TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE FIRST.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
Page.
ARTICLE I.—Formation of a regiment of ten squadrons in line 3
Posts of
the officers and non-commissioned off-
icers or the field and staff of a regiment
In line. 4
Posts
of the officers and non-commissioned off-
icers of a squadron in line. . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .5
Assembly of a regiment,
dismounted . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
The standard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . 9
Salute with the
standard and sabre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
The order of
battle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
ARTICLE II.—Formation of a regiment in column . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Order in column by twos or fours . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 11
Order in column of platoons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 13
Order in close column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 14
Order in double column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 15
Compliments by cavalry under review . . . . . . . . . . . .
.15
Form and course of inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 16
ARTICLE III.—Duties of instructors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 20
ARTICLE IV.—Division, order, and progression of instruction . 21
ARTICLE V.—Gradation of instruction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. ..22
Recruits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . 22
Corporals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . 23
Sergeants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .23
Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . 24
ARTICLE VI—Instruction to mount without saddle, and to
saddle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
. . .24
Manner of vaulting . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .25
Manner of
rolling the cloak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Manner of saddling . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
ARTICLE VII—Of training horses which
have already been rid-
den. . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Preparatory lesson. To make a horse tractable
and steady at mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page.
ARTICLE VII—Continued.
To bend or supple the horse’s neck . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 28
How to make a horse
obey the pressure of the leg . . . . . 31
Circling
on the haunches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Reining
back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
The horses
paces, walk, trot, and canter . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Demi-pirouette
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Manner of
accustoming the horses to leap . . . . . . . . . . .37
To accustom horses to firing and military noises . . . . .
.38
Practice of paces for maneuver . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . 39
ARTICLE VIII.—Definitions
and general principles . . . . . . . . . . .39
ARTICLE IX.—Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
TITLE SECOND.
INSTRUCTION ON FOOT.
School or the trooper,
dismounted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Position of
trooper, dismounted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Eyes
right—eyes left . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Right face,
left face, about face, right—oblique.
face,
left—oblique face . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Common step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . 48
To
change feet . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
To march
by a flank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
To face to
the right or left when marching . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Oblique face to the
right or left when marching . . . . . . . 50
Quick step .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Double quick
step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Sabre
exercise . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
General
observations and directions . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . 63
Manual of
the pistol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Inspection
of arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Target
practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Platoon, squadron,
and regiment dismounted . . . . . . . .
69
________
TITLE THIRD.
INSTRUCTION ON HORSEBACK.
1st LESSON Scbool of the trooper, mounted . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .73
Position of the trooper,
before mounting . . . . . . . . . .74
To mount . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page.
1st LESSON—Continued.
To dismount
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Position
of the trooper mounted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
The use of
the reins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
The use of the
legs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
The
effect of the reins and legs combined . . . . . . . . . . . 77
To march
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
To halt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
To turn to the
right and to the left . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
To turn
about to the right and to the left . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
To make a third of a lure to the right and to the
left
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 79
To rein back,
and to cease reining back . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
To file
off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 81
2d LESSON—To march to the right hand,
and to march to the
left hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . 82
To turn to
the right and to the left in marching . . . . . . . 82
To halt,
and to step off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
To pass
from the walk to the trot, and from the
trot to
the walk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
Changes
of hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
To
turn to the right and to the left by trooper in
marching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 85
To
turn about to the right and to the left by
trooper
in marching on the same line . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
The same movements in marching in column . . . . .
. . . 86
3d LESSON—Of the spur . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
To march to
the right hand or to the left hand .
. . . . . . . .89
To pass
from the walk to the trot, and from the
trot to the walk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .90
Change
of direction in the breadth of the riding
house
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Change of
direction obliquely by trooper . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
To march in
a circle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
4th LESSON—To turn to the right or to the left by trooper
in
marching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . 92
To turn about to the right, or to the left, the
troopers marching on the same line, (or abreast) . . . . 93
The same,
the troopers marching in column . .
. . . . . . . .94
To pass
successively from the bead to the rear of
the column . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Being
halted, to commence the move at a trot . . . . . . . . 95
Marching
at a trot, to halt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
To pass
from the trot to the trot-out, and from the
trot-out to the trot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . 96
To pass
from the trot to the gallop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
To
passage to the right or to the left, the head to
the wall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
98
To
passage to the right or to the left, being in
column . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page.
