I think the bigger picture is that Soldiers are currently seen "by the game" as Sovereigns. IE the default Unit is a Sovereign, and thus all new soldiers are sovereigns. The only difference about these soldiers is that they cannot level up, use items, or cast magic.
I mean, think about it. 40 HP, 15 Essence, 1 Mana regen? SOVEREIGN! A soldier shouldnt start with 40 HP regardless!!!
Maybe beta 1-H will have the default unit to be a peasant with 10 HP, as opposed to the Sovereign with 40 HP.
Additionally, I would prefer for Peasants to start with 5 HP, and upon techning training you can more readily access 10 HP recruits. Regardless, if 10 HP is the base, then fine. (I would still like to see an implementation of 1 HP units, with vets having 5 HP, elites having 10 HP, and the "Champions and Sovs" having of course 40 starting HP).
Also, it seems that the Hardy Sov Trait and Nation trait seem not to work. At least any more. I think I remember one of the Sovs having 50 HP, but now even a Hardy Sov will only have 40 HP.