British Bn in Line
Does anyone have a link to the deployment of a bn in line. I am particularly interested in the position of NCO's, officers and drummers.

I don't know the British convention, but I might be able to dig up the American convention.

Thanks , I've got the American, but need the British

The second part of the 1764 Manual of Arms (part one being the drill of the individual soldier and the firings), shows the formation of a battalion on parade. A much simplified version of this is reproduced in Matthew Spring's new book on the British Army in the AWI - With Zeal and with Bayonets Only. Bear in mind that not every regiment in the British Army would have used "The 64" as it was not an official document. In essence, the colours would be in the centre, King's to the right, Regiment to the left, as you faced the enemy. They were either in the front rank if the battalion was advancing, or to the rear when anticipating contact with the enemy and/or firing; they would be accompanied by the Sergeant Major of the battalion and one or two reliable sergeants. Officially, a colour guard of 2 NCOs and 20 picked men from the centre companies was supposed to be told off prior to action, but I have seen no evidence that this was done in the AWI, probably because the line regiments were too small (this was also to act as the battalion reserve under the CO or eldest captain, in the case of a bayonet fight). Note that it became increasingly rare for units to take colours into the field, partly because of their vulnerability, but also - in the case of the longer serving units - because the American climate took a heavy toll of the material. The battalion CO would be in the centre, either in advance or to the rear, as for the colours, attended by an orderly drummer (usually the drum-major, unless he was attending the brigade commander). Not all units had pioneers at this time, and there was apparently no fixed number for those that did. On parade, they usually formed up with the grenadiers, but both groups were usually detached in the field; on the rare occasions they were with the battalion, they would probably be with the colours or in the centre as a reserve. The drummers would form up behind their companies, grouped so as to be behind the gap of each "grand division" (so the drums of the right company of each grand division would be to the left rear of the company, the drums of the left company to the right rear). In reality, few units took all their drummers into the field and in practice orders in battle were given by word of mouth and not by drum beat (as they had in the F&I War - this became official practice in 1778); the older musicians were increasingly given muskets, the younger ones sent home to the Additional Companies to aid in recruiting. Usually only the drum major and one other drummer were left to act as orderly drummers. In battle, the corporals and privates (rank and file) would form up in two ranks. The company commander would be to the right or left of the company, depending on whether the company was to the right or left of the colours. The company commander would be "covered" by the senior sergeant of the company (standing directly behind him). The remaining officers (if there were any) and sergeants would form the supernumary (third) rank. Note that, whatever the size of the company and however few officers were present, the number of sergeants and corporals was kept at full strength. The company was the basic tactical, as well as administrative, unit (despite what you may read from time to time). However, it was more usual for units to operate by grand divisions (pairs of companies) or wings (four companies) in action - not least due to the paucity of men. If you need any more info, let me know. Do get hold of Spring's book if you can, as it explains all the above in much more detail, as well as the development of the Army's fighting tactics and formations through the war.

Thanks very much for this. I will read in depth later today and might take you up on our offer if I have any further questions.