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INFANTRY - TACTICS
School of the Soldier.
77. This school, the object of which is the instruction of the recruit, being indispensable to the instruction of the company, on which again depends that of the battalion, what is herein prescribed will be taught with the greatest possible clearness and precision.
Division of the School of the Soldier, and General Rules
78. The School of the Soldier will be divided into three parts: the first, comprehending what ought to be taught to recruits without arms; the second, the manual of arms, the loadings and firings; the third, the principles of alignments, (dressing on a line) the march by the front, the different steps, the march by the flank, the principles of wheeling, and those of change of direction.
79. Each part will be divided into lessons, as follows:
Lesson 1. Position of the soldier: Eyes right, left, and front.
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER
Lesson 2. Facings.
Lesson 3. Principles of the direct step in common time.
Lesson 4. Principles of the oblique step in common time.
Lesson 1. Principles of shouldered arms.
Lesson 2. Manual of arms.
Lesson 3. Loadings,
Lesson 4. Firings, direct, oblique, and of two ranks, (or by file.)
Lesson 1. Union of six or nine men for instruction in the principles of alignment.
Lesson 2. The march by the front and the different steps.
Lesson 3. The march by the flank.
Lesson 4. Principles of wheeling and of change of direction.
8O. The lessons will be followed by remarks, having for object to demonstrate to demonstrate the utility of the principles prescribed. The instructor cannot study them too much, nor be too particular in their application.
81. The tone of command will always be animated, and elevated in voice in proportion to the number of men under instruction.
82. Commands will be of two kinds: Commands of caution, and those of execution.- See No. 70.
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83. The commands of caution, herein distinguished by italics, will be pronounced distinctly, and in an elevated voice- lengthening a little the last syllable.
84. The commands of execution, herein printed in CAPITALS, will be pronounced in a tone firm and brief.
85. Those which in the printing, are separated by hyphens, as Right-FACE, will be divided in the pronunciation in a corresponding manner. In this case, the word Right is the command of caution, and FACE the command of execution.
86. The instructor will always first explain what he proposes to teach, in a few clear and precise words. He will himself execute what he is about to command, by way of illustration, and endeavor to accustom the recruit to take, himself, the right position, and not place him in it, by the touch, until, after the failure of repeated explanations.
87. This will be taught, if practicable, to one recruit at a time; but two, or at most, three recruits may be united when the number be great, compared with that of instructors. In this case, the recruits will placed in a single rank, at one pace apart. The recruit, or recruits, in this part, will be without arms.
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER, PART 1.
Position of the Soldier.
88. (Pl. III, fig.1 and 2) Heels on the same line, and as close together as the conformation of the man may permit; the feet forming with each other something less than a right angle, the toes equally turned out; the knees straight without stiffness; the body erect on the hips, the upper part inclining a little forward; arms hanging naturally, elbows near the body, the palm of the hand turned a little to the front, the little finger behind the seam of the pantaloons, or the centre of the thigh; the face well to the front, the chin a little drawn in without constraint, and the eyes striking the ground at the distance of fifteen paces.
Remarks on the position of the Soldier.
89. Heels on the same line.
Because, if one were in rear of the other, the shoulder on that side would be thrown back, or the position of the soldier would be constrained.
90. Heels more or less closed.
Because, men who are knock kneed, or who have legs with large calves, cannot, without constraint, make their heels touch while standing.
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91. Toes equally turned out, and not forming too large an angle.
Because, if one toe were turned out more than the other, a shoulder would be deranged, and if both toes be too much turned out, it would not be practicable to incline the upper part of the body forward, without rendering the whole position unsteady.
92. Knees extended without stiffness.
Because, if stiffened, constraint and fatigue would be unavoidable.
93. The body erect on the hips.
Because, it gives equilibrium to the position. The instructor will observe that many recruits have the bad habit of dropping a shoulder, of drawing in a side, or of advancing a hip, particularly the left, when under arms. These are defects which he will labour to correct.
94. The upper part of the body inclining forward.
Because, commonly recruits are disposed to do the reverse, to project the belly, and to throw back the shoulders when they wish to hold themselves erect- great inconveniences in marching, as will be explained in the remarks on the principles of the step. The habit of inclining forward the upper part of the body is so important to contract, that the instructor must enforce it at
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the beginning, particularly with recruits who have naturally the opposite habit.
