Hi Bill!
This is a really interesting question. I cannot disagree with your ratios(and wouldn't want to!). I am no expert on the precise details of artillery availability but would recommend that you and your group consider the following when creating orbats/scenarios:
1. Mobility was extremely limited and the pieces were probably overweight relative to their power.
2. Mention of artillery playing hugely significant roles in the major engagements is not common. I suspect it's main purpose in the field was rather along the shock and awe principle as opposed to the battle winning principle.
3. Concentration of guns into batteries on the table is not very realistic in this period(the rules prevent multiple firings on the same target with some few notable exceptions). Distributing the big brummers along the line is probably more accurate.
4. Use the new target new orders rule. It prevents the guns being thought of as some sort of 17th century Machine gun rotating its fire around at anything that moves.
5. In encounter battles try bringing the guns on after the army has started to deploy. They would normally have been toward the rear or middle of any formation because of their speed. I remember at our Overjise game(See scenario in Warchest) the Allied artillery didn't arrive until about Move 27 because the Dutch Generals had placed it behind their own wagons and mobile field whorehouses in the order of march! By the time it reached the field their own infantry was nearly two miles behind the French lines!
I have scoured thro' numerous orbats for the period and often there is no mention of the number or calibre of guns in the trayne despite the fact that each battalion is precisely identified. One may conclude from this that
a. They didn't keep records(unlikely)
b. Artillery was not seen as hugely significant(more likely)
Checking the Orbat for Sedgemoor ,the Royal army(6 battalions and 14 troops of Horse) had :
2 12pdrs
4 demi culverins
4 sakers
2 minions
4 6 pdrs
4 iron 5pdrs
4 brass falcons
24 pieces in all but ask:
How many are light ? - many
This is for an English Army(the King's own) playing on home turf and less than 120 miles from London!
I don't know if this helps Bill but I hope so.
A final word, I cannot remember a single battle including refights of Blenheim, Ramillies, Malplaquet, Neerwinden,Walcourt, Fleurus and more in which the artillery played more than a peripheral role in the overall result.
Keep those dice rolling!
cheers
Barry
