The most effective way of killing the enemy during the middle 17th century is still by stabbing, bashing or slashing someone to death in close combat. Handguns and artillery may drive the enemy away due to broken morale, but it is rarely that they can match the lethality and brutal force of close combat. Close combat is also every bit as tactical as the use of ranged weapons in this game.
Check my blog for part 3 of my guide to By Fire & Sword gameplay:
http://anatolisgameroom.blogspot.se/2013/09/bf-skirmish-level-tactics-close-combat.html