists in bringing the fire- 
 lock to the right side, in such a way as that the barrel shall rest 
 against the right shoulder ; the right hand first and second fingers 
 shall be placed under the guard.. ..the third and fourth fingers 
 behind the stock. ...and the thumb on the top of the guard — and 
 the firelock thus suspended with an easy bent arm, 
 
 Order arms. ../owr motions. ..A. Carry the left hand across 
 the^ breast, and seize the firelock with the left hand firmly in its 
 place. 2. Carry the right hand up in front of the firelock and 
 seize it with the right hand in its place. 3. Withdraw the left 
 hand and bring it handsomely to the left side. 4. Bring down 
 the firelock with the but briskly to the ground at the same 
 instant ; fingers in front. 
 
 Handle ARMs....Tnis word of command may be used to 
 bring the rank to dress when the n^en are at ease, when they 
 usually hold the firelock with the right hand about the muzzle j 
 then it consists in bringing the hand down to the front, with th« 
 
iO* FIRST PRHTCIPIES 0» 
 
 thumb behind the barrel... .in the case of the hand being already- 
 extended. down, it is tised as a preparative for fixing bayonet, or 
 as a corrective of an imperfect execution of the motion with 
 the hand down,. ..in both cases it consists of one mation only. 
 
 Unfix Bayonets. ...^owr motiQjis,...\. Throw the muzzle of 
 the firelock forward from the order with the right hand. 2. 
 Force the bayonet by striking the ball of the right thumb against 
 the shoulder and unscrew the bayonet. 3. Return the bayonet 
 to the scabbard. 4. Draw back the firelock to the position of 
 the order with the hand in front of the piece below. 5. Carry 
 the left hand to the left side. 
 
 This command may be executed from the shoulder in four 
 ■motions, 1. Carry the right hand under the lock to the band of 
 the firelock. 2. Carry the left hand up so as to hold the fire- 
 lock easily. 3; Bring the firelock down to the left side, let the 
 muzzle rest against the left arm. 4. Unfix the bayonet and re- 
 turn it to the scabbard. In this case it may be followed by 
 shoulder or the recover, and Jiring motions. 
 
 TRArL Arms....^wo 7norzow 5.... May be executed from the order, 
 from the shoulder, or the advance : It consists, 1. In seizing the 
 firelock with the right hand, sufficiently low down on the swell. 
 
 2. Carry it down to the right side, so that the firelock shall slope 
 about eight inches in front of the body by the right side, and the 
 buts of the rank shall dress behind, and the muzzles dress in front. 
 
 Shoulder arms. ....(As before.) 
 
 Support \Kms....tTJo motions. ...\s a motion executed from 
 the shoulder, and is performed by, 1. Throwing the right hand 
 across the body, and seizing the firelock by the handle. 2. 
 Throwing the left hand over the right arm, so that the cock of 
 the firelock shall rest on the left arm. 
 
 Carry arms.. ..rwo motions.., .Is simply, 1. Carrying the left 
 hand to the but, and making it tell, and holding the firelock at 
 the shoulder. 2. The right hand at the same moment resum-» 
 ingits place by the right side. 
 
 Secure kvlus... .three motions. ..,Hh\s is a motion to secure 
 lUe arms against rain or weather ; it is performed from the 
 shoulder. 1. Carry the right hand across the body to hold the 
 firelock. 2. The left hand is thrown up in front of the barrel. 
 
 3. The muzzle of the firelock is brought on the left hand down 
 to the front, sloped towards the ground, and within from four to 
 six inches ; the lock comes under the left arm ; the toe of the 
 but is uppermost, and behind the left arm. 
 
MILITARY DI3CIPLINE. 105 
 
 Slope ARUS..„o?2e /notion., ..Is performed from the shoulder, 
 and consists in throwing the firelock into a gent'e slope on the 
 shoulder, so that the but shall advance three or four inches in front. 
 
 The secure and the trail. ,..?sq never performed with fixed 
 bayooets. 
 
 § 4. OF THE FIRE. 
 
