82. THE object of this School
is the individual instruction of the soldier; it should be taught with
the greatest possible care and precision, as
on it depends the efficiency of the instruction of the company, which
is
again so necessary to that of the battalion, and from that of the
battalion to
the evolutions of the line, where an entire army is maneuvered with as
much
precision as a single company.
The instructor should never require a
movement to be executed until he has fully explained it, and joined
example to precept by performing the
movement in person. He should accustom the soldier to take for himself
the position required, correcting him when necessary, and should abhor
to prevent the formation of a habit of carelessness in the execution of
the movements.
Each movement should be thoroughly
understood before passing to another. After they have been properly
executed in the order laid down,
the instructor should no longer confine himself to that order. The men
should be allowed to rest for a few moments, frequently, in the earlier
stages
of their instruction, and as often at other times as the instructor may
think necessary to prevent weariness, which is the prelude to
carelessness. When they are at attention, however, he should not allow
any looking to
the right or left; no changing of position, or laughing, or whispering,
etc., so common among volunteers and militia. Here is the place to make
the individual soldier, to give him habits of attention, teach him
subordination, etc. If he does not acquire them in this school, it will
be too late
when he is advanced in the company.
At the command REST, the soldier is no
longer required to pre-
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
serve immobility, or to remain in his place. If the instructor wishes
merely to relieve the attention of the soldier, he commands, in place -
REST;
the soldier is then only required to keep one of
his feet in place; if he
wishes to move that foot, the other is first brought up to its proper
position.
The school of the
soldier is
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 alignment, the march by the front, the different
steps,
the march by the flank, the principles of wheeling, and those of change
of direction. In this
school, the company is broken up into small squads,
the number of men in each squad being proportioned to the number of
instructors; the squads for the first and second part should
be as
small as possible, and the men placed in single rank; for instruction
in the
third part, two or more squads of about equal proficiency should be
united.
------
PART FIRST.
In this part, the men should be without
arm; and about one pace apart.
Position of
the Soldier.
83. Heels on the same line, as near each
other as the conformation of the men will permit; because, if one were
in rear of the other, the
shoulder on that side would be thrown back. The feet
turned out equally, and
forming with each other something less than a right angle; because, if
one foot
were turned out more than the other, a shoulder would be deranged, and
if both feet be too much turned out, it would not be practicable to
give
the body its proper position.
The knees straight, without stiffness; because, if stiffened,
constraint and fatigue would be unavoidable.
The body erect on the hips, inclining a little forward, because it
gives stability to the position. Soldiers are at first disposed to
project
the belly and throw back the shoulders when they wish to hold
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
themselves erect, from which result many inconveniences in marching; it
is, therefore, important that the instructor should be particular to
enforce this rule at the beginning.
The shoulders square,
and falling equally; if the
shoulders are advanced beyond the line of the breast, and the back
arched, (the defect called round-shouldered,) the man cannot align
himself nor use his piece with skill. In correcting this defect, the
instructor will take care that
the shoulders are not thrown too much to the rear, causing the body to
project, and the small of the back to curve.
The arms hanging
naturally; elbows near
the body; palms of the hands turned a little to the front, the little
finger behind the seam of the pantaloons. These positions are important to the
shoulder-arms, to
prevent the man from occupying more space in ranks than is necessary,
and to keep the shoulders in proper position.
The head erect, and square to the front,
without constraint; the chin slightly drawn in; the eyes fixed straight
to the front, in order to
prevent derangement of the shoulders, and striking the ground at the
distance
of about fifteen paces.
84. The instructor having given the
squad the position of the soldier
without arms, will now teach the turning of the head and eyes. He will
command
1. Eyes-
RIGHT. 2. FRONT.
At the word right, the soldier will turn
his 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 the
same rank. At the
command FRONT the head will resume the direct or habitual position. The
instructor will take care that the
movement of
the head does not derange the squareness of the shoulders, and that the
men do not acquire a habit of
throwing down the head in dressing.
The movement of Eyes - LEFT will be
executed by inverse means.
Facings.
85. Facing to the right and left will be
executed in one time, or pause. The instructor commands:
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
1. Squad. 2. Right (or left) - FACE.
At the word FACE, raise the
right foot slightly, turn on the left reel, to the right (or left),
raising the left toe a little, and then replace the
right heel beside the left, and on the same line. The face should
always be
through a right angle, and should be executed by the feet and legs, the
body
moving around to the right (or left) without twisting or constraint.
The
instructor should labor to keep the body steady, and to prevent the
formation of
the habit of bending the knees, or springing.
86. The full face to the rear is always to the right, and is executed
in two times, or pauses. The instructor commands:
1. Squad.
2. ABOUT - FACE.
First motion. At the word about, the
soldier will turn far
enough on the left heel to bring the left toe directly to the front, at
the same time
carrying his right foot to the rear, the hollow opposite to, and full
three inches
from the left heel, the feet square to each other. The back of the
right hand is
placed a little above the right hip, and the body is turned to the
right
sufficiently to give ease to the position.
Second
motion. At
the word face, the soldier raises his toes
a little, turns upon both heels, faces to the rear, keeping his legs
straight, and
draws back the right heel by the side of the left, at the same time
dropping
his right hand by his side.
Balance Step.
87. Before
commencing the march the
soldier should always be Instructed in the balance step, the object of
which is to teach him the
free movement of his limbs, while he at the same time preserves perfect
squareness of the shoulders, with the greatest steadiness of the body;
no labor should be spared to attain this object, which lies at the very
foundation of good marching.
The squad being at attention, the
instructor commands:
Left foot -FORWARD.
At this command the soldier will throw his left foot gently
for-
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
wards, about twenty-four inches, balancing his body well on the right
foot without changing the position of the shoulders, and with out the
body losing its erect position. The toe should be turned
out as in the
position of the soldier, the foot about three inches from the ground
and very
nearly parallel to it, the toe being very slightly depressed.
At the command:
Left foot -REAR.
The left foot is brought gently back,
the ball of the left foot close to the right heel, the leg straight,
toe raised, and heel depressed.
As soon as the soldier becomes steady in
the new position, the instructor repeats the command, left foot
forward, then left foot rear,
for several times, and then commands:
HALT,
at which the left foot, either advanced or to the rear, is brought to
the right, as in the position of the soldier.
The instructor then causes the soldier
to balance on the right foot, by advancing and retiring the right, as
has been directed for the left.
The Direct Step.
88. After the soldier is sufficiently
instructed in the balance step to execute it on either foot without
losing his balance, the instructor
will proceed to instruct him in the mechanism of the direct step For
this purpose he will command:
1. By the numbers
- Forward.
2. ONE.
2.
At the command one, the soldier will
throw forward the left foot as in the position of left foot forward,
the instructor then commands:
Two.
At this command, the weight of the body
is thrown forward, the left foot striking the ground without shock, at
the distance of twenty-eight
inches from the right; the body assumes the perpendicular position, and
the
right foot is brought up to the position of right foot rear.
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
The right foot is then brought forward at the command one,
and the step completed at the command two; thus the squad is made to
advance step by
step. The halt is executed as in the balance step.
89. When the squad is sufficiently
instructed in the mechanism of the direct step, the instructor will
cause it to take up the march it
common time; for this purpose he will command:
1. Squad forward - Common time. 2. MARCH.
At the command forward, the soldier will
throw the weight of his body on the right leg, without bending the left
knee.
At the command march, he will smartly,
but without a jerk, carry straight forward the left foot twenty-eight
inches from the right, the sole near
the ground, the leg extended, the toe a little depressed, and both it
and
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 left
foot. The
soldier will next in like manner, advance the right foot and plant it
as directed in the left, the heel twenty-eight inches from the heel of
the
left foot, and thus continue the march without crossing the legs, or
striking one against the other, without turning the shoulders, and
always preserving
the face direct to the front Common time is executed at the rate of
ninety
steps to the minute.
When the instructor wishes to arrest the
march he commands:
1. Squad.
2. HALT.
The command
halt should be
given just as one foot has come to
the ground, and the other is raised for making the next step; the
soldier instinctively completes the pace with the raised foot, and
brings the
other firmly to its place beside it. By careful attention to this rule
a
large command may be as readily halted at the same instant, as a single
individual.
90. The principles of the step in quick
time are the same as for common time; it is executed, however, at the
rate of 110 steps per minute.
After the soldier is well established in the length and
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
swiftness of the step at common time, he should be practised in quick
time, as it is the pace best adapted to marches, the maneuvers, etc.
The instructor wishing the squad to
march in quick time, commands
1. Squad forward.
2. MARCH.
Principles of the Double Quick Step.
