Barksdale vs. MrT

[W.Barksdale]

Here's a few more shots:

[ATTACH]8780[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8781[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8782[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8783[/ATTACH]

[W.Barksdale]

Grant HQ

Grant has orders to take Charleston and kick the rebels out of Missouri.

[ATTACH]8786[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8787[/ATTACH]

[W.Barksdale]

The White House

I've issued 8% bonds, raised exceptional taxes, and called for volunteers with a 3k bounty for each company. This should bring in 461 companies. I've also called for a full draft whcih will bring in 756 companies. All this will cost me 11 NM though...

Also, somethign is messed up with the Union army HQs...I should have more by now I think. I haven't read anything about changes to this in the updates. But I guess I never read anythign about making most bde's CP exceed an entire divisions CP which is just LUDACROUS not to mention unrealistc and stupid. I don't know why they are so obsessed with the concept of a division. I wish they would stop changing the game they are making it a fantasy game with these CP changes and an ENTIRE division of 10000 cavalry unable to take a city. Just stupid.

Anyway sorry for the rant...about the army HQ check out the screenie, but notice that only 2 are availble to be built...giving me a grant total of 4 to date...very strange....

[ATTACH]8788[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8789[/ATTACH]

[W.Barksdale]

The White House

Once again I have called for volunteers and offered a 3k bounty for each company. It is expected to bring in 429 companies! To pay for this and the subsequent recruiting I've issued 8% bonds, raised exceptional taxes and inflation taxes. I've also ordered a total blockade of confederate waters. All this for only 5 NM!

[ATTACH]8792[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8793[/ATTACH]

[acme]

pls post a shot about overall situation (casualties, pows, vps)

And what are the effects of industrialazing in Ark? New ammo factory opened in Springfield perhaps?

[It's a Trap]

The White House

I've issued 8% bonds, raised exceptional taxes, and called for volunteers with a 3k bounty for each company. This should bring in 461 companies. I've also called for a full draft whcih will bring in 756 companies. All this will cost me 11 NM though...

But I guess I never read anythign about making most bde's CP exceed an entire divisions CP which is just LUDACROUS not to mention unrealistc and stupid. I don't know why they are so obsessed with the concept of a division. I wish they would stop changing the game they are making it a fantasy game with these CP changes and an ENTIRE division of 10000 cavalry unable to take a city. Just stupid.

I don't see how you can argue that things being unrealistic when your going all out with bounties and full draft in 1861. Which heavily favors the union. The truth is no current or foreseeable game can replicate what was realistic. All they can do is design game concepts to balance the game.

And from what I know a division of 10K cav was unrealistic. The doctrine of war back then was for them to be scouts and screeners. Not until later in the war were they more heavily used as raiders. Which the current game more accurately represents now. We are all back seat drivers here with our knowledge of mistakes made during the war and of how battles should have been fought.

Another example is how entrenchments were rarely used because men those days thought it was unhonorable to hide in a hole in a fight. The horrors of war diffenently changed that, where cover was more often used and trench warfare became a the rule in the East.

Has for divisions. I don't think anyone can argue that a division became the prime organization in Armies. And the CP penalty helps to illistrate the degregation of units combat effectivness that went along pooly organized units. Just slappin units together and saying your in charge doesn't work well in current militaries and I would guess it would be even worse back then with the lack of communication.

8,000 men properly organized will perfrom better then a 8,000 man massed force.

[W.Barksdale]

I'll respond quickly but I don't want to clutter up the thread!

I don't see how you can argue that things being unrealistic when your going all out with bounties and full draft in 1861. Which heavily favors the union. The truth is no current or foreseeable game can replicate what was realistic. All they can do is design game concepts to balance the game.

Point is a draft or heavy bounties were possible early in the war.. And cavalry could take cities in real life sorry. This is what I mean by realistic.

And from what I know a division of 10K cav was unrealistic. The doctrine of war back then was for them to be scouts and screeners. Not until later in the war were they more heavily used as raiders. Which the current game more accurately represents now. We are all back seat drivers here with our knowledge of mistakes made during the war and of how battles should have been fought.

The point is not 10k cavalry it is any large group of cavalry. Ever heard of Murfreesboro?

Another example is how entrenchments were rarely used because men those days thought it was unhonorable to hide in a hole in a fight. The horrors of war diffenently changed that, where cover was more often used and trench warfare became a the rule in the East.

This is already modelled on an increasing scale. I only had level max level 3 entrechments until december.