 Of all the branches of the military art, none has undergone a 
 greater variety of changes, none has been so long ill digested 
 and complicated, as the mode of fire. It has been a matter of 
 dispute among the most distinguished officers for a century ; 
 each endeavoring to bring it to perfection in his own way ; by 
 charging carefully. ...by charging with given proportions of 
 powder.. ..by ramming down. ...by dispensing with the ramrod 
 and depending upon tRe weight of the bull and the shock of the 
 but against the ground ; then came the principles of extension, 
 or of giving a long line of fire. ...then the order of formation in 
 two, three, four ranks, one or two of which kneeling... .then the 
 volley firing ; firing by ranks, by sub-divisions and platoons ; the- 
 kneeling of front ranks ; and at last, the execution of the greatest 
 number of discharges of the firecock in a minute, as Guibcrt 
 very truly says, only encreasing the noise, smoke, and confusion 
 of action, without any other efii'ect. 
 
 P'or a long time it was not perceived, that in order to render 
 fire effective, the exercise of loading and firing should be plain 
 and unincumbered by useless motions ; that loading carefully 
 was essential to the regular effect ; and that excessive hurry, or 
 making a greater or lesser number of explosions, was not the 
 object, but to produce elTect by the shot. In time it came to 
 be discovered, that in act on not one shot out of 100 hit an ex- 
 tended object as high as the head of a horse, at three hundred 
 feet distance : and then distance became a consideration ; the 
 cool, deliberate and effective fire of the militia corps in the war 
 of our revolution^ tended to introduce into European warfare con- 
 siderations on the inefficacy of the fire, as then practised in their 
 armies. In real service it is impossible, after the first fire, to 
 keep up a regular volley, or even a platoon fire, modern tactics 
 has therefore exploded the old theorijLiS, and reserved the fire of 
 divisions, or platoons, only for special circumstances, instead of 
 being the general regulation ; the practice now in all armies is 
 the fire deliberate and composed as each man loads. 
 
 In like manner it was found, that in the tumult of action the 
 rear of the three rank.? killed more men of tjieir own front rank 
 
±06 JIRST PRINCIPLES OF 
 
 than fell by the balls of the enemy ; the rear rank now loads its 
 firelocks for the centre rank ; and the centre rank men load their 
 own and fire their own firelocks, as well as those of the rear rank, 
 in the following manner : the order of formation being files 
 of three in depth ; the front rank man loads and fires his own 
 piece : the centre rank man fires his own piece, brings it 
 down in his left hand, and presents it to the left hand of 
 the rear rank man ; the rear rank man hands his own load- 
 ed piece with his right hand into the right hand of the centre 
 rank man who fires it, and loads the rear rank man*s piece and 
 fires it ; and then returns it and receives and fires his own, loads 
 and fires it, and returns it. Thus the centre rank man loads 
 only one of every two shots he fires; the rear rank man does 
 nothing but load. 
 
 Plate 10, presents to the eye these dispositions : the first or 
 three upper figures represent a file of three deep, the front and 
 centre rank men firing, the rear rank man priming. The second 
 group represents the same file of three, the front rank firing, 
 the centre rank priming ^fter his first fire, and the rear rank 
 loading ; the third group represents the front rank firing, the 
 second rank faced about delivering the firelock he had fired to 
 the rear rank man, who presents his firelock, loaded, to the 
 centre rank man. 
 
 Experience elso taught that in order to know the use of the 
 firelock, it was necessary to examine how the shot acts, in order 
 to obtain definite ideas. 
 
 First, on the line of levels that is to say, the straight line, from 
 the eye to the object at which the ball is directed. 
 
 Secondly, the line ofjire^ a straight line, which reprelsents the 
 axis of the musket. 
 
 Thirdly, the line of trajection described by the ball, which is 
 projected by the powder from the calibre of the piece to the spot 
 it is intended to strike. 
 
 The lineoflevcl^ and the line ofyfr^, are ijy no means parallel, 
 for according to the difierent weight of metal which the barrel 
 has at its breaching, and at its muzzle, they describe an angle 
 more or less acute beyond the tube ; the eye seeks its aim 
 along the exterior of the barrel, while the ball put in motion is 
 impelled from the interior part of the barrel, to the length ot 
 the line of fire ; but the line of level and tJie line of fire become 
 secant at certain distance, or in other words cross each other 
 
