Kneeling

[MikeyB]

Is there a reason the defacto battle position was not crouching/kneeling, to present as small of a target as possible? Was it considered ungentlemanly/cowardly? Or does it slow down reloading too much? If soldiers tended to fire high anyway, I'd thinking having your men kneel would significantly reduce casualties?

 

[Lampasas Bill]

It does make reloading more difficult. Once the firing started and it became fire-at-will, I imagine many soldiers took the opportunity to kneel. If a volley were being fired, however, the men would first be called to attention.

 

[captaindrew]

Loading and firing from the kneeling and laying down position are both taught in the manuals, there was nothing wrong with it but it's hard to do in a tight formation. In skirmish drill where everyone is spread out it says to take advantage of any cover by kneeling and lying down when possible.

 

[infomanpa]

Nothing wrong with kneeling, as long as you don't do it during the national anthem at an NFL game.