By sections-in retreat-left into line

In this formation, left into line or into battery, the column is supposed to be halted; but it may be performed equally well while marching. But in this case, the pieces which are to serve as pivots halt, when the captain gives the word MARCH, and the rest of the movement is performed as has been prescribed.*

45. If there be not sufficient ground to the left, or if be desirable to fire to the left by a more prompt manœuvre, the captain commands,

1. Attention. 2. By inversion-left into battery. 3. MARCH. (Pl. XXXIV.) At the second command, the chiefs of sections order, section-right wheel;

the officer of the train,

Caissons-right oblique-trot.

At the word MARCH, repeated by the same chiefs, the sections wheel to the right, and dress to the left. The caissons oblique to the right, passing by their pieces, leaving them on their left, and move to their positions in battery.t

There is then in the battery not only an inversion of the sections, but, moreover, an inversion between the line of pieces and that of caissons. To resume the natural order, after what has been above prescribed, it is : necessary to move the line of pieces to the front of the line of caissons, and then break into column. But the first movement may be avoided, by breaking in the manner pointed out in No. 39.

46. The captain commands,

1. Attention. 2. By sections-left (or right) into column. 3. MARCH. At the second command, the chiefs of sections order,

the officer of the train,"

section-left wheel;

Caissons-right wheel-MARCH; Head of sections-left wheel-trot— MARCH;

and the caissons of each section arrange themselves in rear of their pieces by the command of their chief,

Caissons-right wheel-MARCH.

This method of breaking into column applies to all cases where there is an inversion between the line of pieces and that of the caissons.

47. To fire to the right, the formation is similar to that pointed out for firing to the left.

The captain commands,

1. Attention. 2. By inversion-right into battery. 3. MARCH. At the second command, the chiefs of sections order,

the officer of the train,

......

section-left wheel;

Caissons-left oblique-trot.

At the word MARCH, repeated by the same chiefs, the sections wheel to the left, and dress. The caissons oblique to the left, passing by their pieces, leaving them to the left, and move to their stations in battery.

There is then an inversion between the two lines of the battery. The

* In general, the movements which have been described from a halt, in order that they may be performed with more regularity, may, at least the greater part of them, be executed with equal ease while marching.

t In horse-artillery, the squads, preceding the caissons, pass by their pieces, leaving them on their left, and take their positions in battery, by wheeling to the left-about. This applies to all cases where the caissons are to pass by their pieces.

natural order is resumed by moving the line of pieces beyond that of the caissons, or by breaking into column by the preceding method.

48.

3d. To form Line on the Right.

The captain commands,

1. Attention. 2. On right-into line-guide right. 3. MARCH At the word MARCH, the chief of the first section commands,

Right wheel-forward-guide right;

and, when the section has marched about twenty paces,
First section-halt. Right dress.

The chief of the caissons of the first section commands,
Caissons-left wheel-trot-MARCH.

Each caisson wheels to the left on a movable pivot.

When the head of the column has marched about twenty paces, the same chief commands,

Head of column—-right wheel;

I and, when the caissons arrive in rear of their pieces,

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

Each caisson ranges itself exactly in rear of its piece.

During this time, the second section, followed by its caissons, has continued to march to the front. When the third piece has arrived abreast the point which it is to occupy, the chief of the section commands,

Second section-right wheel-forward-guide right.

This section moves into line as the first.

The caissons, of the second section manœuvre like those of the first, by the command of their chief, passing to the left of, and near the second caisson; and so on for the third section.

The formation from column in retreat, on the left (or right) into line, may be executed by applying to the pieces what has just been prescribed for the caissons; but it is better to execute it by sections, whenever the ground will permit.

49.

To form in Battery on the Right.

The captain commands,

1. Attention. 2. On right—into battery-guide right. 3. MARCH. The sections wheel in succession on a movable pivot, at the command of their chiefs, who then move them forward; and, in foot-artillery, the chiefs of sections command,

Into battery-MARCH.

The pieces, conducted by their chiefs, make a wheel to the left-about on their own ground, halt, and are then dressed by the chiefs of sections. In horse-artillery, the chiefs of sections command,

Front into battery-MARCH.

At this last word of command, which must not be given until the pieces have moved the length of a piece to the front, the pieces wheel to the left-about, and are then halted and dressed by their chiefs of sections. In each section, the chief of the caissons commands,

Caissons-left wheel-trot-MARCH;

and then,

Head of column-right wheel,

as soon as the left wheel is executed.