Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-10

advancing, his post is six PAGES in front of
the corporal Of the center squad.
The post of a lieutenant when at a halt,
is in rear of the center of his platoon,
three PAGES from the line of sergeants: adj
vancing, it is in front of the center of his
platoon on line with the captain.
To meet the varying conditions of fire
action officers vary freely from their pre-
scribed posts in rear of the line at halt
they may find it advisable to remain on the
line at the points where they have halted
or to go to and remain with different por-
lions of the line during the halt"
This allows commands to be replaced by
signals, and places the captain and his
ieutenantS where their signals can be
seen. The gait can readily be controlled,
since the line follows, and of necessity
takes the gait of the officers. Exposed
ground can be crossed at a run; sheltered
ground at a decreased gait thus avoiding
exhaustion of the men. Slight changes of
direction can readily be effected, since the
captain makes the desired changes in per-
son, and the line, dressing on the center.
quickly conforms to the change.
To take up the advance, the captain, first
blowing his whistle if firing is going on,
moves forward to his post in front of the
line; the leutenants seeing the captain
move forward, even though they have
failed to hear the whistle, know that the
advance is to be taken up; they therefore
blow their whistles and move forward at
the same time. There are then three points
in the front occupied by the company
where the signal to cease firing has been
the remaining portions of the line, and,
with the aid given by the sergeants. the
firing should promptly cease. The three
officers in front give the signal for the adj
vance. The very fact of their being in
front is a signal that is understood by all
who have been drilled in this method.
The captain, having reached a position
favorable for effective fire, gives the Sig
nal to halt; the lieutenants, moving slight
ly forward or backward to obtain favor
able ground for effective fire, also give the
ILL
the officers lie down and await the COM
mands for firing.
Increase of Eanger.
The increase of danger to officers from
being in advance. is more than counterbal
anced by the decrease in time they pass in
standing up, thus presenting large target
to the enemy, in preparing for and execut-
ing the advance by a less expeditions
method
This method follows very closely the
present custom in European armies.
THE company acting alone is in three
echelons-firing line. support and reserve.
THE captain, accompanied by the first
sergeant and musicians, takes post at such
central point as best enables him to super
wise and control the action of the entire
company.
It is observed that the company drills
then under two distinct Prescriptions:
First, tndL the company, dltlOuSi diohS, 10
presumed to be in battalion; second. that
the company drills as though actually
alone Or, as expressed in the third para
graph of Extended Order, School of the
Company, 1.-The following rules and cxer-
cises, to be applied usually by the COM
pany drilling alone, presume the company
to be an integral part Of a battalion. thus
allowing the company. to drill in such Tor
nations as will ordinarily fall to its lot In
battle"
A normal attack is prescribed. the object
of which is to perfect the: company In the
mechanism Of the drill and thus prepare it
to take up instruction on varied ground.
In the school of the battalion the ma
jors STAFF, except the adjutant. is habit
for At ceremonies, after performing the
duties laid down for him, sthe, adjutant
Joins the staff. This is believed to be an
he marched on the flank In passing in re-
View.
When but one stan Officer is present he -