AAR: Little Mac's War

[evwalt]

Early July, 1862

The defeat of the AoM throws the plans for a coordinated advance into disarray. In the east, McClellan decides to push on with his assault, moving yet again into the Shenandoah. He decides to modify his plans however and ordered the Department of Virginia to advance by rail to Grafton and attempt to seize Franklin simultaneously.

In the west, the AoM licks its wounds in Cairo, awaiting its new commander. General Hallack and his AoO attempt to keep up the pressure, moving against Fort Henry with gunboat support. In the far west, General Buell moves his Department of Missouri back to the Black River country in southern Missouri to again face the rebel Army of the West.

In other news, the Union is suddenly short on funds and two new mints are ordered in Washington.

The next two weeks sees McClellan again advance against Lee in the Shenandoah, bringing his 85,000 men against Lee’s 26, 000.

BATTLE OF HARTFIELD: In this battle, McClellan has three Objectives, the capture of the towns of Hartfield, Hickory and False Bluff. Capture of these towns will cut Lee’s supply lines and force his retreat. McClellan dispatches Franklin’s, Bussey’s and McDowell’s Divisions to capture Hartfield on the Confederate left. The remainder of the army will slowly advance on the town of Hickory in the center.

The battle was quickly joined as the AoP advanced against Lee’s positions and fighting grew all along the line from Hartfield to Hickory. As Lee’s army became engaged, McClellan detached Heinzelman’s division to flank Lee’s right and capture False Bluff. Lee confidently launched an assault at the Union center and right, remembering how easily the AoP had shattered during their last engagement. This AoP had little in common with the one that had fought Lee months before. As the Confederate 5th division smashed into the Union left, it suddenly found itself outflanked on both its right and left. Under fire from all directions, its troops quickly broke and fled, leaving a clear advance upon Hartfield.

Lee then launched a massive assault on the Union center. Hooker’s division quickly shattered under the assault, but not before delaying the rebels long enough for McDowell’s division to plug the hole. For hours, the battle rages back and forth until night falls. His army exhausted, McClellan reluctantly orders a retreat. Counting up the butcher’s bill, McClellan has reason to be pleased. Even though he was forced from the field and lost 8600 men, Lee’s forces lost nearly 10,000.

In the west, General Hallack and his AoO remain near Bowling Green. While the general gives a variety of reasons, many suspect he lacks the proper Initiative to lead an army.

[evwalt]

Late July, 1862

Midsummer sees a great change in General McClellan and the AoP. Previously, the defeated army would have retired to its camps to refit and re-equip. The army had lost nearly one man in ten. In addition, the army’s only artillery brigade had been forced to abandon its guns. McClellan had initially planned on such a retreat, disheartened that his army had yet again been defeated by a smaller force. Riding around the camp of his army after the battle changed his mind. His army was still in high spirits, confident they would defeat ‘Johnny Reb’ in the next meeting. Considering their high spirits, McClellan decided to advance on Lee again immediately.

He did want to prevent Lee from receiving any reinforcements to replace his losses. The Department of Virginia’s seizure of the Franklin should prevent any reinforcement from the Confederate forces in western Virginia or eastern Kentucky. To try and prevent the main Confederate army in Richmond from sending reinforcements, McClellan ordered the AoP-R to make a demonstration against Fredericksburg.

In the west, General Hallack again announced his attention to advance with the AoO against Fort Henry. At Cairo, the newly promoted General Williams, a veteran of the AoP and only recently recovered from a battle wound, arrived to take command of the demoralized AoM.

In the far west, General Buell attempts to conduct his own offensive, marching with his Department of Missouri into the Ozarks of Arkansas in an attempt to engage the Army of the West that he had previously forced from Missouri.

In other news, the Union is still suffering from a money squeeze. A new mint was ordered constructed at Brooklyn to help alleviate the shortfall. Voluntary musters are conducted across Illinois, Connecticut, and New Jersey.

Over the next two weeks, the advance in the east goes smoothly. General Lee and his 20,000 troops are surprised by the unexpected advance of the AoP’s 78,000 men. Lee is so surprised that, for the first time in the war, the Union finds itself fighting on ground of its own choosing.

BATTLE OF HENRY’S HILL: McClellan’s army advanced in division columns towards the rebel positions as Lee’s army rushed to get into battle lines. On the Union right, Porter’s Division was delayed by a garrison of local militia, who advanced gamely to meet him. As Porter’s Division deployed to meet this threat, Lee threw his entire army against the Union right, seeking to overwhelm it before the Center and Left could provide assistance.

As the Rebels advanced, Hooker and McDowell quickly formed the own divisions into line to meet the threat. Bussey led his own division around Porter’s right, seeking to extend the Union line. Lee’s brigades march forward, striking hard at the Union line while Porter’s Division is distracted by the militia’s attack. Lee’s attack immediately runs into problems, as Porter’s Division quickly dispatches the militia and turns to join with Hooker’s and McDowell’s division to meet the main assault.

Meeting resistance from Porter and Hooker, Lee tried to move to his left, only to meet Bussey’s Division. Lee’s movement to his left exposed his own right to being outflanked, which McClellan exploited with Franklin’s Division. Suddenly, Lee’s right and center began to bend under the weight of the Union forces. Lee redoubled his effort on his left; if he could break Bussey’s Division there he could roll up the Union line. Though Bussey now held a strong position with his right flank resting on a small lake, the rebels’ fierce assault slowly pushed them back.

Around midday, a flurry of Union assaults caused Lee’s right, then his center, to collapse. Three entire Union divisions now turned against Lee’s surviving left. Suddenly, the Confederate attack on the Union right was turned into a trap, as victorious Union troops pushed Lee back against the lake. As rain began to fall, many Confederate brigades began to find themselves trapped against its waters with no escape.

The result was no mere defeat, but the annihilation of Lee’s army. While the AoP lost 4900 men, Lee’s army had 9800 casualties, as well as four brigade standards captured.

