TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE

Footnote anchors are denoted by [number], and the footnotes have been placed at the end of the book.

Notes specific to a table have not been treated as footnotes, and remain at the bottom of the table with an * or † or ‡ marker.

Some wide tables have been split into two and sometimes three parts.

New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the public domain.

Some minor changes to the text are noted at the [end of the book.] These are indicated by a dashed blue underline.

THE
ARTILLERIST’S MANUAL,
AND
BRITISH SOLDIER’S COMPENDIUM.

By MAJOR F. A. GRIFFITHS,

R. F. P. ROYAL ARTILLERY.

Si quid novisti rectius istis,

Candidus imperti: si non, his utere mecum.

SEVENTH EDITION.

Published by Authority.

LONDON:

SOLD BY W. H. ALLEN AND CO., LEADENHALL STREET;
PARKER AND SON, 445, WEST STRAND;
CLOWES AND SONS, CHARING CROSS;
SIMPKIN, MARSHALL AND CO., STATIONERS’ HALL COURT;
J. BODDY AND SON, AND W. P. JACKSON, WOOLWICH;
&C. &C. &C.

1856.

Entered at Stationers’ Hall.

PRINTED BY W. CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET, AND CHARING CROSS.

PREFACE.
SEVENTH EDITION.

Similar to each of the preceding editions of “The Artillerist’s Manual, and British Soldier’s Compendium,” the present work contains much additional matter; and notice has been taken of the subjects in which improvements, or alterations have been adopted. To those Officers, and Non-commissioned Officers, who are in possession of the 6th edition of The Manual, it is advisable that I should specify the chief additions, &c., in the present edition, viz.:—

Alterations:

Percussion small arms.
Manufacture of cartridges.
Ball cartridge barrels, and boxes.
Carcasses.
Quick match.
Shells, weight, &c.
Ordnance, length, weight, &c.
Service, and management of heavy ordnance.
Wads for heavy ordnance.
Charges for the Royal Navy.

Additions:

Manual, and platoon exercise of Riflemen.
Instructions for aiming with the rifle musket.
Light infantry signals, and sounds.
Fusil exercise.
Instructions for pitching, and striking tents.
Lights, long. Lights, signal.
Parachute light ball.
Water fuze.
To extricate a shot when jammed in a gun.
To ascertain if a magazine is damp.
Detail for active service of 9-Pounder Troop of Royal Horse
Artillery.
Reserve of gun, and small arm ammunition.
Detail for active service—18-Pounder Field battery.
” ” ” 9-Pounder Ditto.
” ” ” 32-Pounder Howitzer Ditto.
Small arm ammunition reserve.
Exercise of rockets.
To estimate distances in the field.
To find the distance from an object, height known.
Instructions for the exercise, and service of great guns, and
shells, on board Her Majesty’s ships.
Instructions for landing seamen, and marines, with Field pieces.
Charges for the Royal Navy, for boats.
Proportion of charges, for a 51-screw steam frigate.
Ditto Ditto 50-gun frigate.

Also—1 New Plate.
2 ” woodcuts.
1 ” diagram.

In the publication of each edition my object has been the same—to render The Manual a Compendium of all that can be required by Officers in the Field; and if I may be allowed to judge by the gratifying manner in which the work has been received by the Officers of the United Services, my humble exertions have indeed been successful, ten thousand copies of The Manual, including the present edition, having been printed.

The extensive circulation of “The Artillerist’s Manual, and British Soldier’s Compendium,” is no doubt, however, chiefly to be attributed,—

1st. To the highly favourable notice of the Military Authorities, as evinced by the General order of the Master-General of the Ordnance, dated 25th April 1840, and by the Memorandum, dated Horse Guards, 10th December 1840.

2nd. To the considerate notice of The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a copy of the work having been ordered to be included in the libraries of all Vessels of war.

3rd. To the liberal distribution, by the Honourable Court of Directors of the East India Company, of copies of each edition to the military authorities at the several Presidencies in India.

In conclusion, I have to express my grateful feelings to His Royal Highness the General Commanding in Chief, who has been graciously pleased to promulgate the Memorandum, dated Horse Guards, 13th October 1856;[1] and my warm thanks are also due to the Officers of the various Departments at Head Quarters, for the kind manner in which they have invariably assisted me in the revision of the work, in order that each succeeding edition may keep pace with the improvements, alterations, or requirements of the United Services.

F. A. GRIFFITHS.

Putney, October 13th, 1856.

(Copy.)

Horse Guards,

Memorandum.

13th October 1856.

His Royal Highness, the General Commanding in Chief, strongly recommends to the Officers, and Non-commissioned Officers of the Army, the Revised edition of a Work, entitled “The Artillerist’s Manual, and British Soldier’s Compendium,” a work replete with the most useful Military information, and of which Major Griffiths, R.F.P., Royal Artillery, is the author.

By command of
His Royal Highness,
The General Commanding in Chief,
(Signed) G. A. Wetherall,
Adj.-General.

GENERAL INDEX TO THE SUBJECTS.


PAGE
Preface[iii]
Memorandum, dated Horse Guards, 13th October 1856[vi]
General Index to the subjects[vii]
Plates[viii]
Detailed Index to the subjects[ix]
Part. I.Infantry Exercise, Movements, &c. Sword exercise. Pitching, and striking tents[1]
II.Carbine exercise. Cavalry sword exercise[43]
III.Ordnance. Carriages, &c.[48]
IV.Ranges. Charges. Elevations. &c.[70]
V.Stores. Implements. Combustibles. &c.[83]
VI.Field battery Exercise. Detail for active service of aTroop of Horse Artillery; Field batteries, &c. Interiormanagement of a Battery. Embarking, and disembarking. Applicationof Field artillery. Encamping, and picketing. Tents. Horses. Forage.Veterinary directions. Congreve rocket exercise[100]
VII.Serving, and working heavy Ordnance[173]
VIII.Gunnery[195]
IX.Batteries. Fortification[223]
X.Bridges, and Pontoons[250]
XI.Fireworks[254]
XII.Mathematics[265]

PLATES.


PAGE
1.Brass Gun, with Names of principal parts[48]
2.Field Gun Carriage. Elevation[102]
3.” Plan[103]
4.Horse with harness[134]
5.Harness. Description[134]
6.Garrison Gun Carriage[173]
7.Loading, &c. Naval Service[212]
8.Vauban’s First system (Plan)[240]
9.Do. do. (Profile)[242]
10.Modern system of Fortification[243]
11.Field Fortification[246]
12.{ Mechanics[294]
{ Heights, and Distances
13.Surveying, and Reconnoitring[307]
14.{ Heights, and Distances[310]
{ Practical Geometry
15.Practical Geometry[324]
16.Do.[325]
17.Do.[327]

INDEX TO THE SUBJECTS,
ETC.


PART I.

