File

A line of soldiers drawn up behind each other, in contradistinction to rank, which refers to men standing beside one another. The general term means two soldiers, consisting of the front and rear rank men. To file is to advance to or from any given points by files; as, to file to the front, etc. To file off , or to defile , is to wheel off by files from moving in a spacious front, and march in length. Flank file , is the extreme file on the right or left of a squadron or troop, battalion or company, etc. Indian files , a line of men advancing or retreating from either of the flanks, from the centre or from any proportion of a line in succe ion to one another.