Part 3

14. Troops skirmishing at a greater distance than three hundred yards from the line or column, should retain one half of their number in support. (See on this subject Article VIII. of “The Essentials.”)

15. Skirmishers ordered to “form square,” close upon their supports.

16. If the bugle be employed, the less of it the better, provided the order be distinct to all concerned in it.

17. The _last_ note of a bugle order marks the moment for the _commencement_ of obedience to it.

18. All verbal orders and bugle commands not understood by the skirmishers, should be repeated in a low but distinct tone by officers and non-commissioned officers in charge of sections.

_Almost all of these_ “ORDINARY RULES” _may be altered, at the time, for extraordinary_ and _temporary purposes_. As for instance: No. 1, portions of different companies may be placed by superior orders under one commander, to control them as if they were of one company. Nos. 2 and 3, _extension_, may be ordered “from the right,” “left,” or any particular file, and _closing_, in like manner. No. 4, “double files,” may be ordered for mutual protection in going through thick cover; or, “single rank,” under heavy fire in open ground, and the distance between the files may be contracted or enlarged, in order to occupy less or more ground. Nos. 5 and 6, skirmishers, not firing, may be ordered to “double quick,” to “kneel,” or to “lie down.” Nos. 7 and 8, skirmishers, firing, to “common quick” or to “stand up.” No. 10, the file of direction may be changed to any other file that may for the time being suit the purpose of the commander. No. 11, skirmishers running towards their supports to form squares, may suddenly be arrested by the order “rallying squares,” for instantaneous irregular formations, &c. &c. Such measures being (it is repeated as very important) the _temporary exceptions_, and the “ordinary rules” the _standing practice_.

Careful consideration has been given in regard to the “ordinary rule” No. 7, that, _under fire_, all movements of skirmishers should be at the “double quick,” inasmuch as it is at variance with the practice hitherto pursued in the British army, of saving the soldier as much as possible from efforts of extraordinary exertion. The author’s careful proof of the long range rifle, on the low water smooth sands of an extensive sea beach, in which the final course of every bullet was marked, added to the great amount of other testimony on the same subject, have convinced him, that, for the future, within the range of eight hundred yards, _all_ movements under the fire of a well posted enemy _must_ be at the “double quick,” to avoid ruinous destruction. If the distance required cannot be surmounted in one effort at such speed, it must be traversed by successive dashes to intervening cover.

Details of Common Movements.

Company or division, say of sixty men, at close order in line two deep, told off into “threes,” “right and left files,” two “sub-divisions” of fifteen file each, including four “sections,” two being of eight files and two of seven files, the larger numbers always on the flanks.

COMMAND—“FROM THE CENTRE EXTEND.”

The centre file (the left file of the right sub-division) stands fast, arms ordered, the remainder of the right sub-division turn to the right, the whole of the left sub-division to the left, arms at the long trail (horizontal in the right hand), step off, first file on each side of the centre at six paces halted and fronted quietly by the rear rank men, take up the bodily position of the centre-file, whatever it may be,—the others successively do the same as their relative distances are gained.

“FROM THE RIGHT EXTEND.” “FROM THE LEFT EXTEND.” “FROM THE FOURTH FILE FROM THE RIGHT EXTEND EIGHT PACES.” “FROM JOHN WILSON EXTEND THREE PACES.”

On precisely the same principle.

Division extended in single files.

“DOUBLE FILES.”

The “left” files close to their respective right files.

“SINGLE FILES.”

The left files return to their former places.

“SINGLE RANK.”

Rear rank men divide the distance between their own front rank men and the next front rank men towards the left.

“TWO DEEP.”

Rear rank men return to their ordinary places.

“CHANGE FRONT TO THE RIGHT, ON THE CENTRE.”

The centre file faces to the right, all files to the right of it turn to the right about; the whole, except the centre file, step off, _moving by the shortest lines_ to take up their relative distances, as before, from the pivot file, on the new line which it has given; the _direction_ of which line, moreover, may, in all similar cases, be at the time moderately varied by the officer in command.

