Lesson V Long marches in quick time and the run, with arms
The instructor will cause to be resumed the exercises in quick time and the run, with arms and accoutrements.
He will cause long marches to be executed in quick time, both by the front and by the flank, and by constant practice will lead the men to pass over a distance of five miles in sixty minutes. The pieces will be carried on either shoulder, and sometimes at a trail.
He will also exercise them in long marches at a run, the pieces carried at will; the men will be instructed to keep as united as possible, without however exacting much regularity, which is impracticable.
The run, in actual service, will only be resorted to when it may be highly important to reach a given point with great promptitude.
The 11th Texas Cavalry at Liendo Plantation
Skirmish Drill
All movements are carried out at Double Quick Time or Trot, except rallies, which are at the Run. Skirmishers carry their piece at will when deployed. They may load on the move, prone or kneeling, taking advantage of any cover and may change their position to load.
The basic unit is the four man group is called a Settee” in the cavalry, “Comrades in Battles” in the Infantry. Each comprising a front rank, number one and three, and a rear rank number two and four. Each pair of Odds and Evens should ensure that one of them is loaded at all times. When deployed as skirmishers, they should maintain a distance of five paces between each man, although this distance may be varied to take advantage of cover, and about ten yards between the front and rear rank. However, each man should be able to see all three of his comrades at all times. The number one man is the squad leader, and the number four man the next most experienced trooper.
1. To Deploy Forward
COMPANY - AS SKIRMISHERS – FROM THE LEFT – ADVANCE
On ADVANCE the left settee stays in position, all other squads march by the right flank to the right until they are twenty paces from the squad to their left. When all squads are properly positioned, the command will be given to HALT. At halt, the company will front to the enemy.
AT ALL TIMES, when in battle formations, the soldier will habitually got to the kneeling position at the command “Halt”.
On ADVANCE, each Four deploys as follows: the Front Rank Number Two stands fast while the Rear Rank Number Four moves diagonally to the left to stand five paces from him. The Front Rank Number One moves ten paces to his right while the Rear Rank Number Three moves diagonally to the right to stand between his partner and the Front Rank Number Two. All four comrades form one rank.
To Deploy by the Flank
FIRST SQUAD - AS SKIRMISHERS - BY THE RIGHT FLANK - TAKE INTERVALS - MARCH
On MARCH, the Squad faces right. The left hand Four stands fast and deploys as soon as it has space. The next Four halt twenty paces from the Four on its left and deploys, and so on.
This deployment may be made on the Left Flank or BY THE RIGHT AND LEFT FLANK. In this case, a designated Four stands fast and the others face left or right as appropriate.
To Extend Intervals
BY THE LEFT FLANK - 'xx' PACES - EXTEND INTERVALS - MARCH
On MARCH, the right hand Four stands fast, all others face left and extend their intervals by the required ('xx') number of paces, facing the enemy as soon as they are in position.
Note: All extensions of intervals are between groups of four. Each Four maintains its five pace intervals between individuals. The extensions may be made BY THE RIGHT FLANK or BY THE RIGHT AND LEFT FLANK. In this case a designated Four stands fast and the others face left or right as appropriate.
To Extend Intervals on the March
ON THE LEFT GROUP - 'xx' PACES - EXTEND INTERVALS MARCH
On MARCH, the left Four continues to advance, the others move diagonally to the right until the extension is made. Extensions may also be made on the Right Group or on the Center.
To Close Intervals at the Halt
BY THE LEFT FLANK - 'xx' PACES - CLOSE INTERVALS AT THE HALT - MARCH
On MARCH, the left Four stands fast, others face to the left and close up to the prescribed distance, each group facing the enemy as it reaches its position. Intervals may be closed BY THE RIGHT FLANK or BY THE RIGHT AND LEFT FLANK.
To Close Intervals on the March
ON THE LEFT GROUP - 'xx' PACES - CLOSE INTERVALS MARCH
On MARCH, the left group advances, the others move up diagonally to the left until the intervals are reduced to the correct distance.
To Relieve a Squad Deployed as Skirmishers
The relieving Platoon advances and deploys twenty paces to the rear, then advances briskly through the Platoon in front, halting a few paces beyond it. The relieved Platoon retires to the rear or assembles on the reserve.
Ranging Rules, or The Standing Orders for Tactical Engagements
General Comments
These are the rules to be observed while Ranging. There are however a thousand occurrences and circumstances, which may occur that will make it necessary in some measure to depart from them, and to place other arts and stratagems into practice. Every Trooper's reason and judgment must be his guide, according to the particular situation and nature of things, so that he may do things to advantage. He should keep in mind the maxim to never be departed from an officer, viz. to preserve a firmness and presence of mind in any situation.
