Sections of School of Soldier used for
Madison Sesquicentennial Event

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PART II - LESSON II  

MANUAL OF ARMS.

The manual of arms should be taught to two men placed first side by side in one rank, elbow to elbow, and next in a single file, that is, one behind the other. Each command is executed in one time (or pause), and is divided into motions. The rate (or swiftness) of each motion, except 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; but the motions here excepted should be executed with promptness and regularity. As soon as the men shall well comprehend the positions of the several motions, they will be taught to execute the time without resting the motions.

1. Support.     2. ARMS.

One time and three motions.

(First motion.) At the command arms, raise the piece with the left hand (elbow bent about four inches, without turning the piece - at the same time with the right hand seize the piece at the handle, or small of the stock, thumb under and against the shoulder of the lock, fingers closed and against the out-side of the small or handle. (Fig. 16.) The * and dotted lines upon the right-side represent the motion of the right hand, and that that on the left, the raising of the left hand.

(Second motion.) Quit the butt with the left hand; place the left fore-arm under the hammer, the little finger on top of and resting on the body belt, hand opposite to the centre of the body; the weight of the musket resting on the fore-arm near the wrist, and the piece perpendicular,  (Fig. 17.) The dotted line shows the motion of the left hand.
(Third motion.) Drop the right hand by its side and the position is complete. (Fig. 18) The dotted line shows the falling of the right hand.

REST. - (When at a support arms, PARADE-REST will always be understood.) - At this command throw back the right foot four or six inches to the rear of its present position, at the same time carry the right hand to the small of the stock and under the left fore-arm; shoulders remaining square to the front. (Fig. 20)

1. Attention    2. SQUAD.

At the second command, resume the position of support arms. (Fig. 21)

1. Carry.    2. ARMS - One time and three motions.

(First motion) Carry quickly the right hand to the small of the stock. (Fig. 22)
(Second motion) Place quickly the left hand upon the butt. (Fig. 23)
Third motion. Let fall smartly the right hand into its place; and drop with the left hand the piece into the position of the shoulder arms. (Fig. 24)

1. Present.    2. - ARMS - One time and two motions.

(First motion) With the left hand, turn the piece, lock to the front. At the same time seize it with the right hand at the small; thumb next to the body; the left hand remaining under the butt; the barrel perpendicular and detached from the shoulder about two inches. (Fig. 25)
(Second motion) Complete the turning inward of the piece with the right hand 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; at the same time seize it smartly with the left hand above and near to the lock, the little finger resting on a portion thereof, the thumb along the stock and barrel pointing toward the muzzle, the left fore-arm resting against the body without constraint, the hand at the height of the elbow. (Fig. 26)

1. Shoulder.    2. ARMS. - One time, two motions.

(First motion.) Raise and turn the piece with the right hand, barrel to the front; carry it to the left side, supported by the right hand at the hammer; the left hand under the butt at its proper length. (Fig. 27)

(Second motion.) Drop the right hand smartly by its side, but do not move the left hand or piece. (Fig. 28)

1. Arms     2. PORT. - One time, one motion.

Throw the piece diagonally across the body, the lock to the front, seize it smartly at the same time with both hands, the right at the small, the left at the tail band, the thumbs pointing towards the muzzle, the barrel sloping upward and crossing opposite to the point of the left shoulder, the butt proportionally lowered, so as to make it slope at an angle of forty-five degrees: the palm of the right hand above, that of the left under the piece, and the nails of both hands next to the body, to which the elbows will be closed. (Fig. 29)

1. Shoulder      2. ARMS. - Two motions.

(First motion) Bring the piece smartly to the left shoulder, placing the left hand under the butt, at the full extent of the left arm; the right hand remaining at the hammer. (Fig. 30)
(Second motion) Drop the right hand smartly by the side. (Fig. 31)

1. Order    2. ARMS. - One time, two motions.

(First motion.)  Drop the piece smartly from the left hand, cause it to turn slightly, lock to the front, seize it at the same time with the right hand two inches above the tail-band, turn it, barrel to the rear, carry it to the right side, butt two inches from the ground, muzzle near the hollow of the right shoulder, little finger behind and against the stock and barrel the other fingers extended and joined, thumb against the right thigh, wrist pressing in so as to turn the toe (or beak) of the butt out, that it may not strike the foot, in the second motion-left hand hanging naturally.

