Firing While on the Move

[AUG]

As opposed to the common belief that troops had to be stationary to load and fire there are many recorded incidents of infantry firing while on the move, either while advancing or withdrawing. Note that I'm talking about in line of battle, not skirmishing where shooting while on the move would be nothing unusual.

Below are a few accounts I've gathered; I thought it would be interesting to see how many I could compile and compare them. James L. Lemon mentions advancing at trail arms and firing off a volley from the hip while on the move, something I haven't heard of before. Many of the others speak of continually loading and firing while advancing.


Capt. James L. Lemon describing the 18th Georgia Infantry's advance into the Cornfield at Antietam:

Once again, as at Coal Harbor [Gaines' Mill], we heard the command "Trail arms!" & knew what that meant. It was to be an advance without perceptible halt on our part. Do or die, victory or death! At "Forward, quick-time, march!", we stepped off again in perfect unison, a thousand Confederates, bone tired & starving but with a burning fury for the hated Yankees. The fugitives to our front had just passed through or around our advancing lines, & now we saw the black-hatted Yanks coming on in style. Ruff, his fighting blood up, called out "Looky there boys, at them black hats! Let's go knock them off!" Wild laughter & the piercing "Rebel-Yell," is heard again & at the command "Fire!" a rolling volley blasted forth, delivered from the hip—as at Coal Harbor—instantly killing scores of the enemy & halting his advance. In an instant came the command "Fix bayonets!" & this was, again done without halting. All knew what would come next. "Double-time, March" came the command & a yell, more like a tortured scream bellowed forth from every throat. Off we went at charge bayonet & at the double-quick. The ranks of the Yanks, men of the most-vaunted Wisconsin Black Hat Brigade, shuddered & broke, turning at once & flying through the corn.
(Feed Them the Cold Steel! Being the Wartime Recollection of Capt James Lile Lemon, Co A, 18th Georgia Infantry, CSA edited by Mark Lemon)
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The official report of Colonel D. Wyatt Aiken, 7th South Carolina Infantry at the battle of Savage Station:

At about 5.30 p.m. I was ordered by some one I did not see to move my regiment forward after a couple of volleys of musketry had been heard on my left. I moved forward, and immediately upon emerging from the oak grove and entering the pine thicket I encountered the enemy. Cautioning the men to reserve their fires, I ordered a charge. The charge was made, some few firing, and the enemy gave back. Another forward was given, and onward we went, firing generally as we advanced. I next ordered, "Load advancing and fire at will." This command, heard by but a few, was intuitively obeyed by all.
(OR, vol. 11, pt. 2, p. 741)​

Official report of Col. Micah Jenkins, commanding the Palmetto Sharpshooters and a couple other regiments at Seven Pines:

Directing the two regiments forward in line, we drove the enemy to the front and right, passing over their second camp and through a swamp. At this point the enemy, heavily re-enforced, made a desperate stand, and our fighting was within 75 yards. Not pausing even to load, and pouring in my volleys at close range as I advanced, I never allowed a broken line to get through their new lines before I pushed on the new line and drove them back, losing heavily myself, but killing numbers of the enemy. Our advance continued in this steady manner, the enemy steadily giving back. The ranks of the enemy having broken to our right and front and the fire having lessened, I halted the lines, dressed them, and then changed front obliquely forward. . . . We never fought twice in the same place nor five minutes in one place, and, steadily on the advance, were under fire from 3 p.m. to 7.40 p.m. The service we did will be evidenced by our list of killed and wounded; and I would remark that, although fighting within 100 yards nearly the whole time, there was a remarkable disproportion of killed to wounded, the enemy's aim being disconcerted by our steady advance.
(OR, vol. 11, pt. 1, p. 947-50)​

Lt. A. A. Dean, 2nd South Carolina Rifles at Glendale/Frayser's Farm:

