,,the ,,essentials ,,of ,,good ,,skirmishing ,,the ,,essentials ,,of ,,good ,,skirmishing3 ,,second ,,edition4 ,,to ,,which ,,are ,,now ,,added1 ,a ,,brief ,,system ,,of ,,common ,,light ,,infantry ,,drill2 ,a ,,method ,,of ,,practice ,,for ,,the ,,speedy ,,acquirement ,,of ,,proficiency ,,in ,,the ,,use ,,of ,,the ,,rifle2 ,,and ,,short ,,observations ,,on ,,serviceable ,,appointments ,,and ,,dress4 ,,by ,,colonel ,g4 ,,gawler1 ,k4,h4 ,late of the #ebnd ,light ,infantry4 ,,london3 ,,parker1 ,,furnivall1 ,,and ,,parker1 ,,military ,,library1 ,,whitehall4 #aheb ,,london3 ,,savill ,,and ,,edwards1 ,,printers1 ,,chandos ,,street4 ,,to ,,sir ,,john ,,macdonald1 ,k4,c4,b4 ,,adjutant-,,general ,,to ,,the ,,forces1 ,,the ,,following ,,remarks1 ,,in ,,reference ,,to ,,one ,,of ,,the ,,branches ,,of ,,the ,,service ,,committed ,,to ,,his ,,especial ,,superintendence1 ,,are1 ,,by ,,permission1 ,,most ,,respectfully ,,dedicated1 ,,by ,,his ,,very ,,obedient ,,and ,,faithful ,,servant1 ,,the ,,author4 ,august1 #ahcg4 ,,contents4 ,i4 ,the ,essentials of ,good #ac ,skirmishing ,,ii4 ,a system of ,common ,light #ce ,infantry ,drill1 adapted to the ,long ,range ,rifle ,,iii4 ,a ,method of ,practice for #ea the ,speedy ,acquirement of ,proficiency in the ,use of the ,rifle ,,iv4 ,short ,observations on #ei ,dress and ,appointments ,,preface ,,to ,,the ,,second ,,edition4 ,under the immense increase which is now taking place in the length of range and accuracy in effect of small arms1 there must1 of necessity1 come an increase of the importance of skill in skirmishing4 ,the reconnoissances of mounted staff officers1 the patrolling1 skirmishing1 and menacing of charges by small bodies of cavalry1 and even the action of artillery on that very large proportion of the surface of the earth in which vision is limited to at most one thousand yards1 will be greatly controlled by the accurate and distant infantry marksman4 ,nay1 even columns and lines of infantry will now only be able to repel his power of destructive annoyance by meeting him with troops in extended order4 ,of old1 if he pressed too near to a closed body of infantry1 an impatient volley might sweep him and his comrades into annihilation1 but now1 ensconced in his distant cover1 he may 8beard the lion in his den10 a battalion of infantry in position1 with something like impunity4 ,with this distant power of the individual skirmisher1 however1 there stand connected increased difficulties of combination with his surrounding and supporting comrades4 ,such general unity of action is most important at times for reasonable security1 and always for the production of general and total effects4 ,these advantages must depend1 more than ever1 upon well-impressed individual acquaintance with the essential principles of good skirmishing4 ,under these considerations the following pages1 which were received at the time of their first publication with public#a and private testimonials of approbation1 are reprinted1 with some corrections and additions to make them suitable to the present standard of military efficiency1 and with remarks which may be useful1 at this period1 upon light infantry drill1 rifle practice1 dress1 and appointments4 ,footnote #a3 ,blackwood's ,magazine1 ,oct4 #ahcg1 page #eba2 ,united ,service ,journal1 ,nov4 #ahcg1 page #dae2 ,naval and ,military ,gazette1 #ahcg2 c41 c41 c4 ,february1 #aheb4 ,,preface ,,to ,,the ,,first ,,edition4 ,some high continental military authorities have of late years proclaimed that ,british soldiers are incapable1 or next to incapable1 of acting as light infantry4 ,than this announcement there never was a clearer illustration of the golden maxim1 8,assertions are not proofs40 ,if our censors had taken the trouble to search for evidence1 southern and western ,europe would have told them1 that in these portions of the civilized world there have not been known1 in the middle and modern ages1 light troops superior to those of ,britain4 ,in archers1 the light infantry of 8the olden time10 by what nation in the world was ,england surpassed8 ,her troops of this class1 the direct forefathers of a large proportion of our present soldiery1 gained for themselves a name that might1 one would think1 have sounded even to the shores of the ,baltic1 which at least has rung upon every ear familiar with the tales of ,poictiers1 ,cressy1 and ,agincourt4 ,all of these1 as described by foreign pens1#b were won mainly by the skill and conduct of the ,british bowmen4 ,at ,cressy #ab1jjj ,genoese1 then the most renowned light troops of continental ,europe1 were driven like chaff before unerring cloth-yard shafts from the tough old ,english yew4#c ,had our critics inquired concerning more modern warfare1 their ,hessian neighbours would have told them that in the ,north ,american revolutionary contest1 in that six years' war of surprises1 skirmishes1 and ambuscades1 among unequalled woods and wildernesses1 the ,british soldier in himself was more than a match for the skirmisher-bred ,american woodsman2 and1 to say the least1 as alert and intelligent at the outposts as his well-trained ,german fellow-combatants4 ,the struggle1 indeed1 ended unsuccessfully to ,britain2 but1 let the blame rest where it may1 it cannot be thrown upon the ,british soldier2 he never came short of his duty4 ,in the protracted and astonishing conquest of ,hindoostan1 which had some ,european inimical spectators1 the flank companies of battalions did three-fourths of the work2 not only concentrated at the breach and escalade1 but also1 when necessity required it1 extended in the jungle4 ,and to come to those contests which offer the fairest estimate of the ,british soldier as he now is1 and with which all civilized military critics may be expected to have become acquainted1 the ,european campaigns of the ,duke of ,wellington2 it is not sounding an empty boast1 but a note of most sober and honest truth to say1 that1 than the ,british light troops of his army1 better never guarded a camp or fought in a skirmish4 ,in a fluctuating war of eight campaigns1 over many hundred miles of varying country1 opposed to the bravest and most intelligent soldiers of the continent1 none were ever more constantly conquerors in action or more successfully vigilant on outpost duty4 ,it is true1 indeed1 that the ,british light infantry man has a practical system in some important particulars peculiar to himself2 and in none more so than that1 under all circumstances1 he continues the well-disciplined soldier1 never systematically assuming the character of the loose1 lawless1 free-corps freebooter4 ,from this last peculiarity may have arisen the incorrect impressions of our foreign contemporaries4 ,we1 however1 glory in the difference1 and affirm that stern discipline and high soldier-like principle must form the basis of thorough military efficiency to the full as much in the light and extended services1 as in those of a more concentrated description4 ,free corps originate in long internal wars4 ,happily for ,britain1 she of late has not been distinguished for such nurseries of irregular military skill2 but when her territories were desolated by them1 there were not wanting bodies of this description as active1 intelligent1 and enterprising as any that ever graced the continent of ,europe4 ,to assist in keeping up the remembrance of the essentials of the practical system of the modern ,british light infantry man1 in that important branch of his duty1 skirmishing2 in order that foreigners1 whatever be their theories1 may continue to receive1 when necessity requires it1 practical evidence that ,british soldiers can act as light infantry1 is the principal object of the ,author in submitting to the army the following observations4 #ahcg4 ,footnote #b3 ,see 8,le ,nouveau ,dictionnaire des ,siges et ,batailles10 under these articles4 ,footnote #c3 ,la premire ligne des ,franais etoit compose de douze mille archers ,gnois4 ,meurdris et dcomfits par les flches que les archers ,anglais leur tiroient si vivement que ce sembloit neige1 ils lcherent le pied et se renversrent sur la seconde ligne4444 ,philippe1 croyant qu'il y avoit de la trahison de la part des ,gnois1 s'ecria3 ,or tt tuez cette ribaudaille qui nous empche la voie sans raison4--,nouveau ,dictionnaire des ,siges et ,batailles1 article ,crcy4 ,,the ,,essentials ,,of ,,good ,,skirmishing4 ,skirmishing is the art of fighting1 with numbers insufficient to occupy1 in close order1 the ground contested4 ,in light infantry or skirmishing drill1 as in all other instruction1 the principal art is1 to dwell forcibly on things really essential2 moderately on things merely important2 and lightly on things nearly indifferent4 ,to good skirmishing there are eight essentials3-- #a4 ,active ,intelligence4 #b4 ,correct ,firing4 #c4 ,daring ,courage4 #d4 ,making the best of ,cover4 #e4 ,presenting the smallest possible ,marks to the ,enemy's ,fire4 #f4 ,maintaining ,extension from1 and ,dependence on1 a given ,file of ,direction4 #g4 ,preserving a sufficient ,readiness to resist ,cavalry4 #h4 ,a judicious ,employment of ,supports and ,reserves4 ,very deficient in any of these qualifications1 skirmishers cannot be of the first order4 ,possessing them all in reasonable proficiency1 skirmishers must be very good1 let the character of their other attainments and systems of drill be whatever it may4 ,i4 ,the life and especial mark of the good skirmisher is ,,active ,,intelligence4 ,in the ranks1 the closer men attain to a state of unreflecting mechanism1 with nothing of mind but attention1 the nearer they are to true soldier-like perfection4 ,not a thought should arise1 an eye-ball turn1 or a finger tremble1 but in obedience1 and that obedience should be accurate and instantaneous as the word4 ,not so the skirmisher2 within certain limits he is his own general1 and must think for himself4 ,from the moment that he 8shakes out0 from the elbows of his right and left comrades1 reflection must awake1 and1 in due dependence on a broad established system1 be energetically directed to gain every advantage on the opposing foe4 ,the ,french as skirmishers excel in active intelligence4 ,every man manuvres as if the fate of the day depended upon his conceptions4 ,their ability1 in this particular1 may spring in a great degree from the looseness of their instruction practice of all field exercise4 ,this1 while it is ill calculated to make steady soldiers at close order1 is well adapted to give free scope to the natural intelligence of skirmishers4 ,the mechanical stiffness1 formerly much seen in ,british light infantry1 arose1 there can scarcely be a question1 from the formality of our old ordinary mode of applying the system of light infantry drill4 ,the automatonism1 proper to the ranks1 was extended to skirmishers1 and they also were taught to move only as they were wound up4 ,the indignation of the drill instructor was poured out1 not upon men who failed in the first-rate essentials of good skirmishing1 but upon those who erred a foot in dressing or in distance--who did not step off1 halt1 or fire1 precisely at the sound of the whistle or elevation of the signal fire-lock--whose unmusical ears refused to distinguish amid the endless variety of bugled orders--who could not run like racers1 or who ran bewildered in some of the intricate evolutions1 which were supposed to crown the very pinnacle of skirmishing perfection4 ,some corps did not drill according to this erroneous method1 others did not carry it to its full extent2 but1 taking the army as a whole1 unreflecting precision in the details of skirmishing was its system1 and to this day that system has its votaries4 ,it is no small proof of the strength of natural intelligence in ,british soldiers1 that1 when brought into actual service1 they broke through the fettered stiffness of their instruction drill1 let go what was indifferent in it1 clung to that which was important1 and soon rivalled their intelligent and experienced opponents4 ,the true summit of perfection in skirmishing is1 the preservation of order in disorder and of system in confusion2 for the circumstances which accompany skirmishes of necessity produce1 almost always1 more or less mixture1 inversion1 and general irregularity4 ,in hot contests over large extents of