The Salute...

[St. George]

There was a question on a different board dealing with the hand salute.

It was felt that the salute as rendered in the movie 'Gettysburg' - wasn't somehow 'proper' - in today's context.

It was...  from the following Manuals:

'Customs of the Service, for Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers, Practiced in the Army of the United States' - by August V. Kautz - 1864 - are identical to those printed in Hardee's in 1855, and in Gilham's Manual printed in 1859/1860.

'To salute the soldier raises his right hand to visor of his cap, palm to the front and the the elbow raised to the height of his shoulder...'

The standards of respect were identical on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Line.

It closely resembles the British Military Salute but without the full, stiffened open palm.

The hand salute as rendered today does differ, as does the salute as rendered by different Services and by type of unit - with a bit of 'stylizing' tossed in for effect.

Some sort of 'toss it off' almost casually, while others are extremely 'sharp'.

No matter - as long as the salute is given with pride and a sense of honor.

Today - the right hand is raised directly and smartly until the tip of the forefinger touches the lower part of the cap above and slightly to the right of the right eye.

Thumb and forefingers are extended and joined - upper arm level with the ground and forearm at a 45 degree angle - wrist and hand straight as a continuation of the line made by the forearm.

When returned at the end of the salute - the hand is cut away smartly to the side.

This from the Army's Drill and Ceremonies manual - FM 22-5.

Thought you ought to know, since the Grand Army of the Frontier represents an earlier time frame...

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[US Scout]

'Customs of the Service, for Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers, Practiced in the Army of the United States' - by August V. Kautz - 1864 - are identical to those printed in Hardee's in 1855, and in Gilham's Manual printed in 1859/1860.

'To salute the soldier raises his right hand to visor of his cap, palm to the front and the the elbow raised to the height of his shoulder...'

The standards of respect were identical on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Line.

It closely resembles the British Military Salute but without the full, stiffened open palm.

Much appreciated.  I have been doing it this way for years having learned to do it when I did CW reenacting, but have always been questioned about doing it the "British" way. 

US Scout
Bvt Brig Gen, GAF

[Cannon Fodder]

When did the salute change from the "British type" from the CW era to that used presently?

CF

[St. George]

Roughly after the Spanish-American War.

The Regulations of that time specify it in the School of the Soldier as early as the Infantry Drill Regulations of 1911, and it's remained unchanged since.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Captain Barrett]

Folks,

Given our time period is indeed prior to 1911, should the GAF issue its own Regulation to salute in the field the American CW way? I would say so...

[River City John]

Seems appropriate.

[Pitspitr]

This is how the 1873 Upton's Manual describes the motions of "salute"


"18. The instructor commands: 1. Right (or left) hand, 2. SALUTE.

Raise the right hand smartly, pointing in the same direction as the right foot, the palm of the hand down, the thumb close to the forefinger, the arm extended, and horizontal. (Two.) Bring the hand around till the point of the thumb and the side of the forefinger touch the lower edge of the cap or visor, at the same time turn the head a little to the left, look toward the person to be saluted, and retain this position till the salute is acknowledged. (Three.) Bring back the hand and arm to the position of the first motion, at the same time cast the eyes to the front. (Four.) Drop the arm quickly by the side."

So it would appear that the salute changed in or by 1873(the army manual was by Upton in 1868 as wel,l but I can't put my hands on my copy of the '68 manual right at the moment).

[Frenchie]

I've been saluting with the palm forward so long it's become habit, but then my uniforms are all pre-1873, so no problem.

Just FYI, Kautz says that the salute under arms where the left hand comes across and touches the musket ("rifle salute") is used only when entering an officer's quarters under arms. Sentries and other soldiers under arms salute by coming to Shoulder Arms for field grade officers and to Present Arms for staff officers and above. During times when they challenge, sentries don't salute anyone and they don't know anyone, either.

[matt45]

  hello the Camp,
     I am wandering over from The Spencer Shooting Society.  This question came up back when I was in ANCOC, and the resident historian told us the army switched about the time the French got their rear ends handed to them by the Germans, and we adopted those spikey helmets along with a german style salute.  Now I can't say that's right, it's just what I've heard.
                                                                        Matt45