UC-NRLF 
 
 7DD 
 
BAYONET EXERCISE 
 
 WEST & JOIIN^f ON Publishers, 
 
 llo >Iain Streel, 
 

 
SKIRMISHERS' DRILL 
 
 BAYONET EXERCISE 
 
 (AS NOW USED IN THE FRENCH ARMY), 
 
 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE SOLDIER IN ACTUAL CONFLICT. 
 
 COMPILED AND TRANSLATED 
 
 FOR THE USE OF THE VOLUNTEERS OF THE STATE OF VIRGINIA AND THE SOUTH, 
 
 R. MILTON QARY, 
 
 LT? COL. PROV. ARMY VA. 
 
 " The bayonet is the weapon of the brave.' 
 
 RICHMOND, VA: 
 
 145 MAIN STREET. 
 
 1861. 
 

 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1861, by 
 WEST & JOHNSTON, 
 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Confederate States for the 
 Eastern District of Virginia. 
 
 H. Y'YMCE, 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The accompanying pages have been compiled and trans- 
 lated by the undersigned for the purpose of supplying 
 what he believes an important want to the volunteers of 
 the South. 
 
 The self-reliance and personal courage so universal with 
 the people of our country will render them equal to any 
 others in the world, in the capacity of light troops, pro- 
 vided they are properly trained. 
 
 This little volume embraces the deployments, rallies, 
 and assemblies of a company of skirmishers, and the drill 
 of the bayonet and sabre-bayonet now in use in the French 
 army, with such suggestions to the soldier in actual 
 conflict as are given by French military writers. Those 
 suggestions, and the exercise for the bayonet, have been 
 taken from the official books of instruction of that most 
 military of all nations ; and the instruction for the move- 
 ments of skirmishers has been taken from the system of 
 tactics prepared by Col. Hardee, late U: S. A. The value 
 of the bayonet exercise is not a matter of speculation. 
 Its practicability is no longer an open question ; it has 
 been brought to its present actual efficiency through a 
 succession of trials, all of them improved by practice, 
 first on the drill ground, and then on the battle-field. 
 
 It is absolutely necessary for light infantry. If at- 
 tacked by cavalry, when deployed as skirmishers, they 
 must rely mainly upon their bayonets. It is important 
 that they should understand the great value of the wea- 
 pon, and the best mode of using it. To show the impor- 
 tance of the weapon, and of instruction in its use, it is 
 deemed not out of place here to give a brief sketch of 
 
 M72470 
 
4 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 the origin and progress of such instruction in the French 
 service. 
 
 In 1828, the Superior Council of War of France had 
 under discussion the question of abolishing the light infan- 
 try ; when, instead of doing away with it, a new impetus 
 was given towards promoting its efficiency. After various 
 essays, the formation of a special corps was resolved on, 
 in 1838. The first battalion organized answered so well 
 its purpose, that in 1840 ten battalions of twelve hundred 
 and fifty-nine men each were formed. These are the cele- 
 brated "Chasseurs de Vincennes" and "Zouaves" which 
 are now fourfold their original numbers. The improve- 
 ments made from time to time have culminated in the 
 adoption of the skirmishers' drill, rifled arms, the sabre- 
 bayonet, and the use of the bayonet according to the 
 principles of fencing, as herein prescribed. The results 
 obtained have been even beyond expectation. From that 
 time the French began to sweep before them the fearless 
 Arabs in Algeria, in spite of their almost fabulous con- 
 tempt of danger, and excellence in horsemanship. 
 
 The Russian infantry in the Crimea, and the Austrian 
 infantry in Lombardy, both equal to any other infantry 
 of the line in the world, each in turn, were over-matched 
 and defeated by the French troops trained in this drill. 
 It will be recollected that the Emperor of the French, at 
 the opening of the campaign in Lombardy, after his 
 landing at Genoa, issued a short and telling proclamation 
 to his soldiers ; in it he reminds them that, after all, 
 "they had to rely on their bayonets for the victory -" and 
 this is so much the more significant, that it fell from the 
 lips of one who had endowed his army with the improved 
 Minie rifle, and with those 'rifled guns of his own inveo- 
 tion /which made such havoc amongst the Austrian cavalry 
 at Solferino., and were then without rivals in the field, 
 since the Armstrong gun of the English was not com- 
 pleted, and was only tried in actual service in the late 
 China war. 
 
 Notwithstanding all those advantages, Louis Napoleon 
 did not think it out of season to warn his soldiers just 
 before action, that it is for the bayonet to strike the deci- 
 sive blow. Thus far he seems to agree with another great 
 
INTRODUCTION. 5 
 
 practical chieftain, the Russian General, Souwarrow, who 
 used to say, in his picturesque language, " The bullet is 
 foolish; the bayonet alone is wise/' 
 
 These details have been entered into in order that it 
 may be well understood that the drill which this book is 
 intended to introduce to the volunteers of the State and 
 of the South, is not an unimportant work of fancy, con- 
 trived for amusement; but, on the contrary, is the fruit 
 of time and experience, rendered into a practical form by 
 military men, who all acknowledge it to be one of the 
 most powerful agencies of modern warfare. 
 
 This book is, therefore, nothing but a translation ; the 
 plates being fac-similes of those obtained from Paris ; 
 and the only merit which is claimed for it is, that it ren- 
 ders, in our language, the latest and most approved instruc- 
 tion for the use of the bayonet, in connection with the 
 skirmishers' drill, in a convenient form, and for small 
 cost. The skirmishers' drill and the bayonet drill were 
 intended by their inventors to go together. The one is 
 incomplete in the absence of the other. As bearing upon 
 the skirmishers' drill, we will indulge ourselves with an 
 extract from a very remarkable article published in the 
 " Moniteur de I'Armee" in 1851, by a captain of the 
 staff, DuCasse. He says : "It was a noble and admirable 
 idea, that of connecting together four men, neighbors to 
 each other in the ranks, under the name of comrades in 
 battle, and to tell them, ' Every one of you is bound for 
 the whole, and upon each devolves the care of preserving 
 the life of the three others/ No measure more apt to 
 foster that noble and brotherly feeling, which in the army 
 is called esprit de corps, could have been imagined. The 
 idea of comrades in battle, acting in groups for self-de- 
 fence, forming in the plain to resist cavalry, as many 
 little squares, each element of which is ready to fight to 
 the death in order to protect the life of his brothers in 
 arms, is one of the most successful among those brought 
 forth in the organization of the ' Chasseur s-a-pied. J 
 
 " Called upon, by the special purpose which they answer, 
 to fight nearly always isolated, and not by platoons or 
 battalions, the skirmishers required an individual instruc- 
 tion more thorough than that of the other infantry men. 
 
6 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The ordinance made for them has provided for it ; to the 
 regular manual of arms have been added volts, demi-volts, 
 bayonet-fencing, the art of attacking cavalry and resisting 
 their attacks. In short, the service of the skirmishers 
 has been so extended as to become an habitual, not an 
 accidental service ; and the men have been enabled to 
 fight in that order the whole day, without rallying upon 
 the platoon or battalion, cases of absolute necessity being 
 excepted." 
 
 By the ordinance of July 22, 1845, the skirmishers' 
 drill and bayonet exercise were restricted to the " Chas- 
 seurs;" but by a ministerial decree of the 7th of April, 
 1851, they were extended to all of the infantry of the 
 French army. The drill which is offered to the volun- 
 teers of the South in this book is that now in use by the 
 French infantry as well as the " Chasseurs/'' and a por- 
 tion of it was adopted as late as 1858. 
 
 The undersigned begs to be indulged in saying that he 
 puts forth this little work with no desire to make money. 
 His object is to place within reach of his fellow-volunteers 
 valuable and important material, in the hope that thereby 
 our efficiency as soldiers may be promoted. 
 
 He acknowledges the very valuable assistance of Mons. 
 C. F. Pardigon, a native of Paris (at present attached to 
 the Wise Legion, and a very devoted and true soldier of 
 the Old Dominion), rendered him in getting up and trans- 
 lating the book. 
 
 K. M. C. 
 
 RICHMOND, VA., July, 1861. 
 
INSTRUCTION FOR SKIRMISHERS, 
 
 ARTICLE FIRST. 
 
 DEPLOYMENTS. 
 
 1. A company may be deployed as skirmishers in two 
 ways : forward, and by the flank. 
 
 2. The deployment forward will be adopted when the 
 company is behind the line on which it is to be establish- 
 ed as skirmishers; it will be deployed by the flank, when 
 it finds itself already on that line. 
 
 3. Whenever a company is to be deployed as skirmish- 
 ers, it will be divided into two platoons, and each platoon 
 will be subdivided into two sections ; the comrades in 
 battle, forming groups of four men, will be careful to 
 know and to sustain each other. The captain will 
 assure himself that the files in the centre of each platoon 
 and section are designated. 
 
 4. A company may be deployed as skirmishers on its 
 right, left, or centre file, or on any other named file what- 
 soever. In this manner, skirmishers may be thrown for- 
 ward with the greatest possible rapidity on any ground 
 they may be required to occupy. 
 
 5. A chain of skirmishers ought generally to preserve 
 their alignment, but no advantages which the ground may 
 present should be sacrificed to attain this regularity. 
 
 6. The interval between skirmishers depends on the 
 extent of ground to be covered; but in general, it is not 
 proper that the groups of four men should be removed 
 more than forty paces from each other. The habitual 
 distance between men of the same group, in open grounds, 
 will be five paces; in no case will they lose sight of each 
 other. 
 
 TO DEPLOY FORWARD. 
 
 7. A company being at a halt, or in march, when the 
 captain shall wish to deploy it forward on the left file of 
 
8: - :<1 . : DEPLOYMENTS. 
 
 , liolding \the second platoon in reserve, 
 'lie 1 will e<?Hima;afl -."., 
 
 1. First platoon ^4s skirmishers. 
 
 2. On the left file Take intervals. 
 
 3. MARCH (or Double quick MARCH.) 
 
 8. At the first command, the second and third lieuten- 
 ants will place themselves rapidly two paces behind the 
 centres of the right and left sections of the first platoon ; 
 the first corporal (acting as fifth sergeant) will move one 
 pace in front of the centre of the first platoon, and will 
 place himself between the two sections in the front rank 
 as soon as the movement begins; the fourth sergeant will 
 place himself on the left of the front rank of the same 
 platoon, as soon as he can pass. The captain will indi- 
 cate to this sergeant the point on which he wishes him to 
 direct his march. The first lieutenant, placing himself 
 before the centre of the second platoon, will command : 
 
 Second platoon backward MARCH. 
 
