DrewMatrix
Posts: 1429
Joined: 7/15/2004 Status: offline
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In reply to ahauschild: I don't know that square was very vulnerable even to lancers. Basically square is unbreakable by cavalry in the statistical sense (it happened, what, 3-4 times total 1792 to 1815 and those were freak accidents). Column may (or may not) be faster at forming square than line as one more advantage on the side of battle column. I'll try to remember to look it up when I get home. I still don't think column is worth much against decent quality troops, formed, standing there waiting for you. But note those three qualifiers. Column can break militia. Hmm, ahauschild may want to add to that (nice) list: Column gives a morale advantage too, and the morale advantages are greatest for poor quality troops . Ie good quality troops have about the same morale in assault column or line, militia have worse morale in all circumstances, but much worse in line than in assault column (basically that is the only way to keep them together). Re "depth to maintain the push" I don't buy it. You charge at them and they run away (or you fail to advance). There is no "push". For an excellent description of trying to close with a line of troops pouring fire into you look at "Picket's Charge" (The book. Ask me if you don't know it and I'll get the ISBN when I am at home. It is a little out of the period, I know, but a well documented look at what happens when infantry tries to close with infantry.). Picketts men didn't really close (because the other side didn't flinch) so they stalled a few yards from the union troops. You would think you would either run towards them (to get it over with one way or the other) or run away but they just stood there blazing away at each other in a suicidal manner. There was this invisible line. Anyone who went slightly forward of the rest stood out, drew fire and was instantly shot down. So the bulk of the men stayed there, bunched up together, shooting back at very short range but not actually closing and not breaking until considerable casualties had been inflicted on them. That is what really happened to my mind. Not a bayonet battle.
< Message edited by Beezle -- 7/9/2005 12:35:36 AM >
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Beezle - Rapidly running out of altitude, airspeed and ideas.
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