The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-10-28
TIE NEW INFANTRY DRILL.
Difference Between Upton's Tactics
and the R regulations Now Adopted.


Difference Between Upton's Tactics
and the Regulations Now Adopted,
From the New York san.
After more than twenty-four years Up
tons tactics are at last to be superseded 10
our army and militia. The new drill regu-
lations were approved by the Secretary of
War on Sept. 90.
Mobility and simplicity are the aims of
thenew system. The unit OF organization
is the squad, which consists ofsfour files or sew.
en- men and their corporal, who is the squad
leader This squad becomes OF special im-
portance in the system of extended order
which is the important substitute for skir-
mishing. A typical instance of the
changes in marchings is shown by
the fact that the wheeliugs
except in column of files and column
Of tours, disappear, and the right and left
turn, which Gamble executed 80 much more
rapidly, are substituted. A typical instance
oe the changes in the manual is the aboli>
ton of support arms, which will BE- uni
versally hailed as a good radiance by all
who have experienced its awkwardness in
security and fatigue, and another instance
is the coming directly to right shoulder
arms from order arms, or vice versa. We
gether, and also movements by divisions
and by the wings of battalions. On the
other hand, we observe some new
maneuvers in the school of the company.
But TO begin at the beginning-the
changes start with the very title page, for
IN place Of Infantry Tactics we now have
drill Regulations for Infantry Then,
while Upton gives only four setting-up ex-
ercises, the new regulations give seventeen.
In the primary instructions Of recruits
Upton prescribes that they shall be placed
two yards apart; the new regulations puts
them six inches apart, and the distance is
achieved as follows:
10. To teach the recruits now to assemble. the
instructor requires them to close the left hand
and place the knuckles against the waist, above
the hip, wrist straight. back of the hand to the
front; he then places them on the same line so
that the right arm of each man rests lightly
against the left elbow of the man next on his
right, and then directs the left hands to be re
placed by the side. The men thus flni them
selves about six inches apart
Instead ofItne present commands REST !"
or In place, resi-" the new tactics give
Fall out. or "Kest,n or "At ease.n The
first allows the men to leave their places,
remaining near by. AT the second or third
they keep one heel in place: they are not
required to preserve silence or immobility
at the command Rest but preserve
silence without immobility at the command
"At ease.n
The position of the soldier is practically
about the same as in Upton, but from the
familiar phrase Eyes straight to the front,
and striking the ground at about the dis
ance of fifteen yards. the latter clause is
now omitted.
In parade rest" Upton says "Carry the
right foot three inches directly TO the rear"
etc. the new tactics make the distance six
inches.
To dismiss the squad, or other body. in
Upton. the command is break ranks
march," in the new drill it is Dismissed. -
In the salute with the hand there are but
two parts. since the direction to look toward
the person saluted and wait for acknowledge
ment is omitted.
In the steps the length OF the full steps in
quick time is increased from q inches to 80
and the cadence from 10 steps per minute
to 100. The balance of the body is taught
in the setting-up exercises. Common time
disappears altogether. The short step is Is
inches instead OF II and the back step the
same. The side step takes - inches to the
right or left, instead of 6. Double time is
81 ioches instead of SO, with 100 steps per
minute instead OF l6J
In the manual of arms support arms
wholly disappears. SO DOES reverse arms.
So does rest on arms. On the other hand
we have sling arms:
lO9 l. Sling. 2. Arms.
The right arm is passed between the rifle AMI
the sling which rests upon the shoulder, plecs
in rear of the shoulder and nearly vertical
muzzle up, right hand steadying the piece
On route marches, the piece may be slung oil
the left shoulder. The gun sling should neve
be so tightly drawn that it cannot be readily al
justed.
It is further laid down that trail arms,
left shoulder arms, sling arms. and secure
arms are mainly for use 10 extended order
and route marches; that they are to be exc
cuted in the most convenient manner, re
ducing the movements to regular motions
and cadence is prohibited.
The reviewing positions, those OF order
carry, right shoulder, present and por
arms-the latter being the new equivalen
to arms port-are described with grea
defiaiteness in the new manual. But her
| it Is enough TO note that the movement can
now be made directly from the order to the
| right shoulder and vice versa, ana from the
| order to the port and vice VERSA. Tht
present arms, however, is always from tn
carry, as hitherto. In moving from or Il
the order little further reach or motor
appears to take the place OF the inferno
| diate carry.
| COulnaLNe w E'ASA%~~
| others:
1. At that tree Tor at y. 2. AT $50 many
wards. s. Squad. 4 Ready. s. AIM
There are changes of course in the details
of instruction in the loadings and hrlngs
The positions Of l1neellng and lying down
are first taught without arms, and Wher
with arms the hammer will first be lowered
TO the safety notch, if not already there
and the position of kneeliDg, from order
arms. called order kneeling is carefully de-
| scribed.
The inspection Of arms is carried ou'
rather differently. Instead OF tossing NJ
the piece and holding it in the left hand
with the ohand at the hight OF the cnin
each man. as the inspector approaches nlm
executes port arms" and open chamber
stack arms lie given much IN detail, tbs
movements with the stacking swivel belnf
interpolated and taking the place OF STACK
ing with the hayonet wherever The rihe'
have the swivel.
We do not observe the 'sergeants salute
with arms" in the new manual, plt a. al
Offset the rife salute h there;
Carry the left hsnd smartlY 70 the hollow o.
| the rigit shoulder. forearm hOFizoufal, palm .
| the maud down thumb and fingers ektendea aii'
| iolned, forednger against the piece. tt~o.l
Drop the lsft hand ~ the SIDE,
IL viii b. observed that nearly every thini
iii HIaI