Skirmishers

[Kerflumoxed]

Amish John wrote:

Jim wrote:

We have a more correct skirmisher formation that at least part of is shown in one of the screenshots. One regiment per brigade will form a skirmish formation covering approximately the frontage of the regiment. We will try to add in a screenshot of the complete formation in the next screenshot package.

-Jim

Did you mean "frontage of the brigade"?

GREAT! OUTSTANDING! :woohoo: (I really think this emoticon is the visual Rebel Yell! Can we add sound to these little creatures? I recall that there is a recording of an elderly Rebel offering his version of the RY...sometime in the 20's or 30's if I recall. If we could add that during the charge sequence...my, oh my, Hancock the Great, er', superb, would quiver and quake in his boots! :laugh: )

Yep, you are right on AJ...A company would cover the frontage of a regiment...as I am sure both you and Jim are aware.

Boy, that is good news. Now, if we can only delay their impetuous retreat at the first sign of those Yankee scoundrals...Jackson the Immortal would sure be proud!

[Jim]

Right, the regiment in skirmish formation covers about a brigade frontage, depending on the relative size of the regiment and brigade.

-Jim

[Ephrum]

Since the subject is skirmishers, I have a question that is somewhat related, I think.

Does anyone know what the difference is between a pickett, and a vidette?

In the books I've read, the two seem to be very similar, though I've yet to read what the definitions of either are. I'm pretty sure I know what a pickett line is, but not a vidette.

[Kerflumoxed]

Ephrum wrote:

Since the subject is skirmishers, I have a question that is somewhat related, I think.

Does anyone know what the difference is between a pickett, and a vidette?

In the books I've read, the two seem to be very similar, though I've yet to read what the definitions of either are. I'm pretty sure I know what a pickett line is, but not a vidette.

As I recall, a picket is usually an infantryman (or dismounted cavalry with their horses nearby) while the vedette is a mounted cavalryman, both of which composed the Grand Guard and Outposts. This is a "combined arms" force consisting of both the infantry and cavalry with the latter "...furnishing the advanced sentinels" when both arms are available. If there was no cavalry available, the advanced sentinel positions (outposts) were filled by additional infantrymen. According to Gilham (paragraph 753): "The points occupied by the pickets should be about midway between the line of outposts and the position of the main body."

So, in a nutshell, the vedette was a mounted sentinal extending to the outer limits of the Grand Guard while the picket was an infantryman located between the Grand Guard and the vedette.

Hope that makes sense...and helps. :blink:

[Amish John]

Charles Dawson Shanly 1811–1875

The Fancy Shot

"RIFLEMAN, shoot me a fancy shot
Straight at the heart of yon prowling vidette;
Ring me a ball in the glittering spot
That shines on his breast like an amulet!"

"Ah, Captain! here goes for a fine-drawn bead;
There 's music around when my barrel 's in tune!"
Crack! went the rifle, the messenger sped,
And dead from his horse fell the ringing dragoon.

"Now, Rifleman, steal through the bushes and snatch
From your victim some trinket to hansel first blood—
A button, a loop, or that luminous patch
That gleams in the moon like a diamond stud."

"Oh, Captain! I staggered, and sunk on my track,
When I gazed on the face of that fallen vidette;
For he looked so like you as he lay on his back
That my heart rose upon me, and masters me yet.

"But I snatched off the trinket—this locket of gold;
An inch from the centre my lead broke its way,
Scarce grazing the picture, so fair to behold,
Of a beautiful lady in bridal array."

"Rifleman, fling me the locket— t'is she,
My brother's young bride, and the fallen dragoon
Was her husband—Hush! soldier, twas Heaven's decree;
We must bury him here, by the light of the moon!

"But, hark! the far bugles their warnings unite;
War is a virtue—weakness a sin;
There 's lurking and loping around us to-night;
Load again, Rifleman, keep your hand in!"

[Ephrum]

Kerfumoxed- Thank you for the insight! That's more than I knew. But I figured somebody here would know the answer.



Amish John- I enjoyed reading that! Thanks for posting it!