Rules and Articles of War
All Troopers are subject to the rules and articles of war. They are to appear at roll call each evening fully accoutered and equipped with a clean musket and sixty rounds. At this time the NCOs are to inspect same, to see they are in good order so as to be ready for any emergency and able to march at a minute's warning. Before the troop is dismissed, the necessary guards are to be drafted, and scouts for the next day appointed.
Campaign Encampment
When you camp at night, sentries will be in such a manner as not to be relieved to the main body till morning, profound secrecy and silence being of the most importance in these cases. Each sentry, therefore, should consist of four men, two of whom must be constantly alert, and when relieved by their fellows, it should be done without noise. If those on duty see or hear anything that alarms them, they are not to speak, but one of them is silently to retreat, and acquaint the commanding officer thereof, so that proper dispositions may be made. On all occasional sentries should be fixed in this manner.
First Light
At the first dawn of day, awake the whole detachment, that being the time when the enemy will most likely choose to fall upon their enemies and you should, by all means, be in readiness to receive them.
Before Leaving Camp
Before you leave your encampment, send out small parties to scout around it, to see if there be any appearance or track of an enemy that might have been near you during the night.
Pursuit
When pursuing any party that has been near our forts or encampments, do not follow directly in their tracks, lest you should be discovered by their rear guards. Endeavor to go a different route, to head and meet them in some narrow pass, or lay in ambush to receive them when and where they least expect it.
Scouting
If our number is small (a single company of 20 or under), we will march in a single file, with the officer at the lead, keeping at such a distance from each other as to prevent one shot from killing two men. Two men will be sent forward, and one to each side of the column. These scouts will maintain a distance of at least forty yards forward and twenty yards aside the main body. As directed before, they are to maintain silence, halting at all eminences. They are to give the signal to the officer at the approach of an enemy, of their number, and their direction. If the forward scout espies the enemy, he is to send his companion back to the officer with this information.
Marching over Marshes or Soft Ground
We will march in skirmish order to prevent the enemy from tracking us, as they would do if we marched in single file, until we get over such ground and resume our former order. We will continue marching until it is quite dark before making camp. If possible, the camp will be established on a piece of ground that will afford sentries the advantage of seeing or hearing the enemy at a considerable distance. One half of the company will remain awake alternately through the night.
Reconnoitering
Before coming to the place designated for reconnoiter, the party will form in an outward facing circle, at skirmish distance, and send forward one or two men to find the best ground for making observations.
Taking of Prisoners
If we have the good fortune to take prisoners, we will keep them separate until they are questioned. In our return to base camp, we will take a different route from that in which we came, that we may the better discover any party to our rear, and have an opportunity, if their strength be superior to ours, to engage, alter course, or disperse, as circumstances dictate.
Multiple Companies
If we march in a larger body of 50 to 100, with a design to attack the enemy, we will divide into three companies and columns, each headed by an officer. The columns will march in single file. The columns to the right and left keeping at least twenty yards distant from that of the center. Proper scouts will be kept in the front and flanks with guards to the rear. The scouts have orders to halt on all eminence's to take a view of the surrounding ground to prevent an ambush, and to notify the approach or retreat of the enemy, so that proper dispositions may be made for attacking or defending. If the enemy approaches our front on level ground, we will form a front of the main body with the advance guard and keep the flanking parties refused to the line, to prevent the enemy from pressing on either of the wings, or surrounding us. Care must be likewise taken to support and strengthen the rear guard, if necessary.
Bodies of Water
If you must pass by lakes or large ponds, keep at some distance from the edge of the water, lest, in case of an ambush, or an attack from the enemy, your retreat be cut off.
Enemy Pursuit
If you determine that the enemy follows to your rear, take a circle till you come to your own tracks, and there form an ambush to receive them, and give them first fire.
Receiving Fire
If we are obliged to receive the enemy's fire, fall or squat down, till it is over, then rise to a kneeling position and discharge at them. If their main body is equal to ours, extend the skirmish line occasionally. If the enemy is superior in number, be careful to support and strengthen the flanking columns to make them equal to theirs. If possible, have the flanks press in so as to repulse them to their main body. If this happens, push upon them with the greatest resolution, with equal force on each flank, observing to keep at a due distance from each other, and advance from tree to tree in two ranks with one before the other ten or twelve yards. If the enemy pushes back, let your front fire and fall down. Then advance the rear rank through them and do the like. By this time those who before were in front will be ready to discharge again. Repeat the same alternately, as occasion shall require. By this means you will keep up such a constant fire, that the enemy will not be able easily to break your order or gain your ground.