INFANTRY EXERCISE, MOVEMENTS, &c.
Sword Exercise.
PITCHING, AND STRIKING, TENTS.
PAGE
Musket, Flint lock[1]
Percussion Small arms, length, weight, bore, charge, &c.[1]
Blank cartridges[3]
Manufacture of cartridges[3]
Small arm ammunition, boxes, and barrels[5]
Instructions for browning Gun barrels[5]
Percussion firelocks, Instructions relative thereto[6]
Infantry Exercise, and Movements;
Extracted from
“Field Exercise, and Evolutions of the Army.”
Paces, Length of, &c.[6]
Flint firelocks, Manual, and Platoon exercise[7]
Inspection, and Dismissal of a Company[8]
Percussion firelocks, Manual, and Platoon exercise[8]
Fusil exercise[9]
The Manual, and Platoon exercise of Riflemen[10]
Instructions for aiming with the Rifle musket[10]
Words of command, for Funeral parties[11]
COMPANY DRILL.
Sect.PAGE
1.Formation of the Company[11]
2.Marching to the front[12]
3.The Side, or closing step[12]
4.The Back step[12]
5.To form four deep[12]
6.File marching[12]
7.Wheeling from a halt[12]
8.Wheeling forward by sub-divisions[12]
9.Wheeling backward by sub-divisions[13]
10.Marching on an alignement[13]
11.Wheeling into line[13]
12.Entering into a new direction[13]
13.Counter-marching[13]
14.Wheeling on the centre[13]
15.Diagonal march[13]
16.Increasing front of open Column halted[13]
17.Increasing front of open Column on the march[13]
18.To pass a Defile, by breaking off files[14]
19.To move to a flank, in Sections[14]
20. Forming Company, &c., from file marching[14]
21.To form to either Flank, from open Column[15]
22.To gain ground to a flank, by marching in echellon[15]
23.To form the rallying square[15]
Dismissing a Company off Parade[15]
Inspecting a Company on Parade[15]
MOVEMENTS OF A BATTALION.
1.Commands[16]
2.Degrees of march[16]
3.Marching in line[16]
4.Wheeling[16]
5.Movements[16]
6.The Alignement[17]
7.Points of formation[17]
8.Dressing[17]
9.Open column[17]
10.Quarter distance, and close column[17]
11.Echellon[18]
12.Squares[19]
13.Firings[19]
Street firing[20]
Formation of the Battalion[20]
Evolutions of the Battalion[21]
Movements of the Battalion from Line[21]
14.The Battalion, halted, is to advance in Line[21]
15.When a Battalion, advancing in line, is to charge[22]
16.When the Battalion moving in Line passes a wood, &c., by the flank march of Companies[22]
17.When the Battalion advances, or retires by half battalion, and fires[22]
18.A Battalion in line, to move to attack, &c., to the front, &c.[23]
19.A Battalion in line to retire over a bridge, &c., or retreat from the flank in the rear of the centre[24]
20.A Battalion in line to march off in Column of Divisions, successively to a flank[24]
21.When the Battalion, halted in line, is to form square[25]
22.When the Battalion forms a square, &c., to protect baggage against Infantry[27]
23.A Battalion halted, in line, to change front to the rear upon the centre[27]
CHANGES OF POSITION OF THE BATTALION FROM LINE, BY MOVEMENTS OF THE OPEN COLUMN.
On a fixed point.
24.The Battalion to change position to the front on the right halted Company, by throwing forward the whole left[28]
On a distant point.
25. The Battalion in line changes position by breaking into open column, marching up in column to the point where its head is to remain, and entering the line by the flank march of Companies[28]
26.The Battalion in line changes position by breaking into open column, marching to a point where its head is to rest, and to which its rear divisions form by passing each other, and wheeling up[29]
OPEN COLUMN MOVEMENTS.
27.When the leading flank of the column is changed by the successive march of divisions from the rear to the front[29]
28.To change the wings of a column formed where the space does not admit of the flank movement[29]
29.When the column is required to form a square[29]
QUARTER DISTANCE, AND CLOSE COLUMN.
30.When a Battalion forms a close, or quarter distance column from line[30]
31.When the column marches to a flank[31]
32.When the column at quarter distance, moving, takes ground to right, or left, by the echellon march of sections[31]
33.When a column, halted, is to wheel[31]
34.When a column is to change its front by the wheel, and countermarch of sub-divisions round the centre[32]
35.When a column is to open out to full, or half distance[32]
DEPLOYMENTS.
36.When the Battalion, in column of Companies, deploys into line[33]
ECHELLON FORMATIONS, AND MOVEMENTS.
37.When a Battalion, from line, wheels forward by Companies into echellon[34]
38.When the Battalion, having wheeled from line into echellon, has marched, and halted, and is to form back parallel to the line it quitted[34]
39.When the Battalion, having wheeled from line into echellon, has marched, and halted, and is to form up oblique to the line it quitted[34]
40.When the Battalion formed in line, changes front, on a fixed flank Company by throwing forward the rest of the Battalion[35]
41.When the Battalion changes front on a fixed flank Company by throwing back the rest of the Battalion[35]
42.When the Battalion changes front on a central Company, by advancing one wing, and retiring the other[35]
43. When, from Open column, the Companies wheel backward into echellon, to form line on the front Company[36]
44.When from line the Companies of a battalion march off in echellon to the front, and again form line[37]
45.When a Battalion in echellon of Companies is required to form square[37]
46.When a Battalion marching in line is to take ground to a flank by the echellon movement[37]
Light infantry. Signals, and sounds[38]
Infantry sword exercise[38]
Extension motions, and positions[38]
Preparatory instruction with the sword[39]
Review, or inspection exercise[40]
Attack, and defence[40]
Stick drill[40]
Instructions for pitching, and striking tents[41]

PART II.

CARBINE EXERCISE; SWORD EXERCISE, CAVALRY.
Royal Artillery. Carbine Exercise[43]
Inspection, and dismissal of a Company[43]
To fire a Feu-de-joie[44]
Funeral exercise[44]
Sword. Royal Artillery[44]
Cavalry, sword exercise[45]
Formation for Sword exercise, on foot[46]
Formation for Sword exercise, mounted[46]
Officers’ salute[46]

PART III.

ORDNANCE, CARRIAGES, etc.
Names of parts. The Dispart. Point blank range[48]
The Tangent scale. The sights. The Line of metal[49]
The Centre of metal. Windage[49]
The Vent. Bouching. Tertiating. Quadrating. Honey comb. Length. Calibre. Gun metal[50]
Brass, and Iron guns[50]
Service charges of powder. Point blank range of guns[51]
Description of Howitzers, and Carronades[51]
Description of Mortars, charges, ranges, &c.[52]
Value of Brass, and Iron Ordnance[52]
Proof of iron Guns, brass Guns[53]
” Mortars, Howitzers, Carronades[54]
Water proof of Ordnance[54]
Marks on condemned Ordnance, and Shells[54]
Instructions for the care, and preservation of iron Ordnance[55]
Ingredients for coating, and lacquering iron Ordnance[56]
Instructions for lacquering Shot, and Shells[56]
To render Ordnance unserviceable, by Spiking, &c.[57]
Unspiking Ordnance[58]
Length, Weight, Calibre, and Charge of Ordnance generally used in the service[59, 60]
CARRIAGES.
Garrison, Ship, Field gun carriages. Sleighs, equipment, &c.[61]
Depression carriages[62]
Weight of Field carriages, Limbers, &c.[63 to 67]
Weight, and diameter of Wheels[67]
Weight of Carriages for iron Guns, Howitzers, Carronades[68]
Weight of Traversing platforms[68]
Weight, and dimensions of Trucks[69]
Weight, and dimensions of Mortar beds[69]

PART IV.

RANGES, CHARGES, ELEVATIONS, &c.
BRASS ORDNANCE.
Medium 12 Pr.Light 12 Pr.}
9 Pr.Long 6 Pr.Light 6 Pr.}
Heavy 3 Pr.}[70]
24 Pr. Howitzer.12 Pr. Howitzer}
5½-inch heavy Howitzer}
8-inch Howitzer32 Pr. Howitzer[71]
Shrapnell shells[72]
Ricochet practice with brass Ordnance[73]
CHARGES FOR THE ROYAL NAVY.
For boats[73]
High, medium, low[74]
RANGE, ELEVATION, &c.
IRON ORDNANCE.
Guns42, 32, 24, 18, 12, 9, 6 Prs.}[75]
Carronades68, 42, 32, 24, 18, 12 Prs.}
Shrapnell shells68 Pr. Carronade, 8-inch Howitzer, 24 Pr. Gun, 18 Pr. Gun[76]
Guns12, 10, 8-inch}[77]
Carronade gun32 Pr. Howitzers. 8 and 10-inch}
Guns56, 68 Pr.[78]
Gun8-inch[79]
Ricochet, firing[79]
” practice[80]
MORTARS.
Practical rules for charge, range, &c.[80]
Practice, 13, 10, 8, 5½, 4⅖-inch mortars[81]
Greatest charges, and ranges[82]

PART V.

STORES, IMPLEMENTS, COMBUSTIBLES, &c.
Balls, light, smoke. Carcasses[83]
Cartridges for guns, howitzers, carronades[85]
Fuzes, old pattern, Boxer’s, metal[86]
Grease. Grenades, hand[87]
Gun cotton[88]
Gunpowder, manufacture, proof, marks[89]
” Magazines. Barrels. Boxes[90]
Handbarrows. Handspikes. Levers. Lights, blue[91]
Lights, long, signal. Match, quick, slow[92]
Parachute light ball, Boxer’s. Pendulums[93]
Portfires, common, percussion, miners’, slow, coast guard[94]
Quoins. Rockets, signal[95]
Shells, common, naval, Shrapnell diaphragm[96]
Shot, case, or canister, grape[96]
Stool beds. Tubes, common, detonating, friction[98]
Wadmiltilt. Wooden bottoms[99]

PART VI.

FIELD BATTERY EXERCISE. DETAIL FOR ACTIVE SERVICE OF 9 Pr. TROOP OF HORSE ARTILLERY, 9 Pr. FIELD BATTERY, 18 Pr. FIELD BATTERY, 32 Pr. HOWITZER FIELD BATTERY, GUN AND SMALL ARM AMMUNITION RESERVE. INTERIOR MANAGEMENT OF A BATTERY. EMBARKING, AND DISEMBARKING. APPLICATION OF FIELD ARTILLERY. ENCAMPING, AND PICKETING. TENTS. HORSES. FORAGE. VETERINARY DIRECTIONS. CONGREVE ROCKET EXERCISE.
Telling off the Detachment. Posts of the Detachment [100]
Change of position. Detail of duties. Changing round [101]
Exercise with reduced numbers. Distances required [102]
Names of parts of a Field gun carriage [102]
Limbering up. Unlimbering. Moving with the Prolonge [103]
Exercise with Drag-ropes [103]
Formation of a Battery. Posts, and duties of Officers, &c. [104]

