C O N T E N T S.

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P A R T  I.
RECRUIT OR SQUAD DRILL.


GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

NOS. PAGE
I. Instruction of the Recruit 1
II. Duration of Drills, &c 1
III. Mutual Instruction 2
IV. Division of a Battalion into Drill Classes 2
V. Words of Command 3
RECRUIT OR SQUAD DRILL WITHOUT ARMS.
GENERAL DIRECTIONS.
I. System 4
II. Formation of Squads 4

SQUAD DRILL, WITH INTERVALS.

SECTIONS
1. Position of the Soldier 7
2. Standing at Ease 8
3. Dressing a Squad with Intervals 9
4. Extension Motions 10
5. Saluting 13
6. Facings 14

MARCHING.

7. Length of Step 18
8. Cadence 19
9. The Drum, Plummet, and Pace Stick 19
10. Position in Marching 20
11. Balance Step 21
12. Slow Step 24
13. The Halt 24
14. Stepping out 25
15. Stepping short 25
16. Marking Time in the Slow Cadence 25
17. Stepping back in Slow Time 26
18. Changing Feet 26
19. The Quick Step 26
20. The Double March 27
21. The Side or Closing Step 28
22. Turning when on the March 29

SQUAD DRILL IN SINGLE RANK

23. Pivot and Reverse Flanks 30
24. Formation of the Squad in Single Rank 30
25. Dressing when Halted 31
26. Marching to the Front and Rear 33
27. Wheeling of a Single Rank from the Halt 34
28. Changing Direction by the Wheel of a Single Rank on a Moveable Pivot 36
29. The Diagonal March 36
30. Marching as in File 40
31. Wheeling as in File 41
32. Men, marching as in File, forming Squad 42
33. The Side or Closing Step 43

SQUAD DRILL, WITH ARMS, IN SINGLE RANK

34. Manual and Platoon Exercises and Modes of Firing 44
35. Marching with Arms in Single Rank 44

SQUAD DRILL, WITH ARMS, IN TWO RANKS

36. Formation of Squad in Two Ranks 45
37. Dressing 45
38. Marching to the Front and Rear 45
39. Taking Open Order 46
40. Manual and Platoon Exercises and the different Modes of Firing 47
41. Wheeling 48
42. The Diagonal March 49
43. File Marching, Wheeling in File, and Files forming Squad 49
44. The Formation of Fours 50
45. Fours Wheeling and forming Squad 55
46. A Squad formed in Fours closing on a Flank, or on the Centre, and Re-forming Two Deep 55
47. Breaking off Files 56
48. Dismissing a Squad 58

 


P A R T  II.
OF THE COMPANY.


GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

NOS. PAGE
I. Soldiers to be formed in a Company 59
II. Sizing of a Company 59
III. Soldiers to know their Places 60
IV. Formation and Telling-off of a Company 60
V. Supernumerary Rank 60
VI. Establishment of a Company 61
VII. Relative Proportion of Paces to Files 61
VIII. Application of Squad Drill 61
IX. Companies to be drilled as if with the Battalion 62
X. Companies to be exercised by their own Officers 62
XI. Companies to be exercised on Rough Ground 62
XII. Derangements to be quickly remedied 62
XIII. Assembling on Coverers 63
XIV. Marching on Points and judging Distance 63
XV. Officers to be drilled as Privates 63
XVI. Officers to be perfectly instructed in their Duty 64
XVII. Examination of Young Officers 64
XVIII. Squad Drill for Officers 64
XIX. General Rules 64

A COMPANY IN LINE AND COLUMN.

SECTIONS
1. Formation of a Company in Line 69
2. Formation of a Company in Column 71
3. Marching to the Front and Rear 72

WHEELING FROM THE HALT.

4. A Company Wheeling, from the Halt, from Column into Line 72
5. A Company Wheeling, from the Halt, from Line into Column 74
6. A Company Wheeling any given Number of Paces, on either Flank, from the Halt 75
7. A Company Wheeling on the Centre from the Halt 76
8. Wheeling backward by Sub-division or Sections from Line 80
9. An Open Column of Sub-divisions or Sections Wheeling into Line 82

WHEELING ON A MOVING PIVOT.

10. Wheeling from Column into Line, and from Line into Column 83
11. Columns changing direction 85
12. A Company in Line advancing from a Flank in Open Column of Sub-divisions or Sections 85

MISCELLANEOUS MOVEMENTS AND FORMATIONS.

