176 MANUAL FOR NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 



419. The work in the squad, with a view to preparing the 

 recruit for the mounted attack with the saber and pistol, will 

 therefore be limited to those exercises in wliicli the horse is 

 controlled. It slioiild consist, in substance, of an extension to 

 collective work of the individual instruction described in par. 

 297, and should include occasional practice in advancing as 

 rapidly as can be done while maintaining a close formation and 

 control of the mount. The increase in speed should be made 

 quietly and progressively, be continued but a short distance, 

 and invariably be terminated by the quiet resuming of a 

 slow yait. As the recruit gets more skill and confidence the 

 exercise will be conducted with sabers drawn, the troopers 

 taking the charging position (par. 251) when the instructor 

 does so and returning to the carry with him. Similar exercises 

 will be conducted with the pistol, with especial attention to 

 directing the horses through lines of silhouette targets and to 

 drawing, returning, and manipulating the pistol. The exer- 

 cises with the pistol will usually be conducted in foragers and 

 may be extended to include the actual execution of the pistol 

 attack as described in the School of the Platoon. 



In campaign any small group executes the mounted attack 

 as explained for the platoon. 



420. In combat of every kind skill on the part of the indi- 

 vidual trooper in the use of the weapon or weapons employed 

 is essential. So important is this part of the training that 

 where time for the training of the troopers is limited all but 

 the most essential portions of close-order drill should be de- 

 ferred or omitted in order that the training of the trooper iu 

 the use of his weapons may be thorough and eflicient. 



Section 8. Tent pitching. 



TO PITCH ALL TYPES OF AEMY TEXTS, EXCEPT SHELTER AND 

 CONICAL WALL TENTS. 



To pitch all types of Army tents, except shelter and coni- 

 cal wall tents : JNIark line of tents by driving a wall pin on 

 the spot to be occupied by the right (or loft) corner of each 

 tent. For pyramidal tents the interval between adjacent pins 

 should be about 30 feet, which will give a passage of 2 feet 



