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INFANTRY - TACTICS
School of the Soldier.
77. This school, the object of which is the instruction of the recruit, being indispensable to the instruction of the company, on which again depends that of the battalion, what is herein prescribed will be taught with the greatest possible clearness and precision.
Division of the School of the Soldier, and General Rules
78. The School of the Soldier will be divided into three parts: the first, comprehending what ought to be taught to recruits without arms; the second, the manual of arms, the loadings and firings; the third, the principles of alignments, (dressing on a line) the march by the front, the different steps, the march by the flank, the principles of wheeling, and those of change of direction.
79. Each part will be divided into lessons, as follows:
Lesson 1. Position of the soldier: Eyes right, left, and front.
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER
Lesson 2. Facings.
Lesson 3. Principles of the direct step in common time.
Lesson 4. Principles of the oblique step in common time.
Lesson 1. Principles of shouldered arms.
Lesson 2. Manual of arms.
Lesson 3. Loadings,
Lesson 4. Firings, direct, oblique, and of two ranks, (or by file.)
Lesson 1. Union of six or nine men for instruction in the principles of alignment.
Lesson 2. The march by the front and the different steps.
Lesson 3. The march by the flank.
Lesson 4. Principles of wheeling and of change of direction.
8O. The lessons will be followed by remarks, having for object to demonstrate to demonstrate the utility of the principles prescribed. The instructor cannot study them too much, nor be too particular in their application.
81. The tone of command will always be animated, and elevated in voice in proportion to the number of men under instruction.
82. Commands will be of two kinds: Commands of caution, and those of execution.- See No. 70.
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83. The commands of caution, herein distinguished by italics, will be pronounced distinctly, and in an elevated voice- lengthening a little the last syllable.
84. The commands of execution, herein printed in CAPITALS, will be pronounced in a tone firm and brief.
85. Those which in the printing, are separated by hyphens, as Right-FACE, will be divided in the pronunciation in a corresponding manner. In this case, the word Right is the command of caution, and FACE the command of execution.
86. The instructor will always first explain what he proposes to teach, in a few clear and precise words. He will himself execute what he is about to command, by way of illustration, and endeavor to accustom the recruit to take, himself, the right position, and not place him in it, by the touch, until, after the failure of repeated explanations.
87. This will be taught, if practicable, to one recruit at a time; but two, or at most, three recruits may be united when the number be great, compared with that of instructors. In this case, the recruits will placed in a single rank, at one pace apart. The recruit, or recruits, in this part, will be without arms.
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER, PART 1.
Position of the Soldier.
88. (Pl. III, fig.1 and 2) Heels on the same line, and as close together as the conformation of the man may permit; the feet forming with each other something less than a right angle, the toes equally turned out; the knees straight without stiffness; the body erect on the hips, the upper part inclining a little forward; arms hanging naturally, elbows near the body, the palm of the hand turned a little to the front, the little finger behind the seam of the pantaloons, or the centre of the thigh; the face well to the front, the chin a little drawn in without constraint, and the eyes striking the ground at the distance of fifteen paces.
Remarks on the position of the Soldier.
89. Heels on the same line.
Because, if one were in rear of the other, the shoulder on that side would be thrown back, or the position of the soldier would be constrained.
90. Heels more or less closed.
Because, men who are knock kneed, or who have legs with large calves, cannot, without constraint, make their heels touch while standing.
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91. Toes equally turned out, and not forming too large an angle.
Because, if one toe were turned out more than the other, a shoulder would be deranged, and if both toes be too much turned out, it would not be practicable to incline the upper part of the body forward, without rendering the whole position unsteady.
92. Knees extended without stiffness.
Because, if stiffened, constraint and fatigue would be unavoidable.
93. The body erect on the hips.
Because, it gives equilibrium to the position. The instructor will observe that many recruits have the bad habit of dropping a shoulder, of drawing in a side, or of advancing a hip, particularly the left, when under arms. These are defects which he will labour to correct.
94. The upper part of the body inclining forward.
Because, commonly recruits are disposed to do the reverse, to project the belly, and to throw back the shoulders when they wish to hold themselves erect- great inconveniences in marching, as will be explained in the remarks on the principles of the step. The habit of inclining forward the upper part of the body is so important to contract, that the instructor must enforce it at
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the beginning, particularly with recruits who have naturally the opposite habit.
95. Shoulders square.
Because, if the shoulders be advanced beyond the line of the breast, and the back arched, (the defect called round-shouldered, not uncommon among recruits,) the man cannot align himself, or use his firelock with address. It is important, then to correct this defect, and necessary to that end, that the coat should set easy about the shoulders and arm-pits; but, in correcting this defect, the instructor will take care that the shoulders be not thrown to much to the rear, which would cause the belly to project, and the small of the back to be curved.
96. The arms hanging naturally; elbows near the body, the palm of the hand a little turned to the front, the little finger behind the seam of the pantaloons;
Because, these positions are equally important to the shoulder-arms, and to prevent the man from occupying more space in a rank than is necessary to a free use of the firelock; they have, moreover, the advantage of keeping in the shoulders.
97. The face well to the front, the chin a little drawn in, without constraint.
Because, if there be stiffness in the latter position, it would communicate itself to the whole of the upper part of the body, embarrass its movements, and give pain and fatigue.
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98. Eyes cast direct to the front.
Because, this is the surest means of maintaining the shoulders in line- an essential object, to be insisted on and attained.
99. The instructor, having given the recruit the position of the soldier without arms, will now teach him the turning of the head or eyes.
He will command:
1. Eyes- RIGHT. 2. FRONT.
1OO. At the word right, the recruit will turn
the head gently, so as to bring the inner corner of the left eye in a line with the buttons of the coat, the eyes fixed on the line of the eyes of the men in, or supposed to be in, the same line.
101. At the second command, the head will resume the direct or habitual position.
1O2. The movement of Eyes- LEFT will be executed by inverse means.
1O3. The instructor will take particular care that the movement of the head does not derange the squareness of the shoulders, which will happen of the movement of the former be too sudden.
104. When the instructor shall wish the recruit to pass from the state of attention to that of ease, he will command:
REST.
1O5. At this, the recruit will not be required to preserve the steadiness of his position.
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1O6. To cause a resumption of the original position, the instructor will command:
1. Attention. 2. SQUAD.
1O7. At the first word, the recruit will fix his attention; at the second, he will resume the prescribed position and steadiness.
Facings.
1O8. Facing to the right and left will be executed in one time, or pause. The instructor will command:
1. Squad, by the right (or left) flank. 2.Right (or left) FACE.
1O9. At the second command, the recruit
will turn on the left heel, raising a little the left toe, and at the same time bring the right heel to the side of the left, and on the same line, so that this new line of the heels shall be exactly at right angles with their former line.
11O. The full face to the rear (or front) will be executed in two times, or pauses. The instructor will command:
1. Squad. 2. About- FACE,
2.
3. 111. (First time) At the word about, the
recruit will turn on the left heel; bring the left
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toe to the front, carry the right foot to the rear, the hollow opposite to, and full three inches from, the left heel, the feet square to each other; seize, all at the same time, the inner front corner of the cartridge box with the right hand.
112. (Second time) At the word FACE, the recruit will turn on the two heels, raise the toes a little, extend the hams, face to the rear, bringing at the same time, the right heel at the side of the left and quit the hold of the cartridge box.
113. When the recruit is under arms, he will turn the left hand, in the first time (or pause), of about-face, as will be explained in the first motion of present-arms, and replace the hand, and piece at the instant of bringing the right heel to the side of the left.
114. The instructor will take care that these motions do not derange the position of the body .
115. The length of the direct step, or pace, in common time, will be twenty-eight inches, reckoning from heel to heel, and in swiftness, at the rate of ninety in a minute.
116. The instructor, seeing the recruit confirmed in his position, will explain to him the principle and mechanism of this step- placing himself six or seven paces from, and facing to the recruit. He will himself execute slowly the step
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in the way of illustration, and then command:
1. Squad, Forward, 2. MARCH.
117. At the first command, the recruit will
throw the weight of the body on the right leg, without bending the knee.
118. (Pl, III, fig. 3.) At the second command, he will smartly, but with without a jerk, carry straight forward the left foot twenty-eight inches from the right, sole near the ground, the ham extended, the toe a little depressed, and as also the knee, slightly turned out; he will, at the same time, throw the weight of the body forward, and plant flat the left foot, without shock, precisely at the distance where it finds itself from the right when the weight of the body is brought forward, the whole of which will now rest on the advanced foot. The recruit will next, in like manner, advance the right foot and plant it as above, the heel twenty-eight inches from the heel of the left foot, and thus continue to march without crossing the legs, or striking the one against the other, without turning the shoulders, and preserving always the face direct to the front.
119. When the instructor shall wish to arrest the march, he will command:
1. Squad. 2. HALT.
12O. At the second command, which will be given at the instant when either foot is coming to the
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ground, the foot in the rear will be brought up, and planted by the side of the other, without shock.
