Period Sources on Replacing Casualties?

[Cpl DeFarb]

Gentlemen,

I thought that I had read in a manual or here on the forum someplace that when the man in the front rank goes down his file partner takes his place. I have been searching the forum and several manuals and can't find anything on the subject. Does anyone have a primary source on replacing casualties in line?

The other thought I had was that if the rear rank man replaced his file leader, then was hit himself you now have a gap in the line, do you leave the gap or condense the line?
How does either option effect maneuvering?

Thoughts, Comments?

Karl

[floridawar]

From Scott's Infantry tactics of 1835=1857 (when officially replaced for use by all US foot troops, etc. by Hardee's) it was noted that any man of the front rank who stepped out of ranks, or fell out, was to be replaced "for the time" by his "coverer" for the time being. If it was necessary, the Non-commissioned officers, and platoon officers in the rank of "file-closers" could close up the ranks, etc.