Rifle and Light Infantry Tactics by W J Hardee, Rules for the Management and Cleaning of the Rifle Musket by Springfield Armoury & Infantry Tactics, for the Instruction, Exercise, and Manoeuvres of the Soldier by Silas Casey
This book will be of particular interest to all those who study the American Civil War, since it details, using text and diagrams, the drills of the ordinary infantryman on both sides of the conflict. The book confines itself to the drills of the foot soldier, as they appear in the W J Hardee and Silas Casey texts. There are, to be clear, few differences between these drills, but this makes the book authentically useful from a Confederate and Union Army perspective, as these procedures were applied throughout the war. Containing illustrations original to each edition, this text has been enhanced by the inclusion of the management and cleaning guide for the 1863 pattern Springfield Rifle Musket which includes useful and interesting illustrations of the component parts of the weapon. This is a useful book for modellers, wargamers, reenactors, television and film companies, professional and amateur theatrical companies, and for parades and other events.
Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.
Formation of Infantry in Order of Battle.
1. In the formations of Infantry, a Brigade of the line will constitute the unit, and in every line of battle composed of more than one of these brigades, they will be posted from right to left, in the order of their numbers.
2. A similar disposition will be made of the regiments in a brigade.
3. In all exercises, manoeuvres, and evolutions, every regiment of ten companies will take the denomination of battalion, and all the battalions in the same brigade will be designated, from right to left, first battalion, second battalion, &c., &c. By these designations they will be known in the evolutions.
4. The interval between every two contiguous battalions in the same brigade will be twenty-two paces, and the interval between every two contiguous brigades will habitually be one hundred and fifty paces.
5. A less number of battalions than four will habitually be formed in one line of battle, but when it is thought expedient to form the brigade in two lines, the third and fourth battalions will be respectively posted in rear of the first and second battalions. The battalions of the first line will either be deployed, or in column at half distance, or closed in mass. The battalions of the second line will always be drawn up in column, either simple or double, at half distance or closed in mass, and posted for tactical instruction, one hundred and fifty paces in rear of the first line, counting from the front rank of the first, to the front rank of the second line. The battalions of the second line will be posted so that a line passing through their colours and those of the battalions of the first line respectively (whether deployed or in column) shall always be perpendicular to the line of battle. In presence of the enemy the distance between the lines will depend upon circumstances; in general, the second line should not be much exposed to the enemy’s fire.
6. A regiment is composed of ten companies, which will be habitually posted from right to left in the following order: First, sixth, fourth, ninth, third, eighth, fifth, tenth, seventh, second, according to the rank of the captains.
7. With a less number of battalion companies, the same principle will be observed, viz.; the first captain will command the right company, the second captain the left company, the third captain the right centre company, and so on.
8. The companies thus posted will be designated from right to left, first company, second company, &c. This designation will he observed in the manoeuvres.
0-9. The other two companies, to be designated from time to time by the colonel, will be called the companies of skirmishers. The first company will habitually be posted thirty paces in rear of the file closers of the first, and the second thirty paces in rear of the file closers of the last battalion company.
0-10. Should the number of the regimental companies present, other than the companies of skirmishers, be less than eight, but one will be designated as skirmishers, to be in rear of the first or last battalion company, or divided into platoons, the first platoon in rear of the first, and the second in rear of the last battalion company, as the colonel may direct.
11. The first two battalion companies on the right, whatever their denomination, will form the first division; the next two companies the second division, and so on to the left.
12. Each company will be divided into two equal parts, which will be designated as the first and second platoon, counting from the right; and each platoon, in like manner, will be subdivided into two sections.
13. In all exercises and manoeuvres, every regiment, or part of a regiment, composed of two or more companies, will be designated as a battalion.
14, The colour, with a guard to be hereinafter designated, will be posted on the left of the right centre battalion company. That company, and all on its right, will be denominated the right wing of the battalion; the remaining companies the left wing.
15. The formation of a regiment is in two ranks; and each company will be formed into two ranks, in the following manner: the corporals will be posted in the front rank, and on the right and left of platoons, according to height; the tallest corporal and the tallest man will form the first file, the next two tallest men will form the second file, and so on to the last file, which will be composed of the shortest corporal and the shortest man.
16. The odd and even files, numbered as one, two, in the company, from right to left, will form groups of four men, who will be designated comrades in battle.
17. The distance from one rank to another will be thirteen inches, measured from the breasts of the rear rank men to the backs or knapsacks of the front rank men.
18. For manoeuvring, the companies of a battalion will always be equalized, by transferring men from the strongest to the weakest companies.