French Indian War games and rules

From playing the last few games of my French Indian War campaign. I have found my house rules may not differentiate sufficiently between how line infantry and skirmisher units operate. I mentioned this in my last post and a couple of helpful comments (thank you) were made. These comments got me thinking about things to change with the rules. But before making any changes. I am mindful that one rule change often leads to another rule change, and before you know it the rules have drifted from what you originally wanted or intended.

French Indian War - British attacking across the river

As I am prone to adjust and tweak rules. It was time for me get a tad more structured about the rules and avoid random acts of rule changes. After re-reading One Hour Wargaming and the chapter on horse and musket rules for inspiration. Where Neil Thomas describes the units involved before getting to the rules themselves. I thought I would try a similar approach and first describe (or in my case - list) how I want the units to operate within the game. By doing this and collecting all my thoughts before devising or changing any rule mechanisms. I will have a list of unit attributes I can use to check back on after test games to see if the rule changes meet what I intended.

British Light Infantry supported by Grenadiers

Here is my initial "what I am looking for" list...

Light infantry, Indians and skirmishers

• Able to take advantage of cover
• Traverse broken terrain (woods, rough ground, etc) and Indians easily so
• Ability to operate independently

Infantry

• Drilled to operate with other line infantry rather than independently
• Keeping order and moving across broken terrain is difficult
• Ability to charge with bayonet
• Use of volley fire

Grenadiers

• Elite troops and can operate independently
• Can operate independently
• Moving across broken terrain is difficult
• Ability to charge with bayonet
• Use of volley fire

Artillery

• Not very effective shooting in the broken terrain
• Moving heavy artillery off road (tracks) is problematic
• Light artillery can move in open terrain

Leaders

• Commanders help with directing/ordering units within their view
• Captains act as trusted aide assigned to a unit to carry out a critical mission 

Cavalry

• None.

Away from the tabletop I have now painted all my Napoleonic infantry units and only have remaining 4 cavalry and 6 artillery units to complete.

Last light infantry units are finished