HAND-BOOK
FOR
ACTIVE SERVICE;
CONTAINING
Practical Instructions in Campaign Duties.
FOR THE USE OF VOLUNTEERS.
BY
EGBERT L. VIELE,
LATE U. S. A.,
CAPTAIN ENGINEERS, SEVENTH REGIMENT, N. G.
NEW YORK:
D. VAN NOSTRAND, 192 BROADWAY.
1861
NEW YORK, 21st February, 1861.
CAPTAIN E. L. VIELE,
Engineer, etc.
Sir:—I have read with great satisfaction, the advance sheets of the “Hand Book for Active Service” sent me. A practical work of this description is greatly needed, and will be prized by the soldiers composing our militia throughout the States. Teaching the soldier bow to prepare his food in the most economical and expeditious manner is certainly not the least important part of your interesting volume. Knowledge thus disseminated will, in case of service in the field, save many lives, and add to the efficiency of the force, while the general information upon military subjects, given in a concise and familiar style, I doubt not will be highly appreciated.
I am, my dear Sir,
Your friend and servant,
MARSHALL LEFFERTS,
Col. 7th Regiment, N. G.
PREFACE.
THERE are at this moment in the United States 3,000,000 of organized troops, all of them more or less accustomed to the use of arms, and many of them have been drilled in military tactics. Very few have been in actual service, and are therefore unaccustomed to the fatigues, and unacquainted with the duties, of camp and garrison life. Were any number of them to be brought suddenly into the field, this want of experience would be at once felt by officers as well as soldiers, and a great deal of useless labor, unnecessary privation, and personal suffering would be gone through with before they would become sufficiently accustomed to the entire change in their mode of life. With a view to avoid these difficulties as much as possible, and set before the soldier in a familiar manner that line of conduct to be pursued in a campaign which would enable him to husband his physical resources and
8 PREFACE.
at the same time render him most effective in every way for any duty, these pages have been prepared; the author claiming no originality or merit beyond a desire to aid his fellow-citizens in acquiring more thorough information on the subject of military duties.
The large amount of intelligence and active energy which the volunteer brings with him into the field is frequently thrown away and wasted for the want of knowledge in daily routine, which, together with a strict obedience to order, makes the chief value of the regular soldier. When this knowledge is once acquired, volunteers have in many respects the advantage over regular troops.
New York, March, 1861.
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CHAP. II. THE RECRUIT, III. THE COMPANY, IV. THE REGIMENT, V. THE MARCH, VI. THE CAMP, VII. GUARDS AND GUARD MOUNTING, VIII. RATIONS, AND MODE OF COOKING THEM, X. ARTILLERY, XI. MANUAL FOR LIGHT ARTILLERY, XII. MANUAL FOR HEAVY ARTILLERY, XIII. AMMUNITION,
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PAGE 11 15 28 37 48 57 65 75 92 149 157 178 250
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LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
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HAND-BOOK FOR ACTIVE SERVICE.
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CHAPTER 1.
AN effective organization of troops for all purposes, is composed of three arms: Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery. Upon a due proportion of each of these arms de-pends their capacity for attack or defence.
INFANTRY.—Experience has taught us that the most reliable arm under all circumstances is infantry; it is more capable of endurance, and of being maneuvred on every ground, even where the other arms would be utterly useless.
The proportion of this arm in a complete organization would be four-fifths of the entire force.
Infantry is subdivided into “Infantry of the Line,” “Light Infantry,” and Riflemen. The duties of each are distinct. In all engagement the Infantry of the Line bears the brunt of the battle; moving in mass when acting on the offensive, it delivers its fire in line, and overwhelms the enemy by its force and energy, driving him from his position at the point of the bayonet; and on the defensive it forms in square to repel the charge of cavalry, and
12 INTRODUCTION.
upon the coolness and determination with which it receives the shock of attack, depends its success; to waver is half a defeat.
The duties of light infantryare to act as flankers on the march, to open an engagement, to draw the enemy’s fire, to unmask his batteries, and generally to develop his strength and expose the weak points of his position, to feign attacks, and in every way to annoy, worry, and discomfit him. They are selected for picket and out post duty, advance and rearguard. The French Zouave is the best model of a light infantry soldier.
The efficiency of riflemen depends upon the locality at which they are posted; if so placed that they can deliver their fire with deliberation and precision, they become most valuable auxiliaries, and are often able to hold their position against a vastly superior force. They should be selected from those who are known as good shots, otherwise their principal value would be lost.
CAVALRY.—Cavalry is placed second in importance to infantry, although modern warfare has developed such perfection in artillery, that it has in many instances turned the tide of battle, and saved the other arms from a crushing defeat. Well-drilled cavalry, however, saves the strength of an army, which, in the absence of it, would be broken down by the advanced post duties, patrol and detachment service, and many other duties which, at the best, infantry would but be able imperfectly to perform. Its chief value is felt when the infantry is exhausted by fatigue; coming freshly upon the ground in an engagement, it gives the other troops time to recover their strength, and the commands to reform. The nature of country in which a - campaign is undertaken, determines the relative proportion of cavalry to infantry. In an open country, the cavalry can be increased with advantage. As
INTRODUCTION. 13
a general rule, however, one regiment of cavalry to four regiments of foot is a proper proportion, since cavalry, unless well supported by infantry, would at times be utterly powerless and unable to protect itself. To render it perfect, it should be composed of strong, skilful, bold and reckless riders, well-trained and well-built horses, so that, dashing forward on an instant, and moving with celerity upon the enemy, it rides him down before he has time to prepare to meet the shock.
ARTILLERY.—Artillery is an arm of great power, and in skilful hands the most effective arm of the service; it inspires confidence in the troops, and if the fire is delivered with precision and rapidity, it is next to impossible to withstand it. On the other hand, if not well supported by infantry, it falls readily into the enemy’s hands, giving him an immense advantage in an instant. To this end, care should be taken not to have it out of proportion to the arias. Two batteries of six (6-pounders) field pieces to one division or four foot regiments, will generally be found a due proportion. When the character of the ground is favorable, the nature of the service may require an increase of the artillery to three batteries. Upon this basis, then, an effective organization or army corps would be composed of about 5,000 men:
2 regiments of infantry of the line 1000 each
1 regiment of light
infantry 1000
1 regiment of riflemen 1000
1 regiment of cavalry 1000
2 batteries (six pieces) of artillery, or 4 batteries of
4 pieces if mountain howitzers are used.
This disposition of the several arms is predicated upon the supposition that the troops are welt drilled and disciplined, since the whole value of the arrangement is dependent on this discipline, hence the necessity, in the
14 INTRODUCTION.
case of volunteer forces brought suddenly into active service, of making up for their want of experience by a close attention to the leading points of military instruction. For this purpose, the following paragraphs have been so arranged that each soldier can follow step by step, the necessary course of’ instruction, and the duties which will devolve upon him.
An intelligent mind becomes restive under the routine of the daily drill, unless it can appreciate the object to be gained by such discipline. By setting before the volunteer the whole theory of army organization, it is believed that he will the more readily comprehend the great value of discipline in sustaining that organization, and under such impulses will arrive more rapidly at proficiency in drill, and yield a more ready obedience to orders. The minor details which are most generally learned in the field, are after all the most important to the personal health, comfort, and efficiency of the troops; and the sooner the volunteer becomes acquainted with these details, the sooner will he be fitted for the active and arduous duties of a campaign.
CHAPTER II.
THE patriotic desire of’ every good citizen to serve his country, is the natural result of’ our form of government. Yet it is absolutely impossible for every man to perform all the duties of a soldier, no matter what may be his natural impulses; and to fill the ranks by accepting the services of all that offer themselves, would jeopardize the best interests of the service, and in many eases would impede, if’ not frustrate, the very objects of a campaign. Hence, there devolves upon the officer who recruits or organizes a company of men for active service, avery large share of responsibility; his duty to the individual who offers, no less than to the service he seeks to enter, compels him to exercise the wisest discretion in the selection of his men. Even where a company of’ volunteers already organized in time of peace is called upon to take the field, each man should be submitted to a critical medical examination, and if’ there is any defect hi his physical organization which would render him unfit to withstand the fatigues of an active campaign, or any evidence of’ a susceptibility to disease, he should be rejected without hesitation.
“An able-bodied soldier” should be of good character, sound in body and mind, of’ good appearance, well formed,
16 THE RECRUIT.
and fit in every particular to perform the duties required of him; he should be over 18 years of age and under 40, and the greatest care should be taken to inform him with regard to the nature of his duties, the term of service, pay, clothing, rations, and other allowances, before he is finally received into the service. This will prevent regret and dissatisfaction, and secure efficiency.
“THE SQUAD”
As fast as the men are enrolled, they should be instructed three times a day in the school of the soldier: much of a soldier’s subsequent efficiency depends upon his first “setting up.”
For the purpose of instruction, the companies are divided into “squads” of 10, and are first drilled in the “Position of a Soldier.” Formed in one rank, about one pace apart, the instructor places them in position as follows:
POSITION OF THE SOLDIER.
Heels on the same line, and as close together as the conformation of the man may permit; the feet forming with each other something less than a right angle, the toes equally turned out; the knees straight, without stiffness; the body erect on the hips, the upper part inclining a little forward; the shoulders square and falling equally; arms hanging naturally, elbows near the body, the palm of the hand turned a little to the front, the little finger behind the seam of the pantaloons, or the centre of the thigh; the face well to the front, the chin a little drawn in without constraint, and the eyes striking the ground at the distance of fifteen paces.
THE RECRUIT. 17
Remarks on the Position of the Soldier.
Heels on the same line;
Because, if one were in rear ofthe other, the shoulder on that side would be thrown back, or the position of the soldier would be constrained.
Heels more or less closed;
Because, men who are knock-kneed, or who have legs with large calves, cannot, without constraint, make their knees touch while standing.
Toes equally turned out, and not forming too large an angle;
Because, if one toe were turned out more than the other, a shoulder would be deranged, and if both toes be too much turned out, it would not be practicable to indine the upper part of the body forward without rendering the whole position unsteady.
Knees extended without stiffness;
Because, if stiffened, constraint and fatigue would be unavoidable.
The body erect on the hips;
Because, it gives equilibrium to the position. The instructor will observe that many recruits have the bad habit of dropping a shoulder, of drawing in a side, or of advancing a hip, particularly the left, when under arms. These arc defects which he will labor to correct.
The upper part of the body inclining forward;
Because, commonly recruits are disposed to do the reverse, to project the belly, and to throw back the shoulders when they wish to hold themselves erect—great inconveniences in marching as will be explained in the remarks on the principles of the step. The habit of inclining forward the upper part of the body is so important to contract, that the instructor must enforce it at the
18 THE RECRUIT.
beginning, particularly with recruits who have naturally the opposite habit;
Shoulders square;
Because, if the shoulders be advanced beyond the line of the breast, and the back arched, (the defect called round-shouldered, not uncommon among recruits,) the man cannot align himself nor use his musket with address. It is important, then, to correct this defect, and necessary to that end that the coat should set easy about the shoulders and arm-pits; but, in correcting this defect, the instructor will take care that the shoulders be not thrown too much to the rear, which would cause the belly to project, and the small of the back to be curved.
The arms hanging naturally, elbows near the body, the palm of the hand a little turned to the front, the little Linger behind the seam of the pantaloons;
Because, these positions are equally important to the shoulder-arms, and to prevent the man from occupying more space in a rank than is necessary to a free use of the musket; they have, moreover, the advantage of keeping in the shoulders.
The face well to the front, the chin a little drawn in, without constraint;
Because, if there be stiffness in the latter position, it would communicate itself to the whole of the upper part of the body, embarrass its movements, and give pain and fatigue.
Eyes cast direct to the front;
Because, this is the surest means of maintaining the shoulders in line—an essential object, to be insisted on and attained.
Too much attention cannot be paid to this first lesson in tactics, and the drill officer should be constantly on the watch throughout the whole progress of instruction, in the
THE RECRUIT. 19
use of arms, company and battalion drills, that every man should always maintain “the position of the soldier.”
ARM EXERCISE.
In order to accustom the recruit more readily to the position of a soldier, and at the same time to render him more supple for acquiring a proficiency in the manual of arms—the following exercises should precede the regular drill. Formed in one rank at one pace apart, the instructor will give the command:
Arms—UPWARD.
One time and two motions.
First motion.—Bring the forearms to a vertical position, the fingers closed, and hands against the right and left breasts.
Second motion.—Extend the arms vertically over the head, open the fingers and place the palms together.
Arms—DOWNWARD.
One time and two motions.
First motion.—Bring the arms to the first position of arms upward.
