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DIGEST OF THE UNITED
STATES TACTICS, FOR THE USE OF
OFFICERS. PREPARED BY WILLIAM
STEFFEN, AND
PRESENTED TO THE FORTY-FOURTH MASS.
REGIMENT. Loring Publisher, 310
WASHINGTON STREET, BOSTON. 1862. Entered
according to an act of Congress, in the year 1862 by Col.
FRANCIS L. LEE, of the 44th Mass, Regiment, in
the Clerk's Office of the
District Court of the District of Massachusetts. Printed
by J.
E. FARWELL AND COMPANY 37
Congress Street, Boston. CONTENTS. A. -BATTALION
IN LINE OF BATTLE. 1.
Formation of the battalion. 2. To open and close ranks. 3. To align a battalion in line of battle. 4.
To advance and
retreat in line of battle. 5.
To halt a battalion
marching in line of battle. 6. Oblique march in line of battle. 7. Change of direction and of front. 8. To advance and retreat by the right (left) of companies. 9. To march by the flank and to form order in line. 10. Passage of obstacles. 11.
To pass a defile in retreat. 12. Loading at will and firing.
B. -BATTALION IN COLUMN. I.
- COLUMN AT FULL DISTANCE. 1. To form column at full distance. a.
By the wheeling of companies. b.
By breaking to the rear. 2. To pass from column at full distance into line of battle. a. To the left (right) into line of battle. b.
Successive formations. On
the right (left) into line. Forward
into line. Into
line, faced to the rear. Into
line by two movements. 3. March of a column at full distance. 4.
To change direction. 5.
To halt a column. 6. The column arriving in front (behind) the line of battle, to
prolong it on this line. 7. Countermarch, 8.
Form divisions. II.
-COLUMN CLOSED IN MASS. 1. To ploy a battalion in order in line into close column. a. Close column right in front in rear of
the first company b.
Close column right in front, in front of the eighth company. c.
Close column right in front on any other company. d. Close column left in front in rear of the eighth company. e. Close column left in front, in front of the first company. f. Close column left in front on any other company. g. Close column right or left in front, from corresponding column
at full distance. 2. Deployment of columns closed in mass. a.
From column right in front deploy on the first company. b.
Column right in front to deploy on the eighth company. c.
From column right in front deploy on any other company. d. Deploy column left in front. 3.
To march and halt in column closed in mass. 4.
To change direction of column closed in mass. 5. Countermarch. 6. To form divisions. 7.
To form close column from open column. 8.
Column closed in mass to take wheeling distance. III. -COLUMN AT HALF DISTANCE. 1.
To ploy a battalion in column at half
distance. 2.
Column at half distance to take wheeling distance. 3. Column at half distance into line of
battle. a.
To the flank. b.
On the right (left) into line. c.
Forward into line. d.
Faced to the rear. 4.
Column at half distance to close in mass. 5.
To march in column at half distance. 6.
To change direction in column at half distance. 7. Countermarch. 8.
To form divisions. IV. -COLUMN DOUBLED ON THE CENTRE. 1. To ploy the battalion in order in line into column doubled on
the centre. 2. Deployment of the double column. 3.
To pass a defile in front or rear. 4. To charge in column doubled on the
centre. C.
-THE SQUARE. I.
-DISPOSITION TO FORM SQUARE. 1.
The battalion is in line of battle 2.
The battalion is in column by company. 3.
The battalion is in column by division, doubled on the centre. 4.
Double file in four ranks. a.The battalion is in line, and square is
to be formed on the right or left flank division, b.
The battalion is in line, and square is to be formed from column
doubled on the Centre, c.
The battalion is in column by company. d.
The battalion is in column by division. 11. -THE
FORMATION OF THE SQUARE. III. -TO FORM COLUMN FROM SQUARE AND REDUCE
SQUARE. 1. The square is to advance. 2. The square is to retreat. 3. "To reduce the square " IV. -TO MOVE THE SQUARE A GREAT DISTANCE. V. - TO MOVE THE SQUARE A SHORT DISTANCE AND TO HALT IT. VI.
