The employment of the third rank for tirailleurs is deemed objectionable on account of the difficulty of rallying them on the column.

For this reason, the best authorities prefer detaching an entire division of two companies.
The formation of squares is exceedingly effective in an open country, and against an enemy who is superior in cavalry.

Formerly very large squares were employed, but they are now formed either by regiment or by battalion.

The former are deemed best for the defensive, and the latter for offensive movements.

The manner of arranging these is shown in Figure 29.
3d.