Square formation?

[Sir Beane]

Square formation makes an excellent 'last stand' formation. Your men can go down fighting back to back in a blaze of glory . It will work even better when combined with cover or a town square for that extra movie style zest.

[pdoyle007]

I think the battle where the regiment marched in column/square was Fuentes de Onoro (Sharpes Battle for anyone who has read it). The 7th division got placed too far away by Wellington but the light division marched over and escorted them back to safety.

This was interested because the divisions would march, then when cavalry came close move into square, then carry on once the coast was clear. They also had groups of riflemen inside each square who would run out, snipe at the cavalry and any gunners, then run back inside the square.

I think the French actually lost more men during this phase of the battle due to the British discipline.