Battle logs

[jchastain]

ORIGINAL: Gil R.

Gov. William "Extra Billy" Smith (b. 1797, d. 1887). A former governor of Virginia and member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Smith served both as colonel of the 49th Virginia Infantry Regiment and a member of the Confederate House of Representatives for the first half of the war. Having distinguished himself in battle, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in early 1863, and later that year he was elected governor of Virginia once again. His nickname came from the days when he operated a private mail delivery service and milked his contracts with the U.S. Postal Service as much as he could.

Gil -
These are great. Very informative. But... and this is a very very very minor point, but... the anal side of me has to ask...

Wouldn't the highlighted area above read better as "and later that year he was again elected governor of Virginia."

[Gil R.]

ORIGINAL: jchastain

ORIGINAL: Gil R.

Gov. William "Extra Billy" Smith (b. 1797, d. 1887). A former governor of Virginia and member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Smith served both as colonel of the 49th Virginia Infantry Regiment and a member of the Confederate House of Representatives for the first half of the war. Having distinguished himself in battle, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in early 1863, and later that year he was elected governor of Virginia once again. His nickname came from the days when he operated a private mail delivery service and milked his contracts with the U.S. Postal Service as much as he could.

Gil -
These are great. Very informative. But... and this is a very very very minor point, but... the anal side of me has to ask...

Wouldn't the highlighted area above read better as "and later that year he was again elected governor of Virginia."

Yes, thanks. Change made.

I'm still finishing up the bios (the last ones will be written within the coming hours), after which I'll print them out and edit them for the first time. Perhaps I'll even have fewer run-on sentences...

[marecone]

ORIGINAL: fmonster

ORIGINAL: ericbabe

Gil hasn't written any of the generals' bios yet, he's still finishing up the last few governors.  I'll post one of those as soon as he's done.

The first general in our list is Abercrombie,_John_Joseph if you'd like a test case.

Abercrombie,_John_Joseph

Born March 4th, 1798 in Baltimore, Maryland. Graduated from West Point in 1822. Joined the Union Army where he was in charge of Abercrombie's Brigade and fought in the battles of Malvern Hill and Seven Pines (where he was wounded). He survived the war and died on January 3rd, 1877 in Long Island, New York.

NOTE: This was just from an initial look into Abercrombie. Depending on the depth and space provided in the game then more info could be found and displayed. Heck, we could even get into OOB if need be,...... not that it would help with the game, but just as an interesting side note.

I LOVE this stuff!!! [:D]

I wanted to do this. [:(] I was short on time today. But ok. You were faster.[;)]
We have a format and at least two volunteers. I am ready to begin.
Few more questions.
Pictures?
Spell check? Give me some site that will check my spelling and grammar as english is not my first language.
Can I do rebel generals?
Just give us the list and set a time table and organize us and...
Let's go men! Give me an asigment. I am ready to serve and be a part of best civil war game ever!

Godspeed,

[marecone]

If you will be satisfied with my work I am ready to do more than 50 generals.

[Gil R.]

Marecone,
Since you missed out on Abercrombie, the next on the list is Union Gen. Robert Allen -- feel free to give him a shot. As for grammar and spelling, if you use Microsoft Word that should take care of spelling well enough (as should other English word processors). But overall, try to do your best, and I can catch any mistakes you make when I edit your contributions.


Before we can start assigning generals Eric and I need to figure out a few logistical issues, so that this project is well organized. Give us a day or two.

[jimwinsor]

Hmmm this guy seems to have a Wiki entry:
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Allen_%28general%29
 
...but reading it seems he seems to have held pretty much a desk job during the war.  Rose to brigadier (then to major) general and a fairly important desk job no doubt (Quartermaster for the Trans-Mississippi)...but a desk job nonetheless.
 
Which makes me a tad surprised the game represents him...are we going to have to make decisions concerning supply and other non-combat staff officers in FoF?  If so this represents a major step up in detail from CoG.

[fmonster]

Gil,

Here is my second attempt. What say ye? All criticism welcome.

