THE MANUAL EXERCISE
The 1764 Manual Re-explained and Paraphrased for 21st Century Recruits
According to the usage of the 5th NY Regiment
prior to 1777.
1. Poise your Firelocks! 2 Motions
(1.) Grasp the Firelock with your right
Hand, and turn the Lock outwards, keeping the Firelock perpendicular.
2. Cock your Firelocks! 2 Motions
3. Present! 1 Motion
4. Fire! 1 Motion
5. Half Cock your Firelocks! 1 Motion
6. Handle your Cartridge! 1 Motion
(1.) Bring your right Hand round to your Pouch, slapping it hard;
grasp the Cartridge, and bring it with a quick motion to your Mouth, bite the
top of the Cartridge well off and bring the Hand as low as the Chin to the
right of your face, with the Elbow down.
7. Prime! 1 Motion
8. Shut your Pans! 2 Motions
9. Charge with Cartridge! 2 Motions
10. Draw your Rammers!
2 Motions
11. Ram down your Cartridge! 1 Motion
12. Return your Rammers! 1 Motion
13. Shoulder your Firelocks! 2 Motions
14. Rest your Firelocks! 3 Motions
15. Order your Firelocks! 4 Motions
16. Ground your Firelocks! 5 Motions
17. Take up your Firelocks! 5 Motions
18. Rest your Firelocks! 3 Motions
19. Shoulder your Firelocks! 2 Motions
20. Secure your Firelocks! 3 Motions
21. Shoulder your Firelocks! 3 Motions
22. Fix your Bayonets! 4 Motions
23. Shoulder your Firelocks! 3 Motions
24. Present your Arms! 3 Motions
25. To the Right Face!
3 Motions
26. To the Right Face!
3 Motions. As in Explanation
25.
27. To the Right About Face!
3 Motions. As in Explanation 25, but coming to the
Right about, instead of to the Right face.
28. To the Left Face!
3 Motions
29. To the Left Face!
3 Motions. As in Explanation
28.
30. To the Left About Face!
As in Explanation 28, but coming to the Left about, instead of to the Left
face.
31. Shoulder your Firelocks! 2 Motions
32. Charge your Bayonets! 3 Motions
33. Shoulder your Firelocks! 4 Motions
34. Advance your Arms!
4 Motions
35. Shoulder your Firelocks! 4 Motions
36. Unfix your Bayonets! 4 Motions
37. Shoulder your Firelocks! 3 Motions
38 .
Dismissed! (1)
Bring your
right Hand with a short Round to your Pouch, slapping it hard; Right
About Face and take one step before leaving the
Formation.
The position of the Soldier at the start of the exercise is at
"Shoulder Firelock."
(2.) Bring up the Firelock with a quick Motion from the Shoulder, and grasp it
with the left Hand just above the Lock, so that the little Finger rests upon
the Spring, and the Thumb lie upon the Stock: The Firelock must not be held
too far from the Body, and the left Hand must be of an equal Height with the
Eyes, elbows down.
(1.) Turn the Barrel opposite to your Face, and place your Thumb upon
the Cock, raising the Elbow square at this motion.
(2.) Cock your Firelock, by drawing your right Elbow down, placing your Thumb
upon the Breech Pin, and the Fingers under the Guard.
(1.) Front Rank: Step back about six Inches to the Rear with the Right
Foot, bring the left Toe to the Front; at the same time the Butt End of the
Firelock must be brought to an equal Height with your Shoulder, placing the
left Hand upon the Swell, and the forefinger of the right Hand before the
Trigger, sinking the Muzzle a little. Rear Rank: step to the right about
twelve inches and forward about six inches with the right foot, remainder as
above for the front rank.
(1.) Pull the Trigger briskly, and immediately after bringing up, front
rank, or back, rear rank, the right Foot, come to the Priming Position (hollow
of the right foot to the heel of the left foot, body facing slightly to the
right) , with the Lock opposite to the right Breast, the Muzzle the Height of
the Hat, keeping it firm and steady, and at the same Time grasp the Cock with
the Forefinger and Thumb of the right Hand, the Back of the Hand turned up.
(1.) Half cock the Cock briskly with a draw back of
the right Elbow, bringing the elbow close to the Butt of the Firelock.
