SECT. III. The Field Exercise.
Take Care to Prime and Load.
AT this Precaution, the Serjeant is to see that his men, who are still to remain drawn up in a single rank, do carry well their arms, that they stand in proper order, and at equal distances from each other; and that their bodies be kept upright, their faces erect, and their attention well fixed.
As there is no one part of the exercise of greater moment than that of properly priming and loading, so there is none that requires more true care and exactness; and though this is universally admitted, yet it too often happens, that through too great a solicitude of making soldiers appear expert and quick in this performance, they are rather taught to represent the thing than to do it well. This being but too much the practice, it is therefore no uncommon circumstance to observe when soldiers are loading, that by the hurry and [89] inaccuracy of their motions, a considerable part of the powder is either spilt, or so badly emptied out of the cartridge, as either to weaken the proper force of the charge, or to prevent it from taking fire: besides which, there is that of ramming down the cartridge, which is too frequently performed in so slight a manner, that the cartridge is either left to stick in the barrel at some distance from the chamber, or to lie so loose and unsettled at the bottom of it, that the resistance given to the explosion of the first powder that takes fire is so very small, that a great part of the remaining powder is blown out of the barrel, before it can be consumed in fire. The ill consequence of which need not be pointed out, it being so evident in itself, and so easily comprehended; but the advantage arising from the cartridge being well rammed home is in nothing so demonstrable, as in that of a screw-barrel gun, when the ball being well confined, or similarly well rammed home, though its charge of powder is not in quantity the tenth of what is contained in a common cartridge, yet it shall throw its ball to the full as far as any firelock can with a full charge, and for no other reason, but that the whole of the powder in the screw barrel gun is consumed in flame before the delivery of the ball; consequently as the flight or force of a ball will always be proportioned to the circumstance of emptying well the cartridge, and of ramming it well down, I shall therefore direct, that each motion in priming and loading be performed with the greatest accuracy and distinctness, and without the least slight, being satisfied that one fire, well prepared and coolly delivered, will do more execution than ten that are given in hurry and confusion. [90]
I. Advance your Firelocks. Three Motions.
See the twenty fifth word of command of the last Section, and the observation.
The Field Exercise being a representation of what soldiers are to do in time of action, the above position of the firelock I introduce here as preparatory to it, and for this reason. It has hitherto been a custom, when soldiers come to advance against the enemy, to carry their firelocks shouldered, with their bayonets fixed; by carrying the arms thus elevated, they become of course the more exposed, and more liable to be damaged by the fire of the enemy. And therefore it is no uncommon thing to observe, that what with the shot of artillery, and that of small arms, the part of our arms which is so elevated and exposed is frequently either broke, or the barrels so dinted [sic] in, as to be unfit for use, which to prevent as much as can be, is the design of the above position: and besides, there is not only that advantage accruing from it, but it is a position from which a soldier can more conveniently make ready than from the shoulder, there being only one motion, instead of three, to effect it.
II. Open your Pans. Three Motions.
Direction.
First Motion.
Bring the firelock with the left hand round to the right side, to the position of a rest, seizing it at the scutcheon plate with the right hand, then quit the lock with the left hand, and with the same hand seize the firelock at that instant, just above the hammer spring. [91] This position differs only in these particulars from the true rest, that neither the right thumb is to be upon the cock, nor the fore finger upon the trigger, nor the right toe turned out.
Second Motion.
Bring the firelock up to a recover, and then turn the butt with a quick motion, close up under the right arm; quit the firelock with the right hand, and place at that instant the thumb against the face of the hammer: in turning the butt under the arm, the left wrist is not to be sunk or raised, which will determine the elevation of the muzzle. The left elbow is now to be kept close to the body, in order to hold the firelock the firmer, and to support the weight of it the better; and the upper part of the right arm is to be pressed well against the butt to keep it also the more firm and steady in its place.
Third Motion.
Throw back the hammer with the right thumb, which will open the pan, letting the thumb lie on the outside edge of the hammer, and in the same direction with it.
III. Prpare your Cartridges. Three Motions.
Direction.
First Motion.
Slap down the right hand upon the pouch with a quick motion, and take out a cartridge, holding the top of it between the thumb and forefinger. [92]
Second Motion.
Bring the cartridge with a quick motion up to your mouth, and bite off the top of it almost close to the powder.
Third Motion.
