How did Napoleonic tactics compare to civil war tactics?
Answer Dear Neil, Were not really supposed to assist with homework, but Ill be glad to toss in my two cents 1. The most effective Civil War tactic was defensive entrenching. To that point, all officers on both sides of the war utilized Napoleonic Tactics which called for both armies to stand face-to-face and discharge their muskets into the opposing lines. After this, the attacking force would charge with mounted bayonets. Without fail, one side or the other would retreat under these circumstances. Lee was one of the very few officers to see the futility of old tactics early on and began entrenching. In fact, Lees troops called him Granny Lee or Spades Lee as they preferred the tactics with which they too were familiar. 2. The least effective tactic was, in turn, the bayonet charge. Many senior officers never understood, or learned the lessons of Fredericksburg and numerous other battlefields. Their lack of understanding caused many unnecessary deaths. The advent of the rifled musket a