CHANGE FRONT TO THE RIGHT, ON THE RIGHT FILE. CHANGE FRONT TO THE LEFT, ON THE RIGHT FILE. CHANGE FRONT TO THE LEFT, ON THE LEFT FILE. CHANGE FRONT TO THE RIGHT, ON THE LEFT FILE. CHANGE FRONT TO THE RIGHT, ON (any) FILE. CHANGE FRONT TO THE LEFT, ON (any) FILE.

On the same principle the file named facing in the direction ordered, and the remainder moving to the front or rear, BY THE SHORTEST LINES, to gain their former relative places in the new line of formation.

“ADVANCE.”

Move forward; distances and general line from the file of direction.

“RIGHT INCLINE.”[16]

Each file makes a _half turn_ to the right, maintaining the line in the same general direction as before, though moving obliquely.

“RIGHT TAKE GROUND.”

_Full turn_ to the right, following the right file.

“RETIRE.”

Turn to the rear, rear rank men leading.

“HALT.”

Come to the proper front, and stand fast with ordered arms.

“COMMENCE FIRING.”

In _open ground_ the skirmishers drop on the right knee; in _intersected ground they make the best of_ any near cover (see “the Essentials,” Article IV.) Front rank men fire, (even on the drill field carefully covering an object—“Essentials” II.;) and when these have nearly re-loaded, the rear rank men give their fire in like manner, and so on. Front rank load “as front rank,” muzzles to the front; rear rank “as rear rank,” muzzles to the rear.

“ADVANCE.”

The front rank dashes forward _fifty_ paces at the “double quick,” drops on the knee or makes the best of cover, and fires (as the rear rank by that time will have loaded). The rear rank then springs forward to _fifty_ paces in advance of the front rank, repeating the same practice, and so on, alternately. The centre file of direction giving in _a general manner_ the time of starting and the distance.

“SINGLE LINE ADVANCING.” “COMMON QUICK.”

(The “cease firing” not having been ordered).

The rank which is loaded steps up to one pace in front of the rank that is loading, both advance together loading and firing _as they move on_; the man who has fired stepping a little to the left, to allow his comrade to pass in front of him.

(In this mode of “firing” in “single line” “advancing,” there can be no running or kneeling. It may be especially useful against small and distant bodies of cavalry.)

The skirmishers may “TAKE GROUND TO THE RIGHT” OR “LEFT,” in “SINGLE LINE FIRING” to the front, on the same principle.

“ALTERNATE RANKS.”

The front rank dashes forward fifty paces _as before, all kneeling again at the halts_.

“RETIRE.”

The rank which happens to be in front gives its fire, and retires at the “double quick” to thirty paces in rear of the rank that is loading, and so on successively; with the simple difference of principle from firing advancing, that, whereas, while advances under accurate fire from long ranges cannot be too rapid, with due regard to the preservation of physical strength and correct firing, retreats cannot be too slow and dogged, with due regard to the danger of being pressed _too_ closely by the enemy. _Fifty_ paces of interval are therefore fixed as the “ordinary rule” for the advance, and only _thirty_ for the retreat.

“CEASE FIRING.”

After this order, not one shot. All finish loading, the rank which happens to be in front stands up, “arms at the order;” the rank which happens to be in rear moves forward and joins it, taking up the same position.

“_To the Centre, Close._”

The centre file stands fast, all to the right of it turn to the left, all to the left of it to the right, all but the centre file step off, rifles at the long trail, close upon the centre, halt, front, and take up the same bodily position as the centre file. If it has been ordered in the mean time to “fix bayonets,” the others fix bayonets successively as they come up: if to shoulder arms, the others successively shoulder, &c., &c.

“TO THE RIGHT, CLOSE.” “TO THE LEFT, CLOSE.” “TO (ANY FILE), CLOSE.”

