LOAD. (Two motions.)
One. Drop the piece by a smart extension of the left arm, seize it with the right hand above and near the tail band; at the same time carry the right foot forward, the heel against the hollow of the left foot. (See Fig.74, front view, and Fig. 75, a side view.)
Two. Drop the piece with the right hand along the left thigh, seize it with the left hand at the middle band, and with the left hand let it descend along to the ground, without shock, the piece touching the left thigh, and the muzzle opposite to the centre of the body; carry the right hand quickly to the cartridge-box and open it. (See Fig. 76.)
HANDLE-CARTRIDGE. (One motion.)
Seize the cartridge with the thumb and next two fingers, and place it between the teeth, back of the hand against the cheek, elbow at the height of the hand. (See Fig. 77.)
TEAR-CARTRIDGE. (One motion.)
Tear the paper down to the powder, by twisting the hand and closing the elbow into the body, hold the cartridge upright between the thumb and next two fingers, near the top; and in this position place it in front of and near the muzzle, the back of the hand to the front.
CHARGE-CARTRIDGE. (One motion.)
Fix the eye on the muzzle, turn quickly the back of the right hand towards the body, in order to discharge the powder into the barrel, raise the elbow to the height of the wrist, shake the cartridge, force it into the muzzle and leave the hand reversed, the fingers extended, the thumb extended along the barrel. (See Fig. 78.)
DRAW-RAMMER. (Two motions.)
One. Drop smartly the right elbow and seize the rammer between the thumb and forefinger bent, the other fingers shut; (See Fig. 79,) Draw it smartly extending
the arm; (See Fig. 80,) seize the rammer again at the middle, between the thumb and three fingers, the hand reversed, the palm to the front, the nails up, the eyes following the movement of the hands, (See Fig, 81 and 82,) clear the rammer from the pipes by again extending the arm.
Two. Turn rapidly the rammer between the bayonet and the face, closing the fingers, (See Fig. 83,) (the rammer of the rear rank man grazing the right shoulder of the man of the man of the same file in front, respectively) the rammer parallel to the bayonet, the arm extended, the butt of the rammer opposite to the muzzle, but not yet inserted, the eyes fixed on the muzzle.
Three. Insert the butt of the rammer and force it down as low as the hand.
|
|
|
RAM-CARTRIDGE. (One motion.)
Extend the arm to its full length to seize the rammer between the right thumb extended and the forefinger bent, the other fingers closed; with force ram home twice (the right elbow down and bear the piece) and seize the rammer at the little end, between the thumb and forefinger bent, the other fingers closed, the right elbow touching the body.
RETURN-RAMMER. (Three motions.)
One. Draw briskly the rammer, reseize it at the middle between the thumb and three fingers, the hand reversed, the palm to the front, the nails up, the eyes following the movement of the hand, clear the rammer from the barrel by extending the arm. (See Fig. 84.)
Two. Turn rapidly the rammer between the bayonet and the face, closing the fingers, (the rammer of the rear rank man grazing the right shoulder of the man of 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.
Three. Insert the little end, and with the thumb, which will follow the movement, force it as low as the middle band; raise quickly the right hand a little bent, place the little finger on the butt of the rammer, and force it down; lower the left hand on the barrel to the extent of the arm, without depressing the shoulder.
CAST-ABOUT. (Two motions.)
One. Raise the piece with the left hand along the left side, the hand at the height of the chin, the forearm touching the piece, the barrel to the front; drop at the same time the right hand to seize the piece a little above the small, the forefinger touching the lock, the thumb on the S plate, and bring back the right heel to the side of the left. (See Fig, 85.)
Two. Make a half face to the right on the left heel, bring the left toe to the front, the right foot behind and at right angles with the left, the hollow of the right foot against the heel of the left. At the same time seize the small of the stock with the right hand, and bring down the piece with both hands to the position of charge BAYONET. (See Figs. 86 and 87.)
PRIME. (One motion.)
Sustain the piece with the left hand (half-cock the piece), brush off the old cap, and with the thumb and first two fingers take a cap from the pouch, place it firmly on the cone, pushing it down with the thumb, and seize the piece with the right hand at the small.
SHOULDER ARMS. (Two motions.)
As from Charge-Bayonet.
The first time will be executed at the command Load; the three others at the words two, three, and four.
LOAD IN FOUR TIMES-LOAD.
Execute What is prescribed for Load, Handle-Cartridge, Tear-Cartridge, and Charge-Cartridge.
TWO.
Draw-Rammer and Ram-Cartridge.
THREE.
Return-Rammer and Cast-About.