91. The length of the double quick step
is thirty-three inches, and its swiftness is at the rate of 165 steps
per minute. This step is designed
especially for light troops, such as light infantry and riflemen, and
to
them it is indispensable; its utility has, however. been so frequently
demonstrated of late years, as to make it proper that it should form a
part of the instruction of all infantry troops.
The instructor wishing to teach his
squad the principles and mechanism
of the double quick step, commands:
1. Double quick step.
2. MARCH.
At the
command double quick
step, the soldier will raise his
hands to a level with his hips, the hands closed, the nails towards the
body, the elbows to the rear and well drawn in towards the body.
At the command march, he will raise his
left knee as high as possible without derangement of the body, keeping
his leg from the knee down in
a vertical position, the toe depressed; he will then replace his foot
in
its former position. At the command two, he will execute with the right
leg
what has just been prescribed for the left, and thealternate movement
of the legs at the commands one, two, will be continued until the
command:
1. Squad.
2. HALT.
At the command halt, the soldier will bring the foot which is raised by
the side of the other, and at the same time dropping his hands by his
side
will resume the position of the soldier without arms. \
When the squad has learned to execute
the step properly, the instructor will repeat the words one, two, in
more rapid succession,
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
and will finally drop them, leaving the files to execute the
step in their own time. The instructor will see that the step is taken
in rapid
succession, and that none of the files lose the step.
92. The soldier being sufficiently
established in the principles of this step, the instructor will
command:
1. Squad, forward.
2. Double quick.
3. MARCH.
At the command forward, the soldier will throw the weight of
his body on the right leg, without bending the left knee.
At the command double quick, he will
place his arms as indicated above.
At the command
march, he will carry
forward the left foot, and plant it, the toe first, at the distance of
thirty-three inches from the right,
the leg slightly bent, and the knee somewhat raised; he will then
execute with
the right foot what has just been prescribed for the left. This
alternate movement of the legs will take place by throwing the weight
of the body
on the foot that is planted, and by allowing a natural, oscillatory
motion
to the arms. The feet should not be raised too much, a common fault
with beginners, and the body should incline slightly forward.
The double quick step may be executed
with different degrees of swiftness. Under urgent circumstances, the
cadence of this step may be increased to 180 per minute. At
this rate a distance of 4000 yards
would be passed
over in about twenty-five minutes.
The men should also be exercised in
running; the principles are the same as for the double quick
step, the only difference consisting in a greater degree of swiftness.
It is recommended in marching in double
quick time, or the run, that the men should breathe as much as
possible through the nose, keeping the mouth closed.
------
PART SECOND.
General Rules.
93. The instructor will not pass the
soldiers to this second part until they are well established in the
position of the body, and in the manner of marching at the different
steps.
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
In the manual of arms 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, and to secure uniformity and precision in the movements.
The rate (or swiftness) of each motion,
in the manual of arms, is fixed at the ninetieth part of a minute;
but 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 men
progressively, and
after they have become a little familiarized with the use of the
weapon.
The motions relative to the cartridge,
to the rammer, and to the firing and unfixing of the bayonet, cannot
be executed at the rate prescribed; or
even with
uniform swiftness; the instructor will however, labor to have
these motions
executed with promptness and regularity.
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
men comprehend
well the positions of the several motions of a time, they
will be taught
to execute the time without resting on its motions; the
mechanism of
the time must, however, be observed, as well to give perfect use to
the weapon,
as to prevent carelessness or slighting of the motions. When
the
men have acquired sufficient proficiency to execute the times without resting, the instructor must be
careful to have the proper cadence observed; great promptness in
the execution of the motions is not incompatible with the
observance of a pause between them, so that they may be executed at the
prescribed rate - that is, of ninety to the
minute.
Those instructors who insist most upon the strict observance of this
rule, are
those whose squads execute the manual in the best manner.
Principles of Shouldered Arms.
94. Each soldier being in the position
of the soldier, 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:
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
(Fig. 27.) The piece in the left hand,
the arm very slightly 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 middle and fore-fingers, the thumb on the front
screw of
the butt plate, theremaining
fingers under the butt, the butt more or less kept back
according to
the conformation of the man, so that the piece, seen from the front,
shall appear
perpendicular, and, also, that themovement of the thigh, in marching, may not raise it or
cause it to river; 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 position of the
soldier.
Soldiers on first bearing arms are
liable to derange their position,
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
and particularly to distort the shoulders, which, causing the musket to
lose its
point of support, they drop the left hand to prevent the musket
from falling
from the shoulder, which again causes that shoulder to droop, a
curvature
of the side, spreading of the elbows etc. The instructor will
be careful
to correct all these faults by continually rectifying the
position; he will
avoid fatiguing the men too much in the beginning, but labor to
render this
position natural and easy by degrees, that they may remain in it a
long
time without fatigue.
The instructor will also take great care
that the musket be not carried too high or too low; if too high,
the left elbow would spread out, the
soldier would
occupy too much space in ranks, and the musket would be unsteady; if too low, the files
would be too close, the man would not
have the
necessary space to handle his musket with facility, the left arm
would become
too much fatigued, the shoulder would droop, etc.
The manual of the musket will be taught in the
following order:
The instructor commands:
Support - Arms.
One time and three motions.
95. First Motion. (Fig. 28.) With the
right hand seize the small of the stock briskly, four inches below the
lock, raising the piece a little, but
not turning it.
Second Motion. Take the left hand from
the butt; extend the left fore-arm upward across the body, and
under the hammer, the left hand flat on the
right
breast.
Third motion. Drop the right arm smartly to its
position. The squad being at support arms, the instructor
commands:
Carry - ARMS.
One time and three motions.
96.First motion. Carry quickly the right hand to
the small of the stock.
Second motion. Place the left hand under the butt,
as in the position of shoulder arms.
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
Third motion. Let fall smartly the right hand to
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.
97.First motion. (Fig. 29.) Turn the
piece with the left hand, the lock out, and seize the small of the
stock at the same time with the right hand,
the piece
perpendicular and detached from the shoulder, the left hand remaining under the butt.
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
just above the lock, the
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
thumb extended along the barrel and on the stock, the left fore-arm
resting on
the body without constraint, and the hand at the height of the
elbow.
Shoulder
- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
98. First motion. Turn the piece with
the right hand, the barrel to the front, 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 small
of the stock.
Second motion. Drop quickly the right hand into
its position.
Order
- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
99. 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
to the 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.
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.
100. (Fig. 30.) The hand low, the barrel
between the thumb and forefinger 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
of the butt against, and in a line with. the toe of the right foot,
the barrel perpendicular.
101. When the instructor wishes to give
repose in this position, he commands:
REST.
At this command the soldiers will not be
required to preserve silence or steadiness. They,
however, will not quit
their rank without special permission.
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
102. When the instructor wishes the men
to pass from this position to that of silence and steadiness,
he commands:
1. Attention. 2.
SQUAD.
At the second word, the men will reserve the
position of order arms, and remain firm and silent.
Shoulder - ARMS.
One time and two motions.
103. 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 the
front; at the
same time place the left hand under the butt, and slip the right
hand down
to the lock.
Second motion. Let the right hand fall
briskly to its position.
Charge
- BAYONET.
One time and two motions.
104. First motion. Make a half face to
the right on the left heel, bring the left toe directly to the front,
at the same time place the right foot
behind, and
at right angles with the left, the hollow of 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 small of the stock at the same time with
the right
hand, the musket perpendicular, and detached from the shoulder,
the left
hand under the butt.
Second motion. Bring down the piece with the right
hand, letting it fall firmly 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 against the
hip, the point
of the bayonet as high as the eye (Fig. 31.)
Shoulder
- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
105. First motion. Face to the front by
turning on the left heel bring up the right by the side of the
left heel; at the same time bring up the
piece with
the right hand to the left shoulder, and place the left hand under
the butt.
Second motion. Let the right hand fall promptly
into its position.
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
Load in ten times.
1.
LOAD.
One time and two motions.
106. First motion. Drop the piece by a
smart extension of the left arm, seize it with the right hand
above and near the lower band; at the same
time carry
the right foot forward, the heel against the hollow of the left
foot.
Second motion. Drop the piece with the right hand
along the left thigh, seize it with the left hand
above the right, and with the left hand let
it descend
to the ground, without shock, the piece touching the left
thigh, and
the muzzle opposite the centre of the body; carry the right hand quickly to the cartridge-box
and open it. (Fig. 32.)
2.
Handle - CARTRIDGE.
One time and one motion.
107. Seize a cartridge with the thumb
and the next two fingers, and place it between the teeth.
3.
Tear - CARTRIDGE.
