I was amazed - and somewhat taken aback - when I had to command so many guns in my 1758 campaign with Gary (Cope). To be honest I wasn't sure I liked so many 1 gun units - they are hell to move along those forest trails hehehe (historically accurate though I admit)
After one game though, these have become my favourite units, and moving them into position one of the most interesting facets of the game for me. A line (or two) of these in position in front of enemy walls looks awesome to say the least! With pesky Indians roaming the woods, a British player does need to be ultra careful to set aside troops for their defence of course, as even a mediocre breakthrough into the gun line by the enemy could make the game unwinable rather quickly considering their high vp value.
In mass I think they can be a battle winner - those 32 pounders can really make a mess even at medium to long range. We're used to very few guns in the EAW games to date of course, so at first I didn't appreciate their supreme ability to smash the enemy line. The large variety of calibres necessitates a lot of thought when siting batteries, but when large seige trains like this are fully unlimbered, you can almost feel the enemy's knees knocking
Even having been used to more guns per battery in the Napoleonic games, I found these 1 gun units much more interesting to play with - and surprisingly effective.
I favour a slow methodical positioning and then an enormous and continuous bombardment for the amusement of my infantry as they relax over a cup of tea. Once infantry lines are engaged the guns become of much less value, but by then the damage to the enemy can give you a real edge with the bayonet. In general I put them on "minimum range" for AI purposes, otherwise the AI tends to waste masses of ammo uselessly. Otherwise I tend to use them at medium range, as this makes them easier to protect should your infantry suffer routing en masse. My 12 pounders are usually kept limbered and closer to the infantry line for exploiting opportunities.
I am currently experimenting with an "advance by section" tactic for my artillery combined with infantry which seems to work well - at least in a siege scenario. I'll write further on this after my current game if it proves workable (and sensible), and if Gary doesn't embarrass me by taking all 40 guns from me.......
I know from experience that Al likes his guns - and lots of 'em! I doubted you Al, but no more. You've converted me into an artilleryman