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CHAP. III.

The Duty of the Serjeant.

SECT. I. Instructions

I. The same caution which I have given the Corporal, I shall here again repeat to the Serjeant, viz. That he make perfect as he proceeds, and in order to which he must not only dwell long on the same thing, but make it his constant business to recur frequently to it.

II. Upon having the recruits delivered over to him from the corporal, should he, on examination, find any of them imperfect in those points of the exercise which the corporal had charge to instruct them in, he is then not only to remand such recruit to the corporal for the better information, but he is to make a report of that defect to his commanding officer; and this he is to do in his own defence, for should he connive at such a proceeding, the discovery of the fault, and the censure arising from it, will not then be levied at the corporal, but at himself, it being his duty to superintend and report such matters.

III. He is to have a corporal under him as an assistant, who is, according to the different words of command, to perform the several motions of the exercise for the better direction and imitation of the recruits.

IV. He is to divide the time of exercise into such portions as will not over-fatigue the recruits by their being kept too long under arms.

V. He is to be very strict in having himself punctually obeyed, and upon all occasions to appear so jealous of his own consequence, as not to suffer the least [60] freedom to be taken with him by those under his command.

VI. He is to draw up his recruits in a single rank, placing them according to their different heights in succession from right to left: viz. the tallest on the right, the shortest on the left. See Chap. II. Sect. III. And when they come afterwards to be drawn up three deep, the same rule for sizing the men in the different ranks is likewise to be observed, viz. the tallest men in the front rank; the next tallest in the rear rank; and the shortest in the centre. See Chap. II. Sect. IV. Art. II.

There are three essential reasons for thus sizing the men in the different ranks. The first is, for appearance sake, as it makes the men of each rank to seem all of an equal height. The next is, that by placing the tallest men in the front rank, those in the rear, being of a less height, may the better be covered from the fire of the enemy. And the last is, that by having those of the next greater size in the rear rank, they may there, with more convenience and less obstruction, deliver their fire over those of a less height in the centre rank, as these last do over the front rank when it kneels.

This method of sizing the men in the different ranks is certainly the best for the good appearance of a single company, when not joined or connected with other companies, but it evidently makes a battalion appear to great disadvantage, for as the shortest man of each rank is by this means placed on the left of the same, and there joined to the tallest in that of the next company to him, the difference of height then between those two men is frequently so great, as to make a very visible and disagreeable appearance. To [61] prevent which, I would recommend to have the tallest man of each rank in every company placed on the right of its centre; the next tallest to him on his left; and the next in turn on his right; and so on alternately from right to left, till the rank be compleated: by which means, no striking difference of height will then appear between the right-had man of one company, and the left-had man in the same rank of the adjoining company to him; and consequently as the different heights of the men are thus concealed, each rank of the battalion will then appear as if all the men were of an equal height.

VII. In drawing up the Recruits, he is to give or allow to each man the space or room of two feet and an half, or one pace; that is, that the distance from the centre of one man’s body to that of the next to him may measure so much.

Why I make choice of this distance, preferable to any other, is for the following reasons; first, because the generality of men do measure about two feet from outside to outside of both arms, when the hands hang easy down by the body; and next to make an allowance for the projection of the pouch, and for the sweep or circle which the body will describe, when it has occasion to turn to the right or to the left, which will require at least six inches more room, otherwise the men will, for want of it, eternally justle and incommode each other in their revolutions.

VIII. In drawing up the Recruits, he is, if he can contrive it, to place them in such a situation, that the sun or wind may be upon either flank; by which means, they, as well as himself, will be the better enabled to observe each other. [62]

IX. He is every morning, previous to the time of exercise, to examine well the state and condition of the arms and accoutrements of each Recruit; to the intent, that whatever is out of order may be immediately repaired and adjusted, and that nothing may impede the exercise, or obstruct the business of the day; and this examination is the more requisite, as it accustoms young Soldiers betimes to a proper care and attention of those articles.

X. He is likewise to see that each Recruit be properly and well dressed, that the several species of his cloathing be clean and well put on, and that nothing is wanting and out of repair.

XI. He is to see that the Accoutrements be properly put on and worn; that is, that each pouch do hang on the right side of the body, and placed so convenient, that whatever is wanted out of it may be easily come at, otherwise should the pouch hang too high, too low, or too far behind, it will occasion an awkward twisting or motion of the body to come at the contents: and he is withal to take particular care that all the pouches of the same rank do hang at equal heights, and in like places, which will give a pleasing appearance of uniformity to the whole Rank.

