Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1917-09-13
MORE COMPANY DEVELOPMENTS.

When the company is in column of
squads, to form the skirmish line to
the front, the command would be, las
skirmishers, guide right Cleft or cen
teri, MARCHr If then marching, the
corporal of the base squad deployS it
and moves straight to the front; If at
a halt, he deploys it without advanc-
ing. If the guide be right QefO, the
other corporals move to the left (right)
front, and in succession from the base
place their squads on the line. If the
guide be center, the corporalS in front
of the center squad move to the right;
if at halt, to the rear. The corporals
in the rear of the center squad move
to the left front, and each, in success
sion from the base, places his squad on
the line
The company may also be deployed
in an oblique direction, whether in line
or in column of squads. The captain
points out the desired direction, and
the corporal of the base squad moves
in the direction indicated. The other
corporals, with their squads, conform.
To form the skirmish line to the flank
or rear, the line or column of squads
is turned by squads to the flank or
rear; it is then deployed as described.
The intervals between the men are in
creased or diminished as already de-
scribed in the school of the squad, al
though it may be necessary to add to
the preparatory command, "Guide
right Cleft or center)."
To assemble company deployed as
skirmishers, the captain either desig
mates or takes his post in front of the
element on which the company is to
assemble At the command, Assemble,
march, the. men move promptly
toward the designated point and the
company is reformed in line. If it is
to be assembled by platoons, the pla-
| toons are first conducted to the desig-
mated point by the platoon leaders, and
the company is reformed in line.
The platoons individually may be as
sembled by the command, "Platoons,
assembly, march, This is then exc
cuted by each platoon as described for
| the company. But it may also be de-
sired to assemble certain platoons, one
| or more, and this may be accomplished
by the command, "Such platoon( Isl
| that is 1.-The first and second pla-
| toons," or Lieutenant Blanks platoon"
| Assembly, march, The move
ment, as said above, is then executed
by the designated platoon or platoons
as described for the company.
| 1t must be admitted that deplOy-
| ments by the company are at first con-
fusing to the new soldier. But if he
attends strictly to his corporal, and re-
members his instruction in skirmish-
ing for the squad, he will have no diff
ficulty. All that devolves upon him
will be to do his individual share, and
this, in practically all cases, is confined
to what he has learned in the school
| of the squad. 1t is for his nOncOm-
missioned officers to handle the squad
in a way to conform with the rest of
the platoon or company. Nevertheless,
the new soldier-the intelligent Ameri-
can soldfer-wiu want to know why
he is called upon to execute certain
movements, as well as how to negoti-
| ate them. This he can readily learn
If, while performing his own duties to
\ the best of his ability, he keeps a close
eye upon the composite movement
| around him.