Double Column, Closed in Mass?

[lelliott19]

We recently had a question about "Marching by the Flank" located here https://civilwartalk.com/threads/marching-by-the-flank.139666/

I have a similar question and am hoping some of you guys that know about infantry tactics can help. James N. @captaindrew @rpkennedy @thomas aagaard @infomanpa @DixieRifles @Phiip McBride

So this is in relation to a Confederate attack upon Union forces behind breastworks at Chancellorsville.

In his report, Colonel Daniel G Bingham, 64th NY wrote:

"….After a few minutes, the enemy advanced against us in double column, closed in mass (for the colors were in the center of the front sub-division of the masses)....."

What does a frontal assault in "double column, closed in mass" look like? Was this an unusual formation for this application? Why did Col Bingham feel the need to specify the formation utilized by the opposing force?
In case you'd like to read more to gain better perspective, here's a link with relevant info beginning about bottom 1/3 page 343. https://books.google.com/books?id=k...ng our whole front, with closed ranks&f=false
Thanks in advance for your help.
Laura

 

[UCVRelics]

If I remember from my old US Army days ( and no I'm NOT that old) they were in 2 ranks shoulder to shoulder so it would would have been a Blue wave. On the Southern side it meant you didn't even have to aim, just point and shoot.

 

[rpkennedy]

We recently had a question about "Marching by the Flank" located here https://civilwartalk.com/threads/marching-by-the-flank.139666/

I have a similar question and am hoping some of you guys that know about infantry tactics can help. James N. @captaindrew @rpkennedy @thomas aagaard @infomanpa @DixieRifles @Phiip McBride

So this is in relation to a Confederate attack upon Union forces behind breastworks at Chancellorsville.

In his report, Colonel Daniel G Bingham, 64th NY wrote:

"….After a few minutes, the enemy advanced against us in double column, closed in mass (for the colors were in the center of the front sub-division of the masses)....."

What does a frontal assault in "double column, closed in mass" look like? Was this an unusual formation for this application? Why did Col Bingham feel the need to specify the formation utilized by the opposing force?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Laura

The regiment would form like this (3 "-" make 1 company):

--- ---
--- ---
--- ---
--- ---
--- ---

Only the front 2 companies can fire at the enemy but the following companies are shielded from fire. This formation is particularly vulnerable to artillery fire.

Ryan

 

[lelliott19]

The regiment would form like this

Thanks Ryan. Col Bingham makes mention of the colors of one regiment being in the center of the mass. Would the other regiments have been formed on either side? I added a link to the relevant page of the report in the OP and would appreciate if you have time, if you'd please take a look and see if you can make heads or tails of it? This was the 1st time Wofford's brigade Sharpshooters were engaged as a unit. Since Col Bingham was so generous to provide info, Im curious to see how the brigade might have aligned in this assualt.

 

[captaindrew]

they would be coming at them in a formation like the picture below but 2 wide with the color guard in the middle of the 2 front rows

 

[captaindrew]

picture 2 formations like that side by side

 

[AUG]

There was a previous thread on close column by division here: https://civilwartalk.com/threads/close-column-by-division-en-masse.132624/


As stated there, "In Mass" or "En Masse" would mean making the formation more compact by closing the space between the divisions, or each line of two companies.

 

[rpkennedy]

If the attack was being made through thick woods, I'd bet that this formation was used in an attempt to exert more control with the limited visibility. It's easier to see a 2-company front in heavy woods than a 10-company line. The main downside is that the attack will be made on a very small front.

Ryan

 

[lelliott19]

The main downside is that the attack will be made on a very small front.

Here is a more extensive excerpt from Col Bingham's Report:
"Sunday May 3 a little before sunrise, we heard the order from the enemy, "Prepare for an advance," and immediately after a line of skirmishers appeared in our front (3d Battn SS?), and advancing with their peculiar yell, commenced the attack, and after a sharp struggle of about half an hour, retired.

We were next attacked by a regular line of battle, extending along our whole front, with closed ranks. This line held their ground with great stubbornness, advancing to within 5 or 6 rods of our breastworks. The men of the Sixty -fourth worked coolly and steadily, taking good aim, and but few shots were thrown away. After an hour's hard fighting, the enemy gave way and retired in confusion, followed by the cheers of our men.

Another line of similar character took their place, and the contest kept on. Our ammunition was being rapidly expended, and, as I believe, to the best advantage. I sent an urgent request to Major-General Hancock for more ammunition, expressing the belief that we could hold the work while we had ammunition. My men began to fall, killed and wounded, and it became quite hazardous for a man to show his head above the parapet long enough to aim with certainty. The line of the enemy last mentioned held its ground for about one hour, when it broke and ran, which called out another cheer from our side; but the respite was short.