(1.) Shake the Powder into the Pan, taking care to hold the Cartridge
closed with the thumb and forefinger of the right hand, placing the remaining
three left Fingers behind the Frizzen (or hammer),
with the Elbow up and the Wrist bent.
(1.) Shut your Pan briskly with your three fingers, drawing your right
Arm at this Motion towards your Body (taking care to keep your wrist bent to
avoid cutting your hand on the flint!), continuing to hold the Cartridge fast
between the thumb and forefinger of the right hand, as in Position 7.
(2.) Turn the Firelock nimbly round to the loading Position slightly to the
left of your front, with the Lock to the Front, and the Muzzle the Height of
the Chin, bringing the right Hand behind the Muzzle with the cartridge held
fast between your thumb and fingers; both Feet kept fixed in this Motion.
(1.) Turn up your Hand and put the Cartridge full into the Muzzle,
shaking the Powder into the Barrel, Pushing the cartridge into the muzzle with
the finger of the right hand. (Only used for firing demonstrations, at other
times drop paper to ground).
(2.) Place your Hand, closed, with a quick and deliberate Motion, upon the
Rammer. Barrel turned outward.
(1.)
Draw the Rammer with a quick Motion looking at the right hand, half out,
grasping it at the Muzzle back-handed, at web between thumb and forefinger,
thumb under Rammer and fingers over Rammer, with fingers extended.
(2.) Draw it quite out fingers remain extended, turn it by closing fingers and
resting Rammer in palm of right hand, and enter it into the Muzzle.
(1.) Ram the Cartridge well down the Barrel, instantly recovering and
seizing the Rammer back-handed, as above, at the Center, turning it as above
and enter it as far as the lower Pipe, placing at the same Time the Edge of
the Hand on the Butt End of the Rammer, with Fingers extended.
(1.) Return the Rammer, bringing up the Firelock with the left Hand to
the Shoulder, seizing it with the right Hand under the Cock, keeping the left
Hand fast at the Swell, turning the Body square to the Front.
(1.) Release the left Hand and place it firmly upon the Butt.
(2.) Release the right Hand and throw it down the right Side.
(1.) Grasp the Firelock with the right Hand, turning the Lock outwards
in a quick motion.
(2.) Raise the Firelock from your Shoulder, and place your left Hand with a
quick Motion above the Lock, holding the Firelock right up and down in both
Hands before you, and our left Hand even with your Eyes as in the Poise.
(3.) Step briskly back with your right Foot, placing it a Hand's Breadth
distant from your left Heel, at the same Time bring down the Firelock as quick
as possible to the Rest, sinking it as far down before your left Knee as your
right Hand will permit without constraint; your left Hand at the Feather
Spring, and your right with Fingers extended held under the Guard, taking care
to draw in the Muzzle well towards your Body making it perpendicular with the
ground, and to dress in a Line with the Butt-End.
(1.) Place your Firelock nimbly with your left Hand against your right
Shoulder.
(2.) Release the Firelock with the right Hand, and sinking it at the same Time
with your Left, grasp it at the Muzzle, which must be of an equal Height with
your Chin, and hold it close against your right Side.
(3.) Lift up your right Foot and place it by your Left; at the same Time throw
back your left Hand by your left Side, and with your Right, bring down the
Butt-End firmly upon the Ground, placing it even with the Toe of your right
Foot; the Thumb of your right Hand lying along the Barrel.
(4.) Extend the Muzzle at a little Distance from your Body with the Right
Hand, Right Thumb on the Bayonet lug, the Right Elbow close at your side,
Right Forearm parallel to the Ground.
(1.) Bring your Musket quickly to your side Sinking
the Right Hand to the Swell.
(2.) Face to the Right upon your Heels, and at the same Time raise and turn
the Firelock so that the Lock may point to the Rear, and the flat of the
Butt-End lie against the inside of your Foot, at the same Time slipping the
right Foot behind the Butt of the Firelock, the right Toe pointing to the
Right, and the Left to the Front. Instantly lowering the
Butt to the Ground.
(3.) Step directly forward with your left Foot about as far as the Swell of
the Firelock, and lay it upon the Ground, your left Hand hanging down by your
left Foot, and your Right kept fast with the Butt-End against it.
