I agree mainly with your basic plans.
Here are some army-organization ideas I desire to do, in order to achieve success.
1.- Regulars. There are lots of trained troops in second line areas (i.e. Beauregard, Huger, Charleston ...)
These must go ASAP to the main front and be replaced by militia brigades. If Ft Monroe is not to be assaulted, we could even abandon totally Hampton Roads, but you should give before militia-corps-command to lee and cooper to allow for some extra defence power. Cooper could stay INTO Richmond and Lee OUT.
I ll buy no regulars at all.
... Perhaps some exception of course. I love these 7 Virginian sized brigades, but I believe the GA / AL are even better leaded. However, brigaded militias are better to me, just mid-term useful.
2.- Cavalry. We have the need of constructing an huge cavalry display... Seems to me one of our best priorities. Lots of fast-raiding cavalry will help us disrupting the enemy, giving us precious intel, end so on.
So most of the initial manpower (perhaps 20-30 new units can stress the federals) will be destined to it (Well, perhaps i ll exchange manpower of some cavalry to ships
).
Your Jackson raid to WV should include a cavalry half division? Laurel & 1st Virginia Bdes can be part of it...
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Remember in the initial display Harpers Ferry is just 7 days march from Jackson troops (sorry, Johnston´s... but i believe he should go ASAP to Nashville--- do you belive so?), but not sure if should be better to send him to another place in the very first turn (manasas, richmond for example... you ll decide how to proceed)
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3.- Militia. Once Morale raise a bit, I ll mobilize militias as main army,the government thinks too much War supply has been expended in the existing Regular army.
These should be brigaded, garrison coastal main production areas, and the rest sent to the front.
I propose sending most of those to HUMBOLDT TN/ MANASAS VA by train with our best drillers, but RICHMOND /CORINTH ( first step ) are also posible points if you feel better. In defense, well led militias can be good enough, and these could turn into drilled regulars if quiet a few months. I d prefer even Columbus TN, in the front protecting our main FORT in the mississippi.
4.- Artillery. I will try to purchase some of the best guns available, so we can give a few divisions some concentrated firepower. After this our main guns should be 12 pounders, we can not afford the best ones until later. Horse arty should be purchased also as a priority.
5.- Railroad restrisctions. Due to game-limitations (i.e. ERTY keys skip troops moving by railroad 1 day), reinforcement railroad/riverine moves should not last more than 14 days, and end in a rail station / city. These should be done in the more evasive mode posible, we must avoid battles with reinforcements. (Big Army moves should be asked for in War room, aprox-division-sized could be ordered 1 per CiC at your wish)... I ll go upgrading transport cap once manpower expended.
6.- Ocean / River ships. I ll go constructing brigs until our WS input by smuggling arrives 50-60 / turn. After that, we could invest in industry. I ll try to priorize army as you asked before, but by the end of 1861 we must have those 60 WS/ turn. I ll build no war ships at all.
7.- Support. An Army should be created ASAP. Other than that, I will try to build support units to allow for 2 corps be fully supported. I believe signal units can help independent divisions be lead by a single good commander, so these will be priority, but expect no support until late...
Waiting for your acceptance, and hope some improvements can be added.
Jefferson Davis