MILITARY DiSCIPLINli. 107 
 
 On the delivery of the ball from the cylinder, its path be- 
 gins to trace a curve line ascending, which is begun by the 
 body in raotion, at a small distance from the mouth of the bar- 
 rel, and immediately cuts the line of level, passing it upward 
 at a certain distance ; from thence at a given distance it is 
 drawn to the earth by gravitation, and inclines to the level 
 line, cuts it again, and finishes its parabolic course to the end 
 of its fall ; it is this second point of intersection which is 
 called the fioint blanc ; and which in proportion to the incli- 
 nation of the angle which is formed by the line of level and 
 the path of the ball, is more or less distinct from the extremi- 
 ty of the barrel, and thus in the same manner they act in pro- 
 portion to the force which impels the ball, from its own vol- 
 ume, from that of its density, from the resistance of the air 
 in the space which it traverses, and the length of the calibre, 
 proportioned according to the diameter. 
 
 The fioint blanc or the ivhite spot, is so named from the French 
 who painted their targets black, and the central spot ivhite. 
 
 What is here said relates to a common property of all fipe 
 arms ; and all round shot from a smooth calibre proceed in 
 this curvilinear course. The horizontal shot of a musket 
 may be computed at 180 toises, or 1080 feet, yet where the 
 lire of infantry can have any great effect, it is seldom more 
 than at 80 toises, 160 yards, or 480 feet ; that is of infantry 
 arranged in battle, and in the tumult of an action. Beyond 
 this distance the shot is uncertain, for the soldier in his hurry 
 and confusien loads hastily, levels worse, trusts to chance in 
 his fire, and is usually devoid of that composure which could 
 insure execution. 
 
 The soldier having, by the manual exercise, acquired a per. 
 feet habit in his loading and in his fire, at first exercised alone, 
 then in file, afterwards in the front, centre and rear of the 
 file, in several files by division, and in company, he should 
 next be conducted by practice through the same gradations 
 to fire with ball at a target, «pon the principle of the course 
 of the ball ; and to know, that the ai7n must be taken high or 
 low according to the distance of the object fired at. 
 
 Particular attention to the quality and condition of the arms, 
 is an essential part of military duty ; the French consider it 
 ecoBomical to provide one serviceable firelock instead of five 
 or ten that will not stand a day's service. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 Although the immediate (kities of officers in battalion belong rather to jv 
 5-ystem more than elementary, the concise enumeration of the duties of eveiy 
 officer in a regiment, cannot be useless where neither the American Militaiy 
 l.ibrary nor Military Dictionary arc at Jiand. 
 
 DUTIES OF OFFICERS OF BATTALION* 
 THE COLONEL. 
 
 THE colftneJ of a regiment should he minutely acquainted with eveiv 
 particular of the discipline, subsistence, quarters, arms, clothing, and the 
 character of every officer and private, in his regiment. He should be par- 
 ticularly attentive to the goodness of their provisions^ the cleanness of their 
 persons, their quarters, and their place of rest; and he is bound to require 
 the most minute attention to every particular on tht part of the officers, and 
 (hat they report to him promptly every neglect of duty, every abuse of 
 Subordination, or any injury done to any and every man, whether in person, 
 or in his property. 
 
 The colonel should be competent to mancenvre his regiment, and take the 
 parade, and perform all the functions of connmnnd in person. He is bound to 
 do it b}' duty, and his neglect would be a dangerous example, which might be 
 always pleaded by a subaltern for any omission of duty on his part. The 
 king of Prussia, who drilled his own battalions in the most minute and 
 laboriotis manner, was rewarded by numei'ous victories fbr his practical labor 
 and experience : he thus speaks of the duty of officers : " The affection and 
 ** reciprocal confidence which is obtained by the officer M'ho performs his 
 *• duty diligently, rewards lus labor. It is not by overlooking their faults, 
 *♦ or indulging soldiers in negligence, or bad discipline, their confidence is 
 *' gained. The soldiers soon discover limited knowlege, incapacity, and a 
 ** man in whom they could not cbnfide in action; in him who acts in such a 
 ** manner. He who endeavors to convince the men that his purpose is to 
 ** enlarge their knowlege, to make them worthy of distinction, to feel that 
 " their station is a dignified and howorable ong, and acts as if he himself 
 " thinks so, will obtain their atfection and their confidence ; and he will miss 
 ■** his end with only a veiy few, wliich are to be found in all situations un- 
 *' worthy of any profession." 
 
