Column Pass Through Fire

[Jgolch]

Doesn't this effect apply also to regular units in Line formation, regardless of whether the optional rule for Columns is selected or not?

From the manual: "Normally fire against a stack of units in a hex only affects a single target unit. However, when Infantry in Line formation is fired upon by Artillery, all such units in the target hex are affected by the fire."

If this is the case, three French battalions in line formation would suffer more casualties than a single Prussian unit in line, even if the total amount of men is the same. Should this be considered an issue too?

Yes.  Definitely.  The only difference is that when units are stacked in line only the unit at the top of the stack can fire.  And generally huge battalions can't fire at 100% when they are in a "shortened" state.  The game encourages players to put those battalions in "extended line" to maximize firepower.  The point being that stacking 'might' occur less often in line formation.  But your original point is correct.  Three battalions stacked in line will suffer more losses than one battalion in line.

I'm starting to get the impression that most of the Optional Rules were designed to help defense at the cost of offense.  Take the Terrain Melee Modifiers.  At first glance this rule seems like a no brainer.  Then I thought, why is this optional? I dug into the manual.  First, HEXSIDES are always taken into account in melee.  Attacking across a wall or an embankment is factored into melee whether the optional terrain rule is in effect or not.  Chateau's are hardwired into the game.  Attacker -50%.  Then I come to find out that in the American Civil War games by JTS/WDS only hexsides can affect melee, not hexes.  I know the Civil War is not the Napoleonic Wars.  But these games have similar origins.  I'm guessing that the Melee Terrain Modifiers optional rule was added for players wanting to enhance defense.  Put the Melee Terrain Modifier rule on and try to dislodge an 850 man Quality A Prussian battalion across an embankment into village terrain at the Battle of Ligny. The French bodies will pile up faster than you can count.