Artillery at close range is one of the greatest sights in the game.
Once, as the French, the Scotts were storming a city of mine. I set up some pikes and such as a distraction and threw my few field artillery pieces up in the streets to provide cover.
So, long story short a horde of about a thousand Highlanders/various nobles ended up charging a Serpintine.
So I watched in amazement as the guys working the cannon didnt succumb to the urge to pick it up, turn it around, re-aim it, and take forever to load, but actually managed to get a shot off at JUST the perfect range.
I then watched as a wave of Scotts rose into the air in a straight line in front of the cannon.
Then I watched half the Scottish army panic and run for it, at which point they were promptly slaughtered by the voulge militia.