54 MILITARY COMMISSION TO EUEOPE. 



Eacli captain commands the 1st platoon of his own comjiany, and is posted in the front rank 

 on its right ; the 1st lieutenants are posted as explained for a detached company ; the 2d lieu- 

 tenant of the 4th company is on the left of the front rank of the battalion ; all the other 2d 

 lieutenants are in the rank of commissioned iile-closers, (4 paces behind the rear rank,) in rear 

 of their respective platoons ; the non-commissioned officers are posted as i^rescribed for a detached 

 company. 



All the field music of the battalion is united, and posted 4 paces on the left of the adjutant ; 

 the hand is 4 paces on his right. On parade, all the music is on the right of the battalion. The 

 length of step is 29"; the rate of march 108 steps per minute, except in the bayonet charge, when 

 it is 120. The march is steady, but strikes one as being stiff and awkward ; for the foot is 

 raised very high, the toe much pointed, the knee much stiffened, and the foot brought down 

 with a shock; the noise thus made by a column is something quite extraordinary. 



The manual of arms presents nothing peculiar beyond the fact of bayonets never being 

 unfixed, and the method of loading the needle gun. The piece is very generally carried at a 

 slope arms, or a sergeant's carry. 



The minimum of target practice is, that each man must fire one shot every week ; but this 

 minimum is far exceeded. 



The individual carriage and instruction of the Prussian infantry is excellent. 



The formation into "company columns" — i. e., forming a third platoon of the men of the 

 third rank, for skirmishing and light infantry service — is employed, and does not difi"er in any 

 essential particular from the system explained in the report upon the Russian infantry. 



The chain of skirmishers consists of pairs of men. The system is full and good, but presents 

 nothing peculiar. 



The movements of a battalion, its formation in column, &c., are habitually by platoon. 



The battalion advancing in line, at the command "prepare to charge," the battalion at once 

 takes the gait of 120 steps per minute, the colors fall back into the front rank, the commander 

 rides to the rear; at 12 paces from the enemy he gives the command "charge bayonets — 

 charge," on which the front and centre ranks bring down their pieces, and all charge with the 

 "hurrah." 



In the close column the distance between subdivisions is 4', measured from the front rank of one 

 subdivision to the rear rank of the one next in front of it. 



The double column on the centre platoons is the column of attack, and the habitual column 

 of mancEuvre. In this the distances are as in close column, except that two paces clear distance 

 is left between the second and third subdivisions ; the music is in this distance. 



Square is formed from the double column on the centre. At the command "form square," 

 the 3d and 6th platoons close uj) to 2' from the 4th and 5th, the 1st and 8th do the same with 

 regard to the 2d and Tth ; the 4 rear platoons face about ; the color bearer retires to the centre 

 of the square; the three outer flank files of the 2d, 3d, 6th, and Yth jjlatoons face outwards, 

 these short sides of the squares being completed by officers, non-commissioned officers, and men 

 of the rear rank of the central platoons, formed 3 deep ; in the same manner the intervals 

 between the 4th and 5th, the 1st and 8th platoons are filled. If either of the short sides is 

 attacked, then the 3 flank files of the head and rear of the square, on that side, face in that 

 direction. 



The square being formed, the command "square — ready!" is given; upon this the front 

 rank men of all the faces charge bayonets, the 2d and 3d ranks come to a ready. 



