Jacques-Antoine-Hippolyte de Guibert

Thanks for the Gallica link, looks almost like Tercios of the 30YW

yes, you are absolutely right, too many similar accounts over different books in three days ! with minor variations or details added.

anyway, McDonald & D' Erlon acted their formation *before* the start of action, and for Wagram was very understandable given the situation and mission. Won't comment on l' attaque du 1er Corps Here .. : )

For Duke of Chatres, the formation was acted *during* the action as a secondary and expedite solution. not something premeditated from the start. a compact mass of troops, rallied and amalgamated, in order to push forward again, taking into account the nearby cavalry threat. a bataillon carré or colonne comptacte, with non equalized pelotons (?), so Colin's comment about an informal column, which has also several possible meanings in French, and make sense in the context.

if not the battailon of Jemappes would have been described as an informal skirmishers strong mob.

a difference in nature and timing when considering 1809 and 1815.

for a Hi-Res map >

https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b84931974/f1.item.zoom

General Egalité at the critical moment ! there is even one flag !

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• Revue d'histoire rédigée à l'État-major de l'armée

• has also a description of the action, see page 273-274

• the battaillon de Jemappes is decribed as a colonne mélangée

https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k1217296?rk=42918;4

something like a colonne par bataillons with reduced distances

and perhaps uneven pelotons,

David, thank you for the link to Chuquet.

I agree with HK, his description (page 95) gives the impression of a smaller body of than the others descriptions of the second action previously mentioned here. one body of troops, called "bataillon de Mons/Jemappes" is organized by Duc de Chartes, and the others nearby Bns are following the energy of that renewed assault lead by the Duc.

"Mais le jeune duc de Chartres est peut-être celui qui montre le plus de présence d'esprit et de courage. Il rallie les soldats qui sortaient du bois de Flénu et tous ceux qui s'écartent sous prétexte de chercher leur bataillon. Il les forme en une grosse colonne qu'il nomme gaiement le bataillon de Mons.

Il donne à ce bataillon une piece de canon; il lui donne des officiers et un commandant; il lui donne un drapeau, le premier qu'il rencontre, et toutes les fois qu'un homme se présente et demande son bataillon « votre bataillon, dit-il, le voilà, marchez ». Enfin, il fait battre la charge et, sous la mitraille, s'élance avec son bataillon de Mons vers les redoutes."

Just checked the Österreichische Militärische Zeitschrift 1811 - 1813, reprint of 1834 - erster Band, zweiter Theil - there is an extensive chapter of the early wars of the Revolution, Jemappes included, couldn't find anything about the bataillon de Mons.

In case - as usual with google scans - maps are folded, Hathi seemingly has better quality scans but full download not available for non zoners.

Chuquet only talks about “une grosse colonne” and the bataillon de Mons. https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k63655604.texteImage