On precisely the same principles.

Company in line two deep.

“RIGHT SUBDIVISION, COVER THE FRONT.”

The officer commanding the right subdivision gives the words—

“_Right subdivision_,” “_trail arms_,” “_quick march_,” “_from the centre extend_.”

At the last-mentioned word, the centre file going steadily to the front, all to the right of it bring forward the left shoulder, and all to the left of it the right shoulder, so as to open out, successively, to the proper extended distances from the centre; each file turning full to the front as it gains its distance. The left subdivision has now become “the support.” When the line of skirmishers attains to a proper distance, it receives the order

“_Halt._”

This interval, in a tolerably open country, under the long range, should scarcely be less than three hundred yards; though, on the drill field, to save time, this and other similar distances may be, when it is desirable, contracted.

Any body of infantry on the march in line may “extend” from any named file on the principle just described; and, on the same principle, skirmishers on the march may “close,” by bringing up the shoulder so as to join successively the file indicated which has kept its straightforward course.

For the very important duties of supports, see “The Essentials,” Art. VIII.

Right subdivision extended, left subdivision in support.

“LEFT SUBDIVISION, RELIEVE.” (“The skirmishers” understood.)

The left subdivision receives the words from its commander—

“_Left subdivision_,” “_trail arms_,” “_quick march_,” “_from the centre extend_.”

The centre file of the support marches straight upon the centre file of the skirmishers, the remaining files of the support bring forward their shoulders right or left so as to open out successively to their proper distances from the centre as skirmishers, turning again full to the front when these are attained. On reaching the line of the former skirmishers these last-mentioned receive the order,

“_Right subdivision_,” “_retire_,” “_to the centre, close_.”

The centre file of the new support proceeds straight to the rear, rear rank leading, the other files close upon the centre successively; the support is halted at its proper distance, the new skirmishers having, in the meantime, taken up the position and employment in all things of those relieved.

If the skirmishers are _advancing_ when the order to “relieve” is given, they receive the word “halt,” and allowing the new line of skirmishers to pass through them to a sufficient distance to the front, close to the centre, and follow on in support.

If the skirmishers are _retiring_ when the order to “relieve” is given, the support “halts,” “fronts,” and “extends” upon its own line. Continuing the “retreat” so soon as the new support, having closed, has attained its proper distance.

If “commence firing” has been given before the order to “relieve,” the relief takes place upon the principles just above described, with these additions—that if relieved at the _halt_, the old skirmishers spring up as the new skirmishers are reaching them and “double quick” to the rear one hundred paces before they begin to close—if in _advancing_, the new skirmishers “double quick” one hundred paces from the rear, and the same distance to the front of the old line, the latter lying down, and not rising or closing until the relief has opened its fire; and if, in _retiring_, the old support lies down so soon as it is extended, and allows the former skirmishers to pass through it at the “double quick” (continued for one hundred yards) before it springs upon the knee and opens its fire.

The important object of the running and lying down in relieving under fire of course being, that the new and old lines of skirmishers should not be exposed when near together as large marks for the enemy’s shot.

One subdivision extended, the other in support.

Word of Command, “FORM SQUARE;”

or,

Bugle ....... “ALARM,” “ASSEMBLY.”

The right section of the support wheels back half a quarter circle (45°) on its left, the left section half a quarter circle on its right, stepping back one or two paces so as to let the left of the right section overlap its right. The right section wheels up by threes to the left, the left section by threes to the right, threes close to the front and then face outwards, thus forming half a three deep square with the angle to the front. “Fix bayonets” and “commence firing” (outward rank kneeling in reserve) if the front is clear and the enemy near. Skirmishers run in and form the two rear faces of the square three deep, keeping to the right and left in running in so as not to hinder the fire, and not fixing bayonets until in their places.

The faces of the square are wheeled back so as to stand _diamond like_ in reference to the general line, in order that the fire may be thrown clear of your own neighbouring squares.

“CEASE FIRING.”

“RIGHT SUBDIVISION COVER THE FRONT.”

The subdivision so ordered receives the words (as before) “_unfix bayonets_,” “trail arms,” “quick march,” “from the centre extend,” and proceeds to its extended line, the men of the other subdivision fall into their proper places in line two deep as the support.

Word of Command, “FORM SQUARE;”

or

Bugle ....... “ALARM,” “ASSEMBLY.”

The formation commenced as before, but the enemy being too near to allow of its completion, the order is given—

Word of Command, “RALLYING SQUARES;”

or,

Bugle ....... “DOUBLE QUICK:”

upon which the support clubs into a solid mass, facing outwards on all sides; and with all skirmishers the “officers, exercising most actively their intelligence, in proper numbers and at proper distances, hold up their swords or caps, and the men rush round them into masses of defence.”—(See “The Essentials,” art. VII.)

ADVANCED AND REAR GUARDS.

An advanced guard, on a road on the line of march, consists of _a large reserve_, _a small reserve_, _a support_ and _skirmishers_. The _first_ of these, according to the “Field Exercise of the Army,” may be _one subdivision_, about five hundred yards in advance of the head of the main column; the _second, a complete section_, two hundred yards further on; and the _third_, one hundred yards more in advance, _the remaining section_ of the company, throwing out one hundred yards again to its front a double file of skirmishers on the road, and a double file (if the strength of the section admits of so many) obliquely to each flank.

It is of course of the highest importance that this formation, in the whole of its progress, (maintained frequently through a long day’s march, in thick weather, and through intricate roads,) should be preserved in perfect unity by links of ocular connexion. No one portion of it should ever be, for many minutes at least, unseen by some other portion. For this reason, the distances of separation must vary with the hour of the day, the nature of the country, and the state of the weather, and one or two files of communication should remain midway between the several detachments.

The ordinary mode of forming an advanced guard of course is, for the body composing it to proceed along the intended road, dropping its different portions and files of communication as they successively attain their relative distances.

A rear guard is an advanced guard faced to its proper rear.

The foregoing details of the common rules and practice of Light Infantry drill are susceptible of being extended into a very wide range of field application. Upon this subject, much has already been advanced in the Ist, VIth, VIIth and VIIIth Articles of “The Essentials of Good Skirmishing.”

Bugle Sounds

Footnote 16:

With the bugle, the “right incline,” or “left incline,” sounded _once_, is understood to mean _the half turn, twice_ (with a well-marked interval) _the full turn_.

A METHOD OF INSTRUCTION FOR THE SPEEDY ACQUIREMENT OF PROFICIENCY IN THE USE OF THE LONG RANGE RIFLE.

_The recruit or pupil must_ FIRST _have his intelligence distinctly informed, and his memory strongly impressed, with what the Rifle can be made to do at any given distance_. He will thus be prepared for instruction, SECONDLY, in the art of making it do what it can do.

The _first_ particular may perhaps be accomplished to full satisfaction by the following method. The trials that now induce the proposal of it,[17] were, with the regulation musquet, very satisfactory. The various degrees of the power of the weapon were, to the extent the experiment was carried, accurately ascertained and distinctly exhibited.

A piece of level ground must be set apart for rifle practice. The length, with the present power of range, should be from 1400 to 1500 yards. Forty feet would be sufficient for the width, excepting at the permanent butt, where, for security’s sake, it should be at least forty yards. It would be very desirable that no boundary straight walls or fences should guide the eye to the target. At the permanent butt, a racket court wall should be built, from thirty to forty feet high, and from thirty to forty yards wide, with side-wings, to stop glancing shot.

Ten yards in front of this centre should stand a wooden target, painted white if the wall be painted black, or _vice versâ_; with a “bull’s-eye” at four and a half feet from the ground—this target being divided into square feet by lines, easily distinguishable through a small telescope from the furthest extremity of the range.