We went up through an old field for a short distance and crossed a fence into a field. As soon as we got into it the Yankees commenced firing at us with the fourteen cannon, which were loaded with grape and canister, and small arms too. We were not more than a hundred yards from them and our men were mowed down but we kept advancing just as fast as we could shooting all the time. . . . About that time I heard the command, "Fix bayonets" and then "Charge." As soon as I heard that I began yelling as loud as I could. We started at double quick and drove the Yankees back, captured those cannons, followed the Yankees down to another branch and swamp.
(http://batsonsm.tripod.com/deanaa.html)
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Brig. Gen. Alexander A. Lawton's official report of the battle of Gaines' Mill:

Onward the line advanced through the wood, firing at every step, and guided only by volleys from the enemy toward the thickest of the fight. In the midst of the wood I met with Major-General Ewell, then hotly engaged, who, as he saw this long line advancing under fire, waved his sword and cried out, "Hurrah for Georgia!" To this there was a cheering response from my command, which then moved forward more rapidly than ever.
(OR, vol. 11, pt. 2, p. 595)

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Report of Col. William Barksdale, 13th Mississippi Infantry at Ball's Bluff:

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I ordered the regiment at once to advance, and the engagement in a moment became general. Under a heavy fire from the enemy's batteries on both sides of the river and an incessant fire from his lines on this side the regiment continued to advance some 400 yards, firing as it advanced, driving the enemy before it back to the river, and killing, so far as I have been able to learn, 35 or 40 of their number.
(OR, vol. 5, p. 355)
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Report of Col. F. W. McMaster, 17th South Carolina Infantry at Turner's Gap, South Mountain:

Soon after we had halted, the enemy advanced upon us in overwhelming numbers. After fighting for about an hour, and after the other regiments of the brigade had broken and retired, and we were about being flanked by the enemy, I ordered my regiment to retire, firing.
(OR, vol. 19, pt. 1, p. 945)

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Maj. Rufus Dawes with the 6th Wisconsin Infantry at Antietam:

At the front edge of the corn-field was a low Virginia rail fence. Before the corn were open fields, beyond which was a strip of woods surrounding a little church, the Dunkard church. As we appeared at the edge of the corn, a long line of men in butternut and gray rose up from the ground. Simultaneously, the hostile battle lines opened a tremendous fire upon each other. Men, I can not say fell; they were knocked out of the ranks by dozens. But we jumped over the fence, and pushed on, loading, firing, and shouting as we advanced. There was, on the part of the men, great hysterical excitement, eagerness to go forward, and a reckless disregard of life; of every thing but victory.
(Service With the Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers, p. 90)​

Pvt. William H. Moon, 13th Alabama Infantry, with Archer's Brigade at McPherson's Ridge, July 1 at Gettysburg:

We were not in easy range of the Federal across the Run, who were firing on us, but not advancing. We continued to advance, but in a walk, loading and firing as we went, until we reached a strip of low land along the Run. We halted to reform, reload, catch our breath, and cool off a little.
(The Confederate Veteran 33, p. 449)

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Report of Lt. James J. Smith, 69th New York Infantry, July 2 at Gettysburg:

After the line was formed, we moved forward until we met the enemy, who were posted behind large bowlders of rock, with which the place abounded; but after our line delivered one or two volleys, the enemy were noticed to waver, and upon the advance of our line (firing) the enemy fell back, contesting the ground doggedly. One charge to the front brought us in a lot of prisoners, who were immediately sent to the rear. Our line moved forward (still firing), I should judge, not less than 200 yards, all the time preserving a good line and occupying the most advanced part of the line of battle, when we came suddenly under a very severe fire from the front, most probably another line of battle of the enemy; we also about this time got orders to fall back.
(OR, vol. 27, pt. 1, p. 389)

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Report of Col. John R. Brookes, in command of a brigade (US), July 2 at Gettysburg:

I advanced in line, faced by the rear rank (which formation was necessary, from the fact that there was not time to form by the front rank), and, passing the line of Colonel Cross at the edge of a wheat-field, I became at once hotly engaged. Pressing forward, firing as we went, we drove back the first line of the enemy, capturing a great number, and then charging the second line, drove it from its almost impregnable position on a rocky crest. . . . Being notified about this time that a heavy column of the enemy was coming upon my left, I immediately took measures to meet them, sending word to that effect to the general commanding. I held them at bay for some time, when word was brought me that my right was being turned, and finding no troops coming to my support, and finding that unless I retired all would be killed or captured, I reluctantly gave the order to retire, and in good order the whole command came off the field slowly, and, firing as they retired, succeeded in bringing off nearly all their wounded. In passing back over the wheat-field, I found the enemy had nearly closed in my rear, and had the movement not been executed at the time it was, I feel convinced that all would have been lost by death, wounds, or capture.
(OR, vol. 27, pt. 1, p. 400-401)
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Report of Maj. Charles S. Peyton, 19th Virginia Infantry in Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg:

Moving on, we soon met the advance line of the enemy, lying concealed in the grass on the slope, about 100 yards in front of his second line, which consisted of a stone wall about breast-high, running nearly parallel to and about 30 paces from the crest of the hill, which was lined with their artillery. The first line referred to above, after offering some resistance, was completely routed, and driven in confusion back to the stone wall. Here we captured some prisoners, which were ordered to the rear without a guard. Having routed the enemy here, General Garnett ordered the brigade forward, which it promptly obeyed, loading and firing as it advanced.
(OR, vol. 27, pt. 2, p. 386)
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These are all from the Eastern Theater. Next I'll post those from the West.

 

[AUG]

Henry Morton Stanley with the 6th Arkansas Infantry at Shiloh:

We continued advancing, step by step, loading and firing as we went. To every forward step, they took a backward move, loading and firing as they slowly withdrew. Twenty thousand muskets were being fired at this stage, but, though accuracy of aim was impossible, owing to our labouring hearts, and the jarring and excitement, many bullets found their destined billets on both sides. After a steady exchange of musketry, which lasted some time, we heard the order: 'Fix Bayonets! On the doublequick!' in tones that thrilled us. There was a simultaneous bound forward, each soul doing his best for the emergency.
(The Autobiography of Sir Henry Morton Stanley, p. 190)
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Pvt. W. J. M'Dearman with the 12th Tennessee Infantry at Murfreesboro:

Cheatham gave orders for every man to be ready, and at the command "Attention" for each one to rise on his right knee and shoot under the smoke of the enemy's guns. Then we were to load and fire as we advanced. At the command every man was in his place. The enemy advanced downhill. We fired all at once, and rose yelling. Cheatham's and Pat Cleburne's men could beat the world on a yell. When we got to where they were when we fired on them there was a blue line of dead Yanks across the field. We kept as close to them as possible, firing as we advanced. I saw a large ash tree in the edge of the woods, and made for it. When I reached it I was so nearly exhausted that I could scarcely get my breath. I took a swallow of water, and then reloaded my gun.
(The Confederate Veteran 9, p. 306)

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Report of Capt. George W. Smith, 18th U.S. Infantry at Chickamauga:

Believing myself supported on the left, I moved rapidly forward, firing briskly, and found myself in dense woods and hilly ground, detached from the brigade. Assailed by a vastly superior force in front and on the left flank, and suffering severely, I ordered the command to retire, and did so, firing steadily.
(OR, vol. 30, pt. 1, p. 319)

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Report of Capt. William C. Harris, 38th Illinois Infantry at Chickamauga:

We were ordered to fall back, which we did, firing as we went, to a road at the edge of the timber, where a stand was made till, being heavily pressed on the left and front, the line retired across an open field to the woods.
(OR, vol. 30, pt. 1, p. 521)

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Report of Col. James R. Slack, in command of a brigade (US) at Champion Hill:

