CounterMarch - Georgia Sharpshooters

A Treatise on Countermarch
by 1st Lt Gene Harmon

Based On Hardee’s Tactics
School of the Company
Lesson Sixth
Article Fourth

As we know, a soldier is taught from the beginning and then expands on his knowledge and execution with more advanced techniques and applications. This has not changed much through the years. During the Civil War, it was taught in progressively complicated stages starting with the School of the Soldier. Once he was accomplished in these lessons, training advanced to the School of the Company. NONE of what he had previously learned lost significance; now it was just applied while in a company formation. Likewise, a company drilling in the School of the Battalion applied all previously learned lessons in that for the “Company” within the battalion formation. Again, nothing had lost its importance or method of execution, but was now done as part of the larger maneuvers.

In the following treatise, I have laid out the significance in the above regarding to the “countermarch” command. This is one of those re-enactorims that apparently has survived for way too many years.

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.

Now, two things jump out immediately to me from this first statement.

"Company being at a halt" - Every mention of Countermarch in Hardee's states it is executed from the Halt. It is not given to a company or column on the move.

"and supposed to constitute part of a column" - This is stating that even though the drill is being conducted at a company level, it is theoretically being executed as part of a column of infantry. This, in essence, would mean several companies in battalion or regimental formation.

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 read, and then place himself by the side of the front rank, to conduct him.

With the company facing to the right, the two guides ( using 1^st and 2^nd Sgts as examples ) now facing about and the captain breaking two files to the rear, it does not sound like the countermarch we as re-enactors continue to execute. This would not adhere to the common practice of the entire battalion marching up to pivot at fixed point and march back down to be halted facing the other direction.

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 left guide; each file will come in succession to wheel on the same ground around 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.

Once again, contrary to the accepted practice, this clearly states the company wheels

around its 1^st Sgt and then is halted near the 2^nd Sgt before being fronted and dressed. Given this insight, if a battalion commander gives the countermarch command, EACH company should do its own countermarch. The order of companies would be inverted but NOT the ranks.

     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 Hide 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.

To sum up this aspect, countermarch should always be done from the Halt and each company does its own countermarch even when part of a larger formation such as a battalion or regiment.

Battlefield Application

     In addition to my statements above, I would like to make some observations on the countermarch maneuver in comparison to practical application on the battlefield. As we know, there is a major difference between parade ground drill and battlefield execution of the same.
     One drill maneuver most battalions seem to absolutely love is “on the right, by files, into line”. This would be ok if going into line to the left of a battalion already online engaging the enemy. However, in my opinion, this is mostly a drill command to be used on the parade ground.
      Theoretically, you are marching along in a column of fours when an enemy battalion appears on your fight flank by cresting a rise or from other terrain features which hinder your sight. Either way, what happens ? Most battalions would execute “on the right, by files, into line” to face the enemy. One big problem with that is once online you are not facing the enemy unless you are firing at the right oblique. In addition, your right flank is exposed. Your maneuver has changed the facing of your battleline but has put it into line beyond the enemy’s location.
      Now, consider the following in the same situation. Immediately halt the battalion and give countermarch commands. Each company executes a countermarch and is online in a matter of seconds throwing “lead” at the enemy. Again, the order of companies is inverted but NOT the ranks. It is up to the battalion command to remember this. Performing this maneuver will put the battalion directly in the path of the enemy advance and have them firing directly into them. It is a faster, more proficient way to get the rifles online.
      This is also true in a column of companies either at normal distance or closed en masse. To bring them toward the rear in the same formation, countermarch would be given and each company would carry out the movement.

Countermarch with Column of Companies
at normal distance

Countermarch with Column of Companies
Closed en-masse

This is important for one major reason. Unless severely pressed by the enemy and time does not exist, the ranks should NEVER be inverted. Do not “face by the rear rank, and forward march” to march away from the enemy. Countermarch should be given and then forward march.

What difference does it make ? The ranks must remain in their original configuration in case the tactical situation requires you to face the enemy by wheeling to the left or right into line.A commander must always think ahead to ensure he keeps this simple aspect in mind.

There are one or two exceptions, such as when marching a battalion to the rear while keeping the battleline formation. However, even this should ONLY be done at short distances and then fronted to face the enemy again.

You may ask, “how often will an enemy battalion ‘surprise’ us on a re-enacting field by appearing on the flank ?” That is not the point. The point is we are supposed to be doing our best to portray them in camp and on the battlefield as accurately as possible.

Drill itself is the cheapest thing to improve – just takes reading and practice.