40 Years of Wandering and the Exodus Population

errancy@infidels.org errancy@infidels.org
Tue, 18 May 1999 23:30:41 EDT (00927102641, a2066c0a.24738a61@aol.com) 

In a message dated 99-05-18 20:47:47 EDT, you write:

<< 
 BAKKE
 The problem here is that you are confusing a dictionary definition with
 military terminology.  Also, you are confusing the perspectives of a
 formation standing at attention with one whose members have all faced 90
 degrees to the right in order to begin marching.
 A military "column" is defined from the position of attention in a
 formation whose members are facing their commander.  "Columns", from the
 point of view of the commander, are the straight lines of men which all
 lead from the front to the rear of the formation.  "Files" are the
 horizontal lines of men which lead from the commander's left to his
 right as he is facing his troops.  
===================
Joe Alward:


In the diagram below, a commander at C is facing a company of troops. 
According to you, the commander is looking down lines "from the front to the 
rear of the formation"; these lines, according to your definition, are 
"columns", and I agree.


                                             C

                                           Front
                                           1234
                                           1234
                                           1234
                                           1234
                                           1234
                                           1234
                                           1234
                                           Rear

The soldiers labelled "1" are in Column 1, et cetera.  When these soldiers 
begin marching toward the commander, they become four columns of marching 
soldiers.

Now, when the commander has his troops execute a left face, and then moves to 
the new position below, there are now seven columns of soldiers:


                    
                                           1111
                                           2222
                                           3333
                            C             4444
                                           5555
                                           6666
                                           7777

Thus, what constitutes a "column" depends on your point of view.  From the 
point of view of the horde of Hebrews looking forward in the direction of 
their march, they would say that the men in the file just behind them are in 
the same column they are in.

Columns in battle are not defined by the relative configuration of soldiers 
when they're at parade rest and being inspected by the commander; soldiers 
advancing in single-file define the columns of the formation.