FOUR.
Prime and Shoulder Arms.
Load at will-LOAD.
At the command load, execute the loading as in four times, but without resting on the times.
READY. (Four motions.)
One. Make a half face to the right on the left heel, bring the left toe to the front, place at the same time the right foot behind, and at right angles with the left, the hollow of the right foot against the left heel; turn the piece with the left hand, the lock outward, and seize at the same time the handle (or small of the stock) with the right hand, the piece perpendicular, and detached from the shoulder; (the left hand remaining under the butt.) (See Fig. 88.)
Two. Bring the piece with the right hand to the middle of the body, place the left hand just above the lock, the thumb extended on the stock at the height of the chin, the S plate almost turned towards the body, the rammer obliquely to the left and front, the left fore-arm in front of and against the stock. (See Fig,89.)
Three. Place the thumb on the hammer, the forefinger under and on the guard, the other the other three fingers joined to the first, the elbow at the height of the wrist. (See Fig. 90.)
Four. Close the right elbow smartly to the body in cocking, seize the piece at the small, let it descend along the body in the left hand to the tail band, which will remain at the height of the shoulder, (and opposite to the centre of the body.) (See Figs. 91-92.)
AIM. (One motion.)
Drop smartly the muzzle, the left hand remaining at the tail band, support the butt against the right shoulder, the left elbow a little down, the right well elevated, shut the left eye, direct the right along the barrel, drop the head upon the butt to catch the object, and place the forefinger on the trigger. (See Fig. 93.)
The rear rank man will. at the same time, carry the right foot about eight inches toward the left heel of the man on his right.
FIRE. (One motion.)
Apply the forefinger with force to the trigger without further lowering or turning the head, and remain in that position.
LOAD. (From the fire-two motions.)
One. Bring back the piece quickly with both hands, the rear rank men bringing back the right foot by the side of the left; depress the butt strongly by extending the right arm, and carry it with the right arm thus extended top the left side, the barrel turned to the front and opposite to the left shoulder; open the left hand to let the piece slide through it to the middle band, the back of the hand to the front, the left forearm touching the stock, the hand at the height of and opposite the chin; at the same time face to the front, and carry the right foot forward, the heel against the hollow of the left foot.
Two. Quit the hold of the right hand; with the left hand remaining at the middle band, let the piece descend to the ground,
without shock, and take the position of the second motion of the first time of loading.
SHOULDER-ARMS. (From the fire-two motions.)
One. At the word shoulder, bring back the piece with both hands. (See Fig. 94.
Two. Face to the front, carry the piece against the left shoulder and place the left hand under the butt. (See Fig. 95.)
Let fall smartly the right hand into its position. (See Fig. 96.)
RECOVER-ARMS. (From the aim-one motion.)
At the word recover, withdraw the finger from the trigger; at the command arms, throw up smartly the muzzle, and retake the position of the fourth motion of ready. (See Fig. 97.)
SHOULDER-ARMS. (From the ready-one motion.)
At the word shoulder, face to the front, bring the piece to the middle of the body, the left thumb at the height of the chin, the piece supported by the left hand, holding it fast above the lock; next place the right thumb on the head of the cock, support the forefinger on the trigger, sustain at the same time the cock in its decent till it nearly touches the cone, raise the cock to the half-cock notch, (the reaching of which will be both felt and heard,) and seize the handle of the piece (or small of the stock) with the right hand. (See Figs. 98 and 99.) At the word ARMS, carry the piece smartly to the shoulder and retake the position of shoulder arms. (See Fig. 100.)
The firings are either direct or oblique.
For the direct fire, the instructor will command
1. Fire by Squad. 2. Squad. 3. READY. 4. AIM
5. FIRE. 6. LOAD.
These several commands will be executed as has been prescribed in the MANUAL OF ARMS. At the sixth they will load their pieces and return immediately to the position of shoulder.
The firing will be re-commenced by the commands:
1. Squad. 2. READY. 3. AIM. 4. FIRE. 5. 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 if at an aim, recover arms, half-cock, and come to a shoulder.
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 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 to the right oblique.
At the command aim, each front rank man will aim to the right without deranging his 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.
At the command load, both ranks will resume the position of load in the fire direct.
POSITION OF THE RANKS IN THE OBLIQUE FIRE TO THE LEFT.
At the command left oblique, the two ranks will throw back the left shoulder and look steadily to the left oblique.
At the command AIM, the front ranks will take aim to the left without deranging the feet; each man in the rear rank will advance the left foot about eight inches, and aim to the left, inclining the upper part of the body forward, and bending a little the left knee.