From this wooden target, as a commencement, the practice ground should be marked off into lengths of fifty yards each. At each of these fifty-yard stations, two sockets should be sunk into the ground, to hold, when required, the _outer frame_ of an intermediate target.

The _inner frame_ should hang by hinges on the outer, so as to open and shut as a door.

It should be covered with the most yielding material (paper or otherwise), that would stand with an ordinary wind, so as to offer the least possible resistance to a passing bullet.

It should be painted with a “bull’s-eye” and lines, corresponding _precisely_ with those of the wooden target. The wooden target station should be provided with a ball-proof sentry-box for the marker, on wheels; and each of the intermediate stations with a like ball-proof sentry-box, a long wooden shed, with a locker in it for the paper target, and a very solid and steady rest on wheels, with a groove at the top for the steady firing from it of the rifle, at the same height from the ground as the “bull’s-eye” in the targets.

To prevent accidents, four or five bells should be hung on pillars at intervals on the side of the line of practice, with short flag-staffs above them, for the hoisting of signals.

The size of the paper targets should be calculated to include the widest ordinary variations of the bullets. Three feet might be sufficient for the furthest from the butt, the width gradually increasing to twelve feet, at the nearest station to the wooden target. The height must rise and fall, as far as it might be practicable, with the line of the ordinary highest flight of the bullet.

Fifty yards have been given as the proper interval between the paper targets, because that distance suited the round ball and regulation musquet. The very elongated parabola of the course of the conical bullet may admit of that course being sufficiently shown in paper targets one hundred yards apart.

It did not appear, in the experiments made, that the resistance of the paper had any effect of consequence on the flight of the ball. This of course would depend much upon the texture of the covering material. In calm weather, a little water sprinkled on the paper targets would really make resistance nominal.

The foregoing preparations being completed, and the instructor having, by means of them, made himself well acquainted with the powers of his rifle—_that_ rifle, moreover, being of the kind which his recruits or pupils are to bring with them—the squad takes post at the longest effectual range station,—we will say, for the ordinary infantry rifle, at eight hundred yards.

The paper targets are left open, and the wooden target with its “bull’s eye,” seen. The wooden rest is placed in the centre, and a rifle laid steadily in it, at the elevation given by the instructor as necessary for hitting the distant “bull’s eye.”

To prevent accidents, this rifle is not cocked. At a signal given the paper targets are shut, beginning with the nearest to the butt, the recruits being made to remark, as they are successively closed, that the “Bulls’ eyes” are in a perfect line. The nearest bell is rung; two minutes are allowed for persons on the line to run into the ball-proof sentry-boxes, and the shot is steadily fired.

The distance and elevation of the rifle being carefully entered in the firing-book, which every pupil should possess, the squad proceeds to trace, by the paper targets, the course of the ball to its ultimate destination. At every target, the height or depression of the shot in inches from the central line of the “bull’s eye,” is carefully observed, and noted down—the point blank distance is especially entered. The shot-holes, in the meantime, are covered with the smallest possible patches of fresh paper, or, in the wooden target, plugged.

The squad then returns to the next nearest, or seven hundred yards’ station, repeats the same process of levelling a rifle at the elevation ordered by the instructor, and of tracing and noting down the course of the ball; and so on, diminishing each time a hundred yards, and at last to fifty from the target.

By a systematic course of this kind, for which four hours, or half a day, would be sufficient, about twelve men might attain a _permanent ocular_ knowledge of the power of their rifles on level ground at every possible range. It would, of course, be necessary that the rifles and charges should be uniform in size, weight, and quality. The effect of strong side winds upon the bullet (which is considerable) might also sometimes be shown, and rifles accurately proved one against another.

It is very possible to make a rest in which the discharge will only occasion a _direct_ recoil, and it would therefore seem that, with due attention, this mode of proof, and this instruction in what the rifle will do, might be carried very near to perfection.

_The next step is to make the soldier do for himself what he has seen his rifle, if properly managed, will do._