Yes Yes and Yes again.
I briefly tried SoW but chiefly started with Histwar developer.
and there was discussion over what is actually visible at what distance, and if there is lots of rolling
hills in the way, what information can be gathered. Generally speaking if there is columns marching on
your flank in Histwar, and you can't see them (fog of war) you'll notice the threat level on the closest unit
on the extreme flank of your line, as an indicator and a 'dead giveaway'.
As for the HiTs question and or cycle between commanders, the AI architecture in Histwar left that out
as in the chain of command AI transition and messages leave commanders and CinC freely, with the
bonus of capture of messengers which adds delay and confusion.
I like that feature in SoW, as well as the HiTs feature and should be the feature to train new players for a taste
of black powder wargaming.
My thoughts at one time on Histwar was asking the developer to create a campaign system style
game where the Corps features supreme, and stop the development of it over a 3D environment considering
that no one hardly plans and fights over the 3D map, more a flyover to check the images, and watch the
battle at the end, when the fighting is done: the regimental fighting is a feature but you best don't take control
away from the AI for too long: in the end it will be worse off.
Brigade level control would expand the experience, and as you pointed out as well in NTW mod, a support mechanism between regiments with a good % of reserve.
Best Regards Doran