Position:Home>History> In the American Revolution, what did the British soldiers say when they were pre

Go to my web page on the manual of arms at:
http://www!.outwatersmilitia!.com/Manual!.h!.!.!.

#1- Poise your Firelocks! (2 Motions)
1st Seize the Firelock with your right Hand, and turn the Lock outwards, keeping the Firelock perpendicular!.
2nd!. Bring the Firelock with a quick Motion from the Shoulder, and seize it with the left Hand just above the Lock, so that the little finger may rest upon the Spring, and the Thumb lie upon the Stock; The Firelock must not beheld too far from the Body, and the left Hand must be of an equal Height with the Eyes!.

#2- Cock your Locks! (2 Motions)
1st!. Turn the Barrel opposite your Face, and place you Thumb upon the Cock, raising the Elbow square at this Motion!.
2nd!. Cock your Firelock, by drawing your Elbow down, placing your Thumb upon the Breech Pin, and the Fingers under the Guard!.

#3- Present! (1 Motion)
Step back about six inches to the Rear with the Right Foot, bringing the left Toe to the Front; at the same Time the Butt end of the Firelock must be brought to an equal Height with your Shoulder, placing the left Hand on the Swell, and the Fore-Finger of the right Hand before the Tricker, sinking the muzzle a little!.

#4- Fire! (1 Motion)
Pull the Tricker briskly, and immediately after bringing up the right Foot, come to the Priming Position, with the Lock opposite to the Right Breast, the Muzzle the Height of the Hat, keeping it firm and steady, and at the same Time seize the Cock with the Fore-Finger and Thumb of the right Hand, the Back of the Hand turned up!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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part of the key to success in firing from a formation using muzzle loading equipment is to make sure that someone is always ready to shoot!.

Native americans, for example, like to feign a full scale attack, and, as soon as the inexperienced militia would all fire randomly at them, attack in full force because the soldiers or militia had left themselves without any long range defense for awhile!.

so, generally, the first three ranks of soldiers with muzzle-loaders would coordinate their firing and the commands were often just to have the first, then second, then third ranks firing!. One didn't have to tell a soldier to reload, for example, or to aim, once the fight started!. The sergeant might have told them where he wanted their next volley aimed, however!.

While the second and third ranks fired, the first rank reloaded and prepared to fire again!. etc!. etc!.

When soldiers were marching in formation, they might also be commanded to form ranks left or right or ahead or to the rear, depending on the direction of the attack!. I suspect there was even a command for setting up to fire in any direction, then having some of the midranks turn to address the direction from which the heaviest fire was being drawn!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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There were 3 commands:- "Load", "Present" and "Fire"!.
Muzzle loading muskets were only useful when fired in massed volleys against lines or columns of enemy troops!. Of course, with the noise of the battlefield, screaming of the injured and dying, cannon shot, musket fire and heavy volumes of smoke then fire orders were issued by the drum and later in light regiments by the bugle!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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Whoever answered "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes" - uh, an American said that!
You need to find a British Revolutionary Army drill book - that'll tell you everything you knowWww@QuestionHome@Com

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I say, Reginald! This batle is going to be spit-spot! Ready your weapons gents! Afterwards we'll have fish and chips!

*between volleys tea was served!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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dont shoot until you see the whites of their eyesWww@QuestionHome@Com

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we are going to fcuk you upWww@QuestionHome@Com

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