"Marching Poses in 28mm?" Topic

I have mostly greatcoat ACW figures. I set up battle scenes on my soldier table rather than game these days. I am trying to decide if I should purchase Foundry Greatcoat Advancing Right Shoulder shift or not (maybe just add more Greatcoat Advancing poses units). Would the Right Shoulder shift have been on the battlefield or would Shoulder Arms been more likely? I have a 6 foot X 8 foot table and I only want to show a Marching pose if it would be correct to be that close to the battle line. I realize the table size and figure size are not going to allow me to be truly accurate, but I don't want to be ridiculously inaccurate by putting Marching figs on the table if they don't belong. Some paintings I have seen made me think they shouldered the rifle musket closer to the line than I originally understood. I hope I have explained what I am asking accurately enough that someone can give me an opinion. Thank you.

Here's a Don Troiani painting of the Irish Brigade charging at Fredericksburg. Most of the men have their musket on their right shoulder.

Sash and Saber offer most of their minis in packs with the muskets on the right shoulder.

Thank you. That was one of the pictures that got me thinking of adding a marching pose to my soldier table scenes.

I hope I'm not hijacking your thread too much but from what I've read there is some debate about how appropriate right shoulder shift is on the battlefield.

Here is a website I found that says that there were instances (he gives just one) where the rear rank would be in right shoulder shift during the charge. I dont know whether this means you would also need models at the charge too.

link

During a charge, the advance would start out at common time, with the men carrying their weapons at the position of "shoulder arms". About 100 yards from the objective, the troops would be given the command to march at the "double quick" or "double time". At this command, they would ALL go to the position of "right shoulder shift".

About 30 yards out, the command would be to "charge!". At this point, the officers pretty much lose control as the line surges forward. HOWEVER,the FRONT RANK would bring their weapons down to the position of "charge bayonet" while everyone else stays at "right shoulder shift"until the point of contact, when they are free to employ their weapons as required.

Hope this helps.