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PART I.
HEELS on the same line and as close together as the conformation of the man will permit; toes turned out equally, so as to form nearly a right angle; knees straight but not stiff; body inclined a little forward; shoulders square; 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; face direct to the front; chin a little drawn in without constraint; eyes looking to the front so as to meet the ground at a distance of fifteen paces.
EYES-RIGHT.-At the word RIGHT, turn the head gently to the right, so as to bring the corner of the left eye nearest the nose, in a line with the junction of the heels, the eyes directed in a line with the eyes of the men in the same rank.
FRONT.-Resume the position to the front.
EYES-LEFT.-Will be executed by inverse means.
REST.-Stand at ease, without moving the left foot from its position.
ATTENTION-SQUAD.-At the word SQUAD, resume the prescribed position and steadiness.
SQUAD, BY THE RIGHT (or LEFT) FLANK, RIGHT (or LEFT) FACE.-At the word FACE, turn on the left heel, by raising a little the left toe, at the same time, bring the right heel to the side of the left, and on the same line, so that the line of the heels shall be exactly at right angles with the former line.
SQUAD-ABOUT.-At the word ABOUT, turn on the left heel, bring the left toe to the front, carry the right foot to the rear, the hollow opposite to and three inches from the left heel, the feet square to each other; seize at the same time the inner corner of the cartridge-box with the right hand.
PART I. OF THE SQUAD.
FACE.-Turn on both heels, by raising the toes a little, extend the thighs and face to the rear; bring the right heel by the side of the left, and quit the hold of the cartridge-box.
If under arms, turn the left hand at the word ABOUT, as in the first motion of PRESENT-ARMS, and replace the hand and piece at the instant of bringing the right heel to the side of the left.
The direct step, in common time, is twenty-eight inches, reckoning from heel to heel, and at the rate of ninety in a minute.
SQUAD-FORWARD,-Throw the weight of the body on the right leg, without bending the left knee.
MARCH.-Step off with the left foot, the knees straight, the toes pointed a little downwards and turned slightly out; the body inclined a little forward, and the foot planted flat at the prescribed distance, the right foot next passed to the front in the same manner.
SQUAD-HALT.-At the word HALT, stop short on the foot advanced, and bring up the other without stamping.
Marching in the direct step in common time.
RIGHT OBLIQUE-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, given at the instant the left foot comes to the ground, carry the right foot obliquely to the right and front, twenty-six inches from the left, and eighteen inches on that side, turning the toes a little inward; next advance the left foot, by the shortest line, eighteen inches in front of the right heel; continue to march in this way, keeping the head and shoulders square to the front.
To resume the Direct March.
FORWARD-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, given at the instant either foot comes to the ground, resume the direct march.
This is taught to two men, placed at first side by side in one rank, elbow to elbow, and next in a single file, that is, one behind the other.
Each command is executed in one time (or pause) and is divided into motions.
The celerity of each motion, with the exception of the motions relative to the cartridge, to the rammer, and to the fixing and unfixing of the bayonet, is fixed at the ninetieth part of a minute. As the motions here excepted cannot be executed at the rate prescribed, they are notwithstanding to be executed with promptness and regularity.
The last syllable of the command decides the brisk execution of the first motion of each time. The commands TWO, THREE, and FOUR, decide the brisk execution of the other motions. The men are taught to execute the time without resting in its different motions, as soon as they comprehend the positions of the several motions of a time.
Before proceeding to the manual of arms, the men, at shouldered arms, repeat the movements of EYES-RIGHT, LEFT, and FRONT, and the facings.
Position of shoulder-arms.
(FIG.1.) The musket in the left hand, the arm very little bent, the elbow back, near the body, the palm of the hand pressing on the outer flat of the butt, the outer edge of the latter on the upper joints of the fingers, the heel of the butt between the fore and middle fingers, the thumb on the front screw of the butt-plate, the remaining fingers under the butt, the butt more or less kept back, according to the conformation of the soldier, so that the piece seen from the front may appear to be perpendicular, and also that the movement of the thigh, in marching, may not raise it, or cause it to waver, the stock below the tail-band, resting against the hollow of the shoulder, just within the joint, the right arm hanging naturally, as prescribed for the soldier without arms.
SUPPORT-ARMS.-(FIG. 2.) 1st mo. With the right hand seize briskly the handle, or small of the stock, four inches below the lock, raising a little, but not turning the piece.
