Lesson III To load and fire in nine times and independently
Editor's note This section deviates from Hardee's only to accommodate the Cavalryman's use of carbines, lack of use of the rammer in reenacting, and the practice of coming to Ready, when loaded.
1.LOAD
Left foot on the line and right foot behind and to the right about one foot, and turned outward, Place the butt inside the left foot. With the barrel to the front; seize it with the left hand near the muzzle, which should be about 20 degrees away from the body; carry the right hand to the cartridge box.
Whenever the loadings and firings are to be executed, the instructor will cause the cartridge box to be brought to the side, adjacent the cap pouch, so as to ride on the right hip.
1. Handle-CARTRIDGE.
One time and one motion.
Seize the cartridge with the thumb and next two fingers, and place it between the teeth.
2. Tear-CARTRIDGE.
One time and one motion.
Tear the paper to the powder, hold the cartridge upright between the thumb and first two fingers, near the top; in this position place it in front of and near the muzzle-- the back of the hand to the front.
3. Charge- CARTRIDGE.
One time and one motion.
Empty the powder into the barrel, and discard
1. RAM
Raise the piece about 6" and strike the Butt-plate against the ground
2. PRIME
One time and two motions.
(First motion.) With the left hand raise the piece till the hand is as high as the eye, grasp the small of the stock with the right hand. Slip the left hand down to the lower band, the thumb along the stock, the left elbow against the body; bring the piece to the right side, the butt below the right forearm the small of the stock against the body and two inches below the right breast, the barrel upwards, the muzzle on a level with the eye.
(Second motion.) Half cock with the thumb of the right hand the fingers supported against the guard and the small of the stock. Remove the old cap with one of the fingers of the right hand. With the thumb and fore-finger of the same hand take a cap from the pouch, place it on the nipple and press it down with the thumb; seize the small of the stock with the right hand.
3. ARMS at the READY
One time and one motion.
(First motion.) Support t the piece with the left hand, barrel at about thirty degrees and pointed straight ahead. Grasp the piece with the right hand at the wrist, thumb on the hammer. Do not insert a finger into the guard.
The Firing Commands.
4. PRESENT
One time and one motion.
Raise the piece with both hands, bringing the piece to FULL COCK. Support the butt against the right shoulder; the left elbow down, the right as high as the shoulder. Incline the head upon the butt, so that the right eye may perceive quickly the notch of the hausse, the front sight, and the object aimed at; the left eye closed, the right thumb extended along the stock, the fore-finger on the trigger.
5. FIRE
One time and one motion.
Press the fore-finger against the trigger, fire, without lowering or turning the head.
Instructors will be careful to observe when the men fire, that they aim at some distinct object, and that the barrel be so directed that the line of fire and the line of sight be in the same vertical plane. They will often cause the firing to be executed on ground of different inclinations, in order to accustom the men to fire at objects either above or below them.
To Load and Independent Fire
LOAD
One time and one motion.
Bring down the piece with both hands, and immediately begin to repeat the above steps.
Commence Independent FIRE.
Fire and repeat the above steps as quickly as possible.
If, the instructor should not wish the recruits to reload, he will command.
Cease FIRING.
The recruit should discontinue firing and hold.
Recover-ARMS.
One time and one motion.
At the first part of the command, withdraw the finger from the trigger; at the command arms, retake the position of the second motion of ready.
The recruits being in the position of the second motion of ready, if the instructor should wish to bring them to it shoulder, he will command:
Lesson IV Firings, direct, and to the oblique
It will become necessary during battle to direct fire, direct (straight ahead), or off to one side or the other (right or left oblique). When necessary, the officer giving firing commands will order the following during step 8 of the sequence of commands.
To the Left (or Right) oblique.
PRESENT
At which time the recruit will move the barrel of the gun about 45 degrees (or to the angle of the target)
FIRE
Lesson V To fire and load kneeling and lying
In this exercise the squad will be supposed unloaded and drawn up in one rank. The instruction will be given to each man individually, without times or motions, and in the following manner.
The Instructor will command:
KNEEL - LOAD
At this command, the recruit will halt; then carry the right foot to the rear and to the right of the left heel, and in a position convenient for placing the right knee upon the ground in bending the left leg. Place the right knee upon the ground, lower the piece, the left fore-arm supported upon the thigh on the same side, the right hand on the small of the stock, the butt resting on the ground in front of the right knee and thus seat himself, comfortably on the right heel with the barrel pointed away from the body about 20 degrees.
Follow the load by nine sequence and when finished, place the right hand behind the trigger guard, grasping the wrist and come to the ready with the butt of the piece resting on the right thigh, the left hand supporting the piece near the lower hand.
The Instructor will command:
FIRE AND LOAD LYING.
In this exercise the squad will be in one rank and loaded: the instruction will be given individually and without times or motions.
At this command the squad will halt. Each recruit, as directed will take three paces forward, drop on both knees, and place himself on the ground flat on his belly. In this position he will support the piece nearly horizontal with the left hand, holding it near the lower band, the butt end of the piece and the left elbow resting on the ground, the barrel uppermost;
PRESENT
Cock the piece with the right hand, and carry this hand to the small of the stock; raise the piece with both hands, press the butt against the shoulder, and resting on both elbows.
FIRE
As soon is he has fired, bring the piece down and turn upon his left side, still resting on his left elbow brim, back the piece until the cock is opposite his breast, the butt end resting on the ground
Take out a cartridge with the right hand; seize the small of the stock with this hand, holding the cartridge with the thumb and two first fingers he will then throw himself on his back still holding the piece with both hands; carry the piece to the rear, place the butt between the heels, the barrel up, the muzzle elevated.
In this position, charge the cartridge, then take the piece in both hands and raise the muzzle of the piece straight in the air and strike the butt to the ground on your right side to "ram" the load.
At this time the recruit will roll back to his left side, half cock and prime, then roll on to his belly and reassume the prone firing position.
RISE
When so ordered the man will rise and resume his position in the ranks.
The second man will be taught what has just been prescribed for the first, and so on throughout the squad.
Lesson VI The principles of the revolver
In this exercise the squad will be drawn up in one rank, composed of men who have been issued, or own, revolvers.
The instructor will command:
Ground - ARMS.
The instruction will be given to each man individually, by having him take three paces forward, and in the following manner.
Prepare to withdraw REVOLVERS.
At which time the recruit will un-flap his holster with the left hand and grasp the piece, by the grip, with his right hand. The left hand will then drop to position.
Withdraw REVOLVERS.
At this command the recruit will pull the piece from it's holster, and raise it, so that his upper arm is parallel to the ground, and his forearm is perpendicular to it, with the muzzle pointed directly up.(At this time the recruit should be selecting a target)
PRESENT
At this command, the recruit will lower his forearm, while simultaneously cocking the piece with his thumb, and taking aim at his intended target.
FIRE
Once fired the recruit will raise his forearm to the perpendicular position, awaiting the next command.
Recover REVOLVERS.
Open the holster flap with the left hand and return the piece to its place, secure the flap.