A squadron is formed in line facing c, if required to face A or B, it may be wheeled left or right as at present. But if required to face D, the command would be threes about, which movement is performed in an instant, instead of the present system of counter-marching. Having gone threes about, the squadron may be wheeled toward A or B, if necessary, or any lesser or greater angle.

A squadron in column of troops facing c, can be formed towards A or B by wheeling the troops left or right; towards c by moving up the rear troop to the left or right of the leading troop, as required; towards D by going threes about, the rear troop moving up as before. Line may be formed at any greater or lesser angle, by wheeling one troop the angle required, and forming the other on it: but this can be done to either flank, instead of only one, as at present.

A squadron in column of threes facing c, can be formed in line facing A or B, by going threes right or threes left. It can form line facing c, by moving up to the right or left of the leading threes, as required by word of command, viz. To the right of the front, form; or, To the left of the front, form. It can form line facing D by going threes about, and forming as before. Column of troops may evidently be formed in the same way, on the right or left of the leading threes of troops.

A squadron in file would form in the same way,

In formations to the rear, should the movement be more than a temporary one, the command would be given: "Officers to the present front," when all the officers would move into their proper positions. Movements in divisions are now very rarely used, but I would do away with them altogether, for there can be no position in which they are requisite.

In all the foregoing movements, there would be a very slight difference from the present words of command. An increased facility of movement is evidently attained, as line may be formed to the right or left of the leading threes, or leading troops. The required movements would of course be named; thus, in forming line, from column of troops: To the right of the front, form squadron; or, To the left of the front, form squadron. The rear troop would then go either right incline, or left incline, as ordered.

CHAP. XVIII.

MANŒUVRES OF A REGIMENT.

HAVING shown that the system is applicable to squadrons, I will proceed to apply it to regiments. To do this, I shall take the present book of regulations, and go through all the movements therein laid down, according to my system. It will be seen, that all now required, may be effected, with a greater degree of simplicity, and in much less time; whilst a much greater power of movement is obtained.

The book of regulations commences with movements from line the first movements being:

VII. By threes change posi- As at present. tion half right.

VIII. By threes change posi- As at present. tion half right back.

IX. Column of troops to the right.

X. Advance in column of
troops from the right.

XI. Column of troops from
the right, in succes-
sion by the rear.

XII. Advance in double column.

XIII. Form double column in rear of centre.

XIV. Column of troops in rear of the right.

XV. Close column on the second squadron right in front.

XVI. Countermarch on the centre.

XVII. Inverted line to the rear by the wheel about of troop.

XVIII. Advance in echellon from

As at present; but from column of troops line can be immediately again formed to either flank, by wheeling to the hand named.

As at present; with the preceding advantage.

No wheeling about necessary; each troop would go threes about in succession, then advance and wheel as at present. As at present; but double columns would lose many of their advantages.

As at present.

As at present.

As at present. By my plan, in all formations on any centre troops or squadrons, the present right of the line should always form the front of the column.

Quite unnecessary; as threes about would perform the same movement in an instant.

Also unnecessary: threes about as before.

As at present.

the right.