2d mo. Take the left hand from the butt, extend the left fore-arm upwards across the body, under the cock, the hand flat on the right breast.
3d mo. Drop the right arm smartly into its position.
REST.-Bring up smartly the right hand to the small of the stock and stand at ease.
PART I. OF THE SQUAD.
ATTENTION-SQUAD.-Resume the position of the third motion of SUPPORT-ARMS, at the word SQUAD.
CARRY-ARMS.-1st mo. Carry quickly the right hand to the small.
2d mo. Place quickly the left hand upon the butt.
3d mo. Let fall smartly the right hand into its position, and drop with the left, at the same time, the piece into the position of SHOULDER-ARMS.
ARMS-PORT.-(FIG.3.) 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 proportionately lowered. The palm of the right hand above, that of the left, under the piece, and the nails of both next to the body, to which the elbows are closed.
SHOULDER-ARMS.-1st mo. Bring the piece smartly to the left shoulder, placing the left hand under the butt.
2d mo. Drop the right hand smartly by the side.
PRESENT-ARMS.-1st mo. Turn the piece with the left hand, the lock out, and seize the small at the same time with the right hand, the piece perpendicular, and detached from the shoulder, the left hand remaining under the butt.
2d mo. Complete the turning inward of the piece so as to bring it erect before the centre of the body, the rammer to the front, the right hand under and against the guard; seize it smartly at the same time with the left hand above the lock, the little finger against the feather-spring, the thumb extended along the barrel and on the stock, the forearm resting on the body without constraint, and the hand at the height of the elbow.
SHOULDER-ARMS.-1st mo. Turn the piece with the right hand, the barrel out; raise and support it against the left shoulder with the right hand, drop the left under the butt, the right hand resting on, without grasping, the handle.
2d mo. Drop quickly the right hand into its position.
ORDER-ARMS.-1st mo. 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 the right shoulder,
PART I. OF THE SQUAD.
the rammer in front, the little finger behind the barrel, the right hand supported against the hip, the butt three inches from the ground, the piece erect, the left hand hanging by the side.
2d mo. 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.
(FIG. 5.) The hand 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.
REST.-Stand at ease.
ATTENTION-SQUAD.-At the word SQUAD, resume the position of ORDER-ARMS.
SHOULDER-ARMS.-1st mo. 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; place at the same time the left hand under the butt, and slip the right hand down to the lock.
2d mo. Let fall smartly the right hand into its position.
CHARGE-BAYONET.-(FIG.6.) 1st. mo. Make a half face to the right on the left heel, place at the same time the right foot behind, and at right angles with the left, the hollow of the right foot opposite to, and about three inches from the left heel; turn the piece with the left hand, the lock outwards, and seize the handle at the same time with the right hand, the musket perpendicular and detached from the shoulder; leave the left hand under the butt.
2d mo. Bring down the piece with the right hand into the left, the latter seizing it a little in advance of the tail-band, the barrel up, the left elbow near the body, the right hand supported against the hip, the point of the bayonet at the height of the eye.
SHOULDER-ARMS.-1st mo. 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, spring up the piece with the right hand to the left shoulder, and place the left hand under the butt.
2d mo. Let fall smartly the right hand into its position.
LOAD IN TWELVE TIMES.-LOAD.-(FIG. 7.) 1st mo. As the first motion of CHARGE-BAYONET, except that the hollow of the right foot is brought up against the left heel.
2d mo. Bring down the piece with the right hand into the left, which, at the instant, seizes it at the tail-band, the thumb extended on the stock, the butt under the right fore-arm, the handle against the body and about two inches under the right breast, the muzzle at the height of the eye, the guard turned a little out, the left elbow supported against the side. At the instant the piece falls into the left hand, the right thumb is placed on the steel above the flint, the fore-fingers closed, the right fore-arm along the butt.
2. OPEN-PAN.-Open the pan, by pushing forward the steel with the right thumb, the left hand resisting and holding the piece firm; draw back immediately the right elbow, carry the hand to the cartridge-box, passing it between the butt and the body, and open the box.
3. HANDLE-CARTRIDGE.-Seize a cartridge with a thumb and the next two fingers, and place it between the teeth, the right hand passing between the butt and the body.
4. TEAR-CARTRIDGE.-Tear the paper down to the powder, holding the cartridge upright between the thumb and next two fingers; in this position place it against the pan, the palm of the right hand turned towards the body, the right elbow supported on the butt.
