French Attack columns
Another question. Does anyone play the use of French columns pre 1809 being allowed to place their Grenadier company to the flank of their column formation at all as a classic French attack column? My french playing opponent and friend has raised the question and though we have not allowed it so far, it appears to be a legitimate qusetion to ask. Regards Carlo

This subject was discussed (almost reasonably) on the TMP Napoleonic forum recently: http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=150877 .

There is no such formation; it does not appear in any French regulations of the period and there are no explicit mentions that I am aware of as to its use. Its wargames use seems to have come about through a misinterpretation by certain rules writers.

Oh Colin, now you've spoilt the 'mystery' for him . . . :wink:

Whoops...sorry :oops: What has always intrigued me is that the 1791 regulations seem to indicate that the grenadiers formed the front of the column (when the column was formed right in front), which would indicate that the grenadier company was the size of two fusilier companies, when most sources indicate that the grenadier company was actually smaller than a fusilier company.

Having just re-read the French 1791 regulations, I think that I may have resolved my own dilemma. They clearly state that, when the two battalions of a regiment are exercised together, the two grenadier companies are united in the first battalion as two grenadier peletons. The original: "La compagnie de grenadiers de chaque bataillon restera attachée à son bataillon lorsqu'il devra exercer séparément ; mais lorsqu'on devra exercer par régiment, celle du second bataillon ira se réu­nir à la première, et se placera à sa gauche. Les deux compagnies réunies formeront deux pelotons d'égale force, qui seront désignés par les noms de premier et de second peloton de grenadiers." If this practice was extended to the battlefield, it would appear that the first battalion would have 10 companies (including 2 of grenadiers), while the second battalion would only have 8.

Errr!, is your maths not faulty, at 8 companies per battalion, would it not be: 1st battalion, 9 companies 2nd battalion, 7 companies. I do not know much about the 8 company period, but one of the Almark books pulished in the 60/70's, showed this formation for the 6 company battalion. However, for the last 10years I have understood that this was fantasy. But, I may be incorrect.

Hi Chris, No, because the 1791 regulations clearly state that a battalion is organised as 8 fusilier companies and a grenadier company. Colin

Sorry Colin, you are of course right. I've just read the links. I do not know where I got the idea there were only 8 companies.

Thanks Gents - have informed my French opponent and he is perfectly happy. Did we all play Empire before we discovered GdB? I sometimes think so. cheers Carlo

Sorry to bring this up again; as it is in many threads throughout the net. In Emir Bukhari's book "French Napoleonic Infantry" published in 1973 shows the following column formation: VFFG _FF _FF I didnt get to look fully at the bib, but the 8 company battalion seems funny.