Three examples of infantry tactics: A. A regiment of 10 companies form a column of divisions into a battle line. As the two companies move forward from the rear, the preceding eight companies march by the right flank until the correct interval is reached and the line established. B. A regiment fo 8 companies, column of fours into a column of companies. C. A fire-line deployment of an infantry company at an alloted strength of 97 men. 1. Capt. commanding 2. 2nd Lt. 3. 1st Lt. 4. Musicians 5-8 Sgts This system controlled the natural tendency to fall out under fire. The sgts and lts were instructed to watch for the slightest sign of cowardice. The above is an example of a French advance in 1805. When advancing in the columns of divisions, the French regiment deployed three companies as skirmishers as it closed with the enemy. Then, at the moment the charge was at hand, the skirmishers were recalled and placed in reserve behind the center battalion. The deep columns of infantry then met the enemy line and battered their way through much like a hammer. Comparing the French attack with the Civil War attack, note a tendency in the Civil war infantry to spread out from columns into lines for maximum use of firepower. In addition, the dispersal allowed for greater protechon from defensive fire. The above shows the usual formation of a regiment of infantry as outlined in D.H. Mahan's Advanced, Guard Outpost, and Detachment Service of Troops. Wide intervals were to be maintained from 15O to 300 yards to allow the fire to fall between the three bodies. The Advanced Guard (1) of skirmishers from two companies provided covering fire for the advance of the Main Body (2). The Reserve (3} brought up the rear. It provided cover for a threatened flank of the main body or protected a retreat if necessary. More ACW Rifle-Musket ACW: Introduction ACW: Infantry ACW: Infantry Tactics (Examples) ACW: Cavalry ACW: Artillery ACW: Engineers ACW: Entrenchments ACW: Grand Tactics ACW: Tactics: Auerstadt 1806 vs. New Market 1864 ACW: Conclusion and Bibliography Back to Conflict Number 7 Table of Contents Back to Conflict List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1974 by Dana Lombardy This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com