Remarks on the principles of the Step.
121. Throw the weight of the body on the right leg at the command, "forward;"
In order to prepare for taking more smartly the first step, which is essential in a body of men.
122. The toe depressed, but without constraint or affectation;
Because, the depression of the toe extends the ham, and prepares the foot for coming flat to the ground.
123. The toe and knee slightly turned out;
Because, if too much turned out, it would render the body unsteady.
124. The upper part of the body forward;
To the end that its weight may be thrown on the foot on the ground, that the foot in the rear may be easily raised, and that the step be not shortened.
125. To march with the ham extended;
Because, a rank cannot, without jostling and
separating elbows, march, as each man
would by
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himself, walk; and as no two men walk precisely in the same manner, it is essential that recruits learn to march in a uniform step, marked and cadenced, without which there would be no harmony of movement (ensemble.)
126. To pass the foot near the ground;
Because, if the foot were raised more than necessary, time would be lost, and the soldiers fatigued uselessly. Besides, without some fixed principle, some would raise the feet and bend the knee more, and others less; the feet would not come to the ground at the same instant, and thus there would be a loss of cadence and harmony.
127.To plant the foot flat, without shock;
In order to avoid the wavering of the body, which would necessarily happen if the heel first reaches the ground, or if the flat of the foot comes down with a shock. The latter fault would be attended with the inconvenience of much useless fatigue, besides a loss of cadence.
128. The face or eyes direct to the front;
Because, this position of the head prevents the shoulders from turning, and assures the direct march to the front.
129. The instructor will indicate, from time to time, to the recruit, the cadence of the step, by giving the command one at the instant of raising the foot, and two at the instant it ought to be
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planted, observing the cadence of ninety steps in a minute. This method will contribute greatly to impress upon the mind the two motions into which the step is naturally divided.
Principles of the Oblique Step.
13O. The swiftness of the oblique march will be at the same as that of the direct, that is, at the rate of ninety steps a minute, in common time. The length of the step will be given below.
131. When the recruit shall have acquired the habit of taking well the direct step in common time, that is, of marching in steps equal in length and swiftness in that time, the instructor will teach him to march in the oblique step, and in order that its mechanism may be better comprehended, he will analyze the step as follows:
132. (PL. II) The recruit being at a halt, the instructor will cause him to carry the right foot obliquely to the right and front, twenty-six inches from the left, and eighteen on that side, turning the toe a little within, in order to prevent the opposite shoulder (the left) from advancing. The recruit will remain in this position.
133. At the command two, given by the instructor, the recruit will carry the left foot, by the shortest line, eighteen inches in front of the right heel, and remain firm.
134. He will continue to march in this manner, at the commands one and two, halting at each step,
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and taking special care not to derange the head and shoulders, that is, to keep them well to the front.
135. The oblique step to the left will be executed according to the same principles, the recruit stepping off with the left foot.
136. After some lessons in this way, the recruit will be marched, without analyzing the step, obliquely to the right and left, as follows:
137. The recruit being in the direct march in common time, the instructor will command:
1. Right Oblique. 2. MARCH.
138. At the second command, which will be given
at the instant the left foot comes to the ground, the recruit will commence the oblique step to the right, taking care to conform himself to what has been prescribed above, particularly as to the manner of taking the step, its length and the squareness of the shoulders, but without halting on each step, and observing to take ninety steps in a minute.
139. The oblique march to the left will be executed according to the same principles. The instructor will give the command march, at the instant the right foot comes to the ground.
14O. To resume the direct march, the instructor will command:
1. Forward. 2. MARCH.
2.
141. At the second command, which will be given at the instant that either foot comes to the
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ground, the recruit will resume the direct march and the step of twenty-eight inches.
Remarks on the Oblique Step.
142. The instructor will take care, as in the preceding lesson, that the recruit marches with the ham extended; that the weight of the body be thrown on the foot that comes to the ground: that the feet be carried by the shortest line to the place where they are to be planted; that the head be well to the front; and that the shoulders be not turned out, or deranged.
143. Recruits will be much exercised in this step, which is difficult in the commencement, but of great utility in the Evolutions of the Line. It is, moreover, and excellent means of giving erectness of body, and of habituating the recruits to maintain the line of the shoulders in a square with the perpendicular. Accordingly, they will be caused to march obliquely fifty or sixty paces in succession, before resuming the direct march.
144. When the recruit shall be well established in the oblique step, the instructor need not too rigorously observe the lengths prescribed for it. He will give as an essential principle, to gain as much ground as possible to the right (or left), and proportionately less to the front, without deranging the line of the shoulders, which ought always to be in the same position as in the direct march.
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General Remarks on the Direct and Oblique Steps.
145. To judge if the position of the body be conformable to the principles prescribed, if the step be regularly taken, and if the weight of the body be thrown on the foot that comes to the ground, the instructor will frequently throw himself ten or twelve paces in front, and faced to the recruit: then, if he cannot perceive the sole of the shoe in the process of raising, passing, and planting the foot, if he can detect no movement of the shoulders, and no wavering in the upper part of the body, he may be assured that the principles are well observed.
146. When the principles of the steps are taught to two or three recruits at a time, not to distract their attention, they need not be required to attend strictly to dressing in line. Besides, when they shall have acquired the habit of taking steps equal in length and swiftness, they will have acquired the true means of preserving the alignment.
147. The instructor will observe, also, in case of a union of two or three recruits in the foregoing lessons, to place them a step apart, to prevent them from acquiring the bad habit of losing the touch of the elbow, or of leaning on the next man to the left or right.
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GENERAL RULES
148. The instructor will not pass the recruits to this second part until they shall be well established in the position of the body, and in the manner of taking the direct and oblique steps.
149. He will then unite three men, whom he will place in the same rank, elbow to elbow, and instruct them in the position of shouldered arms, as follows:
15O. Each recruit being in the position prescribed in the first lesson of the first part, the instructor will cause him to turn up the left hand without bending the wrist, the left fore-arm only acting. The instructor will raise the piece perpendicularly, and place it as follows:
151. (Pl. III, fig, 1 and 2.) The piece (fusil, musket, or firelock,) in the left hand, the arm but a very little bent, the elbow back, near the body, the palm of the hand pressing on the outer flat of the butt; the outer edge of the latter on the upper joints of the fingers, the heel of the butt between the fore and middle fingers, the thumb on the front screw of the butt plate, the remaining fingers under the butt, the butt more or less kept back,
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according to conformation of the recruit, so that the piece, seen from the front, shall appear perpendicular, and also that the movement of the thigh, in marching, may not raise it, or cause it to waver; the stock, below the tail-band, resting against the hollow of the shoulder, just within the joint, the right arm hanging naturally as prescribed in the first lesson of the first part,
Remarks on Shouldered Arms.
152. Recruits are frequently seen with natural defects in the conformation of the shoulders, breast, and hips. These the instructor will labour to correct in the lessons without arms, and afterwards, by steady endeavors, so that the appearance of the firelocks, in the same line, may be uniform, and this without constraint to the men in their positions.
153. The instructor will have occasion to remark that recruits, on first bearing arms, are liable to derange their whole position, and particularly to distort the shoulders, which, causing the firelock to lose its point of support, they drop the left hand to prevent the firelock from falling from the shoulder, which again causes that shoulder to be lowered, a curvature of the side, a spreading of elbows to restore the equilibrium, &tc.
154. He will be careful to correct all these faults by continually rectifying the position; he will sometimes take away the firelock, to replace it the better; he will avoid fatiguing the recruits.
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too much in the beginning, but labour by degrees to render this position so natural and easy, that they may remain in it a long time without fatigue.
155. Finally, the instructor will take great care that the firelock, at a shoulder, be not carried too high, nor too low: if too high, the left elbow would spread out, the soldier would occupy too much space in his rank, and the firelock be made to waver: if too low, the files would be too much closed, the soldier would not have the necessary space to handle his firelock with facility, the left arm would become too much fatigued, would draw down the shoulder, &tc.
156. The instructor, before passing to the second lesson, will cause to be repeated the movements of eyes right, left, and front, and the facings.
Manual of Arms.
157. This lesson will be taught to three men, placed, at first, in one rank, elbow to elbow, and then in a single file.
158. Each command will be executed in one time(or pause,) but this time will be divided into motions, the better to make known the mechanism.
159. The rate (or swiftness) of each motion, in the manual of arms, with the exceptions herein indicated, is fixed at the ninetieth part of a minute; but, in order not to fatigue the attention,
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the instructor will, at first, look more particularly to the execution of the motions, without requiring a nice observance of the cadence, to which he will bring the recruits progressively, and after they shall have become a little familiarized with the handling of the weapon.
16O. As the motions relative to the cartridge, to the rammer, and to the fixing and unfixing of the bayonet, cannot be executed at the rate prescribed, nor even with a uniform swiftness, they will not subjected to that cadence. The instructor will, however, labour to cause these motions to be executed with promptness, and above all, with regularity.
