Parade-Rest!

[Manassas 1861]

Does anybody know which manual this version of parade rest comes from?

 

[Lampasas Bill]

Great photo of a presumably western company. Poor old Bill Smith is the only one doing Parade-Rest differently. Must have been left-handed .

 

[captaindrew]

Gilham's/Scott's, but their guns are in the opposite direction they should be

 

[captaindrew]

This would be the correct position

 

[captaindrew]

As opposed to Hardee's and Casey's parade rest

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

This would be the correct position View attachment 576548

So Bill Smith was the only one who was right?!

 

[captaindrew]

So Bill Smith was the only one who was right?!

You're right, didn't catch that at first look. I wonder though if this was a CO's own take on it. Or they were trying to set a reverse pose for the camera thinking it would be reversed.

 

[Manassas 1861]

Did anyone notice the 1st sgt doing it with one arm?

 

[RedRover]

Does anybody know which manual this version of parade rest comes from?

Two versions visible. In the photograph.

Some background on the subject.

First, notice that the Infantry Tactics (Scott) in effect from 1835-1862, regarding infantry with muskets, acting as infantry, gave no specific parade-rest.

But from the Army Regulations of 1841 onward, at all parades of "ceremony" like reviews, guard-mounting, or at "Troop" or "Retreat" in camp or garrison the form of "parade rest" was given as:

Same through the 1860s...

The same mode instruction, was given in the 1861/1863 revisions of the Army Regulations. From the 1863 edition:

However, the Regulation parade rest, was not the only authorized parade rest by 1861. As noted above, a different mode is given in the 1855 US Army Rifle and Light Infantry tactics called for light infantry & riflemen to parade rest like so, specifically given in the manual of arms when relieving sentinels...

Just as previously given...

The Infantry Tactics for all troops acting as light infantry or riflemen, ordered to be used "by authority" of a War Department order of May 1, 1861, and generally employed in the Union Army, gives the Parade Rest when relieving sentinels just as in Hardee's...

And Casey's Infantry Tactics, the US standard for all Army and Militia foot soldiers from August, 1862, gives Parade Rest just the same, in the manual for relieving sentinels...

So we can see from 1861 on there was the regulation parade rest for parades of ceremony, muzzle in the hollow of the right shoulder, hands clasped in front, and there was the parade rest in the tactics, particularly for use by corps acting in relieving sentinels.

And photography from the early 1860s shows US troops employing both modes. It might be noted, that the Ceremonial mode in the regulations, is not at all described in the Infantry Tactics, or vice versa. Consequently, if a unit on any kind of parade, without a strict familiarity of the Army Regulations (like many of the Volunteers perhaps) were to practice "parade rest" it would have been generally in the manner described in the Tactics, found under the heading of the manual for relieving sentinels.

So looking at the interesting photograph in the Original Post above, notice that Private Bill Gray has the muzzle against the right shoulder and his hands crossed, precisely per the mode given in the US Army Regulations for parades of ceremony, etc.

But the balance of his compatriots are handling their muskets differently... not quite like the Parade-rest in the tactics, or in the regulations for parades of ceremony...

So we can see what they are doing, is a mish-mash "Parade Rest," combining features of the tactics and the ceremony parade rests together. For example, like the ceremonial parade rest in the Regulations, they have crossed their hands in front. But like the tactical parade rest from the tactics, they have carried the muzzle away from their right shoulder, but toward the center of their body... the fact they are not holding the musket with both hands near the muzzle, per the tactics, however, is allowing the muzzle to lay over toward their left elbow/shoulder.



That there was some confusion on the score of the tactical versus ceremonial parade rest during the war is evident by some correspondence late into the war too. For example, the Army and Navy Journal addressed the question among other in the December 24, 1864 per the Commandant of Cadets at West Point, that among the Regulars in service among whom some "different opinions and practices prevail," it was recommended that relative to "Questions in Tactics, the "parade-rest of the Tactics is used"...

And indeed, here are some 8th US Infantry regulars at the parade rest of the tactics in 1863:

But this does not mean that the Army Regulation ceremonial parade rest, as a Question in Regulations, (rather than a question in tactics) was done away with, for the strictly ceremonial purposes noted. For example, among these Veterans Reserve Corps chaps at the Grand Review in Washington in May, 1865 paraded in front of President Johnson, and Lt. Gen. Grant and Maj. Gen. Sherman, etc., they employed the Regulation Parade Rest for ceremony, amidst their various manual of arms, etc.

"Hey You... still at parade rest... I said order arms:"

"Shoulder arms:"

 

[captaindrew]

Thinking about it a little more if the photo was taken pre Casey's and using original Hardee's there was no specific rifle position in original Hardee's. Remember the manual of arms for rifle was intended for the shorter Mississippi. So it would've been open to interpretation. The second photo I posted I should've specified Revised Hardee's

 

[captaindrew]

Did anyone notice the 1st sgt doing it with one arm?

The guy next to him is as well, I'm guessing he would be 1st corporal, can't make out any stripes in the photo though

 

[rebelatsea]

This would be the correct position View attachment 576548

Beat me to it, At "Parade Rest" all weapons should be grounded butt first in this era, because of the weapon length Field officers should ground their swords. I've seen pictures ofFrench and British line regiments do the same - with minor differences. I have one question though, after a given interval, would the command "change arms" be given ?

 

[captaindrew]

Beat me to it, At "Parade Rest" all weapons should be grounded butt first in this era, because of the weapon length Field officers should ground their swords. I've seen pictures ofFrench and British line regiments do the same - with minor differences. I have one question though, after a given interval, would the command "change arms" be given ?