Second motion.—Drop the hands with force to the side.
Arms—FORWARD.
One time and motion.
Extend the arms horizontally in front, of the body, the palms of the hands touching.
Arms—DOWNWARD.
One time and two motions, as before.
20 THE RECRUIT.
Arms—BACKWARD.
One time and one motion.
Carry the hands behind the body, the palms touching.
Arms—FRONT.
Carry the hands quickly to the side.
Arms —SIDEWAYS.
One time and one motion.
Extend the arms horizontally to the right and left.
Arms—DOWNWARD.
As before.
The instructor will now command in rapid succession, Arms sideways! forward! upward! downward! backward! front! all of which will be executed as directed. By continuing this exercise for 10 or 15 minutes at the commencement of every drill without arms, a remarkable improvement will soon be observed in the carriage of the men.
SALUTING.
Saluting with the right or left hand is executed in one time and four motions. The instructor commands:
Right hand—SALUTE.
First motion.—Extendthe arm horizontally to the
right, palm down.
Second motion.—Carry the hand to the visor of the cap.
Third motion.—Carry the arm back to the horizontal position.
Fourth motion.—Drop the hand quickly to the side.
THE RECRUIT. 21
Left hand—SALUTE.
The same as for the right.
The salute should always be made with the hand opposite to the person saluted.
Having thoroughly impressed upon the men the above rules, the instructor commands:
1. Eyes—Right. 2. Front.
At the word right, the soldier will turn his head gently, so as to bring the inner corner of the left eye in a line with the buttons of’ the coat, the eyes fixed on the line of the eyes of the men in the same rank. At the command front, the head will resume the direct or habitual position. The instructor will take care that the movement of the head does not derange the squareness of the shoulders, and that the men do not acquire a habit of throwing down the head in dressing.
The movement of Eyes—Left, will be executed by inverse means.
FACINGS.
Facing to the right and left will he executed in one time, or pause. The instructor commands
I. Squad. 2. Right (or left)—FACE.
At the word face, raise the rig/ti foot slightly, turn on the left heel, to the right, (or left,) raising the left toe a little, mid then replace the right heel beside the left, and on the same line. The face should always be through a light angle, and should be executed by the feet and legs, the body moving around to the right (or left) without twisting or constraint. The instructor should labor to keep the body steady, and to prevent the formation of the habit of bending the knees, or springing.
22 THE RECRUIT.
The full face to the rear is always to the right, and is executed in two times, or pauses. The instructor com— mands:
1. Squad. 2. ABOUT—FACE.
First motion.—At the word about, the soldier will turn far enough on the left heel to bring the left too directly to the front, and the same time carrying his right foot to the rear, the hollow opposite to, and full three inches from the left heel, the feet square to each other. The back of the right hand is placed a little above the right hip, and the body is turned to the right sufficiently to give ease to the position.
Second motion.—At the word face, the soldier raises his toes a little, turns upon both heels, faces to the rear, keeping his legs straight, and draws back the right heel by the side of the left, at the same time dropping his right hand by his side.
BALANCE STEP.
Before commencing the march the soldier should always be instructed in the balance step, the object of which is to teach him the free movements of his limbs, while he at the same time preserves perfect squareness of the shoulders, with the greatest steadiness of the body; no labor should be spared to attain this object, which lies at the very foundation of good marching.
The squad being at attention, the instructor commands:
Left foot—FORWARD.
At this command the soldier will throw his left foot gently forwards, about twenty-four inches, balancing his body well on the right foot without changing the position of the shoulders, and without the body losing its erect
THE RECRUIT. 23
position. The toe should be turned out as in the position of the soldier, the foot about three inches from the ground and very nearly parallel to it, the toe being very slightly depressed.
At the command:
Left foot—REAR.
The left foot is brought gently back, the ball of the left foot close to the right heel, the leg straight, toe raised, and heel depressed.
As soon as the soldier becomes steady in the new po-sition, the instructor repeats the command, left foot forward, then left foot rear, for several times, and then commands
HALT;
at which the left foot, either advanced or to the rear, is brought to the right, as in the position of the soldier.
The instructor then causes the soldier to balance on the left foot, by advancing and retiring the right, as has been directed for the left.
THE DIRECT STEP.
After the soldier is sufficiently instructed in the balance step to execute it on either foot without losing his balance, the instructor will proceed to instruct him in the mechanism of the direct step. For this purpose he will command:
1. By the numbers—Forward. 2. ONE.
At the command, one, the soldier will throw forward the left foot as in the position of left foot forward, the instructor then commands
Two.
At this command, the weight of the body is thrown
24 THE RECRUIT.
forward, the left foot striking the ground without shock, at the distance of twenty-eight inches from the right; the body assumes the perpendicular position, and the right foot is brought up to the position of right foot rear.
The right foot is then brought forward at the command one, and the step completed at the command two; thus the squad is made to advance step by step. The halt is executed as in the balance step.
When the squad is sufficiently instructed in the mechanism of the direct step, the instructor will cause it to take up the march in common time; for this purpose he will command:
1. Squad forward— Common time. 2. MARCH.
At the command forward, the soldier will throw the weight of his body on the right leg, without bending the left knee.
At the command march, he will smartly, but without a jerk, carry straight forward the left foot twenty-eight inches from the right, the sole near the ground, the leg extended, the toe a little depressed, and both it and the knee slightly turned out; he will at the same time throw the weight of the body forward, and plant flat the left foot, without shock, precisely at the distance where it finds itself from the right when the weight of the body is brought forward, the whole of which will now rest on the left foot. The soldier will next, in like manner, advance the right foot and plant it as directed for the left, the heel twenty-eight inches from the heel of the left foot, and thus continue the march without crossing the legs, or striking one against the other, without turning the shoulders, and always preserving the face direct to the front. Common time is executed at the rate of ninety steps to the minute.
THE RECRUIT. 25
When the instructor wishes to arrest the march, he commands:
1. Squad. 2. HALT.
The command halt, should be given just as one foot has come to the ground, and the other is raised for making the next step; the soldier instinctively completes the pace with the raised foot, and brings the other firmly to its place beside it. By careful attention to this rule a large command may as readily be halted at the same instant, as a single individual.
The principles of the step in quick time are the same as for common time; it is executed, however, at the rate of 110 steps per minute. After the soldier is well established in the length and swiftness of the step at common time, he should he practised in quick time, as it is the pace best adapted to marches, the maneuvres, etc.
The instructor wishing the squad to march in quick tune, commands:
1. Squad forward. 2. MARCH.
PRINCIPLES OF THE DOUBLE QUICK STEP.
The length of the double quick step is thirty-three inches, and its swiftness is at the rate of 165 steps per minute. This step is designed especially for light troops, such as light infantry and riflemen, and to them it is indispensable; its utility has, however, been so frequently demonstrated of late years, as to make it proper that it should form a part of the instruction of all infantry troops.
The instructor wishing to teach his squad the principles and mechanism of the double quick step, commands:
1. Double quick step. 2. MARCH.
26 THE RECRUIT.
At the· command double quick step, the soldier will raise his hands to a level with his hips, the hands closed, the nails towards the body, the elbows to the rear, and well drawn in towards the body.
At the command march, he will raise his left knee as high as possible without derangement of the body, keeping his leg from the knee down in a vertical position, the toe depressed; he will then replace his foot in its former position. At the command two, he will execute with the right leg what has just been prescribed for the left, and the alternate movement of the legs at the command one, two, will be continued until the command:
1. Squad. 2. HALT.
At the command halt, the soldier will bring the foot which is raised by the side of the other, and at the same time dropping his bands by his side will resume the position of the soldier without arms.
When the squad has learned to execute the step properly, the instructor will repeat the words one, two, in more rapid succession, and will finally drop them, leaving the files to execute the step in their own time.. The instructor will see that the step is taken in rapid succession, and that none of the files lose the step.
The soldier being sufficiently established in the principles of this step, the instructor will command:
I. Squad forward. 2. Double quick. 3. MARCH.
At the command forward, the soldier will throw the weight of his body on the right leg, without bending the left knee.
At the command double quick, he will place his arms as indicated above.
At the command march, he will carry forward the left
THE RECRUIT. 27
foot, and plant it, the toe first, at the distance of thirty-three inches from the right, the leg slightly bent, and the knee somewhat raised; lie will then execute with the right foot what has just been prescribed for the left. This alternate movement of the legs will take place by throwing the weight of the body on the foot that is planted, and by allowing a natural, oscillatory motion to the arms. The feet should not be raised too much, a common fault with beginners, and the body should incline slightly forward.
The double quick step may be executed with different degrees of swiftness. Under urgent circumstances, the cadence of this step may be increased to 180 per minute. At this rate a distance of 4,000, yards should be passed over in about twenty-five minutes.
The men should also be exercised in running; the principles are the same as for the double quick step, the only difference consisting in a greater degree of swiftness.
It is recommended in marching in double quick time, or the run, that the men should breathe as much as possible through the nose, keeping the mouth closed.
Note.—The Manual of Arms is the next step of instruction in the school of the soldier; for this Tactics willbe referred to, as the brevity of this work will not admit of its insertion.
CHAPTER. III.
In an organization, the smallest number complete in itself is the company, which varies in number from 50 to 100 rank and file.
Note.—The general principles of organization are the same for all arms. The variation in the Cavalry will be referred to, and that for Artillery will be found in the Manual for Light and Heavy Guns.
A captain, two or more lieutenants, from four to six sergeants, and as many corporals, are attached to every company. The captain and lieutenants are the officers, and the sergeants and corporals the non-commissioned officers of the company.
The captain is responsible for the instruction, discipline, general efficiency, and moral tone of the company.
The lieutenants assist the captain in the maintenance of discipline, and in the instruction.
The company is divided into two equal parts, which are designated as the first and second platoon, counting from the right; and each platoon is, in like manner, divided into two sections.
The company is formed into two ranks in the following manner: the corporals on the right and left of platoons, according to height; the tallest corporal and the
THE COMPANY. 29
tallest man from the first file on the right, the next two tallest men from the second file, and so on to the last file, which is composed of the shortest corporal and the shortest man.
The odd and even files, numbered as one, two, in the company, from right to left, form groups of four men, who, when they act as light troops, are designated comrades in battle.
The officers and non-commissioned officers of the company are posted in the following manner:
The captain, on the right of the company, touching with the left elbow.
The first sergeant, in the rear rank, touching with the left elbow, and covering the caption. In the maneuvres he is denominated covering sergeant, or right guide of the company.
The remaining officers and sergeants are posted as fileclosers, in the rank of file closer’s, two paces behind the rear rank.
The first lieutenant, opposite the centre of the fourth section.
The second lieutenant, opposite the centre of the first platoon.
The third lieutenant, opposite the centre of the second platoon.
The second sergeant, opposite the second file from the left of the company. In the maneuvres, he is called the left guide of the company.
The third sergeant, opposite the second file from the right of the second platoon.
The fourth sergeant, opposite the second file from the leff of the first platoon.
The fifth sergeant, opposite the second file from the right of the first platoon.
30 THE COMPANY.
The corporals are posted in the front rank.
The company in cavalry is denominated the troop; it is organized upon the same principles as that of infantry; its habitual formation is in two ranks.
When the company is in line, and acting singly, the officers and non-commissioned officers are posted as follows
The captain in front of the centre, one pace from the front rank.
The first lieutenant in rear of the centre, in the rank of file-closers.
The second lieuienant commands the first platoon; in the absence of a third lieutenant, the second platoon is commanded by the senior sergeant. The chiefs of platoons are posted one pace in front of the centres of their respective platoons.
The first sergeant in rear of the right, in the rank of file-closers.
The second and third sergeants on the right and left of the company, and denominated the guide of the right, and guide of the left, respectively.
The fourth sergeant is on the left of the first platoon, in the front rank, and counted in the rank; the fifth sergeant is in a corresponding position on the right of the second platoon.
Corporals on the flanks of platoons.
Buglers twenty paces in rear of the centre.
Two companies of cavalry united constitute a squadron. Each squadron is composed of four platoons, distinguished by the denomination of first, second, third, and fourth, commencing on the right.
The first and second platoons form the first division, the third and fourth form the second division.
The senior captain of the squadron is denominated the
THE COMPANY. 31
captain commanding, the junior captain the second captain.
When the squadron is in line, the officers and noncommissioned officers are posted as follows:
The captain commanding at the centre of the squadron, the croup of his horse one pace in front of the heads of the horses of the front rank.
The second captain three paces in rear of the centre of the squadron. lie is charged with the alignment of the rear rank and line of file-closers.
