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RECOMMENDATIONS

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The following note from General Cadwalader, clearly indicates the merit of the work.

PHILADELPHIA, May 9, 1836

SIR-Permit me to thank you for your kindness in sending me a copy of the work just published by you, entitled "Tactics and Regulations for the militia," and in compliance with your desire I have given it an examination, which, although a cursory one, has satisfied me that the book is well adapted to its purposes: the course of instruction is concise, simple, and judiciously arranged, comprising all that is essential in the systems of Tactics for Infantry, Light Infantry and Rifle, Cavalry and Artillery. The fourth part consists of abstracts from the Regulations, as to the precedence of Regiments and Corps, routine of duties in Garrison and Camps, signals, orders of encampment for each arm, Honours to be paid by Troops, Forms of Review and Inspection, calling out the militia for the service of the United States, and the manner of issuing and distributing orders. The whole work is bound in one volume of duodecimo size, and will be found a valuable assistant to officers of volunteers and militia, to whom such a Treatise has long been a desideratum. The names of the authors must at once stamp the character of the work-when known to be prepared and arranged by Captain Cooper, Aide-de-Camp, under he supervision of Major General Macomb, Commander-in-chief of the Army. It has been published under the inspection of an accomplished Officer of the Army, stationed in this city.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

(Signed) T. CADWALADER

TO MR. R.P.DESILVER,

No. 255 Market Street, Philadelphia.

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From Major-General Patterson

PHILADELPHIA, 14^thMay, 1836

R.P. Desilver, Esq.

Dear Sir-I have examined the concise system of Instructions and Regulations for the Militia and Volunteers of the United States, prepared by General Macomb and Captain Cooper.

The system is correctly laid down and clearly explained; and every officer of volunteers and militia in the Union ought to have a copy. I cordially recommend it to the officers of the First Division.

With much respect,

Your obedient servant,

(Signed) R.PATTERSON

Recommendations.

Extract of a letter from Col. A.J. Pleasonton.

I have examined with attention this work, and with great pleasure I bear testimony to its happy adaptation to the purpose for which it has been designed. One of the great defects of our militia system has been, heretofore, the want of proper books for elementary instruction. This treatise, by supplying to the several corps of Cavalry, Artillery, Infantry, and Riflemen, the necessary knowledge for their respective services, will conduce, in a great degree, to the efficiency of volunteer and militia troops. I recommend it heartily to all officers of the volunteers or militia, believing that Captain Cooper has furnished a great desideratum to his fellow-citizens in this work.

I am respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

(Signed) A.J. PLEASONTON.

R.P. DESILVER.

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From the Army and Navy Chronicle, May 26

We have received and examined a work, prepared under the direction of Major-General Macomb, commander-in-chief of the Army, by Brevet Captain S. Cooper, his aid-de-camp, for the use of militia and volunteers.

A work of this kind has been long wanted: one that is concise in form, written with perspicuity, easy of comprehension, and free from all unnecessary and tedious explanations. In our opinion a more simple and satisfactory Manual could not be produced than the one under consideration; it is written in plain English, and can be learnt with facility by anyone who will devote a few hours to the study of it.

The work is divided onto four parts.

Part first contains the whole of the Infantry instruction, (including the Light Infantry and Rifle drill,) in about 80 pages, with ample plates to illustrate the same.

Part second contains the Cavalry instructions, comprised in about 35 pages, with all the necessary plates exhibiting the formations and maneuvres.

Part third contains the artillery instructions, with plates.

Part fourth, the regulations for doing duty in camp and garrison, and indeed everything relating to the duties of officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers.

The arrangement of the book is excellent. The words of command are placed in so prominent a point of view that they strike the eye immediately on opening the book; and the plates are executed on a manner so plain that every maneuvre can be comprehended by a mere inspection of them. The work does great credit to the author, and the country is much indebted to him for having devoted his time and talents to so useful a purpose.

Recommendations.

Hereafter there will be no mystery in military tactics, for he who can read can learn, and that promptly. We have never seen a work of so small dimensions, containing so much matter, and that matter so happily presented. Indeed, it is literally multum in parvo, and will be so considered when it shall be made known, that to get at the same information, it is necessary to possess

1^st-The Infantry Tactics, by Maj. Gen. Scott, in 3 vols. each volume containing 300 pages, costing $1.25 each, or	$3.75
2^nd-The Cavalry System, containing upwards of 300 pages, with plates, costing about	2.00
3^rd-Lallemand's Artillery, containing about 600 pages, costing about	6.00
And finally, the book of General Regulations, containing about 425 pages, and costing	2.00
Making for the whole of these works and aggregate cost of	$13.75

while the work of Gen. Macomb contains but 280 pages with abundant plates, and costs $1.25.

