guard against infantry

[handy.harris]

Dear sirs,

I am not able to find the answere to this question:

What did the rear rank do at guard against infantry and guard against cavalry?

I was told by people that they moved into "right shoulder shift" which doesn't make any sense to me.
To me it only makes sense, that they would have done the exact same thing as the front rank. That way, they would have had a bajonet front which would have been hard to pass trhough without beeing stabbed.
I did not find any evidence on the "right shoulder shift" thing. So what's the truth?

kind regards
Handy

[johan_steele]

Part of the answer will depend upon which manual. IIRC both Casey's and Hardees is if the line was advancing the second rank would go to Right Shoulder, otherwise they will be at Port Arms. I believe both Scott & Baxter's manual are different but in what manner I don't know without looking in the manual.

Here are some links that might be of some use. At least one should have you answer.

http://www.usregulars.com/library.htm
http://home.att.net/~Cap1MD/Drill.htm
http://www.usregulars.com/Bayonet_files/bayonet01.html
http://www.currensnet.com/smallarm/ordills.htm
http://www.10thbattalion.org/school.php

IMPORTANT: I'm running on 6 hours of sleep since Friday, I just finished a 16 hour shift and am about to become one with my pillow in a hotel room. Just as soon as I finish this Bloody Mary... ok, my third. So my recollections might be... off. Darn there is no little smiley for an evil grin.

[unionblue]

Shane,

Thanks for the sites.

Excellent part of research on your part.

Hope you sleep well, you've earned your rest with this one.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

[M E Wolf]

Dear Johan_Steele;

Ack! You are over worked! Hope you can get some well earned rest!

As for an evil grin--make one! >) OR, just type it out [evil grin]

Just some thoughts.

Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf