Is it true that in Napoleonic Warfare, bayonet charges usually ended up having one side run away before contact?

by [deleted]

It makes sense, but was this the case, and if so, how often? Why was it so different than in Medieval times when men were much more willing to go into melee? Thank you!

DanKensington

Unless other circumstances intervened (actual close fighting, like in villages or storming forts), that'd apply to the vast majority of bayonet charges. More can always be said if anyone else would like to speak about the mechanics of bayonet charges; for the meantime, OP, here's some previous posts on bayonets:

For the Medieval side of things, see next post.