nies or platoons of movements in the School of the Company the
major may cause such movement to be executed by prefixing, when
necessary, _companies (platoons)_ to the commands prescribed therein:
as 1. _Companies, right front into line_, 2. _MARCH_. To complete such
simultaneous movements, the commands _halt_ or _march_, if
prescribed, are given by the major. The command _front_, when
prescribed, is given by the captains.

269. The battalion as a unit executes the loadings and firings only in
firing saluting volleys. The commands are as for the company,
substituting _battalion_ for _company_. At the first command for
loading, captains take post in rear of the center of their respective
companies. At the conclusion of the firing, the captains resume their
posts in line.

On other occasions, when firing in close order is necessary, it is
executed by company or other subdivision under instructions from the
major.

_To Form the Battalion._

270. For purposes other than ceremonies: The battalion is formed in
column of squads. The companies having been formed, the adjutant posts
himself so as to be facing the column, when formed, and 6 paces in
front of the place to be occupied by the leading guide of the
battalion; he draws saber; _adjutant's call_ is sounded or the
adjutant signals _assemble_.

The companies are formed, at attention, in column of squads in their
proper order. Each captain, after halting his company, salutes the
adjutant; the adjutant returns the salute and, when the last captain
has saluted, faces the major and reports: _Sir, the battalion is
formed_. He then joins the major.

271. For ceremonies or when directed: The battalion is formed in line.

The companies having been formed, the adjutant posts himself so as to
be 6 paces to the right of the right company when line is formed, and
faces in the direction in which the line is to extend. He draws saber;
_adjutant's call_ is sounded; the band plays if present.

The right company is conducted by its captain so as to arrive from the
rear, parallel to the line; its right and left guides precede it on
the line by about 20 paces, taking post facing to the right at order
arms, so that their elbows will be against the breasts of the right
and left files of their company when it is dressed. The guides of the
other companies successively prolong the line to the left in like
manner and the companies approach their respective places in line as
explained