|
|
|
| Baxter's Volunteer Manual (1861) | |
|
THE Volunteer's Manual CONTAINING FULL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE R E C R U I T IN THE SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER AND SQUAD. WITH ONE HUNDRED ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE DIFFERENT POSITIONS, IN THE FACINGS AND MANUAL OF ARMS and the loadings and firings. arranged according to scott's system of infantry tactics. by lieut. col. d. w. c. bAXTER OF THE SECOND REGIMENT OF NATIONAL GUARDS, now in the service of the united states. "In time of peace, prepare for War."--WASHINGTON "A standing army being at variance with a republican form of government, the safety of her institutions depends alone upon the patriotism of her citizens." PART I. PHILADELPHIA PUBLISHED BY KING & BAIRD No. 607 RANSOM STREET 1861 Entered according to an Act of Congress, in the year 1861 by D. W. C. BAXTER, In the Clerk's office of the District Court of the United States in and for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. TO Lieut. Gen. Winfield Scott COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE AMERICAN ARMY This Manual OF THE ARMS REQUIRED BY OUR VOLUNTEER SOLDIERY, IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED AS A SLIGHT TESTIMONIAL OF THE RESPECT INSPIRED BY A LIFETIME DEVOTED TO THE SERVICE OF HIS COUNTRY AND IN DEFENCE OF THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER The instructions here given are of the greatest importance to the Recruit, and Therefore should be thoroughly understood, being indispensable to the instruction of the Company; on which, again, depends that of the Battalion. The School of the Soldier will be divided into three parts. the first comprehending what should be taught recruits without arms; the second, the Manual of Arms, and the loading and firings; and the third will embrace the principles of alignments, the steps to the front, to the rear, and the oblique-step; the principles of wheeling from a halt and on the march; to change direction by a turn, and by file.
Each part will be divided into lessons, as follows:
Position of the soldier. Eyes right, left and front. Principles of the direct step in common time. Principles of the oblique-step in common time.
The firings, direct, oblique and by file.
LESSON III. The principles of alignment. The March to the front and the oblique steps in common time. The March by the flank and the changing direction. Principles of wheeling and turning.
These lessons will be followed by remarks and illustrations, the better to explain the principles prescribed.
(Fig. 1) HEELS on the same line, and as close together as the conformation of the man will permit TOES turned out equally, as to form nearly, but not quite, a right angle bisecting the line E D, represents toes equally turned out.
The upper part of the BODY inclining a little forward. The SHOULDERS square and falling equally. ARMS hanging naturally. ELBOWS near the body. The palm of the hands turned a little to the front; the little fingers behind the outside seam of the trowsers. The FACE full to the front. The chin drawn slightly in without constraint. EYES striking the ground, at the distance of fifteen paces. Weight of the body resting upon the balls of the feet. (See figs. 2,3.)
Remarks on the position of the Soldier. Heels on the same line. Because, if one heel were in front of the other, the shoulder on that side would incline to the front, thereby destroying the uniformity of the line, or otherwise causing constraint. And as close together as the conformation of the man will permit. Because men who are knock-kneed, or have large calves, could not close their heels without constraint. Toes turned equally out, at less than a right angle. Because, if one toe were turned out more than the other, the shoulders would be deranged; and if turned out too much, the body could not incline to the front without constraint. Knees straight, without stiffness. Because, if stiffened, constraint and fatigue would be unavoidable. This the recruit should be careful to avoid; having to stand a great deal, he should bend his knees frequently, this he can do without being perceptible; it will also enable him to step promptly at the command. Body erect on the hips, and inclining a little forward. Because 1st. It gives equilibrium to the position by throwing the weight of the body on the balls of the feet. (See Fig. 4.) 2d. Because you can march more steady, and much longer, and with less fatigue; with practice, a soldier could at any time allow a sheet of paper passed under his heels without losing his equilibrium.
