"Question about a tactical formation" Topic

In Battles and Leaders, I (page 584), General Beauregard said that, at Shiloh, Bragg's corps was formed in a line of "regiments massed in double columns at half distance …"

I think I understand "half distance," but what did he mean by double columns"? Columns of half-regiments? Columns of divisions (2 companies)? or what?

I'll try to double-check (not today) but I'm pretty sure column of divisions, and "column of half-regiments" would just be described as regiments in two lines.

My guess would be column of divisions (2 companies), each division separated by one-company interval (the "half distance").

My mistake – looking at vol 2 of Casey's, it appears that the "double column" was in fact what Napoleon's infantry would have called an "assault column" – i.e. a two-company frontage, but formed with the two center companies in front, followed by the next two center-most companies, etc with the two flank companies in the rear. Deployment into line would thus be in both directions. Pretty fancy for 1862, I must say…

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Yes, the Double Column was a different formation from the Column of Divisions, even though the two would have looked exactly the same: a column two companies wide by five lines deep. A division is two companies, so a typical ten-company battalion would have five divisions, numbered 1-5 from the right. So a Column of Divisions would have the first division (1st & 2nd Companies) leading (usually, you could actually have the 5th division leading if you wanted, but that was almost never done) with the other four divisions lined up behind the first. Interestingly, since the colors were attached to the fifth company this would have put the colors in the center of the battalion (with the 3rd division).

A Double Column is formed differently with the center two companies (5th and 6th, usually) always forming the lead. Then the companies of the Right Wing line up behind the 5th Company, while the companies of the Left Wing line up behind the 6th Company.

The two types of columns are formed differently and deploy back into line differently. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages.

Columns of Divisions could be formed at different "distances" which refers to the amount of space (front to back) between the divisions. Closed in Mass would have there be only 6 paces from the front of one division to the front of the following division. Half Distance would mean that the distance was half the width of the division (basically one company width), while Full Distance would mean there was the entire width of the division between the divisions. The distance chosen would put certain limits on how the column could deploy back into line. A Double Column was always formed at Half Distance.

Scott's description is correct. The formation was actually used quite often, not only when troops are positioned awaiting orders to move out, but to advance towards the enemy to engage them.

Pope's men used this formation to attack Jackson on Stony Ridge at 2nd Bull Run; Hooker's attack at Antietam led by the Iron Brigade in that formation; many of Hancock's troops in the assault on the Mule Shoe and in also assaults at Cold Harbor and Petersburg as well.

The notion that as the war progressed the solders spread out and fought in "open order" in battle and often shows up in some rules is actually opposite of of the way many battles were fought by Union troops in the final years.

Kim

Yes! Having read many, MANY reports in the Official Records, I found that the parade-ground tactical formations were regularly used right up to the last days of the war.

Thanks, Scott, and all. Sorry to take so long to respond. My old computer died just 2 months before it was going to be replaced; now I have an interim one to tide me over until my son arrives with the new one in November. Now I've got to get my word-processor installed on this one so I can get back to writing!