Introduction to G Michells‘ Standing Orders

The front of the book, bound in parchment, has the indistinct title of:
  Standing Orders
  Norwich 1782 (unreadable) Dundas

The inside cover is signed "G Michell Norwich 1782".

The book is in two parts, the front and the back. Read from the front it is Standing Orders, and from the back it is Exercises. On the rear of the book the title is:
  Standing Orders
  Norwich 1782 Lt Col Dundas
  Exercises

At the rear the inside cover is again signed with "G Michell Norwich 1782".

From the army lists it can be seen that G Michell was a young officer at this time, rising steadily through the ranks to full general in 1830 odd. There were several Dundases in the army about 1780. So the question is whose were these standing orders?

They were written all in the same hand, with a few passages added later. The hand does not look like that of Michell‘s signature. I suspect they were written by Dundas and that somehow Michell acquired them when he joined the Dragoons. Alternatively Michell could have copied them out as part of his training. A military historian might be able to date the book by its contents.

Both the inside cover pages, front and rear, have many notes and glued-in lists of pay and commission prices. These notes are transcribed at the end of the principal contents.

The order of these documents is:

  Standing orders
  Exercises
  Notes at the front of Standing Orders
  Notes at the front of Exercises

Tim Powys-Lybbe 30th May 1999

Standing Orders

   As many inconveniences arise from the fixed & standing Orders of the Regiment being mixed in the Orderly Books with the occasional ones of the Day - viz. that it is not easy to distinguish one from the other; that the Orderly Books are frequently mislaid, or by that means Orders essential to the good Discipline & Appearance of the Regiment overlooked or forgot; that new Officers do not know where to apply for a knowledge of the Customs & Practices of the Regiment; & that old Officers want a frequent revision of Articles so various & numberous, etc.

   The following are therefore selected as the standing orders & Customs of the Regiment & are to be observed as such. Whatever Addition or Alteration shall in future be found necessary to be made, will be given out separate from the temporary Order of the Day.

   Each Troop will provide a proper Book for the Entry of these Orders only. They will be inserted under the different heads, & a Sufficiency of blank Paper left at the End of each Article, so as to admit of any future Additions or Alterations.

[in a different hand]

   The officer Commanding the regiment for the time being is to attend to the Standing orders usages & Customs of the regiment being strictly obeyed - he has the power to change or action opposition to them, or otherwise there could be no uniform system established - Nor is he either to make or allow any deviation to the dress or uniform of the regiment.

[end of different hand]

   When any considerable Part of the Regiment is quartered together there will be an officer of the day.    The officer of the Day will always remain in Quarters, wear his Sash & gaiters, attend & inspect all Parades, Drills & Guard mounting; frequently visit & turn out the Guard, & see that they are alert & do it in a Soldierlike manner - He will receive the Morning and any other extraordinary reports. When relieved, he will make the report of the Guard to the Commanding officer.

   All Officers to Attend both Morning & Evening Parades.

   When any Officer or Quartermaster is taken ill, he must immediately inform the Adjutant; a serjeant in such Case, to inform the Surgeon, & Officer of his Troop; & a Dragoon to inform the Non Commissioned Officer of Squad who must report him to the Surgeon.

   Officers when in Quarters of the Regiment to appear at all times in their Regimentals.

(2.)    When the Regiment assembles for a Field Day on Foot, the Officers to appear in half gaiters, Regimental Hats, black Stocks, small Swords, & leather or Buff Cloth Breeches - Sashes are worn upon all Duties.    No Officer of the Day or for Duty is to change his Turn or any part of it without Leave fromt he Commanding Officer of the Regiment.

   Every Officer newly appointed, upon joining the Regiment will remain in Quarters, till he is perfected in riding and all Regimental Duty.

   Officers will at all times attend to the Exactness of Guards, Centries, & the Appearance & Behaviour of the Men on Duty; inspect such as are deficient, & mention such Men to the Commanding Officer of their Troops, that they may be completed in those parts of their Duty - This constant & easy Attention contributes more than any thing to the good Order & Appearance of the Regiment.

   A Morning Report of each Troop to be made early to the Officers commanding the same, that they may be perfectly acquainted with the State of them, before Parades of any kind.

(3.)    All Officers whether present or not with the Regiment, who want his Majesty‘s leave to go abroad, are to make their first Applicaiton to the Commanding Officer residing with the Regiment. If he has no Objection, the Colonel of the Regiment will be applied to by him, who will give the necessary Directions to his Agent for obtaining such leave.

   Every Officer absent by the King‘s Leave is to give his Address to the Agent & Adjutant, so that he may be at all times wrote to.

   Officers absent with Regimental leave, are to give a Direction to the Adjutant, where a Letter will find them.

   No Officer when absent from the Regiment is to take his Regimental Horse with him, without the Approbation of the Lieut Colonel of the Regiment.

   The Parole to be given out every Day, & the Non Commissioned Officers to receive Orders at a fixed Hour from the Adjutant or officer of the Day.

   When the Officer commanding the Regiment comes into an Out-Quarter, the Officer commanding in such Quarter to ask him for the Parole.

(4.)    The Men‘s Quarters are to be seen once a week by an Officer - viz on Mondays, when their Necessaries are to be duly inspected. On the principal Market Day an Officer per troop to examine the Messes, of which & the Inspection of the Necessaries. Mention is to be made in the Sunday‘s Reports, or weekly state.

   Every Officer to make himself Master of the Exercise of the Regiment, as it is his Duty to instruct his Troop in it, & as he will occasionally be ordered to exercise the Regiment or any part of it.

[‘omit‘ is in the margin against the next paragraph]

   When the Troops assemble on Horseback for Exercise or a March, Officers are always to have Regimental Hats & Boots, leather Breeches, black Stocks, second Swords & Furnitures.

   The men‘s Quarters are to be cleared every week; the Horse Quarters every Fortnight or Month at farthest.

   Officers and Quartermasters are not to part with their Regimental Horses without Leave from the Commanding Officer of the Regiment; not to hunt or otherwise unfit them for the Service of the Regiment.

(5.)    On every occasion of turning out, Officers are to be first mounted & on the Troop Parade one officer a troop once at least every day.

   Officers are frequently to inspect the Stables and Attend to the Care and Cleanliness of each Horse. They are constantly to see their Troops when they turn out in watering Order, at which time, many particulars may be observed & Directions given which to not occur in the Stable.