Upon a comparison of Macomb's book with the several works on Infantry, Light Infantry, Riflemen, Cavalry, and Artillery, we have discovered no variation; the words of command appear to be strictly adhered to, and indeed every part is in keeping with the rules and regulations which govern the various arms of service, as well as the army in general.

It is a work which every officer of the militia and volunteers ought to possess, and every officer of the army will find it useful and convenient, as it embraces almost all the information which an officer on service may stand in need of

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Extract of a note from and Officer of the U.S. Army to Col. Hickman, of Baltimore.

I, with much pleasure, state to you, that I consider the work compiled by Captain Cooper, of the U.S. Army, as one of the most valuable works for volunteers and militia that has ever been published-it is plain and concise, and contains all that can be desired for an officer of volunteers or militia. The addition which Capt. C. has made to the Tactics, giving our regulations for proper police in camp and garrison, and the mode of forming parade and guard mounting, is indeed excellent, and will be of great service to our citizen soldiers. The work is compiled for Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery, each treated of separately. the work is cheap indeed, and I have no doubt that it will be eagerly sought after by officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of the different corps, for whose particular benefit it was got up.

Recommendations.

Extract of a letter from Gen. B.J. Tuppan, addressed to C.A. Harris, Esq., acting Secretary of War, under date of 16^th July.

FRANKLIN, Tenn.

Dear Sir-Your favor of the 3d ultimo, together with a copy of a System of Instructions and Regulations for the Militia and Volunteers of the United States, was duly received. I have examined the work, and am very much pleased with it. I have no doubt but a ready sale could be had in this state for a number of copies. A general system of Tactics, in a concise form, has been wanted, and I think the work now published will give general satisfaction.

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Gen. M'Duffee, of South Carolina, was so much pleased with this work, that immediately on its publication, he purchased five hundred copies, and distributed them throughout the State: in addition, he so warmly spoke of its merits that the Legislature of the state have authorised the purchase of twenty-five hundred copies,

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The following resolution, offered by Mr. Preston, is before the United States Senate for consideration.

RESOLVED, That the Committee on the Militia be instructed to inquire into the expediency of having printed, at the expense of the United States, and edition of Gen. Macomb's Book on Tactics, &c, sufficient for the supply of each commissioned militia officer in the United States with a copy.

CONCISE SYSTEM OF INSTRUCTIONS AND

REGULATIONS

FOR

THE MILITIA AND VOLUNTEERS

OF THE UNITED STATES,

COMPREHENDING

THE EXERCISES AND MOVEMENTS

The Infantry, Light Infantry, and Riflemen;

Cavalry and Artillery:

TOGETHER WITH

The manner of doing duty in Garrison and Camp, and the

forms of

PARADES, REVIEWS, and INSPECTIONS,

As established by authority for the government of the Regular Army.

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PREPARED AND ARRANGED BY

BREVET CAPTAIN S. COOPER,

Aid de Camp and Assistant Adjutant General,

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UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF

MAJOR GENERAL ALEXANDER MACOMB,

Commanding the Army of the United States.

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PHILADELPHIA:

ROBERT P. DESILVER, No, 255 MARKET STREET.

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1836

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ENTERED according to an act of Congress, in the year 1836, by ALEXANDER MACOMB & S. COOPER, in the clerk's office of the district court of the District of Columbia.

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STEREOTYPED BY JOHN FAGAN,

PHILADELPHIA.

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PREFACE

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In this country, the Militia, from the nature of the government, must be depended on principally for repelling sudden invasions, and suppressing domestic insurrections: it ought, therefore, to be properly organized and instructed in order to be effectual for those purposes. The great difficulty in the way of its becoming properly instructed, has thus far been the want of a simple and uniform system of instruction-one easily to be comprehended and readily applied. The books published for the regular army are too voluminous and diffuse to supply this want; and the various works compiled as a substitute, are all more or less objectionable.

The present volume is intended to remove the difficulty as far as practicable. It embraces the substance of all our systems of tactics, whether for the Infantry of the Line, the Light Infantry, the Riflemen, the Artillery, or the Cavalry, together with such parts of the regulations relative to camp and garrison duties, parades, reviews, and inspections, as may be necessary to the Militia

As the same general principles regulate the tactics applicable to the different arms of service, those for the Infantry which constitute the main body of an army, are alone laid down at large.

Artillery and Cavalry should be instructed as In-

PREFACE

fantry, in order to act, when separated from their guns and horses.

