"Load in Nine Times" From Casey's Drill Manual

1. LOAD.*

          156.  (First motion.) Same as the first position of present arms No. 143.

          (Second motion.) Carry the piece to the left side with the left hand—butt upon the ground—barrel to the front—piece inclined to the right and front resting upon the left thigh, muzzle six inches in front of the centre of the body—right hand grasping the piece just below the upper band, and left hand extended upon the piece.

          (Third motion.) Seize the piece with the left hand at the muzzle and carry the right hand to the cartridge box.

          *Whenever the loadings and firing are to be executed, the instructor will cause the cartridge boxes to be brought to the front.

2. Handle—CARTRIDGE.

One time and one motion.

          157. Seize the cartridge with the thumb and next two fingers, and place it between the teeth.

3. Tear—CARTRIDGE.

One time and one motion.

          158. Tear the paper to the powder, hold the cartridge upright between the thumb and first two fingers, near the top ; in this position place it in front of and near the muzzle—the back of the hand to the front.

4. Charge—CARTRIDGE.

One time and one motion.

          159. Empty the powder into the barrel ; disengage the ball from the paper with the right hand and the thumb and first two fingers of the left ; insert it into the bore, the pointed end uppermost, and press it down with the right thumb ; seize the head of the rammer with the thumb and fore-finger of the right hand, the other fingers closed, the elbows near the body.

5. Draw—RAMMER.

One time and three motions.

          160. (First motion.) Half draw the rammer by extending, the right arm ; steady it in this position with the left thumb ; seize the rammer between the thumb and fore-finger of the right hand the thumb under and the finger over the rammer ; fingers extended, palm of the hand to the front.

          161. (Second motion.) Clear the rammer from the pipes by extending the arm ; the rammer in prolongation of the pipes, palm of the hand to the front.

          162. (Third motion.) Turn the rammer by closing the fingers, the little end passing near the left shoulder, turning the back of the hand to the front ; steady it by extending the forefinger of the right hand ; place the head of the rammer on the ball, the rammer in prolongation of the barrel.

6. Ram—CARTRIDGE.

One time and one motion.

          163. Insert the rammer as far as the right, and steady it in this position with the thumb of the left hand ; seize the rammer at the small end with the thumb and fore-finger on the right hand, the back of the hand to the front ; press the ball home, the elbows near the body.

7. Return—RAMMER.

One time and three motions.

          164 (First motion.) Draw the rammer half—way out, and steady it in this position with the left thumb ; grasp it near the muzzle with the right hand, the thumb under and fore-finger above the rammer, the fingers extended ; clear the rammer from the bore by extending the arm, the palm to the front, the rammer in the prolongation of the bore.

          165. (Second motion.) Turn the rammer, the head passing near the left shoulder, the fingers closed, the rammer held between the thumb and fore-finger, nails to the front ; insert the rammer, until the hand reaches the muzzle.

          166. (Third motion.) Force the rammer home by placing the little finger of the right hand on the head of the rammer ; extend the left hand down the piece without depressing the shoulder.

8. PRIME.*

One time and two motions.

           167. (First motion.) With the left hand raise the piece till the hand is as high as the eye, grasp the small of the stock with the right hand ; half face to the right ; place, at the same time, the right foot behind and at right angles with the left ; the hollow of the right foot against the left heel. Slip the left hand down to the lower band, the thumb along the stock, the left elbow against the body ; bring the piece to the right side, the butt below the right fore-arm—the small of the stock against the body and two inches below the right breast, the barrel upwards, the muzzle on a level with the eye.

          * If Maynard’s primer be used, the command will be, load in eight times, and the eighth command will be, shoulder arms, and executed from return rammer, in one time and two motions, as follows :
          (First motion.) Raise the piece with the left hand, and take the position of shoulder arms, as indicated No. 145.
          (Second motion.) Drop the left hand quickly by the side.

          168. (Second motion.) Half cock with the thumb of the right hand the fingers supported against the guard and the small of the stock—remove the old cap with one of the fingers of the right band, and with the thumb and fore-finger of the same hand take a cap from the pouch, place it on the nipple and press it down with the thumb ; seize the small of the stock with the right hand.

9. Shoulder—ARMS

One time and two motions.

          169. (First motion.) Bring the piece. to the right, shoulder and support it there with the left hand, face to the front ; bring the right heel to the side of and on a line with the left ; grasp the piece with the right hand as indicated in the position of shoulder arms.

          170. (Second motion.) Drop the left hand quickly by the side.