Historical Tactics

[Xandor]

Hi, King.

I do believe that the best way to learn historical tactics of some army is to read apropriate field manuals ;).

Here is the "US infantry tactics" manual issued in year 1863 (though it was adpoted and authirized by secretary of war in 1st of May 1861.

Regarding Optional rules, privately, I prefer following set of them:

• Optional Fire Results - because it helps to keep firing results more concentrated, thus prevent one "shot" to cause slaughter to enemy and the next shot of the same unit only to scare some crows on the battlefield.
  
• Optional Melee Results - for same reason as described above.
  
• Quality Fire Modifiers - for obvious reason that more experienced soldiers shoot better (this rule makes playing as confederate (my favorite side) more challenging in many scenarios also)
  
• Victory Points for Leader Casualties - 'cause killing officers can be the edge between draw and loosing the day (remember Lyon at Wilson's Creek)
  
• Density Fire Modifier - it's easyer to hit the crowd, you know... :rolleyes:
  
• Night Movement Fatigue - if I play long battles because people need to sleep, soldiers included.
  
• Quality Melee Modifiers - for the same reson as Quality Fire Modifiers (and with same consequences)
  
• Weak Zone-Of-Control - beacuse I haven't heard about any ZoC in real life ACW combat reports :cheeky:
  
• Flank Morale Modifier - because "turning the enemy's flank" was essential part of ACW tactics.
  
• Bridge Limit and Repairing - just for making the game as realistic as possible
  
• Artillery Capture - because there is nothig as good as to capture enemy arty and turn it against its ex-owner . And it was common practis in actual hisory also.
  
• Artillery Retire By Prolonge- this one is quite useless but It can save some of your pieces one day.
  
• Artillery Ammo by Cannon - Hate the "the one single warehouse" standard ammo distribution scheme in HPS' ACW series. This rule makes artillery ammo supply a bit more realistic.
  
• Proportional Opportunity Fire - Just think that this rule more correct simulates "Armed mob" ACW soldier's psychology.
  

But these settings are my personal preference so I dont claim this list to be the untimate truth.