Executed by each platoon as described for the company.

One or more platoons may be assembled by the command: 

1. Suchplatoon(s),_assemble_, 2.  MARCH,

Executed by the designated platoon or platoons as described for the company.

THE ADVANCE.

212.  The advance of a company into an engagement (whether for attack or defense) is conducted in close order, preferably column of squads, until the probability of encountering hostile fire makes it advisable to deploy.  After deployment, and before opening fire, the advance of the company may be continued in skirmish line or other suitable formation, depending upon circumstances.  The advance may often be facilitated, or better advantage taken of cover, or losses reduced by the employment of the PLATOON or SQUAD COLUMNS or by the use of a SUCCESSION OF THIN LINES.  The selection of the method to be used is made by the captain or major, the choice depending upon conditions arising during the progress of the advance.  If the deployment is found to be premature, it will generally be best to assemble the company and proceed in close order.

Patrols ure used to provide the necessary security against surprise.

213.  Being in skirmish line:  1. Platooncolumns_, 2.  MARCH.

The platoon leaders move forward through the center of their respective platoons; men to the right of the platoon leader march to the left and follow him in file; those to the left march in like manner to the right; each platoon leader thus conducts the march of his platoon in double column of files; platoon guides follow in rear of their respective platoons to insure prompt and orderly execution of the advance.

214.  Being in skirmish line:  1. Squadcolumns_, 2.  MARCH.

Each squad leader moves to the front; the members of each squad oblique toward and follow their squad leader in single file at easy marching distances.

215.  PLATOON COLUMNS are profitably used where the ground is so difficult or cover so limited as to make it desirable to take advantage of the few favorable routes; no two platoons should march within the area of burst of a single shrapnel.[5] SQUAD COLUMNS are of value principally in facilitating the advance over rough or brush-grown ground; they afford no material advantage in securing cover.

[Footnote 5:  Ordinarily about 20 yards wide.]

216.  To deploy platoon or squad columns:  1. Asskirmishers_, 2.  MARCH.

Skirmishers move to the right or left front and successively place themselves in their original positions on the line.

217.  Being in platoon or squad columns:  1. Assemble, 2.  MARCH.

The platoon or squad leaders signal ASSEMBLE.  The men of each platoon or squad, as the case may be, advance and, moving to the right and left, take their proper places in line; each unit assembling on the leading element of the column and re-forming in line.  The platoon or squad leaders conduct their units toward the element or point indicated by the captain, and to their places in line; the company is re-formed in line.