Bring the cartridge from the mouth to the outside of the pan, holding the top of the cartridge well secured between the thumb and forefinger, and of an equal height with the pan.
IV. Prime. Two Motions.
Direction.
First Motion.
Turn up the right hand, and shake or empty as much powder out of the cartridge into the pan as well little better than half fill it, or as much as will let the hammer shut close down upon it, always remembering that should there be more powder in the pan that it will contain, it will hinder the hammer from shutting down close upon it, which will expose the priming to any damp or wet that may come near it: and by that means prevent it from taking fire.
Second Motion.
Secure well the mouth of the cartridge by closing it with the thumb and forefinger, and placing , at the same time, the three remaining fingers behind the hammer. [93]
V. Shut your Pans. Two Motions.
Direction.
First Motion.
Pull down the hammer close upon the pan.
Second Motion.
Seize the firelock at the scutcheon plate with the right hand, holding it between the ball of the thumb and the three disengaged fingers.
VI. Cast about, to load. First Motion.
Direction.
Fall back with the right foot, and make a full and proper face to the right; quit the firelock with the right hand, and turn the muzzle to the rear, letting the firelock at the same time fall down before in the left hand as far as it can go; and the seize it with the right hand close to the muzzle, holding the barrel between the middle and fore finger. In this position the firelock is to be held very firm by the left hand against the front of the left thigh, in order to keep the muzzle steady, and by that means to expedite the loading.
VII. Load with Cartridges. Two Motions.
Direction.
First Motion.
Turn up the right hand, and empty well the powder out of the cartridge into the barrel. [94]
Second Motion.
Thrust the cartridge case after the powder with the forefinger into the barrel, holding the barrel at the same time between the thumb and middle finger, and letting the top of the forefinger remain in the muzzle.
VIII. Ram down your Cartridges. Seven Motions.
Direction.
First Motion.
Seize the rammer with the right hand, holding it between the thumb and the middle bone of the middle finger, so that the top of that finger may point downwards with the rammer; and place at the same time the end of the forefinger upon the top of the rammer.
Second Motion.
Draw out the rammer as far as the arm will admit, throwing back the firelock at the same time with the left hand, in order that a greater length of the rammer may then be drawn out, which will facilitate at the next motion, the drawing it clear out of the pipes.
Third Motion.
Bring back the firelock to its former place with the left hand, and quit the rammer at the same time [95] with the right; and seize it with the same hand a little above the muzzle, holding it as a pen is held, between the thumb and the two fingers pointing upwards.
Fourth Motion.
Dart out the rammer from the pipes, giving it at the same time such a turn in the hand, as to place the top of it against your waist; slip down the hand along the rammer, so low as to be within four inches of its top, and there hold it firm and parrallel [sic] to the barrel, the thumb pointing upwards.
Fifth Motion.
Put the top of the rammer into the barrel, and thrust it down as far as the hand will let it go.
Sixth Motion.
Quit the rammer, and seize it again towards the middle of it, thrusting it then down the barrel, as far as the hand will admit, the thumb still pointing upwards.
Seventh Motion.
Quit the rammer, and seize it at the end, holding it between the thumb and fore finger, and thrust it down as far as it can go, and afterwards knock it hard twice or thrice against the end of the cartridge, by way of settling it in the chamber. [96]
IX. Return your Rammers. Five Motions.
Direction.
First and Second Motions.
Perform these motions as directed in the second and third motions of the last word of command.
Third Motion.
Draw the rammer out of the barrel, and turn it so in the hand at the same time, as to place the end of it against your waist, and then hold it parallel to the barrel; slip down the hand along the rammer, within twelve inches of the end, or within the distance, that will leave sufficient length for the end of the rammer to enter the second pipe at the next motion.
Fourth Motion.
Enter the end of the rammer into the first or muzzle pipe, and thrust it down as far as the forefinger and thumb will admit, but in such a manner, that the palm of the hand may rest in the motion upon the muzzle, with the fingers and thumb pointing downwards with the rammer.
Fifth Motion.
Quit the rammer, and place the end of the forefinger upon the top of it, holding it underneath, between the thumb and middle finger, and then thrust it home. [97]
X. Advance your Firelocks. Two Motions.
Direction.
First Motion.
Face to the left, or bring up the right foot, so as to make a full front, and at the same instant quit the firelock with the right hand, and with the same hand seize it at the scutcheon plate, holding then the firelock in the position of a rest, as directed in the first motion of the second word of command of this section.
