There's no doubt, the 2-HP bodyguard are tough buggers.

@Chester:
When you select a unit, left-click anywhere on the battlefield ground and drag; you should see a formation of arrows indicating which direction the men in that unit will face. They'll be in a rectangular formation; so shortening their front will increase their depth.

Now, I don't actually count how many ranks deep, just kind of eyeball it. I play the game to watch the fun battles, not count how many ranks deep my phalantagies are. ;)