One time and one motion.
l08. Tear the paper down to the powder,
hold the cartridge upright between the thumb and two next
fingers, near the top; in this position
place it
in front of and near the muzzle, the back of the hand to the front.
4. Charge - CARTRIDGE.
109. Fix the eye on the muzzle, turn
quickly the back of 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. (Fig.
33.)
5.
Draw - RAMMER.
One time and three motions.
110. First motion. Drop the right elbow
smartly, and seize the rammer between the thumb and
fore-finger bent, the other fingers
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
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.
Second motion. Turn rapidly the rammer between the
bayonet and the face,
closing the fingers, the rammers of the rear rank grazing the
right shoulders
of the men of the same file in front, 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.
Third motion. Insert the butt of the rammer, and
force it down as low as the hand.
6. Ram -
CARTRIDGE.
One time and one motion.
111. 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 small end between
the thumb
and fore-finger bent, the other fingers closed, the right
elbow touching
the body.
7.
Return - RAMMER.
One time and three motions.
112. First motion. Draw the
rammer briskly, 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 band, clear the rammer from
the barrel
by extending the arm.
Second motion. Turn the rammer rapidly between the
bayonet and the face,
closing the fingers, the rammers of the rear rank grazing the
right shoulders
of the men in the same file in front, the rammer parallel to
the bayonet,
the arm extended, the little end of the rammer opposite to the
first pipe,
but not yet inserted, the eyes fixed on that pipe.
Third motion. Insert the small end, and
with the thumb, which
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
will follow the movement, force it, as low as the middle
band; raise the hand
quickly, 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 an extent of
the arm without
depressing the shoulder.
8.
Cast - ABOUT.
One time and two motions.
113. First motion. With the left hand
bring up the piece vertically against the left shoulder, seize it
smartly with the right hand at the small of
the stock,
and slide the left hand down as low as the chin.
Second motion. Make a half face to the right on
the left heel, bring the left toe to the front, place the
right foot at the same time close behind,
and at right
angles with the left, the hollow of the right foot against the
left heel; carry
the piece opposite to the right shoulder; bring down the piece
with the
right hand into the left, which will seize it at the tail band, the
thumb extended
on the stock. the butt under the right for-arm the small of
the stock
against the body, and about two inches under the right breast,
the muzzle
at the height of the eye, the left elbow supported against the
side, the
right hand grasping the small of the stock. (Fig. 34.)
9. Prime.
One time and one motion.
114. Place the thumb of the right hand
on the hammer (the fingers remaining under and against the
guard), and half-cock the piece; brush
off the
old cap, and with the thumb and first two fingers of the right hand
take a
cap from the pouch, place it firmly on the cone by pushing it down
with the
thumb, and seize the piece by the small of the stock.
10.
Shoulder - ARMS.
One time and two motions.
115. First motion. Face to the front by
turning on the left heel; at the same time bring the piece
briskly with the right hand to the left
shoulder, and
place the left hand under the butt.
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
Second motion. Let the right hand fall smartly into its position at
shoulder
arms.
READY.
(From the position of prime.)
One time and one motion.
116. Place the thumb of the right hand
on the hammer (the fingers remaining under and against the
guard), cock the piece, and seize the
small of
the stock.
READY.
(From the position of
shoulder arms.)
One time and four motions.
117. First motion. Turn the piece with
the left hand, the lock to the front, seize it at the small of the
stock with the right hand; at the same
time make a
half face to the right on the left heel, bringing the left toe to the
front and placing
the right foot behind,
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
and at right angles to the left, the hollow of the foot against the
left heel.
Second motion. Bring the piece with the right hand
to the middle of the body,
place the left hand just above the lock, the thumb extending
along the
stock at the height of the chin, the counter (or S)-plate turned
towards the
body, the rammer obliquely to the left and front.
Third motion. Place the thumb on the hammer, the
fore-finger under and on the guard, the other three
fingers joined to the first, the elbow at
the height
of the hand.
Fourth motion. Close the right elbow smartly to
the body in cocking, without
bending the wrist, seize the piece by the small of the stock,
let it descend
along the body in the left hand to the tail-band, which will
remain at
the height of the shoulder. (Fig. 35.)
AIM.
One time and one motion.
118. Raise the butt to the shoulder, the
left elbow a little down, shut the left eye, direct the right
along the barrel, drop the head
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
upon the butt to catch the object, and place the fore-finger on the
trigger. The
rear rank will at the same time, carry the right foot about eight
inches towards
the left heel of the man next on his right. (Fig. 36.)
FIRE.
One time and one motion.
119. Apply the fore-finger with force to the trigger without
further lowering or
turning the head, and remain in that position.
LOAD. (From
the Fire.)
One time and two motions.
120. First motion. Bring back the piece
quickly with both hands, depress the butt strongly by extending
the right arm, and carry it with the arm
thus extended
to the left side, the barrel to the front and opposite to the
left shoulder,
the left hand at the height of the chin, the back of the hand
to the front,
the left for-arm touching the stock; at the same time face to
the front and
carry the right foot forward, the heel against the hollow of the
left foot.
Second motion. Let go the handle with the right
hand, let the piece descend
through the left to the ground, without shock, and take the position of the second motion
of load.
Shoulder - ARMS. (From the Fire.)
One time and two motions.
121. First motion. Bring back the piece
with both hands, face to the front, carry the piece against the
left shoulder, and place the left hand
under the butt.
Second motion. Let the right hand fall smartly to
its position.
The squad being in the position of aim,
the instructor, to habituate the soldiers to wait for the word
fire, sometimes commands:
Recover
- ARMS.
One time and one motion.
122. Withdraw the finger from the
trigger, throw up the muzzle smartly, and retake the position of the
fourth motion of ready.
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
The men being in this position, if the
instructor wishes them to come to a shoulder, he commands:
Shoulder - ARMS.
123. At the word shoulder, the squad
will face to the front, and bring their pieces to the middle of the
body again; the left thumb at the height of
the chin,
the little finger just above the lock; next place the right thumb
on the head
of the hammer, support the fore-finger on the trigger, sustain the
hammer
carefully in its descent at the same time, to the position of
half-cock,
then seize the small of the stock with the right hand. At the
word arms,
carry the piece to the shoulder smartly, and take the position of
shoulder
arms.
To load in
four times (or pauses).
124. The instructor commands:
1. Load in four TIMES.
2. LOAD.
Execute the first time of loading,
handle cartridge, tear cartridge, charge cartridge.
TWO.
125. Draw rammer, enter it as far as the
hand, and ram twice.
THREE.
126. Return rammer, cast about, and
prime.
FOUR.
127. Execute the tenth time of loading.
128. The soldiers being at a shoulder,
when the instructor may wish to return bayonets, he commands:
Unfix - BAYONETS.
One time and three motions.
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.
Second motion. Drop the piece with the right hand
along the
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
left thigh, seize it with the left hand above the right, lengthen out
the left arm,
rest the butt on the ground, without shock, and carry the right
hand at the
same time to the bayonet, with the thumb lower the clasp against
the stop,
and then seize the bayonet at the
socket and shank.
Third motion. Wrest off the bayonet, return it to
the scabbard, place the little linger on the butt of
the rammer, lower the left hand along the
barrel in extending
the arm, without depressing the shoulder.
Shoulder
- ARMS.
One time and three motions.
129. 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.
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.
Third motion. Let fall smartly the right hand into
its position by the side of the thigh.
Fix - BAYONET.
130. 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.
Third motion. Draw the bayonet from the scabbard,
carry and fix it on the muzzle, turning the clasp
towards the body with the right thumb; place
the little
finger on the head of the rammer lower the left hand along the
barrel, in
extending the arm.
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
Shoulder - ARMS.
The same as from the unfix bayonet.
Secure
- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
131. First motion. Seize quickly the
piece with the right hand, the 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.
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 against the hip, and the right
hand falling at
the same time into its position. (Fig. 37.)
Shoulder
- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
132. First motion.
Raise the piece with the left hand, but not too suddenly, lest the rammer
should fly out; seize the handle with he
right hand
to support it against the shoulder, quit the hold of the left
hand, and place
quickly this hand under the butt.
Second motion. Let fall smartly the right hand
into its position; drop at the same time the piece into
the position of shouldered arms.
Trail
- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
133. First motion. As the first motion
of order arms.
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 rear rank may not
touch with
their bayonets the men in front of them. (Fig. 38.)
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
Shoulder - ARMS.
134. 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.
135. 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 quitting the butt, the lock-plate upwards, the muzzle
up; sustain
the piece in this position by placing the right hand on the
flat of the butt;
let fall the left hand by the side. (Fig. 39.)
