Military Drill Resources
Fort McHenry Guard - text, picture, and video guide of the manual of arms. Excellent source and website.
War of 1812 Commands: American (with British commands noted where they are different)
Marching
Marching rates - common time - 75 steps/minute, quick - 100 steps/minute,
Note: I’ll use platoon here, but company or battalion might be used as well depending on the number of soldiers. Platoons are the smallest unit.
1. Eyes right - head turned enough to the right for left eye to be lined up with the coat buttons (reverse for Eyes Left)
2. Steady or (Eyes) Front - Head facing forward
3. Attention - heels together on same line, toes turned out equally, back straight, elbows close to body, little finger on seam of pants, head up without the chin pointing out, eyes fixed on point 15 paces ahead
4. Rest - right foot planted six inches behind the left, bend left knee, hands together before the body, may move head, etc but left heel must stay in place
5. To the right, face - turn on left heel raising the toe slightly and make a 90 degree turn right while (at the same time), bringing the right heel alongside the left heel.
6. To the left, face - right heel comes forward, pivot on both feet to make a 90 degree turn left, must be at attention position at the end.
7. Right about, face - at “about” make a half face to the right and place the hollow of the right foot 2 inches (5 cm) behind the left heel - use the right hand to hold onto the cartridge box only while you are turning- , at “face” turn on both heels and bring the right heel in line with the left.
8. 1. To the right oblique. 2 March - step off with the right foot and angle it (forward and to the right) about 2 feet from the left foot, then the left foot steps 1 ½ feet straight ahead from the right heel. Your line is to be straight and facing forward while it proceeds at an angle across the field.
9. 1. To the left oblique. 2 March - reverse of the above. Straight line that moves at an angle to the left.
10. 1. Mark time. 2. March. - march in place. Useful for temporary halts or regaining the step.
11. 1. Forward. 2. March. - presume the march is at the ordinary step unless stated.
12. 1. Company, forward. Guide to the right. 2. March - a forward march with your elbows lightly touching the person to your right (like a dress right on the march except it’s continuous. You can also guide to the officer, sargeant, etc. Used to march and move around obstacles)
13. 1. Quick step. 2. March - march is at 100 steps per minute.
14. 1. Platoon. 2. Halt - foot in motion completes its step and the foot behind is brought up even with it so the heels are together. Sargents - try to time the command so the foot is just starting the step so the privates’ brains have a chance to process the command and halt at that step.
15. 1. Platoon, by the right flank. 2. To the right, face. 3. March. At “To the right, face”, your two ranks turn right face forming two columns. At “March” the first file leads off. (The first pair leads off) and the rest follow. It’s called marching by files.
16. 1. By file to the right. 2. March. As you are marching in files, you will do a right wheel. However, instead of the whole line wheeling at once, just the first file wheels at the command “March”. The right hand man will take smaller steps while his partner takes the ordinary steps to make the 90 degree turn to the right. Each file pair will make the turn at the same spot as the first pair when they reach it. (Otherwise you no longer have a straight column).
17. 1. By file to the left. 2. March. As above but just the reverse.
18. 1. Halt. 2. Front - As you are marching by files, you halt and then face to the front. (If you’re guiding right, make a right face and reverse for left face. The essential part is you face the direction common sense tells you to. Make a right or left face so you are facing the officer or the enemy depending on battle or drill).
19. 1. To the right, Dress. 2. Steady - right marker stays in place and the rest of the line moves to the right to the proper spacing. “Steady” means be motionless and looking forward.
20. 1. To the left, Dress. 2. Steady - as above but opposite.
21. 1. By the right, backwards Dress - possible you will hear this command. The officer will move a person at each end of the line and then give this command so the line moves to line up with these markers at either end. Used for very long lines.
22. 1. Platoon. 2. To the right, wheel. 3. March. - on “to the right, wheel” the pivot person (one on the end to the right) does a right face, on “march” the soldier on the left end of the line takes ordinary steps while the rest of the line takes smaller steps the closer they are to the pivot. The whole line swings like a door. The soldiers should touch the elbow to the person to their right while looking to the person on the left end of the line. Typically, you do a 90 degree turn but you can keeping wheeling. To stop the wheel, “Platoon. Halt.”
23. 1. Platoon. 2. To the left, wheel. 3. March. - as above but reversed, look right touch left.
