Here is an interesting set of information on skirmishers in the ACW:
http://www.usregulars.com/cis00.html (Extensive and detailed)
http://vermontcivilwar.org/units/1bgd/mollus.php
http://www.civilwarhome.com/terms.htm
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/encyclopedia/S/Sk/Skirmisher.htm
http://community.webshots.com/album/284852400pHKHMS (Interesting)
http://www.ehistory.com/uscw/index.cfm
Excerpt from USREGULARS.COM:
"TO FIRE MARCHING.
111. This fire will be executed by the same commands as the fire at a halt.
112. At the command commence firing, if the line be advancing, the front-rank man of every file will halt, fire, and reload before throwing himself forward. The rear-rank man of the same file will continue to march, and after passing ten or twelve paces beyond his front-rank man, will halt, come to a ready, select his object, and fire when his front-rank man has loaded; the fire will thus continue to be executed by each file; the skirmishers will keep united, and endeavor, as much as possible, to preserve the general direction of the alignment.
113. If the line be marching in retreat, at the command commence firing, the front-rank man of every file will halt, face to the enemy, fire, and then reload whilst moving to the rear; the rearrank man of the same file will continue to march, and halt ten or twelve paces beyond his frontrank man, face about, come to a ready, and fire, when his front-rank man has passed him in retreat and loaded; after which, he will move to the rear reloading whilst so moving. The frontrank man in his turn, after marching briskly to the rear, will halt at ten or twelve paces from the rear-rank, face to the enemy, finish loading his piece and fire, conforming to what has just been prescribed for the rear-rank man; the firing will thus be continued."
<b><font color="gold">Ernie Sands
LtGen, CO XXIII Corps, AoO
ACWGC Cabinet member
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