- COLUMN IN FOUR RANKS TO FORM IN TWO RANKS. VII.
-OBLIQUE SQUARES.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION.
_______
A.
-BATTALION IN LINE OF BATTLE. 1. Formation of the battalion.
It is of the utmost
importance that every officer, (captain or lieutenant,) should be
accustomed to bring a company into its proper place at any time and
under whatever circumstances. He
must therefore be thoroughly conversant, theoretically and
practically, with the School of the Soldier and the Company.
As a militia officer has not very frequently an opportunity of
practising the School of the Battalion, let him take blocks, suppose any
manoeuvre to be executed, give aloud the commands, leading at
the same time the blocks
into their proper places. Here
is his company or platoon, there the place to which he must take it. 4 Very
well; one moment's reflection, and then the loud and distinct command. Hesitation is a blunder which, in active service, may be
followed by disaster. There
are cases when the companies should form in line of battle or in square
without regard to their proper places.
For instance: the battalion has been extended in skirmishing
line, parts of the companies, of course, in rear as supports, and the
color company as reserve. Large
masses of cavalry appear, and the accidents of the ground do not favor
the skirmishers sufficiently. The
colonel, seeing that there is time enough to form square before the
cavalry can charge, and
being sure of the discipline of officers and men, gives the signal to
rally on the reserve. The
skirmishers rally at a run on their supports, which at the same time
run on the shortest line towards the color company, form, without regard
even to front and rear rank, in close order the four faces of the- 5 perhaps
somewhat irregular - square, charge bayonets, and are ready to execute
the command ”fire." Again: when surprised, it is infinitely
more necessary that the battalion should form line or column without
regard to the numbers of the companies, but ready to resist or to
charge, than to wait, arrange, and be decimated.
It will be easily understood that perfect familiarity with the
manoeuvres and their objects, as well as perfect discipline, can only
enable an officer to do his duty before the enemy and 'to set an example
to his men, who, seeing this, will implicitly trust, obey, and follow
him. 2.
To open and close ranks. No.'s 22
to 29, HARDEE. There
are many manoeuvres, in minor tactics, which appear to have no direct
connection with any operation on the battlefield; yet they are
necessary, because they produce those habits which must distinguish 6 the
soldier. Thus, "to
open and close ranks" is certainly not a manoeuvre to be executed
in active service, but only to allow inspection.
No captain should ever neglect to open ranks after having formed
his company, in order to inspect the men's dress, cleanliness, and
arms. The habit of cleanliness of the body and dress will keep
the men healthy in camp and on the marsh the habit of keeping arms and
accoutrements in good order will enable them to be ready for duty at a
moment's notice, and to be relied on in battle.
Besides, certain parts of the drill executed with open ranks can
be made more thoroughly instructive, as the officer can see better each
man and his faults and blunders. Perfect
uniformity and precision can best be attained by perfect drill of each
man. 7 3.
To align a battalion in line of battle. 638 to
651. The battalion
being formed, it must be aligned and remain so as nearly as possible.
Now, the colors are the magnet by which the men of the battalion
are attracted on which they rally.
The colors, therefore are placed in the centre of the line, so
that distance and direction can be easily taken from them. If the line shows but little bends
irregularities, the colonel will order the captains to correct them,
when they first align themselves on the color-guard, and then their
companies. (No.
