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Re: On Priming, and Firing from the Rear Rank: by Paul Calloway
From Hardees 1855:
Position of the two ranks in the Oblique Fire to the right.
267. At the command ready, the two ranks will execute what has been prescribed for the direct fire.
268. At the cautionary command, right oblique, the two ranks will throw back the right shoulder and look steadily at the object to be hit.
269. At the command, aim, each front rank man will aim to the right without deranging the feet; each rear rank man will advance the left foot about eight inches toward the right heel of the man next on the right of his file leader and aim to the right, in inclining the upper part of the body forward and bending a little the left knee.
Position of the two ranks in the Oblique Fire to the left.
270. At the cautionary command, left oblique, the two ranks will throw back the left shoulder and look steadily at the object to be hit.
271. At the command, aim, the front rank will take aim to the left without deranging the feet; each man in the rear will advance the right foot about eight inches toward the right heel of the man next on the right of his file leader, and aim to the left, inclining the upper part of the body forward and bending a little the right knee,
In looking at the above directions from Hardees, it says that you are advancing your foot 8" toward the heel of the man to the right of your file partner. Which if you were a rear rank 2, that would be towards the front rank 1 man's heel.
It can't mean the man to the right of you in the rear rank, because he is moving the foot you would be referencing on one of the obliques.
From Hardees 1855:
Position of the two ranks in the Oblique Fire to the right.
267. At the command ready, the two ranks will execute what has been prescribed for the direct fire.
268. At the cautionary command, right oblique, the two ranks will throw back the right shoulder and look steadily at the object to be hit.
269. At the command, aim, each front rank man will aim to the right without deranging the feet; each rear rank man will advance the left foot about eight inches toward the right heel of the man next on the right of his file leader and aim to the right, in inclining the upper part of the body forward and bending a little the left knee.
Position of the two ranks in the Oblique Fire to the left.
270. At the cautionary command, left oblique, the two ranks will throw back the left shoulder and look steadily at the object to be hit.
271. At the command, aim, the front rank will take aim to the left without deranging the feet; each man in the rear will advance the right foot about eight inches toward the right heel of the man next on the right of his file leader, and aim to the left, inclining the upper part of the body forward and bending a little the right knee,
In looking at the above directions from Hardees, it says that you are advancing your foot 8" toward the heel of the man to the right of your file partner. Which if you were a rear rank 2, that would be towards the front rank 1 man's heel.
It can't mean the man to the right of you in the rear rank, because he is moving the foot you would be referencing on one of the obliques.
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