 On the parade he attends t»> no concerns b)it his duty, and never suffers 
 his men to stand in idleness, \n order to listen to the prattle of those chat- 
 terers and flatterers, any more than those quarrelsome aud turbulent me«, 
 which will always be found scattcrad through military establishments. 
 
 In the exercise of his single regiment, his station is in front of the regiment* 
 distance half the length of his reginkcnt. 
 
 When there is more than one regiment, he is either on thfe right in frojit, 
 07 OD its retu* if iu Ime, or at its head if m column. 
 
APPENDIX. iOi> 
 
 THE LIEUTENANT-COLONEL. 
 
 As his title declares, he is the second in command or substitute of the colo- 
 v.t\ vhen the former is absent, and is bound to be equally minutely acquainted 
 with the concerns of the regiment as his SHperior officer; if a regiment has 
 more than one lieuteDant-colonel, they will have separate battalions ; kut they 
 must be always qualified and prepared to perform the same duties tsj the co- 
 lonel. The lieutenant.eolonel may be called upon to exercise the tlpgiment 
 or battalion by the colonel, and should never be unprepared nor liken by 
 surprize. 
 
 THE MAJOR. 
 
 The major is the most important officer in a regiment ; and upon his skill, 
 activity, and assiduity, will its di8cii)line and internal economy principally 
 depend ; he is to the colonel what the chief of the staff is to the commander ia 
 chief; he is to the regiment wl\at the adjutant-general and the quarter-mas* 
 ter-general and the comm.ssary-gcneral are to an army. He must be a mas- 
 ter of military discipline, he must control and examine every department 
 appertaining to the regiment, he must he inflexibly exa«t and particular in 
 enforcing the performance of their duties by the platoon officers and subal- 
 terns; aud through him the adjutant superintends the e:(act performance of 
 duties by the non-commissioned officers; he must possess a register of returns on 
 every detail of duty — parades — drills— guards — picket guards — sick — fune- 
 rals — the roster of service of platoon officers, and the roster >f rank and file — 
 the police and judicial duties, all come to, and pass througlj him. He is the 
 centre of communication bo*h for orders to be issued and repa-ts to be received. 
 He must exercise and manoeuvre the regiment h;mself, and i: is his special care 
 and obligatory on him that the officers be not ignorant off thpir duty— nor suf- 
 fered to evade the performsmce of it. He is bound to se^ that the drills be 
 directed by officers. \ 
 
 He has to see to the quality of provisions, and to the condition and manage^ 
 ment of the hospitals, that the sick are not neglected, and thai the surgeons per- 
 form their duty personally. j 
 
 I{e has to see that the arms are good — to inspect them minutely — to examine « 
 the state of the ammunition and necessaries of eveiy kind in cjrap, or quarters. 
 To him the regimental quarter-masters apply, and from hioj they receive the 
 orders of the colonel, of which he keeps an exact registi^. 
 
 In evolutions of the line he has charge of the right, and maiks the alignment, 
 as the adjutant does on the left. In cohiran his post is in the ipav of the second 
 battalion. | 
 
 When there are two majors, they may diride the duties, eajh a battalion ; or 
 they execute it in rotation, month about. *l 
 
 The regimental books are under the immediate care of the /najor — and he « 
 the executorof every officer who dies in the service, and is boimd to take chst.rgQ 
 of his effects. All these duties are, however, conducted und^r the authority of 
 the colonel or commanding officer. 
 
 THE CAPTAIN. 
 
 The captain is to the company what the colonel is to the regiment ; he keeps 
 a company book, in which a daily entry is made «f evety transaction appertain- 
 ing to the aoropany— men joined or men removed«-clottiiDg receiftdorisiaed*- 
 
110 APPiiNDIX> 
 
 pay received, due, or issued — arras — provisions— forage— sf ores of every kind 
 — medicine — sick — convalescent, and every incident concerning every person 
 in the company. He draws pay and issaes it, taking duplicate receipts — he 
 should T>e a father, friend, and protector to his men: duty should be infiexibly 
 enforced ; but kindness and care, in promoting the proper grati&cationi of his 
 soldiers, should be his eonstant study. 
 
 The driils should be superintended l)y him — and fatigue parties conducted un- 
 der his Jirection : he is bound to see that the subalterns understand and perform 
 their duty; and he should keep a strict register of their conduct on duty, an<? 
 their private and public deportment— their qualifications — and their neglect or 
 attention to their profession. 
 