Second Motion.
Quit the firelock with the left hand, and at the same time bring it briskly round to the left side with the right hand, and then seize it by the cock with the left, and quit it with the right, as directed in the third motion of the twenty-fifth word of command of the last section.
XI. As front rank make ready. Three Motions.
Direction.
First Motion.
Bring the firelock with the left hand round to the right side, to the position of a rest, seizing it at the scutchon-plate with the right hand; then quit the cock with the left and with the same hand, seize the firelock at that instant, just above the hammer spring, [98] placing the right thumb upon the cock, and the forefinger upon the trigger. As to what is farther relative to this position of the rest, see the third word of command of the last section.
Why I prefer the rest to the recover, in point of making ready, is for the following reasons. First, because the firelock in that position, is more sheltered from the fire of the enemy than at the recover. Next, the weight of it being not so burdensome and painful to the arms, as it is at the recover. And lastly, because a soldier can cock or half cock his firelock with far greater ease at the rest, he having then the whole force of his right hand and arm to effect it, with the help of having the butt in some measure fixed or held firm against his right thigh, but at the recover, he can have no such advantage, because the butt has then no resting place to resist the force of pulling back the cock, and because the man’s whole purchase is then confined to the strength only of his thumb, which is rendered more feeble and ineffectual by the length of the span from the lower part of the guard to the top of the cock; and hence, it is no uncommon thing to observe, that when it is required of a soldier to cock or half cock at the recover, to see him perform it with great seeming pain and difficulty.
Second Motion.
Hold the firelock firm against the right thigh with the left hand; raise the right elbow a little, in order to have the greater purchase in pulling back the cock, then cock or draw back the cock to the catch with [99] the right thumb, bringing the elbow close down to the side at the same time.
Third Motion.
Step so far back with the right foot, that the right knee, on bringing it down to the ground, may be placed in a line with the left heel, planting the butt end of the firelock, at the same time upon the ground, directly opposite to the right thigh, and in a line with the left toe. The right thumb and fore finger are still to remain upon the cock and trigger. The barrel is to be held perpendicular by the left hand which is also to continue placed a little above the hammer-spring, and the body is likewise to be kept upright.
XII. Present. One Motion.
Direction.
Take the thumb from off the cock, raise the firelock with both hands, dropping the muzzle to the front, and placing at the same time the butt-end firm against the hollow space between the breast and right shoulder. In bringing the firelock thus to a present, the left knee is to be turned a little out, in order to let the body incline forward with more ease; which is intended as well for the convenience of bringing the right eye to the barrel for taking aim, as for that of fortifying the body against the recoil of the firelock at firing. In presenting, the object to be fired at, is to be brought with the eye, in a direct line with the [100] upper surface of the breech, and with the top of the sight at the muzzle; nor is the point to be aimed at to exceed the height of three feet, or the centre heighth of a man, in order to make an allowance for the rise or depression of the ball in its flight; and withal, the left elbow is to be turned down that the hand may the better support the weight of the firelock, and of course, keep it more steady.
XIII. Fire. Two Motions
Direction.
First Motion.
Pull the trigger hard with the fore finger, but not with a jerk or sudden motion, as that will be apt to alter the direction of the barrel; the centre bone of that finger is to be placed against the extremity of the trigger, in order to obtain greater strength and purchase, in raising the catch or dog from off the tumbler, and that the cock in consequence, may come the more suddenly down.
Second Motion.
Raise the muzzle, bring up the right foot to its former position, stand erect, and bring the firelock to a rest. [101]
XIV. Half cock your Firelocks. Two Motions.
Direction.
First Motion.
Take the forefinger from off the trigger, raise the right elbow, and place the right thumb, at the same time, upon the upper jaw of the cock.
Second Motion.
Pull back the cock to the first notch or catch of the tumbler, as directed in the second motion of the eleventh word of command, viz. Make ready.
XV. Prime and load. Twenty-five Motions.
Direction.
First Motion.
Take the thumb from off the cock, holding the firelock in the right hand at the scutcheon plate; bring up the firelock with both hands at the same time, and place the butt-end close under the right arm, as directed in the second motion of the second word of command of this section.