The senior first lieutenant commands the first platoon; the junior first lieutenant commands the fourth platoon.
The senior second lieutenant commands the second platoon; the junior second lieutenant commands the third platoon.
Each of these officers is posted at the centre of his platoon, with the croup of his horse one pace in front of the heads of the horses of the front rank.
The senior sergeant is posted behind the first file from the right of the first platoon; he is the principal guide when the column of squadrons is left in front.
The second sergeant is behind the third file from the left of the fourth platoon; he is principal guide when the column of squadrons is right in front.
The third sergeant is posted on the right of the front rank of the squadron; he is the guide of the right, and is not counted in the rank.
The fourth sergeant on the left of the front rank; he is guide of the left, and not counted in the rank.
The fifth sergeant on the left of the first platoon, and counted in the rank.
The sixth sergeant on the right of the second platoon, also counted in the rank.
The seventh sergeant on the right of the third platoon;
32 THE C0MPANY.
the eighth sergeant on the right of the fourth platoon— both are counted in the rank.
The heads of the horses of the file-closers are at one pace from the croup of those of the rear rank.
The corporals are in the front rank, on the right and left of their respective platoons, and supply the places of sergeants when necessary.
When guidons are used, they are carried by the noncommissioned officers on the left of the first and third platoons.
As the company is the unit of a military organization, the efficiency of that organization depends upon the efficiency of the unit; and the captain or commanding officer of a company should always bear in mind that there is no position in the service, second iii importance to his, lie should be thoroughly familiar with tactics. He should strive to acquaint himself with the individual character and habits of his men, so as to know how much he can depend upon them; and to be able to make from them a selection of any number at any time for important service. While he is personally responsible for the proper care and preservation of the arms and accoutrements, ho should also feel himself responsible for the proper clothing and diet of his men. In order the more effectively to carry out a rigid supervision of the personal conduct and comfort of the men, he will cause them to be numbered in a regular series, including the non-commissioned officers, and divided into several squads, each to be put under the charge of a non-commissioned officer. As far as practicable, the men of each squad should be quartered together.
Each of the lieutenants is charged with a squad for the supervision of its order and cleanliness; and captains should require their subalterns to assist them in the performance of all company duties.
THE COMPANY. 33
The utmost attention should be paid by captains to the cleanliness of their men, as to their persons, clothing, arms, accoutrements, and equipments, and also as to their quarters or tents.
The name of each soldier should be labelled on his bunk in quarters, and his company number should be placed against his arms and accoutrements.
The arms are placed in arm-racks, the stoppers in the muzzles, the cocks let down, and the bayonets in their scabbards, the accoutrements suspended over the arms, and the swords or sabres, when these are worn, hung up by the belts on pegs.
The knapsack of each man should be placed at the foot of his bunk when lie is in quarters, packed with his effects, and ready to be slung; the overcoat rolled, strapped, and placed under the knapsack; the cap on a shelf, and his boots well cleaned. Dirty clothes should be kept in an appropriate part of the knapsack; nothing to be put under the bedding.
Cooking utensils and table furniture should be clean, and in their appropriate places; blacking and brushes out of sight; the fuel in boxes.
The cleaning up should ‘take place at least once a week. The chiefs of squads should cause bunks and bedding to be overhauled, floors cleaned, and arms, accoutrements, etc., all put in order.
Non-commissioned officers in charge of squads, should be held immediately responsible that their men observe what is prescribed above; that they wash their hands and faces daily; that they brush or comb their heads and beards; that those who go on duty put their arms, accoutrements, dress, etc., in the best order.
Commanders of companies should see that the arms and accoutrements in possession of the men are always
34 THE C0MPANY.
kept in good order, and that proper care is taken in cleaning them.
Arms should not be taken to pieces without permission of an officer. Bright barrels should ho kept clean and free from rust, without polishing them; care should be taken not to bruise or bend the barrel. After firing, wash out the bore, wipe it dry, and then pass a bit of cloth, slightly greased, to the bottom. In these operations, a rod of wood with a loop on one end is to be used instead of the rammer. The barrel, when not in use, should be closed with a stopper. For exercise each man should keep himself provided with a piece of sole leather to fit the cap or countersink of the hammer, to prevent breaking the nipple.
All field pieces in the possession of artillery companies should be kept clean and dry; their vents frequently examined, to se that they are clear; the elevating screw wiped clean, worked, and oiled. When tarpaulins are placed over them, they should occasionally be removed, the guns and carriages brushed off and, if damp, allowed to dry.
The implements should all be kept clean and under cover, the harness and leather articles should be brushed and greased with neats fool oil as often as their condition requires it, and if they have a reddish hue, mix a little lampblack with the oil. First brush the leather, then pass over it a sponge wet with warm water, and apply the oil before the leather is quite dry.
Arms should not be left loaded in armories, quarters, or tents, or when the men are off duty, except by special orders. The ammunition in the possession of the men should be inspected frequently, and any damaged, wasted, or lost by neglect, should be paid for.
Knapsacks should be black; they should be marked on the outside with the number of the regiment, and on
THE C0MPANY. 35
the inside with the letter of the company, and the number of the soldier, on such part as will readily be seen at inspections.
Haversacks should be marked on the flap with the number and name of the regiment, the letter of the company, and the number of the soldier.
Both officers and men should wear the prescribed uniform in camp or garrison.
In camp or quarters, the officers should visit the kitchen daily and inspect the kettles, food, etc., and at all times carefully attend to the messing and economy of their companies.
The company rations are usually taken charge of by the orderly sergeant, and issued daily to the cooks, by whom they are prepared and served to the company. The men of the company serve in turn as cooks, two being the usual number serving at once. When in camp, the men present themselves at meal times to the cooks, who issue to each man in turn his proper allowance; in garrison or quarters the tables are set out, and the cooks place each man’s ration on his plate, and in his cup, before the company is marched in.
When not actually in the field the ration is in most cases more than sufficient, so that by care on the part of the orderly sergeant and cooks, there is more or less saved on the rations of the company; this saving is sold for the benefit of the company, and constitutes what is denominated company fund.
When a militia company is enrolled for active service the captain should, at the earliest possible moment, have it properly uniformed and equipped, and taught how to take care of its arms, clothing, etc.; each man should be provided with his knapsack, haversack, blanket, knife and fork, spoon, tin plate, and cup.
36 THE COMPANY.
Canteens are also necessary in most cases they are worn over the haversack.
Each man should also be provided with the following articles
Two woollen undershirts.
Two pair thick cotton drawers.
Four pair woollen socks,
Two pair stout shoes, with broad, thick soles, for footmen.
One pair boots, and one pair shoes for horsemen.
In starting out on a campaign, an amount of clothing equal at least to one-fourth the strength of the company, should be transported with the company’s equipments. The uniform for active service should consist of a simple fatigue dress of durable material, a plain and substantial overcoat with a cape, and a forage cap.
COMPANY B00KS.
Every company should be provided with
1. A morning report book, showing the strength of the company every morning, the number for duty, the number sick, and all the casualties that may occur.
2. A clothing book, showing the clothing issued to each man, the date of issue, and price.
3. A roster, arranged in alphabetical order, from which the details for guard duty and other service are made, each man being credited with his tour, and the duty fairly distributed.
 |
CHAPTER IV.
A REGIMENT is composed of ten companies, which are habitually posted from right to left, in the following order first, sixth, fourth, ninth, third, eighth, fifth, tenth, seventh, second, according to the rank of the captain. With a less number of companies the same principle will be observed, viz. the first captain commands the right company, the second captain the left company, the third captain the right centre company, and so on.
The companies thus posted are designated from right to left, first company, second company, etc. This designation is observed in all the maneuvres.
The first two companies on the right, whatever their denomination, form the first division; the next two companies the second division; and so on to the left.
In alt exercises and manoeuvres, every regiment, or part of a regiment, composed of two or more companies, is called a battalion.
Every regiment is provided with a color, which is posted with its guard, to be designated hereafter, on the left of the right centre company; that company, and all on its right, belongs to the right wing of the regiment, or battalion; the remaining companies constitute the left wing.
38 THE REGIMENT.
To each regiment are attached a colonel, who commands it, and is responsible for its general discipline and instruction; a lieutenant-colonel, two majors, a quartermaster, commissary, paymaster, surgeon, and frequently an assistant surgeon, an adjutant, sergeant-major, quartermaster-sergeant, and commissary sergeant. The four first named of these officers are the field officers of the regiment; the others constitute its commissioned and noncommissioned staff.
POSTS OF FIELD OFFICERS AND REGIMENTAL STAFF.
The field officers are supposed to be mounted, and on active service must be on horseback; the adjutant, when the battalion is maneuvring, is on foot; when on the march, or in action, he is mounted
The colonel’s post is thirty paces in rear of the fileclosers, and opposite the centre of the battalion. The lieutenant-colonel and senior major are behind the centres of the right and left wing respectively, the junior major behind the centre of the battalion, all twelve paces in rear of the file-closers.
The adjutant and sergeant-major are opposite the right and left of the battalion respectively, and eight paces in rear of the file-closers. They assist the lieutenant-colonel and major, respectively, in the maneuvres.
The quartermaster, surgeon, and other staff officers, are in one rank on the left of the colonel, and three paces in his rear. The quartermaster-sergeant is on a line with the front rank of the field music, and two paces on its right.
PIONEERS, FIELD MUSICS AND BAND.
The pioneers (one for each company) are drawn up in two ranks, and posted on the right, having their left
THE REGIMENT. 39
four paces from the right of the first company. A corporal of pioneers, selected from the corporals by the colonel, is posted on the right of the pioneers.
The field music (two musicians to each company) is drawn up in four ranks, and posted twelve paces in rear of the file-closers, the left opposite the centre company.
The principal musician is two paces in front of the field music. The regimental band, (not to exceed sixteen musicians,) if there be one, is drawn up in two or four ranks, according to its numbers, and posted five paces in rear of the field music, having a principal musician at its head.
COLOR GUARD.
The color guard of a regiment or battalion is composed of eight corporals, posted on the left of the right centre company, of which company, for the time being, the guard forms a part.
The front rank is composed of a sergeant selected by the colonel, who is called the color-bearer, with the two ranking corporals on his right and left; the rear rank is composed of the three corporals next in rank; the three remaining corporals are posted in rear in the rank of file-closers. The left guide of the color company, when the three last named corporals are in the rank of file-closers, is immediately on their left.
In battalions of less than five companies, there should be no color guard, and no display of colors, except at reviews.
GENERAL GUIDES AND MARKERS.
There should be two general guides in each battalion, selected by the colonel from among the sergeants (other than first sergeants) for their accuracy in marching. These. sergeants are denominated right and left general guide,
40 THE REGIMENT.
respectively, and are posted in the line of file-closers; the first in rear of the right, and the second in rear of the left flank of the battalion.
Three markers are required to every battalion; they are posted behind the first company in the rank of file-closers, when the battalion is in line, and behind the leading company or division whenever it is in column.
TO FORM THE REGIMENT OR BATTALION.
At the signal, called the adjutant’s call, the companies are marched from the company parades by their captains, the music playing. The color company serves as the basis of the formation, and is the first to form; the color guard being at the point where the centre of the line is to rest, one marker is placed in front of it, his elbow touching the right corporal of the color guard, and another on the line at a little less than company distance from him, on his right, and facing towards him; the color company is halted three paces behind this line, faced to the front, and dressed up upon the line by the captain, who aligns it to the left.
The company on the left of the color is the next to take its post; it is halted three paces behind the line, its right nearly behind the left file of the color guard, and faced to the front. As soon as it halts, the left guide of the company throws himself out, so as to be opposite one of the three left files of the company, faces to the right, and aligns himself upon the two markers; the captain then places himself on the left of the color guard, on a line with its front rank, and aligns the company to the right. The company on the right of the colors forms next upon the same principles; the right guide posts himself upon the line opposite one of the three right files of the company,
THE REGIMENT. 41
and faces to the left; the captain places himself on the right
of the color company, and aligns his company to the left.
The remaining companies take their posts on the left and right in succession, and when the formation is complete, the adjutant commands, Guides post; at this command the guides on the line retire to their places by passing through the intervals between the companies, and those captains who are on the left of their companies shift to the right.
DRESS PARADE.
There shall be daily one dress parade, at troop or retreat, as the commanding officer may direct.
A signal will be beat or sounded half an hour before troop or retreat, for the music to assemble on the regimental parade, and each company to turn out under arms on its own parade, for roll-call and inspection by its officers.
