Of Disciplining young Soldiers for Land-Service (Part 3)
Apr. 1st, 2012 14:25![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sharpiefan posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
hm_jolliesFrom A military Treatise..., by J. MacIntire, pp215-221:
Plan
N.B we shall distinguish the first and second Party, by the first and second Drum, as follows:
I
1st Drum: A March! | 2nd Drum, To arms!
I suppose the first Perty advancing, upon which the second forms for Action.
II
. 1st Drum, A Preparative | 2nd Drum, A Preparative!
I suppose that the first Party having advance near enough, both Parties fire twice, by Platoons, standing.
III
. 1st Drum, A March! | 2nd Drum, A Retreat!
I suppose the second Party, not being able to withstand the Fire of the first, is forced to abandon its Post, and then fires by Divisions retreating. the first party pursues it, and fires by Divisions advancing.
IV
. 1st Drum, A long Roll! | 2nd Drum, A quick retreat!
I suppose the first Party to charge with Bayonets, and rush forwards; but the second party, not waiting for the Charge, and running away in great Confusion, the first halts a Moment, the Men recover their Arms, and make ready at one Motion, then fire a Volley on the second Party, which entirely disperses it.
V
1st Drum, A quick March! | 2nd Drum, To Arms! .
I suppose the second Party forming again, and recovering their Order, the first still pursuing and endeavouring to turn their right Flank, upon which the second faces about, and fires a Volley obliquely to the right, then retreats.
VI
. 1st Drum, A Flam! | 2nd Drum, To Arms!
I suppose the second Party to have gained a Wall or Hedge; and that it performs the Parapet Firing; the first Party is obliged to halt, then fires by Ranks
VII
1st Drum, A Retreat! | 2nd Drum, A March!
I suppose the second Party is reinforced, and marches out with fresh Ardour, fires a Volley, and rushes forwards with Bayonets, which the first Party waits for, but is repulsed, and obliged to retire in Disorder.
VIII
. 1st Drum, To Arms! | 2nd Drum, A quick March!
I suppose the first Party forming in a Defile, and performing the Street-firing, the second Party advances with a quick Pace, wheels to the Right or Left, by Platoons, and performs the Street-firing likewise.
IX
1st Drum, A quick retreat! | 2nd Drum, To Arms!
I suppose the Defile is abandoned by the fisrt Party, which makes a precipitate Retreat, and disperses; the second Party divides into Sub-plattons, to make a small Front, that they may pass the Defile and pursue.
X
. 1st Drum, To Arms! | 2nd Drum, A quick Retreat!
I suppose that the first Party has led the second into an Ambuscade; then forms at once, faces about, and fires a Volley; the Ambuscade party is supposed to do the same; the second party having retired some paces, faces about, and the rear Rank only fires, and retreats again, the rear Rank loads upon the March.
XI
. 1st Drum, A long Roll! | 2nd Drum, A long Ruffle!
The Ambuscade Party, and first Party join, and pursue the second, which is obliged to face about, and fire a Volley; the first receives it, then advances briskly; charges the second Party with Bayonets, puts it to the Rout, and totally disperses it; then fires a Volley on the Fugitives, to compleat the Defeat, and takes many Prisoners.
XII
1st Drum, A short Ruffle!
I suppose the Conquerors to give three Huzzas in Honour of the Day.
N.B. This imaginary Plan will appear very deficient to any Land Officer; but 'tis hoped he will consider that it is impossible on board to perform the proper Manoeuvres of a sham Skirmish: However, a Scheme of this Nature will teach Recruits the Intention of the different Firings, by which they will form an Idea of real Action, and in a short Time prefer this Exercise to any other, because it creates an Emulation to excel. In this Ambition consists the Soldier's Honour; and he seldom has any other Recompense than that of Applause, which should always be given him when he deserves it.
N.B. No Plan of this Kind should be regularly followed, but must vary, according to the Judgment of the Commanding Officer, and the Room he has to act in.
in small Ships, where the Deck will not admit of marching, turning, or wheeling, I would make the two Parties face each other, as already directed, and perform the Firings standing; which at least will have the good Effect of teaching the Soldiers to level well, by having a supposed Enemy within a few Yards of them.
If a Detachment has but one Drum, the Officer of the second Party must give the Words of Command, to which the Officer of the first must be attentive, and give Directions to his Drum accordingly: And if a Detachment has not Drum, that should not prevent the Commanding officer from attempting a sham Skirmish, because the Officer of each party can give the Word of Command. In short, nothing concerning the Discipline of our Men should be neglected, when there is the least Probability of instructing them. And we should make it appear, that their want of Discipline is not owing to our Carelessness, but to the confined Sphere in which we act>
N.B we shall distinguish the first and second Party, by the first and second Drum, as follows:
1st Drum: A March! | 2nd Drum, To arms!
