ming column
of platoons, platoon leaders verify the alignment before taking their
posts; the captain commands front when the alignments have been
verified.

When front into line is executed in double time the commands for
halting and aligning are omitted and the guide is toward the side of the
first unit in line.

ROUTE STEP AND AT EASE

The column of squads is the habitual column of route, but route step
and at ease are applicable to any marching formation.

To march at route step: 1. Route step, 2. MARCH. Sabers are carried at
will or in the scabbard; the men carry their pieces at will, keeping the
muzzles elevated; they are not required to preserve silence, nor to keep
the step. The ranks cover and preserve their distance. If halted from
route step, the men stand at rest.

To march at ease: 1. At ease, 2. MARCH.

The company marches as in route step, except that silence is preserved
when hated, the men remain at ease.

Marching at route step or at ease: 1. Company, 2. ATTENTION.

At the command attention the pieces are brought to the right shoulder
and the cadenced step in quick time is resumed.

RULES FOR GUIDES

A guide is a noncommissioned officer or a private upon whom the company
regulates its march.

It is not difficult for an inexperienced man learn, with a little
practice, the duties and the correct positions of a guide. Remember the
rule of thumb, The guide and the file closers are on the opposite
flanks when the company is in column of squads. In squads right about
it would be ridiculous for the file closers to move from one flank to
another. Guides are permitted and supposed look around to see if they
are in their proper places; most new men are timid about this.

The following general rules and examples will help you:

The guide of a company or platoon in line is right, unless otherwise
announced.

The guide of a company or platoon in column of squads is toward the side
of the guide, who places himself on the side of the company away from
the file closers.

The guide of a deployed line (a skirmish line) is always center unless
otherwise announced.

EXAMPLES

Suppose the company to be in line.

In executing:

1. Squads right. The guides go to the left flank.

2. Right by squads. The guides go to the left flank.

3. Squads left. The guides go to the right flank.

4. Left by squads. The guides go to the right flank.

If the company is in column of