Workshop Resources - Drill
Drill : suggestions for workshops. Give them a bit of background and then have them drill (partner up with a shorter person and why that's important), fall in, facings, march, and you can try wheeling and firing. Leave enough time to tell them how long soldiers would spend on drill and that they are learning less than 1% of it.
Drill notes:
-British on campaign when not marching or fighting still drilled 4 hours per day, but concentrated on the drill movements used in combat
-twice a year each unit had to demonstrate their drill to the army's general officers
-each year a British soldier received 30 live (with musket ball) and 60 blank charges to practice with as emphasis on speed not accuracy (command is present, not fire) and most fired 2 or 3 times per minute though up to 4 shots were possible
the Americans had no one drill manual during the War of 1812, but most used Smyth's manual
-Americans aimed when they fired, got more 'live' practice and it showed as British officers suffered far more casualties than American officers (American soldiers aiming)
-drill was designed to keep men fighting despite terrible sights and fear
-both armies favoured using 2 ranks in fighting
-Americans would drill up to 7 hours per day in camp
-soldiers were awakened at daybreak (can distinguish objects at 15 metres), roll was called and then drill until breakfast (often 2 hours later), drill or fatigues until noon and then larger unit drill with last call or tattoo being signal to put out candles and stay in tents unitl morning; only Sunday was different with church parade and then weekly inspection
Drill notes:
-British on campaign when not marching or fighting still drilled 4 hours per day, but concentrated on the drill movements used in combat
-twice a year each unit had to demonstrate their drill to the army's general officers
-each year a British soldier received 30 live (with musket ball) and 60 blank charges to practice with as emphasis on speed not accuracy (command is present, not fire) and most fired 2 or 3 times per minute though up to 4 shots were possible
the Americans had no one drill manual during the War of 1812, but most used Smyth's manual
-Americans aimed when they fired, got more 'live' practice and it showed as British officers suffered far more casualties than American officers (American soldiers aiming)
-drill was designed to keep men fighting despite terrible sights and fear
-both armies favoured using 2 ranks in fighting
-Americans would drill up to 7 hours per day in camp
-soldiers were awakened at daybreak (can distinguish objects at 15 metres), roll was called and then drill until breakfast (often 2 hours later), drill or fatigues until noon and then larger unit drill with last call or tattoo being signal to put out candles and stay in tents unitl morning; only Sunday was different with church parade and then weekly inspection