Late July, 1861
Musters are supported by AL, LA, MS, NC and VA and this will be used extensively. Upgrades of weaponry will be made as much as possible, so at least the units on the front lines avoid the Improvised weapons in favour of more fitting equipment.
In the East, the Army of the Potomac is commanded by General P.G.T. Beauregard supported by Br. Generals Longstreet, Ewell and Early. In the East, there is also the Army of the Peninsula under the command of Mj. General Magruder and the Army of the Shenandoah commanded by General J.E. Johnston and Br. Generals Smith, Bee and "Stonewall" Jackson. Finally, the smaller Army of the Southwest is commanded by Mj. General Loring. These units consist of about 45,000 soldiers, most of which are fairly well equipped.
In the South, Mj. General Braxton Bragg and the Army of the Pensacola are tasked with capturing Ft. Pickens, and Bragg immediately initiate a siege of the fort. Bragg's unit will grow from the initial 5,000 men to slightly above 10,000 as reinforcements from the south are added during the siege. Bragg is promoted to Lt. General shortly after the initiation of hostilities.
In the West, the main unit is General Polk's Department #2 which has Br. General Hardee assigned as a staff officer.
August, 1861
August sees the first hostilities as Beauregard and McDowell clash in Fredricksburg. The Confederates are victorious and McDowell retreat north after taking close to 9,000 losses in exchange for some 3000 CSA men. Following the battle at Fredricksburg, Confederate intelligence report that Cumberland, MD is more or less evacuated, but Beauregard choose not to react on this information as that would potentially open up for a US move into Virgina behind his back.
In the West, Price capture Rolla, MO, but with Freemont stationed just outside Cairo, Price will remain in place in case of a US attack into either Kentucky or south along the Mississippi.
Longstreet and W. Y. Slack are promoted to Mj. Generals.
