GDG- Fire by File

[James Cameron]

<< What does "fire by file" mean?  Is it similar to "fire at will?"

Ron Chaplin>>

No, it isn't.

A typical Civil War formation was two "ranks",  a "rank" the men next to 
each other elbow to elbow.  The second or rear rank was directly behind the 
front rank, the two men "one behind the other" comprising a "file".  When 
firing by file, which would normally be done by company, the first "file" of 
two mwn on one end of the company would fire at the same time, then the 
next, and the next, working down the line toward the other end.  While the 
firing progress along the company line, which would take several seconds, 
the first men to fire would be reloading.  By the time all the files along 
the line had fired, the first file to fire would have reloaded and be ready 
to repeat the process.  This allowed a company to maintain an almost 
continuous fire along its front.  A regiment with its individual companies 
firing by file could likewise maintain constant firing along its line.  In 
contrast, if firing by rank, or, with both ranks firing all at the same time 
in one big volley, a unit would find itself with most of its muskets empty 
at the same time, allowing the enemy 15 to 20 seconds to advance, or return 
fire, unhindered.

"Fire at will" was when ever man loaded and fired at his own pace, whenever 
his weapon was ready.  It would not be uncommon for a unit to begin an 
action by volley fire, or "fire by file", but then switch to firing at will 
as the men in the ranks tended naturally to load and fire somewhat different 
speeds.

Jim Cameron