161. In all the other times, (or pauses,) in the manual of arms, which are composed of three or four motions, the first two motions will be a little quickened.
162. The last syllable of the command will decide the brisk execution of the first motion of each time (or pause.) The commands two, three, and four, will decide the brisk execution of the other motions. As soon as the recruits shall well comprehend the positions of the several motions of a time, they will be taught to execute the time without resting on its different motions; the mechanism of the time will nevertheless be observed, as well to give a perfect use of the firelock, as to avoid the sinking of, or slurring over, either of the motions.
163. The manual of arms will be taught in the following progression: The instructor will command:
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Support- ARMS.
One time and three motions.
164. (First motion. Pl. IV, fig.1) With the right hand, seize briskly the handle (or small) of the stock, four inches below the lock, raising a little, but not turning the piece.
165. (Second motion.) Take the left hand from the butt; extend the left fore-arm upwards across the body, under the cock, the left hand flat on the right breast.
166. (Third motion.) Drop the right arm smartly into its position.
167. The recruits being at support arms, the instructor, to allow it, will command:
REST.
168. At this command, the recruits will bring up smartly the right hand to the handle of the piece, (small of the stock,) when they will not be required to preserve silence, or steadiness of position. They, however, will not quit their rank without special permission.
169. To pass from rest to the prescribed fixed position, the instructor will command:
1. Attention. 2. SQUAD.
17O. At the second command, the recruits
will resume the position of the third motion of support arms.
I--D
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Carry- ARMS.
One time and three motions.
171. (First motion.) Carry quickly the right hand to the small.
172. (Second motion.)Place quickly the left hand upon the butt.
173. (Third motion.) Let fall smartly the right hand into its position, and drop with the left, at the same time, the piece into the position of shoulder arms.
Present- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
174. (First motion, Pl. IV, fig.2) Turn the piece with the left hand, the lock out, and seize the handle at the same time with the right hand, the piece perpendicular and detached from the shoulder, the left hand remaining under the butt.
175. (Second motion.) Complete the turning inwards of the piece, so as to bring it erect before the centre of the body, the rammer to the front, the right hand under and against the guard; seize it smartly at the same time with the left hand above the lock, the little finger against the featherspring, the thumb extended along the barrel and on the stock, the fore-arm resting on the body without constraint, and the hand at the height of the elbow.
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Shoulder- ARMS
One time and two motions.
176. (First motion.) Turn the piece with right hand, the barrel out, raise and support it against the left shoulder with the right hand, drop the left under the butt, the right hand resting on, without grasping, the handle.
177. (Second motion.) Drop quickly the right hand into its position.
Order- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
178. (First motion.) Drop the piece smartly by extending the left arm, seize it at the same time with the right hand above and near the tail-band; quit the hold of the left hand, and carry the piece opposite to the right shoulder, the rammer in front, the little finger behind the barrel, the right hand supported against the hip, the butt three inches from the ground, the piece erect, the left hand hanging by the side.
179. (Second motion.) Let the piece slip through the right hand to the ground without shock, and take the position about to be described.
Position of Order Arms.
18O. (Pl. IV, fig, 8) The hand low, the barrel
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between the thumb and fore-finger extended along the stock; the other fingers extended and joined; the muzzle about two inches from the right shoulder, the rammer in front; the toe (or beak) of the butt, against, and in a line with, the toe of the right foot, the barrel perpendicular.
181. When the instructor may wish to give repose in this position, he will command:
REST.
182. At this command, the recruits will not be required to preserve silence or steadiness. They, however, will not quit their rank without special permission.
183. When the instructor may wish to the recruits to pass from this position to that of silence and steadiness, he will command:
1. Attention. 2. SQUAD.
184. At the second word, the recruits will
resume the position of order arms, and remain firm and silent.
Shoulder- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
185. (First motion.) Raise smartly the piece with the right hand, carry it against the left shoulder, turning it, so as to bring the barrel to
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the front, place at the same time the left hand under the butt, and slip the right hand down to the lock.
186. (Second motion.) Let fall smartly the right hand into its position.
Charge- BAYONET.
One time and two motions.
187. (First motion, PL. V.) Make a half face to the right on the left heel, bring the left toe to the front, place at the same time the right foot behind, and at right angles with, the left, the hollow of the right foot opposite to, and about three inches from the left heel; turn the piece with the left hand, the lock outwards, and seize the handle at the same time with the right hand, the musket perpendicular, and detached from the shoulder; leave the left hand under the butt.
188. (Second motion.) Bring down the piece with the right hand into the left, the latter seizing it a little in advance of the tail-band, the barrel up, the left elbow near the body, the right hand supported against the hip, the point of the bayonet at the height of the eye. The recruits of the centre and rear ranks will take care not to touch their file leaders with the points of their bayonets.
Shoulder-ARMS.
One time and two motions
189. (First motion.) Face to the front by
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turning on the left heel, bring up the right by the side of the left heel; at the same time, spring up the piece with the right hand to the left shoulder, and place the left hand under the butt.
19O. (Second motion.) Let fall smartly the right hand into its position.
Load in twelve times.
1. LOAD.
191. (First motion.) As the first motion of
charge bayonet, except that the hollow of the right foot will be brought up against the left heel.
192. (Second motion.) Bring down the piece with the right hand into the left, which will, at the instant, seize it at the tail-band, the thumb extended on the stock, the butt under the right fore-arm, the handle against the body, and about two inches under the right breast, the muzzle at the height of the eye, the guard turned a little out, the left elbow supported against the sides. At the instant the piece falls into the left hand, the right thumb will be placed on the steel above the flint, the four fingers closed, the right fore-arm along the butt.
2. Open- PAN.
One time and one motion,
193. Open the pan by pushing forward the
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steelwith the right thumb, the left hand resisting and holding the piece firm; draw back immediately the right elbow, carry the hand to the cartridge-box in passing it between the butt and the body, and open the box.
3. Handle-CARTRIDGE.
One time and one motion,
194. Seize a cartridge with the thumb and the two next fingers, and place it between the teeth, the right hand passing between the butt and the body.
4. Tear-CARTRIDGE.
One time and one motion
195. Tear the paper down to the powder, hold the cartridge upright between the thumb and the next two fingers, near the top; in this position, place it against the pan, the palm of the right hand turned towards the body, the right elbow supported on the butt.
5. PRIME.
One time and one motion.
196. Drop the head a little, fix the eyes on the pan, fill it with powder, press together the top of the cartridge with the thumb and fore-finger, raise the head, and place the last two fingers of the right hand firmly behind and
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against the steel.
6. Shut-PAN.
One time and one motion.
197. Resisting the motion with the left hand, shut the pan smartly with the fingers behind the steel, holding carefully the cartridge with the next two fingers and the thumb; seize immediately the handle with the two remaining fingers and the palm of the right hand, the right wrist touching the body, the elbow back, and a little detached from the body.
7. Cast-ABOUT.
8.
One time and two motions.
198. (First motion.) Pass the piece along the left thigh, after bringing it upright near the body; to effect this, press the butt strongly, extending smartly the right arm, without lowering the shoulder; turn at the same time the rammer towards the body, open the left hand to let the piece slide through it towards and near the middle band, the elbow remaining near the body, the cock bearing on the right thumb; at the same instant face to the front, turning on the left heel, and carry the right foot forward, the heel against the hollow of the left.
199. (Second motion.) Quit the hold of the right hand; through the left let the piece
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descend to the ground, without shock, along and near the body; raise at the same time the right hand to the height of, and near the muzzle, holding the top of the cartridge up, the left hand against the body, the piece touching the left thigh, the muzzle opposite to the centre of the body.
9. Charge-CARTRIDGE.
One time and one motion.
2OO. Fix the eye on the muzzle, turn quickly the back of the right hand towards the body, in order to discharge the powder into the barrel, raise the elbow to the height of the wrist, shake the cartridge, force it into the muzzle, and leave the hand reversed, the fingers closed, but not clenched.
10.Draw-RAMMER.
One time and three motions.
2O1.(First motion.) Drop smartly the right elbow, and seize the rammer between the thumb and fore-finger bent, the other fingers shut; draw it smartly, extending the arm, seize the rammer again at the middle, between the thumb and fore-finger, the hand reversed, the palm to the front, the nails up, the eyes following the movement of the hand; clear the rammer from the pipes by again extending the arm.
2O2. (Second motion.) Turn rapidly the rammer between the bayonet and the face, closing the
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fingers, the rammers of the centre and rear ranks grazing the right shoulders of the men of the same file in front, respectively, the rammer parallel to the bayonet, the arm extended, the butt of the rammer opposite to the muzzle, but not yet inserted, the eyes fixed on the muzzle.
2O3. (Third motion.) Insert the butt of the rammer, and force it down as low as the hand.
1O. Ram- CARTRIDGE.
