Copyright 2006 T. Sheil & A. Sheil All Rights Reserved
There were many drill manuals available before and during the American Civil War. Hardee's manual was the accepted norm, as used by Federal troops. Others were used by various militias. The fore-runners of today's National Guard had great leeway in both their uniforms and choice of drill. Gilham's drill was devised by Major William Gilham, instructor of tactics, and commandant of the cadets at the prestigious Virginia Military Institute. He wrote it for specifically for volunteers and militias.
The drill had different steps for rifles and muskets, which was common at the time.
Order Arms |
Shouldered Arms (for Rifles)
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Shouldered Arms (for Muskets) |
To the Right Shoulder Shift |
Port Arms |
Support Arms |
Secure Arms |
Present Arms |
Trail Arms |
Inspection Arms |
Charge Bayonet |
Guard Against Infantry |
Prime |
Load (for Muskets)
(Musketeers carried their cartridge boxes behind the hip) |
Load (for Rifles)
(Riflemen carried their cartridges on or to the front of the hip.) |
Charge Cartridge, Ram |
Present Arms |
Aim, Fire |
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The marching step from Gilham's is 28 inches. There are 90 paces per minute in the Common Step, and 110 per minute in the Quick Step.
Disclaimer: the fighting methods shown here are for illustrative purposes only. They are not intended as actual instruction in bayonet fighting and should not be used as such. Close combat training is dangerous. It can be as dangerous for the user as it is for the target. If you wish to learn close combat, seek a qualified instructor. One should never attempt close combat without the instruction and supervision of a qualified expert instructor .