   A monthly return from each Troop to be sent off from the out Quarters, so as to arrive with the Adjutant on the 28th.

   Whenever Troops change Quarters, a report thereof is to be made to the Commanding officer of the Regiment.

   Every new that is young Officer on joining the Regiment will pay three Guineas to the Riding master for himself & Horse, & half a Guinea to the Rough Riders, & also one Guinea to the Serjt Major, who will teach him the carbine exercise.

   Every officer that has a horse broke & rode at the Regiment will pay half a Guinea to rough riders. The Riding master will acquaint the Commanding Officer before each Review, of the Number of such Horses, that the Money may be collected & divided equally among the rough riders.

(6.)    When any orderly Man is despatched (who will be made answerable that he take proper care of his Horse) with Letters or Orders, the time of his setting out to be marked on the back of such Orders, that no improper Delay may be made.

   Every Officer to have a Copy of these Orders, to qhich they will frequently recur. Young Officers are themselves to write them out, & apply to the Commanding Officer for any Explanation wanted.

[‘omit‘ is in the margin against the next paragraph]

   Officers to wear their Hair queued when upon Duty.

   The ordinary duty of the regiment is as follows:

     Stables in the morning according to the time of the year
     Parade at 10
     Stables at three
     Stables at seven
     Exclusive of Drill which are at such Hours as circumstances make necessary or convenient.

[Pages 7 to 12 are blank.]

(13.)    Non Commissioned Officers

   Non Commissioned Officers are to attend strictly to every circumstance of a man‘s Conduct & Behaviour in his Quarters, & to make it theri Business to find out any thing irregular or suspicious. They will be observant in the Care of the Arms, Accoutrements & Necessaries; of Cleanliness & the most perfect exactness in every Duty of the Regiment.

   Any Non Commissioned Officer who connives at or overlooks irregular or unsoldierlike Behaviour of any kind, or who does not himself set a good example in his Station, will certainly be reduced as unfit for it.

   On all Duties of evey kind the greatest Exactness, Alertness & Conformance to the Orders & Practice of the Regiment is required.

   Every noncommissioned Officer is to keep up that Degree of Respect & Command, which is due to him fromt he Men. Whoever is deficient in that particular deserves to be reduced as wanting that propriety of Conduct & Be-

(14.) haviour, which will always procure it.

   Non Commissioned Officers are to be qualified to teach recruits every Part of their Exercise & Duty; & to take the greatest Pains in instructing them, & putting them right. They will be provided with Copies of the Manual according to Order, & also with the other Exercise of the Regiment.

   Non Commissioned Officers running in Debt will be reduced as unfit to preserve Authority or keep up good Order among the men.

   Each Troop is to be divided into two [sic] four Squads, a Serjeant & Corporal for each. If the Serjeant is absent or on Guard, the Corporal will of course have the Inspection of the Squad, as to the Stables, Quarters, Parades, Care of Appointments & every Article relative to the Squad.

   Non Commissioned Officers when detached from the Regiment with Deserters, recruiting, etc. to give the greatest Attention to the goof Appearance & good Behaviour of their Party.

   All Escorts with Deserters are to

(15.) march with their Swords & one Pistol.

   Both Hands of a Deserter are always to be handcuffed. If he is delivered without any to the Regiment, a pair is to be provided before he is forwarded, & charged to his Account. Each Troop should therefore always have a spare pair.

   No Arms or Accoutrements are ever to be hung up in any room which is a Thoroughfare, or not solely appropriated to the use fo the Dragoons.

   In order to prevent an improper Person from getting at the Pistols, thare are at all time to be hung up at the Quarters of the Non Commissioned Officers of the Squad, who is to be answerable for the Delivery & Return of them as wanted.

   Non Commissioned Officers by often perusing the orderly Book will make themselves Masters of these Orders. Such Parts are to be read from time to time to the Men, as the Commanding Officer shall think proper.

   An Evening Inspection to be made by the Serjeants of Troops, it may occasionally be made in their Absence by the Corporals.

[Pages 16 and 17 are blank.]

(19.)    Dragoons

   A good soldier is obedient to his Officers, regular in his Quarters, attentive to the Care & Cleanliness of his Horse, Arms & all his Appointments, & alert & exact in the Discharge of every Duty - It is Honour & Principle & not Compulsion that should prompt him to an Observance of all these Articles.

   The Quarters to be inspected every Night after the watch is set, by a Non Commissioned Officer per Troop. & a report made to the officer of the Day. If there is none, to the Officer of each Troop who reports to the Commanding Officer. They will also occasionall be examined at uncertain Hours when there is reason to suspect that Men go out after the Inspection, or are drunken or irregular in their Quarters: - such must be ordered to Bed or confined & reported when proper. Every Dragoon ought to be in bed before 10 o‘clock.

   The Mens Rooms to be always kept perfectly clean, & swept once a Day.

   Every Recruit when he joins his Troop, to be

(20.) instructed by the Non Commissioned Officer of his Squad in the care of every Article of his Arms, Accoutrements & Necessaries.

   All recruits must attend Drill, till perfect in their exercise; nor is any recruit to be put upon Guard, until the Adjutant has signified that he is fit for the same.

   Mens Credit always to be cried down immediately upon the Regiment or any part of it entering into a new Quarter.

   Great Cleanliness to be preserved in the Quarters of the sick, nor is any sick man ever to appear in the Streets improperly dressed.

   No man who presumes to marry with out leave of the Commanding Officer is to be allowed Lodgings or to be out of Quarters, or any other Indulgence which a good soldier may merit.

   When a Dragoon‘s wife from Idleness or otherwise cannot sufficently contribute to her own maintenance, & is found to incroach upon his Subsistence, so that he cannot live in a proper manner, he must be obliged to mess, as the care of the Man is the first Attention.

   Dragoons at all times to carry themselves

(21.) well, to wear their Hats Helmets properly; to walk in the light airy manner, but with a firm, long step, which should distinguish the Soldier from the Clown. Officers will take Notice of men deficient in these Particulars, that they may be sent to the Drill till perfected in the points of Appearance.

   When an officer passes a Dragoon in the Street with his Arms, he is to advancehis firelock & to carry himself upright, looking full at the Officer in a Soldierlike manner. When without Arms, he is to carry himself well, & bring up the right his Hand to his Hat Helmet or Watering Cap, with a brisk motion, at the same timme raising his elbos & looking full at the Officer with that proper degree of Confidence which becomes a Soldier.

