The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-03
MILITARY MATTERS.
A CHAPTER ON THE SCHOOL OF THE
BATTALION.
The Chickasaw Guards to Have Open
cir Drill Grounds-A State Encamp-
ment to Be Held Here-The zouaves
Getting Ready for Galveston.

The School of the Battalion forms the sub.
ject of this weeks installmcnt of amend
inents to Upton's tactics.
School of tho Battalon-0 of COM
panies in formation of battalion of in
fantry, etc.. When the battalion consists of
three companies the Captain third in rank
commands the right center, or color COM
pany, this being the second company in the
battalion. [Gen, Uptonl.
When the battalion consists OF five COM
panies, the General of the army has at diff
ferent times decided in substance as follows:
The Qniantry) Tactics, paragraph 365, pre-
scribe that the third Captain has the right
center or color company. This is an invari-
able aule. When the number of companies
are uneven, ms in q case cited, the same para
graph prescribes that the fourth Captain
commands the second company from the
left, as has IL, the third from the
left Besides the unmistakable plainness Of
the table on page 100 of the Tactics, il so
happens in this instance. there being five
companies the position of each is specific
ally pointed out IN the text
It will be observed that the table and the
text entirely agree.
A different arrangement may possibly be
and II is we'll known that the propriety Of
formation laid down in the Tactics is ques-
toned but until an authorized change is
made they must be explicitly followed.
[Letters A. G. o., October 3, 1882
Construction of the first five lines, top Of
page 15i, Infantry Tactics.-ln the absence
OF captain for few days only, his com
pany must remain in It's old place in the
line unless otherwise ordered by the COM
manding officer
Qucstion-when a battalion is composed
of fractions Of regiments are these fractions
arranged in line according TO the rank Of
captains actually with companies, field ofii-
GERS present at the post, or according TO the
rank Of the officer actually in command ON
the ground2
Answcr-According to the rank Of the
senior officer present in each fraction.
Circular No. ., U. $. Infantry and Cavalry
School, 1884,
When single battalion is made up of
fractions Of two or more regiments, there is
no interval between the companies, and they
are arranged as prescribed In the last clause
Of paragraph 365, page 1852, Infantry Tactics.
letter A. q. o., September 10, 1854
General rules for successive formations
Paragraph 1913, Infantry Tactics, describes
successive formation on tho center,
and therefore says; THE flank companies
support arms as soon as dressed
IL al! sgcccssi-c formations on . aars,
the company on which the formation Is
made will not be brought 10 the support un-
Ill the command front by the captain Of
the next company.
In forming line by two movements, the
companies which form b. the right or left
are brought TO the support as soon dressed.
except the one iarthcst from the point Of
rest which remains at the carry until
the command front by the captain OF the
company coming first into line by the sec
ond movement.
In forming line by two movements from
column OF f0urs, the guides OF that portion
Of the column which forms 10 the right or
left do not come on the line lIho above
decisions on general rules for successive
formations were rendered by Gen. Upton
In answer 10 questions submitted by Col X.
|. Dodge, u. S Al
In the formation Of the battalion (pago l57-
1853, Infantry Tacticsh the captain of the
right center company should bring his com.
pany TO a support as soon as the captains OF
the companies next 10 him In his and lett
| wing give the command front"
The junior captain gives his command
support arms, from his position In the rear
rank. letter A. q. o., July IL, lss2l
The general alignment prcrcribcd In para
graph 405, Infantry Tactics, IL not success.
| i've formation, therefore guides should not
inycrt pieces nor company commanders or
der Support arms" Decision Of Gen. Up
| ton
The following question 10 the Command
ing officer United States Infantry and Cav
airy school, was by him decided as follows:
Question-Pamgnph f2l, Infantry Tactics.
/ Ia forming the column OF four, left In front
on the right or left into lines, the Colonel
| desiring 10 commence firing by company,
| would Il be n violation Of the provisions OF
paragraph 8ss for the fire 10 be commenced
| by the first ON the liner
| Answcr-No II would probably be neces
sary IN q case of this kind 10 take up the FIR
ing Immediately and by company as soon nj
the guides retire. Paragraph 42l makes
special exception aud states that the fir
i shall begin with the company hrst on line
The guides Of companies that have changed
directions In forming line from column o
companies nt full distance by two move
ments do not inyert their pieces.
The guides Of companies Of double col
umn do not inycrt their pieces In forming
limo TO the right. The general rule lai,
down In paragraph S5i OF the Tactics obtain
only for those companies that execute th
movement successfully.