The commander then gives the caution, “Take post under cover of the merlon;” and immediately afterwards the executive word, “To the right face,” No. 1 after facing takes an oblique pace to the rear, on the left of 3. At the word quick march, the detachments step off except No. 1, who at first marks time until the detachment has past him, and then follows in rear of 6. When the detachments are opposite to the left corner of the platforms, the ranks open out on each side of the guns, the rear ranks on the right, the front ranks on the left—the whole outside of the platforms. Nos. 2 and 3 halt next to the embrasure, as soon as they arrive at the parapet; 4, 6, and 1 halt in succession on the right of 2; 5 and 7 on the left of 3. When all the numbers have arrived at the parapet in the order here detailed, the commander gives the word, “Right about face.”
The detachments are now in the position, which they should always occupy in action, in a battery, unless actively employed in their duties at the guns.
When there is no parapet, the command is given to “Take post at the guns;” Nos. 2 and 3 halt in line with the muzzle of the piece; 4 and 5 in line with the trunnions; 6 and 7 with the vent; 1 the trail: the whole outside of the platform and in echellon. The numbers should never cover if they can avoid doing so.
The following general detail of duties for a detachment of seven men is applicable to all natures of guns, from 18-pounders and upwards, on any description of carriage whatever.
| No. 1 commands, points, and primes. | |
| 3 loads, assists to ram home shot and wad, runs up, and elevates. | 2 searches, spunges, rams home, runs up, and elevates. |
| 5 supplies 3 with shot and wad, runs up, and traverses. | 4 clears the vent, serves it, pricks the cartridge, runs up, and traverses. |
| 7 supplies 3 with cartridge, double-man’s his handspike, serves 1 with tubes, and fires. | 6 supplies 2 with side arms, double-man’s his handspike, replaces 1’s handspike, and supplies 7 with cartridges, (and 3 with shell when required.) |
The following general detail of duties for a detachment of six men, is applicable to all natures of guns below 18-pounder, on any description of carriage whatever.
| No. 1 commands, supplies 2 with side arms, points, and primes. | |
| 3 loads, assists to ram home shot and wad, runs up, and elevates. | 2 searches, spunges, rams home, runs up, and elevates. |
| 5 supplies 3 with cartridge, shot, and wad, runs up, and traverses. | 4 clears the vent, serves it, pricks the cartridge, runs up, and traverses. |
| 6 supplies 5 with cartridge, replaces 1’s handspike, serves him with tubes, and fires. | |
Besides the men told off to each gun, there must be some at the magazine, to fill and issue cartridges. When shells are fired, some men must be appointed to fill them, and to cut and fix fuzes; No. 6 brings up shells to 3, who uncaps the fuze.