The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-12
FOR ATTACK
MEN DO NOT GO INTO BATTLE
IN DENSE MASSES
The Popular Understanding as to
the Way Battle Is Fought In
General Is Far From the Truth
Actual Method Illustrated by an
Army Expert - In "EXtended
Line" the Approved Method.

Very few people, aside from those
who have stood up in the ranks of war
to fight, really comprehend the nature
of formation in line of battle. The
special artists on the spot" who have,
in the past, prepared so many thrilling
battle scenes for distribution as litho-
graphs and chromos, have proved
themselves about as innocent of actual
knowledge on the subject as the adj
miring and applauding victims of their
handicraft. AS an illustration of this,
since the revival of the war spirit,
highly colored Autograph has come to
adorn the windows of the print shops.
representing Gen. Sheridan on his
famous ride down the line at Cedar
creek. He is made to appear as dap
per young man with a genuine lady's
mans moustache, whereas Sheridan at
that time was possessed of beard and
a very full and ugly one at that.
1t is very rare, indeed, that men line
up for a battle in masses as they are
often made to appear. They arrange
themselves at the command extended
order" in one continuous line, each man
enjoying an abundance of elbow room
in which to operate. He obeys COM
mards to fire or to cease firing, to ad-
vance or to retreat.
At Gettysburg. for instance. the bat
tie was precipitated, so it is contended
by some, through the extended order"
of Sickles' division, which occupied the
left of Hancock Sickles discovered
that the Round Tops were exposed TO
capture by the Confederates, a fact
which had not yet been realized by
Gen. Meade. In order to reach out to
protect this important point, he ad-
vanced his line in extended order"
with a distance of several feet between
each man, until the line looked so thin
as to offer temptation to the enemy.
because it revealed weakness and in
sufficiency of troops, and they opened
fire, brought on the battle where it
was not intended to be started. and
nearly captured the Round Tops be-
fore Meade had time to get reinforce
ments to that part of the field to pro-
tect them.
BATTLE ORDER.
Men in extended" or battle or
der" are in a measure free agents. A
man may lie down or get in the bushes,
or crawl or kneel, or do anything to
protect himself-except turn and run
away. He is often called up to exercise
his Judgment, and the better judgment
he displays the better soldier he is
counted.
While the first line in "extended or
der" is doing it's work. another Hne
is 1,500 feet in the rear, serving as sup
port, and back of that 1890 feet, still
| in 'extended order" is the reserve line.
1t is a mistake, also, to suppose that
men fire their rifles at close range.
There are occasions when hand-to-hand
encounters occur; but with the use of
| the improved weapons Of today, from
| 800 to 500 yards ought to be as near
to one another as lines of battle of OPP
| posing forces would care to be, and
more effective work can be done in
that degree of proximity than within
closer range.
A treatise on the details of forma-
ton for attack, prepared by Col. w. H.
| PoyelI, of the Ninth United States in
fantry, has just made its appearance.
For a complete understanding of the
terms employed, it may be stated that
! where a squad is referred to it means
a detachment of eight nen:sa halftcom-
pany is a platoon; four companies com
| prise a battalion. while regiment
| consists of three battalions.
! FAVORITE FORMATION.
| Col. Powell says:
| The regiment may be formed in two or three
| lines. according to the nature of the att sck
| and the front to be occupied The maximum