One time and two motions.
First
Motion.- Carry the right foot forward, placing its heel against the
hollow of the left, but without altering the position of the body.
At the same time seize the piece with the left hand at the middle band,
detaching it slightly from the shoulder.
Second motion.- Quit the piece with the right hand, and with the left
hand carry it obliquely across the body, and bring it to the ground without
shock. resting it against the left thigh, rammer to the rear, butt outside
of and against the left foot, muzzle opposite to and three inches from
the center of the breast. Carry the right hand to the cartridge box and
open it.
2. Handle --CARTRIDGE.
One time and one motion.
Take the cartridge between the thumb and first two fingers and place the end in the teeth.
3. Tear --CARTRIDGE.
One time and one motion.
Tear the end of the cartridge down to the powder, holding it upright, and place it in front of or near the muzzle, the back of the hand to the front.
4. Charge --CARTRIGE.
One time and one motion.
Empty the powder into the barrel, and if a musket is used, insert the cartridge in the barrel. If a rifle. lower the right hand near the left, disengage the ball from the paper with the right hand and the thumb and first two fingers of the left. Insert it in the bore, the pointed end uppermost, and press it down with the right thumb. Seize the head of the rammer with the thumb and forefinger of the right hand, the other fingers closed, the elbows near the body.
5. Draw --RAMMER.
One time and three motions.
First
Motion.- Draw the rammer by extending the right arm; seize it again
at the middle between the thumb and forefinger, palm of the hand to
the front, the nails up, the fingers extended and joined; clear the
rammer entirely by again extending the arm, the rammer in the prolongation
of the pipes.
Second Motion.- Turn the rammer between the bayonet and face, by closing
the fingers, the rammer parallel to the bayonet, the arm extended, the
butt of the rammer near the muzzle, but not yet inserted.
Third Motion.- Insert, the rammer and force it down as low as the hand,
turning the hand as it comes down, so that the back of the hand may be
to the front, the elbow down and near the body.
6. Ram --CARTRIDGE.
One time and one motion.
Extend the arm to its full extent, seizing' the rammer between the right thumb extended and the forefinger bent, the other fingers closed, press the ball home with force, the back of the hand to the front, the elbow down and near the body.
One time and three motions.
First
Motion.- Draw the rammer by extending the right arm; reseize it at
the middle between the thumb and forefinger, palm of the hand to the front,
the nails up, the fingers extended and joined; clear the rammer from the
muzzle by extending the right arm, the rammer in the prolongation of the
barrel.
Second Motion.- Turn the rammer between the bayonet and the face by closing
the fingers, the rammer parallel to the bayonet, the arm extended, the
little end of the rammer near the first pipe, but not yet inserted.
Third Motion.- Insert the rammer as far as the hand, raise the hand;
raise the right hand, placing the little finger on the butt of the rammer
and
force it down, and lower the left hand on the barrel to the fall extent
of the arm, without depressing the shoulder.
8. PRIME.
One time and three motions.
First Motion.- Bring up the piece vertically to the left shoulder with
the left hand, seize it with the right hand at the small of the stock,
and slide the left hand down as low as the chin.
Second Motion.- Make a half face to the right, as in, about face, except
that the hollow of the right foot is close against the left heel, instead
of three inches to the rear, carry the piece opposite to the right shoulder,
bring it down by the right side with both hands, the left thumb extended
along the stock, the butt under the right forearm, the small of the stock
against the body, the right thumb on the hammer, the fingers under and
against the guard.
Third Motion.- Half cock the piece, brush off the old cap with the thumb,
carry the hand to the cap box, observing if any smoke comes from the
tube, (a certain indication that the piece has been fired,) take a cap
between the thumb and first two fingers of the right hand, place it firmly
on the cone, pushing it down with the thumb, and seize the piece by the
small of the stock.
9. Shoulder --ARMS.
One time and two motions.