5th LESSON--To take the snaffle in the
right hand . . . . . . . . . . 101
To drop the
snaffle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
The
principal movements of the bridle hand .
. . . . . . . 101
To gather
the horse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
To march
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
To halt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 102
To turn to
the right in marching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
To turn to
the left in marching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
To turn about to the right and to the left in
marching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 103
To make an
oblique turn to the right and to the
left in marching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . 103
To rein
back, and to cease reining heck . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Exercise of
the 4th lesson with the curb bridle . . . . . . 104
To passage to the right and to the left . . . . . . . .
. . . . . 104
6th LESSON.—Principles of the gallop . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .105
Exercise et the
gallop upon right lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Exercise at
the gallop on the circle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
7th LESSON.—Exercise of the 6th lesson
with the sabre only . 107
Manual
of arms at a halt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
To fire the pistol . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
110
To load
the pistol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Inspection of arms . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Sabre
exercise at a halt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
8th LESSON.—Manual of arms in marching . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . .113
Sabre exercise
at all gaits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Leaping
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 114
To leap
the ditch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
To leap
the fence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Individual
charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Circling
on the forehand and haunches and demi-
pirouette
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Target
practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Record
and reports of target firing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
SCHOOL 0F THE PLAT0ON, MOUNTED . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.121
ARTICLE
1.—General principles of alignment . . . . . . . . . . . .
.122
Successive alignment of files in the platoon . . . . . .
. . 122
Alignment of the platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . 125
To break the platoon by file, by twos, and by fours . .
. 125
Direct march in column by file, by twos, and by
fours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . .125
Change of direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . 126
To halt, and to commence the march, in column . . . . .
127
Individual oblique march . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 127
The platoon marching in column
by file, by twos, or by
fours, to form line face to the front, to the
left,
and to the right . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Manual of arms
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page.
ARTICLE II.—To form
twos and fours at the same gait . . . . . . .131
To break by twos and by file at the same gait . . . . . .
132
To form twos and fours
in doubling the gait . . . . . . . 133
To break by twos and by file in doubling the gait . . .
135
Sabre exercise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . 136
ARTICLE III.—Direct march of the platoon in line . . . . .
. . . . . .136
Countermarch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . 141
Wheelings . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . 142
To
wheel on a fixed pivot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
To
wheel on a movable pivot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Individual
oblique march . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
The
platoon marching in line to break it by twos or by
fours at the same gait . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . 149
The platoon marching in column by twos or by fours, to
form it at the same gait . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
The platoon
marching in line, to break it by fours or by
twos, in doubling the gait . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .150
The platoon
marching in column by twos or by fours, to
form it in doubling the gait . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 151
Movements by fours,
the platoon being in column
or line . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
152
ARTICLE IV. Running at
the heads and pistol practice . . . . . . .154
To leap the
ditch and the fence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
To charge by platoon
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156
Rallying . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Skirmishing . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Prepare to fight
on foot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
SCHOOL 0F THE SQUADRON, MOUNTED . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
166
ARTICLE I.--Successive alignment of
platoons in the squadron 168
Alignment of the
squadron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
The
squadron being In line, to form a column of
fours
. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
To
break the squadron to the right or left to
march
to the front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170
To
break by fours from the right to march to the
left .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Direct
march in column of fours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Change of
direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Individual
oblique march . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
The
squadron marching in column of fours to
march
to the rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
To break by fours to
the right, column half left,
(right or half right) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 173
The squadron
marching in column by fours, by twos, and
by file, to form line faced to the front,
to the left, to the right, or to the rear . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
To regulate the
rapidity of gaits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Sabre exercises
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page.
