REPORT OF CAPT. GEORGE B. M'CLELLAN. 101 



horse's head shall be 1 pace to the rear and right of the tail of the horse of his front rank 

 man ; the interval between the files depends upon circumstances. 



To fire at a halt. — No. 1 of the front rank, in each set of threes, advances 20 paces at a walk, 

 halts, turns his horse's left side obliquely towards the enemy, fires, and returns at a trot to the 

 place vacated by his rear rank man, who has in the mean time taken the front rank man's 

 original position. As soon as No. 1 has fired, the front rank No. 2, in each set of threes, 

 advances 20 paces, but does not fire until No. 1 has retaken his place in the line; when No. 3 

 has fired, in the same manner the rear rank No. 1 fires, &c. 



To fire advancing. — This is executed according to the same principles; the line continuing to 

 move forward at its original gait, while the men who are to fire advance by doubling the gait. 



To fire retreating. — The whole line halts, and faces the enemy; Nos. 1 of the front rank fire, 

 come to a right about, and retire at a walk, loading their pieces; as they pass their rear rank 

 men, the latter make a right about, and follow at 1 pace to the right rear of their front rank 

 men ; when they have retired 30 paces, each makes a right about, and halts, facing the enemy, 

 the rear rank men now nearest the enemy. 



As soon as Nos. 1 have executed this, Nos. 2 do the same; then Nos. 3; then the rear rank 

 Nos. 1 fire, and so the movement is continued. 



PI. 6, fig. 4, gives an example of the arrangement of 2 squadrons detailed as skirmishers 

 in front of a regiment of 6 squadrons ; in each of the 2 squadrons a half squadron is held in 

 reserve, the other platoons being deployed as already explained ; each of these platoons holds 

 one-half of its force in reserve. 



The chain of skirmishers should always be continuous, unless there is artillery in rear of it ; 

 it should overlap the body it covers about 20 paces on each flank, and have its own flanks some- 

 what thrown back. 



When it becomes necessary to dismount parties of cavalry for the purpose of liolding or 

 carrying some post, Nos. 2 of each rank remain mounted, and hold the horses of Nos. 1 and 3. 



Lancers are not dismounted if it can be avoided ; but if it is necessary, then only one-half 

 the men dismount, and place their lances in the left stirrup boots of the men remaining 

 mounted, who pass the sling over the left arm. 



In actual service, the officers and non-commissioned oflicers must watch, that, when the signal 

 to commence firing is given, only those men fire who see the enemy within suitable range. To 

 prevent accidents, the men should never cock their pieces until their turn to fire arrives. 

 Officers and sergeants with the chain and reserves carry sabres. Whilst dispersing, the 

 sergeants and men charge sabres, or lances; but at the command halt, both ranks rest lances, 

 or drop sabres, (allowing them to hang from the wrist by the sabre knot,) and advance carbine 

 or raise pistol. 



THE COLUMN OF ATTACK. 



Before passing to the school of the regiment, it is necessary to explain the column of attack. 

 It must first be stated that in the Kussian cavalry 2 squadrons form a division, commanded by 

 a field officer; each division in a cavalry regiment partially corresponding to a battalion in an 

 infantry regiment in a tactical sense ; in line, the interval between the 2 squadrons of a division 

 is the front of a platoon. The column of attack (so called) is, in fact, a column of manoeuvre, 

 and is nothing more than a division formed in double column on the centre by half squadrons 

 at platoon distance, thus : the 4th platoon of the 1st squadron and the 1st platoon of the 2d 



