Note 91 — Chapter IV · WELLINGTON’S INFANTRY TACTICS—LINE VERSUS COLUMN

Note especially Vigo-Roussillon’s account of Barrosa, where he speaks of his regiment having pierced the first British line, when all that it really did was to thrust back four companies of the 95th rifles, and two of the 20th Portuguese. Similarly Reynier’s report on Bussaco says that Merle’s division broke the front line of Picton, and only failed before his second. But the “front line” was only five light companies.