Probably whoever moved the thread read only the OP post, which fits in questions and guides, but the whole discussion does not.
To Paris: first you need to make sure you are not allied with the towns owning the fort you wish to attack. Before or after you push the attack button, inform all your allies (the town leaders) about where and when the battle will take place.
The recruiting buttons are to allow your recruits to talk in the chat. For what I know, generals are the leaders of the attacking/defending town, captains in the attack are appointed by generals/in defense they are the leaders of fort allied towns and can also be appointed by generals. Only generals and captains can talk in the chat. Privates and recruits can read what captains and generals type and traitors can't see what it's written in the chat nor type in the chat.
Keep in mind the size of the fort. If more than the limit shows up, those buttons appointing captains and privates and traitors will help you keep in the battle who you want and dismiss who you think is not good enough (traitors should be kicked out of the battle first, but only if the battle is full). For players limit in a battle see the server setting in game information (click on the ? right near the server time in-game).
For movement in the battle and battle attack plans, see Hellstromm's guides. They are great.