Manual of instruction for the volunteers and militia of the United States

Preface

The following work was undertaken with the hope of meeting, to some extent at least, a long-felt want among the volunteers and militia ; that is, a manual, which, besides containing every thing which may be necessai^y for mere tactical instruction, should also embrace more or less instruction on various other subjects of equal importance with tactics ; subjects that few men who have not been regularly trained in the military service, have much familiarity with. In the regular service the necessity for such a work is not felt, at least not to the same extent as among the volunteers and militia, from the fact that the militai'y system being in constant operation, and each individual, no matter what his present rank maybe, having gradually risen from a low, or perhaps the very lowest grade, has abundant opportunities for becoming familiar with it in all its details, before he is called upon for any extensive exercise of his professional knowledge. "With the volunteers and militia, however, where no such process for the acquisition of important practical knowledge is attainable, the case is very diflferent. Called suddenly into active service, from the various pursuits of civil life, all, even the highest in rank, and the best informed, meet with difficulties on every side ; what would seem to be comparatively plain and simple to the old campaigner, must of necessity be more or less obscure to the volunteer or militia officer, whose opportunities for the attainment of military knowledge have been limited.

It is not intended, nor indeed would it be desirable, that the present work should embrace every thing which is proper to be known by our citizen soldiery ; its aim is, simply to aid the inexperienced so far as to enable them to become familiar with such principles, and practical details of the military service, as are absolutely essential to those who would be competent officers, whether in the line, or in the staff. If it accomplishes this, it will not have beeu compiled in vain.

The Introduction, or •' Glossary," will, it is hoped, be found useful to the student of military art or science, and to the reader of military history.

(iii)

IV PREFACE.

Article L, on Army Organization, commences with a general account of the four arms of the service, — Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, and Engineers,— the duties of each in the conduct of a campaign, and the proportion they should bear to each other in an army. The latter part of the lirticle enters more fully into the details of the organization of each of the three leading arms, and closes with a short account of the duties of the various departments of the staflF.

In Article II., upon Arms and Ammunition, will be found a condensed account of the various arms and kinds of ammunition used by infantry, cavalry, and artillery, together with the manner of preparing and using the latter.

From Article III. to Article XL, inclusive, will be found the tactical portion of the work; it embraces very full instructions for every kind of Infantry troops, from the School of the Soldier to that of the Battalion ; Cavalry tactics, from the School of the Trooper to the Instruction of the Regiment ; and Artillery tactics, from the School of the Piece to the Evolutions of a Battery. The whole will be found to be in strict conformity with the requirements of the United States service.

Article XII. embraces directions and forms for the conduct of every form of parade ; the kinds and duties of guards ; together with much other matter of a kindred nature.

In Article XIII. the duties of captains, and other company ofBcers, in regard to the internal management, police, and morale of their companies ; together with the proper equipment of officers and men, to secure efficiency as well as comfort, when in the field, camps, marches, etc., are discussed.

Article XIV. is devoted to the Staff, and embraces such directions for the conduct of those departments of the staff upon which the efficiency of aa army in the field must mainly depend, as seemed most necessary. In this Article will also be found directions and forms for the preparation of the morning reports of Companies, Regiments, Brigades, and Divisions, together with such forms for requisitions, returns, etc., as are in most frequent use.

In Article XV. will be found some account of the various orders of battle, together with an outline of the manner in which the different kinds of troops should be handled in action.

Article XVI. contains directions for the organization and conduct of INIilitary Courts; and lastly, the Appendix, containing the Articles of War, presents us with the Miliiary Law now in force.

W. G.

Virginia Military Institute. December, 1860.

Contents

[ The numbers refer to paragraphs and not to pages.]

ARTICLE I.

ARMY ORGANIZATION.

Introduction

GLOSSARY.

A.

Abatis. A species of intrenchment ; it consists of trees felled, and lai('l with their branches sharpened and interwoven, so as to present a thick row of pointed stakes towards the enemy. They are generally used in front of field works ; while the enemy is removing them, he is exposed to a destructive fire from the defenders.

About. A teclanical word to express tlie movement by which a body of troops reverses its front. In infantry the about is always to the right ; iq cavalry it is either to the right or left ; and in artillery it is to the left.

