The square formation was used on several occasions during the ACW and AFAIK it was still in the 1866 infantry manual so it cannot have been completely obsolete.
CBR
Re: Napoleonic warfare and "squares"
The square formation was used on several occasions during the ACW and AFAIK it was still in the 1866 infantry manual so it cannot have been completely obsolete.
CBR
Re: Napoleonic warfare and "squares"
The square wasn't used much if at all in ACW because the cavalry were fundamentally different. They were no longer shock troops, more mounted infantry or mounted raiders. They killed by pistol. shotgun and carbine not by sword. Also squares were very vunerable to artillery - the classic tactic in Napoleonic is to have a horse battery with your cavalry - infantry go into square, artillery shoots up square, cavalry break disorganised square. So the ACW with its widespread artillery would make square a dangerous formation to be in.
The last use of squares were in Colonial wars. The British made use of them in Zulu wars and the Sudan. Here the combination of firepower and protected flanks worked well against a poorly armed enemy which greatly outnumbered the European armies.
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Re: Napoleonic warfare and "squares"
Being in the manual proves nothing. Can you think of a specific instance?Originally Posted by CBR
Basically correct. There were plenty of cases where infantry faced cavalry without artillery present. I've not heard of square formation ever being used.The square wasn't used much if at all in ACW because the cavalry were fundamentally different. They were no longer shock troops, more mounted infantry or mounted raiders. They killed by pistol. shotgun and carbine not by sword. Also squares were very vunerable to artillery - the classic tactic in Napoleonic is to have a horse battery with your cavalry - infantry go into square, artillery shoots up square, cavalry break disorganised square. So the ACW with its widespread artillery would make square a dangerous formation to be in.
Cavalry sabers were used a good deal, especially vs other cavalry, and pursuing routers. But, you are right that they did not act as shock troops. Cavalry would often charge infantry skirmishers, but almost never infantry in line formation.
Muskets in Napoleonic wars were pretty inaccurate at 100 yards. ACW rifles were effective at 200 yards. (max effective ranges are another discussion) This seems to me to be the main reason why cavalry could no longer shock infantry in line.
Re: Napoleonic warfare and "squares"
From this thread http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=134213
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
I also know of a company of Colorado volunteers forming square against some Texan Lancers at Valverde, New Mexico.
I have not tried to find all the above mentioned incidents but have found a few of them.
CBR
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