[Peter Chadwick]

Thanks for your reply. The first link only details the later part of the campaign. I am interested in the campaign up to the battle of Novi in August 1799.

[Peter Chadwick]

Sorry I inadvertently duplicated my post. 🤪

[Peter Chadwick]

One element that may be missing from the discussion is how cavalry developed in terms of its role on the battlefield. I have always understood that in the early 18th century it’s primary role was to prevent the infantry being outflanked and focused therefore on the opposing cavalry.

as regards the infantry, the introduction of iron ramrods in the 1740s improved the general reliability and rapidity of musket fire. This may well have increased the confidence of infantry in line to be able to repel attacking cavalry, which also links to the development or otherwise of the latter’s  tactical doctrine.

As regards the Revolutionary period I would offer the following:

1. Lynn (Bayonets of the Republic) states that the first stable French square was in 1794. This date would coincide with the Amalgame and over 12 months of combat experience of the French armies.

2. The majority of battles in that period tended to be attacks by one side or the other on prepared (often fortified) positions with little scope for cavalry action.

3. Cavalry forces were generally small by comparison to thinfantry and were more often used in advanced guard situations.

I think that as cavalry formations grew in size then the threat to infantry grew in proportion which produced increased focus on the square as the appropriate defensive formation.

 

[Peter Chadwick]

One element that may be missing from the discussion is how cavalry developed in terms of its role on the battlefield. I have always understood that in the early 18th century it’s primary role was to prevent the infantry being outflanked and focused therefore on the opposing cavalry.

as regards the infantry, the introduction of iron ramrods in the 1740s improved the general reliability and rapidity of musket fire. This may well have increased the confidence of infantry in line to be able to repel attacking cavalry, which also links to the development or otherwise of the latter’s  tactical doctrine.

As regards the Revolutionary period I would offer the following:

1. Lynn (Bayonets of the Republic) states that the first stable French square was in 1794. This date would coincide with the Amalgame and over 12 months of combat experience of the French armies.

2. The majority of battles in that period tended to be attacks by one side or the other in prepared (often fortified) fortified positions with little scope for cavalry action.

3. Cavalry forces were generally small by comparison to thinfantry and were more often used in advanced guard situations.

I think that as cavalry formations grew in size then the threat to infantry grew in proportion which produced increased focus on the square as the appropriate defensive formation.

 

[Peter Chadwick]

French Revolution cannot satisfactorily be described in 3 words

[Peter Chadwick]

I have. E-mail me on [email protected] and when I return from holiday I will sort copies for you.

 

chad

 

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