Title III: Instruction of Recruits
Article 2: Progress in the School of the Recruit
The recruits are to be trained one by one
The heels joined and positioned on the same line, the heels square
and toes points equally to the side, the calves touching but not
tight, the body upright, the shoulders squared, back and balanced,
the body full heighth, the chest forward but without extending
the rear. The arms fully extended without roidir them, the hands
hanging and placed flat on the side against the thigh, the head
well up from the shoulders, the chin a bit toward the neck stock
without covering it however. The head turned to the right so that
the left eye is in line with the buttons on the vest, and the
gaze fixed on whatever object has been indicated.
Care will be taken that the Soldier will not experience any strain
in this position and will not use any other method than which
is laid out in this present Ordonnance.
The Soldier will become accustomed to standing motionless; a position he will take the instant he is given the command:
He will hold that position until the command:
The command, guarde=à vous, is the one that will
be used in every instance when the troops are at ease and one
wishes them to retake immobility.
After learning this first position, the soldier will be given
a cartridge box and will be shown how to position it.
The soldier will then be drilled in head movements with the following commands:
On the command, turn the head briskly to the left so that the right eye is in line with the row of vest buttons.
Turn the head briskly to take the original position, without allowing
the body to turn or the head to tilt.
Demonstrate in turns: to the right, the left and about turn in
the same manner.
Turn on the left heel, raising the tip of the left foot slightly,
at the same time bringing the right heel to the side of the left
and on the same alignment, without striking the ground.
Turn immediately on the left heel, bringing the right heel to
the side of the left and on the same alignment.
Move the right foot to the rear, the right heel three inches behind the left, the buckle of the right foot against the left heel, while grasping the corner of the cartridge box with the right hand.
Turn on both heels, the calves together, elevating the toes slightly;
bring the right foot into alignment with the left and letting
go of the cartridge box.
Take care to break the command so that the First Step is executed
after the warning, demi-tour, and the Second Step as soon
as à droite is given.
Following this first instruction, the soldier will be trained
in the principles of marching.
School of the March
The step will be two feet in length and will be done a bit slower
than usual, at a pace of around 60 steps per minute.
Briskly bring the left foot forward, without jerking, keeping
the left leg straight, immediately bringing the entire body forward,
not turning the shoulders to either the right or left; extend
the left leg bringing the heel to the ground two feet from right
heel. Bend the knee of the leg supporting the body, so that the
weight of the body remains directly above and continues to push
the body forward without turning the shoulders to either the right
or left. Bring the right leg forward (without immediately extending
it fully) moving forward in an even and continuous motion, to
bring the right foot to the ground two feet ahead of the left,
the knee of the same slightly bent. Straighten it while transferring
the weight of the body and continue putting the left to the front
to begin the third step which is followed by the right in the
prescribed manner.
The form of this step is designed only to conform to the natural
walking motion. One will encourage the recruit to avoid stiffness
in any of this movements and will make every effort to following
the preceding instructions to develop in the recruit a simple,
easy, natural step that will serve well on any terrain and at
any speed.
Finish the step that has begun, bringing the other foot lively
to the side of the one on the ground with striking; and turning
the head to the right if it was to the left while marching; this
position always being that of the soldier when standing, unless
he has been given a command to the contrary.
The command, halte, can be given from either the right
or left foot.
After completing the first lesson in marching, the recruit will
carry the musket.
The weapon is in the left hand, the arm nearly fully extended,
the elbow close to the body without straining, the palm of the
hand pressed against the exterior side of the butt, the index
finger on the screw, the thumb above it; the three bottom fingers
under the heel of the butt which will be supported more or less
to the front according to the natural curve of the hip, such that
the weapon is as upright as possible, the ramrod in the should
crease, the barrel to the outside, the right hand flat and along
the side of the thigh.
Special Attention in Marching and Shoulder Arms
The Soldier having learned the principles of the march and shoulder
arms, and having acquired the necessary skills, will be joined
with two others to be drilled in the different steps, first in
rank, as well as in file.
The Ordinary Step will be two feet in length and the speed will
be sixty-eight steps per minute. It will be done following the
principles laid out in the School of the March. One will take
care that the body is always carried to the front and the forward
motion will determine the movement of the legs.
The Maneuver Step will be the same length and the speed will 120
steps per minute.
The Route Step will be the same length and the speed will be 90
to 120 steps per minute.
The Flank Step will be the same length, it will be executed on
the same principles except that the body will carried still more
decidedly toward the front and the knee will be more flexed when
putting the foot on the ground.
The three men in one rank standing shoulder-to-shoulder are given the command à droite or à gauche.
On the command marche, the file will march forward.
On the Flank March, the officers should take care
The Oblique Step will be as long as possible depending on the
angle of the oblique march.
March oblique to the right or left but always leaving the head
turned toward the side toward which it was facing.
The Soldier will march toward his front, pushing the body forward.
On the Oblique March, the Instructor will observe
The Soldiers will be frequently drilled in shortening or lengthening
their step.
To shorten the step, one commands:
To lengthen the step, one commands:
These two different steps may be shortened, hurried or slowed
as necessary; the length and rate will be determined by the Instructor,
who will place himself from time to time at the side of the recruits,
either on their right or left depending on which way their heads
are turned.
The Soldiers will become accustomed to marking the cadence without moving forward on the command:
Bring the heel of the moving leg opposite and alongside the heel
on the ground, until the command, halte, at which point
the Soldier will place the heel of the moving leg at the side
of the foot on the ground, or until the command, en avant ==
marche, which can be executed from either leg, and on which
the Soldier will carry the body forward.
March to the rear by bringing the left foot forward on
the command, marche; but using it only to move backward
by a small number of steps, one troop being too far forward.
The Soldier will be drilled in switching from the ordinary step
to the maneuver step, and from the maneuver step to the ordinary
step.
One commands:
The Soldier will be drilled in switching from the march to the
front to the oblique march, and from the oblique to the front
march, using the commands indicated above.
The Soldier being familiar with these different steps, he will
be shown the manual of arms in the following order.(see Title
III, Article 3)