Behind the Captain's simple quarters was an open space. He made me take position. He also took position, with a rifle at his side.
"Now, look," said he; "see this position, which I assume to be the shoulder natural to you."
His gun was at his left side, the barrel to the front, the palm of his left hand under the butt.
"Now," said he, "this is the shoulder of the heavy infantry manual. I think you were drilled once in a company which had this shoulder. It may not have been in your recent regiment that you were so drilled, for this shoulder obtained in all the militia companies of Carolina before the war. Many regiments still hold to it. Follow my motions now--Support--ARMS!"
The Captain's right hand grasped the piece at the small of the stock; his left arm was thrown across his breast, the cock resting on the forearm; his right hand fell quickly to his side.
I imitated him. I felt no nervousness, and told him so.
"I thought so," said he; "now, just remember that all the other positions in the manual are unchanged. It is only the shoulder, or carry, as we sometimes call it, that has been changed. You will like the new drill."
He began to put me through the exercises, and although I had difficulty, yet I had some success.
"Now report to Sergeant Wilson again," said the Captain.
I told the sergeant that I thought I could now do better; that I had been confused by the light infantry carry, never having seen drill except from the heavy infantry shoulder. Wilson kept me at work for almost an hour, and expressed satisfaction with my progress. Under his training I was soon able to drill with the company.