Even as the Battle of Henry’s Hill ended, the other Union advances were fizzling. In Kentucky, General Hallack and the AoO still found themselves unable to advance to Fort Henry. In southern Missouri, Buell’s Department of Missouri made little more than a small probe into the Ozarks before turning back. Only the AoP-R conducted its planned movement, advancing into Fredericksburg as part of its feint.

[evwalt]

Early August, 1862

Early August sees a flurry of activity in the east. McClellan is determined to maintain his offensive, but first he needs to correct deficiencies that had become evident. It is clear that maneuvering his large army by individual divisions is awkward at best. For that reason, he decides to adopt the corps method used by the AoO. McClellan thus begins a total reorganization of the army.

First, the AoP-R is ordered to halt its feint towards Fredericksburg and withdraw to Annapolis. McClellan then reorganizes the defenses of western Virginia, which had not been under threat since the war began. The Department of Virginia is disbanded, its corps staff and weakest division is ordered to the Shenandoah to join McClellan. The remaining division is re-designated the Department of North-West Virginia and ordered back to Wheeling. Other reinforcements, including a new independently raised cavalry brigade, are also ordered to the Shenandoah. To provide a firm base for future operations, McClellan also orders the construction of Fort Victory.

In the west, General Hallack is ordered to hold his position at Bowling Green and lay siege to the Confederate Fort Albert S. Johnson there. Hallack orders his troops to encircle the fort to cut off its supplies. Meanwhile, though his army his not yet fully recovered the debacle at Island Number 10, General Williams orders the AoM to Fort Henry, allowing him to both bring the fort under siege as well as provide support for Hallack’s AoO.

In the far west, General Buell protests when orders arrive detaching his best division, the 19th, and re-assigning them to the AoM. As the division marches east towards Cairo, Buell again decides to probe the Ozark area south of him. His scouts say the rebel Army of the West has slipped away to Memphis, though he still remains leery

In other news, the Union is still suffering from an acute shortage of funds. To help correct this, two new mints are ordered in Frankfort, Kentucky. In addition, several governors are ordered to concentrate on bringing in funds, rather than labor. Also, a new training ground is constructed in Springfield, Illinois, at the request of the governor.

The next two weeks sees a great deal of maneuvering by both armies. In the east, most operations move smoothly, the only noteworthy event a major raid by Confederate irregulars that spreads unrest through most of southern Pennsylvania.

In the west, both Union and Confederate armies are on the move. The first clash comes when a reinforced division of Confederate troops intercepts the AoM near Fort Henry. With only a slight advantage in manpower (the 19th Division had not yet arrived), General Williams ordered an immediate withdraw. The AoM showed it had still not recovered its morale, as a withdraw back to Cairo cost the army nearly 2400 men, dead, deserted or captured. Elsewhere, General Hallack’s AoO did successfully bring Fort Albert S Johnson under siege. In the far west, Buell’s Department of Missouri entered the Ozarks in Arkansas in force and found that the Army of the West gone had indeed left the area.

[evwalt]

Late August, 1862

In the east, the reorganization of the AoP continues. Finding himself unable to convince the War Department of the need to raise more cavalry regiments or artillery batteries, McClellan orders the conversion of several infantry brigades to both artillery and cavalry. In addition, he orders the Department of Eastern Virginia, currently hiding in Fort Monroe, to break out and head west to join him.

In the west, Hallack and the AoO continue their siege of Fort Albert S. Johnson near Bowling Green, Kentucky, while the AoM stays in its quarters at Cairo, awaiting the arrival of the 19th Division.

In the far west, Buell’s success in capturing the Ozarks encourages him to march west and attempt to seize Fayetteville, Arkansas.

In other news, a new mint is ordered for Jefferson City, Missouri. In addition, at McClellan’s request an army-wide training program of Target Practice is begun. The naval department also announces that they have developed a more efficient Naval Infrastructure that should lower the cost of new vessels.

The next two weeks brings a flurry of unexpected rebel advances. The large rebel army in Memphis suddenly moves north, advancing against the AoM in its encampment at Cairo. The AoM finds its 46,000 men outnumbered by over 62,000 Confederates.

BATTLE OF MORGANTOWN: As the rebels advance, General Williams draws up his army behind a river and in front of his main camps near Morgantown. He also telegraphs to the 19th Division to hasten its arrival with all speed. He need not have bothered. In order to surprise the Federals, the Confederate army had conducted no reconnaissance of the river crossings. The result was the rebel army landed in the mist of a deep swamp. For hours, the troops struggle to extract themselves and engage the Federal army. Their misery was compounded by a sudden rainstorm. Long before the first Confederate troops appeared, the 10,000 men of the 19th Division had arrived and taken up positions on the Union left. It was nearly four in the afternoon before the first of the Confederate troops began to probe the Union positions.

Around five, the rain ceased and rebel assaults began all along the line. The hard blow fell on the Union right, forcing the almost immediate deployment of the entire Union reserve to try to hold the line.

It rapidly became clear to General Williams that his demoralized army was no match for the Confederate troops. He began to pray for nightfall and the opportunity to safely withdraw. His prayers were answered. When night fell, he gave the order for his defeated army to retreat. They did so in relatively good order. The final butchers bill was 6700 Union soldiers killed, wounded or captured compared to 2400 Confederates.

Confederate troops also moved against Halleck’s AoO. The 70,000 rebels caught Halleck's 36,000 men with a surprise attack. Halleck’s response was the only one that could save his army. He ordered his entire army into headlong flight. As his troops broke and ran, the surprised Confederates conducted little pursuit. With the loss of only 100 men, the AoO escaped.

Of all the advances by the rebels, one was obviously designed to send the government into panic. General Lee, now reinforced back to 22,000 strong, marched through Northern Virginia and to the outskirts of Washington itself!

[evwalt]

Early September, 1862

The first weeks of September seemed to be bleak ones for the Union. In the east though, General McClellan did not panic at the movements of Lee and his army. Though Lee had 22,000 men, McClellan knew the forts of Washington had near 27,000. In addition, Banks and the AoP-R were in Annapolis with another 33,000. McClellan refused to be turned aside from his invasion of the south. He did order General Butler to advance upon Lee at Washington but otherwise he did nothing outside of continuing his refit.

