Hand-book for active service : containing practical instructions in campaign duties, for the use of volunteers

Front matter

REFERENCE

*

HAND-BOOK

Preface

There are at tins moment in the United States 3,000,000 of organized troops, all of them more or less accustomed to the use of arms, and many of them have been drilled in military tactics. Very few have been in actual service, and are therefore unaccustomed to the fatigues, and unacquainted with the duties, of camp and garrison life. Were any number of them to be brought suddenly into the field, this want of experience would be at once felt by officers as well as soldiers, and a great deal of useless labor, unnecessary privation, and personal suffering would be gone through with before they would become sufficiently accustomed to the entire change in their mode of life. With a view to avoid these difficulties as much as possible, and set before the soldier in a familiar manner that line of conduct to be pursued in a campaign which would enable him to husband his physical resources and

PREFACE.

at tlie same time render him most effective in every way for any duty, these pages have been prepared ; the author claiming no originality or merit beyond a desire to aid his fellow-citizens in acquiring more thorough information on the subject of military duties.

The large amount of intelligence and active energy which the volunteer brings with him into the field is frequently thrown away and wasted for the want of knowledge in daily routine, which, together with a strict obedience to order, makes the chief value of the regular soldier. When this knowledge is once acquired, volunteers have in many respects the advantage over regular troops.

New York, March , 1861.

Contents

CHAP. TAGE

I. Introduction, . . . . . .11

II. The Recruit, . . . . . 15

Introduction

An effective organization of troops for all purposes, is composed of three arms : Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery. Upon a due proportion of each of these arms depends their capacity for attack or defence.

Infantry. — -Experience has taught us that the most reliable arm under all circumstances is infantry ; it is more capable of endurance, and of being manoeuvred on every ground, even where the other arms would be utterly useless.

The proportion of this arm in a complete organization would be four-fifths of the entire force.

Infantry is subdivided into “ Infantry of the Line,” “ Light Infantry,” and Riflemen. The duties of each are distinct. In an engagement the Infantry of the Line bears the brunt of the battle ; moving in mass when acting on the offensive, it delivers its fire in line, and overwhelms the enemy by its force and energy, driving him from his position at the point of the bayonet ; and on the defensive it forms in square to repel the charge of cavalry, and

INTRODUCTION.

upon the coolness and determination with which it receives the shock of attack, depends its success ; to waver is half a defeat.

The duties of light infantry are to act as flankers on the march, to open an engagement, to draw the enemy’s fire, to unmask his batteries, and generally to develop his strength and expose the weak points of his position, to feign attacks, and in every way to annoy, worry, and discomfit him. They are selected for picket and outpost duty, advance and rearguard. The French Zouave is the best model of a light infantry soldier.

The efficiency of riflemen depends upon the locality at which they are posted ; if so placed that they can deliver their fire with deliberation and precision, they become most valuable auxiliaries, and are often able to hold their position against a vastly superior force. They should be selected from those who are known as good shots, otherwise their principal value would be lost.

Cavalry. — Cavalry is placed second in importance to infantry, although modern warfare has developed such perfection in artillery, that it has in many instances turned the tide of battle, and saved the other arms from a crushing defeat. Well-drilled cavalry, however, saves the strength of an army, which, in the absence of it, would be broken down by the advanced post duties, patrol and detachment service, and many other duties which, at the best, infantry would but be able imperfectly to perform. Its chief value is felt when the infantry is exhausted by fatigue ; coming freshly upon the ground in an engagement, it gives the other troops time to recover their strength, and the commands to reform. The nature of country in which a campaign is undertaken, determines the relative proportion of cavalry to infantry. In an open country, the cavalry can be increased with advantage. As

INTRODUCTION.

a general rule, however, one regiment of cavalry to four regiments of foot is a proper proportion, since cavalry, unless well supported by infantry, would at times be utterly powerless and unable to protect itself. To render it perfect, it should be composed of strong, skilful, bold and reckless riders, well-trained and well-built horses, so that, dashing forward on an instant, and moving with celerity upon the enemy, it rides him down before he has time to prepare to meet the shock.