(4.) Raise yourself up nimbly, bringing back your left Foot to its former
Position, keeping your Body faced to the Right.
(5.) Face again to the Left upon your Heels and come to your proper Front,
letting your Hands hang down without Motion.
(1.) Face to the Right upon both Heels.
(2.) Sink your Body down, and come to the Position described in the second
Motion of Grounding.
(3.) Raise yourself, and Firelock, bringing it close to your right Side,
Facing to the right.
(4.) Come to your proper Front, seizing the Firelock at the swell.
(5.) Extend the Muzzle and come to the Order as in Order Your Firelocks
explanation.
(1.) Slip your right Hand down the Barrel as far as the Swell, and
instantly bring the musket close to your right side.
(2.) Raise the Firelock high up in a perpendicular Line from the Ground with
your right Hand, and grasp it with the left above the
Spring, the Cock the Height of the Waist-Belt.
(3.) Step back with your right Foot, placing it behind your left Heel, and
come to the Rest.
(1.) Lift up your right Foot and place it by your Left; bring the
Firelock at the same Time to your left Shoulder, and grasp the Butt-End with
the left Hand, keeping it in the same Position as above described. (2.) Throw
your right Hand briskly back.
(1.) Bring the right Hand briskly up, and place it under the Cock,
keeping the Firelock steady in the same Position.
(2.) Release the Butt with the left Hand, and grasp the Firelock with it at
the Swell, bringing the Elbow close down under the Lock: The right Hand kept
fast in this Motion, and the Firelock still upright.
(3.) Release the right Hand and bring it down your right Side, bring your
Firelock nimbly down to the Secure; the left Hand in a Line with the
Waist-Belt. (After Firing sink the Muzzle close to the ground to ensure an
empty Musket.)
(1.) Bring the Firelock up to a perpendicular Line, seizing it with the
right Hand under the Cock.
(2.) Release the left Hand, and place it firmly upon the Butt.
(3.) Release the right Hand, and bring it smartly down the right Side.
(1.) Bring the right Hand briskly up, and place it under the Cock,
keeping the Firelock steady in the same Position.
(2.) Release the Butt with the left Hand, and grasp the Firelock with it at
the Swell, bringing the Elbow close down under the Lock: The right Hand kept
fast in this Motion, and the Firelock still upright.
(3.) Release the right Hand, and bring the Firelock smartly down to the left
Side with the left Hand, as far as it will admit without Constraint (keeping
Butt off Ground), seizing the Bayonet at the same Time with the right Hand,
and fixing it, placing that Hand just below the Bayonet Lug, Fingers extended
and Elbow up. All men look Right, Man on extreme right of line looks Left to
see all Bayonets fixed.
(4.) When he sees all Bayonets fixed, He will push the Firelock close to the
hollow of the Shoulder and look to the Front. All men will
Instantly follow his example.
(1.) Release the right Hand, and bring up the Firelock with the Left,
grasp it again under the Cock with your Right, as in the second Motion of the
Secure.
(2.) Release the left Hand, and place it firmly upon the Butt.
(3.) Release the right Hand, and bring it down the right Side.
(1.) Grasp the Firelock with the right Hand, turning the Lock outwards
in a quick motion.
(2.) Raise the Firelock from your Shoulder, and place your left Hand with a
quick Motion above the Lock, holding the Firelock right up and down in both
Hands before you, and our left Hand even with your Eyes as in the Poise.
(3.) Step briskly back with your right Foot, placing it a Hand's Breadth
distant from your left Heel, at the same Time bring down the Firelock as quick
as possible to the Rest, sinking it as far down before your left Knee as your
right Hand will permit without constraint; your left Hand at the Feather
Spring, and your right with Fingers extended held under the Guard, taking care
to draw in the Muzzle well towards your Body making it perpendicular with the
ground, and to dress in a Line with the Butt-End.
(1.) Bring up the Firelock, with a quick Motion high before you, till
your left Hand comes even with your Eyes, with the Fingers of that Hand
extended along the Stock, just above the Feather Spring. The right Foot to be
brought close up to the Left Heel in this Motion.