95. Shoulders square.
Because, if the shoulders be advanced beyond the line of the breast, and the back arched, (the defect called round-shouldered, not uncommon among recruits,) the man cannot align himself, or use his firelock with address. It is important, then to correct this defect, and necessary to that end, that the coat should set easy about the shoulders and arm-pits; but, in correcting this defect, the instructor will take care that the shoulders be not thrown to much to the rear, which would cause the belly to project, and the small of the back to be curved.
96. The arms hanging naturally; elbows near the body, the palm of the hand a little turned to the front, the little finger behind the seam of the pantaloons;
Because, these positions are equally important to the shoulder-arms, and to prevent the man from occupying more space in a rank than is necessary to a free use of the firelock; they have, moreover, the advantage of keeping in the shoulders.
97. The face well to the front, the chin a little drawn in, without constraint.
Because, if there be stiffness in the latter position, it would communicate itself to the whole of the upper part of the body, embarrass its movements, and give pain and fatigue.
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98. Eyes cast direct to the front.
Because, this is the surest means of maintaining the shoulders in line- an essential object, to be insisted on and attained.
99. The instructor, having given the recruit the position of the soldier without arms, will now teach him the turning of the head or eyes.
He will command:
1. Eyes- RIGHT. 2. FRONT.
1OO. At the word right, the recruit will turn
the head gently, so as to bring the inner corner of the left eye in a line with the buttons of the coat, the eyes fixed on the line of the eyes of the men in, or supposed to be in, the same line.
101. At the second command, the head will resume the direct or habitual position.
1O2. The movement of Eyes- LEFT will be executed by inverse means.
1O3. The instructor will take particular care that the movement of the head does not derange the squareness of the shoulders, which will happen of the movement of the former be too sudden.
104. When the instructor shall wish the recruit to pass from the state of attention to that of ease, he will command:
REST.
1O5. At this, the recruit will not be required to preserve the steadiness of his position.
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1O6. To cause a resumption of the original position, the instructor will command:
1. Attention. 2. SQUAD.
1O7. At the first word, the recruit will fix his attention; at the second, he will resume the prescribed position and steadiness.
Facings.
1O8. Facing to the right and left will be executed in one time, or pause. The instructor will command:
1. Squad, by the right (or left) flank. 2.Right (or left) FACE.
1O9. At the second command, the recruit
will turn on the left heel, raising a little the left toe, and at the same time bring the right heel to the side of the left, and on the same line, so that this new line of the heels shall be exactly at right angles with their former line.
11O. The full face to the rear (or front) will be executed in two times, or pauses. The instructor will command:
1. Squad. 2. About- FACE,
2.
3. 111. (First time) At the word about, the
recruit will turn on the left heel; bring the left
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toe to the front, carry the right foot to the rear, the hollow opposite to, and full three inches from, the left heel, the feet square to each other; seize, all at the same time, the inner front corner of the cartridge box with the right hand.
112. (Second time) At the word FACE, the recruit will turn on the two heels, raise the toes a little, extend the hams, face to the rear, bringing at the same time, the right heel at the side of the left and quit the hold of the cartridge box.
113. When the recruit is under arms, he will turn the left hand, in the first time (or pause), of about-face, as will be explained 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.
114. The instructor will take care that these motions do not derange the position of the body .
115. The length of the direct step, or pace, in common time, will be twenty-eight inches, reckoning from heel to heel, and in swiftness, at the rate of ninety in a minute.
116. The instructor, seeing the recruit confirmed in his position, will explain to him the principle and mechanism of this step- placing himself six or seven paces from, and facing to the recruit. He will himself execute slowly the step
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in the way of illustration, and then command:
1. Squad, Forward, 2. MARCH.
117. At the first command, the recruit will
throw the weight of the body on the right leg, without bending the knee.
118. (Pl, III, fig. 3.) At the second command, he will smartly, but with without a jerk, carry straight forward the left foot twenty-eight inches from the right, sole near the ground, the ham extended, the toe a little depressed, and as also the knee, slightly turned out; he will, at the same time, throw the weight of the body forward, and plant flat the left foot, without shock, precisely at the distance where it finds itself from the right when the weight of the body is brought forward, the whole of which will now rest on the advanced foot. The recruit will next, in like manner, advance the right foot and plant it as above, the heel twenty-eight inches from the heel of the left foot, and thus continue to march without crossing the legs, or striking the one against the other, without turning the shoulders, and preserving always the face direct to the front.
