Animated School of the Soldier


What is a Battalion? By definition (Glossary of Terms, Gilham’s Manual for Volunteers and Militia) a Battalion is; “Any body of infantry from two to ten companies, and serving under the same commander”.

You may also ask, what is a Regiment? Using the same source (Gilham’s) a regiment is: “A body of troops composed of ten to twelve companies, and commanded by a colonel”.

In re-enacting, as well as during the War Between the States, both terms really mean the same thing. It is rare in re-enacting that you can get ten companies together unless it is a special occasion such as a National Event. The average is four to six. Likewise, during the war it was difficult to maintain a regiment at full strength and always ten companies. Keep in mind that at Gettysburg, the “average” confederate infantry company had only about twenty-nine men in line.

It is important to remember that a Battalion was the smallest tactical unit in the army. Companies rarely operated independently and usually were detached from the battalion for guard duty or as skirmishers during an engagement.

Also, a Battalion was not a group of independent companies acting together. A Battalion was a single unit that, when in line of battle, was a solid mass of men standing shoulder to shoulder.

In general, the Battalion Commander’s commands are not repeated by anyone, unless the command is of “March” or “Halt”. It is therefore of utmost importance for communication, discipline, and safety that the men remain quiet in the ranks. In that way, the Battalion Commander can be heard, as his commands will be the only ones given.