Artillery.— Artillery is an arm of great power, and in skilful hands the most effective arm of the service; it inspires confidence in the troops, and if the fire is delivered with precision and rapidity, it is next to impossible to withstand it. On the other hand, if not well supported by infantry, it falls readily into the enemy’s hands, giving him an immense advantage in an instant. To this end, care should be taken not to have it out of proportion to the arms. Two batteries of six (6-pounders) field pieces to one division or four foot regiments, will generally be found a due proportion. When the character of the ground is favorable, the nature of the service may require an increase of the artillery to three batteries. Upon this basis, then, an effective organization or army corps would be composed of about 5,000 men :

2 regiments of infantry of the line .... 1000 each

1 regiment of light infantry 1000

1 regiment of riflemen 1000

1 regiment of cavalry 1000

2 batteries (six pieces) of artillery, or 4 batteries of 4 pieces if mountain howitzers are used.

This disposition of the several arms is predicated upon the supposition that the troops are well drilled and disciplined, since the whole value of the arrangement is dependent on this discipline. Hence the necessity, in the

INTRODUCTION.

case of volunteer forces brought suddenly into active service, of making up for their want of experience by a close attention to the leading points of military instruction. * For this purpose, the following paragraphs have been so arranged that each soldier can follow step by step the necessary course of instruction, and the duties which will devolve upon him.

An intelligent mind becomes restive under the routine of the daily drill, unless it can appreciate the object to be gained by such discipline. By setting before the volunteer the whole theory of army organization, it is believed that he will the more readily comprehend the great value of discipline in sustaining that organization, and under such impulses will arrive more rapidly at proficiency in drill, and yield a more ready obedience to orders. The minor details which are most generally learned in the field, are after all the most important to the personal health, comfort, and efficiency of the troops ; and the sooner the volunteer becomes acquainted with these details, the sooner will he be fitted for the active and arduous duties of a campaign.

Chapter II. The Recruit

The patriotic desire of every good citizen to serve his country, is the natural result of our form of government. Yet it is absolutely impossible for every man to perform all the duties of a soldier, no matter what may be his natural impulses ; and to fill the ranks by accepting the services of all that offer themselves, would jeopardize the best interests of the service, and in many cases would impede, if not frustrate, the very objects of a campaign. Hence, there devolves upon the officer wTho recruits or organizes a company of men for active service, a very large share of responsibility ; his duty to the individual who offers, no less than to the service he seeks to enter, compels him to exercise the wisest discretion in the selection of his men. Even where a company of volunteers already organized in time of peace is called upon to take the field, each man should be submitted to a critical medical examination, and if there is any defect in his physical organization which would render him unfit to withstand the fatigues of an active campaign, or any evidence of a susceptibility to disease, he should be rejected without hesitation.

“ An able-bodied soldier ” should be of good character, sound in body and mind, cf good appearance, well formed,

THE RECRUIT.

and fit in every particular to perform the duties required of him ; he should be over 18 years of age and under 40, and the greatest care should be taken to inform him with regard to the nature of his duties, the term of service, pay, clothing, rations, and other allowances, before he is finally received into the service. This will prevent regret and dissatisfaction, and secure efficiency.

“ THE SQUAD.”

As fast as the men are enrolled, they should be instructed three times a day in the school of the soldier : much of a soldier’s subsequent efficiency depends upon his first “ setting up.” *

For the purpose of instruction, the companies are divided into “ squads ” of 10, and are first drilled in the “ Position of a Soldier.” Formed in one rank, about one pace apart, the instructor places them in position as follows :

POSITION OF TIIE SOLDIER.

Heels on the same line, and as close together as the conformation of the man may permit ; the feet forming with each other something less than a right angle, the toes equally turned out ; the knees straight, without stiffness ; the body erect on the hips, the upper part inclining a little forward ; the shoulders square and falling equally ; arms hanging naturally, elbows near the body, the palm of the hand turned a little to the front, the little finger behind the seam of the pantaloons, or the centre of the thigh ; the face well to the front, the chin a little drawn in without constraint, and the eyes striking the ground at the distance of fifteen paces.

THE RECRUIT.

Remarks on the Position of the Soldier.

Heels on the same line;

Because, if one were in rear of the other, the shoulder on that side would be thrown back, or the position of the soldier would be constrained.

Heels more or less closed ;

Because, men who are knock-kneed, or who have legs with large calves, cannot, without constraint, make their heels touch while standing.

Toes equally turned out, and not forming: too large an angle ;

Because, if one toe were turned out more than the other, a shoulder would be deranged, and if both toes be too much turned out, it would not be practicable to incline the upper part of the body forward without rendering the whole position unsteady.