Has for divisions. I don't think anyone can argue that a division became the prime organization in Armies. And the CP penalty helps to illistrate the degregation of units combat effectivness that went along pooly organized units. Just slappin units together and saying your in charge doesn't work well in current militaries and I would guess it would be even worse back then with the lack of communication.

8,000 men properly organized will perfrom better then a 8,000 man massed force.

You don't understand my point man. Load up a game and find a 5 element bde with no cavalry. Notice now that it costs 5 CPs. Now form up a division with that same single bde, and notice it costs 4 CPs. This doesn't make sense sorry.

[W.Barksdale]

Here's a shot of the objectives screen.

[ATTACH]8795[/ATTACH]

[W.Barksdale]

Well just some shuffling around. For some reason not all of my orders for reinforcements seem to have gone through. Maybe an error in my calculations...

AoJ HQ

A fresh division will reinforce the fort. I will now outnumber enemy troops on the peninsula! The rest of the division is alraedy in the fort and will be added as soon as the troops land.

Hooker HQ

I'm just going to cause a little confusion and start taking out the forts on the NC coast. This will allow me to blockade these cities too :P

[ATTACH]8796[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8797[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8798[/ATTACH]

[W.Barksdale]

Hooker HQ

Not much going on except preparation. Hooker will assault Ft. Clarke off the Carolina coast.

[attach]8803[/attach]
[attach]8802[/attach]

[W.Barksdale]

AoJ HQ

Reinforcements and heavy columns of ships are being rushed to the area in order to support General McClellan in a general advance.

AoP HQ

McClellan is ordered to Stafford in preparation for Lincoln's General War Order Number 1. The army will take part in a general advance in conjunction with the Army of the James.

Strangely, I'm counting only 1 division now in the valley, whereas earlier there were 2. However, I don't see any additional ones farther south in VA.

[ATTACH]8804[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8805[/ATTACH]

[W.Barksdale]

The White House

General War Order Number 1 : Little Mac is ACTIVE!!!!!!!!!!
I've called an inflation tax.

AoP HQ

Well Lincoln is getting pissed with the inactivity so it's go time in Virginia. McClellan will cross the Rappahannock and strike south at Fredericksburg where Bory is entrenched with a single division.

Longstreet is northwest of the river at Manassas, however, I'm hoping that my one raider that got through will be able to cut the rails and slow him down.Hopefully he will be reluctant to join in the fun and isolate JJ deep in the valley.

JJ is off in the valley with only 1 division!! Jackson is nowhere to be found which is a little scary.

Anyway, Hamilton will be reinforced by Miles division and 3 batteries of artillery giving him 2 divisions and the 3 batteries to hold Alexandria.

General Dix, with two divisions, will move south to Stafford to support McClellan while keeping his line of retreat open.

General Humphreys, with two divisions and a battery of artillery will remain in Washingon

AoJ HQ

To support McClellan's attack to the north, Butler with 1 division will hold the fort while General Thomas, with 2 divisions and 3 batteries of artillery will land on the peninsula just west of the rebel forces under General Ruggles.

The Navy will support the operation by blockading all routes of escape of Ruggles forces. It is my hope that General McClellan can keep Bory pinned at Fredericksburg so that the landing can happen unopposed.

Two divisions are help in reserve and will be sent where most appropriate.

Hooker HQ

General Hooker will continue to (hopefully) spread confusion by simply taking out the forts of the Carolina coast.

[ATTACH]8806[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8807[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8808[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8809[/ATTACH]

[acme]

hmm good plans.

[It's a Trap]

Point is a draft or heavy bounties were possible early in the war. And cavalry could take cities in real life sorry. This is what I mean by realistic.

Either way the change was required because people were using those units in a way that went against the spirit of the game.

The point is not 10k cavalry it is any large group of cavalry. Ever heard of Murfreesboro?.

And you'll notice that Murfreesboro was unimportant enough to not be represented with a city on the map.

This is already modelled on an increasing scale. I only had level max level 3 entrechments until december.

yeilded

You don't understand my point man. Load up a game and find a 5 element bde with no cavalry. Notice now that it costs 5 CPs. Now form up a division with that same single bde, and notice it costs 4 CPs. This doesn't make sense sorry.

I think your missing the point of making divisions. It represnts the making of a staff for the leader to help organize his units. I more correct example would the bde costs 5 cp, but when put in a division it requires none. But all divisions require 4 cp no matter their size is a way to limit corp size.

I guess they could have just limited the number of div in a corp to 4 for example (which is what they did do for div sizes)and had the leadership trait increase that buy 1 instead of command points. But that would change the dynamic of the game and would also not allow you to have loose bde or batteries.

