The description title is given in red, The description is given in white, The actual command (if applicable) is given in yellow.
Distances of files: When the Light Infantry companies are in line with their battalions they are to form and act in every respect as a company of the battalion, but when not in line they may loosen their files to six inches.
Open Order: Open order is to be two feet between each file. -- The necessity of increasing this distance must depend on circumstances, and be regulated at the moment by the commanding officer.
Commanding Officer: 1. Right (or Left)...Face 2.Open Order...MARCH!
Manner
of Extending: The files may
be extended from right, left, or centre, according to circumstances;
in executing it each front rank man must carefully take his distance
from the man next to him, on that side from which the extension
is made: the rear rank men conform to the movement of their file
leaders.When the company is not in extended order, all firing
is to be by single men, each firing as quick as he can, consistent
with loading properly: the firing to begin from the flank, or
from the point first formed.
Commanding Officer: 1. By the Right (Left or Centre) 2. Extend files [#] Paces...MARCH!
Firing: In firing in extended order, it is to be a standing rule, that the two men of the same file are never unloaded together, for which purpose, as soon as the front rank man has fired he is to slip round the left of the rear rank man, who will make a short pace forward, and put himself in the other's place, whom he is to protect while loading. -- When the first man returns his ramrod he will give his comrade the word ready, after which, and not before, he may fire and immediately change places as before.
Commanding Officer: 1. [Unit's name] will Commence Independent Fire...FIRE!
Advancing and Retreating: The same method of firing to be observed when advancing or retreating, which must always be in ordinary time (especially if cannon are ordered to the front with the light companies, which may often be the case) -- Particular attention must be paid to cease firing on the first word, or signal for that purpose.
Commanding Officer: [Unit's Name] will retire [or Advance] [#] Paces...MARCH!
Movements in Quick Time: All movements of the light companies, except when firing, advancing, or retreating, are to be in quick time.
Never to run unless ordered: The light companies are never to run unless particularly directed, and in that case they are only to run at that pace in which they can preserve their order; and it is to be a rule that the two men of the same file never separate on any account whatever.
Avoid Confusion: The utmost care to be taken to avoid confusion, which too much hurry, even in the smallest bodies, will certainly occasion. --The intermixture of files can never be allowed of.
File Movements: Though all movements should be made in front as much possible, yet, from the nature of those of light infantry, and the ground they are more particularly liable to transverse, file movements may frequently be necessary. All such to be made from one of the flanks by previously facing to it, and the files to loosen, so as to march perfectly at ease, but not more.
Commanding Officer: 1. Right [or Left]...FACE! 2. Forward...MARCH!
Forming to the Front: In forming, the inversion of files or of ranks is not to be attended to if time is thereby gained. Forming to the front to be done by the file moving briskly up to the right or left of the leading file as ordered.
Commanding Officer: 1. Right [or Left] Form to right [or left]...MARCH! (The leading file will halt and face as directed, as will the succeeding ones as they come up to their proper distances.) 1. Forward to Right [or Left] Form forward to Right [or Left]...MARCH! (The leading file halts and faces as directed; the succeeding files lead round the rear, and form to the same front as the leading file has done, and at their proper distances.)
Marching to rear and forming When marching to the rear by files, and to form to the front. --The leading file will halt and front, the succeeding files will go round the rear of the leading file, and form on the right or left of it as directed.
Commanding Officer: 1.[Unit's name] Shall form by the Left Marker...MARCH! (The commanding officer shall take care as to insure there is enough room between his unit and the unit beside him)
Signals, & c. for officers commanding All signals, words of commands, and directions, are for the officer commanding the company or division, who gives the necessary orders in consequence.
Signals The necessary signals will be previously settled, and as they will be very few and simple, the officers and non-commissioned officers are expected to be masters of them.
Post of officers The officer commanding the company will be on the right, covered by a serjeant. The next on the left also covered by a serjeant. The youngest officer in the rear. In extended order the post of the officers and serjeants is always in the rear equally divided where they must pay particular attention that the men preserve their order, and that they level, fire, and load coolly and properly; they must likewise be attentive to direct them to the supposed object of attack. In marching by files the officer commanding leads; by divisions each officer leads one. The supernumerary officer, if there be one, is in both cases, with the officer commanding, ready to obey any directions he may receive from him.
Taking post When a light company or detachment is ordered to take post on any particular spot, it is to be the business of the officer commanding it to take the best advantage of the ground, observing that he must never disperse his company; but if it should be necessary to make small detachments from it, he must still preserve a part of his company or detachment as a reserve on which those detachments may fall back; and this is to be a general rule in all cases where the strength of the party is sufficient to allow of making detachments from it.
To cover in situations of defence The officers must also see that in situations of defence the men cover themselves with trees, walls, large stones, or whatever may present itself. In firing from behind trees, large stones, &c. they are to present to the right of the object which covers them; and in changing places with the other man of the file, after firing, they will step back, and to the left, so that the rear rank man may step forward without being exposed.
Arms how carried The arms of light infantry in general will be carried sloped (by order only), and with the bayonets fixed. Flanking and advanced parties however, or parties in particular situations, may carry them trailed and without bayonets, for the purpose of taking cooler and more deliberate aim.
Commanding officer 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.
Light infantry in line If at any time a battalion of light infantry is ordered into the line, the files must be closed, and it must in every respect act as other battalions of the line.
All signals are to be repeated. All of those signals made from the line or column are to convey the intention of the commanding officer of the line to the officer commanding the light infantry, who will either communicate them to the several companies or detachments by word or signal.