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Yeah.  The funny thing is I'm playing with random stats, and his are miserable.  After I demoted him to 2 stars and sent him to Kentucky to command a division, he's been thriving.  His division is the best I've got in Kentucky!

ORIGINAL: hgilmer

    Good job so far!  Keep it up, people are reading it, I'm positive.

Thanks! I've got several turns for 1862 yet to post (maybe tonight). '62 is off to a rocky start...

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins
Nope, that wouldn't do it - but what state is he from? Some generals do not have a "home state" and thus give no benefit when promoted and no penalty when demoted. A few have a state on the other side, like George Thomas, which also means no benefit/penalty for your side.

I'll have to check, but that must be it. I was just grateful he didn't quit. At the time I was desperate for commanders of any sort. I've got a lot more choices now, but he's been doing so well as a division commander that I feel obligated to keep him in place.

I just checked -- not that I needed to, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to make sure -- and see that Garibaldi indeed has no home state, therefore no governor cares what you do to him.

Now that's funny. [:D]

Thanks for the confirmation.  I didn't have time to play last night, so I wasn't able to confirm on my own.

Of course, that means he'll probably never see his 3rd star again, since re-promoting him won't shore up support amony any of my governors.

Early January, 1862

The Army of the Potomac is ordered to build a Fort in Fredericksburg.  I intend for them to stay in Virginia.  For now, McDowell will retain his command.

Production:

Louisville, KY: Capital
St. Louis, MO: Corps, Gunboat

Sherman is finally fit for duty.

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA 1/-3
CSA -2/1

Late January, 1862

Sherman gets sent out West to Fremont's command.  Most formations are stuck due to weather, but Thomas is ordered to Wabash, Garibaldi is ordered to Bowling Green, and Fremont brings his army across the Mississippi to Springfield, IL and the long-delayed link-up with Andrews.

Production:

St. Louis, MO: Academy
Jefferson City, MO: Laboratory
Brooklyn, NY: 2 Frigates

Another blockade fleet is being built at Brooklyn.  Currently, New Orleans, Wilmington, and Norfolk have been closed.

Naval Repairs is acquired.

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA 1/-3
CSA -2/1

Early February, 1862

The newly organized 2nd Corps is integrated into Fremont's Army of the Missouri command structure.  Sherman is promoted to 3 stars to command the Corps.  Andrews' 14th Division, Foster's 15th Division and Schoepf's 20th Division are incorporated into his corps, while Lyon's 12th Division remains under Fremont's direct command.

Thomas' 16th Division is orderd to Vandalia to help contain Jackson's command, which has been recuperating in Kaskaskia.  Fremont is anxious to drive Jackson out of Illinois, but ultimately decides to hold off a little longer to give his new command structure a chance to settle in.

Banks' Department of Virginia is ordered to Abingdon so that McClellan is free to move to Kentucky.  McCook takes his 13th Division to Bowling Green to hook up with Garibaldi.

Production:

Davenport, IA: Academy (Governor Stone's request)
Albany, NY: Artillery
Trenton, NJ: Mint
Jefferson City, MO: RR Station

Battle in Fredericksburg

Twiggs goes on the offensive, hitting McDowell in Winter Quarters.  The advantage of defense is with McDowell, so hopefully his 54,981 men will be able to fend off Twigg's 65,627 men.   McDowell quickly calls for Butler to reinforce him with his Department of Annapolis (14,000 men).

While the fighting is fierce, and lasts for more than a day, in the end, the Union troops can't fend off the Rebels.  Another costly disaster for McDowell, as he losees 21,200 men while causing only 12,165 casualties.

In spite of the mess, or perhaps because of it, the 1st and 3rd Divisions perform admirably.  Additionaly, the 1st Maryland, Berdan's Sharpshooters, and the N.Y. Highlanders distinguish themselves at a unit level.  Unfortunately, the Pennsylvania Bucktails were forced to surrender, when they were cut off and surrounded prior to the rout.  Alas, but General Gamble was lost with the Bucktails.

Sherman's and Sigel's promotion help bolster the morale of the governors of Ohio and Missouri.

General Willcox is finally healing.

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA -4/-5
CSA 3/2

Late February, 1862

After two huge losses in a row, I have no choice but to demote McDowell.  He's clearly unsuited for army command.  If he'll accept it gracefully, I'll find him a division, and give him the opportunity to earn a Corps command, but if not, so be it.  I suppose I'll have to promote Banks to take his place.

Grant and McCook are ordered to Lower Tenn. River, KY, to threaten Jackson's lines of communications.

Production:

Lansing, MI: Mint

Battle in Bowling Green

Left by himself, Garibaldi is surprised when two CSA formations come a'callin'.  His 5,641 men are vastly outnumbered by the Confederates' 23,085.  But McClellan's 40,000 are nearby in Appalachia.  Can they arrive in time?  Garibaldi's command gets split up by a Reb feint, so he digs in with two brigades on Steptoe Hill, and wait for McClellan.  Mac doesn't disappoint, and troops from the Army of the Ohio's 18th Division arrive quickly, with the rest of his command right behind.

Unfortunately, again the Union troops can't stand against their foes.  Mac is routed, losing 7,866 casualties and causing 6,402.  The Eagle Regiment and the 2nd Pennsylvania are both forced to surrender.  The 7th New York and 8th New York distinguishing themselves and earning their battle flag.  

Governor Tod of Ohio is not at all happy about McDowell's demotion, but the General takes it in good stride.  He knew it was coming.

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA -6/-5
CSA 5/2

Early March, 1862

OK, no more offensives in the East.  In fact, for the time being, I'm scaling back my expections for the year.  If I can get Jackson out of Illinois, I'll be happy.  If I can clear out Paducah, I'll be ecstatic.  Anything else is just asking for trouble.

Thomas' 16th Division and Fremont's Army of the Missouri are ordered to Kaskaskia to end the Confederate invasion of Illinois.

Production:

Cincinnati, OH: Arsenal
Cleveland, OH: RR Station
Harrisburg, PA: Corps

Hordes of Volunteers and Conscript units are ordered up.  Of course, arming those new troops will be a challenge...

Hasty Entrenchment I is added to our bag of tricks.

Battle in Kaskaskia

Fremont's plan works as he and Thomas link up.  Together, their combined force of 54,236 men hope to inflict maximum damage on the 15,751 Confederates they find.  Auxiliary units are successful in raiding Rebel supplies.  The defenders are scattered and disorganized, and are quickly overwhelmed by Fremont's vastly superior numbers.  Still, the Rebels put up a fight, and Fremont's army loses 1,775 casualties while causing 6,131 casualties.  Three brigades and Generals Martin, Bowen and Mackall are captured.

Conscription:
Albany, NY
Augusta, ME - Blanket Brigade
Massachusets - 2 brigades
Ill. Miss. River - 1 brigades, but riots break out
Delaware
Potomac River

Volunteers:
Chicago - Leadmine Regiment and 1 brigade
Ohio River, OH
Cleveland, OH
Columbus, OH
New Hampshire: N.H. Mountaineers
Des Moines, IA
Connecticut
Indianapolis, IN - First Irish Regiment
Lower Missouri River, MO
Lansing, MI
Madison, WI - Iron Brigade
Delaware River

General Patterson finally recovers from his wounds.

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA -2/-5
CSA 1/2

Late March, 1862

A Camp is ordered in St. Louis, otherwise, all available cash goes to equipping the new brigades.  I can see that additional Corps and Divisions will be required to adequately organize the new troops.

Production:

St. Louis, MO: Camp
Davenport, IA: Mint

Garibaldi's depleted 17th Division is ordered to Jefferson City, MO.  There, he picks up a new brigade to help bring his the division back up to strength.  His task is to pacify southern Missouri and then prepare for an invasion of Arkansas.

All other commands essentially sit tight and refit and replenish.

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA -3/-5
CSA 2/2

Early April, 1862

Production:

Harrisburg, PA: Corps
Delaware: Cavalry
New Jersey: Division
St. Louis, MO: Division, Corps
Springfield, IL: Division

Runyon is promoted to command 3rd Corps as it is integrated into the Army of the Potomac.  Manson is promoted to 2 stars to command Runyon's 4th Division.

Butler is ordered to take the Department of Virginia into Kenawha to drive out Martin.  McClellan is ordered to take the Army of the Ohio to Bowling Green while Fremont takes the Army of the Missouri to Paducah.

