"Marching Poses in 28mm? Revision" Topic

I realized after posting, how badly the first one was written. I am trying to decide 2 things: 1) should I use a Marching pose on my table 28mm figs on a 6 foot by 8 foot table and it still be somewhat (?) realistic or should I avoid a Marching pose? and 2) if Marching pose would be OK, is the Right Shoulder Shift pose or At the Shoulder pose correct for that close to the battle line? I am comparing Foundry Greatcoat RSS and AtS poses. Some paintings should a Shouldered Arms type pose close to the line like when the Iron Brigade comes to relief of Buford on McPherson's Ridge.Thank you.

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I am not sure what you are asking?

Are you asking if you should use all marching poses for your collection?

If so, I think you should use a mixture of marching poses and skirmish/firing line poses. That way some of the battlefield "drama" is captured. However, this is my personal opinion and this is what I am currently doing for not only my ACW but also my Napoleonic collections.

Regarding your Troiani print, when troops advanced at the double quick, regulations called for the troops to automatically go to right shoulder shift. Note how important it is to hold the rifle as vertical as possible so you don't bonk or skewer the fellow behind you. Note also the lock of the rifle is held level with the head, which assists in keeping the rifle upright.

A third position, which is absolutely correct for mocing at the double quick, is "trail arms", where the rifle-musket is gripped in the right hand, between the middle and lower bands, though sometimes, if the bayonet is affixed, it's easier to balance right at, or just behind, the lower 9rearmost) band.

One other point is that when a unit moves at the double-quick, in line, with the idea of assaulting a position or other line of infantry, the front rank goes to "Port Arms" while the remaining rank(s) go to "Right Should Shift". Again, this is especially true if bayonets are fixed.

One thing to keep in mind: "Shoulder Arms" is the central position in the manual of arms. When the weapon is carried, ALL other positions go through "Shoulder Arms" before going to another position. Thus, having any number of units at "Shoulder Arms" would be perfectly normal on any battlefield.

Thank you. It appears I should add the Right shoulder shift to my battlefield. I do already use a mix of skirmish/firing/loading poses and Port. I appreciate your information.

Hardee's Tactics only provide two methods of carrying a weapon at the double quick: Right shoulder shift or trail arms. Right shoulder shift was automatic. For trail arms, the officer would first give the order to go to trail arms prior to the command to advance at the the double quick. Once the command stopped, either from right shoulder shift or trail arms, the soldier would automatically go to shoulder arms without a command given to do so.

I cannot recall a position called port arms in Hardee's, but it might be found in other drill manuals (Casey's?) of the period.

I'll dig through and find the citations for Port Arms and which manuals they are in. Hardee's Manual does include it, as I remember seeing it in there, but it might well be an addendum in Vol. II (It's a 2-part manual)

V/R

Remember that both Casey's and the one written by a former officer in the United State's Army (Hardee's) are supplements to Scott's. Port Arms does appear in the Instructions for Guards and Pickets. There is also a carry position which is the same as the old flint lock carry, piece carried with the butt in the left hand, arm allowed to hang at full length to the side, piece is vertical, with the barrel to the front. This position was still in use in many of the "other"(like Gilham's) manuals at the time and is from Scott's.
When the Philadelphia Brigade (69th, 71st,72nd,106th PVI)first formed each regiment had trained using a different manual. The first couple of weeks at Camp Observation were spent relearning School of the Soldier and manual of arms.

Right Shoulder Shift was the common position of carry for the moving of troops. Troops at the halt in line would be at Shoulder Arms.

It wouldn't bother me if at my ACW figures were at the Right Shoulder Shift.
I'm not sure what position the figures are using in ACW Gamers link.