intricate ground1 men of different companies regiments1 brigades1 and even divisions1 mingle with each other4 ,soldiers should therefore be drilled1 not indeed to fall into such irregularities on principle1 but to be ready for them in practice4 ,they should be made at times to skirmish in inverted companies1 mixed companies1 and mixed regiments--to form good skirmishing lines out of confused masses--to concentrate from similar mixed bodies into squares to resist cavalry1 or into lines or columns for the purposes of charging or defending streets of villages1 or other defiles--to extend again rapidly1 and to perform every necessary evolution as if no mixture or irregularity had occurred4 ,such movements1 when inculcated as necessary exceptions to good order1 do not unfit soldiers for more regular manuvres2 but1 by the contrast1 increase order and intelligence in them4 ,soldiers who have not been drilled on this principle1 or who have not acquired it by experience1 are1 when extended under fire1 continually liable to be transformed into unmanageable mobs4 ,skirmishers who understand it1 will always show a formidable front1 be ready for every changing event1 and1 under the worst possible circumstances1 act together in the mighty energy of mutual confidence4 ,unreflecting mechanical precision is at direct variance with such practice1 active intelligence and a wise well-defined general system are its component elements4 ,active intelligence1 therefore1 in every point of view1 is invaluable to the skirmisher2 and the attention of all drill superintendents and instructors should be unremittingly directed to stamp it on his mind and to mix it with his practice4 ,,ii4 ,the soldier at close order always has1 or should have1 a large mark for his fire4 ,nothing can be more unsteady or unsoldierlike than for a closed body to pour a volley upon mere skirmishers3 from troops concentrated1 no object but an opposing mass or line within #bjj yards should provoke a single shot4#d ,the skirmisher has not this advantage1 his mark is generally small and often indistinct2 besides which1 the temptation to careless aim is much greater to him1 who fires away sixty or one hundred and twenty rounds over hedge and ditch without intermission1 than to the battalion soldier1 who seldom expends more than twenty at any one time4 ,hence the peculiar necessity for practising light troops to cool steady aim and accurate firing4 ,the immense importance of very great attention to the ball practice#e of this branch of the service1 is too obvious to require an enforcing observation2 but it ought to be impressively remarked1 that good practical aim is not to be acquired only in front of the target1 but to the full as much in the every day drill firings1 with or without blank cartridge4 ,it is not the case that careful firing is provoked by the sight of an enemy2 on the contrary1 arithmetical calculation has repeatedly proved1 to the blush of the good soldier1 that under no circumstances are balls so wildly and carelessly thrown away as in those moments when the fortunes of empires are thrown away along with them4 ,in action1 the greater number of the musquets are pointed generally at masses of dust and smoke1 and not precisely at the dark active figures which they envelop4 ,for these reasons1 on the drill field1 instead of the loose careless practice too common in this particular1 the soldier1 and especially the skirmisher1 should be unsparingly compelled to go through the motions of aiming and firing at a precise object1 as accurately as if at actual ball practice1 until the habit be engraven too deep on his mind to be obliterated by any circumstances of confusion4 ,,iii4 ,daring courage1 as an acknowledged essential to the thorough soldier of every class1 it would scarcely have been necessary to have noticed in the present enumeration1 did not an opinion appear to obtain1 much on the continent and with some in ,great ,britain1 that light troops are required to exercise it in a less desperate degree than men at close order4 ,foreigners1 when extended1 often spend systematically much time in long shots and shy fighting1 and give way1 as a matter of course1 before troops in weightier formations4 ,in the ,british service this opinion does not prevail2 there is no good reason why it should1 and it is of great importance to the thorough efficiency of skirmishers that it should not4 ,the ,british soldier is as much a grenadier at heart1 with a green tuft in his cap skirmishing through a wood1 with no close support but his tried and trusty rear-rank man1 as he is in designation1 when mounting a breach1 under a black bear-skin1 with ten thousand bayonets at his back4 ,in extended order he is just as ready1 as at any other time1 to fix his bayonet and dash to close quarters1 if the enemy1 on tolerably equal terms1 will stand for him2 and if his piquet be pressed by a heavy attacking column1 he sees no more reason than at any other time1 to surrender an inch of ground1 as long as he can stand upon it4 ,very remarkable instances of this kind occurred during the ,peninsular war4#f ,it is well that it should be so2 for if it be indeed true1 as some insinuate1 that the ,british soldier falls somewhat below his continental brethren in the policy of skirmishing1 this important essential1 persevering unflinching courage1 will ever1 as it always has done1 make up for minor deficiencies1 and carry him triumphantly through4 ,it is useful to observe1 how much the flinching practice of foreign light infantry has influenced1 and perhaps been influenced by1 their systems of drill4 ,the old method1 which we borrowed from them1 of firing advancing by alternate ranks or files1 may be practicable with long shots and cautious movements1 but is only partially applicable to the service practice of ,british light infantry1 who1 even when close to their enemy1 count it most unsoldier-like to fire without an immediately important purpose in view2 who seldom fire at all until within two hundred yards of their object2#g and who1 after a few quiet shots to get within the length of their breath and to draw on the enemy's fire1 dash at the opposing line of defence with that peculiar rush which may be called 8the skirmishers' charge40#h ,the present established mode of advancing firing by 8single line10 is that into which daring skirmishers always do1 and of necessity always must1 fall4 ,on the drill ground1 when required1 this mode may be completed to a perfect copy of 8the skirmishers' charge10 by the sound 8double quick0 at about eighty yards from the supposed enemy's line of defence4 ,the whole then1 still partially firing1 dash on at an accelerated pace1 until1 the cover gained1 8the halt0 is sounded1 to take breath behind it1 and prepare for another forward effort4 ,,iv4 ,conduct which in some cases1 under fire1 is disgraceful1 in others is meritorious4 ,the man in the ranks who shrinks away from a shell or cannon ball1 or who goes out of his commanded course to cover himself from musquetry1 has little claim to the name of a brave soldier2 while he who in a trench or battery does not bow low at the cry 8shot10 or fall prostrate before a blazing shell1 or who in a skirmish neglects to make the best of every foot of cover1 has no right1 to the title of a wise one4 ,the difference arises from the line of military perfection being struck1 not according to what will suit or save the individual1 but by that which will benefit the general service4 ,between the duties peculiar to compact fighting and skirmishing1 the distinction should be drawn broad and deep on the drill field2 because on the battle field1 it is natural on either side to be forgetful4 ,there are two kinds of cover--ball proof cover1 and mere concealing cover4 ,ragged rocks1 large trees1 brick and stone walls and buildings1 stout fences and thick mud-banks1 constitute generally the first class2 young plantations1 gorse and underwood1 hedges1 abattis1 slight fences and narrow sand hills1 the second4 ,it is for the first that the eye of the good skirmisher continually seeks4 ,the second1 after fire completely opens1 turned even to best advantage1 is worth but little more than no cover at all2 and is worse than no cover at all1 if the men1 which they are much disposed to do1 collect in groups behind it4 ,in this way1 that very frequent out-lying piquet defence1 abattis across roads1 is often more injurious to friends than to foes4 ,instead of being planted1 as an obstacle to the enemy1 #ajj yards in front of the intended line of defence1 it is but too commonly placed on that line1 and when the struggle comes1 is thickly occupied as a sort of rampart4 ,on such striking objects the enemy's fire concentrates1 every ball goes through1 and the loss behind is severe4 ,skirmishers must not only seek for cover1 but make the best of it4 ,good cover loses half its advantages if stupidly occupied1 and ingenuity will often make bad cover ball-proof4 ,however1 notwithstanding all that may be said in favour of 8making the best of cover10 it must be thoroughly remembered1 that this duty1 at the moment of a close attack1 is altogether secondary to those of courage and activity4 ,when it comes to short distances1 the quicker the affair is settled the less will be the loss of the assailants2 and the more daring the front exhibited1 the greater the probabilities of success4 ,at every change of situation supports should1 if possible1 be placed under cover by their commanders2 if exposed1 as large bodies they form most inviting marks to the enemy's long shots4 ,this precaution1 when opportunities offer1 should not be forgotten on the drill field4#i ,v4 ,one man at #bjj yards#aj is a very small mark4 ,two abreast together1 a tolerably good one2 three abreast together should almost always be hit1 and four never be missed4 ,our opponents1 therefore1 in skirmishing1 cannot serve us better than by grouping together2 and that which we would wish them to do1 we ourselves must carefully avoid4 ,skirmishers should move in single files1#aa except in thick 8concealing cover10 when two or three together may1 without exposure1 increase mutual confidence2 or behind patches of 8ball-proof cover10 on which small groups may concentrate as to temporary breast-works2 in either case extending again at once when good cover ceases4 ,even in single files1 men loading should incessantly cover with precision their file leaders1 so as to offer marks of but one in front4 ,in skirmishing1 more than in any other branch of warfare1 men may be uselessly thrown away2 and therefore in this1 more than in any other1 economy of life and limb should form a paramount object of attention4 ,on ,british soldiers also1 perhaps more than on any others1 it is important to impress these observances2 for there is in them such a peculiarly strong national perception of that great military maxim1 8concentration is strength10 that overlooking its exceptions1 they are always powerfully impelled the hotter the fire to group the closer together4 ,nothing but deeply impressed instruction1 or dearly bought experience1 can break in them the bonds of a propensity so thoroughly at variance with good skirmishing4 ,,vi4 ,in all systems of movement composed of many distinct bodies1 there must be a common centre of direction1 connexion and extension1 or unity of purpose and effect must cease1 and confusion1 dispersion or concentration ensue4 ,such a centre there is in the minutely regular mighty moving system of the universe2 and from it1 down through every degree of importance1 to that in the more mob-like progress of a swarm of bees4 ,perhaps the greatest defect in modern skirmishing is1 that1 in extensive affairs1 this principle of an established point of direction is not well maintained4 ,however much it may be recognised in mere theory1 it is not1 in instruction1 explained in sufficient fulness1 or required with sufficient rigour2 and from these neglects arise1 in a great degree1 the inversions1 mixtures1 and other irregularities in actual service before noticed4 ,it is most injudicious to encumber the minds of men and officers with a multitude of intricate or non-essential recollections2 but the principle in point involves nothing of this character2 it is at the same time very simple and highly