119. When the instructor shall wish to arrest the march, he will command:
1. Squad. 2. HALT.
12O. At the second command, which will be given at the instant when either foot is coming to the
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ground, the foot in the rear will be brought up, and planted by the side of the other, without shock.
Remarks on the principles of the Step.
121. Throw the weight of the body on the right leg at the command, "forward;"
In order to prepare for taking more smartly the first step, which is essential in a body of men.
122. The toe depressed, but without constraint or affectation;
Because, the depression of the toe extends the ham, and prepares the foot for coming flat to the ground.
123. The toe and knee slightly turned out;
Because, if too much turned out, it would render the body unsteady.
124. The upper part of the body forward;
To the end that its weight may be thrown on the foot on the ground, that the foot in the rear may be easily raised, and that the step be not shortened.
125. To march with the ham extended;
Because, a rank cannot, without jostling and
separating elbows, march, as each man
would by
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himself, walk; and as no two men walk precisely in the same manner, it is essential that recruits learn to march in a uniform step, marked and cadenced, without which there would be no harmony of movement (ensemble.)
126. To pass the foot near the ground;
Because, if the foot were raised more than necessary, time would be lost, and the soldiers fatigued uselessly. Besides, without some fixed principle, some would raise the feet and bend the knee more, and others less; the feet would not come to the ground at the same instant, and thus there would be a loss of cadence and harmony.
127.To plant the foot flat, without shock;
In order to avoid the wavering of the body, which would necessarily happen if the heel first reaches the ground, or if the flat of the foot comes down with a shock. The latter fault would be attended with the inconvenience of much useless fatigue, besides a loss of cadence.
128. The face or eyes direct to the front;
Because, this position of the head prevents the shoulders from turning, and assures the direct march to the front.
129. The instructor will indicate, from time to time, to the recruit, the cadence of the step, by giving the command one at the instant of raising the foot, and two at the instant it ought to be
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planted, observing the cadence of ninety steps in a minute. This method will contribute greatly to impress upon the mind the two motions into which the step is naturally divided.
Principles of the Oblique Step.
13O. The swiftness of the oblique march will be at the same as that of the direct, that is, at the rate of ninety steps a minute, in common time. The length of the step will be given below.
131. When the recruit shall have acquired the habit of taking well the direct step in common time, that is, of marching in steps equal in length and swiftness in that time, the instructor will teach him to march in the oblique step, and in order that its mechanism may be better comprehended, he will analyze the step as follows:
132. (PL. II) The recruit being at a halt, the instructor will cause him to carry the right foot obliquely to the right and front, twenty-six inches from the left, and eighteen on that side, turning the toe a little within, in order to prevent the opposite shoulder (the left) from advancing. The recruit will remain in this position.
133. At the command two, given by the instructor, the recruit will carry the left foot, by the shortest line, eighteen inches in front of the right heel, and remain firm.
134. He will continue to march in this manner, at the commands one and two, halting at each step,
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and taking special care not to derange the head and shoulders, that is, to keep them well to the front.
135. The oblique step to the left will be executed according to the same principles, the recruit stepping off with the left foot.
136. After some lessons in this way, the recruit will be marched, without analyzing the step, obliquely to the right and left, as follows:
137. The recruit being in the direct march in common time, the instructor will command:
1. Right Oblique. 2. MARCH.
138. At the second command, which will be given
at the instant the left foot comes to the ground, the recruit will commence the oblique step to the right, taking care to conform himself to what has been prescribed above, particularly as to the manner of taking the step, its length and the squareness of the shoulders, but without halting on each step, and observing to take ninety steps in a minute.
139. The oblique march to the left will be executed according to the same principles. The instructor will give the command march, at the instant the right foot comes to the ground.
14O. To resume the direct march, the instructor will command:
1. Forward. 2. MARCH.
2.
141. At the second command, which will be given at the instant that either foot comes to the
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ground, the recruit will resume the direct march and the step of twenty-eight inches.
Remarks on the Oblique Step.
142. The instructor will take care, as in the preceding lesson, that the recruit marches with the ham extended; that the weight of the body be thrown on the foot that comes to the ground: that the feet be carried by the shortest line to the place where they are to be planted; that the head be well to the front; and that the shoulders be not turned out, or deranged.
