Wed Jun 15, 2011 2:49 am
(A) The North cannot win the war in 1861, not against Athena on Dumb as a Rock, nor against the worst human. Case in point - my somewhat overly ambitious effort against P. Cleburne (in the AARs) - I left myself open to a 'back rank mate' and he took DC. Used properly by a human (PC wasn't even invading, really, he just played a good solid aggressive defense in Virginia that gave me fits), the South's early lead in generalship can be daunting. Play Athena on Colonel with a couple of other advantages and she can be vexing, if she doesn't start executing Harper's Ferry at All Costs or something disappointing.
(B) Secondly, this means that loose Bdes and loose Divs don't cut it. March 62 is the start of Reel Two. Now, at first, the Corps and Armies favor the Rebs, but as time goes on and material advantage tips more to the North, the USA can form (i) more Armies, and (ii) Armies with five or six Corps or more, particularly the AoP or its equivalent, and (iii) Johnny Reb is hard pressed by late 63 and 64 to deal with an oppo force in NoVa that's fielding seven Corps, three of which are four Divs strong and boasting about 1250+ PWR apiece.
(C) Thus, I evolved the Butler Army approach to N. O. It's good to have an Army doing that job down there, even a smallish one. Once Pike is opened, you can float loose Bdes and Divs down, form into additional Corps (don't forget the Leaders, don't leave Yankeeland without 'em) and take Mobile, or Vicksburg, and basically trash the backporch of the CSA to blazes and beyond. Make Cav formations and find those stills with the moonshine; in general, be a Royal Pain and make him wish he never learned how to spell 'secession'.
HQs, Wagons, Transports, Signal Companies, Medical Corps - love 'em to death. Use the Hi Tech Organized Yankee way to re-unite your nation! Do it today!
[color="#AFEEEE"]"Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable!"[/color]
-Daniel Webster
[color="#FFA07A"]"C'mon, boys, we got the damn Yankees on the run!"[/color]
-General Joseph Wheeler, US Army, serving at Santiago in 1898
RULES
(A) When in doubt, agree with Ace.
(B) Pull my reins up sharply when needed, for I am a spirited thoroughbred and forget to turn at the post sometimes.