Editor's Introduction:

As I have remarked on previous occasions, the BNIII rules system is our local club's first preference for re-fighting the Imperial European Wars, especially for larger scale engagements. We've lately developed a consensus that the rules are a little light on the command structure, and Mssr. Cassidy, being a dyed-in-the-tailcoat Napoleon's Battles advocate, decided to look to that excellent work as the basis for fleshing out the system.

1.0 General Rule:

In order to have full movement capability, a unit (infantry battalion, cavalry regiment, or artillery battery) must be 'in command'. In general, to be in command a unit must be within the command radius of a superior officer stand that is also in command.

2.0 Command Structure (Typical):

Army Commander (Always in Command)(Upper Echelon Command)
Corps Commander (Upper Echelon Command)
Division Commander (Upper Echelon Command)
Brigade Commander (Direct Command)

Upper Echelon Commands only command subordinate commanders or independent units or attached units. Direct Commands only command subordinate normal units.

3.0 Command Status:

Normal Infantry and Foot Artillery

If a normal infantry battalion or foot artillery battery is not within the command radius of its direct command then it is "out of command".

Independent Infantry and Foot Artillery

If an independent infantry battalion or foot artillery battery is not within the command radius of its Upper Echelon Command then it is 'out of command'.

Normal Cavalry and Horse Artillery

If a normal cavalry regiment or horse artillery battery is not within the command radius of its direct command then it rolls against its Morale Rating. If it is successful, then it is 'in command' otherwise it is 'out of command'.

Independent Cavalry and Horse Artillery

If a normal cavalry regiment or horse artillery battery is not within the command radius of its Upper Echelon command then it rolls against its Morale Rating. If it is successful, then it is 'in command' otherwise it is 'out of command'.

Commanders

Army Commanders are always 'in command'.

Corps Commanders are 'in command' if within the command radius of their Army Commander.
Division Commanders are 'in command' if within the command radius of their Corps or Army Commander.
Brigade Commanders are 'in command' if within the command radius of their Division, Corps, or Army Cmdr.

4.0 Effect of Command:

Infantry and Foot artillery

Normal Movement if 'in command'. No Movement if 'not in command'

Cavalry and Horse artillery

Normal Movement if 'in command'. Half Movement if 'not in command'

Commanders

A commander who is "out of command" cannot command subordinates or units. (During playtesting we found that divisions tended to stick more closely together and attack with greater depth than they had in previous games. It became very difficult to out-flank a position with anything less than a division, which some players might find overly restrictive. Therefore, we suggest some further amendments…)

5.0 Optional Rules and Suggestions

Light Infantry

Jaegers, Chaussers, Bersaglieri and Rifles may operate much as Independent Cavalry, and roll morale to determine "in command" status. Results of the roll are treated exactly as in the section on Independent Cavalry.

Note that attaching a unit directly to an upper echelon commander without first attaching it to a brigade contravenes the original BNIII rules; for our purposes these rules effectively supercede those conditions.

Editor's Afterword:

Ultimately, using these as variant rules will result in your BNIII Corps occupying less ground with tighter formations. While many will find this inconsistent with the later period warfare (Franco-Prussian) it does give a good feel for the period immediately following the Napoleonic Wars.

The First War for Italian Liberation, the First Schleswig War, the Prussian Counter-Revolutionary Tour, The French 1849 Roman Expedition, The Neapolitan Campaign against the Roman Republic are all periods where these amendments will provide additional atmosphere.

Further, these additions serve as further penalty for the Austrian Imperial Army in 1866, as they had abolished the division after their defeat at the hands of the Franco-Piedmontese forces in 1859. Considering the Austrian performance in 1866, this seems perfectly acceptable to us.