   Married Mens Conduct in their Lodgings to be frequently inquired into, to prevent their running in Debt; & such as are found transgressing in this or any other respect, to be immediately recalled to Quarters.

   When a Dragoon turns out in a Morning to his Horse, he is to have his Stockings tied up, Shoes fastened, Hair tied or tucked up, & not to appear in the very slovenly manner

(22.) which is often the case. When he has dressed his Horse, cleamed & inspected his Appointments, he is immediately to dress himself; nor will any Excuse ever be admitted for his appearing in the Streets in his Stable Dress or in an unsoldierlike manner.

   Entries to be made in the Troop Book of all Furlows, & if any Man who has once overstaid his time should afterwards apply to the Commanding Officer for another, the Troop will acquaint him with this Circumstance, that so such indulgence may be granted to those who have so ill deserved it.

   Nothing but Sickness or the most urgent Necessity can vindicate a Soldier not returning to his time; & this must appear by the Certificate of a Surgeon or some other creditable Person.

   The renewal of a Furlow by any person whatever will not exempt a Soldier from the Punishment his Absence merits, unless from other Circumstances the cause of such Renewal appears satisfactory to the Commanding Officer.

(23.)    Any Dragoon who runs in Debt for Liquor, or who obtains Liquor or any other thing under the pretence of paying for it afterwards, shall be tried by a Court martial & punished severely for such fraudulent Behaviour: & the Amount of such Debt shall be stopped out of his Pay, & applied to the use of the sick Men of the Troop. The Non Commissioned Officers will therefore attend to this, & ought at all times to know where & how their men are employed, that no improper Practice may ever gain ground.

   The Adjutant will keep a Register of all Courts martial, the Names of the Prisoners tried, the Nature of their Crimes & Sentences. Each Troop will also do the same: & it is declared that from this Time, whatever Man from bad Behaviour, shall be brought to a Court Martial & convicted, shall forfeit all future Title to Furlows or any other Indulgence which a good Soldier may merit.

   If any Dragoons wife brings in a Debt of a longer standing that a fortnight, or three weeks, no such Claim will be allowed; but the Money will be stoppt [sic] from the Man & applied to the Use of the sick Men of the Troop.

(24.)    When a Dragoon is discharged by his own Consent or Desire, He must leave his old Regimentals for the Benefit of his Successor.

   Every Discharged Man to be accounted with for his Necessaries, & such Things as were bought out of his Pay.

   No dragoon at Quarters, is to give Money by way of enlisting a Man; but if any recruit offers he will bring him to the Commanding Officer, & if he is approved of, half a crown will be allowed to the Dragoon.

   Dragoons wanting Furlows or any Indulgence whatever are always to make their Applicaiton to the Commanding Officer of their repsective Troops.

   Discharged Men who are allowed Bounty Money, will receive it in proprtion to ther Distance from home.

(25.)   [in a different, copperplate hand]

War Office 10th March 1785

[‘omit‘ is in the margin against the next paragraph]

   It appearing to the King, by the Returns made from the Several Corps in his Majesty‘s Service, for some time past, that the Crimes of Desertion, prevails throughout the Army to a degree, Which Calls for Severe and Exemplary Punishment, His Majesty is therefore pleased, hereby to forewarn, and make known to, all Soldiers, Inlisted, or Receiving Pay, In His Majestys Service, that those who, after this Monition, shall presume to Desert from the Corps, To which they Respectively belong, and who being Regularly Convicted thereof, shall, by a General Court Martial, be adjudged to suffer Death, must Expect a Certain, and Speedy Execution of this sentence, - It is His Majesty‘s further pleasure that this his Royal Declaration, should be Read to the Soldiers, in the presence of their Officers As likewise to all Recruits, Amongst Whom this Crime has of Late, been most prevalent, the same to be Repeated, at theUsual times of Reading the Rules, and Articles of War, as Directed in the 20th Section of the Articles of War, In Order that None; who shall hereafter be Guilty of Desertion may plead Ignorance of the fatal Consequence, to which ther will thereby Expose themselves.

[‘omit‘ is in the margin against the next paragraph]

   It is thereby Expressly Declared, that, from this Day forward no man, shall be Kept in this Regiment after having Received Corporal Punishment, by the Sentence of a Court Martial; nor any Non-Commissioned Officer,

who

(26.) who shall be found in the slightest Degree, Negligent, or not Active in Doing his Duty. - As it is Necessary however, to prevent men, who are visiously inclined, and Lost to that Sense of Honour which out [sic] to Activate every Soldier, from Obtaining a Discharge by Acting Designedly a part that shall bring him under the Lash; such, if any there are, will not only receive the most Severe Punishment at the head of the Regiment, but otherwise be transported to one of His majestys Garrisons upon the Coast of Africa

Nottingham 13th June 1785

[End of copperplate writing]

[Pages 27 to 34 are blank]

(35.)    Inspection & Care of Appointments

   As there is nothing of such Consequence as the Inspection of Arms, Necessaries, etc. it will therefore be carefully made by an Officer in each Troop every Monday; & when a Field Day, March or any other Circumstance interferes, as soon as possible thereafter.

   At the Inspection the Officers will see every Article of Cloathing, old & new, as well as Necessaries & Accountrements. The Inspection Rolls will therefore be made out accordingly with a Column for each Article.

   No Article of Cloathing or Accoutrement though ever so old or worn out, to be thrown aside or disposed of without Regimental Order, or particular leave from the Commanding officer of the Regiment - The same is to be observed in regard to the old Necessaries, without leave fromthe Commanding officer of the Troop. Any Breach or Evasion of this most essential Article will be punished with the utmost Rigour.

(36.)    Each Man to be kept completed in the following Necessaries - viz. four good Shirts, four pair of white stockings, two pair of good Shoes, two pair of gaiters - one Black Stock, one horsecloth & Snaffle Bridle, two Night-caps. And it is likewise ordered that each Man be provided with eight false collars, to turn down, which they are at all times to wear. These will not only contribute greatly to the clean Appearance of the Men, but will prove a considerable saving in the Article of washing, as no man will be required to put on more than two Shirts a week, however frequently ordered for Duty.

   At the weekly Inspection, Officers are to examine that the Mens Quarters are cleared, that they have no Complaints against their Landlords, or the landlords against them. If there are any such, to endeavour to redress them.