Shoulder - ARMS.
136. 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.
137. Carry the piece at pleasure on
either shoulder, or with one or both hands, the muzzle always up.
Shoulder - ARMS.
138. Retake smartly the position of
shoulder arms.
Inspection of
Arms.
139. The squad being at ordered arms,
and having the bayonet in the scabbard, if the instructor
wishes to cause an inspection of arms, he
will command:
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
Inspection of - ARMS.
One time and three motions.
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.130.
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.
Third motion. Face promptly to the front, seize
the piece with the right hand, and retake the position
of ordered arms.
The instructor will then inspect in
succession the piece of each man, 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 (Fig. 40);
the instructor
will take it with the right hand at the handle, and, after
inspecting it,
will return it to the soldier, who will receive it back with the
right hand, and
replace it in the position of ordered arms.
When the instructor shall have passed
him, each soldier will retake the position prescribed at the
command inspection of arms, and return the rammer; after which he will
face to the front.
140. 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.
Take the position indicated, No.139,
(first motion), fix bayonets as has been explained, and immediately
face to the front.
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.
Put the rammer in the barrel, as has been
explained above, and immediately
face to the front.
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
The instructor, for the purpose stated, can take
the rammer by the small end, and spring it in the
barrel, or cause each man to make the rammer
ring in
the barrel.
Each man, after the instructor passes
him, will return rammer, and face to the front.
Arms
- PORT.
One time and one motion.
141. Throw the piece diagonally across
the body, the lock to the front, seize it smartly at the same
instant with both hands, the right
at the handle, the left at the tail-band, the two thumbs pointing
towards the muzzle,
the barrel sloping upwards and crossing opposite
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
to the point of the left shoulder, the butt proportionally lowered. The
palm of
the right hand will be above, and that of the left under the piece,
the nails of
both hands next to the body, to which the elbows will be dosed.
(Fig. 41.)
Shoulder
- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
First motion. Bring the piece smartly to the left
shoulder, placing the left hand under the butt.
Second motion. Drop the right hand smartly by the
side.
MANUAL OF ARMS FOR THE RIFLE.
Principles of Shouldered Arms.
142. The soldier standing in the
position of the soldier, the instructor causes him to bend the right
arm slightly, and places the piece in it,
in the following
manner: (Fig. 42.) The piece in the right hand - the barrel
nearly vertical
and resting in the hollow of the shoulder - the guard to the
front, the
arm hanging nearly at its full length near the body; the thumb and
fore-finger
embracing the guard, the remaining fingers closed together, and grasping the swell of the stock
just under the cock, which rests on the
little finger.
Support
- ARMS.
One time and three motions.
143. First motion. Bring the piece, with
the right hand, perpendicularly to the front and between the eyes,
the barrel to the rear; seize the piece
with the
left hand at the lower band, raise this hand as high as the chin,
and seize
the piece at the same time with the right hand four inches below
the cock.
Second motion. Turn the piece with the right hand,
the barrel to the front; carry the piece to the left
shoulder, and pass the fore-arm extended on
the breast
between the right hand and the cock; support the cock against
the left
fore-arm, the left hand resting on the right breast.
Third motion. Drop the right hand by the side.
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
Shoulder - ARMS.
One time and three motions.
144. First motion. Grasp the piece with
the right hand under and against the left fore-arm; seize it
with the left hand at the lower band the
thumb extended;
detach the piece slightly from the shoulder, the left
fore-arm along
the stock.
Second motion. Carry the piece vertically to the
right shoulder with both hands, the rammer to the front,
change the position of the right hand
so as to
embrace the guard with the thumb and fore-finger, slip the left hand
to the
height of the shoulder, the fingers extended and joined, the right
arm nearly
straight.
Third motion. Drop the left hand quickly by the
side.
Present
- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
145. First motion. With the right hand
bring the piece erect before the centre of the body, the rammer
to the front; at the same time seize the
piece with
the left hand half-way between the guide sight and lower band, the
thumb
extended along the barrel and against the stock, the fore-arm horizontal and resting against
the body, the hand as high as the elbow.
Second motion. Grasp the small of the stock with
the right hand below and
against the guard.
Shoulder
- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
146. First motion. Bring the piece to
the right shoulder, at the same time change the position of the
right hand so as to embrace the guard with
the thumb
and fore-finger, slip up the left hand to the height of the
shoulder, the
fingers extended and joined, the right arm nearly straight.
Second motion. Drop the left hand quickly by the side.
Order
- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
147. First motion. Seize the piece briskly with
the left hand near the upper band, and detach it slightly
from the shoulder with
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
the right hand: loosen the grasp of the right hand, lower the piece
with the left,
re-seize the piece with the right hand above the lower band, the
little finger
in rear of the barrel, the butt about four inches from the
ground, the right
hand supported against the hip, drop the left hand by the side.
Second motion. Let the piece slip through the
right hand to the ground by opening slightly the fingers,
and take the position about to be
described.
Position of
order arms.
148. The band low, the barrel 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.
Shoulder
- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
149. First motion. Raise the piece
vertically with the right hand to the height of the right breast, and
opposite the shoulder, the elbow close
to the body;
seize the piece with the left hand below the right, and drop
quickly the
right hand to grasp the piece at the swell of the stock, the thumb
and fore-finger
embracing the guard; press the piece against the shoulder
with the
left hand, the right arm nearly straight.
Second motion. Drop the left hand quickly by the
side.
Load
in nine times.
1. LOAD.1
One time and one motion.
150. Grasp the piece with the left hand
as high as the right elbow, and bring it vertically opposite the middle
of the body, shift
1
Whenever the loadings and firings are to be executed, the instructor
will cause
cartridge boxes to be brought to the front.)
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
the right hand to the upper band, place the butt between the feet, the
barrel to
the front; seize it with the left hand near the muzzle, which should
be three
inches from the body; carry the right hand to the cartridge box. (Fig. 43.)
2.
Handle - CARTRIDGE.
One time and one motion.
151. Seize the cartridge with the thumb
and next two fingers,
and place it between the teeth.
3. Tear - CARTRIDGE.
One time and
one motion.
152. Tear the paper to the powder, hold
the cartridge upright
between the thumb and first two fingers, near the top; in this position place it
in front of and near the muzzle - the back of the hand
to the front.
4. Charge - CARTRIDGE.
One time and one motion.
153. Empty the powder into the barrel;
disengage the ball from the paper with the right hand and the
thumb and first two fingers of the left;
insert it into
the bore, the pointed end uppermost, and press it down with the
right thumb;
seize the head of the rammer with the thumb and fore-finger of
the right
hand, the other fingers closed, the elbows near the body.
5.
Draw - RAMMER.
One time and three motions.
154. First motion. Half draw the rammer
by extending the right arm; steady it in this position with
the left thumb; grasp the rammer near
the muzzle
with the right hand, the little finger uppermost, the nails to
the front, the
thumb extended along the rammer.
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
Second motion. Clear the rammer from the pipes by
again extending the arm;
the rammer in the prolongation of the pipes.
Third motion. Turn the rammer, the little end of
the rammer passing near the left shoulder; place the
head of the rammer on the ball, the back
of the hand
to the front.
6.
Ram - CARTRIDGE.
One time and one motion.
155. Insert the rammer as far as the
right, and steady it in this position with the thumb of the left
hand; seize the rammer at the small end with
the thumb
and fore-finger of the right hand, the back of the hand to the
front; press
the ball home, the elbows near the body.
7.
Return - RAMMER.
One time and three motions.
156. First motion. Draw the rammer
half-way out, and steady it in this position with the left thumb;
grasp it near the muzzle with the right
hand, the
little finger uppermost,
the nails to the front, the thumb along
the rammer;
clear the rammer from the bore by extending the arm, the nails
to the
front, the rammer in the prolongation of the bore.
Second motion. Turn the rammer, the head of the
rammer passing near the
left shoulder, and insert it in the pipes until the right hand
reaches the muzzle,
the nails to the front.
Third motion. Force the rammer home by placing the
little finger of the right
hand on the head of the rammer; pass the left hand down the
barrel to the
extent of the arm, without depressing the shoulder
8. PRIME.
One time and two motions.
157. First motion. With the left hand
raise the piece till the hand is as high as the eye, grasp the
small of the stock with the right hand; half
face to
the right; place, at the same time, the right foot behind and at
right angles
with the left; the hollow of the right foot against the left
heel. Slip the
left hand down to the lower band, the thumb
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
along the stock, the left elbow against the body; bring the piece to
the right side,
the butt below the right fore-arm - the small of the stock
against the body
and two inches below the right breast, the barrel upwards, the
muzzle on
a level with the eye.
