body of troops on the line, is called
an alignment.--Author.]

=25. Base:= The element on which a movement is regulated.

=26. Battle sight:= The position of the rear sight when the leaf is
laid down.

[Illustration: Fig. 2]

[Illustration: Fig. 3]

=27. Center:= The middle point or element of a command. (See Figs. 2,
3 and 5.) (The designation "center company," indicates the right
center or the actual center company, according as the number of
companies is even or odd.--Par. 298.)

=28. Column:= A formation in which the elements are placed one behind
another. (See Figs. 4, 5, 6.)

=29. Deploy:= To extend the front. In general to change from column to
line, or from close order to extended order.

=30. Depth:= The space from head to rear of any formation, including
the leading and rear elements. The depth of a man is assumed to be 12
inches. (See Figs. 4, 5, 6.)

=31. Distance:= Space between elements in the direction of depth.
Distance is measured from the back of the man in front to the breast
of the man in rear. The distance between ranks is 40 inches in both
line and column. (See Figs. 4, 5, 6.)

[Illustration: Fig. 4]

[Illustration: Fig. 5]

[Illustration: Fig. 6]

=32. Element:= A file, squad, platoon, company, or larger body,
forming part of a still larger body.

=33. File:= Two men, the front-rank man and the corresponding man of
the rear rank. The front-rank man is the file leader. A file which has
no rear-rank man is a blank file. The term file applies also to a
single man in a single-rank formation.

=34. File closers:= Such officers and noncommissioned officers of a
company as are posted in rear of the line. For convenience, all men
posted in the line of file closers.

=35. Flank:= The right or left of a command in line or in column; also
the element on the right or left of the line. (See Figs. 2, 3 and 4.)

=36. Formation:= Arrangement of the elements of a command. The placing
of all fractions in their order in line, in column, or for battle.

=37. Front:= The space, in width, occupied by an element, either in
line or in column. The front of a man is assumed to be 22 inches.
Front also denotes the direction of the enemy. (See Figs. 2, 3 and 5).

=38. Guide:= An officer, noncommissioned officer, or private upon whom
the command or elements thereof regulates its march.

=39. Head:= The leading element of a column. (See Figs. 4, 5 and 6.)

=40. Interval:= Space between elements of