African Musketeers (ETW Unit)

African Musketeers (ETW Unit)
Class	Line Infantry
Unit Size	160 Men
Weaponry	Muskets
Morale
Melee Attack
Ranged Attack
Defence
Charge Bonus
Accuracy
Range
Ammunition
Region	West Indies
Recruitment Cost	580
Upkeep Cost	230
Turns to Build
Unit Limit
Building Requirements	Governors Mansion
Technology Requirements	None
Attributes	Can hide in forests; Can hide in light scrub; Inspires nearby troops;

These African warriors are fierce fighters, but not as disciplined as European troops.

Overview

They are also largely unschooled in modern tactics and fight as heroic individuals rather than an organised military force. They have little to lose and much to gain by “taking up the sword”: freedom from the threat of slavery, for a start. Because of this heroic style of fighting, the loss of only a few prominent individuals can throw the whole unit into disarray.

Historically, freed slaves were used as militias and defensive forces in the New World from time to time. Plantation owners in the Caribbean were understandably reluctant to arm any Africans for fear of revenge being taken. Servile insurrections were a terrible threat, given the appalling conditions that were visited upon the slave population. During the American War of Independence the British offered freedom to any Africans who came over to their side, but these promises proved to be of little worth when the war ended. The freedmen were dumped in singularly harsh and unattractive corners of the remaining British possessions, and left to shift for themselves without much further support.

Details

African Musketeers are a cancelled unit available only in the West Indies. They are a line infantry unit but are not as equally trained or as well equipped as regular European Line Infantry. This therefore means that they will likely be defeated when facing line infantry of a better standard. As a result of this they should wither be supported by more capable line infantry or used to attack an engaged enemies flanks. The African Musketeers have a relatively cheap recruitment cost, which means that they are ideal when in a bad financial situation.