Resources - Army Manuals?

[kflach]

It occurred to me over the weekend that I haven't seen anyone quote old Army or Navy manuals when explaining/documenting things here in the forum. Did the US military not make manuals or training documents of any kind during the late 19th century? I know many people were probably illiterate, but it seems to me like they would at least create documentation for use by the instructors during whatever their equivalent was of basic training.

[St. George]

Of 'course' the War Department produced Regulations, Circulars, Directives, and all manner of documents and manuals - and they've done so since there was an American military.

I have an extensive reference library full of originals, and many of the titles are also in reprint form.

During the era, not 'that' many were actually illiterate - and unlike today - most everyone 'wanted' to learn and to better their knowledge, since they knew that their fortunes and conditions would improve markedly.

Folks 'read', back then - and while some of them may've read slowly and puzzled out the meanings - they were committed to the learning process.

You're looking for those references on the wrong Forum - try 'The Barracks', where the guys in the Grand Army of the Frontier cite them often...

While I've supplied my share of references for the GAF - I don't have to do much of that here on the 'Historical Society' forum, since that sort of thing has very little relevance to folks doing a civilian Impression, but you'll see all manner of cited references if you just look.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Hangtown Frye]

This website has a lot of excellent information on it: The Drill Network  http://home.att.net/~Cap1MD/Drill.htm

They have mostly pre-Civil War drillbooks published here, but also Upton's (1870's) and the 1891 manual as well.  Also, available through many of the military book vendors, you can acquire copies of the various equipment and accoutrement manuals as well, which have patterns for holsters, cartridge belts, saddle and tack, etc. shown in them.  The stuff isn't all that difficult to find, just gotta do a few quick searches.

Cheers!

Gordon

[Pitspitr]

Not only are reprints available but the manuals are often availabe as .pdfs or on cd


http://books.google.com/books?id=iaQNAAAAYAAJ&dq=upton's+infantry+tactics&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=yAshMyGAQs&sig=91H-0U6X-UnqCtWLlVb8RyPg5mo&hl=en&ei=KGYAS-iZLdGrngfG6KkS&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CBgQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=upton's%20infantry%20tactics&f=false

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350269622546

And on line

http://www.usregulars.com/

http://www.zipcon.net/~silas/links.htm

[kflach]

That's a lot of reading, but it looks like it could be a lot of fun as well. Thanks!