The Cavalry Re-enactor’s Pocket Drill Sheet

Build elements Left of Leaders

Dress Right

Count Fours(from Right)

Prepare to Mount (1’s&3’s forward)

Mount

Form Rank

Dress Right

Front

Sit at Ease

Attention

The evolutions of drill...

From Line into Column of March:

From Line into Column (ahead)

“By file, March” In all cases, move one horse length forward before any oblique or turn.

or “By Two’s, March”

or “By Four’s, March”

From Line to Column, moving Right

“By File Right, March”

or “By two’s Right, March”

or By four’s Right, March”

From Line to Column, moving Left

“By file from the right to march to left, march”

or “By two’s from the right to march to left, march”

or “By Four’s from the right to march to left, march”

(effectively, in changing from line into column and moving off to the left, this will keep the leaders leading and on the right when the column moves off to the left. Or else, if this is not called correctly, then everything gets screwed inside out and only true mastery of the drill will get this commander out of his embarrassment!)

From Column to Line

“Front into Line, March” (forming to the left of the guides)

or “Left into line, March” ranks obliquing to front or wheeling into line.

or “Right into line, March”

Build up Column at gait:

“Form two’s, march”

or “Form four’s, march”

The guides drop one gait, others form on leaders with obliques in successive movement at gait.

Breaking down a column at gait:

“By two’s, March”

or “By file, March”

The whole element drops one gait while the guides continue forward at gait. The ranks oblique over in sequential movement and then continue on at gait.

Building up/Breaking down a Column while increasing gait:

(obscure for re-enacting purposes)

Building up

“By two’s, Trot, March”

or “By Fours, Trot, March” Leaders move one gait below the command. Ranks in sequence form with the gait

Breaking down called for. All drop one gait below the gait called for.

Leaders subsequently increase gait to command. Others then join gait of the lead element.

Turns:

“Right Turn, March”

or “Left Turn, March” 90 Degree- 15’ inside radius

Dress on shoulders of outside horseman.

Outside should not increase gait

Inside should shorten gait to pivot the turn.

Each rank successively executes on same spot as leaders.

“Column Right About, March”

or “Column Left About, March” 180 degree- 10’ inside diameter

Wheels

“Right Wheel, March”

or “Left Wheel, March” Inside pivots. Dress on shoulders of the Outside Rider.

Give way to outside. Touch inside knee.

Maintain gait, do not increase gait. Inside must

shorten gait to anchor the pivot.

Turns and wheels are beautiful with power and martial splendor if they are controlled as described; they appear as drunken sailors coming back from leave if they are not attended to by the whole element.

Dismounting...

When Drawn up on line.

“Prepare to dismount” 1’s and 3’s forward half length etc.

“Dismount” all dismount, reins & lead strap

in right hand, stand to horse...

“Form Rank” 2’s & 4’s forward.

“Dismissed”