THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
441 
(4) Never to attack on the front alone, but at the same time on one or 
both flanks. 
The most weighty of these principles is the first, for it requires fire to 
be resorted to at every opportunity, and to be kept up as long as possible. 
This fire should at the commencement be developed with extreme economy 
and in an extended order, afterwards in the same order, but with the intro¬ 
duction of nearly all the supports, and lastly, the whole division in close 
order. 
The most customary formation for such a sustained musketry combat is 
the company column , which consists of three subdivisions standing one behind 
the other, namely, the two subdivisions into which each company is divided, 
and the skirmishing subdivision formed from the third rank of these two. 
Where one battalion is employed (consisting always of four companies), 
the company colums are generally so ordered that one stands in the first 
line, one in the second, and one in the third. 
Disposition of an Infantry Brigade for action .— The attach with the 
Bayonet . 
In the case of a brigade the first Line* stands in company columns, the 
second in battalion columns; in front of the first Line* is the so-called 
advanced Line in two lines and in a loose order. 
Into this advanced Line either the skirmisher subdivisions! of the whole 
first Line or the entire fusilier battalion, namely, that of the second Line 
are generally drawn. 
The advanced line begins the action, in the course of which it is constantly 
reinforced by more men from the rear. Less than one section (4-6 files) 
from each battalion should never be left in the second Line of the advanced 
Line of battle. 
Tor the maintenance of the fire of the first Line, particularly before a 
bayonet attack, the divisions standing in close order in the second Line move 
up to the first and deliver volleys over the heads of the men engaged in the 
first Line who kneel or lie down. The two Lines move forward simultaneously 
to the bayonet attack, till the first reaches the chain of skirmishers, when it 
breaks into a quicker time whilst the second continues its advance at its 
previous pace. At a short distance from the enemy the two leading ranks 
of all columns of the first line bring their bayonets to the charge and attack 
the enemy at a run. When the attack is successful, all the leading sub¬ 
divisions of the columns of attack of the first line deliver one or more volleys, 
after which the skirmisher subdivisions advance again to follow the enemy 
up. When the attack is repulsed, the first line half-cock their arms, face 
about, and retreat. If the attack has had no definite result, but has only 
brought on a standing musketry engagement, this must be nourished by the 
* Treffen, here rendered line, has no equivalent in English, unless line in a technical sense may 
he so considered. 
f Schutzeuzuge ; these are subdivisions formed from the third rank of infantry companies 
and equal one-third of a company. 
