Updated 7-17-2001Manual of Arms
The Following musket commands will be issued to a soldier by an Officer or Sergeant. In the 137th it is expected of every soldier and musician to be quiet in ranks at all times, unless at INPLACE REST. This means NO TALKING of any kind is allowed. Please always remember if you feel tired, sick, or your musket is not operating to your satisfaction, it is permitted for you to simply break ranks and step to the side of the formation. The Sergeant/Officer will stop commands and ask if you are okay.
I will use the term OFFICER for any person giving commands. Please note in the 137th company F we have a non commisioned Officer, our Sergeant (Brian Swartz). Our Sergeant is the person that will be giving us commands normally. At events, it may be more likely that a commisioned officer ( Captain, Major etc) gives us commands. We do not salute a Sergeant (sorry Brian), we also do not normally salute each other, meaning privates and corporals. Save your salutes for commisioned officers, or a very special deed performed by another private.
I have attempted to place the commands in the order in which they may be given. Please note these instructions are written in laymans terms to make the descriptions easier. The actual command itself is worded properly (FALL IN, ATTENTION, DRESS RIGHT, are all proper terms)
These descriptions will be much easier to understand once you see them actually performed in real life.FALL IN: Soldiers and Muscians line up in single file row, facing the Officer/Sergeant. Tallest person on YOUR right, and come to ORDER ARMS, and ATTENTION. Your right elbow should be touching the soldiers elbow on YOUR right.
ATTENTION: Normally used to get troops back into rank, eyes forward, standing straight, no slouching etc. The musket would normally be in the ORDER ARMS position.
DRESS RIGHT: Line up in straight line (already done in FALL IN). Elbows touching the man next to you on YOUR right side. Also used in battle if the line is all messed up. This will be used to place everybody in a nice straight line again.
ORDER ARMS: Musket butt on ground, trigger guard outwards, musket on right side of body, butt near right foot. Grip musket with your fingers wrapped around musket from the back, so that the cup of your hand is backwards, and your thumb and index finger face forward towards the Officer.
SHOULDER ARMS: Right Index finger under trigger guard, musket held along right side of body. muskets trigger guard facing forward.
RIGHT SHOULDER SHIFT: Butt in right hand, lockplate out, and lock plate level with right shoulder/collar bone.
SUPPORT ARMS: Musket over left shoulder, hammer forward resting on left arm, left arm crossed over chest, left palm over right chest. This command is normally given from SHOULDER ARMS. Do not rotate your head/neck around the musket as you move to this postion, rather move the musket around your head. Keep your head and eyes facing forward as you perfom the maneuver.
REST: Place right hand over stock of musket. Both arms are now crossed over your chest.
Do not confuse this with INPLACE REST. REST is only given after the SUPPORT ARMS command. It is used in conjuction with the SUPPORT ARMS command at times.SECURE ARMS: Musket along side of left body, upside down, lockplate against body, barrel pointing at an angle towards ground. Keep your thumb over the ramrod, so it cannot fall out. This command is used when marching in bad weather, to keep rain out of the barrel (upside down)
INPLACE REST: Right foot slightly aft, musket held in right hand, butt on ground, lockplate out towads Officer, left hand over wright wrist.You are required to keep one foot in position, this being the Left foot. ( minor movments are allowed, you may talk, or drink water)
PARADE REST: Right foot aft, butt on ground, lockplate out, right hand holding barrel, and left hand over top of right hand also holding the barrel. (a form of ATTENTION, no shuffling around or talking)
INSPECTION ARMS: Attach Bayonet, Insert Rammer. Hold musket at SHOULDER ARMS until Inspector is ready for you. Hand musket to Inspector (Officer/Sergeant) when he is ready for it.
Hold musket with left hand near bottom band, lockplate out and hand to inspector. Do not THRUST the weapon into his hands, simply hand it gently to him. When inspector has moved to 2nd man past you, remove ramrod. I think this is simply a safety reason, so you dont poke the inspector in the eye with the ramrod. Leave bayonet still attached.OPEN BOXES: Open your cartridge box, and your Cap box. So that the inspector can look inside for any possible projectiles. The inspector will also look inside the accesory pouch of your cartridge box. He is looking for any items such as Minnieballs, matches, screws, nails, anything small enough to be dropped in the barrel.
