A Federal infantry company in the assault was led by its three commissioned officers — captain, first lieutenant, second lieutenant — at the front of the line. The captain walked the center; the first lieutenant took the right flank, the second lieutenant the left, each responsible for keeping his half of the company dressed up and moving forward at the proper interval. Officers led with drawn swords because the sword was visible from a distance and gave the men a point to follow. The casualty rate for company officers in an assault was roughly twice that of the enlisted men they led. Federal regiments lost their captains and lieutenants at every major engagement and promoted from the ranks of the sergeants to replace them.

This W. Britain figure depicts a Federal infantry officer mid-advance — body angled forward, sword drawn in his left hand, the yellow buff gauntlet glove distinguishing him from the enlisted men. He wears the dark blue officer's frock coat with regulation rank shoulder boards, the dark trousers favored by some officers over the light-blue regulation issue, the wide officer's belt with brass plate, and the burgundy waist sash visible at the buckle. The Hardee hat with the right-side brim pinned up — the regulation officer's brim arrangement — and the ostrich feather complete the headgear. The advancing pose works as a Federal officer leading any line of infantry. Pair this figure with Federal Infantry in Frock Coat Advancing for an officer-and-enlisted advancing pair; with Col. Henry A. Morrow as the regimental commander; or with Union Forever Marching Set for a company moving forward.

Scale: 1/30 (60mm). Matte-painted metal. W. Britain model 31407. From the American Civil War range. Single foot figure, supplied painted and ready for display.