The manual exercise finished, the lieutenant colonel then orders

Battalions will perform the Platoon Exercise.

The majors order

Rear rank-take close order-March.

The lieutenant colonel and other officers take posts in the rear, excepting the majors, who remain to give the words for the platoon exercise, as detailed in the Drill. The soldiers will load and fire during this exercise, un less cautioned to the contrary. When the regiment loads and fires, it ought to be done regularly, as de

tailed in No. 34, Part III.

The direct and oblique firing, according to the divisions to which they may be applicable, are here to be executed. Remembering, that the direct fire may be made by all, or by any part of the line; and the firing obliquely, by grand divisions, battalion, or re giment. Therefore, the fire by company, platoons, or by files independently, as in No. 35, Part III, must

always be to the front direct.

No. 5. To Fire by Company.

When firing by company is ordered, the rights of each grand division give the leading fire, and the lefts

follow. The commandant orders

The Regiment will fire by Companies.

Commence Firing.

On hearing the last order, the captain of the compa. ny, No. 1, (being the right of the first grand division) will order

First Company-Ready-Aim-Fire.

Load.

At the word aim, the captain of the right of second grand division, will order

Third Company-Ready-Aim-Fire.

Load.

The lefts of grand divisions, or even companies, follow in the same manner, after the four right or odd companies have fired.

No. 6. To fire by Grand Divisions.

The Regiment will fire by grand divisions.

Commence Firing.

The captain of the right of the first grand division, on hearing the order to begin the firing, by grand di. visions, gives the words

2. Raise the espontoon from the ground; at the same time drop the point nearly in the same manner aş the second motion of sword salute; the butt not point. ed upward, above the arm, but placed under it in such a manner as to be straight with, and touching the arm; the palm of the hand upwards, and the espontoon rest. ing easily upon it.

3. Raise the point, and bring the espontoon near the body by a somewhat circular motion; when perpendicular and near the body, let slip the espontoon through the hand, placing the butt by the side of the right foot; slide up the hand to the proper point of espontoon for the standing position.

4. Carry out the espontoon arm's length, and resume the standing position.

Note. Many persons make another motion, and bring up the espontoon before the face, as in the first motion of the sword salute; but the espontoon is so large an instrument, that unless the officer is very expert, and much experienced in the use of it, the motion will ap pear clumsy and awkward, rather than graceful.

The bearers of colours will salute by three motions. 1. Drop the point of the staff near the ground, to the right of a direct front line from the right of the body; the butt at the hip serving as a pivot.*

2. Move it to the left (with the point near the ground) till past a direct front line from the left side.

A leather belt should be prepared, to encircle the waist; in which a socket is fixed, suitable for the butt of the colours' staff; by which it may be supported more easily.

3. Bring it up to the first position.

The salute, while marching, is similar to that when standing, except for the espontoon, which is carried trailed. From this position the espontoon is carried to the positon of the second motion of standing salute; and to finish the salute, the marching attitude of trailed arms is resumed..

The officers on foot ought to be particularly careful, not to alter the just position of the body, in passing the salute. Any "rising on the toes, or twisting the body," or tossing it up, with an expectation of performing more gracefully, is far from the idea of military gracefulness. Gracefulness in an officer, when paying the salute, has no relation to such mo. tions, or to bowing the head gently, dropping the countenance, or respectfully bending forward the body. It consists in ease, steadiness, and immobility. Ease, as respects the motion of the arm and sword; steadiness, as respects the body generally; immobility, as respects the head and eyes.

The lieutenant colonel, having saluted, turns out from the column, and moves up to the right of the reviewing officer, where he has an opportunity to observe the defects of the troops while passing, and hear any remarks which may be made concerning them by the general. When the first battalion has passed the general, the commandant, who is then the first major, will order

Support-Arms.

The second battalion does the same, on the same ground, when arrived. The column having wheeled at the third and the fourth angles, the commandant

then orders

Carry-Arms.

Mark-Time.

He will then see that the pivots are well dressed while they are marking time. Then

Column-Halt.

Platoons-To the left-Wheel into line-March. The column is then wheeled into line as before, and on the same ground.

Note. The camp colours and markers ought never to be dispensed with, because it brings the troops into the habit of forming correct lines. But if they always could have lines drawn for them, or cut in the ground,

markers would be of but little use. It so happens in

performing manœuvres, and in real service, that those lines are not commonly at command. It is therefore unmilitary, and the use of those lines will prevent the habitual use of markers, and render it more difficult to form the line in manoeuvring, when obliged to leave

the marks on the ground.

The ranks and the files of the regiment being well closed, the commandant gives the caution