Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, October 26, 1861

We drilled with our new arms this morning for the first time. Some of the men are awfully awkward in shouldering arms and using the ramrod and returning it to its place. It is also quite amusing to hear some of the officers give orders when we are going through the manual of arms.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 15