MILITARY TRAINING

The training provided by the military to the soldiers of the Mormon Battalion on how to use their newly acquired weapons, form into ranks, and maneuver in formation is important.³⁵ The system of infantry tactics that was used during the Mexican War was written by Major General Winfield Scott and adopted by the Department of War in April 1835. Know as Scott’s “Infantry Tactics” or “Rules for the Exercise and Manoeuvers [sp] of the United States Infantry,” this set of detailed instructions covered everything from how soldiers should stand at attention in the ranks to the precise movement of large infantry formations during combat.³⁶ General Scott’s tactical system allowed for maneuver and discipline of large bodies of infantry in open field warfare, often in view of the enemy and within reach of his artillery. For example, soldiers were instructed in the correct manner of moving directly from a line of march into a line of battle, how to move by the flank, deploy skirmishers, and other important maneuvers. This system was used to train infantry soldiers until the adoption of General William J. Hardee’s tactics in 1855.

Winfield Scott’s Infantry Tactics were divided into three volumes, with sections entitled School of the Soldier, School of the Company, and School of the Battalion. Although originally written for three rank infantry formations, Scott’s book of instruction was officially adopted for two ranks. The standing position in close, two-rank formations was the only practical way to load and fire a muzzle loaded weapon. A tight infantry formation allowed for massed volley fire and a swift bayonet assault, which were the principal means of breaking the enemy’s ranks. Utilizing Scott’s system, soldiers armed with smoothbore muskets, with an effective range under 200 yards and limited accuracy, were taught to use their weapons effectively.³⁷

Mexican War infantrymen were rigorously drilled in how to load and fire their flintlock muskets. The procedure, although not complicated, required twelve consecutive steps. These steps were: (1) Load, (2) Open-Pan, (3) Handle-Cartridge, (4) Tear-Cartridge, (5) Prime, (6) Shut-Pan, (7) Cast-About, (8) Charge-Cartridge, (9) Draw-Rammer, (10) Ram-Cartridge, (11) Return-Rammer, and (12) Shoulder-Arms.³⁸ Although also standardized by the military in a series of steps, the loading procedure for a period rifle was a little more complicated than a smoothbore musket. The process required a patched ball to be forced down the muzzle before the weapon’s ramrod could be used to seat the projectile against a load of power at the end of the barrel. The patch and soft lead of the ball would grip and conform to the rifling of the barrel as it was rammed home. When fired, the rifling, aided by the patch, would spin the lead ball down the barrel and out the muzzle, effectively increasing both the weapon’s range and accuracy. The range of a rifle in the hands of a trained soldier was twice that of a musket.³⁹

Although the Mormon Battalion did not expect to engage the enemy during its epic march to California, there was no guarantee that hostilities would not take place at Santa Fe, Tucson, or even San Diego. Officers could not depend on men unfamiliar with standard infantry tactics and would have been negligent in their duty if they failed to prepare the unit under their charge for possible combat. While at Fort Leavenworth, the Mormon volunteers were taught the proper steps to load and fire their muskets and how to form into ranks.⁴⁰ The Battalion was also instructed in the military science of movement on the battlefield. While at Fort Leavenworth, Colonel James Allen supervised the training of his Mormon volunteers in military drill, discipline, tactics, etc., and was pleased with the positive way the men responded.⁴¹ These lessons were reinforced by Lt. Colonel Philip St. George Cooke near the Mexican garrison of Tucson. Swearing profusely, Col. Cooke rigorously drilled his unit in preparation for an anticipated battle which, fortunately, did not develop.⁴²