REPORT OF CAPT. GEORGE B. M"^CLELLAN. 153 



fifty-six to eighty-four files it is divided into four jDlatoons ; if from 84 to 112 files, into six 

 platoons ; if of more than 112 files, into eight platoons. 



Battalions of three companies are divided into six platoons, unless they contain less than 

 eighty-four files, when they are divided into four platoons. The best drilled men are placed, in 

 preference, on the flanks of platoons, half platoons, and sections, then in the front rank ; but 

 the rule with regard to size must be violated as little and as imperceptibly as possible. 



The ranks are twenty-eight inches apart, measured from heel to heel. 



The interval between battalions of the same regiment is twenty paces. 



The pace, when used as a measure in the infantry service, is two and a half feet, (30".) 



POSTS OF THE OFFICERS. 



(Plate 2.) The colonel, mounted, is from fifty to sixty paces in front of the centre of the 

 regiment. 



The commanders of the battalions are thirty paces in front of the centres of their respective 

 battalions. 



The battalion adjutant is on the right flank of the battalion, on the right of the field music ; 

 the junior field officer on the right of the battalion adjutant ; the officer detailed as marker is on 

 the right of the junior field officer of the first battalion ; the regimental adjutant on the right of 

 the marker ; all these officers are mounted. 



In every battalion the officers are assigned to platoons as follows : 



The 1st platoon is commanded by the captain of the grenadier company. 



The 2d " " 1st lieut. " 1st " 



The 3d " " captain " " " 



The 4th " " 1st lieut. " 2d " 



The 5th " " captain " " " 



The 6th " " 1st lieut. " 3d " 



The 7th " " captain " " " 



The 8th " " 1st lieut. " grenadier " 



The commanders of the first T platoons are posted on the right of the front rank of their 

 platoons ; the commander of the 5th platoon separates his platoon from the color guard ; the 

 commander of the 8th platoon is on the left of its front rank, the next officer (the 2d lieutenant 

 of the grenadier company) on the right of its front rank. 



The commander of the 1st platoon of each division commands the division ; the rest of the 

 officers are posted, as file-closers, two paces in rear of the rank of non-commissioned file-closers. 



POSTS OF THE SERGEANTS. 



The sergeants remain with their companies, but the number may be equalized among the 

 platoons. 



In battalions of 8 platoons, when there are 25 or more files in each platoon, there must be at 

 least 67 sergeants ; if the platoons have less than 25 files there must not be less than 59 sergeants. 



Any deficiency in the number of sergeants is made up by detailing the senior corporals as 

 acting sergeants. 



The sergeants are posted as follows : 



1 as color bearer. 



5 color sergeants. 



yo ® 