 He should make out all the returns of his company himself; he should make 
 his subalterns transcribe them, la order that they may be qualiGed in his absence 
 to perform the company duties. 
 
 In exercise the captain is always on the right, or at the head of his com- 
 pany. 
 
 In open order of battalion, his place is four paces In front of the second file of 
 the front rank ; his place in the front rank is filled by the guide or covering 
 Serjeant from the risht of the rear rank. 
 
 In close order of Jattalion, his place is on the right of the front rank. 
 
 In action, his place is on the right of his company in line and eolumn ; all bat- 
 talion officers shouid carry a light musquetoon of calibre for 10 or 12 pistol balls ; 
 or a case of good pstols in their sashes ; with eight or ten buck shot. 
 
 THE ADJUTANT. 
 
 This officer has a variety of active and important duties, and upon him, through 
 the major, »ll the (etaiis of the regiment are conducted. He puts the Serjeant 
 major in motion, and through him the Serjeants and corporals; heha« the charge 
 of all the details whith every company furnishes for each branch of duty — 
 guards — hospitals— fatigues — driili— courts of enquiry — courts martial — the ap« 
 prehension and custody of deserters — the correspondence and issuing of orders 
 to the eommanders of companies through the major — he is specially bound to see 
 'the subaltern officers drilled and perfected for eommand, and to exercise them 
 himself, and direct them m the exercise of their duty — he has particular charge 
 of the music and nusicians ; and the serjeant major, drum major, and quarter- 
 master Serjeants, receive their orders at stated hours from him : and the orderly 
 Serjeants of companies attecd at his quarters to receive and transcribe all ocders 
 for their several companies. Though his duties extend to the communication of 
 orders to the quaiter-master's department, when the order is issued, the duty of 
 seeing it fulfilled, devolves on the company officers ; but he is bound to report 
 theirneglect, and to receive complaints, if any should be made by non-commis. 
 sioned officers or p-ivates of the company, against the commissioned or non-com< 
 missioned officeri. He has to make out the roster for eourts martial ; to swear 
 the members, and in garrison courts martial, or drum head courts martial, he 
 sdministers (heoati, and acts as judge advocate. 
 
 He sees all guards which are not commanded by an officer of higher grade 
 than a captain, parided ; and delivers them a parole, and order of the day. 
 
 He aids the quarter master in preparations for march, and encampmeBt — 
 by ffurotAiDg returasofefftatiTe— tick— convalescent, 8(e. 
 
 '1F^ 
 
APPENDIX. Ill 
 
 The adjutant must keep a description list of every ofHcer and suldier in tire 
 regiment — aecording to the established form. 
 
 The adjutant receives the sword of an officer put under arrest— and if t.n 
 officer is sentenced to dishonor, he breaks the sword over his head, cuts the sash, 
 and throws it in his face. 
 
 He directs the drumming out of camp or garrison, vagabonds, or persons 
 whom it is deemed disgraceful to permit to wear the uniform of a soldier. The 
 serjeant-major sees it executed. 
 
 SUBALTERNS. 
 
 The first lieutenant is to the captain what the lieutenant-colonel and major 
 are to the colonel. He must always consider himself bound to see the duties 
 of the company performed in obedience to the eaptain, and accord! -ij to the 
 principles of discipline ; he should aim to excel, as he aspires to a company, and 
 must take charge of it in the absence of the captain. lie should practise in the 
 dnlls constantly, to ac*juire the habit of commnnd, and to be prepared by ever- 
 cise, and with presence of mind, to correct errors in raanoeuvres, which he can 
 never do unless he has bad practical experience ; and the drill is the best of all 
 schools to acquire the habit of command. He should in turn with the other sub- 
 alterns of the company, take a concern in the comfort anol gratification of his men 
 — in care of the sick and convalescent — in protecting them frem injustice in their 
 persons — clothing — provisions — pay — or any other raatter—hc should examine 
 and know the use and power of arms — he should be a good swordsman, and be 
 capable of exercising with the sabve and spadroon — he sho;;ld know the propor- 
 tion of powder required to carry any given weight of ball— the range of the shot 
 — the difference and effects of the csilibre — and he should be an expert marks- 
 man himself, so as to be able to instruct by precept and example in target prac- 
 tice. 
 
