ank.

When each man has finished handling pieces, he takes the position of the
soldier.

Being in line behind the stacks: TAKE ARMS.

The loose pieces are returned by the even numbers of the front rank;
each even number of the front rank grasps his own piece with the left
hand, the piece of his rear-rank man with his right hand, grasping both
between the bands; each odd number of the front rank grasps his piece in
the same way with the right hand, disengages it by raising the butt from
the ground and then, turning the piece to the right, detaches it from
the stack; each even number of the front rank disengages and detaches
his piece by turning it to the left, and then passes the piece of his
rear-rank man to him, and all resume the order.

Should any squad have Nos. 2 and 3 blank files, No. 1 rear rank takes
the place of No. 2 rear rank in making and breaking the stack; the
stacks made or broken, he resumes his post.

Pieces not used in making the stack are termed loose pieces.

Pieces are never stacked with the bayonet fixed.

CHAPTER V

SCHOOL OF THE COMPANY

Based on the Infantry Drill Regulations

The company in line is formed in double rank with the men arranged, as
far as practicable, according to height from right to left, the tallest
on the right.

The original division into squads is effected by the command: Count off.
The squads, successively from the right, count off as in the School of
the Squad, corporals placing themselves as No. 4 of the front rank.

At the formation of the company the platoons or squads are numbered
consecutively from right to left, and these designations do not change.

For convenience in giving commands and for reference, the designations,
right, center, left, when in line, and leading, center, rear, when
in column, are applied to platoons or squads. These designations,
right, center, left, when in line, and leading, center, rear, when
in column, are applied to the actual right, left, center, head, or rear,
in whatever direction the company may be facing. The center squad is
the middle or right middle squad of the company. If there are an even
number of squads in the company, for instance eight, the center squad
would be the fourth.

The designation "So-and-so's" squad or platoon may also be used.

[Illustration: This is exactly the same as the photograph. It
shows the correct position of every man in the company. man for man.]

During battle, these assignme