Brig. General John J. Abercrombie (b. 1798, d. 1877) A career army officer who graduated 37th in his class at West Point in 1822. Started his service as Adjutant in the 1st Infantry from 1825 - 1833 and was made Captain in 1837. Was brevetted Major for gallant conduct at the Battle Of Okechobee in the Florida War. In the Mexican War, he was brevetted Lieutenant Colonel for gallantry at the Battle of Monterey, where he was wounded, and he took part in the siege of Vera Cruz and at Cerro Gordo. At the start of the Civil War he was Colonel of the 7th Infantry. He was brevetted Brig. General of Volunteers in August of 1861 and took part in the Peninsular Campaign where he fought at Seven Pines, where he was wounded, and Malvern Hill. Notably, he was engaged in the defense of Washington in 1862 and 1863 and was in charge of depots at Fredricksburg in May of 1864. Abercrombie was brevetted Brig. General of the United States Army in 1865 for his long and faithful service. After the war, he performed Court Martial duty as a civilian.

[marecone]

Major General Robert Allen (b.1811, d.1886) Allen was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York. After graduating in the bottom third of his class, he fought in the Mexican War, and was brevetted a major for gallant and meritorious service at the Battle of Cerro Gordo. He moved from the Artillery to the Quartermaster's Department, eventually being named chief quartermaster for the Pacific Department. Again, in the Civil War, he was appointed chief quartermaster, this time for the Union Department of the Missouri. Allen's challenge was to create an efficient and competent department out of a corrupt agency. He was successful, and he was placed in charge of the entire Mississippi Valley. Allen supplied all major and secondary operations in the region, including Gen. Ulysses Grant's Vicksburg campaign and Maj. Gen. Sherman's Atlanta campaign. Later, his sphere of duty was expanded to include all areas west of the Mississippi River, except for California. Allen ranked only behind Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs in responsibility, spending an estimated $111 million in his duties as quartermaster. After the war, he stayed in the army until his retirement in 1878. Allen died on August 5, 1886, while traveling abroad. He was buried in Switzerland.

Jimwinsor is right. He has an entry in wiki and it is best entry about him from the web. I searched for like 45 minutes and this is the best bio on him.
You didn't answer my question about pictures. All of these guys have pictures. I found 5 for the first general and 2 for Allen.

Godspeed,

[marecone]

Did modify it a bit.
Also, I have a new picture. Best general in ACW: Nathan Bedford Forrest!

Godspeed,

P.S. Ready to work whenever you are ready. Would prefer Confederate generals if it is possible.

[Gil R.]

Responding to various points up above:

We already have collected photos of all the generals, so there is no need to collect these. (These photos are already in the beta version of the game, even.)

If a guy was a general during the Civil War, he's in the game. A few of them will be like Allen, so they just won't have very good combat stats. We opted to err on the side of completeness.

Wikipedia does indeed have good bios for many of these generals, but we pride ourselves on doing fresh work (even if Wikipedia, admittedly, was consulted). So rather than simply cutting and pasting from Wikipedia (which Wikipedia permits businesses to do so long as proper credit is given), we figure that there are more than enough Civil War experts out there that we can come up with bios at least as good as the ones on Wikipedia. (I should stress that Wikipedia is a perfectly good source to use in researching these generals, but be sure to rework whatever information you get from their site -- DO NOT simply copy whole sentences or chunks of text.)

But see my next message for more about wikis...

[Gil R.]

Okay, Eric and I just had a very productive conversation (admittedly, with the occasional digression into such matters as Roman and Chinese nomenclature systems and the etymology of "bugger," and some speculation about what the 'f' in "fmonster" stands for), so I'd like to report how we're going to be doing this. (We didn't expect to begin with generals' bios until the game had been released, but now we've figured out the optimal strategy for getting the process underway.)

Our plan is to have numerous people writing and giving feedback on these bios, so that we can tap into the collective wisdom of an awful lot of experts on the Civil War. To do this, the best approach would be for us to create a wiki in which we have separate pages for all 1000 generals in the game. We would then assign a large batch of bios (ideally, 50 each) to volunteers, and as these volunteers finished they would post their bios to the wiki, where they could be critiqued and improved upon (if there were room for improvement). Once we're satisfied that a bio is ready, it would be "locked" and we'd prepare it for the next FOF patch. This seems a better approach than just relying on individuals, since there may well be someone out there who has the perfect anecdote or quote that the original biographer had missed.

