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Fix
Bayonet!
In
1853, at the urging of Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis,
Hardee, then a Major, with the brevet rank of Lt. Colonel,
began work on a new, updated manual, specifically designed
to utilize the advantages of the improved rifles available.
In 1855, Hardee's Rifle and Light Infantry Tactics became
the standard instructional manual for the U.S. Army.
Hardee's work assumed that troops would be armed with the
model 1841 "Mississippi" rifle, a two band weapon
that had achieved popularity during the war with Mexico.
He revised his work for the popular three band rifled percussion
musket, which became the standard shoulder arm of the American
Civil War. This revision was published in Mobile in 1861,
and again in an edition for North Carolina Troops, in 1862.
This version has been reprinted, and is now usually referred
to as the "1862 Hardee's", or the "Confederate
Hardee's". |
Hardee
1855
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187.
The recruits being at shoulder arms, when the instructor
Shall wish to fix bayonets, he will command :
Fix- BAYONET.
One time and three motions.
188.
(First motion.) Grasp the piece with the left hand at
the height of the shoulder, and detach it slightly from
the shoulder with the right hand.
189. (Second motion.) Quit the piece with the right hand,
lower it with the left hand, opposite the middle of the
body, and place the butt between the feet without shock
; the rammer to the rear, the barrel vertical, the muzzle
three inches from the body; seize it with the right hand
at the upper band, and carry the left hand reversed to
the handle of the sabre-bayonet.
190. (Third motion.) Draw the sabre-bayonet from the scabbard
and fix it on the extremity of the barrel; seize the piece
with the left hand, the arm extended, the right hand at
the upper band.
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Hardee 1862
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Present-
ARMS
One time and two motions.
143.
(First motion.) With the right hand bring the piece erect
before the centre of the body, the rammer to the front;
at the same time seize the piece with the left hand half-way
between the guide sight and lower band, the thumb extended
along the barrel and against the stock, the fore-arm horizontal
and resting against the body, the hand as high as the
elbow.
156.
(First motion.) Same as the first position of present
arms No. 143.
(Second motion.) Carry the piece to the left side with
the left hand -butt upon the ground- barrel to the front-piece
inclined to the right and front resting upon the left
thigh, muzzle six inches in front of the centre of the
body-right hand grasping the piece just below the upper
band, and left hand extended upon the piece.
(Third motion.) Seize the piece with the left hand at
the muzzle and carry the right hand to the cartridge box.
187.
The recruits being at shoulder arms, when the instructor
shall wish to fix bayonets, he will command :
Fix- BAYONET.
One time and four motions.
188. (First, second, and third motions.) Same as in first,
second, and third motions in the first time of loading,
except in the third motion, the right hand is carried
to the bayonet, grasping it, with the little finger up.
189. (Fourth motion.) Draw the bayonet form the scabbard,
fix it, seize the piece with the right hand at the muzzle,
the left hand resting on the barrel, arm extended.
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Further reading …..
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Shoulder-
ARMS.
One time and two motions.
190. (First motion.) Raise the piece with the left hand
and place it against the right shoulder, the rammer to
the front; seize the piece at the same time with the right
hand at the swell of the stock,
the thumb and fore-finger embracing the guard, the right
arm nearly extended.
191. (Second motion.) Drop briskly the left hand by the
side.
192. The recruits being at ordered arms, if the instructor
should wish to fix bayonets, he will give the command:
Fix Bayonets,
when the pieces will be brought to the left side at one
motion, and held as prescribed in No. 188. At the second
motion the bayonets will be fixed as in No. 189; immediately
resume the position of ordered arms.
Ed's
note: It appears that when we are at shoulder arms and
the command is given to fix bayonets, we shall fix bayonets
and end in the position described above in #189. We then
would wait for the order to go back to shoulder arms as
given in #190 and #191. But, if we are at order arms and
the command to fix bayonets is given, we should fix bayonets
and immediately return to order arms, #192. Both 1855
and 1862 Hardee's and 1860 Gilliams have different procedures
for fixing the bayonet when at order arms and when at
shoulder arms. If you want to read more, or just need
something to help you fall asleep, go to this link and
enjoy! http://home.att.net/~Cap1MD/Drill.htm
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