[74] Foy’s Vie Militaire, ed. Girod de l’Ain, p. 107.
[75] Habitually but not invariably: e.g. for a use of eight skirmishing companies from five battalions at Villamuriel in Oct. 12, by Maucune, see Béchaud’s Journal, pp. 406–7, in Études Napoléoniemes I.
[76] Sir James Sinclair in his Observations on the Military System of Great Britain, so far as respects the formation of Infantry, deals with this idea at great length, and proposes to have 160 skirmishers to each battalion of 640 men.
[77] See Fortescue, British Army, iv. p. 921.
[78] See the anecdote of the 28th regiment at Alexandria, whose rear rank faced about, and fought back-to-back with the front rank, when unexpectedly assailed from behind by French cavalry which had passed through a gap in the line. Hence the grant of the double shako-plate, before and behind, made to the regiment.
[79] Till lately I had supposed that Reynier had at least his left wing, or striking échelon, in columns of battalions, but evidence shown me by Col. James proves that, despite of the fact that the French narratives do not show it, the majority at least of Reynier’s men were deployed. This is borne out by Bunbury’s narrative, p. 244, where it is definitely stated, as well as by Boothby’s, p. 78.
[80] Those of Reynier. See my Peninsular War, Bussaco chapter.
[81] See Stanhope’s Conversations with the Duke of Wellington, p. 109.
[82] The phrase comes from the De Ros Manuscript, quoted in Maxwell’s Life of Wellington, ii. p. 20.
[83] Foy’s Vie Militaire, ed. Girod de l’Ain, pp. 270, 271.