The morning call., 1891-11-08
DRILL REGULATIONS
FOR INFANTRY.
Upt0n'S Little Blue Book RELOCATED to The
Past.
Mobility and Simplicity Features of the New
System-A Review of the More
Noticeable Changes.

Upton, when mas been lne system III Tie
United States since July II. 1873. has been
done away with by the new drill resula-
lions" approved by the Secretary of War
on the 2Sih Of September. If they continue
the subject of as much general considera-
ton after Issuance as they are now. while
in the hands OF the Government Printer, it
Will not be long before they will have been
thoroughly and conscientiouSly mastered
They are not longer the infantry
tactics but the drill regulations for in
fantry." Mobility and simplicity arc the
great aims of the new system. While Up
tons was based upon a front of four men as
a unit the unit in the new is the squad, aud
consists of four files front, or seven men and
4 corporal. who is the chief of the squad.
This squad becomes of special Importance
in the extended or dispersed order system,
which is the ail-important substitute for the
skirmish.
Upton places recruits for instruction in
single rank, two yards apart. New reEula-
tons prescribe that recruits wear the un-
dress uniform and gloves, without belts.
In the setting-up exercises they may be re-
quirei to have blouses unbuttoned. La
assembling the Left hand is closed. with the
kuUckles placed against tile waist above The
hip wrist straight. back of the hand ID the
lightly gainst tie left elbow Of the man
next on his right. The left hand is then
dropped by the side, and the men naturally
find themselves six inches apart. TIL ey fall
in rapidly as described, each dropping his
left hand as sool as the mau on his right
has his interval.
RESTS, SALUTES AND FACINGS.
The position of the soldier is practically
the same. except that there is no more eyes
"suiking the ground at about the distance
OF fifteen yards
Instead of the commands "R est" or In
place, rest" are given Fall out or Rest,
or AT ease" The first allows the men II
leave their places. remaining near by. AT
the command "Rest," the ranks are not
broken, nor IS silence or immObility pre-
served. At the command stand at ease,
one heel Is kept in place, silence Is pre-
served but not immObilIty. To dismiss the
squad when ia line, the command is: o.
Dismiss; p march, and no longer ID break
ranks; Z march.
IutJu'S four exercises In the settiug-up
drill have been increased 70 seven teen.
The salute with the right or left hand is
in TWO Instead Of four motions, as fellows;
l. Raise the right hand smaLtly ill the fore
finger touches the lower part Of Tie head dress
above HE right eye, thumb and tOrefngeT
tended aad joined, palm TO the lett aud down
ward, tOrsaUm at fOTty-iIye degrees, hand and
side. II uncovered, the foEebuger touches the
forehead above the eve.
In tie facings the right heel and left toe
are raised slightly. turning on the left heel,
assisted slightly by pressure on the ball
of the right foot. In the about face " the
left heel and right toe are raised slightly,
the turn TO the right IS on the right heel aud
the ball Of the left heel. After the turn the
right and left foot are replaced in the re-
specliye facings.
In Parade rest" Upton says. carry the
right foot three inches directly to the rear"
etc, the new regulations make the distance
SIX inches.
MARKINGS AND THE MANUAL.
The cadence of the direct step 80 inches
from heel to heel IS l20 to the minute. The
side step Is i inches. and is not executed in
double time. Common time disappears al
together The short step is 10 inches, as
nav, and the back step is the same. The
side step is u inches to the right or left in
stead Of 8. Double time is So inches instead
Of 50, with $50 steps per minute as the Ca
dence.
typical instance OF the changes in
marehings is that the wheelings, except in
column Of files and column of fours. disap-
pear. and the right and left turn, which can
be executed with so much more rapidly,
are substituted.
Another typical instance Of the changes
in the manual Is the abolition of support
arms" which will be universally hailed as
a good riddance; and another instance is
the coming directly to right shoulder arms"
from order arms, or vice versa In "or-
der arms" the butt IS evenly on the ground.
ball OF the thumb against the seam of the
trousers, thus iucliniDg the barrel forward,
with the toe of the piece about one inch to
the right and two inches TO the rear of the
right toe
The manual permits also port arms"
not arms port'O from the order" aud
down again TO the order" Besides the
support arms" reverse arms" and rest
on arms" disappear, and on the other hand
there Is the new position:
100. l. Sling. 2. Arms.
The right arm is passed between the rife and
the sling, which rests upon the shoulder. piece
ia rear Of the shoulder ard nearly vertical,
muZZie up, right hand sleadying the piece.
On route marches the piece may be slung on
the left shoulder. The gun-silng should never
be so lightly drawn that II cannot be readily
adjusted.
The left shoulder arms" is reintroduced,
not being ia L pton. In dispersed or ex-
Tended order or route marches the pieces
are brought to an order without command
on hating and whenever the command is
gwen Tor any OF the positions the piece will
be shifted in the most convenient manner,
reducing themovements to reg ular notions.
cadence being prohibited. 1t is further laid
down that trail arms" left shoulder
arms" sling arms" and secure arms" are
mainly for use in extended order and route
marches. At rest" the men retain their
pieces, and on resuming attention" take
tue IloSillOu OI OIuBT Inc present
arms" Is always from the carry" as
hitherto. In moving from or to the order a
little further reach OF motion appears To
take the place of the intermediate carry"
RIFLE SALUTE AND GENERAL RULES.
In the loadings and LTinRs the present
commands may be prefxed by Que or two
others:
yards. 3. Squad. 4. Ready. 5. Aim.
There are changes in the details of in
structioA in the l0adings and fiIings The
positions Of kneeliug aud lying down are
first taught without arms, and when with
arms the hammer will first be lowered to the
safety notch. if not already there; and the
position Of kneeling. from order arms"
called order kDeeling, is carefully described.
As an Offset to the Sergeants salute there
is the rifle salute" as follows:
Carry the left hand smartly to the hollow OF
the right shoulder, forearm horizontal, palm OF
the hand down, thumb and fingers extended and
Joined, forehnger against the piece (Two.)
Drop the left hand by the side.
The inspection Of arms is executed differ
emily. Instead of tossing up the piece and
holdiDgi in the left hand, with the hand at
the height of the chin, each man, as the in
spector approaches him, executes port
arms and open chamber"
Stack arms is given in detail, the move
ments with the swivel being interpolated
and taking the place Of stacking with the
bayonet Wherever the rifles have the swivel
The following are given as general rules ::
first-lf at The order bring the piece TO the
right shoulder at The preparatory command for
marching in quick time.
Secouu-H at the order, carry, bring the
piece TO the right shoulder at the command turn
double time.
Third-The left hand II free, In double time "a
held as when without arms
Foufth-H al the right shoulder left shoulder
or iran. bring the piece 10 the oder on haIting
the execution OF the order and halt CONNIE noes
at he same instant.
Filth When the faclngs, side STEP back stem
Arguments, open and closed ranks aud IoadInps
are executed at The order, raise the piece TO the
trau while IN motion, and resume the order ON
halting Wh-n this rule applies 10 other move.
nents 1t is therein stated.
1l3. In the battle exercises or wheneyer cir
cunsiances require, The regular positions OF the
manual OF arms and The trings may be ordered
without regard TO the previous positions of The
piece; such movements as are not In the manual
Will be executed without regard to motions or
cadence. 1t Is laid down a principle that The
effective use of the weapon is not TO DO lmpeded