KEPORT OF CAPT. GEORGE B. irCLELLAN. 99 



OF ATTACKING. — THE ATTACK^ OR CHARGE, IN CLOSE ORDER. 



The general rules for executing a charge in close order are the same as for an advance in 

 line. 



The command of execution for a charge is march, march. 



At tliis command the officers and the front rank charge sahre. 



During a charge all commands, after that oi march, march, are repeated by the commandants 

 of platoons. 



A charge should not extend over more than eighty paces ; the nearer a regiment of cavalry 

 can approach the enemy at a trot the more violent will he the shock ; but the further from the 

 enemy the command march, march, is given the weaker will be the shock, and the greater the 

 disorder among the horses. In order to save the horses, they should, if j)ossible, before halting 

 them after a charge, be brought down to a trot. 



The charge is first taught by platoon, and afterwards by squadron. To execute the charge 

 by platoon, the squadron commander places himself 300 paces in front of the squadron, and 

 directs the commandant of the first platoon to execute the charge ; this officer moves his platoon 

 fifty paces at a walk, then 100 at a trot, fifty at a gallop, charges eighty j^aces, and halts his 

 platoon abreast of the captain. The charge by squadron is executed in a similar manner, the 

 captain leading the charge. 



At the command trot, or loalh, after the charge, the officers and the front rank carry sabres. 



The troops are also taught to charge directly from a halt. During the charge, at the com- 

 mand march, march, the standard bearer falls back into the line of file-closers, the assistant 

 behind him ; at the command halt, they resume their places in line. During the charge, the 

 rear rank men are to cover their file leaders, and neither crowd up on them nor fall back. 



THE CHARGE IN OPEN ORDER. 



This is effected by one half squadron. (PI. 6, fig. 2.) 



In open order the half squadron is formed in two ranks, and occupies a front equal to that of 

 five platoons in close order. When deployed in open order the officers and sergeants are posted 

 as follows : the commander of the squadron always follows the movements of the half squadron 

 detailed for duty in open order, and places himself where he deems necessary, having a 

 trumpeter with him ; if there is an officer with the squadron as file-closer, he accompanies the 

 squadron commander, to carry his orders ; the commandants of platoons are in the front rank ; 

 the sergeants are in their usual places, except that the file-closers are ten paces behind the rear 

 rank. Tlie other half squadron constitutes a reserve, and holds itself at 150 paces in rear of 

 the line, deployed in open order ; it never retires without special orders. The standard remains 

 with the reserve. 



For the charge in open order the signal "attack" is sounded, and then " disperse." If the 

 charge is to be made from a halt, then at the first signal the designated half squadron moves 

 forward at a trot, and at the second signal the commander orders disperse; if the squadron is on 

 the march when the first signal is sounded, the attacking half squadron continues moving at the 

 original gait, while the reserve halts. At the command disperse the men charge sabres and 

 disperse as follows : if it is the right half squadron which is to disperse, the right guide is the 

 guide of the movement, and moves straight forward at a hand gallop ; the rest of the men gain 



