Garret, I have to agree wholeheartedly with your thinking.
Skirmishers operating, in that role, in front of their formed unit should not be capable of more than covering their parent unit and within a defined range, as you indicated. A detatched skirmisher unit in defense of a built up area/chateau is IMHO an acceptable employment of them also. Should they decide/opt to remain there as the enemy force advances or envelopes them, they will/should presumably suffer from isolation and ultimately perish/surrender. A skirmish unit operating, preferably from cover, on the flanks of an enemy is another historical usage. However, having random skirmish units running amok in the rear/far rear of the enemy is pushing their historical use way beyond the bounds of realism and their intended role and/or function. I'm sure, like most things in life, there are isolated incidents of such occurrences. The exception should not make the rule. Skirmish troops, as we know, are not Commando/LRDG/Airborne type units and their employment in such manner, whilst perhaps a game winner/changer, does not do justice to their role or historical use IMHO, again.
_________________ Sous-Lieutenant Karl McEntegart 3ème Compagnie du 2ème Régiment d'Artillerie à Cheval(Demi-Batterie), Artillerie Divisionnaire, 4ème Division de Dragons, 3ème Corps d'Armée, La Grande Armée
WDS Gettysburg, Antietam, Vicksburg, Corinth, Chancellorsville, Chickamauga, Petersburg, Overland, Atlanta, Shiloh, Peninsula Eckmuhl, Wagram, Russia, Leipzig, Bautzen, 1814, Bonparte's Peninsular Scheldt 44, Bulge 44, The First Blitzkrieg, Wolfpack, Midway, PB North Africa 1941, SB Red Victory
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