ARTICLE II—The squadron being in line, to form it in open
column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 178
To march in open column . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Changes of direction by successive wheels . . . . . . . . 181
Individual oblique march . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Change of gait in open column . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . 182
To break by fours, by twos, and by file,
to form
twos,
fours, and platoons at the same gait . . . . . . . 182
The same movements in doubling the gait
. . . . . . . . . 185
The squadron marching in open column to
march
to
the rear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
To halt the column . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
The squadron marching in open column to
form
line faced to the left, to the right, to
the front,
and
to the rear . .. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
To break by platoons to the front . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
To break by platoons to the rear from the
right,
to
march to the left . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Movement by fours, the squadron being in open
column
ARTICLE III—Direct march of the squadron in line . . . .
. . . . . . 194
Countermarch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 197
Wheelings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
198
To wheel on a fixed pivot . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
To wheel on a movable pivot . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .200
Individual oblique march . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Oblique march by platoons . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
The squadron being in line, to cause it
to gain
ground to the rear, and to face it again to
the
front, by fours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 203
The squadron marching in line to march it to
the
rear
by wheeling the platoons about . . . . . . . . . . . 203
The squadron marching is line, to break
it to the
front, by platoons, and to reform it . . . . . . . . . . . .. 204
The same movement in doubling the gait
. . . . . . . . . . 205
Passage of obstacles . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . 206
ARTICLE IV—The Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . 207
Rallying . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Skirmishing . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
To fight on foot . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
INTRODUCTION.
To
the Adjutant General U. S. Army:
I report that, in obedience to orders, I have prepared
regulations for the instruction. formations, and movements of the cavalry of
the army and volunteers of the United States.
In undertaking this important work I wanted to give much
consideration to a growing military impression in favor of an important change
to a single rank formation.
Whilst the conservatism or prejudices of European
establishments have slowly yielded, in the infantry arm, to the extent of
reducing its formation from six to two ranks, the one great step from two to
one rank in cavalry has not yet been made; but it was tested very successfully
in the war in Portugal in 1833—’34 in a British legion. I found that it greatly
simplified all cavalry movements; a great recommendation,— but especially in
view of our national policy; it would go far toward lessening the difficulties,
by many considered insuperable, of the efficient instruction of volunteer
cavalry in a period of actual war.
Prejudices of my own against the change were overcome.
Adopting, then, the single rank formation, my work of
revision became one of construction; and I
2 lNTRODUCTION.
have
freely chosen what I judged to be the best points in the systems of France,
Russia, Prussia, Austria, and England. I have added to all. The work will be
found to amplify the old range of movements, whilst its simplicity renders it
less voluminous.
In the decisive action of cavalry the rear rank, under
another name, will be screened from much of the enemy’s fire; will be
reserved from the confusion which even success throws into the front rank; but
that rank defeated, it not only escapes being involved, but is close at
hand to profit by the impression which may have been made on the enemy.
My confidence in a single rank system is further strengthened
by its recommendation in the able work of Captain Geo. B. McClellan, and by
which I have been much assisted.
Respectfully,
P.ST.
GEO. COOKE,
Colonel 2d Dragoons.
WASHINGTON, January 11, 1860.
CAVALRY TACTICS.
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TITLE FIRST.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
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ARTICLE FIRST.
FORMATION OF A REGIMENT
OF TEN
SQUADRONS IN LINE.
In all parades and exercises the companies will be designated
as squadrons.
The squadrons of a regiment in line are posted with Intervals
equal to a platoon front between the sergeants on their flanks; the intervals
are equal at any one time, and never less than 12 paces. When the average of
platoon front is much above this, the Colonel announces the increased uniform
interval.
The squadrons are distinguished by the denomination of first,
second, third, &c., counting from right to left; they retain these
designations in the evolutions whatever may be their relative positions But the
1st Captain commands the squadron on the right; the 2d, the tenth (on the
left;) the 3d, the fifth from the right; the 4th, the third from the right; the
5th, the seventh from the right; the 6th,
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
the
second from the right; the 7th, the ninth from the right; the 8th, the sixth
from the right; the 9th, the fourth from the right; and the 10th, the eight
from the. right
This is the habitual and parade order of the squadrons; but
in sudden formations they will take post as they arrive at the place of
assembly ; and should a Captain be permanently absent, or absent for a
campaign, the Commander of the regiment will assign his squadron position
according to the rank of the actual commander.
The formation is in one rank
Each squadron is composed of two, three, or four platoons,
according to its size. When of 40 or more files, it Is divided into four
platoons; of 30 to 40 files, into three platoons; of 20 to 30 tiles, into two.