After a few minutes, the enemy advanced against us again in double column, closed in mass (for the colors were in the center of the front sub-division of the masses). One of the regiments in this line was the Sixteenth Georgia, whose battle-flag was brought up to within 2 rods of our breastwork and nearly in front of the opening left for the skirmishers to come in, hereinbefore mentioned. This opening had been filled in with logs, but no earth had been thrown against them, and no ditch had been dug. The abatis was also light, and no men behind it. This was our weak point. I was stationed at this point which was to the left of the center of the regiment. The enemy evidently had discovered the place, and made a strong push to carry it. I ordered the two companies on the right and left to right and left oblique their fire, and enfiladed the front of the opening, which checked the advance, but did not drive the enemy back. The colors of the Sixteenth Georgia fell twice, and were afterward placed against a tree, when our men ceased to fire upon it. It was the regular Confederate flag – stars and bars."
https://books.google.com/books?id=k...ng our whole front, with closed ranks&f=false

 

[rpkennedy]

Here is a more extensive excerpt from Col Bingham's Report:
"Sunday May 3 a little before sunrise, we heard the order from the enemy, "Prepare for an advance," and immediately after a line of skirmishers appeared in our front (3d Battn SS?), and advancing with their peculiar yell, commenced the attack, and after a sharp struggle of about half an hour, retired.

We were next attacked by a regular line of battle, extending along our whole front, with closed ranks. This line held their ground with great stubbornness, advancing to within 5 or 6 rods of our breastworks. The men of the Sixty -fourth worked coolly and steadily, taking good aim, and but few shots were thrown away. After an hour's hard fighting, the enemy gave way and retired in confusion, followed by the cheers of our men.

Another line of similar character took their place, and the contest kept on. Our ammunition was being rapidly expended, and, as I believe, to the best advantage. I sent an urgent request to Major-General Hancock for more ammunition, expressing the belief that we could hold the work while we had ammunition. My men began to fall, killed and wounded, and it became quite hazardous for a man to show his head above the parapet long enough to aim with certainty. The line of the enemy last mentioned held its ground for about one hour, when it broke and ran, which called out another cheer from our side; but the respite was short.

After a few minutes, the enemy advanced against us again in double column, closed in mass (for the colors were in the center of the front sub-division of the masses). One of the regiments in this line was the Sixteenth Georgia, whose battle-flag was brought up to within 2 rods of our breastwork and nearly in front of the opening left for the skirmishers to come in, hereinbefore mentioned. This opening had been filled in with logs, but no earth had been thrown against them, and no ditch had been dug. The abatis was also light, and no men behind it. This was our weak point. I was stationed at this point which was to the left of the center of the regiment. The enemy evidently had discovered the place, and made a strong push to carry it. I ordered the two companies on the right and left to right and left oblique their fire, and enfiladed the front of the opening, which checked the advance, but did not drive the enemy back. The colors of the Sixteenth Georgia fell twice, and were afterward placed against a tree, when our men ceased to fire upon it. It was the regular Confederate flag – stars and bars."
https://books.google.com/books?id=ko8OAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA343&lpg=PA343&dq=we+were+next+attacked+by+a+regular+line+of+battle,+extending+along+our+whole+front,+with+closed+ranks&source=bl&ots=Mtss8hZ1IV&sig=l9t9P3qA84mXHIymwLbIUnGW1m4&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjx2YXQl5fXAhVCSSYKHUWTBfQQ6AEIKDAA#v=onepage&q=we were next attacked by a regular line of battle, extending along our whole front, with closed ranks&f=false

My guess is that the 3rd were the skirmishers and the other regiments formed side-by-side in double columns, closed in mass. That follows based on Bingham's report.

Ryan

 

[thomas aagaard]

Open vs closed column.
The way you usually form a "single column" is having the battalion standing line line... then each company make a 90 degree wheel. This formation is easy to maneuver and if needed you can very quickly form a line to the left or right. (if you accept inversion) And it is also faster to form a line to the front, than if you are marching by the flank.

So this use used for maneuvering,

When closed up, the distance is much shorter and that is used for attack.

In a double column it is simply two companies wide.
(and the column by division is also two wide, but the individual companies are in different places in the formation compared to the double column)

If you read about a french Battalion in column during the Napoleonic wars, it would often be similar to this one.

 

[infomanpa]

Thanks Ryan. Col Bingham makes mention of the colors of one regiment being in the center of the mass. Would the other regiments have been formed on either side?

Usually if there were more than one regiment, they would not be to the sides, but in the rear.

 

[lelliott19]

Usually if there were more than one regiment, they would not be to the sides, but in the rear.

Thanks so much @infomanpa . Here is the quote from the report:

After a few minutes, the enemy advanced against us again in double column, closed in mass (for the colors were in the center of the front sub-division of the masses). One of the regiments in this line was the Sixteenth Georgia, whose battle-flag was brought up to within 2 rods of our breastwork and nearly in front of the opening left for the skirmishers to come in, hereinbefore mentioned. ​

So would the 16th GA have been the front regiment here? And 2 rods is like 35 feet? That seems pretty close up? The regt sustained 110+/- killed and wounded in the fight at Chancellorsville but that includes their part at Salem Church on May 4.

 

[infomanpa]

So would the 16th GA have been the front regiment here? And 2 rods is like 35 feet? That seems pretty close up? The regt sustained 110+/- killed and wounded in the fight at Chancellorsville but that includes their part at Salem Church on May 4.

Yes, I would interpret this as the 16th GA being the front regiment of the column.

 

[thomas aagaard]

Thanks so much @infomanpa

After a few minutes, the enemy advanced against us again in double column, closed in mass (for the colors were in the center of the front sub-division of the masses). One of the regiments in this line was the Sixteenth Georgia, ​

​

I think that the CSA attacked with a number of regiment side by side. (one regiment of this line)
But each regiment was in double column.

This is a much better option than, having each regiment in line, and the regiments following very close after each other. (since the risk of the units getting mixed is smaller.)