 9. At this command, the second platoon will step three 
 paces to the rear, so as to unmask the flank of the first 
 platoon. It will then be halted by its chief, and the 
 second sergeant will place himself on the left, and the 
 third sergeant on the right flank of this platoon. 
 
 10. At the command march, the left group of four 
 men, conducted by the fourth sergeant, will direct itself 
 on the point indicated; all the other groups of four, 
 throwing forward briskly the left shoulder, will move 
 diagonally to the front in double-quick time, so as to gain 
 to the right the space of twenty paces, which shall be the 
 distance between each group and that immediately on its 
 left. When the second group from the left shall arrive 
 on a line with, and twenty pages from the first, it will 
 march straight to the front, conforming to the gait and 
 direction of the first, keeping constantly on v the same 
 alignment and at twenty paces from it. The third group, 
 and all the others, will conform to what has just been 
 prescribed for the second; they will arrive successively 
 on the line. The right guide will arrive with the last 
 group. 
 
DEPLOYMENTS. 
 
 11. The left guide having reached the point where the 
 left of the line should rest, the captain will command the 
 skirmishers to halt; the men composing each group of 
 four will then immediately deploy at five paces from each 
 other, and to the right and left of the front rank man of 
 the even file in each group, the rear-rank men placing 
 themselves on the left of their file-leaders. If any groups 
 be not in line at the command halt, they will move up 
 rapidly, conforming to what has just been prescribed. 
 
 12. If, during the deployment, the line should be fired 
 upon by the enemy, the captain may cause the groups of 
 four to deploy, as they gain their proper distances. 
 
 13. The line being formed, the non-commissioned offi- 
 cers on the right, left, and centre of the platoon will place 
 themselves ten paces in rear of the line, and opposite the 
 positions they respectively occupied. The chiefs of sec- 
 tions will promptly rectify any irregularities, and then 
 place themselves twenty-five or thirty paces, in rear of 
 the centre of their sections, each having with him four 
 men taken from the reserve, and also a bugler, who will 
 repeat, if necessary, the signals sounded by the captain. 
 (See Fig. 1.) 
 
 14. Skirmishers should be particularly instructed to 
 take advantage of any cover which the ground may offer, 
 and should lie flat on the ground whenever such a move- 
 ment is necessary to protect them from the fire of the 
 enemy. Regularity in the alignment should yield to this 
 important advantage. 
 
 15. When the movement begins, the first lieutenant 
 will face the second platoon about, and march it prompt- 
 ly, and by the shortest line, to about one hundred and 
 fifty paces in rear of the centre of the line. He will hold 
 it always at this distance, unless ordered to the contrary. 
 
 16. The reserve will conform itself to all the move- 
 ments of the line. This rule is general. 
 
 17. Light troops will carry their bayonets habitually 
 in the scabbard, and this rules applies equally to the 
 skirmishers and the reserve ; whenever bayonets are re- 
 quired to be fixed, a particular signal will be given. The 
 captain will give a general superintendence to the whole 
 deployment, and then promptly place himself about eighty 
 
10 DEPLOYMENTS. 
 
 paces in rear of the centre of the line. He will have 
 with him a bugler, and four men taken from the reserve. 
 
 18. The deployment may be made on the right or the 
 centre of the platoon, by the same commands, substitut- 
 ing the indication right or centre for that of left file. 
 
 19. The deployment on the right or the centre will be 
 made according to the principles prescribed above; in 
 this latter case, the centre of the platoon will be marked 
 by the right group of four in the second section; the first 
 corporal (acting as a file closer) will place himself on the 
 right of this group, and serve as the guide of the platoon 
 during the deployment. 
 
 20. In whatever manner the deployment be made, on 
 the right, left, or centre, the men in each group of four 
 will always deploy at five paces from each other, and upon 
 the front-rank man of the even-numbered file. The de- 
 ployments will habitually be made at twenty paces inter- 
 val; but if a greater interval be required, it will be indi- 
 cated in the command. 
 
 21. If a company be thrown out as skirmishers so near 
 the main body as to render a reserve unnecessary, the 
 entire company will be extended in the same manner, 
 and according to the same principles, as for the deploy- 
 ment of a platoon. In this case, the third lieutenant will 
 command the fourth section, and a non-commissioned 
 officer, designated for that purpose, the second section ; 
 the first corporal will take the place of fourth sergeant, 
 and the second corporal will act as centre guide ; the file- 
 closers will place themselves ten paces in rear of the line, 
 and opposite their places in line of battle. The first and 
 second lieutenants will each have a bugler near him. 
 
 TO DEPLOY BY THE FLANK. 
 
 22. The company being at a halt, when the captain 
 shall wish to deploy it by the flank, holding the first pla- 
 toon in reserve, he will command: 
 
 1. Second platoon As skirmishers. 
 
 2. By the right flank Take intervals. 
 
 3. MARCH (or Double quick MARCH). 
 
DEPLOYMENTS. 11 
 
 23. At the first command, the first and third lieuten- 
 ants will place themselves respectively two paces behind 
 the centres of the first and second sections of the second 
 platoon; the first corporal (who will have been placed as a 
 file-closer) will place himself one pace in front of the 
 centre of the second platoon; the third sJtrgeant, as soon 
 as he can pass, will place himself on the right of the front 
 rank of the same platoon; the captain will indicate to 
 him the point on which he wishes him to direct his march. 
 The chief of the first platoon will execute what has been 
 prescribed for the chief of the second platoon, Nos. 8 and 
 9. The fourth sergeant will place himself on the left 
 flank of the reserve; the first sergeant will remain on the 
 right flank. 
 
 24. At the second command, the first and third lieu- 
 tenants will place themselves two paces behind the left 
 group of their respective sections. 
 
 25. At the command marchj the second platoon will 
 face to the right, and commence the movement; the left 
 group of four will stand fast, but will deploy as soon as 
 there is room on its right, conforming to what has been 
 prescribed, No. 11 ; the third sergeant will place himself 
 on the left of the right group, to conduct it; the second 
 group will halt at twenty paces from the one on its left, 
 the third group at twenty paces from the second, and so 
 on to the right. As the groups halt, they will face to the 
 enemy, and deploy as has been explained for the left group. 
 
 26. The chiefs of sections will pay particular attention 
 to the successive deployments of the groups, keeping near 
 the group about to halt, so as to rectify any errors which 
 may be committed. When the deployment is completed, 
 they will place themselves thirty paces in rear of the 
 centre of their sections, as has been heretofore prescribed. 
 The non-commissioned officers will also place themselves 
 as previously indicated. 
 
 27. As soon as the movement commences, the chief of 
 the first platoon, causing it to face about, will move it as 
 indicated No. 15. 
 
 28. The deployment may be made by the left flank 
 according to the same principles, by substituting left 
 flank for right flank. 
 
12 DEPLOYMENTS. 
 
 29. If the captain should wish to deploy the company 
 upon the centre of one of the platoons, he will command : 
 
 1. Second platoon As SKIRMISHERS. 
 
 2. By the right and left flanks TAKE INTERVALS. 
 
 3. MARCH (^ Double quick MARCH.) 
 
 30. At the first command, the officers and non-com- 
 missioned officers will conform to what has been pre- 
 scribed, No. 23. 
 
 31. At the second command, the first lieutenant will 
 place himself behind the left group of the right section 
 of the second platoon, the third lieutenant behind the 
 right group of the left section of the same platoon. 
 
 32. At the command march, the right section will 
 face to the right, the left section will face to the left, the 
 group on the right of this latter section will stand fast. 
 The two sections will move off in opposite directions ; the 
 third sergeant will place himself on the left of the right 
 file to conduct it, the second sergeant on the right of the 
 left file. The two groups nearest that which stands fast 
 will each halt at twenty paces from this group, and each 
 of the other groups will halt at twenty paces from the 
 group which is in rear of it. Each group will deploy as 
 heretofore prescribed, No. 25. 
 
 33. The first and third lieutenants will direct the 
 movement, holding themselves always abreast of the 
 group which is about to halt. 
 
 34. The captain can cause the deployment to be made 
 on any named group whatsoever ; in this case, the first 
 corporal will place himself before the group indicated, 
 and the deployment will be made according to the prin- 
 ciples heretofore prescribed. 
 
 35. The entire company may be also deployed accord- 
 ing to the same principles. 
 
 TO EXTEND INTERVALS. 
 
 36. This movement, which is to be employed to ex- 
 tend a line of skirmishers, will be executed according to 
 the principles prescribed for deployments. 
 
 37. If it be supposed that the line of skirmishers is 
 
- 
 
 
DEPLOYMENTS. 13 
 
 at a halt, and that the captain wishes to extend it to the 
 left, he will command : 
 
 1. By the left flank (so many paces) EXTEND INTER- 
 VALS. 
 
 2. MARCH (or Double quick MARCH). 
 
 38. At the command march, the group on the right 
 will stand fast, all the other groups will face to the left, 
 and each group will extend its interval to the prescribed 
 distance by the means indicated, No. 25. 
 
 39. The men of the same group will continue to pre- 
 serve between each other the distance of five paces, 
 unless the nature of the ground should render it neces- 
 sary that they should close nearer in order to keep in 
 sight of each other. The intervals refer to the spaces 
 between the groups, and not to the distances between the 
 men in each group. The intervals will be taken from 
 the right or left man of the neighboring group. 
 
 40. If the line of skirmishers be marching to the 
 front, and the captain should wish to extend it to the 
 right, he will command : 
 
 1. On the left group (so many paces) EXTEND INTER- 
 VALS. 
 
 2. MARCH (or Double quick MARCH). 
 
 41. The left group, conducted by the guide, will con- 
 tinue to march on the point of direction ; the other 
 groups, throwing forward the left shoulder, and taking 
 the double quick step, will open their intervals to the 
 prescribed distance by the means indicated, No. 18, con- 
 forming also to what is prescribed, No. 39. 
 