   At the weekly Inspection, the officers will remark if every Article is marked with the Mens Names or Numbers.

(37.)    The Report of the Inspection to be always signed by the Officer who made it.

   The Officers of Troops to inspect strictly into the Mens messing, to see that it is done regularly, that the Money is collected every Pay-Day for Provisions & that proper Quantity & of a proper kind is bought. The Non Commissioned Officers to be answerable for this in the first instance.

   The Cloaths, Cloaks & every other Article to be always unfolded & shewn at the Inspection.

   Besides the weekly Inspection, it is the Duty of every Officer of a Troop frequently to visit the Mens Quarters, to see that the Rooms are kept clean, that the Arms & Accoutrements are at all times hung up properly, & every thing disposed in a soldierlike manner. The Non Commissioned Officers are to attend daily & constantly to this as well as to the Care & Presentation of every Article belonging to a Dragoon.

   The Mens Accounts are to be made up & the Men settled with every two Months, at which time a Copy of the necessary Roll

(38.) of each Troop & the Balances of the Mens Accounts to be given to the Commanding Officer of the Regiment - The Day before clearing, the Articles of War are to be read to each Troop by their Respective Commanding Officers. The Whole Regiment will clear on the 28th of the month, unless when the same happens to be a Sunday, in which case the 29th.

   The Troops will make regular Entires in their Books, of every Article of Appointments which they receive.

   After a Field Day, March, or any other Occasion of turning out, the Arms, boots, Accoutrements & every Article of a Dragoon‘s Equipment are to be immediately cleaned & hung up, ready to turn out again in proper Order at a Minute‘s warning. The Non Commissioned Officers will therefore attend strictly to inspecting their Squads; for whih purpose a reasonable time is allowed them, when thr are to report to the Commanding officer of the Troop. No good soldier can eat or sleep till his Horse & Appaointments are properly taken care of.

(39.)    The Cuffs & Collars of the Coats, the Waistcoats & Breeches, are to be cleaned every Saturday; when spots of Grease are to be taken out with Soap & water before beig coloured.

   The Mens hair is to be clubbed of one uniform Length & Thickness; false Hair will therefore be necessary to many. It is to be cut every two months on the Day before the Articles of War are ordered to the Read, & it is to be short at the top and sides.

   No Man shall be allowed to sleep without a Night cap, & the Non Commissioned officers are strictly enjoined to see that the Men of their respective Squads untie their Hair at going to Bed & tuck the same under their Nightcaps, tying the Caps fast with a Garter. This will be the means of preseving the Hair in good Order.

   The Buttons of the Cloathing are always to be kept bright.

   Boots are never to be washed, but the Dirt must be scraped off with a blunt knige. A spunge may be used when necessary; brushed very well when dry & then blackened. All leather Accoutrements to be treated in the same manner.

(40.)    Every part of a Dragoon‘s Equipment to be kept constantly in repair. Whatever was wanted & ordered to be replaced at any one Inspection to be inquired after at the next. Cloaths are always to be properly mended, & taken as soon as the least Break requires. A Soldier‘s Cloaths may be old, but they ought never to be ragged or in holes. Buttons wanting to to be immediately replaced. Spots taken out as soon as they appear; & every circumstand Attended to that can render a Soldier neat & clean.

   The Troops will alwyas have in store spare Buttons & Cloth, to mend Coats & Waistcoats.

[Pages 41 to 44 are blank]

(45.)    Parades on Foot, and Squad Duties

   At Morning parades the men to be armed & fully accoutred. At Evening parades without Arms & Accoutrements.

   Non Commissioned officers will assemble & inspect their Squads, so as to be at the Troop Parade at the Hour appointed.

[In the following the commands were underlined on the manuscript, but inverted commas has been inserted instead for ease of communication via ASCII]

   The officers will there for the Troop in two ranks, according to the Size Roll, Arms ordered, ”put Rammers in the Barrels•. Examine the Arms, Man by Man, each Returning his Rammer when examined. ”Shoulder Firelocks• - ”Advance Arms•.

   The Officers will then inspect each Article of the Mens Dress & Accoutrements, beginning first with the Hat as to their order etc: - then the Hair before, Stock & Collar, & so on, ending with the Shoes and gaiters. After examining each Man particularly in Front & Rear, a Glance of the Eye will shew whether the Hats are well & uniformly wore, & Accoutrements the same; each Man square, well placed, & upright, which is to be principally attended to on the Troop Parade, as it is there that any

(46.) Defect of this kind ought to be corrected by the Officers of Troops, & not on the general Parade.

   The Inspection made, ”Rear Rank close to Front•, ”spring•, ”to right• or ”left face•, ”Quick march•. After arriving at & forming in the general Parade, to go to the right about, ”disperse• & wait the Assembly sounding.

   When the Assembly has sounded, the Adjutant or in his Absence the Officer of the Day orders ”Right hand Files•, upon which the right hand File of each Troop springs forward tothe Line of Parade, dress exactly & take correct Distances, the rear Rank at open Order. ”By the right of Troops dress•, upon which the whole spring up to their Places, & dress with ordered Arms. Officers facing their men, Swords not drawn, Serjeants in the rear of their respective Troops; Trumpets in the rear of Serjeants. ”Right Hands up•, the Men quit the Firelock with the right hand, seize it with the left, & lay the right hand at Arm‘s length on the Shoulder of the Man on their right; ”As you were•,

(47.) bring the left Hand to its former place, & seize Firelock with the right, in the Position of eased Arms. ”Handle Arms•, Officers draw Swords. the Serjeants post themselves - one File on each Flank - three in Rear of Centre, to be ready to cover Standards when out - the others equally divided - Trumpets on Flanks. ”Shoulder Firelocks•. With the first Motion the Officers recover Swords & step back with right feet, - with the 2d they face to right about - & with the 3d they bring the Swords upon the left Arm, the right Foot back, & let go the right Hand at the same time. ”Fix Bayonets•.

   The Commanding Officer will then if the weather permits, exercise the Parade - or order the Adjutant, or any other Officer to do ti - When the Parade is to be dismissed by going to the right about & dispersing, the men for Guard are to be cautioned to ”stand fast•.

[Pages 48 to 52 are blank]

(53.)    Guards & Prisoners

   As the Intention & use of every Guard is to be extremely alert & ready to turn out on the shortest Notice, especially in the Night on the least Alarm; No Man whatever when on Guard is to pull off any Dart of his Cloathing or Accoutrements; & every Officer or Non-Commissioned-Officer will turn out his Guard at least twice in the Course of the night at time or Relief, with the utmost Alertness & in a soldierlike manner.

