Discussion Civil War battlefield hand signals?

[JacksonHendrick]

Can anyone suggest any resources on what signs or hand signals would have been used in the Civil War?

I've read that often a commander raised a sword or hat and suddenly brought it down to indicate "fire!" for example.

Specifically, I am writing something involving Reconstruction battles in Louisiana. Specifically, my story called for someone to give a "stand down" order via hand motions. Not exactly a retreat, more of a police action where they're calling the men off or standing them aside. I'm new to the forum, apologies if asking random questions like this is inappropriate.

 

[thomas aagaard]

It was not used in any structured way.
If the commander could not be heared. well, that is why he had a musician with a bugle next to him.

The reason for hand signals in later wars is so you can do thing quietly. Not a issue on a civil war battlefield.

 

[JacksonHendrick]

It was not used in any structured way.
If the commander could not be heared. well, that is why he had a musician with a bugle next to him.

The reason for hand signals in later wars is so you can do thing quietly. Not a issue on a civil war battlefield.

Thanks so much for that response!

 

[Rhea Cole]

The General Services code could be used to signal using a hand.

 

[Lubliner]

It was not used in any structured way.
If the commander could not be heared. well, that is why he had a musician with a bugle next to him.

The reason for hand signals in later wars is so you can do thing quietly. Not a issue on a civil war battlefield.

How about camp training, is there any book or pamphlet known to portray various commands?
Lubliner.