Connecticut
18th Century Military Discipline
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Historically,
the Colony and State of Connecticut adopted the following forms of Military Discipline
for its soldiers during the 18th century.
Approved by the Connecticut General Assembly - October 1743
Colonel Bland's Treatise of Military Discipline 1727
(See Reference 1)
Approved by the Connecticut General Assembly - May 1769
A Plan of Discipline for the use of the Norfolk Militia 1759
(See Reference 2)
Approved by the Connecticut General Assembly - December 1775
The Manual Exercise as ordered by his
Majesty in 1764
(See Reference 4)
Approved by the Continental Congress - March 29, 1779
Baron Von Steuben's Regulations
(See References 5 and 6)
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Published Drill Manuals, etc.
1)"The Militia - Man, (circa 1740)", Reprinted 1995, United States Historical Research Service, Schenectady, New York. Reset
by Sullivan Press, West Chester, Pennsylvania.
2)"A Plan of Discipline for the use of the Norfolk Militia 1759", Limited Edition of 700, Museum Restoration Service,
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, 1969.
3)"French Arms Drill of the 18th Century", J.A. Houlding, Historical Arms Series No. 19, Museum Restoration Service, 1988.
4)"The Manual Exercise as ORDERED by His MAJESTY in 1764 and including the Fundamentals of Marching and
Maneuvering", Compiled and edited by Mark R. Tully, 2001, Ballindalloch Press, Baraboo, WI.
5)"Baron Von Steuben's Revolutionary War Drill Manual", A Facsimile Reprint of the 1794 edition, Frederick William Baron
Von Steuben, 1985, Dover Publications, Inc.
6)"The Exercise of Arms in the Continental Infantry, Being a study of the Manual of the Firelock as set forth by Major-
General von Steuben to which is added the motions for the Manual of the Non-Commissioned Officer, the Espontoon and
the Sword . . . . . . . .", Capt. Ernest W. Peterkin, USNR (Ret.), Limited Edition of 600, Museum Restoration Service, 1989.
7)"Manual Exercise, evolutions, maneuvers, etc., to be observed and followed by the Militia of the province of New
York", Col. Guy Johnson, Facsimile Edition, The Nova Anglia Press, Salem, MA.
8)"The Rudiments of Military Discipline, containing short instructions for the most necessary postures with pike and
musket, and motions for exercising a company", 1638, Edinburgh, Facsimile Edition, The Nova Anglia Press, Salem, MA.
9) "The Soldiers Grammar, containing the High, Necessary, and most curious rules of the Art Military", 1639, G.M.
Gent, London, Facsimile Edition, The Nova Anglia Press, Salem, MA.
10)"The Military Garden, or instructions for all young soldiers and such who are disposed to learn and have knowledge of
the military discipline", James Achesone, 1629, Edinburgh, Facsimile Edition, The Nova Anglia Press, Salem, MA.
References:
"The public Records of the Colony of Connecticut", Hoadly, Hartford, 1887.