REPORT OF CAPT. GEORGE H. jrCLELLAN. IGl 



ORDERS OF BATTLE AXD OF RESERVE, AND GENERAL COLUMNS. 



When troops are formed in order of battle, or in general column, the muskets and guns 

 should be loaded. 



An order of battle is an arrangement of troops which enables them to attack or defend them- 

 selves successfully. 



Infantry, with its artillery, may be formed in 4 orders of battle and 1 of reserve, (plates 7, 

 8, and 9. 



The orders of battle are named as follows : 



The first, or ordinary order of battle. 



The second, or close order of battle. 



The third, or extended order of battle. 



The fourth, or reinforced order of battle. 



Each order of battle usually consists of 2 lines of battle and a reserve. 



The 1st and 2d orders of battle are peculiarly fundamental; the large number of troops held 

 in reserve renders it possible, without changing the order of the lines of battle, to pass to any 

 other formation which circumstances may render necessary. 



The 3d order of battle is nothing but a modification, according to circumstances, of the 1st 

 or 2d, in which a part, or even the whole of the reserve, is employed to reinforce or extend the 

 lines of battle. 



The 4th order of battle is also a modification, according to circumstances, but with a different 

 object, of the 1st or 2d. Here the lines of battle are drawn closer together, and one half the 

 reserve is employed to strengthen the 2d line of battle. 



The employment of the difierent orders of battle will be more fully explained under the head 

 of their adaptation to the ground. 



General rules for the formation of the orders of battle from general column. — The orders of 

 battle may be formed either with or without the employment of markers. The order of reserve 

 is always formed with markers. 



If the order of battle is formed under fire of the enemy, then the positions of the battalions 

 and batteries of the 1st line cannot be occupied by the markers beforehand. In this case the 

 general commanding first establishes on the new line 1 or 2 battalions, and a part of the artil- 

 lery, in the desired direction, and then under cover of skirmishers places the rest of the troops 

 in position . The batteries first thrown into position to cover the formation of the infantry must 

 remain at their posts until the completion of the formation, although they are not opposite their 

 intervals ; they will move to their intervals by obliquing at a trot, when the line of battle first 

 advances or retreats. 



The orders of battle will always be formed by means of markers : a, when the troops are 

 taking up a position for bivouac; b, when forming out of range of the enemy's fire; and, 

 finally, c, when taking up a new position in rear of that first occupied, during movements in 

 retreat. 



In time of peace troops will occasionally be exercised in the formations without employing 

 markers. 



In general columns each battalion should be formed in double column on the centre platoon, 

 closed in mass; the batteries in columns by sections. 



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