 42. Intervals may be extended on the centre of the 
 line, according to the same principles. 
 
 43. If, in extending intervals, it be intended that one 
 company or platoon should occupy a line which had been 
 previously occupied by two, the men of the company or 
 platoon which is to retire will fall successively to the rear 
 as they are relieved by the extension of the intervals. 
 
 2 
 
14 TO ADVANCE. 
 
 TO CLOSE INTERVALS. 
 
 44. This movement, like that of opening intervals, 
 \vill be executed according to the principles prescribed 
 for the deployments. 
 
 45. If the line of skirmishers ba halted, and the cap- 
 tain should wish to close intervals to the left, he will 
 command : 
 
 1. By the, left flank (so many paces) Close intervals. 
 
 2. MARCH (or Double quick MARCH). 
 
 46. At the command march, the left group will stand 
 fast; the other groups will face to the left and close to the 
 prescribed distance ; each group facing to the enemy as 
 it attains its proper distance. 
 
 47. If the line be marching to the front, the captain 
 will command : 
 
 1. On the left group (so many paces') close intervals. 
 
 2. MARCH (or Double quick MARCH). 
 
 48. The left group, conducted by the guide, will con- 
 tinue to move on in the direction previously indicated; 
 the other groups, advancing the right shoulder, will close 
 to the left, until the intervals are reduced to the pre- 
 scribed distance. 
 
 49. Intervals may be closed on the right ; or on the 
 centre ; according to the same principles. 
 
 ARTICLE SECOND. 
 
 TO ADVANCE. 
 
 TO ADVANCE IN LINE, AND TO RETREAT IN LINE. 
 
 50. When a platoon or a company, deployed as skir- 
 mishers, is marching by the front, the guide will be 
 habitually in the centre. No particular indication to 
 this effect need be given in the commands; but if, on the 
 contrary, it be intended that the directing guide should be 
 
TO ADVANCE. 15 
 
 on the right or left, the command, guide right, or guide 
 left, will be given immediately after that of forward. 
 
 51. The captain, wishing the line of skirmishers to 
 advance, will command : 
 
 1. Forward. 
 
 2. MARCH (or Double quicJc MARCH). 
 
 52. This command will be repeated with the greatest 
 rapidity by the chiefs of sections, and, in case of need, 
 by the sergeants. This rule is general, whether the skir- 
 mishers march by the front or by the flank. 
 
 53. At the first command, three sergeants will move 
 briskly on the line, the "first on the right, the second on 
 the left, and the third in the centre. 
 
 54. At the command march, the line will move to the 
 front, the guide charged with the direction will move on 
 the point indicated to him, the skirmishers will hold them- 
 selves aligned on this guide, and preserve their intervals 
 towards him. 
 
 55. The chiefs of sections will march immediately 
 behind their sections, so as to direct their movements. 
 
 56. The captain will give a general superintendence to 
 the movement. 
 
 57. When he shall wish to halt the skirmishers, he 
 will command : 
 
 HALT. 
 
 58. At this command, briskly repeated, the line will 
 halt. The chiefs of sections will promptly rectify any 
 irregularity in the alignment and intervals, and after 
 taking every possible advantage which the ground may 
 offer for protecting the men, they, with the three ser- 
 geants in the line, will retire to their proper places in 
 rear. 
 
 59. The captain, wishing to march the skirmishers in 
 retreat, will command : 
 
 1. In retreat. 
 
 2. MARCH (or DouUe quick MARCH). 
 
 60. At the first command, the three sergeants will 
 move on the line, as prescribed No. 53. 
 
16 TO ADVANCE. 
 
 61. At the command march, the skirmishers will face 
 about individually, and march to the rear, conforming to 
 the principles prescribed No. 54. 
 
 62. The officers and sergeants will use every exertion 
 to preserve order. 
 
 63. To halt the skirmishers, marching in retreat, the 
 captain will command: 
 
 HALT. 
 
 64. At this command, the skirmishers will halt, and 
 immediately face to the front. 
 
 65. The chiefs of sections and the three guides will 
 each conform himself to what is prescribed No. 58. 
 
 TO CHANGE DIRECTION. 
 
 66. If the commander of a line of skirmishers shall 
 wish to cause it to change direction to the right, he will 
 command : 
 
 1. Right ivheel. 
 
 2 MARCH (or Double quick MARCH). 
 
 67. At the command march, the right guide will mark 
 time in his place; the left guide wilhfiiove in a circle to 
 the right, and that he may properly regulate his move- 
 ments, will occasionally cast his eyes to the right, so as 
 to observe the direction of the line, and the nature of the 
 ground to be passed over. The centre guide will also 
 march in a circle to the right, and in order to conform 
 his movements to the general direction, will take care that 
 his steps are only half the length of the steps of the 
 guide on the left. 
 
 68. The skirmishers will regulate the length of their 
 steps by their distance from the marching flank, being 
 less as they approach the pivot, and greater as they are 
 removed from it; they will often look to the marching 
 flank, so as to preserve the direction and their intervals. 
 
 69. When the commander of the line shall wish to 
 resume the direct march, he will command : 
 
 1. Forward. 2. MARCH. 
 
TO ADVANCE. 17 
 
 70. At the command march, the line will cease to 
 wheel, and the skirmishers will remove direct to the front; 
 the centre guide will march on the point which will be 
 indicated to him. 
 
 71. If the captain should wish to halt the line, in 
 place of moving it to the front, he will command : 
 
 HALT. 
 
 72. At this command the line will halt. 
 
 73. A change of direction to the left will be made 
 according to the same principles, and by inverse means. 
 
 74. A line of skirmishers marching in retreat, will 
 change direction by the same means, and by the same 
 commands, as a line marching in advance; for example, 
 if the captain should wish to refuse his left, now become 
 the right, he will command : 1. Left Wheel. 2. MARCH. 
 At the command halt, the skirmishers will face to the 
 enemy. 
 
 75. But if, instead of halting the line, the captain 
 should wish to continue to march it in retreat, he will, 
 when he judges the line has wheeled sufficiently, com- 
 mand : 
 
 1. In retreat. 2. MARCH. 
 
 TO MARCH BY THE FLANK. 
 
 76. The captain, wishing the skirmishers to march by 
 the right flank, will command : 
 
 1. By the r'ujlit flank. 
 
 2. MARCH (or Double quick MARCH). 
 
 77. At the first command, the three sergeants will 
 place themselves en the line. 
 
 78. At the command march, the skirmishers will face 
 to the right and move off; the right guide will place him- 
 self by the side of the leading man on the right, to con- 
 duct him, and will march on the point indicated; each 
 skirmisher will take care to follow exactly in the direc- 
 tion of the one immediately preceding him, and to pre- 
 serve his distance. 
 
 79. The skirmishers may be marched by the left 
 flank, according to the same principles, and by the same 
 
18 FIRINGS. 
 
 commands, substituting left for right; the left guide 
 will place himself by the side of the leading man, to con- 
 duct him'. 
 
 80. If the skirmishers be marching by the flank, and 
 the captain should wish to halt them, he will command : 
 
 HALT. 
 
 81. At this command, the skirmishers will halt and 
 face to the enemy. The officers and sergeants will con- 
 form to what has been prescribed No. 58. 
 
 82. The reserve should execute all the movements of 
 the line, and be held always about one hundred and fifty 
 paces from it, so as to be in position to second its ope- 
 rations. 
 
 83. When the chief of the reserve shall wish to march 
 it in advance, he will command : 1. Platoon forward. 
 
 2. Guide left. 3. MARCH. If he should wish to march 
 it in retreat, he will command : 1. In retreat. 2. MARCH. 
 
 3. Guide right. At the command halt, it will re-face to 
 the enemy. 
 
 84. The men should be made to understand that the 
 signals or commands, such as forward, mean that the 
 skirmishers shall march on the enemy; in retreat, that 
 they shall retire; and to the right or left flank, that the 
 men must face to the right or left, whatever may be their 
 position. 
 
 85. If the skirmishers be marching by the flank, and 
 the captain should wish to change direction to the right 
 (or left), he will command : 1. By file right (or left). 
 2. MARCH. 
 
 ARTICLE THIRD. 
 
 THE FIRINGS. 
 
 86. Skirmishers will fire either at a halt or marching. 
 
 TO FIRE AT A HALT. 
 
 87. To cause this fire to be executed, the captain will 
 command : 
 
 Commence FIRING. 
 
FIRINGS. 19 
 
 88. At this command, briskly repeated, the men of 
 the front rank will commence firing; they will reload 
 rapidly, and hold themselves in readiness to fire again. 
 During this time the men of the rear rank will come to 
 a ready, and as soon as "their respective file leaders have 
 loaded, they will also fire and reload. The men of each 
 file will thus continue the firing, conforming to this prin- 
 ciple that the one or the other shall always have his 
 piece loaded. 
 
 89. Light troops should be always calm, so as to aim 
 with accuracy; they should, moreover, endeavor to esti- 
 mate correctly the distances between themselves and the 
 enemy to be hit, and thus be enabled to deliver their fire 
 with the greater certainty of success. 
 
 90. Skirmishers will not remain in the same place 
 whilst reloading, unless protected by accidents in the 
 ground. 
 
 TO FIRE MARCHING. 
 
 91. This fire will be executed by the same commands 
 as the fire at a halt. 
 
 92. At the command commence firing, if the line be 
 advancing, the front-rank man of every file will halt, fire, 
 and reload before throwing himself forward. The rear- 
 rank man of the same file will continue to march, and after 
 passing ten or twelve paces beyond his front-rank man, 
 will halt, come to a ready, select his object, and fire when 
 his front-rank man has loaded ; the fire will thus continue 
 to be executed by each file ; the skirmishers will keep 
 united, and endeavor, as much as possible, to preserve the 
 general direction of the alignment. 
 
 93. If the line be marching in retreat, at the command 
 commence firing, the front-rank man of every file will halt, 
 face to the enemy, fire, and then reload whilst moving to 
 the rear ; the rear-rank man of the same file will continue 
 to march, and halt ten or twelve paces beyond his front- 
 rank man, face about, come to a ready, and fire when his 
 front-rank man has passed him in retreat and loaded; 
 after which, he will move to the rear and reload ; the front- 
 rank man, in his turn, after marching briskly to the rear, 
 will halt at ten or twelve paces from the rear-rank, 
 
20 FIRINGS. 
 
 face to the enemy, load bis piece, and fire, conforming to 
 what has just been prescribed; the firing will thus be 
 continued. 
 
