where its HEAD is to reft, and being at least a distance equal to the length of the column from fuch point. The leading division proFig. 57. F. ceeds at a half pace only; the others oblique from the column, fucceffively move up to the leading divifion, and the front being thus gradually increased, the whole battalion arrives at the fame time on the line of formation. (S. 29.) The column arriving behind any part of its ground, may also move up to clofe column, and form by its deployments on the front, the rear, or on a central divifion. S. 105. A battalion broken into, and marching in open column, muft arrive at, and enter on the ground on which it is to form in line, either-In the DIRECTION of that line: PERPENDICULAR to that line; or in a direction more or lefs OBLIQUE, and betwixt the other two. If where its HEAD is to reft.-The leading divifion will wheel up into line, and the others march on behind it, and fucceffively wheel up as in No. 7. If where its REAR is to reft.-It marches with its pivot flank, and at juft dif tances along the line, till the rear platoon is at its point, the whole then halt, and wheel up into line as in No. 4. Relative fituation of If the Column enters perpen- Fig. 58. B. C. If where its HEAD is to reft.-The formation may be made as in No. 3. If where its REAR is to reft.-The formation may be made as in No. 4. If at an intermediate point, where a central divifion is to reft.-The formation may be made as in No. 5. All new pofitions, that a battalion or line can take old and new with refpect to the old one, are-PARALLEL, or nearly pofitions. fo to the old line.-INTERSECTING by themselves or their prolongation, fome part of the old line, or its prolongation. Parallel. New PARALLEL pofitions being neceffarily to the front or rear of the old one, the battalion will, according to circumftances, take them up by the Echellon march, the Fig. 44.63. filing of divifions, or the Movement in open column, and its fubfequent formation in line. Interfe&t ing. Fig 43.63. When the battalion New INTERSECTING pofitions, which themselves cut the battalion, will be taken up by the Echellen march, or by the filing of divifions. All other new pofitions which themfelves, or their prolongation, interfect the old line, or its prolongation, will in general be taken up by the March in open column, and its fubfequent formation when it arrives at the line; fome fuch pofitions will however allow of, and require being made by the Echellon march, or by the filing of divifions. In general, the battalion will break to the hand which is neareft to the new pofition, be conducted to its nearest point in the new line, and formed on it as directed. In changes of pofition by the open column, the whole battalion (as a general rule) is directed to wheel the breaks into whole quarter circle into open column, although it may open column, to often change of often feem an unneceffary operation, and that difengag- make a ing the heads of divifions would answer the fame purpose, pofition. where the change is to be performed by filing.-Yet is the above general mode to be obferved, because it is a pofitive and defined fituation, from which every change can proceed, whereas all other modes are liable to uncertainty and mistake, and the apparent going over a little unneceffary ground, is a matter of no moment in point of time, and begets perfect precifion and correctness of execution. This rule, which is univerfal for all the following divisions of a column, may in fome fituations be difpenfed with as to a leading divifion, which often has to wheel up again over the fame ground, when the column is put in motion towards its new pofition: a previous and separate CAUTION from the chief of the battalion may therefore, when it is feen neceffary, prevent this extra movement to the leading divifion, and give it a more favourable fituation in the direction in which it is to proceed. As in the cafe of a battalion marching off by column of divifions from a flank to the front. If the wheel is made backwards.-The flank divifion may ftand faft, till the wheel is made, and when the reft of the column has marched up to it, it then receives the word March from its own leader, and proceeds. If the wheel is made forward.At the first word March, the flank divifion moves on a space equal to its own front and halts, it is then ready to proceed when the whole is put in motion. Should the battalion march off by column of divifions from a flank to the rear-whether the divifions wheel backwards, or forwards the flank divifion wheels with the others, and from that fituation that divifion will again wheel to the rear, when the column is put in motion. In all central changes of pofition on a point within a In central battalion or line, and which are made by the movements changes of of the open column-the battalion or line breaks back- battalion or 4 pofition, the wards line, breaks wards into two open columns facing each other, and the given point, fo that the one has its right in front, and the other its left.-From this fituation by the filing, or by the march of divifions, its component parts move to their new position, and the divifion which faces the given one having there taken a double wheeling distance, the divifions wheel up into line. The advantages of making central changes, by breaking inwards, fo as the whole ftand faced to the named divifion, in two columns, are--That the univerfal rule of all bodies breaking, dreffing, forming to whatever point they are led by and manoeuvre to, is obferved.-That the taking of diftances in the new column, are all from the front and none from the rear, which laft is a matter of difficulty and delay.-That the battalions of the wing which is thrown forward, advance from their inward flank and in the fhorteft line, to where that flank is again to be placed; at this point they begin to form, and the formation is made by quick filing of divifions into the new column, where the exact covering of pivots and taking of diftances is inftantly and easily ascertained.— That the parts of the line on each fide of the central divifion work exactly in the fame manner, and form in line by one and the fame method.-That the breaking inwards of the line, or the countermarch of fuch part of the column as is before the central divifion, gives these advantages, nor is the countermarch the affair of a mo ment. In central changes, was the whole of a line to break to one hand, or part of a column not to countermarchAlthough fuch part as was behind the central divifion, and thrown backwards, would take its diftances from the front, and might proceed exactly as above; yet fuch part of each as was before the central divifion, would be obliged to take its diftances and covering of pivots in the new column from the rear, as the whole line would be broken the fame way as the named divifion.-This, though it may not feem difficult when fuch part confifts only only of the few divifions of a single battalion, will, when it is compofed of several battalions in addition, be found no eafy matter to accomplish with precifion.-In fuch cafe, whatever divifions of the central battalion were arranged before the named divifion, would file from their advanced flanks, and place themselves in the above manner in the new line. The entire battalions which were before the named divifion would march in separate columns of divifions, each from its head or outward flank, and enter (by wheeling) the new line, at the point where its rear or inward flank was to be placed, it must then prolong the line, and be halted the inftant the rear arrived at the point where the head entered.-This operation would not be found eafy, be flower, and attended with more uncertainty than the other method, by which the distances are fo readily and exactly taken from the front, and where the fame mode of execution is followed by both flanks of the line.-Although battalions and lines should be prepared to change their pofition in this manner, if fo required, yet the other method is to be confidered as the general one, and practifed accordingly. |