Since you wish "to know what Maransin saw as the difference between an 'attack columns' of Girard's division and columns par battalion of Gazan's when he corrected Lapene--who said Girard used 'colonnes serrees par bataillons'. Maransin stated that Girard moved towards the enemy in attack columns, Gazan 150 paces behind in attack columns by battalion. What is the distinction in formation between Girard's and Gazan's divisions that Maransin was making? How is that different from Lapene's description which Maransin was correcting? "

The descriptions are not at odds as they are taking two differenct perspectives: one if attack columns (each battalion in attack column - a battalion level view) and one of the - for want of a better phrase - relationship of the columns to each other of a series of battalion column (a brigade level view).

I believe you are viewing both at a battalion level and trying to reconcile the two descriptions. (There ia one apple and one bushel of apples and not one apple and one orange.) - R