In the west, Hallack and his AoO fell back to Frankfort, Kentucky. Hallack redoubled his efforts to properly arm his men as many were still equipped with Improvised Weapons. He quickly scrounged up enough muskets to equip all of his brigades. The availability of better weapons were limited because many were designated for shipment east. General Williams was in much the same situation as Hallack. Many of his units’ arms had been lost at Cairo. Scrounging around for weapons, he was only able to equip all of his units with muskets.

In the far west, Buell sought to relieve the pressure of the Confederate attack at Cairo by advancing on the capitol of Arkansas, Little Rock.

In other news, the Confederate advances had led to calls throughout the nation for more volunteer musters to throw back the invaders. In addition, a new mint is ordered in St. Paul.

The next two weeks were again some of the busiest of the war to date. General Butler led the AoP-R (reinforced by Hooker’s division railed all the way from the Shenandoah) of nearly 65,000 troops against Lee’s 23,000. Lee did not wait for the army to unite with the Washington defenders, launching a surprise attack on the AOP-R.

BATTLE OF MARKVILLE: At the small town of Markville, just outside the first lines of Washington’s fortifications, Lee’s army attacked the surprised Federals. Making no attempt to immediately reform his men, Butler ordered a retreat to the outer defenses.

Butler’s decision turned out to be the right one. Even through the confusion of the retreat, all of his brigades managed to regain their formations. As they did so, the brigades quickly manned the outer fortifications alongside of local militiamen.

On the Union right, the 6th Division arrived along with several brigades drawn from the inner fortifications. Immediately, Lee was forced to turn one of his three under strength divisions to try to slow their advance. Maintaining his own push, Lee hoped to overwhelm the outer fortifications before the shaken Federals could mount a proper defense.

It was not to be; though surprised, the Union troops had not lost their nerve. The rebels launched a series of assaults all along the lines. None came close to succeeding. Lee’s second-in-command, General Polk, was wounded trying to lead one of the last. When Lee tried to rally the troops routed by General Polk's fall, Lee was struck by a minie ball in the chest. As night fell, the broken, leaderless Confederates retreated. Sixty-five hundred Confederates fell during the assaults, the defenders lost 4800. A wounded General Polk was captured on the field, as well as two brigade standards.

In Cairo, the Confederate Department Number Two launched an aggressive assault on Fort Grapevine protecting the city. Nearly 12,000 Confederates fell in the assaults, which cost the garrison 5600 of their 6000 man garrison.

For McClellan’s army, a series of administrative problems led to massive delays in the AoP’s reorganizations.

Days after the defeat of Lee’s army in front of Washington, President Lincoln calls several close advisors to the White House. “It is clear that this war will not be a short one. It will be long and painful to all involved. If that be the case, we must use this opportunity to make our country stronger.” The president gestures at the document before him. “Slavery has been a stain on our Union since it began. It shall be no more. This documents emancipates all slaves held within the bounds of those areas of the United States in open rebellion.” He scribbles his name across the bottom of the document. “Let it be published everywhere.” <GAME NOTE: Emancipation is DECLARED! (actually next turn)>

[evwalt]

Late September, 1862

In the east, September is a month of frustration for General McClellan. Administrative delays have prevented the completion of his re-organization of the AoP and he is forced to delay any advance while they are straightened out.

In the west, Hallack moves his army to Louisville. Should there be an opportunity, both he and General Williams of the AoM (currently in St. Louis) would like to coordinate a joint attack on the Confederate Department Number Two at Cairo. To that end, both General Hallack and General Williams demanded better weapons for their troops. In response, several shipments of Improved Springfields were diverted to both armies.

In the far west, General Buell and his Department of Missouri began their siege of Little Rock. In addition, General Buell ordered his troops to plunder the surrounding area so that “the Rebels would feel the full wrath of war.”

The next two weeks saw little maneuvering outside of Hallack and the AoO’s march to Louisville. At Little Rock, Buell’s men lay siege to Little Rock, sustaining 4200 casualties while causing 1700 to the defenders. They were more successful in their attempts at plundering the area, destroying a nearby Confederate camp. Outside Cairo, the gallant Union defenders of Fort Grapevine are finally overwhelmed.

[evwalt]

Early October, 1862

In the east, fall still sees McClellan in the Shenandoah re-organizing his troops. He does order the siege artillery to join him. He plans a major offensive soon.

In the west, both the AoO and AoM march on Cairo. They will attempt to unite and throw the invaders back across the Ohio.

At Little Rock, Buell orders his men to encircle the city and keep plundering the countryside. Intelligence reported a Confederate division from the Cairo area on the way. With his assignment to distract the rebels almost complete, he plans to soon retreat.

In other news, the Emancipation Proclamation was not well received in Kentucky or Missouri, leading to a great deal of unrest. This unrest put an even greater strain on Union finances. To that end, another mint was ordered constructed in Lansing, Michigan and yet another in Concord, New Hampshire. The Engineering Bureau had good news for the Union, announcing they had improved the siege manual to provide for better Fortification Techniques.

The next two weeks sees a new victory for the Union. At Cairo, the Confederate army had launched a successful assault against the garrison in the city, killing or wounding 5400 men compared to the loss of 2700 Confederates. The city was on the verge of falling. Rather than following up with an immediate attack, Confederate General Ewell demanded the city’s remaining 600 defenders surrender. He gave the Union commander a day to decide. For his own army, he decreed a day of rest before the assault resumed.

BATTLE OF CAIRO: General Williams had arrived at the head of the AoM at dusk the night before. Though with only 49,000 men to the Rebels 64,000, General Williams knew his approach had been undetected. Even though the AoO’s 50,000 men were only three days march away, he felt he had an opportunity he could not squander. Taking a risk, a launched a surprise attack on the rebels.

On the morning after his ultimatum, General Ewell had allowed his tired men a well deserved day of rest. Only the army’s pickets were on guard as the morning broke. A thick fog had arisen from the surrounding lakes. As it started to dissipate, the pickets thought they heard movement to their front. At first, they thought it was a trick of the surroundings, that what they were hearing came from their own camps. It was not until the first lines of Union blue emerged from the fog that they sounded the alarm.

General Williams’ brigades struck the Confederate camps as their men were emerging for breakfast. Three rebel brigades were quickly broken and fled the field before the Confederates could offer a concerted defense. The initial Union attack had driven them back between two lakes. From this position, the rebels had no opportunity to bring their superior numbers to bear. The battle became a slugfest of the two battle lines.

It was a conflict the South could not win. In the position between the lakes, the Union could pack five soldiers into the firing line for every three rebels. It took only three hours before the Confederate army broke and fled the uneven battle. The AoM was too exhausted to pursue.

The result of the battle was a devastating defeat for the Confederacy. Not only was Cairo saved, but 10,700 rebels fell for the cost of only 5800 Union troops. Unmolested, the Confederates crossed back over the Ohio River and retreated towards Memphis. Three days after the battle ended, the AoO arrived, preventing any possibility of counterattack.

At Little Rock, Buell had already started preparing to withdraw north. He did manage to find time to turn his men loose to plunder what they could. Another Confederate camp was destroyed by Department of Missouri raiding parties. In the most daring raid of all, several Indians from one Buell’s Civilized Indian regiments slipped into the city and set fire to the state capitol.

[evwalt]

Late October, 1862

In the east, as the cold winds of fall begin to blow, it becomes clear to McClellan that he will need to wait until 1863 to begin offensive operations again. To that end, he begins the slow process of withdrawing his troops northwards so that they will be in proper quarters for the winter. The understrength 5th and 9th divisions begin the march north into the Cumberland. Both divisions no longer fit into the AoP planned order of battle. In addition, McClellan orders hundreds of abatis to strengthen Fort Victory. When the AoP withdraws northwards, the fort will need to be able to hold out until spring.

In northwest Virginia, the Department of Northwest Virginia under General Rosecrans is ordered into winter quarters at Wheeling.

In the west, the front is quite different with the repulse of the Confederate army at Cairo. With central Kentucky unprotected, General Hallack and the AoO are ordered to return to Louisville. General Williams is determined to hold Cairo after the 11th Division is detached from the AoO to remain with the AoM.

In the far west, General Buell’s exhausted Department of Missouri breaks off the siege of Little Rock and retires north towards Missouri. There is already talk of reducing the Department of Missouri to a division-sized formation and transferring Buell and his command staff to the AoM in 1863.

In other news, it is clear that Union must take steps to minimize the ravages of diseases that so devastated their armies in the winter of 1861-62. To that end, a new hospital is ordered constructed at St. Louis and Cincinnati. In addition, the War Department announces that testing has improved the Union’s gunpowder to such an extent the smaller charges can be used. This change will result in Light Recoil for all weapons from now on. Also, the Medical Department has established an Invalid Corps to properly process all Union wounded. It is estimated that this corps will increase the number of individual replacements available each month.

The next two weeks sees an unexpected encounter in the Shenandoah Valley. As General McClellan was to discover later, his plans for a withdraw to winter quarters in the north had been discovered by the Confederacy. General Joe Johnson commanding Lee’s old Valley District had been in contact with General McLaws commanding the Confederate Army of Central Kentucky in southeastern Kentucky. Together, the two generals had developed plans to quickly advance on the AoP as it withdrew north and hit their rearguard. When both men heard about the withdraw of several Union divisions back into Pennsylvania, they quickly move to intercept what they believe is the retreating army. As General Johnson enters the valley with his 34,000 men from the east and General McLaws and his 20,000 troops enter from the west, General McClellan’s cavalry detects their approach. Seeing an opportunity to defeat his enemy in detail, General McClellan moves his 82,000 men east to intercept Johnson. While his attempted surprise attack fails, he still catches the two armies separated.

BATTLE OF THE TWINS: As the battle opens around 4:30 p.m., McClellan posted his army between two lakes locally known as the ‘Twins.’ Two divisions with two artillery brigades in support form a strong line. To the south, his weakest division, the 8th, was drawn up to prevent any attempt to flank his right. On his left flank, McClellan deployed in it is entirety his new II Corps of three divisions. Once Johnson had committed to attacking his center, McClellan planned to crush the rebel right with this corps. In reserve for the AoP was the 1st Cavalry Division as well as several brigades drawn from Fort Victory.

The battle opened with a strong Confederate assault on the Union center. Johnson, knowing that Army of Central Kentucky was marching to join him, knew he had to keep McClellan off balance. The Confederates went in bravely, remembering the many times then had beaten the AoP with a single strong attack. The first assault on the center was easily repulsed by the Federal troops, finally ending with the wounding of Confederate General Claiborne.

General Johnson then brought up more troops and launched a massive attack on the center around 6:00 pm. He also sent a division north of the ‘Twins’ to flank the Union left. As his flankers started to make contact with the pickets of the II Corps, Johnson dispatched another division in support. Knowing that his surprise attack with II Corps would soon be discovered, McClellan ordered it to begin the planned flanking maneuver. He also noticed that General Johnson’s left appeared to be hanging in the air. To that end, he ordered the 8th Division to circle the ‘Twins’ to south and strike the Confederate rear. He orders the brigades drawn from Fort Victory to move up with them in support.

As II Corps advanced against the Confederate right, a gap appeared between the Union center and left. General McClellan ordered the 1st Cavalry Division to fill the gap, using the last of his reserves. On the Union Left, both Rebel and Union commanders kept moving west, trying to outflank the other. In these maneuvers, the Northern troops had the advantage because of their greater numbers. The Confederate maneuvers now caused a gap to appear in their own lines between their Center and Right. McClellan pushed troops into the gap and slowly pushed the Confederate right away from their center.

As dusk rapidly approached, the Union right finally crashed into the Confederate rear. Johnson immediately gave the handful of reinforcements he had received from the Army of Central Kentucky to General Pike to throw them back. Though General Pike was soon wounded, these troops did manage to slow the advance of the Federal troops but they lacked the strength to halt them entirely. Only nightfall stopped the advance. Both sides halted where they were, exhausted from the day’s fighting. Only a few brigades maneuvered about the battlefield; everyone else was content to rest.