Ten minutes after that signal, the adjutant’s call will be given, when the captains will march their companies (the band playing) to the regimental parade, where they take their positions in line as directed. When the line is formed, the captain of the first company, on notice from the adjutant, steps one pace to the front, and gives to his company the command, Order arms; parade; rest; which is repeated by each captain in succession to the left. The adjutant takes post two paces on the right of the line; the sergeant-major two paces on the left. The music will be formed in two ranks on the right of the adjutant The senior officer present will take the command of the parade, and will take post at a suitable distance in front, opposite the centre, facing the line.
When the companies have ordered arms, the adjutant will order the music to beat off, when it will commence
42 THE REGIMENT.
on the right, beat in front of the line to the left, and back to its place on the right.
When the music has ceased, the adjutant will step two paces to the front, face to the left, and command:
I. Attention. 2. Battalion. 3. Shoulder—ARMS.
Prepare to open ranks. 5. To the rear open order
6. MARCH.
At the sixth command, the ranks will be opened ac- cording to the system laid down in the Infantry Tactics, the commissioned officers marching to the front, the company officers four paces, field officers six paces, opposite to their positions in the order of battle, whore they will halt and dress. The adjutant, seeing the ranks aligned, will command:
FRONT.
and march along the front to the centre, face to the right, and pass the line of’ company officers eight or ten paces, when he will come to the right-about, and command:
Present—ARMS;
when arms will be presented, officers saluting.
Seeing this executed, he will face about to the commanding officer, salute, and report, “Sir, the parade is formed.” The adjutant will then, on intimation to that effect, take his station three paces on the left of the commanding officer, one pace retired, passing round his rear.
The commanding officer, having acknowledged the salute of the line by touching his hat, will, after the adjutant has taken his post, draw his sword, and command:
1. Battalion. 2. Shoulder.—ARMS;
and add such exercises as he may think proper, concluding with:
Order—ARMS;
THE REGIMENT. 43
then return his sword, and direct the adjutant to receive the reports. The adjutant will now pass round the right of the commanding officer, advance upon the line, halt midway between him and the line of company officers, and command
First Scrgeants, to the front and centre. 2. MARCH.
At the first command, they will shoulder arms as sergeants, march two paces to the front, and face inward. At the second command, they will march to the centre, and halt. The adjutant will then’ order
1. Front—FACE. 2. Report.
At the last word, each in succession, beginning on the right, will salute by bringing the left hand smartly across the breast to the right shoulder, and report the result of the roll-call previously made on the company parade. The adju- taut again commands
1. First Sergeants, outward—FACE. 2. To your posts—
MARCH;
when they will resume their places, and order arms. The adjutant will now face to the commanding officer, salute, report absent officers, and give the result of the first sergeants’ reports. The commanding officer will next direct the orders to be read, when the adjutant will face about, and announce:
Attention to Orders.
He will then read the orders.
The orders having been read, the adjutant will face to the commanding officer, salute and report; when, on an intimation from the Commander he will face to theline, and announce
Parade is Dismissed.
44 THE REGIMENT.
All the officers will now return their swords, face in- wards, and close on the adjutant, he having taken position in their line, the field officers on the flanks. The adjutant commands:
1. Front—FACE. 2. Forward—MARCH:
when they will march forward, dressing on the centre, the music playing, and when within six paces of the commander, the adjutant will give the word:
HALT.
The officers will then salute the commanding officer by raising the hand to the cap, and there remain until he shall have communicated to them such instructions as he may have to give, or intimates that the ceremony is finished. As the officers disperse, the first sergeants will close the ranks of their respective companies, and march them to the company parades, where they will be dismissed, the band continuing to play until the companies clear the regimental parade.
All field, and company officers and men will be present at dress parades, unless especially excused, or on some duty incompatible with such attendance.
A dress parade once a day will not be dispensed with, except on extraordinary and urgent occasions.
THE BATTALION IN COLUMN.
For the march, in many of the maneuvres, etc., the battalion is in column. The column may be one of companies or of divisions, in rare instances it is one of platoons. It may be a column right in front, inwhich case the first company, or division, is in front, all the others being behind it in regular succession; or it may be a
THE REGIMENT. 45
column left in front, in which the 1ast company or division leads, the others following in the inverse order of their, numbers.
When the right is in front, the guides of the column are habitually to the left, and to the right when the column is left in front.
The column may be one at full distance, at half distance, or closed in mass; in the first ease, the distance between the guides of any two consecutive companies or divisions; in the second case, it is one-half the width of the company or division; and in the last case, that of the column closed in mass, the distance between the guides is six paces.
POSTS OF THE OFFICERS WHEN THE BATTALION IS IN COLUMN.
The colonel is on the directing flank, fifteen or twenty paces from the guides, and abreast the centre of his battalion; the lieutenant-colonel is on the directing flank, abreast with the leading company or division, and six paces from the guide; the majors are on the same flank, the senior abreast with the rearmost company or division, and six paces from the guide, the junior in a corresponding position abreast the centre company; the adjutant is near the lieutenant-colonel, and the sergeant-major near the senior major.
In a column of companies, the captains are two paces in front of the centres of their companies; the right guide of each company is on the right of the front rank, the left guide in a corresponding position on the left; the lieutenants, and remaining sergeants, are in the rank of file-closers.
In a column of divisions, the senior captain of each division is two paces in front of the centre of his division, the junior captain in the interval between the two com-
40 THE REGIMENT.
panies; the right guide of the right company is on the right of the front rank of the division, the left guide of the left company is in a corresponding position on the left; the right guide of the left company is in the rear rank, behind the junior captain, and the left guide of the right company is in the rank of the file-closers.
Two or more regiments serving together constitute a brigade, under the command of a brigadier-general.
Two or more brigades serving together constitute a division, commanded by a major-general.
Two divisions serving together constitute an army corps.
The army corps, when supplied with a due proportion of cavalry, artillery, etc., comprises within itself all the elements of a complete army, ready for any emergency.
The interval between two contiguous regiments in the same brigade, division, or army corps, is twenty-two paces.
As often as one or more brigades or divisions, united in the same line, maneuvre together, each battalion will be designated by its number, according to its position in the line. The battalion on the right of the whole is denominated first, that next on its left second, the following one third, and so on to the battalion that closes the left of the line.
In line of battle, the general (the senior major-general present) has no fixed position; he goes whithersoever he may judge his presence necessary.
In column, he will hold himself habitually at its head, in order to direct it according to his views. In the evolutions, he will place himself at the point whence he can best direct the general execution of the movement.
In me of battle, generals of division place themselves at about seventy paces in rear of the centres of their divisions.
THE REGIMENT. 41
In column, they hold themselves on the directing flank, abreast with the centres of their divisions; and at thirty or forty paces from the guides.
In line of battle, generals of brigade place themselves at about forty paces in rear of the centre of their brigades.
In column, they hold themselves at fifteen or twenty paces outside the guides, and abreast with the centre of their brigades.
CHAPTER V.
THE army corps drilled and organized on the principles thus far laid down, is in the condition for active service, beginning with the march.
A badly conducted march is more injurious to the health and morale of troops, than any other error that can be committed in the progress of a campaign. If a table of medical statistics could be formed from the history of various military campaigns, in which the casualties incident to a march were divided from those actually occurring in engagements, it would be found that a large proportion were due to causes which might have been easily prevented by the judicious management of the troops on a march. Military commanders have given to this subject too little reflection. There is no doubt that the efficiency of French troops displayed throughout every campaign, which illuminates the history of that nation of soldiers, has been due in a great measure to their capacity for maintaining a good physical condition. It is wisdom, therefore, to profit by their example.
The commander of an expedition or of troops on a march, should ascertain previous to moving his force,
1st. The exact quantity and quality of the provisions in the hands of the commissary.
THE MARCH. 49
2d. The exact character and means of transportation.
3d. The exact quality and quantity of reserved clothing.
4th. The amount of reserved ammunition of all kinds.
5th. The character of the transportation for the sick, with the quantity of hospital stores and medicines.
Should any of these be deficient, he should at once take means to provide for the deficiency in some way—at the expense of a positive delay if necessary; recklessness in this respect is inexcusable, and a good commander will hover be guilty of it.
Besides the responsibility of the commanding officer in this respect, a great deal depends upon the officers in immediate command of regiments and companies. The personal habits of the men should be carefully studied, in order that carelessness or recklessness in regard to diet, clothing, or unnecessary exposure to the climate should be checked at once.
All of the preliminary arrangements for the march having been carefully made, the “order of march” is communicated to the several commanding officers of divisions, brigades and regiments; but should not be published in orders. The troops are distributed according to the character of the country. In a very open country, a large proportion of the cavalry would be at the head of the column; but generally it is distributed throughout the line. The artillery should be in rear of the first foot regiment. An advance and rear guard of mounted troops; one or two companies should be detailed each day, and the regiment that has the right of the line one day, should be the next day in the rear.
If the nature of the country will admit of it, more especially in passing defiles or mountain gorges, a few detachments of flankers should be thrown out on the right
50 THE MARCH.
and left of the column at the distance of one or two hundred paces, to prevent ambuscades and to keep a sharp lookout, to give timely notice of’ any signs of the enemy.
The column having been formed at half or quarter distance, and the baggage train assembled in the rear, properly protected by a baggage guard selected from each regiment for its own baggage; the column is put in motion, and the march commences with precisely the same regularity as would be observed by a regiment or regiments moving in or out of a garrison town; the bands playing, the light-infantry with arms sloped, and those of the riflemen slung over the shoulder, the officers with swords drawn, and exact wheeling distances of the sections preserved, and perfect silence observed.
After having proceeded a short distance in this manner, the word of command, “route step,” is given by the general at the head of the leading battalion, and this is passed quickly on to the rear from company to company. The captains, instead of continuing at the head of their companies, drop back to the rear of them: the reasons for allotting this station to them is, that they may see any men of their respective companies who attempt to leave the ranks without leave. The officers and non-commissioned officers preserve the wheeling distance. The soldiers now carry their arms in any manner most convenient. Some sling them over their shoulder, (most of them, indeed, prefer this mode as the least fatiguing,) others slope them, and many trail them, and they constantly change from the right hand or right shoulder to the left. Although allowed to prosecute the march in this easy and unrestrained manner, a heavy penalty, nevertheless, awaits the man who quits the ranks without permission from the captain or officer commanding his company. The captains are always provided with tickets
THE MARCH. 51
bearing their own signature; on each is written, “The bearer has my permission to fallout of’ the ranks, being unable to proceed with the regiment.” Any soldier found on the line of march by the rearguard, without a ticket, is liable to be punished for disobedience of orders; and as no difficulty is ever experienced by men who are sick, or used up, in procuring this certificate of inability to keep up with their regiments, such offenders certainly merit punishment.
If a soldier wants to fall out of the ranks for a few minutes only, he is required to ask leave of the captain to do so, and, moreover, to take off his knapsack, and to give it, together with his musket, in charge of the men of’ his own section, to be earned by them until he rejoins them. This is an admirable order, and it operates in two ways: first, the soldier is enabled, not being encumbered with either knapsack or musket, more speedily to overtake the column on its march; and secondly, if he loiters unnecessarily on the way to rejoin his comrades, who are doubly armed with his arms and pack, ho will be certain to incur their displeasure.
About once in every hour and a quarter or half, a halt is ordered, and ten or twelve minutes allowed for the men to rest. When practicable, this is done on ground near, which there is water; but it is almost unnecessary to add, that very frequently it is not possible to find such favorable spots.
Preparatory to these temporary halts, the word of command, “ Attention ! “ is given at the head of the leading regiment, and passes on rapidly (as already stated) from company to company. Upon this, the captains move quickly from the rear of their companies to the front; the arms of the soldiers are regularly shouldered or slung; perfect silence is observed ; the dressing and
52 THE MARCH.
the wheeling distances of the sections are correctly kept; and in an instant there is a magical change from apparent irregularity to most perfect discipline and order.
On resuming the march after these halts, the troops observe the same extreme regularity during the first hundred or two of yards. The words “route step” being again given, they may carry their arms in any manner.
On approaching rivulets or shallow pieces of water, which it is necessary should be passed, neither officers nor soldiers are allowed to pick their way through, nor is the smallest break or irregularity permitted to exist in the ranks; but the column marches through by half-sections, sections, or subdivisions, (according to the width of the ford,) preserving the same order as if moving along a road.
That this regulation is, on some occasions, too rigidly enforced, has never been disputed; still, the object at which it aims, viz., that of expending as little time as possible on each day’s march, so as to give the soldiers time to take their rest, pitch their tents or construct huts in the bivouac, to draw their rations, and to cook their meals, that they may be fresh for whatever fatigues happen to be in store for them, is indisputably a most desirable one.
