As living historians, no tidbit of historical minutia is too insignificant to escape our attention. We work hard to present an impression of the past with as many details backed up by research as possible. From the construction of buttons and the inspection markings on our weapons, to the tiny details of drill and the …
By Brad Ireland, 4th Virginia, Co. A When a battalion is marching in a column of fours (for sake of discussion, by the right flank), the battalion commander has the ability to build a company front to the left, right, and straight ahead of the column of march. Each scenario requires a different command, and …
By Brad Ireland, 4th Virginia, Co. A The personal sewing kit, affectionately called a “Housewife”, was an indispensable tool carried by Civil War soldiers both North and South. Soldiers were issued clothing in limited quantities. They couldn’t pop out to their local Wal-Mart to buy a new pair of pants every time they wore hole …
By Brad Ireland. 4th Virginia, Co. A The Right Oblique What the manual says: “192. The oblique firings will be executed to the right and left, and by the same commands as the direct fire, with this single difference—the command aim will always be preceded by the caution, right or left oblique. Position of the …
By Brad Ireland, 4th Virginia, Co. A When one thinks of a fighting knife, the first image that comes to mind is the Bowie Knife. The Bowie knife first became famous after Jim Bowie used a large knife at a duel know as the “Sandbar Fight” in 1827. This historic knife has seen many different designs. …
By Brad Ireland, 4th Virginia, Co. A Facing by the right flank is one of the most basic drill movements in the manual, yet is also the one that is almost guaranteed to cause mass confusion. Do I step up? Who should be on either side of me? Am I a one or a two? …
By Brad Ireland, 4th Virginia, Co.A I have been to many living histories in my time as a re-enactor. Most of these living histories involve a manual of arms demonstration, firing demonstration, and a drill demonstration. After the Demo, the visitors are often invited back to see the camp and to ask questions. Quite often the …
By Austin Williams, 5th Virginia Co. A There are many sources from which one can purchase a Federal arsenal musket ammunition crate and there are readily available guides in print and online to make your own. Confederate arsenals, however, are more difficult to locate and I am not aware of any sources for a reasonably …
By Brad Ireland, 4th Virginia, Co. A During the war it was necessary for officers to inspect the weapons of the troops under their command to insure that they are clean and in proper functional order. It is even more important for the inspection of arms at reenactments to ensure that the weapons are functioning, …
By Austin Williams, 5th Virginia Note: This study compares the 1862 printing of Hardee’s Revised Rifle and Light Infantry Tactics to the 1860 printing of Gilham’s Manual of Instruction of Volunteers and Militia. Gilham’s offers portions for use of the musket as well as the rifle. The rifle portion closely resembles Hardee’s manual, which was …