Sgt. Major

The proper arms position for the rear rank during a bayonet charge is not specified in the drill manuals. Both "Right Shoulder Shift" and "Arms Port" have been practiced by our battalion at various times. A first person account of the maneuver is described in a letter from William D. Rogers, while he was serving with the First Florida Infantry.

Tullahoma, Tennessee

April 17th 1863

Dear Papa and Mother,

It is with great pleasure that I take my knapsack on my knee and my pen in hand to write you a few lines informing you that I am very well at present and hope they may find yoiu all enkjoying the same. I have no news at all to write everything is exactly the same as when I wrote last the only thing that has transpired since then that is worth relating is a review we had the other day. A general review of Breckenridges Div. Genls Hardee and Polk were both present and after we had passed in review they called on Genl Breckenridge for three of the best Regiments he had, they wanted to see them drill and decide which was the best. Genl B selected our Regt, the 18th Tenn. and the 20th Lou as the best he had, and we at once commenced. Our Regt drilled first. Lieut Col Mashbourne of the 3rd Fla drilled us. We all did ouir best as we wanted to get the praise but the 18th Tenn beat us and got the praise of being the best and our Regt 2nd best. Just before oiur Regt quit the Col got us in line of battle across the old field and told us he wanted us to make a charge just like we did when we charged the Yanks. We started in common time but didn't get far before he gave us the command "Charge Bayonets, Douible Quick, March" when the front rank came to a charge and the rear rank to "right shoulder shift arms" we made the charge and yelled with as much spirit as if the Yanks had been there sure enough. The Genls waved their hats to us and said was very well done but the 18th Tenn beat us, they went through the same that we did and when they made the charge they got about half-way across the field yelling as loud as they could when all at once the Drum tapped and they all dropped like they were dead even the Col and his horse both come down. The horse lay as close the ground as he could get and the Col right behind him. They all lay for several minutes before they got up. It beat any thing I ever saw in my life and I never did hear such cheering in my life as was done when they dropped, they got the praise and well do they deserve it for they beat anything drilling that ever I say. The Col has his horse trained to lay down whenever he says to.

I received a letter from Jimmy & Sister the other day and also one from Johny. I have written to Jimmy and Johny both today.

Well, Papa and Mother, Goodbye for this time. Kiss all the children for me and write soon to your Affectionate Son

Wm D. Rogers

[1st Florida Infantry - Army of the Tennessee]

This historical account of "Charge Bayonets" supports the "Right Shoulder Shift" position. Another article, Notes on Charge - BAYONET by Dom Dal Bello, is also an excellent reference related to this topic.

The letter text was obtained from http://44tennessee.tripod.com/rightshouldershift.html, with the orginal source being State Archives of Florida.