13. Marching past in Slow and Quick Time 86
14. The Echellon March of Sub-divisions or Sections 91
15. Marching on an Alignment in Open Column of Sub-divisions 92
16. A Company in Column of Sub-divisions or Sections forming to the Reverse Flank 93
17. A Company marching in Files or Fours, forming to the Front, to either Flank, or to the Right or Left about 94
18. The Diagonal March 97
19. File Marching and Wheeling in File 97
20. The Formation of Fours 97
21. A Company formed in Fours, closing on the Flank, or on the Centre and re-forming Two Deep 98
22. The Side or Closing Step 98
23. Counter-marching 99

INCREASING AND DIMINISHING THE FRONT OF COLUMNS.

24. A Company diminishing Front by forming Sub-divisions from the Halt 100
25. A Company diminishing Front by forming Sub-divisions on the March 102
26. Sub-divisions diminishing Front by forming Sections 102
27. Sections increasing Front by forming Sub-divisions from the Halt 103
28. Sections increasing Front by forming Sub-divisions on the March 104
29. Sub-divisions and Sections increasing Front by forming Company 105
30. Diminishing and increasing Front by breaking off Files, and bringing them again to the Front 105
31. Diminishing and increasing Front by breaking into Fours, or Files, and re-forming Sections, Sub-divisions, or Company 106

SQUARES.

32. Forming Close Column of Sections and Company Square 106
33. Forming Rallying Squares 111

PROVING AND DISMISSING.

34. Proving a Company 113
35. Dismissing a Company 115

 


P A R T  III.
RIFLE EXERCISES.


GENERAL DIRECTIONS.

NOS. PAGE
I. Names of Parts of the Rifle 116
II. Formation of Squad 116
III. Instructor to have Rifle 116
IV. The Rifle to be used with care 116
V.  How to carry the Rifle 116
SECTIONS

MANUAL EXERCISES.

1.

Manual Exercise with the Long Rifle, in Single Rank

Positions for Long Rifle

  1. By Numbers

    I. The Shoulder
    II. The Secure
    III. The Shoulder from the Secure
    IV. The Order
    V. Fixing Bayonets
    VI. The Shoulder from the Order
    VII. The Present
    VIII. The Shoulder from the Present
    IX. The Port
    X. The Charge
    XI. The Shoulder from the Charge
    XII. The Advance
    XIII. The Order from the Advance
    XIV. The Advance from the Order
    XV. The Shoulder from the Advance
    XVI. The Support
    XVII. The Shoulder from the Support
    XVIII. The Slope
    XIX. The Shoulder from the Slope
    XX. The Order
    XXI. Unfixing Bayonets
    XXII. The Trail
    XXIII. The Shoulder from the Trail
    XXIV. The Trail from the Shoulder
    XXV. The Advance from the Trail
    XXVI. The Trail from the Advance
    XXVII. The Order from the Trail
    XXVIII. Ground Arms
    XXIX. Take up Arms

  2. Judging the Time
  3. Motions of the Rifle performed on the March

    The Short Trail
    Stepping off at the Shoulder
    Charging
    Turning on the March

121
2. The Manual Exercise with the Short Rifle, in Single Rank 141
3. The Manual Exercise for the Long and Short Rifle, in Two Ranks, and Piling Arms 156

PLATOON EXERCISES.

4. The Platoon Exercise for the Long and Short Rifle 158
5. To Fire and Re-load Kneeling 177
6. Platoon Exercise and Firing in Two Ranks 182

EXERCISES FOR SERJEANTS.

7. Rifle Exercises for Serjeants 184

REVIEW EXERCISE.

8. Review Exercise 186

FIRING.

9. Modes of Firing 188

INSPECTING.

10. Manner of Inspecting a Company on Parade 197

BAYONET EXERCISES.

11. Bayonet or Sword Bayonet Exercise 199

 


P A R T  IV.
FORMATION AND EVOLUTIONS OF A
BATTALION.


GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

NOS. PAGE
I. Application of Squad and Company Drill 218
II. Battalions to move as component Parts of a Brigade 218
III. Words of Command 219
IV. Mounted Officers 219
V. Giving Points 219
VI. Alignment and Points of Formation 220
VII. Degrees of March 221
VIII. Bayonets to be fixed 221
IX. Covering Serjeants 221
X. Order of Companies to be changed 221
XI. Inversion of Companies 222
XII. A Battalion dispersed, re-assembling 222
XIII. Colour Party 222

A BATTALION ON PARADE.