 94. If the company be marching by the right flank, 
 at the command commence firing, the front-rank man 
 of every file will face to the enemy, step one pace for- 
 ward, halt, and fire; the rear-rank man will continue 
 to move forward. As soon as the front-rank man has 
 fired, he will place himself briskly behind his rear-rank 
 man, and reload whilst marching. When he has loaded, 
 the rear-rank man will, in his turn, step one pace 
 forward, halt, and fire, and returning to the ranks will 
 place himself behind his front-rank man ; the latter, in 
 his turn, will act in the same manner, observing the same 
 principles. At the command cease firing, the men of the 
 rear-rank will retake their original positions, if not al- 
 ready there. 
 
 95. If the company be marching by the left flank, 
 the fire will be executed according to the same prrinci- 
 ples, but in this case, it will be the rear-rank men who 
 will fire first. 
 
 96. The following rules will be observed in the cases 
 to which they apply. 
 
 97. If the line be firing at a halt, or whilst march- 
 ing by the flank, at the command forward march, it 
 will be the men whose pieces are loaded, without regard 
 to the particular rank to which they belong, who will 
 move to the front. Those men whose pieces have been 
 discharged, will remain in their places to load them before 
 moving forward, and the firing will be continued agreea- 
 bly to the principles prescribed. No. 92. 
 
 98. If the line be firing either at a halt, advancing, or 
 whilst marching by the flank, at the command in retreat 
 march, the men whose pieces are loaded will remain 
 faced to the enemy, and will fire in this position ; the 
 men whose pieces are discharged will retreat loading them ; 
 and the fire will be continued agreeably to the principles 
 prescribed No. 93. 
 
 99. If the line of skirmishers be firing either at a halt, 
 advancing, or in retreat, at the command, l)y the right (or 
 left) flank MARCH, the men whose pieces are loaded will 
 
FIRINGS. 21 
 
 step one pace out of the general alignment, face to the 
 enemy, and fire in this position ; the men whose pieces 
 are unloaded will face to the right (or left), and march in 
 the direction indicated. The men who stepped out of the 
 ranks will place themselves, immediately after firing, upon 
 the general direction, and in rear of their front or rear 
 rank men, as the case may be. The fire will be continued 
 according to the principles prescribed No. 94. 
 
 100. Skirmishers will be habituated to load their pieces 
 whilst marching; but they will be enjoined to halt always 
 an instant, when in the act of charging cartridge and 
 priming. 
 
 101. They should be practiced to fire and load kneel- 
 ing, lying down, and sitting, and much liberty should be 
 allowed in these exercises, in order that they may be 
 executed in the manner found to be most convenient. 
 Skirmishers should be cautioned not to forget that, in 
 whatever position they may load, it is important that the 
 piece should be placed upright before ramming, in order 
 that the entire charge of powder may reach the bottom of 
 the bore. 
 
 102. In commencing the fire, the men of the same 
 rank should not all fire at once, and the men of the same 
 file should be particular that one or the other of them be 
 always loaded. 
 
 103. In retreating, the officer commanding the skir- 
 mishers should seize on every advantage which the ground 
 may present, for arresting the enemy as long as possible. 
 
 104. At the signal to cease firing, the captain will see 
 that the order is promptly obeyed ; but the men who may 
 not be loaded will load. If the line be marching, it will 
 continue the movement; but the man of each file who 
 happens to be in front will wait until the man in rear 
 shall be abreast with him. 
 
 105. If a line of skirmishers be firing advancing, at 
 the command halt, the line will re-form upon the skir- 
 mishers who aro in front; when the line is retreating, 
 upon the skirmishers who are in rear. 
 
THE RALLY. 
 ARTICLE FOURTH. 
 
 THE RALLY. TO FORM COLUMN. 
 
 106. A company deployed as skirmishers, is rallied in 
 order to oppose the enemy with better success; the rallies 
 are made at a run, and with bayonets fixed ; when ordered 
 to rally, the skirmishers fix bayonets without command. 
 
 107. There are several ways of rallying, which the chief 
 of the line will adopt according to circumstances. 
 
 108. If the line, marching, or at a halt, be merely dis- 
 turbed by scattered horsemen, it will not be necessary to 
 fall back on the reserve, but the captain will cause bayo- 
 nets to be fixed. If the horsemen should, however, 
 advance to charge the skirmishers, the captain will com- 
 mand, rally by fours. The line will halt if marching, 
 and the four men of each group will execute this rally in 
 the following manner : the front-rank man of the even- 
 numbered file will take the position of guard against 
 cavalry ; the rear-rank man of the odd-numbered file will 
 also take the position of guard against cavalry, turning 
 his back to him, his right foot thirteen inches from the 
 right foot of the former, and parallel to it ; the front-rank 
 man of the odd file, and the rear-rank man of the even 
 file, will also place themselves back to back, taking a like 
 position, and between the two men already established, 
 facing to the right and left; the right feet of the four 
 men will be brought together, forming a square, and 
 serving for mutual support. (See plate 2, pages 8 and 
 9.) The four men in each group will come to a ready, 
 fire as occasion may offer, and load without moving their 
 feet. 
 
 109. The captain and chiefs of sections will each cause 
 the four men who constitute his guard to form square, 
 the men separating so as to enable him and the bugler to 
 place themselves in the centre. The three sergeants will 
 each promptly place himself in the group nearest him in 
 the line of skirmishers. 
 
 110. Whenever the captain shall judge these squares 
 
THE RALLY. 23 
 
 too weak, but should wish to hold his position by strength- 
 ening his line, he will command : 
 
 Rally by SECTIONS. (Plate**, pages 8 and 9.) 
 
 111. At this command, the chiefs of sections will move 
 rapidly on the centre group of their respective sections, 
 or on any other interior group whose position might offer 
 a shelter, or other particular advantage ; the skirmishers 
 will collect rapidly, at a run, on this group, without dis- 
 tinction of numbers. The men composing the group on 
 which the formation is made, will immediately form 
 square, as heretofore explained, and elevate their pieces, 
 the bayonets uppermost, in order to indicate the point on 
 which the rally is to be made. The other skirmishers, as 
 they arrive, will occupy and fill the open angular spaces, 
 between these four men, and successfully rally around 
 this first nucleus, and in such manner as to form rapidly 
 a compact circle. The skirmishers will take, as they 
 arrive, the position of charge bayonet, the point of the 
 bayonet more elevated, and will cock their pieces in this 
 position. The movement concluded, the two exterior 
 ranks will fire as occasion may offer, and load without 
 moving their feet. 
 
 112. The captain will move rapidly, with his guard, 
 wherever \\Q may judge his presence most necessary. 
 
 113. The officers and sergeants will be particular to 
 observe that the rally is made in silence, and with prompt- 
 itude and order; that some pieces in each of their sub- 
 divisions be at all times loaded, and that the fire is directed 
 on those points only where it will be most effective. 
 
 114. If the reserve should be threatened, it will form 
 into a circle around its chief. 
 
 115. If the captain or commander of a line of skir- 
 mishers formed of many platoons, should judge that the 
 rally by section does not offer sufficient resistance, he will 
 cause the rally by platoons to be executed, and for this 
 purpose, will command : 
 
 Rally % PLATOONS. 
 
 116. This movement will be executed according to the 
 same principles, and by the same means, as the rally by 
 
24 THE RALLY. 
 
 sections. The chiefs of platoon will conform to what has 
 been prescribed for the chiefs of sections. 
 
 117. The captain Wishing to rally the skirmishers on 
 the reserve, will comrmmd : 
 
 Rally on the RESERVE. 
 
 118. At this command, the captain will move briskly 
 on the reserve ; the officer who commands it will take 
 immediate steps to form square; for this purpose, he will 
 cause the half sections on the flanks to be thrown perpen- 
 dicularly to the rear ; he will order the meri^to come to a 
 ready. 
 
 119. The skirmishers of each section, taking the run, 
 will form rapidly into groups, and upon that man of each 
 group who is nearest the centre of the section. These 
 groups will direct themselves diagonally towards each 
 other, and in such manner as to form into sections with 
 the greatest possible rapidity while moving to the rear ; 
 the officers and sergeants will see that this formation is 
 made in proper order, and the chiefs will direct their sec- 
 tions upon the reserve, taking care to unmask it to the 
 right and left. As the skirmishers arrive, they will con- 
 tinue and complete the formation of the square begun by 
 the reserve, closing in rapidly upon the latter, without 
 regard to their places in line; they will come to a ready 
 without command, and fire upon the enemy; which will 
 also be done by the reserve as soon as it is unmasked by 
 the skirmishers. 
 
 120. If a section should be closely pressed by cavalry 
 while retreating, its chief will command halt; at this 
 command, the men will form rapidly into a compact circle 
 around the officer, who will re-form his section and resume 
 the march, the moment he can do so with safety. 
 
 121. The formation of the square in a prompt and 
 efficient manner, requires coolness and activity on the 
 part of both officers and sergeants. 
 
 122. The captain will also profit by every moment of 
 respite which the enemy's cavalry may leave him ; as soon 
 as he can, he will endeavor to place himself beyond the 
 'reach of their charges, either by gaining a position where 
 he may defend himself with advantage, or by returning 
 
FORM COLUMN. 25 
 
 to the corps to which he belongs. For this purpose, 
 being in square, he will cause the company to break into 
 column by platoons at half distance ; to this effect, he will 
 command : 
 
 1. Form Column. 2. MARCH. 
 
 123. At the command march, each platoon will dress 
 on its centre, and the platoon which was facing to the 
 rear will face about without command. The guides will 
 place themselves on the right and left of their respective 
 platoons; those of the second platoon will place them- 
 selves at half distance from those of the first, counting 
 from the rear rank. These dispositions being made, the 
 captain can move the column in whatever direction he 
 may j udge proper. 
 