Second motion. Half cock with the thumb of the
right hand, the fingers supported against the guard and
the small of the stock - remove the old
cap with
one of the fingers of the right hand, and with the thumb and
fore-finger
of the same hand take a cap from the pouch, place it on the
nipple, and
press it down with the thumb; seize the small of the stock with the
right
hand.
Shoulder
- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
158. First motion. Bring the piece to
the right shoulder, and support it there with the left hand, face
to the front; bring the right heel to
the side of and
on a line with the left; grasp the piece with the right hand as
indicated in
the position of shoulder arms.
Second motion. Drop the left hand quickly by the
side.
READY.
One time and three motions.
159. First motion. Raise the piece
slightly with the right hand, making a half face to the right on the
left heel; carry the right foot to the
rear, and place
it at right angles to the left, the hollow of it opposite to, and
against the
left heel; grasp the piece with the left hand at the lower band and
detach it
slightly from the shoulder.
Second motion. Bring down the piece with
both hands, the barrel upwards, the left thumb
extended along the stock, the butt below the
right fore-arm,
the small of the stock against the body and two inches below
the right
breast, the muzzle as high as the eye, the left elbow against the
side; place
at the same time the right thumb on the head of the cock, the
other fingers
under and against the guard.
Third motion. Cock, and seize the piece at the
small of the stock without deranging the position of the
butt.
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
AIM.
160. As in the manual for the musket.
FIRE.
161. As in the manual for the musket.
LOAD.
One
time and one motion.
162. Bring down the piece with both
hands, at the same time face to the front and take the position of
load. Each rear rank man will bright his
right foot
by the side of the left.
The men being in this position, the
instructor will cause the loading to be continued by the commands and
means prescribed No. 151 and following.
If after firing, the instructor should
not wish the recruits to reload, he will command:
Shoulder
- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
163. Throw up the piece briskly with the
left hand and resume the position of shoulder arms, at
the same time face to the front, turning
on the left
heel, and bring the right heel on a line with the left.
Recover - ARMS.
164. The same as in the manual for the
musket.
165. The soldiers being in the position
of the third motion of ready, if the instructor should wish to bring
them to a shoulder, he will command:
Shoulder
- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
At the command shoulder, place the thumb
upon the cock, the fore-finger on the trigger,
half-cock, and seize the small of the stock with
the right
hand. At the command arms, bring up the piece briskly to the
right shoulder,
and retake the position of shoulder arms.
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
The recruits being at shoulder arms,
when the instructor shall wish to fix bayonets, he will command:
Fix
- BAYONET.
One time and three motions.
166. First motion. Grasp the piece with
the left hand at the height of the shoulder, and detach it
slightly from the shoulder with the right hand.
Second motion. Quit the piece with the right hand,
lower it with the left hand, opposite the middle of
the body, and place the butt between the
feet without
shock; the rammer to the rear, the barrel vertical, the muzzle
three inches
from the body; seize it with the right hand at the upper band,
and carry
the left hand reversed to the handle of the sabre-bayonet.
Third motion. Draw the sabre-bayonet from the
scabbard and fix it on the extremity of the barrel; seize
the piece with the left hand, the arm
extended, the
right hand at the upper band.
Shoulder
- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
167. First motion. Raise the piece with
the left hand and place it against the right shoulder, the rammer
to the front; seize the piece at the
same time with
the right hand at the swell of the stock, the thumb and
fore-finger embracing
the guard, the right arm nearly extended.
Second motion. Drop briskly the left hand by the
side.
Charge - BAYONET.
One time and two motions.
168. First motion. Raise the piece slightly with
the right hand and make a half face to the right on the
left heel; place the hollow of the right
foot opposite
to, and three inches from the left heel, the feet square;
seize the piece
at the same time with the left hand a little above the lower
band.
Second motion. Bring down the piece with both
hands, the
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
barrel uppermost, the left elbow against the body; seize the small of
the stock,
at the same time, with the right hand, which will be supported against the hip; the point of
the sabre-bayonet as high as the eye.
Shoulder
- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
169. First motion. Throw up the piece
briskly with the left hand in facing to the front, place it against
the right shoulder, the rammer to the
front; turn the
right hand so as embrace the guard, slide the left hand to the
height of the
shoulder, the right
hand nearly extended.
Second motion. Drop the left hand smartly by the
side.
Trail-
ARMS.
One time and two motions.
170. First motion. The same as the first
motion of order arms.
Second motion. Incline the muzzle slightly to the
front, the butt to the rear and about four inches from the
ground. The right hand supported at the hip, will so hold the piece
that the rear rank men may not touch with
their bayonets
the men in the front rank.
Shoulder - ARMS.
171. At the command shoulder, raise the
piece perpendicularly in the right hand, the little finger
in rear of the barrel; at the command
arms, execute
what has been prescribed for the shoulderf rom the position of order arms.
Unfix
- BAYONET.
One time and three motions.
172. First and second
motions. The same as the first and second motions of fix bayonet, except
that, at the end of the second command,
the thumb
of the right hand will be placed on the spring of the
sabre-bayonet, and
the left hand will embrace the handle of the sabre-bayonet and the barrel, the thumb extended
along the blade.
Third motion. Press the thumb of the
right hand on the spring,
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
wrest off the sabre-bayonet, turn it to the right the edge to the
front, lower the
guard until it touches the right hand, which will seize the back
and the edge
of the blade between the thumb and first two fingers, the other
fingers holding
the piece; change the position of the hand without quitting the
handle, return the sabre-bayonet to the scabbard, and seize the piece
with the
left hand, the arm extended.
Shoulder
- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
173. First motion. The same as the first motion
from fix bayonet, No. 167.
Second motion. The same as the second motion from
fix bayonet.
Secure
- ARMS.
One time and three motions.
174. First motion. The same as the first
motion of support arms, except with the right hand seize the
piece at the small of the stock.
Second motion. Turn the piece with both hands, the
barrel to the front; bring
it opposite the left shoulder, the butt against the hip, the left
hand at the
lower band, the thumb as high as the chin and extended on the rammer; the piece erect and
detached from the shoulder, the left
fore-arm against
the piece.
Third motion. Reverse the piece, pass it under the
left arm, the left hand remaining at the lower band,
the thumb on the rammer to prevent it from
sliding
out, the little finger resting against the hip, the right hand
falling at the
same time by the side.
Shoulder
- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
175. First motion. Raise the piece with
the left hand, and seize it with the right hand at the small of the
stock. The piece erect and detached from
the shoulder,
the butt against the hip, the left fore-arm along the piece.
Second motion. The same as the second motion of
shoulder arms from a support.
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
Third motion. The same as the third motion of
shoulder arms from a support.
Right
shoulder shift - ARMS.
One time and two motions.
176. First motion. Detach the piece
perpendicularly from the shoulder with the right hand, and seize
it with the left between the lower band
and guide-sight,
raise the piece, the left hand at the height of the
shoulder and four
inches from it; place, at the same time, the right hand on the
butt, the beak
between the first two fingers, the other two fingers under the
butt plate.
Second motion. Quit the piece with the left hand,
raise and place the piece
on the right shoulder with the right hand, the lock plate
upwards; let fall,
at the same time, the left hand by the side.
Shoulder
- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
177. First motion. Raise the piece
perpendicularly by extending the right arm to its full length, the
rammer to the front, at the same time seize
the piece
with the left hand between the lower band and guide-sight.
Second motion. Quit the butt with the right hand,
which will immediately embrace the guard, lower the
piece to the position of shoulder arms,
slide up
the left hand to the height of the shoulder, the fingers extended
and closed.
Drop the left hand by the side.
The men being at support arms, the
instructor will sometimes cause pieces to be brought to the
right shoulder. To this effect, he will
command:
Right
shoulder shift - ARMS.
One time and two motions.
178. First motion. Seize the piece with
the right hand, below and near the left fore-arm, place the left
hand under the butt, the heel of the butt
between the
first two fingers.
Second motion. Turn
the piece with the left hand, the lock plate upwards, carry it to the right
shoulder, the left hand still holding
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
the butt, the muzzle elevated; hold the piece in this position and
place the right
hand upon the butt, and let fall the left hand by the side.
Support
- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
179. First motion. The same as the first motion of
shoulder arms.
Second motion. Turn the piece with both hands, the
barrel to the front, carry
it opposite the left shoulder, slip the right hand to the small
of the stock,
place the left fore-arm extended on the breast, and let fall the
right hand
by the side.
Arms
- AT
WILL.
One time and one motion.
180. At this command, carry the piece at
pleasure on either shoulder, with one or both hands, the
muzzle elevated.
