Reviews
Posted by Captain Everett on February 01, 1998 at 21:11:56:
In response to Reviews, written by Laura W on January 25, 1998 at 22:12:07
] ] ...Mr.Bennet's words in Ch48: "If you are a good girl for the next ten years, I will take you to a review at the end of them." [snip]
] A review is an inspection of troops, of a particular regiment or several together. A high-ranking officer further up the chain of command (i.e., higher than the regiment's commanding officer) conducted the review.
] The most excellent description I have ever read of a review is in Georgette Heyer's An Infamous Army....
]
Madam,
Essentially correct. Smith's Universal Military Dictionary (17790 defines a review as: "the drawing out of all, or part of the army in the line of battle, to be viewed by the king, or a general, that they may know the condition of the troops."
They were carried out with all the due pomp, music, etc. A review could also be carried out by a single battalion, and the procedure was carefully laid out. This involved more than just forming nice long lines; it was intended to prove a new battalion was ready to go into battle. After forming up, the men went through the "Manual of Arms" (Shoulder Arms, Present Arms, etc.). The battalion then march past the Reviewing Stand in
a column of companies (first in slow, then quick time). They then performed the "18 Maneuvres" (making formations, changing the ways the lines face, form square), during which
a considerable amount of gunpowder would be expended as they fired by battalion, wings, and companies. In all, quite a display, with few rivals in the early 18C.
Apologies if this is a little long winded, you should not get me started on things military.
I remain, etc.
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