"Being in column by company, closed in mass... question?" Topic

Okay I need some help… can any one site _specific_ instances where regiments/brigades used the tactic of being in column by company closed in mass to form divisions early or late in the war? What I'm shooting for are instances were they did this in an attack. I know several from 1864-65 but not 1861-63. I'm sure they did practice this in their battalion drills but di they actually use it in combat early on? I'm stumped.

Mostly I need instances where it was used mid-war but early would be nice as well.

For some reason I am thinking 2nd Manassa/Bull Run though will have to look into it. Something from Porter's Court Martial or other documents.

2nd Manassas came to my mind right away as well, though I cannot remember who.

Tyler's Brigade at 1st Kernstown attacked in columns of divisions closed in mass. There is some debate over whether this was his intention or if he just encountered the Rebs sooner than he'd expected and didn't have time to deploy into line. Still, it must have been quite a sight: 5 big regiments (over 600 men each) in column abreast of each other advancing into battle.

It is a formation that is obviously a gamble but the pay-off is huge if properly used. Against a fortified point it is ideal because there would not be much converging fire. If used say… for Pickett'sd charge it would have been a disaster.

In general, columns in the ACW were considered formations for moving from place to place or to keep reserve formations nice and compact. Tactical doctrine called for the battalions to deploy into line before going into action. BTW, according to Pfanz's book, Longstreet's entire corps was in a column of companies, closed in mass, when making its flank march prior to the attack on July 2.

Scott,

I read in Francis Lord's book (They Fought for the Union) he sites 2 or 3 battles in 64 in which they assaulted this way. I was wondering if there were more OR whther he got it wrong.

I read one facinating account of a small action in November of 1864 during the Petersburg seige. While Grant was making another lunge to the left, he had other troops make a demonstration on the extreme right. A brigade of USCT advanced several miles toward the Confederate entrenchments (apparently the Union lines were well back). They advanced in columns of divisions. When they reached the Confederate lines three regiments deployed into line of battle and attacked. But there was Confederate cavalry on their right flank so the end regiment formed square and held off the Rebel horsemen. One regiment of the brigade penetrated the Rebel lines and captured several guns, but since it was just a demonstration and there was no support they eventually had to fall back. It is interesting to see the use of the columns. They were compact enough for moving a fair distance, but they could be quickly deployed into line if the enemy was encountered.