GDG- Battle Line Tactics

[Bill and Glenna Jo Christen]

John,

Technically, the file closers (sergeants and supernumeraries) behind the
rear rank made sure that the rear rank man stepped into a vacant file in
front. Then the ranks were dressed toward the guiding flank. Of course, in
the heat of battle it would not have gone smoothly and there was
undoubtedly shouting, cursing and shoving to keep the front rank as wide as
possible--therefore "keeping up a good front." In fact, it would be
possible that the entire rear rank might end up in the front rank.

Bill Christen

[Original Message]
> From: John Baniszewski <jdbano2001 at yahoo.com>
> Does anyone know what the standard practice was when a battle line took
heavy casualties, and the first rank suffered many more casualties than the
second rank?  Did both ranks just close ranks, resulting in the second rank
having a longer line than the first?  Or did men move from the second to
the first rank, to make both ranks even in length?