EEPORT OF CAPT. GEORGE B. RPCLELLAN. 159 



If the signal to lie down is given in broken and covered ground, the officers must see that 

 the men take the greatest advantage of the locality. 



The skirmishers must mutually support each other, concentrating their fire upon the points 

 where they can do most damage to the enemy, as, e. gr. , upon the officers, on masses of men, 

 on the men and horses with the artillery, upon the points we intend to attack, and in the 

 defence, upon points when the enemy presents himself in close order, such as causeways, 

 bridges, hollow ways, &c. 



The skirmishers must be impressed with the conviction that the artillery of the enemy can do 

 them no harm; that in forests, ravines, behind ditches, &c., cavalry cannot injure them; in 

 exposed positions they always have their own cavalry or infantry in close order to protect them. 



The men deployed as skirmishers must always be prepared to use the bayonet, especially 

 against single horsemen. 



Although it has been said above that skirmishers should move and act freely, they should 

 never lose their soldierly bearing. 



In skirmishing order the men are not permitted to converse ; all noise, clamor, and even 

 cheers, are strictly forbidden, unless special permission is given. 



The movements of skirmishers arc made either at the free step or the run. 



The order of battle, as skirmishers, consists of a chain of skirmishers, with a reserve in rear. 

 The chain consists of pairs of men at a certain interval apart; this interval will vary with 

 circumstances, but should never be greater than 15 paces. The intervals need not be equal, for 

 each pair must seek shelter; the different pairs may be as much as 10 paces in front or rear of 

 the general line. In each pair, the rear rank man is 2 paces to the right, and 3 in rear of his 

 front rank man, whether moving or at a halt. 



The duty of the chain is to weaken and harass the enemy by a well-aimed fire, and thus 

 prepare the way for a successful attack by the troops in close order, or to cover their movements. 



The reserve i'oUows the movements of the chain at the distance of from 80 to 150 paces, 

 availing itself of whatever cover the ground affords ; it may be employed for protecting the 

 flanks of the chain, or for turning those of the enemy. 



Commands to skirmishers are given by the voice as much as possible. In close order, the 

 active sJcirmishers are posted in the rear rank, 12 in each platoon, and on either flank; these 24 

 men, when ordered out as skirmishers, first form a platoon in 2 ranks, of whom one-half are 

 deployed, the rest forming the reserve. 



The reserve skirmishers are also in the rear rank, 12 in each platoon. 



Skirmishers rally in circles to resist cavalry. 



A company may be formed either in square or circle for the same jjurpose. When the line in 

 close order advances, the skirmishers frequently lie down, continue firing to the last moment 

 allow the line to pass over them, and then rise and take their places in the rear rank; the line 

 thus meeting the enemy in 3 ranks. 



SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION. 



The formation of tlie battalion, the posts of the officers, sergeants, &c., have already been 

 given. 



In PI. 3, figs. 1 and 2, are given the posts of the officers, sergeants, &c., in columns by 

 platoons and by sections. 



In PI. 3, figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, are given the formation of the difierent close columns 



