108 MILITARY COMMISSION TO EUEOPE. 



ECHELONS. 



The formation of and movements by eclielous are executed as in the school of the regiment, 

 with the following modifications : 



(PL 14, fig. 1.) In a line of considerable extent, one part may break by echelons while the 

 other part remains in line; in this case the movement begins at one of the flanks, and is arrested 

 by the command — halt. 



Echelons may be ibrmed on an interior j^art of the line, in which case that part is designated 

 as that of direction ; the following movements may thus be executed: (1,) one flank of the line 

 may break by echelons to the front, and the other to the rear ; (2,) both flanks may break to the 

 front, or both to the rear ; (3,) the subdivision of direction may commence the movement, by 

 breaking to the front or rear. 



In the first two cases the subdivision of direction stands fast, in the last case it commences the 

 movement ; all these movements are executed as prescribed in the school of the regiment. During 

 movements by echelons, the 2d line of ten squadron regiments conforms to what will hereafter 

 be laid down for the second line. Line is formed from echelons according to the principles of 

 the school of the regiment. 



THE ADVANCE AND RETREAT BY ALTERNATE HALF SQUADRONS, SQUADRONS, AND DIVISIONS. 



This is executed as prescribed in the school of the regiment, with the following modifications : 

 if the movement is ordered to be commenced by the right, and by divisions, (of two squadrons,) 

 then, in six and eight squadron regiments, the 1st and 3d divisions of the 1st regiment, and 2d 

 division of the 2d regiment of each brigade, commence the movement ; if it is directed to be 

 commenced by the left, the 2d division of the 1st regiment, and the 1st and 3d divisions of the 2d 

 regiment, commence the movement. If the order to advance by alternate subdivisions is given 

 while the line is on the march, the subdivisions which are to commence the movement continue 

 marching at the original gait, but the others halt ; if, under the same circumstances, a retreat 

 is to be executed, the subdivisions which are to commence the movement at once wheel about at 

 the original gait, the others halt. 



TO CHANGE FRONT. 



In changes of front the general rule is : the regiment of direction changes front by the rules 

 laid down in the school of the regiment ; the others form columns of attack, which move by the 

 shortest lines upon the positions marked by their principal guides. 



If, in a single brigade, the preparatory command is prefaced by the words — " hy squadrons," 

 each regiment executes the movement according to the school of the regiment, neither forming 

 columns of attack. 



If the flank squadron of any brigade or division is the squadron of direction, the contiguous 

 regiment of the next brigade or division may change front according to the school of the 

 regiment. In a line of great extent, all the regiments may be first formed into columns of 

 attack, and the change of front then executed. 



OF THE FORMATION OF COLUMNS. 



General rules. — Columns with full distance are formed according to the school of the regiment. 

 Columns with less than full distance are formed like close columns. The principles of the 



