Christmas Eve Greetings From the Army & Navy Journal

[Pvt Schnapps]

Some bits of advice on the "right way" to do things, from the December 24, 1864 issue of the Army & Navy Journal. What I find most interesting about this isn't so much the school answer, as the fact that there were questions and varying practices in the first place, particularly on basics like the proper form of parade rest and where to stash your greatcoat.

Anyway, seasons greetings everyone -- enjoy!



QUESTIONS IN TACTICS.
To the editor of the Army and Navy Journal .
SIR : — In reply to a series of questions relative to the custom in the Regular Army in matters concerning which different opinions and practices prevail, the present Commandant of Cadets at West Point kindly returned answers, which are condensed in the following statement :
1. Colors are brought out now when more than four companies are present at dress-parade.
2. The companies turn out with bayonets fixed.
3. The parade-rest of the tactics is used.
4. Each Captain brings his company to a shoulder, then to an order, and then commands “Parade rest!"
5. The troops come to attention at the command Battalion, in the order, Attention, Battalion!
6. When the ranks are opened the officers on coming to the front dress to the right. .
7. In forming the parade the color company is dressed to the left.
8. Sentinels salute officers passing near but behind their beat.
9. Officers below the rank of Major receive the sergeant's salute from sentinels.
10. The recently-introduced custom of a sentinel, on arriving at the end of his beat, halting and coming to a shoulder is incorrect.
11. In calling the corporal of the guard he should not use the word "Post."
12. The overcoat is now carried inside the knapsack.
U. D.
CHAPIN'S FARM, VA., December 14, 1864.

[Kevin O'Beirne]

Mike,

Good stuff--I believe I've seen some of that before from Mark Jaeger, but it's interesting in many ways: as you mention, that "they" had many of the same questions that "we" do, and then the very questions and answers themselves.

I like this one: "9. Officers below the rank of Major receive the sergeant's salute from sentinels." That's essentially how the typical reenactor does it anyway, and it appears to have been the typical practice during the day, although other sources (identified in my article "Basic Honors to be Paid by the Troops: Notes on 'Saluting' For Reenactors" in the CRRC2 and published about four or five years ago in CCG) are pretty clear which salutes were to be used and when--at least as I read it. Of course, this (like other matters in your post) is a great example of the difference between "what the book said" and "how it was really done in the field by many or some folks".