Shoulder
- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
181. At this command, retake quickly the
position of shoulder arms.
Inspection of
arms.
182. The soldiers being at ordered arms,
and having the sabre-bayonet in the scabbard, if the instructor
wishes to cause an inspection of arms,
he will
command:
Inspection
- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
183. First motion. Seize the piece with
the left hand below and near the upper band, carry it with both
hands opposite the middle of the body,
the butt
between the feet, the rammer to the rear, the barrel vertical, the
muzzle about
three inches from the body; carry the left hand reversed to the
sabre- bayonet,
draw it from the scabbard and fix it on the barrel; grasp the
piece with
the left hand below and near the upper band, seize the rammer with
the thumb
and fore-finger of the right hand bent, the other fingers
closed.
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
Second motion. Draw the rammer as has been
explained in loading, and let it glide to the bottom of
the bore, replace the piece with the left
hand opposite
the right shoulder, and retake the position of ordered arms.
The instructor will then inspect in
succession the piece of each man, 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
lower band and guide-sight, the lock to the front, the left hand at
the height
of the chin, the piece opposite to the left eye; the instructor
will take it
with the right hand at the handle, and, after inspecting it, will
return it to the
man, who will receive it back with the right hand, and replace it
in the position
of ordered arms.
When the instructor shall have passed
him, each soldier will retake the position prescribed at the
command inspection arms, return the rammer, and resume the position of
ordered arms.
If, instead of inspection of arms, the
instructor should merely wish to cause bayonets to be fixed, he
will command:
Fix - BAYONET.
184. Take the position indicated No.
183, fix bayonets as has been explained, and immediately
resume the position of ordered arms.
If it be the wish of the instructor,
after firing, to ascertain whether the pieces have been discharged, he
will command:
Spring - RAMMERS.
This is done as in the manual for the
musket.
To
load in four times.
185. The first time will be executed at
the end of the command; the three others at the commands, two,
three, and four.
The instructor will command:
1. Load in
four times. 2.
LOAD.
186. Execute the times to include charge
cartridge.
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
TWO.
187. Execute the times to include ram
cartridge.
THREE.
188. Execute the times to include prime.
FOUR.
189. Execute the time of shoulder arms.
To
load at will.
190. 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.
2.
The instructor will habituate the
soldiers, by degrees, to load with it greatest possible promptitude,
each without regulating himself by his neighbor, and above all without
waiting for him.
Firings.
191. The firings are direct or oblique,
and will be executed as follows:
The
direct fire.
The instructor will give the following
commands:
1. Fire by
squad. 2. Squad. 3.
READY. 4. AIM.5. Fire. 6. LOAD.
These several commands will be executed
as has been prescribed is the Manual of Arms. At the third
command, the men will come to the position
of ready
as heretofore explained. At the fourth they will aim according to
the rank
in which each may find himself placed, the rear rank men inclining
forward a
little the upper part of the body, in order that their pieces
may reach
as much beyond
the front rank as possible.
At the sixth command, they will load
their pieces, and return immediately to the position of ready.
The instructor will recommence the
firing by the commands:
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
1. Squad. 2. AIM.
3. FIRE. 4. LOAD.
When the instructor wishes the firing to
cease, he will command:
Cease firing.
At this command, the men will cease
firing, but will load their pieces if unloaded, and afterwards bring
them to a shoulder.
Oblique
Firings.
192. The oblique firings will be
executed to the right and left, and by the same commands as the direct
fire, with this single difference - the command aim will always be
preceded by the caution, right or left
oblique.
Position of
the two ranks in the Oblique Fire to the right.
At the command ready, the two ranks will
execute what has been prescribed for the direct fire.
At the cautionary command, right
oblique, the two ranks will throw back the right shoulder and look
steadily at the object to be hit.
At the command aim, each front rank man
will aim to the right without deranging the feet; each rear
rank man will advance the left foot about
eight
inches towards the right heel of the man next on the right of his
file leader
and aim to the right, inclining the upper part of the body
forward and bending
a little the left knee.
Position
of the two ranks in the Oblique Fire to the left.
At the cautionary command, left oblique,
the two ranks will throw back the left shoulder and look
steadily at the object to be hit.
At the command aim, the front rank will
take aim to the left without deranging the feet; each man in
the rear rank will advance the right
foot about
eight inches towards the right heel of the man next on the right
of his file
leader, and aim to the left, inclining the upper part of the body
forward and
bending a little the right knee.
In both cases, at the command load, the
men of each rank will
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
come to the position of load as prescribed in the direct fire; the rear
rank men
bringing back the foot which is to the right and front by the side
of the other.
Each man will continue to load as if isolated.
To fire by
File.
193. The fire by file will be executed
by the two ranks, the files of which will fire successively, and
without regulating on each other, except
for the first
fire.
The instructor will command:
1. Fire by file. 2. Squad.
3. READY. 4. COMMENCE FIRING.
At the third command, the two ranks will
take the position prescribed in the direct fire.
At the fourth command, the file on the
right will aim and fire; rear rank man in aiming will take the
position indicated No. 118.
The men of this file will load their
pieces briskly and fire a second time; reload and fire again, and so
on in continuation.
The second file will aim, at the instant
the first brings down pieces to reload and will conform in all
respects to that which has just been prescribed for the first file.
After the first fire, the front and rear
rank men will not be required to fire at the same time.
Each man, after loading, will return to
the position of ready and continue the fire.
When the instructor wishes the fire to
cease, he will command:
Cease - FIRING.
At this command, the men will cease
firing. If they have fired they will load their pieces and bring
them to a shoulder; if at the position of
ready, they
will half-cock and shoulder arms. If in the position of aim, they
will bring
down their pieces, half-cock, and shoulder arms.
To fire by
Rank.
194. The fire by rank will be executed
by each entire rank, alternately.
The instructor will command:
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
1. Fire by rank. 2. Squad. 8. READY. 4.
Rear rank. 5. AIM.
6. FIRE. 7. LOAD.
At the third command, the two ranks will
take the position of ready, as prescribed in the direct fire.
At the seventh command, the rear rank
will execute that which has been prescribed in the direct fire,
and afterwards take the position of
ready.
As soon as the instructor sees several
men of the rear rank in the position of ready, he will
command:
1. Front rank. 2.
AIM. 3. FIRE. 4. LOAD.
At these commands, the men in the front
rank will execute what has been prescribed for the rear rank,
but they will not step off with the right
foot.
The instructor will recommence the
firing by the rear rank, and will thus continue to alternate from rank
to rank, until he shall wish the firing
to cease,
when he will command, cease firing, which will be executed as heretofore prescribed.
To fire and
load Kneeling.
195. In this exercise the squad will be
supposed loaded and drawn up in one rank. The instruction will
be given to each man individually,
without times
or motions, and in the following manner.
The instructor will command:
FIRE AND LOAD
KNEELING.
At this command, the man on the right of
the squad will move forward three paces and halt; then
carry the right foot to the rear and to the
right of the
left heel, and in a position convenient for placing the right knee
upon the
ground in bending the left leg; place the right knee upon the
ground; lower
the piece, the left fore-arm supported upon the thigh on the same
side, the
right hand on the small of the stock, the butt resting on the
right thigh,
the left hand supporting the piece near the lower band.
He will next move the right leg to the
left around the knee supported on the ground, until this leg is
nearly perpendicular to the
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
direction of the left foot, and thus seat himself comfortably on the
right heel.
Raise the piece with the right hand and
support it with the left, holding it near the lower band, the left
elbow resting on the left thigh near the
knee; seize
the hammer with the thumb, the fore-finger under the guard, cock
and seize
the piece at the small of the stock; bring the piece to the
shoulder, aim
and fire.
Bring the piece down as soon as it is
fired, and support it with the left hand, the butt resting against
the right thigh; carry the piece to the
rear rising
on the knee, the barrel downwards, the butt resting on the
ground; in this
position support the piece with the left hand at the upper band,
draw cartridge
with the right and load the piece, ramming the ball, if
necessary, with
both hands.
When loaded bring the piece to the front
with the left hand, which holds it at the upper band; seize it
at the same time with the right hand at
the small
of the stock; turn the piece, the barrel uppermost and nearly horizontal, the left elbow
resting on the left thigh; half-cock, remove
the old cap
and prime, rise, and return to the ranks.
The second man will then be taught what
has just been prescribed for the first, and so on through
the remainder of the squad.
To fire and
load Lying.
196. In this exercise the squad will be
in one rank and loaded; the instruction will be given
individually and without times or motions.
The instructor will command:
FIRE AND LOAD
LYING.