639.) But if the
irregularities should be great, or if a different alignment should be
necessary, the colonel places first, (no.'s 640, 650 to 651,) the
general guides and color-bearer as directing points in the desired
alignment, then the guides of the companies, and lastly the companies. 8 The former simple proceeding, will generally
be sufficient in active service. The
latter method, however, should be frequently practised, that officers
and men may accustom themselves to march into the line and align
themselves with rapidity and ease, to take the touch of the elbows, and
to turn their eyes, as it were, mechanically in the right direction,
that is, towards the colors. It is stated in
643 that the captains of the right wing should shift to the left of
their companies before the command "on the centre dress " be
given. This is done
because the companies of the right wing have the centre on their left,
must therefore dress to the left; hence the captains must be on the left
to assist the men to align themselves well. It is a general rule that the captains should be on the right
of their companies at the command "right dress" or its
equivalent, and on the left at the command left 9 dress" or its equivalent, and return to
the right at the command "guides posts." 4.
To advance and retreat in line of battle. 587 to 622, and
664 to 675. The colors mark
the centre of alignment at a halt and march on the directing point when
the battalion is advancing or retreating.
The color-guard marches six paces in front of the battalion,
(both in the advance and retreat,) that every man can see it and take
the step from it. Let it be
stated here at once that the file-closers, (lieutenants and
sergeants,) must Pay attention, and correct in the moment they see men
of their company inclined to Press towards the centre or the flank.
They can do a great deal to keep a battalion steady, and must do
so, particularly on a difficult ground, or when the bullets of the enemy
take effect. Let them cause
the Wounded to fall to the rear and the ranks to be closed again; for an
effect can only be 10 produced on the enemy when the battalions
approach in an unwavering line, ready to charge or to halt and fire.
When a battalion of the bravest men
comes up with the enemy like an armed mob, the men will be in
each other's way, and can effect very little or nothing. Now, to
enable a battalion to advance or retreat so that at every halt its line
shall be parallel to the original one from which they started, there
are, firstly, the colors, who march steadily on a line perpendicular to
the battalion, corporal behind the color-bearer following in the trace
of the latter; and secondly, the general guides, who march abreast with
the colors. The duties of
color-bearer render it necessary that of that he should be a steady and
practised soldier. It is evident that there must be some means in order
to assist him to march on the perpendicular.
The rules laid down in 587 to 590, 606 to 611, aid 666, 667,
should be 11. strictly attended to, and very frequently
practised on the parade-ground; yet on the field of battle it will be
sufficient for the colonel to point out to the color-bearer one or more
objects in advance on which to direct his march and in the direction of
which he keeps him. If the
color-bearer neglect his duties, (that is, to march steadily and evenly
on the perpendicular,) one wing will be crowded and the other in very
loose order, or rather disorder, which would prevent the men from using
their arms properly at the decisive moment.
Even greater attention must paid when the battalion advances at
the double-quick, when it charges.
It is on this occasion that the captains and file-closers should
particularly exert themselves to keep the men in good order, so that the
muskets may form one unbroken row of steel- the moral effect of this
alone is enormous. When the
enemy has been overthrown the men must remain in their ranks, for now 12 follows the volley to finish the work;
detachments pursue, not the battalion.
Much more, of course, must the officers exert their energy when
the advance has been unsuccessful, and a retreat in quick time or at
the double-quick has become necessary.
If they do not, the retreat will degenerate into a flight, or at
least into straggling, which costs more men and demoralizes more than
any regular, steady retreat, ever so closely followed by the enemy.
The retreat should be executed in such order that, at the halt or
facing to the front, the battalion can be easily reformed and made ready
to advance again. In 693 there is
stated a principle, viz: When a battalion in line of battle advances or
retreats, the captains should shift to that flank of their company which
is the farthest from the colors, because they can from this place better
align their company on the centre, and keep it in alignment during the
march. 13 5. To halt a battalion marching in line of battle.
635 to 637, and 676 to 680. If the battalion
halts in order to remain in this position, the color-guard and the
general guides are no longer wanted in front of it.
They are therefore recalled after the command "halt"
(637), and they take their original places at the command "about
face." (677.) 6. Oblique
march in line of battle. 623 to
634. The oblique
march is used when ground must be gained forward and sideways at the
same time. It requires very
steady and thoroughly drilled troops.
