Armies, wargames and video games glossary

A

Army: An association of several Army Corps under a unified command.
Artillery: HistWar doesn't deal with siege artillery. Regarding campaign arty, the name depends on the weight of the shot (12, 8, 7, 6, 4 or 3 pounds). There are also howitzers which fire shells fitted with a fuse ... the explosion should occur in the air ... assuming that the fuse is properly adjusted. In addition to round shot and shells (howitzers only) guns also fired cannister, very effective at short distance.
Attrition: Natural strength reduction due to fatigue.

B

Battalion: The basic tactical infantry unit, led by a batalion leader. Comprised of a varying number of companies depending on time and country. Usually it would comprise of anything between 500 and 800 men.
Brigade: 2 or more Regiments under the command of a Brigade General.

C

Army Corps: The basic strategic unit in the age of Napoleon (also known as a column for the Allies). Army Corps are often composed of the 3 arms (Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery), however some may be specialised (Reserve Cavalry Corps, Artillery Reserve).
Cavalry: Heavy, Battle or Light. Carabineers, Cuirassiers (sometime without breastplate), Dragoons, Hussars, Chasseurs, Cossacks...
Company: The building blocks of an infantry battalion. Companies may be formed from skirmishers, riflemen, light infantrymen, grenadiers...

D

Division: Two or more Brigades under the command of a Division General.

E

Squadron: A Cavalry Regiment is composed of a number of squadrons varying upon time and country.

F

Unit formation

Line : infantrymen organised in 2 to 3 ranks thus maximising firepower !
Column : this type of high density formation enhances cohesion and increases shock value in the attack.
Square : under cavalry threat, infantry units would deploy into protective squares, usually at regimental or battalion level.

I

Infantry: The bulk of the army, the foot soldiers. In HistWar 5 types may be found : Guard, Elite, Light, Line - formed of veterans or inexperienced conscripts.

O

Corps Organisation

Battle Line : In this deployment the front line of the Corps stays parallel to the final line of deployment.
Echelon : One side of the front is refused... therefore contact is progressive.
Checkerboard : This structure makes defence easier because each unit can offer support to the contiguous units.

Order of Battle

Composition of the army

Ordre mixte

Typically French, this organisation mixes regiments in line (at the centre of the battle line) together with regiments in column (on the flanks of the battle line). This improvement gives sustained firepower and shock capabilities.