Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Cavalry of the Army Part 14

TO DISMISS.

=114.= =Being at halt=: 1. =Inspection=, 2. =ARMS=, 3. =Port=, 4.

=ARMS=, 5. =DISMISSED.=

TO STACK AND TAKE ARMS.

=115.= Three rifles only are used to make a stack; rifles not so used are, in this connection, termed loose rifles.

=Being in line at a halt=: =STACK ARMS.=

=At the command stack=, No. 3 steps back and covers No. 2, No. 2 raises his rifle with the right hand, grasps it with the left at the upper band and rests the b.u.t.t between his feet, barrel to the front, muzzle inclined slightly to the front and opposite the center of the interval on his right, the thumb and forefinger raising the stacking swivel; No. 3 then pa.s.ses his rifle, barrel to the rear, to No. 2, who grasps it between the bands with his right hand and throws the b.u.t.t about 2 feet in advance of that of his own rifle and opposite the right of the interval, the right hand slipping to the upper band, the thumb and forefinger raising the stacking swivel, which he engages with that of his own rifle; No. 1 raises his rifle with the right hand, carries it well forward, barrel to the front, the left hand guiding the stacking swivel, engages the lower hook of the swivel of his own rifle with the free hook of that of No. 3; he then turns the barrel outward into the angle formed by the other two rifles and lowers the b.u.t.t to the ground to the right of and against the toe of his right shoe. No. 2 lays loose rifles on the stack; No. 3 resumes his place in line. When each man has finished handling rifles, he takes the position of attention. The instructor may then rest or dismiss the squad, leaving the arms stacked.

On re-forming, the men take their places in rear of the stacks.

=116.= =Being in line, behind the stacks: TAKE ARMS.=

No. 3 steps back and covers No. 2; No. 2 returns the loose rifles, then grasps his own rifle with the left hand, the rifle of No. 3 with his right hand, grasping both between the bands; No. 1 grasps his rifle in the same way with the right hand. No. 1 disengages his rifle by raising the b.u.t.t from the ground and then turning the rifle to the right, detaches it from the stack; No. 2 disengages and detaches his rifle by turning it to the left, and then pa.s.ses the rifle of No. 3 to him; No. 3 resumes his place in line; all resume the order.

KNEELING AND LYING DOWN.

=117.= If standing: =KNEEL=.

Half face to the right; carry the right toe about 1 foot to the left rear of the left heel; kneel on the right knee, sitting as nearly as possible on the right heel; left forearm across left thigh; rifle remains in position of order arms, right hand grasping it above the lower band. This is the position of =order arms=, kneeling. (Fig. 13.)

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 13, par. 117.]

=118.= If standing or kneeling: =LIE DOWN=.

Kneel, but with right knee against left heel; carry back the left foot and lie flat on the belly, inclining body about 35 to the right; rifle horizontal, barrel up, muzzle off the ground and pointed to the front; elbows on the ground; left hand at the balance, right hand grasping the small of the stock opposite the neck. This is the position of =order arms=, lying down. (Fig. 14.)

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 14, par. 118.]

=119.= If kneeling or lying down: =RISE=.

If kneeling, stand up, faced to the front, on the ground marked by the left heel.

If lying down, raise the body on both knees; stand up, faced to the front, on the ground marked by the knees.

=120.= If lying down: =KNEEL=.

Raise the body on both knees, take the position of kneel. When deployed as skirmishers, a sitting position may be taken instead of the position kneeling.

II. INSTRUCTION WITH THE RIFLE.

=23.= The commands for and the execution of the foot movements are the same as already given for movements without the rifle.

=24.= The men having taken intervals or distances, the instructor commands:

1. =Bayonet exercise=, 2. =GUARD=.

At the second command take the position of guard (see par. 15); at the game time throw the rifle smartly to the front, grasp the rifle with the left hand just below the lower hand, fingers between the stock and gun sling, barrel turned slightly to the left, the right hand grasping the small of the stock about 6 inches in front of the right hip, elbows free from the body, bayonet point at the height of the chin.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 15, par. 24.]

=25.= 1. =Order=, 2. =ARMS=.

Bring the right foot up to the left and the rifle to the position of order arms, at the same time resuming the position of attention.

=26.= During the preliminary instruction, attacks and defenses will be executed from guard until proficiency is attained, after which they may be executed from any position in which the rifle is held.

ATTACKS.

=27.= 1. =THRUST=.

Thrust the rifle quickly forward to the full length of the left arm, turning the barrel to the left, and direct the point of the bayonet at the point to be attacked, but covering the right forearm. At the same time straighten the right leg vigorously and throw the weight of the body forward and on the left leg, the ball of the right foot always on the ground. Guard is resumed immediately without command.

The force of the thrust is delivered princ.i.p.ally with the right arm, the left being used to direct the bayonet. The points at which the attack should be directed are, in order of their importance, stomach, chest, head, neck, and limbs.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 16, par. 27.]

=28.= =1. LUNGE.=

Executed in the same manner as the thrust, except that the left foot is carried forward about twice its length. The left heel must always be in rear of the left knee. Guard is resumed immediately without command. Guard may also be resumed by advancing the right foot if for any reason it is desired to hold the ground gained in lunging. In the latter case the preparatory command forward will be given. Each method should be practiced.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 18, par. 28.]

=29.= 1. =b.u.t.t=, 2. =STRIKE.=

Straighten right arm and right leg vigorously and swing b.u.t.t of rifle against point of attack, pivoting the rifle in the left hand at about the height of the left shoulder, allowing the bayonet to pa.s.s to the rear on the left side of the head. Guard is resumed without command.

The points of attack in their order of importance are head, neck, stomach, and crotch.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 17, par. 29.]

=30.= 1. =Cut=, 2. =DOWN.=

Execute a quick downward stroke, edge of bayonet directed at point of attack. Guard is resumed without command.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Par. 19.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Par. 20.]

=31.= 1. =Cut=, 2. =RIGHT (LEFT).=