Switch the Preparatory Movement-Ground and Trail Arms

Jeremy Bevard

The commands we are going to cover this time are Ground Arms and its partner Raise Arms.  We will also review Trail Arms.  The primary focus for Trail Arms will be looking at the return from the Trail to the Shoulder.
These commands and the movements needed to execute them properly are not complicated.  The problem is the preparatory command for each.  Reeanctors move on the preparatory command for Ground and Raise Arms but they don’t move on the preparatory when returning from Trail Arms to the Shoulder.  These preparatory movements are reversed. 
Let’s first look at Ground and Raise Arms.  For Ground and Raise Arms you should not move at all until the word Arms or the execution command.  Below is the text from the manuals.  Again, like explained in previous Drill Call’s, Hardee’s and Casey’s agree on the text.

Ground- ARMS.

One time and two motions
(First motion.) Turn the piece with the right hand, the barrel to the left; at the same time seize the cartridge box with the left hand, bend the body, advance the left foot, the heel opposite the lower band; lay the piece on the ground with the right hand, the toe of the butt on a line with the right toe, the knees slightly bent, the right heel raised.
(Second motion.) Rise up, bring the left foot by the side of the right, quit the cartridge box with the left hand, and drop the hands by the side.

Raise-ARMS

One time and two motions.
(First motion.) Seize the cartridge box with the left hand, bend the body, advance the left foot opposite the lower band, and seize the piece with the right hand.
(Second motion.) Raise the piece., bringing the left foot by the side of the right; turn the piece with the right hand, the rammer to the front; at the same time quit the cartridge box with the left hand, and drop this hand by the side. 

The first movements do not commence until the execution command Arms.  If the intent was to move on the preparatory the manuals would read “At the first part of the command” or “at the command Ground” as they do else where for preparatory movements (examples are Recover Arms and another is written about below).  Another important area, which is missed, is turning the rifle with the right hand, barrel to the left, at the same moment you are reaching around to seize your cartridge box with your left hand.
Now let’s go over when you should be moving on the preparatory command.  This is for when you are already at Trail Arms and the order is given to Shoulder Arms.  The manual text is below with emphasis added.

Trail-ARMS.

One time and two motions.
(First motion.) The same as the first motion of order arms.
(Second motion.) Incline the muzzle slightly to the front, the butt to the rear and about four inches from the ground. The right hand supported at the hip, will so hold the piece that the rear rank men may not touch with their bayonets the men in the front rank.

Shoulder-ARMS.
At the command shoulder, raise the piece perpendicularly in the right hand, the little finger in the rear of the barrel; at the command arms, execute what has been prescribed for the shoulder from the position of order arms.

It may seem to be a minor detail and the Ground/Raise Arms may too.  But as reenactors or living historians we should be doing our best to learn and do as the men we portray did.  Because they are minor details it should not take much to corrected them.  Just a little thinking and practice.  Continuing to read the manuals and learn the proper way to execute commands is a cheap and great way to improve in the hobby for you and as a whole. 

For those other Drill Heads out there wanting to know what the manual’s text is for the first motion of Order Arms which is needed to execute the first motion of Trail Arms, here it is.

Order-ARMS

One time and two motions.
(First motion.) Seize the piece briskly with the left hand near the upper band, and detach it slightly from the shoulder -with the right hand: loosen the grasp of the right hand, lower the piece with the left, reseize the piece with the right hand above the lower band, the little finger in the rear of the barrel, the butt about four inches from the ground, the right hand supported against the hip, drop the left hand by the side. If the rifle musket is used, the piece will be seized by the left hand a little above the middle band, and it will be seized by the right hand, just above the lower band.
(Second motion.) Let the piece slip through the right hand to the ground by opening slightly the fingers, and take the position about to be described.

For returning to Shoulder Arms from the Trail the manuals state “execute what has been prescribed for the shoulder from the position of order arms” the text for this is also below.

“…..seize the piece with the left hand below the right, and drop quickly the right hand to grasp the piece at the Swell of the stock, the thumb and fore-finger embracing the guard; press the piece against the shoulder with the left hand, the right arm nearly straight.
(Second motion.) Drop the left hand quickly by the side.”

References:

Brig Gen. Silas Casey. Infantry Tactics. 1862
Brevet Lieut. Col. W. J. Hardee. Rifle and Light Infantry Tactics. 1855

 

All Rights Reserved, Jeremy Bevard.  Please seek permission before using any part of the above article Here

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