143. Recruits will be much exercised in this step, which is difficult in the commencement, but of great utility in the Evolutions of the Line. It is, moreover, and excellent means of giving erectness of body, and of habituating the recruits to maintain the line of the shoulders in a square with the perpendicular. Accordingly, they will be caused to march obliquely fifty or sixty paces in succession, before resuming the direct march.
144. When the recruit shall be well established in the oblique step, the instructor need not too rigorously observe the lengths prescribed for it. He will give as an essential principle, to gain as much ground as possible to the right (or left), and proportionately less to the front, without deranging the line of the shoulders, which ought always to be in the same position as in the direct march.
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General Remarks on the Direct and Oblique Steps.
145. To judge if the position of the body be conformable to the principles prescribed, if the step be regularly taken, and if the weight of the body be thrown on the foot that comes to the ground, the instructor will frequently throw himself ten or twelve paces in front, and faced to the recruit: then, if he cannot perceive the sole of the shoe in the process of raising, passing, and planting the foot, if he can detect no movement of the shoulders, and no wavering in the upper part of the body, he may be assured that the principles are well observed.
146. When the principles of the steps are taught to two or three recruits at a time, not to distract their attention, they need not be required to attend strictly to dressing in line. Besides, when they shall have acquired the habit of taking steps equal in length and swiftness, they will have acquired the true means of preserving the alignment.
147. The instructor will observe, also, in case of a union of two or three recruits in the foregoing lessons, to place them a step apart, to prevent them from acquiring the bad habit of losing the touch of the elbow, or of leaning on the next man to the left or right.
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GENERAL RULES
148. The instructor will not pass the recruits to this second part until they shall be well established in the position of the body, and in the manner of taking the direct and oblique steps.
149. He will then unite three men, whom he will place in the same rank, elbow to elbow, and instruct them in the position of shouldered arms, as follows:
15O. Each recruit being in the position prescribed in the first lesson of the first part, the instructor will cause him to turn up the left hand without bending the wrist, the left fore-arm only acting. The instructor will raise the piece perpendicularly, and place it as follows:
151. (Pl. III, fig, 1 and 2.) The piece (fusil, musket, or firelock,) in the left hand, the arm but a 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,
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according to conformation of the recruit, so that the piece, seen from the front, shall appear perpendicular, and also that the movement of the thigh, in marching, may not raise it, or cause it to 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 in the first lesson of the first part,
Remarks on Shouldered Arms.
152. Recruits are frequently seen with natural defects in the conformation of the shoulders, breast, and hips. These the instructor will labour to correct in the lessons without arms, and afterwards, by steady endeavors, so that the appearance of the firelocks, in the same line, may be uniform, and this without constraint to the men in their positions.
153. The instructor will have occasion to remark that recruits, on first bearing arms, are liable to derange their whole position, and particularly to distort the shoulders, which, causing the firelock to lose its point of support, they drop the left hand to prevent the firelock from falling from the shoulder, which again causes that shoulder to be lowered, a curvature of the side, a spreading of elbows to restore the equilibrium, &tc.
154. He will be careful to correct all these faults by continually rectifying the position; he will sometimes take away the firelock, to replace it the better; he will avoid fatiguing the recruits.
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too much in the beginning, but labour by degrees to render this position so natural and easy, that they may remain in it a long time without fatigue.
155. Finally, the instructor will take great care that the firelock, at a shoulder, be not carried too high, nor too low: if too high, the left elbow would spread out, the soldier would occupy too much space in his rank, and the firelock be made to waver: if too low, the files would be too much closed, the soldier would not have the necessary space to handle his firelock with facility, the left arm would become too much fatigued, would draw down the shoulder, &tc.
156. The instructor, before passing to the second lesson, will cause to be repeated the movements of eyes right, left, and front, and the facings.
Manual of Arms.
157. This lesson will be taught to three men, placed, at first, in one rank, elbow to elbow, and then in a single file.
158. Each command will be executed in one time(or pause,) but this time will be divided into motions, the better to make known the mechanism.
159. The rate (or swiftness) of each motion, in the manual of arms, with the exceptions herein indicated, is fixed at the ninetieth part of a minute; but, in order not to fatigue the attention,
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the instructor will, at first, look more particularly to the execution of the motions, without requiring a nice observance of the cadence, to which he will bring the recruits progressively, and after they shall have become a little familiarized with the handling of the weapon.