The men will easily lose their distances and the off-wing will
hang back, so that at the command "forward march," both the
touch towards the colors and the original alignment are lost.
Yet it cannot be avoided for short distances, e. g., when
the intervals of the 14 battalions of a brigade advancing in line of
battle have been lost, or when a more advantageous position must be
reached. The captains can do much towards the proper execution of the
diagonal march, by remaining themselves aligned with the corporals in
the centre and with one another, and by keeping the first file of their
company close to their arm. Also
the file-closers can render themselves very useful. 7. Change
of direction and of front. 652 to
663 ; 681 ; 743 to 775. Changes of front
should be covered by other troops, so that they may not be observed by
the enemy, or at least that they may not be disturbed.
They are executed either because the object of our offensive
operations requires it, or because the enemy appears unexpectedly in our
flank. He who knows the
difficulties of wheeling by companies, will not hesitate to pronounce 15 the change of direction and therefore front,
explained in 652 to 663, to be not very easy even under the most
favorable circumstances, the less so as the captains of the two wings
must regulate their march and the direction of their shoulders not by
the wheeling flank, but by the centre corporals.
Unless a very small segment of a quadrant is all that may be
desired in order to advance at once in this new direction, it should be
avoided. A column doubled
on the centre, however, now much more used for advance and retreat than
line of battle, could very easily perform the change direction at right
angle to the former direction, and then deploy if necessary. This is the more easily practicable as the manoeuvre should
not be executed under the fire of the enemy. The same remarks
hold for change direction on the rear rank, that is, in retreat, as
explained 681. 16 More time is required
and greater difficulties are to be conquered by the method described
in 743 to 776, viz: change of front on one of the flank companies,
either at a halt or in march, forward or to the rear.
Each captain must cause the guide to march in the proper
direction; he must give the command 61 right (left) turn, march,"
as soon as the latter has arrived in rear of the last file of the
preceding company; he must command "halt" when he has arrived
near the alignment, the change of front being forward, and after the
company has passed through the line of markers, the change of front
being to the rear. The
detail of execution is the same as in "forward into line," or
"into line faced to the rear," from open column.
If the change of front should not amount to a right angle, the
captains need not command "turn," because the companies will
be already nearly parallel to the new alignment. 17 It is very rare
that a single battalion is compelled to execute this manoeuvre, more
frequently a brigade, &c., and then always protected by detachments
more in front. Much easier and with more safety can the front be changed in
this way: form double column on the centre, wheel and deploy if
necessary. The manoeuvres
as described in 743, seq., may be excellent practice on the
parade ground, but are too complicated for militia, and can be avoided
as just stated. Officers
who have a decided predilection for complicated movements of a battalion
in line of battle, will find it interesting to know that one of the
European armies has a shorter way to change front. Let it be desired to change front to the right. Command:
"Right wing about face, battalion right wheel, double-quick,
march." The captains of the left wing command "halt,"
those of the right wing "right about front," when in the alignment, marked by the guides, at 90 18 degrees to the original position.
But even this manoeuvre has been condemned. 8. To advance and retreat by the right (left) of companies. 105 to 116. This manoeuvre
was formerly much used to take a battalion through difficult ground,
through the intervals of the pieces of a field battery, &c. At
the preparatory command "by right (left) of companies to the front
(rear)," the captains hasten to take their position in front of
their companies. The reason
is this: as long as the battalion remains in line, it is one unit, and
all the parts execute the command of the colonel simultaneously.
As soon, however, as the preparatory command indicates a
manoeuvre by which the line, the unit,
is to be broken into its subdivisions, the commanders of the letter
assume command under the colonel, become responsible for the proper
execution of the 19 manoeuvre, and therefore place themselves at
once in front of their subdivision. . other rule must be observed in all
manoeuvres, viz: as often as the captains leave their places in the
front rank, they are replaced by the covering guides, because there must
not be any break or gap in line of battle.