Those who have campaigned know, that iii advancing to attack an enemy, or in retiring before one, the passage of rivers in the line of march, even if so deep as to reach their middles, and under the fire of an enemy also, axe expected to be crossed by the troops without a greater derangement taking place in their order of march than time obstacles which they are in the act of encountering, must necessarily produce in a greater or less degree.
With a detachment consisting of a few hundred men, at a distance from an enemy, and with ample time before
THE MARCH. 53
them to get over their day’s march, it will appear that this order may well be dispensed with; but with a division of four or five thousand men, the case is widely different.
Let it be supposed that it has arrived at a stream which admits of being passed by sections, subdivisions, or even by companies; and that, instead of proceeding straight through it hi this manner, every soldier is permitted to pick his way across in any manner he may think proper, and to break off from his place in the ranks, what a vast loss of time this will occasion! When would the rear of the column have effected its passag’? Surely the patience of those belonging to the front, centre, and rear of this body of four thousand soldiers, will be pretty well exhausted long before the opposite bank is gained by the whole, and the march resumed.
In rugged and mountainous districts which armies so frequently traverse, they encounter various defiles and other obstacles, which preclude the possibility of their being passed except by a very small number of men at a time; and the following mode is therefore adopted by each company in making its way along: The first company of the leading battalion, as soon as it has disentangled itself from the defile, or broken ground, is directed to march forward, perhaps about a quarter of ii mile; there to stack arms, and the men to rest. The head of the next company, when has cleared the defile, halts about thirty or forty yards on the other side, until all the men belonging to it come up in succession. This done, the captain moves it forward independently until It joins the leading company, where it stacks arms. Thus each company, as soon as it has cleared the obstacles, is brought up en masse, and at a regular pace, without reference to those in its rear. By these means, that most unmilitary
64 THE MARCH.
exhibition of file after file running on, like a string of wild geese, to catch those in their front, is entirely avoided.
Few things tend so effectually to fatigue and irritate soldiers who are already jaded, as that of trotting on, bending under the weight of knapsack, belts, and musket, to overtake those who continue to march on in their front.
When the division is about to perform a march not in the immediate vicinity of an enemy, the following arrangements are made either for bivouacking or quartering it, (as the case may be,) so that no time shall be lost after it has reached its destination:
A staff-officer, accompanied by the quartermaster of the division, or (if other duties at that moment are required to be performed by the quartermaster) by a subaltern of each regiment, precede the troops on horseback, so as to arrive long before them at the ground on which they are to halt for the day, or at the town or village in which it is intended they shall be quartered.
A whole street, or part of one, (as circumstances admit,) is allotted by the staff-officer to the quartermasters for each of their regiments, who immediately divide the street into equal portions for the, different companies, reserving a house or two for the staff of the regiment.
A sergeant of every company of the division being sent forward so as to arrive long before the troops, and being told by his quartermaster how many and what buildings are set apart for his own company, again subdivides the houses into four equal parts for each of the sections.
In the event of any noise or disturbance taking place, whether by day or by night, the probabilities are, that the officers belonging to the companies where such irregularities are going on, will certainly hear it, and as instantaneously put an end to it.
THE MARCH. 55
If, then, the division marches into a town, each company is by its sergeant conducted to the houses allotted to it; in which they are established in a very few minutes. It rarely happens, therefore, that the soldiers are kept waiting in the streets for any length of time, as has too often been the case.
Should it, on the other hand, be intended to encamp the division, instead of putting it into houses, arrangements of a similar nature are adopted, by sending forward officers and sergeants to take up the ground; by which means each company marches at once up to its own sergeant, on whom they form in open column.
The rolls are immediately called; the men first for duty are warned for guards, (also inlying and outlying pickets, if near the enemy,) for fatigue duties to draw the rations, to procure wood for cooking if none is near at hand, to go for water if no river flows near the encampment, etc., etc.
This done, and the alarm-post, or place of general assembly, having been pointed out to every one, the men are dismissed; the arms stacked, the cooking immediately commences, and all further parades are dispensed with for the day, except a roll-call about sunset.
Parties to procure forage, whether green or dry, are sent out in charge of an officer as soon as the troops are dismissed.
Amongst the various regulations laid down for the light-division, what are termed mule-guards must not be omitted.
A corporal and three privates of every company, mount guard at nightfall, whenever the division is encamped. The particular duty expected from the sentinels of these company guards, is to keep an eye to the baggage animals belonging to their officers, (which are picketed
56 THE MARCH
to the trees or fastened in some manner,) and to prevent them from breaking loose.
After the establishment of these little guards, but few instances will occur of whole troops of noisy mules, horses, and asses, chasing each other round and through the camp or bivouac, and galloping over the faces and bodies of the soldiers whilst they are asleep.
Independent of their utility in this way, every company in the division, having its own sentinel, is sure to be instantly apprised of any alarm during the night from the pickets in front; and they are enabled, also, to communicate to their respective companies, without the least delay, any orders arriving at the camp.
Those only who have witnessed it, can thoroughly understand with what uncommon facility and despatch the division can suddenly get under arms, form in column of march, load the baggage, and proceed on the route marked out for it.
CHAPTER VI.
CAMP is the place where the troops are established in tents, in huts, or in bivouac. Cantonments are the inhabited places which troops occupy for shelter when not put in barracks. The camping party is a detachment detailed to prepare a camp.
Reconnoissances should precede the establishment of the camp. For a camp of troops on the march, it is only necessary to look to the health and comfort of the troops, the facility of the communications, the convenience of wood and water, and the resources in provisions and forage. The ground for an intrenched camp, or a camp to cover a country, or one designed to deceive the enemy as to the strength of the army, must be selected, and the camp arranged for the object in view.
The camping-party of a regiment consists of the regimental quartermaster and quartermaster-sergeant, and a corporal and two men per company. The general decides whether the regiments camp separately or together, and whether the police guard shall accompany the camping party, or a larger escort shall be sent.
The ground selected for an encampment either on the march or for a more permanent camp, should be such as will enable, as near as possible, the following order to be
58 THE CAMP.
carried out. Of course circumstances will compel a variation from it at times:
CAMP OF INFANTRY.
Each company has its tents in two files, facing on a street perpendicular to the color line. The width of the street depends on the front of the camp, but should not be less than five paces. The interval between the ranks of tents is two paces; between the files of tents of adjacent companies, two paces; between regiments, twenty-two paces.
The color line is ten paces in front of the front rank of tents. The kitchens are twenty paces behind the rear rank of company tents; the non-commissioned staff and sutler, twenty paces in rear of the kitchens; the company officers, twenty paces farther in rear; and the field and staff, twenty paces in rear of the company officers.
The company officers are in rear of their respective companies; the captains on the right.
The colonel and lieutenant-colonel are near the centre of the line of field and staff; the adjutant, a major and Burgeon, on the right ; the quartermaster, a major and assistant-surgeon, on the left
The police guard is at the centre of the line of the non-commissioned staff the tents facing to tile front, the stacks of arms on the left.
The advanced post of the police guard is about two hundred paces in front of the color line, and opposite the centre of the regiment, or on the best ground; the prisoners’ tent about four paces in rear. In a regiment of the second line, the advanced post of the police guard is two hundred paces in rear of the line of its field and staff.
· The pace is thirty inches, or two-and-a-halt feet.
THE CAMP. 59
The horses of the staff officers and of the baggage train are twenty-five paces in rear of the tents of’ the field and staff; the wagons are packed on the same line, and the men of the train camped near them.
The sinks of the men are one hundred and fifty paces in front of’ the color line; those of the officers one hundred paces in rear of the train. Both are concealed by bushes. When convenient, the sinks of the men may be placed in rear or on a flank. A portion of the earth dug out for sinks to be thrown back occasionally.
The front of the camp of a regiment of’ one thousand men in two ranks will be four hundred paces, or one-fifth less paces than the number of files, if’ the camp is to have the same front as the troops in order of battle. But the front may be reduced to one hundred and ninety paces by narrowing the company streets to five paces; and if it be desirable to reduce the front still more, the tents of companies may be pitched in single file, those of a division facing on the same street.
CAMPOF CAVALRY.
In the cavalry, each company has one file of tents; the tents opening on the street facing the left of’ the camp.
The horses of each company are placed in a single file, facing the opening of the tents, and are fastened to pickets planted firmly in the ground, from three to six paces from the tents of the troops.
The interval between the file of tents should be such, that the regiment being broken into column of companies, each company should be on the column extension of the line on which the horses are to be picketed.
The streets separating the squadrons are wider than those between the companies by the interval separating
60 THE CAMP.
squadrons in line; these intervals are kept free from any obstruction throughout the camp.
The horses of the rear rank are placed on the left of those of their file-leaders.
The horses of the lieutenants are placed on the right of their platoons; those of the captains on the right of the company.
Each horse occupies a space of about two paces. The number of horses in the company fixes the depth of the camp, and the distance between the files of tents; the forage is placed between the tents.
The kitchens are twenty paces in front of each file of tents.
The non-commissioned officers are in the tents of the front rank. Camp followers, teamsters, etc., are in the rear rank. The police guard in the rear rank, near the centre of the regiment.
The tents of the lieutenants are thirty paces in rear of the file of their company; the tents of the captains thirty paces in rear of the lieutenants.
The colonel’s tent thirty paces in rear of the captain’s, near the centre of the regiment; the lieutenant-colonel on his right; the adjutant on his left; the majors oti the same line, opposite the second company on the right and left; the surgeon on the left of the adjutant.*
The field and staff have their horses on the left of their tents, on the same line with the company horses; sick horses are placed in one line on the right or left of the camp. The men who attend them have a separate file of tents; the forges and wagons in rear of this file. The horses of the train and of camp followers are in one
* When there is but one major to a regiment, the post of the colonel will be In the centre of the regiment, on the line of the field and staff; and that of the lieutenant-colonel In the right wing, in place of the senior major.
THE CAMP. 61
or more files extending to the rear, behind the right or left squadron. The advanced post of the police guard is two hundred paces in front, opposite the centre of the regiment; the horses in one or two files.
The sinks for the men are one hundred and fifty paces in front, those for officers one hundred paces in rear of the camp.
CAMP OF ARTILLERY.
The artillery is encamped near the troops to which it is attached, so as to be protected from attack, and to contribute to the defence of the camp. Sentinels for the park are furnished by the artillery, and, when necessary, by the other troops.
For a battery of six pieces the tents are in three files: one for each section; distance between the ranks of tents fifteen paces; tents opening to the front. The horses of each section are picketed in one file, ten paces to the left of the file of tents. In the horse artillery, or if the number of horses make it necessary, the horses are in two files on the right and left of the file of tents. The kitchens are twenty-five paces in front of the front rank of tents. The tents of the officers are in the outside files of company tents, twenty-five paces in rear of the rear rank; the captain on the right, the lieutenant on the left.
The park is opposite the centre of the camp, forty paces in rear of the officers’ tents.
DUTIES IN CAMP AND GARRISON.
The duties in camp and garrison are to be conducted, as far as practicable, in the same manner and on the same principles.
62 THE CAMP.
The Reveille is the signal for the men to rise, and the sentinel to leave off challenging.
The Troop is to sound or beat at — o’clock in the morning, for the purpose of assembling the men for duty and inspection at guard mounting.
The Retreat is to sound or beat at sunset, for the purpose of warning the officers and men for duty, and for reading the orders of the day.
The Tattoo is to be beat at — o’clock in the evening, after which no soldier is to be out of his tent or quarters, unless by special leave.
Peas-upon-a-trencher, the signal for breakfast, is to sound or beat at — o’clock in the morning.
Boast-beef, the signal for dinner, is to sound or beat at — o’clock; at other times it is the signal to draw provisions.
The Surgeon’s call is to sound or beat at — o’clock, when the sick, able to go out, will be conducted to the hospital by the first sergeants of companies, who will hand to the surgeon a report of all the sick in the company other than in hospital. The patients who cannot attend at the dispensary will be immediately after, if not before, visited by the surgeon.
The General is to beat, only when the whole army is to march, and is the signal to strike the tents and prepare for the march.
The Assembly is the signal to form by company.
To the color is the signal to form by battalion.
The March is for the whole to move.
The Long roll is the signal for getting under arms, in case of alarm or the sudden approach of the enemy.
The Parley is to desire a conference with the enemy.
THE CAMP. 63
ROLL CALLS.
There should be daily, at least three stated roll calls; viz., at reveille, retreat, and tattoo. They will be made on the company parades by the first sergeants, superintended by a commissioned officer of the company. The captains should report the absentees, without leave, to the colonel or commanding officer.
