154 MILITARY COMMISSION TO EUROPK. 



1 sergeant separates the color files from the 4tli platoon . 



3 markers, whose posts and duties will be given hereafter. 



l(j right and left guides of platoons ; of these, 9 stand in the rear rank and cover the officers 

 posted in the front rank ; the remaining 7 left guides are in the rank of file-closers, behind the 

 left files of their respective platoons. 



16 sergeants, called aligners, whose duty it is to mark the positions of the flanks of the platoons 

 in new formations, are posted behind the second files from the flanks of each platoon ; as far as 

 regards the posting of these sergeants, the color guard is not regarded as belonging either to 

 the 4th or 5th platoon ; the rest of the sergeants are posted in the rank of file-closers at equal 

 intervals apart. Among this number are : 1, the orderly sergeants, who are the 2nd file-closers 

 from the right of the platoons, commanded by their captains ; 2, the reserve and vice markers, 

 (for whom, see under the head of markers,) who are also posted as file-closers. 

 The non-commissioned file-closers are two paces behind the rear rank. 



THE COLOR GUARD. 



This consists of 6 color sergeants and 4 color files, (12 men.) The color sergeants are selected 

 from among those of the battalion who are most rigid in the performance of their duty, and who 

 have the greatest regularity in marching ; they are selected of the same height as much as 

 possible. 



The honor of bearing the color is reserved for the sergeant who has performed the most 

 meritorious services, choosing, if possible, one who is decorated. The color sergeants are formed 

 in 2 ranks — the color bearer and 2 sergeants (one on each side of him) in the front rank, the 

 remaining 3 in the rear rank ; as will be seen under the head of markers, the centre rank is filled 

 by 3 sergeants, who are markers. 



The color sergeants are posted iii the centre of the battalion between the color files, and belong 

 to the 5th platoon, with which they execute all the movements. 



The sergeant covering the color bearer in the rear rank is called the assistant. Ensigns may 

 be detailed as assistants if sufficiently well drilled. 



Two color files are placed on each side of the color sergeants ; they are separated from the 4th 

 platoon by a sergeant, but are alongside of the commander of the 5th platoon. 



In battalions of 6 platoons the color sergeants and files are as just explained ; in battalions of 

 4 platoons the color files are as before, but there are only 4 color sergeants, of whom 1 is color 

 bearer, another on his left, the remaining 2 in the rear rank. 



Every battalion has a color. 



MARKERS. 



As markers there are selected adroit, active, and intelligent sergeants and privates, in prefer- 

 ence those who can read and write. The rules observed in the choice of color sergeants also 

 apply to the markers. There should be 8 markers in each battalion, i. e., 2 for each comjjany, 

 of whom 1 is a sergeant, the other a private ; the privates are called vice markers. Of the 4 

 sergeants 3 have guidons, but the 4th, called the reserve marker, has none. Those with guidon's 

 cover the color sergeants in the centre rank ; they wear no knapsacks, and carry the guidons 

 staff in the muzzle of their muskets. The three markers with guidons are numbered as 1, 2, and 

 3, from right to left ; No. 1 marks the new position of the right flank of the battalion, No. 2 

 the centre. No. 3 the left flank ; if the battalion is in column they are similiarly employed in 

 marking the new position of the head of the column. 



