Manual of Arms
Life at Fort Duffield was not only labor, sickness, and guard duty — it was constant training. The men of the 9th Michigan Infantry spent hours each day practicing the manual of arms, learning how to handle their rifles with precision, discipline, and uniformity. Even while building the fort, cutting timber, or trying to stay warm on the hillside, drill remained a central part of military life.
Colonel William W. Duffield, commander of the 9th Michigan, believed strongly in proper instruction. In October 1861, he wrote and published a special Manual of Arms for his regiment — a field book designed to help new volunteers quickly learn the duties of a soldier. It covered camp routines, guard mounting, roll calls, dress parade, and the detailed motions of loading, presenting, and carrying the rifle.
The manual was intended to save time and reduce confusion among inexperienced troops. As Duffield wrote, it would help the men “acquire a knowledge of their duties at a less expenditure of time and study than has been incurred by their brethren already in the field.” For the young volunteers stationed at West Point, this book became a daily reference.
Soldiers practiced drill on the parade ground in town, on the slopes of Muldraugh’s Hill, and even between work shifts on the fort. Music from the fife and drum signaled every movement: Reveille at dawn, Peas on a Trencher for breakfast, Troop for guard mounting, Retreat at sunset, and Taps to extinguish lights. These calls structured the day and kept the regiment in constant readiness.
Even in the cold months of 1861–62, when sickness swept through the camp and men struggled to stay warm, drill continued. The soldiers wrote home about marching, practicing rifle motions, and standing in formation despite the weather. Training was not optional — it was the heart of military discipline, and Duffield insisted that his regiment be prepared for any duty.
Today, the Manual of Arms stands as a reminder of the daily routines that shaped the lives of the men who built Fort Duffield. It reflects their discipline, their determination, and the leadership of Colonel Duffield, whose name the fort proudly bears.
Download the 1861 Manual of Arms (PDF)Manual of Arms
Life at Fort Duffield was not only labor, sickness, and guard duty — it was constant training. The men of the 9th Michigan Infantry spent hours each day practicing the manual of arms, learning how to handle their rifles with precision, discipline, and uniformity. Even while building the fort, cutting timber, or trying to stay warm on the hillside, drill remained a central part of military life.
Colonel William W. Duffield, commander of the 9th Michigan, believed strongly in proper instruction. In October 1861, he wrote and published a special Manual of Arms for his regiment — a field book designed to help new volunteers quickly learn the duties of a soldier. It covered camp routines, guard mounting, roll calls, dress parade, and the detailed motions of loading, presenting, and carrying the rifle.
The manual was intended to save time and reduce confusion among inexperienced troops. As Duffield wrote, it would help the men “acquire a knowledge of their duties at a less expenditure of time and study than has been incurred by their brethren already in the field.” For the young volunteers stationed at West Point, this book became a daily reference.
Soldiers practiced drill on the parade ground in town, on the slopes of Muldraugh’s Hill, and even between work shifts on the fort. Music from the fife and drum signaled every movement: Reveille at dawn, Peas on a Trencher for breakfast, Troop for guard mounting, Retreat at sunset, and Taps to extinguish lights. These calls structured the day and kept the regiment in constant readiness.
Even in the cold months of 1861–62, when sickness swept through the camp and men struggled to stay warm, drill continued. The soldiers wrote home about marching, practicing rifle motions, and standing in formation despite the weather. Training was not optional — it was the heart of military discipline, and Duffield insisted that his regiment be prepared for any duty.
Today, the Manual of Arms stands as a reminder of the daily routines that shaped the lives of the men who built Fort Duffield. It reflects their discipline, their determination, and the leadership of Colonel Duffield, whose name the fort proudly bears.
Download the 1861 Manual of Arms (PDF)