We do not yet have the wiki up, but since at least two of you are ready to go, I have some welcome news. As Eric mentioned, I have been planning to write the bios of the 10-20 generals who always appear in the game. (Obviously, we're not going to have all 1000 appear each time one plays, so generals have only a 9% chance to appear, with the exception of Lee, Grant, Forrest, Jackson, etc.) But since I'm busy with other matters at the moment, I'm going to assign the 100-percenters to you guys, so that you can do first drafts. As with all of the 980+ other generals, I reserve the right to make any changes or additions I see fit, but my guess is that a lot of what you come up with will be information I would have wanted to include, so much of what you write will most likely end up in the game. (I probably should also put in writing that anyone doing this does so on a voluntary basis, and will not receive compensation.)

So, here is the list of 100-percenters as it stands now (we will probably add a few more, and welcome suggestions on this matter): Burnside, Forrest, Meade (I just realized that the anagram of "Meade" is "Medea"!), Grant, Jackson, Lee, Longstreet, McClellan, Sherman, Stuart, Van Dorn.

My guess is that fmonster and Marecone won't be the only ones interested in writing about these guys, so I'm going to give other readers of this thread a day or so to chime in. To keep this thread uncluttered, please e-mail me privately if you are interested, and let me know if there is a particular general about whom you would like to write.

Once I know who is doing what I'll provide some additional instructions.

[Gil R.]

ORIGINAL: fmonster

Gil,

Here is my second attempt. What say ye? All criticism welcome.

Brig. General John J. Abercrombie (b. 1798, d. 1877) A career army officer who graduated 37th in his class at West Point in 1822. Started his service as Adjutant in the 1st Infantry from 1825 - 1833 and was made Captain in 1837. Was brevetted Major for gallant conduct at the Battle Of Okechobee in the Florida War. In the Mexican War, he was brevetted Lieutenant Colonel for gallantry at the Battle of Monterey, where he was wounded, and he took part in the siege of Vera Cruz and at Cerro Gordo. At the start of the Civil War he was Colonel of the 7th Infantry. He was brevetted Brig. General of Volunteers in August of 1861 and took part in the Peninsular Campaign where he fought at Seven Pines, where he was wounded, and Malvern Hill. Notably, he was engaged in the defense of Washington in 1862 and 1863 and was in charge of depots at Fredricksburg in May of 1864. Abercrombie was brevetted Brig. General of the United States Army in 1865 for his long and faithful service. After the war, he performed Court Martial duty as a civilian.

Okay, I'll critique this, so that you and the others can get a better idea of what to do:

1) We abbreviate all titles (to save precious, precious space), so it should be "Brig. Gen."
2) Graduating from West Point is interesting, the fact that he was 37th would only appeal to those with a thing for prime numbers. Unless a guy was at or near the top (or bottom!) of his class there is no need to provide the ranking. Remember that we're trying to keep these short, so try to limit yourselves to only the most important and entertaining/interesting information.
3) Your first two sentences read: "A career army officer who graduated 37th in his class at West Point in 1822. Started his service as Adjutant..." But that second sentence isn't a complete sentence. Instead, you should have had: "A career army officer who graduated 37th in his class at West Point in 1822, Abercrombie started his service as Adjutant..."
4) The information about the Mexican War is worthwhile, but in general these bios should place the greatest emphasis on what the individual did during the war.
5) I'm not sure that we have to provide information on every promotion a general received during his career, but admittedly that sort of detail will appeal to some. I guess a good rule of thumb would be to mention the most important promotions, especially those achieved as a result of a particular accomplishment.

Overall, you're certainly on the right track.

[Gil R.]

ORIGINAL: marecone

Major General Robert Allen (b.1811, d.1886) Allen was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York. After graduating in the bottom third of his class, he fought in the Mexican War, and was brevetted a major for gallant and meritorious service at the Battle of Cerro Gordo. He moved from the Artillery to the Quartermaster's Department, eventually being named chief quartermaster for the Pacific Department. Again, in the Civil War, he was appointed chief quartermaster, this time for the Union Department of the Missouri. Allen's challenge was to create an efficient and competent department out of a corrupt agency. He was successful, and he was placed in charge of the entire Mississippi Valley. Allen supplied all major and secondary operations in the region, including Gen. Ulysses Grant's Vicksburg campaign and Maj. Gen. Sherman's Atlanta campaign. Later, his sphere of duty was expanded to include all areas west of the Mississippi River, except for California. Allen ranked only behind Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs in responsibility, spending an estimated $111 million in his duties as quartermaster. After the war, he stayed in the army until his retirement in 1878. Allen died on August 5, 1886, while traveling abroad. He was buried in Switzerland.