MANŒUVRES OF A BATTERY OF SIX PIECES OF ORDNANCE.
1.To advance. 2. To retire. 3. To come into action. 4. To diminish, or increase intervals on the march[106]
5.To take ground to a flank. 6. To make a half turn on the march. 7. To form column of divisions in rear of a flank. 8. To form column of divisions in front of a flank[107]
9.To form column of divisions on the centre division[107]
10.To change front to the rear[107]
11.To change front to a flank[108]
12.To advance from a flank, in column[109]
13.To advance from the centre in double column of sub-divisions.
14.To move from a flank along the front in a column of divisions.
15.To advance from a flank in echellon of sub-divisions.
16.To advance from a flank in echellon of divisions[110]
17.To retire from a flank in column. 18. To retire from the centre, in a double column of sub-divisions. 19. To retire from a flank by alternate half batteries in action[111]
20.To break into column to a flank[111]
21.To increase, and diminish the front[112]
22.To bring the rear to the front, in succession on the march.
23.To form line on the leading division[113]
24.To form line on the rear division. 25. To form line on the centre division[114]
26.To form line to the rear on the leading division[114]
27.To form line to the rear of the rear division. 28. To form line to the rear, on the centre division. 29. To form line to the reverse flank on the leading division[115]
30.To wheel into line[115]
31.To deploy on the rear division. 32. To deploy on the centre division. 33. To countermarch[116]
34.From double column of sub-divisions, to form line to the front. 35. From double column of sub-divisions to form line to a flank[117]
Inspection, and Review[117]
EQUIPMENT OF A BATTERY.
Packing the entrenching tools, camp equipage, &c.[119]
18 Pr. Gun[120]
12 Pr. medium, Gun[121, 122]
9 Pr. Gun[123, 124]
Light 6 Pr. Gun[125, 126]
8-inch Howitzer[127]
32 Pr. Howitzer[128, 129]
24 Pr. Howitzer[130, 131]
12 Pr. Howitzer[132, 133]
Weight of Riders, Harness, Ordnance, Carriages, &c., of a Field battery equipped[134]
9 Pr. Troop of Horse Artillery. Detail for active service[135]
Reserve of Gun, and Small arm ammunition. Horse Artillery[136]
9 Pr. Field battery. Detail for active service[137 to 140]
18 Pr. Field battery. Detail for active service[141]
32 Pr. Howitzer Field battery. Detail for active service[142]
Reserve of Gun, and Small arm ammunition. Detail[143]
Gun ammunition reserve. Detail for Reserve Artillery[144]
Small arm ammunition, reserve. Detail for Reserve Artillery[145]
On the interior management of a battery[146]
Embarking, and disembarking[149]
Embarking guns, and carriages[149]
Embarking the horses[150]
APPLICATION OF FIELD ARTILLERY.
General remarks. Ammunition waggons[151]
On the march. Advanced guard[152]
Crossing fords. Passage of bridges[153]
Crossing a bridge, passing a defile, &c.[154]
Artillery, acting with other troops[155]
ENCAMPING, AND PICKETING.
First method[155]
Second method. To strike the encampment[157]
Weight, dimensions, &c. of tents[158]
Horses. Power in draught, &c.[158]
Management of draught horses. Horse-shoes[160]
Forage. Method of carrying, &c.[161]
VETERINARY DIRECTIONS.
Cathartic mass[162]
Febrifuge mass[163]
Sedative mass[164]
Diuretic mass[164]
Alterative mass[164]
Tonic mass[165]
Anti-spasmodic draught[165]
Vermifuge powder[166]
Anti-purgation powder[166]
Discutient powder[166]
Astringent powder[167]
Ophthalmic powder[167]
Blistering liquid[168]
Turpentine liniment[168]
Turpentine ointment[168]
Black oil[168]
Hoof ointment[169]
CONGREVE ROCKETS.
On firing rockets[169]
Exercise of rockets[171]

PART VII.

REPOSITORY COURSE.—SERVING, AND WORKING HEAVY ORDNANCE.[2]
Part 1.Art. 1. Telling off the detachments[173]
Art. 3. To shift a gun from the firing to the travelling holes, or vice versâ[176]
Art. 4. Exercise of guns on siege carriages[176]
Art. 5. Exercise of guns on dwarf, and casemate traversing platforms[177]
Art. 6. ” ” on common traversing platforms[177]
Art. 7. Disposition, and duties, Firing hot shot[177]
Art. 8. Exercise of carronades[179]
Art. 9. ” of guns, and carronades, on ship carriages[179]
Art. 10. ” of ” on depressing carriages[180]
Art. 11. ” of 10 and 8 inch howitzers[180]
Art. 12. ” of mortars[180]
Art. 13. Firing by night[182]
Art. 14. Firing at moving objects[183]
Part 2.Art. 1. Lever, and handspike[183]
Art. 2. Fulcrums, and props[184]
Art. 3. Lifting jack[185]
Art. 4. Rollers[185]
Art. 5. Crab capstan[186]
Art. 12. Sling cart[187]
Art. 13. Sling waggon[189]
Art. 15. Triangle gyns[190]
Art. 16. Gibraltar gyn[193]

PART VIII.

GUNNERY.
Practical rules[195]
Results from experiments on the velocities of Shot, &c.[196]
Theory, and practice of Gunnery[198]
Double shotting. The effects of Wads[198]
Penetration of Shot[199]
Eccentric spherical Shot[201]
Resistance of Iron plates, Oak plank, &c., against musketry, canister, grape-shot, hollow, and solid shot[203]
Naval Gunnery[205]
To estimate the distance between Vessels[206]
Table A.—Heights of the different parts of Ships of war[207]
Table B.—Angles subtended by the masts of Ships of war[208]
Table C.—Tangent practice with 8-inch Gun: 32-Pr. Gun[209]
Table D. ” with long 24-Pr., and long 18-Pr. Guns[210]
Table E. ” with short 24-Pr., and short 18-Pr. Guns[211]
Instructions for the exercise, and service of great guns, and shells on board Her Majesty’s ships[212]
Arrangement for fighting both sides[214]
Exercise for the 10-inch, or other revolving gun[216]
Mortar exercise[217]
Instructions for landing seamen, and marines with field pieces[218]
Proportion of charges, spare powder, &c., for a 51-gun screw steam frigate, and 50-gun frigate[220]
On naval bombardments[221]

PART IX.

BATTERIES.—PERMANENT, AND FIELD FORTIFICATION.
Description of Batteries, Embrazures, &c.[223]
Dimensions of parapet requisite to be proof[224]
Dimensions of an elevated Gun battery[224]
Directions for tracing a battery[224]
Shelter from an enemy’s fire[225]
Epaulments. Elevated sand-bag batteries[226]
Half-sunken batteries. Sunken gun batteries[227]
Ricochet batteries[227]
Fascines[228]
Gabions[229]
Sod, or turf. Platforms[230]
Alderson’s platform[231]
Dimensions, and weight of platforms for guns, &c.[232]
Carrying, and laying down, Gun, Howitzer, Mortar, and Madras platforms[233]
Breach. To burst open gates of fortresses, &c.[233]
Fortification, description of[234]
Command. Rampart. Interior slope. Terreplein. Parapet. Banquette. Revetment. Berm[234]
Tablette. Cordon. Escarp[235]
Counterscarp. Faces. Flank. Bastions. Curtain. Front of fortification. Ditch. Covered way. Glacis. Places of arms. Sally-ports. Traverses[235]
Citadel[236]
Esplanade. Body of the place. Outworks. Tenaille. Ravelin Horn work. Crown-work. Lunettes. Tenaillons. Flèche. Caponiere. Cunette. Batardeau. Ramp. Cavalier[236]
Parallels. Zig-zags, or roads of communication. Redan. Redoubt. Star Fort. Têtes de pont. Lines. Epaulment. Loop holes. Palisades. Fraises. Chevaux de frise. Abattis. Hurdles. Trous de loup[237]
Permanent Fortification[238]
Remarks, and general rules[238]
Vauban’s first system.—Construction[240]
Profile, or section of Vauban’s first system[242]
Modern system, names of parts[243]
Field Fortification[244]
Remarks, and general rules[244]
Capacity of field works[245]
To find the quantity of earth for parapets, and banquettes[245]
To find, rapidly, ditto, ditto[245]
To compute the content of the ditch[245]
To find the breadth of the ditch[245]
Construction of field works[246]
The redan. The lunette. The square redoubt. The pentagonal redoubt. The hexagonal redoubt. The circular redoubt. The star fort. The field fort with bastions, and half bastions[246]
The bridge head, or tête du pont[247]
Lines. Bridges. Passages. Traverses[247]
Table—Dimensions of parapets, ditches, &c., of field works[248]
Simple methods of tracing field works on the ground. Square redoubt. Pentagonal redoubt. Hexagonal redoubt. Octagonal redoubt. Front of fortification[249]

PART X.

BRIDGES, AND PONTOONS.—SCALING LADDERS.
Bridges.—To find number of planks to form a float[250]
To find number of casks to form a raft[250]
To find the number of Boats, or Pontoons required to support a given weight[250]
Pontoons.—Large pontoons[251]
Small pontoons[252]
Scaling Ladders[253]

PART XI.

FIREWORKS.
Candles, Roman, Blue. Crackers[254]
Earthquake, artificial. Fires of various colours. Wildfire. Gerbes[255]
Iron filings. Iron sand[256]
Leaders. Marroons. Mealing gunpowder. Paste for representing animals[257]
Portfires for illuminations. Rain, gold, or silver. Rockets, line[258]
Rockets, signal[259]
Saltpetre pulverized[260]
Serpents, or squibs. Shells. Showers of fire[261]
Speckie. Spur fire. Suns, or wheels[262]
Touch paper. Wheels, pin, or Catherine[264]

PART XII.

