Proceedings of a board of officers convened at West Point, New York, by virtue of the following order, viz: [Special Orders No. 131.] WAR DEPARTMENT, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, August 2, 1854. A board of officers will assemble at West Point, New York, on the 15th instant, or as soon thereafter as practicable, to examine and report upon a system of rifle and light infantry tactics, prepared by Brevet Lieutenant Colonel W. J. Hardee, captain 2d dragoons, under the instructions of the War Department. DETAIL FOR THE BOARD. Brevet Lieutenant Colonel W. H. T. Walker, captain 6th infantry. Brevet Major R. S. Garnett, captain 7th infantry. Brevet Major S. C. Ridgely, captain 4th artillery. Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Hardee will repair to West Point, and remain there during the session of the board, in order to furnish such information in relation to the system as may, from time to time, be called for by the board. By order of the Secretary of War: S. COOPER, Adjutant General. [Special Orders No. 136.] WAR DEPARTMENT, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, August 9, 1854. Brevet Lieutenant Colonel W. H. T. Walker, captain 6th infantry, and Brevet Major R. S. Garnett, captain 7th infantry, are relieved from the operation of special orders No. 131, of August 2, 1854; and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Silas Casey, captain 2d infantry, and First Lieutenant J. M. Jones, 7th infantry, are detailed as members of the board instituted by that order. By order of the Secretary of War: S. COOPER, Adjutant General. [Special Orders No. 178.] WAR DERARTMENT, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, November 6, 1854. The board of officers instituted by "special orders" Nos. 131 and 136, of August 2 and 9, 1854, will assemble in this city on the 13th instant, or as soon thereafter as practicable, for the transaction of such business as may be brought before it. By order of the Secretary of War: S. COOPER, Adjutant General. WASHINGTON, December 13, 1854. The board of officers instituted by special orders Nos. 131 and 136, dated 2d and 9th of August, 1854, and afterwards reassembled at Washington by special orders No. 178, dated November 6, 1854, to act upon certain instructions from the War Department, having finished the duty assigned it, respectfully submit the following report: In pursuance of instructions, Lieutenant Colonel Hardee, of the 2d dragoons, appeared before the board, and presented a system of tactics for light infantry, riflemen, and skirmishers, prepared by him in great measure from the French drill for the chasseurs a pied. The board caused the work to be read to them, and investigated and studied its general character and merits. The board then entered upon a more minute and thorough examination, passing carefully over, and deciding upon, every motion, command, and movement, in the several schools, which constitute the entire work. This consideration of the theory was frequently laid aside, while the board witnessed the practical illustration of the system; and all doubtful points were tested by their execution on the field. The Superintendent of the Military Academy, having directed the corps of cadets, and the company of sappers and miners, to be instructed in this drill, afforded the board an opportunity to see, not only the details, but also the general character and features of the entire system. The board will endeavor to present concisely a view of this system and its general harmony with the existing drill for heavy infantry. A battalion instructed in this system can perform all the movements embraced in our present drill for heavy infantry, and, with two exceptions, in the same manner. 1. The slowest time for manoeuvring a light battalion is one hundred and ten paces in a minute. 2. Whenever a sub-division faces by a flank, it forms a depth of four, retaining the interval made by the file which stepped up to form that depth. This latter is an admirable device to facilitate the movements of the sub-division, when in double quick time or a run. A battalion instructed in this system can take its place in a line of battle composed of heavy infantry, and perform all the movements required in the evolutions of the line, as prescribed by our present system. In fact, should the movement be a change of front, with light battalions on the flanks, it would, by their quickened pace, be facilitated. Besides the method of manoeuvring which this system has, in common with the drill for heavy infantry, it has methods peculiar to itself, and which constitute its strength and power. They consist in moving the line or column formed in quick or double quick time without halting, in the following movements: 1. Deployment of columns. 2. Execution of successive formations. 3. Formation of column to the right or left into line. 4. The various ployments from line into column. 5. Closing in mass, or to half distance, and retaking wheeling distance. The differences of method thus far pointed out, involve no difference of principle in the two systems. It is the same principle, with the slight modifications required by continuing the march without halting, and the accelerated pace incident to light infantry movements. The following new and useful movements are embraced in this system: 1. The formation in four ranks of sub-divisions, with a view to a square. 2. The constitution of a reserve for a square composed of a single battalion. 3. Marching a square by either front without breaking. The system under examination differs from the drill of heavy infantry but in two points, which are radical, or where principle is involved. 1. The habitual formation is in two ranks, with the power to increase, when desirable, the depth to four, rapidly and without confusion, either when marching or when at a halt. 2. The change in the manner of obliquing. It is theoretically correct, and believed to be, in practice, a great improvement. It consists in obtaining the new direction by a half-face, moving forward until the requisite degree of obliquity is gained, and then resuming the original direction. On a comparison with the light infantry and rifle tactics of 1825, it is the opinion of the board that this drill is decidedly superior, and principally for the following reasons: 1st. The formations into line by the old system were chiefly by flank movements, methods generally to be deprecated in presence of an enemy. 2d. The prompt formations being made on either the flank or centre file of a sub-division, render necessary the resort to an uncadenced step in coming into line, which tends (the position of the files at the same time being much disjointed) to produce confusion, and is to be avoided on the field of battle. The drill for skirmishers, as laid down in this system, presents some striking advantages. In that drill, but one-half of the company habitually skirmish at the same time, the other half being in reserve. In extending as skirmishers, which is done in groups of four men, (called comrades in battle,) it is the groups which first take the intervals, and between the limits of twenty and forty paces. After attaining the interval required, the men of each group deploy at distances from each other of never more than five paces. When rallying to resist scattered cavalry, it is the group of four comrades which forms square and protects itself by its fire and by the bayonet. The group in square forms also the nucleus of rally to the section or platoon in forming circle, to resist a more serious attack of cavalry. This method of acting in groups is a very great improvement; it prevents that individual isolation, which is to be avoided, when skirmishing with the enemy. Many of the commands have been altered, making them shorter, without, however, impairing their significancy. A few movements have been added to facilitate the advance in line, and the better to adapt the system to the features of our country and the nature of our warfare; and also a few in order that the battalion may be instructed in all the movements embodied in the evolutions of the line. In conclusion, the board is of opinion that this is a most excellent system of tactics for light infantry, riflemen, and skirmishers. A body of men equal to its full requirements would be of great power and efficiency in a line of battle. The board is also of opinion that this system might be most advantageously employed in the contests which so frequently occur with the Indian tribes on our frontier. For volunteer corps, composed of men of intelligence and physical efficiency, this system is superior to any other known to the board. From the nature of our country and the character of our people, it is peculiarly expedient to substitute for immobility in the ranks and machine-like movements, intelligence, rapidity of motion, and accuracy of fire. Its adoption is recommended for light infantry and rifle corps, both regular and volunteer. The board is further of opinion that the drill for skirmishers which it prescribes should be adopted for all troops serving on foot. SILAS CASEY, |