"British Infantry Manual" Topic

Actually it's not for wargaming, but for reenactment, but I couldn't find a board for this ..
I've got the regulations for the British Infantry Drill, but is there anything like the Austrian "Dienstreglement", the rules for the daily life of the soldier?
One special question: how to salute when wearing a fatigue-cap? The k.k. infantry had to remove the cap and hold it beside the body as a salute and did not touch it with one hand as had to be done with a shako.
Thanks for any help!

Somebody will be able to quote sources but my understanding is that originally the salute consisted of removing the hat and this was later reduced to the more econmical raising of the hand to the brow.

Is it the Austrian regulations you are searching for?
Voilà. The French edition of the 1749 Infantry regulations titled: Reglement et Ordonnance pout tout L'Infanterie Generalemt de S.M. L'Iméatrice-Reine etc.
It belonged to a company of the walloon regiment prince Charles de Ligne.
link
Comes with loads of neat illustrations.
A German copy should also be around in the net. Whatever you prefer.
Unfortunately for you, there were no English speaking provinces among the Imperial dominions. If it had been so, we now also had an English edition. What a pity.

Cheers,
Christian
crogges7ywarmies.blogspot.de

As a reenactor of Austrian infantry for quite a few years I am aware of the Austrian regulations.
I am looking for the British ones (having been asked to take the role of a British infantry private for just one event).
Sorry for not making this clear enough previously.

"The men are ordered not to pull off their hats when they pass an officer, or to speak to them, but only to clap up their hands to their hats and bow as they pass." from a British army Orders Book 1745-
quoted by U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps Historian!
link

Quotation marks, at least but no citation.

I suspect circa 1800 there was no army wide regulation but a an evolving custom regulated on occasion by Regimental Standing Orders.

And from here: link

"If you go back to the beginning of the 19th century , the salute was often done with extended two fingers ( no , not that one ! Fingers together … I believe not unlike the Scout salute ) touching the brim or peak of the hat.
After all , the salute was no more than a sort of mimed intention to remove the hat, which of course had actually been done into the 18th century, at least by officers to superiors , though never by men under arms.
And if you go earlier, hats were removed and held when addressed by a superior…"

The following information is taken from "A System for the Complete Interior Management and Oeconomy of a Battalion of Infantry", by Captain Bennett Cuthbertson of His Majesty's 5th Regiment of Foot. Published in 1768

"Of Respect and Compliments from the Soldiers to the Non-commission-officers and from both to the Officers." The following is a summary of the text:

Article I
Soldiers should treat the Officers with Respect and Honor on all occasions. This is to establish the strictest discipline.

Article II
Soldiers should be discouraged from speaking ill of their Officers and Non-commissioned officers at anytime. By allowing this is to lessen their authority and respect.

Article III
Soldiers should show their respect (if without musket) to Officers by removing their hats with the left hand. They should let it fall gracefully down the left thigh with the crown inwards. They should keep their body erect, looking full at the officer and walking by him very slow.

Article IV
For those that wear caps, they should abide by Article III with the exception of removing the headgear. They should use a hand salute, by using the hand farthest from him. He should bring the back of the hand to the front of the cap.

Article V
Non-commissioned Officers, Drummers and Soldiers should show this show of respect. This is part of their duty. It is one of the first things a new recruit should be taught.

Article VI
If a soldier is under arms, he is not to remove his hat or give a hand salute. Instead he will "Advance His Firelock". He should move slow and erect, looking the Officer full in the face as he passes. If a sergeant has a Halbert, it should be advanced also.

Article VII
A soldier should avoid acting like a clown or being unsure of himself when spoken to by an Officer. He should hold himself in a steady position with his hat on his left thigh and looking at the Officer with confidence.

Article VIII
When a sergeant or a soldier is under arms and he is addressing an Officer he is immediately to come to "Recover Arms". They remain there until dismissed.

Article IX
Never pass between an Officer and a wall.

Article X
A soldier should show respect to all that have the appearance of an Officer, not just those that are from your own corps.

Article XI
When an Officer passes by a Sentry, the Sentry is to stand steady, upright and at shouldered arms until he passes by or acknowledges by the compliment of his hat.

Article XII
Non-commissioned Officers should also be shown some respect while being addressed. If without arms, lay the back of the left hand to the hat. With arms, lay the firelock across the body. If carrying Halbert, it is to be clubbed.

There is quite a lot of interesting stuff in "General Regulations and Orders for the Army 1811". It is available as a free download on-line at:

link

There are a number of orders bound in at the end, to bring it up from 1811 to 1815.

Rod

Further to my last the relevant section seems to be on page 17 – Regulations regarding compliments to be paid by NCOs and soldiers to officers of the Army and Navy. Basically it is a salute. It goes on to say that the officer should acknowledge it in a similar fashion.

Rod

42flanker and Rod MacArthur:
Thank you very much indeed!

Article IX must have made it difficult for both parties to move around a building!