MATHEMATICS.
Characters, Marks, or Signs[265]
Reduction[265]
Rule of Three, or Simple Proportion[266]
Fractions[267]
Reduction[268]
Addition. Subtraction. Multiplication. Division[269]
Rule of Three[270]
Decimals.—Addition[270]
Subtraction. Multiplication. Division[271]
Reduction[272]
Rule of Three[273]
Duodecimals[273]
Tables of Weights, and Measures; English, and French[274]
Involution, or Raising of powers[277]
Evolution, or Extracting roots[277]
Table of Squares, Cubes, and Roots[280]
Piling of Shot, and Shells[281]
To find the number of balls in a complete pile[281]
number of balls in any pile, base not exceeding 21[282]
in an incomplete pile[283]
Table for computing the content of piles[284]
Cordage.—To find weight, and strength of a rope [285]
Chains.—To find the weight of chains [285]
To find the weight that may be lifted by a chain [286]
Iron Rods.—To find the weight of round, and square iron rods [286]
To find the weight that may be sustained, or lifted, by round iron rods [286]
Timber.—To find the area of a plank [287]
content of timber [287]
weight of a tree [287]
Tonnage.—Table of tonnage, and weight of carriages [288]
To ascertain the tonnage of Sailing vessels [289]
of Steam vessels [289]
Mechanics.—Mechanical powers [290]
The Lever [291]
The Wheel, and Axle [292]
The Pulley. Tackles [293]
Combination of pulleys [294]
The inclined plane [295]
The Wedge. The Screw [296]
Compound machines [297]
Friction. Unguents [298]
Transverse strength of materials [299]
Adhesion of Nails, and Screws [300]
Trigonometry.—Definitions [301]
Methods of resolving Triangles [301]
Useful theorems, and corollaries [302]
Trigonometry without logarithms [303]
Trigonometric ratios. Natural sines, and cosines [304]
Application of trigonometry without logarithms [305]
Table,—showing the reduction in feet, &c., upon 100 feet, at angles of elevation, and depression [306]
Table, showing the rate of inclination of inclined planes, for angles of elevation [307]
Surveying, and Reconnoitring.—Heights, and Distances [307]
Methods of ascertaining Heights [307]
1. By means of a pocket sextant [307]
2. ” a portable barometer, and thermometer [308]
3. ” the Reconnoitring protractor [308]
4. By the shadow of the object [310]
5. Where there is no shadow [310]
6. By the tangent scale of a gun [310]
7. By means of two pickets [310]
Methods of ascertaining Distances [311]
1. By means of the sextant [311]
2. ” a pocket sextant [311]
3. ” the prismatic compass [312]
4. ” the Reconnoitring protractor [312]
5. 6, 7, & 8. Pickets [312–4]
9. ” the tangent scale of a gun [314]
10. ” the peak of a cap [314]
11. ” the report of fire-arms [314]
To traverse Roads—
By means of the Reconnoitring protractor, or other instrument
[315]
Sound.—Velocity of, &c. [315]
To ascertain the distance, by the report of fire-arms [316]
Gravity [316]
Specific gravities of bodies [317]
To find the magnitude, weight, or specific gravity of a body, or a fluid [318]
Quantities of two ingredients in a compound [319]
Diameter of a sphere, or globule [319]
Table showing the weight of a cubic foot of materials [319]
Motion, Forces, etc. Body [319]
Density. Velocity. Momentum. Force. Gravity [320]
Momentum. Amplitude. Time of flight. Time of descent [321]
Practical Geometry. Definitions [322]
To divide a line into two equal parts. To bisect an angle [324]
To erect a perpendicular. To let fall a perpendicular [324]
To draw a line parallel to a given line [324]
To divide an angle [324]
To find the centre of a circle [325]
To describe an equilateral triangle, a square [325]
To inscribe a square in a circle [325]
” an octagon in a circle [325]
On a line to describe all the polygons [325]
To inscribe in a circle an equilateral triangle [325]
” a hexagon, or a dodecagon [326]
To inscribe a pentagon, hexagon, or decagon, in a circle [326]
To find the angles at the centre, and circumference of a polygon [326]
To inscribe a polygon in a circle [326]
To circumscribe a circle about a triangle, or a square [327]
” a square about a circle [327]
To reduce a Map, or Plan [327]
Mensuration of Planes [327]
To find the area of a parallelogram [327]
” of a triangle [328]
” of a trapezium, or of a trapezoid [329]
” of an irregular figure [329]
” of a figure, having a part bounded by a curve [329]
To measure long irregular figures [330]
To find the number of square acres, &c. in preceding figures [330]
” the area of a regular polygon [330]
” diameter, and circumference of a circle [331]
” the area of a circle [331]
” the area of a circular ring [332]
” the length of any arc [332]
” the area of a sector [332]
” of a segment, of a semicircle [333]
” of an ellipsis, of a parabola, &c. [333]
Mensuration of Solids.—Definitions [334]
To find the superficies of a prism, or cylinder [334]
” surface of a pyramid, or cone [335]
” surface of the frustrum of a pyramid, or cone [335]
” solid content of a prism, or cylinder [335]
” content of the solid part of a hollow cylinder [336]
” solidity of the frustrum of a cylinder [336]
” content of a pyramid, or cone [336]
” solidity of the frustrum of a cone, or pyramid [336]
” surface of a sphere, or any segment [337]
” solidity of a sphere, or globe [337]
” ” hemisphere [337]
” solid content of a spherical segment [337]
” diameter of a sphere [338]
” weight of an iron shot [338]
” weight of a leaden ball [338]
” diameter of an iron shot [338]
” diameter of a leaden ball [339]
” weight of an iron shell [339]
” quantity of powder a shell will contain [339]
” size of a cubical box to contain powder [340]
” quantity of powder to fill the chamber of a mortar,
or howitzer
[340]
” quantity of powder to fill a rectangular box [340]
” quantity of powder to fill a cylinder [340]
” size of a shell to contain a given weight of powder [341]
” length of a cylinder, or bore of a gun to be filled by a
given weight of powder
[341]
To find the content, and weight of a piece of ordnance [341]
” content of a cask [341]
Epitome of Mensuration [342]
Of the Circle; Cylinder; Sphere, &c. [342]
Of the Square; Rectangle; Cube, &c. [343]
Table of the Surfaces, and Solidities of bodies [344]
Of Triangles; Polygons, &c. [344]
Table of the Areas of regular Polygons [345]
Of Ellipses; Cones; Frustrums, &c. [345]

PUBLICATIONS,
REFERRED TO, OR EXTRACTED FROM.

The Infantry Manual.
Field Exercise, and Evolutions of the Army.
Instruction of Musketry.
Bombardier, and Pocket Gunner{ Captain Adye.
{ Major Elliott.
British GunnerCaptain Spearman.
ArtilleryMr. J. Landmann.
{ Lieut.-General Sir H. Douglas, Bart.
Naval Gunnery{ Captain Stephens.
{ Lieut. Beauchant.
Instructions for the Exercise, and Service of Great guns, and Shells, on board Her Majesty’s ships.
Field battery Exercise, and Movements.
The Horse, with a treatise on draught.
Directions for the guidance of the Farriers of the Royal Artillery} Mr. C. Percivall.
Instructions, and Regulations for the Service, and Management of Heavy Ordnance, &c.
Fortification { Lieut.-General Pasley.
{ Mr. J. Landmann.
{ Mr. Lochée.
Field fortification{ Captain Malorti.
{ Captain Macaulay.
Military SurveyingLt.-Col. Basil Jackson.
Treatises on Attack, and DefenceLt.-Colonel Jebb.
Artificial fireworksMr. G. Mortimer.
{ Dr. Hutton.
Mathematics{ Dr. O. Gregory.
{ Mr. Trotter.
Practical GeometryMr. J. Landmann.
Natural PhilosophyDr. Fergusson.
The practical Mechanic’s guide.
The practical Engineer’s guide.
The Engineer’s, and Contractor’s pocket-book
TablesMr. Beardmore.
&c. &c. &c.

THE

ARTILLERIST’S MANUAL,

AND

BRITISH SOLDIER’S COMPENDIUM.


PART I.
INFANTRY EXERCISE, MOVEMENTS, &c.


MUSKET—FLINT LOCK.

lb.lb.
Weight of Musket10 }11
Do. of Bayonet 1 }
Charge, Ball cartridge 6 drams.
Blank cartridge 5 drams.

PERCUSSION SMALL ARMS.

