gunpowder army tactics

[Marquis of Roland]

Playing currently as Turks, I got bored and made a musket-based army for fun. Unfortunately I don't know too much about musketeer tactics so can anyone give me some pointers? My army is made up of:

1 general
1 Qapukulu
2 Sipahi lancers
12 Janissary musketeers
4 cannons

About as close to a napoleonic army as I can make

Specifically I want to know whether I should stretch out the formation for max volley but slow reload or go with a shorter line for quicker reload/not so great volley damage, and how to effectively place 12 musketeers in formation in my army in relation to cannon placement.

[Shahed]

Go for maximum volley damage. Deploy in groups of 4, slightly spread. Leave your cavalry to defend the cannons, if necessary. Deploy artillery in the center or to one flank from where it can shoot without too much friendly fire. Don't deploy anything in front of the artillery.

[Marquis of Roland]

So deploy in long lines in groups of 4, with the groups of 4 slightly separated? With only 4 cav units I try to keep my cav together for a mass strike, and I usually keep these right behind my cannon, with my cannon in the middle of my front line.

Since muskets are straight shooting weapons, I don't usually deploy a second line unless I'm on a hill. Is this correct, or should I have somewhat of a infantry reserve? I primarily use my cav units to plug holes.

[Foz]

An infantry reserve made of musketeers will not do much good. What would they do, fire into the melee once other units get engaged? Your best bet is certainly to get them all into firing positions and pray they can sufficiently cut down the enemy army before any melee is joined. Melee troops in reserve would be useful, but since muskets are so poor in a melee capacity, I just don't see any reason to put them there.

[pike master]

of course you use your gunpowder troops to shoot any one who flees. that way it acts like the great cross and gives melee troops more incentive to fight. 8|

[Lorenzo_H]

Musketeers backed by Pikemen standing behind them are an ace formation, unstoppable by infantry and cavalry.