The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-08

.r,t Of organi cation Is the squad, which con-
~. of four files, or seven men and their cor
-or.I. who is the squad leader. This squad be-
s,,ss of Uecisl importance in the system of
.r,euded order, which is the important substi-
ma for diminishing. typical instance of the
changes in marching is shown by the fact that
tse vheelings, except In column of files and
column OF fours, disappear, and the right and
In urn. which can be executed SO much more
r,uidiy, are substituted. A typical instance of
ne changes in the manual is the abolition of
mpport arms, which will be universally hailed
= ssood radiance by ell who have experienced
it avkwardness. insecurity and fatigue, and
another instance 10 the coming directly to right
handler arms from oroer arms, or vice versa.
Ia the primary instruction of recruits Upton
r,,cribes that they shall be placed two yards
r,rt: the new regulations puts them six inches
mart and the distance is achieved as follows:
IA To teach the recruits how to assemble. the
Instructor requires them to close the left hand
md place the knrckles against the waist, above
ne hip wrist straight, back of the hand in
front: BE then places them on the same line so
thst the right arm of each man rests lightly
against the left elbow of the man next on his
rght and then directs the left hands to be re-
placed BY the side The men thus find them
elyes about six inches apart
Instead of the present commands crest" or
ain place, rest" the new tactics give Fall out"
or aRest" or "At ease" The first allow the men
10 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 i'm
mobility at the command "Rest," but preserve
silence without immobility at the command cat
ease"
The position Of the soldie is practically about
The same as in Upton, but from the familiar
phrase Eyes straight to the front, and striking
A. n ahn he at ~
ysrds," thel after clause 10 now omitted.
In "Parade rest Upton says, "Carry the right
foo, 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 per-
con saluted and wait for acknowledgment is
emitted
In the steps the length of the full steps in
quick time is increased from twenty eight
inches to thirty and the cadence from ITO steps
per minute to 10. The balance of the body 10
taught in the setting-up exercises. Common
time disappears altogether. The short step is
fifteen inches instead of fourteen, and the back
step the same. The side step takes twelve
Inches to the right or left, instead of six Double
time is thirtysix inches instead of thirty-three,
with $50 steps per minute instead of los.
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:
100. l. Sling. 2 Arms.
The right arm Is passed between the rife and
the sling which rests upon the shoulder piece
In rear Of the shoulder and nearly vertical, mug
heun right hand steadying the piece.
Ga route marches. the piece may be slung on
Euratrt a
kso tightly drawn that it cannot be readily
adjusted
II 10 further laid down that trail arms, left
shoulder arms, sling arms, and secure arms are
mainly for use in extended order and route
nprchs,; that they are to be executed in the
nbst convenient manner reducing the move
netts to regular motions, and cadence is pro-
hihited
The reviewing positions, those of order, carry,
night shoulder. present, and port arms-the
inter being the new equivalent of arms port
rs described with great detiniteness in the new
manual But here it is enough to note that the
movement can now be made directly from the
order to the right shoulder and vice versa, and
nom the order to the port aud vice versa. The
present arms, however, is always from the
carry, as hitherto. In moving from or to the
ofaers little further reach or motion appears to
axe the place of the intermediate carry.
In the loadings aud frings the present COM
nands may be prefxed by one or two others:
AT that tree for at y. 2. At $50 many
'aos. Squad. Ready. 5. Aim.
There are changes, of course, in the details OF
instruction in the loadings and frings. The
POSITIONS OF kneeling and lying down are
xught without arms, and when with arms, the
hammer will first be lowered to the safety notch,
nnot already there; and the position of kneel-
ing from order arms, called order kneeling, is
oreuliy described. The inspection of arms is
sar'ied out rather differently. Instead of toss
ng up the piece and holding IL in the left hand,
sl'n the hand al the height of the chin, each
MAJ, az the inspector approaches him, executes
port arms" and ''open chamber" stack arms
gwen much in detail, the movements with
as stacking swivel being interpolated and tax
ms the place OF stacking with the bayonet
Wherever the rifles have the swivel.
Nwiil be observed that nearly everything can
aos oe done from the order without the inter-
POSITION of the carry. and accordingly these gen.
oM rules are in force:
rtlnt-li at the order, bring the piece to the
n ,sas snoulder at the preparatory command for
nueaing in quick time
,,sscona-lt at the order or carry, bring the
Sos 70 the night shoulder at the command:
polbs time
,iieaiu-A disengaged hand in double time is
So when without arms
Az, A. AT tle flSnt SnOuiner. leit sDOuL-
~. VI trali, bring the piece to the order on halt
so as, sne execution OF the order and the halt
EStnehce az the same instant.
,,ia.n-N hen the facings, side step, back step,
s,snnehts, open ana closed ranks, and loadings
rs,S1ecuted al the order. raise the piece 10 the
s. ~. nhlie IN motion, and resume the order on
r sang when this rule applies TO other move
@ 1au IL 10 therein stated
sill IA IN the battle exercise, or whenever cir
S n. require, the regular positions of
A. mshual OF arms and the firings may be
49, without regard 10 the previous positions
me- e piece such movements as are not IN the
a. auaI VIII be executed without regard TO mo-
H., er cadence. Ii is laid down as a principle
mr.sase hectlVe use of the weapon is not TO be
-pSue1 by The iormalities of drill.
us Importance attached to the squad in the
!. aetics has already been referred to. There
complete series of instructions for the
.Sss ad interposed between the school OF the
,,. .-,et ana The school ofthe company. One of
SO'lects 10 TO give the corporal in charge Of
n squad complete familiarity and confidence
-. N uuties AS squad leader, while the posi-
,,,. oi the men in the squad are also frequently
,nnahged, so that they may be accustomed
"a places. Alignments, marchings, frings.
'u'nings in the squad aud bayonet exer-
- are mere set forth. The hayOuet exercises