the right, filjc.from their left flanks, and pro- 
ceed to place themselves behind the sixth 
company ; while the two companies of the 
left, file from their right flanks towards the 
front, and cover. Our readers will per- 
ceive, that this is on the same principle as 
the change of front already described ; in 
fact, the formation of a column is tanta- 
mount thereto ; it being obvious, that the 
one unavoidably prepares for the other. In 
this we suppose the operation to be done 
in a proper manner; for a column may be 
easily formed, having its flanks reversed, so 
that, when ordered to wheel up into line, 
the flanks of companies will all be mis- 
placed ; tliis is called, “ clubbing a batta- 
lion,*’ meaning, that it is thrown into a state 
of confusion. 
The column ma}’, with great advantage, 
be formed from the centre of a battalion, 
the colours moving forward, supported by 
the two adjunct companies, the residue of 
each wing facing inwards, and following its 
respective leading company. Thus the 
whole will exhibit a column of grand divi- 
sions, each of which is formed ota company 
from either wing. Ifhcn the column is to 
be of only one company in width, the re- 
serve leads off with the colours, and the 
companies of either wing follow alternate- 
ly ; in this manner the ten companies will 
all be separated. To form the line from 
such a column, it is usual either to face the 
whole outward, excepting the leading divi- 
sion, and causing each to move out direct 
to the direct parallel of its place in line, or- 
der them respectively to front, and move 
up in sncccssion : or upon the whole facing 
outward, they may be led by files to their 
several stations. MTicn the column is in 
narrow bounds, from w.hich it cannot de- 
ploy (or unfold) in either of the above 
modes, the centre must halt, or step short, 
while the several divisions close np thereto, 
and then wheel, or face, to the right and left, 
according to the wings they may belong to, 
and countermarch along the rear until they 
arrive opposite to their respective stations 
in line. Fig. 15, shows the deploy from a 
column of grand divisions ; the companies 
of the right wing proceeding straight for- 
ward to their parallels ; the companies of 
the left wing leading by files into line. 
Fig. 16, shows a column of companies alter- 
nately from the right and left wings; the 
right wing making a half wheel into e^hcllon 
of whole companies, which as they arrive at 
the point d’appui dress np into line ; the 
companies of the left wing not having 
space for deploying, move up nearly to the 
rear of the centre, wheel to left, connter- 
tnarch along the rear of those divisions 
which precede them respectively, and ar- 
riving at the point d'appui, wheel to the 
right into line. 
Hie column of grand divisions cannot al- 
ways proceed ; otherwise it would be by 
far the most eligible for the march of single 
battalions, in situations where the enemy’s 
cavalry might make an attack ; the grand 
divisions should all close up to half dis- 
tance, so that w'hen ordered to wheel np 
and form the square, they might leave no 
gap in either of the flank faces ; the two 
rear companies moving up to the spot on 
which the grand division immediately pre- 
ceding them wheeled off, right and left ; 
the front companies, halting daring the- 
wheel, and closing up to the centre as the 
reserve, with the colours, passes into their 
rear. When there are guqs with a bat- 
talion, they move on such occasion to the 
angles mo.st liable to be attacked ; four 
pieces of cannon are needful to render a 
square perfectly safe; but, for their accom- 
modation, it will be necessary for each 
face to move forward seven paces ; where- 
by the interior of the square will be greatly 
increased, and space given for ihe cannon 
to be served at the angles ; this evolution 
is exhibited under fig. 17. 
The column cn pofcnce, that is in form of 
a gibbet, is peculiarly deceptive; espe- 
cially when that column is a close one, 
havingno intervals between the companies ; 
in this the whole form one solid mass. If 
discovered, the enemy will certainly direct 
their artillery towards it; thereby doing 
great execution. The great object of tliis 
formation is to push forward a strong force 
against some particular point, so as to bear 
down whatever opposes it, or suddenly to 
form a flank where a charge of cavalry is 
expected ; in the latter case, the rear divi- 
sion of the column halts until there i.s space 
enough for it to wheel, (to the right, if to 
secure the right flank) and, as each division 
does the same in succession, it is evident a 
line is formed, at right angles with the 
front line, which keeps moving on until all 
the divisions of the column have wheeled. 
We have shown, in fig. 18, how this is done 
on tlie right flank ; while on the left we 
have shown an eghellon flank, which moves 
with more ease than the close column, 
and is not subject to so much mischief 
from the enemy’s artillery ; but this is not 
so deceptive ; however it affords the ad- 
