ils
in the same rank or line; each detail commander closes the rear rank
to the right and fills blank files, as far as practicable, with the
men from his front rank.

Should the guard from a company not include a noncommissioned officer,
one will be detailed to perform the duties of commander of the detail.
In this case the commander of the detail, after reporting to the
sergeant-major, passes around the right flank between the guard and
the band and retires. (351)

=1843.= When the last detail has formed, the sergeant-major takes a
side step to the right, draws sword, verifies the detail, takes post
two paces to the right and two paces to the front of the guard, facing
to the left, causes the guard to count off, completes the left squad,
if necessary, as in the school of the company, and if there be more
than three squads, divides the guard into two platoons, again takes
post as described above and commands: =1. Open ranks, 2. MARCH.=

At the command march, the rear rank and file closers march backward
four steps, halt, and dress to the right. The sergeant major aligns
the ranks and file closers and again, taking post as described above,
commands: =FRONT=, moves parallel to the front rank until opposite the
center, turns to the right, halts midway to the adjutant, salutes,
and reports: "=Sir, the details are correct=;" or, "=Sir, (so many)
sergeants, corporals, or privates are absent=;" the adjutant returns
the salute, directs the sergeant-major: =Take your post=, and then
draws saber; the sergeant-major faces about, approaches to within two
paces of the center of the front rank, turns to the right, moves three
paces beyond the left of the front rank, turns to the left, halts on
the line of the front rank, faces about, and brings his sword to the
order. When the sergeant-major has reported, the officer of the guard
takes post, facing to the front, three paces in front of the center of
the guard, and draws saber.

The adjutant then commands: =1. Officer (or officers) and
noncommissioned officers, 2. Front and Center, 3. MARCH.=

At the command =center=, the officers carry saber. At the command
=march=, the officer advances and halts three paces from the adjutant,
remaining at the carry; the noncommissioned officers pass by the
flanks, along the front, and form in order of rank from right to left,
three paces in rear of the officer, remaining at the right shoulder;
if there is no officer of the guard the noncommiss