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Facing to the right before breaking ranks is in period letters, diaries, plays, "Si Klegg," military school manuals, and the like...yet where does it come from?
"In two ranks* -- right face. Break ranks -- March."
* "In two ranks" appears in some places, and does not in others.
Some sources have the men, if armed, coming to "Arms -- Port." Ellsworth's manual even has the men raise their right hands on the preparatory "Break ranks," and then strike the stock of the piece on "March."
One way or another, facing to the right before breaking ranks seems to have been a universal period practice. A New York militiaman in 1861 writes about it, as does a Wisconsin volunteer in 1864.
So, where are they getting this? What does YOUR group do?
"In two ranks* -- right face. Break ranks -- March."
* "In two ranks" appears in some places, and does not in others.
Some sources have the men, if armed, coming to "Arms -- Port." Ellsworth's manual even has the men raise their right hands on the preparatory "Break ranks," and then strike the stock of the piece on "March."
One way or another, facing to the right before breaking ranks seems to have been a universal period practice. A New York militiaman in 1861 writes about it, as does a Wisconsin volunteer in 1864.
So, where are they getting this? What does YOUR group do?
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