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37.

Being in Retreat, to form Line in Retreat.

The captain commands,

1. Attention. 2. In retreat—into line-guide right. 3. March. At the second command, the chief of the third section orders,

Third section-in retreat-guide right.

The other chiefs of sections command,

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the chief of the caissons of the third section,

Caissons-in retreat-guide right;

the chiefs of caissons of other sections,

Caissons-left oblique.

At the word MARCH, repeated by the same chiefs, the movement is executed in the same manner as in the formation to the front, applying to the caissons what has, been said of the pieces, and the reverse.

38. If the column is in retreat, and it be required to form to the front in battery, to fire in the direction towards which it is marching, the captain commands,

In retreat into battery.

The formation is executed in the same manner as that of in retreat into line, except that the pieces pass by the caissons, and, proceeding about twice the length of a piece before them, wheel to the left-about.

39. (Pl. XXXIV.) There is then an inversion of the order of the two lines of the battery; and this generally occurs whenever one line, either that of the pieces, or that of the caissons, passes the other. But the natural order is resumed by one or the other line repassing; or, if it be desired to break into column, the natural order may be immediately resumed, the pieces breaking into sections to the left or right, and the caissons, which cannot follow the movement of their pieces, being formed in file by wheel-; ing to the left or right, according to the side to which the sections broke, and then wheeling by the heads of sections to the left or right, in order to take their places in the column. The detail of this movement will be given hereafter. Thus, then, in every inversion, occasioned merely by one line having passed another, there are two methods of re-establishing the natural order,—either by re-forming in line, or by breaking into column.

40. If there be not sufficient ground on the flank, on which the formation is to be made, in the manoeuvre front into line, or into battery, as has been detailed above, it may be executed on the opposite flank. The words of command and the means of execution are the same, except that the command of the captain is preceded by the words by inversion; and by the others the word right is substituted for left, and reciprocally. But then there is in the line an inversion of the order of the sections. This occurs whenever the sections oblique, or wheel to the side opposite the guide. It is evident, in this case, that the only method of resuming the natural order is, to break into column of sections; if in battery, to break in retreat; and, if in line, to break in the order of advance, (or to the front.)

41

2d. To form Line to the Left.

(Pl. XXXII.) The column being at a halt, the captain commands, 1. Attention. 2. Left into line. 3. MARCH

At the second command, the chiefs of sections order,

the officer of the train,

section-left wheel;

Caissons-right wheel.

At the word MARCH, repeated by the same chiefs, each section of pieces wheels to the left on a fixed pivot, and is halted by its chief of section, who, when the wheel is completed, commands,

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The caissons wheel to the right by caissons, unmasking their pieces, thus marching in separate and parallel columns. When the head of each has marched about twenty paces, the officer of the train commands,

Heads of columns-left wheel.

This movement is executed, and, each caisson having arrived opposite its piece, the officer of the train commands,

Caissons-left wheel-MARCH. Halt. Right dress.

At this last word, the caissons are aligned on the right.

42. In general, the formations on the flank are executed much more simply when the ground will permit the caissons to follow the movements of their pieces; or the reverse, in the order in retreat: then the entire sections wheel, and the caissons, or the pieces, if in retreat, halt as soon as the column is unmasked. To point out when the movement is to be performed in this manner, the captain commands,

.43.

By sections-left into line, (or into battery.)

To form to the Left in Battery.

(Pl. XXXIII.) The captain commands,

1. Attention. 2. Left into battery. 3. MARCH. At the second command, the chiefs of sections order,

......

the officer of the train,

section-left wheel;

Caissons-right wheel.

At the word MARCH, repeated by the same chiefs, each section of pieces wheels to the left, on a fixed pivot. The wheel being completed, in footartillery, the chiefs of sections command,

Into battery-MARCH.

The pieces, conducted by their respective chiefs, wheel to the left-about, on their own ground, halt, and are then aligned by their chiefs of sections. In horse-artillery, when the wheel is completed, the chiefs of sections command,

Front into battery-MARCH.

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At this last command, which must not be given until the pieces have advanced to the front the length of a piece, they wheel to the left-about, halt, and are then aligned by their chiefs of sections.

As soon as the caissons have unmasked the pieces, the officer of the train gives the following commands:

Head of column-left wheel; Caissons-left wheel-MARCH. Halt. Right dress.

If the left is in front, the formation to the right in line or in battery is made by similar means and words of command.

44. If the column is in retreat, the formation to the left or right is executed by applying to the pieces what has been said of the caissons, and the

reverse.

The word of command for the captain is,

In retreat-left into line.

But, this movement being difficult to execute, whenever the ground will permit, the formation should be made by sections.

The captain commands,

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