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This came up in a thread on the CW Rennactors Forum and since I've already typed it out I thought I'd post it here. It's from an 1833 English manual and, in theory, could help with the previously mentioned problem of smaller messes wanting to practise the movements of larger formations. (Note that the 21" spacing may be a bit tight for today and probably should be increased to 24")
From "FIELD EXERCISE AND EVOLUTIONS OF THE ARMY AS REVISED IN 1833"
It has frequently occurred that young officers and non-commissioned officers have, from the want of men, or from the severity of garrison duty, been deprived of opportunities of acquiring a thorough knowledge of their battalion drill.
To obviate this, and to provide for the due instruction of the young officer and non-commissioned officer, in all cases and under all circumstances, the following system of Skeleton or Rope Drill is introduced, by means of which, they may, without harassing the soldier, be made practically versant in the command of a company, while the serjeant may acquire that promptitude and accuracy in giving points and taking up covering, without no regiment can move correctly.
Commanding officers are therefore strictly enjoined to follow the practice herein prescribed, from which the very best effects will be found to result.
A battalion of eight divisions may be formed by sixteen, thirty-two, or sixty-four men. With sixteen men there can only be the division ropes, and with thirty-two sub-division ropes, with but with sixty-four men, there can be section ropes, with which every movement may be practiced.
The ropes may be made to represent any number of files, the space for each (namely twenty-one inches) being marked by a piece of red cloth, and to the end of each rope a small piece of wood must be attached, so that the men may hold it: and care must be taken that they are always kept to their full extent. By means of these ropes a battalion may practice the whole of the movements of a brigade.
From "FIELD EXERCISE AND EVOLUTIONS OF THE ARMY AS REVISED IN 1833"
It has frequently occurred that young officers and non-commissioned officers have, from the want of men, or from the severity of garrison duty, been deprived of opportunities of acquiring a thorough knowledge of their battalion drill.
To obviate this, and to provide for the due instruction of the young officer and non-commissioned officer, in all cases and under all circumstances, the following system of Skeleton or Rope Drill is introduced, by means of which, they may, without harassing the soldier, be made practically versant in the command of a company, while the serjeant may acquire that promptitude and accuracy in giving points and taking up covering, without no regiment can move correctly.
Commanding officers are therefore strictly enjoined to follow the practice herein prescribed, from which the very best effects will be found to result.
A battalion of eight divisions may be formed by sixteen, thirty-two, or sixty-four men. With sixteen men there can only be the division ropes, and with thirty-two sub-division ropes, with but with sixty-four men, there can be section ropes, with which every movement may be practiced.
The ropes may be made to represent any number of files, the space for each (namely twenty-one inches) being marked by a piece of red cloth, and to the end of each rope a small piece of wood must be attached, so that the men may hold it: and care must be taken that they are always kept to their full extent. By means of these ropes a battalion may practice the whole of the movements of a brigade.
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