   Centries are in general relieved ever two hours, but in severe weather it will be proper to relieve every hour - they are never to carry their Arms otherwise than shouldered or supported. On the Approach of any Officer within 40 or 50 yards, they are to stand firm, & remain so with Arms well carried, till he has passed them 10 yards; & never to take a Front different to that which they were posted to.

   All Officers & Non-Commissioned Officers will observe the Behaviour of Centries, & report such as are awkward, lounging, or careless that they may mount guard till perfected

(54.) in this part of their duty.

   Never above 3 Men at most to be absent from a Guard at a time. A Non-Commissioed Officer never; their Victuals must be brought to them.

   No Man upon Guard to be permitted to lie down in his Hat Helmet.

   No Guard to pay any Compliemnt after Sunset. Centries will stand firm & shouldered to Officers that pass till it is dusk.

   The Relief of Centires to march the quick Step regularly & steady, with sloped arms, when passing an Officer, Arms to be carried.

   Non Commissioned Officers are answerable to all Accidents that happen in the Guard room; they will therefor take Care to receive every thin in a proper State.

   Centries to rest every time a Field Officer passes - the Compliment due to every other Officer whether commanding in Quart ers or not is to stand shouldered.

   All Officers in Regimentals, whether belonging to the Regiment or not, are intitled to a Compliment from each Centry.

(55.)    The Guard will always be under Arms, & inspected at the setting og the watch, unless it is merely a Guard of Parage; in which Case it is either dismissed immediately after mounting or at the setting of the watch. A Regular Relief to take place whether the Guard is to remain upon Duty or not. If not the Old Guard is to reassemble the next Morning, an hour before the time of Relieving.

   When any Man is confined, he is to be provided with an old watering Cap, & an old Jacket; to prevent the Cloathing being spoiled, Each Troop will therefore always have such in reserve for this purpose. Prisoners are also to have an old Cloak upon Necessity.

   The Non Commissioned Officers of the Guard to be answerable that no Liquor is brought into the Guard Room - that when is Prisoner is confined in the Hole, no one approaches him but in his Presence, & that he gets nothin but bread & water allowed him - to examine Regularly the Place of Confinement, that nothing else can be introduced.

(56.)    Any Non Commissioned Officer conniving and any evasion o this or any other part of his Duty will be reduced to the Ranks.

   Guards are at all times to confine Soldiers interferin in promoting Fray or Squabbles; & to turn out & give the Alarm in case of Fire in the Night, which they will immediately report to the Commanding Officer.

   If in the Night there is an Alarm of any considerable Size, the Commanding Officer to be immediately informed; & if the Trumpet sound to Arms, each Troop will assemble as soon as possible with Firelocks, on their respective Parades, & there wait further orders.

   The Officer of the Day coming off Duty makes the report of the Guard. If no Officer of the Day, the Non Commissioned Officer of the Guard will report to the Commanding Officer.

   The adjutant & Serjeant Major to take care that a Cop of all Directions relative to Guards is put up in the Guard Room for the Instruction of every one.

   Any Guard or Party of more than 20 Men

(57.) always to form to deep, whether on foot or horseback.

   A Distinction is always to be made between a Guard or a Piquet. A Guard is a Body that always remains assembled, while on Duty. A Piquest after being Paraded is dismissed & remains in their Quarters, accoutred ready to turn out on the shortest Notice.

   When the Regiment is divided & no Guard Room, each Quarter will mount a Piquet, which will furnish a Centry to the Standard or Commanding Officer. When there is no Centry there must be an orderly Man for the Commanding Officer.

   When a considerable part of the Regt is together, there will always be a proportional Guard & Centries accordingly.

[Pages 58 to 60 are blank]

(61.) [this section has Omit in the margin against it, at the top]    Method of Parading Guards or Piquets

   The usual Guard in this Regiment mounts immediately after the Morning Parade; & as the men for Guard form part of the General parade, which has, before being dismissed, been thoroughly inspected, it is therefore only necessary on such occasions to give the Caution on dismissing the parade, that ”the men for the Guard will stand fast•. The Parade is always to disperse towards the Rear, that the Line of Parade may not be incumbered - The done the Men of each Troop for Guard fall into one rank, with ordered Arms, the two Non Commissioned Officers opposite to the men of their respective Troops. The Adjutant will then order ”to the Centre form Parade•, on which they fac inwards with trailed arms, ”Quick march•, ”Front turn•, ”Forward•, dressing to Centre - ”Guard•, dress upon their own Ground. ”Halt•, with ordered Arms - the Serjeant opposite the right Flank, the Corporal opposite the left flank. ”Right hands up• to ascertain the Distance of the Files. ”As you were•, ”Shoulder Firelock•. The

(62.) Guard is then sized from the Flanks inwards - told off by subdivisions of threes or fours as best suits the Number. ”Fix Bayonets• - ”Shoulder Firelocks•. Non Commissioned Officers advance their Arms. - ”Non Commissioned Officers for Guard•, they recover Arms - ”March•, they move to the Flanks, face to right about together, & bring their arms to the Advance. The Serjeant is then ordered to march off his Guard, & stepping on pace forward & facing to the left he orders ”Ranks to the right form your March•, ”Quick• ”march march•, ”Forward•, the Guard then proceeds to the place of Relief, forming a Rank entire either by wheeling or doubling round, as the Ground will admit. ”Guard•, they dress upon their Ground - ”forward• to within a proper Distance of the old Guard - ”Guard•, dress again, ”Halt•. When the new Guard begins to form, the old is to rest; & as soon as the new is formed they are likewise to rest. The Serjeants of both Guards then advance to the Center, & the Serjeant of the new Guard received such Orders as the other

(63.) their Posts. ”Shoulder Firelocks•. First the old Guard than the new.

   The Serjeant of the new Guard then orders Corporal advance & receive Orders; the Corporal advances with recovered Arms tothe Corporal of the old Guard, & after having received his Orders, faces to his own Guard, at the same time both advance to their Arms - The Corporals then march off the Centinels (the Guard always to be numbered from the left, before leaving the General parade) from the left; the Serjeants then order ”support Firelocks•, first the old Guard, then the new.