SECTIONS
1. Formation of a Battalion on Parade in Open Column, Right in Front 222
2. Wheeling into Line from Open Column 227

FORMATION AND MOVEMENTS OF A BATTALION
IN LINE.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

NOS.
I. Formation of Lines 229
II. Marching in Line 229
III. Passing over Inequalities of Ground 229
IV. Retiring in Line 229
V. Flank Base Points and Coverers 230
VI. Central Base Points 230
VII. Points to be kept clear 230
VIII. Closing to correct Distances 231

FORMATION AND MOVEMENTS.

SECTIONS
3. Formation of the Battalion in Line 231
4. A Battalion in Line taking Open Order and resuming Close Order 232
5. Advancing and Retiring in Line 236
6. Charging in Line 237
7. Dressing a Battalion in Line 238
8. Advancing and Retiring by Wings 239
9. A Battalion in Line passing Obstacles 241
10. Battalions in Line relieving each other 245

COLUMN MOVEMENTS.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

NOS.
I. Use and Advantage of Columns 246
II. Formation of Columns 247
III. Depth of Columns 247
IV. Application of Single Columns 247
V. Application of Double Columns 248
VI. Application of the Quarter Distance Column 248
VII. Application of the Close Column 248

MOVEMENTS.

SECTIONS
11. Formation of a Battalion in Open Column 249
12. Forming Close or Quarter Distance Column from any more Open Column 249
13. A Close or Quarter Distance Column opening from the Front, Rear, or from any named Company 251
14. Columns increasing and diminishing their Front, and passing Obstacles 254
15. An open Column changing Direction, and marching on an Alignment, or moving into an Alignment by the Flank March of Fours 256
16. A Column at Close or Quarter Distance Wheeling on a fixed or moveable Pivot 261
17. A Close or Quarter Distance Column taking Ground to a Flank wheeling to the Right or Left 264
18. A Close or Quarter Distance Column changing Front to the Rear, by the Wheel of Sub-divisions round the Centre 264
19. Columns countermarching by Files and by Ranks 268
20. Changing the Order of a Column by successive March of the Rear companies to the Front 268
21. Changing the Order of an Open, Half, or Quarter Distance Column , formed upon a Road, where the space does not admit of the Flank Movement 271
22. Columns taking Ground to a Flank, by the Echellon March of Sections 273
23. Columns taking Ground to a Flank 273
24. Columns when taking Ground to a Flank by Fours, closing to less Distance or opening to greater Distance from any named Company 274
25. Application of the Flank March of Columns by fours 275

FORMATIONS OF COLUMNS FROM LINE.

26. A line Wheeling back into Open Column from the Halt 277
27. A line Wheeling into Open Column on the March 279
28. A Battalion moving in Open Column from either Flank along the Rear 279
29. A Battalion formed in Line advancing from a Flank in Open Column of Companies, Sub-divisions, or Sections 281
30. A Battalion in Line advancing in Double Column of Companies, Sub-divisions, or Sections 282
31. A Battalion formed in Line retiring over a Bridge or through a Defile, or Retreating from a Flank or from both Flanks in Rear of the Centre 287
32. A Battalion in Line forming Open, Quarter Distance, or Close Column 293

FORMATION OF LINE FROM COLUMN.

33. Forming Line to the Front from Open Column on any named Company 299
34. An Open Column forming Line in inverted Order 303
35. A Battalion in Open Column forming Line to the Reverse Flank 303
36. Forming Line to the Front from Double Column 307
37. A Battalion in Double Column forming Line to the Right or Left 311

DEPLOYMENTS.

38. A Battalion in Close or Quarter Distance Column deploying into Line on the leading Company 315
39. A Battalion in Close or Quarter Distance Column deploying into Line on the Rear Company 319
40. A Battalion in Close or Quarter Distance Column Right or Left in Front deploying on a Central Company 323
41. A Battalion in Close or Quarter Distance Column deploying in Inverted Order 324
42 A Battalion in Double Column deploying 324
43. A Battalion in Line changing Front by intermediate Formation of Open Column on any named Company 327

FORMATION OF SQUARES

GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

NOS.
I. Use of Squares 330
II. The Four Deep Square 330
III. The Two Deep Square 330
IV. Solid Square 330

FORMATIONS.