Immediately after reveille roll call, (after stable duty in the cavalry,) the tents or quarters, and the space around them, will be put in order by the men of the companies, superintended by the chiefs of squads, and the guard house or guard tent by the guard or prisoners.
The morning reports of companies, signed by the captains and first sergeants, will be handed to the adjutant before eight o’clock in the morning, and will be consolidated by the adjutant within the next hour, for the information of the colonel; and if the consolidation is to be sent to higher authority, it will be signed by the colonel and the adjutant.
CHAPTER VIL
On a march continued from day to day the ceremony of guard-mounting is dispensed with; the men being notified the night before for the next day’s guard; and the guards are formed immediately after the army is in camp. On all other occasions the following forms are observed:
At the first call for guard-mounting, the men warned for duty turn out on their company parades for inspection by the first sergeants; and, at the second call, repair to the regimental or garrison parade, conducted by the first sergeants. Each detachment, as it arrives, will, under the direction of the adjutant, take post on the left of the one that preceded it, in open order, arms shouldered and bayonets fixed; the supernumeraries five paces in the rear of the men of their respective companies; the first sergeants in rear of them. The sergeant-major will dress the ranks, count the files, verify the details, and when the guard is formed, report to the adjutant, and take two paces on the left of the front rank.
The adjutant then commands Front; when the officer of the guard takes post twelve paces in front of the centre; the sergeants, in one rank, four paces in the rear of
GUARDS AND GUARD-MOUNTING. 66
the officers; and the corporals, in one rank, four paces in the rear of the sergeants, all facing to the front. The adjutant then assigns their places in the guard.
The adjutant will then command,
1. Officers and non-commissioned 2. About—FACE.
officers. 3. Inspect your guards—MARCH.
The non-commissioned officers then take their posts. The commander of the guard then commands:
I. Order—ARMS. 2. Inspection of ARMS;
and inspects his guard. When there is no commissioned officer on the guard, the adjutant will inspect it. During inspection the band will play.
The inspection ended, the officer of the guard takes post as though the guard were a company of a battalion, in open order, under review; at the same time, also, the officers of the day will take post in front of the centre of the guard; the old officer of the day three paces on the right of the new officer of the day, one pace retired.
The adjutant will then command,
1. Parade—REST. 2. Troop—Beat Off;
when the music, beginning on the right, will beat down the line in front of the officer of the guard to the left, and back to its place on the right, where it will cease to play.
The adjutant then commands,
l. Attention. 2. Shoulder—ARMS. 3. Close order—MARCH.At the word “Close order,” the officer will face about; at “March,” resume his post in line. The adjutant then commands:
Present—ARMS;
at which he will face to the new officer of the day, salute, and report, “Sir, the guard is formed.” The new officer
66 GUARDS AND GUARD-MOUNTING.
of the day; after acknowledging the salute, will direct the adjutant to march the guard in review, or by flank, to its post. But if the adjutant be senior to the officer of the day, he will report without saluting with the sword then, or when marching the guard in review.
In review the guard march past the officer of the day, according to the order of review, conducted by the adjutant, marching on the left of the first division; the sergeant-major on the left of the last division.
When the column has passed the officer of the day, the officer of the guard marches it to its post, the adjutant and sergeant-major retiring. The music, which has wheeled out of the column, and taken post opposite to the officer of the day, will cease, and the old officer of the day salute, and give the old or standing orders to the new officer of the day. The supernumeraries, at the same time, will be marched by the first sergeants to their respective company parades, and dismissed.
In bad weather or at night, or after fatiguing marches, the ceremony of turning off may be dispensed with, but not the inspection.
Grand guards and other brigade guards are organized and mounted on the brigade parade by the staff officers of the parade, under the direction of the field officer of the day of the brigade, according to the principles here prescribed for the police guard of a, regiment. The detail of each regiment is assembled on the regimental parade, verified by the adjutant, and marched to the brigade parade by the senior officer of the detail. After inspection and review, the officer of the day directs the several guards to their respective posts.
The officer of the old guard, having his guard paraded, on the approach of the new guard, commands
Present—ARMS.
GUARDS AND GUARD-MOUNTING. 67
The new guard will march, in quick time, past the old guard, at shouldered arms, officers saluting, and take post four paces on its right, where, being alligned with it, its commander will order:
Present—ARMS.
The two officers will then approach each other and salute. They will then return to their respective guards, and command:
1. Shoulder—ARMS. 2. Order—ARMS.
The officer of the new guard will now direct the detail for the advanced guard to be formed and marched to its post, the list of the guard made and divided into three reliefs, experienced soldier~ placed over the arms of the guard and at the remote and responsible posts, and the young soldiers in posts near the guard for instruction in their duties, and will himself proceed to take possession of the guard-house or guard-tent, and the articles and prisoners in charge of the guard.
During the time of relieving the sentinels and of calling in the small posts, the old commander will give to the new all the information and instruction relating to his post.
The first relief having been designated and ordered two paces to the front, the corporal of the new guard will take charge of it, and go to relieve the sentinels, accompanied by the corporal of the old guard, who will take command of the old sentinels, when the whole are relieved.
If the sentinels are numerous, the sergeants are to be employed, as well as the corporals, in relieving them.
The relief with arms at a support, in two ranks, will march by a flank, conducted by the corporal on the side of the leading front-rank man; and the men will he numbered alternately in the front and rear rank, the man on
68 GUARDS AND GUARD-MOUNTING.
the right of the front rank being No. 1. Should an officer approach, the corporal will command Carry arms, and resume the support arms when the officer is passed.
The sentinels at the guard-house or guard-tent will be the first relieved and left behind; the others are relieved in succession.
When the sentinel sees the relief approaching, he will halt and face to it, with his arms at a shoulder. At six paces, the corporal will command:
I. Relief. 2. HALT;
when the relief will halt and carry arms. The corporal will then add, “ No. I,” or “ No. 2,” or “ No 3,” according to the number of the post:
Arms—PORT.
The two sentinels will, with arms at port, then approach each other, when the old sentinel, under the direction of the corporal, will whisper the instructions to the new sentinel. This done, the two sentinels will shoulder arms, and the old sentinel will pass, in quick time, to his place in rear of the relief. The corporal will then command:
1. Support—ARMS. 2. Forward. 3. MARCH
and the relief proceeds in the same manner until the whole are relieved.
The detachments and sentinels from the old guard having come in, it will be marched, at shouldered arms, along the front of the new guard, in quick time, the new guard standing at presented arms; officers saluting, and the music of both guards beating, except at the outposts.
On arriving at the regimental or garrison parade, the commander of the old guard will send the detachments composing it, under charge of the non-commissioned
GUARDS AND GUARD-M0UNTING. 69
officers, to their respective regiments. Before the men are dismissed, their pieces will be drawn or discharged at a target. On rejoining their companions, the chiefs of squads will examine the arms, etc., of their men, and cause the whole to be put away in good order.
When the old guard has marched off fifty paces, the officer of the new guard will order his men to stack their arms, or place them in the arm-racks.
The commander of the guard will then make himself acquainted with all the instructions for his post, visit the sentinels, and question them and the non-commissioned officers relative to the instructions they may have received from other persons of the old guard.
Sentinels will be relieved every two hours, unless the state of the weather or other causes should make it neces- sary or proper that it be done at shorter or longer intervals.
Each relief, before mounting, is inspected by the commander of the guard or of its post. The corporal reports to him, and presents the old relief on its return.
The countersign or watchword is given to such persons as are entitled to pass during the night, and to officers, non-commissioned officers, and sentinels of the guard. Interior guards receive the countersign only when ordered by the commander of the troops.
The parole is imparted to such officers only as have a right to visit the guards and to make the grand rounds, and to officers commanding guards.
As soon as the new guard has been marched off the officer of the day will repair to the office of the commanding officer and report for orders.
The officer of the day must see that the officer of the guard is furnished with the parole and countersign before retreat.
70 GUARDS AND GUARD-MOUNTING.
The officer of the day visits the guards during the day at such times as he may deem necessary, and makes his rounds at night, at least once after twelve o’clock.
Upon being relieved, the officer of the day will make such remarks in the report of the officer of the guard as circumstances require, and present the same at headquarters.
Commanders of guards leaving their posts to visit their sentinels, or on other duty, are to mention their intention and the probable time of their absence, to the next in command.
The officers are to remain constantly at their guards, except while visiting their sentinels, or necessarily engaged elsewhere on their proper duty.
Neither officers nor soldiers are to take off their clothing or accoutrements while they are on guard.
The officer of the guard must see that the countersign is duly communicated to the sentinels a little before twilight.
When a fire breaks out, or any alarm is raised in a. garrison, all guards are to be immediately under arms.
Inexperienced officers are put on guard. as supernumeraries, for the purpose of instruction.
Sentinels will not take orders or allow themselves to be relieved, except by an officer or non-commissioned officer of their guard or party, the officer of the day or the commanding officer; in which case the orders will be immediately communicated to the commander of the guard by the officer giving them.
Sentinels will report every breach of orders or regulations they are instructed to enforce.
Sentinels must keep themselves on the alert, observing every thing that takes place within sight and hearing of their post. They will carry their arms habitually at sup-
GUARDS AND GUARD-MOUNTING. 71
port, or on either shoulder, but will never quit them. In wet weather, if there be no sentry-box, they will secure arms.
No sentinel shall quit his post, or hold conversation not necessary to the discharge of his duty.
All persons, of whatever rank in the service, are required to observe respect toward sentinels.
In case of disorder, a sentinel must call out, The Guard! and if a fire takes place, he must cry “Fire!” adding the number of his post. If, in either ease, the danger be great, he must discharge his piece before calling out.
It is the duty of a sentinel to repeat all calls made from posts more distant from the main body of the guard than his own, and no sentinel will be posted so distant as not to be heard by the guard, either directly or through other sentinels.
Sentinels will present arms to general and field officers, to the officer of the day, and to the commanding officer of the post. To all other officers they will carry arms.
When a sentinel, in his sentry-box, sees an officer approaching, he will stand at attention, and, as the officer passes, will salute him, by bringing the left hand briskly to the musket, as high as the right shoulder.
The sentinel, at any post of the guard, when he sees any body of troops, or an officer entitled to compliment, approach, must call, ”Turn out the guard!“ and announce who approaches.
Guards do not turn out, as a matter of compliment, after sunset; but sentinels will, when officers in uniform approach, pay them proper attention, by facing to the proper front and standing steady at shouldered arms. This will be observed until the evening is so far advanced that the sentinels begin challenging.
71. GUARDS AND GUARD-MOUNTING.
After retreat, (orthe hour appointed by the commanding officer,) until broad daylight, a sentinel challenges every person who approaches him, taking, at the same time, the position of arms port, he will suffer no person to come nearer than within reach of his bayonet; until the person has given the countersign.
A sentinel, in challenging, wiIl call out, “ Who comes there?” If answered, “Friend, with the countersign,” and he be instructed to pass persons with the countersign, he will reply, “ Advance, friend, with the countersign.” If answered “ Friends,” he will reply, “ Halt, friends! Advance, one, with the countersign.” If answered “Relief,” “Patrol,” or “Grand rounds,” he will reply, “Halt! Advance, sergeant (or corporal), with the countersign,”
and satisfy himself that the party is what it represents itself to be. If he have no authority to pass persons with the countersign, if the wrong countersign be given, or the persons have not the countersign, he will cause them to stand, and call, “corporal of the guard!”
In the daytime, when the sentinel before the guard sees the officer of the day approach, he will call, “Turn out the guard! Officer of the day!” The guard will be paraded, and salute with presented arms.
When any person approaches a post of the guard atnight, the sentinel before the post, after challenging, causes him to halt, until examined by a non-commissioned officer of the guard. If it be the officer of the day, or any other officer entitled to inspect the guard and to make the rounds, the non-commissioned officer will call, “Turn out the guard!” when the guard will be paraded at shouldered arms, and the officer of the guard, if he thinks necessary, may demand the countersign and parole.
The officer of the day, wishing to make the rounds, will take an escort of a non-commissioned officer and two men.
GUARDS AND GUARD-M0UNTING. 73
When the rounds are challenged by a sentinel, the sergeant will answer, “Grand rounds! “ and the sentinel will reply, “Halt, grand rounds! Advance, sergeant, with the countersign!” Upon which the sergeant advances and gives the countersign. The sentinel will then cry, “Advance, rounds! “ and stand at a shoulder till they have passed.