1. Percussion Musket, Smooth-bore: 1842 Pattern.
Barrel{Length3 ft. 3 in.
{Diameter of bore·753 inch.
Musket {Length4 ft. 7 in.
{Weight10 lb. 2 oz.
Bayonet{Length beyond muzzle1 ft. 5½ in.
{Weight1 lb. 1 oz.
Arm complete {Length6 ft. ½ in.
with bayonet {Weight11 lb. 3 oz.
Bullet (Spherical) ·689 inch diameter, weight 490 grains.
Charge, 4½ drams F. G.
Sixty rounds with 75 Caps = 6 lb. 10 oz.
2. Artillery Carbine: 1853 Pattern.
Barrel{Length2 feet.
{Diameter of bore·577 in.
Carbine {Length3 ft. 4½ in.
{Weight6 lb. 7½ oz.
Sword Bayonet{Length1 ft. 10¾ in.
beyond muzzle{Weight1 lb. 12 oz.
Arm Complete {Length5 ft. 3 in.
with bayonet {Weight8 lb. 3½ oz.
The Rifling is 3 grooves and one turn, 6 ft. 6 in.[2]
Bullet{Weight530 gr.
{Diameter·568 in.
Charge of Powder, 2 drams F. G.
Weight of 20 Rounds, with 25 Caps = 1 lb. 11 oz. 2 drams.
3. Regulation Rifle—Musket: 1851 Pattern.
Barrel{Length3 ft. 3 in.
{Bore·702 in.
Rifling, 4 Grooves, one turn in 6 ft. 6 in.
Musket{Length4 ft. 7 in.
{Weight9 lb. 9¼ oz.
Bayonet {Length beyond muzzle1 ft. 5½ in.
{Weight15½ oz.
Arm complete{Length6 ft. 0½ in.
with bayonet{Weight10 lb. 8¾ oz.
Bullet (Minie) {Weight696 gr.
{Diameter·691 in.
Sixty rounds and 75 Caps = 7 lb. 0 oz. 8 drs.
Charge, 2½ drs. F. G.
4. Enfield Rifle—Musket: 1853 Pattern.
Barrel{Length3 ft. 3 in.
{Bore·577 in.
Three grooves, one turn in 6 ft. 6 in.
Musket{Length4 ft. 7 in.
{Weight8 lb. 8 oz.
Bayonet {Length beyond muzzle1 ft. 5½ in.
{Weight11 oz.
Complete with{Length6 ft. 0½ in.
Bayonet{Weight9 lb. 3 oz.
Bullet {Weight530 gr.
{Diameter·567 in.
Charge, 2½ drams F. G.
Sixty rounds and 75 Caps = 5 lb. 8 oz. 4 drams.
5. Victoria Carbine: (For Cavalry.)
Barrel{Length2 ft. 2 in.
{Bore·733 in.
Bullet (Spherical) {Weight490 gr.
{Diameter·689 in.
Charge, 2½ drams F. G.
Arm complete{Length3 ft. 6 in.
{Weight7 lb. 9 oz.
6. Naval Rifle.
1842 Pattern. Percussion musket, Rifled with 3 or 4 grooves.
Bullet (Minie),{Weight848 gr.
with iron cup{Diameter·746 in.
Charge, 3 drams F. G.
7. Pistol: Army pattern.
Barrel{Length9 inches
{Weight1 lb. 6 oz.
{Diameter of bore·733 in.
Arm complete {Weight3 lb. 4 oz.
{Length1 ft. 3½ in.
Charge of Powder for Ball cartridges, 2½ drams.
Ball, Lead, the same as for the Line-pattern Musket.

BLANK CARTRIDGES.

The charge of powder for Blank cartridges, for all the above-mentioned Small arms, is the same; viz., 3½ drams.

The cartridges are made with blue paper.

MANUFACTURE OF CARTRIDGES.

The following articles are required for the manufacture of Cartridges:

Five tin measures, containing two and a half drams.

Five tin funnels. A large knife.

An iron straight edge for cutting the paper.

Five cylindrical mandrels of hard wood, to roll the cartridge.

A former, to make the hollow in the inner case, to receive the point of the bullet.

A set of tin patterns for shaping the paper.

Cartridge paper and fine white paper.

Bullets and gunpowder.

To construct the Cartridge.—Cut the paper according to the patterns, place the rectangle ([fig. 9]) on the little trapezium ([fig. 10]), the sides A B C of the rectangle coinciding with the sides A B C of the trapezium, lay the mandrel on the rectangle, parallel to the side B C, the base of the mandrel even with the side C D of the rectangle; roll the whole tightly on the mandrel; place it vertically, and fold the remainder of the trapezium paper into the hollow in the base of the mandrel; commencing with the acute angle of the trapezium, make use of the point of the former to close the folds; examine the bottom of the inner case thus formed, to see that there remains no hole for the escape of the powder when charged; introduce the point of the bullet into the aperture at the base of the mandrel; take the trapezium envelope ([fig. 11]), place the mandrel and bullet parallel to the side F G, the base of the bullet at half an inch from the base F H, of the envelope; press up the point of the bullet into the cavity; roll the envelope tightly on the bullet and on the mandrel; fold the remainder of the envelope on the base of the bullet, commencing with the acute angle; place the base of the cartridge on the table; withdraw the mandrel, squeezing the case of the cartridge with the left hand, and raising up the mandrel with the right hand.

To charge the cartridge, introduce the point of the copper funnel into the bottom of the case of the cartridge; pour in 2½ drams of fine grain powder from the powder-flask; withdraw the funnel, taking care that none of the powder escapes between the case and the envelope; squeeze the top of the cartridge, and twist it round.

Fig. 9. Fig. 10.

1½ inch. 4 inches. Rectangle.

2⅛ inches. 4 inches. 5 inches. Little Trapezium.

Fig. 11.

5½ inches. 4½ inches. 3¼ inches. Trapezium Envelope.

When completed, the base of the cartridge must be dipped up to the shoulder of the bullet in a pot of grease, consisting of six parts tallow to one of bees-wax.

SMALL ARM AMMUNITION.

Dimensions of Boxes.

Length, 1 ft. 4 in. Depth, 8⅝ in. Breadth, 7¼ in.
including the cleat.

Weight of Boxes.

Empty, 7 lb. 6 oz.

Contents and Weight of Barrels and Boxes.

Barrel.Box.
No. of Cart-ridges.No. of Caps.Weight filled.No. of Cart-ridges.No. of Caps.Weight filled.
lb. oz.lb. oz.
Rifle Musket, Pattern 1842500625790......
Rifle Musket, ” 1851700875664500625654
Rifle Musket, ” 1853700875738560700606
Artillery Carbine8001000818660825630
Victoria Carbine700875690600750608

INSTRUCTIONS FOR BROWNING GUN BARRELS.

The following ingredients, viz.:—

1½ oz. of Spirits of wine,
1½ oz. Tincture of steel,
½ oz. of Corrosive sublimate,
1½ oz. of Sweet spirit of Nitre,
1 oz. of Blue vitriol,
¾ oz. of Nitric acid.

are to be mixed and dissolved in one quart of soft water.

Previous to commencing the operation of browning, it is necessary that the barrel should be made quite bright with emery or a fine smooth file (but not burnished), after which it must be carefully cleaned from all greasiness; a small quantity of pounded lime rubbed well over every part of the barrel is best for this purpose: a plug of wood is then to be put into the nose of the barrel, and the mixture applied to every part with a clean sponge or rag. The barrel is then to be exposed to the air for twenty-four hours; after which it is to be well rubbed over with a Steel scratch-card or Scratch-brush, until the rust is entirely removed; the mixture may then be applied again, as before, and in a few hours the barrel will be sufficiently corroded for the operation of scratch-brushing to be repeated. The same process of scratching off the rust and applying the mixture is to be repeated twice or three times a day for four or five days, by which the barrel will be made of a very dark-brown colour.

When the barrel is sufficiently brown, and the rust has been carefully removed from every part, about a quart of boiling water should be poured over every part of the barrel, in order that the action of the acid mixture upon the barrel may be destroyed, and the rust thereby prevented from rising again. The barrel, when cold, should afterwards be rubbed over with linseed oil, or common oil. It is particularly directed that the use of the hard hair-brush be discontinued in browning, and the steel scratch-card or scratch-brush used in place of it, otherwise the browning will not be durable, nor have a good appearance. The browning mixture must be kept in glass bottles, as it will soon lose its virtue if kept in earthenware.

The locks are on no account to be made of the hardening colour, as the repetition of the operation of hardening has a very injurious tendency.

PERCUSSION FIRELOCKS.

Muskets with Percussion locks require to be carefully handled, to prevent the cocks being made loose, by which their direct fall on the nipples would be rendered uncertain.

They will, at all times, when unloaded, be used with the cocks down upon the nipples; but, when they are loaded, the caps, or primers, will be put on, and the muskets carried at half-cock for safety, there being then less risk of accidental explosion than with the cocks resting on the caps.

When marching with the cap on, the cock will be brought up under the arm-pit, the sling resting on the arm; but at other times the firelock may be carried with the barrel downwards, the right hand grasping the piece between the loop and swell; and the left the right arm just below the elbow.

INFANTRY EXERCISE, AND MOVEMENTS,

Extracted from

“FIELD EXERCISES AND EVOLUTIONS OF THE ARMY,”

the Parts and Sections being numbered according thereto.[3]

PACES.

Slow time, each step, 30 inches, and 75 paces in a minute.

Quick time, each step, 30 inches, and 108 paces in a minute.

