Some Interesting Notes from Brent Nosworthy

[Chad]

During the 1850s, a group of French officers set out to determine what a soldier could see at various ranges. Its findings are undoubtedly pertinent to those interested in warfare at any point throughout the musket/black powder era.

Approaching Cavalry.
Approximate Distance
What is Distinguishable
650 yards
The rate of motion - walking, trotting, galloping; the direction of the movement - advancing or retiring; the brilliant part of the accoutrements - helmet and cuirass; the color of the uniform- red, white; the breastplate, plume, the blade of the lances.
430 yards
The saddle-cloth; the rates of motion and its direction; the helmet and the cuirass; the bright colors of the uniform; the shoulder belt of the horsemen in front.
325 yards
The colors of the saddle cloth; the reins of the bridle on horses with light saddle cloths, seen sideways; the scabbard of the horseman's sword, seen on his left; the shaft of the lances; the epaulettes, the hair of the head.
215 yards
The saddle-cloth; the reins of the bridle on horses with dark saddle cloths; the blade and scabbard of the sword; the shaft of the lance; the carbines slung; the principal parts of the uniform and equipment.
110 yards
The soldier's body; his shape and arms; his weapons and equipment; the details of his uniform; harness; the line of buttons on his jacket, his holster, and cloak.



Approaching infantry
Approximate Distance
What is Distinguishable
650 yards
The movement of companies marching, advancing or retiring, the red color of infantry.
430 yards
The direction of their march and the movement of their muskets.
325 yards
The barrels of the rifles or carbines; the rifle at the shoulder the different parts of the uniform.
215 yards
The color of the uniform; the badges of the belts or shakos; the hilts of the swords, the cartridge box.
110 yards
The different parts of the body; the movements of the men individually; the form and color of the uniform.



Source: Steinmetz, Andrew, Esq. (Queen's Own Light Infantry Militia), Military Gymnastics of the French, Journal of the Royal United Service Institute (JRUSI), Vol. V (1861), no.18, pp. 370-395, p. 458.

[Subedai]

That is interesting. Good post.

[Westmarcher]

By its omission, I presume, "Don't shoot until you see the whites of their eyes!" was not a tactic employed by the French Army in the 1850s (although I do believe they fancied that the bayonet allied with their traditional élan was the tactic to use instead). 

But seriously, I do agree. The information is interesting. The question is, "How to use it?" I'm thinking more information is needed. For example, in the case of approaching cavalry, knowledge regarding the time it would take them to cover that 650 yards ("Do we form square now or wait until they are closer?").

I also wonder how expert the average soldier is on enemy uniforms (e.g., "Dearie me. That looks like a Young Guard battalion! Lets get the heck out of here!"). I suppose the identification of Bearskins or Grenadier Mitres might put the wind up some troops, especially militia. Should we therefore build in some rudimentary morale reactions in such circumstances - or just trust in the basic troop gradings and morale rules of the rule sets we are using? Must give this more thought.

[Ithoriel]

So, the difference between Welsh women in traditional dress and British line infantry becomes apparent at 200 to 300 yards - presumably under ideal conditions?

Perhaps I should think more kindly of Colonel Tate.

[Steve J]

The question is, "How to use it?"

IIRC in Bruce Weigle's Grand Tactical Rules, units are just units until a certain distance away and then you can tell if they are cavalry, infantry etc. I can't remember if there are rules to tell if they're friend or foe. What distance he uses I can't remember as I don't have the rules to hand

[petercooman]

Indeed, this is intrigueing!

I have always been interested in the conditions of 'friendly fire' incidents.If you imagine you're standing in a field, surrounded by gunpowder smoke, maybe on a dark and dreary day, peering into your front with adrenaline coursing through you, i can imagine it's not always easy to see what's coming at you.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

In 1870, the French at Moscow Farm shot a flock of sheep on the edge of the Mansé Ravine 'because the looked like Prussian Cuirassers' (honest guv, no, we weren't hungry)!