 124. If he wishes to march it in retreat, he will com- 
 mand : 
 
 1. In Retreat. 
 
 2. MARCH (or Double quick MARCH). 
 
 125. At the command march, the column will imme- 
 diately face by the rear rank, and move off in the opposite 
 direction. As soon as the column is in motion, the cap- 
 tain will command : 
 
 3. Guide right (or left). 
 
 126. He will indicate the direction to the leading 
 guide ; the guides will march at their proper distances, 
 and the men will keep aligned. 
 
 127. If again threatened by cavalry, the captain will 
 command : 
 
 1. Form Square. 2. MARCH. 
 
 128. At the command march, the column will halt; 
 the first platoon will face about briskly, and the outer 
 half-sections of each platoon will be thrown perpendicularly 
 to the rear, so as to form the second and third fronts of 
 the square. The officers and sergeants will promptly 
 rectify any irregularities which may be committed. 
 
 129. If he should wish to march the column in ad- 
 vance, the captain will command : 
 
 1. Form Column. 2. MARCH. 
 3 
 
26 FORM COLUMN. 
 
 130. Which will be executed as prescribed No. 123. 
 
 131. The column being formed, the captain will com- 
 mand : 
 
 1. Forward. 
 
 2. MARCH (or Double quick MARCH.) 
 
 3. Guide left (or right.) 
 
 132. At the second command, the column will move 
 forward, and at the third command, the men will take 
 the touch of elbows to the side of the guide. 
 
 133. If the captain should wish the column to gain 
 ground to the right or left, he will do so by rapid wheels 
 to the side opposite the guide, and for this purpose, will 
 change the guide whenever it may be necessary. 
 
 134. If a company be in column by platoon, at half 
 distance, right in front, the captain can deploy the first 
 platoon as skirmishers by the means already explained ; 
 but if it should be his wish to deploy the second platoon 
 forward on the centre file, leaving the first platoon in re- 
 serve, he will command : 
 
 1. Second platan As skirmishers. 
 
 2. On the cenfy^file Take intervals. 
 
 3. MARCH (or pouble quick MARCH.) 
 
 135. At the first command, the chief of the first pla- 
 toou will caution hi$ platoon to stand fast; the chiefs of 
 sections of the second platoon will place themselves before 
 the centres of their sections ; the first corporal, acting as 
 a sergeant, will place himself one pace in front of the 
 centre of the second platoon. 
 
 136. At the second command, the chief of the right 
 section, second platoon, will command : Section right 
 face ; the chief of the left section : Section left face. 
 
 137. At the command march, these sections will move 
 off briskly in opposite directions; and having unmasked 
 the first platoon, the chiefs of sections will respectively 
 command: By the left flank MARCH, and By the right 
 flank MARCH; and as soon as these sections arrive on 
 the alignment of the first platoon, they will command, As 
 
 'skirmishers- MARCH. The groups will then deploy, ac- 
 cording to prescribed principles, on the right group of the 
 
ASSEMBLY. 27 
 
 left section, which will be directed by the first corporal 
 on the point indicated. 
 
 138. If the captain should wish the deployment made 
 by the flank, the second platoon will be moved to the 
 front by the means above stated, and halted after passing 
 some steps beyond the alignment of the first platoon ; the 
 deployment will then be made by the flank, according to 
 the principles prescribed. 
 
 THE ASSEMBLY. 
 
 139. A company deployed as skirmishers will be as- 
 sembled when there is no longer danger of its being dis- 
 turbed ; the assembly will be made habitually in quick 
 time. 
 
 140. The captain wishing to assemble the skirmishers 
 on the reserve, will command : 
 
 Assemble on the Reserve. 
 
 141. At this command the skirmishers will assemble 
 by groups of four ; the front-rank men will place them- 
 selves behind their rear-rank men ; and each group of 
 four will direct itself on the reserve, where each will take 
 its proper place in the ranks. When the company is re- 
 formed, it will rejoin the battalion to which it belongs. 
 
 142. It may be also proper to assemble the skirmishers 
 on the centre, or on the right or left of the line, either 
 marching or at a halt. 
 
 143. If the captain should wish to assemble them on 
 the centre while marching, he will command : 
 
 Assemble on the Centre. 
 
 144. At this command, the centre guide will continue 
 to march directly to the front on the point indicated ; the 
 front-rank man of the directing file will follow the guide, 
 and be covered by his rear-rank uinn ; the other two com- 
 rades of this group, and likewise those on their loft, will 
 march diagonally, advancing the left shoulder and accel- 
 erating the gait, so as to reform the groups while drawing 
 nearer and nearer the directing file; the men of the right 
 section will unite in the same manner into groups, and 
 
28 BAYONET EXERCISE. 
 
 then upon the directing file, throwing forward the right 
 shoulder. As they successively unite on the centre, the 
 men will bring their pieces to the right shoulder. 
 
 145. To assemble on the right or left file will be exe- 
 cuted according to the same principles. 
 
 146. The assembly of a line marching in retreat will 
 also be executed according to the same principles, the 
 front-rank men marching behind their rear-rank men. 
 
 147. To assemble the line of skirmishers at a halt, 
 and on the line they occupy, the captain will give the 
 same commands; the skirmishers will face to the right 
 or left, according as they should march by the right or 
 left flank, re-form the groups while marching, and thus 
 arrive on the file which served as the point of formation. 
 As they successively arrive, the skirmishers will support 
 arms. 
 
 BAYONET EXERCISE, 
 
 WITH THE MUSKET AND THRUST BAYONET. 
 Part First. 
 
 In teaching this exercise the men, if few in number, 
 may be placed in one rank, if more numerous, say ex- 
 ceeding eight or ten, they should be placed in two ranks, 
 in quincons (the second rank showing between the inter- 
 vals of the first rank). To do this, the instructor, having 
 opened the ranks to four paces, commands : 
 
 1. By the leftflanlc, at four paces, take intervals. 
 
 2. Quick MARCH. 
 
 At this command, number one in the first rank stands 
 fast, number one in the rear rank moves two paces to the 
 left, and all of the men in each rank, take the intervals 
 of four paces, moving for that purpose to the left, halt, 
 and face to the front. Intervals can be taken by the 
 right flank by inverse means, and by the same command, 
 
fosifon of ffis (ruard. 
 
BAYONET EXERCISE. 29 
 
 substituting right for left. To close the ranks and inter- 
 vals, the instructor commands : 
 
 1. Assemble on No. 1 (or any other JVb.) of the front rank. 
 
 2. Quick MARCH. 
 
 FIRST LESSON. 
 
 SIMPLE MOTIONS. POSITION OF THE GTTAED. 
 
 On Guard. (Two motions) (Fig. 1.) 
 
 1. Being at a light infantry shoulder, raise a little the 
 piece with the right hand, turn the left toe square to the 
 front. 
 
 2. Carry the right foot about eighteen inches backward, 
 the right heel on the prolongation of the left, the body 
 erect and perpendicular on both legs, so that the weight 
 is divided equally between them, the knees bent, and 
 take the position of charge bayonet. 
 
 At the command, shoulder arms, spring the musket up 
 into the hollow of the right shoulder, and retake the 
 position of the soldier. 
 
 The instructor, wishing to allow a rest, when recruits 
 are on guard, commands Rest. 
 
 At this command, the man brings the right foot by 
 the side of the left, places the butt of the musket on the 
 ground, and is no longer required to remain immovable 
 or to preserve silence. 
 
 The instructor, wishing to resume the position of guard, 
 commands : 
 
 1. Attention Squad (or Platoon). 
 
 2. Resume GUARD. 
 
 At this command, raise the piece quickly with the 
 right hand, seizing it with the left, at the height of the 
 right breast, and at the same time grasp the small of the 
 stock with the right hand, taking the guard, as before 
 explained. 
 
30 BAYONET EXERCISE. 
 
 EXTENSION. 
 Extend MARCH. (One motion.) (Kg. 2.) 
 
 At the second command advance quickly the left foot 
 about twelve inches, the left leg (from knee to ankle) 
 vertical, the right foot flat on the ground, and the right 
 leg extended and straight, the body remaining erect. 
 
 At the command, on guard, retake the position of 
 guard, by bringing back the left foot to its former po- 
 sition. 
 
 1. Pace to the right (or left.') 
 
 2. Riyht (or left) FACE. (One motion.) 
 
 Turn on the left heel, raising a little the toe of that 
 foot; face to the right (or left), and carry at the same 
 time the right foot eighteen inches to the rear. 
 
 1. Pace about to the right (or left.) 
 
 2. Right (or left) about FACE. (One motion.) 
 
 Turn to the right (or left) on the left heel, by raising 
 the toe of the left foot, facing to the rear, without chang- 
 ing position of the piece, carrying the right foot eighteen 
 inches to rear, and keeping the body erect. 
 
 1. One pace forward MARCH. (Two motions.) 
 
 1st motion : Carry first the right foot against the left 
 heel. 
 
 2d motion : Advance the left foot about eighteen inches, 
 preserving the position of the piece and the body. 
 
 1. One pace backward MARCH. (Two motions.) 
 
 1. Bring back the left foot against the right. 
 
 2. Then carry the right foot eighteen inches to the rear. 
 
 1. One pace to the right MARCH. (Two motions.) 
 
 1st motion : Carry the foot about eighteen inches to 
 the right in the same direction. 
 
 2d motion : Bring immediately the left foot the same 
 distance, and to the same relative position to the right, 
 that it before occupied. 
 
BAYONET EXERCISE. 31 
 
 1. One pace to the left MARCH. (Two motions.') 
 
 1st motion : Carry the left foot about eighteen inches 
 to the left. 
 
 2d motion : Bring back immediately the right foot at 
 its distance, and in its position. 
 
 Passade forward MARCH. (Two motions.') 
 
 1st motion : Throw the right foot eighteen inches in 
 front of the left, the inside of it kept to the front. 
 
 2d motion : Carry quickly the left foot eighteen inches 
 in front of the right, preserving the guard. 
 
 Passade bac7cward MARCH. (Two motions.) 
 
 1st motion : Throw the left foot eighteen inches in rear 
 of the right foot. 
 
 2d motion : Carry quickly the right foot eighteen 
 inches in rear of the left, preserving the guard. 
 
 Leap to the rear MARCH. (One motion?) 
 
 Throw the weight of the body on the left leg, and 
 spring backward as far as possible, preserving the guard. 
 
