The caissons are in line in rear of their pieces, the horses' heads facing the same way as those of the pieces; the distance between the two lines being twice the length of the piece, from the heads of the leaders of the caissons to the muzzles of the pieces. The word interval designates the lateral space between two pieces or caissons by the side of each other; and by the word distance is meant the space between two carriages or lines of carriages following each other. The captain is posted in the centre, twelve paces in advance of the leading-horses; The chiefs of sections, between the two pieces of their sections, and six paces in advance of the leading horses; The chiefs of pieces, one pace in advance of the leaders of their pieces; The gunners and matrosses, in file, on the right and left of their pieces, at the posts designated in the School of the Gunner. In horse-artillery, they are formed in squads, four paces in rear of the muzzles of their pieces. The officer of the train is in the centre of the line of caissons, and twelve paces in advance of the leading horses. The non-commissioned officers are one pace in advance of their caissons; The musicians, four paces from the right, and four paces in rear of the muzzles of the pieces. The formation in line in retreat is the same as in line to the front, except that, in horse-artillery, the squads of mounted gunners and matrosses, instead of being in rear of the muzzles of the guns, are four paces in front of the chiefs of the pieces. 2D. IN BATTERY. (Pl. X. Fig. 2.) In battery, as in line, the caissons are in line, in rear of the pieces. The interval between the pieces is the length of a piece with its prolonge fixed, and the distance between the leading horses of the pieces and the caissons is forty-five paces. The captain places himself wherever he can best be heard, and can best observe the effect of the fire; but usually in the centre of the battery, eight paces in advance of the leading horses; The chiefs of sections, in the centre of their sections, and on a line with the limbers; The chiefs of pieces, opposite their pieces, and midway between the limbers and the pointing handspikes; The gunners and matrosses, (foot or horse,) at the posts assigned them in the School of the Gunner. In horse-artillery, the horses of the gunners and matrosses face the enemy, opposite their pieces, and midway between the pieces and the caissons. The officer of the train is opposite the centre of the line of caissons, eight paces in advance of the leading horses. The non-commissioned officers are at their caissons during the firings. The musicians are four paces beyond the right flank of the battery, and midway between the pieces and the caissons. 3D. IN COLUMN. Column of Pieces, Right in Front. (Pl. XI.) Each caisson follows immediately after its piece. The captain is habitually on the left, abreast the centre of the column. The officer of the train is on the right of the column, abreast the captain The chief of the first section marches at the head of the column, one pace in front of his leaders; and the chiefs of the other sections, four paces from the left of the centre of their respective sections. The chief of each piece is by the side of the driver of the leading horses of his piece. |