This contractor system, however, allowed unscrupulous officers to make handsome profits by pocketing the pay of non-existent soldiers. They jealously guarded their rights to appoint friends, relatives and hangers-on as regimental officers. Historically, in many armies colonels received a fee to raise regiments, which remained their personal property and commands. The ability to fire and reload with machine-like regularity with shot and bullet flying and comrades falling all around is what wins battles.
These are inaccurate weapons, effective only over 200 paces or so and when fired in massed volleys.
These soldiers carry muzzle-loading, smoothbore muskets firing lead balls as wide as a man’s thumb. Indeed, over time the capabilities of line infantry should improve as new tactics, drill and weaponry are developed. They are so called because they form the line of battle, not because they always deploy in lines. “Marching regiments” or “line battalions” make up the majority of units in European-style armies. On discipline to withstand any counter fire.
These muskets-armed troops are use massed volleys to break an enemy, relying African Native Infantry are line infantry in Empire: Total War.
