The #18thcentury French Army had two ways of preparing soldats to fire. When training, particularly as a small escouade, the orders would be given slowly and clearly, to ensure that all soldats knew what to do: ‘Apprêtez vos armes. En Joue. Feu.” However, on the battlefield, with gunsmoke and cannon fire all around, bataillons would simply receive the commands: “Armes. Joue. Feu.”
Photo by Learning & Latte
Le Régiment Gatinois 