Bodies of cavalry of considerable size should not form part of the same column with foot troops, except in clearly necessary cases. The difference in the rate of marching is very tiresome to cavalry and tends to produce sore backs.

210. The led horses and the prescribed vehicles or pack animals constitute the train of the troops. It is divided into the light train, which is required by the troops during an action, and the regimental train, which is not utilized until the command goes into camp or bivouac.

211. The rations, forage, and material of war consumed by the troops are replaced by drawing from supply trains. The ammunition columns, one for each of the three divisions and one as a corps reserve, are in charge of trained officers and men.

The provision columns, horse depots, etc., generally remain at a safe distance in rear and form a distinct column, or move in a succession of separate columns.

ORDER OF MARCH.

212. Protection for columns on the march is provided by the cavalry, the advance guards, flank guards, and rear guards assigned to such duty.

The other elements of the column march in the order demanded by the tactical situation.

213. The artillery as a rule should be well up toward the head of the column, so that its entrance into action may be expedited. However, for reasons of security, it should not form the leading element of the column; also, the arrival of the infantry must not be delayed by too large a mass of artillery near the head.

In the march of a corps on a single road the batteries of the leading division which are not with the advance guard would ordinarily be well placed behind the leading regiment of the main body; the corps artillery in rear of the leading division, and the batteries of the other divisions in rear of their leading brigades.

If all the batteries of the first division be in the advance guard, then the corps artillery may be pushed up nearer to the head of the column. In a strategical pursuit, if there is good opportunity for its employment, for example, in forcing a crossing or to intercept the enemy's march, the bulk of the artillery may be placed near the head of the main body. On the other hand, while marching through long defiles or dense forests, and on night marches, it might be placed at the end of the column.

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In smaller commands similar principles apply, except that columns not larger than a brigade seldom have artillery with the advance guard.

214. The order of brigades in the division, regiments in the brigade, battalions or squadrons in the regiment, and companies, troops, or batteries in the battalion, squadron, or group, should change in a column on the march from day to day, the unit at the head of the column one day taking its place at the rear the next day, and so on.

The commanding officer will make such changes in this system as he may deem necessary, in order to avoid fatigue, or for other sufficient reasons.

215. Every body of troops is accompanied by its light train, which marches at the rear of the unit to which it belongs. However, it may be desirable to have the ammunition wagons assembled at the rear of larger units, for example, the regiment, brigade, or advance guard.

On ordinary marches the regimental trains, each under a quartermaster, assembled and arranged in the order of march of the troops, march in rear of the whole column of troops under the orders of the chief quartermaster of the command. At the end of each day's march the trains will join the troops to which they belong.

When contact with the enemy is expected, the assembled regimental trains march at sufficient distance in rear, or in advance in a retrograde movement, to avoid incurring danger or hampering the operations.

When two or more divisions march on the same road the disposition of the trains will vary according to circumstances. To have each division followed by all its trains, is an arrangement not to be expected, except when there is no danger of encountering the enemy. Usually, in campaign, in order that a portion of the supplies may be of easy access, the whole of the trains is divided into two parts. The components of the first part may march in rear of their divisions, but oftener at a distance of about seven miles in rear of the column. The second part is kept further to the rear, and may be directed to go into park and await orders.

When an engagement is confidently expected, some of the sections of the ammunition columns must be near enough to the troops to be able to replenish the supply of ammunition during and immediately after an engagement. One of the field hospitals for each division should also be close at hand, if possible ahead of the ammunition sections.

The regimental trains are not brought up until after the close of the engagement.

216. The different units of the column, in the trains as well as in the troops, are separated at the start by distances prescribed by regulations or by the commander. These distances are temporarily increased or diminished according to circumstances, thus facilitating uniform progress without checks, and with a continual tendency to gradual resumption of normal distances.

217. When columns of troops are to be placed on the road their departure will, as a rule, not be preceded by a general assembly and formation of the command.

When the troops occupy quarters, camps, or bivouacs at some distance from the road to be followed, the column is formed by the successive arrival of the elements at an initial point. The commander fixes the initial point after considering the position of the troops and the roads by which they can join the column; as a rule it will be located in the direction of the proposed march. He also prescribes the hour at which the elements shall pass the initial point and, if necessary, the routes to be followed in reaching it. He may designate special initial points for bodies of troops which would be spared needless detours thereby.