16O. As the motions relative to the cartridge, to the rammer, and to the fixing and unfixing of the bayonet, cannot be executed at the rate prescribed, nor even with a uniform swiftness, they will not subjected to that cadence. The instructor will, however, labour to cause these motions to be executed with promptness, and above all, with regularity.
161. In all the other times, (or pauses,) in the manual of arms, which are composed of three or four motions, the first two motions will be a little quickened.
162. The last syllable of the command will decide the brisk execution of the first motion of each time (or pause.) The commands two, three, and four, will decide the brisk execution of the other motions. As soon as the recruits shall well comprehend the positions of the several motions of a time, they will be taught to execute the time without resting on its different motions; the mechanism of the time will nevertheless be observed, as well to give a perfect use of the firelock, as to avoid the sinking of, or slurring over, either of the motions.
163. The manual of arms will be taught in the following progression: The instructor will command:
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Support- ARMS.
One time and three motions.
164. (First motion. Pl. IV, fig.1) 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.
165. (Second motion.) Take the left hand from the butt; extend the left fore-arm upwards across the body, under the cock, the left hand flat on the right breast.
166. (Third motion.) Drop the right arm smartly into its position.
167. The recruits being at support arms, the instructor, to allow it, will command:
REST.
168. At this command, the recruits will bring up smartly the right hand to the handle of the piece, (small of the stock,) when they will not be required to preserve silence, or steadiness of position. They, however, will not quit their rank without special permission.
169. To pass from rest to the prescribed fixed position, the instructor will command:
1. Attention. 2. SQUAD.
17O. At the second command, the recruits
will resume the position of the third motion of support arms.
I--D
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Carry- ARMS.
One time and three motions.
171. (First motion.) Carry quickly the right hand to the small.
172. (Second motion.)Place quickly the left hand upon the butt.
173. (Third motion.) 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.
Present- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
174. (First motion, Pl. IV, fig.2) Turn the piece with the left hand, the lock out, and seize the handle at the same time with the right hand, the piece perpendicular and detached from the shoulder, the left hand remaining under the butt.
175. (Second motion.) Complete the turning inwards of the piece, so as to bring it erect before the centre of the body, the rammer to the front, the right hand under and against the guard; seize it smartly at the same time with the left hand above the lock, the little finger against the featherspring, the thumb extended along the barrel and on the stock, the fore-arm resting on the body without constraint, and the hand at the height of the elbow.
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Shoulder- ARMS
One time and two motions.
176. (First motion.) Turn the piece with 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.
177. (Second motion.) Drop quickly the right hand into its position.
Order- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
178. (First motion.) Drop the piece smartly by extending the left arm, seize it at the same time with the right hand above and near the tail-band; quit the hold of the left hand, and carry the piece opposite to the right shoulder, the rammer 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.
179. (Second motion.) Let the piece slip through the right hand to the ground without shock, and take the position about to be described.
Position of Order Arms.
18O. (Pl. IV, fig, 8) The hand low, the barrel
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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.
181. When the instructor may wish to give repose in this position, he will command:
REST.
182. At this command, the recruits will not be required to preserve silence or steadiness. They, however, will not quit their rank without special permission.
183. When the instructor may wish to the recruits to pass from this position to that of silence and steadiness, he will command:
1. Attention. 2. SQUAD.
184. At the second word, the recruits will
resume the position of order arms, and remain firm and silent.
Shoulder- ARMS.
One time and two motions.
185. (First motion.) Raise smartly the piece with the right hand, carry it against the left shoulder, turning it, so as to bring the barrel to
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the front, place at the same time the left hand under the butt, and slip the right hand down to the lock.
186. (Second motion.) Let fall smartly the right hand into its position.
Charge- BAYONET.
One time and two motions.
187. (First motion, PL. V.) 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 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.
188. (Second motion.) 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. The recruits of the centre and rear ranks will take care not to touch their file leaders with the points of their bayonets.
Shoulder-ARMS.
One time and two motions
189. (First motion.) Face to the front by
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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.
19O. (Second motion.) Let fall smartly the right hand into its position.
Load in twelve times.
1. LOAD.
191. (First motion.) As the first motion of
charge bayonet, except that the hollow of the right foot will be brought up against the left heel.
192. (Second motion.) Bring down the piece with the right hand into the left, which will, at the instant, seize 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 sides. At the instant the piece falls into the left hand, the right thumb will be placed on the steel above the flint, the four fingers closed, the right fore-arm along the butt.
