Can the CSA actually win?

[BattleVonWar]

Bought this game 2 years ago. SO far... I've played the CSA between 12-15 times in PBEM. Significant to say she can win against inferior opponents. She can win by winning early or catching a sleeping Union. After that no she cannot at all. 1862 = her last chance for Alcohol really!

My Union experience is as such.(never lost a PBEM game as the Union ever) The recruitment and training abilities of the Union are just not matched. If you don't lose to a gamy all-out rampaging Southern strategy you shouldn't be able to lose. I've gone in and actually watched players that put their all in vs my South. That means an hour or 2 hours per turn.(with permission) Usually and in my own experience by 1863 the Union doesn't even need to try very hard. I see tons of cash laying around and men that are not recruited. The Numbers tip so unfavorably for the South not even superb Divisional Composition is required to win. Just mass and slaughter.

In my mind this could be remedied by the Election running a little closer(not sure how it works as I rarely get that far or a great punishment for low NM%)

[havi]

YES WE CAN. Actually im on 4 game winning streak now . And i dont think my oppos have been on the weaker side at all, i just been lucky i guess.

[ArmChairGeneral]

There is no doubt that the sides are asymmetrical, but as several PBEMers attest, there are ways to win as the CSA. The game is VERY winnable against the AI, even on the highest difficulty settings. The Union has a number of built in advantages that you have to work hard to negate/overcome, but the tools are there. A highly competent Union player should theoretically be able to press their late-game advantages for the win, but as they say, that's why they play the game....