A French battalion 1809+ in 15mm

I wanted to    illustrate    approximately    what    the footprint   of an 1809 French battalion of 6 companies looked like. One reason was that some of the Fencibles aren’t as hard-core Napoleonic buffs as I am. Another is  that Fencible Carl   recently recruited a   new cadet, 7+ pounds.    When she’s old enough to not swallow the dice… Besides,  what’s  the point  of having toys if  you  don’t  play with them?

 

The figures are Hinchcliffe true 15mm figures from the late 1970s. They have since been eclipsed by lots of newer figures, usually larger. But I can’t put more than 48 of the new ones from the same vendor with similar poses on the table, having acquired them at different times by whim. I have nearly 200 of the old guys, all advancing and thought that would look better for an example of what the actual formations look like. They haven’t seen the table in years. Columns are shallower than they appear in our games.

First, a 1-1 French infantry company in 3 ranks.

 

I don’t have enough of them to do a full battalion, so after this each figure represents 3 troops. They are in 2 ranks because that’s closer to the actual footprint. In all cases, if the frontage was doubled and a third rank added, you’d have the approximate footprint of a 550+ strong battalion. The column of divisions could form line by having the 1^st company deploy to the right of the 2^nd company and the grenadiers to the right of the 1^st company. Meanwhile the 4^th company would deploy to the left of the 3^rd company and the voltigeurs to the left of the 4^th company. During most of the 18^th century, the four divisions of those early battalions would march in order 1^st in front, followed by 2 through 4 behind. To form line, each division would wheel to the left. Later, it was still the fastest way to form a line, provided the enemy was in that direction. It happens that Frederick’s Prussians formed to the left at Leuthen, as did Packenham’s British veterans at Salamanca. Both made rapid attacks. While units could form line in other than senior company to the right, etc., company officers were most used to being in the correct order. The British had a term for being in line in the wrong order; the battalion was said to be “clubbed”. Some units complained of this at Albuera, due to overly rapid deployment. This may have been part of the reason that three of Colborne’s battalions didn’t get into square when attacked by the Vistula Legion lancers. Enough nattering, a battalion in attack column (at half interval).

 

It is thought that with well-trained troops, the intent was to deploy into line before getting into musket range. The column was much easier to move than a long line. But if the battalion got into range while still in column, deploying under fire would be a most difficult proposition, especially if the enemy was active.

Last, squares. With enough advance notice the lines would have twice as many ranks as usual. A great target for artillery but nearly impenetrable against cavalry, if the infantry kept their heads.

Edit: the 1809 regulations called for 6 companies per battalion. According to Chandler, the 1805 regulations called for 8 fusilier companies and 1 grenadier company. Wikipedia says 1804 regulations converted the 2nd company to Voltigeurs. The 1805 column of attack would be 4 divisions deep.

Edit 2: During the 1832 Black Hawk War, young Abraham Lincoln was elected captain of a militia company. Faced with getting his company through a fence gate, he pondered the proper commands and finally settled on the following. He ordered the company to fall out and then fall in on the other side of the fence.