Battle in Kenawha

Butler's command of 14,439 men meets Martin's 9,912.  Keyes' 6,000 cavalrymen of the 1st US Cavalry Division are called in from Grafton.  The result is a resounding victory for Butler and Keyes as together they only lose 803 men while causing 2,921 casualties.  All brigades did well, and all but the 1st Massachusetts earned their battle flags.

Battle in Bowling Green

McClellan's 33,053 men are eager to take out their frustrations on 6,659 hapless Rebels near Bowling Green.    He soon discovers he's engaged with the Missouri State Guard.  The morning of the second day, McClellan feels the battle start to slip out of his fingers, and he hurriedly orders Grant to come to his aid.  The messenger had barely left, though, when momentum decisively shifted in favor of the Union.  Grant arrived, but too late to help.  Fortunately, it proved unneccesary as McClellan won a decisive victory, losing 4,630 men and causing 8,546 casualties.  Four CSA brigades are forced to surrender, as well as Generals Price and Anderson.

Honors are given to the 12th New York, 8th New York, 4 Maine, 11th Maryland, 2nd Ohio, 7th West Virginia, Ellsworth's Avengers, and 4th West Virginia.  General Schofield reveals a Great talent for Command.

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA 2/-5
CSA -3/2

Late April, 1862

Fremont had some difficulty getting out of Illinois, so he is again ordered to liberate Paducah.  Grant marches on Forts Henry and Donelson to complete the linkup between Fremont and McClellan.  Butler is to pursue Martin towards Franklin, VA while Keyes' cavalry backstop him in Grafton.

Banks, in command of the Army of the Potomac, is ordered back to Fredericksburg.  Twiggs has his army in the Shenandoah and reports indicate he has a strength of 160,000, but those reports are far from reliable.  Banks has 80,000 men under his command, and should do ok if he can force a defensive battle.

Improved Springfields become available.

Battle in Kenawha

Butler, not exactly setting speed records, is surprised when Martin's Army of Pensacola attacks him in Kenawha!  Martin hopes his 7,367 men will prevail over the 13,789 Yankess that just whupped him.  Martin's attack went poorly, to say it kindly.  He lost 1,086 men before slipping away in the night, and only caused 505 Northern casualties.

Stinging from the rebuke of being the only brigade to not earn a battle flag from the last engagement, the 1st Massachusetts fought with a vengeance, causing more casualties than any other brigade in Butler's command!

Battle in Lower Tenn. River

Grant's Illinois Volunteers get the uneviable task of rooting out some holdouts along the Tennessee River.  His 8,847 men will attempt to drive off 7,606 Rebels.  Given that he is on the attack against relatively even numbers, Grant requests that McClellan come to his aid.  Eager to eliminate more Rebels, McClellan quickly gets his men on the march.

While close, Union forces are able to achieve a victory, fully liberating Kentucky!  McClellan and Grant lose 3,400 men while causing 3,937 casualties.  Honors go to the 8th New York, 2nd Ohio, 7th West Virginia, 3rd West Virginia, 4th West Virginia, 6th Illinois, and 3rd Pennsylvania.

The promotions of Generals Fry and Rousseau remind the governors of Illinois and Kentucky of their importance to the struggle.

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA 4/-5
CSA -5/2

Early May, 1862

While Grant settles in to besiege Fort Henry, Butler continues his pursuits of Martin.

Production:

St. Louis, MO: Laboratory
Springfield, IL: Mansion
Cairo, IL: Mansion
Louisville, KY: Hospital

Battle in Fredericksburg

Twiggs brings his 81,330 men to bear against the 78,897 men of the Army of the Potomac.  Banks and his men stand their ground valiantly, and while the battle devolves into a chaotic mess, the heart of the Union line holds.  Early in the morning of the second day of battle, after the fighting picks up with renewed vigor, Twiggs discovers his men no longer have the stomach for the fight, and they leave the field in disorder.  Union losses are 14,782, while Confederate losses are 19,646.  A great victory!

