Wait, why did that happen?

[Mosby]

Allrighty, after trying my hand with the CSA on some smaller maps, I figured I could try to go for the gold with the main campaign. I start it a few times, learning from some small mistakes that I really wanted to change early on.

On my latest game, I'm doing pretty good, losing all of my battles, but I'm really not losing anything special. Then, we get attacked by a huge Union force, but my main army under P.G.T himself holds em off. I then attack back, and win both ...where I then see him run off, leaving the town, going to the middle of nowhere sever regions away. Why did that happen?

Also, is there any way to not lose the game with these guys? I'm facing such a huge force that can just waltz right by whatever town I'm sitting in...splitting my force only makes it easier for the huge stack to wipe out...good times.

[arsan]

On my latest game, I'm doing pretty good, losing all of my battles, but I'm really not losing anything special. Then, we get attacked by a huge Union force, but my main army under P.G.T himself holds em off. I then attack back, and win both ...where I then see him run off, leaving the town, going to the middle of nowhere sever regions away. Why did that happen?

You mean your own stack went away on his own initiative??
Probably its because by mistake you dragged your stack over an enemy stack instead that over an area.
By doing this you give your stack orders to intercept the enemy stack so it will follow the enemy trying to catch him.
You should look for a little icon over your stack that looks like two crossed red sabers. Thats the intercept order icon
Give your stack any other movement orders to stop the intercept order.

About the second question, yes its quite possible to win as the CSA... especially against the AI. Keep playing and you will end up finding it too easy...
I recommend you to check some AAR on the AAR forum to get some strategic ideas and to enjoy a good read
Hope it helps!
Regards

[MarkCSA]

Allrighty, after trying my hand with the CSA on some smaller maps, I figured I could try to go for the gold with the main campaign. I start it a few times, learning from some small mistakes that I really wanted to change early on.

On my latest game, I'm doing pretty good, losing all of my battles, but I'm really not losing anything special. Then, we get attacked by a huge Union force, but my main army under P.G.T himself holds em off. I then attack back, and win both ...where I then see him run off, leaving the town, going to the middle of nowhere sever regions away. Why did that happen?

Also, is there any way to not lose the game with these guys? I'm facing such a huge force that can just waltz right by whatever town I'm sitting in...splitting my force only makes it easier for the huge stack to wipe out...good times.

Tips and tricks:

Although the AI will give you a very good run for your money, as the CSA, you should focus on digging in deep in easily defendable positions, with plenty of artillery (behind rivers etc.) you should be able to hold off a force 3x your size most of the time.

This should give you some breathing space. Build some Blockade runners and Industrialization to get a War Economy going.

Union Raiders giving you a hard time? Get two of your cavalry officers (you have plenty) 6 cavalry elements and kill them one by one.

Now for the hard part: find smaller stacks of the Union army and encircle and destroy them. This should open up 'gaps' that you can use to liberate some land. Focus on KY, MO (and maybe Kansas) and your original 11 states, don't bother trying to conquer Illinois or something silly like that.

Read Runyan's post. 75% of the game is position, position, position.

*****SPOILER***** READ BELOW THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK

The AI loves to campaign in the winter, and is not all that concerned about supply lines. For a few easy kills, get ready to encircle and destroy some low on supplies, low on ammo, low on cohesion units as soon as the snow melts....... (a bit gamey, but needed)

Goodl luck, and make the South proud!

[Mosby]

I've actually been able to hold off some pretty huge forces, and it's really making me feel like I can win this thing. We've been busy in the east, I've got two main forces and a smaller one that runs around helping out when they can.

The west is making me a little nervous though. I don't have nearly the size force that I would like, and I'm sooooo very low on war supplies.

Most fun I've had yet!

[MarkCSA]

I've actually been able to hold off some pretty huge forces, and it's really making me feel like I can win this thing. We've been busy in the east, I've got two main forces and a smaller one that runs around helping out when they can.

The west is making me a little nervous though. I don't have nearly the size force that I would like, and I'm sooooo very low on war supplies.

Most fun I've had yet!

Sounds like you are getting the hang of the game

For the East: remember that the CSA was never soundly beaten on the battlefield there, but in the end had to surrender due to the complete collapse of all other fronts and a lack of supply. The lesson here being that if you keep an eye on your other fronts and supply situation..... you should be in a good position.

For the West: This is a tricky one. Your supply logistics are just as bad as the Union's and loyalties are divided (but favouring you a bit if you got the St. Louis Massacre and Kentucky). Small (6-8 cavalry + horse arty), highly mobile units here are key, to search and destroy 'loose' union units. One or two 10-15k 'siege' stacks can help to capture a few cities. Send loose cavalry, partisans and bushwackers into the Union lines to wreck railways, blow depots etc. etc. Your goal should be St. Louis, but grabbing it should be the sign that you are very clearly winning.

For War Supplies: Put your blockade runners into the blockade boxes, build some more if you can and work on your industrialization.

Hope this helps.