Around 10:00 p.m., the full moon appeared from behind the clouds and fighting started sporadically across the battlefield. This was the last straw for General Johnson. His army was partially surround and on the verge of collapse. Around midnight, he orders a retreat. The Confederate right withdrew in good order. In the partially surrounded center, confusion reigned. Many units did escape but others blundered into Union lines and were forced to surrender.

As dawn broke, McClellan took stock of the results of the clash. The Battle of the Twins turned out to be the greatest Union victory to date. The Confederacy lost 11,400 men as well as two brigade standards captured. Union losses only numbered 3600.

[evwalt]

Early November, 1862

In the east, McClellan continues his preparations to withdraw north for the winter. Fort Victory is strengthened with a series of Brestworks as well as several 24 Pound Coehorn Morters. McClellan has also become concerned with the possible spread of disease in the coming winter months. For that reason, he orders that each division’s color brigade should be equipped with a medical section. To that end, medical sections are raised and attached to all the divisions in II Corps.

Though he knows he is taking a risk, McClellan feels it is necessary to conduct a phased withdraw to provide Fort Victory with the maximum odds to survive the winter months with only limited support. To that end, he orders II Corps to withdraw northward into the Cumberland. He intends to remain with the remainder of the AoP and leave in mid-November.

In the west, the Kentucky cities of Lexington and Frankfort have experienced a great deal of unrest since the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. To help the state government regain control of the situation, the Department of Northwest Virginia is ordered to move to Lexington while the AoO moves to Frankfort.

In the far west, Buell’s Department finally returns to Jefferson City, Missouri from which they had left nearly six months before. Buell’s force has been shattered by its long march. There is already talk of reducing the troops to a division-sized unit and transferring the rest to join the AoM.

In other news, Concord, New Hampshire is to be the home of a new federal mint. Now that iron production has again become a choke point for the Union, a new iron mine will be constructed at Harrisburg, Pensylvania.

The next few weeks sees little action. A mild disease strikes the AoP in the Shenandoah as they finish they withdraw preparations. Also, a series of anti-colored riots begin in Philadelphia and Trenton. McClellan dispatches the 10th Division to help civil authorities regain control of the situation.

In the west, the Department of Northwest Virginia is delayed from reaching Lexington by a series of riots in Frankfort. In the far west, a Confederate division under General Stuart recaptures Fayetteville, Arkansas

[evwalt]

Late November, 1862

In the east, McClellan and the remainder of the AoP withdraw to the Cumberland. II Corps, which had traveled on ahead, is railed to Annapolis to go into winter quarters. During this movement, McClellan organizes his three remaining infantry divisions into the V Corps.

In the west, the Department of Northwest Virginia moves into Lexington to provide assistance to the state government in regaining control. In the far west, the exhausted Department of Missouri remains in Jefferson City.

In other news, the nation’s first conscription takes place in Connecticut with support of the governor. A new federal mint is ordered constructed in Montpelier, New Hampshire.

The next two weeks sees all the Union planned movements conducted smoothly. The Confederacy does not appear to be planning retiring into winter quarters. In the east, the Army of Central Kentucky has remained in the area, absorbing the Valley District. As the AoP withdrew from the Shenandoah it moved into the valley with a reported 70,000 men. In the far west, the Ozarks in northern Arkansas are recaptured by the Confederacy. Of more concern to the Union, anti-colored unrest spreads to Philadelphia.

[evwalt]

Early December, 1862

There is little movement by the Union armies in early December. Outside of the railing of raised brigades to join the AoP-R in Washington, no action is taken.

In other news, all the Union Armies use their winter quarters to institute even more Target Practice to improve the skills of their troops.

Over the next two weeks, Confederate General McClaws orders the Army of Central Kentucky to launch a vicious Aggressive Assault on Fort Victory. As a result, nearly two-thirds of the fort’s garrison, 4100 men, are casualties. The cost to the Confederacy is enormous at 12,000 casualties.

[evwalt]

Late December, 1862

Christmas brings little movement anywhere in the Union. It is clear to McClellan that Fort Victory will fall. The Confederacy was apparently willing to expend whatever forces were necessary to bring about its destruction. McClellan is going to have to begin 1863 at the same place he started in 1862. The only thing of note in the east is that Bredan’s Sharpshooters are assigned to the AoP-R, now armed with the outstanding Whitworth Rifles.

In the west, it has been determined that the Department of Northwest Virginia is no longer needed. To that end, the formation (currently at Lexington, Kentucky) has been re-designated the 21st Division and assigned to the AoO. To protect Cairo when the AoM goes on the offensive in 1863, General Williams orders that Fort Grapevine be rebuilt.

In the far west, the Department of Missouri has been officially disbanded. General Buell, his corps command staff and the 18th Division are ordered to Cairo to join the AoM. The 12th Division has been given to General Orr and re-designated the Department of Southern Missouri.

In other news, a voluntary muster is conducted in Massachusetts. In addition, a new camp is constructed in Boston.

The next two weeks sees the fall of Fort Victory and the recapture of the Shenandoah Valley by the Confederacy. Its recapture was very costly, with 6000 Union casualties verse 13,000 Confederates. In addition, the II Corps in Annapolis is hit by disease, though McClellan’s previous creation of Medical Corps for each division limits the damage.

<GAME NOTE: RECAP OF 1862

Well, playing the Union at Captain’s level on the standard scenario is quite a challenge. Much like the Confederacy, the Union suffers from constant shortages of resources. Even worse, they lack the trained troops that the Confederacy has at the beginning of the scenario.

At this point in the game:
Union VP- (+8), National Will- (+5)
Confederacy VP- (-5), National Will- (+3)>

[evwalt]

Early January, 1863

The New Year sees little action anywhere. Outside of the adoption of McClellan’s medical corps by the AoM and the arrival of General Buell and his forces from the old Department of Missouri, all Federal troops are in winter quarters.

The next two weeks sees the final suppression of civil unrest in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Frankfort, Kentucky.

[evwalt]

Late January, 1863

Late January sees no action yet again by the Union. At Cairo, re-construction of Fort Grapevine is completed. In addition, General Buell and his corps staff is integrated into the AoM structure.