The commanders of subordinate units examine the route to be followed, calculate the time required, and fix the start of their commands accordingly. They may designate intermediate initial points. In each case the initial point should be of easy access, consequently it should not be placed at the exit of a defile, village, or forest.

When the troops are located along or near the road to be followed, the column is formed by starting the large units at a suitable time. The commander prescribes the hour of departure for the principal elements, and subordinate commanders issue corresponding instructions to the fractions under their orders.

When troops march in parallel columns, sections of the country may be assigned in which the roads and resources shall be reserved to their exclusive use.

218. On the march the troops will, as far as practicable, keep to the right side of the road, leaving the left free for circulation. When the roads are narrow, space should still be given for single mounted men to pass freely up or down the column. When the roads are soft with mud or deep with sand, it may be advisable to divide the

column longitudinally, thus permitting men and animals to pick their way with better footing and leaving the middle of the road clear. The suffering from heat and dust may also be materially reduced by this method. But, whatever the widening of the column thus produced, increase of length of the road space occupied by any unit should not be permitted, as this would lead to straggling and lengthening of the column.

219. Infantry will usually march in column of fours-column of twos when necessary; cavalry in column of fours on good roads or when compact formation is desirable, otherwise in column of twos; artillery in single column of carriages (column of sections). On trails, troops will have to march in column of files or troopers, often with increased distances between individuals. In marching across country the commander will order such formation as may be advantageous, taking into consideration the tactical requirements of the case, the constant object being to expedite the movement and prevent undue elongation of the column.

PREPARATION FOR A MARCH.

220. As soon as orders for a march are received the commander of the column studies the best maps available and endeavors to gain all the information obtainable concerning the country and the roads by which he is to march, and investigates the possibility of communicating with parallel columns. When necessary he secures well-informed inhabitants of the country to serve as guides. Pioneer detachments under a commissioned officer are sent out to precede the column for the purpose of removing obstacles and preparing the way for the troops.

221. When practicable an officer is sent ahead to make arrangements for camp sites, grazing, fuel, and water; and when necessary, supplies of forage and rations are deposited along the route or procured from the inhabitants in advance.

222. The commanding officer will assure himself, through reports from subordinate commanders and staff officers and by personal observation, that the men of the command are in fit condition for the march; that they are provided with good arms, suitable equipment, and ample ammunition; that animals are properly shod and the train provided with spare parts; that suitable means are provided for the care of the sick, and that the reserve supplies of all kinds are sufficient for ordinary emergencies.

THE START.

223. When practicable, the march should begin in the morning after the animals have been fed and the men have had their breakfasts. The canteens should be filled with water, or weak coffee or tea, and, when the prompt arrival of the wagons is at all doubtful, the men should carry one cooked meal in their haversacks or saddlebags. The fires are put out, latrines filled, and the camp policed before departure.

224. The hour for the start depends upon circumstances. The military situation, the length of the march, and the state of the weather may require an early start, especially in midsummer and in the Tropics. In ordinary cases a later start is of benefit to the troops; animals and young men rest well in the early morning hours. Therefore, as a rule, foot troops should not start before daylight; mounted troops about an hour later. This is especially advisable for mounted troops (if grazing is depended upon), as animals eat more freely in the morning.

Ample time should be left after a seasonable reveille for the men to breakfast, animals to feed, and the wagons or mules to be packed. Every duty of the camp, on a march at a distance from the enemy, should be performed according to calls sounded under the direction of the commanding officer.

Reveille and stables should take place at an hour designated the evening before.

The signals for striking camp and putting the command on the road, such as the general, boots and saddles, etc., should be ordered by the commanding officer. No signal should be sounded until the duties pertaining to the preceding one have been completed. Undue haste leads to confusion, ill temper, and badly conducted preparation, which may affect the tone of the command during the whole day. After the general has sounded, one or more officers of each organization should superintend the preparation for the march.

225. Troops should never be permitted to start before the designated hour. In small commands on an ordinary march, when difficult conditions of the road are anticipated, it may be desirable to permit the wagon train to start before the troops. This is especially applicable to mounted commands which may thus secure time for grazing and still easily overtake the train before arrival in camp.

Commanding officers, of whatever rank, are enjoined not to increase the fatigue of the troops by prolonged waiting under arms before the start.