One time and one motion.
2O4. Extend the arm to its full length to seize the rammer between the right thumb extended and the fore-finger bent, the other fingers closed; with force ram home twice, and seize the rammer at the little end, between the thumb and fore-finger bent, the other fingers closed, the right elbow touching the body.
11.Return- RAMMER.
12.
One Time and three motions.
2O5. (First motion.) Draw briskly the rammer, re-seize it at the middle between the thumb and fore-finger, the hand reversed, the palm to the front, the nails up, the eyes following the movement of the hand, clear the rammer from the barrel by extending the arm.
2O6. (Second motion.) Turn rapidly the rammer between the bayonet and the face, closing the fingers, the rammers of the centre and rear ranks
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grazing the right shoulders of the men in the same file in front, respectively, the rammer parallel to the bayonet, the arm extended, the little end of the rammer opposite to the first pipe, not yet inserted, the eyes fixed on that pipe.
2O7. (Third motion.) Insert the little end, and with the thumb, which will follow the movement, force it as low as the middle band; raise quickly the hand a little bent, place the little finger on the butt of the rammer, and force it down; lower the left hand on the barrel to the extent of the arm, without depressing the shoulder.
13.Shoulder-ARMS.
One time and three motions.
2O8. (First motion.) Raise the piece with the left hand along the left side, the hand at the height of the chin, the fore-arm touching the piece, the barrel to the front; drop at the same time the right hand to seize the piece a little above the handle, the fore-finger touching the cock, and the thumb on the counter-plate.
2O9. (Second motion.) Raise the piece with the right hand, drop the left, and place it under the butt, bring back the right heel to the side of the left, and on the same line; support the piece with the right hand against the shoulder, in the position prescribed for shoulder arms, the right hand resting on, without grasping, the piece,
21O. (Third motion.) Let fall smartly the
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right into its position by the side of the thigh.
READY.
One time and four motions.
Position of the front rank.
211. (First motion, Pl. VII, fig. 1.) Turn the piece, with the left hand, the lock to the front; seize it at the handle with the right hand, and turn the left toe a little within.
212. (Second motion.) Carry briskly the right foot about thirty inches to the rear of the left heel, and about six to the right, according to the height of the man, so that the knee, coming to the ground, as will be explained in the third motion, shall find itself about ten inches and a half behind the left heel, and about six inches to the right, the knees a little bent, the body erect, and bearing equally on the two legs; bring down at the same time the piece with the right hand opposite the right thigh, turning it further so as to bring the rammer to the front; seize the piece with the left hand at the tail-band, the hand at the height of the elbow.
213. (Third motion.) Bring the right knee to the ground, taking care not to sink abruptly, set the butt of the piece on the ground without shock, so that it may be before the right thigh, the toe of the butt on a line with the left heel; seize the cock with the right thumb and fore-finger.
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214. (Fourth motion.) Cock, by pressing strongly on the head and holding it firmly the thumb and fore-finger till it reaches the proper notch.
Position of the centre rank.
215. (First motion, Pl. VII, fig. 2.) As the motion of the first time of loading.
216. (Second motion.) Bring the piece with the right hand to the middle of the body, place the left hand, the little finger touching the feather-spring, the thumb extended on the stock at the height of the chin, the counter-plate (or S) almost turned towards the body, the rammer obliquely to the left and front.
217. (Third motion.) Place the thumb on the head of the cock, the fore-finger under and on the guard, the other three fingers joined to the first, the elbow at the height of the hand.
218. (Fourth motion.) Close the right elbow smartly to the body in cocking, seize the piece at the handle, let it descend along the body in the left hand to the tail-band, which remain at the height of the shoulder.
Position of the rear rank.
219. (Pl. VIII, fig.2.) First, second, third and fourth motions, as those of the centre rank.
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AIM.
One time and one motion.
22O. (Pl. VIII, fig. 1,2 and 3.) Drop smartly the muzzle, the left hand remaining at the tail-band, support the butt against the right shoulder, the left elbow a little down, shut the left eye, direct the right along the barrel, drop the head upon the butt to catch the object, and place the fore-finger on the trigger.
221. (Pl. VIII, fig. 3.) The rear rank alone will, at the same time, carry the right foot about eight inches towards the left heel of the man next on the right.
FIRE.
One Time and one motion.
222. Apply the fore-finger with force to the trigger without further lowering or turning the head, and remain in that position.
LOAD
One time and two motions.
223. (First motion.) Bring back the piece quickly, and take the position of the second motion of the first time of loading, except that the right thumb, instead of being placed against the steel, will seize the head of the cock with the fore-
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finger bent, and the other fingers closed. The front rank will rise smartly, without bending the body forward, but keeping in the right shoulder, in order not to encounter the piece of the centre rank; the rear rank will bring back the right foot behind the left.
224. (Second motion.) Half cock, taking care not to cock, carry the right hand immediately to the cartridge box, passing it between the butt and the body, and open the box.
225. When, after firing, the instructor, instead of reloading, shall wish to bring the squad to a shoulder, he will command:
Shoulder- ARMS.
One time and one motion.
226. At the word shoulder, take the position of the second motion of the first time of loading, half cock as has just been explained, shut pan, and seize the handle of the piece. At the word arms, complete the time and face to the front.
227. The squad being in the position of aim, the instructor, to habituate the recruits to wait for the word fire, will sometimes command:
Recover- ARMS.
One time and one motion.
228. Withdraw the finger from the trigger, throw up smartly the muzzle, and retake the position of the fourth motion of ready.
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229. The recruits being in this position, if the instructor wish them to come to a shoulder, he will command:
Shoulder-ARMS.
23O. At the word shoulder, the front rank will rise, and the other two face to the front; the three ranks will bring again the piece to the middle of the body, the left thumb at the height of the chin, the little finger touching the feather-spring; next place the right thumb on the head of the cock, support the fore-finger on the trigger, sustain at the same time the cock in its descent till the flint nearly touches the steel, raise the cock to the half-cock-notch, and seize the handle of the piece with the right hand. At the word arms, carry the piece smartly to the shoulder, and retake the position of shoulder arms.
231. The recruits being at the shoulder, when the instructor may wish to return bayonets, he will command:
Unfix- BAYONET.
One time and three motions.
232. (First motion.) Drop the piece by a smart extension of the left arm, seize it with the right hand above and near the tail-band.
233. (Second motion.) Drop the piece with the right hand along the left thigh, seize it with the left hand above the right, lengthen out the left
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arm, rest the butt on the ground, without shock, and carry at the same time the right hand to the bayonet, seize it at the socket and shank, so that the lower end of the socket may be about an inch below the heel of the palm, and that, in wresting off the bayonet, the thumb may be extended on the blade.
234. (Third motion.) Wrest off the bayonet, return it to the scabbard, place immediately the right little finger on the butt of the rammer, lower the left hand along the barrel, in extending the arm, without depressing the shoulder.
Shoulder- ARMS.
235. As the twelfth time of loading.
Secure-ARMS.
One time and two motions.
236. (First motion.) Seize quickly the piece with the right hand, the thumb on the counter-plate, and the fore-finger against the cock; detach the piece from the shoulder at the same instant, the barrel to the front, seize it at the tail-band with the left hand, the thumb extended on the rammer, the piece erect, opposite to the shoulder, the left elbow on the piece.
237. (Second motion.) Reverse the piece, pass it under the left arm, the left hand remaining at the tail band, the thumb on the rammer to prevent it from sliding out, the little finger resting
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against the hip, and the right hand falling at the same time into its position.
Shoulder- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
238. (First motion.) Raise the piece with the left hand, but not too suddenly, lest the rammer should fly out; seize the handle with the right hand to support it against the shoulder, quit the hold of the left hand, and place quickly this hand under the butt.
239. (Second motion.) Let fall smartly the right hand into its position; drop at the same time the piece into the position of shouldered arms.
Fix- BAYONET.
One time and three motions.
24O. (First and second motions.) As the first and second motions of unfix bayonet, except that at the end of the second motion the right hand will go to seize the bayonet by the socket and shank, so that the lower (now upper) end of the socket shall extend about an inch above the heel of the palm.
241. (Third motion.) Draw the bayonet from the scabbard, carry and fix it on the muzzle; place the right little finger on the butt of the rammer.
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER, PART, II.
Shoulder- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
242. As the twelfth time of loading.
Trail- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
243. (First motion, Pl. IX,fig.1.) As the first motion of order arms.
244. (Second motion.) Incline a little the muzzle to the front, the butt to the rear, and about three inches from the ground, the right hand, supported at the hip, will sustain the piece so that the men of the centre and rear ranks may not touch with their bayonets the men in front of them.
Shoulder- ARMS.
245. At the command shoulder, raise the piece perpendicularly in the right hand: at the command arms, execute what has been prescribed for the shoulder from the position of order arms.
To right shoulder, shift- ARMS.
One time and one motion.
