BATTALION is the unit of command in infantry. It comprises the largest number of men who, when drawn up in array, can conveniently hear the word of command from an officer. In whatever ways the armies of Europe differ in other particulars, they seldom depart very far from a mean /rur•strength of 1000 men per battalion. Two or more of those units combine to form a regiment (with exceptions presently to be noticed); and those regiments are further aggregated into brigades, divisions, and cops d'arrnle, or other large groupings. The uuit, or II., is divided into wings, and these into companies and sqUads. The continental regiments are for the most part so large as to comprise several battalions each; but the British infantry regiments, in time of peace, have mostly only one B. each. The usual way of increasing the British infantry in war-time is, not by creating new regiments, but by increasing the number of bat talions per regiment, and of companies per battalion. In 1878, there were 110 regiments of line-infantry; of these, 83 had only 1 battalion each, 25 had 2 battalions, and 2 had as many as 4. The full complement of a 13. is usually 12 coinpanies; and when these are drawn up on parade. two ranks in depth, the two choice companies, called the " grenadier" and the "light-infantry" companies, are placed at the right and left extremi ties of the whole line; the other eight companies, each designated by a number or letter, being between them. In this form, the front of a B. of 1000 men is about 390 yards in
length.
An English B. of 900private soldiers approaches near 1100 strong when the officers, etc., are included. The following may be taken as the component elements, under the average war arrangements of the British service: 10 regimental staff-officers (lieut.c.0,1., 2 majors, adjutant, instructor in musketry, surgeon, paymaster, and quartermaster); 313 company officers (rapt., and sub-lieut.); 1 warrant officer (regimental school-mas ter); 10 non-commissioned staff officers (staff and chief sergeants); 50 non-commissioned company officers (color-sergeants and sergeants); 900 rank and file (50 corporals, 850 •privates, and 24 drummers).
The relation which the B. bears to the regiment; in various details of discipline and service, will be better noticed under while a few related matters of a more general nature will be found treated under BRITISH ARMY.