[color="#FF0000"]
Late Dec ‘61[/color]
[color="#FFFF00"]East:[/color]
Snow everywhere, all movements come to a halt. I don’t want lose precious manpower to meaningless atritions.
Intel:
The union has obviously give up his initiative in this region and reinforcing strongly to other theater. My guess is AndreaR believe that the war will be won in the West by the Union, and just try to defend Washington in the east. He has not tried to advance pass Manassas yet! In contrast, I have put most of my limited resource in this sector, and achieves an 1:1 ratio in the East. If I just sit here doing nothing, then it is a huge waste. I have to provoke him to at least divert resource back to this theater and relieve some pressure in the West.
But the question is how? I may defeat the union in the open, but I don’t want go against his entrenched force, after all I don’t have any numerical advantage. But his only significant force here are the main army dug in Manassas and a smaller corp dug in Alexandria protecting the communication line to Washington. I have exploited the opportunity when he moved his force around, but now I don’t expect he will make any move in the winter, except railing in new units.
The Union capital itself, however, looks rather under strength.
Deposition/Order?
In good weather, Jackson can rush to most cities in MD in just one turn from Harpers Ferry. But I am not sure if he can carry the Washington garrison. And if not Washington, would Baltimore or Annapolis worth the hassle?
[color="#FFFF00"]Gulf:[/color]
Intel
Union reinforced the Burnside’s (I mistakenly thought him to be Butler) expedition force with another division, and Halleck seems to be now the most senior Union officer there. Now gathering almost 1000 strength, this Union force became a serious threat to me. And they are moving towards north, maybe trying to capture Montgomery and then Atlanta.
But he underestimate my strength in Mobile, both two Union divisions moved north, leaving Pensacola virtually undefended. I could not let this opportunity slip by, thus ordered Mobile division attack cross the river and successfully captured the Union depot there (without loss and captured a supply unit as bonus!).
Deposition/Order?
I feel comfortable with the Mobile division under Steward sitting at Pensacola, I will blow the depot and dug in. So even if I got pushed out, the Union force shall suffer some supply issue.
But the weak division sitting at Montgomery might jjust be pushed aside by the sheer weight of those two union divisions. I am pondering whether I should blow the depot there to deny any possible resupply from the Union. Suggestions?
[color="#FFFF00"]
Mid[/color]
This area is where I am most under strength. only two divisions.
Intel:
Grant marched pass Bowling Green and headed directly to Clark field TN. I wonder if AndreaR is intend to caputer Ft Henry over the land, or expecting to catch Nashville undefended. Either way A. Johnston must give up Bowling Green.
Expecting Grant to be low on cohesion, I railed Polk and A Johnston’s divisions to converge on Grant’s single division. Polk moved in defensive order 1 day before A. Johnston who is ordered to attack. But Grant is ordered to attack, and is repulsed by Polk! loss are equal, 1800 man. But Grant is forced to retreat.
Another unknown force under McClellan marched from Louisville towards Bowling green, repairing railroads along the way.
Hamilton still sit with his division across Mississippi river. really curious about his intention.
Deposition:
My only two divisions in this theater are located at Clarksfield after defeating Grant. A Cav rgt is acting as rear guard at Bowling Green, scouting McClellan’s force and prepare to tear up the railroad.
Both island 10 and Ft Henry are garrisoned by around 4000 and 7000 men respectively. should be enough to hold against any direct assault. Or is it too much?
Order:
I want to stop Grant from joined up by McClellan, but with the small force at hand, I should better choose some good ground and dig in. I plan to send Polk back to Columbus and A. Johnston to Nashville. Two brigades are coming from NC and MS to Nashville.
[color="#FFFF00"]
West[/color]
St. Louis is so close!
Intel:
No significant union reinforcement in this area, as can be seen from the screenshot, St. Louis is defended by Lyon with a small force around 100 strength and St Louis garrison of around 100 strength
Deposition:
Price’s divison is now fully rested at Rolla. The raider rgt has gained enough MC at Union, MO for me to rail directly to the front door of St. Louis.
Watie is garrisoning Springfield MO.
Order:
Shall I go for St. Louis now? Would it produce enough supply in case I got myself cutoff? It is really a tempting prize...
[color="#FFFF00"]
Home front
[/color]New year is coming, drafting decisions also are available now.
I got pretty lucky in blockade dice rolls, and now FI stands at 46. I am going to blockade again, boosting the NM and allow me to call in a few dozens more conscripts in the next turn.
Is it worth to wait for +3 NM from the blockade event before drafting? or should I do it now?
Shall I go for full mobilization directly?
Please share your ideas, there are so many things to learn!