246. (Pl. IX, fig. 2.) Turn the piece with the left hand, the lock to the front, seize it at the same time with the right hand at the handle, place it on the right shoulder, the left hand not
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quitting the butt, the cock above and resting on the shoulder, the muzzle up; sustain the piece in this position by placing the right hand on the flat of the butt, so that the toe of the butt may be between the first two fingers, the other two on the butt plate; let fall the left hand by the side.
Shoulder- ARMS.
247. Raise the piece by extending the right arm, seize it with the left hand above the lock, carry it against the left shoulder, turning the barrel to the front, the right hand being at the handle, place the left hand under the butt, and let the right fall into its position.
Arms- AT WILL.
One time and one motion
248. Carry the piece at pleasure on either shoulder, or with one or both hands, the muzzle always up.
Shoulder- ARMS.
249. Retake smartly the position of shoulder arms.
Inspection of Arms.
25O. The squad being at ordered arms, and having the bayonet in the scabbard, if the
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instructor wishes to cause an inspection of arms, he will command:
Inspection of- ARMS.
One time and three motions.
251. (First motion.) Face to the right once and a half on the left heel, carrying the right foot perpendicularly to the rear of the alignment, about six inches from, and at right angles with, the left foot; seize promptly the piece with the left hand a little above the middle band, incline the muzzle to the rear, without displacing the heel of the butt, the rammer turned towards the body, carry at the same time the right hand to the bayonet and seize it as has been prescribed, No. 24O.
252. (Second motion.) Draw the bayonet from the scabbard, carry and fix it on the muzzle; seize next the rammer, draw it as has been explained in loading in twelve times, and let it glide to the bottom of the bore.
253. (Third motion.) Face promptly to the front, seize the piece with the right hand, and retake the position of ordered arms.
254. The instructor will then inspect in succession the piece of each recruit, in passing along the front of the rank. Each, as the instructor reaches him, will raise smartly his piece with his right hand, seize it with the left between the tail-band and the feather-spring, the lock to the front, the left hand at the height of the chin, the piece opposite to the left eye; the
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER, PART, II.
Instructor will take it with the right hand at the handle and, after inspecting it, will return it to the recruit, who will receive it back with the right hand, and replace it in the position of ordered arms.
255. When the instructor shall have passed him, each recruit will retake the position prescribed at the command inspection of arms, and return the rammer; after which he fade to the front.
256. If, instead of inspection of arms, it be the wish of the instructor only to cause bayonets to be fixed, he will command :
Fix-Bayonet.
257. Take the position indicated, No. 251, fix the bayonet as has been explained, and immediately face to the front.
258. Bayonets fixed, if it be the wish of the instructor, after firing, to ascertain whether the pieces have been discharged, he will command:
Spring- RAMMERS.
259. Put the rammer in the barrel, as has been explained above, and immediately face to the front.
26O. The instructor, for the purpose stated, can take the rammer by the small end, and spring it in the barrel, or cause each recruit to make the rammer ring in the barrel.
261. Each recruit, after the instructor passes him, will return rammer and face to the front.
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER, PART, II.
Remarks on the Manual of Arms.
262. The manual of arms frequently distorts the persons of recruits before they acquire ease and confidence in the several positions. The instructor will therefore frequently recur to elementary principles in the course of the lessons.
263. Recruits are also extremely liable to curve the sides and back, and to derange the shoulders, especially in the first time of loading. Consequently, the instructor will not cause them to dwell to long, at a time, in that position.
To load in four times.
264. The object of this lesson is to prepare the recruits to load at will, and to cause them to distinguish the times which cause the greatest regularity and attention, such as prime, charge cartridge, and ram cartridge. It will be divided as follows:
265. The first time will be executed at the end of the command; the three others at the words two, three, and four.
266. The instructor will command:
1. Load in four times. 4. LOAD.
267. (Pl.VI. fig.1.) Execute the first time of loading, open pan, handle cartridge, tear cartridge, drop the hand to the pan and prime.
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER, PART, II.
TWO.
268. (Pl.VI, fig.2.) Shut pan, cast about, charge cartridge, shake it, and force it in.
THREE.
269. (Pl. VI, fig. 3.) Draw rammer, enter it as far as the hand, and ram twice.
FOUR.
27O. Return rammer, and shoulder the piece.
To load at will.
271. The instructor will next teach loading at will, which will be executed as loading in four times, but continued, and without resting on either of the times. He will command:
1. Load at will. 2. LOAD.
Remarks on the loadings.
272. The instructor will perceive that the recruits who load, without apparent hurry, are those who are the most accurate and prompt. They turn the rammer without interfering with that of the man in front or on the side; they neither miss the muzzle, not the pipes of the rammer; they ram better, they spill less powder in priming, and they do not drop the cartridge- objects of essential
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importance, to which the instructor will oblige the recruit to give the greatest attention.
273. He will exact great regularity in the execution of the times, and in the positions, without which each recruit will be himself under constraint, and incommode those who are near him. The instructor will habituate the recruits by degrees to load with the greatest possible promptitude, each without regulating himself by his neighbour, and, above all, without waiting for him.
274. The cadence prescribed, No. 159, is not applicable to the loadings in four times (or pauses) or at will.
Firings.
275. The firings are direct or oblique, and will be executed as herein explained.
The Direct Fire.
276. (Pl. X, fig. 1.) The instructor will give the following commands:
1. Fire by squad. 2. Squad. 3. READY. 4. AIM. 5. FIRE. 6. LOAD.
277. These several commands will be executed as
has been prescribed under manual of arms. At the third, the three men will take the positions which have been indicated, according
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to the rank in which each may find himself placed. After the sixth, they will load and shoulder arms.
The Oblique Fire.
278. Oblique firing will be executed to the right and left, and by the same commands as the fire direct, with this single difference- the command aim will always be preceded by the caution right (or left) oblique, which will be given after the command ready.
Position of the three ranks in the Oblique Fire to the right.
279. (Pl. X, fig. 2.) At the command ready, the three ranks will execute what has been prescribed for the direct fire.
28O. At the cautionary command right oblique, the three ranks will throw back the left shoulder, and look steadily at the object at which they ought to fire; in this position the centre and rear ranks will be ready to take aim through the same intervals as in the direct fire, though in an oblique direction.
281. At the command aim, the front rank will direct the piece to the right, inclining the left knee a little within, without deranging the feet. The centre rank will take aim to the right, without stirring the feet. The rear rank will advance the left foot about six inches towards the right toe of the man of the centre rank in the same file, incline the upper part of the body forward, in
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER, PART, II.
bending a little the left knee, and take aim to the right.
282. At the command load, the three ranks will resume the position which has been prescribed for the fire direct; the rear rank will bring back the left heel against the hollow of the right foot at the instant the piece is brought to the priming position.
Position of the three ranks in the Oblique Fire to the
283. (PL. X, fig. 3.) At the command ready, the three ranks will execute what has been prescribed for the fire direct.
284. At the cautionary command left oblique, the three ranks will throw back the left shoulder and look steadily at the object on which they ought to fire; in this position the men of the centre and rear ranks will be ready to take aim in the interval to the left of the men in front, and in an oblique direction.
285. At the command aim, the front rank will take aim to the left without inclining the knee or stirring the feet. The centre rank men will take aim through the interval to the left of their file leaders, without stirring the feet. The rear rank men will advance the left foot about six inches towards the right heel of the centre rank men of their files; they will advance also the upper part of the body in bending a little the left knee, and take aim through the intervals on the left of their file-leaders.
286. At the command load, the three ranks
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER, PART, II.
will come to the priming position, the pieces still obliqued to the left, and prime; the rear rank will bring back the left heel to the hollow of the right foot. In casting about, the three ranks will take the same position as in the fire direct.
Remarks on the Oblique Firings.
287. Throw back a shoulder in taking aim.
In order to be able to direct the sight more or less obliquely, according to the position of the object aimed at.
288. The instructor will render this principle practically intelligible to recruits by placing a man in front, more or less to the right (or left) to represent such object, when they will fully comprehend the joinery, or mechanism of the oblique firings.
289. Advance the left foot and upper part of the body in the rear rank.
To avoid accidents, because, without this precaution, the pieces of the rear rank would not sufficiently project beyond the front in the oblique firings.
29O. In firing obliquely to the left, to draw back the piece and prime in the oblique direction,
Because, if the direct position were resumed, it would be necessary, in drawing back the piece to the priming position, to pass it over the head of the man directly in front.
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER, PART, II.
The fire of two ranks (or by file.)
291. The firing of two ranks will be executed by the front and centre ranks; the rear rank will not fire, but load and pass the piece to the centre rank. By means of this arrangement, the front rank will fire standing.
292. The instructor will give the following commands:
1. Fire by two ranks. 2. Squad. 3. READY.
4. Commence firing.
293. At the third command, the three ranks will take the position prescribed for the centre and rear ranks in the fire direct, except that the rear rank will not cock.