Double time, each step, 36 inches, and 150 paces in a minute.

Back step, each 30 inches. Side or Closing step, 10 inches.

To calculate the number of Paces (each 30 inches) required for a given number of Files.

As a soldier occupies 21 inches, take two-thirds of the number of Files in the division, and add an inch for each File.

Table of the number of Paces corresponding to a given number of Files.

Number of Files in a Division, each occupying 21 inches.515161820304050
Front of Divisions in Paces of 30 inches.P. I.P. I.P. I.P. I.P.P.P.P.
3 1510 1511 612 1814212835

FLINT FIRELOCKS.

MANUAL EXERCISE.

1. Secure arms.
2. Shoulder arms.
3. Order arms.
4. Fix bayonets.
5. Shoulder arms.
6. Present arms.
7. Shoulder arms.
8. Port arms.
9. Charge bayonets.
10. Shoulder arms.
11. Advance arms.
12. Order arms.
13. Advance arms.
14. Shoulder arms.
15. Support arms.
16. Stand at ease.
17. Attention.
18. Carry arms.
19. Slope arms.
20. Stand at ease.
21. Attention.
22. Carry arms.
23. Order arms.
24. Unfix bayonets.
25. Stand at ease.

PLATOON EXERCISE.

As front rank standing.
or, As rear rank standing.
As front rank kneeling.
As rear rank kneeling.
1. Prime, and Load.
2. Handle cartridge.
3. Prime.
4. ’Bout.
5. Draw ramrods.
6. Ram down cartridge.
7. Return ramrods.
8. As front rank, Ready.
9. Present.
10. Load.
11. Shoulder arms.
As rear rank, Ready, &c.

AS A COMPANY.

Prime and Load.
Company Ready.
Present.
At the word “Cease firing,”
the Company, if made ready, receives
the words
,
Half-cock arms.
Shoulder arms.
Or the word will be given to
“Fire a volley; and half-cock,”
(at priming position,)
Shoulder arms.
Shut pans.

INSPECTION OF A COMPANY.

1. Attention.
2. Fix bayonets.
3. Shoulder arms.
4. Rear rank take open order—March.
5. Open pans.
6. Slope arms.
7. Carry arms.
8. Shut pans.
9. Order arms.
10. Examine arms.
11. Return ramrods.
12. Unfix bayonets.
13. Rear rank take close order—March.
14. Stand at ease.

DISMISSAL OF A COMPANY.

Attention.
Shoulder arms.
Recover arms.
Ease springs.
Right face.
Lodge arms.

PERCUSSION FIRELOCKS.

MANUAL EXERCISE.

Words of Command similar to those for Muskets with Flint locks.

THE PLATOON EXERCISE, AND DIFFERENT FIRINGS FOR THE ORDINARY OR RIFLE MUSKET.

To load from the shoulder, standingPrepare to load.
from the Advance, standingPrepare to load.
from the Order, standingPrepare to load.
Load.
Rod.
Home.
Return.
Cap.
As Front, or Rear rank—Yards, Ready,
Present.
Load, &c., as above.
To shoulder, when at the Capping positionShoulder arms.
To advance arms, from the Capping positionAdvance arms.
To make ready from the shoulder—Yards—Ready.
from the Advance—Yards—Ready.
To fire kneelingAs front rank kneeling.
—Yards—Ready.
Present.
Load, &c., as above.
Cap.
Shoulder arms.
Advance arms.
To load from the shoulder, As front rank, kneeling.
as Front Rank, kneelingPrepare to load.
To load from the Advance,As front rank, kneeling.
as Front Rank, kneelingPrepare to load.
Shoulder, or } as before
Advance arms, } directed.
As rear rank, kneeling, Yards—Ready.
Present.
Load, &c., as above.
Cap.
Shoulder, or } as before
Advance arms, } directed.
To load from the shoulder,As rear rank, kneeling,
as Rear Rank, kneelingPrepare to load.
To load from the Advance.As rear rank, kneeling,
as Rear Rank, kneelingPrepare to load.
As a Company, LoadCompany, at yards, Ready.
Present.
Half-cock arms.
Shoulder arms.

Firing as a wing, or as a Battalion, is performed precisely as laid down for a Company.

A Company, Wing, or a Battalion can load, or make ready from the Order with the same ease, as from the shoulder.

Trailing armsTrail arms.
Change arms.
To resist CavalryPrepare to resist Cavalry.
Ready, &c.

FUSIL EXERCISE.

1. Secure arms.
2. Shoulder arms.
3. Order arms.
4. Fix bayonets.
5. Shoulder arms.
6. Port arms.
7. Charge bayonets.
8. Shoulder arms.
9. Support arms.
10. Stand at ease.
11. Attention.
12. Carry arms.
13. Slope arms.
14. Stand at ease.
15. Attention.
16. Carry arms.
17. Trail arms.
18. Shoulder arms.
19. Order arms.
20. Unfix bayonets.
21. Stand at ease.
22. Attention.

THE MANUAL AND PLATOON EXERCISES OF RIFLEMEN.

THE MANUAL EXERCISE.

Present arms.
Shoulder arms.
Order arms.
Shoulder arms.
Support arms.
Carry arms.
Trail arms.
Shoulder arms.
From the Order, to Trail arms.
Trail arms.
From the Trail, to Order arms.
Order arms.
Fix swords.
Shoulder arms.
Charge bayonets.
Shoulder arms.
Order arms.
Unfix swords.
Stand at ease.

THE PLATOON EXERCISE.

Prepare to load.
Load.
Rod.
Home.
Return.
Cap.
Shoulder.
Make ready.
Present.
After firing, the rifle to be brought immediately
to the position of—

Prepare to load.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR AIMING WITH THE RIFLE MUSKET.

Firing at a Human figure.Firing at the Target.
At 100 yards.—Aim at the waist.Aim with the sight down, straight at the bull’s-eye.
At 150 yards.—Raise the sliding-bar, raise the sight, and aim with the 200 yards’ point at the thigh.Raise the sliding-bar, raise the sight, aim with the 200 yards’ point at the bottom of the black ring.
At 200 yards.—Aim at the waist with the 200 yards’ point.Aim at the bull’s-eye with the 200 yards’ point.
At 250 yards.—Press down the sliding-bar, aim with the 300 yards’ point at the knees.Press down the sliding-bar, aim with the 300 yards’ point six inches below the black ring.
At 300 yards.—Aim with the 300 yards’ point at the waist.Aim with the 300 yards’ point at the bull’s-eye.
At 350 yards.—Raise the sliding-bar at half distance between the 300 and 400 yards’ point, and aim at the waist.Raise the sliding-bar to half distance between the 300 and 400 yards’ point, and aim at the bull’s-eye.
From 400 yards to 800 yards.—Make use of the sliding-bar, by raising it to the respective distances, as marked on the back sight.

WORDS OF COMMAND FOR FUNERAL PARTIES.

Ranks open—Arms shouldered—Bayonets unfixed, facing the quarters of the Deceased.

When the Corpse is brought out:
| Present arms—Reverse arms—Rear rank take close
| order—March.
Divisions, Sub-divisions, or Sections are wheeled forwards (or
backwards) to form Column left in front.

| Rear rank take open order—March.
When arrived at the Burial-ground:
| Halt—Ranks, left and right wheel—Quick
| march—Halt—Inwards face—Rest upon your
| arms reversed—Stand at ease.
When the Corpse has passed through:
| Attention—Reverse arms—Re-form Column—Ranks,
| right and left wheel—Quick march—Halt,
| front—March.
When facing the grave:
| Rest upon your arms reversed—Stand
| at ease.
After funeral service:
| Attention—Present arms—Shoulder arms—Load
| with blank cartridge—Fire three volleys
| in the air—Order arms—Fix bayonets—Shoulder
| arms—Rear rank take close order—March.
March back to barracks, right in front.

COMPANY DRILL.

Part 2.—Section 1.—Formation of the Company.

The Company is ordered to “Fall in” at close order; is then sized from flanks to centre; and told off in Sub-divisions, and four sections. In Column of Sections, the Senior officer takes the Leading, the second senior the Third, the third Senior the Fourth, and the junior the Second section. The Company is also told off by “Threes from the right,” numbered 1, 2, 3. Should there be a blank file in telling off the company in line, it will invariably be the fourth file from the left. The Company is also told off from the right by alternate files, right, and left.

In Close order the Rear rank is one pace, in Open order two paces, and for inspection three paces, from the front rank.

S. 2. Marching to the Front.
By the right (left, or centre)—March.

The Company will occasionally be ordered, to

Step out—Mark time—Step short—Open, and close ranks—Oblique—Diagonal march.
S. 3. The Side, or Closing step.
To the right (or left) close—Quick march—Halt.
S. 4. The Back step.
Step back—March.
S. 5. To form four deep.*
Form four deep—March.

* In telling off the files, should the last file be a right file, the left file on its right will double in the rear of it, completing it to four deep, and leaving the other Section only two deep

Rear form four deep—March.
Right form four deep—March.
Left form four deep—March.

To re-form two deep, from each of these formations.

Front. (or Halt—Front.†)

If the Company is in movement.