SECTIONS
44. A Battalion in Column forming Square 333
45. A Battalion in Double Column forming Square 337
46. A Square preparing for Cavalry 338
47. A Battalion in Square re-forming Column or Double Column 338
48. A Battalion in Line forming Square 339
49. A Battalion forming Company Squares 339
50. A Close Column forming Square 340
51. A Square marching in any Direction 340
52. A Battalion forming Square Two Deep, and re-forming Column 341

MOVEMENTS AND CHANGES OF FRONT IN ECHELLON.
G
ENERAL PRINCIPLES.

NOS.
I. Echellons 341
II. Direct Echellon 342
III. Use of Direct Echellon 342
IV. Oblique Echellon 342
V. Use of Oblique Echellon 343
VI. Companies or Parts of Companies in Echellon to be parallel to each other 343
VII. Taking Ground to the Rear in Echellon 344
VIII. Wheeling on Fixed and Moveable Pivots 344

MOVEMENTS AND CHANGES OF FRONT IN ECHELLON.

SECTIONS.
53. A Battalion Wheeling forward by companies from Line into Echellon 344
54. A Battalion in Echellon of Companies wheeling back into Line parallel to that from which it has formed  349
55. A Battalion in Echellon, halted, forming Line in a Direction oblique to that from which it was wheeled into Echellon 349
56. A Battalion in Line changing Front on a Flank Company by throwing forward the rest of the Battalion 357
57. A Battalion in Line changing Front on a Flank Company by throwing back the rest of the Battalion 359
58. A Battalion in Line changing Front on a Centre Company or on the two Centre Companies by advancing one Wing and retiring the other 363
59. A Battalion in Line advancing or retiring in Direct Echellon of Companies from either Flank 366
60. Re-forming Line from Direct Echellon 369
61. A Battalion in Direct Echellon forming Line in an Oblique Direction 371
62. Exceptional Combinations of Manoeuvres 371

 


P A R T  V.
LIGHT INFANTRY.


GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

NOS.
I. Object of Light Infantry Movements 373
II. All Regiments to be instructed in Light Infantry Movements 373
III. Division of Light Troops 373
IV. Relative Strength of Skirmishers, Supports, and Reserves 374
V. Relative Duties of Skirmishers, Supports, and Reserves 374
VI. Relative Distances 375
VII. Cover 375
VIII. Time of Movement 376
IX. Points of Direction 376
X. How Arms are carried 376
XI. Officers and Connecting Links 377
XII. Words of Command and Bugle Sounds 377

LIGHT INFANTRY MOVEMENTS OF A COMPANY

1. Extending 381
2. Closing 383
3. Squares 384
4. Advancing in Skirmishing Order 385
5. Retiring in Skirmish Order 385
6. Passing Obstacles in Skirmishing Order 385
7. Inclining to a Flank 386
8. Skirmishers changing Front or Direction 387
9. Firing in Skirmishing Order 388

MOVEMENTS OF A BATTALION.

10. A Battalion extending in Skirmishing Order from Quarter Distance Column 392
11. A Battalion in Quarter Distance Column extending to a Flank 396
12. A Battalion in Quarter Distance Column extending, Half its Companies Skirmishing, Half in Support 399
13. A Battalion extending in Skirmishing Order from Line 400
14. Relieving Skirmishers 406
15. Reinforcing, or Extending a Line of Skirmishers to a Flank 408
16. The Alarm, or Look out for Cavalry 409
17. Closing on Supports 410
18. Closing on the Reserve 416
19. Flanking Parties 420
20. Passing a Bridge or Short Defile in contact with an Enemy 425

ADVANCED AND REAR GUARDS.

21. Advanced Guards 426
22. Formation of Rear Guards 435

PIQUETS.

23. Piquets and their Sentries 437

 


P A R T  VI.
FORMATION AND MOVEMENTS OF THE BRIGADE
OR LINE.


GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

NOS. PAGE
I. Application of Battalion Movements 446
II. Divisions of an Army 446
III. Formations in Line 447
IV. Columns in Line 447
V. Formation of Open Column 447
VI. Mass of Columns 447
VII. Points of Formation 447
VIII. Commands 451
IX. Echellon Formations 453
X. Advance and Retreat of alternate Bodies 455
XI. Inversion of the Order of a Brigade or Division 455
XII. Movements to be covered by Light Infantry 456
XIII. Bayonets to be fixed. 456

BRIGADE MOVEMENTS OF CONTIGUOUS COLUMNS AND COLUMNS IN MASS.