Okay, time to critique Marecone's entry:
1) Abbreviate "Major General" to "Maj. Gen."
2) Everyone knows that West Point is in New York. These need to be short, so avoid information that need not be included.
3) Unless an individual's death is noteworthy (e.g., a heroic death, suicide, tragic kiln explosion, etc.) it should probably be omitted to save space. Same goes for where he is buried, unless he's buried in Grant's Tomb.

Other than one or two very minor style issues, this bio is fine. (It's funny: Americans are worried about their jobs being outsourced to India, but looks like part of mine is about to be outsourced to Croatia...)

[*Lava*]

ORIGINAL: Gil R.
My guess is the fmonster and Marecone won't be the only ones interested in writing about these guys, so I'm going to give other readers of this thread a day or so to chime in.

Personally I would recommend starting another thread such as "Volunteers needed" to get folks attention.

This thread has strayed way off the subject line.

BTW, what is a "wiki?"

Ray (alias Lava)

[Gil R.]

Yeah, I know, but I don't have the power to move these responses to a new thread. I've requested that it be done, though...

Rather than define "wiki" I'll send you to the Wikipedia entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki

[marecone]

ORIGINAL: Gil R.

ORIGINAL: marecone

Major General Robert Allen (b.1811, d.1886) Allen was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York. After graduating in the bottom third of his class, he fought in the Mexican War, and was brevetted a major for gallant and meritorious service at the Battle of Cerro Gordo. He moved from the Artillery to the Quartermaster's Department, eventually being named chief quartermaster for the Pacific Department. Again, in the Civil War, he was appointed chief quartermaster, this time for the Union Department of the Missouri. Allen's challenge was to create an efficient and competent department out of a corrupt agency. He was successful, and he was placed in charge of the entire Mississippi Valley. Allen supplied all major and secondary operations in the region, including Gen. Ulysses Grant's Vicksburg campaign and Maj. Gen. Sherman's Atlanta campaign. Later, his sphere of duty was expanded to include all areas west of the Mississippi River, except for California. Allen ranked only behind Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs in responsibility, spending an estimated $111 million in his duties as quartermaster. After the war, he stayed in the army until his retirement in 1878. Allen died on August 5, 1886, while traveling abroad. He was buried in Switzerland.

Okay, time to critique Marecone's entry:
1) Abbreviate "Major General" to "Maj. Gen."
2) Everyone knows that West Point is in New York. These need to be short, so avoid information that need not be included.
3) Unless an individual's death is noteworthy (e.g., a heroic death, suicide, tragic kiln explosion, etc.) it should probably be omitted to save space. Same goes for where he is buried, unless he's buried in Grant's Tomb.

Other than one or two very minor style issues, this bio is fine. (It's funny: Americans are worried about their jobs being outsourced to India, but looks like part of mine is about to be outsourced to Croatia...)

Should I change that and mail it to you or what?

(It's funny: Americans are worried about their jobs being outsourced to India, but looks like part of mine is about to be outsourced to Croatia...)

lol [;)]

[*Lava*]

ORIGINAL: Gil R.
Rather than define "wiki" I'll send you to the Wikipedia entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki

Ah!

Never seen anybody use that kinda thing in game support.

Kewl.

Ray (alias Lava)

[Gil R.]

ORIGINAL: marecone

Should I change that and mail it to you or what?

Both Allen and Abercrombie can wait until Eric and I have enough volunteers to begin the process of getting all 1000 done -- in other words, there's no hurry to change them.

[archer1863]

I'm in as well. If possible, I'd love to collaborate on doing a bio of Lee, as he's been a favorite of mine (we even share the same birthday, Jan 19th).

I'll even volunteer to work on Gideon Pillow, and James A. Archer.

Thanks

[Gil R.]

ORIGINAL: archer1863

I'm in as well. If possible, I'd love to collaborate on doing a bio of Lee, as he's been a favorite of mine (we even share the same birthday, Jan 19th).

I'll even volunteer to work on Gideon Pillow, and James A. Archer.

Thanks

Good to hear it. As you've already read, I can't focus on this just yet. It looks like the initial release of the game will not have generals' bios, but we'll try to get them into the first patch, ideally within a month or so of release.