Sgt. Major

The correct method to execute "Countermarch" was exercised at the School of the Company held in May, 2012, at Ft. Branch.

The method for "Countermarch", as defined in Hardee's 'Rifle and Infantry Tactics, Revised and Improved', is provided below with the addition of diagrams depicting the movements. Referencing the first statement (334), note that the countermarch should only be executed from the halt, and is executed at the company level.

SCHOOL OF THE COMPANY-LESSON VI.

ARTICLE FOURTH.

Countermarch.

    334. The company being at a halt, and supposed to constitute part of a column, right in front, when the instructor shall wish to cause it to countermarch, he will command:

1. Countermarch.     2. Company, right-FACE.     3. By file left.     4. MARCH.

    335. At the second command, the company will face to the right, the two guides to the right about; the captain will go to the right of his company and cause two files to break to the rear, and then place himself by the side of the front rank man, to conduct him.

    336. At the command march, both guides will stand fast: the company will step off smartly; the first file, conducted by the captain, will wheel around the right guide, and direct its march along the front rank so as to arrive behind, and two paces from the right guide; the leading file having arrived at a point opposite to the left guide, the captain will command :

1. Company.   2. HALT.   3. FRONT.   4. Right-DRESS.

    337. The first command will be given at four paces from the point where the leading file is to rest.

    338. At the second command, the company will halt.

    339. At the third, it will face to the front.

    340. At the fourth, the company will dress by the right; the captain will step two paces outside of the left guide, now on the right, and direct the alignment, so that the front rank may be enclosed between the two guides; the company being aligned, he will command FRONT, and place himself before the centre of the company as if in column; the guides passing along the front rank, will shift to their proper places, on the right and left of that rank.

    341. In a column, by platoon, the countermarch will be executed by the same commands, and according to the same principles; the guide of each platoon will face about, and its chief will place himself by the side of the file on the right, to conduct it.

    342. In a column, left in front, the countermarch will be executed by inverse commands and means, but according to the same principles. Thus, the movement will be made by the right flank of subdivisions, if the right be in front, and by the left flank, if the left be in front ; in both cases the subdivisions will wheel by file to the side of the front rank.