"Pike armed Opolchenie" Topic

So…..

Tonight's wierd question is how many ranks deep?

Dr Summerfield states Militia organisned like regular army with company 150.

This implies 50 files of three ranks.
But de Tolly in his initial proposal suggested four ranks for pike armed troops and increase to 200.

So did that happen?

Three option that I see are
A/ 150 men in three ranks and 50 files
B/ 150 men +/- in four ranks in 40ish files
C/ 200 men 50 files and four ranks.

Finally if they have a deeper formation how would you represent this on table?

Looking forward to hearing from you all.

John

Jefferyw3

I agree that the math shows three files sit well but in the same world of approximately (not being rude) 40 four ran k files with 8 vzvodi of 20 files +/-.

So did they use the deeper formation advocated by de Tolly? Maths alone doesn't clear that up.

For example the St Petersburg cohorts where 821 & pike armed largely. That would be four 200 men Coys.

About tabletop it is indeed purely for my own aesthetics. An indulgence if you will.

Thanks

Oh joined the Napoleonics FB group you mentioned.

A greater depth should probably be ignored. Figure footprints already have fairly out of whack depth to frontage ratios for three or two rank figs.

Most off these troops carried shovels, supplies and axes. They were very useful.

That's a little harsh and not really right. The 1st and 3rd Jagers (firearm equipped) and the 6th & 7th Foot (pike – more long spear armed) where mentioned for bravery in combat.

If the had the shovels and pick/mattock you refer to they could have been used to throw up defenses on night of 6th.