AWI american rank depth query

[King Tiger]

Hey all, my local is arranging a large display game for the near future using black powder and the American players have been curious as to rank depths for Americans, 2 is obviously the standard depth for the rules, but from a visual perspective only would using 3 or more ranks in depth have any historical backing?, either in unit structure, training etc, allot like how the Nap French fought in 3 ranks.

This is simply for visual appeal, so don't worry about rules clashing with the added depth.

[King Tiger]

Nobody knows?

[TheWeasel]

I would have answered more quickly, but I wanted to give you a more researched response:

"CHAPTER III
OF THE FORMATION OF A COMPANY
A company is to be formed in two ranks, at one pace distance, with the tallest men in the rear, and both ranks sized, with the shortest men of each in the center. A company thus drawn up is to be divided into two sections or platoons; the captain to take post on the right of the first platoon, covered by a sergeant; the lieutenant on the right of the second platoon, also covered by a sergeant; the ensign four paces behind the center of the company; the first sergeant two paces behind the centre of the first platoon, and the eldest corporal two paces behind the second platoon; the other two corporals are to be on the flanks of the front rank."
--Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States by Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben

These regulations were made official as of March 1779. Early war American drill would have come from the 1768 Manual of Arms, which allowed for 3 rank firing, though even the British used primarily 2 rank firing during the war, as far as I know.

If anyone else has more information, I would defer to them, though.