Title III: Instruction of Recruits
Article 2: Progress in the School of the Recruit

The recruits are to be trained one by one

Position of the Soldier

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:

Guard == à vous

He will hold that position until the command:

Repos

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:

Tête == à gauche

On the command, turn the head briskly to the left so that the right eye is in line with the row of vest buttons.

Tête == à droite

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.

À droite … (1 step)

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.

À gauche … (1 step)

Turn immediately on the left heel, bringing the right heel to the side of the left and on the same alignment.

Demi-tour == à droite (2 steps)

First Step

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.

Second Step

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.

Commands

1.

En avant.

2.

Marche.

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.

Halte

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.

Shoulder Arms

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.

Pas Ordinaire

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.

Pas de Manoeuvre

The Maneuver Step will be the same length and the speed will 120 steps per minute.

Pas de Route

The Route Step will be the same length and the speed will be 90 to 120 steps per minute.

Pas de flanc

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.

Marche de flanc

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

Pas Oblique

The Oblique Step will be as long as possible depending on the angle of the oblique march.

Command

1.

Oblique à droite == marche

or

Oblique à gauche == marche

March oblique to the right or left but always leaving the head turned toward the side toward which it was facing.

En avant == marche

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:

Petit pas == marche.

The march step is one foot.

To lengthen the step, one commands:

Alongez == marche.

The march step is one and a half feet.

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:

Marquez le pas.

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.

En arrière == marche.

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:

Pas de manoeuvre == marche.

or

Pas ordinaire == marche.

Take the maneuvering or ordinary step depending on the command.

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)