S. 6. File marching.
To the left face—Quick march.Halt, Front.
From the Halt.
Advance in double files from the centre—Sub-divisions inwards face—Quick march.

After facing, the leading files disengage.

Front form Company—(or, To the right form Company.)Forward.

Right Sub-division—Halt, Front, Dress. The remainder of the Company march on in file, and form in succession on left of halted Sub-division.

On the March.
Advance in double files from the Centre.

Sub-divisions, inwards turn—Right and left wheel.

S. 7. Wheeling from a Halt.
Right (or left) wheel—Quick march.Halt, Dress.
S. 8. Wheeling forward by Sub-divisions, from Line.
By Sub-divisions right wheel—Quick march.Halt, Dress.
S. 9. Wheeling backward by Sub-divisions, from Line.
By Sub-divisions on the left backward wheel—Quick march.Halt, Dress.
S. 10. Marching on an Alignement, in Open column of Sub-divisions.
March—(or, Quick march).
S. 11. Wheeling into Line, from Open column of Sub-divisions.
1. Halt—Left wheel into line—Quick march.Halt, Dress, Eyes front.
2. On the Moveable pivot.
Shoulders forward—Forward (or, Halt, Dress.)
S. 12. In Open column of Sub-divisions entering into a new direction on a moveable pivot.
Right (or left) shoulders forward—Forward.
S. 13. Counter-marching.
Counter-march by files.
Right (or left) face—Quick march.Halt, Front, Dress.
Counter-march by ranks.
Right and left face—Right countermarch—Quick march.Halt, Front, Dress.
S. 14. Wheeling on the centre of the Company.
Company On the centre—March.{ Right}Halt, Dress.
{ Left} Wheel
{ Right about}
{ Left about}
S. 15. Diagonal march.

The pivots, or outward Files, march in the direct line to which they have faced, the others conforming to them.

S. 16. Increasing the Front of an Open column halted Right in front.
Form Company.Left Sub-division, Left half face—Quick march—Halt, Front, Dress up.
Diminishing the front of an Open column, halted.
Form Sub-divisions.Left Sub-division—Right about three-quarters face—Quick march.
2nd Senior. Halt, Front, Dress.
S. 17. Increasing the front of an Open column, on the march.
Form Company.Left Sub-division, Left half turn, Double—Front turn, Quick.
Diminishing the front of an Open column, on the march.
Form Sub-divisions.Left Sub-division, Mark time—Right half turn—2nd Senior, Front turn.

When the above movements, 16 and 17, are performed Left in front, the Words Right will be altered to Left, and Left to Right. The same directions apply to sections.

S. 18. In Open column of Sub-divisions to pass a short defile, by breaking off files.
Break off —— files.—— Files on the left, Right turn—Left wheel.
After passing the defile.—Files to the front.
S. 19. The Company in line halted, or on the march, moves to a flank in Column of sections, or Sections of threes.
Sections (or threes) right (or left) shoulders forward (if halted, Quick march—Forward.)

When Pivots are required to be accurately dressed, or when the alignement of the Company is to be preserved.

Sections (or threes) on the right (or left) backwards wheel—Quick March.Halt, Dress.
To re-form Company on the march.
Sections (or threes) right (or left) shoulders forward—
* Forward—(or Halt, Dress.)
* If the march is to be continued.
For accurate dressing, or when the alignement is to be preserved.
Right (or left) wheel into line—Quick march.Halt, Dress.
S. 20. Forming Company, Sub-divisions, Sections, or Sections of threes, from file marching.
Front form Company (Sub-divisions, or Sections)—*Forward.* If the march is to be continued.
Marching in file from the right, to form the Company to the Left flank.
Halt—Front.
Marching in file from the right, to form the Company to the Right flank.
On the leading file to the right form Company.
To form to the Right about.
On the leading file to the right about form Company.
S. 21. To form to either flank, from Open column of Sub-divisions.
To the Left flank.
Halt—Left wheel into line—Quick march.Halt, Dress, Eyes front.
To form the Company to its Right flank.
To the right forward form Company.Leading sub-division Left shoulders forward—Forward, Halt, Dress. 2nd Sub-division (Left oblique till clear of the right Sub-division)—Left shoulders forward—Forward, Halt, Dress up.
S. 22. Company moving to the front, to gain ground to a flank, by march in echellon, by sections.
Sections right—Forward.
To form Company—
Form Company—Forward.
S. 23. To form the Rallying square.
Form the Rallying Square.
When the Square is to march—The Square will move to the front, (rear, right, or left,) Inwards Face—quick march—Halt—Prepare to resist Cavalry—Ready.*
Reduce the Square—Quick march.
* If ordered to fire, the Standing ranks only will commence an independent fire.

MODE TO BE OBSERVED IN DISMISSING A COMPANY OFF PARADE.

Recover arms.
Right face.
Lodge arms.

In turning in a Guard, or Piquet, the same mode is to be observed.

MANNER OF INSPECTING A COMPANY ON PARADE.

Attention.
Fix bayonets.
Shoulder arms.
Rear rank take open order—March.
Slope arms.

The inspection of Arms will now take place

Carry arms.
Order arms.
Examine arms.
Return ramrods.

An inspection of the Appointments, Clothing, &c., is now to be made.

Unfix bayonets.
Rear rank take close order—March.
Stand at ease.

MOVEMENTS OF A BATTALION.

Part 3.—Section 1. Commands.

All words of command must be given short, quick, and loud.

S. 2. Degrees of march.

The Slow step is particularly applicable to purposes of parade, and occasionally to the march of extended lines.

The Quick march is the usual pace to be applied to all general movements of Battalions, or greater bodies, in Column, or Line.

The Double march is only to be applied to the movements of the Divisions of a battalion, except upon peculiar occasions for short distances.

S. 3. Marching in line.

The March in line is generally adopted where the country is open.

S. 4. Wheeling.

Wheels are made on a Halted pivot from Line into Column, and from Column into Line. The principle of the Moveable pivot must always be applied to the wheel of divisions marching in column. Wheels of divisions may be either made forward, or backward. In progressive movements they are to be made Forward, but particular occasions require that they should be made Backward on the pivot flank. The Backwards wheel need not, however, be practised where the ground is uneven, and the Divisions stronger than 15 or 16 files: where this is the case, the Command will be

Form open column, right (or left) in front—Right about face—Right (or left) wheel—Quick march. Halt, Front.

S. 5. Movements.

Every movement must be divided into its distinct parts, and each part executed by its cautionary and executive words of command. All field movements and firings are to be performed with fixed bayonets, except when troops are acting as Light infantry.

S. 6. The Alignement.

To march in an Alignement is to make troops march in any straight line, which joins two given points—or to form upon any such given line. When troops are to form in a straight line, two necessary points in it must always be previously ascertained. One, the point of Appui at which one flank of the Body is to be placed, and the other the distant point of formation or dressing, on which the front of the body is directed.

S. 7. Points of formation.

The line on which troops move, or are successively to form, may be taken up to any extent by the prolongation of an original short base, given in the direction which the Commander of a line will point out.

S. 8. Dressing.

The Officer in dressing is placed on that flank of his division to which the men’s eyes are turned on the word “Dress,” and from the second file from the flank of the Company towards which his wheeling flank moves from column, or his inward flank from echellon: he makes his corrections on his intermediate point. In all wheelings into line the word “Eyes Front” will be given as soon as the dressing is completed. When Officers change from one flank to the other in order to close, they will pass by the front, and repass by the rear of their Companies. On all other occasions, when it is necessary to change their flanks in line, they will pass and repass by the rear.

S. 9. Open column.

All changes of position, by means of the Open column, will be effected by the formation of a column, right or left, in front, on the named division. If on a flank division, the caution will specify whether the other flank is to be thrown back, or forward: if on a central division, the caution will in like manner specify which wing is to be thrown forward. An open column may effect a change of position upon its front, rear, or any central division by the named division wheeling up according to the front to which it is intended to change; and the other divisions facing, and filing into the new alignement.

S. 10. Column at Quarter distance, and Close column.

When Close columns are formed, the Companies or Divisions must be at one pace distance. In the wheel of a Column at quarter or close distance, the leading division acts as a moving base for the rear Companies to follow; its length of step is regulated according to the depth of the column, and when at quarter distance must be very short to enable the rear to circle simultaneously round at the usual pace. Upon the wheel being ordered, all the rear divisions make a half face to the wheeling flank; but at a quarter distance, the leading division will advance six paces on the word “Quick (or Double) March,” and will wheel round the pivot file at a shortened pace, while each succeeding division will advance, in circling round, to quarter distance, which will leave room for the rear divisions to circle into their relative positions at that distance. In wheeling on the Moveable pivot, the rear divisions make a half turn towards the shoulder brought forward, and the front division wheels and advances at a shortened pace in the new direction, the rear divisions circling round. In Close column, the supernumeraries will form on the reverse flanks of companies; and when the column marches to a flank, they will move with their companies; when the Close column is to countermarch they will remain on the reverse flank, and countermarch on their own ground. When a Column deploys on a rear division, the named division when uncovered will move up to the front (which its covering Serjeant will mark); the points, therefore, necessary for the formation of the Battalion will be taken in prolongation of these points, and the Divisions which successively move up must Halt, Front, until their front is clear.

