GEOTACTICS. 499 



compose the great mass of modern armies. The light infantry, 

 including riflemen, armed with lighter guns, or rifles, are chiefly em- 

 ployed as skirmishers, or advanced guards, or for rapid marches and 

 sudden attacks. The heavy artillery, are foot soldiers, armed with 

 short muskets, and swords ; their cannon, and caissons or ammunition 

 waggons, being drawn by horses. The light artillery, or at least the 

 flying artillery, are all mounted, and armed with pistols and broad- 

 swords ; with light guns, drawn by strong horses. The heavy 

 cavalry, are properly cuirassiers, armed with a helmet and cuirass, 

 and broadsword and pistols : other cavalry are carabiniers, armed 

 with carabines, and straight swords ; and among the light cavalry, 

 are hussars, of Hungarian origin, armed with sabres ; and lancers, 

 such as the Russian Cossacks. Dragoons, are armed with muskets, 

 and fight either on horseback or on foot: and voltigeitrs, are troops 

 that ride behind cavalry to the scene of action ; then alight and fight 

 on foot. 



We proceed to notice separately the three divisions of Geotactics, 

 Infantry, Artillery, and Cavalry Tactics, already referred to. 



1. Infantry Tactics, is the most important division of this branch; 

 as it embraces, to a considerable extent, the principles of the other 

 divisions. Infantry are usually drawn up in companies, of 50 or 

 more men each ; and eight or ten companies usually constitute a 

 regiment. In manoeuvring, each regiment is termed a battalion; 

 though this name is often applied to a half regiment. Two regi- 

 ments form a brigade, commanded by a brigadier general ; and two 

 brigades form a division, which is a major general's command. The 

 officers of a regiment, in the order of rank, are the colonel, lieu- 

 tenant colonel, and major ; of whom, the highest who is present 

 takes the command. The regiment is paraded, and orders are an- 

 nounced, by the adjutant, assisted by the serjeant major. The 

 name regiment was first introduced into the French service, in 1567 : 

 and the title of colonel was first applied in its present sense, in 1661. 



The commissioned officers of a company, in the order of rank, are 

 the captain, lieutenant, and ensign ; and the subalterns are the ser- 

 geants, and corporals, usually appointed by the colonel. The first 

 sergeant, is called the orderly sergeant; who forms the company, 

 and commands it, in the absence of the commissioned officers. A 

 company is usually drawn up in two ranks, the front, and rear. A 

 man in the front rank, called a file leader, and one directly behind 

 him, called his file-closer, together constitute a file of men. A com- 

 pany is divided into two platoons ; and a platoon into two sections ; 

 each consisting of two ranks, with as many files as there are men in 

 the front rank. One sergeant, and one corporal are assigned to each 

 section ; but their posts or positions we have no room to specify. 

 When in line, the captain is stationed on the right of the company ; 

 but, in column, his post is in front. Two companies united consti- 

 tute a grand division ; of which there are usually four in a regiment. 



The School of the Soldier, includes such instruction as every 

 soldier must receive, preparatory to entering a company or battalion. 

 The recruits, drilled in small squads, are first taught the position of a 

 soldier, which should be erect and firm ; next the dressing or align- 



