Rules and Orders for the Discipline of the Light Infantry Companies
in His Majesty’s Army in Ireland, 1772
in His Majesty’s Army in Ireland, 1772
The Light Infantry Companies are always to be drawn up two deep with a
space of two feet between the files. Marching in a wood upon any service of a
secret nature, they are to be taught to lower their arms in two motions and
carry them in a diagonal position, with their hands on the swell of the
firelock; and they are to shoulder in three motions.
They are to perform all Evolutions by Files and never to wheel any part
of the circle by platoons or subdivisions much less by a larger body.
When marching through a wood or any strong country by Files and ordered
to form a front to the left, the right hand file is to face to the left and the
others to run up briskly and dress by it. If to form a front to the right, the
right hand file is to face to the right and the other files are to form briskly
to the right of it; and then the rear rank of the detachment becomes the front,
when a few files are formed the Commanding Officer is to order an Irregular
Fire to begin, and to continue until the signal shall be given for ceasing.
It is to be particularly observed that each file has an entire
dependence upon itself and that the firelocks of the front and rear men are
never to be unloaded at the same time.
When the
front rank man fires, the rear rank man is to make ready and step up briskly
before his comrade, but is by no means to discharge his firelock until the
other has loaded, and then he is to step briskly before the rear rank man, and
this method to be followed until a signal shall be given for ceasing to fire.
This mutual defense and confidence is one of the most essential principles of
Light Infantry.
The men when in a wood are to be taught to cover themselves with trees
by placing the right foot about six inches behind the left, and presenting to
the right of the tree, and after firing to step back two paces and give room to
the rear rank man to come up to the same tree and to fire alternatively,
according to the directions before mentioned.
All officers commanding companies, or any body of Light Infantry, are to
fix upon signals for extending their front to the right or to the left, or to
both flanks, or to close to the center, to retire, or to advance, and these
signals must be made by a loud whistle, a posting horn, or some other
instrument capable of conveying a sufficient sound to be heard at considerable
distance, and the stoutest of the Drummers is to be taught to sound these
instruments by directions from the commanding officer, who is to give the
strictest orders to the men to be silent and attentive without which it is
scarce possible that any action in a wood can be successful.
Tho’ the posting of guards depends on the ground yet in general,
officers who command Light Infantry must never place their outposts at to great
a distance from the main body. If it should be necessary to occupy an height,
which commands the country, care must be taken to post other guards near to the
most advanced, which may aid its retreat.
When a corps of Light Infantry is composed of Companies from different
regiments they must do duty by companies with their own officers, and as double
sentries are always to be posted, the file must mount together; to be relieved
every hour; messes are to consist of a non-commissioned officer and three file
and where it is necessary to detach a corporal’s command the men are to go
together.
The Light Infantry must also be taught to take advantage of large
stones, broken enclosures, old houses, or any strong feature which presents
itself upon the face of a country. But they must take particular care not to
run in crowds to these objects.
When a corps of Light Infantry shall be employed in this kingdom a small
wagon loaded with intrenching tools will be ordered to attend it, and the
officers are therefore to make themselves acquainted with the usual method of
constructing redans, square redoubts, and other parts of field fortification,
likewise the manner of felling and freizing trees for making abattis d’arbres
and to turn their thoughts upon fortifying church yards and making crenaeaus in
houses.
When there is appearance of service the men must be instructed in the
Use of Intrenching tools and to make Fascines and Gabeons of different sizes.
The Light Infantry must be careful not to fall into Ambushes when they
are marching through a wood or any inclosed Country and care must be taken to
advance a Guard, and to detach flanking parties, the flanking parties to march
in front and the files to move at a distance of ten yards from each other; when
either of these parties shall discover an enemy, they are not to run into the
main body, but to take posts immediately and begin an attack according to the
directions before mentioned, and the Commanding Officer is to form his
detachment to the flank that is attacked and is to support his party by sending
a few men under the command of a Subaltern officer, and to repeat this
reinforcement as frequently as the Exigency of the Case may require. He is also
to be very careful that the men do not crowd, and that the enemy do not turn
his flank; when there is any likelihood of that being the case he must order a
signal to be sounded for extending the front. If he should command a
considerable corps he should keep a small reserve disengaged as long as
possible.
The success of any Engagement in a Wood or Strong Country depends upon
the coolness and presence of mind of the commanding officer, and the silence
and obedience of the men fully as much as upon their bravery.
The Light Infantry are to be taught to fire at marks, and each soldier
is to find out the proper measure of powder for his firelock and make up his
cartridges accordingly.
The Arms of each Soldier should always be kept in good order, But the
Light Infantryman in particular, must not neglect his arms, his ammunition or
throw away his fire, as his existence may depend on a single shot’s taking
place. The Light Infantry must consider that the service upon which they are
likely to be employed is very different from that of Heavy troops, the former
being always to engage in open order and the attack may frequently become
personal between man and man. It is therefore necessary to be particular in
selecting men for this service not only of activity and bodily strength but
also of some experience and approved spirit.
Each man must have a sufficient number of cartridges made up, but as it
may be necessary to have recourse to the horn, the men are to be taught to load
from it. Every part of the accoutrements must be kept in constant repair, the
Tomahawks sharp, and fit for use. The Hatchet men of the Light Infantry
companies must be able, Active men and they should know how to make use of
their axes.
When a considerable corps of Light Infantry is to march through a wood
or Inclosed country that can admit of it, the Commanding Officer may order it
to move from the right or left of companies by files; the companies are them to
march in parallel lines, but the flanking companies must march in front and
form flanking parties.
An Officer Commanding a Corps of Light Infantry and marching thro’ an
open country may shorten his line of march, or move them in whatever manner he
may think best.
Should any of the enemy’s Cavalry appear near a Corps of Light Infantry
they must endeavor to retire to a wood or some strong ground, in good order and
with a firm countenance. But if that cannot be affected they must disperse by
files at considerable distances from one another, fix their bayonets, take
great care not to throw away their fire until they are sure that a shot will
take place, still endeavoring to gain a hedge, Broken House, Ravin, Wood or
Large Stone. Cavalry seldom attacks infantry in this dispersed situation if the
men are resolute and determined not to throw away their fire, and the files are
attentive to the directions before given.
The Light Infantry Companies are to practice Marching very frequently in
quarters.
Besides what is before directed the Light Infantry Companies are to be
instructed in the Manual and every other Evolution which the Battalion may be
ordered to perform.
And Officers Commanding Regiments may employ the Light Infantry Company
in the manner which will appear to them most proper, for the safety and
protection of the Battalion whether upon a march or in the Field. And We do
hereby direct and require the Commander in Chief of his Majesties Forces in
this Kingdom to cause these Rules and Orders to be Duly Observed and executed
and he is to direct the Adjutant General to send Copies thereof to the General
Officers upon the staff and to the Commanding Officer of every Regiment of Foot
upon this establishment.
Given &c. the 15th Day of May 1772
