"American Civil War Marching Review" Topic

"An army on the march during the civil war was not usually a welcome visitor to a district, even if they were on your side. In the winter the roads might be little more than mud tracks, and in the summer they would produce clouds of dust that the soldiers found clogged their lungs. In both cases soldiers sometimes struggled to maintain the pace, and the roadside would often be littered with jettisoned equipment of all kinds as well as stragglers. Local amenities like livestock and fence rails might be taken with or without permission, despite the best efforts of commanders on both sides. So a march could be an unhappy experience for both soldier and bystander, yet with few transport alternatives it was a major part of the military life for any field army.

This set of marching figures should be viewed in conjunction with the second such set from HaT, which was released at the same time and depicts exactly the same thing. Indeed four of the eight poses here are also to be found in the second set, but in truth there is not a lot of difference between any pose in either set. All are of men on the march in the carry arms position, which is holding the musket by the stock just below the trigger guard, and alongside the right side of the man with the rammer facing forward. This was a normal marching pose and has been properly done here. Since this is the only pose here there is nothing more to say…"

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American Civil War Marching (2)

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Amicalement
Armand

Amicalement
Armand

This is "A" marching position, not "THE" marching position. They are nice figures, though.

Glad you like them my friend! (smile)

Amicalement
Amrand

Yes, they are marching at "Shoulder Arms", and the figures appear to have it correct. The musket is in the right hand with the index finger curled under the trigger guard and the thumb curled around the top. The three other fingers grasp the rear of the stock. This, along with "Right Shoulder Shift Arms" and "Support Arms" were the the most commonly used arms positions when the troops were marching 'at attention'. On long marches they would normally be put at 'Route Step' and then could carry the arms at will and not need to remain in step.

Thanks!.

Amicalement
Armand