Brigades and batteries are usually under the control of a Divisional commander. However, sometimes independent brigades may be under the direct control of a Corps commander, and sometimes even an army commander. (see chain of command)

This allows for a flow of Orders for the Brigades.

An order from a Commander to any brigade that they control will get to the Brigade if the Brigade is within 6 hexes of its commander, or 12 hexes if the brigade is in march column, a cavalry brigade, or another commander.

If the Brigade is further away from its commander than the command distance allows there is a 50% chance that any orders give to it will not get through to the brigade commander. In this case the brigade will continue following the orders it last received.

A "change of command zone" order from a superior commander to a subordinate commander will get to the subordinate commander if the 2 commanders are within 12 hexes of each other. Otherwise there is a 50% chance that the orders will not get through, and the command zone will not be changed.