On the March

[Sam Grant]

A somewhat elementary topic, but one I need every detail I can get for a short story I plan to write in the near future. What exactly was the routine for an infantry march during the Civil War? As in, who led, how many men were in a rank, what orders were given and how they were worded, etc.

Also, and this may seem a trivial question, but if a soldiers felt the call of nature urgently, or had some other emergency, could he simply jump out of the formation and attempt to catch up when he was finished, or was this not allowed?

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[Freddy]

It depends on the size of the force that is marching. A Corps might have several divisions marching and a division might have several brigades marching and a brigade may have 5 or 6 regiments marching. A regiment would be told to be ready to move at a moments notice or at a specific time. If a days march was scheduled soldiers were awoken several hours prior so they could make coffee and salt pork/hardtack for breakfast and then strike camp and fall in. Here is a primary source from 1863.

April 2nd,
...At roll call tonight came orders to be ready to move at an early hour tomorrow.
April 3rd.
Reveille at 4 AM and at 6 AM were ready to march. Were cautioned that we had a march of 22 miles for the day, and that we must make our knapsacks light as possible. Many of us accordingly disposed of sundry notions not absolutely needful to hard campaigning, and some of our extra winter clothing, giving or selling them to the citizens flocking about the camps. At 8 AM started for Mt. Sterling, 21st MA, 11th NH, a battery, a wagon train and our regiment composing the column. The route through a fine farming section. Had one or two squalls of snow during the day. Part of the way threw out "flanking Skirmishers" as a precaution against guerrillas, which have been plenty about the country here during the winter. Got to our camp spot for the night just outside the town at 7:30PM. Most of us were tired as we could be, many of us with feet badly blistered and legs chafed. Mine were so bad as to be very painful the last few miles, not more than quarter of the regiment went into camp together, the rest had straggled behind, but came up before morning. Made a cup of coffee, which seemed to me never tasted so good.

www.civilwardiary.net

 

[khalleron]

For a good look at a soldier's day-to-day life, including marching, read this:

http://books.google.com/books?id=sq...&resnum=2&ved=0CEAQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false

It's 'fiction' but it's based on the author's actual experiences in the Union Army. There's even a chapter about body lice.

 

[jenkingish]

I once read where Col. Francis Barlow could not stand any straggling from his men. Apparently, he would detail a company of men with fixed bayonets at the rear of his column, and they had orders to bayonet anyone caught straggling. Not sure if this true or not, but it did make an impression me when I read it.

 

[ole]

Some officers were sticklier than others.

What Freddy wrote was about a brigade: 3 regiments, a battery (4 or 6 guns) and a supply train. Note that the last regiment followed the battery and the train. When it was dry, that regiment would eat dust; when it was wet, that regiment would get to walk in the ruts and churned mud. Hence, the regiments would be rotated. (Another reason: when the third regiment got to camp, there would be little wood for fires and no treats like berries or fruit along the way.)

Most wagon roads could accommodate a column of fours, thats 4 columns (files), four across (rank). In line of battle, each regiment would form two lines (ranks) the length of which would depend on the size of the regiments. And skirmishers would be sent out. That might be four or six guys per regiment, or it might been a battalion for a brigade -- depends on what they were facing. (By the way, when they were in camp, the outliers were pickets. Cavalry used videttes.)

On calls of nature: regulations on the march were to take a 10-minute rest for every hour of marching. If the urgency was greater than that (remember that green corn eaten at the last stop?), one had best ask the sergeant's pretty please.

 

[M E Wolf]

Jenkingish;

Stonewall Jackson was famous for that. Towards the end of the War, General Lee also had used the same against his men, due to deserting, falling out, etc.

I once read where Col. Francis Barlow could not stand any straggling from his men. Apparently, he would detail a company of men with fixed bayonets at the rear of his column, and they had orders to bayonet anyone caught straggling. Not sure if this true or not, but it did make an impression me when I read it.

M. E. Wolf

 

[M E Wolf]

Sam Grant,

1861 Revised Regulations for the Army of the United States:
Article XXXVL
Troops in Campaign -

[Excerpt]

475. A brigade is formed of two or more regiments. The first number takes the right.

476. Mixed brigades are sometimes formed of infantry and light cavalry, especially for advanced guards.

477. As all troops arrive at the rendezvous, the general commanding-in-chief will organize them into brigades and divisions.

478. The light cavalry is employeed as flankers and partisans, and generally for all service out of the line.

479. Heavy cavalry belongs to the reserve, and is covered, when necessary, in marches, camps, or bivouacs, by light troops, or infantry of that line.

480. Arrangements of the troops on parade and in order of battle is--

1st--The Light Infantry
2nd--Infantry of the Line
3rd--Light Cavalry
4th--Cavalry of the line
5th--Heavy Cavalry

The troops of artillery and engineers and militia take the left of the regular troops of the same arm, and among themselves, regiments of volunteers or militia of the same arm take place by the lot. This arrangement is varied by the general commanding-in-chief, as the circumstances of war render expedient.