At the command "battalion right (left) face," or
"by the right (left) flank
march," the captains hasten to that flank in order to direct the
guide and first file. They
then cause the first and second files to break to the front (rear), in
order allow the guide the time, to place himself once in the new
direction, perpendicular the line of battle, before the command
"march " be given. Lastly,
it is of paramount importance, that both captains and guides should
carefully attend to the distance of the companies from one another, so
that the command "by companies into line", there should be
just room enough for each 20 company to form line again.
For if the distance be too small, crowding will be the
consequence, and the men cannot use their arms; if the distance be too
large, the companies will be detached instead of forming all one
unit; they will be compelled to oblique at a moment when the greatest
steadiness should be shown, and when the battalion should be under the
control of the colonel. 9.
To march by the flank and to form order in line.
722 to 742. The march by the
flank will be necessary when ground must be gained sideways on the same
line on which the battalion is drawn up in line, e.g., to gain
the proper distance from the next battalion on the right or left; to
take a battalion behind a cover, in order to avoid unnecessary exposure,
&c. When the battalion
is at a halt, the command is "right (left) face, march," when
marching 21 "by the right (left) flank,
march." The men who just touched each other's elbows would now be
in rear of each other, with very little interval, and the march,
executed in this way on uneven and soft ground, would cause the files to
widen out, and produce a dangerous length of the battalion,
even straggling. To
prevent this and to allow the men to step freely forward, the double
file has been introduced. It can be now exacted that the files keep their proper
distances. At the command
"halt, front," the men must be neither crowded nor loose;
either would require much valuable time to give way towards the flanks
or to close towards the centre. The
file-closers must assist the men, particularly those of the company at
the bead. The flank march
is an excellent test of the thoroughness of the drill of the men, and
should therefore be frequently practised in companies.
First, the simple march by the 22 flank,
followed by "halt, front," on which the ploying and
deploying of a battalion depends; next, flank march from the march in
line, and vice versa; lastly, from marching in line into flank
march, at the command, "by the right flank by file left"
(by the left flank by file right), and again "by company
into Line."
In order to march by the flank on a
straight line, the guide should be accustomed to take points of
direction, and to march without varying the length of steps.
The captains march by the side of their guides at the head, in
order to regulate the better the proper execution of the movement;
they take their places in the front rank again, as soon as the battalion
faces to the front or rear. To form a
battalion, marching by the flank, on the right (left) by file into line,
implies a change of front to the original rear, a complete counter
march, and will be sometimes of advantage, particularly when exe- 23 cuted
by a detached company. Yet
it must be properly protected by skirmishers. It would take a battalion
much time to excel this manoeuvre.
In order to assist the companies to form the battalion in the
alignment which the colonel considers the most advantageous, markers are
placed for the direction of the company at the head, and then the guide
of each company aligns on them soon as the last file of the company
arrives in the line. On a march far from the enemy, it necessary
to allow the men all possible convenience, compatible with strict order,
and to leave the road open to communication, which would be stopped by
marching in broad front. This would be unnecessarily inconvenient both
to the troops and to traffic. The
battalion marches in such cases by the flank on both sides of road.
The chapter on Route march 198 seq., contains many very
practical rules 24 which do not require any explanation, and
which ought to be carefully read. 10.
Passage of obstacles.
692 to 708. As our battles
are now often fought on a ground which does not favor the unobstructed
advance in long lines, obstacles would too frequently interfere with the
proper execution of a manoeuvre in line.
The frequent breaking of companies to the rear, and taking them
into line of battle again, requires very well drilled troops, indeed it
requires a higher degree of drill than we can reasonably expect of
militia. The troops move
better in columns when there are obstructions, and deploy when the
necessity arises. In executing,
however, these manoevures, the captains must keep their companies very
well together, and the guide on the flank of the company next to that
which has broken to the rear, should scrupulously attend to 25 the duty of keeping the space for that
company open. The company
which breaks to the rear, and comes forward into line again, must do so
at a more rapid gait, than that in which the battalion moves, in order
not to interrupt the advance of the whole body.
