Even though it appears I have won by default, I will attempt to answer your questions to the best of my ability.
While at peace, how many and which units do you request now and next (you may replace "next" by the figures you want) turns?
Honestly, I don't like being so specific as a lot of it depends on the impression other Civs give us. However, I'd like
minimum of one defensive unit in each city, preferably 2, and definitively two on our border cities. Along with that 1-2 Defensive units on vital resources (aka. Copper, Horses, Iron) particularly those close to enemy territory (our Horses are relatively safe). So right now I would like more Archers. Also once we get the Copper hooked up we should start building Axemen. And once we get HBR we should start Keshik production.
However, Elders are fairly good at anticipating our military needs, and once our military is back up to par I don't expect to have to do much active "requesting." I will however if I see an Elder who is either completely ignoring military production or building unnecessary units, or I feel we've got a bit of a Military emergency (like our poor defenses). I believe it is important for Elders to maintain general autonomy. Also, any good Military leader needs to keep the importance of civilian production, without a good economy we can not support our troops effectively, and establish and maintain a tech lead.
Do you plan on waging war against the French?
Whether I want to declare war on the French is unimportant, it only matters if the citizens want to declare war on the French, any declaration of war will be polled before we make a decision to do so. That said... I personally think France is a major threat to us right now, and I think in the future (once we have the forces) we should attack to try to keep them in check.
If so, when approximately (number of turns)?
When I feel our units are ready for an offensive (still a bit of a ways off).
What will be your goals for the war, total destruction or a small war knocking out the 2 border cities and capturing Orleans?
Right now I'm leaning towards the small war, take out the two border cities at least, and probably Orleans. The rest really depends on what's in the Fog, if all that's left is Paris.... why not... Or if they have some sort of resource we want... we'll take it...
It also depends on France's Forces... we may only be able to take a few cities and then set up defensive perimeters and then have to get peace.
How many units (and which types of units) do you think you'll need for that?
If not, why not?
All types really, how many... I don't really feel like we know enough about France to nail those down.
Swordsmen (assuming we get Iron) for City attacking
Axemen to take out Melee defenders
Keshiks for quickly taking out strategic resources and then supporting the assaulting force.