24. 1. Platoon. 2. To the right, wheel. 3. March - this one is not from a halt but while the platoon is marching. The right pivot takes steps of 6 inches while the left person is taking steps of 2 feet. To stop the turn, use “1. Platoon, forward. 2. March”
25. 1. Platoon. 2. To the left, wheel. 3. March - same as above but reversed.
26. 1. To the right, turn (or To the right shoulders, forward). 2. March - The right pivot will change direction without changing step. The rest of the line takes the quick step until they are in line with the pivot and then they resume the ordinary step in time with the right marker. The turn ends when the line is in-line with the marker.
27. 1. To the left, turn (or To the left shoulders, forward). 2. March - as above but reversed
28. 1. Attention. 2. Shoulder, arms. 3. Rear ranks, take distance. 4. March. 5. Steady This command is used to open up the space between ranks - it is often done for inspection purposes. Steps 1 and 2 as per earlier
instructions. Step 3 At “take distance” , the captain and sergeant rejoin the first rank (typically they are out front of the 1st line at this point) and dress by the front rank. Meanwhile, the sergeant and corporal who are the file
closers (ends of the ranks) each step back four paces. They will now be the markers for the new lines. Step 4 At “march”, the rest of the line steps back to line up with the new markers. Step 5 At “steady”, the captain and sergeant who were helping the lines straighten up, regain their spots in the first rank.
29. 1. Close ranks. 2. March. The opposite of the #28. The two rear ranks close up using the common step.
Skirmish
30. 1. As light Infantry. 2. Shoulder arms. Tells the company they will be working as light infantry, shoulder arms for light infantry is the same as “advance arms”.
31. Movement as light infantry - all formations in close order (together as a group) is done at quick time (120 paces per minute) while movements in files or extended order (spread out) is in double quick time (160 paces per minute). Note: files are numbered from right to left (your right in formation.) Intervals between ranks when firing, retiring or advancing is usually 12 paces, though the commander may add after the order to advance or retire the number of paces. Also, when firing in extended order the skirmishers may fire standing, kneeling or lying to take
advantage of cover (a skirmisher may also advance a few paces to take advantage of cover).
32. 1. Company. 2. Fire by file, as in open order. 3. Commence - Firing. Right file of company takes 3 paces to the front, the rear rank man takes the last step obliquely, seize the musket with the left hand and cock the musket with the right hand. The soldier will then half face to the right and move the right foot 18 inches back of the left foot and bring the musket up to aim and then fire. After firing, return to light infantry “shoulder arms”, do a “right about-face”, return to your position in line, do another “right about face” and then reload your gun, once loaded,
return to “shoulder arms”. As the 1st file returns, the second file goes out .....
33. 1. Advance by right. 2. Company, Right - Face. 3. March. - simply you right face and march by files.
34. 1. Single file. 2. March. - goes from 2 or more ranks to 1 rank. At the 2nd word each rear rank man takes an oblique step or side step to fall in behind his file partner. If the line is halted, have the whole formation “right face” and then “march” and at march the rear rank men would move in behind their partners.
35. 1. Double file. 2. March - goes from single rank to double or more. At “march” the rear rank men “advance at the left shoulder” (turn to the right) and double quick march until they are in line with the first rank (making 2 or more parallel lines).
36. 1. Right ? paces, extend - all except the left file will face right and march until there is the commanded number of paces in between each file (for example, 2nd left file goes 5 paces and stops, the next file goes 5 paces beyond that and stops.....). Face front.
37. 1. Into line. 2. March. Going from marching by flank/file into 2 battle lines. The front rank man continues marching, his file partner in the rear rank steps to the left and rear (so he is in the proper spot behind the front rank man rather than beside him). The rest of the company “right shoulders forward” into line to the left of their
right markers, lining up with them. The rest of the company speeds up their march (up to a run for those at the rear of the column) until they are in line with the front rank man. At that point they take their step from him.
38. Skirmish commands: 1. To extend. 2. To close. 3. To advance. 4. To halt. 5. To retire. 6. To fire. 7. To cease firing. To close - when signal given then all files face to the signaler (often officer) and run in double quick time until closed back in formation. The numbers can correspond to a whistle or bugle command.