(2.) Face to the Right, taking care in Facing to
hold the Firelock right up and down, and steady in your Hands.
(3.) Step back with your right Foot and come down to your Present.
(1.) Bring the right Foot briskly to the Hollow of your Left, with the
Firelock in the same Position as in the first Motion of facing to the Right.
(2.) Face to the Left.
(3.) Come down to your Present.
(1.) Lift up your right Foot and place it by your Left; bring the
Firelock at the same Time to your left Shoulder, and grasp the Butt-End with
the left Hand, keeping it in the same Position as above described.
(2.) Throw your right Hand briskly back.
(1.) Grasp the Firelock with your right Hand, and turn the Lock
outwards, keeping the Firelock perpendicular.
(2.) Bring up the Firelock with a quick Motion from the Shoulder, and grasp it
with the left Hand just above the Lock, so that the little Finger may rest
upon the Spring, and the Thumb lie upon the Stock: The Firelock must not be
held too far from the Body, and the left Hand must be of an equal Height with
the Eyes, elbows down.
(3.) First Rank: Bring the Swell of the Firelock down firmly upon the Palm of
the Hand, turning upon both Heels to the Right, the right Hand grasping the
Firelock at the Small behind the Lock, and as high as the Waist-Belt: The
Firelock upon a level, with the Barrel upwards. Second Rank: Come to the
Recover. Rotate the Barrel toward your Body, Musket held high, in front of
Left Shoulder, Perpendicular to the Ground. Body facing
Front.
(1.) Bring up the Firelock to the Shoulder, place the right Hand upon
the Butt, bringing the Feet square to the Front.
(2.) Release the right Hand, and throw it down the right Side.
(3.) Bring the Firelock down the right Side with the right Hand, as low as it
will admit without Constraint, slipping the left Hand at the same Time to the
Swell, the Guard between the Thumb and Forefinger of the right Hand, the three
last Fingers under the Cock, with the Barrel to the Rear.
(4.) Release the left Hand.
(1.)
Grasp the Firelock with your right Hand, and turn the Lock outwards, keeping
the Firelock perpendicular.
(2.) Bring up the Firelock with a quick Motion from the Shoulder, and grasp it
with the left Hand just above the Lock, so that the little Finger may rest
upon the Spring, and the Thumb lie upon the Stock: The Firelock must not be
held too far from the Body, and the left Hand must be of an equal Height with
the Eyes, elbows down.
(3.) Bring the Firelock down the right Side with the right Hand, as low as it
will admit without Constraint,
slipping the left Hand at the same Time to the Swell, the Guard between the
Thumb and Forefinger of
the right Hand, the three last Fingers under the Cock, with the Barrel to the
Rear.
(4.) Release the left Hand.
(1.) Bring up the left Hand and grasp the Firelock at the Swell.
(2.) Come smartly up to a Poise.
(3.) Bring the Firelock down the right Side with the right Hand, as low as it
will admit without Constraint, slipping the left Hand at the same Time to the
Swell, the Guard between the Thumb and Forefinger of the right Hand, the three
last Fingers under the Cock, with the Barrel to the Rear.
(4.) Release the left Hand.
(1.) Bring the right Hand briskly up, and place it under the Cock,
keeping the Firelock steady in the same Position.
(2.) Release the Butt with the left Hand, and grasp the Firelock with it at
the Swell, bringing the Elbow close down under the Lock: The right Hand kept
fast in this Motion, and the Firelock still upright.
(3.) Release the right Hand, and bring the Firelock smartly down to the left
Side with the left Hand, as far as it will admit without Constraint (keeping
Butt off Ground), remove the Bayonet with the Right Hand and return to
Scabbard, then place that Hand just below the Bayonet Lug, Fingers extended
and Elbow up. All men look Right, Man on extreme right of line looks Left to
see all Bayonets unfixed.
(4.) When he sees all Bayonets unfixed, He will push the Firelock close to the
hollow of the Shoulder and look to the Front. All men will
Instantly follow his example.
(1.) Release the right Hand, and bring up the Firelock with the Left,
grasp it again under the Cock with your Right, as in the second Motion of the
Secure.
(2.) Release the left Hand, and place it firmly upon the Butt.
(3.) Release the right Hand, and bring it down the right Side.