I see the point and agree thats it was the lesser of two evils.

[acme]

guys i think u both have the point in your own methods

[W.Barksdale]

The White House

I've printed more money$$

AoP HQ

Despite my best efforts Longstreet was able to send a division to the aid of Bory entrenched around Fredericksburg. The army will withdraw to Washington to refit in preparation for a renewed effort.

Scouts will continue to harass enemy outposts.

AoJ HQ

Despite the AoP failure farther north the landing at Williamsburg went smoothly. A divsion under General Ruggles is trapped (I hope) between Fortress Monroe and Thomas' force. He should be able to hold out at least a month as scouts report a train of supplies.

With the success of the landing a 3rd division is being rushed to the area bolstering Thomas' strength to 3 divisions and 3 batteries of artillery.

Hooker HQ

General Holmes has been spotted at Ft. Morgan off the Carolina coast so the attack here has been cancelled. New orders are to move to Ft. Clark to pick up the garrison. From here Hooker will either reinforce whichever army in VA needs most his services.

Florida

Well look what we have here. General Jackson is spotted forming near Ft. Pickens. He has massed a wopping 3 divisions! Im guessing he will storm the fort which means I have a few weeks without him gracing me with his presence! The mobile garrison will flee to the landland and wait for rescue...

[ATTACH]8818[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8819[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8820[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8821[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8822[/ATTACH]

[W.Barksdale]

The White House

Inflation tax

AoP HQ

Can't believe my luck everyone is active! McClellan will take 7 divisions, Dix's corps and Foster's corps, and hit Longstreets 2 divisions at Manassas.

Now my scouts managed to penetrate the rebel screen, however, last turn MrT and I observed that on the turn the destroy rail order is given, a unit can still travel on it for some reason! Never used to be like this, but this turn will confirm the suspicion.

I'm pretty sure that Bory will try to reinforce Longstreet as he has receive substantial reinforcements. Either that or he plans on attacking himself at Alexandria. Good luck to him!

AoJ HQ

Thomas' corps now has 3 divisions and plenty of artillery support withing two regions of the rebel capital. General Hooker will arrive at Ft. Monroe and aid in the assault on Ruggles divisions which should be happening soon!

I imagine that division in NC will be returning soon too so I am really relying on the AoP to keep the pressure on to the north until the peninsula can be cleared.

Buell HQ

General Buell has assumed command of all the forces in Kentucky north of the Cumberland. The main operations will begin as soon as the weather clears jsut a bit more.

ASJ is on the move with the Army of TN. Kentucky is covered in mud so I don't expect an attack, however, I am sending an extra division to Lexington just in case.

Scouts all over the state disrupting rebel supplies comign into the army so he may be retreating toward Bowling Green and a better defensive position. Either option suits me

Pope HQ

General Pope has assumed command of all the forces in east Missouri and Cairo. For now, his assignment is to keep those rebel forces in place by threatening eastern KY and island no. 10.

Florida

Not surprisingly, Jackson took Ft. Pickens The bde defending managed to escape to the mainland and is being escorted back to safety!

I'm guessing Jackson is returning to VA..I just hope he doesn't come with all 3 of those divisions. In any case, several raiding parties are cutting rails and blocking bridges in the effort to slow him down.

[ATTACH]8823[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8824[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8825[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8826[/ATTACH]

[W.Barksdale]

Some more photos :

[ATTACH]8827[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8828[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8829[/ATTACH]

[W.Barksdale]

The White House

Printed more money!

AoP HQ

The attack on Longstreet's position at Manassas succeeded in take the area, however, Longstreets force was not destroyed and still is still a viable fighting force.

The taking of Manassas now leaves JJ's Army of the Shenandoah cut off from lower Virginia. Foster's corps is ordered to Clarke, VA to try and cut off the retreating army. JJ's skirmisher ability will probably make this a futile effort, however , it's worth a try.

The other half of the army will occupy Manassas in order to block a counter attack by Longsreet. A reserve division is being sent to reinforce the Hamilton's corps blockig the direct passage to Washington.

AoJ HQ

The arrival of Hooker on the Peninsula has given me considerable strength in the area. Hooker is not active, however, I think his two divisions are enough to take out Ruggles force. Thomas will also send a division to try and soften him up before the main attack.

Buell HQ

It's a good thing an extra division was send to bolster the defence of Lexington. The Army of Tennessee attack and was repulsed.