This was a very confused affair, as Twiggs tried to force the Union left flank.  However, doing so weakened his own left, enabling the Union 4th, 5th, 1st and 2nd Divisions to shift forward.  As Twiggs' efforts against the Union left began to gain ground, the Union 4th and 5th Divisions were at that time unengaged and free to shift over and stablize the Union flank while the 1st linked up with the 3rd Division and began rolling up the Confederate left and the 2nd Division tied up some stragglers.  Had Twiggs kept the Union right fully engaged, he could have probably managed a decisive victory instead of the defeat he ended up with.

Battle honors: 2nd Artillery, 12th Maryland, 1st Artillery, 2nd Rhode Island, 11th Pennsylvania, 3rd Connecticut, 10th Maryland, 6th Pennsylvania, USA 4th Infantry, USA 3rd Infantry, Berdan's Sharpshooters, and the N.Y. Highlanders.

Battle in Kenawha

Again, Martin attacks Butler.  He throws his 6,066 Rebels against Butler's 13,328 Bluecoats.  Again, Butler's men stand their ground and drive off the Rebels.  Martin loses another 634 men to Butler's 417.

Battle in Lower Tenn. River

Grant's 7,122 besiegers are met by a relief force of 12,099.  Anticpating such a move, Grant had a messenger ready to ride for Fremont.  The Army of the Missouri swoops down on the Confederates like avenging angels and Semmes' men are put into flight.  With the relief force driven off, Grant and Fremont return to the task of reducing the fort.  It doesn't appear it can hold on much longer.

Battle in Franklin

Butler gets his men moving in pursuit of Martin, and catch in Franklin.  There, Butler's 12,911 men are eager to put down Martin's remaining 5,432 men once and for all.  Another 669 Rebels are killed, while Butler loses but 255.

[Note: This is the first time I've seen two forces fight two battles in the same turn.  Martin must've gotten moving at the very beginning of the turn, and evidently there was still enough time left for Butler to complete his orders and hit Martin again in Franklin.]

Hunter gets his third star (giving even more joy to the Governor of Illinois), and will command the new corps being formed within the Army of the Potomac.  The great victory also brings a shift in perceptions about the course of the war.  

VP/NW at the end of the turn:

USA 4/-4
CSA -6/1

Late May, 1862

Wilmington, NC and Charleston, SC have been added to the blockade list.  Slowly, but surely, the noose is tightening.

Production:

Brooklyn, NY: 3 Frigates, 1 Fleet
Harrisburg, PA: 1 Artillery, 1 Corps
Trenton, NJ: 1 Infantry

Other than the siege of Fort Henry and Garibaldi's pacification of southern Missouri, no offensive actions are planned.  There has been suprisingly hard pushes by the Confederates, and the troops need a chance to recover.

Fort Henry falls.

Battle in Lower Tenn. River

Too late, the Rebels attempt to relieve Fort Henry.  11,772 men throw themselves at the 61,371 men of Fremont's Army of the Missouri and Grant's Illinois Volunteers.  Fremont's scouts give him word of the approaching attack and launches his own attack which catches the Rebs off guard.  The rout is total.  While the fighting is initially quite fierce, the numbers just favor the Union too much.  Fremont loses 2,947 men, but the Rebels lose 6,529.  Five Confederate brigades surrender along with Generals Heth and Van Dorn.

First Time Honors: Iron Brigade, 12th Missouri, 12th Illinois, 2nd Kansas, 1st Minnesota, Scotch Regiment, 1st Missouri, 6th Indiana, 8th Indiana, 9th Indiana, 5th Missouri

Battle in Bowling Green

Could this be the last gasp of desperation?  Hood attacks McClellan's 33,350 men with only 7,462.  It's a brief engagement, as Hood retreats his men as fast as he can.

General McPherson's second star mollifies the governor of Ohio.

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA 6/-4
CSA -6/1

Fort Henry falls in MAY? You need to pick up the pace, soldier!

Ah, but it was the last of Kentucky to fall. I finished with Fort Henry instead of starting with it.

Early June, 1862

Fremont is ordered to Paducah where he can incorporate the newly-formed 23rd Division and 5th Corps.  Grant is to get his third star in recognition of his efforts in Kentucky.

No offensive operations are planned to allow replacements to filter out and give the various commands a chance to reorganize.  Hopefully, Johnny Reb will cooperate so that we can wallop him good later in the month.