294. At the fourth command, the men of the front and centre ranks will take aim together, the one in the centre rank, in taking aim, will carry the right foot eight or nine inches to the right, towards the left heel of the man on (or supposed to be on) that side, and fire in that position. The rear rank man not having to fire, will occupy himself in loading and changing pieces with the centre rank man.
295. The front rank man will load briskly, and fire a second time; reload and fire again, and so on in continuation.
296. The centre rank man having fired, will pass his piece, with the right hand, to the rear rank man of his file; the latter will take it with
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER, PART, II.
the left hand, and pass his own with the right hand to the centre rank man, who will receive it with the left hand, fire it, reload and fire the same piece a second time, when he will repass it to the rear rank man, and thus in continuation, so that the centre rank will always fire twice in succession the same piece before repassing it to the rear rank man, except the first time.
297. After the first fire, the front and centre rank men need not constrain themselves to fire together.
298. The three ranks will always face to the front in casting about; and, after having loaded, they will retake the position indicated, No. 215, and following: to this end, each man having returned rammer, will spring up his piece with the left hand, causing it to slip through this hand, which will place itself on the feather-spring and at the height of the chin; at the same time he will half face to the right, in order to return to the prescribed position, and that the right thumb may be placed on the head of the cock, to cock, and the little finger under and on the guard. The front and centre ranks, after having cocked, will retake the position prescribed in No. 218. The rear rank man will always pass his piece to the centre rank man half cocked.
299. When the instructor shall wish to arrest the fire, he will command:
ROLL.
3OO. At this command, the fire will cease,
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER, PART, II.
each man will half-cock, if his piece be cocked, load, or finish loading, if not already loaded, and shoulder arms; the centre and rear rank men being careful to retake their proper places.
General remarks on the Firings.
3O1. If the squad (company, &tc.) be drawn up in two, instead of three ranks, what has been prescribed above for the fire of the centre and rear ranks, where all three fire, will apply to the front and rear ranks respectively, in the two rank formation.
3O2. In the same supposition of two ranks only, what has been prescribed above for the fire of the front and centre ranks, in the "fire of two ranks" will apply to the front and rear ranks respectively, in the two rank formation; but in this case, fire by file will be substituted in the commands for fire by two ranks, and there will be no exchanging of the pieces between ranks.
3O3. With cartridges, in all cases, it will be enjoined on the recruit to observe, in half-cocking, if smoke issue from the touch hole, a certain indication that the piece has gone off; if no smoke issue, instead of reloading, he will only pick and prime. If, thinking that he has fired, he put in one cartridge on another, he ought at least to discover the error by the length of the charge in ramming, and he will deserve punishment if he put in a third. Accordingly, the instructor will always inspect arms, after firing with cartridge, to ascertain whether any piece contains two or more cartridges.
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER, PART, II.
3O4. The instructor ought also carefully to observe whether, in half-cocking, the pieces have not been, through precipitancy, cocked-- a fault from which the most serious accidents might result.
General Remarks on the second part of the School of the Soldier.
3O5. When, after some days of exercise in the manual of arms, the three men shall be well established in their use, the instructor will always terminate the lesson by marching the men some distance in one rank, and at a pace apart, in order to confirm them more and more in the mechanism of the direct and oblique steps. He will also teach them how to mark time and to change step.
To mark time.
3O6. The three men marching in the direct step and in common time, the instructor will command:
1. Mark time. 2. MARCH.
3O7. At the second command, which will be given at
the instant a foot is coming to the ground, the recruits will make a semblance of marching by advancing first one foot, and then the other, always bringing back the advanced foot and placing its heel by the side of the heel of the other.
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER, PART, III.
3O8. The instructor wishing the direct step to be resumed, will command:
1. Forward. 2. MARCH.
3O9. At the second command, which will be
given as prescribed above, the recruits will retake the step of twenty-eight inches.
To change the step.
31O. The squad marching in the direct step, in common time, the instructor will command:
1. Change step. 2. MARCH.
311. At the second command, which will be
given at the instant a foot is coming to the ground, the squad will bring up quickly the foot on the rear, to the side of that just come to the ground, and step off with the latter.
GENERAL RULES
312. When the recruits shall be well established in the principles and the mechanism of the step, the position of the body, the manual and the bearing of arms, the instructor will unite six men at least, and nine at most, in order to teach them the principles of alignment, (dressing on a line,) the principle of the touch of elbows, in
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER, PART, III.
marching by the front, the quick and back steps, the principles of the march by the flank, wheeling from a halt, wheeling in marching, and the change of direction to the side of the guide, (turning.) He will place the squad in one rank, elbow to elbow, and number the men from right to left.
Alignments.
313. The instructor will at first teach the recruits to align themselves man by man, in order the better to make them comprehend the principles of alignment; the this end, he will command the men on the right flank to march two paces to the front, and having aligned them, he will caution the remainder of the squad to move up, as they may be successively called, each by his number, and align themselves successively on the on the line of the first two men.
314. Each recruit, as designated by his number, will turn the head and eyes to the right, as prescribed, No. 1OO, march in common time two paces forward, shortening the last, so as to find himself about six inches behind the new alignment, so that without deranging the head, the line of the eyes, or that of the shoulders, he may find himself in
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER, PART, III.
the exact line of his neighbor, whose elbow he will lightly touch without opening out his own.
315. The instructor seeing the rank well aligned, will command:
FRONT.
316. At this , the recruits will turn eyes to the front, and remain firm.
317. Alignments to the left will be executed on the same principles,
318. When the recruits shall have thus learned to align themselves man by man, correctly, and without groping or jostling, the instructor will cause the entire rank to align itself at once, by the command:
Right (or left)- DRESS.
319. At this, the rank, except the two men placed in advance as a basis of alignment, will move up in common time, and place themselves on the new line, according to the principles prescribed, No. 314.
320. The instructor, placed five or six paces in front, and facing the rank, will carefully observe that the principles are followed, and pass to the flank that has served as the basis, to verify the alignment.
321. The instructor seeing nearly the whole of the rank aligned will command:
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER, PART, III.
FRONT.
322. The instructor may afterwards order this or that file forward or back, designating each by its number. The file or files designated, only, will slightly turn the head towards the basis, to judge how much they ought to move up or back, steadily place themselves on the line, and then turn eyes to the front, without a particular command to that effect.
323. Alignments to the rear will be executed on the same principles, the recruits stepping back a little beyond the line, and then dressing up according to the principles prescribed, NO. 314, the instructor commanding:
Right (or left) backward- DRESS.
Remarks on the principles of Alignment.
324. The instructor will labour to inculcate the following principles:
325. That the man arrive steadily on the alignment,
Because precipitation is opposed to good order, and even to promptitude of execution, which is only obtained by calmness and precision.
326. That the body be not bent back, nor the head forward,
Because it is only by regularity of position that aligning can be acquired.
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327. That the head be but very little turned, only so far as to see the line of the eyes, and to perceive slightly the breast of the second man towards the basis.
In order that the turning of the head may not draw after it a shoulder, and that the false position of an individual may not lead into error all who are beyond him.
328. That the alignment never be passed;
Because, if one man pass the alignment, he would be obliged to fall back to place himself on the true line; the men beyond him would be obliged to fall back in turn- a fault so much the more to be avoided, as, beside the loss of time, it is much more difficult to dress back than forward.
329. That at the command, "front" all stand fast, though the rank be not aligned.
In order to give the men the habit of judging promptly, and not to grope and shuffle in placing themselves on the alignment.
330. That at the command, this or that file, "forward," or "back," all the other files stand fast.
In order not to derange the files which are aligned.
331. That, in alignments to the rear, the men in falling back pass only a little behind the alignment;
In order to come back on the alignment by
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a small movement forward, because it is only in this manner that the men can perceive the true alignment.
Remark on the first lesson.
332. After each alignment, the instructor will examine the position of the men, and cause the rank to come to ordered arms, to prevent too much fatigue, and also the danger of negligence at shouldered arms, which, more particularly in the beginning, ought always to be regular.
The march by the front and the different steps.
333. The rank being correctly aligned, when the instructor shall wish to cause it to march by the front, he will place a well instructed man on the right or left, according to the side on which he may wish the guide to be, and command:
1. Squad, forward. 2. Guide right, (or left,) 3. March.
334. At the command march, the rank will
step off smartly with the left foot; the guide will take care to march straight to the front, keeping his shoulders always in a square with that line.
335. The instructor will cause the following rules to be observed:
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336. Touch lightly the elbow towards the guide.
Because, by preserving this light touch of the elbow, the rank will be nearly aligned, and without openings; if, on the contrary, one man press strongly towards the guide, the man pressed must press in turn, and so on to the guide, who would thus be pushed out of the direction.
337. Not to open out the left elbow or the right arm
In order that no one may press his neighbour, and that each man may occupy only his proper place.