When the sentinel before the guard challenges, and is answered, “Grand rounds,” he will reply, “halt, grand rounds ! Turn out the guard; grand rounds! “ Upon which the guard will be drawn up at shouldered arms. The officer commanding the guard will then order a sergeant and two men to advance; when within ten paces, the sergeant challenges. The sergeant of the grand rounds answers, “Grand rounds!” The sergeant of the guard replies, “Advance, sergeant, with the countersign! “ The sergeant of the rounds advances alone, gives the countersign, and returns to his round. The sergeant of the guard calls to his officer, “The countersign is right! “ on which the officer of the guard calls, “Advance, rounds!“ The officer of the rounds then advances alone, the guard standing at shouldered arms. The officer of the rounds passes along in front of the guard to the officer, who keeps his post on the right, and gives him the parole. He them examines the guard, orders back his escort, and taking a new one, proceeds in the same manner to other guards.
All material instructions given to a sentinel on post, by persons entitled to make grand rounds, ought to be promptly communicated to the commander of the guard.
Any general officer, or the commander of a post or garrison, may visit the guards of his command, and go the grand rounds, and be received in the same manner as prescribed for the officer of the day.
74 GUARDS AND GUARD-MOUNTING.
PICKET GUARD.
The picket guard is stationed at some advantageous point in advance of the man body for the purpose of watching the enemy, to intercept the passage of couriers or small parties, to give notice of the approach of any considerable force, and to intercept them, if possible, by such a show as will cause sufficient delay to enable the fact to be communicated at head-quarters. The strength of a picket guard depends upon the position they are sent to occupy, and the proximity of the enemy. The point occupied should be susceptible of some defence. The picket should be relieved every day; if not, the fact should be known when the guard is posted.
All out guards stand to arms at night on the approach of’ patrols, rounds, or other parties; the sentinel of the arms will call them out.
The sentinels and videttes are placed on points from which they can see furthest, taking care not to break their connection with each other, or with their post. They are concealed from the enemy as much as possible by walls or trees or elevated ground. It is generally of more advantage not to be seen than to see far. A sentinel should always be ready to fire, and when once satisfied of the presence of an enemy, he should fire, although all defence on his part were useless, since the safety of the post may depend upon it.
PRISONERS.
The prisoners under charge of a guard should not be allowed to hold extended communication with each other or with the men on guard. They should be forced to maintain the utmost decorum, and a disturbance of any
GUARDS AND GUARD-MOUNTING. 75
kind should be checked at once by the application of the most efficient means, On the march the prisoners are placed in charge of the old picket guards with bayonets fixed and arms loaded, They march in the centre of the regiment. On reaching camp, they are turned over to the new guard as soon as posted.
A. B. C,
Lieutenant 1st Regiment,
Commanding the Guard,
76 GUARDS AND GUARD-MOUNTING.
CHAPTER VIII.
RATIONS, AND MODE OF COOKING THEM.
The history of military campaigns develops no fact more striking, than that a very large percentage of the casualties are those of diseases incident to an improper diet. Especially was this made evident in the Mexican War among the volunteer troops called suddenly from the pursuits of civil life, and from the comforts and conveniences of home, they were transferred at once to a climate, different in every respect to that in which they had always lived. Exposed to every change of weather, from the intense heat of the plains, to the piercing cold of the mountains; sleeping constantly in the open air; they universally exhibited that want of discretion in regard to their food, the manner of cooking it, and time of eating it which would naturally be expected from men who had never been called upon to give the slightest thought to the subject.
In the case of the regular troops, it was considered a part of the duties of the officers in immediate command to watch the soldiers in this particular, and to prevent them from eating unripe fruit or other improper food, which they procured along the march. This surveillance was found to be the more necessary during the temporary oc-
78 RATIONS, AND MODE OF COOKING THEM.
cupation of towns, as it was there so very easy to procure something to eat without the trouble of cooking it. In addition to all this, it was found to be generally the case that the ration was badly cooked at the regular mess, owing to a want of knowledge of the time required for the different articles of food to be properly cooked.
The Crimean War was another example of the same fatal error, and so palpable did it become, that the War Department of Great Britain was induced to send out to the seat of war competent persons to instruct the troops in the manner of cooking their rations. The beneficial effects of this step were at once exhibited in the improved condition of the health of the army.
With a view to obviate a large portion of discomfort and disease in this particular, a number of receipts have been prepared:
1st. For cooking the ration as issued to the troops
2d. For cooking such food, other than the ration, as may be obtained in the field, and
3d. For hospital diets for the use of the sick.
The regular daily ration of food issued to the troops in the United States service, is three-fourths of a pound of pork or bacon, or one and a fourth pounds of fresh or salt beef; eighteen ounces of bread or flour, or twelve ounces of hard bread, or one and a fourth pounds of corn meal, and at the rate, to one hundred rations, of eight quarts of peas or beans, or, iii lieu thereof, ten pounds of rice; six pounds of coffee; twelve pounds of sugar; four quarts of vinegar, one and a half pounds of tallow, or one and a fourth pounds of adamantine, or one pound sperm candles; four pounds of soap, and two quarts of salt.
On a campaign, or on marches, or on board transports, the ration of hard bread is one pound.
Fresh beef, when it can be procured, should be fur-
RATIONS, AND MODE OF COOKING THEM. 79
nished at least twice a week; the beef to he procured, if possible, by contract.
RECEIPTS.
1st.—Soldiers’ Soup for 25 men.
15 quarts of water to 25pounds of meat, 2 small table-spoonsful of salt, half a one of pepper. About 2 pounds of rice put in while boiling, and what vegetables fresh or preserved that can be procured—say 3 pounds.
2d.—Pork Soup for 25 men.
In 6 gallons of cold water put 12 pounds of pork, 3 quarts of beans, 2 pounds of rice, season to suit; let boil one hour and a half. Soak the beans over night.
3d.—Irish Stew for 25 men.
25 pounds of mutton, veal, beef or pork, cut into pieces six inches square, 4 pounds of onions, 8 pounds potatoes, 4 table-spoonsful of salt, 1 of pepper; add 8 quarts of water. Cook it from one to two hours slowly, thicken the gravy with flour mixed into a smooth paste with water or potatoes, mashed fine.
4th.— Tea for 25 men.
Allow 12 quarts of water; put the rations of tea—a large teaspoonful to each—in a cloth tied up very loosely, throw it into the boiler while it is boiling hard for a moment. Then take off the boiler, cover it, and let it stand full ten minutes, when it will be ready to use; first add sugar and milk if to be had, at the rate of 3 pints or 2 quarts of milk, and a pound or a pound and a half of sugar.
80 RATIONS, AND MODE 0F COOKING THEM.
5th.—Pork with Peas or Beans for 25 mcn.
To 14 pounds of pork add 6 pounds of peas or beans, put them in a cloth to boil, tying it very loosely, place them both in the boiler; let them boil about two hours. Then take out the pork, add some flour to the gravy, and put the peas or beans in it with two or three onions cut up fine; let it boil a little longer, mash up the vegetables very finely, and serve them round the dish with the meat.
6th.—Plain Stewed Meat for 25 men.
Take 14 pounds of mutton, beef, veal or pork, cut it into chunks and put it in the boiler. Add 4 quarts of water, 2 quarts to a teaspoonful of salt, and half a teaspoonful of pepper, 8 or 10 onions cut in pieces; let it boil half an hour, then let it stew slowly from half an hour to an hour longer, adding 1 pound of rice, potatoes, or any vegetable that can be obtained; thicken the gravy with flour mixed to a smooth paste in cold water.
7th.—Stewed Salt Pork or Beef for 25 men.
Wash the meat well, let it soak all night, wash out the salt as much as possible; 8 pounds of salt beef, 5pounds of salt pork, 1/3of a pound of sugar, 2 pounds of sliced onions, 0 quarts of water, and a pound of rice; let it simmer gently for two or three hours.
8th.—Salt Pork with Potatoes and Cabbage for 25 men.
Take 15 pounds of pork, extract the bones, 3 pounds of potatoes, 2 winter cabbages, let it boil for two hours; 10 quarts of water. Serve the meat with vegetables round it. The gravy will make a good broth with peas, beans, or rice added, also a little onion. Ship biscuit broken into the broth makes a very nutritious soup.
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9th.— To Fry any kind of Meat.
Get your frying-pan very hot, put in some fat pork which will immediately melt, then put in the meat you wish to fry, (a small teaspoonful of salt and a quarter of a teaspoonful of pepper to every pound of meat.) When done, lay the meat on a dish, add a pint of water to the fatin the frying-pan, a few slices of onions, or 2 teaspoonsful of vinegar; thicken it with a little flour and pour it over the cooked meat. Any sauce, or a fewchopped pickles, may be substituted for the vinegar or onions.
1Oth.—Coffee for 25 men.
Take 12 quarts of water, when it boils add 20 ounces of coffee, mix it well and leave it on the fire till it commences to boil; then take it off; and pour into it a little more than a quart of cold water; let it stand in a warm place full ten minutes ; the dregs will settle at the bottom and the coffee be perfectly clear. Pour it then into another vessel, leaving the dregs in the first; add sugar, 4 teaspoonsful to the quart. If you can get milk, leave out five quarts of water in the above receipt, and put milk in its place.
11th—Peas or Bean Soup for 25 men.
Take 14 pounds of pork, 8 quarts of peas or beans, 20 quarts of water, 25 teaspoonsful of sugar, 12 of pepper, and several large onions; boil gently till the vegetables are soft, from four to five hours.
l2th.—Receipt for a small quantity of mashed Meat.
Cut the meat in very small pieces; heat the frying-pan, put into it half a pint of water, half a teaspoonful of salt, and a teaspoonful of flour, and let it cook fifteen min-
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utes. Salt meat can be cooked the same, omitting the salt; in its place putting a small spoonful of sugar, spices, or pickles, chopped fine, dish it on to some ship biscuit. Steak, chops, sausages, bacon slices of any kind of meat can be cooked in a frying-pan, with a little melted fat at the bottom. Salt meat should always be soaked.
HOSPITAL DIETS.
No. 1.—Semi-stewed Mutton and Barley Soup for 100
men.
Put in a convenient-sized caldron 130 pints of cold water, 70 pounds of meat, or about that quantity, 12 pounds of plain mixed vegetables, (the best that can be obtained,) 9 pounds 6 ounces of barley, 1 pound 7 ounces of salt, 1 pound 4 ounces of flour, 1 pound 4 ounces of sugar, 1 ounce of pepper. Put all the ingredients into the pan at once, except the flour; set it on the fire, and when beginning to boil, diminish the heat, and simmer gently for two hours and a half; take the joints of meat out, and keep them warm in the orderly’s pan; add to the soup your flour, which you have mixed with enough water to form a light batter; stir well together with a large spoon; boil another half hour, skim off the fat, and serve the soup and meat separate. The meat may he put back into the soup for a few minutes to warm again prior to serving. The soup should be stirred now and then while making, to prevent burning or sticking to the bottom of the caldron.
NOTE.—The word “about” is applied to the half and full diet, which varies the weight of the meat; but ½ lb. of mutton will always make a pint of good soup: 3 lbs. of mixed preserved vegetables must be used when fresh are not to be obtained, and put in one hour and a hail prior to serving, instead of at first; they will then show better in the soup, and still be well done.
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The joints are cooked whole, and afterwards cut up in different messes; being cooked this way, in a rather thick stock, the meat becomes more nutritious.
All the following receipts may be increased to large quantities, but by all means closely follow the weight and measure.
No. 2.—Beef Soap.
Proceed the same as for mutton, only leave the meat in till serving, as it will take longer than mutton. The pieces are not to be above 4 or 5pounds weight, and for a change half rice may be introduced; the addition of 2 pounds more will make it thicker and more nutritive; ¼ pound of curry powder will make an excellent change also. To vary the same, half’ a pint of burnt sugar water may be added; it will give the soup a very rich brown color.
No. 3.—.-Beef Tea. Receipt for 6 pints.
Cut 3 pounds of beef into pieces the size of walnuts, and chop up the bones, if any; put it into a convenient sized kettle, with ½ pound of mixed vegetables, such as onions, leeks, celery, turnips, carrots, (or one or two of these, if all are not to be obtained,) one ounce of salt, a little pepper, 1 teaspoonful of sugar, 2 ounces of butter, half a pint of water. Set it on a sharp fire for ten minutes or a quarter of an hour, stirring now and then with a spoon, till it forms a rather thick gravy at bottom, but not brown; then add 7 pints of hot or cold water, but hot is preferable; when boiling, let it simmer gently for an hour ; skim off all the fat, strain it through a sieve, and serve.
84 RATIONS, AND MODE OF COOKING THEM.
No. 4.—Thick Beef Tea.
Dissolve a good teaspoonful of arrowroot in a gill of water, and pour it into the beef tea twenty minutes before passing through the sieve; it is then ready.