481. Brigades in divisions, divisions in the army, are numbered from right to left; but in reports of military operations, brigades and divisions are designated by the name of the general commanding them.

482. The order of regiments in brigades and of brigades in divisions may be changed by the commander of the division for important reasons, such as weakness of some corps, or to relieve one from marching too long at the rear of the column. Such changes must be reported to the general-commanding-in-chief.

483. The general commanding-in-chief assigns generals of divisions and of brigades to their respective commands, when the assignment is not made by the Department of War.

484. The general of brigade inspects his troops in detail, by companies, when he takes the command and at the opening of the campaign, and as often as may be necessary to ascertain exactly their condition. The general of division makes similar inspections when he thinks proper. At these inspections the generals examine the arms, clothing, equipments, harness, horses, &c, direct the necessary reparis, and designate the men and horses to remain in depot, or march with the train.

485. Reports of inspection are made by generals of brigade to the general of division, and by the general of division to the general commanding-in-chief.

[extract]

 

[M E Wolf]

1862 Army Officer's Pocket Companion - A Manual for Staff Officers in the Field
Article 42 (pg. 91)
Marches executed to Assemble Armies

To assemble armies, route marches are executed. Generally these are made by battalions, distant on day's march from each other; the cavalry the most of the time proceeding by the side roads, usually the less direct, but it is difficult to make a numerous cavalry corps march together during a whle campaign without interfering with the rapidity of its own movements, and without great difficulty of subsisting it, this corps should not exceed 6,000 horses. The artillery follows the cavalry, or if it has a very long train, it may proceed by itself on a separate road.

The troops begin their concentration on the base of operations: when operations are beginning, the successive bodies draw towards each other, and the army encamps in lines a day's march from each other; upon getting near the enemy, columns are formed; especially if the country presents parallel roads of debouche. It is always advantageous to march a corps de armee by several roads, its divisions at distances apart suitable for deployment, and in order of battle; but if therer is but one communication, distance of 200 yards should be left between the different arms, and the cavalry more in the rear of the column.

In these marches, when a defile is to be passed, the order in which the troops shall successively pass, should be arranged beforehand, and made known. The general rule is never pile up the troops in such a manner that their movements shall be difficult, and their action paralized; but they must be kept sufficiently near, so that the enmeny may not by a rapid movement fall upon isolated bodies and beat in detail.

[extract]
...too short as well as too long marches are to be avoided. A mean average of 20 miles is the proper measure to adopt, remembering that cavalry can, from time to timme, clear as much as 30 miles, and that infantry ought never to march less than 15 miles. For both infantry and cavalry one day of rest is sufficient after six or eight days of consecutive marching. It is of importance, when far from the enemy, not to regulate the march of cavarly by that of the infantry, for it would be prematurely injuring the former. The departure should take place neither too early nor too late. One hour between reville and the assembling of troops will enable every one to make easily all the preparations for departure. The men eat their soup and keep the meat for the halt. The horses take a feed of oats. A guide, either civilian or military, will acquainted with all the prticulars of the road, accompanies the commander of the troops if he is not himself familiar with them.

[extract]

Note: Unfortunately, due to the hour and the realities of life--I cannot type further, word for word from the manual. However, it might be on line to be viewed there:

Marches by Infantry goes approximately 45 minutes, covering 2 1/2 miles. Stop 5 minutes for every mile marched, repeating such. Thirty minutes for lunch. Time start 6 a.m., due time at destination 2 p.m. for a 20 mile march.

M.E. Wolf

 

[M E Wolf]

1861 Revised Regulations for the Army of the United States:

Designation - Supervision of troops #/Designation

Platoon - Subdivision of troops less or more than a Company.

Company - 4 Squads - 82 Privates

Battalion - 2 or more Companies

Regiment - 10 or more Companies

Brigade - 2 or more Regiments --usually 2 to 4 regiments

Division - 2 or more Brigades.

Captain in charge at least 1 Company

Major " " of 2 Companies

Lt. Col " " of 4 Companies

Colonel " " 1 Regiment or 10 Companies

Brig. General - " "2 Regiments or 20 Companies

Major General -" " 4 Regiments or 40 Companies

Lt. General - " " 8 Regiments or 80 Companies

 

[Freddy]

Ole,

Thanks for filling in the details of the march. It was very interesting and I always wondered about how they handled nature's call. The idea of walking 22 miles, never mind the gun and pack, was enough to make me want to join the cavalry.

 

[RobertP]

I believe the standard was column of fours, meaning four abreast on the route.

