An infantry square is a battle tactic of infantry when faced with cavalry. It was a formation described by Plutarch and used by the Romans, a development of an earlier circular formation. It was revived in the 14th century as the schiltron, in the 15th century as the pike square and again in the 17th century for mass, musket-armed forces. It was widely used in the Napoleonic War and remained a valuable manoeuvre against irregular cavalry forces throughout the 19th century. Military tactics is the collective name for methods of engaging and defeating an enemy in battle. ... Infantry in the First World War Infantry (or Infantrymen) are soldiers who fight primarily on foot, using personal weapons. ... An army unit consisting of mounted soldiers are commonly known as cavalry. ... Mestrius Plutarch (c. ... Roman or Romans has several meanings, primarily related to the Roman citizens, but also applicable to typography, math, and a commune. ... (13th century - 14th century - 15th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 14th century was that century which lasted from 1301 to 1400. ... A schiltron or schiltrom consists of a group of men crouching shoulder-to-shoulder under/behind shields while holding their pikes (long, spear-like weapons) slanted outwards. ... (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ... (16th century - 17th century - 18th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700. ... A musket is a muzzle-loaded, smooth-bore long gun. ... The Napoleonic Wars lasted from 1804 until 1815. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The infantry form a hollow square, facing out on all sides in two, three, or more ranks with fixed (socket) bayonets. Generally, a battalion was the smallest force to drill in forming a square. The unit's colours, commander, and a reserve force are positioned in the centre of the square. If the square maintained cohesion, cavalry had almost no chance of breaking it. The US Marine Corps OKC-3S bayonet From right to left: a carbine, a straight infantry officer sabre, a short curved infantry sabre (briquet), two bayonets. ... In military terminology, a battalion consists of two to six companies typically commanded by a lieutenant colonel. ...

Once formed in a square the infantry would volley fire at each cavalry charge, either by file or by rank. In successful actions, the infantry would often withhold fire until the charging horses were as close as twenty paces — eventually a wall of horse and human bodies presented an even greater obstacle to a successful charge. Undisciplined or early fire could fatally weaken a square.

Cavalry attacking a square would, if lacking artillery support, attack the corners of the square — the weakest points — in close waves. Feints and false attacks to reduce the volume of fire would also be used. Historically, artillery refers to any engine used for the discharge of projectiles during war. ...

While it was vital for squares to stand firm in the face of a charge, they were not static formations. Astute commanders could, in suitable terrain, manoeuvre squares to mass fire and even trap cavalry, as Napoleon and Kléber managed against the Turks at Mount Tabor in 1799. Similarly squares could be arranged in a checker-board formation to give supporting fire as cavalry broke around a single square. Bonaparte as general Napoléon Bonaparte (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821) was a general of the French Revolution and was the ruler of France as First Consul (Premier Consul) of the French Republic from November 11, 1799 to May 18, 1804, then as Emperor of the French (Empereur des Français... Jean Baptiste Kléber Jean Baptiste Kléber (9 March 1753 - 14 June 1800) was a French general. ... 1799 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Draughts or checkers is a group of board games which involve the jumping of enemy pieces. ...

At the battle of Waterloo the four-rank squares of the Allied forces withstood eleven unsupported cavalry charges. At Lützen, despite infantry and light artillery support, green French troops easily repulsed an Allied charge. Similarly impressive infantry efforts were seen at Auerstädt, Jena, Pultusk, Krasnoe, and a number of other battles. If a square was broken, like at Rio Seco or Quatre Bras, the infantry could suffer many casualties — although brave and well-disciplined infantry could recover even from a break-through. Battle of Waterloo Conflict Napoleonic Wars Date June 18, 1815 Place Waterloo, Belgium Result Decisive Allied victory Map of the Waterloo campaign The Battle of Waterloo, fought on June 18, 1815, was Napoleon Bonapartes last battle. ... This Battle of Lützen happened as Napoleons army was on the way home from its Russian disaster. ... The Battle of Auerstädt, was fought on 14 October 1806, and resulted in a French victory under marshall Davout against the Prussians under General Brunswick. ... The Battle of Jena was fought on October 14, 1806, in Jena, in todays Germany, and resulted in a French victory under Napoleon Bonaparte against the Prussians under General Hohenlohe. ... The Battle of Pułtusk took place on December 26, 1806 near Pułtusk, Russians with 120 guns under General Bennigsen, and 35,000 French under Marshal Lannes. ... Battle of Quatre-Bras Conflict Napoleonic Wars Date June 16, 1815 Place Quatre-Bras, Belgium Result Tactical draw, French strategic win The Battle of Quatre Bras was fought between contingents of the Anglo-allied army and the left wing of the French Army on June 16, 1815 near the crossroads...