not apply to battalions feparated and standing in mass on the fame line. If more than one or two battalions take up an oblique line, it will require great attention in the commanders to preferve order, and to form with justnefs. Such formations are required on the front divifion of the column; hardly on the rear or on a central one; the attendant difficulties are fufficiently obvious: The column must be well clofed up, and two companies in front.-Whenever circumstances permit the column to be placed perpendicular to its line of formation it must always be done: oblique formations are unavoidable exceptions.

S. 189. If a Battalion clofe Column of Companies fhould be required to form the Square.

The column being halted with the usual interval of one Fig. 108. B. pace between the companies, receives the cautionary command to FORM THE SQUARE, on which the front half of the companies in the column take one pace forward; the first company then falls back to the second one pace, and the 2 laft companies clofe up 1 and 2 paces to the company before them. The whole companies make an interval of 2 paces in their center, by their fub-divifions taking each one pace to the flanks; 2 officers with their ferjeants place themfelves on each of the front and rear intervals; 2 officers with their ferjeants alfo take poft in each of the increafed intervals in the center of the fides; and a ferjeant takes the place of each flank front rank man of the firft divifion, and of each flank rear rank man of the last divifion; all the other officers, ferjeants, difplaced men, drummers, &c. &c. affemble behind the center of the companies which are to form the flank faces. On the word OUTWARDS FACE, the two rear companies face outwards, and 4 files (fuppofing the companies of 12 files each) on each flank of all the companies (except the first and laft) alfo face outwards, the

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whole

whole lining with the flanks of the front companies, and dreffing in ranks from front to rear.-At the word q. MARCH, the 5th file from each flank of all the companies except the 2 firft and 2 laft, followed by the front rank man of the 6th file, move up to right and left, and refpectively fill up the intervals between the flanks of their own and the preceding divifion; the remainder of the men of the fide divifions arrange themfelves to their right and left, forming clofe in the rear of their own divifions refpectively. The whole thus ftand faced outwards, and formed at least 4 deep, with 2 officers and their ferjeants in the middle of each face to command; all the other officers, as well as ferjeants, &c. &c. are in the void fpace in the center behind their companies; and the files of the officers in the faces may be completed by ferjeants, &c. &c. from the interior, in fuch manner as the commandant may direct.-The mounted field officers must pafs into the center of the column, by the rear face, if neceffary, opening from its center 2 paces, and again clofing in. When ordered, the 2 first ranks all round the column will kneel and flope their bayonets; the 2 next ranks will fire ftanding, and all the others will remain in referve; the file coverers behind each officer of the fides will give back, and enable him to ftand in the 3d rank.-Whatever is the ftrength of the companies which compofe the flank fides, the whole of them will face outwards except their 4 center files, which are always referved for filling up the intervals.

To reduce the Square.-On the word FORM CLOSE COLUMN, the files that faced outward will come to their proper front, and the files that moved into the intervals. will face about.-At the word q. MARCH, the grenadiers take one pace forward, and the 2 rear companies take one and two paces forward, and then face about; the files from the intervais take their proper places; officers, ferjeants, &c. will quit the interior, move to their feveral ftations, and the companies that compofed the flank faces will be completed; the companies will alfo clofe inwards by fub-divifions one pace.

S. 190. When feveral clofe Columns are formed from Parts of the fame Line.

The parts of the line which are to compofe each column are named; each battalion forms a close column on one of its own named divifions: The feveral battalion close columns march by a flank, and place themselves before or behind the directing battalion of that general column to which they are to belong.

S. 191.

Fig. 113.114.

If feveral confiderable clofe Columns are halted at accidental Distances, but with their Heads dreffed, and are ordered to form in one Line.

At whatever diftance the heads of the close columns are halted from each other, the feparate battalions will move up into line, each column upon its own named battalion: The point and divifion on which the whole are to form will be named: The whole will extend from it: The distances and commencement of movement will be taken from the named point, fo that the outward battalions may move fucceffively as it becomes neceffary to preferve their diftances from the inward ones.-Or, the adjutants taking their points from the given one of appui, the columns will in the mean time be previously fo placed as not to cross or interfere in the march; the battalions of each will then difengage, march, enter, and form on the line.

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S. 192.

Fig. 115. E.

If two Columns halted at open, half, or quarter Distance are to exchange

Places.

The divifions of each will face inwards and file; when they have nearly approached each other, one of them halts, the other continues in march, and paffes through the intervals of the halted one.-Both columns then move on until they arrive, halt, and front on the ground which each other occupied, and which has been properly 'marked and preserved for them: during this flank march, the heads of the files are kept nearly dreffed, and are regulated in each column by the 2 leading divifions.— This operation is neceffary when a line is to be taken up and formed on facing the reverse way to what the columns then do; and if fuch line is in the rear of the columns they alfo countermarch their divifions by files, in order to enter and prolong it.-This mode of columns exchanging fituation, which is equivalent to the passage of lines, may be required on feveral occafions.

S. 193.
Fig. 115.

When two Columns are to form in Line in any given Pofition.

Points are prepared.-The columns, by marching, countermarching, exchange of fituation by files, or by whatever other operation is neceffary, are brought up with their heads to the given points in the new line; the columns clofe up: the battalions difengage, place themfelves on the new line: the divifion or divifions of formation are named, and the whole relatively deploy into line. Or, points being prepared by the feveral adjutants, the battalions will difengage at a due distance, march on their respective points, and form in line.

S. 194.

Fig. 114.

If there are two Columns, compofed each
of Parts of two Lines, which are to
form.

The battalions of the fecond line will halt at a proper distance from the firft, and deploy or form in line in the fame manner as the first one does.-Or, if the first line is to form facing to the rear, the second one will have to proceed and to pass it, in order to arrive at its relative fituation.

If two lines march off to the front in 2, 3, or 4 columns, each compofed of part of the two lines; advance at certain diftances from each other to where their heads enter on 2 given parallel lines; wheel their heads to a flank into, and prolong thofe lines to any extent: Then, as the columns of each line have of course joined each other, the whole will be moving in 2 columns of lines, ready to form by a wheel-up to the flanks, when the object of the movement is accomplished, which probably may be that of out-flanking, or turning the flank of an enemy.

If two lines, marching in columns of lines to a flank, are unexpectedly obliged to make front to that flank, then the new lines will be compofed each of part of the old ones, by forming up to right and left.

ECHELL ON MOVEMENTS OF THE LINE.

movements

1. The ECHELLON movements of a great corps place Echellen it in an advantageous fituation to difconcert an enemy, movemen to make a partial attack, or a gradual retreat. Different corps. previous manoeuvres muft always have diverted the at

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tention