The position of the Soldier at the start of the exercise is at "Shoulder Firelock."

1. Poise your Firelocks! 2 Motions
(1.) Grasp the Firelock with your right Hand">

Manual Exercises 1764

THE MANUAL EXERCISE

The position of the Soldier at the start of the exercise is at "Shoulder Firelock."

1. Poise your Firelocks! 2 Motions
(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 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.

2. Cock your Firelocks! 2 Motions
(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.

3. Present! 1 Motion
(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.

4. Fire! 1 Motion
(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.

5. Half Cock your Firelocks! 1 Motion
(1.) Half cock the Cock briskly with a draw back of the right Elbow, bringing the elbow close to the Butt of the Firelock.

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
(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, with the Elbow up and the Wrist bent.

8. Shut your Pans! 2 Motions
(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.

9. Charge with Cartridge! 2 Motions
(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.

10. Draw your Rammers! 2 Motions
(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.

11. Ram down your Cartridge! 1 Motion
(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.

12. Return your Rammers! 1 Motion
(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.

13. Shoulder your Firelocks! 2 Motions
(1.) Release the left Hand and place it firmly upon the Butt.
(2.) Release the right Hand and throw it down the right Side.

14. Rest your Firelocks! 3 Motions
(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.

15. Order your Firelocks! 4 Motions
(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.

16. Ground your Firelocks! 5 Motions
(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.

17. Take up your Firelocks! 5 Motions
(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.

18. Rest your Firelocks! 3 Motions
(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.

19. Shoulder your Firelocks! 2 Motions
(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.

20. Secure your Firelocks! 3 Motions
(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.)

21. Shoulder your Firelocks! 3 Motions
(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.

22. Fix your Bayonets! 4 Motions
(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.

23. Shoulder your Firelocks! 3 Motions
(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.

24. Present your Arms! 3 Motions
(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.

25. To the Right Face! 3 Motions
(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.

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
(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.

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
(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.

32. Charge your Bayonets! 3 Motions
(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.

33. Shoulder your Firelocks! 4 Motions
(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.

34. Advance your Arms! 4 Motions
(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.

35. Shoulder your Firelocks! 4 Motions
(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.

36. Unfix your Bayonets! 4 Motions
(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.

37. Shoulder your Firelocks! 3 Motions
(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.

THE BATTLEFIELD EXERCISE

The Battlefield Exercise as prescribed for use by the 43rd Regiment of Foot.

Fall in formation under arms at the shoulder. Fall silent at the command "Take Care to perform the 43rd Regiment Battlefield Exercise". If given when the Company is at "Their Proper Distance", immediately after Manual Exercise, the Command will be "Second Rank, Close to the Front, March", the rear rank will immediately close 5 paces on the Front Rank, Cover and then stand fast.

The Battlefield Exercise will be conducted from this Normal Company Front formation as follows:

1. Make Ready! Instantly go to Poise your Firelocks! and then, without hesitation, Cock your Firelocks! as in the Manual Exercise, Steps 1 and 2 completed together at one command.

2. Present! As in the Manual Exercise.

3. Fire! As in the Manual Exercise.

4. Prime and Load! Complete Steps 5-8 in the Manual Exercise as quickly as Possible.

5. About! Complete Steps 9-13 in the Manual Exercise as quickly as Possible, ending at the Shoulder.

6. Fix your Bayonets! As in the Manual Exercise.

7. Shoulder your Firelocks! As in the Manual Exercise.

8. Support your Arms! (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 place the Left Hand across your Chest, Fingers extended resting on your Right Arm at the Elbow.

9. Shoulder your Firelocks! (1). Bring the left Hand down, and place it firmly upon the Butt. (2). Release the right Hand, and bring it down the right Side.

10. Prepare to Charge! Instantly spring to the Recover, Rotate the Barrel toward your Body, Musket held high, in front of Left Shoulder, Perpendicular to the Ground. Body facing Front.

11. Charge your Bayonets! As in the Manual Exercise.

12. Shoulder your Firelocks! As in the Manual Exercise.

13. Prepare to Charge! As described above.

14. Make Ready! Cock your Musket as in the Manual Exercise, bringing it full in front of your Face.

15. Present! As in the Manual Exercise.

16. Fire! As in the Manual Exercise.

17. Half cock your Firelocks! As in the Manual Exercise.

18. Shut your Pans! 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!), the musket to remain motionless at your side.

19. Shoulder your Firelocks! As in the Manual Exercise.

20. Unfix your Bayonets! As in the Manual Exercise.

21. Shoulder your Firelocks! As in the Manual Exercise.

22. Dismissed! 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 FIELD DRILL

MARCHING MANEUVERS

The Field Drill to Exercise the Men in Marching and in Battlefield Maneuvers, as prescribed for use by the 43rd Regiment of Foot.

Fall in formation under arms at the shoulder.

Detailed drill instructions for each Maneuver will be forthcoming.

The order of Drill is as follows:

To the Front March!
Left Oblique!...Front!
Right Oblique!...Front!
To the Left Wheel!...Front!
To the Right Wheel!...Front!
To the Right About Wheel!...Front!
To the Left About Wheel!...Front!
Halt! Cover!
To the Front March!
To the Left TURN!
To the Right TURN!
To the Right TURN!
To the Left TURN!
Halt! Cover!
Fix your Bayonets!
Shoulder your Firelocks!
To the Front March! Advance your Arms!
Shoulder your Firelocks!
To the Right About Wheel!...Front!
Support your Firelocks!
Shoulder your Firelocks!
To the Left About Wheel!...Front!
Prepare to Charge!
Charge Bayonets!
March! March!
Halt! Cover!
Shoulder your Firelocks!
Unfix your Bayonets!
Shoulder your Firelocks!