Note, The remaining twenty-four motions of priming, loading, and of coming to advanced firelocks, are performed in exactly the same manner as directed in the foregoing words of command of this section, viz. [l02]
Words of command. Motions
3. Prepare your Cartridges, 3.
4. Prime, 2.
5. Shut your Pans, 2.
6. Cast about to Load, l.
7. Load with Cartridge, 2.
8. Ram down your Cartridges, 7.
9. Return your Rammers, 5.
l0. Advance your Firelocks, 2.
Total 24.
XVI. As Centre Rank make ready. Two Motions.
Direction
First and Second Motions
These motions are to be performed in the same manner as directed in the first and second motions of the eleventh word of command of this section.
XVII. Present. One Motion.
Direction.
Take your thumb from off the cock, step forward one pace with the left foot; but a little obliquely to the left, and at the same time drop the barrel to a present, placing the butt-end firm against the hollow between the breast and right shoulder; bend a little [l03] the left knee, which will occasion the body to incline forward, and by that means, the eye will come more conveniently to the sights upon the barrel, for the purpose of taking aim; and lastly, keep the right knee firm and stiff in order to fortify the body against the recoil of the firelock at firing. As to the other requisites in presenting, see the twelfth word of command of this section.
Note, This being a new attitude or method of presenting, the reason of which will be omitted here, and explained farther on, at a more convenient place.
XVIII. Fire. Twenty-nine Motions.
Direction.
First Motion.
Perform this operation, as directed in the first motion of the thirteenth word of command of this section.
Second Motion.
Raise the muzzle, and come down to a rest, bringing back at the same time the left foot to its former position.
Note, The remaining twenty-seven motions of half cocking, priming, loading, and of coming to advanced firelocks, are to be performed on this, and all future firings, without any word of command, (except when ordered to the contrary) as directed in the fourteenth and fifteenth words of command of this [l04] section, taking care withal, that each motion be performed by all the men together, at one and the same time.
XIX. As Rear Rank make ready. Two Motions.
Direction.
First and Second Motions.
This operation is to be performed in exactly the same manner as directed in the sixteenth word of command of this section.
XX. Present. One Motion.
Direction.
This operation is performed in much the same manner as that directed in the preceding seventeenth word of command, but with this small difference, that instead of stepping obliquely forward to the left with the left foot, as there mentioned, on dropping to the present, you are here to step about twelve inches obliquely back to the right with the right foot, bending the left knee, and keeping stiff the right, for the same reasons as there given. [l05]
XXI. Fire. Twenty-nine Motions.
Direction.
These motions are performed in the same manner as directed in the eighteenth word of command of this section, except, that instead of bringing back the left foot, as there prescribed in the second motion, the right foot is here to be brought up to its former position on coming down to the rest, in order to proceed to half cock, prime, &c.
The recruits being made perfect in all the foregoing firings of the different ranks, they are now to be told off and formed into three ranks, in order that the whole may then fire together, and according to the respective ranks they shall stand in; for which purpose the Serjeant is to proceed as directed in Chap. II. Sect. VI. Art. II. word of command, first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth. -----
Note, When soldiers are thus drawn up in close order, in order to fire all together, the method of placing the feet of the centre and rear rank men for that purpose, as directed at the present in the seventeenth and twentieth words of command of this section, is called locking up.
Caution.
Take care the whole to make ready according to your respective ranks, viz. front as front, centre as centre, rear as rear. [l06]
XXII. Make ready.
Direction.
This operation is performed in the same manner as directed in the eleventh, sixteenth, and nineteenth words of command of this section.
XXIII. Present.
Direction.
See the twelfth, seventeenth, and twentieth words of command of this section.
XXIV. Fire.
Direction.
See the thirteenth, eighteenth, and twenty-first word of command of this section.
When men are thus drawn up in two or more ranks in order to fire, there are in the execution of which two very essential points, which require the nicest attention, and are of the utmost consequence in themselves; namely, that the men neither annoy one another by their fire, nor obstruct each other in taking proper aim: For these important purposes there have been various schemes proposed; but I confess, of all I have as yet seen or heard of, there are none with which I could be satisfied. And to support my opinion, [107] I shall first describe our present method of locking up, and observe, as I proceed, the disadvantage and inconveniences of that operation, to the end, that the plan, which I shall afterwards offer for a remedy, may the better be comprehended and received.
Our method then is, supposing the front rank man kneeling, in order to present, he of the centre rank in the same file is directed, first to place his left foot close to the inside of the former’s right foot, and then to step obliquely back to the right with his right foot.