If, however, the battalion advances in double quick, it must
resume quick time during the execution of the manoeuvre of the company,
because wild running and utter confusion would be the necessary
consequence, if the battalion should not do so. 11.
To pass a defile in retreat. 709 to 721. A defile should be passed as rapidly as
possible, even if the enemy does not press very closely on the marching
troops, much more so when he does.
Detachments, skirmishers keep the enemy in check, whilst the
battalion forms the most compact mass possible, when passing the
bridge. This mass however
should at the same time allow the 26 reforming of the battalion, without loss of
time, on the opposite side of the defile.
Neither of these requisites appears in the method explained in
709, seq. It is more in the spirit of modern tactics to employ
another method, for instance that which the reader will find explained
in the chapter treating on Column doubled on the centre. 12.
Loading at will and firing. 31 to 63. Battalions
always load at will during an engagement.
The captains and file-closers, all in rear of course during the
firing, must do their best to prevent overhurrying, firing, at random,
and loading several cartridges one upon the other.
A regiment should never be brought to the field of battle
unless the men have not only had frequent target practice, but also
been drilled thoroughly in the different firings with blank cartridges.
The few dollars spent for powder and caps, the time and trouble
spent in washing and 27 cleaning the muskets, are exceedingly well
employed. It is when firing
by battalions, wings, or companies, not to speak of firing by file, that
it becomes very difficult for the colonel to keep young troops in that
perfect discipline which frequently decides the fate of the day, at
least the fate of the regiment. The men are too much inclined to waste
the ammunition and to disregard the word command or the signal; they are
carried away by excitement. The
fire by files should be rarely used. The commander loses almost the possibility of keeping his men
well in hand; the never-dissolving column of smoke in front of his
troops prevents him from seeing whether there is still an object worth
the ammunition; the men fire blindly as fast as possible, no cartridge
is left after an incredibly short time, and the regiment is worse than
useless in position. Let
the officer never give his command, aim, fire," before he is sure
of 28 being in range.
The fire by battalion should be used when several battalions form
the line of battle, or if only one battalion being engaged, the volley
is to be followed by the charge. In
general, it is better to fire by ranks.
The effect is good, the smoke is not so dense, there is time for
its clearing away, half the men have their guns loaded, ready for any
emergency; the men remain cool, and hence more inclined to obey the
signal which, given when one rank has fired the volley, can be
distinctly understood as: advance, retreat, form square, etc.
The fire by companies is under many circumstances good, yet its
moral and actual effect on the enemy is less decided, and besides, it
multiplies the commands - it may degenerate into a fire by
files. The fire by the
rear rank may be practised as well as manoeuvres by the rear rank.
There is however, this difference, that the latter will be
frequently executed in active 29 service, whilst the former can only happen
very rarely, if ever; and only when the battalion is suddenly attacked
in rear. It is evident that before the fire by the rear rank can be
commanded, all file-closers should have an opportunity of getting out of
the way, that is, of forming in the rear, former front, of the
battalion. B.
-BATTALION IN COLUMN. Infantry forms
in column on the march and when charging.. To pass from
order in line into column, means to place the fractional parts of the
battalion in rear of one another, so that the line can be easily
reformed. A column is
right in front when that subdivision is at the head which in line of
battle formed the right flank. A column is left
in front when that 30 subdivision is at the head which in line of
battle formed the left flank. Whether a column
shall be right or left in front, depends on the accidents of the ground
or the position of the troops. If,
for instance, a battalion in line leans with its left flank on the road
on which it is to advance, column left in front would be formed,
otherwise right in front. It
is therefore necessary that both formations should be equally familiar
to officers and men. A column is doubled
on the centre when the left wino of the battalion forms column right
in front, the right wing column left in front on the two centre
companies. The extent of
front of a column depends on the front of the subdivision into which the
battalion is broken. |