How often were line infantry ordered to run or "double time it" during battle?

I'm not talking about charging but just simply running to reach a location. How often, if at all, were line units ordered to run or quick march?

I'm trying to get more historical with battles so I wanted to know this.

I'm not sure about later periods, but it was basically the norm during the American Revolutionary War for British units, who were fighting in a light infantry style.


I would tend to think that running would not have been all that common during the Napoleonic wars, as running tends to make a line fall apart (which isn't a problem if you are fighting as light infantry). I'd say make your lights run however you like, but your hat men should probably walk. It's easier on your men as well.

for example, in the battle of Eylau, when the french centre was in danger and Napoleon himself with his staff, the old guard grenadiers werent in a hurry to go to the critic place, they just walked and without firing a shot they used bayonette charge.

I'm tempted to say never,but that might be going a bit too far.

Certainly all close order tactical maneouvres would have been done at the appropriate march cadence as it was important that the men stayed together and didn't drift or lose cohesion during the transitions. Advances were made at the appropriate marching pace. For example the French 'Pas de Charge' ('Attack Pace') was 120 paces per minute which is quite a slow marching pace by modern standards. The French also used 'Salden's Waddle' to enable the ranks to be only 12" apart so any attempt to rush the pace would have led to men either tripping each other up or the formation being lost.

Having said that Skirmishers would almost certainly have jogged into their new position between each shot, as they used fire and advance by files, and its also likely that when men were not in formation e.g. when occupying fortifications or buildings, they may have jogged into position.

Originally Posted by alp12ha

For this please watch a movie Brave Heart
You will find every answer of question in your mind

What does Braveheart have to do with Napoleonic warfare?