Hardee's Tactics: Double Distance on Half Rations?

[lelliott19]

As our army was retreating towards Cumberland Gap a soldier called out to Gen. Hardee, "General I know how to form double column at half distance but your tactics don't mention double distance, on half rations." -- "That's true my friend," said the General smiling, "but hereafter history will mention the noble manner in which you have performed it." [The Rome Weekly Courier. (Rome, Ga.), November 07, 1862, page 3.]

 

[UCVRelics]

The soldier is correct as it is not in Hardee's book but one think I did learn in the US Army was when the balloon went up the books went out the window.

 

[Ole Miss]

Ah the poor Johnny Reb set so many records for going so far on so little! I know Billy Yank went hungry but not as often and as long. Lee once said his army lived on filed peas and that ain't too healthy or tasty!
Regards
David

 

[lelliott19]

it is not in Hardee's book

I thought it was interesting that half rations were already common enough for soldiers (and Generals) to be joking about in November 1862.

On a more pragmatic question, can someone please describe Double Column at half distance? Im assuming there was a movement called Double Column at Full Distance? What was the prescribed distance and what was the benefit of half distance and when would it have been used?