List of Commands
This manual contains certain commands taken from Cookes Cavalry tactics as they pertain to cavalry reenactors on the field of battle. Cookes Cavalry tactics is the preferred manual of mounted drill and commands among cavalry reenactors and was widely used by both the Union and the Confederacy during the Civil War.
Note – There are two parts to a command; the prepitory describes the direction or the function that is about to take place, and the execution describes the key word used to execute the actual command or movement. In the list of commands below, the prepitory is distinguished by italics , execution, by CAPITALS. There are some commands where there are words in parenthesis. These words can be substituted for the word previous to it, depending on the situation. Also, some commands have an example that shows the movement in motion. Double click the example to open the attachment.
Mounted Drill Commands with definitions and examples
• BOOTS AND SADDLES
When this command is given, troopers are to have their horse saddled and accoutrements on, ready to ride in 5 minutes.
• FALL IN
To fall in means dismounted troopers are to take the halter of their stead, and lead it on line. Troopers should be in a straight line, on the left side of their mounts, and all side by side with each other. The senior NCO should be the furthest man to the right, the second highest NCO in the middle of the formation, and the third highest NCO at the very end, all the way to the left.
• PREPARE TO MOUNT , MOUNT
When the command is given to prepare to mount, 1's and 3's will step forward five paces and wait for the command to mount. When the command is given to mount, troopers will mount their steeds. The next command to finish the mounting process is “Form Company.”
• Form COMPANY
Form Company is given after troopers have been given the command to mount. When this command is given, 2's and 4's will move up five paces into line. See the example below:
• Right (or left) DRESS
When this command is given, troopers will shift sideways to the right (or left), filling in any gaps in the line. A trooper's right knee should be 4 inches away from the left knee of the man to his right. The example shown below is right dress:
• Company count off by fours, count OFF
When this command is given, on the execution of “off,” every trooper's head will immediately snap to the right. Starting with the man furthest to the right, troopers will be again counting. The man furthest to the right will shout “1.” The man directly to his left will shout “2.” The next man to his left shouts “3,” the next man “4.” After 4 is shouted, the next man in line will start over with “1” and the process repeats itself until all the troopers have counted off. Every trooper will snap his head to the front when he says his number.
• Forward at the walk (or trot, canter) MARCH
Forward at the walk can be given while on line or in a column. This simply means that as a company or a platoon, it will begin moving forward at the pace specified by the prepitory part of the command. The example below shows the command called while on line.
• Right (or left) about MARCH
Right about is called while in a column or on line. When the command is given in a column, the lead man or rank will turn right or left 180 degrees and everyone will follow. If on line, every trooper will turn right or left 180 degrees and begin moving in the opposite direction. The example below is left about while in a column:
• To the rear MARCH
To the rear march, means that every trooper will turn left 180 degrees and begin traveling in the opposite direction regardless of formation. In the example below, the unit is in a column:
• By the right (or left) flank MARCH
This command can be given either on line or column. While by file (in a column) or on line, the troopers will turn 90 degrees to the right (or left). When in two's or four's (in a column), the individual ranks of two's or four's will turn 90 degrees as a rank. In the example below, the company is online and given the command to the left:
• Right (or left) oblique MARCH
An oblique means to move a in a 45 degree angle in the direction specified by the prepitory part of the command. It can be called in any formation. This command is usually followed by the command, “front.” In the example below, a right oblique is called:
• FRONT
The command front is used after a wheel to establish a new direction of march. When called after an oblique, it means to begin traveling in the original direction before the oblique was called.
• Right (or left) wheel MARCH
A wheel is used only while a company or unit is on line. It is used to move the battle line as a whole to the left or right. See the example below, a right wheel is called:
• Form TWO'S (OR FOUR'S, OR FILE)
This command is given only while in a column. Its purpose is to change the file in which you are traveling in. See the example below, the command is given to form fours.
• Company (or platoon) HALT
Halt means to every trooper to come to a complete stop.
• Company (or platoon) by two's (or four's, or file) from the right (or left) forward (or to the left / right) MARCH
The purpose of this command is to move an on line unit from the halt, into a column. See the example below, the command is by two's, right the right, forward march.