 

[johan_steele]

As one example the 4th MN VI on the march to Allatoona to join the garrison. The Regt, around 300-350 strong posted 2 cos as skirmishers (probably about 70 men) spread across the front of the march and along both flanks. They commenced their march about 0500-0530 +/- maintaining about a 4 MPH pace which is not unimpressive as the terrain is rather hilly. They stopped hourly for a 4-5 min break. And once at mid morn for a 15 min or so break, again at noonish & again at mid afternoon. IIRC the march lasted 2 days w/ them making a bivouc about 1900, to include digging rifle pits. The Col was rather proud that there was absolutely no straggling. They did rotate cos though as skirmishers but I don't know when they were switched or if there was a specific order. K & D Cos, in particular, had reputations as good skirmishers. There was a battery in the column w/ them and perhaps another (smaller) Regt, but they may have left at a different date for Allatoona.

Robert P is quite correct about the column of fours, likely w/ arms at will, for the normal column.

I can speak that it is quite possible to sleep on the march, I've done it. I've read of men reading and even writing letters as well while marching. I can see reading but writing a letter... wow.

 

[Borderruffian]

On the march from the rail head at Rolla to Springfield during the Wilson's Creek Campaign there is in account written by a member of the Muscatine Greys of the 1st Iowa that details the sad state of the units shoes that were worn out prior to reaching Rolla. The men would fall out of the march and catch up at their leisure in the evening. It also details the instances of men falling behind to forage.

Granted this was early war and the Grey's were 3 month volunteers, Lyon had over extended and out run his supply line, and the main route of march was the Old Wire Road, so all that must be considered. I'd say it depends on the time and place.

 

[prroh]

Sherman's instructions to his two wing commanders during the march to the sea as fifteen miles per day and every fourth day as a rest day. Not 100% sure of the rest day, but I think it is right. Considering that this march regimen included artillery, wagon train and about a 3,000 head beef cattle train, this was an impressive pace.

 

[ole]

Upshot seems to be that they marched however the commander ordered it, regulations notwithstanding. Sherman was in a hurry but still saw the need for a day off. Orders were given and usually followed, but bottom line was in keeping the troops in marching condition. Those that ignored the grunt paid for it.

 

[KiltedOne]

Regulations are fine, but for a real first person soldiers perspective (from the Private's eyes) of what really went on, check out the book "Hardtack and Coffee'', available for free on Google Books: http://books.google.com/books?id=AM...&resnum=1&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false

In my opinion, this book should be required reading for all ACW reenactors and living historians. The narritive is from a first person account of a ACW soldier (John D Billings), and the sketches are from an actual soldier as well (Charles Reed).

See Chapter 28 (XVIII) for all the details on marching that you would ever want to know from the soldiers perspective.

B Mackay
97th PVI
Downingtown, PA

 

[Dave Hull]

Hard to believe it took them from 0630 till 1930 to march 22 miles. We would usually do about 10 miles in three hours as an average march, when doing more than 15 miles, instead of the Infantry standard of 3 hours for 12 miles. Even on tactical road marches at night, when the pace was way down, we were doing 15-16 miles in under 8 hours. That was in the days of no night vision and lugging a 70 pound ruck through the bush. Granted our boots were much better. I had always thought troops back then were doing much better in terms of road marches.

Dave

 

[RobertP]

Hard to believe it took them from 0630 till 1930 to march 22 miles. We would usually do about 10 miles in three hours as an average march, when doing more than 15 miles, instead of the Infantry standard of 3 hours for 12 miles. Even on tactical road marches at night, when the pace was way down, we were doing 15-16 miles in under 8 hours. That was in the days of no night vision and lugging a 70 pound ruck through the bush. Granted our boots were much better. I had always thought troops back then were doing much better in terms of road marches.

How big a unit were you marching in? If company size, OK. But when you think about a corps, division, or even a brigade, things get strung out a long way, sh*t happens and it naturally takes more time.

 

[Dave Hull]

That was company size, but based on what I have read, an Infantry company of today was probably close to the size of a Regiment back then. The smallest unit I was in had 206 men in the company, which would have been the size of two fully manned CW Infantry companies, but through attrition, those two same CW companies were probably running somewhere between 40 to 60% strength, so they were running what, 40 to 60 men per company? When I was at Ft Benning, one of the regimental commanders had the bright idea to do a 20 mile road march. I was near the rear of the formation, so the inevitable accordion action the entire way, but it still only took about six and half seven hours to complete.

 

[bama46]

That was company size, but based on what I have read, an Infantry company of today was probably close to the size of a Regiment back then. The smallest unit I was in had 206 men in the company, which would have been the size of two fully manned CW Infantry companies, but through attrition, those two same CW companies were probably running somewhere between 40 to 60% strength, so they were running what, 40 to 60 men per company? When I was at Ft Benning, one of the regimental commanders had the bright idea to do a 20 mile road march. I was near the rear of the formation, so the inevitable accordion action the entire way, but it still only took about six and half seven hours to complete.

Did you make this march with a herd of beef cattle, artillery being pulled by horses, and god knows how many supply wagons being also pulled by horses or mules. Oh, and did you do it in the rain on muddy roads... Ever been stationed at Benning... that muddy clay is easy to march in, isn't it, particularily after horses and wagon wheels have softened it up for ya