Night raids were unorthodox because it was a huge risk with potentially no payoff. They were usually only done in Europe out of desperation is my understanding. Like you said, battles would become filled with impenetrable smoke. Night raids combine that with it being pitch black and you couldn't use drums to keep people together, since you know, trying to be sneaky. The bright colored uniforms also don't help since it's night.

I think the Americans only got away with night raids in the instances they did because of spy networks. Like the famous Christmas night raid was able to happen because Washington had a double agent cattle trader who was also friends with a British colonel. He would pretend to be 'captured' by the Americans, the escape and give false troop movement info to the British officers. I guess the British had fewer local assets.

[–] GalaxyBrain@hexbear.net 3 points 1 day ago

Makes sense. It would make sense you also wouldnt night raid without a good chance of getting results cause they would do it back and then both you and your armies are tired on either side for the whole thing.