Firing

by files, is generally used behind a parapet, hedge, or abbatis. In this situation the two first ranks only can fire, and that must be by the 2 men of the same file always firing together, with coolne and deliberation. When however, the parapet, hedge, or abbatis is but a little raised, platoon firing may be resorted to. Oblique Firing by battalions , or otherwise, according to the ground, is extremely advantageous when it is found expedient to give an oblique direction to part of a line, or when it is discovered that their fire can in this manner be thrown against the opening of a defile, the flanks of a column, or against cavalry or infantry that direct their attack on some particular battalion or portion of the line. See Am. Mil. Lib. Oblique firing, is either to the right and left, or from the right and left to the centre, depending entirely on the situation of the object to be fired against. The Pru ians have a particular contrivance for this purpose: If they are to level to the right, the rear ranks of every platoon are to make two quick but small paces to the left, and the body of each soldier to quarter face or turn ¹⁄₈th of a circle; and are to take the same distance to the right if they are to level to the left. When a line halts at its points of firing, no time is to be lost in scrupulous dre ing, and the firing is instantly to commence. But when a line halts, and is not to fire, the usual dre ings must be attended to; and every thing will depend upon the coolne and attention of the officers and non-commi ioned officers. It should be observed with respect to firings in general, that after the march in front, and halt of the battalion, company, or platoon, firing ought invariably to begin from the centre, and not from the flank. In other cases, and in succe ive formations, it may begin from whatever division first arrives, and halts on its own ground. Square Firing , is that method of firing where either a regiment or any body of men are drawn up in a square, each front of which is generally divided into divisions or firings, and the flanks of the square, as being the weakest part, are sometimes covered by platoons of grenadiers who flank the angles. The first fire is from the right division of each face; the second fire from the left division of each face, and so on; the grenadiers making the last fire. Street Firing , is the method of firing adopted to defend or scour a street, lane, or narrow pa of any kind; in the execution of which the platoon must be formed according to the width of the place, leaving sufficient room on the flanks for the platoons which have fired, succe ively to file round to the rear of the others. Street Firing advancing . When the column has arrived at the spot where the firing is to commence, the commanding officer from the rear gives the word halt! and the officer commanding the platoon, orders it to make ready , aim , fire ; recover arms , load ; he then orders the rear platoon of the column outward face , (by half platoons) quick march . At the instant the men in the first platoon recover their arms after firing, the rear platoon makes ready , and moves up the flank to the front of the first platoon having filed round the flanks towards the front, when the second from the rear advances, with recovered arms, until it receives the words halt , ready , aim , fire . The platoon which has fired, primes and loads in its ground immediately, without moving; the rear platoons only advancing. Street Firing retiring , is conducted on the same principles, except that the platoons fire without advancing, on the front being cleared by the former platoon filing round the flank. Another method of street firing , advancing , generally esteemed more eligible, is, after firing, to wheel out by subdivisions, (the pivots having taken a side step to right and left outwards) prime and load, and as soon as the last platoon has pa ed, file inwards and form.