1878.] J-*- [Thayer. 



mation as ordered by the General, should be formed into three columns,* 

 as follows : the centre consisting of the battery of artillery and a regiment 

 of infantry, and the right and left columns consisting of the remaining 

 regiments of infantry ; the cavalry being assigned to the weaker command. 



The infantry of the centre column should be formed in "close column 

 by divisions." This formation is known as "the order preparatory for 

 battle ;" it prepares the troops for rapid deployment, and enables them to 

 be speedily deployed in line of battle. 



The infantry of the right and left columns should be formed in column 

 of companies or divisions at full distance. This formation will enable them 

 to form line of battle by a simple wheel of the subdivisions to the right or 

 left, as the case may be, if attacked in flank. The centre column is free 

 from this danger, being protected by the columns on its flanks. 



The centre column should be preceded by an advance-guard composed 

 of a company of well-disciplined troops selected from the regiment of in- 

 fantry assigned to that column. The artillery should follow at a distance 

 of about three hundred yards in column of sections, the pieces leading, and 

 each caisson with ammunition following immediately behind its piece. 

 The regiment of infantry should bring up the rear. By placing the com- 

 pany of infantry as an advance-guard in front of the main column, it will 

 prevent any danger from a surprise ; and- should the mob be encountered 

 sooner than contemplated, the infantry of the advance-guard will be able 

 to hold it in check for a few moments until the leading pieces of artillery 

 can be unlimbered and loaded. 



In moving towards the district occupied b} r the mob, the three columns 

 should proceed simultaneously by parallel streets, within easy supporting 

 distance of each other ; the heads of column should be kept as nearly as 

 possible abreast. They will thus arrive at the scene of disturbance together, 

 and striking the mob at different points, produce a more decided effect. 

 Communication between the three columns should be constantly main- 

 tained, and should one of the columns be resisted in its march, the others 

 should halt and reinforce it if necessary. Troops from the column not at- 

 tacked would thus take the mob in flank and demoralize it. At the head 

 of each column should be a number of workmen equipped with picks, axes, 

 crowbars, and similar tools to enable them speedily to remove any obstruc- 

 tions that may have been placed in the road to impede the march of the 

 troops. 



The march of the three columns from the place of formation to the place 

 occupied by the mob is known in war as a "manoeuvre-march," and, " it is 

 so called for the reason that it has not for its object a simple gain of ground, 



* The advisability of forming the brigade into three columns of attack is, of 

 course, somewhat dependent upon circumstances. In the case of a brigade or- 

 ganized as the one in question is supposed to be, and in a city which lias a system 

 of parallel streets leading towards the district occupied by the mob, this forma- 

 tion would be considered preferable. The brigade may not be of sufficient 

 strength to admit of its being divided, in which case one or two colunjns 

 should be formed. 



