20. COMMANDS TO LOAD

Commands to Load in ten times

• 1. LOAD IN TEN TIMES - LOAD
  Extend the left arm and with the right hand grasp the musket just above the lower band. Then move the right foot forward and place the right heel against the instep of the left foot. With the right hand gently lower the butt along the left thigh. At the same time grasp the musket with the left hand just above the right hand and continue lowering the butt to the ground just to the left of the left foot. The muzzle should be in front of the chest. Then place right hand on cartridge box.

• 2. HANDLE - CARTRIDGE
  Reach into cartridge box, grasp a cartridge, and place cartridge between teeth.

• 3. TEAR - CARTRIDGE
  Tear cartridge with teeth, and place torn cartridge upright in front of and level with muzzle. Hold the cartridge with the thumb and first two fingers, back of the hand to the front.

• 4. CHARGE - CARTRIDGE
  Turn the back of the right hand toward the body and pour the powder into barrel. Leave the hand at the muzzle. (Re-enactors keep paper in hand ready to place in pocket or bread-bag.)

• 5. DRAW - RAMMER
  With the thumb and forefinger of the right hand, draw rammer halfway out and then grasp the rammer at the muzzle with the left thumb and forefinger, thumb down and palm to the front. Invert the rammer and place large end of rammer (butt) inside the muzzle, then place the rammer half way down to the right hand.

• 6. RAM - CARTRIDGE
  Grasp the rammer between the right thumb extended and the fore-finger bent, the other fingers closed. With force ram home twice and grasp the rammer at the small end between the thumb and forefinger, the right elbow touching the body.

• 7. RETURN - RAMMER
  Raise the rammer from the barrel as in Draw-Rammer. Invert the rammer and place the small end near the upper band. Insert the rammer and force it down to the middle band with the thumb. Then raise the hand and force the rammer the rest of the way with the little finger. At the same time lower the left arm without dropping the elbow.
   
• 8. CAST - ABOUT
  Raise the musket vertically to the left shoulder with the left hand. Grasp the small of the stock with the right hand and slide the left hand down level with the chin. Face half right and place the instep of the right foot against the left heel. Bring the musket opposite to the right shoulder. Lower the musket with the right hand. With the left hand grasp the musket at the lower band, the thumb extended along the stock. Raise the butt under the right forearm, the small of the stock against the body, the right hand grasping the small of the stock and the muzzle at eye level.

• 9. PRIME
  With the right hand, cock the hammer to safety lock. Reach into cap box and place cap on nipple, removing any old cap first. Grasp small of stock with right hand.

• 10. SHOULDER - ARMS
  Face to the front by turning on the left heel; at the same time with the right hand bring the musket to the left shoulder, and place the left hand under the butt. Let the left hand slide into its position at Shoulder-Arms.

Commands to Load in four times

• LOAD IN FOUR TIMES - LOAD
  Perform Load, Handle-Cartridge, Tear-Cartridge and Charge-Cartridge

• TWO
  Perform Draw-Rammer and Ram-Cartridge

• THREE
  Perform Return-Rammer, Cast-About and Prime

• FOUR
  Perform Shoulder-Arms

21. COMMANDS TO FIRE

READY (from the position of Prime)

Place the thumb of the right hand on the hammer (the fingers remaining under and against the guard), cock the musket, and grasp the small of the stock.

READY (from the position of Shoulder-Arms)

With the left hand turn the musket. Lock-plate forward and with the right hand grasp the small of the stock. At the same time face half right on the left heel. Turn the left foot forward and place the instep of the right foot against the left heel. Bring the musket vertically to the centre of the body with the right hand. Place the left hand just above the lock, thumb extended, and at chin level. The rammer is facing half left. Place the right thumb on the hammer and the right forefinger under the trigger guard, the right elbow at the same level as the right hand. Lock the hammer and then move the right hand to the small of the stock. Keeping the left hand at shoulder level, lower the musket with the right hand until the lower band is at the left hand.

AIM

The front rank raises muskets to shoulder and leaning forward, aims at target. The rear rank raises musket and leaning forward carries the right foot eight inches towards the left heel of the man next on his right, aims over right shoulder of the man directly in front, with the front man's head between the middle and lower band.

FIRE

Apply the fore-finger to the trigger without hesitation, and remain in that position.

After firing, hold the AIM position until given another command, such as LOAD, SHOULDER - ARMS, FIRE-AT-WILL, or CEASE - FIRING.

LOAD (after Firing)

Bring the musket to the vertical position by lowering the butt with the right arm. Then bring the musket opposite to the left shoulder, barrel to the front. Keep the left hand as high as the chin and the left forearm touching the stock. At the same time face to the front and place the heel of the right foot against the instep of the left foot. Drop the right hand to the side and let the musket slide through the left hand gently to the ground. Lower the left hand a little, assuming the position of Load.

SHOULDER - ARMS (after Firing)

Bring the musket to the vertical position as above and face to the front. Bring the musket to the left shoulder and place the left palm under the butt. Drop the right hand to the side

RECOVER - ARMS (from the position of Aim)

On ARMS, withdraw the finger from the trigger, throw up the muzzle smartly, and retake the position of Ready.
This command is issued from the position of Aim, when the command to Fire has not been given.

SHOULDER - ARMS

On SHOULDER, face to the front and bring the musket to the vertical position in front of the body. The left thumb is at chin level. Half cock and then grasp the small of the stock with the right hand.

On ARMS, bring the musket to the right shoulder in the position of Shoulder-Arms

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