100 MILITARY COMMISSION TO EUROPE. 



ground to the left and front, at the charging gait, until the left file of the second platoon extends 

 to platoon distance to the left of the left flank of the reserve ; (this is done to cover the intervals 

 when several squadrons are formed in one line.) If it is the left half squadron which deploys, 

 then the left guide is the guide of the movement, and the right file extends to platoon distance 

 heyond the right file of the reserve. When the outer flank has extended sufficiently, the whole 

 line moves straight forward at a charge, the men using their pistols and sahres, not paying 

 attention to the alignment, but taking care to preserve sufficient intervals for a free use of their 

 weapons. At the signal lialt, they halt and dress on the centre, the rear rank placing them- 

 selves ten paces behind their front rank men. 



The skirmishers may be assembled either on the reserve or on the guide of the line ; in either 

 case it is at full speed ; and iu the first case the men fall in without regard to place, merely 

 endeavoring to get into the proper rank and platoon. The men are instructed in the charge in 

 open order, first at a walk, afterwards at a trot, gallop, and charge. 



ECHELONS. 



The squadron is exercised in advancing by echelons of half squadrons, the distance between 

 the echelons being at least equal to the front of a half squadron. The advance is by alternate 

 half squadrons, or occasionally by both advancing, in echelon, simultaneously. 



A retreat is always conducted by half squadrons, and at a walk, or trot. If the right half 

 squadron commences the movement, it wheels to the right about by platoons, moves about half 

 squadron distance to the rear, and again wheels by platoons to the right about ; on this, the 

 left half squadron wheels to the left about by platoons, moves squadron distance to the rear, 

 and then again wheels to the left about by platoons. The standard remains with the left half 

 squadron. 



SKIRMISHERS. 



The open order of battle is a chain of skirmishers, with a reserve in its rear. The purpose 

 of the chain of skirmishers is to watch the movements of the enemy, to weaken and harass him 

 by its fire, and thus to prepare the way for the success of the main body in close order, or else 

 to cover its movements 



The reserve is to support and reinforce the chain, and to serve as a rallying point for the 

 skirmishers ; it should therefore be in rear of the skirmishers, and follow their movements. 



Commanders of parties detailed as skirmishers will employ vocal commands iu preference to 

 the trumpet signals; the latter will be employed only when the skirmishers are already 

 deployed. 



To avoid the possibility of mistakes, commanders ordering their trumpeters to sound any 

 signal will always indicate it by its name, and not by its number. 



The Eussian system of instruction for mounted skirmishers gives in great detail the move- 

 ments for their deployment, advance, and retreat; change of direction and position; firing, 

 extending and closing intervals, assembly, relief, &c. 



If a platoon of 12 files is detailed for skirmishing duty, 6 files are deployed, and 6 are 

 detailed as a reserve. The commandant of the platoon, one of the guides, a file-closer, and a 

 trumpeter, accompany the skirmishers a little in rear of the line ; the other guide commands 

 the reserve, which he holds at 100 yards from the line of skirmishers. 



(Fl. 6, fig, 3.) When the line is halted, 'each rear rank man places himself so that his 