essential4 ,for all skirmishers of the same battalion acting together1 until they become thoroughly mixed with other corps--in all cases of movement1 excepting only those of changes of front on the principle of the wheel on the fixed pivot1 and those of taking ground to a flank obliquely or directly2 the centre1 or right centre file#ab of their own battalion skirmishers is ,,the ,,point ,,of ,,direction1 unless at the time ,,otherwise ,,especially ,,ordered4 ,when detachments from several battalions skirmish together1 the battalion of direction for the line in rear1 is that of direction for the skirmishers in front1 unless at the time otherwise ordered4 ,if no such battalion has been pointed out1 the officer commanding the extended line names to the officers in command of detachments the battalion skirmishers of direction1 and takes care to keep these last to their true course and object4 ,every officer in command of the skirmishers of a battalion has the option1 in responsible dependence on the maintenance of the general alignement and proper communication1 of changing his point of direction1 by order at and for the time being1 to the flank file nearest to the battalion skirmishers of direction1 or otherwise as circumstances may appear to require4 ,in all changes of front on the principle of the wheel on a fixed pivot1 that pivot is1 of necessity1 during the evolution1 the file of direction4 ,in taking ground to a flank obliquely or directly1 the leading file always becomes1 during this movement1 and no longer1 unless especially ordered at the time1 the file of direction4 ,when skirmishers become mixed and unmanageable1 and there is neither time nor opportunity for re-forming them at close order on their covering serjeants1 the officer in command fixes upon any man as a point of direction1 the others instantly extend away right and left 7unless at the time especially ordered to extend to either flank in particular71 without regard to their original proper places--double into files--take up the general alignment--officers and non-commissioned officers with alertness take charge of proper portions1 and the whole move and act upon this new centre1 as if no inversion or mixture had occurred4 ,upon such simple rules1 well impressed and strictly maintained1 any number of skirmishers may fight over large extents of the most intricate ground1 perfectly in hand and without confusion4 ,or1 should extraordinary events produce irregularity1 officers in command may easily1 in an instant1 under the worst circumstances1 restore good fighting order1 until leisure permits a more regular formation4 ,in extensive skirmishes1 the eyes and feelings of men retiring are powerfully drawn towards the most apparently important points of defence2 and upon these1 without direct orders1 they more or less concentrate4 ,assailants follow the same impulse1 and direct their force principally against these identical strongly occupied points4 ,hence follow of necessity on both sides a massing into large marks for the fire of opposing musquetry1 sometimes even of artillery--great unnecessary bloodshed in violent struggles1 and a neglect on the defensive side of ground which ought to be occupied1 and on the assailing side of points which ought to be attacked4 ,nothing but keeping men in hand by the principle of well understood and well maintained centres of direction can prevent similar evils4 ,supports1 in their movements1 should be guided by the same general principle as skirmishers--that is1 the centre or right centre support of each battalion should be1 unless otherwise ordered1 the support of direction1 except in the cases of wheeling on a fixed pivot1 or of taking ground to a flank4 ,in the first exception1 all conform to the pivot1 and in the last to the leading division1 unless at the time otherwise ordered4 ,supports1 not belonging to the battalion of direction1 except in the two cases just noticed1 conform under the orders of their senior officer to the movements of those which do belong to it1 with due regard to their primary duty--the proper support of their own skirmishers4 ,,vii4 ,skirmishers1 by the looseness of their formation1 are dangerously exposed to charges from small parties of the enemy's light cavalry2 and in districts destitute of continuous fences1 but abounding in hollows1 isolated patches of wood1 or other features convenient for concealment1 such attacks may burst forth with most confusing suddenness4 ,except in ground absolutely impracticable for cavalry1 skirmishers must move in constant expectation of them4 ,the eye of the officer should be accustomed to recognise habitually those frequently occurring posts of defence against cavalry1 copses1 walls1 hedges1 ditches1 c41 which are preferable to small squares2 and the minds of men should be well prepared by previous instruction and explanation1 to recollect1 in an instant1 in what their strength in such cases consists1 and to be undaunted in it4 ,against great charges of cavalry1 large squares are unquestionably the safest and most efficient2 but1 in opposition to the small dashes which occur in skirmishing1 large squares are often impracticable1 and small ones more advisable1 as being more rapidly formed and broken up4 ,squares have a moral strength in proportion to the mutual acquaintance of the men and officers who compose them4 ,men of the same company stand better together than those of mixed companies1 and men of the same regiment better than those of different corps4 ,however1 as in the field thorough mixtures do occur1 and as they1 if observed1 are likely above all other things to bring on charges from the enemy's cavalry1 squares of mixed masses should1 in instruction1 at times be practised4 ,it is not necessary to describe the different modes by which1 on the drill field1 men may be thrown into confusion4 ,when this state of things has been brought about1 mixed1 irregular1 rallying squares can be formed by adding the 8double quick0 to the ordinary sounds for squares against cavalry4#ac ,the 8double quick0 is required to mark the necessity for instantaneous irregular masses1 in contradistinction to the more regular squares1 which on the drill field skirmishers should always endeavour to form1 unless at the time otherwise ordered4 ,it cannot be too constantly upheld as a permanent principle that1 even in skirmishing1 order is the rule and irregularity the exception4 ,on the signal 8double quick0 in immediate succession to the sounds established for the formation of squares1#ad officers1 exercising most actively their intelligence1 in proper numbers and at proper distances1 hold up their swords or caps1 and the men rush round them into masses of defence without any regard to company or other distinctions4 ,these mixed squares1 as well as all others1 may 8commence firing0--8cease firing0--8advance0--8retire0--8take ground to a flank10--or 8close0 to any particular square1 by order1 or by the simple sounds for these movements4 ,the 8close0 may be important to form a large square from several small ones1 the cavalry still hovering near4 ,to these mixed squares also1 the word or sound to 8extend0 may be given4 ,the men then1 without regard to regular places1 extend away to the right and left from each square1 and double into files4 ,when the ground is nearly occupied1 the officer in command fixes on a point of direction1 to which the whole conform4 ,in the event of infantry skirmishers pressing forward to harass a square1 or of cavalry endeavouring to prevent its movements by hovering near without charging1 one or two ranks from the rear face may1 by order1 move briskly round by the right and left--double into files--cover the front at a short distance1 and rush round again to their places whenever there appears a necessity for the square itself to fire4 ,in drill in general1 and in that of light infantry in particular1 instructors confine themselves by far too closely to mere formal directions1 to the neglect of pithy practical explanations4 ,in nothing is this last addition more required than in reference to charges of cavalry4 ,a column of horsemen1 coming rapidly on with all its denseness1 its height1 its dust1 its shouts1 and its clangour1 appears to the untrained mind as altogether irresistible4 ,but appearances are not in themselves realities--let cavalry to the utmost stretch of mortal might1-- 8,come as the winds come when forests are rended20 ,and 8come as the waves come when navies are stranded20 one thing only will be required to enable squares of infantry1 like deep-rooted rocks1 to disperse these wild winds and waves1 right and left1 in dust1 froth1 and confusion--a well impressed knowledge of their own strength2 accompanied as a natural consequence1 by a deliberate employment of that1 when properly used1 most destructive weapon1 the musket4#ae ,nor can more blame attach to cavalry for such results1 than would apply to infantry for failing1 in clear day-light1 before well-barricadoed buildings or well-scarped redoubts4 ,neither in similar cases owe success1 when they get it1 to their own conduct or efficiency1 but to the needless panic of their enemy4 ,such conclusions as to the relative strength of cavalry1 are established by a string of facts more or less evident1 stretching from ,ilium1 through ,pharsalia1 to ,waterloo2 and every fact is worth a thousand opposing ingenious speculations4 ,,viii4 ,contending without a reserve is desperate risk in struggles of all kinds1 civil and military4 ,in such predicaments1 if fortune frown1 well nigh all is lost4 ,in skirmishes1 reserves1 including in the first place supports1 are not only of great importance as rallying points1 in extraordinary cases of misfortune1 but also as necessary aids to the ordinary movements of the extended line4 ,in attacks1 supports are useful for filling up accidental gaps in the front line--for prolonging its flanks or covering them obliquely or perpendicularly--for strengthening the skirmishers at any moment that these may find their numbers unequal to important work before them--for relieving them when they or their ammunition become exhausted--for coming up in close order to charge bridges1 streets1 villages1 or other defiles1 too strongly occupied to be forced by the skirmishers1 and to serve as bases1 when time allows it1 for the formation of squares against cavalry4 ,in defences1 in addition to the foregoing duties reversed as to bodies retiring1 supports have the highly important responsibilities of leading the skirmishers in the true and best line of retreat--of opening that line in all suitable places for their convenient passage1 and of taking care that it be not intercepted by the enemy4 ,reserves1 particularly so called1 supply the places of supports when necessary1 and go to the front for any object requiring the intervention of a particularly strong1 steady1 and concentrated force4 ,without express orders1 supports should not move forward to occupy accidental gaps in the extended line1 except on ground so intricate1 or under circumstances so emergent1 that the skirmishers themselves cannot readily regain their lost communications4 ,in most movements1 set unvarying sentences of command promote alertness and prevent mistakes4 ,for prolonging in the same direction the flanks of the extended line--for covering them perpendicularly or obliquely--for strengthening the skirmishers by mixing others with them1 or for relieving them2 the following set1 concise orders to supports obviously present themselves3-- ,,no4 ---- ,,support43 ,,prolong ,,the ---- ,,flank4 ,in the same direction as the general line understood4 ,,do4 ---- ,,do43 ,,cover ,,the ---- ,,flank1 perpendicularly2 with moderate licence1 according to the features of the ground1 understood4 ,,do4 ---- ,,do43 ,,cover ,,obliquely ,,the ---- ,,flank4 ,an obliquity of one-eighth of the circle1 with the same licence1 understood4 ,,do4 ---- ,,do43 ,,strengthen ,,no4 ----4 ,to prevent mistakes1 the word 8strengthen0 to be repeated with sufficient distinctness by the officers and non-commissioned officers of the ,support to which it is given1 when they arrive near to the skirmishers or the skirmishers near to them4 ,,do4 ---- ,,do43 ,,relieve ,,no4 ----4 ,the word 8relieve0 to be repeated in like manner1 for the same