First
Motion.- Face to the front, turning on the left heel, bring the right
foot alongside of the left ; bring the piece to the right shoulder,
right hand embracing the guard between the thumb and forefinger, slip
the left hand to the height of the shoulder, the fingers extended and
joined.
Second Motion.- Drop the left hand by the side.
AFTER FIRING TO LOAD FROM THE POSITION OF AIM.
10. LOAD.
One time and two motions.
First
Motion.- Face to the front, turning on the left heel, carry the right
foot forward, placing' its heel against the hollow of the left,
but without altering the position of the body; bring the piece with
both hands to the left shoulder, the barrel to the front, the left
hand at the height of the chin, the right hand at the small of the
stock, piece detached from the shoulder.
Second
Motion.- Lower the piece to the ground without shock, place the butt as in
No.
1, and carry
the right hand to the cartridge box.
TO FIX AND UNFIX BAYONET FROM THE POSITION OF SHOULDERED ARMS.
11. Fix --BAYONET.
One times and three motions.
First Motion.- Carry the right foot forward, placing its heel against
the hollow of the left, but without altering the position of the body;
at the same time seize the piece with the left hand at the middle band,
detaching it slightly from the shoulder.
Second Motion.- Quit the piece with the right hand, and with the left
carry it obliquely across the body, and bring it to the ground without
shock, resting it against the left thigh, rammer to the rear, butt outside
of and against the left foot; drop the piece into the hollow of the right
arm, seize the bayonet scabbard with the left hand, raise it as far as
the throg will permit, seize the bayonet by the shank and socket with
the right hand, so that the lower (now upper) end of the socket shall
extend about an inch above the heel of the hand.
Third Motion.- Draw the bayonet from the scabbard, turning the clasp
towards the body with the right thumb, reseize the piece at the middle
band with
the left hand, carry and fix the bayonet on the muzzle with the right
hand, press the clasp to its position with the right thumb, place the
little finger of the right hand on the head of the rammer, lower the
left hand to its full extent, without depressing the shoulder.
One time and three motions.
First
Motion.- Bring up the piece vertically to the left shoulder with the
left hand, seize it with the right hand at the small of the stock,
and slip the left hand down as low as the chin.
Second Motion.- Carry the piece vertically across the body to the right
shoulder, change the position of the right hand, so as to embrace the
guard, place the light foot beside the left, slip the left, hand to the
shoulder, fingers extended and joined.
Third Motion.- Drop briskly the left, hand by the side.
13. Unfix --BAYONET.
One time and three motions.
First
Motion.- Carry the right foot forward, placing its heel against the
hollow of the left, but without altering the position of the body;
at the same time seize the piece with the left hand at the middle band,
detaching it slightly from the shoulder.
Second Motion.- Quit the piece with the right hand, and with the left
carry it obliquely across the body and bring it to the ground without
shock, resting it against the left thigh, rammer to the rear, butt outside
of and against the left foot; carry the right hand to the bayonet, with
the right thumb push the clasp against the stop, seize the bayonet at
the socket and shank.
Third Motion.- Wrest off the bayonet, drop the piece into the hollow
of the right arm, seize the bayonet scabbard with the left hand, place
the
bayonet in its scabbard, seize the piece with the left hand at the middle
band, place the little finger of the right hand upon the head of the
rammer, and extend the left hand to its full extent, without depressing
the shoulder.
14. Shoulder --ARMS.
One time and three motions.
The same as shoulder arms from fix bayonet, No. 12.
TO FIX AND UNFIX BAYONET FROM THE POSITION OF ORDERED ARMS.
15. Fix --BAYONET.
One time and three motions.
First
Motion.- Carry the right foot forward, placing its heel against the
hollow of the left, but without altering the position of the body;
with the right hand raise the piece four inches from the ground, carry
it across the body to the left side, seizing it at the middle band
with the left hand, and bring it; to the ground without shock, resting
it against the left thigh, rammer to the rear, butt outside of and
against the left foot.