 1. Volt to the right MARCH. (Two motions .) 
 
 1st motion : Raise the piece by bringing the left hand 
 near to the left breast, without moving the right, the 
 barrel turned toward the body, and at same time turn to 
 the right on the toe of the right foot, carrying the left 
 foot to its place and distance. 
 
 2d motion : Turn to the right on the toe of the left 
 foot; carry the right to its place and distance, at the 
 same time resuming the guard. 
 
 Volt to the left -MARCH. t (Two motions.} 
 
 1st motion : Bring the piece to the position last ex- 
 plained; turn to the left on the toe of the right foot, car- 
 rying the left to its place and distance. 
 
 2d motion : Turn to the left on the toe of the left foot, 
 carrying the right to its place and distance, and resume 
 guard. 
 
32 BAYONET EXERCISE. 
 
 SECOND LESSON. 
 
 PARBIES.* 
 
 Tierce (or three) designates the parry to the right in 
 the upper line. 
 
 Carte (or four), the parry to the left in the upper line. 
 
 Seconde (or two) designates the parry to the right in 
 lower line. 
 
 Prime (or one), the parry to the left in the lower line. 
 
 The upper line comprehends that portion of the body 
 above the waist. The lower line, that portion below the 
 waist. 
 
 Parry three ARMS. (Two motions.} (Fig. 3.) 
 
 1. Move the piece six inches to the right, with the left 
 hand, without changing the position of the right hand. 
 
 2. Resume guard. 
 
 Parry four ARMS. (Two motions.} (Fig. 4.) 
 
 1. Move the piece to the left, about six inches, with 
 the left hand, moving the right hand slightly to the left 
 around the hip. 
 
 2. Resume guard. 
 
 Parry one ARMS. (Two motions} (Fig. 5.) 
 
 1. Turn rapidly the rammer of the piece upward; de- 
 scribe a half circle with the point of the bayonet from 
 above to below, to throw the piece of the adversary out- 
 side of the line of the left knee ; bring the left elbow 
 near to the side, the right hand at the height of the fore- 
 head, opposite to and six inches from the right eye. 
 
 2. Resume guard, 
 
 *In fencing with the bayonet, the men are considered as right-handed, 
 although the body is faced to the right, and the left knee and left shoulder 
 are foremost. The fact is, the left hand is auxiliary only, the right hand 
 governing the piece. 
 
 Therefore the man parries tierce (parry three) when he throws the piece 
 of his adversary to his own right, and parries carte (parry four) when he 
 throws the piece of his adversary to his own left. In the line below the 
 waist, the prime parry (parry one) corresponds to parry four in the line 
 above the waist; and seconde parry (parry two) corresponds to parry three 
 in that (the upper) line. 
 
Parry 
 
Parry /b 
 
Parry 
 
Fy.7. 
 
 WM the frutt purr//. 
 
JBodi/ parri/. 
 
Head 
 
BAYONET EXERCISE. 33 
 
 Parry two ARMS. (Two motions.) (Fig. 6.) 
 
 1. Turn rapidly the rammer upward; describe a half- 
 circle with the point of the bayonet from above to below, 
 to throw the piece of the adversary outside of the line of 
 the right knee, without moving the left hand, the left 
 elbow closed into and resting on the left breast, the right 
 hand opposite the right shoulder at the height of the eye, 
 
 2. Resume guard. (The figure 6, represents the parry 
 being executed, not completed.) 
 
 With the butt parry ARMS. (Four motions.) (Fig. 7.) 
 
 1. Straighten the right leg; bring the gun perpendicu- 
 larly before the centre of the body, the lock to the front, 
 the right arm nearly straight, the thumb of the left hand 
 not higher than the shoulder. 
 
 2. Move the butt of the piece to the left. 
 
 3. Move the butt of the piece to the right. 
 
 4. Resume guard. 
 
 Body and head parry ARMS. ( Three motions.) 
 (Figs. 8 and 9.) 
 
 1. Bring the left hand near the left hip; advance the 
 right hand; place the piece horizontally before the body, 
 lowering it to the thighs, the barrel upward. 
 
 2. Raise it immediately just above the top of the cap, 
 the barrel downward, the fingers of the left hand closed. 
 
 3. Resume guard. 
 
 THIRD LESSON. 
 
 LUNGES AND THRUSTS. 
 Lunge one ARMS. ( Two motions.) (Fig. 10.) 
 
 1. Bring rapidly the piece to a horizontal position (the 
 lock plate up) in the direction of the breast of the ad- 
 versary, by extending the left arm to its full length, the 
 flat of the butt under the right forearm ; strengthen the 
 right leg, throwing forward the body. 
 
 2. Resume guard. 
 
34 BAYONET EXERCISE. 
 
 Lunge two ARMS. (Two motions.) (Figs. 11 and 12.) 
 
 1. Draw the piece back with the right hand, the left 
 hand following the piece in order to give it a greater im- 
 pulse ; direct quickly the bayonet towards the breast of 
 the adversary, by extending the right arm, making the 
 piece slide horizontally through the left hand up to the 
 trigger guard, the lock upward, the flat of the butt under 
 the right forearm, and the right leg straight. 
 
 2. Resume guard. 
 
 Lunge three ARMS. (One motion.) (Fig. 13.) 
 
 Thrust quickly the piece against your adversary by a 
 full extension of the right arm, turning the lock upward, 
 the flat of the butt under the right forearm, the upper 
 part of the body following the motion of the right hand, 
 the left hand (which has quit its hold in making the 
 lunge) open ready to receive the piece, and resume 
 quickly the guard. 
 
 Thrust three ARMS. (Fig. 14.) 
 
 Extend quickly the left arm, directing the point of the 
 bayonet on the left breast of the adversary; raise the 
 piece at the same time to the height of the face and with- 
 in four inches of it, turning the trigger guard upwards, 
 the butt resting upon the right forearm ; straighten the 
 right leg, the upper part of the body thrown forward. 
 
 2. Resume the guard. 
 
 Thrust four ARMS. (Fig. 15.) 
 
 1. Direct quickly the point of the bayonet on the right 
 breast of the adversary, the lock downward, the piece 
 under the left arm, the butt-plate against the breast, the 
 left arm extended, with the left hand holding the piece, 
 the right hand remaining at the small of the stock, the 
 right leg straight, the upper part of the body forward. 
 
 2. Resume the guard. 
 
 Thrust one ARMS. (Two motions.) 
 1, Take the position of parry one ; and thrust by ex- 
 
6? up de 
 
BAYONET EXERCISE. 35 
 
 tending the arms, the point of the bayonet directed on 
 the belly of your adversary, just below the belt. 
 2. Resume the guard. * 
 
 (This thrust can be advantageously parried with the 
 butt, and can be replied to by the thrust four, or a cut or 
 blow, as shown in fig. 16.) 
 
 Thrust two ARMS. 
 
 Take the position of parry two, and thrust by extend- 
 ing the arms as in thrust one. 
 
 Against cavalry , thrust ONE. (Three motions.} 
 (Fig. 17.) 
 
 1. Raise the piece with both hands, the arms extended, 
 the trigger guard upward, the band between the thumb 
 and fingers of the left hand. 
 
 2. Bend the left knee and straighten the right knee, 
 thrusting at the height of a man on horseback. 
 
 3. Resume the guard. 
 
 AGAINST INFANTRY. 
 With the lutt strike ARMS. (Three motions.') (Fig. 18.) 
 
 1. Extend quickly the right arm to its full length, 
 draw back the piece with the left to within five inches of 
 the breast; straighten the right knee; strike the adver- 
 sary in the lower part of the belly, with the toe of the butt. 
 
 2. Then on the head, with the barrel, by drawing back 
 the right hand, using the left as a pivot. 
 
 3. Resume guard. 
 
 Shortened stroke ARMS. (Three motions.) 
 (Figs. 19 and 20.) 
 
 1. Jerk the piece back with the left hand, which will 
 be placed near the upper band, the left forearm touching 
 the oody, the right hand seizing the piece at the tail-band. 
 
 2. Straighten the right knee; extend quickly the left 
 arm its full length in thrusting. 
 
 3. Resume the guard. 
 
36 
 
 BAYONET EXERCISE. 
 
 Coup de melee ARMS. (Three motions.) (Fig. 21.) 
 
 1. Pitch up the piece with both hands to the height 
 of the chin, and about three inches from it, seize it with 
 right hand (the back of it turned outwards) at the tail- 
 band, and with the left hand at the middle band, the 
 back of it turned inwards. 
 
 2. Thrust, straightening the right knee, and bring 
 back the piece the right hand opposite the shoulder. 
 
 3. Give the piece a rotary motion in that hand (the 
 right) with the left hand, which leaves the hold of the 
 piece to seize it again in front of the right hand ; place 
 the latter at the small of the stock ; resuming the guard. 
 
 FOURTH LESSON. 
 
 COMBINED MOTIONS, PARRIES AND THRUSTS, STANDING 
 FAST. 
 
 3. Parry three, and thrust 
 3. " four, " 
 
 3. 
 3. 
 4. 
 4. 
 4. 
 4. 
 4. 
 4. 
 4. 
 
 one, 
 
 two, 
 
 three and four, thrust four 
 
 r 
 
 ARMS. 
 
 four and three, " three 
 
 one and two, " two 
 
 two and one, " one 
 
 one and three, u three 
 
 two and four, u four 
 
 two and three, " three 
 6. With butt parry, and strike 
 6. " " " shorten stroke 
 3. " " thrust four 
 6. Body and head parry Coup de melee 
 3. Head parry against cavalry Thrust one 
 
 The figures indicate the number of motions in exe- 
 cuting the commands to which they are prefixed. 
 
 FIFTH LESSON. 
 
 In this lesson, which is preparatory instruction to 
 the sixth, one must proceed after the following principles. 
 
BAYONET EXERCISE. 37 
 
 The thrusts are delivered standing fast, and after a mo- 
 tion forward. The parries are made when standing fast, 
 and after a motion backward. One may execute, indif- 
 ferently, either a thrust or a parry after the following 
 motions : Right or left face. Right about or left about 
 face. A pace to the right or to the left. The commands 
 relating to the legs, must always precede those relating 
 to the arms. A command must include only one motion 
 of the legs with one thrust or one parry, as 
 
 Extend lunge one, March. (2 motions.) 
 