5. PRIME.-Drop the head a little, fix the eyes on the pan, fill it with powder, press together the top of the cartridge with the thumb and fore-finger, raise the head, and place the last two fingers of the right hand against the steel.
6. SHUT-PAN.-Resisting the motion with the left hand, shut the pan smartly with the fingers behind the steel, holding carefully the cartridge with the two next fingers and the thumb; seize immediately the handle with the two remaining fingers and the palm of the right hand, the right wrist touching the body, the elbow back, and a little detached from the body.
7. CAST-ABOUT.-(FIG. 8.) 1st mo. Pass the piece along the left thigh, after bringing it upright near the body; to effect this, press the butt strongly, extending smartly the right arm, without lowering the shoulder; turn at the same time the rammer towards the body, open the left hand to let the piece slide through it towards and near the middle band, the elbow remaining near the body, the cock bearing in the right thumb; at the same time face to the front, turning on the left heel, and carry the right foot forward, the heel against the hollow of the left foot.
2d mo. Quit the hold of the right hand; through the left, let the piece descend to the ground, without shock, along and near the body; raise at the same time the right hand to the height of and near the muzzle, holding the top of the cartridge up, the left hand against the body, the piece touching the left thigh, the muzzle opposite to the centre of the body.
8. CHARGE-CARTRIDGE.-(FIG. 8.) Fix the eye on the muzzle, turn quickly the back of the right hand towards the body, in order to discharge the powder into the barrel; raise the elbow to the height of the wrist, shake the cartridge, force it into the muzzle, and leave the hand reversed, the fingers closed but not clenched.
9. DRAW-RAMMER.-1st mo. Drop smartly the right elbow and seize the rammer between the thumb and fore-finger bent, the other fingers shut; draw it smartly extending the arm; seize the rammer again at the middle, between the thumb and fore-finger, the hand reversed, the palm to the front, the nails up, the eyes following the movement of the head; clear the rammer from the piped by again extending the arm.
2d mo. 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 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.
3d mo. Insert the butt of the rammer and force it down as low as the hand.
10. RAM-CARTRIDGE.-(FIG. 9.) 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 down twice, seize the rammer at the little end, between the thumb and fore-finger bent, the other fingers closed, the right elbow touching the body.
11. RETURN-RAMMER.-1st mo. Draw briskly the rammer, seize it at the middle between the thumb and fore-finger, the hand reversed, the palm to the front, the nails up, the yes following the movement of the hand; clear the rammer from the barrel by extending the arm.
2d mo. Turn rapidly the rammer between the bayonet and the face, closing the fingers, the rammer of the rear rank man grazing the shoulder of the man 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.
3d mo. Insert the little end, and wit the thumb force it as low as the middle band; raise quickly the hand a little bent, place the little finger on the butt of the rammer, and force it down; lower the left hand on the barrel to the extent of the arm, without depressing the shoulder.
12. SHOULDER-ARMS.-1st mo. 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-fingers touching the cock, and the thumb on the counter-plate.
2d mo. 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.
3d mo. Let fall the right hand into its position, by the side of the thigh.
READY.-(FIG.10.) 1st mo. As the first motion of the first time of load.
2d mo. Bring the piece with the right hand to the middle of the body, place the left hand, the little finger touching the feather-spring, the thumb extended on the stock at the height of the chin, the counter-plate almost turned towards the body, the rammer obliquely to the left and front.
3d mo. Place the thumb on the head of the cock, the fore-finger under and on the guard, the other three fingers joined to the first, the elbow at the height of
the hand.
3d mo. Close the right elbow smartly to the body in cocking; seize the piece at the handle, let it descend along the body in the left hand to the tail-band, which remains at the height of the shoulder.
AIM.-(FIG.11,12.) Drop smartly the muzzle, the left hand remaining at the tail-band; support the butt against the right shoulder, the left elbow a little down; shut the left eye, direct the right along the barrel, drop the head upon the butt to catch the object, and place the fore finger on the trigger. The rear rank at the same time places the right foot about eight inches towards the heel of the man next on the right.
FIRE.-Apply the fore-finger with force to the trigger, without lowering or turning the head, and remain in that position.
LOAD.- 1st mo. Bring back the piece quickly and take the position of the second motion of the first time of LOAD, except that the right thumb, instead of being placed against the steel, seizes the head of the cock, with the fore-finger bent, and the other fingers closed.
