Topic: Canadian Militia
Daily Routine in Barracks or Billets (1868)
The Canadian Volunteer's Hand Book for Field Service, compiled by Major T.C. Scobie, 37th Battalion, Haldimand Rifles, C.V.M., Approved by the Adjutant General of Militia, Canada, 1868
At reveille every man will rise, wash and dress himself, and answer to the roll call. After roll call the windows are to be opened, the beds neatly rolled up, bedding folded, and berth swept out.
Every man must be washed, dressed, and ready for early parade half an hour after reveille.
Early morning parade under sergeant major.
Breakfast at eight o'clock, a.m.
Men for guard or piquet duty must be ready a quarter before nine o'clock, a.m.
Guard mounting at nine, am.
(The hours for parade will be regulated by the Commanding Officer.)
Half-an-hour before the parade is formed the "dress" will sound; ten minutes after the "dress," the sergeants' call for the inspection of non-commissioned officers, band, and buglers, by the adjutant. Two minutes after the sergeants' call, the call for coverers will sound; and as soon as they are placed by the sergeant-major the "fall-in" will sound. The men will fall in one pace in rear of their coverers. On the command from the sergeant-major "dress-up," the men will step into their places, and the coverers will face to the right and dress them. The coverers will call the roll of their company, and fall in on the left. The "officers call" will then sound; coverers take one pace to the front, face to the right, and give the word "fix bayonets," and open the ranks, Captains will then inspect their companies, close the ranks, and order the men to "stand at ease." The companies will then be equalized by the sergeant-major; told off and proved by the captains. The "coverers' call" will again sound, and the coverers be placed by the adjutant. The "advance" will then sound, and the companies will be marched on their coverers by the captains, halted, and ordered to "stand at ease" —the officers remaining in their places, and the strictest silence being observed.
The parade will then be taken over by the officer appointed.
At all parades the recruits will fall in on the left of their respective companies for inspection, after which they will be marched off for recruit drill.
Dinner at one o'clock, p m.
Afternoon parade.
Retreat will sound at sunset. Guards will be under arms and picquets inspected.
First post at nine o'clock, p.m.
Tattoo, or " last post," at half-past nine, p. m.
At tattoo the sergeant-major parades the orderly sergeants, who hand in their reports. (Form 3.) The picquet is inspected by the orderly officer.
All men not "on pass" must be in barracks by tattoo. Any absent without leave will be confined on their return.
"Lights cut" at ten o'clock, p.m. No smoking or talking must be allowed after lights out. Stove-dampers must be closed. No man allowed out of his room without the permission of the non-commissioned officer in charge.
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