13thnct wrote:
It just looks kind of weird with guys carrying their rifles different ways in the same unit </end whining>.
13thnct, welcome to the forums.
If the unit had been ordered to march at a "route step", the soldiers were allowed to carry their muskets in whatever manner they chose as long as the muzzles were kept pointing up. In a battle situation or an extended march, a unit at route step would have been very common.
From Hardee's Tactics:
1. Column, forward. 2.Guide left (or right.) 3.
Route step. 4. MARCH.
308. At the command march, repeated by the captain, the two ranks will step off together; the rear rank will take, in marching, by shortening a few steps, a distance of one pace (twenty-eight inches) from the rank preceding, which distance will be computed from the breasts of the men in the rear rank, to the knapsacks of the men in the front rank. The men, without farther command, will immediately carry their
arms at will, as indicated in the School of the Soldier, No. 219. They will no longer be required to march in the cadenced pace, or with the same foot, or to remain silent. The files will march at ease; but care will be taken to prevent the ranks from intermixing, the front rank from getting in advance of the guide, and the rear rank from opening to too great a distance.
"
Arms- AT WILL. One time and one motion.
219. At this command,
carry the piece at pleasure on either shoulder, with one or both bands, the muzzle elevated."