2d mo. Half-cock, carry the right hand immediately to the cartridge-box, passing it between the butt and the body, and open the box.
If, after firing, it be intended to bring the squad to the shoulder, instead of loading, the command is given:
SHOULDER-ARMS.-At the command SHOULDER, take the position of the second motion of the first time of LOAD, half-cock, shut pan, and seize the handle of the piece. At the word ARMS, come to the shoulder and face to the front.
The squad being in the position of aim, to habituate the men to wait for the word fire, the command is sometimes given:
RECOVER-ARMS.-Withdraw the finger from the trigger, throw up smartly the muzzle, and retake the position of the fourth motion of ready.
If from this position the squad is to be brought to a shoulder, the command is given:
SHOULDER-ARMS.-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 little finger touching the feather-spring; next place the right thumb on the head of the cock, support the fore-finger on the trigger, sustain at the same time the cock in its descent till the flint nearly touches the steel, raise the cock to the half-cock notch, and seize the handle of the piece with the right hand. At the word arms, carry the piece smartly to the shoulder, and take the position of SHOULDER-ARMS.
UNFIX-BAYONET.-1st mo. Drop the piece by a smart extension of the left arm, seize it with the right hand above and near the tail-band.
2d mo. Drop the piece with the right hand along the left thigh, lengthen out the left arm, rest the butt on the ground, without shock, and carry' at the same time, the right hand to the bayonet, seize it at the socket and shank, so that the lower end of the socket may be about an inch below the heel of the palm, and that in wresting off the bayonet, the thumb may be extended on the blade.
3d mo. Wrest off the bayonet, return it to the scabbard, place immediately the right little finger, on the butt of the rammer, lower the left hand along the barrel, in extending the arm, without depressing the shoulder.
SHOULDER-ARMS.-As the twelfth time of LOAD.
SECURE-ARMS.-(FIG.13) 1st mo. Seize quickly the piece with the right hand, the thumb on the counter-plate, and the fore-finger against the cock; detach the piece from the shoulder at the same time, 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.
2d mo. 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 point of the bayonet six or eight inches from the ground, the right hand falling at the same time into its position.
SHOULDER-ARMS.-1st mo. Raise the piece with the left hand, but not too suddenly; seize the handle with the right hand to support it against the shoulder; quit the hold of the left hand, and place it quickly under the butt.
2d mo. Let fall smartly the right hand into its position; drop at the same time the piece into the position of SHOULDER- ARMS.
FIX-BAYONET.-1st and 2d mos. As the first and second motions of UNFIX-BAYONET, except at the end of the second motion, the right hand goes 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.
3d mo. Draw the bayonet from the scabbard, carry and fix it on the muzzle; place the right little finger on the butt of the rammer.
SHOULDER-ARMS.-As the twelfth time of LOAD.
TRAIL-ARMS.-(FIG.14.) 1st mo. As the first motion of ORDER-ARMS
2d. mo. 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, sustains the piece so that the man in the rear-rank may not touch with the bayonet, the man in his front.
SHOULDER-ARMS.-At the word SHOULDER, raise the piece perpendicularly in the right hand: at the word ARMS, execute what is prescribed for the shoulder, form ORDER-ARMS.
TO RIGHT SHOULDER, SHIFT-ARMS-(FIG. 15.) Turn the piece with the left hand, lock to the front, seize it at the same time at the handle with the right hand, place it on the right shoulder, the left hand not quitting the butt, the cock above and resting on the shoulder, the muzzle up; sustain the piece in this position by placing the right hand on the flat of the butt, so that the toe of the butt may be between the first two fingers, the other two on the butt-plate; let fall the left hand by the side.
SHOULDER-ARMS.-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.-Carry the piece at pleasure on either shoulder with one or both hands, the muzzle always up.
SHOULDER-ARMS.-Retake smartly the position of SHOULDER-ARMS.
The squad being at order-arms with bayonets in the scabbards, to cause an inspection of arms, the command is given:
INSPECTION OF-ARMS.-1st mo. 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 prescribed in the second time of FIX-BAYONET.
2d mo. Draw the bayonet from the scabbard, carry and fix it on the muzzle; seize next the rammer, draw it as explained in loading, in twelve times, and let it glide to the bottom of the bore.
3d mo. Face promptly to the front, seize the piece with the right hand, and retake the position of ORDER-ARMS.
The inspector inspects, in succession, the piece of each man, in passing along the front of the rank. Each, as the inspector reaches him, raises smartly his piece with his right hand, seizes it with the left between the tail-band, and the feather-spring, the lock to the front, the left hand at the height of the chin, the piece opposite to the left eye: the inspector takes it with the right hand at the handle, and after inspecting it, returns it to the man, who receives it back with the right hand and replaces it in the position of ORDER-ARMS.
When the inspector has passed him, each man retakes the position prescribed in the command INSPECTION OF-ARMS, and returns the rammer; after which he faces to the front.
If, instead of inspection of arms, bayonets only are to be fixed, the command is given:
SPRING-RAMMERS.-Put the rammer in the barrel as explained above and face to the front.
To load in four times.
The squad being at a shoulder.
LOAD IN FOUR TIMES-LOAD.-Execute the first time of LOAD, open pan, handle cartridge, tear cartridge, and prime.
TWO.-Shut pan, cast about, and charge cartridge.
THREE.-Draw rammer, and ram cartridge.
FOUR.-Return rammer, and shoulder artms.
To load at will.
LOAD AT WILL-LOAD.-Execute the loading as in four times, but without resting on the times.
PART I. OF THE SQUAD.
The firings are direct or oblique.
This is executed as prescribed in the manual of arms, and by the following commands:FIRE BY SQUAD-SQUAD-READY-AIM-FIRE-LOAD.
This is executed to the right and left, by the same command as the fire direct, the command AIM, being always preceded by the caution RIGHT (or LEFT) OBLIQUE, after the word READY.
Position of the ranks in the oblique fire to the right.
At the word READY, both ranks execute what is prescribed for the fire direct.
At the words RIGHT-OBLIQUE, both ranks throw back the right shoulder and look at the object at which they are to fire, the rear-rank holding itself ready to take aim through the same interval as in the fire direct though in an oblique direction.
At the word AIM, the front-rank takes aim to the right without stirring the feet. The rear rank advances the left foot about six inches towards the right toe of the man in the front-rank of the same file, incline the upper part of the body forward, in bending a little the knee, and takes aim to the right.
At the word LOAD, both ranks resume the position prescribed for the fire direct; the rear-rank brings back the left foot against the hollow of the right foot, at the instant the piece is brought to the priming position.
Position of the ranks in the oblique fire to the left.
At the word READY, both ranks execute what has been prescribed for the fire direct.
At the words LEFT-OBLIQUE, both ranks throw back the left shoulder, and look at the object at which they are to fire, the rear-rank holding itself ready to take aim to the left of the men of the same file in front, and in an oblique direction.
At the word AIM, the front-rank takes aim to the left without moving the feet. The rear-rank men advance the
PART I. OF THE SQUAD.
left foot six inches towards the right heel of the front-rank men of their files; they also advance the upper part of the body, in bending a little the knee, and take aim through the intervals to the left of their file-leaders.
At the word LOAD, both ranks come to the priming position, the pieces still obliqued to the left, and prime; the rear-rank brings back the left heel to the hollow of the right foot. In casting about, both ranks take the same position as in the fire direct.
FIRE BY FILE-SQUAD-READY-COMMENCE FIRING.-At the word READY, both ranks take the position prescribed for the direct fire. At the words COMMENCE FIRING, the right file aims and fires, the two men together; the next file aims at the instant the first has fired, and so on successively to the left; after the first fire, every man loads and fires without waiting for the others. Each man faces to the front in casting about, and after returning rammer, springs up his piece with the left hand which places itself on the feather-spring, and at the height of the chin; at the same time he makes a half face to the right, taking the position of ready.
To arrest the fire.
ROLL.-At this word, the firing ceases; each man half cocks, if his piece be cocked; loads or finishes loading, if not already loaded; and shoulders arms.
To Mark Time.
Marching in the direct step in common time.
MARK TIME-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, given the instant either foot is coming to the ground, make a semblance of marching, by advancing first one foot and then the other, always bringing back the advanced foot, and placing its heel by the side of the heel of the other.
To resume the direct step.
FORWARD-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, given the instant either foot is coming to the ground, resume the direct step.
PART I. OF THE SQUAD.
To change step.