Second Motion.- Drop the piece into the hollow of the right arm, seize
the bayonet scabbard with the left hand, raise it as far as the throw
will permit, seize the bayonet by the shank and socket with the right
hand, so that the lower (now upper) end of the socket shall extend about
an inch above the heel of the hand.
Third Motion.- Draw the bayonet from the scabbard, turning the clasp
towards the body with the right thumb, reseize the piece at the middle
band with
the left hand, carry and fix the bayonet on the muzzle with the right
hand, pressing the clasp to its position with the right thumb, place
the little finger of the right hand on the head of the rammer, lower
the left hand to its full extent, without depressing the shoulder. From
this position arms can be shouldered as in shoulder arms, from the fix
bayonet, No. 12, or returned to the position of ordered arms, as follows:
One time and one motion.
Bring the right foot to the side of the left; with the left hand raise
the piece four inches from the ground, and carry it over' to the right
side; seize the piece with the right hand immediately below the left,
drop the left hand by the side, lower the piece to the ground with
the right band, and take the position of ordered arms.
17. Unfix --BAYONET!
One time and three motions.
First Motion.- Carry the right font forward, placing its heel against
the hollow of the left, but without altering the position of the body;
with the right hand raise the piece four inches from the ground, carry
it across the body to the left side, seizing it at the middle band
with the left hand, and bring it to the ground without shock, resting
it against the thigh, rammer to the rear, butt outside of and against
the left foot.
Second Motion.- Carry the right hand to the bayonet, with the right thumb
push the clasp against the stop, and seize the bayonet at the socket
and shank.
Third Motion.- Wrest off the bayonet, drop the piece into the hollow
of the right arm, seize the bayonet scabbard with the left hand, place
the
bayonet in its scabbard; seize the piece with the left hand at the middle
band, place the little finger of the right hand upon the head of the
rammer, and extend the left hand to its full extent without depressing
the shoulder.
From this position arms can be shouldered as in shoulder arms, from the
fix bayonet No. 12, or returned to the position of ordered arms, as in
No. 16
18.
Inspection --ARMS.
(With bayonets unfixed. )
One time and three motions.
First Motion.- Carry the right foot forward, placing its heel against
the hollow of the left, but without altering the position of the body,
with the right hand raise the piece four inches from the ground, carry
it across the body to the left side, seizing it at the middle hand
with the left hand, and bring it to the ground without shock, resting
it against the left thigh, rammer to the rear, butt outside of and
against the left foot. Drop the piece into the hollow of the right
arm, seize the bayonet scabbard with the left hand, raise it as fat
as the throg will permit, seize the bayonet by the shank and socket
with the right hand, so that the lower (now upper) end of the socket
shall extend about an inch above the heel of the hand.
Second Motion.- Draw the bayonet from the scabbard, turning the clasp
towards the body with the right thumb, re-seize the piece at the middle
band with the left hand, carry and fix the bayonet on the muzzle with
the right hand, pressing the clasp into its position with the tight thumb,
then seize the head of the rammer with the thumb and forefinger of the
right hand, the other fingers closed, the elbows near the body, draw
the rammer as in Draw Rammer No. 5, and let it glide to the bottom of
the bore.
Third Motion.- Bring the right foot to the side of the left, with the
left hand raise the piece four inches from the ground, and carry it over
to the right side; seize the piece with the right hand immediately below
the left, drop the left band by the side, lower the piece to the ground
with the right hand, and take the position of ordered arms.
19. Inspection --ARMS
( With bayonets fixed.)
One time and three motions.
First
motion.- Carry the right foot forward, placing its heel against the
hollow of the left,, but without altering the position of the body;
with the right hand raise the piece four inches from the ground, carry
it across the body to the left side, seizing it at the middle band
with the left hand, and bring it to the ground without shock, resting
it against the left thigh., Rammer to the rear, butt outside of and
against, the left foot; seize the head of the rammer with the thumb
and forefingers of the right hand, the other fingers closed, the elbows
near the body.
