Infantry Tactics Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1835 edition. Excerpt: ... beginning, particularly with recruits who have naturally the opposite habit. 95. Shoulders square; Because, if the shoulders be advanced beyond the line of the breast, and the back arched, (the defect called round-shouldered, not uncommon among recruits, ) the man cannot align himself, nor use his firelock with address. It is important, then, to correct this defect, and necessary to that end that the coat should set easy about the shoulders and arm-pits; but, in correcting this defect, the instructer will take care that the shoulders be not thrown too much to the rear, which would cause the belly to project, and the small of the back to be curved. 96. The arms hanging naturally, elbows near the body, the palm of the hand a little turned to the front, the littlefinger oehind the seam of the pantaloons; Because, these positions are equally important to the shoulder-arms, and to prevent the man from occupying more space in a rank than is necessary to a free use of the firelock; they have, moreover, the advantage of keeping in the shoulders. 97. The face wtUU. the front, the chin a little drawn in, with out constraint; Because, if there be stiffness in the latter position, it would communicate itself to the whole of the upper part of the body, embarrass its movements, and give pain and fatigue. 98. Eyes cast direct to the front; Because, this is the surest means of maintaining the shoulders in line--an essential object, to be insisted on and attained. 99. The instructer having given the recruit the position of the soldier without arms, will now teach him the turning of the head or eyes. He will command: ( 1. Eyes--Right. 2. Front. 100. At the word right, the recruit will turn the head gently, so as to bring the inner corner of the left...