2. Open- PAN.
One time and one motion,
193. Open the pan by pushing forward the
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steelwith 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 in passing it between the butt and the body, and open the box.
3. Handle-CARTRIDGE.
One time and one motion,
194. Seize a cartridge with the thumb and the two next fingers, and place it between the teeth, the right hand passing between the butt and the body.
4. Tear-CARTRIDGE.
One time and one motion
195. Tear the paper down to the powder, hold the cartridge upright between the thumb and the next two fingers, near the top; 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.
One time and one motion.
196. 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 firmly behind and
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against the steel.
6. Shut-PAN.
One time and one motion.
197. Resisting the motion with the left hand, shut the pan smartly with the fingers behind the steel, holding carefully the cartridge with the next two 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.
8.
One time and two motions.
198. (First motion.) 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 on the right thumb; at the same instant face to the front, turning on the left heel, and carry the right foot forward, the heel against the hollow of the left.
199. (Second motion.) Quit the hold of the right hand; through the left let the piece
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER, PART, II.
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.
9. Charge-CARTRIDGE.
One time and one motion.
2OO. 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.
10.Draw-RAMMER.
One time and three motions.
2O1.(First motion.) 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 hand; clear the rammer from the pipes by again extending the arm.
2O2. (Second motion.) Turn rapidly the rammer between the bayonet and the face, closing the
1--E
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER, PART, II.
fingers, the rammers of the centre and rear ranks grazing the right shoulders of the men 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.
2O3. (Third motion.) Insert the butt of the rammer, and force it down as low as the hand.
1O. Ram- CARTRIDGE.
One time and one motion.
2O4. Extend the arm to its full length to seize the rammer between the right thumb extended and the fore-finger bent, the other fingers closed; with force ram home twice, and seize the rammer at the little end, between the thumb and fore-finger bent, the other fingers closed, the right elbow touching the body.
11.Return- RAMMER.
12.
One Time and three motions.
2O5. (First motion.) Draw briskly the rammer, re-seize it at the middle between the thumb and fore-finger, the hand reversed, the palm to the front, the nails up, the eyes following the movement of the hand, clear the rammer from the barrel by extending the arm.
2O6. (Second motion.) Turn rapidly the rammer between the bayonet and the face, closing the fingers, the rammers of the centre and rear ranks
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER, PART, II.
grazing the right shoulders of the men in the same file in front, respectively, the rammer parallel to the bayonet, the arm extended, the little end of the rammer opposite to the first pipe, not yet inserted, the eyes fixed on that pipe.
2O7. (Third motion.) Insert the little end, and with the thumb, which will follow the movement, 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.
13.Shoulder-ARMS.
One time and three motions.
2O8. (First motion.) Raise the piece with the left hand along the left side, the hand at the height of the chin, the fore-arm touching the piece, the barrel to the front; drop at the same time the right hand to seize the piece a little above the handle, the fore-finger touching the cock, and the thumb on the counter-plate.
2O9. (Second motion.) Raise the piece with the right hand, drop the left, and place it under the butt, bring back the right heel to the side of the left, and on the same line; support the piece with the right hand against the shoulder, in the position prescribed for shoulder arms, the right hand resting on, without grasping, the piece,
21O. (Third motion.) Let fall smartly the
SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER, PART, II.
right into its position by the side of the thigh.
READY.
One time and four motions.
Position of the front rank.
211. (First motion, Pl. VII, fig. 1.) Turn the piece, with the left hand, the lock to the front; seize it at the handle with the right hand, and turn the left toe a little within.
212. (Second motion.) Carry briskly the right foot about thirty inches to the rear of the left heel, and about six to the right, according to the height of the man, so that the knee, coming to the ground, as will be explained in the third motion, shall find itself about ten inches and a half behind the left heel, and about six inches to the right, the knees a little bent, the body erect, and bearing equally on the two legs; bring down at the same time the piece with the right hand opposite the right thigh, turning it further so as to bring the rammer to the front; seize the piece with the left hand at the tail-band, the hand at the height of the elbow.
213. (Third motion.) Bring the right knee to the ground, taking care not to sink abruptly, set the butt of the piece on the ground without shock, so that it may be before the right thigh, the toe of the butt on a line with the left heel; seize the cock with the right thumb and fore-finger.