No, the CO could go to "in place rest" which is more relaxed or back to attention/order arms. Parade rest was generally used during dress parade/formal formations when the orders of the day were read/important announcements made. Had to hold that position and remain silent.

 

[Old Soldier]

The rifle resting to the left seems French 'repos en place' (US- 'At Ease' Uk 'Stand Easy') The high 'Right Shouder Arms' certainly was very French.
British Army position ('Stand at ease') was like many across Europe in 1860. (RIGHT foot back - hands held in front, rifle into the shoulder.) Left foot stayed put as it was the same foot which was not moved for the 'On Guard' or 'Present'.

23rd Ohio 1865

Trying to find an illustration or photo is hard work. Most GROUP photos were taken 'at ease' due to the long exposure times. Manuals seem to miss out the 'Parade Rest' or 'At Ease' positions. I suppose it depended on whose manual you followed.

 

[Waterloo50]

Are these old photos printed as reverse images?

 

[Old Soldier]

Are these old photos printed as reverse images?

There were two types of photo. The negative plate - just like 'ordinary film' used to be but 'wet' and were usually coated, exposed and developed immediately. That is why the early photographers had a black, lightproof shroud over the back of the camera. Most are studio photos for that reason and very expensive. The plates had a negative mirror image, but once the negative was developed, they were placed over light sensitive paper, exposed, and the paper developed as the 'print' - a two stage process. A large number or prints could be made from a single plate negative. The technology developed quickly and there were wet plate photographers operating in the field from a lightproof wagon since they needed developing v quickly.

The other type are called tintype or the older ambrotype. These were direct prints - an emulsion coating onto a card or thin metal backing - that gave a positive mirror images that could not be enlarged or printed out. Easy to spot since jackets look fastened wrong or the lock on a rifle is on the wrong side. These were small, cheap, studio photos and quite popular.

Wet Plate photo ................................................Tintype

Many tintype have the soldiers wearing their equipment on the wrong side to make it look 'normal'. As can be seen the locks are on the wrong side of the rifle. Badges and buckles were also often 'tinted' to remove reversed lettering or numbers

All were posed as exposure times were quite long - up to five minutes in a studio - hence 'sitting portraits'. Outside in the light , exposures were less long, but could still take up to a minute - hence the blurred flags, horses legs (3-legged horses!) and tails and 'ghost' figures - only still for a short time before moving away.

 

[on again]

Does anybody know which manual this version of parade rest comes from?View attachment 576506

was this picture taken the 1863-1864 chicakmmauta campaing for expmle the pictrue taht show Joseph hooker ---Black Hat brigade ???

picture of joseph hooker and staff in tennessee

General Hooker at Lookout Valley Headquarters with generals and staff

Union General Joseph Hooker with generals and staff. Hooker appears as the central figure (Number 3); Number 2 is General Daniel Butterfield; Number 1 is General John W. Geary; and Number 4 is General William G. Le Duc. A Capt. Hall and Capt. Kibler are also in the photo. All are pictured in...

teva.contentdm.oclc.org

Hooker at lookout mountain

File:Hooker at Lookout Mountain.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

commons.wikimedia.org

 

[Waterloo50]

There were two types of photo. The negative plate - just like 'ordinary film' used to be but 'wet' and were usually coated, exposed and developed immediately. That is why the early photographers had a black, lightproof shroud over the back of the camera. Most are studio photos for that reason and very expensive. The plates had a negative mirror image, but once the negative was developed, they were placed over light sensitive paper, exposed, and the paper developed as the 'print' - a two stage process. A large number or prints could be made from a single plate negative. The technology developed quickly and there were wet plate photographers operating in the field from a lightproof wagon since they needed developing v quickly.

The other type are called tintype or the older ambrotype. These were direct prints - an emulsion coating onto a card or thin metal backing - that gave a positive mirror images that could not be enlarged or printed out. Easy to spot since jackets look fastened wrong or the lock on a rifle is on the wrong side. These were small, cheap, studio photos and quite popular.

View attachment 576756View attachment 576755
Wet Plate photo ................................................Tintype

Many tintype have the soldiers wearing their equipment on the wrong side to make it look 'normal'. As can be seen the locks are on the wrong side of the rifle. Badges and buckles were also often 'tinted' to remove reversed lettering or numbers

All were posed as exposure times were quite long - up to five minutes in a studio - hence 'sitting portraits'. Outside in the light , exposures were less long, but could still take up to a minute - hence the blurred flags, horses legs (3-legged horses!) and tails and 'ghost' figures - only still for a short time before moving away.

View attachment 576758View attachment 576759

Thank you, that was a wonderful explanation.

 

[Manassas 1861]

was this picture taken the 1863-1864 chicakmmauta campaing for expmle the pictrue taht show Joseph hooker ---Black Hat brigade ???

picture of joseph hooker and staff in tennessee

General Hooker at Lookout Valley Headquarters with generals and staff

Union General Joseph Hooker with generals and staff. Hooker appears as the central figure (Number 3); Number 2 is General Daniel Butterfield; Number 1 is General John W. Geary; and Number 4 is General William G. Le Duc. A Capt. Hall and Capt. Kibler are also in the photo. All are pictured in...

teva.contentdm.oclc.org

Hooker at lookout mountain

File:Hooker at Lookout Mountain.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

commons.wikimedia.org

I found this photo on Facebook, so I don't know. I pretty sure these are Western Theater soldiers though.

 

[on again]

I found this photo on Facebook, so I don't know. I pretty sure these are Western Theater soldiers though.

link to facebook avaailbe? Any credit onphotograer?