CHANGE STEP-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, given at the instant either foot is coming to the ground, bring up quickly the foot in the rear to the side of that just placed on the ground, and step off with the latter
Four or eight men are now united in one rank, elbow to elbow, and numbered from right to left.
The men are first taught to align themselves man by man; to effect which the two on the right are marched twp paces to the front and aligned, after which the remainder are cautioned to move up one by one, according to their numbers, and are aligned successively on the line of the two first. Each as designated, turns his head and eyes to the right, marches in common time, two paces forward, shortening the last so as to be about six inches behind the new alignment; he then moves up steadily by steps of two or three inches, to the side of the man next to him on the alignment, so that without deranging the head, the line of the eyes, or that of the shoulders, he may find himself in the exact line of his right-hand man, whose elbow he touches without opening his own.
Alignments to the left are executed by the same principles.
When the men have learned to align themselves in this manner, the whole rank will be aligned at once as follows:
RIGHT (or LEFT)-DRESS.-At the word DRESS, the rank, except the two men placed as a basis, moves up in common time, each man placing himself on the line in the manner just prescribed.
The rank being aligned, the word FRONT is given.
Alignments to the rear are executed on the same principles, the men stepping back a little beyond the line and then dressing up, by the command RIGHT (or LEFT) BACKWARD-DRESS.
A well instructed man is placed on the right or left of the squad, according to which side the guide is to be,
SQUAD FORWARD, GUIDE LEFT (or RIGHT)-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, the squad steps off with the left foot, the guide marching straight to the front and keeping his shoulders square with that line.
The following rules are to be observed:-Touch lightly the elbow towards the guide, without opening the left elbow, or the right arm; yield to pressure from the side to the guide, and resist that from the opposite side; avoid lapping elbows, and swinging the arms; keep the head to the front, the eyes cast on the ground about fifteen paces in front.
The squad is next exercised in the oblique march to the right, and left, observing always to keep the touch of the elbow towards the guide. It is also taught to pass from common to quick time, and the reverse; but the oblique march in quick time should not be practiced until the squad it well established in the cadence.
This step is at the rate of one hundred and twenty in a minute; its length conforms to the step in common time, whether direct or oblique.
Marching in the direct step in common time.
QUICK TIME-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, given as either foot is coming to the ground, the squad steps off in quick time,
To resume the direct step in common time.
COMMON TIME-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, given on either foot as above, the squad retakes the step in common time.
SQUAD BACKWARD, GUIDE LEFT (or RIGHT)-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, the squad steps off smartly with the left foot to the rear, carrying it about fourteen inches, or half the common step, and so on with the feet in succession, until the word SQUAD-HALT, when the foot in front is brought back to the side of the other.
Being at a halt and aligned.
SQUAD, BY RIGHT (or LEFT) LANK, RIGHT (or LEFT) FACE-At the word FACE, the squad faces to the right (or left).
PART I. OF THE SQUAD.
SQUAD, FORWARD-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, the squad steps off with the left foot in common time. A well instructed soldier is placed by the side of the leading man to conduct him and regulate the step; this man marches elbow to elbow with the soldier. The men cover each other accurately. At each step, the advancing heel of every following man is planted about six inches in advance of the opposite heel (yet on the ground) of the men immediately preceding. The knees should not be bent, in order to avoid treading on the heels of the men preceding.
To halt the squad and face it to the front.
SQUAD-HALT.-At the word HALT, the squad halts, each man standing fast, though he may have lost distance.
FRONT-FACE.-At the word FACE, each man faces to the left, if marching by the right flank, and to the right, if marching by the left flank.
To change direction while marching by a flank.
BY FILE, LEFT (or RIGHT) MARCH.-At the word MARCH, the leading man changes direction to the left (or right), and then marches straight forward; the others change direction as they successively arrive on the ground where the first changed.
Marching by the front, to march to a flank.
SQUAD BY LEFT (or RIGHT) FLANK-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, given a little before either foot comes to the ground, each man turns his body, plants the foot that is raised in the new direction, and steps off with the other foot, without altering the cadence of the step.
Flank marching will be executed first in common time, afterwards in quick time.
Wheelings are of two kinds; from a halt or on fixed pivots, or on movable pivots. In the latter case, the wheel will be made to the side opposite to the guide, or reverse flank.
To wheel from a halt, or on a fixed pivot.
A well instructed man is placed on the wheeling flank.
PART I. OF THE SQUAD.
