Terrain Effects on Visibility
Some types of terrain reduce visibility—that is, commanders and fighting units can see only so far into them. This is helpful when you want to hide out of sight of the enemy. The visibility into (or out of) woods will be limited according how heavy the woods are, somewhere between 50 and 200 yards. When attempting to hide troops, a good rule of thumb is that if you can see any enemy troops, they can see you.
Terrain Effects on Movement
Since time is always a critical consideration on a battlefield, the following list will help you get an eye for terrain that will speed your own troops and slow the enemy’s. Avoiding slow terrain will also help you avoid fatiguing your units.
Terrain types are listed from fastest to slowest:
1. Roads and trails 9. Breastworks
2. Open terrain 10. Creeks
3. Fields of rye, oats, wheat and hay 11. Riverbanks
4. Fields of corn 12. Heavy woods
5. Orchards 13. Slopes
6. Woods 14. Fences and walls
7. Rough 15. Streams
8. Cemetery