MANUAL OF INSTRUCTION
FOR THE
VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA
OF THE
UNITED STATES:
With Numerous Illustrations
BY
MAJOR WILLIAM GILHAM,
INSTRUCTOR OF TACTICS, AND COMMANDANT OF CADETS OF THE
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE.
PHILADELPHIA:
CHARLES DESILVER,
1229 CHESTNUT STREET.
CUSHINGS & BAILEY, BALTIMORE, MD.
1861
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1860, by
CHARLES DESILVER
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Eastern District
of Pennsylvania.
CONTENTS.
[The numbers refer to
paragraphs and not to pages.]
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
82. General directions; 83. Position of soldier; 84-86. The facings; 87. Balance step - Direct step; 88-92. Common time - Quick time - Double quick step - Double quick time; 93. General directions for manual; 94-141. Manual for the musket; 142-190. Manual for the rifle; 191-196. The firings; 197. Bayonet exercise; 198. Salute with the sword or sabre; 199. Color Salute; 200-203. The alignments; 204. To march to front; 205. The oblique; 206, 207. The double quick and the about; 208-210. To march by a flank; 211-215. Wheeling and turning.
SCHOOL OF THE COMPANY
216. To form the Company; 217. To open and close ranks; 218-221. The alignments; 222-224. To stack arms; 225-230. The firings; 231-236. To advance in line - The oblique - Mark time - March in retreat - The about; 237-239. To march by flank; 240. On right by file into line; 241. Marching by the flank to form company or platoons; 242-245. Breaking into, and the march of, a column of platoons; 246-248. To form a column of platoons into line to the left or right; 249, 250. A company marching in line, to break it into column of platoons, and to re-form company; 251. In column of platoons, to break files to the rear; 252-255. The route step; 256. The countermarch; 257. In column of platoons, to form line on the right; 258-26l. To form from two to four ranks, and reciprocally; 262. General directions for skirmishers; 263. Deployments; 264. To deploy forward; 265. To deploy by a flank; 266. To deploy on the centre; 267, 268. To extend and close intervals; 269. To relieve a company deployed as skirmishers; 270-273. The advance, retreat, changes of directions, etc.; 274-276. The firings; 277-282. The rally; 283. The assembly.
ARTICLE
III.
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.
GENERAL RULES.
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 preserve 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 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:
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 forwards, 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.
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.
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 swiftness of the step at common time, he
should be practiced 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 an 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 the alternate
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, 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. Doublequick. 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.
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:
(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, the remaining 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 the movement 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, 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.
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 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.
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.
l04. 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.
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 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 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.
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, 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 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 theFire.)
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.
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 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.
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.)
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:
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 it 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.
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 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.