Accessible. A place is said to be accessible, by land or sea, when it can be approached by a hostile force on either of these sides.

Accoutrements. A term denoting the belts^ cartridge-box, scabbard, etc., of a soldier.

Action, in military language, is an engagement between two armies, or any smaller bodies of troops.

Adjutant. A regimental staff-officer, who discharges all the duties of detail of a regiment or military post, communicates all orders, forms the battalion for drills, parades, etc., mounts the guards, and in the manoeuvres assists the lieutenant-colonel.

Adjutant-General is the chief staff-officer of the army, division, or brigade to which he belongs, and assists the general in the discharge of his duties ; he keeps the roster of the officers ; makes details for duty ; makes up morning reports, returns, etc. ; publishes the orders of the general ; and is the channel through which all reports to, and correspondence with the general, pass.

Advanced. Signifies some part of the army in front of the rest, as in ad-, vanced-guards, which always precede the main body ; it applies also to any portion of the command which is thrown in front of the first line. 2 (xiii)

XIV GLOSSARY.

Advantage-Ground. A ground that gives superiority, or an opportunity for annoyance or resistance.

Affair. An action or engagement; generally between small bodies of troops.

Aid-de-Camp. An officer appointed to attend a general officer : he receives and carries orders, and discharges such other duties as may be necessary. A Brigadier-General is entitled to one, and a Major-General to two aidesde-camp.

Aim. The act of bringing the firearm to its proper line of direction with the object to be struck.

Alarm is a sudden apprehension of an attack, by which men take to their arms, and stand upon their guard.

Alarbi-Post is the place appointed for every regiment or detachment to assemble, in case of alarm.

Alert. Vigilant,

Alignment is the placing of men on the same line. In artillery it applies to the gun carriages, caissons, etc.

Ally, in a military sense, implies a nation united to another, under treaty, either offensive or defensive.

Ambuscade. A body of men posted in some secret or concealed place, for the purpose of falling upon an enemy by surprise.

Ambush. A place of concealment for a body of troops intended for a surprise.

Ammunition implies everything in the way of powder, balls, shells, cartridges, canister and grape shot, etc. etc.

Apprehend. Seizing or confining any person.

Approaches. The works that are carried on towards a work that is besieged.

Counter- Av-pno ACRES. The works carried on by the besieged against those of the besiegers.

Apron. In gunnery, a piece of leather to cover the vent of a piece of ordnance.

Arm, a term used to signify a particular kind of troops, as the infantry arm, cavalry arm,, etc.

To Arm. To take arms, or prepare to meet an enemy.

Armed. Something provided with, or carrying arms.

An Armed body of 'men denotes a corps or detachment ready for an engagement.

Armistice. A temporary truce.

Armory. A place for the construction of arms; also a place of deposit for arms.

Arms. All weapons whether of offence or defence.

GLOSSARY. XV

FiVe-AnMS. Any macliine discharged by inflamed gunpowder.

Place of Arms. A part of the covered way of a fortification. (See Fortification.)

Arbiy. An organized body of armed men commanded by a general. In time of peace, the whole organized military force of the State is intended when we speak of the army ; in time of war this force is broken up into several distinct bodies, each of which is an army. These armies are named from the particular duty assigned them, as the army of invasion, army of occupation, etc. ; or from the country or direction in which they operate — as, army of the North, army of Mexico, etc. ; or from the general who commands it — as, army of Scott, etc. An army is made up of a staff and administrative departments, and four distinct arms — Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, and Engineers ; each having distinct duties, but all combining to form one and the same military body.

Arrest. The depriving an ofiicer of his sword, preparatory to trial, for an offence against military law. The order for arrest usually designates the particular limits within which the officer is required to confine himself. An officer under arrest must not call upon his commanding officer without permission, and then it must be upon business.

Breach of Arrest. Going beyond the limits prescribed in the order of an-est of an officer. It is a grave offence.

Arsenal, A place of deposit for arms and other implements. Arsenals are sometimes arsenals of construction, a term which signifies that it is a place of construction as well as deposit.

Articles of War. Rules for the better government of the army.

Artillery. Every sort of fire-arms of large calibre, as guns, mortars, howitzers, etc., together with everything necessary for serving them in the field, at sieges, etc. Also a term applied to the science which treats of the construction and service of artillery. Also a name given to the troops which serve artillery.

