This is why we’ve been confused on skirmishers and skirmish order since the first edition. On BP2 p.22 there is a main heading called Skirmish Order. No where on p. 22 or p.20 where skirmish order is defined do they mention it being a tiny unit. They describe it as a “loose formation.” Under tiny units on p.24 it is very clear that tiny units cannot make other formations except march column.
On p. 41 under woods it uses the term “infantry in skirmish order”. So I think we are right to make a distinction between skirmish order (required of regular troops to move thru woods) and skirmishers which are a particular kind of foot soldier that are always in skirmish order (i.e loosely spaced) except for the allowance to form a single file column. That a skirmisher cannot form any other order than a march column does clarify everything.
Thanks!