By this disposition it is evident, that the body of the centre rank man must be full an half, if not more, to the right of him who is kneeling, consequently, when he comes to drop his firelock directly before him to a present, the firelock must be as much to the right also of him his file leader; now should that place where the firelock is so present, be the interval where the platoon officer is posted, it is likewise as evident, that he the officer must be deprived half his room by the position of the firelock, which must of course straiten him in his interval, and render him less active in it. --- Here then lies one objection to this method. --- And with respect to the soldier himself, he is no less incommoded, but in another manner; for being obliged to place his left foot in the above position, he cannot, as his left leg will then bear against the rump of his file leader, bend his left knee, in order to let his body incline forward for the purpose, either of fortifying himself against the recoil of his firelock at firing, or for the convenience of bringing his eye with ease to the barrel for taking aim. And hence the reason of that extreme aukwardness [l08] among the generality of soldiers, when they come to take aim, by inclining their heads close down to the tip of their right shoulders, which would otherwise be avoided, and the thing better done, were the left knee to be bent at the time. See the seventeenth word of command of this section. Here is also another objection:
As to the rear rank man of the same file, his situation is to the full as inconvenient as that of him of the centre rank, if not more so; for being, by this means, obliged to place also his left foot on the inside of the right foot of him before him, and to step obliquely back with his right foot also, his body must of course be likewise an half, if not more, to the right of him before him, so that when he also comes to present, the whole space or interval of the platoon officer if evidently occupied, or taken up, by the firelocks of the centre and rear rank men, therefore, as the platoon officer is, by this means, totally excluded the room of his interval, he finds himself obliged, in order to avoid the annoyance of the fire, either to direct the rear rank man on his left, not to fire at all or to fall back on the platoon on his right, to shelter himself; either then of these circumstances must be allowed to be very improper, and yet by our method there is no remedy for it; and as this is always the case, even at exercise, how much greater must the embarrassment be in time of action, by having added to it the hurry and confusion which men are then frequently in; or should soldiers happen to engage the enemy by night, or in a thick fog, the danger will be greater of their not seeing their officer, and of course the consequence may be fatal to him, and of which I have [l09] heard of some melancholy instance. Here again is another weighty objection to our present method. And with regard to the rear rank man himself, who also finds when he comes to present his left arm which supports and holds steady his firelock, so much incommoded by the right elbow of the man before him, as to prevent him from taking any fixed or certain aim; besides the further obstruction he receives from the same man, who hinders him from leaning his body forward for the purpose of taking an easy and ready aim. Here, then is likewise another great objection.
And to add still more to the impropriety of this our present method, there is that of the rear ranks being obliged at locking up, to quit the ground of their respective files, by each man placing himself to the right of his immediate file leader, as above shewn, by which means, when they have fired, they must either shuffle back again to their former ground, or remain exposed to the fire of the enemy, while they are going on with their priming and loading. As to the operation of shuffling back again to their former ground, it is truly ridiculous and unsightly. And as to that of their remaining unnecessarily exposed to the fire of the enemy, while they are thus priming and loading, it is absolutely erroneous, and contrary to principle, because no man ought to be exposed where there is no reason. Here is also another striking objection.
To obviate then and remove these several objections, is the intent of my present scheme, which is as follows: First, the ranks are to be closed to quarter distance, as is directed in Chap. II. Sect. VI. [110] Art. II. word of command IX. Then the whole is to make ready, present, and fire, as directed in the three last words of command of this section. By that method it may be observed, that the man of the centre rank receives no obstructions whatever from him of the front, as he steps with his left foot a little obliquely forward to the left of him, nor can he in the least incommode the platoon officer with his firelock at the present, because it is directly over the right side of his file leaders head, who is kneeling. And with regard to the rear rank man of the same file, he can never clash or interfere with him of the centre rank, because they present in opposite inclinations of their bodies; that is, he of the centre steps forward a little obliquely to the left with his left foot, while he of the rear steps still a little more obliquely backward to the right, with his right foot, by which means they stand quite clear of each other; nor can this same man incommode, in the least, the platoon officer, with his firelock at the present, because it is placed almost over the outside of the right shoulder of his file leader, who is kneeling in the front rank.