Shoulders square. Because, if the shoulders be advanced beyond the line of the breast, and the back arched, the recruit has the appearance of being round shouldered, or weak in the chest, he cannot align himself nor handle his fire-lock with address. if, on the other hand, the shoulders are pressed back too much, the spine becomes curved too much at the small, when fatigue and constraint necessarily follows. The arms hanging naturally; the elbows near the body; the palms turned a little to the front; the little fingers behind the outer seams of the trowsers. Because these positions are all equally important to the Soldier in the position of SHOULDER-ARMS. It also prevents the recruit from occupying more space in a rank than is necessary to a free use of his fire-lock. They assist also in keeping the shoulders square. The face full 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, Eyes direct to the front, and meeting the ground at about fifteen paces. Because this is the surest means of preserving the squareness of the shoulders, and therefore should be strictly enforced. The above position of the soldier having been so minutely explained, it is of the utmost importance to the recruit that he study it well; for his own personal ease and comfort depends upon it. Having to take individuals into the service from almost every calling in life, and it being almost an impossibility to find two men physically alike in every particular, it was found necessary for the sake of uniformity, at least, that some established rule should be laid down to cover these defects of differences, when, after careful study and consideration on the part of some of the most scientific men of Europe and America, the above position has been prescribed, and when we take into consideration that it is the greatest amount of endurance, with the least amount of fatigue, that is required of the soldier; we are satisfied the recruit will at once see the necessity of giving it his careful consideration. It has always been a matter of great surprise to us, that after so much thought and labor bestowed upon the physical endurance of men, that there has been so little attention given to suitable equipments for them. In our opinion, one-half the effect is lost by the harness fixings which are put upon them, when a loose fitting uniform, free about the neck and breast, would be much more desirable than the heavy belts and leathern stock now used. This command is usually given as Right (orLeft) DRESS. At the word RIGHT, DRESS (as the case may be) turn the head to the right (without moving the shoulders), bring the inner corner of the left eye in a line with the centre of the body. The eyes fixed on a line with the eyes of the men in, or supposed to be in, the same rank. The object of this command is, to correct any irregularity that may exist in a line composed of six or more men. The object, then, of turning your head is to assure yourself that your are in line; to be sure of this, you should able to see only a glimpse of the left cheek of the second man from you; if you see too much of his side face, (it being turned the same as yours), you will be too far to the front, and if you do not see him at all, you will be too far to the rear. In either case, the line could not be formed correct; for whilst all the men on the right of you form a perfect line with themselves, those on the left of you would be compelled to form a line running off at an angle with it. You will therefore promptly place yourself in the line by short steps forward. You should never overstep the line upon which you are to dress. Avoid also inclining you head to the front, for this compels the man next to you to come too far to the front, in order to see the second file from him, which is the next man to you on the side you are dressing. If you turn your head too much, you will perhaps throw forward the shoulder on the side opposite to that which you are dressing. After the principles of Dressing are properly understood, six or eight men should be united in one rank, elbow to elbow, and numbered from right to left, in order to be taught the principles of alignment. The instructor will at first teach them to align themselves man by man; to this end he will command the three men on the right flank to march three paces to the front, and having aligned them, he will caution the remainder of the squad to move up as they may be successively called, each by his number, and will align themselves correctly on the line of the first three men. Three men will then be taken from the left flank, to from a basis to be dressed upon, governed by the same principles as above, substituting in the command left for right. Each man, as designated by his number, will turn the head and eyes to the right (or left) and will march three paces forward, shortening the last so as to find himself about six inches from the alignment, which he ought never to pass; he will next move up steadily by steps of two or three inches, the thighs extended, to the side of the man next to him on the alignment, so that, without deranging the head, the line of the eyes, or that of the shoulders, he may find himself in the exact line of his neighbor, whose elbow he will lightly touch, without opening his own. The alignment being correct, the command will be FRONT. When you will turn the head and resume the position direct to the front. When the men shall have thus learned to align themselves man by man correctly, the instructor will cause the entire rank to align itself at once, by the command: Right (or left) DRESS. At this, the rank, except the three men placed as a basis of alignment, will move up in quick time, and place themselves on the new line, as prescribed. The instructor, seeing the rank aligned, will command: FRONT. Alignments to the rear will be executed on the same principles, the men stepping back a little beyond the line, then dressing up by steps of two or three inches, the instructor commanding: Right (or left) Backward-DRESS. REST. At this, the recruit will not be required to preserve the steadiness of his position. Neither is he required to keep silent. If he leave his position, it should not be out of sight or hearing of his commanding officer, without permission. If the command, In Place- REST, should be given, instead of the above, the same freedom will be permitted except that no man shall leave his place. If, on the other hand, strict silence is required, and the men should be brought to a position of rest, the command will be: Parade-REST. Carry back the right foot about four inches to the rear, (without moving the left); rest the weight of the body on that leg, bending the knee but slightly; cross the hands on front of the body, the left hand on top and supporting the right wrist; shoulders square to the front; head erect, and the eyes meeting the ground fifteen paces in advance. In this position, remain steady until the command: Attention-SQUAD, is given. At the word SQUAD, bring up the right heel beside the left, drop the hands, and take the position of a soldier at ATTENTION. Facing to the right or left, will be executed in time or pause. Squad. By the right flank-Right. FACE. The recruit should be careful to hear the cautionary command (which is in italics) but not attempt to execute the movement until the last command is given, which is FACE. At the last sound of that word, turn to the right upon the left heel by raising a little the left toe and right heel from the ground; place the right heel beside the left and on the same line, so that the line of heels will be exactly at right angles with their former position.
Squad. By the left flank, left. FACE At the word face, turn to the left upon the left heel, raising a little the left toe and right heel for that purpose; bring the right heel beside the left, but do not move the latter.
Squad. ABOUT-FACE. At the word ABOUT, the recruit will turn the left toe to the front, carry the right foot to the rear, the hollow opposite to, and three inches from the left heel; at the same time seize the inner front corner of the cartridge-box with the right hand, if on, if not, place the back of the right hand to the rear of and against the right hip. At the word FACE, turn upon both heels by raising both toes, extend the hams and face to the rear, at the same time bringing the right heel beside the left, and drop the right hand. If under arms, the recruit will at the first motion (or pause) which is ABOUT, turn his piece with the left hand, the lock to the front, and replace his hand and piece the instant he has faced.
Continued on Next Page>>>
|
|||||||||||||||||