I can't really take any counter-action as I'm lacking Generals and that extra HQ unit There are six divisions waiting in Cinncinnatti for commanders

Grant HQ

Well I hope Grant's disappearance for a few turns has confused MrT. He's ordered to seize the heights are New Madrid as a base for a thrust down the Mississippi






[ATTACH]8841[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]8842[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]8843[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]8844[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]8845[/ATTACH]

[W.Barksdale]

Few more screens:

[ATTACH]8846[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8847[/ATTACH]

[enf91]

I can't really take any counter-action as I'm lacking Generals and that extra HQ unit There are six divisions waiting in Cinncinnatti (sic) for commanders

I think you're supposed to have only 4 army HQs. One of those armies was given to you earlier in the game when Fremont shows up; the tooltip must not have been updated. I don't think Gray reads AARs, so he can't clarify.

[W.Barksdale]

I think you're supposed to have only 4 army HQs. One of those armies was given to you earlier in the game when Fremont shows up; the tooltip must not have been updated. I don't think Gray reads AARs, so he can't clarify.

Yeah looks like it. I don't recall offhand how many actual "armies" the Federals had around this time.

In any case, I was hoping to keep Banks locked away for extra concripts, however, I've beamed him and his HQ to a new assignment!

[W.Barksdale]

AoP HQ

Foster's corps made contact with JJ's valley force, however, were unable to commit them. I can't part with an entire corps to destroy his force so Foster's corps is ordered back to Alexandria with the rest of the army to refit.

JEB managed to cut a really key rail line JUST as the bulk of my artillery is coming online. I've ordered them to rendezvous with the army in VA, however, they may not get there due to the break.

AoJ HQ

Hooker's corps engaged Ruggles division, however, was unale to destroy them. His corps will take over the defensive position farther west and give Thomas' corps a shot at the kill.

AoO HQ

Well I've bitten the bullet and transferred Banks over to KY to take command of forces there. I would have preferred if he could have stayed in New York recruiting, however, I really need his HQ.

I wish Buell could have had the command but I just can't take another 2NM loss.

Grant HQ

Grant has almost cleared New Madrid of rebel forces. Depots for supplies are beign constructed for the big push. I'm not sure exactly what the plan is yet, however, the operation will be made simulatneously with operations by the Army of the Ohio farther east.

[ATTACH]8854[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8855[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8856[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8857[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8858[/ATTACH]

[W.Barksdale]

A few more screens:

[ATTACH]8859[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8862[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8860[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8861[/ATTACH]

[acme]

good work!

[W.Barksdale]

AoP HQ

I just can't believe it. In Alexandria the army is completely concentrated and has been reorganised into 5 corps with 10 divisions and 14 batteries of artillery! I'm almost positive that I could take Fredericksburg with this strength.

That's all great, however, only Dix's corps is active. That's fine, I think I can still carry the battle with 10 divisions. The thing that is holding me back is the MUD. I really wanted to score a big victory in northern VA before Jackson gets back with reinforcements. Doesn't look like it's going to happen

I won't be able to steal the initiative with a quick stab across the Rappahannock, so, Sykes division will cautiously take Winchester and grab those VPS. Two corps will move forward to defensive positions at Manassas, while the main army will remain in Alexandria and block the main route to Washington.

The combination of the inactivity and the mud just killed me.

AoJ HQ

Well Hooker was supposed to occupy Thomas' position and Thomas was supposed to take a stab at Ruggles. Turns out Hooker was able to mop him up on his way. For some reason Thomas remained in Williamsburg. Two of Thomas' divisions are in serious need of replacements so they will retire to Ft. Monroe to refit. Hooker will give Thomas 2 of his divisions and keep Richmond threatened from the peninsula while the mud dries farther north.

AoO HQ

Am I ever glad that I moved Banks to this theatre. Looks like MrT thinks that he can hold Louisville. Scouts report around 4 divisions around the city.

Given this tremendous oppurtunity to totally destroy the rebel army I've opted to take a moderate risk. I will divide the Army of the Ohio.

Currently concentrated around Boone, KY, and around Lexington, General Kearny's corps will execute a forced march to Hard, KY which is about halfway between Louisville and Bowling Greene.

This will put 3 divisions smack in the middle of Pemberton's force at Bowling Green and the Army of TN at Louisville just inviting attack! The rest of the army will threaten Louisville directly by occupying Mercer, KY.
Further, a division from the Western Command will cross the Ohio river at Evansville, IN and occupy the harbour at Henderson KY.

Raiders will continue to disrupt supply and reinforcements by keeping the rail lines cut. Two reserve divisions will stay one each at Cinncinnati and Lexington.

