What's the difference?

[GrumpyDave]

Between:

Light Infantry & Infantry of the Line?

Light Cavalry, Cavalry of the Line & Heavy Cavalry?

I was reading "Instructions for Officers and Non-Commissioned Oficers on Outpost and Patrol Duty, and Troops in Campaign. In Two Parts." Washington Government Printing Office 1863.

Those are mentioned in the order of march.

Thanks

[Dignann]

Re: What's the difference?

Grumpy,

Perhaps this will help. It is from William Gilham's Manual of Instruction... pages 27-30, which is what I have handy at the moment.


Infantry

The troops that compose the infantry are usually divided into heavy and light; these distinctions arise partly from their different destination on the field of battle. The former is known as the infantry of the line, the latter as light infantry and rifles.

The infantry of the line should be so disciplined so as to act as one mass, which knows no breaking; it should be prepared to deliver its fire in line, in the face of an opposing foe; to form in columns to attack with the bayonet; form into a square to resist the charge of of cavalry; or stand under the fire of artillery.

The duties of light trooops are to open an engagement, and to do their part during its continuance. They should cover the front and flanks of the infantry of the line, in the advance of the latter, driving the enemy out of all covers, etc., only retiring upon the main body when too strongly pressed to maintain their position/ Upon them usually devolve advance post, detachment, and advance and rear-guard service. Light troops form as other infantry when occasion requires, but the habitual order of battle is the dispersed order, in which each man is seperated some distance from his neighbor, and must depend in a great degree upon himself.


Cavalry

In Eurpoean armies there is a marked distinction between heavy and light cavalry, but in ours the distinction is more nominal than real; all cavalry being called upon alike for the discharge of the duties of both heavy and light troops.

When acting as heavy cavalry its duties are usually confined to the field of battle; there, placed in reserve, it is held in hand until the decisive moment arrives, when it is sent forth to achieve victory, or prevent defeat.

To the light cavalry are entrusted the duties of securing the heavy cavalry from surprise; to watch over the safety of the field artillery; to perform the services required of them by infantry divisions; and those pertaining to out-post and detachment service in general.


It sounds to me like in both cases light service can be viewed as skirmishers and/or flankers, while heavy refers to the main body.

I hope this helps.

Eric

[flattop32355]

Re: What's the difference?

Between:
Light Infantry & Infantry of the Line?
Light Cavalry, Cavalry of the Line & Heavy Cavalry?
I was reading "Instructions for Officers and Non-Commissioned Oficers on Outpost and Patrol Duty, and Troops in Campaign. In Two Parts." Washington Government Printing Office 1863.
Those are mentioned in the order of march.

Especially in the Napoleonic era, light cavalry would ride smaller horses, carry lighter weapons (lances, etc.) and do more harassment duties. Heavy Cavalry would have sturdier mounts, be armed with heavy swords, and be used to break up infantry squares by smashing into them through an opening.

Even before that era, the same was true for heavy/light chariots and other examples. The same also applies to heavy/light infantry. The "heavies" tended to be considered more elite units on the whole, used for destroying the enemy's line rather than trying to hold your own line intact.

Much of the thinking about units, tactics, etc. of the CW era was a direct line back to the Napoleonic way of fighting.

[County Militia]

Re: What's the difference?

You might want to think of it in naval terms:

The light infantry or cavalry are the brigs. Small, fast, and able to fight, but with little stomach to go against a three decker.

The heavy infantry and cavalry are like the ships of the line. Often armed with 64+ guns and are in the line of battle, doing the work in a large naval battle.

Sorry about this being in terms of Napoleonic warfare, for I am more of an officianado in Napoleonic naval tactics than Civil War naval tactics.


During the Napoleonic Wars, the heavy cavalry was often armored with metal chest armor, much like a Medieval kinight would wear, and often a flashy metal helmet. With Napoleon, the heavy cavalry was armed with short swords and were great in cavalry v. cavalry engagements.

Light cavalry was un-armored and lightly armed. They would possess curved sabers or lances, and were primarily used to mow down lines of infantry. Light cavalry was the not the best in cavalry v. cavalry engagements. Would you want to fight off a swarm of heavily armored cavalrymen with a single lance?!

[Adjutant]

Re: What's the difference?

Although this post comes a little late, I thought it might have some relevence. An important postscript to this discussion is the understanding that altough light and heavy infantry units (including zouaves and chasseurs), and light and heavy cavalry units (including hussars, &tc.) were formed during the war, there is almost no documented case where they were used in the Napolonic style during the ACW. Part of this relates to the continueing US Army dislike of "elite" units. The origional definition of elite units relates to thier formation; they are formed from men selected for specific attributes (modern rangers are an example). The US Army's reasoning is that too many elite units drains the men who would ordinarily be NCOs and junior officers in regular units, thus lowering the ability of the army as a whole. Only a few truly elite units by this definition were formed during the war and the best example is the 1st and 2nd US Sharpshooters, as they had to pass a marksmanship test to join these regiments. I hope this adds to this discussion. I am,

Sincerely Yours,
Andrew Dangel