Funeral/graveside ceremony manual of arms

[zouave114]

I am trying to research the correct way of carrying arms for ceremonies done in graveyards, specifically marching to the grave. Is the musket "reversed" with the stock up under the left arm? that does not appear to be in any manual. Should we just march at shoulder arms at a slow pace? Specifically this is for modern reenactors ceremonies, not what they did back then, or shortly after the war.

[Silas]

Re: Funeral/graveside ceremony manual of arms

I am trying to research the correct way of carrying arms for ceremonies done in graveyards, specifically marching to the grave. Is the musket "reversed" with the stock up under the left arm? that does not appear to be in any manual. Should we just march at shoulder arms at a slow pace? Specifically this is for modern reenactors ceremonies, not what they did back then, or shortly after the war.

You didn't examine Upton's manual. He's post war, but the methods shown in his manual, beginning at page 39, are very helpful. Click here for the link to Upton's 1875 manual. It's one of the few places I've seen reverse arms instructed. Same goes for rest-on arms. (When you view the link, remember that you want the weapon on the left side, not as instructed for Upton's newer manual of arms. He does mention how to do it on the left side.) You'll also find a funeral ceremony beginning at page 376.

You'll also find a similar ceremony in Gilham's pre-war manual beginning at page 436.

[Will Eichler]

Re: Funeral/graveside ceremony manual of arms

Hi Jeffrey and Silas,

Silas, what about the reserach Mark Jeager (sorry if I'm screwing up the spelling) did from the Army Navy Journal? There were (if I remember correctly) three versions of reverse arms and two of rest on arms - or the reverse. Another source to check.

Best to all,

Will

[Silas]

Re: Funeral/graveside ceremony manual of arms

Now I know why that sounded familiar, but I had not seen the article. Found this on the forum :

Re: Civil War Military funerals

Please refer to my article in the Winter 2004 "Watchdog": "Performing Reverse-ARMS and Rest on-ARMS: New Evidence from Civil War-era Sources." This discusses a variety of newly-discovered ways to reverse and rest on arms that break these down into their component motions (something NOT done in the U.S. or C.S. regulations).

If you have any trouble obtaining the above article, please contact me privately at: markj@purdue.edu

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

Here's the link : http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...=8256#post8256

The article is in the Watchdog, and I wasn't a subscriber. If you've got the issue from five plus years ago, you've got the article.

[zouave114]

Re: Funeral/graveside ceremony manual of arms

Thank you sooo much, it's of great help.

[chris stevans]

Re: Funeral/graveside ceremony manual of arms

Articel 734 in Gilham's Manual of Instruction provides information on the funeral honors, as does Section 262 of the Regulations for the Confederate Army (1863). The manuals do a better job of decribing the what as opposed to the how, but with a little practice, it is pretty simple to figure out. We've used this on a number of occassions and it is stirring indeed.

Chris Stevans
Capt, 3rd Vir Inf'y

[Andrew Keehan]

Re: Funeral/graveside ceremony manual of arms

Hello,
The funeral honors are laid out in the Revised Regs of 1861 beginning with section 275. This describes the procedure for going to Reverse, Arms and prescribes the position, but not specifically the method of going to Rest On, Arms. Here is an excerpt:

290. The escort will be formed in two ranks, opposite to the quarters or tent of the deceased, with shouldered arms and bayonets unfixed; the artillery and cavalry on the right of the infantry.

291. On the appearance of the corpse, the officer commanding the escort will command, Present-ARMS! when the honors due to the deceased will be paid by the drums and trumpets. The music will then play an appropriate air, and the coffin will then be taken to the right, where it will be halted. The commander will next order, 1. Shoulder-ARMs! 2. BY company (or platoon), left wheel. 3. MARCH! 4. Reverse-ARMs! 5. Column, forward. 6. Guide right. 7. MARCH!

The arms will be reversed at the order by bringing the firelock under the left arm, butt to the front, barrel downward, left hand sustaining the lock, the right steadying the firelock behind the back; swords are .reversed in a similar manner under the right arm.

292. The column will be marched in slow time to solemn music, and, on reaching the grave, will take a direction so as that the guides shall be next to the grave. When the centre of the column is opposite the grave, the commander will order, 1. Column. 2. HALT! 3. Right into line, wheel. 4. MARCH! The coffin is then brought along the front, to the opposite side of the grave, and the commander then orders, 1. Shoulder-ARMS! 2. Present-ARMS!

And when the coffin reaches the grave, he adds, 1. Shoulder-ARMS! 2. Rest on-ARMS! The rest on arms is done by placing the muzzle on the left foot, both hands on the butt, the head on the hands or bowed, right knee bent.

293. After the funeral service is performed, and the coffin is lowered into the grave, the commander will order, 1. Attention! 2. Shoulder-ARMS! 3. Load at will. 4. LOAD ! When three rounds of small arms will be fired by the escort, taking care to elevate the pieces.

The manual can be found nearly in its entirety at http://www.usregulars.com/. Hope that helps.