And lastly, it may be observed, that by this disposition made of the centre and rear rank men in locking up, they never quit the ground of their respective file, as they do by our present method, because each man always keeps one foot fixed, which enables those men, on having fired, to bring the oblique feet the more readily to their former ground; and by that means to place themselves at once in the due direction of their respective files; and of course under the immediate cover of their file leader, while they are going on with their priming and loading. But to return, [111] after the recruits have been instructed, as above directed, to fire standing, they are next to be taught how to fire advancing and retreating; and in order to which, they are to be divided into two or more platoons, as their number will admit, and then each platoon made to fire separately, and distinctly from the other, and according to the following directions.
Caution.
Take care to fire advancing.
XXV. March.
Direction.
The whole are to step off, beginning the march with the left feet.
XXVI. Right Hand Platoon make ready.
Direction.
This operation is to be performed by each rank of the platoon, as directed in the eleventh, sixteenth, and nineteenth words of command of this section, but with this small difference, that upon cocking, the platoon to fire is to advance beyond the other, by taking three large steps, and with a quicker movement than ordinary, beginning with the left foot; and then the front rank is to kneel, and the other two ranks [112] are to lock up, observing their proper distances from each other.
The intent of making the firing platoon to advance thus before the sustaining platoon, is for the following reasons. First, that it may the better deliver its fire clear of any obstructions which it might receive from the other: and before it comes up to join it in the line. Next, that the sustaining platoon may not, by being too far advanced before the other, be exposed to its fire. And lastly, that the same platoon may not, by any oblique inclination which it might take when too much advanced, shut out or prevent the other from conveniently coming in again to its former place after firing. But besides the above precautions, there is another considerable advantage resulting from making the firing platoon thus to advance before the other, which is, that this movement carries on the line much better, and gives a more intrepid appearance to the whole in advancing.
XXVII. Present.
See the twenty-third word of command of this section.
XXVIII. Fire.
See the twenty-fourth word of command of this section. [113]
XXIX. Left-hand Platoon make ready.
Note. This operation, together with the presenting and firing, are performed in the same manner as that of the right-hand platoon, to which I refer.
Caution.
Take care to fire retreating.
XXX. To the Right about. March.
Direction.
The whole is then to go to the right about on the left heel, stepping off with the left foot.
XXXI
. Right Hand Platoon make ready.Direction.
Note, This operation is performed in the same manner as that of the twenty-sixth word of command of this section, but with this difference, that the platoon is first to come to the right about, and then cock, lock up, present, and fire, as before directed; and on firing, it is again to go to the right about, march, and join the line or the other platoon, who is still to continue moving on, as it did in advancing; and then to half-cock, prime and load, &c. [114]
XXXII. Left hand Platoon make ready.
Direction.
Note, This operation is performed in the same manner as the last word of command.
XXXIII. Halt.
Direction.
The whole is to stand fast.
XXXIV. Front.
Direction.
The whole is to come to the right about, and to stand in proper order.
XXXV. Shoulder your Firelocks.
Direction.
See the twenty-sixth word of command of the last section.
XXXVI. Rear ranks open to whole distance.
Direction.
The centre and rear ranks are to go to the right about, upon their left heels. [115]
XXXVII. March.
Direction.
The centre rank is to march three paces, and the rear rank six, each rank stepping off at the same time with the left feet; and when they arrive at their ground, they are to stand square and in proper order.
XXXVIII. Front.
Direction.
The two rear ranks are to come to the right about upon their left heels, and to stand in proper order.
XXXIX. Support your Arms.
Direction.
Perform this operation as directed in the first, second, and third motions of the twenty-ninth word of command of the last section.
The recruits having been taught the use and management of their arms, according to the foregoing directions, they are next to be taken to a butt, where each man is to practise firing with a single ball at a mark. The mark to be shot at is to be placed at the distance of about sixty yards, and at the height of three feet; and when the men become thus good marksmen, they are then to be again formed as before into three ranks, and to fire together or in platoon. The mark they are now to fire at, is to be a chalk line drawn upon a wall, a little longer than the extent of the rank [116] intire, and of the same height with that of the butt, and the men placed at the same distance from it, and when they have become expert in this firing also, they are then to be shewn the effect of this fire, with a view, that by knowing their own capacity, they may afterwards have such a dependance upon themselves, as to inspire them with more intrepidity and resolution, whenever they shall have occasion to face the enemy.
The recruits being thus instructed and made perfect in each of the above points, the Serjeant is then to dismiss them; and afterwards to report their condition and capacity to his commanding officer, in order that they may be re-examined by the Adjutant, and delivered over to him. [117]