Use of Officers as Files Closers in U.S. Regiments?

[Bob George]

Friends, any historical documentation of officers, especially Captains or even Majors, serving as file closers in U.S. regiments during infantry charges during the Civil War?

Even more granular, any officers known to have served as file closers during the battle of Antietam in predominantly Irish regiments.

Many thanks,

Bob

Robert Broadwater
NPS Volunteer

[rake]

Re: Use of Officers as Files Closers in U.S. Regiments?

In what context? Assuming full strength company, the Lts. are in the rank of file closers, 1st Lt. center of the fourth section, 2nd Lt. centered on the first platoon, and 3rd Lt. at the platoon split.

If you are thinking of during the war consolidated companies, logically, the regimental commander would consolidate companies commanded by Capts. with companies where the senior officer present is a Lt.

[Bob George]

Re: Use of Officers as Files Closers in U.S. Regiments?

Tommy, appreciate the input and sorry for the sketchy description. Perhaps not a file closer then. In circa 1862, say Battle of Antietam, what officer in a U.S. regiment would have been several paces behind the ranks advancing forward, probably as a charge is initiating? Believe on the right flank of that regiment. Does this scenario match any officer's role?

Provost Guard would not have advanced with a line of battle, correct? They would have remained stationary, some distance back from the infantry regiments that were advancing.


Bob

Robert Broadwater
NPS Volunteer

[CompanyWag]

Re: Use of Officers as Files Closers in U.S. Regiments?

Bob, are you thinking about the role of lieutenant colonel? He would have been at the centre of the right-wing behind the line of file closers. As a field officer he would be mounted unless of course terrain and circumstances would dictate otherwise.

[Bob George]

Re: Use of Officers as Files Closers in U.S. Regiments?

Paul, thanks for weighing-in.

No, the description is an officer, probably a Captain at Antietam, on foot, a few paces behind the rear of two Federal ranks advancing, probably at the start of a charge. Likely on the extreme right wing of the regiment. I still think it is a file closer, although the officer is supposed to be a Captain.

Thoughts?

http://www.nps.gov/vick/forteachers/upload/Army%20Organization.pdf

Bob

Robert Broadwater
NPS Volunteer

[CompanyWag]

Re: Use of Officers as Files Closers in U.S. Regiments?

Bob,
Drawing a blank on this one. In a charge, all captains would be in the front rank in each company, in the case of the right wing, on the right of their respective companies. Perhaps if the regiment had halted to open fire and the captains had retired to behind the line of file closers, and the command to charge given before the captains could return to their proper posts.
Anything could happen when things break down under fire.

[rake]

Re: Use of Officers as Files Closers in U.S. Regiments?

Bob, that illustration shows the positions by the book, so there is no Capt. in the rank of file closers. The reality is that the people in the rear of the file closers would be moving around somewhat - the adjutant and sgt. major setting markers for a battalion maneuver such as change front forward or by file into line.

Id the reference to that captain staying in the rank of file closers, or could it be where he happens to be at the time of the description? A far reach would be a brigade officer at the right flank battalion - but again, he would not have a duty that would place him in the rank of file closers, it would just be coincidence.

[Bob George]

Re: Use of Officers as Files Closers in U.S. Regiments?

Tommy, thanks for the response and I am thoroughly impressed with your grasp of the subject matter.

Trying to identity an ancestor who was killed in action for someone and so what I have is very sketchy and the name ("Rorke") doesn't even match. To muddle it even more, the front ranks -- Irishmen -- were perhaps wearing their overcoats when the Captain was killed instantly, and so it probably could not have been Antietam.

Again my sincere thanks to all. It may have to remain a mystery.

Bob

Robert Broadwater
NPS Volunteer