In other news, construction begins on new frigates at Philadelphia to help strengthen the blockade. McClellan also standardizes the siege artillery brigades in the east, providing them all with 24 pound Coehorn Morters. At Cairo, General Williams’ AoM finally receives large number of modern Springfields and Improved Springfield to arm his troops. Several cities are asked to concentrate their efforts on producing funds instead of providing labor to the war effort. To also increase funding, a mint is ordered constructed in Davenport, Iowa. The Naval Department also announces that the Union’s Naval Infrastructure has been improved yet again, making more efficient construction of ships possible.

The next two weeks are filled with surprises. The Confederate Department Number Two, hoping to catch with AoM by surprise at winter quarters, advances with 32,000 men against Cairo. General Ewell conducts a feint that successfully draws away part of the AoM. Only the next day’s battle will say whether the feint was successful enough to draw away a large enough portion of the AoM’s 77,000 men.

BATTLE OF WELLVILLE: The towns of Wellville and Penbrook protected the AoM’s supply lines north of Cairo. As a result, these two villages were the target of the Confederate attack. General Williams had only portions of four divisions due to the successful feint. He formed his defensive line north and east of Wellville, resting on a nearby hill called Hampton Knob to the east and behind a frozen lake to the north.

It was dusk before the first rebel probes began on the AoM’s lines. Most were thrown back easily but on the Union right, a Confederate cavalry charge took a moving Union brigade in the rear, killing hundreds and wounding General Sherman. On the left, a Confederate battery was spotted by sharp-eyed skirmishers deploying as night fell.

Both developments offered opportunities. On the right, General Williams ordered his own cavalry to counter-attack the rebel horsemen. On the left, he ordered a division to advance under cover of darkness and engage the artillery at close range.

On the Union left, the attack is a dazzling success. Elements of two divisions carefully pick their way forward in the dark and find the Confederate guns. An assault captures them after three hours. A Confederate infantry brigade slowly making its way to support the guns was also assaulted and forced to surrender.

On the right, Union cavalry and infantry brigades begin attacking the Confederate cavalry on that flank. With inconclusive combat occurring between the cavalry units, General Williams decides to short his right flank before dawn. To that end, Union brigades begin withdrawing. All goes smoothly until the Union artillery begins to withdraw. Somehow the rebels catch wind of the movement and launch a nighttime charge at the artillery. The artillery takes fearsome losses but does not lose its guns.

Despite this setback, dawn sees the Union troops in a new, shorter line. It turns out to be unnecessary as the Confederate cavalry is finally driven off just after sunrise. This allows the troops that had been engaging the horsemen to now advance on the rebel left. They quickly find that the rebel left is wide open and begin flanking the Confederate army.

On the Union left, the successful night attack has allowed the Union to advance. As more rebel troops come up, the left reforms to meet them. In a desperate attempt to regain their fortunes, the rebels launch a delaying attack in the center and then a massive attack on the Union left.

On the Confederate left, General Armistead is given a division and ordered to slow the advance of the Union right. The division holds out for an hour before General Armistead is wounded and the division broken, resulting in several brigades being surrounded and captured.

With the Confederate left in ruins, the Confederate attacks on first the center, then the right, collapse as the Union troops sweep in behind them. Even the arrival of the 14,000 troops of the Confederate Missouri State Guard could not turn the tide. Soon, the rebels break and flee. The clash cost the Confederacy 14,500 casualties compared to 6700 Union casualties. Four Confederate brigade standards and an entire artillery brigade were also captured.

At the same time as the clash was occurring at Wellville, Confederate troops marched and attacked the 21st Division at Lexington. The 21st was the least trained division in the Union army and it showed, breaking and running barely half an hour after the two battle lines clashed. Six thousand Union casualties resulted, compared to 2100 Confederate casualties.

[evwalt]

Early February, 1863

Early February sees the AoP still in winter quarters. McClellan intends to wait until events in the west draw the Confederate Army of Central Kentucky out of the Shenandoah. When he does resume the offensive, he wants even greater support than he had last year.

To that end, the Army of Potomac Reserve is expanded and upgraded to a full army, designated the Army of the James (hereafter AoJ). The AoJ will use a slightly modified corps system, having in each corps four divisions of four brigades each, as opposed to the standard three divisions of five brigades each. Each corps will also contain a single “elite” division consisting of the best trained, best equipped troops. To that end, corps staff members are sent to the winter quarters of the new AoJ, as well as large numbers of modern weapons to equip its brigades. The AoJ commander will be the old AoP-R commander, General Butler.

In the west, the AoO has linked up with the previously defeated 21st Division at Frankfort. General Hallack immediately orders at advance on the Confederate Army of Kanawha, the division-sized unit that had driven off the 21st. Further west, the AoM is determined to follow up its victory at Wellville. To that end, General Williams orders an advance into the Hatchie region in Tennessee. General Williams intends to built a fort in Hatchie to dominate the region, cutting its important rail lines. To that end, two garrison brigades are ordered to leave their current garrisons, board trains and move to Cairo.

In other news, iron has yet again become the choke point of the Union. To help alleviate the shortage, it was determined to expand the iron mines at Harrisburg. First, a single mine was ordered constructed, then more workers' housing (GAME NOTE: A Mansion) to further expand the mines. As it is clear that field works will play an important role in the coming year, a new Engineering School is ordered constructed in New York City.

The next two weeks sees the AoO’s 41,000 men advance upon the Confederate Army of Kanawha’s 13,000 troops camped near Lexington. The small cavalry regiment of the Army of Kanawha failed its commander, General Floyd. Spotting the approach of the Federals, its commander informed General Floyd that the 21st Division was returning to Lexington. Seeing an opportunity to thrash the division once again, General Floyd led his troops on a night march, seeking to fall on the 21st in the morning. The general did surprise the Federal troops but was surprised in turn, as he realized he faced the entire AoO and not an isolated division.

