With what we now know about military strategy, would there have been a better method of warfare during the 19th century than columns of soldiers lining up?

by Quaon

Put another way:

Given the technology of the time, and assuming you were facing an enemy that was using the traditional lining-up of soldiers, what would be the optimal deployment of forces?

I often hear about how much everything changed with the first world war and trench warfare (as one example). Would this have been viable back 50 years earlier? How about modern infantry tactics of the 21st century? Or was the technology of the time too limiting of a factor to use any other strategy?

Grumpi83

"Or was the technology of the time too limiting of a factor to use any other strategy" (Yes and no)

I say that because it depends on when in the 19 century you are talking about. Early on armies were still using smooth bore weapons which greatly limited the range and accuracy of the projectiles. Now around the time of the American Civil War you begin to see rifled weapons and toward the end of the war they really start to become more widely circulated (particularly in the north).

"Would this have been viable back 50 years earlier" (Yes)

Take the battle of Gettysburg as an example. Lee ordered Picket to launch an attack on the union lines. This attack is referred to as a "Napoleonic Assault", massed infantry charge a position and attempt to rout the enemy and break their lines. Now the interesting thing here is that General James Longstreet objected to the attack. He favored circling around the union position and digging in between the federal army and Washington DC. Longstreet's theories on defensive war were extremely advanced for the time. Unfortunately (or fortunately if you were a slave in the south) for many young men the world over Lee did not take his advice. Generals continued to order massed infantry assaults on enemy positions on through WWI over 50 years later.

"what would be the optimal deployment of forces?"

Pre rifleing? Massed infantry supported by cannons with calvary on the flanks or at the rear. The infantry slug it out until someone breaks or withdraws. The cannon pound the enemy infantry or attempt to suppress enemy cannon, while your calvary guard your flanks and prepare to overrun fleeing infantry if the enemy breaks.

Post rifled weapons you have the range and accuracy to hit specific targets at a considerable distance. This (as seen at Gettysburg and the Somme (machine guns didn't help either)) changes things a bit.

I am shooting from the hip here and I don't have time to look up references so let me know if I'm off or have forgotten something.

Edit: will add reference once i get home