5th Virginia Volunteer Infantry, Company E, "Augusta Greys"

"Drill...drill and drill. Remember Alexander in Anatolia. Caesar in Gaul. Napoleon in Iberia: ‘We march by day, and read Xenophon by night.’....You must begin with the bayonet. The bayonet must be for a Virginian what the sarissa was for a Macedonian. If the Yankees dare set foot in Virginia, we must show them the bayonet. Train with the bayonet and we shall keep our freedom." *

 

ON-LINE ANAMATED DRILL...See things from a bird's eye view

 

General Rules.     93. The instructor will not pass the soldiers to this second part until they are well established in the position of the body, and in the manner of marching at the different steps.
    In the manual of arms 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, and to secure uniformity and precision in the movements.
    The rate (or swiftness) of each motion, in the manual of arms, is fixed at the ninetieth part of a minute; but 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 men progressively, and after they have become a little familiarized with the use of the weapon.
    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 men comprehend well the positions of the several motions of a time, they will be taught to execute the time without resting on its motions; the mechanism of the time must, however, be observed, as well to give perfect use to the weapon, as to prevent carelessness or slighting of the motions. When the men have acquired sufficient proficiency to execute the times without resting, the instructor must be careful to have the proper cadence observed; great promptness in the execution of the motions is not incompatible with the observance of a pause between them, so that they may be executed at the prescribed rate - that is, of ninety to the minute. Those instructors who insist most upon the strict observance of this rule, are those whose squads execute the manual in the best manner.

EDITORS NOTE: The instructions above are intended to convey that each command is executed in a sequence of motions and that those motions are accomplished at a cadence. The cadence provides the slight pause between each motion, adding the appearance of precision to the execution. The cadence, one ninetieth of a minute, is about the speed of a fast walk. Practice each motion before adding them together in sequence. 

EDITORS NOTE:  The reader will notice that many of the executions (commands) Detailed below are followed by directions to “Shoulder Arms”. In each Case, returning to the shoulder may differ slightly pending the position from which the arm is shouldered. The principals given directly below describe the correct position of arms once shouldered.

 

Principles of Shouldered Arms.

   The piece in the left hand, the arm very slightly 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 middle and fore-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 man, 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 river; 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 position of the soldier.

    The instructor will also take great care that the musket be not carried too high or too low; if too high, the left elbow would spread out, the soldier would occupy too much space in ranks, and the musket would be unsteady; if too low, the files would be too close, the man would not have the necessary space to handle his musket with facility, the left arm would become too much fatigued, the shoulder would droop, etc.
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Support - Arms. (From the shoulder)

One time and three motions.

    95. First Motion.  With the right hand seize the small of the stock briskly, four inches below the lock, raising the piece a little, but not turning it.
    Second Motion. Take the left hand from the butt; extend the left fore-arm upward across the body, and under the hammer, the left hand flat on the right breast.
   Third motion. Drop the right arm smartly to its position. The squad being at support arms, the instructor commands:

Carry - ARMS. (From Support)

One time and three motions.

   96.First motion. Carry quickly the right hand to the small of the stock.
   Second motion. Place the left hand under the butt, as in the position of shoulder arms.
   Third motion. Let fall smartly the right hand to its position, and drop with the left, at the same time, the piece into the position of shoulder arms.

Present - ARMS. (From the shoulder)

One time and two motions.

    97.First motion. (Fig. 29.) Turn the piece with the left hand, the lock out, and seize the small of the stock at the same time with the right hand, the piece perpendicular and detached from the shoulder, the left hand remaining under the butt.
   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 just above the lock, the thumb extended along the barrel and on the stock, the left fore-arm resting on the body without constraint, and the hand at the height of the elbow.

Shoulder - ARMS. (From present arms)

One time and two motions.

    98. First motion. Turn the piece with the right hand, the barrel to the front, 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 small of the stock.
   Second motion. Drop quickly the right hand into its position.

Order - ARMS. (From the shoulder)

One time and two motions.

   99. 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 to the 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.
   Second motion. Let the piece slip through the right hand to the ground without shock, and take the position about to be described.

    100. (Fig. 30.) The hand low, the barrel between the thumb and forefinger 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 of the butt against, and in a line with the toe of the right foot, the barrel perpendicular.
    101. When the instructor wishes to give repose in this position, he commands:

REST.

    At this command the soldiers will not be required to preserve silence or steadiness. They, however, will not quit their rank without special permission.
    102. When the instructor wishes the men to pass from this position to that of silence and steadiness, he commands

Shoulder - ARMS. (From Order arms)

One time and two motions.

   103. 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 the front; at the same time place the left hand under the butt, and slip the right hand down to the lock.
    Second motion. Let the right hand fall briskly to its position.

COMMON EXECUTIONS WHILE FIRING

EDITORS NOTE: Initial volleys are typically carried out from the shoulder. The following instruction relates how this is done. Once the volley is fired, The company is ordered to “load” or “recover”, both commands are described below.