SECTIONS
1. A Brigade in Mass of Columns at Close or Quarter Distance, wheeling into Line of Columns 459
2. A Brigade in Line of contiguous Close or Quarter Distance  Columns wheeling into Mass 459
3. A Brigade in Mass of Battalion Columns at Close or Quarter Distance, deploying into Line of contiguous Battalion Columns 460
4. A Brigade in Line of contiguous Battalion Columns at Close or Quarter Distance forming Mass upon any named Battalion 462
5. A Brigade in Line of contiguous Close or Quarter Distance Columns changing Front 464

MOVEMENTS IN LINE OR LINE OF COLUMNS.

6. Naming the Regulating Battalion 472
7. A Brigade advancing or retiring in Line 472
8. A Brigade advancing or retiring in Line of contiguous Columns 473
9. A Brigade advancing or retiring in Line of Quarter Distance Columns at deploying Distance 474
10. A Brigade formed in Line of Double Columns at deploying Distance, Advancing or Retiring 475
11. A Brigade in Line advancing in Open Columns from the Flanks of Battalions, or in Double Columns from the Centres of Battalions. 476
12. A Brigade retiring in Open Columns of Companies from the one Flank of Battalions in rear of the other, or from both Flanks of Battalions in rear of their Centres. 476

MOVEMENTS OF A BRIGADE IN DOUBLE COLUMN.

13. A Brigade advancing in double Column of Companies from the Centre, or retiring by Companies from both Flanks in rear of the Centre 477
14. A Brigade in double Column of Companies forming Line to the Front or to a Flank 479

ADVANCING OR RETIRING IN COLUMN.

15. A Brigade advancing in open Column of Companies from either Flank, or retiring by Companies from one Flank in rear of the other 483

CHANGES OF FRONT AND POSITION.

16. A Brigade in Line changing Front on a named Company of a named Battalion 483
17. A Brigade changing Position on detached Points 487

DEPLOYMENTS.

18. A Brigade in Line of contiguous Columns, at Close or Quarter Distance, deploying into Line 488
19. A Brigade in Mass of Battalion Columns opening out to deploying Distance on detached Points, deploying into Line 491

THE FLANK MARCH IN FOURS.

20. The General Application of the Flank March in Fours to the Advance of a Brigade 492

SQUARES.

21. A Brigade forming Squares 493

MOVEMENTS OF DIVISIONS OR LARGER BODIES.

22. Application of Brigade Drill to Divisions or large Bodies 493

SECOND LINES.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

NOS.
I. Formation 494
II. Regulating Column 494
III. Distance 494
IV. Movements 494
V. Relieving Front Line 494

MOVEMENTS.

SECTIONS
23. Two Lines changing Front on the Flank of the First Line 497
24. Two Lines changing Front upon a central Point of the First Line 498

POSITION OF ARTILLERY.

25. Position of a Battery of Artillery when moving with a Brigade 498

 


P A R T  VII.
MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS.


INSPECTIONS OR REVIEWS.

SECTIONS PAGE
1. Inspection or Review of a Battalion 502
2. Review of Two or more Battalions 506

ROUTE MARCHING.

3. The Order of March 512
4. Places of Officers 513
5. Marching off, Marching at Ease, and passing Words of Command 513
6. Halting when on the March 513
7. Defiling, and increasing and diminishing Front 514
8. Regulations concerning Stragglers 516
9. Hurry and Stepping out to be prevented 517
SINGLE RANK AND SKELETON DRILL.
10. Battalion Drill in Single Rank 518
11. Skeleton Drill 518
GUARDS.
12. Guard mounting and trooping the Colour 519
13. Relieving Guard 527
14. Marching Reliefs 529
15. Relieving or Posting Sentries 529
16. Sentries paying Compliments 530
17. Sentries Challenging 531
18. Instruction of Recruits as Sentries 532
19. Guards Turning out 532

FUNERALS.

20. Directions for Funeral Parties 533

KEY TO PLATES

Regimental Officers, Non-commissioned Officers &c.

___________________________

Brigade and Division Officers

___________________________

 

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Page updated 10 August, 2006