BATTLE OF LEXINGTON: The rebels emerged in line at what they thought was a flank of the 21st Division. They were correct, it WAS the flank of the 21st Division. Unfortunately for the Confederacy, the 21st was accompanied by the entire AoO. As the Union troops quickly formed up, the Confederates realized they had struck the center of a much larger force. The result was disaster. After some initial successes against ill-prepared brigades, the rebels were halted. Almost immediately, the Confederates were flanked on both their right and left. The rebels suddenly become desperate to escape the closing jaws of the trap. Many were not successful.

After only three hours, the Battle of Lexington was over. Fifty-six hundred rebels lay dead, compared to only 1800 Union troops. Four brigade standards were captured, as well as the army commander, General Floyd. The Army of Kanawha was spent as an offensive force for the near future.

[evwalt]

Late February, 1863

With the advances in the west, McClellan begins his preparation for his own movement south. He hopes that the Confederate Army of Central Kentucky, currently occupying the Shenandoah Valley, will soon be forced to move west to check the advances by Union troops there. At that point, McClellan will move south into the valley. To that end, he orders the II Corps out of its winter quarters at Annapolis and rejoin him at Cumberland.

In the west, General Hallack, fresh from his victory at the Battle of Lexington, retires to the city to greet the state government representatives. Despite their pleas to remain and assist in suppressing the unrest, General Hallack leads the AoO north the next day. As had been well known across the region, the army’s new target was Fort Henry. After a day of marching, the army quietly changes direction, now aiming southwest, following the retreating Confederate Army of Kanawha.

General Williams’ AoM remains in the Hatchie region of Tennessee. Following the plan of advance in the west, the AoM should be constructing a fort to protect the region. Here, however, the lack of iron is hampering the Union efforts. The AoM simply does not have the resources necessary to even begin construction.

Over the next two weeks, McClellan sees his hopes fulfilled as the Army of Central Kentucky quickly marches back into the Bluegrass state to oppose the AoO. In the west, General Hallack and the AoO follows the retreating Confederates towards Bowling Green. He never manages to catch the army, though his troops do net several hundred prisoners. General Williams’ 70,000 man AoM, awaiting the arrival of supplies from the north, are suddenly attacked by four different converging columns of Confederate troops marching in from the west. Their approach is detected by Union cavalry. General Williams, seeking to defeat each in turn, moves against General Ewell and Department Number Two, seeking to surprise the rebels. Though the attempted surprise attack is unsuccessful, the AoM does manage to engage Ewell’s single column of 26,000 men.

BATTLE OF JACKSON: With the failure to surprise the Confederates, General Williams decides to set up a defensive position. The Union right rests on Fork Hill while the center rests on Poor Knob Hill. The Union left is protected by impassible rock formation. General Ewell delays any attack until his other three columns arrive. This delay gives the Federal troops time to entrench along most of the line.

Once Ewell receives his reinforcements, his army is at near parity to the AoM. As night falls, he begins probing Union lines. Scattered skirmishing occurs across the Union center and left during the night as Confederate troops slowly filter towards the Union lines. Dawn finds the rebel brigades drawn up close to Union lines. Indeed in the darkness of night, many of the Confederate troops moved to closer to Union lines than they believed. The Federal troops immediately take advantage of their mistake, raking them with accurate fire as soon as the sun appears. This fire throws several of the Rebel brigades into temporary disorder, slowing the planned Confederate assault on the Union center at Poor Knob Hill.

Eventually, the Confederates re-organize and launch a strike at the Union center. As the Confederate divisions advance, General Williams orders his right to advance to strike the much weaker Confederate left. The battle in the center raged for nearly two hours before the Union right struck. The rebel army quickly broke before the onslaught and fled. The end result of the battle: 11,000 Confederate casualties compared to 3600 Federal casualties.

[evwalt]

Early March, 1863

Early March in the east sees the AoP return to the Shenandoah Valley after the withdraw of the Confederate Army of Central Kentucky. The AoJ remains in Washington, still trying to equip it previously designated reserve brigades with modern weaponry.

In the west, the AoO, following McClellan’s master plan, withdraws northward, seeking to avoid combat with the Confederate Army of Central Kentucky, which outnumbers it nearly two to one. The AoM remains on the defensive in the Hatchie region of Tennessee, still awaiting enough supplies to construct their fortification.

In other news, a horse farm is constructed in Topeka, Kansas and a new training ground began at Trenton, New Jersey; both at the request of the governors. In addition, it is clear that the Union requires more individual replacements. To that end, a camp is ordered built in St. Louis, Missouri. Limited voluntary musters are conducted throughout the north, which many northern governors no longer support.

The next two weeks sees the AoP advance into the Shenendoah Valley. Even as they march into the valley, a deadly disease sweeps through the army, causing massive casualties. Despite the losses, McClellan decides to remain in the valley and fortify it as originally planned. In the west, the Confederate Army of Central Kentucky remains stationary in southeast Kentucky.

[evwalt]

Late March, 1863

Late March sees the AoP halting after the occupation of the Shenandoah Valley. McClellan’s original plan was to fortify the valley before advancing; he will also use the time to rest his troops. The AoJ continues to re-equip its brigades, a process it is hoped will be completed next month.

In the west, both the AoO and AoM remain motionless. The AoM uses the opportunity to finally begin construction of a fort to protect its position in Hatchie, Tennessee.

In other news, the War Department has announced that the infrastructure to construct Heavy Artillery has now been built. Though not widely announced, the War Department also assures the president that the Union’s Espionage ability has been improved.

The next two weeks sees General Ewell again lead several different columns against General Williams and the AoM.

BATTLE OF WALNUT RIDGE: The first light of dawn showed the entire area surrounding the encampment of the AoM shrouded in fog. Knowing that Confederate troops were nearby, General Williams directed his troops to a nearby strong defensive position. The Union right rested in a strong position atop Kennedy Ridge with its far flank protected by a nearby creek. The Union center rested atop Walnut Ridge with the Union left being refused and anchored by a lake. Using every moment provided by the rebels, General Williams directed his troops to draw full packets of ammunition and to dig in as much as possible.

It was nearly 3:00 p.m. before the rebels began their advance, as several of their columns had been delayed by the fog. By that point, the entire Union left and center was entrenched. Only the far end of the Union right had not bothered to entrench. On that flank, General Williams had kept an entire division in reserve. When the rebels were committed to their assault, he would advance with his right and try to flank them.