BY SQUAD, RIGHT WHEEL-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, the squad steps off with the left foot, turning at the same time, the head a little to the left, the eyes fixed on the line of the eyes of the men to the left, the pivot man marks time in turning, in order to conform the movement of the marching flank; the man who conducts this flank, takes steps of twenty-eight inches, and from the first step, advances a little the left shoulder, casts his eyes, from time to time, along the rank, and feels constantly the elbow of the next man lightly, without pushing. The other men, each feels lightly the elbow of the next man towards the pivot, resists pressure from the opposite side, and conforms to the marching flank, lengthening or shortening the step according to his greater of lesser distance from the pivot.
The squad wheels round the circle, once or twice before halting.
The wheel to the left is executed according to the same principles.
To halt the wheel.
SQUAD-HALT.-At the word HALT, each man stands fast. The two outer men opposite to the pivot flank are then placed in the direction to be given to the squad, leaving between them and the pivot only space necessary to contain the other men.
The squad being aligned, the word FRONT is given.
Wheeling to the left is executed on the same principles.
To wheel in marching, or on a movable pivot.
RIGHT (or LEFT) WHEEL-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, given at the instant the squad arrives at the wheeling point, the wheel is executed on the same manner as from a halt, except that the touch of the elbow remains on the marching flank, instead of the side of the pivot; the pivot man, instead of turning in his place, conforms to the movement of the marching flank, feels lightly the elbow of the next man, takes steps of nine inches, and gains ground forward, in describing the arc of a small circle to clear the point of the wheel. The middle of therank bends slightly to the rear, As soon as the movement commences, the man who conducts the marching flank casts his eyes on the ground over which he will have to pass.
FORWARD-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, given at the instant of completing the wheel, the squad moves forward, taking the step of twenty-eight inches-head direct to the front.
Turning or change of direction to the side of the guide.
This takes place only when the change of direction is to be made to the side of the guide.
LEFT (or RIGHT) TURN-MARCH.-At the word MARCH, given at the instant the turn is to be made, he guide faces to the left (or right) in marching, and moves forward in the new direction, without altering the step or pace. The whole squad promptly conforms itself, without running, to the new direction; each man advances the shoulder opposite to the guide, takes the quick step to carry himself in the new direction, turn his head and eyes to the side of the guide, and retakes the touch of the elbow on that side, in placing himself on the alignment of the guide, from whom he takes the step, and then turns his head to the front. Each man thus arrives successively on the alignment of the guide.
The squad being in two ranks at order-arms.
STACK-ARMS.-At this command the front-rank man of every even numbered file passes his piece before him, seizing it with the left hand above the middle band, and places the butt behind and near the right foot of the man next on the left, the barrel turned to the front. At the same time the front-rank man of every odd numbered file passes his piece before him, seizing it with the left hand below the middle band, and hands it to the man next on the left; the latter receives it with the right hand two inches above the middle band, throws the butt about thirty-two inches to the front, opposite to his right shoulder, inclining the muzzle towards him, and locks the shanks of the two bayonets; the lock of this second piece towards the right, and its shank above that of the first piece. The rear-rank man of every even file projects his bayonet forward, and introduces it (using both hands) between and under the shanks of the two other bayonets. He then abandons the piece to his file leader, who receives it with the right hand under the middle band, brings the butt to the front, holding up his own piece and the stack with the left hand, and places the butt of this third piece between the feet of the man next on the right, the S plate to the rear. The stack thus formed, the rear-rank man of every odd file passes his piece into his left hand, and, sloping the bayonet forward, rests it on the stack.
To disperse, the command is given: BREAK RANKS-MARCH.
The squad, on a signal, or order to fall in, re-forms in two ranks.
TAKE-ARMS.-At that command the rear-rank man of every odd file withdraws his piece from the stack, the front rank man of every even file seizes his own piece with the left hand, and that of the man on his right with the right hand,; the rear-rank man of every even file seizes his piece with the right hand at the middle band, advancing for the purpose, the hollow of his right foot as far as the right heel of his file leader; these two men raise up the stack to loosen the shanks; the front rank man of every odd file receives his piece from the hand of the man next on the left, and the four men retake the position of order-arms.
When companies stack arms, the sergeants, and also corporals, if in the rank of file closers, rest their pieces against the stacks nearest to them respectively, after ranks are broken, and resume their pieces on the signal to re-form ranks.
The colour-guard forms a separate stack.
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