Over the hills and far away..." : a study of the 95thRifles

Over the hills and far away..." : a study of the 95thRifles : their background, discipline, doctrine, and combat employment during the defence of Portugal, 1810-1811

This is a fantastic and thorough academic description of the 95th rifles, their formation, theory, tactics and battle history in the early part of the Peninsula war.

If I ever make a skirmish level army, it will be of the 95th advance guards

In an open country a few squadrons of dragoons shoved well to the front will procure every necessary information; but in a close country, I hold the following to be the best advanced guard.

1st_ A subaltern with twelve hussars, throwing two of them a hundred yards in front, and four at fifty.

2nd• A section of riflemen or light infantry at fifty yards.

3rd. The other three sections of the company at fifty yards. 1

4th. Four companies oflight infantry at a hundred yards, with communicating files, and followed closely by two pieces of horse artillery, and a squadron of dragoons.

On falling in with the enemy, the advanced videttes will fire off their carabines to announce it, and if their opponents fall back they will continue their onward movement. If they do not, the intermediate four will join them, and try the result of a shot each; when, if the enemy still remain, it shews that they decline taking a civil hint, which, if they are infantry, they assuredly will; and the dispositions must be made accordingly While the remaining hussars are therefore dispatched to watch the flanks, the leading section of infantry will advance in skirmishing order, and take possession of the most favourable ground near the advanced videttes. The other three sections will close up to within fifty yards, one of them, if necessary, to join the advanced one, but a subdivision must remain in reserve. The guns will remain on the road, and the dragoons and infantry composing the main body of the advanced guard will be formed on the flanks, in such a manner as the ground will admit, so as to be best ready for either attack or defense; and in that disposition they will wait further orders, presuming that the officer commanding the division will not be a hundred miles off.

The foregoing applies more particularly to the following of an enemy whom you have not lately thrashed, whereas, if following a beaten one, he ought never to be allowed a moment's respite so long as you have force enough of any kind up to shove him along. He ought to be bullied every inch of the way with dragoons and horse artillery, and the infantry brought to bear as often as possible.