Enemy Retreat
If we oblige the enemy to retreat, be careful in pursuit of them. Keep out the flanking parties, and prevent the enemy from gaining hiding places or rising ground, in which case they would perhaps be able to rally and repulse us in turn.
Our Retreat
If we are obliged to retreat, let the front rank of your whole party fire and retire quickly back through the rear rank, halting only when the rear rank has fired and does the same. Make for the best ground you can. By this means you will oblige the enemy to pursue you, if they do it at all, in the face of a constant fire.
Dispersion
If the enemy is so superior that you are in danger of being surrounded let the whole body disperse. Everyone must take a different path to the place of appointed rendezvous. The rendezvous point must every morning be altered and fixed, to ensure the whole party, or as many as possible may after any separation achieve the appointed place and rally. If you should happen to be actually surrounded, form into a square, or if in the woods, a circle is best, and, if possible, make a stand till the darkness of the night favors escape.
Attacked from Behind, or on a Flank
If our rear is attacked, the rear rank of the center column and the flankers must face about and form a line to oppose the enemy, as before directed. If attacked on either flank, turn that column to the enemy and the center column moves to the newly exposed flank. Always make a rear of one of one-half the center body.
Rally
If you determine to rally after a retreat, in order to make a fresh stand against the enemy, endeavor to do it on the most rising ground you can achieve. This will give you greatly the advantage in point of situation, and enable you to repulse superior numbers.
Setting an Ambush
When encroached upon by the enemy, and your position remains secret, reserve fire until the enemy approaches very near. Have half the company open with a volley, which will them put them into great surprise and consternation, wait a moment until the enemy dead and wounded have had a chance to fall and give them a second volley. Now you have the opportunity of rushing upon them with the bayonet, hatchet, cutlass or pistol, or any means at your disposal, to the better advantage. If they run, pursue in a rapid but orderly fashion as previously described. If they disperse, capture as many as possible and do as previously directed.
Evening Attack
If the enemy should be discovered by your detachments late in the day, and their numbers are superior to yours, attack them at dusk, as then they will not be able to determine your numbers. If you are repulsed, your retreat will be followed by the darkness of the night.
Company Rest
When stopped for refreshment, choose some spring or rivulet if you can, and dispose your party so as not to be surprised, posting proper guards and sentries at a due distance, and let a small party waylay the path you came in, lest the enemy should be in pursuit.
Return to Base Camp
If, in your return, you have to cross rivers, avoid the usual fords and bridges as much as possible, lest the enemy should be there expecting you. Also avoid the usual roads and avenues, lest the enemy should have headed you, and lay in ambush to receive you, when the company is most exhausted from the march.
Freely adapted from Rogers' Rangers Rules or Plan of Discipline, Major Robert Rogers, 1757
Saber Drill
Several years ago, I had the pleasure of going through this exercise at the 135th Shiloh Reenactment. I do not know who the instructor was, but he taught with enthusiasm and experience. Finally, I found bits and pieces of it, and have edited them all together here. Hopefully we will, as a unit, have the opportunity gain proficiency in this exercise and perform it at events.
WARNING!! This is NOT for sword-play, or for individual practice! It will be done ONLY during formal drill with an instructor... wrg
Sabre Exercise
For this lesson the squad is composed of from 6 to 8 men, armed only with sabres; they are placed in one rank, 9 feet from each other. The men must be wearing gauntlets, and each sabre must be equipped with a proper sabre-knot to preclude an unplanned release of the gripe (grip).
The object of the moulinet is to render the joints of the arm and wrist supple, and as it adds to the confidence of the men when isolated, by increasing their dexterity, they should first be exercised at it, as a preparation for the other motions.
Each lesson is therefore commenced and ended with moulinets, executed with a quickness proportioned to the progress of the troopers. The instructor pays particular attention that the men do not employ a degree of force in the sabre exercise, which not only is less necessary than skill and suppleness, but which is even prejudicial.
He observes, also, that they do not lean to one side, in such a manner as to lose the seat, when mounted. He requires more especially, in the motions of the sabre to the rear that the blade shall not fall too near the body, for fear of wounding the horse. In describing a circle, the flat of the blade should be to the side, and the edge to the front, and it should be so directed as not to touch either the horse’s head, or his haunches, or the knees of the rider.