 One pace forward lunge two, " 4 " 
 
 " " backward parry one, " 4 " 
 
 Passade forward lunge three, " 4 " 
 
 " backward with butt parry, " 6 " 
 " forward, against cavalry 
 
 parry one, " 3 " 
 
 * Leap to the rear parry two, " 2 " 
 
 * " u head and body parry, " 4 " 
 
 SIXTH LESSON. 
 
 MOVEMENTS FORWARD THRUSTS AND PARRIES. 
 MOVEMENTS BACKWARD PARRIES AND THRUSTS. 
 
 f Extend, lunge one, parry three, March. (3 motions.) 
 One pace forward, lunge two, parry 
 
 
 four, 
 
 a 
 
 5 
 
 a 
 
 " 
 
 backward, parry four and 
 
 
 
 
 
 thrust four, 
 
 u 
 
 5 
 
 u 
 
 Passade forward, parry three (or four), ^ 
 
 
 shorten stroke, 
 
 tt 
 
 6 
 
 " 
 
 " 
 
 backward, with butt parry, 
 
 
 
 
 
 and strike, 
 
 
 
 : 8 
 
 < 
 
 u 
 
 backward, with butt parry, 
 
 
 
 
 
 shorten stroke, 
 
 u 
 
 8" 
 
 
 
 u 
 
 backward, with butt parry, 
 
 
 
 
 
 thrust four, 
 
 u 
 
 7 
 
 (t 
 
 * To parry with the leap, the parry is made at the same time with the 
 leap. 
 
 f The lunge is made in the same time with the extension, and the parry 
 in the same time, and when in the act of resuming guard. 
 4 
 
38 BAYONET EXERCISE. 
 
 Passade forward, against cavalry, 
 
 thrust one, head parry, March. (5 motions.) 
 Leap to the rear, parry two, thrust 
 
 two, " 3 " 
 
 fe " body and head parry, 
 
 Coup de melee, " 7 " 
 
 After the motions, face to the right or left, right or 
 left about face, one pace to the right or to the left, one 
 can execute indifferently the thrusts and parries or the 
 parries and thrusts of this lesson. 
 
 BAYONET EXERCISE, 
 
 WITH THE RIFLE AND SABRE BAYONET. 
 
 1. In teaching this exercise, the men will be placed in 
 one rank, at a distance of four paces from each other, in 
 order that they may not be able to meet when vaulting. 
 
 2. The men being at a light infantry shoulder ; the 
 instructor will command : 
 
 1. Guard against Infantry (PI. 1). 
 
 2. GUARD. (Two motions.) 
 
 3. 1st motion: Make a half-face to the right on both 
 heels, the feet square ; raise at the same time the piece a 
 little, and seize it with the left hand below and near the 
 middle band. 
 
 4. 2d motion : Bring the right leg to the rear perpen- 
 dicularly, about eighteen inches, the right heel on the 
 same line with the left; the knees a little bent, the weight 
 of the body bearing equally on both legs ; lower the piece 
 with both hands, the barrel upward, the left elbow press- 
 ing against the body ; seize at the same time the piece 
 below the trigger-guard with the right hand ; the arms 
 hanging naturally, the point of the bayonet slightly ele- 
 vated. 
 
 Shoulder ARMS. (One motion.) 
 
 5. liaise the piece with the left hand ; place it against 
 the right shoulder; bring at the same time the right heel 
 on the alignment of the left, and face to the front. 
 
* 
 
BAYONET EXERCISE. 39 
 
 1. Guard against Cavalry. (PI. 2.) 
 
 2. GUARD. (Two motions.) 
 
 6. The first and the second motions as in the guard 
 against infantry, with the exception that the right hand 
 will be fixed at the hip, and the bayonet as high as the 
 eye, as in the position of charge bayonet. 
 
 7. The meq placed in either of the above positions, 
 will execute the following motions : 
 
 1. Face to the right (or left). 
 
 2. Right (or left} FACE. 
 
 8. Turn on the left heel, by raising the toe, and face 
 to the right (or left) ; at the same time bring the right 
 foot to the rear, at eighteen inches. 
 
 1. Face to the right about. 
 
 2. Right about FACE. 
 
 9. At the command face, turn to the right on the left 
 heel, by raising the toe a little; face to the rear without 
 changing the position of the piece, and bring the right 
 foot to the rear, at eighteen inches from the left. 
 
 1. Face to the left about. 
 
 2. Left about FACE. 
 
 10. Turn to the left on the left heel by the inverse 
 means of that above prescribed. 
 
 1. One pace forward. 2. MARCH. 
 
 11. At the command march, carry first the right foot 
 against the left heel, and then the left foot at eighteen 
 inches to the front. 
 
 1. One pace backward. 2. MARCH. 
 
 12. At the command march, carry first the left foot 
 close to the right, and then the latter at eighteen inches 
 to the rear. 
 
 1. One pace to the right. 2. MARCH. 
 
 13. Carry the right foot eighteen inches to the right 
 in the same direction; bring immediately the left foot in 
 front, at its distance, and in its position. 
 
40 BAYONET EXERCISE. 
 
 1. One pace to the left. 2. MARCH. 
 
 14. Carry the left foot eighteen inches to the left ; 
 bring immediately the right foot at its distance and in its 
 position. 
 
 1. Passade forward. 2. MARCH. 
 
 15. Carry the right foot eighteen inches in front of the 
 left; bring quickly the left foot eighteen inches in front, 
 and preserve the position of the guard. 
 
 1. Passade backward. 2. MARCH. 
 
 16. Carry the left foot twelve inches in the rear of the 
 right; bring quickly the right foot eighteen inches in the 
 rear of the left; preserve the position of the guard. 
 
 1. Volt to the right. 2. MARCH. 
 
 17. Bring the piece near the body with the left hand, 
 the barrel opposite the left shoulder, without moving the 
 right hand ; turn to the right on the toe of the right foot, 
 planting the left foot perpendicularly to the rear at eigh- 
 teen inches ; finish the volt by turning the toe of the left 
 foot, and bringing the right foot to the rear and at its 
 distance ; resume the guard at the same time. 
 
 1. Volt to the left. 2. MARCH. 
 
 18. Turn to the left on the toe of the right foot; plant 
 the left foot perpendicularly to the rear, at eighteen 
 inches; and finish the volt by inverse means of that above 
 prescribed. 
 
 19. When the men, at home in those different posi- 
 tions, will be able to execute with precision and quickness 
 the divers paces and volts, they will be taught the use of 
 their weapon for attack and defence. 
 
 1. In carte parry. 2. ARMS. 
 
 20. At the 2d command, raise the muzzle of the piece 
 twelve inches with the left hand, without moving the 
 right; at the same time move the piece about six inches 
 to the left, and remain in that position. 
 
 Resume Guard. 
 
 21. Lower quickly the left hand, without moving the 
 right, and bring the piece to the position of the guard. 
 
BAYONET EXERCISE. 41 
 
 22. Each time the instructor causes the parries and 
 the thrusts to be executed, he will cause the guard to be 
 resumed at the end of each motion, by the command, 
 resume guard. 
 
 1. In tierce parry. 2. ARMS. 
 
 23. Raise quickly the muzzle of the piece twelve 
 inches with the left hand, without moving the right; at 
 the same time move the piece with the left hand six 
 inches to the right. 
 
 1. In prime parry. 2. ARMS. (PI. 3.) 
 
 24. Eaise the piece with both hands, the arms fully 
 extended, the piece covering the head, the lock plate 
 turned towards the body, the barrel grasped by the thumb 
 and forefinger of the left hand, the bayonet menacing, 
 although slightly inclined to the left, the tail-band at the 
 top of the hat. 
 
 1. In prime right (or left) parry. 2. ARMS. 
 
 25. Advance the left shoulder (or the right shoulder) 
 and parry (as explained in 24) to the right (or to the left.) 
 
 1. In carte thrust. 2. ARMS. (PI. 4.) 
 
 26. At the second command, throw the weight of the 
 body forward ; bend the left knee and straighten the right; 
 extend the left arm in full, the fingers of the left hand 
 being open and maintaining the piece; bringing the butt 
 before the left breast, the lock-plate turned downward ; 
 and remain in that position until the command resume 
 guard. 
 
 1. In tierce thrust. 2. ARMS. (PI. 5.) 
 
 27. Bring the upper part of the body forward ; straighten 
 the right knee and bend the left ; fully extend the left 
 arm, the fingers of the left hand being open and main- 
 taining the piece, the lock-plate turned upward, the butt 
 before the right breast. 
 
 1. In prime thrust. 2. ARMS. (PL 6.) 
 
 28. Elevate the piece with both hands, the arms being 
 extended, the trigger-guard upward, the barrel between 
 
42 BAYONET EXERCISE. 
 
 the thumb and fingers of the left hand; bend the left 
 knee and straighten the right, thrust at the same time 
 the piece to the adversary, directing the blow at the height 
 of a man on horseback. 
 
 1. In prime to the right (or left) thrust. 
 
 2. ARMS. 
 
 29. Advance the left shoulder (or the right shoulder) 
 and thrust to the right (or to the left) as explained in 28. 
 
 1. Lunge. 2. ARMS. (PL 7.) 
 
 30. At the 2d command, throw the upper part of the 
 body forward, by bending the left knee and straightening 
 the right; thrust rapidly the piece at the adversary, fully 
 extending the right arm, leaving off with the left hand 
 when thrusting, which is kept extended to receive the 
 piece, and resume the guard. 
 
 31. When the men are on guard against infantry, 
 they will thrust at the height of the breast of a man ; 
 when on guard against cavalry, they will aim the blow 
 at the height of a horse's head, or of the sides of a 
 horseman. 
 
 32. When the men are perfectly acquainted with the 
 divers paces, parries, and thrusts, the instructor will cause 
 them to execute those divers motions put together, at the 
 command march. Example : 
 
 1. Passade forward, in prime parry and thrust. 
 
 2. MARCH. 
 
 33. At the 2d command, the man will execute the 
 passade, parry in prime, and thrust in prime. 
 
 34. As one must admit the case when one single 
 man will be in the necessity of defending himself against 
 two or three adversaries, the instructor will cause the 
 double motions and thrusts to be executed, and that 
 will add considerably to the address and nimbleness of 
 the men. Example : 
 
 1. One pace forward, lunge, volt to the left, in carte 
 parry and thrust. 2. MARCH. 
 
 35. At the 2d command, march forward, lunge, then 
 execute the volt, parry carte, and thrust carte. 
 
* 
 
EXERCISE WITH THE PLASTRON. 43 
 
 EXERCISE WITH THE PLASTRON. 
 