• Right (or left) TURN
Right (or left) turn is used to turn a column. The lead trooper or rank will turn according to the prepitory part for the command and the rest of the troopers or ranks will follow. See the example below, the command is left turn:
• Company (or platoon) front into line MARCH
This command is to quickly move the unit from a column forward in to a battle line. See the example below, the unit is in a column by two's and will move into a line:
• Company (or platoon) right (or left) into line MARCH
This command is to quickly move the unit from a column to the right or left in to a battle line. See the example below, the unit is in a column by two's and will move into a line to the right:
• Company (or platoon) forward (or to the left /right) as skirmishers MARCH
This command is used to spread out a battle line to cover more ground. The unit will spread out in the direction specified by the prepitory part of the command. Each trooper will be five horse lengths away from the troopers next to them. See the example below, the command given is to the left:
• Reform COMPANY (OR PLATOON)
Reform company (or platoon) means to condense a skirmish line back in to a regular battle line.
• RALLY
When rally is called, every trooper stops what he is doing and forms a battle line at the designated area.
• PREPARE TO DISMOUNT , DISMOUNT
When the command is given to prepare to dismount, 1's and 3's will step forward five paces and wait for the command to dismount. When the command is given to dismount, troopers will dismount their steeds and 2's and 4's will move up five paces into line automatically. See the example below:
Manual of Arms
• Draw PISTOLS (OR SABER / RIFLES)
At this command every trooper unsheathes their sabers or un-holsters their pistols or rifles and goes to the carry.
• Carry PISTOL (OR SABRE)
When the command is given to draw a weapon, this is the position that a trooper will automatically go to. This command can also be given after a salute with a saber. To carry pistol, the pistol is held in the right hand (didn't matter back then if you were left handed or not; all weapons are always carried in the right hand). Hold the pistol pointed straight up with the triceps parallel to the ground. To carry saber, it is to be held in the right hand with the wrist up against the waist, with the blade resting up against the right shoulder.
• Present ARMS
When this command is called, a trooper is either to salute with his right hand or with his saber. To salute with hand, raise the right hand keeping the fingers and thumb straight, joined, and extended fully. With the palm facing away from the trooper, the back of the right pointer finger is to make light contact with the right eyebrow if a cover is not worn. If a cover is worn, the finger will make light contact with the right ride of the brim in front of the right eyebrow. To salute with a saber, the hilt is brought up just under the chin face approximately 7-8 inches away from the face, with the fist pointing to the left. The elbow is to be tucked against the body and the blade is to be centered in the middle of the face. Given it is pass and review and the line is at an open interval, the saber is brought down and pointed at 4 o'clock. The arm and saber are to be straight and extended with the palm facing forward. The both salutes will remain in this position until the command is given to “carry.”
• Return PISTOLS (OR SABRES, OR RIFLES)
At this command every trooper sheathes their sabers or holsters their pistols or rifle.
• READY, AIM, FIRE
At the command of ready, the pistol or rifle is cocked. At the command of aim, the pistol or rifle is pointed at the enemy with a safe elevation. The arm is to be straight and extended and the rifle or pistol itself should be vertical. At the command of Fire, the trigger is squeezed on the “F” of Fire. This will ensure a clean sounding volley.
• FIRE AT WILL
The fire arm is to be discharged as the trooper's chooses to do so.
Glossary of terms
ENISTED RANK classifies the rank s from P rivate through Sergeant Major
An NCO stands for Non-commission officer. Every enlisted rank with the exception of Private is included in this category .
An OFFICER or Commissioned officer classifies the ranks from 2 nd Lieutenant through General.
A RANK is composed of men abreast of each other.
A FILE is a man in rank; or two or more men, one behind another in ranks.
FRONT is the direction perpendicular to the alignment of a body of troops and before it, either in column or in line.
FLANK is the right or left side of a column, or line,
INTERVAL is the vacant space between two bodies of troops, or between files.
ALIGNMENT is the placing of men, or troops, on the same line.
A COLUMN is the disposition of a body of troops in subdivisions, one behind another.
PIVOT is the man of the flank on which the wheel is made .
FORMATION is the regular placing of all the fractions of a body of troops in any prescribed order.
PACES: There are three kinds: the walk, the trot , and the gallop .