   The relief having taken place, ”carry Arms•, first the old Guard, then the new - the Serjeant of old Guard then orders ”Present you Arms• - ”Shoulder your Firelocks• - ”Ranks to the right form your march• - ”Quick• ”march march• - ”Forward•. As soonas the old Guard begins to whell, the Serjeant of the new orders, ”Present your Arms• & remains in that position till the old Guard is clear of them, then ”Shoulder Firelocks• - ”to the right face•, ”march•, & take up the Ground of the old Guard - ”to the Front turn•, ”Guard•, - they dress, ”Halt• - ”Recover Arms• - ”to the Right

(64.) about face• - ”march• - to the Gaurd Room & lodge Arms, or in fine weather they may ground them.

   The old Guard to march to the general parade, & after being formed into a Rank entire. Bayonets are to be returned - Arms advanced & dismissed. -

   Guards or Parties forming two Ranks are always to be marched by Files.

   When the Guard mounts before the Hour of general Parade, as is the case on Sundays or when any extraordinary Guard is ordered, the Men of each Troop are to be conducted to the general parade by an orderly Corporal, When the Guard is ordered to fall in, the whole to be drawn up in a Rank entire by Troops, Firelocks ordered - orderly Corporals in the Rear of their own men, to be ready to answer for any defects. The Adjutant then orders, ”to the Center form Parade•, ”Quick•, ”march march•, with trailed Arms - ”to the Front turn• - Guard•, they dress, ”Halt•. ”Put Hammers in the Barrel•. Then the Inspection is made by the Adjutant of the Arms,

(65.) Dress, Accoutrements etc of each Man. When all is found right, ”Shoulder Firelocks• size and tell off. ”Fix Bayonets• etc. When the Guard marches off, the orderly Corporals are dismissed by the Adjutant, or confined if any Neglect is perceived.

   When an Opfficer‘s Guard mounts, the Corporal is on the right, the Serjeant on the left; & when the Guard is paraded, the Adjutant is to deliver it over to the Officer.

[ Pages 66 to 68 are blank]

(69.)    Surgeon

   The Surgeon to give in a written State of the sick every Sunday at the Hour of parade for Church.

   he will inspect the whole regiment once every fortnight & make a report thereof in writing.

   A return of the sick of each Troop to be given in to the Surgeon by a Non Commissioned Officer, every Morning an hour before roll calling; & at Roll calling the Surgeon is to inform the Commanding Officer of any fresh men that may have taken ill.

   Such men as are able to attend the Surgeon, to be ordered at a fixed Hour every day - such as not able will of course be visited by him.

   Non Commissioned Officers to see that the medicines ordered are taken.

   The Surgeon to acquaint the Officers Commanding Troops, when any sick are irregular, that care may be taken to prevent it.

   The Surgeon to examine all Recruits.

(70.)    When the Regiment is divided in such manner that the Surgeon cannot attend the whole in Person, he will immediately on their arrival in Quarters agree with a proper Person for the care of the Men.

   The Inspection of the men every fortnight to be made whether the Regiment is assembled or separated.

[Pages 71 and 72 are blank]

(73.)    Stable Duties

   When the trumpet sounds in the Morning to Stables, the Dragoon is immediately to repair to his Horse; his Stable things being put on he is to proceed as follows -

   The first thing is to turn up the Litter under the Manger, sweep out the Stable, give water, half a pail when the weather is not cold; then Hay, which is to be shaked into the Rack very light; then curry well both Body & legs, after currying take some clean straw & wisp him well, after wisping take the Curry comb & Brush & brush him well. The Currying, wisping & Brushing always to begin at the Croup & finish at the neck, first against then with the lying of the Hair, beginning with the off side, then the near side.

   The above done take off the Collar, turn the Horse round, wisp & brush his Head & Neck well, clean his Mane Lock by Lock with the Brush, put on his Collar, turn him round again & clean his tail in the same manner, having first dipped it into a Pail of Water:

(74.) then with the Horse cloth rub him down smooth from Head to Croup with the grain of the Hair, shake the Horse cloth, put it on, with Straw wisps under the Surcingle; then with a water brush smooth his foretop, mane & tail. Litter him down again, unless ordered to the contrary, rub his legs for 8 or 10 Minutes, & if fed, stand by him while feeding.

   At 11 o‘Clock if the Horses don‘t go out, the stable men put down the Litter, (in case it was ordered in the Morning to remain up) sweep the stable & give fresh Hay.

   At 3 o‘Clock the Horses to be thoroughly dressed as directed for the Morning; & when they are not rode out to water, care is to be taken that the Men to not permit them to drink too much.

   When the Troops ride out in watering order, the Litter is always to be put up; the Horses to be well rubbed down with a Cloth before turning out; Head well brushed, Mane & Tail perfectly clean; & the Horse cloth properly doubled, & not lying on the Horse‘s Withers.

(75.)    At Stable time in the Evening the stable is again to be swept out, Hay given, the Horse dressed, littered up, a little Water if the Weather requires it, Legs rubbed, & then fed.

   When a Dragoon is to march mounted, after dressing his Horse & himself he is to see that every Article of his Appointments is ready & in good Order, & that his Necessaries are properly packed up, when to march. When the Trumpet sounds ”Boots & Saddles•, he is to put on his Boots, carry down his saddle, Arms, etc. to the stable, & saddle. A quarter of an Hour before ”to Horse• is sounded, he will turn his Horse round, & after rubbing him down with bridle, put on Cloaths & Arms, & wait the signal for turning out.

   After a Field Day or a March when a Dragoon is arrived at his stable, he will first unrbidle, tye up the Horse by the Collar Rein, take off his Cloaths, Arms, Cloak & Furniture, & lay them together in the Stable, let out the Surcingle two holes, turn up the Crupper & Breastplate upon the saddle together with the Stirrups, after will wisping them & the Bridle;

(76.) put up the Litter, take off the Collar, & turn the Horse about, rub his Head & Ears with dry wisps, & if the weather is hot & dusty, wash his Nostrils with a sponge dipped in cold water, turn him round again & put on the Collar; then ith a wisp of straw in each Hand rub down the Horse thoroughly; pick his feet & give him some Hay. Take up Arms, Cloaths, etc. to the Quarters, hang them up, dust or dry them when necessary; pull off Boots.