UNFIX BAYONETS: Remove bayonet, place in scabbard, and come back to ATTENTION. Musket at ORDER ARMS position.
CLOSE BOXES: Close your cartridge box, and cap box. This command seems to be forgotten quite often. I simply shut mine after a few moments if the command is not given.
GROUND ARMS: Left arm behind back, kneel onto right knee by taking a very small step, and place musket on ground, lockplate up. Come back to ATTENTION (with no musket of course).
All muskets should be in a nice straight line if this is done properly.TAKE ARMS: Kneel with left arm behind back, hand at belt level, and pick up your musket. Come to ATTENTION afterwards.
PRESENT ARMS: Hold musket with both hands at mid level, outwards from body, trigger guard frontwards, right hand over left hand. Used to show respect to an Officer among other things
(Gosh knows why anyone would respect an Officer?)PORT ARMS: Hold musket in front of you at an angle from your right to your left, barrel facing left, right hand on top of stock, left hand cupped under barrel, musket facing up and to your left approximatly a 33 degree angle.
TRAIL ARMS: Hold the musket in right hand, shift it upwards so your right hand holds it near the lower band, tilt barrel forward at approximatly a 33-45 degree angle. The musket butt is now off ground.
IN EACH RANK COUNT TWO: Starting from YOUR right, count 1, 2, 1, 2 etc. It is permitted for you to look down the line with your head turned to see the count proceeding. This is because sometimes it is hard to hear the count proceed. Sometimes a Sergeant may be standing on the right most position in the line. The Sergeant does NOT count. Therefore the next man would start the count.
LOAD: Place musket in left hand, butt on ground, trigger guard facing YOU. Reach into cartridge box, and remove 1 cartridge, tear open cartridge with teeth, and pour contents down barrel. The proper hand position for pouring is to hold the cartridge between thumb and forefinger, remaining fingers held straight out from hand, reach around behind the barrel, lift the cartridge and tip the powder down the barrel. In the same hand motion your index finger only will pass over the mouth of barrel. Drop the paper onto ground.
Rotate the musket around now, hammer facing you, musket stock alongside your right body, lift the musket to mid height, so that nipple of musket is available to you, holding musket with left hand, take a cap from your cap box. Pull Hammer aft to HALF-COCK position. Place a cap on the nipple, and come to READY.READY: Hold musket with left hand under barrel, right hand near trigger, and on stock, musket alongside right hand body. DO NOT place finger in trigger guard. The musket nipples should be about chest height, and all soldiers musket nipples should be lined up in a row, barrel pointing upwards at an angle. The easiest way to remember this is "Nipple to Nipple".
AIM: Lift musket to shoulder, and sight along barrel, pull hammer aft with right thumb to full cock position. Technically the musket would be held level, and aimed at an object. For reenacting in close quarters, the musket is elevated, so that firing is over the heads of the enemy. In really close quarters, the barrel may be raised as much as 45 degrees. You may now place finger in trigger guard.
FIRE: Fire the musket. If at any time you do not feel comfortable firing, do NOT pull the trigger. It is better safe then sorry.
RECOVER, or RECOVER ARMS: Bring musket back to the READY position. Do not Load yet. The Officer will tell you when to reload.
INDEPENDANT FIRE: This is the only time you may load and fire at your discretion. Again if you dont feel safe firing for any reason, then.. DONT.
FRONT RANKS KNEEL: You would have been counted off in twos, and formed into 2 rows , front and rear row. (This will be covered in marching commands). Kneel onto your right knee, hold musket at a READY position, musket butt will now be on ground, since you are kneeling. Loading from this position is differant then standing. LOAD: Place musket over left knee, butt to your left side, and in this position pour the powder down the barrel. When placing a cap, bring the musket to the READY position and install the cap normally. Come to READY after you are loaded. BE SURE your barrel is facing a safe direction when loading in this kneeled position. DO NOT angle the musket across your front, with the barrel facing the soldier on your right. The musket should always be facing almost directly forward, while loading.