Knees extended without stiffness ;

Because, if stiffened, constraint and fatigue would be unavoidable.

The body erect on the hips ;

Because, it gives equilibrium to the position. The instructor will observe that many recruits have the bad habit of dropping a shoulder, of drawing in a side, or of advancing a hip, particularly the left, when under arms. These are defects which he will labor to correct.

The upper part of the body inclining’ forward ;

Because, commonly recruits are disposed to do the reverse, to project the belly, and to throw back the shoulders when they wish to hold themselves erect — great inconveniences in marching, as will be explained in the remarks on the principles of the step. The habit of inclining forward the upper part of the body is so important to contract, that the instructor must enforce it at the

THE RECRUIT.

beginning, particularly with recruits who have naturally the opposite habit ;

Shoulders square;

Because, if the shoulders be advanced beyond the line of the breast, and the back arched, (the defect called round-shouldered , not uncommon among recruits,) the man cannot align himself nor use his musket with address. It is important, then, to correct this defect, and necessary to that end that the coat should set easy about the shoulders and arm-pits ; but, in correcting this defect, the instructor will take care that the shoulders be not thrown too much to the rear, which would cause the belly to project, and the small of the back to be curved.

The arms hanging* naturally, elbows near the body, the palm of the hand a little turned to the front, the little finger behind the seam of the pantaloons ;

Because, these positions are equally important to the shoulder -arms, and to prevent the man from occupying more space in a rank than is necessary to a free use of the musket ; they have, moreover, the advantage of keeping in the shoulders.

The face well 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 cast direct to the front ;

Because, this is the surest means of maintaining the shoulders in line — an essential object, to be insisted on and attained.

Too much attention cannot be paid to this first lesson in tactics, and the drill officer should be constantly on the watch throughout the whole progress of instruction, in the

THE RECRUIT.

use of arms, company and battalion drills, that every man should always maintain “ the position of the soldier.”

ARM EXERCISE.

In order to accustom the recruit more readily to the position of a soldier, and at the same time to render him more supple for acquiring a proficiency in the manual of arms — the following exercises should precede the regular drill. Formed in one rank at one pace apart, the instructor will give the command :

Arms — Upward.

One time and two motions.

First motion . — Bring the forearms to a vertical position, the fingers closed, and hands against the right and left breasts.

Second motion. — Extend the arms vertically over the head, open the fingers and place the palms together.

Arms — Downward.

One time and two motions.

First motion. — Bring the arms to the first position of arms upward.

Second motion. — Drop the hands with force to the side.

Arms — F orward.

One time and motion.

Extend the arms horizontally in front of the body, the palms of the hands touching.

Arms — Downward.

One time and two motions , as before.

THE RECRUIT.

Arms — Backward.

One time and one motion .

Carry the hands behind the body, the palms touching.

Arms — Front.

Carry the hands quickly to the side.

Arms — Sideways.

One time and one motion .

Extend the arms horizontally to the right and left.

Arms — Downward.

As before.

The instructor will now command in rapid succession, Arms sideways ! forward ! upward ! downward ! backward ! front ! all of which will be executed as directed. By continuing this exercise for 10 or 15 minutes at the commencement of every drill without arms, a remarkable improvement will soon be observed in the carriage of the men.

SALUTING.

Saluting with the right or left hand is executed in one time and four motions. The instructor commands :

Right hand — Salute.

First motion . — Extend the arm horizontally to the right, palm down.

Second motion . — Carry the hand to the visor of the cap.

Third motion . — Carry the arm back to the horizontal position.

Fourth motion . — Drop the hand quickly to the side.

THE RECRUIT.

Left hand — Salute.

The same as for the right.

The salute should always be made with the hand opposite to the person saluted.

Having thoroughly impressed upon the men the above rules, the instructor commands :

1. Eyes — Right. 2. Front.

At the word right , the soldier will turn his head gently, so as to bring the inner corner of the left eye in a line with the buttons of the coat, the eyes fixed on the line of the eyes of the men in the same rank. At the command front , the head will resume the direct or habitual position. The instructor will take care that the movement of the head does not derange the squareness of the shoulders, and that the men do not acquire a habit of throwing down the head in dressing.

The movement of Eyes — Left , ivill he executed hy inverse means .

FACINGS.