   When the trumpet sounds to ”unsaddle•, return tothe Stable, take off the saddle, & rub the Horse‘s back with wisps of straw; dress him perfectly clean, give him Hay, litter him down, rub his legs well, & then carry up the saddle, or expose it to the sun as may be necessary.

   Every Dragoon the instant he comes into the stable, to hang up his watering Cap & Cloaths, & to put on whatever he has for keeping him clean while dressing his Horse.

   A stable Man to be appointed for every four Horses: their names to be wrote upon the stable Door, & are always to be at hand if wanted. Their principal Business is

(77.) to sweep out the stables at proper hours, put down the Litter at 11 o‘Clock, give fresh Hay, etc.

   All Horses in the same Stable to be fed at the same time, & as much as possible in the presence of a Non Commissioned Officer.

   In warm weather the Litter is always to be up from dressing in the Morning till 11 o‘Clock.

   The Horse cloths to be kept as clean as possible, & therefore wahsed & scowered when necessary.

   Hay that is dusty or mouldy should be sprinkled with water & well shook with a fork.

   The Quartermasters are required to be particularly attentive to these Orders, Regular in their attendance at all stable Hours, & to overlook no Omission in either the Non Commissioned officers nor private ment. They are every Day to inspect the Shoing, & give the necessary Directions.

   The whole Horses of the regiment to be trimmed on the 1st of each Month.

[The next paragraph is scratched out]

   The Horses Tails to be cut square as much as possible & the utmost care taken to preserve them long & thick.

(78.) [The page is in the same copper plate hand as pages 25 & 26]

   The Horses tails to be the 17th each month, when in the House, and in order that they may Look Square, when properly Curried, Care must be taken that the hair underneat, Is not cut too short, the Legs and Heels, are never on any account, to be trimmed, or Even touched with the knife or scissors, Hand Dressing and pulling will Clear away the Superflous hairs, - The Edges of the Horses Ears are to be clipped; but never the inside, - The Long Hair under the Jaws, to be Singed.

Canterbury 29th June 1795

   In Every Quarter of this Regiment, when more than one Troop is Stationed, there shall be a General magazine for Corn, Where the feed of the Whole is to be mappd up in Equal proportions of Oats and Cut Straw; when the Regiment is not upon the Coast [?] Duty; and the Same is to be Delivered out 3 times, In the Week, in the presence of all the Quarter Masters.

   The Officer Commanding Tropps, are Desired to inspect, from time to time, and Especially when the Corn & Straw is laid in, into the Quality and Quantity of Each; and likewise to see that the Horses of their Respective Troops, have the full allowance Given them, which the Orders of the Regiment Relative to feeding, - for the time being shall Express.

[pages 79 and 80 are blank]

(81.)    Trumpeters

   When the regiment is assembled & the Quarters wide, the Trumpeters will sound the stable calls from the most central part of their own Cantonment. When a squadron is quartered together, the two Trumpeters will unite in sounding. When the Quarter is small the whole Trumpets will sound off together.

   The watch to be set by all the Trumpeters of the Quarter, & in the most central Place.

   When the Troops turn out mounted for Exercise or a March, all the Trumpeters are to assemble mounted on the Parade, or other spot ordered; & are therefore to be in readiness 10 Mins before the time appointed.

   The Assembly upon the general parade is to be sounded by all the Trumpeters.

   When the Troops turn out in watering Order, the Trumpeter of each Troop is to sound ”to Horse• at the Hour specified. When two Troops are quartered together the Trumpeters are to units, & when the Quarter is small the whole Trumpeters are to join.

(82.) As trumpeters have high pay, they are therefore required to be always very clean & remarkably well dressed.

[Pages 83 and 84 are blank]

(85.)    Troop Parades on Horseback for Exercise

   When the Regiment or any part of it, is appointed for Exercise, each Squad is examined by the proper Non Commissioned officer, & then conducted to the Troop Parade. The Troop is formed two deep. The officer then makes his Inspection of each Man & Horse singly in front, beginning with the Helmet, Hair, Stock & Collar, Cloaths, Belts, Breeches, Boots & Spurs. He will proceed in the same manner examining Man by Man, to the Extremity of each Rank; & will then return by the Rear, observing the tying on of the Helmet, Hairs, etc.

   When the men have been inspected as above directed, he will examine each Horse singly in Front, beginning with the Noseband which ought to be tight, the different parts of the Bridle, & particularly the Curb - the Breastplate, etc. & that all the leathers are perfectly clean - that all ends of Straps are properly tucked in, & particularly that the Bucket strap is of the due length.

(86.)    When the Inspection in Front has been completed the Officer will return by the Rear, & observe if the Furniture (when worn) is drawn well ver the Pad - the Crupper not too tight - the Cloak properly rolled, of the Length ordered, well strapped on, & the side straps at equal Distances from the Center one, & perfectly square across the Cloak.

   All ends of Straps whatever, Nosebands, etc. to be well doubled back & tucked in. The Cleanness of the Horse, & proper lying of the Foretop, mane & Tail to be observed.

   When this part of the Inspection is completed, the officer will then order the Troop to draw their Swords, & examine them. Retrun Swords, inspect [‘Firelocks‘ crossed out and replaced by �Carbines‘] Carbines & Pistols. close the Rear Rank, & march off by Files, to the general parade or place of Exercise.

   All these Motions to be done with the same Exactness & Alertness as in the Exercise of the Regiment.

[Pages 87 to 90 are blank]

(91.)    Troop Parades on Horseback for a March

   When the Regiment is to march, besides observing the Directions for turning out & parading on Horseback, the Inspection of the Mens Baggage is to be added, & requires great Attention =

   The Necessaries are to be carried as follows:

   The Horse Cloth properly folded may be put under the saddle when it will there be of Use; if not - That, a waistcoat, & pair of Breeches may

(92.) be put under the Goatskin, so as not to be seen.

   When Dragoons turn out mounted, they are to be conducted by the eldest Man of each Quarter to the Squad Parade; & when the Troop are dismissed, they are to be conducted in the same manner to their several Stables.

   At common Field Days or upon a March, Furniture is not to be worn.

   Boots & Saddles will always souns a sufficient time before the Assembly; therefore no Man is ever to put on his Boots till the signal is given.

[Pages 93 and 94 are blank]

(95.)    Shoing

   The Regimental Form of Shoing to be scrupulously observed; & the Quartermasters are to be very attentive that the Farriers understand & execute it in every Respect.

   Any Farrier who presumes to try on a hot Shoe will be punished with the utmost severity.