REST.

Take the position as represented in fig. 34. See also the remarks on the REST at page 11. 12.

1. Attention.    2. SQUAD.

At the second command, resume the position of order arms. (Fig. 35.)

1. Shoulder.    2. ARMS.

(First motion.) Raise smartly the piece with the right hand, carry it against the left shoulder, turn 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. (Fig. 36.)
(Second motion.) Let fall smartly the right hand into its position. (Fig. 37.)

1. Charge.     2. BAYONET.

(First motion.) Make a half face to the right by turning upon the left heel, the left toe to the front, carry the right foot to the rear, the hollow opposite to and three inches from the left heel, feet at right angles. (Fig. 38.)
The dotted  lines A, A, B, B, represent the movement of the feet, (both moving in position at the same time,) the left foot turning upon the left heel; at the same time turn the piece with the left hand, lock to the front, and seize it with the right at the small, the barrel perpendicular and detached from the shoulder, the left hand remaining at the butt. (Fig. 39.)

(Second motion.) With the right hand carry the piece to the right side, at the same time let it fall in the left hand, a little in advance of the tail band, the right hand grasping securely the handle in front of and against the right thigh; the lock turned a little up, the left side, the left elbow pressed firmly against and a little in front of the left side, the left thumb extended along the stock and pointing towards the muzzle, the bayonet at the height of the eye, or always in a line between your eye and the eye of your adversary. (Fig. 40.)

1. Shoulder.     2. ARMS.
One time, two motions.

(First motion.) Face to the front by turning back the left toe to its place, place the right heel beside the left, feet square, spring up the piece perpendicular in the right hand, carry it to the left side, place the left hand under the butt, the right remaining at the small; this must all be done in the time of one motion, (or the ninetieth part of a minute.) (Fig. 41.)
(Second motion.) Let fall smartly the right hand (Fig. 42.)

1. Unfix.     2. BAYONETS - One time, three motions.

The third motion of unfix cannot be executed in the regular time (or cadence), but will nevertheless be done promptly.

(First motion.) Drop the piece by a smart extension of the left arm, at the same time seize it with the right hand at, above and near the tail band. (Fig. 43.)
NOTE. This figure does not represent the feet correctly, the heels should not be moved. (See also Fig. 44.) observe the dotted line at the muzzle, represents the sinking of the piece and also falling a little to the front.

(Second motion.) Drop the piece with the right hand along the outside of the left thigh to the full extent of the right arm, seize it with the left hand at the middle band, thumb on the rod, carry the butt to the ground near to the left heel, at the same time carry the right hand to the bayonet, seize it at the socket about an inch below the heel of the palm, so that in wresting off the bayonet the thumb may be extended on the blade. (Fig. 45.)
(Third motion.) Wrest off the bayonet return it to the scabbard between the left fore-arm and the body, (Fig. 46,) place the little finger of the right hand on the butt of the rammer, at the same time sink the left hand to the full extent of the arm. (Fig. 47.) 

1. Shoulder.      2. ARMS.- One time, three motions.

(First motion.) Raise smartly the piece with the left hand to the height of the left shoulder, the left fore-arm extended along the stock from the wrist to the elbow; at the same time support the piece with the right hand under the hammer(Fig. 48.)

(Second motion.) Drop smartly the left hand to the butt. (Fig. 49.)
(Third motion.) Drop smartly the right hand. (Fig. 50.)

To Unfix Bayonets from an Order.

