Imperial Bayonets: Tactics of the Napoleonic Battery, Battalion and Brigade As Found in Contemporary Regulations

George Nafziger has written an excellent reference book that highlights the drill regulations of the various nations that fought in the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. It is well-researched, thorough, and is an indispensable reference for historians, enthusiasts, wargamers, and those that just like to play with their toy and model soldiers, or enjoy making model dioramas and vignettes. Profusely illustrated with clear and concise diagrams of the various formations and maneuvers, the author skillfully leads the reader through the various evolutions troops would use on the battlefield. One that was particularly useful for me was seeing how the difficult passage of lines was done, which is one of the maneuvers Marshal Lannes executed at Jena under fire, which was no mean effort, being one of the hardest to execute, especially in the middle of a hard fight. The bibliography is complete and very helpful, and this is a handy reference that needs to be at your side as you make your way through the various histories of the period. This book is much more accurate and useful than Brent Nosworthy's With Musket, Cannon, and Sword, and the author is much more at home with his subject, and better versed in it than Mr. Nosworthy. Faults and/or errors are few and far between. One minor annoyance was the author's tendency to use the term 'converged' instead of either 'provisional' or 'composite' for temporary units used either for a certain amount of time, or those utilized for a special mission, such as making a provisional battalion out of the grenadier companies of several battalions and/or regiments. 'Converged' is not a military term , while 'provisional' and 'composite' are. One suspects 'converged' is a wargaming term that has evolved through that particular genre. This very important work is vital for understanding the drill and maneuvers on the tactical level for the armies of the period described. It is a must for historians and enthusiasts, and belongs on every Napoleonic buff's bookshelf.

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