reason4 ,with regard to strengthening the extended line by mixing its supports with it1 it may be objected that1 in such cases1 when there are no reserves at hand1 the great rule of never fighting without them is rejected4 ,it is true1 the rule is violated2 the party if actually engaged is fighting at a desperate risk1 but there are cases in which desperate risks are wise and lawful ventures4 ,these are in the not uncommon events with skirmishers of desperate extremities2 at such moments methodical prudence is ill-masked imbecility4 ,on the #ajth of ,december1 #ahac1 some of the piquets of the light division1 in thick weather and a close country1 were suddenly assailed by the heads of heavy columns4 ,the division in the rear was scattered in straggling houses4 ,one of the companies on piquet was forced back upon another in support1 near the point of junction of two important roads leading directly into the cantonments4 ,both companies were instantly extended1 without any support1 into a thick skirmishing line2 nothing less would have been effectual4 ,the ground was held with little variation for at least two hours--two heavy attacks were repulsed1 every round of ammunition was expended1 the brigade immediately in the rear allowed to pack and send off its baggage1 and steadily to take up its fighting position1 and the piquets to fall back upon it without further molestation4 ,similar circumstances have no doubt occurred1 and may often occur again4 ,the great maxim alluded to therefore has its exceptions1 and these1 if carefully marked as exceptions1 may sometimes with propriety be admitted into instruction skirmishing4 ,to attack or defend1 with concentrated supports1 a bridge1 the street of a village1 or other peculiarly important point1 the word is simply passed1 8,supports1 close on ,no4 ----10 the support in front of1 or on1 that point4 ,near this division of formation the officer in command places himself2 and as each severally arrives gives his direction--8line10 8double column10 8open10 8close10 8quarter distance10 8half distance column10 or otherwise1 as may be thought necessary4 ,the support of formation in all cases standing fast as the basis4 ,to break up the formation1 8,supports to your proper places1 threes right and left shoulders forward1 quick march10 will speedily restore all to common skirmishing order4 ,no duties of supports are more important than those in retrograde movements1 of leading their skirmishers in proper lines of retreat2 and of opening those lines sufficiently1 but not more than sufficiently1 for their passage4 ,circumstances have actually occurred1 and1 in intricate countries1 are likely often to be repeated1 of fine fellows1 slowly retiring before an overwhelming enemy1 their whole attention absorbed upon their front1 suddenly finding further retreat intercepted by impassable obstacles1 with no alternative remaining but to surrender1 or fight their way right and left at the risk of almost utter destruction4 ,the principles advanced in the foregoing remarks1 are not1 in the main1 of a character to be limited to the details of particular movements2 but are rather to be kept continually on the mind1 for the purpose of being thrown into effect as circumstances may require4 ,practical differs from formal skirmishing1 even more by the style than by the method of its execution4 ,not one sentence1 it is believed1 will be found to stand in opposition to the ,british established system4 ,the few points in which they may at first sight appear to differ from it1 consist simply in an application of principles already established to a practical extent somewhat beyond that usually adopted4 ,if an officer who did not act upon this extent of application1 were to succeed in the command of a corps to one who had adopted it1 neither he nor those under him would experience any difficulty from the previous practice4 ,it should not be forgotten1 that the thorough spirit of practical skirmishing is not to be communicated or maintained1 with only one or two companies at a time1 on the level1 restricted1 drill field4 ,soldiers1 after having been thoroughly grounded in elementary details and permanent principles1 should be often taken out in large bodies to skirmish1 with strict1 universal and incessant attention to the duty1 across extensive and intricate tracts of country4 ,such tracts are often to be found without restrictions in foreign stations2 and at proper seasons of the year1 a little management and promises of repairing damages will generally procure access to admirable skirmishing ground from ,british farmers and landed proprietors4 ,the writer is conscious that he can have advanced little1 if anything1 that must not have occurred to officers who have had experience in this branch of warfare1 or that may not have been brought into instruction practice by them4 ,he has not1 however1 seen the foregoing practical application of essential principles thrown broadly into print2 and it appears to him important that it should be so exhibited1 in order that the spirit of actual skirmishing may not be confined to the regimental locality1 or cease with the regimental employment of those who witnessed it4 ,footnote #d3 ,with long range rifles1 this limit will probably now be eight hundred yards4--7,second edition47 ,footnote #e3 ,in this branch of instruction1 there is unquestionably a very wide field for practicable improvement4 ,in addition to some advances nearer to perfection in the construction of the musquet itself1 very much might be done towards the art of using it1 in the ways of systematical scientific instruction1 and improved local conveniences for ball practice4 ,these of necessity would entail some public expense1 but every reasonable outlay towards the maintenance of national military efficiency is true economy1 and the neglect of it real extravagance4--7,first edition47 ,footnote #f3 ,the characteristic difference between ,british and foreign ideas of good light infantry is quietly portrayed at a stroke by ,napier1 when1 in answer to ,st4 ,cyr's remark1 that 8the ,migueletes are the best light troops in the world10 he observes1 8,if1 instead of fifteen thousand ,migueletes1 the four thousand men composing ,wellington's light division had been on the heights of ,cardadeu1 ,general ,st4 ,cyr's sixty rounds of ammunition would scarcely have carried him to ,barcelona10--,peninsular ,war1 vol4 ii4 page #ajd4 ,footnote #g3 ,eight hundred yards1 again1 must now be about the proper limit4 ,footnote #h3 ,with the long range1 8the skirmishers' charge0 and 8single line0 must become the exception1 and advancing by 8alternate ranks0 the general practice4 ,footnote #i3 ,exposed to the long range1 it would appear that supports will be often obliged to loosen into extended order4 ,footnote #aj3 #fjj yards may be the distance now proper for this sentence4 ,footnote #aa3 ,now1 on exposed ground1 often in single rank3 at the word 8form single rank10 the rear rank men taking ground to the left1 and dressing up into the front line half way between their own front rank man and the man on his left4 ,footnote #ab3 ,this file should be calculated by the flanks and centres of divisions1 and not by total arithmetical numbers--also small odd portions of divisions1 which may happen to fall into the general formation1 must not be taken into account4 ,footnote #ac3 ,or1 of course1 by the word 8rallying squares0 from officers in command4 ,footnote #ad3 ,sounds4--8,alarm0 to excite attention1 followed by 8assembly0 for regular squares on the supports1 or by 8assembly0 and 8double quick0 for instantaneous 8rallying squares40 ,footnote #ae3 ,if this were true in the days of the musket1 how much more must it now apply to cavalry charges made for one thousand yards under deadly discharges from the rifle6 unless indeed artillery be brought against the squares with greatly increased powers of destruction4 ,a ,,brief ,,system ,,of ,,common ,,light ,,infantry ,,drill1 ,,adapted ,,to ,,the ,,long ,,range ,,rifle4 ,ordinary ,rules4 #a4 ,the company or division of about sixty men1 is the unit of extended ,light ,infantry1 in the same manner as the battalion of about six hundred men1 is the unit of a large military force at close order4 ,every company1 or portion of a company1 acting as ,light ,infantry1 is therefore kept in hand by its immediate commander4 #b4 ,extensions from close to skirmishing order1 are always from the centre of the company or portion of the company1 unless at the time otherwise ordered4 #c4 ,closings from skirmishing to compact order are always to the centre1 unless at the time otherwise ordered4 7,in both of the foregoing cases the word 8centre0 is usually uttered1 but the rules are necessary for the prevention of uncertainty in circumstances of rapidity47 #d4 ,extensions are in single files six paces apart1 and firings are carried on by alternate ranks1 front rank commencing4 ,the front rank and rear rank man must never be unloaded together4 ,when not firing4 #e4 ,all movements are in 8quick time40 #f4 ,skirmishers when halted1 stand1 with arms ordered4 ,when firing has commenced4 #g4 ,all movements of skirmishers are at the 8double quick40 #h4 ,skirmishers while halting1 on open ground drop on the right knee2 on intersected ground they make the best of any cover near them1 choosing their own bodily position4 #i4 ,in advancing1 men whose rifles are loaded always pass by the right of those who are loading2 and in like manner in retiring1 men who are not loaded pass to the proper left of those who are nearly ready to fire4 #aj4 ,in advancing1 all load 8as front rank10 rifles on the left side1 muzzles to the front2 in retiring all load 8as rear rank10 rifles on the right side1 muzzles to the rear4 #aa4 ,in all movements directly to the front or rear1 the right centre file of the company skirmishers1 is the proper file of direction1 to whose course all others conform1 and from towards which they keep their relative distances4 #ab4 ,in all movements directly or obliquely to a flank1 the leading file of that flank is1 for the time being1 the file of direction4 #ac4 ,in all changes of front on a fixed pivot1 the file which is that pivot is1 of necessity1 for the time being1 the file of direction4 7,see on this most important particular of 8the file of direction10 ,article ,,vi4 of 8,the ,essentials407 #ad4 ,troops skirmishing at a greater distance than three hundred yards from the line or column1 should retain one half of their number in support4 7,see on this subject ,article ,,viii4 of 8,the ,essentials407 #ae4 ,skirmishers ordered to 8form square10 close upon their supports4 #af4 ,if the bugle be employed1 the less of it the better1 provided the order be distinct to all concerned in it4 #ag4 ,the last note of a bugle order marks the moment for the commencement of obedience to it4 #ah4 ,all verbal orders and bugle commands not understood by the skirmishers1 should be repeated in a low but distinct tone by officers and non-commissioned officers in charge of sections4 ,almost all of these 8,,ordinary ,,rules0 may be altered1 at the time1 for extraordinary and temporary purposes4 ,as for instance3 ,no4 #a1 portions of different companies may be placed by superior orders under one commander1 to control them as if they were of one company4 ,nos4 #b and #c1 extension1 may be ordered 8from the right10 8left10 or any particular file1 and closing1 in like manner4 ,no4 #d1 8double files10 may be ordered for mutual protection in going through thick cover2 or1 8single rank10 under heavy fire in open ground1 and the distance between the files may be contracted or enlarged1 in order to occupy less or more ground4 ,nos4 #e and #f1 skirmishers1 not firing1 may be ordered to 8double quick10 to 8kneel10 or to 8lie down40 ,nos4 #g and #h1 skirmishers1 firing1 to 8common quick0 or to 8stand up40 ,no4 #aj1 the file of direction may be changed to any other file that may for the time being suit the purpose of the commander4 ,no4 #aa1 skirmishers running towards their supports to form squares1 may suddenly be arrested by the order 8rallying squares10 for instantaneous irregular formations1 c4 c4 ,such measures being 7it is repeated as very important7 the temporary exceptions1 and the 8ordinary rules0 the standing practice4 ,careful