Facing to the right and left will be executed in one time, or pause. The instructor commands :

1. Squad . 2. Eight (or left) — Face.

At the word face , raise the right foot slightly, turn on the left heel, to the right, (or left,) raising the left toe a little, and then replace the right heel beside the left, and ' on the same line. The face should always be through a right angle, and should be executed by the feet and legs, the body moving around to the right (or left) without twisting or constraint. The instructor should labor to keep the body steady, and to prevent the formation of the habit of bending the knees, or springing .

THE RECRUIT.

The full face to the rear is always to the right, and is executed in two times , or pauses. The instructor commands :

1. Squad . 2. About — Face.

First Motion. — At the word about , the soldier will turn far enough on the left heel to bring the left toe directly to the front, at the same time carrying his right foot to the rear, the hollow opposite to, and full three inches from the left heel, the feet square to each other. The back of the right hand is placed a little above the right hip, and the body is turned to the right sufficiently to give ease to the position.

Second Motion . — At the word face , the soldier raises his toes a little, turns upon both heels, faces to the rear, keeping his legs straight, and draws back the right heel by the side of the left, at the same time dropping his right hand by his side.

BALANCE STEP.

Before commencing the march the soldier should always be instructed in the balance step, the object of which is to teach him the free movements of his limbs, while he at the same time preserves perfect squareness of the shoulders, with the greatest steadiness of the body ; no labor should be spared to attain this object, which lies at the very foundation of good marching.

The squad being at attention, the instructor com mands :

Left foot — Forward.

At this command the soldier will throw his left foot gently forwards, about twenty-four inches, balancing his body well on the right foot without changing the position of the shoulders, and without the body losing its erect

THE RECRUIT.

position. The toe should be turned out as in the position of the soldier, the foot about three inches from the ground and very nearly parallel to it, the toe being very slightly depressed.

At the command :

Left foot — Rear. -

The left foot is brought gently back, the ball of the left foot close to the right heel, the leg straight, toe raised, and heel depressed.

As soon as the soldier becomes steady in the new position, the instructor repeats the command, left foot forward, then left foot rear , for several times, and then commands :

Halt ;

at which the left foot, either advanced or to the rear, is brought to the right, as in the position of the soldier.

The instructor then causes the soldier to balance on the left foot, by advancing and retiring the right, as has been .directed for the left.

THE DIRECT STEP.

After the soldier is sufficiently instructed in the balance step to execute it on either foot without losing his balance, the instructor will proceed to instruct him in the mechanicsm of the direct step. For this purpose he will command :

1. By the numbers — Forward. 2. One.

At the command, one , the soldier will throw forward the left foot as in the position of left foot forward , the instructor then commands ;

Two.

At this command, the weight of the body is thrown

THE RECRUIT.

forward, the left foot striking the ground without shock, at the distance of twenty-eight inches from the right ; the body assumes the perpendicular position, and the right foot is brought up to the position of right foot rear .

The right foot is then brought forward at the command one , and the step completed at the command two ; thus the squad is made to advance step by step. The halt is executed as in the balance step .

When the squad is sufficiently instructed in the mechanism of the direct step, the instructor will cause it to take up the march in common time ; for this purpose he will command :

1. Squad forward — Common time . 2. March.

At the command forward , the soldier will throw the weight of his body on the right leg, without bending the left knee.

At the command march , he will smartly, but without a jerk, carry straight forward the left foot twenty-eight inches from the right, the sole near the ground, the leg extended, the toe a little depressed, and both it and the knee slightly turned out ; he will at the same time throw the weight of the body forward, and plant flat the left foot, without shock, precisely at the distance where it finds itself from the right when the weight of the body is brought forward, the whole of which will now rest on the left foot. The soldier will next, in like manner, advance the right foot and plant it as directed for the left, the heel twenty-eight inches from the heel of the left foot, and thus continue the march without crossing the legs, or striking one against the other, without turning the shoulders, and always preserving the face direct to the front. Common time is executed at the rate of ninety steps to the minute.

THE - RECRUIT.

When the instructor wishes to arrest the march, he commands :

1. Squad . 2. Halt.

The command halt , should be given just as one foot has come to the ground, and the other is raised for making the next step ; the soldier instinctively completes the pace with the raised foot, and brings the other firmly to its place beside it. By careful attention to this rule a large command may as readily be halted at the same instant, as a single individual.

The principles of the step in quick time are the same as for common time ; it is executed, however, at the rate of 110 steps per minute. After the soldier is well established in the length and swiftness of the step at common time, he should be practised in quick time, as it is the pace best adapted to marches, the manoeuvres, etc.