At this command, the man on the right of
the squad will move forward three paces and halt; he will
then bring his piece to an order, drop on
both knees,
and place himself on the ground flat on his belly. In this
position he will
support the piece nearly horizontal with the left hand, holding it
near the
lower band, the butt end of the piece and the left elbow resting on
the ground,
the barrel uppermost; cock the piece with the right hand, and
carry this
hand
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
to the small of the stock; raise the piece with both hands, press the
butt against
the shoulder, and. resting on both elbows, aim and fire.
As soon as he has fired, bring the piece
down and turn upon his left side, still resting on his left
elbow; bring back the piece until the cock is
opposite
his breast, the butt end resting on the ground; take out a
cartridge with
the right hand; seize the small of the stock with this hand,
holding the cartridge
with the thumb and two first fingers; he will then throw
himself on his
back, still holding the piece with both hands; carry the piece to
the rear, place
the butt between the heels, the barrel up, the muzzle elevated.
In this
position, charge cartridge, draw rammer, ram cartridge, and return
rammer.
When finished loading, the man will turn
again upon his left side, remove the old cap and prime, then
raise the piece vertically, rise, turn
about, and resume
his position in the ranks.
The second man will be taught what has
just been prescribed for the first, and so on throughout the
squad.
Bayonet
Exercise.
197. The bayonet exercise in this book
will be confined to two movements, the guard against
infantry, and the guard against cavalry.
The men
will he placed in one rank, with two paces interval, and being at shoulder arms, the instructor
will command:
1.
Guard against Infantry. 2. GUARD.
One time and two motions.
First motion. Make a half face to the right,
turning on both heels, the feet square to each other; at the
same time raise the piece slightly, and
seize it with
the left hand above and near the lower band.
Second motion. Carry the right foot twenty inches
perpendicularly to the rear, the right heel on the
prolongation of the left, the knees
slightly bent, the
weight of the body resting equally on both legs; lower the piece
with both
hands, the barrel uppermost, the
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
left elbow against the body; seize the piece at the same time with the
right hand
at the small of the stock, the arms falling naturally, the point
of the bayonet
slightly elevated. (Fig. 44.)
Shoulder
- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
Throw up the piece with the left hand,
and place it against the right shoulder, at the same time
bring the right heel by the side of the left
and face
to the front.
1.
Guard against Cavalry. 2. GUARD.
One time and two motions.
Both motions the same as for guard
against infantry, except that the right hand will be supported
against the hip, and the bayonet held at
height of
the eye, as in charge bayonet.
Shoulder
- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
Spring up the piece with the left hand
and place it against the right shoulder, at the same time
bring the right heel by the side of the
left, and face
to the front.
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
MANUAL OF THE SWORD OR SABRE, FOR OFFICERS.
POSITION OF THE SWORD OR SABRE, UNDER ARMS.
198. The carry. The gripe in the right
hand, which will be supported against the right hip, the back
of the blade against the shoulder.
TO SALUTE WITH THE SWORD OR
SABRE.
Three times (or pauses).
One. At the distance of six paces from the person
to be saluted, raise the sword or sabre perpendicularly,
the point up, the flat of the blade
opposite to
the right eye, the guard at the height of the shoulder, the elbow supported on the body.
Two. Drop the point of the sword or
sabre by extending the arm, so that the right hand may be brought
to the side of the right thigh, and
remain in that
position until the person to whom the salute is rendered shall be passed, or shall have passed,
six paces.
Three. Raise the sword or sabre smartly, and
resume the position first prescribed.
COLOR-SALUTE.
199. In the ranks, the color-bearer,
whether at a halt or in march, will always carry the heel of the
color-lance supported at the right hip,
the right hand
generally placed on the lance at the height of the shoulder, to
hold it steady.
When the color has to render honors, the color-bearer will
salute as follows
At the distance of six paces slip the
right hand along the lance to the height of the eye; lower the
lance by straightening the arm to its
fullest extent,
the heel of the lance remaining at the hip, and bring back the
lance to
the habitual position when the person saluted shall be passed, or
shall have
passed, six paces.
_______
PART THIRD.
200. When the men are well established
in the principles and mechanism of the step, the position of
the body, and the manual of arms, the
instructor will
unite from eight to twelve in a squad, in
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
order to teach them the principles of alignment, the touch of the elbow
in marching
to the front, the principles of the march by the flank,
wheeling from
a halt, wheeling in of
the guide. He will place the squad in one rank elbow to elbow, and number the men from right to
left.
Alignments.
201. The instructor will at first teach
the soldiers to align themselves man by man, in order to make them
understand the principles of alignment better; for this purpose, he
will command the two men on the right
flank to march
two paces to the front, and having aligned (or dressed) them, he
will cause
the remainder of the squad to move up, as may be successively called, each by his number, as
three, four, etc., and align
(or dress) themselves
successively on the line of the first two men.
Each man, as designated by his number,
will turn his head and eyes to the right, as directed for eyes
right in the first part, and march two
paces forward
in quick time, shortening the last step, so as to find himself
about six
inches behind the new line, which he ought never to cross; he will
then move
up steadily by steps of two or three inches, the legs straight, to
the side
of the next man to him on the line, so that, without throwing the
head or
the shoulders out of place, he may find himself in the exact line
with the files
on his right, and touching elbows with the nearest one without opening out his arms.
The instructor seeing the line properly
dressed, commands:
FRONT.
At which the men will turn their eyes to
the front, and remain firm.
Alignments to the left will be conducted
on the same principles.
202. When the men shall have learned to
dress correctly man by man, without deranging the head or
shoulders, and without jostling, the instructor will cause the
entire squad to dress at once by the command:
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
Squad right
(or left) - DRESS.
At this the squad, except the two men
placed in advance as a basis of alignment, will move up in
quick time, and place themselves on the new line according to the
principles just laid down.
The instructor will superintend the
dressing, and when he sees the greater number of the squad in
their proper places, will command:
FRONT.
The instructor may afterwards order this
or that file forward or back, designating each man by his
number (or name). The file or files
designated, will
slightly turn the head towards the right (or left), to judge how
much they
ought to move up or back, place themselves on the line by moving
an inch
or two at a time, and then turn eyes to the front, without waiting
for any
command from the instructor.
203. Alignments to the rear will be
executed on the same principles, the men stepping back a little
beyond the line, and then dressing up
according to
the principles laid down in No. 201; the commands of the instructor
are:
Right
(or left) backward - DRESS.
To march to the front.
204. The squad being correctly aligned, and the instructor wishing to march it to the front, he will
place a well-instructed man on the right
or left,
according to the side on which he wishes the guide to be, and command:
1.
Squad forward. 2. Guide right (or left). 3. MARCH.
At the command march, the squad will
step off smartly with the left foot, and will take up quick time,
unless otherwise specially ordered. This
rule is general.
The guide will take care to march straight to the front,
keeping his shoulders
always square with that line. The men will touch elbows
lightly on
the side towards the guide, maintaining the shoulders square to the front, no matter on which side
the guide may be; they should be careful
not to
open
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
out the left elbow, or the right arm; that they yield to pressure
coming from the
side of the guide, and resist that coming from the side opposite;
that they
recover by insensible degrees the touch of the elbow, if lost; and
if any
files are before or behind the line, that they correct themselves
by shortening
or lengthening the step by almost insensible degrees. It is
all important
that the closest attention should be paid to each one of the above directions, otherwise the
men cannot attain proficiency, and when
they are
advanced the company drill, it will be impossible to secure promptness or accuracy in the
maneuvers.
205. The men being well established in
the principles of the direct march, the instructor will exercise
them in marching obliquely. The squad
being in march,
the instructor commands
1. Right (or
left) oblique.
2. MARCH.
At the command march, each man will make
a half face to the right (or left), and will then march
straight forward in the new direction. As
the men no
longer touch elbows, they will glance along the nearest files,
towards the
side to which they are obliquing, and will regulate their steps so
that the
right (or left) shoulder shall always be behind the left (or right)
shoulder of
their next neighbor on the right (or left), and that his head shall
conceal the
heads of the other men on the right (or left). The men should be
careful to
preserve the same length of pace, and the same degree cf obliquity.
The guides
must always be on the flank towards which the oblique takes
place.
The instructor wishing to resume the
direct march, will command:
1. Forward. 2. MARCH.
At the command march, each man will make
a half face to the left (or right), and all will march
straight to the front, conforming the
principles laid down
for marching to the front.
To march to
the front in double quick time.
206. Instruction in the principles of
this step is recommended for all infantry troops; it may be
omitted for infantry of the line,
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
but in no other case; nothing but the imperative necessity for giving
all of the
time at the disposal of the instructor to instruction in the
principles of the
quick step and to the maneuvers, should prevent even infantry of
the line
from being thoroughly instructed in the principles of this step.