Manual of Arms
1. Shoulder Arms
2. Port Arms
3. Order Arms (both attention and at rest)
4. Present Arms
5. Trail Arms
6. Advance Arms (same as "As Light Infantry, Shoulder Arms" - all commands after that as light infantry/skirmishers)
7. Prime and load
8. Make Ready, Aim (British "Present"), Fire
9. Slope Arms
War of 1812 Commands: American (with British commands noted where they are different)
Marching
Marching rates - common time - 75 steps/minute, quick - 100 steps/minute,
Note: I’ll use platoon here, but company or battalion might be used as well depending on the number of soldiers. Platoons are the smallest unit.
1. Eyes right - head turned enough to the right for left eye to be lined up with the coat buttons (reverse for Eyes Left)
2. Steady or (Eyes) Front - Head facing forward
3. Attention - heels together on same line, toes turned out equally, back straight, elbows close to body, little finger on seam of pants, head up without the chin pointing out, eyes fixed on point 15 paces ahead
4. Rest - right foot planted six inches behind the left, bend left knee, hands together before the body, may move head, etc but left heel must stay in place
5. To the right, face - turn on left heel raising the toe slightly and make a 90 degree turn right while (at the same time), bringing the right heel alongside the left heel.
6. To the left, face - right heel comes forward, pivot on both feet to make a 90 degree turn left, must be at attention position at the end.
7. Right about, face - at “about” make a half face to the right and place the hollow of the right foot 2 inches (5 cm) behind the left heel - use the right hand to hold onto the cartridge box only while you are turning- , at “face” turn on both heels and bring the right heel in line with the left.
8. 1. To the right oblique. 2 March - step off with the right foot and angle it (forward and to the right) about 2 feet from the left foot, then the left foot steps 1 ½ feet straight ahead from the right heel. Your line is to be straight and facing forward while it proceeds at an angle across the field.
9. 1. To the left oblique. 2 March - reverse of the above. Straight line that moves at an angle to the left.
10. 1. Mark time. 2. March. - march in place. Useful for temporary halts or regaining the step.
11. 1. Forward. 2. March. - presume the march is at the ordinary step unless stated.
12. 1. Company, forward. Guide to the right. 2. March - a forward march with your elbows lightly touching the person to your right (like a dress right on the march except it’s continuous. You can also guide to the officer, sargeant, etc. Used to march and move around obstacles)
13. 1. Quick step. 2. March - march is at 100 steps per minute.
14. 1. Platoon. 2. Halt - foot in motion completes its step and the foot behind is brought up even with it so the heels are together. Sargents - try to time the command so the foot is just starting the step so the privates’ brains have a chance to process the command and halt at that step.
15. 1. Platoon, by the right flank. 2. To the right, face. 3. March. At “To the right, face”, your two ranks turn right face forming two columns. At “March” the first file leads off. (The first pair leads off) and the rest follow. It’s called marching by files.
16. 1. By file to the right. 2. March. As you are marching in files, you will do a right wheel. However, instead of the whole line wheeling at once, just the first file wheels at the command “March”. The right hand man will take smaller steps while his partner takes the ordinary steps to make the 90 degree turn to the right. Each file pair will make the turn at the same spot as the first pair when they reach it. (Otherwise you no longer have a straight column).
17. 1. By file to the left. 2. March. As above but just the reverse.
18. 1. Halt. 2. Front - As you are marching by files, you halt and then face to the front. (If you’re guiding right, make a right face and reverse for left face. The essential part is you face the direction common sense tells you to. Make a right or left face so you are facing the officer or the enemy depending on battle or drill).
19. 1. To the right, Dress. 2. Steady - right marker stays in place and the rest of the line moves to the right to the proper spacing. “Steady” means be motionless and looking forward.
20. 1. To the left, Dress. 2. Steady - as above but opposite.
21. 1. By the right, backwards Dress - possible you will hear this command. The officer will move a person at each end of the line and then give this command so the line moves to line up with these markers at either end. Used for very long lines.
22. 1. Platoon. 2. To the right, wheel. 3. March. - on “to the right, wheel” the pivot person (one on the end to the right) does a right face, on “march” the soldier on the left end of the line takes ordinary steps while the rest of the line takes smaller steps the closer they are to the pivot. The whole line swings like a door. The soldiers should touch the elbow to the person to their right while looking to the person on the left end of the line. Typically, you do a 90 degree turn but you can keeping wheeling. To stop the wheel, “Platoon. Halt.”
23. 1. Platoon. 2. To the left, wheel. 3. March. - as above but reversed, look right touch left.
