'Competent generals had massed their guns for years'-that should be an axiom of artillery employment for any competent commander. Napoleon massed artillery at Lodi, Castiglione, Marmont at Marengo, Smola at Neerwinden (and he was only a battery commander then) Napoleon at Jena for a few examples. But none of them did what Senarmont and other French artillery commanders did from 1807 on was different from what happened earlier because artillery was used to seize the initiative while being supported by other units instead of the artillery supporting infantry and cavalry in its traditional or usual role.

Maude in his Friedland booklet describes it quite well. I would highly recommend it.

Sincerely,
K