When the troopers execute all the motions with regularity, the instructor requires each cut to be given without decomposing it; the last syllable of a command is the signal for the quick execution of it. All the cuts are then terminated by a half-moulinet, which brings back to the position of GUARD.
Thrusts should always be used in preference, as they require less force, and their result is more prompt, sure, and decisive. They should be directed quickly home to the body of the adversary, the sabre being held with the full grasp, the thumb pressing against the guard in the direction of the blade.
The parries against the lance are the same as against the point.
The instructor explains what is meant by right and left side of the gripe (grip); by tierce, and by quarte.
The right side of the gripe is the side opposite to the guard.
The left side of the gripe is the side next to the guard.
Tierce is the position in which the edge of the blade is turned to the right, the nails downwards.
Quarte is the position in which the edge of the blade is turned to the left, the nails upwards.
To rest, the sabres being returned, the instructor conforms to what is prescribed, No. 2.
The troopers being placed as prescribed above, the instructor commands:
1) Draw—SABRE.
2 times.
1.At the first part of the command, unhook the sabre with the left hand, and bring the hilt to the front. Run the right wrist through the sword-knot; seize the gripe, draw the blade 6 inches out of the scabbard, pressing the scabbard against the thigh with the left hand, which seizes it at the tipper ring.
2. At the command, SABRE!, draw the sabre quickly, raising the arm to its full extent, at an angle of about 45 degrees; the sabre in a straight line with the arm, make a alight pause, carry the blade to the right shoulder, the back of it against the hollow of the shoulder, the wrist resting against the hip, the little finger on the outside of the gripe.
2) Return—SABRE.
2 times.
1. At the command, Return, carry the sabre vertically to the front, the thumb opposite to and 6 inches from the neck, the blade vertical, the edge to the left, the thumb extended on the right side of the gripe, the little finger by the side of the others.
2. At the command, SABRE, carry the wrist opposite to and 6 inches from the left shoulder. Revolve the point of the blade to the rear, until it is nearly under the right hand, which, at the same time, is raised; the left hand. Also at the same time, take hold of the upper part of the scabbard; turn the eyes slightly to the left. Return the blade, free the wrist from the sabre knot, drop the right hand by the side; turning with the left the hilt toward the body, and so round to the rear, hook up the sabre, and drop the left hand.
3) Draw—SABRE.
The sabres being drawn, the instructor commands:
4) GUARD.
1 time.
At the command, GUARD, carry the right foot about 20 inches from the left, the heels on the same line. Place the left hand closed, 6 inches from the body, and as high as the elbow, the fingers towards the body, the little finger nearer than the thumb (position of the bridle hand). At the same time, carry the right hand about 10 inches in front of the right hip, the blade in an oblique position, the point a little raised, the edge upward, the back of the blade resting in the hollow of the left arm, as near the body as possible. The right hand without constraint, or feeling the weight of the sabre.
5) Left—MOULINET.
1 time, 2 motions.
1. At the command, MOULINET, extend the right arm to the front to its full length, the hand in tierce and as high as the eyes; the point to the front, and a little higher than the hilt.
2. Commencing by lowering the blade, make rapidly a circle round the hand, to the left of, and as near as safe, to the horse, and to the elbow; returning to the first position, and then to guard.
6) Right—MOULINET.
1 time, 2 motions.
1. At the command, MOULINET, extend the right arm to the front to its full length, the hand in quarte, and as high as the eyes, the point to the front, and a little higher than the hilt.
2. Commencing by lowering the blade, make rapidly a circle round the hand, to the right of the horse and body, returning to the first position, and then to guard.
To execute the moulinet without stopping, if the instructor wishes to begin by the left, he commands:
7) Left and right—MOULINET.
1 time, 2 motions.
If he wishes to begin by the right, he commands:
8) Right and left—MOULINET.
1 time, 2 motions.
At either of these commands, the troopers, commencing from the position of guard, execute alternately what is laid down in Nos. 33 and 34, without stopping at any motion.
9) Rear—MOULINET.
1 time, 2 motions.
1. At the command, MOULINET, raise the arm to the right and rear to its full extent, the point of the sabre upwards, the edge to the right, the thumb extended on the back of the gripe, the body slightly turned to the right.
2. Describe a circle in rear, commencing by motion of the sabre towards the left, the arm being motionless to the wrist, return to the 1st position and then to guard.
When the troopers execute the moulinets well, the instructor requires them to execute several in succession, until the command GUARD.