FIELD EXERCISE AND EVOLUTIONS OF THE ARMY (1824)

The revised 1824 edition of the standard manual of British army exercises. Major General Sir Henry Torrens had the recent experiences of the Napoleonic Wars firmly in mind when he undertook the revision of the rules. The resulkting handbook was then distributed to all officers to be ‘strictly adhered to, without any deviation whatsoever’. Part One of the book is divided into three sections. The first deals with open order exercises without arms, and covers parading, stepping out, marching etc. The second deals with close order marching; and the third, exercising with arms. Part II concerns company manoevres; and Part III with those of a battalion. Part IV details the rules of Light Infantry formations, and Part V with those of a brigade. The book is accompanied by a series of fascinating diagrams illustrating the exercises and manoevres described.