Assault. A furious effort to carry a fortified post, camp, or fortification.

Assembly. The signal to form by company.

Attack. An onset upon the enemy, either to gain a post, or break his ranks ; or to divert his attention and make him divide his forces, when it becomes n false attack.

B.

Baggage. The clothing, tents, utensils, provisions, etc., of an army or corps. Band. A body of musicians attached to any regiment or battalion. Banquette. A small elevation of earth three or four feet wide, and four

feet nine inches below the crest of the parapet, to enable the shortest men

to ■^^ « over it with facility.

XVI G L 0 S S A R Y.

Barbette-eattekies are platforms raised behind a parapet to enable the guns mounted on them to fire over the parapet, and sweep the surrounding country. They are usually placed in the saliejii points of works. Barracks. Permanent buildings for the quartering of troops.

Barricade. To barricade, is to block up the avenues by which an enemy might have access to any position. This is done by abatis, wagons, etc.

Barrier, A passive obstacle.

Bastion, in fortification, is a work constructed at one of the angles of a polygon, consisting of two faces and two flanks. It is so constructed, that every part of it is defended by the flanking fire of some other part of the works.

Battalion. Any body of infantry from two companies to ten, and serving under the same commander.

Batter. A cannonade of heavy ordnance.

To Batter in breach is a heavy cannonade of many pieces directed to a single point in the walls of a fortification.

Batteries. The name given to any place where guns, howitzers, or mortars, are mounted, either for the purpose of attacking the enemy, or of battering a fortification. When a number of pieces of artillery are thrown together they also constitute a battery, as a mounted battery, where from four to six, or eight pieces are together, the cannoneers serving on foot; or a horse artillery battery, where the same number of pieces constitute the battery, the cannoneers being mounted on horses.

Battle. An action in which the forces of two contending armies are engaged.

Bayonet. A kind of triangular dagger, with a hollow shank, which fits over the muzzle of the musket, rifle, or carbine. It is principally used by infantry troops. A new form of bayonet has of late years been introduced for use on the rifle; this bayonet is in the form of a short sabre. It is called the sabre-bayonet, and is intended for use in the hand as vfell as on the rifle.

Berm. a narrow space between the ditch and parapet of a woik, to keep the parapet from falling into the ditch.

To Besiege. To lay siege to, or invest any place with an armed force.

Besieged. The garrison that defends a place.

Besiegers. The troops that lay siege to a fortified place.

Bivouac. An army is said to bivouac, when, instead of camping in tents, the men sleep around the fires, or make temporary shelters of branches of trees, etc.

Body. Any number of men serving under one commander, as the main body, etc.

Bombard. To throw shells from mortars.

GLOSSARY. XVU

Brkacii. An opening in tlie works of a fortified place, made by the artillery or mines of the besiegers, preparatory to making an assault

Breech of a gun. The portion from the vent to the cascable.

Brigade. Two or more regiments of infantry or cavalry, or both, under the command of a Brigadier-General.

Brigadier-General. The commander of a brigade ; an officer whose rank is next above that of a colonel.

C.

Cadence. Uniform time and^ace in marching, an indispensable requisite in

the manoeuvres of troops.

Calibre, in gunnery, is the diameter of the bore of any piece of ordnance.

Caisson. A carriage for artillery ammunition ; each piece of field artillery

is followed by its caisson.

Camp is the extent of ground occupied by an army when under canvass. Campaign. The period of each year that an army is in the field. Cannon. A general term for every form of artillery. Cannoneers. Soldiers who serve or manage pieces of artillery. Canteen. A small vessel used by soldiers to carry water, etc. Cantonments. Troops are in cantonments when quartered in towns and

villages, lying as near as possible to each other. To Capitulate is to surrender any place or body of troops to the enemy, on

certain stipulated conditions.

Capitulation. The conditions on which the garrison of a besieged place

agrees to give it up.

Caponniebb, in fortification, is a passage from one part of the worK to

another.

Captain. The commander of a company.

Carbine. A species of fire-arms smaller than the musket, and used mainly

by cavalry.

Cartel. An agreement between two States at war, for an exchange of

prisoners of war.

Cartridge. A case of paper, or flannel, fitted to the bore of a piece, and

holding the exact charge of gunpowder. Cartridges for small arms are

made of strong paper, those for artillery arc made of flannel, or some

other woollen goods.

