Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-02-19
vRoM rnE AMERICAN MILITARY LIBRA
RY.
ON THE MANUAL. EXERCISE p

no we'll utSeSted theory OF the elementary
discipline. As soon as the principle of the
fire came to be understood, or in other words,
as soon MS it was discovered that the deep
order OF formation, ten, eight, six or even
four deprived the line of the whole fire of
the ranks in the rear of the three first, the
order OF depth was changed 10 three and
two ranks, for the purpose of obtaining two
objects, an extensive line of fire and the
outhanking of the enemy , '1s Gic ror
The pr:acpal reliance came then to be
placed on the FIRE, andin proportion as this
was attended.to as fundamental, otherpaarts
equally essential came toibe neglected 5At
this period it was that the discipline of a
soldier was considered az consisting aim st
exclusively in the manual exercise. That
performed we'll. all was considered pc rfect.
Will Impressions so crude and sho-t of
chNs'stent principles; instead of studying
the tsctics Of inancenvre instead of disco
veripg thatunity Of action and the combi-
nntion OF numbers, were the true objects of
contemplation instead of teaching soldiers
to march CORRECTLY and in TIME; then,sten-
uoncf the officers was erallydAe, ted net
t. simplify the usesof tire hrelock, but TO en-
crease The number, completely, and indeed
tie bsurpity OF the manual exercise :.
Asitis necessary To be confirmed in prit,
art, and as almost every nation is much
mnre disposed to rcpose upon the authority
ofothers than their own Judgements, it IS per-
haps essential at this time to produce au-
thority, as well as to demonstrate BY argu
nent, the necessity OF the TOTAL change of
tie old systems OF exercise and discipline
and the adoption of the new 2-i
The celebrated Sd-ce on the subject of the
manual exercise says---'s 1t is without doubt
branch of military discipline necessary
10 render soldier steady and adroit under
arms; but it is bv no means of sufic ent m
portanCe TO. engage all his attention, so far
from it, that it often deserves the least, X.
elusive Of that part which it is dangerous
to make use of in the face q -, enemy
such as carry ng the frelock over the left
arm, and firing. by hiatoonS, which have
oceasiGned many.a shameful defeat The
blineifal fart. Of all discipline dehendS
uyion The legs and not the arms the perSo-
nal abilities which are required in perfor-
ming all manoeuyres,, and Likewise in en-
gagements are fatally confined 10 HE legs,
and whoever, is "a, different opinion, is
dupc. to ignorance, and novice in the pro-
fesson of arms
The celebrated Gn5ert says" As to
what concerns the manual exercise it should
be curtaDed, a great part of it, as it is now
estahll shed, being puerile and unimportant
1t being necessary that the movements of
soldiers under arms shonld be performed
with uniformity, manual is no doubt ne
eessary but it should be SIMPLE, short,
and the most natural possible, Because
great share of useless instruction is there
by avoided, the time of which may be APP
pl ed to [ ach what is really useful
Guibert proposed to reduce the manual
to the presenting of arms. the loading and
firing motions, the fixing of the bayonet, the
charge of bayopet and the return of the bay
onet to the scabbard.
On the subject of the bPyonet this able
and experienced writer has offered some
sentiments that merit particular regard
and We Offer them not SO much because they
coincide with our own, as because without
such authority we should scrupic to oppose
the opinions Of men on whose Judgment we
place very high reliance.
SIT is at this day customary," says Gui-
bert, to appear on parade with bavonets
fxed.-But this is assuredly great error.
would have IL fixed only IN acton, or wheu
action is represented. TAc soldier is al
ways unnecessarily armed with it, at every
other time, and accustomed To ok upon il
az uselesS-formeriy he esteemed it as mis-
last resource. The display ofthis weapon,
on decisive occasions, would have ar mpo
sing and terrible appearance it would be
similar to the crimson standard Of the an
clients, the signal ofdeath and victory. From
TIE German infantry, this custom was ac-
CURED, this CASTOR Of always carrying the
bayonet fixed, and it is a circumstance wor-i
thy of remark. that ever since tbey began
thus 20 wear it fixt, they have entirely neg
lectcd its use IN action.
" Auothcr reason which ought to deter
mine against arming the frelock with the
bayonet, but in time of action, is, that It oc-
rasions an inconvenient and fatiguing weight
for the soldier, when carried on the shoul-
der; it is dangerous at the trail and in
close couatry encreases IA difficulty of pas
sing through woods or thickets. IL does not
admit Of the tri for light troops-and isl
too short To he used as 4 sword ! would
have the bayonet 1s or % inches in length,
and spring at the socket 70 ft It close and
firm over the barrel. The ireiock is thus
made both an offensive and defensive wea-
pom, more wieldy and respectable than the
legouary Plum, and appropriated for the
art Of fencing, which would discover the
method ofhandling it skilfilly and with the
most gorous execution And with the help
Of this weapon, infsptrv may be madF to
sustain the shock of the cavalry"
The manual which prevailed among the
provincial troops, in the Canadian war. was
the same as the British system Of DlaHd
general Wolfe, who was most rigid disci-
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