consideration has been given in regard to the 8ordinary rule0 ,no4 #g1 that1 under fire1 all movements of skirmishers should be at the 8double quick10 inasmuch as it is at variance with the practice hitherto pursued in the ,british army1 of saving the soldier as much as possible from efforts of extraordinary exertion4 ,the author's careful proof of the long range rifle1 on the low water smooth sands of an extensive sea beach1 in which the final course of every bullet was marked1 added to the great amount of other testimony on the same subject1 have convinced him1 that1 for the future1 within the range of eight hundred yards1 all movements under the fire of a well posted enemy must be at the 8double quick10 to avoid ruinous destruction4 ,if the distance required cannot be surmounted in one effort at such speed1 it must be traversed by successive dashes to intervening cover4 ,details of ,common ,movements4 ,company or division1 say of sixty men1 at close order in line two deep1 told off into 8threes10 8right and left files10 two 8sub-divisions0 of fifteen file each1 including four 8sections10 two being of eight files and two of seven files1 the larger numbers always on the flanks4 ,,command--8,,from ,,the ,,centre ,,extend40 ,the centre file 7the left file of the right sub-division7 stands fast1 arms ordered1 the remainder of the right sub-division turn to the right1 the whole of the left sub-division to the left1 arms at the long trail 7horizontal in the right hand71 step off1 first file on each side of the centre at six paces halted and fronted quietly by the rear rank men1 take up the bodily position of the centre-file1 whatever it may be1--the others successively do the same as their relative distances are gained4 8,,from ,,the ,,right ,,extend40 8,,from ,,the ,,left ,,extend40 8,,from ,,the ,,fourth ,,file ,,from ,,the ,,right ,,extend ,,eight ,,paces40 8,,from ,,john ,,wilson ,,extend ,,three ,,paces40 ,on precisely the same principle4 ,division extended in single files4 8,,double ,,files40 ,the 8left0 files close to their respective right files4 8,,single ,,files40 ,the left files return to their former places4 8,,single ,,rank40 ,rear rank men divide the distance between their own front rank men and the next front rank men towards the left4 8,,two ,,deep40 ,rear rank men return to their ordinary places4 8,,change ,,front ,,to ,,the ,,right1 ,,on ,,the ,,centre40 ,the centre file faces to the right1 all files to the right of it turn to the right about2 the whole1 except the centre file1 step off1 moving by the shortest lines to take up their relative distances1 as before1 from the pivot file1 on the new line which it has given2 the direction of which line1 moreover1 may1 in all similar cases1 be at the time moderately varied by the officer in command4 ,,change ,,front ,,to ,,the ,,right1 ,,on ,,the ,,right ,,file4 ,,change ,,front ,,to ,,the ,,left1 ,,on ,,the ,,right ,,file4 ,,change ,,front ,,to ,,the ,,left1 ,,on ,,the ,,left ,,file4 ,,change ,,front ,,to ,,the ,,right1 ,,on ,,the ,,left ,,file4 ,,change ,,front ,,to ,,the ,,right1 ,,on 7any7 ,,file4 ,,change ,,front ,,to ,,the ,,left1 ,,on 7any7 ,,file4 ,on the same principle the file named facing in the direction ordered1 and the remainder moving to the front or rear1 ,,by ,,the ,,shortest ,,lines1 to gain their former relative places in the new line of formation4 8,,advance40 ,move forward2 distances and general line from the file of direction4 8,,right ,,incline40#af ,each file makes a half turn to the right1 maintaining the line in the same general direction as before1 though moving obliquely4 8,,right ,,take ,,ground40 ,full turn to the right1 following the right file4 8,,retire40 ,turn to the rear1 rear rank men leading4 8,,halt40 ,come to the proper front1 and stand fast with ordered arms4 8,,commence ,,firing40 ,in open ground the skirmishers drop on the right knee2 in intersected ground they make the best of any near cover 7see 8the ,essentials10 ,article ,,iv47 ,front rank men fire1 7even on the drill field carefully covering an object--8,essentials0 ,,ii427 and when these have nearly re-loaded1 the rear rank men give their fire in like manner1 and so on4 ,front rank load 8as front rank10 muzzles to the front2 rear rank 8as rear rank10 muzzles to the rear4 8,,advance40 ,the front rank dashes forward fifty paces at the 8double quick10 drops on the knee or makes the best of cover1 and fires 7as the rear rank by that time will have loaded74 ,the rear rank then springs forward to fifty paces in advance of the front rank1 repeating the same practice1 and so on1 alternately4 ,the centre file of direction giving in a general manner the time of starting and the distance4 8,,single ,,line ,,advancing40 8,,common ,,quick40 7,the 8cease firing0 not having been ordered74 ,the rank which is loaded steps up to one pace in front of the rank that is loading1 both advance together loading and firing as they move on2 the man who has fired stepping a little to the left1 to allow his comrade to pass in front of him4 7,in this mode of 8firing0 in 8single line0 8advancing10 there can be no running or kneeling4 ,it may be especially useful against small and distant bodies of cavalry47 ,the skirmishers may 8,,take ,,ground ,,to ,,the ,,right0 ,,or 8,,left10 in 8,,single ,,line ,,firing0 to the front1 on the same principle4 8,,alternate ,,ranks40 ,the front rank dashes forward fifty paces as before1 all kneeling again at the halts4 8,,retire40 ,the rank which happens to be in front gives its fire1 and retires at the 8double quick0 to thirty paces in rear of the rank that is loading1 and so on successively2 with the simple difference of principle from firing advancing1 that1 whereas1 while advances under accurate fire from long ranges cannot be too rapid1 with due regard to the preservation of physical strength and correct firing1 retreats cannot be too slow and dogged1 with due regard to the danger of being pressed too closely by the enemy4 ,fifty paces of interval are therefore fixed as the 8ordinary rule0 for the advance1 and only thirty for the retreat4 8,,cease ,,firing40 ,after this order1 not one shot4 ,all finish loading1 the rank which happens to be in front stands up1 8arms at the order20 the rank which happens to be in rear moves forward and joins it1 taking up the same position4 8,to the ,centre1 ,close40 ,the centre file stands fast1 all to the right of it turn to the left1 all to the left of it to the right1 all but the centre file step off1 rifles at the long trail1 close upon the centre1 halt1 front1 and take up the same bodily position as the centre file4 ,if it has been ordered in the mean time to 8fix bayonets10 the others fix bayonets successively as they come up3 if to shoulder arms1 the others successively shoulder1 c41 c4 8,,to ,,the ,,right1 ,,close40 8,,to ,,the ,,left1 ,,close40 8,,to 7,,any ,,file71 ,,close40 ,on precisely the same principles4 ,company in line two deep4 8,,right ,,subdivision1 ,,cover ,,the ,,front40 ,the officer commanding the right subdivision gives the words-- 8,right subdivision10 8trail arms10 8quick march10 8from the centre extend40 ,at the last-mentioned word1 the centre file going steadily to the front1 all to the right of it bring forward the left shoulder1 and all to the left of it the right shoulder1 so as to open out1 successively1 to the proper extended distances from the centre2 each file turning full to the front as it gains its distance4 ,the left subdivision has now become 8the support40 ,when the line of skirmishers attains to a proper distance1 it receives the order 8,halt40 ,this interval1 in a tolerably open country1 under the long range1 should scarcely be less than three hundred yards2 though1 on the drill field1 to save time1 this and other similar distances may be1 when it is desirable1 contracted4 ,any body of infantry on the march in line may 8extend0 from any named file on the principle just described2 and1 on the same principle1 skirmishers on the march may 8close10 by bringing up the shoulder so as to join successively the file indicated which has kept its straightforward course4 ,for the very important duties of supports1 see 8,the ,essentials10 ,art4 ,,viii4 ,right subdivision extended1 left subdivision in support4 8,,left ,,subdivision1 ,,relieve40 78,the skirmishers0 understood47 ,the left subdivision receives the words from its commander-- 8,left subdivision10 8trail arms10 8quick march10 8from the centre extend40 ,the centre file of the support marches straight upon the centre file of the skirmishers1 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 skirmishers1 turning again full to the front when these are attained4 ,on reaching the line of the former skirmishers these last-mentioned receive the order1 8,right subdivision10 8retire10 8to the centre1 close40 ,the centre file of the new support proceeds straight to the rear1 rear rank leading1 the other files close upon the centre successively2 the support is halted at its proper distance1 the new skirmishers having1 in the meantime1 taken up the position and employment in all things of those relieved4 ,if the skirmishers are advancing when the order to 8relieve0 is given1 they receive the word 8halt10 and allowing the new line of skirmishers to pass through them to a sufficient distance to the front1 close to the centre1 and follow on in support4 ,if the skirmishers are retiring when the order to 8relieve0 is given1 the support 8halts10 8fronts10 and 8extends0 upon its own line4 ,continuing the 8retreat0 so soon as the new support1 having closed1 has attained its proper distance4 ,if 8commence firing0 has been given before the order to 8relieve10 the relief takes place upon the principles just above described1 with these additions--that if relieved at the halt1 the old skirmishers spring up as the new skirmishers are reaching them and 8double quick0 to the rear one hundred paces before they begin to close--if in advancing1 the new skirmishers 8double quick0 one hundred paces from the rear1 and the same distance to the front of the old line1 the latter lying down1 and not rising or closing until the relief has opened its fire2 and if1 in retiring1 the old support lies down so soon as it is extended1 and allows the former skirmishers to pass through it at the 8double quick0 7continued for one hundred yards7 before it springs upon the knee and opens its fire4 ,the important object of the running and lying down in relieving under fire of course being1 that the new and old lines of skirmishers should not be exposed when near together as large marks for the enemy's shot4 ,one subdivision extended1 the other in support4 ,word of ,command1 8,,form ,,square20 or1 ,bugle 4444444 8,,alarm10 8,,assembly40 ,the right section of the support wheels back half a quarter circle 7#de7 on its left1 the left section half a quarter circle on its right1 stepping back one or two paces so as to let the left of the right section overlap its right4 ,the right section wheels up by threes to the left1 the left section by threes to the right1 threes close to the front and then face outwards1 thus forming half a three deep square with the angle to the front4 8,fix bayonets0 and 8commence firing0 7outward rank kneeling in reserve7 if the front is clear and the enemy near4 ,skirmishers run in and form the two rear faces of the square three deep1 keeping to the right and left in running in so as not to hinder the fire1 and not fixing bayonets until in their places4 ,the faces of the square are wheeled back so as to stand diamond like in reference to the general line1 in order that the fire may be thrown clear of your own neighbouring squares4 8,,cease ,,firing40 8,,right ,,subdivision ,,cover ,,the ,,front40 ,the subdivision so ordered receives the words 7as before7 8unfix bayonets10 8trail arms10 8quick march10 8from the centre extend10 and proceeds to its extended line1 the men of the other subdivision fall into their proper places in line two deep as the support4 ,word of ,command1 8,,form ,,square20 or ,bugle 4444444 8,,alarm10 8,,assembly40 ,the formation commenced as before1 but the enemy being too near to allow of its completion1 the order is given-- ,word of ,command1 8,,rallying ,,squares20 or1 ,bugle 4444444 8,,double ,,quick30 upon which the support