The squad being at a march in quick
time, the instructor commands:
1.
Double quick. 2. MARCH.
At the command march, which will be
given when either foot is coming to the ground, the squad will
step off in double quick time. The men
should be
careful to follow the rules already laid down for the march in the
double quick
step, and to preserve the alignment.
When the instructor wishes the squad to
resume the quick step, he will
command:
1.
Quick time. 2. MARCH.
At the command march, which
should be given when either foot is coming to the ground, the squad
will retake the step in quick time.
If the squad is at a halt, and the
instructor wishes to march at the double quick step, he commands:
The squad being on the march in double
quick time, the instructor will occasionally cause it to mark
time; the men will then mark double quick
time
without altering the cadence. He will also cause them to pass from
the direct
to the oblique march, and the reverse, conforming to what has
been prescribed
for the oblique march.
In marching at double quick time, the
men will always carry their pieces on the right shoulder, or at a
trail. This rule is general.
If the instructor wishes the pieces
carried at a trail, he will give the command trail arms, before the
command double quick. If, on the
contrary, this
command is not given, the men will shift their pieces to the right
shoulder
at the command double quick. In
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
either case, at the command halt, the men will bring their pieces to
the position
of shouldered arms. This rule is general.
To face about
in marching.
207. If the squad be marching in quick,
or double quick time, and the instructor should wish to march
in retreat, he will command:
1. Squad
right about. 2.
MARCH.
At the command march, which should be
given at the instant the right foot touches the ground, the
soldier will complete the next pace with
the left
foot, then turning to theright about on both heels, will step off
with the left
foot.
To march by
the flank.
208. The squad being at a halt, and
correctly aligned, the instructor will command:
1. Squad,
right - FACE. 2. Forward.
3. MARCH.
At the command face, the squad will face
to the right; the even numbered men, after falling to the
right, will step quickly to the right side of
the odd numbered
men, the latter standing fast so that when the movement is executed, the men will be
formed into files of two men abreast, or
doubled.
At the command march, the squad will
step off smartly with the left foot; the files keeping their dress,
and preserving their intervals.
The march by the left flank will be
executed by the same commands, substituting the word left for
right, and by inverse means; in this
case, the even
numbered men, after facing to the left, will stand fast, and the
odd numbered
will place themselves on their left.
When the instructor shall wish to halt
the squad, marching by the flank, and to cause it to face to the
front, he will command:
1. Squad.
2. HALT. 3. FRONT.
At the second command the rank will halt, and afterwards no man will
stir, although
he may have lost his distance. This prohibition is necessary,
to habituate
the men to a constant attention to their distances.
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
At the command front, 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 left
flank. The
rear rank men will move quickly into their places, so as to form
the squad
into one rank again.
209. The squad being on the march by the
flank, the instructor will cause it to change direction by
commanding:
1.
By file left (or right). 2. MARCH.
At the command march, the first file will change direction to
the left (or right)
in describing a small arc of a circle, and will then march
straight forward;
the two men of this file, in wheeling, will keep up the touch
of the elbows,
and the man on the side to which the wheel is made, will
shorten the
first three or four steps. Each file will come successively to the
wheel on
the same spot where that which preceded
it wheeled.
210. The instructor will also cause the
squad to face by the right or left flank in marching, and for this
purpose will command:
1. Squad by
the right (or left) flank. 2. MARCH.
At the command march, which will be
given a little before either foot comes to the ground, the men
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. When the squad faces to the front or rear in marching, the men who find
themselves in rear step to the right or left
so as to
form a single rank, each man in his place as in the beginning;
this is called
the undoubling of files.
If when the squad is marching to the
front or rear, the instructor causes it to march by a flank, the files
will double; when the squad is on the
march to the
front, and is faced by the right flank, the even numbers will step
up to the
right of the odd ones, as in the first instance in facing from a
halt; when it
is marched by the left flank, the odd numbers should double on the
left of the
even; if the squad is marching to the rear when it is faced by the
right flank,
the odd will double on the eve nas in the last case, but if
faced by the left
flank the even will double to the right of the odd as in the first
case.
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
.
The instructor will sometimes march by a flank without doubling files;
for this
purpose he commands:
In one rank,
right - FACE.
In marching at the double quick,
however, the files will always be doubled.
General
principles of wheelings.
211. Wheelings are of two kinds; from a
halt, or on fixed pivots, and on the march, or on a movable
pivot.
In wheelings from a halt, the pivot-man
only turns in his place, without advancing or receding. In the
wheels in marching, the pivot-man takes steps of nine or eleven inches,
according as the squad is marching in
quick or
double quick time, so as to clear the wheeling point, which is
necessary in
order that, in a column composed of sections, platoons, or
companies, the
distances between the different parts of it shall not be lost, as
will be more
fully explained in
the school of the company.
The man on the wheeling flank will take
a full pace of twenty-eight, or thirty-three inches, according
to whether the time is quick or double
quick.
Wheeling from
a halt, or on a fixed pivot.
212. The squad being at a halt, the
instructor will place a well-instructed man on the wheeling flank to
conduct it, and command:
1.
By squad, right wheel. 2. MARCH.
At the command march, the squad will step off with the left
foot, turning the
head at the same time a little to the left, the eyes on the line of
the eyes of
the men to their left; the pivot-man will merely mark time,
gradually turning
his body, in order to conform himself to the movements of the marching flank; the man who
conducts this flank will take steps of
twenty-eight
inches, and from the first step advance the left shoulder a
little, cast his
eyes from time to time along the rank, and feel constantly, but
lightly,
the elbow of the next man on his right, but never push him. The other
man will
feel lightly the elbow of the next man to his right, resist pres-
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
sure coming from the left, and yield to any coming from the right; each
man will
conform himself to the march of the men on the left, shortening
his step
more and more as he is nearer the right,
or pivot.
The instructor will make the squad wheel
round the circle once or twice before halting, in order to
cause the principles to be better
understood, and he
will he watching that the centre does not break or get too far in
advance.
He will cause the wheel to the left to
be executed on the same principles.
When the instructor wishes to arrest the
wheel, he commands:
1.
Squad. 2. HALT.
At the second command the squad will halt, and no
man stir. The instructor
going to the left (or right, if the wheel has been to the
left) flank, will
place the two outer men of that flank in the direction he may wish
to give
to the squad, without however displacing the pivot, who will
conform the
line of his shoulders to this direction. The instructor will take
care to have
between these two men and the pivot, only the space necessary to contain the other men. He will
then command:
Left (or
right) - DRESS.
At this the squad will place itself on
the alignment of the men fixed as the bases, in conformity with the
principles laid down for the alignments.
As soon
as the men are aligned, the instructor commands:
FRONT.
Wheeling in
marching, or on a movable pivot.
213. When the men have been brought to
execute the wheel from a halt properly, they will be taught
the wheel in marching.
For this end, the squad being on the
march, when the instructor shall wish to cause it to change
direction to the flank opposite the guide,
he will command:
1.
Right (or left) wheel. 2. MARCH.
The first command will be given when the squad is four paces
from the wheeling
point.
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
At the command march, the wheel will be executed in the same
manner as from
a halt, except that the touch of the elbow will remain towards the
left or
marching flank, 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 so as 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.
The wheel being ended, the instructor
will command:
1. Forward. 2. MARCH.
The command forward will be given four
paces before the wheel is complete.
At the command march, which will begin
at the instant the wheel is complete, the man who conducts
the wheel will march straight forward;
the
pivot man and all the rest of the squad 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.
214. 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.
The first command should be given when the squad is four
paces from the turning
point.
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 changing the pace. The whole squad
will
promptly conform to the new direction; to effect which, each man
will advance
the shoulder opposite the guide, take the double quick step,
turn the
head and eyes to the side of the guide, place himself on the line
with the
guide, from whom he will take the step, touch elbows to the side of
the
guide, and resume
MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA.
the direct position of the head. The men will arrive in their places in
regular succession.
215. When the men comprehend, and can
execute the various wheels, etc., in quick time, the
instructor will cause them to be repeated in
double quick
time, by the same commands, and according to same principles as
in quick
time, except that the command double quick will precede that of march. In wheeling while
marching, the pivot man will take steps of
eleven inches,
and in the changes of direction to the side of the guide, the
men on the
side opposite the guide must increase the gait in order to bring themselves into line.
The instructor, in order not to fatigue
the men, and not to divide their attention, will cause them to
execute the several movements of
wheelings, etc.,
first without arms, and
next, after the mechanism be well comprehended, with arms.
