Post by Greg Carter on Jul 28, 2003 21:45:15 GMT -5
Fellows:
At a recent event we (the militia reenactors) were demonstrating drill for the public and we executed the maneuver of "charge-bayonet". Some questions came to mind recently when I was gazing over the Tactics.
When we drilled at the event, we advanced at the crowd and at the command "charge-bayonet" everyone in the company leveled whatever arm they had at the crowd, bayonet or not.
My first thought at the time was "is this right?"... particularly prompted by the Brown Bess carbine stuck through the ranks and not reaching the front at all.
The Tactics* reads as follows...
"466. When a battalion or line is to charge bayonet, the whole are, in the first instance, to come to Arms-PORT, and advance at a firm, quick step, but with as much order as possible, until they reach the enemy. (See no. 545.)
467. It is at that instant that the front rank are necessarily to bring their firelocks down to the charging position, and the whole are to press forward with the utmost energy."
Thoughts?
GMC
* SCOTT, WINFIELD
ABSTRACT of INFANTRY TACTICS; including Exercises and Maneuvers of Light-Infantry and Riflemen; for the use of the Militia of The United States.
Boston: Hilliard, Gray, Little & Wilkins, 1830
pp. 40
At a recent event we (the militia reenactors) were demonstrating drill for the public and we executed the maneuver of "charge-bayonet". Some questions came to mind recently when I was gazing over the Tactics.
When we drilled at the event, we advanced at the crowd and at the command "charge-bayonet" everyone in the company leveled whatever arm they had at the crowd, bayonet or not.
My first thought at the time was "is this right?"... particularly prompted by the Brown Bess carbine stuck through the ranks and not reaching the front at all.
The Tactics* reads as follows...
"466. When a battalion or line is to charge bayonet, the whole are, in the first instance, to come to Arms-PORT, and advance at a firm, quick step, but with as much order as possible, until they reach the enemy. (See no. 545.)
467. It is at that instant that the front rank are necessarily to bring their firelocks down to the charging position, and the whole are to press forward with the utmost energy."
Thoughts?
GMC
* SCOTT, WINFIELD
ABSTRACT of INFANTRY TACTICS; including Exercises and Maneuvers of Light-Infantry and Riflemen; for the use of the Militia of The United States.
Boston: Hilliard, Gray, Little & Wilkins, 1830
pp. 40