clubs into a solid mass1 facing outwards on all sides2 and with all skirmishers the 8officers1 exercising most actively their intelligence1 in proper numbers and at proper distances1 hold up their swords or caps1 and the men rush round them into masses of defence40--7,see 8,the ,essentials10 art4 ,,vii47 ,,advanced ,,and ,,rear ,,guards4 ,an advanced guard1 on a road on the line of march1 consists of a large reserve1 a small reserve1 a support and skirmishers4 ,the first of these1 according to the 8,field ,exercise of the ,army10 may be one subdivision1 about five hundred yards in advance of the head of the main column2 the second1 a complete section1 two hundred yards further on2 and the third1 one hundred yards more in advance1 the remaining section of the company1 throwing out one hundred yards again to its front a double file of skirmishers on the road1 and a double file 7if the strength of the section admits of so many7 obliquely to each flank4 ,it is of course of the highest importance that this formation1 in the whole of its progress1 7maintained frequently through a long day's march1 in thick weather1 and through intricate roads17 should be preserved in perfect unity by links of ocular connexion4 ,no one portion of it should ever be1 for many minutes at least1 unseen by some other portion4 ,for this reason1 the distances of separation must vary with the hour of the day1 the nature of the country1 and the state of the weather1 and one or two files of communication should remain midway between the several detachments4 ,the ordinary mode of forming an advanced guard of course is1 for the body composing it to proceed along the intended road1 dropping its different portions and files of communication as they successively attain their relative distances4 ,a rear guard is an advanced guard faced to its proper rear4 ,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 application4 ,upon this subject1 much has already been advanced in the ,ist1 ,v,ith1 ,v,i,ith and ,v,i,i,ith ,articles of 8,the ,essentials of ,good ,skirmishing40 ,bugle ,sounds ,illustration3 ,no4 ,i4 ,extend4 ,illustration3 ,no4 ,,ii4 ,close4 ,illustration3 ,no4 ,,ii4 ,advance4 ,illustration3 ,no4 ,,iv4 ,halt4 ,illustration3 ,no4 ,v4 ,fire4 ,illustration3 ,no4 ,,vi4 ,cease ,firing4 ,illustration3 ,no4 ,,vii4 ,retreat4 ,illustration3 ,no4 ,,viii4 ,assembly4 ,illustration3 ,no4 ,,ix4 ,incline to the ,right4 ,illustration3 ,no4 ,x4 ,incline to the ,left4 ,illustration3 ,no4 ,,xi4 ,the ,alarm4 ,illustration3 ,the ,quick ,time4 ,illustration3 ,the ,double ,time4 ,footnote #af3 ,with the bugle1 the 8right incline10 or 8left incline10 sounded once1 is understood to mean the half turn1 twice 7with a well-marked interval7 the full turn4 ,a ,,method ,,of ,,instruction ,,for ,,the ,,speedy ,,acquirement ,,of ,,proficiency ,,in ,,the ,,use ,,of ,,the ,,long ,,range ,,rifle4 ,the recruit or pupil must ,,first have his intelligence distinctly informed1 and his memory strongly impressed1 with what the ,rifle can be made to do at any given distance4 ,he will thus be prepared for instruction1 ,,secondly1 in the art of making it do what it can do4 ,the first particular may perhaps be accomplished to full satisfaction by the following method4 ,the trials that now induce the proposal of it1#ag were1 with the regulation musquet1 very satisfactory4 ,the various degrees of the power of the weapon were1 to the extent the experiment was carried1 accurately ascertained and distinctly exhibited4 ,a piece of level ground must be set apart for rifle practice4 ,the length1 with the present power of range1 should be from #adjj to #aejj yards4 ,forty feet would be sufficient for the width1 excepting at the permanent butt1 where1 for security's sake1 it should be at least forty yards4 ,it would be very desirable that no boundary straight walls or fences should guide the eye to the target4 ,at the permanent butt1 a racket court wall should be built1 from thirty to forty feet high1 and from thirty to forty yards wide1 with side-wings1 to stop glancing shot4 ,ten yards in front of this centre should stand a wooden target1 painted white if the wall be painted black1 or vice vers2 with a 8bull's-eye0 at four and a half feet from the ground--this target being divided into square feet by lines1 easily distinguishable through a small telescope from the furthest extremity of the range4 ,from this wooden target1 as a commencement1 the practice ground should be marked off into lengths of fifty yards each4 ,at each of these fifty-yard stations1 two sockets should be sunk into the ground1 to hold1 when required1 the outer frame of an intermediate target4 ,the inner frame should hang by hinges on the outer1 so as to open and shut as a door4 ,it should be covered with the most yielding material 7paper or otherwise71 that would stand with an ordinary wind1 so as to offer the least possible resistance to a passing bullet4 ,it should be painted with a 8bull's-eye0 and lines1 corresponding precisely with those of the wooden target4 ,the wooden target station should be provided with a ball-proof sentry-box for the marker1 on wheels2 and each of the intermediate stations with a like ball-proof sentry-box1 a long wooden shed1 with a locker in it for the paper target1 and a very solid and steady rest on wheels1 with a groove at the top for the steady firing from it of the rifle1 at the same height from the ground as the 8bull's-eye0 in the targets4 ,to prevent accidents1 four or five bells should be hung on pillars at intervals on the side of the line of practice1 with short flag-staffs above them1 for the hoisting of signals4 ,the size of the paper targets should be calculated to include the widest ordinary variations of the bullets4 ,three feet might be sufficient for the furthest from the butt1 the width gradually increasing to twelve feet1 at the nearest station to the wooden target4 ,the height must rise and fall1 as far as it might be practicable1 with the line of the ordinary highest flight of the bullet4 ,fifty yards have been given as the proper interval between the paper targets1 because that distance suited the round ball and regulation musquet4 ,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 apart4 ,it did not appear1 in the experiments made1 that the resistance of the paper had any effect of consequence on the flight of the ball4 ,this of course would depend much upon the texture of the covering material4 ,in calm weather1 a little water sprinkled on the paper targets would really make resistance nominal4 ,the foregoing preparations being completed1 and the instructor having1 by means of them1 made himself well acquainted with the powers of his rifle--that rifle1 moreover1 being of the kind which his recruits or pupils are to bring with them--the squad takes post at the longest effectual range station1--we will say1 for the ordinary infantry rifle1 at eight hundred yards4 ,the paper targets are left open1 and the wooden target with its 8bull's eye10 seen4 ,the wooden rest is placed in the centre1 and a rifle laid steadily in it1 at the elevation given by the instructor as necessary for hitting the distant 8bull's eye40 ,to prevent accidents1 this rifle is not cocked4 ,at a signal given the paper targets are shut1 beginning with the nearest to the butt1 the recruits being made to remark1 as they are successively closed1 that the 8,bulls' eyes0 are in a perfect line4 ,the nearest bell is rung2 two minutes are allowed for persons on the line to run into the ball-proof sentry-boxes1 and the shot is steadily fired4 ,the distance and elevation of the rifle being carefully entered in the firing-book1 which every pupil should possess1 the squad proceeds to trace1 by the paper targets1 the course of the ball to its ultimate destination4 ,at every target1 the height or depression of the shot in inches from the central line of the 8bull's eye10 is carefully observed1 and noted down--the point blank distance is especially entered4 ,the shot-holes1 in the meantime1 are covered with the smallest possible patches of fresh paper1 or1 in the wooden target1 plugged4 ,the squad then returns to the next nearest1 or seven hundred yards' station1 repeats the same process of levelling a rifle at the elevation ordered by the instructor1 and of tracing and noting down the course of the ball2 and so on1 diminishing each time a hundred yards1 and at last to fifty from the target4 ,by a systematic course of this kind1 for which four hours1 or half a day1 would be sufficient1 about twelve men might attain a permanent ocular knowledge of the power of their rifles on level ground at every possible range4 ,it would1 of course1 be necessary that the rifles and charges should be uniform in size1 weight1 and quality4 ,the effect of strong side winds upon the bullet 7which is considerable7 might also sometimes be shown1 and rifles accurately proved one against another4 ,it is very possible to make a rest in which the discharge will only occasion a direct recoil1 and it would therefore seem that1 with due attention1 this mode of proof1 and this instruction in what the rifle will do1 might be carried very near to perfection4 ,the next step is to make the soldier do for himself what he has seen his rifle1 if properly managed1 will do4 ,for this purpose1 the paper targets and frames must be cleared away and stowed in the lockers1 the rests wheeled off the line1 and half the squad 7six men7 assembled1 rifles not loaded1 at the fifty yards from the wooden target station4 ,the first man is placed in the line of the 8bull's eye10 the rest of the squad lodging their arms in a rack under the shed1 and returning to watch the practice attentively4 ,the man to fire1 having loaded very carefully1 is asked by the instructor-- ,q4 ,what is your distance from the mark8 ,a4 444 yards4 ,q4 ,what must be the elevation1 or depression8 ,a4 444 inches above1 or below1 the bull's eye4 ,if he should forget1 or be incorrect1 he is not to be set right by the instructor1 but made to refer to his own firing-book for information4 ,of course1 if the rifle be provided with carefully-proved sights1 he should be taught to make use of them4 ,he is then warned to bring up the rifle quietly from the hip1 looking1 while he does so1 at the point he wishes to hit1 to shut the left eye close1 and to look with the right eye through the sights themselves1 and not over or beneath them1 to pull the trigger steadily the moment the object is accurately covered1 at this instant throwing his attention to the care of keeping the line of barrel direct to the mark until the bullet has left the muzzle--perhaps the most difficult attainment in ball practice1 and that which constitutes the greatest difference between a good shot and a bad one4 ,these principles being clearly communicated1 the nearest bell is rung1 a minute's delay given for short distances1 and two minutes for long ones1 and the shot is fired4 ,the marker instantly steps out of his ball-proof box1 with a light pole1 having at its extremity a bright scarlet circle1 which he lays upon the shot-hole in the wooden target--the number of inches above or below1 and right or left1 of the centre of the 8bull's eye0 is entered in the firing book--the man falls back to the squad1 and the next for firing takes his place4 ,if a man hit very wide of the proper mark1 it might be well to make him fire until he had attained a reasonably good shot1 charging to his account the surplus ammunition so expended4 ,the squad would then fall back to one hundred yards from the wooden target with a repetition of the same practice1 then to two hundred1 and so on to the longest range4 ,not more1 probably1 than three stations could be got through in a day1 by any one squad1 with advantage4 ,at the end of each day's work1 a careful return of the details of firing should be sent by the instructor to the commanding officer1 in conformity with which1 rewards1 commendations1 and censures1 might be finally distributed4 ,the details of proceeding have been somewhat minutely described1 because this elementary instruction1 to form a solid and effectual basis for subsequent general practice1 should be a minutely patient and careful work4 ,in order1 also1 to prevent the serious accidents which want of system might occasion1 especially at the long ranges1 it would be important to establish and maintain minute uniformity of proceeding4 ,such a course as that above recommended would only occupy four days1 and it would make a man for all his life1 if he had the talent to profit by it1 a good marksman1 with rifles of the same power as that which he had thus carefully proved4 ,this elementary instruction would not1 of course1 set aside more free and desultory practice at other times1 provided it were carried on with obedience to the general regulations for security against accidents4 ,it is almost superfluous to observe1 that the instructors provided with the 8stadia10 and with small telescopes headed with simple 8micrometers10 should point out to officers and men the readiest methods of calculating distances4 ,taking twenty-five as the average number of pupils that could be1 with full advantage1 under daily practice1 and four days as the period for completing their instruction1 one hundred and fifty might be thus finished in the twenty-four 7as an average7 working days of each month1 a battalion of about six hundred men in four months1 and consequently twelve hundred men in the eight temperate months 7from1 about the #ast of ,march to the #ast of ,november7 in each year4 ,to complete1 therefore1 the ,british army on home service in one year1 there would be required about forty such establishments scattered throughout the ,united ,kingdom1 and for the volunteer rifle corps and militia about fifty more4 ,after the year of theoretical instruction1 they would remain as most useful for freer practice4 ,the expense would be1 the cost of the land1 which 7considering that strips of worthless soil1 or of government ground1 might in many instances be procured gratis7 should not exceed five hundred pounds the station2 and light fencing1 the butt1 targets1 sheds1 ball-proof sentry-boxes1 rests1 and a small house for the marker in charge of the ground1 which might average four hundred pounds more4 ,in all nine hundred pounds for each establishment as a permanent outlay1 or about thirty-six thousand pounds for the regular army1 and forty-five thousand pounds for the volunteer rifle corps and militia4 ,the markers might be military pensioners1 with a small addition to their pay1 and the instructors retired officers or non-commissioned officers1 with a similar allowance4 ,many from these classes would be well calculated for such duties1 and would enter with spirit into them4 ,to give complete success to an appeal to the nation for the expenditure thus required1 notorious facts1 added to a widely-acknowledged principle1 mentioned in the first edition of this treatise1 should be sufficient3 8,every reasonable outlay towards the maintenance of national military efficiency is true economy2 and the neglect of it1 real extravagance40--78,essentials10 ,art4 #bnd1 ,correct ,firing47 ,the notorious facts referred to are1 that the marvellous inventive spirit of the age has1 at one bound1 made military efficiency dependent1 in a super-eminent degree1 on skill in rifle practice1 and that other nations1 sensitively alive to the circumstance1 are devoting to it immense methodical attention4#ah ,footnote #ag3 ,made carefully1 with soldiers of the #ebnd ,regiment1 on a retired sea-beach in ,british ,north ,america1 in the years #ahbe-f4 ,footnote #ah3 ,see1 among other proofs1 8,instruction sur le ,tir1 par ,ordre du ,ministre de la ,guerre10 ,paris1 #ahdh2 and 8,projet d',instruction sur le ,tir10 ,paris1 #ahej4 ,,short ,,observations ,,upon ,,dress ,,and ,,appointments4 ,it is so distinctly evident that the immense advance which is at the present period in operation upon military weapons and practice must extend its influence to dress and appointments1 that a treatise of this kind would not now be complete in its parts without a reference to them4 ,dress will be affected pre-eminently1 in a manner which has not1 as yet1 attracted much1 if any1 public attention4 ,it will be indescribably more than ever important to distinguish the troops of one nation from those of other nations1 by uniforms that can be known afar off4 ,among the most perplexing1 hindering1 and revolting incidents of a campaign1 are those of mistaking foes for friends and friends for foes4 ,facts are the best arguments2 and a few of those which occurred under the author's own observation1 in a corps probably as little liable to make mistakes as any that ever stood on a battle-field1 are offered in enforcement of this consideration4 ,during the retreat from ,madrid1 in the grey of the morning1 after having been harassed through the greater part of the day before by impudent dashes of the ,french light cavalry1 a ,spanish cavalry patrol was fired upon1 under the very natural impression that they were ,frenchmen1 re-commencing their previous practice4 ,after this1 while engaged in the pursuit of a beaten enemy through a mountainous and intricate country1 the battalion was compelled1 as a matter of reasonable prudence1 to scale a rocky hill1 in order to take up a position of defence against three battalions in blue1 which had just appeared as if moving to intercept the line of retreat4 ,when a quarter of an hour had been wasted1 they also turned out to be ,spaniards4 ,on a subsequent occasion1 in following up a charge in line1 from the thick smoke that still hung on the enemy's infantry a body of horsemen1 of which some evidently were cuirassiers1 broke furiously upon the front4 ,it had all the appearance of an effort of the ,french cavalry to cover the retreat1 and the whole fire was for a moment concentrated upon it1 until some of the headmost horsemen1 falling almost upon the bayonets1 were perceived to be ,english light dragoons4 ,these are a few1 and only a very few1 of the evils which have already arisen from indistinctness in uniform4 ,if1 then1 the mischief was so great in connexion with the limited and uncertain power of the old musquet1 what will it not be with the distant and accurate fire of the long range rifle8 ,a group of your own staff officers1 a patrol of your own cavalry1 or a battalion in blue of your own infantry1 eight hundred yards off1 might be almost destroyed before it could be possible to correct the mistake2 while bodies of the enemy might1 from your uncertainty1 pass and repass with corresponding impunity4 ,whatever uniforms1 therefore1 we adopt or maintain1 it is evident that1 for cavalry as well as infantry1 broad ,,national ,,distinctiveness should be a most predominant consideration4 ,there is another immense advantage in distinctive uniforms for troops who can and will do their duty--the mighty moral effect which such distinctiveness carries with it4 ,like the mere 8,blast of ,roderic's bugle horn10 it 8is worth0 in itself1 in a stout struggle1 the support of 8,a thousand men40 ,many a time has the distinctive red coat sounded a retreat to the enemy1 which he would have been slow to adopt if any doubt had existed about the real character of the troops he had fallen in with4 ,popular error ought to be corrected in regard to colours suitable for light infantry1 by the plain matter of fact1 that skirmishing is not in general a prowling1 wolf-like proceeding1 but sheer hard and open fighting2 in which1 indeed1 the parties engaged make the best of any cover that presents itself1 but in which also the flashes and smoke of firing alone present marks for reply that no tint of uniform can conceal4 ,in concealing-cover1 not the coat1 but the head dress and face are seen4 ,it is a reasonable subject of doubt whether on open ground1 at a distance of six hundred or eight hundred yards1 red1 soiled by dust1 dirt and drenching1 does not mellow into a greyish-purple1 as little calculated to make the man who wears it a mark as blue1 black1 or dark green4 ,take away white epaulettes1 white lace1 and white belts1 and the red jacket itself may still continue to be1 with prudence and propriety1 the leading star on land of ,england's high honour and prosperity4 ,the increased rapidity with which1 to prevent ruinous destruction1 troops of all kinds1 when under fire1 must now move for considerable distances1 gives increased importance to the very plain principle1 that the efficiency of a locomotive weapon of war is1 in the highest degree1 dependent upon the proportion of its weight to the strength of the animal that carries it4 ,weight of metal is of immense moment on a rampart2 but lightness of heart and litheness of limb1 producing sustained and easy movement and careful firing1 are advantages of more importance to the soldier in the field4 ,these principles embrace his appointments as well as his weapons2 and it may be possible1 now that public attention is called to the subject1 to extend their application1 dependent as this is upon the public purse4 ,the weight of the ammunition and bayonet has hitherto1 in regard to the infantry in general1 been supported upon the shoulders1 and that of the former concentrated on one point4 ,it would appear very possible to divide the support between the shoulders and the waist1 and to distribute it equally around4 ,the thirty inches of space which1 in general1 surround the waist of the full-grown man1 would allow of sixty ball-cartridges1 placed side by side perpendicularly in four flat well-made pouches1 one on each side before1 and the same behind4 ,these might be attached to a waist-belt clasping in front1 and supported1 moreover1 by a few stout buttons in the coat1 and by a pair of very light belts1 in the general form of common braces1 crossing on the back1 but in front falling straight down from the shoulder without crossing1 and terminating each in two points4 ,the material for all these belts might he leather1 and the colour1 that very common tint reddish-brown1 to assimilate with the coat4 ,the advantage of this arrangement would be1 that1 in addition to the weight being equalized1 the soldier could1 as he pleased1 ease his shoulders by tightening the waist-belt1 or ease the waist by loosing the clasp4 ,he would be also free to throw wide open the coatee in oppressive weather1 or in falling out on the line of march4 ,than this last1 there could not perhaps be a greater relief to the practical soldier4 ,in a campaign1 a man might conveniently carry1 in addition to this ammunition1 thirty rounds of gunpowder in a stout well-made flask1 slung by a red strap over the shoulder1 and a bag with thirty bullets1 in greased patches1 on the right side of his waist-belt1 to balance the sword-bayonet1 suspended from a frog on the left side4 ,for long ranges1 loading from the powder-flask might be safe and convenient--the cartridges would serve for closer quarters4 ,the present almost iron neck-band might be exchanged for the simple1 neat1 and durable patent ,albert spring-wire stock1 covered with soft leather4 ,possibly1 also1 the soldier's house1 which he carries on his back--and which1 in a campaign1 must be for weeks together his only shelter--his great coat1 or cloak and blanket1 might be made lighter by substituting superior materials4 ,in no other way can the weight of the knapsack be much reduced4 ,it is certainly of immense importance to the safety and prosperity of the nation that all the foregoing subjects should be1 even now1 appreciated with practical closeness4 ,other civilized states are most active in investigation and in application4 ,,the ,,british ,,soldier ,,stands ,,cheerfully ,,ready ,,and ,,willing ,,to ,,do ,,his ,,duty ,,to ,,the ,,country--,,it ,,is ,,for ,,england ,,to ,,do ,,her ,,duty ,,to ,,herself ,,and ,,to ,,the ,,soldier4 ,from this designation the author would by no means exclude any portions of the armed land-defenders of the ,british empire1 so far as they might have claim to it by character and attainments4 ,let the volunteer rifle corps and militia acquire and maintain 7as did the county militias during the last great war1 and as have done many of the yeomanry corps since that period7 that drill and discipline without which1 in the hour of danger1 men-at-arms are jests to their enemies and pests to their friends1 and they also may with justice be classed among the soldier-like guardians of their country4 ,,the ,,end4 ,,london3 ,,military ,,library1 ,,whitehall4 ,,march1 #aheb4 ,,parker1 ,,furnivall1 ,,parker1 ,publishers1 by ,authority1 of ,the ,queen's ,regulations1 and other ,official ,books for the ,army4 ,works in the ,press4 ,historical ,records of the #gast ,highland ,light ,infantry1 #hgth ,royal ,irish ,fusiliers1 #ejth ,queen's ,own1 and #ehth ,regiments4 ,compiled by ,richard ,cannon1 ,esq41 ,adjutant-,general's ,office4 ,journal of the ,russian ,campaign of #ahab4 ,from the ,french of ,lieut4-,general de ,fezensac1 by ,colonel ,knollys1 commanding ,scots ,fusilier ,guards4 ,with an ,introduction and ,notes by the ,translator4 ,notes on the ,defensive ,resources of ,great ,britain4 ,by ,captain ,fyers1 ,half-pay1 ,royal ,artillery4 ,manual of ,information and ,instruction for ,candidates for ,commissions4 ,by ,alfred ,downes1 ,esq4 ,military ,drawing4 ,by ,newton ,fielding4 ,royal ,octavo1 with numerous ,plates and ,woodcuts4 ,the ,first ,part will contain instructions in all the various kinds of pen1 pencil1 and brush-work in one colour4 ,the ,second ,part will be entirely devoted to ,military ,drawing in ,colours4 ,construction of the ,modern ,system of ,fortification4 ,with ,plates printed in three colours4 ,by ,thomas ,kimber1 ,b4,a4 ,on the ,management of ,ships' ,boats3 a ,letter to the ,right ,hon4 the ,president of the ,board of ,trade4 ,by ,w4 ,s4 ,lacon1 ,esq4 ,explanations of the ,manuvres of a ,brigade of ,infantry4 ,octavo4 ,with #bi ,coloured ,plans1 royal quarto4 ,by ,lieut4-,colonel the ,hon4 ,h4 ,percy1 ,grenadier ,guards4 #ads4 ,on ,national ,defence in ,england4 ,from the ,french of ,baron ,maurice4 ,by ,captain ,j4 ,e4 ,addison1 ,royal ,military ,asylum4 ,with an ,introduction by the ,translator4 #bs4 #f;d41 with ,map4 ,regulations for the ,instruction1 ,formation1 and ,movements of the ,cavalry4 ,revised1 #ahea4 ,cavalry ,regulations3 ,errata1 ,corrections1 and ,substitutions1 dated ,may #bj1 #ahea4 #f;d4 ,the ,artillerist's ,manual4 ,by ,captain ,griffiths1 ,r4,a4 ,new ,edition4 #gs4 #f;d4 ,guide to the ,military ,examination4 ,by ,captain ,martin1 #dth ,king's ,own4 #ds4 #f;d4 ,vauban's ,first ,system1 by ,kimber4 ,with ,plates in three colours4 #es4 ,standing ,orders for the #bnd ,royal ,north ,british ,dragoons4 #ds4 #f;d4 ,standing ,orders for the ,scots ,fusilier ,guards2 with ,time ,table for the ,battalion ,schools1 printed on prepared cloth4 #fs4 ,instructions for ,recruiting ,parties of the ,scots ,fusilier ,guards4 #as4 ,standing ,orders of the #acth ,prince ,albert's ,light ,infantry4 #es4 ,the ,law ,relating to the ,navy4 ,by ,harris ,prendergast1 of ,lincoln's ,inn1 ,esq41 ,barrister-at-,law1 ,author of 8,the ,law relating to ,officers in the ,army40 ,remarks on the ,means of ,directing the ,fire of ,ships' ,broadsides4 ,by ,arthur ,wm4 ,jerningham1 ,captain1 ,royal ,navy4 ,royal ,octavo4 ,plates4 #gs4 #f;d4 ,the ,queen's ,regulations and ,orders for the ,army4 #ahdd4 #hs4 #f;d4 #ahdg1 #bs4 #ahdi1 #bs4 ,orders for the ,army in ,ireland4 #bs4 #f;d4 ,the ,cavalry ,regulations4 #ahea4 #hs4 ,yeomanry ,regulations4 ,by ,lord de ,ros4 #hs4 #f;d4 ,errata to the ,edition of #ahdd1 #as4 ,field ,exercise for the ,infantry4 #ahcc4 #fs4 ,infantry ,manual4 ,revised4 #bs4 ,regulations for the ,dress of the ,army4 #ahdf4 #ds4 #f;d4 ,war-,office ,regulations4 #ahdh4 #ajs4 ,exercise and ,movements of the ,royal ,horse ,artillery4 #ahdd4 #abs4 #f;d4 ,instructions for the ,service of ,heavy ,ordnance4 #ds4 ,field ,battery ,exercise4 #ahca4 #ds4 ,home ,barracks ,regulations4 #abs4 #f;d4 ,addenda1 #cs4 ,regulations for ,barracks at ,foreign ,stations4 #ajs4 #f;d4 ,addenda1 #bs4 #f;d4 ,warrant and ,abstract of the ,barrack ,regulations for ,local ,military ,authorities and ,barrack ,masters4 #ahdi4 #es4 ,the ,sword ,exercise3 ,cavalry1 #bs4 ,infantry1 #bs4 ,the ,carbine1 ,pistol1 and ,lance ,exercises4 #bs4 ,the ,royal ,artillery ,percussion ,carbine ,exercises4 #as4 #f;d4 ,the ,trumpet ,sounds for ,cavalry4 #cs4 ,instructions for the ,bugle4 #cs4 ,drum1 #ds4 #f;d4 ,fife1 #cs4 ,introductory ,essay to the ,study of ,fortification1 for ,young ,officers of the ,army4 ,by ,major ,straith4 ,with quarto ,atlas4 ,new ,edition4 ,this ,work has been compiled expressly to meet the requirements set forth in the ,adjutant's ,general ,circular ,letter1 dated ,may1 #ahej1 for the ,examination of ,candidates for ,commissions and ,promotion in ,h4,m4 ,army4 ,landmann's ,principles of ,fortification1 reduced into ,questions and ,answers for the ,use of the ,royal ,military ,academy4 #ahca4 #ds4 ,turner's ,analysis of ,english and ,french ,history4 ,second ,edition4 #bs4 ,analysis of ,roman ,history4 ,by the ,same4 #bs4 ,hall's ,elements of ,algebra4 ,new ,edition4 #es4 ,pott's ,euclid1 chiefly from the ,text of ,simson2 with ,notes and ,geometrical ,exercises4 #ds4 #f;d4 ,pott's ,brief ,hints for the ,solution of the ,problems4 #as4 ,a ,complete ,course of ,practical ,geometry1 including ,conic ,sections and ,plan ,drawing1 treated on a ,plan of peculiar perspicuity4 ,by ,lt4-,general ,sir ,charles ,pasley1 ,k4,c4,b4 ,octavo4 #abs4 ,edwards' ,introduction to ,english ,composition4 ,new ,edition4 #bs4 ,dr4 ,major's neid of ,virgil2 with ,anthon's ,notes4 #gs4 #f;d4 ,ventouillac's ,rudiments of the ,french ,language4 #cs4 #f;d4 ,brasseur's ,exercises in ,french ,phraseology1 with a ,lexicon of ,idiomatic ,verbs4 #cs4 #f;d4 ,wattez's ,french ,idioms4 #bs4 #f;d4 ,bernay's ,german ,grammar4 #es4 ,infantry ,figures1 consisting of ,eight ,companies1 prepared for the ,illustration of ,infantry ,drill4 ,in a ,case1 #ads4 ,figures for ,cavalry ,manuvres1 in ,six ,pieces1 to represent six ,troops 7three ,squadrons7 of a ,regiment of the present ,establishment4 ,in a ,case1 #hs4 ,details of ,light ,infantry ,drill2 with some ,instruction for ,patrols4 ,by ,bt4-,major ,j4 ,p4 ,sparks1 #chth ,regt4 #as4 ,six ,familiar ,lectures for the ,use of ,young ,officers4 ,by a ,field ,officer4 #ds4 #f;d4 ,lord de ,ros's ,young ,officer's ,companion4 #hs4 ,the ,subaltern's ,check ,book2 or1 ,exercises and ,evolutions for the ,preservation of ,cash and ,character4 #bs4 #f;d4 ,soldierly ,discipline2 or1 ,hints to ,officers on entering the ,army1 founded on the ,regulations of the ,r4 ,m4 ,a4 ,by ,capt4 ,f4 ,eardley-,wilmot1 ,r4,a4 #as4 #f;d4 ,student's ,manual of ,ancient ,history4 ,by ,w4 ,cooke ,taylor1 ,,ll4,d4 ,fifth ,edition4 #ajs4 #f;d4 ,student's ,manual of ,modern ,history4 ,by the same ,author4 ,fifth ,edition1 with ,new ,supplementary ,chapter4 #ajs4 #f;d4 ,a ,sketch of ,british ,military ,history4 ,by the ,rev4 ,g4 ,r4 ,gleig1 ,m4,a4 #cs4 #f;d4 ,labaume's ,history of ,napoleon's ,invasion of ,russia4 #bs4 #f;d4 ,rowan's ,history of the ,french ,revolution4 #cs4 #f;d4 ,zornlin's ,recreations in ,physical ,geography4 #fs4 ,recreations in ,geology4 ,by the ,same4 #ds4 #f;d4 ,mayo's ,philosophy of ,living4 ,third ,edition4 #es4 ,tomlinson's ,amusements in ,chess4 #ds4 #f;d4 ,under the ,sanction of the ,committee of ,privy ,council on ,education4 ,mulhauser's ,method of ,teaching ,writing1 adapted to ,english ,use4 ,manual of ,writing4 #bs4 #f;d4 ,writing ,models2 ,elementary ,set of ,forty1 #bs4 #f;d4 #bnd ,set1 for the ,medium1 or ,half-,text ,hand1 and the ,ciphers1 #as4 #crd ,set1 for the ,fine1 or ,small ,hand1 and for ,punctuation1 #as4 #dth ,set1 for the ,fine1 or ,small ,hand1 and the ,ciphers1 #as4 ,writing ,books1 7#bs4 per dozen1 or #afs4 per #ajj27 the ,ruled ,slates1 7#fs4 per dozen27 ,black ,boards1 7#bas4 each17 with ,easels1 7#abs47 c41 required in the practice of this ,method of ,writing4 ,exercises in ,arithmetic1 after the ,method of ,pestalozzi4 #as4 #f;d4 ,the ,tables required in ,teaching the ,method1 on ,four large ,double ,sheets1 on canvas1 and varnished4 #bas4 ,arithmetic taught by ,questions4 #ajth ,edition4 #as4 #f;d4 ,outlines of ,geography4 #bdth ,edition4 #aj;d4 ,descriptive ,geography2 with ,popular ,statistics of the various ,countries and ,divisions of the ,globe4 #bs4 ,outlines of ,physical ,geography4 #aj;d4 ,outlines of ,english ,history4 #bjth ,edition4 #as4 ,outlines of the ,history of ,france4 #as4 #c;d4 ,elements of ,ancient ,history4 #bs4 ,elements of ,modern ,history4 #bs4 ,outlines of ,sacred ,history4 #abth ,edition4 #bs4 #f;d4 ,handbook of ,bible ,geography4 ,with #ab ,maps4 #bs4 ,introductory ,lessons on ,christian ,evidences4 ,by ,archbishop ,whately4 #aath ,ed4 #f;d4 ,questions on the ,same4 #b;d4 ,lessons on the ,universe4 #bs4 ,easy ,lessons in ,mechanics4 #cs4 ,hullah's ,school ,songs for ,two and ,three ,voices4 ,two ,books4 #f;d4 each4 ,simmons3--,remarks on the ,constitution and ,practice of ,courts-,martial1 with a ,summary of the ,law of ,evidence1 as connected with such ,courts2 also1 some ,notice of the ,criminal ,law of ,england1 with reference to the #acjth ,article of ,war4 ,fourth revised ,edition4 ,historical ,records of the ,british ,army4 ,by ,richard ,cannon1 ,esq41 ,adjutant-,general's ,office4 ,histories of the following ,regiments have been already published4 ,price1 with few exceptions1 #hs4 each4 ,cavalry1 complete in #bf vols41 #aj #bs4 ,infantry1 complete to the #bcrd ,regiment4 ,also1 ,records of the #cast1 #cdth1 #dbnd1 #dfth1 #ecrd1 #efth1 #fast1 #fgth1 #gjth1 #gbnd1 #gcrd1 #gdth1 #hfth1 #hhth1 and #ibnd ,regiments4 ,other ,volumes are in preparation4 ,record of the ,royal ,military ,academy from #agda to #ahdj4 ,edited by ,captain ,f4 ,eardley-,wilmot1 ,royal ,artillery4 ,imperial ,quarto4 ,coloured ,plates4 #bjs4 ,observations on ,commissariat ,field ,service4 ,by ,commissary-,gen4 ,sir ,randolph ,i4 ,routh1 ,k4,c4,b4 ,octavo4 #es4 ,a ,selection of ,field ,movements for a ,division of ,cavalry1 in accordance with the ,principles laid down in the ,cavalry ,regulations4 ,by ,lord de ,ros4 ,quarto4 ,plates in two colours4 #ajs4 #f;d4 ,technological ,military ,dictionary2 ,german--,english--,french4 ,by ,captain ,george ,floyd ,ducket4 ,octavo4 #bbs4 #f;d4 8,i know this to be a valuable work1 and to have been done with the greatest care1 so that it will be indispensable in the ,library of every ,military ,institution40 ,j4 ,,narrien1 ,f4,r4,s41 ,professor of ,mathematics1 ,royal ,military ,college4 ,jackson's ,formation1 ,discipline1 and ,economy of ,armies4 ,a ,new ,edition1 revised4 ,with a ,memoir of the ,life and ,services of the ,author4 ,in a large ,octavo ,volume4 #abs4 ,,contents4--,i4 ,race1 ,climate1 ,locality1 ,age1 ,occupation1 ,powers1 c41 of ,recruits4 ,,ii4 ,national ,military ,character4 ,,iii4 ,rudiments of ,military ,training4 ,,iv4 ,intellectual and ,moral ,motives of ,military ,action4 ,v4 ,discipline and ,economy for ,field and ,quarters4 ,,vi4 ,military ,colonial ,arrangements4 ,the ,british ,gunner4 ,by ,captain ,j4 ,morton ,spearman4 ,revised and enlarged4 #ahej4 #gs4 #f;d4 ,lord ,frederick ,fitzclarence's ,manual of ,out-,post ,duties4 #hs4 #f;d4 ,robbins's ,cavalry ,catechism4 ,dedicated1 by permission1 to ,h4,r4,h4 the ,duke of ,cambridge4 #es4 ,principles of the ,minor ,operations of ,war4 ,from the ,french of ,lallemand4 ,by ,major ,troubridge1 ,royal ,fusiliers4 #fs4 ,six ,familiar ,lectures for the ,use of ,young ,officers4 ,by a ,field ,officer4 #ds4 #f;d4 ,colonel ,jackson on ,military ,geography4 #bs4 #f;d4 ,lavalle's ,military ,topography of ,continental ,europe4 ,edited by ,colonel ,jackson4 #hs4 ,decker's ,three ,arms1 or ,divisional ,tactics4 ,translated by ,major ,inigo ,jones1 #aath ,hussars4 ,new ,edition4 #ds4 ,lord ,frederick ,fitzclarence's ,suggestions on ,brigade and ,light ,infantry4 #bs4 #f;d4 ,major ,troubridge's ,tabular ,arrangement of ,battalion ,drill4 #es4 ,sinnott's ,manual of ,light ,infantry and other ,military ,duties4 ,new ,edition4 #ds4 ,a ,manual of ,position ,drill1 containing ,fifty-five ,figures4 #as4 #f;d4 ,the ,law relating to ,officers in the ,army4 ,by ,harris ,prendergast1 ,esq4 #fs4 #f;d4 ,the ,subaltern's ,check ,book4 #bs4 #f;d4 ,turner on ,training ,young ,horses4 #bs4 #f;d4 ,smith's ,barrack ,ready ,reckoner4 #as4 #f;d4 ,,london3 ,,parker1 ,,furnivall1 ,,and ,,parker1 ,,military ,,library1 ,,whitehall4 ,transcriber's ,notes3 ,missing or obscured punctuation was corrected4 ,typographical errors were silently corrected4 ,spelling and hyphenation were made consistent when a predominant form was found in this book2 otherwise it was not changed4 ,text in italics is enclosed by underscores 7italics74