"some help for the absent-minded please?" Topic

Can anyone remind me where I read that troops in Picton`s British 5th division at Waterloo formed in doubled lines – which is also to say in 4 ranks?

It is in a lot of sources. Wellington's idea was that they would be quicker to react to cavalry.

"Waterloo Letters" has a number of mentions of units in 4 ranks. See Letters 164, 167, 168

The formation is I have read Column of waiting. Going to square took 2 minute to 30 secounds (depends on source).

It also got the 92 and 44th formed in this formation that is 2 companies wide – 10 deep (2 battalions formed together for a regiment)
caught by the advancing French (45th French leading in line) so they gave off 2 volleys (One for the king and one for the regiment) 150 muskets vs 450 or so and ran.

the one case that the French plan worked.

Note I remember reading that the unit lost 25% in this exchange including the col, they fell back to a ditch or bank by a ditch where the unit sent out skirmishers to fight the French all day, at the end of the day one captain and 6 soldiers with the colors advanced on Wellington general order, (the captain getting hit as he step off)
this from a letter of a soldier of the 44th.

4 ranks? Do you mean like private, captain, general,,,, general what? what was the question…..?

Was it not also because of the lack of space?