No. 5. —Strengthening Beef Tea with Calves-foot Jelly or Isinglass.
Add ¼ ounce calves-foot gelatine to the above quantity of beef tea previous to serving, when cooking.
No. 6.—Mutton and Veal Tea.
Mutton and veal will make good tea by proceeding precisely the same as above. The addition of a little aromatic herbs is always desirable. If no fresh vegetables are at hand, use 2 ounces of mixed preserved vegetables to any of the above receipts.
No. 7.—Chicken Broth.
Put in a stew-pan a fowl, 3 pints of water, 2 teaspoonsful of rice, 1 teaspoonful of salt, a middle-sized onion, or 2 ounces of mixed vegetables; boil the whole gently for three-quarters of an hour; if an old fowl, simmer from one hour and a half to two hours, adding one pint more water; skim off the fat, and serve. A small fowl will do.
NOTE.—A light mutton broth may be made precisely the same, by using a pound and a half of scrag of mutton instead of fowl.
For thick mutton broth proceed as for thick beef tea, omitting the rice; a table-spoonfuI of burnt sugar water will give a rich color to the broth.
No. 8.—Plain Boiled Rice.
Put 2 quarts of water in a stew-pan, with a teaspoonful of salt; when boiling, add to it ½ pound of rice, well
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washed boil for ten minutes, or till each grain becomes rather soft ; drain it into a colander, slightly grease the pot with butter, and put the rice back into it; let it swell slowly for about twenty minutes near the fire, or in a slow oven ; each grain will then swell up, and be well separated; it is then ready for use.
No. 9.—Sweet Rice.
Add to the plain boiled rice 1 ounce of butter, 2 tablespoonsful of sugar, a little cinnamon, a quarter of a pint of milk ; stir it with a fork, and serve; a little currant-jelly or jam may be added to the rice.
No. 10.—Rice with Gravy.
Add to the rice 4 tablespoonsful of the essence of beef, a little butter, if fresh, half a teaspoonful of salt; stir together with a fork, and serve.
No. 11 .—Plain Oatmeal.
Put in a pan ¼ pound of oatmeal, 1 ½ ounce of sugar, half a teaspoonful of salt, and 3 pints of water; boil slowly for twenty minutes, stirring continually, and serve. A quarter of a pint of boiled milk, an ounce of butter, and a little pounded cinnamon or spice added previous to serving, is a good variation.
This receipt has been found most useful at the commencement of dysentery, by medical authorities.
No. 12.—Calves-foot Jelly.
Put in a proper-sized stew-pan 24- ounces of calves-foot gelatine, 4ounces of white sugar, 4 whites of eggs and shells, the peel of a lemon, the juice of 3 middle-sized lemons, half a pint of Marsala wine; beat all well together
86 RATIONS, AND MODE OF COOKING THEM.
with the egg-beater for a few minutes, then add 4 ½ pints of cold water; set it on a slow fire, and keep whipping it till boiling. Set it on the corner of the stove, partly covered with the lid, upon which you place a few pieces of burning charcoal ; let it simmer gently for ten minutes, and strain it through a jelly-bag. It is then ready to put in the ice or some cool place. Sherry will do if Marsala is not at hand.
For orange jelly use only 1 lemon and 2 oranges. Any delicate flavor may be introduced.
Jelly Stock,
made from calves’ feet, requires to he made the day previous to being used, requiring to be very hard to extract the fat. Take two calves’ feet, cut them up, and boil in 3 quarts of water; as soon as it boils remove it to the corner of the fire, and simmer for five hours, keeping it skimmed; pass through a hair-sieve into a basin, and let it remain until quite hard; then remove the oil and fat, and wipe the top dry. Place in a stew-pan half a quart of water, 1 of sherry, half a pound of lump sugar, the juice of 4 lemons, the rinds of 2, and the whites and shells of 5 eggs; whisk until the sugar is incited, then add the jelly, place it on the fire, and whisk until boiling, pass it through a jelly-bag, pouring that back again which comes through first, until quite clear; it is then ready far use, by putting it in moulds or glasses. Vary the flavor according to fancy.
No. 13.—Sage Jelly
Put into a pan 3 ounces of sage, 1 ½ ounces of soft sugar, half a lemon peel cut very thin, ¼ teaspoonful of ground cinnamon, or a small stick of the same; put to it
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3 pints of water and a little salt; boil ten minutes, or rather longer, stirring continually until rather thick, then add a little port, sherry, or Marsala wine; mix well, and serve hot or cold.
No. 14.—Arrowroot Milk.
Put into a pan 4 ounces of arrowroot, 3 ounces of sugar, the peel of half a lemon, ¼ teaspoonful of salt, 2 ½ pints of’ milk; set it on the fire, stir round gently, boil for ten minutes, and serve. If no lemons are at hand, a little essence of any kind will do.
When short of milk, use half water; half an ounce of fresh butter is an improvement before serving. If required thicker, put a little milk.
No. 15.—Thick Arrowroot Panada.
Put in a pan 5 ounces of arrowroot, 2 ½ ounces of white sugar, the peel of half a lemon, a quarter of a teaspoonful of salt, 4 pints of water; mix all well, set on the fire, boil for ten minutes; it is then ready. The juice of a lemon is an improvement; a gill of’ wine may also be introduced, and ½ ounce of calves-foot gelatine previously dissolved in water will be strengthening. Milk, however, is preferable, if at hand.
No. 16.—Arrowroot Water.
Put into a pan 3 ounces of arrowroot, 2 ounces of white sugar, the peel of a lemon, ¼ teaspoonful of salt, 4 pints of water; mix well, set on the fire, boil for ten minutes. It is then ready to serve either hot or cold.
N0. 17.—Rice Water.
Put 7 pints of water to boil, add to it 2 ounces of rice washed, 2 ounces of sugar, the peel of two-thirds of a lem—
88 RATIONS, AND MODE OF COOKING THEM.
on; boil gently forthree-quarters of an hour; it will reduce to 5 pints ; strain through a colander it is then ready.
The rice may be left in the beverage or made into a pudding, or by the addition of a little sugar or jam, will be found very good for either children or invalids.
No. 18.—Barley Water.
Put in a saucepan 7 pints of water, 2 ounces of barley, which stir now and then while boiling; add 2 ounces of white sugar, the rind of half a lemon, thinly peeled; let it boil gently for about two hours, without covering it; pass it through a sieve or colander ; it is then ready. The barley and lemon may be left in.
No. 19.—Plain Lemonade.
Thinly peel the third part of a lemon, which put into a basin with 2 tablespoonsful of sugar; roll the lemon with your hand upon the table to soften it; cut it into two, lengthwise, squeeze the juice over the peel, &c., stir round for a minute with a spoon to form a sort of syrup; pour over a pint of water, mix well, and remove the pips; it is then ready for use. If a very large lemon, and full of juice, and very fresh, you may make a pint and a half to a quart, adding sugar and peel in proportion to the increase of water. The juice only of the lemon and sugar will make lemonade, but will then be deprived of the aroma which the rind contains, the said rind being generally thrown away.
No. 20.—Semi-citric Lemonade. Receipt for 50 pints.
Put 1 ounce of citric acid to dissolve in a pint of water; peel 20 lemons thinly, and put the peel in a large
RATIONS, AND MODE OF COOKING THEM. 89
vessel, with 3 pounds 2 ounces of white sugar well broken; roll each lemon on the table to soften it, which will facilitate the extraction of the juice; cut them into two, and press out the juice into a colander or sieve, over the peel und sugar, then pour half a pint of water through the colander, so as to leave no juice remaining; triturate the sugar, juice, and peel together for a minute or two with a spoon, so as to form a sort of syrup, and extract the aroma from the peel and the dissolved citric acid; mix all well together, pour on 50 pints of cold water, stir well together; it is then ready. A little ice in summer is a great addition.
No. 21.—. Cheap Lemonade.
Put into a basin 2 table-spoonsful of white or brown sugar, half a table-spoonful of lime juice; mix well together for one minute, add 1 pint of water, and the beverage is ready. A drop of rum will make a good variation, as lime juice and rum are daily issued to the soldiers.
No. 22.— Tartaric Lemonade.
Dissolve 1 ounce of crystallized tartaric acid in a pint of cold water, which put in a large vessel ; when dissolved, add 1 pound 9 ounces of white or brown sugar— the former is preferable; mix well to farm a thick syrup; add to it 24 pints of cold water, slowly mixing well; it is then ready.
It may be strained through either a colander or a jelly-bag; if required very light, add 5pints more water, and sugar in proportion; if citric acid be used, put only 20 pints of water to each ounce.
9O RATIONS, AND MODE OF COOKING THEM.
No. 23.—Toast and Water.
Cut a piece of crusty bread, about ¼ pound in weight, place it upon a toasting-fork, and hold it about six inches from the fire; turn it often, and keep moving it gently until of a light yellow color, then place it nearer the fire, and when of a good brown chocolate color, put it in a jug and pour over 3 pints of boiling water; cover the jug until cold, then strain it in a clean jug, and it is ready for use. Never leave the toast in it, for in summer it would cause fermentation in a short time. I would almost venture to say that such toast and water should be made, and that it would keep good a considerable time in bottles.
THE CAMP STOVE.
The arrangements for cooking the rations on a march or in camp, are always more or less annoying to troops. Coming into camp perhaps during a storm after a long day’s march, the men have to wait for their supper until a party has been despatched with a team sometimes several miles to procure fuel, this more frequently green wood than dry. After the fuel arrives and a fire is kindled, it takes a long time before the food is cooked. In the meanwhile, wet, weary, and half sick, time men are waiting for their supper. If this could be given to them at once, and they could go to their tents and rest, how much more fitted they would be for duty the next morning, and how much smaller would be the sick report. A great portion of this discomfort would be obviated by the use of a camp stove, a drawing of which is shown in plate . Two of these stoves to a company are sufficient. All the necessary kettles and utensils accompany it, including gridiron, frying—pan, griddle, and bake—oven.
RATIONS, AND MODE OF COOKING THEM. 91
Light and portable, the whole is fitted into a cask which secures its transportation without fear of injury. The fire is made in a few moments from a few short faggots which are placed in the stove when starting on the march in the morning after breakfast; so that, in half an hour after coming into camp, the men may all have hot coffee, and go to bed. This stove is made in New York, and may be procured from the agent, No. 13 Broadway.
PRESERVED MEATSAND OTHER FOOD.
The great difficulty of transporting provisions in bulk without their becoming damaged by exposure to the wet, and therefore unfit for use, causing serious inconvenience, and often impeding materially the operations of a campaign, renders it eminently desirable that such food, assimilating to the ration, as can be prepared in a condensed form should be procured. Samples of preserved and condensed food have been submitted to careful examination and test by competent and reliable officers, and found to answer all the purposes for which they are intended, and can therefore be safely recommended for campaign use.
CHAPTER IX.
FIELD WORKS are any constructions which have for their object to impede the advance of an enemy, or to enable an inferior force to maintain their position against the attack of a superior number.
The name of field fortifications is applied to a work which is composed of an embankment of earth called a “parapet,” and an excavation called a “ditch,” on the exterior side, which last furnishes the earth for the embankment.
The outline or form of the work varies with the character of the ground, the circumstances under which it is constructed, the strength of the force, and particular character of the defence. The profile or shape of the embankment or parapet is usually the same in all eases.
When the ground about a work within effective range of the fire-arms of the attacking party is quite flat, the height, called the “command” of the work, must be at least 7 feet 6 inches, in order that the defenders may ho covered from the fire of men on horseback—that class of troops being able to discharge their arms at 7 feet 6 inches above the ground.
Unimportant works, or such as are situated on higher ground than that within effective artillery range, may have their parapets as low as 6 feet, or even 5feet.
FIELD FORTIFICATIONS. 93
Fig. 1.—Plate 2 shows the ordinary form of’ the profile of an intrenchment, in soils of which the natural slope is one perpendicular to one base.
A B C DE F is the profile of the Parapet.
G H I Jthe profile of the Ditch.
L M N the profile of the Glacis.
A B the Banquette Slopes.
B C Tread of the Banquette.
C D the Interior Slope.
D E the Superior Slope.
E F the Exterior Slope.
F G the Berm.
G Hthe Scarp.
H I the Bottom of the Ditch.
I J the Counterscarp.
A the Foot of the Banquette Slope.
B the Crest of the Banquette.
C the Foot of the Interior Slope.
D the Interior Crest.
E the Exterior Crest.
F the Foot of the Exterior Slope.
G the Crest of the Scarp.
H the Foot of the Scarp.
I the Foot of the Counterscarp.