Production:

Harrisburg, PA - Division
St. Louis, MO - Corps, Gunboat
Lexington, KY - Hospital
Frankfort, KY - Arsenal

The Line Marching upgrade is received.

Battle in Cumberland

Twiggs invades Cumberland with 76,300 men.  The only forces present are Keyes' 1st Cavalry Division, numbering 8,777.  While there are significant forces nearby, I think the prudent course would be to retire for now.  Keyes is ordered to retreat in good order.

Battle in Appalachia

9,773 Rebels attack, catching Halleck's 9,139 Bluecoats by surprise.  Halleck, Hancock and Meade quickly rally their troops and put the Confederate to flight.  Losing 339 and 773 men are lost by the enemy before they leave the field.  The 2nd Indiana finally earns its battle flag.

Grant's third star greatly pleases the Governor of Illinois.

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA 6/-4
CSA -6/1

Late June, 1862

After Grant takes command of the new 5th Corps under Fremont's Army of the Missouri, his old Illinois Volunteers are redesignated the 21st Division and incorporated in his Corps.  Fremont then decides to invade Tennesee by moving into Hatchie.

Sigel is given command of the independent 23rd Division and moves to secure the Upper Tennessee River.  McClellan, meanwhile, marches toward Sparta, TN and Halleck towards Knoxville.

With Twiggs' army in Cumberland, Butler moves behind him into the Shenandoah to cut the large Rebel army off from their supply lines.  McCook advances towards Lynchburg.

Banks is cautious moves back to cover Washington.  

Production:

Chicago, IL - University
Rochester, NY - Laboratory
Dayton, OH - Mint

The Rifle Manufacture upgrade is received.

Battle in Knoxville

Halleck's 8,795 Indiana Volunteers meet 6,224 Confederates near Knoxville, TN.  Those Wascally Webels manage to Raid Supplies!  In spite of that, the well-oiled machine that is Halleck, Hancock and Meade quickly put the Rebels to rout, securing the towns of Hallville and Hartville.  Union losses are 1,147 to 2,899.  Confederate General T.H. Holmes is wounded during the affair, but his men get him to safety.

Berry's second star pleases the Governor of Maine.

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA 6/-4
CSA -6/1

Early July, 1862

Production:

St. Louis, MO - Camp
Cairo, IL - Camp, Gunboat
Augusta, ME - Mansion

Banks feels sufficiently reinforced and organized that he can drive Twiggs out of Pennsylvania, and marches to relieve the siege of Ft. Hill.

Keyes moves to Fredericksburg after picking up a fresh Delaware brigade, while McCook's 13th Division marches up to Rappahanock.  Butler marches to Annapolis to resupply and add fresh troops.

Sigel marches to the Lower Tennessee River to fend off another Reb incursion, while Fremont again attempts to get his command in motion.

Garibaldi, having completed the liberation of Missouri invades Arkansas at Fayetteville.

Halleck's division is not considered strong enough to successfully besiege Knoxville, so he is ordered to plunder the vicinity.

Battle in Lower Tenn. River

Sigel finds 4,042 Confederates lurking around.  The 10,711 men of his division are eager to be blooded and prove their worth.  Unfortunately, with only the 5th Missouri Brigade having seen combat already, Sigel's men don't have the stomach for a prolonged fight.  They give better than they get, losing 1,482 casualties while causing 2,922, but can't stand long enough for the Reb's morale to break.  Even in defeat, though, the 3rd Michigan, 4th Iowa, 13th Illinois, and 5th Missouri earn their battleflags.  Sigel's first battle as an independent division commander wasn't a total disaster.  Hopefully, he'll be able to reorganize and get his men back in the fight soon.

Battle in Sparta

McClellan catches Jackson's command in disarray near Sparta, Tennesee.  His 30,112 seasoned men slam into the 9,401 Rebels under Jackson.
The battle quickly turns into a rout, with McClellan only losing 582 men while Jackson loses 2,857.  The 15th Ohio, under the personal command of Little Napoleon, himself, finally earns its battle flag.  One Rebel brigade is forced to surrender along with General Hoke.

Berry is promptly awarded his third star, further restoring Governor Wells' (ME) faith in the Union.

Halleck successfully destroys a plantation in Lynchburg, damaging Southern morale.

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA 6/-4
CSA -6/0