As the Confederates advanced, General Ewell sent a strong attack directly at the Union center and at the position on Kennedy Ridge. This initial assault was easily beaten back. Ewell then launched an even stronger assault on Walnut Ridge and the trenches connecting it to Kennedy Ridge.

General Williams saw his chance. Around 5:30 p.m., he ordered his right to advance on the Confederate left. Seeing the Union advance, Ewell shifted forces to his left to slow the advance, then launched his final assault, aiming at the junction of the Union center and left. If his men could breach the line, they would cut the Union army in two.

The Confederate advance hit the junction like a massive wave. Even as the Confederate left started to buckle, some of the Union brigades at the junction started to break. A great yell went up from the rebels as they crested the hill, only to meet three fresh brigades of Federal troops, all armed with ancient muskets. The rebels halted to dress their lines as the Union troops fired, the “buck and ball” from their muskets devastating the attackers, who broke and fled downhill.

With the defeat of the Confederate assault, any chance of a rebel victory disappears. The Union right crush the troops sent to stop them and, as darkness is falling, crash into the Confederate center. The result is another Confederate defeat. For 5800 casualties, the Union inflicts 13,800 casualties and captures 8 brigade standards and three generals.

As the broken Confederate army streams back towards Memphis, General Williams receives word that the Confederate Army of Central Kentucky, contrary to expectations, has crossed the Tennessee River near Fort Henry, marching hard to the south. He immediately begins making preparations for a withdraw north, as he feels he will be unable to hold against both this army and the remnants of the rebel troops in Memphis. As the general is completing these preparations, he receives sad news; his good friend, General Sherman, who had been wounded at the Battle of Cairo, died of his wounds at St. Louis

[evwalt]

Early April, 1863

In the east, early April sees the AoP in firm control of the Shenandoah Valley. When McClellan receives word that the Confederate Army of Central Kentucky is now in west Tennessee, he decides to press on towards Lynchburg. He does want the valley fortified, however, and to that end, orders the VII Corps, an administrative formation in Harrisburg, to gather what troops they can and head south into the Shenandoah.
As the AoP marches towards Lynchburg, the AoJ leaves its encampment at Washington, marching upon Fort Johnson in northern Virginia.

In the west General Williams orders the AoM northward towards Paducah, Kentucky. He also requests more reinforcements. The War Department then dispatches by rail the Department of Southern Missouri, currently in Jefferson City, Missouri, south to Cairo. At sea, Union ships blockade Wilmington, North Carolina, finally bringing half the southern ports under blockade!

In other news, a new replacement camp is ordered built at Philadelphia, while three new mines are ordered at Harrisburg to help relieve the acute iron shortage. In addition, the Union armies begin Skirmisher Training to improve the efficiency of their skirmishers.

The next two weeks sees the AoP march on Lynchburg without interference. General Butler and the AoJ are delayed from leaving Washington. In the west, the AoM marches north to Paducah. When the Confederate Army of Central Kentucky halts near Fort Henry instead of continuing southwest, General Williams sees an opportunity. He immediately contacts General Hallack with the AoO at Louisville and soon both Union armies in the west are converging on Fort Henry.

[evwalt]

Late April, 1863

Late April sees the AoP encircle the city of Lynchburg, Virginia. McClellan also orders his troops to plunder the surrounding area, destroying anything of military value. General Butler tries yet again to leave Washington and march south with the AoJ. General Hooker, temporary commander of the VII Corps, arrives in the Shenandoah Valley and begins reconstruction of Fort Victory.

In the west, the AoM and AoO arrive in the vicinity of Fort Henry, attempting to crush the isolated Confederate Army of Central Kentucky between them.

In other news, a new replacement camp is ordered constructed in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The next two weeks sees the bloodiest battle of the war to date near Fort Henry. There, the Confederate Army of Central Kentucky moves to attack the AoM before the AoO can arrive in support. General McLaws, commander of the Army of Central Kentucky, launches a successful feint against the AoM, which draws away several brigades of troops.

BATTLE OF FORT HENRY: After his successful feint, General McLaws wanted to launch his army directly at the AoM, defeating it before the AoO arrived to provide assistance. To that end, he was forced to dispatch several brigades of infantry forward to scout the Union positions because of his severe lack of cavalry.

The result was disaster. The infantry probe first ran into Federal cavalry. Thinking to punch through the cavalry screen, the infantry formed line and after two volleys drove off the Union horsemen. Unfortunately, the fighting alerted the IV Corps close by, who descended on the Confederate infantry probe in full force. Half of the rebels were surrounded and eventually captured, while the remainder was scattered by the much larger force.

After the defeat of the rebel probe, the Federals spent the remainder of the day preparing for battle. All brigades were provided with ammunition and supplies. The AoO, which arrived during the skirmishing with the rebel probe, was given the opportunity to rest and re-supply. By nightfall, two entire Union armies were on the field and setting into makeshift camps.

The disappearance of the sun did not bring peace. At dusk, another rebel probe went out and ran right into the slowly advancing Union center. After some skirmishing, both sides settled down into hasty encampments.

When the sun rose the next morning, fighting in the center began again almost immediately. Totally unplanned by either side, the fighting by the Confederate probe and Union vanguard drew in more and more troops. It rapidly spiraled out of control of the generals and became a battle between each side’s colonels and brigadiers. Each brigade moved up to support its comrades, and soon both sides were outflanking the other.

The battle raged most of the day before the Union armies could take no more. With his armies shattering around him General Williams ordered a withdraw. The result was 18,800 Union casualties while the Confederate defenders lost 20,300.

After their victory at Fort Henry, General McLaws led the Army of Central Kentucky to Cairo, Illinois. There, in a quick skirmish, the rebels drive off the recently arrived Department of South Missouri, killing 500 Federals.

In the east, McClellan’s siege of Lynchburg results in the destruction of much of the city. All across the South, civilians are horrified at the level of devastation. <GAME NOTE: Four mansions were plundered, reducing Confederate national will to 0!>