The Artillery instruction in this work, embraces the service of the piece, and in the maneuvres in the field and in the batteries; that for the Cavalry, from "the mounting horse" to the maneuvres in squadron.

The words of command given by the instructor who represents the commanding officer, are printed in capitals; those of the subordinate officers in italics.

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PART I.

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INFANTRY TACTICS.

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A 2

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The words of command given by the instructor, (who represents the commander,) are printed in CAPITAL letters.

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CONTENTS OF PART FIRST.

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OF THE SQUAD

Page

Position of the soldier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Facings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

The direct step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

The oblique step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Manual of arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Firings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

The direct fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

The oblique fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

The fire by file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Alignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

To march to the front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

The quick step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

To march the back step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

To march by the flank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

To halt and face to the front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Marching by a flank, to change directions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Marching by the front, to march by a flank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Wheelings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Turning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

To stack arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

To resume arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

OF THE COMPANY

Formation of the company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

To pass from two ranks into one rank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Posts of officers and others in column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

To open ranks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Alignments in open ranks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

To close ranks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

To fire by company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

To fire by file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

To fire by the rear rank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

To advance in line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

To halt and align the company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

The oblique march in line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

To retire in line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

To halt and face to the front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

To march by the flank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

To change direction by file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

To halt and face to the front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

To form by file on right or left . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

To form by company or by platoon into line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Marching by the front, to march by the flank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Marching in column by platoons, to march by the flank in the same direction .42

To break from line into column by platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

To march in column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

To change direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

To halt the column and wheel it into line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

To diminish and increase front of column in marching . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

To diminish and increase front of column by files . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

To march in column of route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Countermarch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Marching in column of platoons, to form on right or left into line . . . . . 48

Manual of arms for sergeants and corporals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Manual of the sword for officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Colour-salute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

Instructions for the drum-major . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

OF THE BATTALION

Formation of a regiment or battalion in order of battle . . . . . . . . . . 59

To open ranks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

To close ranks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

CONTENTS OF PART FIRST

Page

Manual of Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Loadings and firings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

To stack and resume arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Manner of determining a line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Movements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Movements from line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

No. 1. To break to the right into column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

2. To break to the right to march to the left . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

3. To break to the rear into column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

4. To ploy into close column or mass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

5. To ploy into column doubled on the centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

6. Changes of front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

7. To march by a flank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

8. To advance in line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

9. To halt the battalion and to align it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

10. To retire in line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

11. To halt the battalion and face it to the front . . . . . . . . . . .74

12. Passage of obstacles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

13. To pass a defile in retreat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Movements from open column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

No. 1. To march in column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

2. To change direction in marching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

3. To halt the column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

4. To form to the left into line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

5. To form line to the right, by inversion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

6. To form on right into line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

7. To form to the front into line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

8. To form into line faced to the rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

9, 10. To form into line by two movements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

11, 12. To form close column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

13. Countermarch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84

Column in route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Movements from close column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

No. 1. To form open column by the head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

2. To form open column on the rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

3. To form open column on the head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

4. To change direction in marching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

5. To change direction from a halt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

6. Countermarch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89

7. To form division from company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

8. To deploy on first division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

9. To deploy on fourth division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91

10. To deploy on an intermediate division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Movements from column doubled on centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

No. 1. To form line to the front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

2. To form line to the right . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Disposition against cavalry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Rules for maneuvring by the rear rank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

LIGHT INFANTRY AND RIFLE.

OF THE COMPANY.

Deployments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100

1. To deploy forward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100

2. To deploy by the flank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

3. To extend intervals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112

4. To close intervals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

5. To relieve skirmishers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

To march in advance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114

To march in retreat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115

To march by a flank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115

The firings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116

Rallying and assembling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117

OF THE BATTALION

To deploy a battalion as skirmishers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

To rally the battalion deployed as skirmishers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

PART I.

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OF THE SQUAD

Position of the Soldier.

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.

Facings

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.

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.

The Oblique Step.

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.

Manual of Arms.

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.

PART I. OF THE SQUAD.

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.) 1^st 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.-1^st 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.-1^st 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.-1^st 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.-1^st 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.-1^st 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.-1^st 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.) 1^st. 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.-1^st 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

PART I. OF THE SQUAD.

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.) 1^st 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.) 1^st mo. Pass the piece

PART I. OF THE SQUAD.

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.-1^st 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

PART I. OF THE SQUAD.

little end, between the thumb and fore-finger bent, the other fingers closed, the right elbow touching the body.

11. RETURN-RAMMER.-1^st 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.</