Grant HQ

Well there is a BIG oppurtunity in this theatre too. My fleet controls the river in between New Madrid and Island no. 10 and MrT has left the fort WIDE OPEN!

Grant has 3 divisions concentrated across the river. One will remain to guard the depot being built this turn. Grant will take Sherman's and Prentiss' divisions and seige the Fort. I hope supplies will be able to flow across the river since my fleet is in possession... if no the stack has ample supplies for around a month and a half... by this time the pressure in northern KY will (hopefully) stretch rebel forces in the area to the breaking point.

Thats the plan anyway...

Lyon HQ

With nearly all of the reinforcements rushing to Western Command HQ I just don't have the forces for a serious push across the Arkansas river at the moment. Scouts will report on the strength of Hardee's force then I can see what will be needed to renew the campaign here.

Reinforcements

Don't feel like clipping art so I'll say it. Ordered a supply train in KY and 2 regiments of cavalry in Wisconsin.

[ATTACH]8869[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8871[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8872[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8873[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8874[/ATTACH]

[W.Barksdale]

AoP HQ

The army will hold positions as scouts from the AoJ report Jackson has arrived in Richmond. Sykes is inactive so must wait to grab the vps in the valley...

AoJ HQ

Jackson has arrived in Richmond with reinforcements I do fear an attack on the peninsula so Hooker will force march his corps to support Thomas' corps at Williamsburg.

Naval vessels will block the passage into the rear of the army in the York Estuary.

AoO HQ

Kearny's corps didn't quite make it to its objective. His corps was smashed by the Army of TN retreating toward Bowling Green at Nelson, KY.

The entire army will attack at Louisville, and take back the city. Once concentrated I will allow Kearny's smashed corps to refit and renew the offensive.

General Curtis' division will march to the rear of the Army of TN at Clarksville and try to block any retreat. Scouts will continue to disrupt the rail service into KY.

Grant HQ

The landing at Island no. 10 went off without a hitch. Grant has an excellent defensive position here and will continue to entrench until the fort can be reduced.

Lyon HQ

General McCooks scouts report 2 divisions holding Ft. Smith! It seems just parking Lyon's single division in northern Arkansas is paying significant dividends!

With two rebel divisions spotted looks like I will need an extra division in the area to renew the offensive so, a new division, under General Sigel will report to Lyon's HQ as soon as possible. They are making their way south from Jefferson city.

[ATTACH]8878[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8879[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8880[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8885[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8886[/ATTACH]

[W.Barksdale]

Reinforcements are two moniters in NY state

Some more screens:

[ATTACH]8887[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8888[/ATTACH]

[W.Barksdale]

AoO HQ

An awesome day for loyal Kentuckians. Louisville was recaptured and significant sized confederate garrison was destroyed. I gained a nice 4NM for the victory!

Buells corps will move to Meade, KY in order to gain MC for use of the railroad while Kearny's corps is refitting. Hopefully the army will be ready to move on Bowling Green in a few weeks.

Curtis' division is quite exposed around Clarksville so he is ordered north to Henderson KY.

AoP

The army will hold position. Vedettes are being sent the enemy positioned at Culpepper with the hope of finding an opening.MrT has built of considerable strength here now and a frontal attack will not succeed without further reinforcements of which I have none to give.

AoJ HQ

Hooker arrived at Williamsburg to support Thomas' corps, however, the rebels show no sign of offensive yet. The army will hold position and wait for attack.

I'd like to use tehse guys for mroe active operations, however, I'm unclear as to when I've satisfied the 'threaten Richmond' event. I don't want to lose that 10NM

Grant HQ

Grant continues to seige island no. 10. JJ's army of Mississippi tried to relieve the garrison with a minor attack with only 2 divisions. These divisions combined have 10 batteries of artillery, and are defending in swamp terrain. Given the nature of the ground here I'm positive MrT will need at least 6 or 8 divisions to oust Grant from his position.

If I see a build up of troops preparing for assault there is a reserve division at New Madrid which can quickly be ferried across. Further, Western Command HQ, under Fremont , is making his way south on the west side of river. He's bringing some heavy artillery which will be ferried across along with a few loose bde's to aid in reducing the fort.

Lyon HQ

A fresh division is within about 2 weeks of Fayetteville. Once it arrives the advance in Arkansas will resume. Scouts report no additional rebel forces arriving in western Arkansas!

[ATTACH]8900[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8901[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8902[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8903[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8904[/ATTACH]

[W.Barksdale]

Here's a few more screens:

[ATTACH]8905[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8906[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8907[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]8908[/ATTACH]