_Eight_ hundred yards, again, must now be about the proper limit.
With the long range, “the skirmishers’ charge” and “single line” must become _the exception_, and advancing by “alternate ranks” _the general practice_.
Exposed to the long range, it would appear that supports will be often obliged to loosen into extended order.
600 yards may be the distance now proper for this sentence.
Now, on exposed ground, often in _single rank_: at the word “form single rank,” the rear rank men taking ground to the left, and dressing up into the front line half way between their own front rank man and the man on his left.
This file should be calculated by the flanks and centres of divisions, and not by total arithmetical numbers—also small odd portions of divisions, which may happen to fall into the general formation, must not be taken into account.
Or, of course, by the word “rallying squares” from officers in command.
Sounds.—“Alarm” to excite attention, followed by “assembly” for _regular squares_ on the supports, or by “assembly” and “double quick” for instantaneous “rallying squares.”
If this were true in the days of the musket, how much more must it now apply to cavalry charges made for one thousand yards under deadly discharges from the rifle! unless indeed artillery be brought against the squares with greatly increased powers of destruction.
A BRIEF SYSTEM OF COMMON LIGHT INFANTRY DRILL, ADAPTED TO THE LONG RANGE RIFLE.
1. The company or division of _about_ sixty men, is the _unit_ of extended Light Infantry, in the same manner as the battalion of about six hundred men, is the _unit_ of a large military force at close order. Every company, or portion of a company, acting as Light Infantry, is therefore kept in hand by its immediate commander.
2. Extensions from close to skirmishing order, are always from _the centre_ of the company or portion of the company, unless at the time otherwise ordered.
3. Closings from skirmishing to compact order are always to _the centre_, unless at the time otherwise ordered.
(In both of the foregoing cases the word “centre” is _usually uttered_, but the rules are necessary for the prevention of uncertainty in circumstances of rapidity.)
4. Extensions are in single files six paces apart, and firings are carried on by alternate ranks, front rank commencing. The front rank and rear rank man must never be unloaded together.