The instructor wishing the squad to march in quick time, commands :

1. Squad forward . 2. March.

PRINCIPLES OF THE DOUBLE QUICK STEP.

The length of the double quick step is thirty-three inches, and its swiftness is at the rate of 165 steps per minute. This step is designed especially for light troops, such as light infantry and riflemen, and to them it is indispensable ; its utility has, however, been so frequently demonstrated of late years, as to make it proper that it should form a part of the instruction of all infantry troops.

The instructor wishing to teach his squad the principles and mechanism of the double quick step, commands :

1. Double quick step . 2. March.

I

At the command double quick step , the soldier will raise his hands to a level with his hips, the hands closed, the nails towards the body, the elbows to the rear, and well drawn in towards the body.

At the command march , he will raise his left knee as high as possible without derangement of the body, keeping his leg from the knee down in a vertical position, the toe depressed ; he will then replace his foot in its former position. At the command two , he will execute with the right leg what has just been prescribed for the left, and the alternate movement of the legs at the command one , two , will be continued until the command :

1. Squad. 2. Halt.

At the command halt , the soldier will bring the foot which is raised by the side of the other, and at the same time dropping his hands by his side will resume the position of the soldier without arms.

When the squad has learned to execute the step properly, the instructor will repeat the words one , i two, in more rapid succession, and will finally drop them, leaving the files to execute the step in their own time. The instructor will see that the step is taken in rapid succession, and that none of the files lose the step.

The soldier being sufficiently established in the principles of this step, the instructor will command :

1. Squad forward. 2. Double quick. 3. March.

At the command forward , the soldier will throw the weight of his body on the right leg, without bending the left knee.

At the command double quick , he will place his arms as indicated above.

At the command march , he will carry forward the left

THE RECRUIT.

foot, and plant it, the toe first, at the distance of thirty-three inches from the right, the leg slightly bent, and the knee somewhat raised ; he will then execute with the right foot what has just been prescribed for the left. This alternate movement of the legs will take place by throwing the weight of the body on the foot that is planted, and by allowing a natural, oscillatory motion to the arms. The feet should not be raised too much, a common fault with beginners, and the body should incline slightly forward.

The double quick step may be executed with different degrees of swiftness. Under urgent circumstances, the cadence of this step may be increased to 180 per minute. At this rate a distance of 4,000, yards would be passed over in about twenty-five minutes.

The men should also be exercised in running ; the principles are the same as for the double quick step, the only difference consisting in a greater degree of swiftness.

It is recommended in marching in double quick time, or the run, that the men should breathe as much as possible through the nose, keeping the mouth closed.

Note. — The Manual of Arms is the next step of instruction in the school of the soldier ; for this Tactics will be referred to, as the brevity of this work will not admit of its insertion.

Chapter III. The Company

In an organization, the smallest number complete in itself, is the company , which varies in number from 50 to 100 rank and file.

Note.— The general principles of organization are the same for all arms. The variation in the Cavalry will be referred to, and that for Artillery will be found in the Manual for Light and Heavy Guns.

A captain , two or more lieutenants , from four to six sergeants , and as many corporals , are attached to every company. The captain and lieutenants are the officers , and the sergeants and corporals the non-commissioned officers of the company.

The captain is responsible for the instruction, discipline, general efficiency, and moral tone of the company.

The lieutenants assist the captain in the maintenance of discipline, and in the instruction.

The company is divided into two equal parts, which are designated as the first and second platoon , counting from the right ; and each platoon is, in like manner, divided into two sections .

The company is formed into two ranks in the following manner : the corporals on the right and left of platoons, according to height ; the tallest corporal and the

THE COMPANY.

tallest man from the first file on the right, the next two tallest men from the second file, and so on to the last file, which is composed of the shortest corporal and the shortest man.

The odd and even files, numbered as one , two , in the company, from right to left, form groups of four men, who, when they act as light troops, are designated comrades in battle .

The officers and non-commissioned officers of the company are posted in the following manner :

The captain , on the right of the company, touching with the left elbow.

The first sergeant , in the rear rank, touching with the left elbow, and covering t>he captain. In the manoeuvres he is denominated covering sergeant , or right guide of the company.

The remaining officers and sergeants are posted as file-closers, in the rank of file closers , two paces behind the rear rank.