The thick growth of underbrush and vines, ravines, and hills made it very difficult to advance, but it was accomplished with little disorder, until we reached the crest of the hill, where we found the enemy in very heavy force about 200 yards in front of us, and under cover of a wood beyond a field. Then the battle began with great fury, our troops advancing for the purpose of driving the enemy from the cover of the woods, which was done at double-quick and in a most gallant manner, the men loading and firing as they advanced, and unfalteringly receiving a most deadly fire from the enemy; yet they pressed forward, as men only can do who are prompted by intelligent motives of patriotic devotion to a common country, until the rebel force was driven from the covering and forced to fall back a distance of 200 yards, with terrible loss, the ground being literally covered with dead and wounded rebels.
(OR, vol. 24, pt. 2, p. 55)

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Report of Col. Thomas M. Scott, 12th Louisiana Infantry fighting a rear guard action at Champion Hill:

I ordered my men to fire, advancing, which they did with great steadiness and precision. I advanced to within 40 or 50 yards of a line of two regiments, when they retreated and formed on another line of three regiments posted in a strong position on the crest of the hill. They all soon opened a heavy fire on me, when, finding that the contest was too unequal, I determined to try cold steel. I caused the firing to cease, bayonets to be fixed, and ordered my men to make a steady advance in line without yelling, that they might hear my commands; and never was an order more implicitly obeyed. We charged the entire brigade and caused them to flee in great confusion. I held the ground until ordered by you to Join the brigade. I here lost 5 killed and 34 wounded.
(OR, vol. 24, pt. 2, p. 89)​

Battle of Valverde, charge on McRae's Battery:

We out-flanked them and converged from the right and right-center upon their field battery. We went with a rush, firing as we advanced, falling down as their cannon belched forth their grape and canister, and then steadily advancing, as their left gave way and fled pell-mell into the river.
(W. P. Laughter, 2nd Texas Mounted Rifles, Civil War in the Southwest: Recollections of the Sibley Brigade by Jerry Thompson, p. 63)

At last Col. Green gave the signal command. "Charge, the whole line, Charge!" This was what we had been longing for. With shouts and yells we dashed forward. An account which I afterwards saw in a Yankee paper said that we were ten thousand strong and that though their cannon loaded with grape swept us down by the hundred, yet new men took the places of the fallen, and still came on. The truth was that there were not many over a thousand men in that charge, and they, though new to battle, were old in strategy. Watching the flash from the guns, each man threw himself on the ground and as the discharge passed over, rose and pushed forward again. No wonder they thought we fell in hundreds. At the same time we were firing with deadly accuracy, and the enemy fell in great numbers. Some of our best shots aimed only at the men supporting the cannon and it was here that the brave Pikes Peak men met their fate. Hardly a man of those two brave companies but fell before the battle was over.
(Henry C. Wright, 4th Texas Mounted Rifles, "A Johnny Reb in Sibley's New Mexico Campaign: Reminiscences of Pvt. Henry C. Wright, 1861-1862", pt. 1, ed. Michael L. Tate, East Texas Historical Journal 25, iss. 2, p. 27)
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Just one example of how Civil War combat, tactics and drill sometimes deviated from the manuals or standard procedure, depending on how the situation presented itself and how the officers and men reacted. You'd think that loading a muzzle-loader while on the move would be rather difficult - all while trying to stay in formation and while under fire - though it doesn't seem to have been that big of a deal for them when they had to.

Anyone know of any other accounts, either while advancing or retreating?

 

[jackt62]

I have also come across similar accounts of firing while on the move. I also seem to recall accounts where troops where specifically ordered not to fire while on the move in order to reinforce speed over firepower. I think such was the case in Pickett's Charge and also the II Corps assault on the Mule Shoe Salient at Spotsylvania.

 

[AUG]

I have also come across similar accounts of firing while on the move. I also seem to recall accounts where troops where specifically ordered not to fire while on the move in order to reinforce speed over firepower. I think such was the case in Pickett's Charge and also the II Corps assault on the Mule Shoe Salient at Spotsylvania.