If possible, the files of the platoons are of even number. The third and fourth
platoons are made the largest if necessary to accomplish this. The platoons are
numbered at first from right to left, and retain their numerical designations
whatever relative positions they may subsequently occupy.
That which has been prescribed for the formation mounted is
applicable to the formation on foot.
Posts of the
Officers and Non-commissioned Officers of the field
and Staff of a regiment in line.
The Colonel 50 paces in front of the centre of the regiment,
having a chief trumpeter behind him.
The Lieutenant Colonel 25 paces in advance of the centre of
the right wing.
The 1st Major 25 paces in advance of the centre of the left
wing
The 2d Major 25 paces in advance of the centre of the
regiment.
The Colonel moves wherever his presence may be necessary.
The Lieutenant Colonel and Majors move wherever the Colonel
may think proper to direct them.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
The Adjutant accompanies the Colonel.
The Regimental Quartermaster is 2 paces to the right of the
sergeant major, or accompanies the Colonel, as he may direct.
The sergeant major is in line with the regiment 2 paces from
the right flank.
The quartermaster sergeant is in line with the regiment 2
paces from the left flank.
The standard bearer is on the right of the guidon of the
centre, or right centre squadron; a corporal is 1 pace behind him.
The regimental marker is 1 pace behind the second file from
the right of the regiment
General Staff Officers serving with the regiment 25 paces In
rear of the right of the regiment.
The band, formed in two ranks, is 25 paces in rear of the
centre of the regiment
Post of the Officers and Non-commissioned
Officers of a Squadron in line.
The Captain is posted In front of the centre of the squadron,
the croup of his horse 4 paces in advance of the heads of the horses in line.
The Senior Lieutenant commands the 1st platoon; the next in
rank, the 4th platoon; the next, the 2d; and the next, the 3d. Each is posted in front of the centre of his
platoon, with the croup of his horse 1 pace in advance of the heads of the
horses In line. Sergeants supply the places of commanders of platoons, when
there are not enough officers present.
The 1st sergeant is posted on the right of the squadron not
counted in the rank; he is the squadron right guide.
The next sergeant In rank is posted on the left of the
squadron, not counted in the rank; he is the squadron left gulde.
The third sergeant In rank is the guldon bearer, and is the
left file of the 2d platoon.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
The other sergeants and corporals are placed according to
rank, as follows:
Left of 1st platoon.
Right of 4th platoon.
Right of 3d platoon.
Right of 1st platoon.
Left of 4th platoon.
Left of 3d platoon.
Right of 2d platoon.
The 1st trumpeter is posted one pace behind the 4th file from
the right of the 1st platoon.
The other trumpeter, one pace behind the 4th file from the
left of the 4th platoon.
The farrier, one pace behind the centre of the second platoon.
The sadler, one pace behind the centre of the third platoon.
There is a size-roll of the squadron, and with some allowance
for weight of man and horse, the tallest horses are assigned to the tallest
men; the men are posted according to this roll, the tallest men to the right
and left of the centre, the lowest at the flanks.
This invariable position of the soldiers is also important,
for its encouragement to companionship and mutual assistance in the sets of
fours, and to a feeling of responsibility of each to the others in conduct and
bravery.
Assembly of a Regiment Mounted.
When a regiment is to mount boots and saddles is
sounded. At this signal the horses are saddled, bridled, and fully equipped for
the occasion.
At the signal to horse, non-commissioned officers and
troopers lead into rank. The 1st sergeant calls the roll, or the sergeants of
divisions may be required to call the division rolls; the officers are present
in superintendence.
The Captain then, or the senior Lieutenant by his order,
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
orders
the squadron to count fours in each platoon, and to mount.
The Captain, first observing that every one is In his
prescribed place, and the general appearance of the squadron, marches it,
habitually by fours, to the place of assembly. If required, on reaching there
he reports absentees, by his 1st sergeant, to the Adjutant.
In case of alarm or surprise, to horse is sounded; the
men then saddle, pack up, bridle, and mount with the utmost celerity, and
repair to the place of assembly, which is always previously designated.
