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SWORD MANUAL
OF THE FEDERAL VOLUNTEER BRIGADE.
INTRODUCTION.
Officers on all duties under arms, draw and
return sword without waiting for any command.
All commands to soldiers under arms are given
with the sword drawn.
If officers do not have their swords drawn, they should
do so at Attention.
This Manual of the Sword incorporates several resources. References are made
herein to articles by Dom DalBello of the Army of the Pacific and by T. R.
Wheeley of the Lazyjacks Mess. The MoS was patterned after an earlier publication by John Duffer and photographer Michael Hicks.
TO RETURN
SWORD
(Two Motions)
ORDER ARMS.
From Shoulder (Carry)
Arms:
REST
or STACK ARMS.
At
the
command,
REST,
or
Stack
Arms, return the sword
to the scabbard.
At attention, draw it.
PARADE REST.
Reverse the sword; rest the
point on the ground in
front of the feet; clasp the
left hand over the right,
both resting on the guard
[edge to the right]
5
THE SUPPORT.
RIGHT SHOULDER
SHIFT ARMS.
Point downward, held a little
above the ground - back of the
blade to the left - sword held
easily by the right hand.
IN-PLACE REST.
From Shouldered
or Support Arms:
Carry the right hand to
the left and clasp it
with the left hand blade in the hollow of
the right arm.
From Order Arms:
Hold the sword at pleasure.
PRESENT ARMS
TO SALUTE WITH THE
SWORD OR SABRE
Sources:
1. Berriman, M.W., Militiamans Manual and Sword-Play without a Master, New York: D. Van Nostrand,
1858, 1864, pp. 7,8,11.
2. DeWitte, J.H., Baxters Zouave Light Infantry Tactics, 1861, pp. 107-108.
3. Ellsworth, E.E., Manual of Arms for Light Infantry Adapted to the Rifled Musket, 1859, pp.71-75 (see
DeWittes work).
4. Hardee, William J., Rifle and Light Infantry Tactics, Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1861, p 214.
5. Upton, Emory, Infantry Tactics, New York: D. Appleton and Co., 1874, Paras. 755-758, 760-761.