At Gaines' Mill both Hood and Trimble commanded their men not to fire until they were right on the Federal line so it wouldn't slow their advance, which worked to their success. They were attacking a heavily fortified position though, as opposed to a fluid battle. I think whichever works best would have depended on the given situation. Also, many of the above incidences were still at very close range before they opened fire.

 

[mofederal]

During Grant's final assault at Petersburg on April 2, the VI Corps wedge attack on the Boyden Plank Road was led by Colonel Amasa Tracy now in command of the 1st Vermont Brigade on the Confederate line, which was in the advance of the rest of the corps. They attack was set to begin at 4:40 am. They were only 600 yards from the Confederate picket line, and 600 yards from the main Confederate line. The men of the 1st Vermont Brigade began the attack. The charge began and the men could barely see beyond their own troops. The men were told not to fire during their movement.

 

[AUG]

The 6th North Carolina Infantry at Gaines Mill. Similar use of trail arms as described by Lemon:

From a small ravine, going up a steep little bluff that sheltered us we passed over several lines of battle hugging closely to the sides of the bluff. Near to the summit we laid down to avoid their fire. . . . Passing over the crest of the little bluff one saw a gentle declivity, smooth and sandy, that stretched to the entrenched position we were to storm about 300 yards off. We advanced with trailing arms at a double-quick. . . . The battery and the lines of infantry opened upon us; the men fell thick and fast, but the storming column halted not—the double-quick merged into a run; then the wild yell as we leaped the gully, and the trailed arms opened fire, and we swept onward and upward until the hot and smoking Napoleons were in our possession.
(Brief Sketches of the North Carolina State Troops in the War Between the States, p. 169)
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My understanding is that trail arms was utilized for advancing quickly over rough ground. Skirmishers are to always move at trail arms, though it was also sometimes used in line of battle or closed order formations as well, as in these incidents. But has anyone ever heard of it also being utilized for firing while on the move as Lemon's account or the above account indicate?

 

[AUG]

At South Mountain the 6th Wisconsin of the Iron Brigade performed an interesting fire and advance technique. Due to the nature of the ground at Turner's Gap Lt. Col. Edward S. Bragg could only deploy one wing of the regiment in line. As that wing marched up and fired Bragg then ordered it to lie down and the other wing to pass overhead, fire, and repeat in a leap frog fashion. They fired four volleys by wing with this technique and successfully drove back the Confederates to their front.

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Rufus Dawes' account from his memoir:

Captain Hollon Richardson came running toward us shouting: "Come forward, sixth!" Sharp and clear rang out on the night, the voice of Bragg: "Deploy column! By the right and left flanks, double quick, march!" The living machine responded to this impulsive force with instant action, and the column was deployed into line of battle. The right wing of our regiment came into open field, but the left wing was behind the seventh [7th Wisconsin, to their left].

"Major!" ordered Bragg, "take command of the right wing and fire on the woods!" I instantly ordered: "Attention, right wing, ready, right oblique, aim, fire, load at will, load!" The roll of this wing volley had hardly ceased to reverberate, when Bragg said: "Have your men lie down on the ground, I am going over you." "Right wing, lie down! Look out, the left wing is going over you!" was the command. Bragg had brought the left wing behind the right wing and he ordered them forward over the men of the right wing as they laid upon the ground. The left wing fired a volley into the woods, and the right wing advanced in the same manner over them and fired a volley into the woods. Once more Bragg gave a volley by the left wing. There were four volleys by wing given, at the word of command.

In a long experience in musketry fighting, this was the single instance I saw of other than a fire by file in battle [firing on command?]. The characteristic of Colonel Bragg in battle, was a remarkably quick conception and instant action. The conduct of the men was worthy of their commander. In the deployment of the column under fire, they hurried over the rough and stony field with the utmost zeal, and while many men were struck by the bullets of the enemy, there was neither hesitation nor confusion. After the four volleys by wing and a welcome cheer by the seventh Wisconsin, there was positive enthusiasm. Our whole line was slowly advanced up the mountain, the men shouting and firing.​