Two shrinking Spanish squares stand before British line infantry while cavalry waits nearby. In this game battle, a square can bring only about a quarter to at most half its muskets to bear in that direction, whereas the line infantry can fire its whole front. The cavalry does not need to charge because its presence forces the opposing infantry to retain the anti-cavalry formation and accept the firepower disadvantage. These proportions describe the simulated engagement.
Notable Point · 3:30:53-3:32:28
Why infantry squares surrender firepower
A game battle makes a combined-arms tradeoff visible: infantry squares deter cavalry but expose fewer muskets to an opposing firing line.