"A Matter of Tactics revisited: 1815 vs. 1863" Topic

"On June 18, Europe celebrated the 200th anniversary of Waterloo, one of the most decisive engagements in history. 5,000 reenactors recreated the event, and it garnered a great deal of attention on the web. On July 1-3, here in the United States, we marked the 152nd anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg – not nearly so decisive, perhaps, since it did not end two decades of war in a single afternoon, but equally famous.

Reflecting on the two battles, both of which fascinate me, I am struck by how often it is mentioned (usually in passing) that the two epochs shared essentially the same tactics – and how much those tactics were outdated by the time, on that sweltering Pennsylvania afternoon of July 3rd, roughly 12,000 Confederates stepped off for their assault against Meade's center.

Is this really an accurate observation?

Certainly there is a great deal of truth in it. But there are considerable differences between the two periods, as well…"
Full article here
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1st part here
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Amicalement
Armand

According to Nosworthy, what many ACW officers called Napoleonic was current French tactical doctrine (under the Emperor Napoleon III). This means chasseur and Zouave drill. Just as the Napoleon Gun is named for Nap III. After all, the French Army was the pre-eminent European army of the period. It was not to fall from grace until 1870, years after the ACW was over. Note that the kepi worn by so many American soldiers was a French fashion, as was the zouave gear worn by many regiments.

We gamers hear Napoleonic and assume they are talking about Napoleon I. The third had not yet disgraced himself.

The general public assumes it refers to Napoleon Bonaparte's army. They also assume that Civil War soldiers did not take cover when it was available.

Agreed.