Thanks for all the info and comments,
It seems from what you said about Napoleon wanting to adopt the 2 rank line instead of the 3 rank line then he also thought that it would be more effective, and who can argue with Boney in these matters ;-).
As far as I can understand, the British were the only Napoleonic Later Army to have used Linear tactics with success. Most if not all the continental Armies followed or adopted the French system to a certain degree. The point is what made it a success over the French system in the Peninsular War and how to replicate this in Lasalle.
We all know how Wellington used his troops
1) Wellington used the terrain to his advantage, keeping his troops mostly hidden behind ridges so they wouldn't be hit and softened up by the enemy artillery.
2) The British used more Skirmishers, that kept the advancing French Commanders from knowing where the actual main British line was. Sometimes the British skirmish line was so thick that the French mistook it for the actual front line.
3) The British line would suddenly rise up in front and deliver a carefully controlled volley or volleys at minimal range.
4) This wouldn't evolve into a musketry duel as the British trick was to judge the correct psychological moment to raise a shout and charge forward.
5) The combination of surprise, volley and charge would have enough effect to unsettle even the hardiest veteran and usually meant the French falling back, not necessarily in rout, but certainly disorganised.
Ok so how does Lasalle replicate this tactic, well basically it can't.
1) There is no concealed unit rule in Lasalle. ok Artillery can't fire at units behind a hill but the French player will know where the British units are placed.
2) Lasalle does give the British the option for more skirmishers, although this usually means breaking up other units for to get SK3, which means the small British force becomes even smaller. Also the Skirmish rule in Lasalle deals with fire power of the actual units and not about keeping the French away from the British main line.
3) Ok this is when the French unit moves within 4BW of the British unit. In the British reaction phase a normal size unit with Sk superioty will throw 5 dice, a good chance of getting at least 1 DISR hopefully and an outside chance of 2DISR. If the SK are equal say against French veteran Infantry there would only be a chance of getting 1 DISR.
4) Now its the British move and his chance to charge the French, but wait he can't because a line can only move 2BW forward and the French unit is just over 2 BW away because the French player knew exactly where the British unit was situated. The British player may decide to make his unit fall back 1 BW away from the column.
5) The French reaction phase, okay the French can fire because the British are still within range with an outside chance of claiming a 1 DISR. In the French movement phase
he charges into contact
6) The British reaction Phase. the British player has 3 options,
a) Fire another volley but now only with 4 dice because Skirmishers don't count and maybe get another DISR but it wont stop the charge.
b) Fall back but must throw to do so.
c) Combat with a chance of being lost for the battle
okay option b sounds the best because in the move phase the British player can charge. But now its fallen into a game of cat and mouse, with both units charging and falling back until one fails on his dice roll and the only shot being fired was the original that may or may not have caused a DISR.
I think the events in Lasalle and what happened according to most accounts I have read deviate at number 4 on my list therefore may I suggest a modification that might work for the British troops in Lasalle.
"British Lines who are concealed (behind a hill etc) may move 4BW to contact any enemy infantry to their front."
Regards Phil.