If the head of the first line, when it arrives at (c), waits till the fecond line arrives at the correfponding point (c), they will then proceed equally-or the march of the fecond line may begin proportionally fooner than that of the first.

Fig. 78.

If the new pofition is an advanced one-The firft line changes its direction at (C), by a wheel to the reverse hand into (C, D), marches on till the head is halted; fuck part of the column as is not in the new line, enters it by the divifions of the column wheeling back into echellon, and then marching up fucceffively into line. The fecond line which has ascertained its corresponding points (c, d), moves on, enters the new direction at (d), by a wheel to its reverse hand, and prolongs the line till it arrives at its flank point, when the whole halt; and the regiments of fuch part of the column as are not then in the new direction, gain it by the movements of (S. 77.)-The second line must take care not to pass its interfecting point (d), but after arriving at it, muft wait till the head of the firft line, which has more ground to go over, arrives equal with it in the new line; it will then move on.

S. 107. Passage of Lines.

A line of cavalry obliged to retire through a line of infantry, will, when arrived, close to the infantry front, and instantly march off each half fquadron (from its right flank) ranks by two's, ftraight to the rear; wherever the heads of half fquadrons present themfelves, the infantry will make openings fufficient for four horfes to pass through.-The heads of the half fquadrons remain dreffed, and preferve diftances from the left. When at a fufficient diftance in the rear, the open column is formed (right in front) by the clofing in and wheeling up of the two's. Pivots being then adjusted, the parallel line is formed by the wheeling up of the half fquadron.

If instead of forming in parallel line, an oblique pofition with the left thrown back is to be taken; this muft have been prepared, by bringing the heads of files, during the march, to the rear gradually into fuch direction. And if the right is to be thrown back, then the half fquadron must have marched by two's, from their left flank, instead of their right one.

A retiring line may also throw back a wing, by forming in line very soon after paffing, and then taking an oblique pofition to the rear, by the echellon march, or fome other of the modes already prescribed.

If Squadrons are to pass through infantry in their front -When the line arrives close behind them, each fquadron

T2

fquadron will march from its center ranks by two's, (eight men in front).-They will all pafs at the fame inftant through the openings which are made for them, and at the distance of thirty yards the heads will halt and drefs, the fquadrons will form, and the line move on. If the line has attacked, and broken the enemy, and that fmaller detachments than fquadrons are to purfue, they will at the ordered inftant march from a flank, ranks by two's, pass the infantry, form up while in motion, and purfue with vigour.

1

Referve fqua

drons.

Lines of cavalry exchanging fituations may do it in the fame manner as prefcribed in paffing through infantry. -The fecond line may either advance to the first, and halt, while the firft paffes through it; or the first retire towards the fecond, halt, front, and then pass.As there are intervals already established between fquadrons, the fquadrons themfelves may be confidered as fo many obftacles to a paffing line; therefore, whatever part of fuch paffing line is oppofite the intervals, may move through them; and whatever part of each fquadron is interrupted, will follow its paffing part by ranks of two's, behind each flank of it, and again move up into line, when they quit the intervals about twenty yards.

When fquadrons are ftrong, and exceed forty-eight files, fix or eight files of each may be occafionally placed in referve, fifty paces behind their proper fquadrons,

fquadrons, and to whofe movements they are attached and correfpond. Their ordered fituation may be behind either flank, or oppofite an interval (in general the right interval) and they will be confidered in the calculation of manoeuvres of the line. In general, they will act as a fecond line, and when column of march is formed, they may make part of it, place themselves in the interval, and follow the rear of their respective squadrons.-They may be advantageoufly employed to flank, to skirmish, to pursue, or to form advanced or rear guards,

kirmishers.

When flankers, fkirmifhers, or purfuers, are order- Flankers and ed out from the body of the fquadron, they may in general be taken from one or both flank divifions, and confift of one or two complete fubdivifions, or one or two complete three's, thereby leaving every other part of the fquadron entire; they will be commanded by appointed officers, move out at the inflant of command, and proceed to perform thofe duties in which every cavalry foldier of every kind must be individually inftructed and practifed, and be mafter of the use of his fire arms and fword, when fingle, as well as in rank.

S. 108. The Column of Route, or March. The column of march is the foundation of all diftant movements, and even of evolutions and manœuvres.

1

Marches on

nerally made.

-It is in, that manner that the columns of an army fhould perform their marches, that an enemy fhould be approached, and that fafety can be infured to the troops in their tranfitions from one point to another. All marches, for any confiderable distance, will at what front ge- all times be made preferably, where the ground allows, in column of divisions of the line, viz. by half fquadrons, or divifions, or fub-divifions, when the fquadrons exceed forty files.-But where the breadth of the routes fo require it, the march will be made by fix men in front, (ranks by three's); four men in front, (ranks by two's); or finally, two men in front by the filing of ranks; this laft is never to be done, but in cafes of abfolute neceffity.

Diminishing or increafing the front of the column.

All diminishing or increafing the front of a column of march is in general done by each body of the column, at the point where the leading divifion firft does it; fuch operation fhould be performed with quicknefs and firmnefs, fo as if poffible not thereby to retard or open out the column.-At all points of increasing or diminishing the front of the march, an intelligent officer, per regiment or brigade, fhould be ftationed to fee that it is performed with celerity; and the commander of a confiderable column should have conftant reports and infpections made, that the column is moving with proper regularity; he fhould have officers in advance to apprize him of difficulties to be avoided, or obftacles to be paffed, and should himself apply every proper means to obviate fuch as may occur in the march.The great principle, on all occafions, of diminishing or increafing the front of

the