Napoleon Series Archive 2014

Re: tactics - long range firing
In Response To: tactics - long range firing ()

The one example of long-range musketry I can add is at the combat at Arcangues as part of the Battle of the Nive 10th December 1813. From Oman vol VII pages 242 and 243. The 43rd Foot were stationed in the church and churchyard. Clausel followed up a probing infantry attack by deploying two batteries at a distance of 400 yards from the church at an elevation slightly below that of the church. “The moment they (the guns) opened, they were met with three tiers of volley-firing by the 43rd. “ Oman then goes on to describe silencing the batteries by losses and the gunners abandoning the pieces. He describes three lines of men firing, from behind the churchyard wall, from through the church windows and from through the clerestory windows of the women’s galleries.

Oman also refers to Dumas in a footnote. Neuf mois a la suite du Marechal Soult p275.

http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6470922s

Dumas mentions having the musket at an angle of 35 degrees to achieve such long range fire. According to Dumas, General Kempt considered the fire to be ineffective at this range so ordered the fire to cease at which the French regained their guns and started firing again. The response was to resume the long range musketry forcing the artillery to draw back again.

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tactics - long range firing
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