The Exercise of Arms

35. How, being on sentry duty and wishing to prepare himself, he shall take—as has been said—his musket with one hand from off his shoulder.

36. How, wishing to prepare himself on sentry duty, he shall place the musket upon the restoriginal: "fourchette"; a forked staff used to support the heavy musket. as this figure shows.

37. How, being on sentry duty, he shall hold the musket upon the rest with the right arm extended, the hand at the triggeroriginal: "clef"; the lever or mechanism used to lower the serpentine into the pan., and the buttoriginal: "l'affut"; refers here to the wooden stock or mounting of the firearm. against the right hip, as is seen by this portrait.

38. How, being on sentry duty, he shall hold the musket before him upon the rest in such a way that, being in balance or counterpoiseoriginal: "contrepois"; the point of perfect physical balance where the heavy weapon can be controlled with minimal effort., he governs it with the left hand alone, having the right hand free, just as this figure represents.

39. How, being on sentry duty, he shall take the matchA slow-burning hemp cord used to ignite the powder. properly and with advantage out of the left hand with the thumb and the second finger.

40. How, as a sentry, he shall carry the match with the thumb and second finger toward his mouth, blowing upon it from beneath his hand, while meanwhile holding the musket upon the rest in counterpoise with the left hand alone.

41. How, as a sentry, he shall press the match into the serpentineoriginal: "serpentin"; the S-shaped metal arm that holds the lit match. with the thumb and second finger, without securing it with the screworiginal: "verrin"; the small thumb-screw on the serpentine that clamps the match in place. as has been mentioned.

42. How, as a sentry, he shall manage the match with the thumb and second finger and adjustoriginal: "compaſſera"; to measure or test the length of the match so it falls precisely into the center of the priming pan. it to his advantage, holding (as was said) the musket in counterpoise.

43. How, as a sentry, to be ready in case of need, he shall have the match in the serpentine and shall cover the panoriginal: "bacinet"; the small tray that holds the priming powder. for fear of sparks.

Words of Command.

1. March with the rest in hand.
2. March and carry the rest joined to the musket.
3. Lower or let down the rest, and take the musket from off the shoulder.
4. Hold the musket high with the right hand and let it slide into the left hand.
5. Take the musket in the left hand and carry the rest joined to the musket.
6. Take the match in the right hand.
7. Blow the match and hold it well.
8. Place the match upon the serpentine.
9. Try, or adjust the match.
10. Blow the match, and open the pan.
11. Hold the musket, and take aim.
12. Give fire.
13. Take up the musket again, and carry it joined to the rest.
14. Take back the match.
15. And place it back between the fingers.
16. Blow out the pan.
17. Prime.
18. Close the pan.
19. Shake the pan.
20. Blow the pan.
21. Turn the musket, and,

22. Trail the rest.
23. Open your chargeoriginal: "charge"; the pre-measured powder container hanging from the soldier's bandolier..
24. Charge the musket.
25. Draw the ramrodoriginal: "baguette"; the scouring stick used to push the bullet and wadding down the barrel..
26. Hold the ramrod against [the barrel].
27. Ram, or press down the powder.
28. Withdraw the ramrod from the musket.
29. Shorten the ramrod.
30. Return the ramrod.
31. Bring the musket forward again with the left hand, and
32. Hold the musket upright with the right hand, and take up the rest.
33. Place the musket upon the shoulder.
34. March and carry the rest joined to the musket.
35. Take the musket from off the shoulder.
36. Place the musket upon the rest.
37. Hold the musket upon the rest.
38. Hold the musket upon the rest in counterpoise with the left hand alone.
39. Take the match in the right hand.
40. Blow the match.
41. Place the match in the serpentine.
42. Try or adjust the match.
43. Cover the pan, and hold yourself ready.

General Command.

Regarding the above, every commander must keep a careful watch over his soldiers and accustom them to always keep the muzzle high to avoid all accidents.