Slitherine

Having playes a few of the "balanced" multiplayer scenarios I have noticed some special units; I am not talking about SE units but regular units which only have a special name like "Colonel Rodianov" or "General Patton: or something like that. Is there anything special about these units? Do they give some initiative boost to nearby friendly units or anything like that?
Regards,
Cristian

Usually they have at least one experience star.