XII. He is also to observe that the Bayonet-belt be well wore; that is, that it be buckled round the waist, and above the hips, and, in particular, that the Bayonet does hang well and convenient, and nearly perpendicular, so that the handle may be placed between the left hip and centre of the body; and in such a manner that the point of it may just appear without the left thigh, by which means the Recruit will neither be obstructed by the handle when he stoops or leans forward, nor will he be interrupted by [63] the sticking out of the point when he comes occasionally to turn himself.

XIII. He is next to make the Recruits to stand in proper order, as is shewn in Chap. II. SECT. iii. Art. I.

XIV. He is then to show them how to shoulder their Firelocks, or to carry well their arms, and in order to which, the Firelock is to be placed upon the left shoulder, and held at the extremity of the but in the palm of the left hand; so that the hand may be under the but, and the tops of the fingers appear on the inside, while the thumb remains on the outside, extended in a line with the edge of the but-plate: the upper part of the guard is to come so low as to be placed a little under the left breast: the firelock is to rest upon that part of the hollow of the shoulder, between the tip and the upper part of the breast, where it is to be held very firm against the body, and so as not to cross the direction of it; the right arm is to hang at the same time in an easy and natural posture down by the side, so that if it was put in motion like a pendulum, it would seek rest in no other position.

Why I prefer this position of the Firelock to any other is for the following reasons. First, that it affords to the Soldier a greater degree of ease, because it leaves the upper part of the left arm in a state of rest by its hanging perpendicular, and by that means it is better enabled to support the weight of the Firelock, and to keep it more steady upon the shoulder than it could possibly do were it to hang in any other direction. Next, that by the Firelock being held as above, it not only acquires a good rest upon the shoulder, which of course, supports it the firmer; but the barrel receives by it such a sufficient slope, as not only to prevent it [64] from easily falling off, which it would be apt to do were it held more perpendicular, but from annoying those in the rear were it more sloped.

XV. He is next to take his post of Exercise, at a convenient distance in the front of his recruits, and opposite to their centre, placing himself in such a situation, that his distance from either flank may be equal to the extent of the rank of recruits, which will describe an equilateral triangle.

Why I pitch upon this distance for the post of Exercise, is for this reason. It is observed, that the greatest distinct view, which we can have of any extensive object, parallel to our own position, is comprehended under an angle of sixty degrees, therefore, if the post of Exercise, was nearer than the above distance, the angle of observation must be so much the greater, which would prevent both flanks from being conveniently embraced at one view: and if the distance was greater, though it would more facilitate and perfect the view, by the angle being less, yet it would cause a greater distance than necessary. On these considerations, I have limited the post of Exercise, which will be sufficient for any front, not exceeding the extent of a battalion, either for observation, or for the advantage of a tolerable good voice.

XVI. He is next to settle and limit the duration of time to be observed between each motion of the exercise; in the doing of which, two points must be guarded against, which are extremes in themselves, the one is, that the time be not so short, as to occasion confusion and inaccuracy in the motions by too [65] great a hurry; and the other is, that it be not so long as to cause irregularity by a miscomputation of it in different minds.

From a consideration of those two extremes, will arise the necessity for that rule or medium which may prevent the first, and correct the last; The rule then, which I shall offer, is no other, but that already prescribed by General Bland, viz. That the space between each motion, be about a second of time, or while a man can distinctly count to himself, one, two.

This time will be found to be a sufficient pause to distinguish well each motion and its performance, which is all that is wanted in the first instance, and by its being so short, it will so effectually lessen and conceal any irregularity in the last, arising from a misjudgement [sic] of time, as to give the appearance of unanimity to each motion, and not only this, but a still greater advantage will accrue, which is, that it will help to accustom the men betimes to briskness and dispach [sic], the soul of action, and consequently it will teach them to explode whatever is tedious, dilatory and unnecessary.

XVII. The Serjeant having prescribed the time which is to be observed between each motion, he is then to give directions, that each motion be performed with vivacity and correctness, but in such a manner as to be void of every buffoonish flourish and gesticulation, which may render it to common sense, or to a judicious eye, a matter of ridicule.

XVIII. He is next to appoint a post or station for his corporal; for which purpose, he is to place him occasionally opposite to the extreme of either flank, and in that point of view where each recruit may easily [66] observe and see him, and where he himself may have an eye upon him in order to direct him as he shall think fit.

XIX. He is to provide himself with a cane or stick, which he is to carry in his hand as an emblem of his authority; and in order that it may serve to assist him in shewing his men by it, how to perform the several motions of the exercise.

XX. Matters being thus prepared, he is then to order a profound silence and attention, and to give the following words of command in a deliberate and distinct tone of voice, laying the emphasis as much as possible, upon the last word, and withal he is to let his instructions be clear and articulate, and delivered according to the directions annexed to each word of command.