On occasions of parade, the trumpeters and band will proceed,
as soon as mounted, to the right of the parade ground, and be there formed In
two or more ranks. Fifteen minutes after to horse, the trumpeters sound
the assembly, for marching the squadrons to the parade.
Assembly of a
Regiment Dismounted.
When a regiment is to turn out under arms on foot, “to arms”
will be sounded; at this signal the squadrons will be formed and inspected as
prescribed
For parade, the regiment will be formed in line of columns,
as when mounted, but with intervals of two paces.
The squadron officers will take place four paces in front of
the first platoons, in order of rank from right to left, with equal intervals;
the left guides on the right of the second platoons.
DRESS PARADE AND GUARD
MOUNTING.
Dress parade and mounting of guards, mounted, are conducted
as prescribed in Army Regulations, with the following and other more obvious
variations, necessary from the difference of cavalry and infantry.
The officers take post 12 paces, the non-commissioned
officers 6 paces, in front of the guard.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
After inspection the officers take post 2 paces in front of
the centre of their guard or their platoons; a non-commissioned officer
commanding a guard the same.
The guard passes in review by guard, platoons, or fours,
having regard to its strength.
In wet weather the sabres will not be drawn by guards for
inspection, or any occasion of ceremony
At regimental parade the field officers and captains are
placed as in line; the platoon commanders, exclusively commissioned officers,
are aligned on the captains; the adjutant and sergeant major are posted 4
paces from the right and left of the line; 1st sergeants take post as right
guides of squadrons.
After the music, the Adjutant rides to a point 25 paces In
front of the centre of the line, faces it, and commands:
1. Attention.
2. Draw—SABRE.
3. Present—SABRE.
The Colonel concludes the exercises with, Return—SABRE.
The commands for the advance of the line of officers are given in a tone only
loud enough to be heard by them.
If the Colonel desires it, for the purpose of parade, he will
divide the squadron into two platoons, and form the regimental parade in line
of platoon columns at 9 paces distance—from the horse’s croups in the front
line to their heads in the other—with intervals of 6 paces.
The officers take post 4 paces In front of the first
platoons, in order of rank, from right to left, with equal intervals; if but
one officer, in front of the centre of the platoon; left guides on the right of
the 2d platoons.
To leave the parade, the squadrons will be commanded:
1. Right forward—Fours right. 2. MARCH.
Or, if by the rear, I Fours left—Columns left. 2. MARCH. In both cases
the rear platoon does not march until the leading platoon has gained sufficient
ground for their properly uniting.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
THE STANDARD.
Generally, when the standard Is used, the standard bearer
goes for it to the quarters or tent of the Colonel, escorted by two sergeants.
On special occasions, and at least once a year, it Is escorted
and received with ceremony.
Two platoons of the standard squadron, or one of the flank
squadrons, will be detached, under the orders of the Colonel, to proceed to his
quarters, as soon as mounted. It will be halted in their front in column of
platoons, with either flank toward the quarters. The standard bearer receives
the standard from the hands of the adjutant or serpent major, and takes his
post In the centre of the interval between the platoons, with a sergeant on
each side of him; the column Is then put in motion, preceded 20 paces by a
chief trumpeter and four trumpeters.
The column approaches a flank of the regiment, marching parallel
with and about 100 paces from its front, the trumpets sounding the march.
The Colonel commands the sabres to be drawn. The escort is
halted when nearly opposite the dank, the standard-bearer and two sergeants pm
on, and when 60 paces In front of the Colonel face him and the regiment and
halt.
The Colonel then orders sabres presented, and presents sabre
himself; the trumpets sound to the standard. The standard hearer then
takes his place in line.
The escort, the moment the standard bearer leaves it, turns
and is marched by the rear to its place in line.
When there is a band It may be substituted for the chief
trumpeter and four trumpeters.
On the return of the standard it has the same escort.
Salute with the Standard.
When the standard is to pay honors, the standard bearer
salutes in the following manner, in two times:
1.At
4 paces from the person who is to be saluted.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
lower
the lance gently to the front, bending as near to the horizontal line as
possible.
2. Raise the lance gently when the person saluted has passed
4 paces.
Salute with the Sabre.
