Drill question

[shandy]

Hi!

I'm just reading the letters of Thomas W. Higginson about his time with the 1st South Carolina Volunteers, and came across this statement:

One of the best Captains said to me today: 'I have this afternoon taught my men (wad.) in 9 times, & they can do it better than my former company in the engineers' did it in three months'.​

What I would like to know is what he means by "(wad.)" - what exactly did the Capt. (which I'm pretty sure is Charles Trowbridge, for those of you interested in the 1st S.C.) teach them 9 times?

I'd be grateful for any hint!

Cheers,
Thomas

 

[thomas aagaard]

no idea what he mead by "(wad.)" but "in 9 times" is "load in nine times"

He teach them to load their muskets. The procedure is in most drill books split into 9 parts.
1. Load
2. handle cartridge
3. Tear cartridge
4. charge cartridge
5. draw Rammer
6. ram cartidge
7. return Rammer
8. prime
9. shoulder arms

Then when the men can do it to an acceptable standard, you change it to four parts...
and then finally let them do it in their own time.

 

[shandy]

Ah! Thanks for that explanation, now I understand!