|
TITLE
IV.
INSTRUCTION FOR SKIRMISHERS.
Contents
ARTICLE
I
1.
To deploy forward. 2.
To deploy by the flank
. 3. To
extend intervals.
4.
To close intervals. 5.
To relieve skirmishers.
ARTICLE
II.
1.
To advance and retreat in line. 3.
To change direction. 4.
To march by the flank.
ARTICLE
III.
1.
To fire at a halt. 2.
To fire marching.
ARTICLE
IV.
1.
The rally. 2.
To form column to march in any direction.
3.
The assembly.
ARTICLE
V.
1.
To deploy a battalion as skirmishers. 2.
To rally the battalion deployed as skirmishers.
MANUAL
OF THE SWORD OR SABRE, FOR OFFICERS.
MANUAL
FOR RELIEVING SENTINELS.
INSTRUCTION FOR THE CHIEF
BUGLER AND DRUM MAJOR.
TITLE
IV.
INSTRUCTION FOR SKIRMISHERS.
General Principles and Division of the Instruction.
1. The movements of skirmishers
should be subjected to such rules as will give to the commander the
means of moving them in any direction with the greatest promptitude.
2. It
is not expected that these movements should be executed with the
same precision as in closed ranks, nor is it desirable, as such
exactness would materially interfere with their prompt execution.
3.
When skirmishers are thrown out to clear the way for, and to protect
the advance of, the main corps, their movements should be so
regulated by this corps, as to keep it constantly covered
4.
Every body of skirmishers should have a reserve, the strength and
composition of which will vary according to circumstances.
5. If
the body thrown out be within sustaining distance of the main corps,
a very small reserve will be sufficient for each company, whose duty
it shall be to fill vacant places, furnish the line with cartridges,
relieve the fatigued, and serve as a rallying point for the
skirmishers.
6. If
the main corps be at a considerable distance, besides the company
reserves, another reserve will be required, composed of entire
companies, which will be employed to sustain and reinforce such
parts of the line as may be warmly attacked; this reserve should be
strong enough to relieve at least half the companies deployed as
skirmishers.
7.
The reserves should be placed behind the centre of the line of
skirmishers, the company reserves at one hundred and fifty, and the
principal reserve at four hundred paces. This rule, however, is not
invariable. The reserves, while holding themselves within sustaining
distance of the line, should be, as much as possible, in position to
afford each other mutual protection, and must carefully profit by
any accidents of the ground to conceal themselves from the view of
the enemy, and to shelter themselves from his fire.
8.
The movements of skirmishers will be executed in quick, or double
quick time. The run will be resorted to only in cases of urgent
necessity
9.
Skirmishers will be permitted to carry their pieces in the manner
most convenient to them.
10.
The movements will be habitually indicated by the sounds of the
bugle.
11.
The officers, and, if necessary, the noncommissioned officers, will
repeat, and cause the commands to be executed, as soon as they are
given; but to avoid mistakes, when the signals are employed, they
will wait until the last bugle note is sounded before commencing the
movement.
12.
When skirmishers are ordered to move rapidly, the officers and non-commissioned
officers will see that the men economize their strength, keep cool,
and profit by all the advantages which the ground may offer for
cover. It is only by this continual watchfulness on the part of all
grades, that a line of skirmishers can attain success
13.
This instruction will be divided into five articles, and subdivided
as follows:
ARTICLE
1.
Deployments
1.
To deploy forward.
2.
To deploy by the flank
.
3.
To extend intervals.
4.
To close intervals.
5.
To relieve skirmishers.
ARTICLE
II.
1.
To advance in line.
2.
To retreat in line.
3.
To change direction.
4.
To march by the flank.
ARTICLE
III.
1.
To fire at a halt.
2.
To fire marching.
ARTICLE
IV.
1.
The rally.
2.
To form column to march in any direction.
3.
The assembly.
ARTICLE
V.
1.
To deploy a battalion as skirmishers.
2.
To rally the battalion deployed as skirmishers.
14.
In the first four articles, it is supposed that the movements are
executed by a company deployed as skirmishers, on a front equal to
that of the battalion in order of battle. In the fifth article, it
is supposed that each company of the battalion, being deployed as
skirmishers, occupies a front of one hundred paces. From these two
examples, rules may be deduced for all cases, whatever may be the
numerical strength of the skirmishers, and the extent of ground they
ought to occupy.
|