Cartridge-box. A box made of stout leather, attached to a belt which is worn

over the shoulder, or around the waist, and used to hold cartridges for

small arms.

Cascable, in artillery, is the knob attached to the breech of a gun. 2^ B

XVIU GLOSSARY.

Casemate. A chamber covered witli a bomb-proof arch, in a fortification,

having an embrasure cut through the wall, through which the gun is fired.

Used in fortifications on the sea coast.

Cavalier. A work constructed in the interior of a bastion. Cavalry. That portion of an army which serves and fights on horseback. Chamber, of a mortar or howitzer. A cavity at the bottom of the mortar or

howitzer, intended to receive the cartridge. Charge. In gunnery, denotes the quantity of powder with which the piece

is loaded.

In the evolutions, the charge expresses the advance of a body of infantry

to attack the enemy with bayonets fixed ; or the rapid attack of cavalry. Chase of a gun. The length from the trunnions to the muzzle. Cheek. The pieces of timber which form the sides of gun-carriages, and

upon which the trunnions rest.

Chevaux-de-freize. a piece of timber some six inches square, pierced

with many holes, through which pass pieces of wood some six feet long,

crossing each other at right angles, and pointed at the ends. They are

used to stop up breaches, to block up the avenues of approach, etc. Line of Circumvallation. An earthen work consisting of a low parapet

and trench, made around a place which it is intended to besiege. Colonel. The commander of a regiment.

Color. Large silk flags fixed on wooden poles. Camp- Colors. Small flags eighteen inches square, and used to mark the

color line, points of wheeling, etc. ; they are also carried by the markers

in the evolutions.

Combat. A battle.

Commissary. An officer charged with the purchase and issue of provisions

for the troops.

CoBiPANY. A small body of from 50 to 100 men, and commanded by a

captain.

Convoy. A detachment of troops employed to guard any supply of men,

money, ammunition, provisions, etc., conveyed in time of war to a town or

army.

Corporal. A non-commissioned officer of the lowest grade. Corps. A body of troops acting together under one commander. Countersign. A particular word which is exchanged between guards, and

entrusted to those employed on duty in camp or garrison. Court-Martial. a military court, for the investigation and punishment

of all offences committed by officers and soldiers, in resistance of military

law.

Cuirassiers. Heavy cavalry armed with breastplates of metal, or cuirasses A Curtain, in fortification, connects two contiguous bastions.

GLOSSARY. XIX

D.

Defence, in fortification, consists of all sorts of works that cover and

defend an army or place.

Defile. A narrow passage, or road, through which troops can only march

by flank, or with a very small front.

Deploy. To display, or spread out troops.

Depot. A place of deposit for military stores. Detachment. A body of troops taken from an army for a particular

service.

Discipline. The instruction and government of soldiers. Dislodge. To drive an enemy from his position. Dismantle. To strip a town or fortress of its outworks. Ditch. An excavation or trench made around the works of a fortification,

from whence the earth necessary for the construction of the parapet is

raised. Ditches are of two kinds — wet and dry. Dragoons. Are a kind of cavalry, who serve both on horseback and on foot.

E.

Echelon. A position in tactics, when different bodies, whether the divisions

of a battalion, battalions, or brigades, follow each other on different lines.

By this arrangement both the front and one or both flanks may be protected at once.

Elevation. In gunnery, the angle included between the horizon and the axis

of any piece of artillery.

Embrasure. In fortification, an opening, or aperture in the parapet of a

work through which pieces of artillery are fired at the enemy. Enciente, in fortification, is the interior wall or rampart which surrounds a

place.

Encounter. Combat. Fight.

Enemy. One who is on the opposite side in war.

To Enfilade is to throw shot along the whole length of the enemy's line. Engineers. Officers charged with planning, constructing, and repairing

all fortifications and all defensive works ; with planning the attack and

defence of military works, etc., etc.

Epaulement. a kind of breastwork to cover troops in front, or on the

flank.

Epaulettes. Shoulder-knots worn by officers.

Eprouvette. a small mortar for trying the strength of gunpowder. Equipage. All kinds of furniture made use of by an army. Establishment implies the quota of officers and men in an army, regiment,

troop, or company.