READY.  (From the position of shoulder arms.)

One time and four motions.

    117. First motion. Turn the piece with the left hand, the lock to the front, seize it at the small of the stock with the right hand; at the same time make a half face to the right on the left heel, bringing the left toe to the front and placing the right foot behind, and at right angles to the left, the hollow of the foot against the left heel.
   Second motion. Bring the piece with the right hand to the middle of the body, place the left hand just above the lock, the thumb extending along the stock at the height of the chin, the counter (or S)-plate turned towards the body, the rammer obliquely to the left and front.
   Third motion. Place the thumb on the hammer, the fore-finger under and on the guard, the other three fingers joined to the first, the elbow at the height of the hand.
   Fourth motion. Close the right elbow smartly to the body in cocking, without bending the wrist, seize the piece by the small of the stock, let it descend along the body in the left hand to the tail-band, which will remain at the height of the shoulder. (Fig. 35.)

AIM.

One time and one motion.

    118. Raise the butt to the shoulder, the left elbow a little down, shut the left eye, direct the right along the barrel, drop the head upon the butt to catch the object, and place the fore-finger on the trigger. The rear rank will at the same time, carry the right foot about eight inches towards the left heel of the man next on his right. (Fig. 36.)

FIRE.

One time and one motion.

    119. Apply the fore-finger with force to the trigger without further lowering or turning the head, and remain in that position.

LOAD. (From theFire.)

One time and two motions.

    120. First motion. Bring back the piece quickly with both hands, depress the butt strongly by extending the right arm, and carry it with the arm thus extended to the left side, the barrel to the front and opposite to the left shoulder, the left hand at the height of the chin, the back of the hand to the front, the left for-arm touching the stock; at the same time face to the front and carry the right foot forward, the heel against the hollow of the left foot.
   Second motion. Let go the handle with the right hand, let the piece descend through the left to the ground, without shock, and take the position of the second motion of load.

Shoulder - ARMS. (From the Fire.)

One time and two motions.

    121. First motion. Bring back the piece with both hands, face to the front, carry the piece against the left shoulder, and place the left hand under the butt.
   Second motion. Let the right hand fall smartly to its position.
    The squad being in the position of aim, the instructor, to habituate the soldiers to wait for the word fire, sometimes commands:

Recover - ARMS.

One time and one motion.

    122. Withdraw the finger from the trigger, throw up the muzzle smartly, and retake the position of the fourth motion of ready.
    The men being in this position, if the instructor wishes them to come to a shoulder, he commands:

Shoulder - ARMS. (From recover)

    123. At the word shoulder, the squad will face to the front, and bring their pieces to the middle of the body again; the left thumb at the height of the chin, the little finger just above the lock; next place the right thumb on the head of the hammer, support the fore-finger on the trigger, sustain the hammer carefully in its descent at the same time, to the position of half-cock, then seize the small of the stock with the right hand. At the word arms, carry the piece to the shoulder smartly, and take the position of shoulder arms.

Unfix - BAYONETS.

One time and three motions.

   First motion. Drop the piece by a smart extension of the left arm, seize it with the right hand above and near the tail-band.
   Second motion. Drop the piece with the right hand along the left thigh, seize it with the left hand above the right, lengthen out the left arm, rest the butt on the ground, without shock, and carry the right hand at the same time to the bayonet, with the thumb lower the clasp against the stop, and then seize the bayonet at the socket and shank.
   Third motion. Wrest off the bayonet, return it to the scabbard, place the little linger on the butt of the rammer, lower the left hand along the barrel in extending the arm, without depressing the shoulder.

Shoulder - ARMS.

One time and three motions.

    129. 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.
   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.
   Third motion. Let fall smartly the right hand into its position by the side of the thigh.

Fix - BAYONET.

    130. First and second motions. As the first and second motions of unfix bayonet, except that at the end of the second motion, the right hand will go to seize the bayonet by the socket and shank, so that the lower (now upper) end of the socket shall extend about an inch above the heel of the palm.
   Third motion. Draw the bayonet from the scabbard, carry and fix it on the muzzle, turning the clasp towards the body with the right thumb; place the little finger on the head of the rammer lower the left hand along the barrel, in extending the arm.

Shoulder - ARMS.

The same as from the unfix bayonet.
 

To right shoulder, shift - ARMS.

One time and one motion.

    135. Turn the piece with the left hand, the lock to the front, seize it at the same time with the right hand at the handle, place it on the right shoulder, the left hand not quitting the butt, the lock-plate upwards, the muzzle up; sustain the piece in this position by placing the right hand on the flat of the butt; let fall the left hand by the side. (Fig. 39.)

Shoulder - ARMS.

    136. Raise the piece by extending the right arm, seize it with the left hand above the lock, carry it against the left shoulder turning the barrel to the front, the right hand being at the handle, place the left hand under the butt, and let the right fall into its position.

 

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* From Gods and Generals, quote attributed to Genl. Jackson