338. Yield to pressure coming from the side of the guide, and resist that coming from the opposite side;
In order to avoid throwing the guide out of the direction.
339. Recover by insensible degrees the slight touch of the elbow, if lost;
Because, it may happen that the next man may improperly throw himself too far to the right or left. If, in this case, the man by his side, and successively the men beyond, conform themselves suddenly to this false movement, it will result that the fault of an individual will be propagated; and when afterwards the man, with whom the fault commended, shall attempt to repair it, he will be obliged to push his neighbour, the latter the next man, and so on to the flank- all
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Of which would cause a continual undulation in the march. If, on the contrary, each mad observe the principle of conforming himself only by insensible degrees to the movements of his neighbour, the latter will be left time to correct his fault, if he have committed one; his error will not be propagated, and there will be no undulation.
340.Maintain the head direct to the front, no matter on which side the guide may be;
Because, if the men turn the head to the side of the guide, it will draw after it the opposite shoulder, which will give a false direction to the rank, causing a continual pressure towards the guide, and consequent undulation.
341.Perceiving himself before or behind the alignment, the man in fault will correct himself by shortening or lengthening the step, by degrees almost insensible;
Because sudden or violent movements, in marching, always tend to disunite a rank, causing undulations and a loss of cadence; for one man cannot take a step of thirty-four inches in the same time that his neighbour takes one of twenty-eight without the movement of the first being more swift than that of the second; whereas the step may be lengthened or shortened one or two inches without any sensible change in the rate of the individual's march.
342. The instructor will labour to cause recruits to comprehend that the alignment can only be preserved, in marching, by the regularity of the step, the touch of the elbow,
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and the maintenance of the shoulders in a square with the line of directions; that if, for example, the step of some be longer than that of others, or if some march faster than others, a separation of elbows, and a loss of the alignment, would be inevitable; that if (it being required that the head should be direct to the front) they do not strictly observe the touch of the elbows, it would be impossible for an individual to judge whether he marches abreast with his neighbour, or not, and whether there be not an interval between them.
343. The recruits being established in the principles of the direct march, the instructor will exercise them in the oblique march, at first to the side of the guide, and, afterwards, to the opposite side, conforming to what is prescribed, No. 137, and following.
344. In the oblique, as in the direct march, the touch of the elbows will always be to the side of the guide: accordingly, each man will touch lightly the elbow of his neighbour on that side.
345. The oblique march to the side opposite to the guide being much the most difficult, the instructor will recommend an increased attention as often as it is attempted.
346. When these several principles shall become familiar to the recruits, and they shall be well established in the position of the body, the bearing of arms, the mechanism, length, and swiftness of the direct step, in common time, the instructor will pass them from common to quick time, and the reverse, taking care not to require them to march obliquely in
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in quick time, till they shall be well established in this cadence.
347.The length of the step, in quick time whether direct or oblique, will be the same as the same step in common time; but its swiftness will be at the rate of one hundred and ten steps in a minute.
348. The rank being in the direct march in common time, the instructor will command:
1. Quick time. 2. MARCH.
349. At the command march, which will be
given as either foot is coming to the ground, the rank will take this rate of march.
350. When the instructor shall wish to cause the direct step, in common time, to be resumed, he will command:
1. Common time. 2. MARCH.
351. At the command march, which will be
given on either foot, as above, the rank will retake the step in common time.
352. The rank being in march, the instructor will halt it by the commands and means prescribed, Nos. 119 and 120.
353. If the rank be marching in quick time, the command halt, will be given an instant before the foot be ready to come to the ground.
354. The rank being in march in quick time, the instructor will occasionally cause it to mark time and change step; he will also cause it to pass from the direct to the oblique step, and the reverse- conforming to what has
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prescribed, No. 344, and following.
355. The march, in quick time, will be executed according to the principles prescribed for common time; but the impulsion of the quick step rendering the men liable to forget themselves, the instructor will be careful to regulate well the cadence of this step, and to habituate them to preserve always the erectness of the body, and the due length of the pace.
356. The rank being at a halt, the instructor will cause it to march in the back step: to effect this, he will command:
1. Squad, backward. 2. Guide left (or right.)
3. MARCH.
357. At the command march, the rank will step off smartly, with the left foot to the rear, carrying it about fourteen inches, reckoning from heel to heel, and so on with the feet in succession, till the command halt, which will always be preceded by the caution squad. The men will halt at this command, and bring back the foot in front, by the side of the other.
358. The instructor will be watchful that the men do not lean on each other; that they march straight to the rear, and that the erect position of the body and the piece be not deranged.
Remarks on the second lesson.
359. As this lesson will only be taught at carry arms, in order not to fatigue too much
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the men, and also to prevent them from falling into a state of inattention, the instructor will, from time to time, halt the rank, and cause arms to be ordered.
The march by the flank.
360. The rank being at a halt, and correctly aligned, the instructor will give these commands:
1. Squad, by the right (or left) flank.
2. Right (or left)- FACE. 3. Squad, forward. 4. MARCH.
361. At the second command, the rank will face to the right (or left.)
362. At the command march, it will step off smartly with the left foot, in the common step, both in length and time.
363. The instructor will place a well instructed soldier by the side of the recruit, who is at the head of the rank to regulate the step and to conduct him, and it will be enjoined on this recruit to march always elbow to elbow with the soldier.
364. The instructor will cause to be observed in the march, the following rules:
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365. That the step be executed according to the principles prescribed for the direct step;
Because these principles, without which men, placed elbow to elbow, in the same rank, cannot preserve unity and harmony of movement, (ensemble) are of a more necessary observance in marching in file.
366. That, at each step, the advancing heel of every following man be planted about six inches in advance of the opposite heel (yet on the ground) of the man immediately preceding;
In order that the rank, marching in file, may be neither lengthened nor contracted, so that, in facing to the front, each man may have his precise space.
367. That (to avoid treading on the heels of the men who precede) the knees be not bent;
Because, bending knees occasions both a loss of cadence and distance.
368. That the head of the man who immediately precedes cover the heads of all who are in front;
Because it is the most certain rule by which each man may maintain himself in the exact line of the file.
369. The instructor will place himself habitually five or six paces on the flank of the rank marching in file, to watch over the execution of the principles prescribed above. He will also place himself sometimes
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in its rear, halt and suffer it to pass fifteen or twenty paces, the better to see whether the men cover each other accurately.
370. When he shall wish to halt the rank, marching by the flank, and to cause it to face to the front, he will command:
1. Squad. 2. HALT 3. Front- FACE.
371. At the second command, the rank will halt, and afterwards no man will budge, although he may have lost his distance. This prohibition is necessary, to habituate the men to a constant preservation of their distances.
372. At the third command, each man will front by facing to the left, if marching by the right flank, and by a face to the right, if marching by the other flank.
373. When the recruits shall have well acquired the habit of marching by the flank, the instructor will exercise them in the change of direction by file. To this effect, he will command;
1. By file, left )or right.) 2. MARCH.
374. At the second command, the leading man of the rank will change direction to the left, (or right) and then march straight forward; each man, on coming up, will successively change direction on the same place as the first,
375. The rank marching by the front, the
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instructor, to cause it to march by a flank, will command:
1. Squad, by the left (or right) flank. 2. MARCH.
376. At the second command, which will be given a little before either foot comes to the ground, the recruits will turn the body, plant the foot that is raised in the new direction, and step off with the other foot without altering the cadence of the step.
377. When the recruits shall have acquired the facility in the flank march, the instructor will cause them to repeat the lesson in quick time, which will render them more sensible of the necessity of the joinery of the lock step, and of preserving cadence, as well as the erectness of person.
Remark on the third lesson.
278. This lesson, like the preceding one, will be practiced with arms carried; but the instructor may, to give relief by change, occasionally order support arms, and he will require of the recruits marching in this position, as much regularity as in the former.
Wheelings.
General Principles of Wheeling.
279. Wheelings are of two kinds: from halts
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or on fixed pivots, and in march, or on movable pivots.
380. Wheeling on a fixed pivot takes place in passing a corps from the order in battle to the order in column, or from the latter to the former.
381. Wheels in marching take place in changes of direction in column, as often as this movement is executed to the side opposite the guide.
382. In wheels from a halt, (if a single rank) the pivot-man only turns in his place, without advancing or receding.
383. In the wheels in marching, the pivot-man takes steps of full nine inches, (nine and one third,) to clear the wheeling point before the next subdivision* arrives on the same ground, which is necessary, in order that the succeeding subdivisions may not lose their distances by being delayed, as will be explained, School of the Company.
384. In both cases, the man on the wheeling flank will always take the full pace of twenty-eight inches.
385. The movement of turning to the right or left will take place only when the change of direction, in column, is to the side of the guide, and great care is necessary not to confound this movement with that of wheeling in marching.
*Subdivision is herein used as a general term to signify any of those equal parts into which a line is broken in forming column, whether such parts be divisions, (two companies each,) companies, platoons or sections.