XX GLOSSARY.

Evolution. The movement made by a body of troops when they change

their disposition.

Exempts. Men who, from their age or occupation, are not liable to be

called upon for military service.

Expedition. A voyage or march against an enemy.

F.

FALSE-alarm. An alarm either designedly or unintentionally created by

noise, reports, etc., without being dangerous. FALSK-attack. An approach which is made for the purpose of diverting an

enemy from the real point of attack.

Fascines. Long cylindrical bundles of twigs intended to support the earth

in the parapets of field fortifications, etc. Feint. A mock attack, made to conceal the true one. Field. The place of battle. A campaign, or the action of an army while

it is in the field.

FiBiiD-officers. The colonel, lieutenant-colonel, and major of a regiment. Fight. Battle.

File. A line of soldiers drawn up behind each other. As a general thing,

a file means two soldiers, the front and rear rank man. Fire-arms. Every description of arms charged with powder and ball. Flanks. The right and left of an army, encampment, battalion, company, etc. Flank. In fortification, any part of a work defending another, by a fire

along the outside of the parapet.

Foil. A blunt sword used in fencing.

Forage. The hay, straw, and oats required for the subsistauce of the horses

of an army.

Force. Any body of troops assembled for military purposes. Forlorn-hope. Men appointed to make the first attack in the day of battle,

or to be the first to storm in a siege.

Fort. A fortified place surrounded by a ditch, etc. Fortification. The art of surrounding a place by works so disposed as to

render it capable of a lasting defence against a besieging army. i^«>Zc?-FoRTiFiCATiON is the art of constructing all kinds of temporary works

in the field.

Front. A word of command signifying that the men are to turn to their

proper front.

Fugle-bian. a well-drilled, intelligent soldier, advanced in front of the

line, to give the time in the manual, etc.

Furlough. A leave of absence.

Fuse. A tube fixed into a shell filled with combustible materials, which,

when the shell is fired, burns and causes the shell to explode.

(JLOss arY"; xlt

Gabion. A cylindrical basket without bottom, and employed in throwing up intrenchments, etc.

Gallery. A passage in a mine.

Garrison. A place where troops are quartered.

General-officers. All otficers above the rank of colonel. The only grades in the U. S. service are brigadier-general, major-general, and lieutenantgeneral.

Glacis. In permanent fortifications, the parapet of the covered way.

Grenade. A small shell thrown from the hand upon the enemy. Used in defending a work.

Grape. A kind of shot.

Guard. A body of men whose duty it is. to protect an army or place from surprise. It also applies to troops kept to guard generals and other persons, or public property, etc.

Guidons. Small silk standards for cavalry.

Gunpowder. A composition of sulphur, nitre, (or saltpetre), and charcoal, mixed together and granulated, to which, if fire be applied, it burns v/ith an explosion.

H.

Harass. To annoy, perplex, hang upon the rear or flanks of a body of men,

or an array, or to interrupt the operations of a siege by repeated

attacks.

Haversack. A linen bag to carry a soldier's rations on the march. Head-quarters. The place where the officer commanding an army or

independent body of troops, takes up his residence. Hilt. The handle of a sword.

Holsters. Cases for a horseman's pistols, fixed in the pommel of the saddle. Hospital. A place appointed for the sick and wounded. Host. An army.

Hostility. Denotes a state of war between two nations. Howitzer. A piece of artillery, chambered at the bottom of the bore, and

intended for firing hollow shot, canister, etc.

I

[nfantry. Foot soldiers armed with the musket, or rifle. Inroad. Sudden and desultory invasion.

Inspector-General. An officer whose duty it is to inspect the troops at stated times, and report the state of their discipline, efficiency, etc.

XXll GLOSSARY.

Intrenciibient. Any work intended to fortify a post against the attack of an enemy.

Invasion. The entrance or attack of the troops of a nation on the dominions of another.

To Invest. To seize upon all the avenues of approach to a place or town, so as to cut it off from succor.

K.

Knapsack. A leather or canvas bag, worn on the backs of infantry soldiers, and which contains his clothing and other necessaries.

L.

Laboratory. A place where all sorts of fire-works are prepared, whether

for actual service or for display.