1. Unfix     2. BAYONET
One time and three motions.

(First motion.) The recruit being at an order. (Fig. 51.) Turn upon the left heel once and a half, carry the right foot to the rear, the heel opposite to and eight inches from the hollow of the left foot, feet at right angles, weight of body more upon the right leg, (Fig. 52, for the position of the feet,)

at the same time seize the piece with the left hand at the middle band, thumb on the rod, and the right hand at the bayonet near the socket, thumb on the flat of the blade, (Fig. 53,) barrel to the rear.
(Second motion.) Wrench off the bayonet, place it in the scabbard, (same as third motion from a shoulder,) place the right hand on the piece, below the left, at the full extent of the right arm, left hand remaining at the middle band.
(Third motion.) Face to the front by turning on the left heel, bring the right heel beside the left, and drop the left hand. (Fig. 54.)

FIX BAYONETS from an order, will be executed the same as unfix, with this exception: in the first motion, the right hand seizes the bayonet now in the scabbard; second motion, it is placed on the piece; the rest is the same as above.

1. Secure.     2. ARMS.- One time and two motions.

(First motion.) Seize quickly the piece with both hands, by detaching it from the shoulder, the right hand at the handle near the lock, the left hand at the tail band, thumb extended along the rammer, piece perpendicular, barrel to the front, left fore-arm from the wrist to the elbow against the piece. (Fig. 55.)
(Second motion.) Depress the muzzle with the left hand, bring the lock under the left arm, drop the right hand. (Fig. 56.) The object of this motion is to keep the lock dry in stormy weather; the recruit will see the necessity of keeping the lock well up under the left arm. The thumb pressed upon the rod to prevent its falling out.

To come to a shoulder from a secure the command will be

1. Shoulder.     2. ARMS. - One time, two motions.

(First motion.) Spring up the piece briskly with the left hand, at the same time seize it with both hands, the left under the butt, and the right at the lock.(Fig.57., side view, in which the dotted line of the left hand will serve to illustrate its movement. See also, Fig. 58, a front view.)
(Second motion.) Drop the right hand, (Fig. 59)

1.Fix.     2. BAYONETS. - One time and three motions.

(First and second motions.) As the first and second motions of unfix bayonets 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. (Figs. 60 and 61.)
(Third motion.) Draw the bayonet from the scabbard, carry and fix it on the muzzle; (Fig. 62,) place the little finger of the right hand on the butt of the rammer. (Fig. 63.)

1. Shoulder.     2. ARMS. - One time and three motions.

(First, second and third motions.) Same as shoulder from unfix bayonets.

1. Trail     2. ARMS. - One time, two motions.

(First motion.) As the first motion of order arms. (Fig. 64)
(Second motion) Incline a little the muzzle to the front, the butt to the rear, the right hand supported at the hip, the bayonet of the rear-rank man's piece should not tough the front-rank man. (Fig. 65.)

1. Shoulder    2. ARMS.

At the command SHOULDER, straighten the piece perpendicularly in the right hand; (Fig. 66.) at the command ARMS, execute what had been prescribed for the shoulder from the position of order arms. (Fig. 67.)

To the right shoulder.    Shift.   ARMS. - One time, one motion.

But for the better explanation we will divide it into three.

First. Turn the piece with the left hand, lock to the front, at the same time seize it by the handle with the right. (Same as first motion of present arms.) (Fig. 68)
Second. With both hands raise the piece, turn it barrel to the rear, rest the hammer on the right shoulder, muzzle inclining backwards at about an angle of thirty degrees; at the same time slip the right hand down to the butt; the toe or beak of the butt projecting between the first and second fingers. (Fig. 69., the left hand should remain at the butt.)
Third. Drop the left hand. (Fig. 70) When this is properly understood by the recruit, it must be done as one time, one motion.

Shoulder.    ARMS. - One time, two motions.

(First motion.) Raise the piece by extending the right arm, seize it with the left hand at the tail band. (Fig. 70) Carry it against the left shoulder, turning the barrel to the front, the right hand being at the handle, (Fig. 71) place the left hand under the butt.
(Second motion.) Let the right hand fall into its position (Fig. 72)

Arms.   AT WILL.

Carry the piece at pleasure on either shoulder, or with one or both hands, the muzzle always up. (Fig. 73)