24. 1. Platoon. 2. To the right, wheel. 3. March - this one is not from a halt but while the platoon is marching. The right pivot takes steps of 6 inches while the left person is taking steps of 2 feet. To stop the turn, use “1. Platoon, forward. 2. March”
25. 1. Platoon. 2. To the left, wheel. 3. March - same as above but reversed.
26. 1. To the right, turn (or To the right shoulders, forward). 2. March - The right pivot will change direction without changing step. The rest of the line takes the quick step until they are in line with the pivot and then they resume the ordinary step in time with the right marker. The turn ends when the line is in-line with the marker.
27. 1. To the left, turn (or To the left shoulders, forward). 2. March - as above but reversed
28. 1. Attention. 2. Shoulder, arms. 3. Rear ranks, take distance. 4. March. 5. Steady This command is used to open up the space between ranks - it is often done for inspection purposes. Steps 1 and 2 as per earlier
instructions. Step 3 At “take distance” , the captain and sergeant rejoin the first rank (typically they are out front of the 1st line at this point) and dress by the front rank. Meanwhile, the sergeant and corporal who are the file
closers (ends of the ranks) each step back four paces. They will now be the markers for the new lines. Step 4 At “march”, the rest of the line steps back to line up with the new markers. Step 5 At “steady”, the captain and sergeant who were helping the lines straighten up, regain their spots in the first rank.
29. 1. Close ranks. 2. March. The opposite of the #28. The two rear ranks close up using the common step.
Skirmish
30. 1. As light Infantry. 2. Shoulder arms. Tells the company they will be working as light infantry, shoulder arms for light infantry is the same as “advance arms”.
31. Movement as light infantry - all formations in close order (together as a group) is done at quick time (120 paces per minute) while movements in files or extended order (spread out) is in double quick time (160 paces per minute). Note: files are numbered from right to left (your right in formation.) Intervals between ranks when firing, retiring or advancing is usually 12 paces, though the commander may add after the order to advance or retire the number of paces. Also, when firing in extended order the skirmishers may fire standing, kneeling or lying to take
advantage of cover (a skirmisher may also advance a few paces to take advantage of cover).
32. 1. Company. 2. Fire by file, as in open order. 3. Commence - Firing. Right file of company takes 3 paces to the front, the rear rank man takes the last step obliquely, seize the musket with the left hand and cock the musket with the right hand. The soldier will then half face to the right and move the right foot 18 inches back of the left foot and bring the musket up to aim and then fire. After firing, return to light infantry “shoulder arms”, do a “right about-face”, return to your position in line, do another “right about face” and then reload your gun, once loaded,
return to “shoulder arms”. As the 1st file returns, the second file goes out .....
33. 1. Advance by right. 2. Company, Right - Face. 3. March. - simply you right face and march by files.
34. 1. Single file. 2. March. - goes from 2 or more ranks to 1 rank. At the 2nd word each rear rank man takes an oblique step or side step to fall in behind his file partner. If the line is halted, have the whole formation “right face” and then “march” and at march the rear rank men would move in behind their partners.
35. 1. Double file. 2. March - goes from single rank to double or more. At “march” the rear rank men “advance at the left shoulder” (turn to the right) and double quick march until they are in line with the first rank (making 2 or more parallel lines).
36. 1. Right ? paces, extend - all except the left file will face right and march until there is the commanded number of paces in between each file (for example, 2nd left file goes 5 paces and stops, the next file goes 5 paces beyond that and stops.....). Face front.
37. 1. Into line. 2. March. Going from marching by flank/file into 2 battle lines. The front rank man continues marching, his file partner in the rear rank steps to the left and rear (so he is in the proper spot behind the front rank man rather than beside him). The rest of the company “right shoulders forward” into line to the left of their
right markers, lining up with them. The rest of the company speeds up their march (up to a run for those at the rear of the column) until they are in line with the front rank man. At that point they take their step from him.
38. Skirmish commands: 1. To extend. 2. To close. 3. To advance. 4. To halt. 5. To retire. 6. To fire. 7. To cease firing. To close - when signal given then all files face to the signaler (often officer) and run in double quick time until closed back in formation. The numbers can correspond to a whistle or bugle command.
Manual of Arms
1. Shoulder Arms
2. Port Arms
3. Order Arms (both attention and at rest)
4. Present Arms
5. Trail Arms
6. Advance Arms (same as "As Light Infantry, Shoulder Arms" - all commands after that as light infantry/skirmishers)
7. Prime and load
8. Make Ready, Aim (British "Present"), Fire
9. Slope Arms