Scourge of War Boards

Yesterday, as I was playing TC2M, CMP3, I attempted to utilize my Skirmishers in a historical fashion as they were used during the war. Unfortunately, in many aspects their response was untypical. For example:

1. According to the wartime requirements, "...skirmishers are thrown out to clear the way for, and to protect the advance of the main corps..." And, "Every body of skirmishers should have a reserve..." Lastly, "Skirmishers should take advantage promptly, and with intelligence, of all shelter, and of all accidents of the ground, to conceal themselves from the view of the enemy, and to protect themselves from his fire." As one can readily see, the purpose of the Skirmishers is simply to ascertain whether or not the main body will make contact with the enemy as they advance or hold their ground. If the latter, they serve as "scout" preventing the main body from being surprised. If the former, they protect the advancing troops from being surprised en masse.

2. When the skirmishers halt, they traditionally sought cover: "Skirmishers should be particularly instructed to take advantage of any cover which the ground may offer, and should lie flat on the ground whenever a movement is necessary to protect them from the fire of the enemy. Regularity in the alignment should yield to this particular advantage." In the game, they stand in a neat line. Could the skirmishers lie down, or kneel as the dismounted cavalry does, whenever they come to a halt? Coincidentally, kneeling as the dismounted cavalry does would be a typical formation of skirmishers at the halt with the number one's in the front rank and the number two's in the rear rank.

3. When encountering the enemy in the game, the skirmishers beat a hasty retreat without firing a shot whether the enemy is advancing, at a halt, or "biling their coffee." In actual practice, skirmishers were taught to fire (Number one's and then number two's in succession, loading while moving or at the halt, each, thereby, providing covering fire for his comrades-in-battle) while moving forward or in retreat. Rather than the current "rout" of skirmishers spotting the enemy, could they continue advancing (as they would against enemy skirmishers), hold (as against a stationary body), or retreat in an orderly manner (as against an advancing enemy, other than enemy skirmishers)?

Essentially, only a foolish commanding officer would advance through "cover" without throwing out skirmishers! Nor, would they not "picket" their front, or flanks (ie. 11th Corps at Chancellorsville) thereby preventing any surprise from the enemy and, since we don't have the ability to establish picket lines, skirmishers would fulfill that need. This would be particularly helpful for those who use the "F" key, which is in another thread and is a dynamic tool!!! :woohoo:

Are any of these observations viable for the new game? :unsure:

Thanks for your time and consideration! :S

If you send skirmishers at skirmishers you can have a brief fight but it normally never works like that in the real world. I think it would be cool if the skirmishers in GB didn't form that neat little zig zag instead they are kind of scattered around.

Joshua l.Chamberlain wrote:

If you send skirmishers at skirmishers you can have a brief fight but it normally never works like that in the real world. I think it would be cool if the skirmishers in GB didn't form that neat little zig zag instead they are kind of scattered around.

The skirmish drills I have done reenacting over the last couple decades have been done in accordance with Hardees or Caseys. The skirmish line maintains its alignment when advancing, at rest, or falling back. When they halt they can seek cover, but only using cover nearby so the skrimish line maintains its general alignment and doesn't become all scattered. Whether that held true in actual combat, I don't know.

In this same vein I wonder if Zouave units would have a light infantry advantage since their training was specialized in skirmishing warfare. I am not sure how much "Zouave" training the units actually accrued or if it was just the fancy red pants that is the main uniqueness of the unit.

Joshua l.Chamberlain wrote:

If you send skirmishers at skirmishers you can have a brief fight but it normally never works like that in the real world. I think it would be cool if the skirmishers in GB didn't form that neat little zig zag instead they are kind of scattered around.

Hi John,

Skirmishers were not meant to engage the enemy in full-fight combat; but, rather, to ascertain whether or not the enemy was in the immediate front (or flank) of the advancing force. If they were strong enough to drive the enemy's pickets (or opposing skirmishers) they were allowed to do so. If not, and they were being driven, then they fell back on the reserve and/or the main body. But, in falling back, they did so in an orderly fashion, at least as much as possible. If they were being hard-pressed, the command would be "Rally on the battalion" whereby they "...will rapidly unmask the front of the battalion, directing themselves in a run towards its nearest flank, and then form in the rear." In the present TC2M game, they complete the "Rally" upon contact with the enemy.

As to the zig-zag, the manual prescribes the intervals between the skirmishers and the first/second lines and the method of firing while advancing/retreating. And, yes, I agree about things not normally "working out in the real world."

Thanks for the comments and observations.

dale wrote:

In this same vein I wonder if Zouave units would have a light infantry advantage since their training was specialized in skirmishing warfare. I am not sure how much "Zouave" training the units actually accrued or if it was just the fancy red pants that is the main uniqueness of the unit.

Will have to rely upon someone more knowledgable than me regarding fellows who fight in their pajamas! :huh:

I do seem to recall that the flank companies in a normal battalion were the light infantry companies (or supposed to be) that were supposed to provide the skirmishers.

Amish John wrote:

Joshua l.Chamberlain wrote:

If you send skirmishers at skirmishers you can have a brief fight but it normally never works like that in the real world. I think it would be cool if the skirmishers in GB didn't form that neat little zig zag instead they are kind of scattered around.

The skirmish drills I have done reenacting over the last couple decades have been done in accordance with Hardees or Caseys. The skirmish line maintains its alignment when advancing, at rest, or falling back. When they halt they can seek cover, but only using cover nearby so the skrimish line maintains its general alignment and doesn't become all scattered. Whether that held true in actual combat, I don't know.

Yep, AJ, that is my understanding. Having missed the Big One during those years, I can only rely upon the various LH I have participated in plus what I have read...the latter undoubtedly being more accurate...I think! :huh:

In addition, skirmishers could be used as scouts. Lets go to the Kryznowski scenario. Schimmingfield's Brigade and a battery of artillery and a company of cavalry move to attack the Groveton Road at Sudley Ford. However, the cavalry (which would be the skirmishers) moves straight down the road, sees the artillery, gets chewed up, since it is attacking, and gets driven off. Now, in a real battlefild, the cavalry would spot the artillery, send a notice back to the brigade commander, withdraw to a safe spot. The brigade commander would move his command accordingly, knowing that the batteries were hidden there. Now. What acctually happens is that the artillery battery marches up the same road, not knowing that there are two batteries just on the other side of the railroad. The Union battery gets demolished by the fire of some 26 guns (some on the hillside). Then the infantry marches up, and not knowing that there are guns on the otherside, get suprised, and routed. So much for Schimmingfield.

Since the game doesn't have pickets (I believe). The skirmishers take that role. Maybe, it's just the way you use them.

I believe that in this game, it would be best if you could detach a company of infantry from a regiment and have them scout out the area assigned to them. When they see an enemy unit, they withdraw, and send a report. 3 minutes later, the company goes forward again. If they see the same unit, it gets reported. I beleive that if a unit must get reported by a command to show up on your battle map, but that is what I think.

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

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"?