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Infantry Tactics: for the Instruction, Exercise, and Manœuvres of the Soldier, a Company, Line of Skirmishers, Battalion, Brigade, or Corps D'armée
This is a copy of the original book. In this series, we are bringing old books back into print using our own state-of-the-art techniques. Generally, these books are created from careful scans of the original. This allows us to preserve the book accurately and present it in the way that the author intended. However, as we are working with old material, so occasionally there may be certain imperfections within the text. We are so pleased to ensure these classics are available again for generations to come.
258 pages, Paperback
First published February 25, 2010
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March 22, 2026
The System of U.S. Infantry Tactics, approved by the President, adopted into the war department in 1862.
Formation of infantry
1. Army - 2+ corps (100k about).
2. Corps - 2+ divisions (50k about). Commanded by a lieutenant general.
2. Division - several brigades, usually between 10k-25k soldiers
3. Brigade - 3-6 battalions. Commanded by a major general, brigadier general, or colonel .
4. Battalion regiment - 10 companies. 1000 men. Commanded by a colonel, assisted by a lieutenant colonel and at least one major.
5. Company - 2 platoons. 100-250 men. Commanded by a major or a captain.
6. Platoon - 2-4 squads/sections/patrols. 20-50 men. Commanded usually by a second or first lieutenant, assisted by a platoon sergeant.
7. Squad: Less than 12 men. Led by a non-commissioned officer.
Posts of leaders within a company:
1. Captain - on right of company
2. 1st Sergeant - rear rank
Rest are file closers:
3. 1-3rd lieutenant
6. 2nd-5th sergeant
7. Corporals
Key takeaways:
-In marching, soldiers must keep their head fixed to the front to gaze outwards, and measure their place in formation by the brush of their fellow soldiers' elbows against theirs.
-It is impractical to try to retain exact regularity when in a run, however keep united as much as possible
-Long marches in double-quick time: ideal is 5 miles in 60 minutes
-Loading at will within battle: ideal is to fire at least 3 rounds in a minute with ease and regularity
-The instructor gives commands and places himself in a position to detect faults; he will charge the captain and file closers to be equally watchful and to report to him when ranks are at rest. He will reprimand, for individual instruction, the men who maybe be observed to perform badly.
-Swiftness of the route step will be 110 steps per minute; this swiftness will be habitually maintained in route, when the roads and ground may permit.
-Light troops should always be calm, so as to aim with accuracy; they should endeavor to estimate correctly the distances between themselves and the enemy to be hi, and thus enabled to deliver their fire with the greater certainty of success
Formation of infantry
1. Army - 2+ corps (100k about).
2. Corps - 2+ divisions (50k about). Commanded by a lieutenant general.
2. Division - several brigades, usually between 10k-25k soldiers
3. Brigade - 3-6 battalions. Commanded by a major general, brigadier general, or colonel .
4. Battalion regiment - 10 companies. 1000 men. Commanded by a colonel, assisted by a lieutenant colonel and at least one major.
5. Company - 2 platoons. 100-250 men. Commanded by a major or a captain.
6. Platoon - 2-4 squads/sections/patrols. 20-50 men. Commanded usually by a second or first lieutenant, assisted by a platoon sergeant.
7. Squad: Less than 12 men. Led by a non-commissioned officer.
Posts of leaders within a company:
1. Captain - on right of company
2. 1st Sergeant - rear rank
Rest are file closers:
3. 1-3rd lieutenant
6. 2nd-5th sergeant
7. Corporals
Key takeaways:
-In marching, soldiers must keep their head fixed to the front to gaze outwards, and measure their place in formation by the brush of their fellow soldiers' elbows against theirs.
-It is impractical to try to retain exact regularity when in a run, however keep united as much as possible
-Long marches in double-quick time: ideal is 5 miles in 60 minutes
-Loading at will within battle: ideal is to fire at least 3 rounds in a minute with ease and regularity
-The instructor gives commands and places himself in a position to detect faults; he will charge the captain and file closers to be equally watchful and to report to him when ranks are at rest. He will reprimand, for individual instruction, the men who maybe be observed to perform badly.
-Swiftness of the route step will be 110 steps per minute; this swiftness will be habitually maintained in route, when the roads and ground may permit.
-Light troops should always be calm, so as to aim with accuracy; they should endeavor to estimate correctly the distances between themselves and the enemy to be hi, and thus enabled to deliver their fire with the greater certainty of success
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