When the superior and other officers are to salute, whether
on horseback or on foot, at a halt or marching, they do it in four times.
1. At 4 paces from
the person to be saluted, raise the sabre perpendicularly, the point upwards,
the edge to the left, the hand opposite to and one foot from the right
shoulder, the elbow 6 inches from the body.
2. Lower the blade,
extending the arm to Its full length, the hand in quarte, until the point of
the sabre is near the foot.
3. Raise the sabre
quickly, the point upwards, as in the first time, after the person saluted has
passed 4 paces.
4. Carry the sabre to the shoulder.
THE ORDER OF BATTLE.
The order of battle for a regiment of ten squadrons is the
four right or left squadrons deployed in line; the four squadrons of the other
flank in line of squadron columns 300 paces in rear of the first line. The 5th
squadron, In column of platoons, generally left in front, is 50 paces behind
the right flank of the first line, the line of its left guides being a platoon
front to the right of the extremity of that flank the 6th squadron, in column
of platoons, right in front, similarly disposed to the rear of the left flank
of the first line.
If a squadron be absent, the second line will he composed of
3 squadrons, in columns immediately in rear of the first line; the 5th and 6th
squadrons, counting from the flank which composes the first line, being always
the flanking squadrons.
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
The Lieutenant Colonel commands the second line,
and is posted 25 paces in front of its centre.
The order of battle for a regiment of eight
squadrons is as follows:
The six right or left squadrons deployed in line;
the 7th and 8th (or 1st and 2d) squadrons are placed in columns of platoons, in
rear of the right and left flanks of the line of battle, as described for the
flank squadrons of the regiment of ten squadrons.
In the order of battle each field officer is
attended by a trumpeter,
To change from line or order of review to order of
battle in an eight squadron regiment, the 7th and 8th squadrons are wheeled by
platoons (or by fours) to the right, and conducted by the shortest lines to
their positions,
In a ten squadron regiment, the same for the 5th
and 6th squadrons; the Lieutenant Colonel takes command of the next
four squadrons, wheels platoons right, column right, and to the left,
after marching the proper distance to the rear.
ARTICLE SECOND.
FORMATION OF A REGIMENT IN COLUMN,
Order in Column by twos or by fours.
In this order the squadrons preserve distances of 3
paces more than platoon front, counting from the croups of the horses of the
last set of fours of one to the heads of the horses of the first set of the
next.
The Colonel marches at the centre of the regiment,
on the side of the guides, 50 paces from the flank of the column, having behind
him a chief bugler. He moves wherever
his presence may be necessary.
The Lieutenant Colonel on the side of the guides,
25
BASIS OF INSTRUCTION.
paces
from the flank of the column; he marches habitually on a line with the Captain
commanding the 1st squadron.
The 1st Major marches 25 paces from the same flank of the
column, and on a line with the Captain commanding the 10th squadron.
The 2d Major marches 25 paces from the opposite flank, on a
line with the centre of the column.
The Adjutant and Regimental Quartermaster accompany the
Colonel.
The Sergeant Major marches on the side of the guides, 2 paces
from the flank of the column, and on a line with the first files of the column.
The Quartermaster Sergeant marches on the side of the guides,
2 paces from the flank of the column, on a line with the last files of the
column.
The regimental marker marches on the side opposite to the
guides, 2 paces from the flank, and on a line with the first files of the
column,
The Captains march on the side of the guides, and 8 paces
from the flank and abreast of the centre of their squadrons.
The 1st Lieutenant of each squadron marches at the head of
the 1st platoon, 1 pace in advance of the first flies, having the right guide
on his right.
The chiefs of the other platoons march on the aide of the
guides, 1 pace from the flank of the column, and abreast of their first files;
the trumpeters march on the side opposite to the guides, 1 pace from the
flank, and on a line with the second file from the front and rear of their
squadrons; the farrier and the saddler in the direction of the trumpeters, and
opposite the ccntres of the second and third platoons.
They all march in a similar manner on the flanks of the
column when the left is in front; and, in this case, it is the commander of the
4th platoon who marches at its head and in front of the squadron columns; and
the let Major is near the head of the regimental column.
The left guide marches behind the last files of the squadron;
when the column is left in front, he takes post on the