S. 11. Echellon.

The Echellon position and movements are applicable to the oblique or direct changes of situation, which a Battalion may be obliged to make to the front or rear, or on a particular fixed division of the line. The oblique changes are produced by the wheel (less than the quarter circle) of divisions, which places them in the echellon situation. The direct changes are produced by the perpendicular and successive march of divisions from line to front or rear. In Echellon, the inner flank, (or that which first joins its preceding division when the line is to be formed forward,) is the directing one; and in Oblique echellon the wheels are made on it, into echellon—forward, and into line—backward.

Practical rule for the Battalion and Line on all occasions of Wheeling by Companies into echellon.

“Each covering Serjeant having previously placed himself before or behind a given file (the 8th) from the standing flank, will take the named number of paces from the centre of that file on the arc of the circle, and thereby become a direction for the Company to wheel up to, and halt.”

As eight paces from the eighth file complete the Quarter circle, so four paces give the One-eighth, and two paces the One-sixteenth of the circle. All changes of front by the Echellon march are performed by the forming divisions wheeling half the angle wheeled by the division to be formed upon. In all changes of position by echellon, whether direct or oblique, the leaders of companies will invariably be on that flank towards which the change of position is to be made. But in taking ground to a flank on the march, in echellon of Sub-divisions or Sections, Companies’ leaders remain in their places as when in line.

S. 12. Squares.

Squares are formed either from Line, or from Column at full, half, or quarter distance. The Hollow square, four deep, is sufficiently solid to oppose an attack of Cavalry: it possesses, at the same time the advantage of rendering the fire of all the men available to the resistance of the enemy. The Solid square should seldom be adopted, because a proportion of the men cannot give their fire. Close columns should in all cases when practicable, open therefore to quarter distance, and form Square (as in Sec. 21, No. 1, Part III.). But as every position in which a Battalion may be placed should be susceptible of ready resistance against Cavalry, the Close column can always assume an efficient posture of defence, by the six centre Companies wheeling outwards by Threes, and closing to the front, and the two rear Companies facing to the right about: the Officers and Serjeants taking post in the centre. The wing of a battalion can in like manner form the solid square from a Close column of Sub-divisions. When Cavalry is not to be resisted, it will be sufficient to form the Square two deep to the rear. The formation of Battalion squares, either from Line or Column, is to be completed as expeditiously as possible; and the Squares may afterwards be placed in direct echellon for mutual defence.

S. 13. Firings.

In all movements, Firing should commence after a formation. In firing by Companies, the Leaders will give the Word “Ready” when the previous division fires, preserving the pause of slow time between this and “Present,” the men firing when they have covered their objects. In firing by wings, one wing will receive the word “Ready,” the instant the other has completed its loading. Great care must be taken in file firing that it is not hurried, and that the men “Present” deliberately. The value of a soldier’s ammunition, and a jealousy of its expenditure without effect, must be carefully inculcated; for in proportion as a cool and well-directed fire serves to distract and throw an enemy into disorder, so is a wild, confused, and hurried fire (which is always without effect) calculated to give him confidence, and a contempt for his opponent. Soldiers should, therefore, bear in mind that nothing makes so strong an impression on an enemy, as the thinning of his ranks by a well-directed fire; and that nothing tends more to animate and encourage troops than the diminished fire from ranks so thinned; affording also the most favourable opportunity for a successful charge. In firing in square, the two front ranks are to come to the kneeling position without cocking, on preparing to receive cavalry. The standing ranks in square will fire independently from the right of faces.

Street firing.

A Column at open, half, or quarter distance, formed in a street or narrow ground where deployment is impracticable, may be required to fire previous to charging forward, or by successive divisions in retiring. It will be performed in the following manner:—

If advancing, the two front Companies only will fire in succession; the leading Company firing and loading kneeling, the second Company closing to the front, and firing standing. When the enemy’s fire has been overcome, or at any favourable moment that may present itself, the column will charge briskly forward, and make good the ground it is contending for.

In retiring, the leading division will give its fire; Slope arms; Face outwards by sub-divisions; File to the rear; Re-form Company; Load; and remain halted, until its front is again clear, or the whole column is put in motion. The moment the front of the second company is clear, it will give its fire; Face outwards by sub-divisions; and file to the rear as above directed: and so on by companies in succession: the companies thus follow each other, and when the front of the column occupies the whole breadth of the street, the outward files of companies will double in the rear, to give the companies which have fired room to pass. It must never be forgotten, in entering towns or villages occupied by the enemy, that the first thing to be done, on gaining a footing in the place, is to clear the houses on both flanks, and the column should on no account proceed through the streets without previously occupying the houses on either side; the troops employed for that purpose breaking through partition walls, or pushing on from house to house, so as to accompany the march of the main body, and protect its flanks.

FORMATION OF THE BATTALION.

When the Battalion is formed, there is to be no interval between any of the Companies, and every part of the front of the Battalion should be equally strong. The Grenadiers will be on the right, Light company on the left, the other companies from right to left. The Battalion will be told off into Right, and Left wings.

FORMATION OF THE BATTALION, AT CLOSE ORDER.

The Commanding officer is advanced in front for the general purpose of exercise when the Battalion is single; but in the March in line, and in the firings, he is in the rear of the Colours. The Lieutenant-colonel is behind the colours, twelve paces from the supernumerary rank. The 1st Major is six paces in the rear of the second Battalion company from the right flank; 2nd Major at the same distance in the rear of the second Battalion company from the left; the Adjutant at the same distance in rear of the colours. One Officer is on the right of the front rank of each company, and One on the left of the Battalion; all these are covered in the rear rank by their respective Serjeants; and the remaining Officers and Serjeants are in a third rank behind their companies. The colours are placed (both in the front rank) between the two Centre companies. The supernumerary rank is at three paces distance when in Line; and when in Column, it is at the distance of one pace.

When the Battalion takes Open order.

Rear Rank take Open Order—March. Officers of Companies and those with the Colours dress three paces in front of the Line. The 1st Major is on the right of the Officers, the 2nd Major on the left. The Adjutant on the left of the front rank. The Colonel ten paces, and the Lieutenant-colonel six paces, in front of the Colours.

When the Battalion resumes Close order.

Rear Rank take Close Order—March.

EVOLUTIONS OF THE BATTALION.

MOVEMENTS OF THE BATTALION FROM LINE.

S. 14. 1. The Battalion halted, and correctly dressed, is to advance in Line.

Commander’s
Words of command.
Executive Words of command,
Directions, &c.
The Battalion will advance—March (or Quick march)—Halt.

2. When the Battalion is to retire.

The Battalion will retire—Right about face—Quick March.

3. While advancing in Line, the Battalion may form to either flank by the Divisions wheeling to the Bight (or Left) on the Moveable pivot, and forming on the flank Company (which will be halted in the direction of the new front) by the Echellon march of divisions.

S. 15. When a Battalion advancing in Line is to charge.

Prepare to charge—Charge—Halt.

S. 16. When a Battalion moving in Line passes a wood, &c., to Front or Rear, by the flank march of Companies in file.

1. If to pass to the Front.

From the right (or left) of Companies pass by files to the front. Companies, right (or left) turn—Right (or left) wheel.

2. If to pass to the Rear.*

From the proper right (or left) of Companies pass by files to the rear—left (or right) turn—Right (or left) wheel—Halt—Front. * The Battalion in Line having arrived at the point where it must break. Companies may also pass to the front or rear by Sections of Threes.

3. If a Battalion in first Line passes through a second, which advances and relieves it.

Pass by files to the rear—Right face—Right wheel—Quick march—Halt—Front. The relieving Battalion marches up within twelve Paces of the front Line, the Companies of which proceed to the rear through the second Line.

4. When the second Line does not advance to relieve the first.

Pass by files to the rear—Left turn—Right wheel. The first Line retires, and when within twelve paces passes through the second.

S. 17. When the Battalion advances, or retires, by half Battalion, and fires.

1. If the Battalion is in march, and advancing.

The Battalion will advance by wings. (2nd Major) Left wing, halt—March (or quick march). (Senior Major)* Right wing, halt—Ready—Present—Load—March (or quick march). (2nd Major) Left wing, halt—Ready, &c. * After having advanced 15 paces.

2. If the Battalion is in march, and retiring.

The Battalion will retire by wings. (Senior Major) Right wing, halt—Front. (2nd Major)* Left wing, halt—Front. (Senior Major) Right wing, ready—Present—Load—Right about face—March (or quick march). (2nd Major) Left wing, halt—Front. †Left wing, ready—Present—Load, &c. * After retiring 15 paces.
When Right wing has retired 15 paces.

S. 18. A Battalion in Line to move to attack, or pass a bridge, &c., to the front, from either flank, or from the centre.

1. If from a Flank, by Companies, or Sub-divisions.

Right (or left) Division to the front.—Remaining Divisions, right (or left) shoulders forward—Quick march—Forward. Rear Divisions successively—Right (or left) shoulders forward—Forward.