For me, the very slow rate of movement of most infantry units is somewhat frustrating and not entirely representative of the tactical mobility of Napoleonic warfare (although the enormous variation in scale between battles might certainly justify this in some cases).
As a variant rule, I've been testing the idea of allowing all infantry to move 2 hexes instead of the standard 1, without of course being able to battle when moving 2 hexes, as is the case already with light infantry.
For me this would represent infantry units being able to move more rapidly in column formation before deploying into line. It seems that such thinking already has a precedent within the game with the Forced March card. What else would a forced march for line infantry unit that allows double movement but no battle be but a move in column? For line infantry units (without a leader), therefore, the Forced March card would have no additional value, besides issuing a great many orders.
The distinction with light infantry (which seem to be generically represented as fighting as skirmishers - hence the increased movement, firepower and ability to move through woods) remains perfectly clear due to the ranged fire bonus and ability to operate more effectively in woods, as well as the enhanced move/fire opportunity from Forced March.
I did worry that being able to move 2 hexes might give the French infantry a very significant advantage over the British due to their enhanced performance in melee, however this has not turned out to be a problem in my playtesting and seems to be adequately offset by the loss of immediate firepower. In fact, if this turned out to be a major flaw, the Grand Manoeuvre and Forced March cards would themselves be problematic, allowing the same tactic on a more random basis.
For me, this variant has helped to restore a more dynamic (and hopefully Napoleonic) feel to the game, which I feel often tends to drag, waiting and waiting for enough orders (or special cards) to bring the French line up to battle.
I would welcome any other's feedback on this variant idea.
If everyone made war only according to his own convictions, there would be no war.