Second Motion.- Draw the Rammer as in Draw Rammer No. 5, and
let it glide to the bottom of the bore.
Third Mot ion.- Bring the right foot to the side of the left; with the
left hand raise the piece four inches from the ground, and carry it over
to the right side, seize the piece with the right hand immediately below
tile left. Drop the left hand by the side, lower the piece to the ground
with the right hand, and take the position of ordered arms.
20. THE PRESENT FOR INSPECTION.
One time and one motion.
As the Inspector approaches, the soldier presents his piece, by throwing
it up with the right hand and seizing it with the left. so that the
little finger rests upon the lock plate. the left; hand at the height
of the chin, the lock to the front, barrel to the right, and opposite
the left eye, muzzle inclining to the front. The officer having inspected
it returns it to the soldier, who will seize it with the right hand
immediately below the middle band, and bring it to the position of
ordered arms.
The soldier will stand fast until the officer returns the piece of the
next man on his left, when he returns from inspection, as follows:
21. THE RETURN FROM INSPECTION.
Carry the right foot forward, placing its heel against the hollow of
the left, but without altering the position of the body, with the right
hand raise the piece four inches from the ground, carry it across the
body to the left side, seizing it at the middle band with the left
hand, and bring it to the ground without shock, resting it against;
the left thigh, rammer to the rear, butt outside of and against the
left foot, seize the end of the rammer with the thumb and forefinger
of the right hand, the other fingers closed, the elbows near the body.
Return Rammer, as in No. 7.
Return to ordered arms, as in No. 16.
22. Spring --RAMMERS!
The same as inspection arms, No. 19.
Return --RAMMEMRS!
The same as the return from inspection, No. 21.
One time and three motions.
First
Motion.- At this command number two of the front rank will pass his
piece to the left, and seize it with the left, hand immediately
below the middle band, and with the butt outside and four inches above
the left foot, bayonet shank opposite the right, shoulder, the rammer
to the front, he will hold his piece inclining to the right. Number
two of the rear rank will raise his piece four inches from the ground,
turn the rammer to the left, and pass it to number two of the front
rank, who will seize it with his right hand immediately below the middle
band, incline it slightly to the left, and place the shank inside of,
and resting on the shank of his own piece, rammer of the right hand
piece to the left, butt about four inches from the ground. Number one
of the front rank will raise his piece, turning it so that the rammer
is to the right, and incline the piece to the left, and in front of
the pieces held by number two; hook the bayonet shank on the crotch
formed by the junction of the pieces held by number two.
Second Motion.- Number two of the front rank throws his right hand piece
directly to the front, places the butt of his left hand piece outside
of and against his left foot. Number one of the front rank at the same
moment places the butt of his own piece between his feet; both abandon
their hold of the pieces at the same moment, and resume the position
of soldiers without arms.
Third Motion.- Number one of the rear rank passes his piece
to the left hand, turning the barrel to the front, places the butt on
the ground
between the feet of number one and two in the front rank, and rests the
piece against the stack.
24. Take --ARMS!
One time and one motion.
At the first command number two of the front rank will seize the odd piece and pass it to number one of the rear rank; at the second command number two of the front rank will seize his own piece with his left hand, and the piece of number two of the rear' rank with his right. Number one of the front rank will seize his own piece with his right hand; number two of the front rank raises the stack, brings the butts together, and this unlock s the stack, passes his right hand piece to number two rear rank, and changes his own piece from the left hand to the right. Each man will then take the position of ordered arms.
Remarks.- The directions for the right about, contained in the U. S. Infantry Tactics for 1861, being exceedingly indefinite, it is advisable to execute it, as follows:
Right about --MARCH!
The command march will be given while the left foot is raised, but before it reaches the ground. The soldier will plant the left foot, but without bringing up the right foot to the side of the left, will face about, turning upon the balls of both feet, and step off promptly with the left foot in the new direction.
END.
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