Combining Damaged units of the same type?

[Capt Cliff]

Is there any way to combine two or more damaged unit's to make a full strength unit? Like what happened to the 20th Maine just before Gettysburg.

[caranorn]

Not on the element level. You can combine two units that are lacking elements. For instance if you have one unit with a ToE of 4 infantry and one light artillery that is lacking two infantry elements, you could combine that with a regular infantry regiment of one element, but not with another brigade of four very under strength infantry and one light artillery element. you also cannot add an element that does not belong into the ToE of either unit (in this example you could not add a cavalry regiment)...

[Ol' Choctaw]

Don’t the rules say that the unit combined then no longer exists and can not be rebuilt?

I have never actually been able to get them to combine. I tried it a couple of times with frigates but it never worked.

[Longshanks]

I also am unsure as to the mechanics of combining units. I've seen it discussed, but never how one goes about actually doing it. Perhaps I've done it before without realizing it!

[Capt Cliff]

Not on the element level. You can combine two units that are lacking elements. For instance if you have one unit with a ToE of 4 infantry and one light artillery that is lacking two infantry elements, you could combine that with a regular infantry regiment of one element, but not with another brigade of four very under strength infantry and one light artillery element. you also cannot add an element that does not belong into the ToE of either unit (in this example you could not add a cavalry regiment)...

Bummer!! Thanks!

So there is a combine button someplace?

[caranorn]

It's quite simple. Select two units in the same force. If they can be combined you will see the combine icon among the orders just as if you were to add units to a division, if they can't be combined the button will be grayed out. If you hover your mouse cursor over one of the selected units you will see all those units' ToE (table of establisment (and equipment)), that way you can tell whether a unit lacks one or more elements...

Essentially combining units works exactly like adding units to a division (that's already formed (tent button), just that once combined you cannot split the unit anymore...

An easy example, raise two militia regiments in a small state. As soon as you can move one or both move them into the same location. Add them to one force and select both regiments. You will notice the combine units button has become active, but before clicking on it hower your mouse over one of the regiments, you should now see that militia regiments have a ToE of 2 militia elements, so you can combine them. Now hit the combine button (or control-c) and you will end up with a double sized militia unit...

[Ethan]

...If they can be combined you will see the combine icon among the orders just as if you were to add units to a division, if they can't be combined the button will be grayed out.

There is an exception to this: When you attempt to add two transports units (2 elements + 2 elements, to get a transport unit with 4 elements) the combine icon won't be available, altough if you press simultaneously 'control + c' keys these two transports units will be combined.