Period accounts of stacking and taking arms

[Richard O'Flaherty]

Hello,

I am looking for something specific related to the stacking and taking of arms. I understand the method for stacking and taking of arms as outlined in the manuals and have seen this topic as a basis for conversation many times. And, it still seems each time I fall in with a different unit they have a different method for performing the maneuver, particularly for taking arms, and when asked for a manual reference for what they are doing, they can’t provide one. In the ranks, I have seen the taking of arms turn into a clumsy exercise when not done properly. I have also seen the taking of arms done quickly but not done according to any manual reference I am aware of. I have read many soldier accounts—diaries letters, and the like but do not remember reading a soldier describe the stacking or taking of arms in any detail. What I am looking for is any soldier’s description of how it was done that goes beyond just a statement that it was done according to the manuals or any reference to it being done differently than what was outlined in the manuals. Any help would be appreciated.
Regards,
Richard O’Flaherty

[john duffer]

Re: Period accounts of stacking and taking arms

The manuals tell exactly how to do it and in the case of the CASEY/SCOTT it was done that way since before 1831. The problem would seem to be units not reading the book they drill by and if they won't follow the manual I doubt a quote from a letter will sway them.

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: Period accounts of stacking and taking arms

From what I can decipher from the earlier manuals, something quite like the Casey/Scott method goes back to the Napoleonic era, if not earlier. The "swing" seems to have come about in the '40s in volunteer manuals but I don't know the first appearance.

Interestingly, as Mr. Duffer has pointed out elsewhere, by late in the war the "swing" had caught on throughout the Federal armies. It is the preferred method in the USCT manual (production of which was overseen by Casey himself) and General Morris's late war manual. The latter was never officially adopted, but intended to reflect what Morris claimed was actually done in the field.

One thing I've found out in using both (as well as stacking by the ramrod -- not really recommended), is that when you see people bungling taking arms by Casey's, calling out "lift straight up!" as someone usually does is exactly the wrong thing to try. It works for the swing, but you can't easily take arms in Casey's without the rear rank number two unlocking the stack first.

Another common mistake is to pay more attention to the bayonets than where the musket butts are supposed to go. Just another reason to read the manuals and not depend on the ranker with the loudest voice.

[dgriego]

Re: Period accounts of stacking and taking arms

Whichever stacking method you use, if what you are going for is a consistent, soldierly, competent procedure, there is no substitute for knowing the manual. In order to make a soldierly stack, the comrades of four need to work together as a team, each knowing his role in completing the stack.

If this is not the case, this is where you get that wide eyed look, with people projecting their bayonets at all angles three feet up in the air, and then arguing about the proper procedure. This does not look soldierly or orderly.

It takes practice. More practice than 99% of people want to commit to.

Here is the Ellsworth Swing as outlined in the U.S. Colored Troops manual. I believe this was the most prevalent method of stacking, as most period pictures show this stack. Take special note of the #1 front man's rifle. This is the difference between Hardee's swing stack and Ellsworth's.

Ellsworth Swing

Daniel Griego

[spencer allen]

Re: Period accounts of stacking and taking arms

Sounds like a common reenactor problem... as with everything else in the hobby it comes down to who you are portraying, and when you are portraying them. In this case it depends on what manual you are using- they are not all the same. Its all there in the book, which is easy to find for free online.

Spencer Allen
Breckenridge Greys

[dgriego]

Re: Period accounts of stacking and taking arms

Here is an article from the United Service Journal, June 26, 1852. I think, at this point, they would be using Scott's drill, stacking rifles the same as Casey\Gilham. As you can see from the description, they are trying to unstack according to the regulations, but the observer believes they should be doing it differently (As reenactors generally unstack a Scott's stack).

So, this is a period account of men screwing up drill. This could be a perfect description of a modern reenactor company drilling.

Stack Arms.—There is not a company in this city, that we have seen, that has the least idea of the beauty of Stacking Arms. Even in the National Guards, it is done in so lame and militia like style, that it detracts much from their high standing generally not a man can stand up or keep his feet together, but most all set their feet shuffling, bend, and thrust themselves out of form, &c. When not a man should stir his body nor feet, the three first muskets should spring together, but the 4th (odd number of the rear rank) would be held in the left hand, sitting erect at arms length, a mere moment and then set against the stack formed by the other three.

In order to inculcate the principles of what every man has to do in his position in the ranks, the instructor, should take a musket and say to the whole squad in single rank, now you each are an odd number of the front rank, i.e. you are, 1,3,5,7,9,11,13, &c. then show at the same time, by example, what every odd number does at the order stack arms, do this about 60 times. Then say "Now you are all even men of the front rank, and at the order stack arms you all do this" giving the example, repeat that at least as many times, and then make them all even numbers of the rear rank that is, those who cover the even numbers of the front rank, and the odd numbers in the rear rank—those who cover the odd numbers in the front rank and do the same thing, and by this mode, the muskets can be stacked 4 or 40 thousand, as quick as a flash, every man can reach his musket to its place and stand perfectly erect and motionless, arms excepted.

To take arms, even numbers of the rear rank steps forth the hollow of the right foot, and places it near the heel of his file leader and puts his hand on his piece, and withdraws it, the even front man seizes his, right hand man's piece with his right hand and with the left he holds the butts on the ground keeping the flats of the bayonets together that the rear rank man's bayonet will come out free,the moment this is done the stack is desolved. But in doing this the N.G. lift up the stack, and each man strives to do something, all is confusion and disorder, bayonets fall off turning that which is so electrifying and elegant, when perfectly done into ridicule. Now National let us see you give the same attention to the principles of stacking and taking arms as in the manual and by all means, officers instruct your men to order arms lightly, and according to the book.

[Calum]

Re: Period accounts of stacking and taking arms

'afternoon,

I'd like to toss out a tangent question, without totally sidetracking the thread. Is there any manual that covers stacking with saber bayonets? I've looked, but not found anything. And when using Sharps NM1859, which used the saber the angular wasn't used until the Sharps NM1863, there's no ramrod to stack with...

Thanks,
Mike

[john duffer]

Re: Period accounts of stacking and taking arms

1855 HARDEES has what you need. It's on the Drill Network and I sure Silas has it on his site.