Skirmishers

[MikeyB]

Good morning, had a few questions about skirmishers.
Were soldiers generally rotated evenly for skirmishing duty across the regiment? Or were there specialized companies who trained and deployed as such? Maybe the units' better shots? Is it true that most regiments had a designated "sharpshooter" company and if so, were these guys used as skirmishers? What was the typical size of a skirmisher line, was it a company size?

And after skirmishers were driven back in, were they typically rewarded with moving to the reserve, or were they generally forced right back on the firing line?

thanks for the posts!
mike

 

[AUG]

Were soldiers generally rotated evenly for skirmishing duty across the regiment? Or were there specialized companies who trained and deployed as such? Maybe the units' better shots?

Scott's old drill manual, dating to 1835, continued in the traditional practice of designating the right company of a regiment as a grenadier company and the left company a light infantry company, the former made up of the strongest men and the latter the lightest and nimblest men. However, grenadiers were not used in the ACW, so at the outset of the war many regiments designated both their flank companies as light infantry (skirmishers), often equipping them with what rifles they could procure.

Some regiments continued in that practice, but as more units were equipped with rifles as the war progressed, and due to some changes in more recent drill manuals like Hardee's, regiments could and did deploy any of their companies as skirmishers. Although I have read of certain companies that excelled in skirmish drill and were continually the go-to company in their regiment.

Is it true that most regiments had a designated "sharpshooter" company and if so, were these guys used as skirmishers?

There were a few regiments that contained a company or contingent of sharpshooters, but not usually. The Army of Northern Virginia later developed an army-wide system in which every brigade was supposed to organize a battalion of sharpshooters, consisting of hand-picked men from across the brigade. Like many sharpshooter units in the war, these battalions were essentially designated skirmishers for their brigade or division. The advantage was that instead of pulling individual companies or regiments out of line for the job, a S.S. battalion could be called upon when skirmishers were needed, consisting of men who were not only good shots but chosen for their bravery and agility, as well as officers who knew what they were doing.

What was the typical size of a skirmisher line, was it a company size?

That depends on the front that needed to be covered, how the line was adjusted, and how many companies were deployed. According to Hardee's drill manual, skirmishers operated in groups of four, or "comrades in battle," and the spacing between these groups could be increased to 40 paces.

And after skirmishers were driven back in, were they typically rewarded with moving to the reserve, or were they generally forced right back on the firing line?

Usually they resumed their place on the battle line, or could be sent to cover a flank.

 

[MikeyB]

Scott's old drill manual, dating to 1835, continued in the traditional practice of designating the right company of a regiment as a grenadier company and the left company a light infantry company, the former made up of the strongest men and the latter the lightest and nimblest men. However, grenadiers were not used in the ACW, so at the outset of the war many regiments designated both their flank companies as light infantry (skirmishers), often equipping them with what rifles they could procure.

Some regiments continued in that practice, but as more units were equipped with rifles as the war progressed, and due to some changes in more recent drill manuals like Hardee's, regiments could and did deploy any of their companies as skirmishers. Although I have read of certain companies that excelled in skirmish drill and were continually the go-to company in their regiment.


There were a few regiments that contained a company or contingent of sharpshooters, but not usually. The Army of Northern Virginia later developed an army-wide system in which every brigade was supposed to organize a battalion of sharpshooters, consisting of hand-picked men from across the brigade. Like many sharpshooter units in the war, these battalions were essentially designated skirmishers for their brigade or division. The advantage was that instead of pulling individual companies or regiments out of line for the job, a S.S. battalion could be called upon when skirmishers were needed, consisting of men who were not only good shots but chosen for their bravery and agility, as well as officers who knew what they were doing.


That depends on the front that needed to be covered, how the line was adjusted, and how many companies were deployed. According to Hardee's drill manual, skirmishers operated in groups of four, or "comrades in battle," and the spacing between these groups could be increased to 40 yards.


That depends. Usually they resumed their place on the battle line or could be sent to cover a flank.

Thanks for taking the time to post, this is a great education.

 

[MikeyB]

Scott's old drill manual, dating to 1835, continued in the traditional practice of designating the right company of a regiment as a grenadier company and the left company a light infantry company, the former made up of the strongest men and the latter the lightest and nimblest men. However, grenadiers were not used in the ACW, so at the outset of the war many regiments designated both their flank companies as light infantry (skirmishers), often equipping them with what rifles they could procure.

Some regiments continued in that practice, but as more units were equipped with rifles as the war progressed, and due to some changes in more recent drill manuals like Hardee's, regiments could and did deploy any of their companies as skirmishers. Although I have read of certain companies that excelled in skirmish drill and were continually the go-to company in their regiment.


There were a few regiments that contained a company or contingent of sharpshooters, but not usually. The Army of Northern Virginia later developed an army-wide system in which every brigade was supposed to organize a battalion of sharpshooters, consisting of hand-picked men from across the brigade. Like many sharpshooter units in the war, these battalions were essentially designated skirmishers for their brigade or division. The advantage was that instead of pulling individual companies or regiments out of line for the job, a S.S. battalion could be called upon when skirmishers were needed, consisting of men who were not only good shots but chosen for their bravery and agility, as well as officers who knew what they were doing.


That depends on the front that needed to be covered, how the line was adjusted, and how many companies were deployed. According to Hardee's drill manual, skirmishers operated in groups of four, or "comrades in battle," and the spacing between these groups could be increased to 40 yards.


That depends. Usually they resumed their place on the battle line or could be sent to cover a flank.

When I think of grenadiers, I always picture big, tall redcoats. Were grenadiers ever really used by American armies? In the revolution or 1812 or Mexico?

 

[AUG]

When I think of grenadiers, I always picture big, tall redcoats. Were grenadiers ever really used by American armies? In the revolution or 1812 or Mexico?

Good question. I haven't read much on grenadiers, but someone else here is probably more knowledgeable on them.

In Don Troiani's Soldiers of the American Revolution, he includes a grenadier of the 26th Continental Infantry.

There's an article here on a New York grenadier company in the American Revolution:
https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/d...adier-company-during-the-american-revolution/

Apparently, while some Continental regiments did include grenadier companies, most did not.