At the command load, both ranks will come to the position of load, as prescribed in the direct fire.
The instructor will command:
1. Fire by file. 2. Squad. 3. READY. 4. COMMENCE FIRING.
At the fourth command, the right file will aim and fire, the two men together; the rear rank man in taking aim will carry the right foot about eight inches to the right; the next file aims at the instant the first has fired, and so on successively to the left. After the first fire, every man will load and fire without waiting for the others.
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 recover their pieces, half cock, and shoulder arms.
The squad being in two ranks, at shoulder arms, the instructor will command,
1. Prepare to open ranks. 2. To the rear open order.
MARCH.
At the first command, the guides upon the right and left of the front rank will place themselves upon the right and left of the rear rank respectively.
At the second command, they will step perpendicularly to the rear four paces, (fourteen inches each) and halt.
At the command MARCH, the whole of the rear rank will step off together with the left foot first, until they have overstepped the guides who have halted to mark the distance, when the guide upon the right will command Right DRESS, turn your head to the right, and dress upon him. The rank being properly aligned, the instructor will command, FRONT, resume the position to the front, he will then command order arms, and
Inspection-ARMS. (Three motions.)
(First Motion.) Face to the right, once and a half on the left heel, carry the right foot perpendicularly to the rear of alignments, about six inches from and at right angles with the left foot; (See Fig. 101,) 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, (if the bayonet has been previously unfixed, perform what has been prescribed for the first motion of fix bayonets from an order,) carry at the same time the right hand to the rammer.
(Second Motion.) (Draw and fix the bayonet, if off,) Draw the rammer as been explained in loading in ten 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 recruit, in passing along the front of the ranks. Each, as the instructor reaches him, will raise smartly his piece with his right hand, seize it with the left, below the tail-band, the lock to the front, the left hand at the height of the chin, the piece opposite the left eye. (See Fig. 102.) The instructor will take it with the right hand at the handle, and, after inspecting it, will return it to the recruit, who will receive it back with the right hand, and replace it in the position of ordered arms.
When the instructor has examined the piece of the second man, and he has brought it to an ordered arms, the first will retake the prescribed position of inspection of arms, and return the rammer, after which he will face to the front.
The squad being at an order arms, with the files numbered from right to left, as one, two, three, &c. The instructor will command,
Stack. ARMS.
At this command, the front rank man of every even numbered file, will pass his piece before him, seize it with the left hand above the middle band, turn it barrel to the front, and place the butt outside of and near to the left foot, nearly opposite the right shoulder. At the same time the front rank man of every odd numbered file, will pass his piece before him into his left hand a little below the middle band, hand opposite to and at the height of the elbow which should be close to the body.
The even numbered files of the front rank will then seize the piece of the odd file on his right with the thumb and first two fingers of the right hand, two inches above the middle band, carry, without turning it, opposite his right shoulder, swing the butt to the front and set it thirty-six inches in front of the right heel, barrel towards you, lock the shanks of both bayonets and press the muzzles to the right. Every even numbered file of the rear rank will project his bayonet forward and insert it in through the opening below the shanks of the other two, bringing the three shanks together without shock, holding his piece with both hands, and advancing the right foot for that purpose. When the front rank man of his file seizes it with his right hand between the tail and middle bands, brings it to the front and places the buss between the feet of the man on his right. (See Fig. 103.) Every odd numbered file of the rear rank will pass his piece into his left hand, barrel turned to the front, and place it against the stack, advancing his left foot for that purpose.
Explanation of Fig. 103.
A is the front rank (even file) man's piece, the butt of which is placed outside of, and near to his left foot-B, is the odd file's (front rank) piece, its butt is placed thirty-six inches in front of the right heel of the even file-C, is the rear rank man's piece, (even file, the butt of which is placed between the feet of the odd file, (front rank.)
At this command, the front rank man of every odd file will remove his piece from the stack-the front ranks man of every even file will seize his own piece with his left hand, and that of the man on his right with his right hand, both below the middle bands. The rear rank man of every even file will advance the hollow of his right foot towards the right heel of his file leader, and with his right hand, seize his own piece below the middle band-both men will raise the stack, close together, turn the knuckles in, which movement unlocks the bayonets readily-the front rank man will pass the piece in his right hand over to the man on his right, and all taking the position of ordered arms.
This completes the instructions in the School of the Squad. Part Second of this work will contain full instructions for the School of the Company, with numerous illustrations. It will also contain valuable information in the shape of hints to Commissioned and Non-Commissioned Officers, not to be obtained in any other work.
END.