 In the absence of the captain, he performs all the funcdons of (he captain. 
 
 In the exercise «;f the battalion, his place in close order may be either on the 
 Ifftof the company, or on the right of the half company, if it be divided. The 
 second lieutenant sometimes takes those places, and hu place is then in the su- 
 pernumerary rank, four paces in the rear of the company. 
 
 In open order, his place is four paces in front of the second file from the kft 
 «.)f the front rank, dressing by the captain on the right. 
 
 In column, if the column be foriaed ot an entire company in front, he is in the 
 supernumerary rank, at the open distance, if in open order ; if at close order, 
 at two paces. 
 
 In eehellons tl'.e subalterns all attend (o the due regulation of distance and 
 movement. 
 
 The second lieutenant and ensign have the same obligations «n^ duties to fulGF, 
 as the first lieutenant. 
 
 In battalion at close order, they are in the supernumerary rank ; in open 
 order in the front, at equal distance from the captain and first lieutenant ; the 
 second lieutenant on the right of the two. In column the same as the first lieu- 
 tenant. 
 
 THE SERJEANT MAJOK. 
 This is a Tery useful and indispenslble officer — it would be desirable, and 
 would conduce to the perfectien of discipline, if there were otie to every com.. 
 
XX2 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 -m 
 
 pany. The duties are very heavy on a single Serjeant major to a battalion, and 
 it is not easy to find men every way qualified. He is to the Serjeants and corpo- 
 rals, what the major is to the platoon officeri. He has charge of the details of 
 Serjeants, corporals, privates, and musicians for every service, guards, drills, fa- 
 tigues, &c. and is an indispensible aid to the adjutant. 
 
 He should be a complete master of all the exerecises of the battalion from the 
 first drill to the movements in line of battle. A serjeant major who feels a pride 
 m his station, and whose conduct is exemplary > may expect with propriety, mili- 
 tary promotion. 
 
 SERJEANTS. 
 
 The non-commissioned ofHeers should be selected from among the most or- 
 derly and best qualified men — upon them will depend very much the order and 
 good conduct of the company. They should each have a squad compdsed Of aa 
 equal distribution ot the men, who should form messes, over which the Serjeants 
 and corporals should preside and be responsible for the good and orderly conduct 
 of the mess, the dressing of provisions, the cleaning of their persoss, arms, quar- 
 ters, and clothing. 
 
 The Serjeants in rotation should see the parties daily turn out far guards— in- 
 spect them and their arms — that their cbthing be clean — arms in good order — 
 ilints good and well fitted — ammunition suiKicient and in good condition. 
 
 The Serjeants make a morning report, one copy for the captain, the other for 
 the Serjeant major, who delivers them to the former. 
 
 The Serjeants make weekly reports of the company, men and arms — reports 
 are delivered to the serjeant major on a stated hour of the day every week ; but 
 they must be ready to make report at any hour required, and the corporals aid 
 the Serjeants in this duty. 
 
 At roll call they should report all who were absent — when upon guard ar- 
 range the sentinels, and never be absent from the he^d quarters of the guard. 
 
 The Serjeants perform orderly duty, once a week in rotation, of which the ser- 
 jeant major keeps a roster ; the duty of the orderly serjeant is to attend upon and 
 execute such orders as the officer to whom he is attached shall order. The ser 
 eants act as guides and pivots in the evolutions of battalions. 
 
 CORPORALS. 
 
 These are in fact deputy sei'jeants — they have the charge of squads in quarters 
 — there is an orderly corporal in qusftets always dressed, and whose duty it is 
 to execute such orders as the onlerly serjeant is required to have executed. The 
 corporals keep each a roll of the company, and they warn the men for duly. 
 I'hey teach the recruits the manual exercise, instruct them in cleaning arms and 
 accoutrements, and see that they perform tliis duty each for himself— they take 
 iheir share of duties io guards, fatigues, the care of ammunition and provisionf 
 *nd storage. 
 
 The Serjeants and corporals call the rolls at taptoo time — and are the first on 
 daily parade, and are exemplary in tlie neatness of their persons and ijieir so- 
 briety and good demeanor. v 
 
 The corporals plant the aentioels, the elder corporal has the choice of the route, 
 after an equal distribution. 
 
 FIMS. 
 
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 Fig.3. 
 
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