| Citation |
VGW(HU.776.012
17 Feb 1776:12, 13 (1280)
To the Army.
Directions how to perform the manual exercise by music.
First, let a march, such as God Save the King, Carbinier's,
or the Dorsetshire, be fixed for the above purpose; but any
other tune may do that is set to music in common time, i.e.
having four crochets (or other notes equal thereto) in a
bar.
2dly, Order one of these tunes to be blown either on the
trumpet, fife, clarionet, or on some other wind instrument,
and set those whom you would first learn by this method to
march without arms for some time by the said tune, in order
to ground them thoroughly in the several beats of the same,
till they can march by them with ease and without
constraint.
3dly, Now you may venture to let them take up their arms,
and shoulder; then order the first strain, or part, of the
tune to be played in piano, or soft, the men standing fast.
4thly, The music to begin the second time, forte, or
loud; at the same instant the manual exercise to begin, and
be continued till the whole is ended, keeping the same exact
time beween [sic] each motion as was done in marching.
5thly, An exception or two must be made to the last
general rule, viz. when the ramrod is half drawn out, and
seized back-handed, double time, or two beats, is to be
allowed in clearing it off the pipes, turning, and pointing
in the barrel.
6thly, The same portion of time is likewise to be allowed
for drawing it out of the barrel, turning and guiding it
down the loops.
7thly, In the second motion of charging bayonets, the
music must dwell a little on that note (called a hold) in
order to gain time to bring the firelock down to its proper
attitude.
It is practicable to bring, not only a battalion or a
regiment to exercise by the aforesaid rules, but a whole
army, consisting of at least 50, 000 men, and with such
accuracy and perfection in point of time, as cannot be
executed by any other method hitherto found out; the due
performance of which will most pleasingly affect the glowing
breast of severy spectator, as can be better felt than
demonstrated.
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