REPORT OF CAPT. GEORGE B. SPCLELLAN. 97 



TO MOUNT AND DISMOUNT THE SQUADRON. 



To mount, tlie squadron is formed with closed ranks, all the officers dismounted except the 

 commander of the squadron. PL 4, fig. 1, shows the positions of all persons, hoth in mounting 

 and dismounting ; the principles already explained in the school of the platoon are observed in 

 this case. 



OF VOCAL COMMANDS. 



These are of two kinds : those of preparation, and those of execution. 



The first are uttered slowly, every syllable being clearly pronounced ; the latter are uttered 

 briefly and abruptly. 



The commander should modulate his voice in proportion to the number of men who are to 

 execute the command, so that every word may be heard. In the text, the tonic accent (1) is 

 placed over the syllables that are to be accented and uttered slowly ; the hyphen (-) indicates 

 the passage from the preparatory to the executive command. 



Commands indicating the gaits are always given with the cautionary command, and before the 

 word — march. 



The commanding ofiicer should always designate the gait. 



PRINCIPAL GUIDES. 



Sergeants Nos. 6, 9, and 12, are the principal guides of the squadron ; all the sergeants 

 should, however, be instructed in the duties of principal guides, that they may be able to fulfil 

 them in case of necessity. 



PL 5, fig. 4, shows the positions of the principal guides in the alignment of a squadron, to 

 the right, by platoons. 



In mounted squadrons the men are arranged, according to the height of men and horses, from 

 right to left in the right half-squadron, and from left to right in the left half-squadron. 



The front rank is composed of the men who are the best looking, best riders, and most prompt, 

 with, as far as possible, the best and most thoroughly trained horses. Prompt and well- 

 instructed men, with the best horses, are placed on the flanks of platoons and threes. 



SQUADRON WITH OPENED RANKS 



The ranks may be opened, either by causing the front rank to move forward, or the rear rank 

 to rein back. 



PL 5, fig. 5, shows the formation of the squadron with open ranks ; the commandants of 

 platoons, facing the squadron, are six paces from the front rank ; the ranks six paces apart ; the 

 file-closers six paces behind the rear rank. 



Columns by files, twos, threes, and sixes, are formed and broken as prescribed in the school 

 of the platoon. 



The front of the column may be increased either in all the platoons at the same time or, 

 beginning with the head of the column, by the diiferent platoons in succession. The front of 

 the column is decreased always by the platoons in succession. 



When the squadron is in line, to break it, by the right, by platoons to the front, the 1st 

 platoon marches straight to the front, all the others wheel to the right on a fixed pivot ; the 2d 

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