"British formations at Salamanca?" Topic

This "column of lines" description of Campbell's division is puzzling me. Some sources say that his division was formed into four "columns." But if I remember right, he had only 9 battalions in any event. So that's only 2 BNs per "column."

Can anybody paint a picture of this in words? What formations did the attacking British infantry use at Salamanca?

I can't shed any light on the column question, but my sources show the division composed of Fermor's Brigade of 2 battalions plus some lights, Wheatley's Brigade of 3 battalions plus some lights, and Lõwe's KGL Brigade of 3 battalions. So the total would be 8 battalions plus attachments, though it's hard to see how you could form four equal battalions without mixing the brigades.

Oman has Wheatley`s Brigade consisting of four battalions; the 2/58th joining the division that day from the 5th. divison. This brigade may then have formed two columns.

Robert Eadie of the 79th.:
"The French columns appeared covering all opposite ground, and our lines being formed, marched gallantly forward to meet them in the attack."

Being in reserve, the 1st division had been given orders to cook and on rejoining his regiment Eadie found his division "…still lying in close column as a reserve."

It might be that a fourth column was formed by a light brigade/battalion of the division`s light companies and the attached 5/60th.?

Do you mean Campbell's division or Pakenham's?

The term columns of lines usually means that each proposed line of the division formed one column. Pakenham is sometimes described as manouevering in 4 columns of lines.

The first column comprised of Wallace's British brigade and a Portuguese brigade. This would become the division's first line.

The second column consisted of Campell's British brigade. This would become the division's second line.

The third and fourth columns consisted of cavalry from D'Urban's and Arentchildt's brigades.

All the columns moved parallel to one another, each on a single company/squadron frontage with the companies behind at full distance (ie leaving a company wide gap between companies). The intention was to form line by facing left across the French flank, with all the companies wheeling ninety degrees into line simultaneoulsy.

[All the columns moved parallel to one another, each on a single company/squadron frontage with the companies behind at full distance (ie leaving a company wide gap between companies). The intention was to form line by facing left across the French flank, with all the companies wheeling ninety degrees into line simultaneoulsy.]

I see… so a sort of Open Column, then.