Deploying Skirmishers

[jonasr]

I have a question, I havent been in a skirmish line in awhile, but I cant quite remember how to deploy off the front rank even file man. Than looking at Caseys I got even more confused.

26. The left guide having reached the point where the left of the line should rest, the captain will command the skirmishers to halt; the men composing each group of fours will then immediately deploy at five paces from. each other, and to the right and left of the front-rank man of the even file in each group, the rear-rank men placing themselves on the left of their file leaders. If tiny groups be not in line at the command halt, they will move up rapidly, conforming to what has just been prescribed.

It States to deploy at five paces from each other and to the right and left of the front-rank man of the even file. But thanit states that the rear rank will go to the left of the front rank. Doesnt that put all the men in the group of fours to the left of the front-rank even file man. I know I am missing something cause from what I remember someone does go off to the right. Just need some help to clear this up
thanks in advance
Rob Jonas

[dusty27]

Re: Deploying Skirmishers

Sounds like Gilham's;

Comrades in arms begin like this

FRONT

2F 1F
2R 1R

When deployed: 2F stands still. 2R moves 5 paces to the left of 2F. 1F moves 10 paces to the right of 2F and 1R goes 5 paces to the right of 2F

2R 2F 1R 1F Skirmish line

2F and 1F are "file leaders" so what they say is true; rear rank is to their left

When ordered to fire, front rank fires first.

Thanks Mark

[markj]

Re: Deploying Skirmishers

Hi Dusty,

"1F moves 10 paces right of 2F and 1F goes 5 paces to the right of 2F."

I presume you meant to say "1R goes 5 paces to the right of 2F."

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[Clay36thVA]

Re: Deploying Skirmishers

I don't know about Casey's, but in our Drill (Hardee's) The front rank number 2 stays put. The rear rank number 2 goes five paces to his left and the remaining (rear and front rank number 1) goes 5 and 10 paces off of the front rank 2's right(who is standing still). And it is simply reversed when assembling. However the "mess" can move depending on which file you deploy from (center,left and right.) But they groups of four still deploy the same way in either case. I hope this helps answer your question. Take care. However, after reading the other replies, they make me seem confusing. They really simplified it for you.

[Jim of The SRR]

Re: Deploying Skirmishers

Rob,

The front rank #2 is always the anchor. So, on the command 'Halt', the front rank #2 holds fast. The front rank #1 goes 10 paces to the left. The rear rank #1 goes 5 paces to the left and steps up onto the front line even with the front rank #2. The rear rank #2 goes 5 paces to the right and steps up onto the front line even with the front rank #2. I have an article with diagrams I can email if you wish.

I hope this helps.
Regards,
Jim Butler
The SRR

[Silas]

Re: Deploying Skirmishers

I don't know about Casey's, but in our Drill (Hardee's) The front rank number 2 stays put.

The three primary manuals - Gilham's, Casey's and '62 Hardee's - are virtually the same when it comes to the skirmish drill. For reasons unrelated to this thread, I had compared the three earlier this week. Casey has a few extra paragraphs regarding the rally, while Gilham's doesn't have Article Sixth: deplying and rallying the battalion as skirmishers.

Paragraph 26 in Casey's is identical to paragraph 26 in Hardee's. Identical language of paragraph 26 can be found in section 264 of Gilham's. You'll find it four full paragraphs below the section numbered 264 in Gilham's.

The more you examine the three manuals, the more you realize they are alike when it comes to manoeuvers of troops. Skirmish drill is manoeuvers. A signficant difference in the manuals concerns the musket manual of arms. Gilham's uses the smoothbore drill from the left hand with the musket placed outside the left foot when loading. Hardee's uses the rifle drill from the right hand, but the musket is placed outside the left foot when loading. Casey's uses the rifle drill from the right hand and places the musket between the feet when loading. Another significant difference is stacking arms: Casey and Gilham use the old method from Scott's manual while Hardee incorporates the newer "swing." (Yes, Paul, I thought your article in pdf format on stacking arms via Scott, Gilham, Baxter, Casey, and Baker is exceptionally well done.)

[jonasr]

Re: Deploying Skirmishers

Thanks all thats what I remembered but the manual is less than helpful.

rob jonas

[dusty27]

Re: Deploying Skirmishers

Jim,

Are you saying what I posted is wrong? Your description is opposite of what I have and would have 1's crossing over and behind 2's...... or is it the view of the enemy that you describe?

[Yankeeboy]

Re: Deploying Skirmishers

Jim,

Are you saying what I posted is wrong? Your description is opposite of what I have and would have 1's crossing over and behind 2's...... or is it the view of the enemy that you describe?

Sir:
You must always remember one fairly simple thing and that is the front rank 2 man is also the man who more or less is the guide and point for each section of four when being deployed , and rallying and forming back into which the line came from be it section , into platoon , into company and so forth
We do this drill alot in our unit with Caseys

[dusty27]

Re: Deploying Skirmishers

When deployed: 2F stands still. 2R moves 5 paces to the left of 2F. 1F moves 10 paces to the right of 2F and 1R goes 5 paces to the right of 2F

Where did I say different? I'd like to get this right so there is no confusion. I believe my diagram is correct.

In Gilham's it says;

"The left guide having reached the point where the left of the line should rest, the captain will command the skirmishers to halt; the men composing each group of fours will then immediately deploy at five paces from each other, and to the right and left of the front rank men of the even file in each group, the rear rank men placing themselves on the left of their file leaders."

I think that this is what I diagramed. Please tell me if it is not.

[Yankeeboy]

Re: Deploying Skirmishers

Lets see

2f1f
2r1r
to
5 paces between each
2r-----1r-----2f-----1f
2f stands fast as others deploy

I think this is it :sarcastic You got me puzzled now

[Silas]

Re: Deploying Skirmishers

I believe my diagram is correct.

It is. As you and Jim have both noted, the front rank 2 stands fast. (I've also used the word, anchor, like Jim does to describe his duty to the other three comrades.) He got right from left confused in describing the duties of the others. The key is the last phrase of paragraph 26 which has the same wording in Gilham's:

... the rear rank men placing themselves on the left of their file leaders."

The rear rank two who is behind the anchor steps five paces to the leftof his file leader, the front rank two. The ones perform the same manoeuver on the right of the front rank two: the rear rank one steps five paces to the left of his file leader, the front rank one. Both rear rank men are placed "on the left of their file leaders."

When the manoeuver is completed, start with the position of the anchor, the front rank two. His file partner is five paces to the left. Five paces right of the anchor will be found the rear rank one. Ten paces right of the anchor and five paces right of the rear rank one will be found the front rank one. Now, everyone is deployed, "five paces from each other, and to the right and left of the front rank men of the even file in each group."

[Silas]

Re: Deploying Skirmishers

Yankeeboy, how'd your people ever win the war? Your diagram is wrong because you split the file partners. The two's are on the left; the one's are on the right. The rear rank men form five paces to the left of their file partners in the front rank. Your diagram has the two's ten paces from each other and the one's ten paces from each other:

2r-----1r-----2f-----1f

Dusty's is spot on:

2r-----2f-----1r-----1f

Each rear rank man is five paces from his file leader.

[dusty27]

Re: Deploying Skirmishers

Thank you Mark