I suppose the first Perty advancing, upon which the second forms for Action.
. 1st Drum, A Preparative | 2nd Drum, A Preparative!
I suppose that the first Party having advance near enough, both Parties fire twice, by Platoons, standing.
. 1st Drum, A March! | 2nd Drum, A Retreat!
I suppose the second Party, not being able to withstand the Fire of the first, is forced to abandon its Post, and then fires by Divisions retreating. the first party pursues it, and fires by Divisions advancing.
. 1st Drum, A long Roll! | 2nd Drum, A quick retreat!
I suppose the first Party to charge with Bayonets, and rush forwards; but the second party, not waiting for the Charge, and running away in great Confusion, the first halts a Moment, the Men recover their Arms, and make ready at one Motion, then fire a Volley on the second Party, which entirely disperses it.
1st Drum, A quick March! | 2nd Drum, To Arms!
I suppose the second Party forming again, and recovering their Order, the first still pursuing and endeavouring to turn their right Flank, upon which the second faces about, and fires a Volley obliquely to the right, then retreats.
. 1st Drum, A Flam! | 2nd Drum, To Arms!
I suppose the second Party to have gained a Wall or Hedge; and that it performs the Parapet Firing; the first Party is obliged to halt, then fires by Ranks
1st Drum, A Retreat! | 2nd Drum, A March!
I suppose the second Party is reinforced, and marches out with fresh Ardour, fires a Volley, and rushes forwards with Bayonets, which the first Party waits for, but is repulsed, and obliged to retire in Disorder.
. 1st Drum, To Arms! | 2nd Drum, A quick March!
I suppose the first Party forming in a Defile, and performing the Street-firing, the second Party advances with a quick Pace, wheels to the Right or Left, by Platoons, and performs the Street-firing likewise.
1st Drum, A quick retreat! | 2nd Drum, To Arms!
I suppose the Defile is abandoned by the fisrt Party, which makes a precipitate Retreat, and disperses; the second Party divides into Sub-plattons, to make a small Front, that they may pass the Defile and pursue.
. 1st Drum, To Arms! | 2nd Drum, A quick Retreat!
I suppose that the first Party has led the second into an Ambuscade; then forms at once, faces about, and fires a Volley; the Ambuscade party is supposed to do the same; the second party having retired some paces, faces about, and the rear Rank only fires, and retreats again, the rear Rank loads upon the March.
. 1st Drum, A long Roll! | 2nd Drum, A long Ruffle!
The Ambuscade Party, and first Party join, and pursue the second, which is obliged to face about, and fire a Volley; the first receives it, then advances briskly; charges the second Party with Bayonets, puts it to the Rout, and totally disperses it; then fires a Volley on the Fugitives, to compleat the Defeat, and takes many Prisoners.
1st Drum, A short Ruffle!
I suppose the Conquerors to give three Huzzas in Honour of the Day.
N.B. This imaginary Plan will appear very deficient to any Land Officer; but 'tis hoped he will consider that it is impossible on board to perform the proper Manoeuvres of a sham Skirmish: However, a Scheme of this Nature will teach Recruits the Intention of the different Firings, by which they will form an Idea of real Action, and in a short Time prefer this Exercise to any other, because it creates an Emulation to excel. In this Ambition consists the Soldier's Honour; and he seldom has any other Recompense than that of Applause, which should always be given him when he deserves it.
N.B. No Plan of this Kind should be regularly followed, but must vary, according to the Judgment of the Commanding Officer, and the Room he has to act in.
in small Ships, where the Deck will not admit of marching, turning, or wheeling, I would make the two Parties face each other, as already directed, and perform the Firings standing; which at least will have the good Effect of teaching the Soldiers to level well, by having a supposed Enemy within a few Yards of them.
If a Detachment has but one Drum, the Officer of the second Party must give the Words of Command, to which the Officer of the first must be attentive, and give Directions to his Drum accordingly: And if a Detachment has not Drum, that should not prevent the Commanding officer from attempting a sham Skirmish, because the Officer of each party can give the Word of Command. In short, nothing concerning the Discipline of our Men should be neglected, when there is the least Probability of instructing them. And we should make it appear, that their want of Discipline is not owing to our Carelessness, but to the confined Sphere in which we act>