Lieutenant. The lowest grade of commissioned officers. Line of Battle is the disposition of the troops for battle. Links. Thongs of leather used by cavalry to fasten their horses together. Litter, A sort of bed on which wounded officers and men are carried off

the field.

LoDGMKNT. Possession of the whole or a part of the enemy's works. Lunette. A small field work.

M.

Magazine. A place in which stores, arms, ammunition, or provisions, are

kept.

Major. An officer next in rank to lieutenant-colonel. Martial Law. The law of war.

Match. A preparation to communicate fire to guns, mortars, mines, etc. Mines. Subterranean passages dug under the walls of a fortification, or

under the works of a besieging army, for the purpose of blowing them up

by means of gunpowder.

Mortars. Short cannon with large bores fitted with chambers, and used

for throwing shells, stones, etc.

Muster, A parade of troops for the purpose of inspection, and taking an

account of their numbers, presence, etc.

Mutiny. Any seditious or refractory conduct among soldiers.

N.

Nitre. A compound of nitric acid and potash, used in the manufacture of gunpowder.

G L 0 s s A R 1 xxm

Orders. All such lawful directions as may oe issued by a superior officer. Ordnance. A general term for all guns, howitzers, and mortars. Out-posts. Bodies of troops posted beyond the bounds or limits of the

encampment.

OuT-woTtKS, in fortification, are the works constructed beyond the principal

works.

P.

Palisades. In fortification, stakes made of strong pieces of wood, and set

in the gr ,und.

Parallels The trenches or lines made by the besiegers around the works

of the besieged.

Parapet. In fortification, an elevation of earth designed for covering the

soldiers from the fire of the enemy.

Park of Artillery. The place appointed for the artillery. Parley. A conference with the enemy.

Parole. The promise or word of honor given by a prisoner of war when

permitted to be at large, that he will return at the time appointed. Parole is also a word given out in orders for the purpose of distinguishing

friends from foes.

Party. A small detachment of troops employed upon any duty, as fatigue

party, etc.

Patrol. A small party under a non-commissioned officer detached from

one of the guards, to move from post to post, through streets, along roads,

etc., to ensure vigilance, order, etc.

Paybiaster. An officer charged with the payment of the troops. Pickets. Out-guards occupying the first line beyond the police guards;

when attacked the outposts and grand guards fall back upon the pickets

for support.

Pillage. Plunder.

Pioneers. A small body of soldiers, provided with saws, axes, etc., and

intended to clear the way for troops on the march, to work on the in-

trenchments, etc.

Platoon. Half a company.

Pontoons. Small boats used to sustain the bridges across streams for the

passage of troops.

Portfire, A sort of match for firing guns, etc. Provost-martial. An officer whose duty it is to see punishments put in

force, secure prisoners, etc.

Pyrotephny. Every kind of artificial fireworks.

XXIV GLOSSARY.

Q.

QuAKTER. To give quarter is to spare the life of a vanquished enemy. Quartermaster. An officer whose duty it is to supply the quarters, fuel, clothing, transportation, etc., to the troops.

R.

Eally. To re-form disordered or dispersed troops into regular order. Rampart. A bank of earth raised about a place to resist the enemy's shot,

cover the buildings, etc.

Range. The distance from the gun to the place where the projectile touches

the ground.

Rank. A line of soldiers drawn up side by side. Rank and File. Non-commissioned officers and privates. Ration. The daily allowance of bread, meat, etc., to the soldiers. Rear-guard. A detachment of troops which brings up and protects the

rear of an army.

Reconnoitre. To view and examine the country in which an enemy is

operating ; to examine the approaches to an enemy's works ; ascertain his

position, strength, etc., etc.

Redoubt. A small work in fortification.

Regiment. A body of troops composed of ten or twelve companies, and

commanded by a colonel.

Reserve. A body of troops so posted as not to come into action until near

its close, or until a critical moment in the battle. Retreat. To retreat is to make a retrograde movement. Retrenchment. Any work raised to cover a point, and fortify it against an

enemy.

Ricochet. The rebounding of shot or shells after striking the ground. Rosters are lists or tables by which the details of officers, non-commissioned

officers and privates, for various duties, are regulated. Round. A general discharge of cannon or small arms. Rounds. A visiting or personal inspection of the guards and sentinels on

duty.

Rout. The confusion created in an army or body of troops when defeated