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Wheeling from a halt, or on a fixed pivot.*
386. The rank being at a halt, the instructor will place a well instructed man on the wheeling flank, to conduct it, and then command:
1. By squad, right wheel. 2. MARCH.
387. At the second command, the rank will step off with the left foot, turning at the same time the head a little to the left, the eyes fixed on the line of eyes of the men to their left; the pivot-man will merely mark time in gradually turning his body, in order to conform himself to the movement of the marching flank; the man who conducts this flank will take steps of twenty-eight inches, and from the first step, advance a little the left shoulder, cast his eyes from time to time along the rank, and feel constantly the elbow of the next man lightly, but never push him.
388. The other men will each feel lightly the elbow of the next man towards the pivot, resist pressure coming from the opposite side, and conform himself to the marching flank- shortening
* The pivot flank, or, as it is sometimes called, the proper pivot, is that which, by wheeling up to, the subdivisions of the column are brought into line in regular order, and to the proper front. The other is termed the reverse flank. The flank of a subdivision to which a wheel is made, is, in reference to the particular wheel, called the pivot flank, although in reference to the column it be the reverse flank.
H
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his step according to his approximation to the pivot.
389. The instructor will make the rank wheel round the circle once or twice before halting, in order to cause the principles to be the better understood, and he will be watchful that the centre does not break.
390. He will cause the wheel to the left to executed according to the same principles.
391. When the instructor shall wish to arrest the wheel, he will give the following commands:
1. Squad. 2. Halt.
392. At the second command, the rank will halt, and no man stir. The instructor, going to the flank opposite the pivot, will place the two outer men of that flank in the direction he may wish to give to the rank, taking care to leave between them and the pivot only the space necessary to contain the other men. He will then command:
Left (or right)- DRESS.
393. At this, the rank will place itself on the alignment of the two men established as the basis, in conformity with the principles prescribed.
394. The instructor will next command FRONT, which will be executed as prescribed, No. 316.
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Remarks on the principles of the wheel from a halt.
395. Turn a little the head towards the marching flank, and fix the eyes on the line of the eyes of the men who are on that side;
Because, otherwise, it would be impossible for each man to regulate the length of his step so as to conform his own movement to that of the marching flank.
396. Touch lightly the elbow of the next man towards the pivot;
In order that the files may not open out in the wheel.
397. Resist pressure that comes from the side of the marching flank;
Because, if this principle be neglected, the pivot, which ought to be a fixed point, in wheels from a halt, might be pushed out of its place by pressure.
Wheeling in marching, or on a movable pivot.
398. When the recruits have been brought to execute well the wheel from a halt, they will be taught to wheel in marching.
399. To this end, the rank being in march, when the instructor shall wish to cause it to change direction to the reverse flank, (to the
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side opposite the guide, or pivot flank,) he will give the following commands:
1. Right (or left) wheel. 2. MARCH.
400. The first command will be given when the rank is yet four paces from the wheeling point.
401. At the second command, the wheel will be executed in the same manner as from a halt, except that the touch of the elbow will remain toward the marching flank (or side of the guide) instead of the side of the actual pivot; that the pivot man, instead of merely turning in his place, will conform himself to the movement of the marching flank, feel lightly the elbow of the next man, take steps of full nine inches, and thus gain ground forward, in describing the arc of a small circle, to clear the point of the wheel. The middle of the rank will bend slightly to the rear. As soon as the movement shall commence, the man who conducts the marching flank will cast his eyes on the ground over which he will have to pass.
402. The wheel being ended, the instructor will command:
1. Forward. 2. MARCH.
403. The first command will be pronounced when four paces are yet required to complete the change of direction.
404. At the command march, which will be given at the instant of completing the wheel, the
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man who conducts the marching flank will direct himself straight forward; the pivot man and all the rank will retake the step of twenty-eight inches, and bring the head direct to the front.
Turning, or change of direction to the side of the guide.
405. The change of direction to the side of the guide, in marching, will be executed as follows:
The instructor will command:
1. Left (or right) turn. 2. MARCH.
406. The first command will be given when the rank is yet four paces from the turning point.
407. At the command march, to be pronounced at the instant the rank ought to turn, the guide will face to the left (or right) in marching, and move forward in the new direction without slackening or quickening the cadence, (rate of march,) and without shortening or lengthening the step. The whole rank will promptly conform itself, without running, to the new direction: to effect which, each man will advance the shoulder opposite to the guide, take the quick step or time, to carry himself in the new direction, turn the head and the eyes to the side of the guide, and retake the touch of the elbow on that side, in placing himself on the alignment of the guide, from whom he will take the step, and then resume the direct position of the head. Each
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man will thus arrive successively on the alignment of the guide.
Remark on the fourth lesson.
408. This lesson will be taught in common time. The instructor, in order not to fatigue the recruits, and not to divide their attention, will cause them to execute the several movements which the lesson is composed, first without arms, and next, after the mechanism be well comprehended, with arms.
TO STACK ARMS.
409. The squad being formed in three ranks, the instructor will cause it to order arms, and then command:
Stack- ARMS.
410. At this, the front rank man of every file will pass his piece before him, seizing it with the left hand above the middle band, and place the butt near the right foot of the next man on the left, the barrel turned to the front. At the same time each centre rank man will hand his piece to his file leader; the latter will receive it with the right hand two inches above the middle band, throw the butt about thirty-two inches to the front, opposite to his right shoulder, inclining the muzzle towards him and lock the shanks of the two bayonets; the lock of this second piece towards the right, and
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the shank above that of the first piece. The rear rank man of each file will hand his piece to his centre rank man, who will receive it with the right hand above the tail band, project the bayonet forward, and introduce it (using both hands) between and under the shanks of the two other bayonets. He will then abandon the piece to his file leader, who will receive it with the right hand under the middle band, bring the butt to the front, holding up his own piece and the stack with the left hand, and place the butt of this third piece between the feet of the next men on the right, the S plate to the rear.
411. The squad having taken the position of the soldier without arms, the instructor will command:
1. Break ranks. 2. MARCH.
To resume arms.
412. The squad, on a signal, being re-formed in three ranks, the instructor will command:
Take- ARMS.
413. At this, the front rank man of every file will seize his own piece with the left hand, and that of his centre rank man with the right hand, each piece above the middle band. Each centre rank man will carry the right foot forward, place the hollow opposite to the right heel of his file leader, with the right hand above the middle band: at the same instant, the front and
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centre rank men will raise up the stack to loosen the shanks; the centre rank man will hand the piece of the rear rank man to its owner; the front rank man will do the same in respect to the centre rank man, and the three ranks will retake the position of the soldier at ordered arms.
Remarks.
414. If the squad (company, &c.) were formed in two instead of three ranks, arms would be stacked by the same command, and in the following manner:
415. At the command stack arms, the front rank man of every even numbered file will pass his piece before him, seizing it with the left hand above the middle band, and place the butt behind and near the right foot of the man next on the left, the barrel turned to the front. At the same time, the front rank man of every odd numbered file will pass his piece before him, seizing it with the left hand below the middle band, and hand it to the man next on the left; the latter will receive it with the right hand two inches above the middle band, throw the butt about thirty-two inches to the front, opposite to his right shoulder, inclining the muzzle towards him, and lock the shanks of the two bayonets: the lock of this second piece towards the right, and its shank above that of the first piece. the rear rank man of every even file will project his bayonet forward, and introduce it (using both hands) between and under the shanks of the other two bayonets. He will then abandon the piece to
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his file leader, who will receive it with the right hand under the middle band, bring the butt to the front, holding up his own piece and the stack with his left hand, and place the butt of this third piece between the feet of the man next on the right, the S plate to the rear. The stack thus formed, the rear rank man of every odd file will pass his piece into his left hand, the barrel turned to the front, and, sloping the bayonet forward, rest it on the stack.
416. To break ranks, and to resume arms, the same commands will be given in this, as in the preceding case; but at the command take arms the rear rank man of every odd file will withdraw his piece from the stack; the front rank man of every even file will seize his own piece with the left hand, and that of the man on his right with the right hand; the rear rank man of every even file will seize his piece with the right hand at the middle band, advancing for the purpose the hollow of his right foot as far as the right heel of his file leader; these two men will raise up the stack to loosen the shanks; the front rank man of every odd file will receive his piece from the hand of the man next on the left, and the four men will retake the position of the soldier at ordered arms.
417. Not to recur to this subject, it is here laid down, that when organized companies stack arms, the sergeants, and also corporals, if in the rank of file closers, will rest their pieces against the stacks nearest to them respectively, after ranks are broken, and resume their pieces on the signal (See No. 840.) to re-form ranks.
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418. In a battalion, formed in three ranks, the colour-guard will form two stacks of arms on the right and left of the colour planted in the centre; one corporal will be placed as a sentry over the colour, and the piece of the remaining one lodged against one of the two stacks. If in two ranks, the colour-guard will form but a single stack.
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