   Every Dragoon to attend the Shoing of his Horse. The Quartermasters are every Day to visit the Farriers shops, & also the Non Commissioned officers when the Horses are shoing & to inspect them when shod.

   No Medicine is ever to be given, or any remedy of any kind to be administered, without the Direction of the Officer or Quartermaster of the Troop.

When the Regiment is to march in frosty weather, Frost nails must be used.

[Page 96 is blank]

(97.)    Baggage

   The Quartermaster will more immediately attend to the Packing uyp of anything lodged in the Store, before a march - Great Care is necessary in this Article.

   They will also see that the Baggage is properly loaded, & that Arms & Accoutrements of every kind that go onthe waggon are wrapped up in Matting or some other Covering for their preservation - Each Troop therefore to be provided with what is necessary for that Purpose, & the Quartermasters are to the answerable for the good Condition of the baggage.

   A Non Commissioned Officer & one Man per Troop on foot, is in general sufficient for the Baggage Guard.

   The Baggage Guard is always to march with their Arms and their respective Waggons, & not to ride nor to put their Arms in the Waggon.

   The sick only are intitled to ride on the Waggons. Any Non commissioned Officer obliging

(98.) a Waggoner to carry Women or other people against his will, or refusing to order them down when desired is liable to a Penalty of five pounds by the Articles of War - Nor is any Waggoner ever to be ill used.

   The Baggage is always to set out so as to arrive in Quarters before Midday.

[The next para is in a different hand, not seen before]

   No baggage of any kind is Ever to be Received that is no properly marked with the owners name.

[Pages 99 and 100 are blank]

(101.)    On a March

   There is no part of the Service more material than the good Order & regularity of a march - It requires an Attention & knowledge, but that not difficult both in Officer & Soldier - It is most essential to the Welfare of the Horses - One Regiment will with ease perform a long march, when another conducted in a careless & unsoldierlike manner will arrive in their Quarters struggling, fatigued, & unfit for Service. It soon shows a most striking Difference between Regiments as to Strength & fitness for Duties of all kinds - In the Course of a Campaign more regiments are ruined from Inattention to this Article than from any other Circumstance. It is one of the principal Criterions of well disciplined Soldiers & intelligent Officers.

   When the Regiment is to march, the Troops after being inspected in their several parades will assemble at the general one - They will there form, with an Interval between each equal to two thirds of the Front of a Troop. The Standards are sent for & received with

(102.) the usual compliment.

   A Non Commissioned Officer & one Man per Troop mounted, will be sent forward the Day before the march to take Quarters - The Quartermasters are more essentially wanted, & will remain with their Troops. They may be allowed to go on after the Regiment has marched, so as to examine & settle the Quarters, before the Arrival of the Troops.

   Led Horses will always march in front of the Regiment, conducted by a Non Commissioned Officer - they will carry their saddles, & may set out when necessary before the Regiment.

   The regiment will always march by files upon a steady walk, & so as not to occasion trotting in any part of the Column.

   The officers will always remain in Front or on the Flanks of their respective Troops, to see that an equal Pace is every where kept, that the Distance of Files & Troops are properly preserved; that every Man is attentive to his Horse & has him properly in Hand; & that no Man sleeps or sits in a lounging manner, as nothing sooner fatigues & hurts a Horse‘s Back.

(103.)    A Halt for a few minutes will be made every four or five Miles, when a Dragoon will have an Opportunity to dismount. Therefore onthe March no Man is on any Pretence to stop, or quit his rank, without the most urgent Necessity & the leave of the Officer of the Troop; & there hardly can ever be occasion for such an unsoldierlike Practice.

   The Mens Baggage to be observed after marching out, & such as does not ride even, to be properly strapped at the first Halt.

   In any dirty roads greater Distances may be taken than usual, to keep the Cloaths & Accoutrements clean.

   In passing another regiment on a march the youngest Regiment forms up in the most convenient manner & halts till the eldest has passed - Swords are always drawn on these occasions & the March is sounded.

   A Detachment without a standard pay the Compliment of forming up, to one with a Standard, whether elder or not.

   In passing through the Quarter of another Regiment, the Commanding officer

(104.) of such Quarter to be acquainted with it in due time.

[The next paragraph is struck out.]

   Swords to be drawn upon a march in passing through any considerable Town, or coming into our own Quarters, or those of any other Regiment.

   Whatever the length of the March is the Regiment is to set out so as to arrive in Quarters by eleven o‘Clock. The Dragoon has then the time to take proper care of himself & his Horse - In hot dusty weather the March shold be finsihed between nine and ten; & indeed on all occasions the earlier the better.

   On halting Days, every thing to be examined & put in proper order.

   On a march there should be as few led Horses as possible - Nothing in general marks the neglect & want of Attention in a regiment more that a number of disabled Horses - If from Circumstances unavoidable there should be a number of dismounted Men, they must be marched separately by a Non Commissioned

(105.) Officer, & no more that necessary to be allowed to go with the Baggage.

[Page 106 is blank.)

(107.)    After a March

   On the Arrival in Quarters, when the Regiment is formed, Files opened & Rear Rank at open Distance, the Standards to be lodged - the Troops are then to be billeted off & conducted in file by Non Commissioned Officers or eldest Man of each Quarter.

The Horses are to be put up, & the Directions already given as to the care of them & the Appointments to be observed - Gaiters to be put on as soon as Boots are pulled off, & every man to appear perfectly clean after the Care of his Horse & Appointments.

   When quartered with another Regiment the eldest Officer to be waited on, for the Parole & Orders.

   Officers of Troops are to see all their Horses under cover before they dismount. At a proper Hour in the Afternoon they are to go their Rounds, examine the Horses backs, Hay, etc & report to the Commanding Officer - this is also to be observed after Field Days on Horseback.

(108.)    The Quartermasters with the Farriers will when the Horses are dressing, inspect the shoing report to the Officer of the Troop, & see that it is completed before the next Days March.

   When the Regiment arrives in fixed Quarters (if the march has been a long one) many of the Horses will require Bleeding - The Mens Credit to be cried down; Arms & Accoutrements to be hung up properly in the Quarters, & Nails driven where wanted.

   The Day after arriving in settled Quarters, an Officer per Troop will inspect the Mens Lodgings, & see that the Bedding, Stables, Hay, etc is clean & good; of all which together with the Price of provisions, a report is to be made to the Commanding officer.