 In the lesson with the plastron, the same progression is 
 followed as in the figurative lesson. 
 
 In order to obtain more rapidity in the execution of 
 the motions, the pace forward and the pace backward 
 will be executed on the command, advance, retreat; as 
 for the other motions of the arms and legs, the commands 
 arms and march are suppressed. 
 
 After the parries have been executed separately they 
 will be executed by two, three, four, five, and six, together. 
 
 In the lesson with the plastron, the Extension] (fig. 2) 
 always accompanies the lunge one, the lunge two, the 
 thrusts three, four, one, and two. 
 
 The blows with the butt and the shortened stroke 
 are generally delivered standing fast, and after a parry. 
 
 When the shortened stroke is used it must be repeated 
 three times. One must not return the lunges one, two, 
 or three, after the parry four or the parry one, except 
 when the bayonet of the adversary has been well thrown 
 off the line of carte, (the left side of the body) ; other- 
 wise one is exposed to receive a blow at the same time. 
 
 The lunge three is not to bo used against an infantry 
 soldier, except with the greatest circumspection, because 
 it leaves, when parried, the man at the mercy of his ad- 
 versary; never " extend" when delivering it. 
 
 When the blow with the butt is delivered after parry 
 three, the bayonet must pass over the right shoulder; 
 on the contrary, it must pass over the left shoulder, if 
 after parry four. 
 
 Salute. (Figs. 22 and 23.) 
 
 When t^> men are about to proceed to a fencing- 
 match, the salute will be made in the following manner : 
 Being at a light infantry carry, take the guard, and en- 
 gage the end of the bayonet in carte ; make two appeals, 
 that is, strike the ground twice, smartly, with the left 
 foot, and immediately after take the erect position, by 
 
44 EXERCISE WITH THE PLASTRON. 
 
 bringing the right heel against the left, so that the feet 
 be square to each other; raise at the same time the piece 
 against the right shoulder, the left arm on the breast, 
 the hand at the height of the shoulder; salute to the 
 right by presenting the piece towards that side, that is 
 to say, by turning the ramrod to the right, the piece 
 being perpendicular opposite to the shoulder; turn, also, 
 the head to the right ; salute to the left by similar mo- 
 tions of the piece and head ; bring back the piece oppo- 
 site the middle of the body to salute the adversary by 
 lowering, a little, both hands ; resume the guard ; make 
 two " appeals ; " then the fencing begins. 
 
 Materiel (Fig. 24.) 
 
 The materiel in the fencing-room should consist of 
 plastrons of buckskin, masks and gloves, as for fencing 
 with the broadsword (the left hand only should re- 
 quire a glove) ; muskets made of ash or hickory, and 
 gutta percha bayonets; also, a lance and a sabre, pre- 
 pared as the bayonet, to be used in sham-fights against a 
 horseman. 
 
SUGGESTIONS. 45 
 
 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE SOLDIER IN A FIGHT. 
 
 HOW TO FIGHT A FOOT SOLDIER. 
 
 When the bayonets are engaged for a fight, if your 
 adversary succeeds, by means of a strong pressure, to 
 move your piece towards the right or left, it will be 
 necessary then to yield to that pressure in such a man- 
 ner as to parry one or two ; if, for instance, the pressure 
 is felt towards the left, yield in the same manner, parry 
 two and thrust two, and return to the position of parry 
 one, or parry two, according to circumstances. When 
 attacked by two infantry soldiers marching without 
 interval between them, wait for them in front in a de- 
 fensive attitude, and, as soon as they are within reach, 
 deliver lunge three and pass to the right, if the lunge is 
 delivered against the man on the left ; by inverse means 
 one should pass to the left, if the lunge was delivered 
 against the man on the right. If the blow has taken 
 effect, the fight will be continued with the next man; 
 but, admitting that the lunge was parried by the former, 
 the motion of passing to the right (or left) has brought 
 you to the right (or left) flank, and given you time for 
 new thrusts against your adversary, as the other man, 
 until he has also shifted his position, is masked by the 
 one you have engaged. 
 
 If the two adversaries are advancing with an inter- 
 val between them, with the view of attacking by the 
 flanks and placing you between them, rush diagonally 
 against the man on your right, or that on your left, at- 
 tack him vigorously, and force him to turn his back to 
 the other man when facing you. If the two adversaries 
 are advancing in order to close upon you, the one in 
 front, the other in the rear, then run to meet one of them 
 in order to attack him and to turn him, as above. 
 
 In a crowd, use the coup de melee; and against seve- 
 ral adversaries, with room enough for fencing, take the 
 guard of parr?/ two or parry one, and make volts, de- 
 livering a thrust each time you turn. 
 
46 SUGGESTIONS. 
 
 How to Fight a Horseman. 
 
 The streDgth of a horseman lies in his individual 
 address and audacity much more than in his arms, which 
 are little to be feared by a man skilled in the use of the 
 bayonet. A wary horseman is careful not to approach 
 an infantry man as long as the foot-soldier has a load in 
 his gun. He will ride about, at a distance of a hundred 
 paces or more, and fire with pistols or carbine, in order 
 to draw the fire of the foot-soldier. In such a case the 
 foot-soldier will take his aim at the horseman at the 
 instant the horseman is firing, and go through the motions 
 of taking cartridge, priming, &c., in order to induce the 
 belief that his piece is not loaded. 
 
 The infantry soldier who is a good shot, and, at the 
 same time, a good Layonetsman, waits, standing fast, for 
 the horseman who charges him. He takes aim at his 
 adversary, and fires as soon as the latter is within six or 
 eight yards distance; immediately after firing he takes 
 the left of the horseman, if he does not already occupy 
 that position. The footman must always manage to oc- 
 cupy that position, which is the least advantageous to the 
 horseman, who has less facility for handling his sabre to 
 his left than to his right. A dead-shot aims at the man ; 
 an ordinary shot aims at the horse, and runs up to the 
 horseman as he falls; and the defeat of the horseman is 
 then an easy matter. 
 
 However, a man nimble and confident in his weapon, 
 although taking aim at his adversary, holds'his fire. He 
 uses first his bayonet, and only fires when the horseman 
 has passed him, or even later, when he thinks it necessary 
 to bring the fight to an end. 
 
 If the horseman is armed with a sabre, he cannot reach 
 further than two yards, and the infantry soldier, by 
 placing himself at that distance, only looks for an oppor- 
 tunity of delivering the lunge three, by means of which 
 he is able to reach the horseman at a distance of three 
 yards. If the horseman manages to get near enough to 
 the man to have him within reach of his sabre, then the 
 infantry soldier will parry three and four by presenting 
 his piece vertically, and taking care to lower the piece, 
 
SUGGESTIONS. 47 
 
 and to protect the fingers of his left hand behind the 
 barrel. He takes the guard of head parry (fig. 9), and 
 returns by the thrust against cavalry (fig. 17), or by the 
 lunge three, which is used principally against cavalry. 
 
 When the horseman is armed with a lance, the two 
 adversaries can reach from the same distance. The foot- 
 soldier will avoid the first shock, or any blow which 
 participates in the momentum acquired by the impulsion 
 of the horse ; whether he happens to be placed to the left 
 or to the right, he must, when parrying, throw his piece 
 in the direction of the motion of the horse. When he 
 has succeeded in warding off the blow of his adversary, 
 he closes as quickly as possible, if the horseman keeps 
 circling around him, and multiplies his attacks with the 
 bayonet. The lancer, in close quarters, finds great diffi- 
 culty in parrying and thrusting. A skillful horseman, 
 who can cause the infantry soldier to lose his self-possesion 
 (sang fr oid), will have the advantage of him but, if the 
 latter keeps cool, with his gun loaded, he will be able to 
 conquer one, and even two horsemen. 
 
 A foot-soldier who has been engaged in or witnessed a 
 fight with a horseman, is soon convinced of the superiority 
 of his means, and cannot be scared by the impetuous 
 charge of his adversary. 
 
 If the horseman comes direct upon the infantry soldier, 
 the latter will deliver the lunge three on the mouth of 
 the horse, and make a step to the right, parrying four at 
 the same time, if the horseman be armed with a sabre; 
 on the contrary, he will pass to the left, if the horseman 
 be a lancer, and parry three; returning the thrust one 
 against cavalry (fig. 17), if the adversary is near enough, 
 and lunge three, if not. 
 
 The most critical position for the foot-soldier is that in 
 which he finds himself opposed to a skillful adversary, who 
 will charge him impetuously in front, and suddenly oblique 
 to the left, at a distance of ten paces, then oblique to the 
 right again, in order to keep his man on his right. This 
 circular motion has a tendency to bewilder the footman 
 and make him dizzy. The foot-soldier will then tuke his 
 stand at nine feet from the horseman, parry three and 
 
48 SUGGESTIONS. 
 
 four, making paces to the right and lunging three when- 
 ever an opportunity occurs. 
 
 If the foot-soldier wishes to get out of the circle in 
 which the trooper has placed him, he will direct himself 
 by the shortest way to the rear of the horseman, and lunge 
 three against the sides of the man or the horse. 
 
 If the horseman comes out unhurt, and makes to the 
 right, taking a circuitous road, in order to keep again the 
 foot soldier to his right, go straight to the front of the 
 trooper, and strike the head of the horse. 
 
 If the trooper, instead of taking a roundabout way, 
 makes right about face, in order to sabre the foot-soldier 
 on his right, one must, in such a case, close at once with 
 the horseman, from behind and at his left ; and that ought 
 to be done at the instant that the trooper slackens the 
 motion of his horse in order to right about face. As soon 
 as the foot-soldier has closed on the left ; he will lunge 
 three on the left side of the horseman. 
 
 Against two horsemen, the fencing will be carried on 
 according to the same principles as against two infantry 
 soldiers. It is hardly necessary to repeat that composure 
 of mind, coolness, and resolution, are the requisites, in 
 such encounters; in order to insure success. 
 
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