Oh no, McClellan's in charge! Tullius (USA) vs Marquo (CSA)

[Q-Ball]

Tulius: Good AAR. If you park former US Speaker of the House and Mass. Governor Nathanial Banks in a large city, he will get you 4-6 extra recruit companies every turn. This is handy!

You may find that more useful than his presence at the front.....just saying

[TulliusDetritus]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

Tulius: Good AAR. If you park former US Speaker of the House and Mass. Governor Nathanial Banks in a large city, he will get you 4-6 extra recruit companies every turn. This is handy!

You may find that more useful than his presence at the front.....just saying

Yes, I know that, thank you [:)]

The thing is I am a history freak. I like role-playing too. An above all er... I am an utter moron [:D] These guys (Banks, Burnside) saw action after all, I mean they were not in the rear. There is one guy who should never see combat. I can't remember his name but he's got truly negative traits (-1 something). He usually appears at Illinois. I send him straight to New York (no command).

Whilst we are at it, I will try to stay historical on this game: McClellan will be in charge (until his historic removal). Senior leaders should take command of the available forces, etc. etc. Lincoln would have loved to be in charge of the war via AACW 2 [:D] In other words, real world is nastier.

Others may think this is inefficient (it is). To me it's an important part of the fun [8D]

[TulliusDetritus]

[center]Late June 1861[/center]

Boy, this turn I was way too greedy [:)] Not sure that was the right thing to do but I almost 100% succeeded.

In the east, I would like to have Leesburg, between Alexandria and Harper's Ferry. Then I would have a nice 3 regions shield (Washington behind). Therefore I sent some hordes. Marquo had thought the same and sent his troops too. A Confederate victory but I was not forced to retreat. Reinforcements will be arriving. I have to assume that Marquo will be doing the same [8D]

2-star boss Hamilton is in charge here.

[TulliusDetritus]

In Missouri I had already threatened to storm Rolla and Jefferson City (phase 1) [:D] Both places had militias --desperately raised methinks. I captured both places and it's a good thing the enemy militia in Rolla did not torch the depot [8D]

But phase 2 is going to be complicated. There is a quite big stack in Arkansas, and I am pretty certain Marquo will put it to good use in Missouri.

[TulliusDetritus]

And finally Sam Houston appeared in Texas. I really don't know what to do with this cavalry. If I stay, sooner or later Marquo will kick me out. And then with no supplies, a long journey to safety: north or west. They might not make it and disappear for little gain.

I don't see enemy depots in the vicinity. Otherwise I could torch them I guess.

I send them to Santa Fe, New Mexico (40 days). They will see better days we hope [8D]

[TulliusDetritus]

[center]Early July 1861[/center]

So far so good [8D]

I can finally order a mobilisation: Premium for Volunteers: 2 dollars. I should get 750 conscript companies. And that's a lot of cannon fodder!

[TulliusDetritus]

In the east, Marquo did not kick me out of Leesburg. I thought he would be moving more troops and thus we would see a big battle (the first one). There are two brigades inside the city.

In the west, coming from the mountains the Shenandoah forces are in position (north of Strasburg). If I well understood, if I capture this place the Shenandoah valley should basically be in my hands.

In theory the forces could get to this key place in 14 days. They should try to assault it. A Confederate counter-attack might recapture it but still, we have to be bold here [:)]

[TulliusDetritus]

In West Virginia another Confederate victory and the strategic city of Morgantown is captured by the enemy [:)]

Still, let's see if I can capture Clarksburg in his rear.

[TulliusDetritus]

Anyway, in West Virginia another force is present (not on the above screenshots): the two Michigan brigades coming from the SE tip of Ohio. A leader is in command of this force. They should march due east and try to capture Charleston, their natural target.

In other words, 3 independent stacks in this state.

[TulliusDetritus]

In the Northwest Department (Illinois, Mississippi River), Wallace crosses the river from Cairo and captures Charleston (MO). He is reinforced by a 3-elements brigade from Ohio (I had said these forces should be sort of diverted since Kentucky neutrality prohibits any operations).

Anyways, an enemy naval force is in the vicinity: 7 Gunboat squadrons. They clearly outnumber Foote's forces: 3 Gunboat squadrons.

Er... we better run away! [:D]

The thing is in this theater I will wait for Grant. And reinforcements. Oh, the Wallace Brigade + artillery are ready and marching towards Cairo.

[TulliusDetritus]

And Missouri.

If there is a place where I try to be very agressive and bold (AACW and AI), this place is Missouri. As I see it, if you are lucky you can even capture Missouri before the autumn 1861 arrives. In other words, you can gain a lot. The risk is minimal: I mean, I can live with a counter-attack which kicks me out of Springfield, but I will fight to the last drop of blood of my e-troops to stay in Rolla [:D]

This game is no different, I will try to swallow Springfield before the end of the year... but mud appeared [:(] I was planning to send Lyon and his forces to storm the city on next turn. Impossible.

But Marquo didn't move his stack in Arkansas. I thought I would find it in Springfield this turn. Therefore if the weather is fine, my e-hordes will march (yes or yes) towards Springfield on next turn [8D]

[Q-Ball]

The Missouri State Guard stack in AK starts with really low cohesion; that's probably why it's not moving. There is another stack the Rebs get that starts in Little Rock; it includes some regulars. Once these are all there, though, you'll be outnumbered barring any builds

The Union has a speed advantage in Missouri, no question. Rolla and Jeff City will fall before Rebs can do anything but get militia there. Springfield is a tougher nut; you'll need alot of new units to get it.

The other problem is that I think Springfield is a dead-end; marching into NW Arkansas is probably a bad idea for the Union, and there isn't much to gain there other than Fayetteville. You can't really invade Arkansas proper until the Arkansas river is opened from the Mississippi

[TulliusDetritus]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball
The other problem is that I think Springfield is a dead-end; marching into NW Arkansas is probably a bad idea for the Union, and there isn't much to gain there other than Fayetteville. You can't really invade Arkansas proper until the Arkansas river is opened from the Mississippi

I totally agree [:)]

Missouri itself is the real goal. As I see it, it's the right flank of any advance along the Mississippi. If I disregard it a big stack might suddenly appear let's say near Saint Louis. I feel more secure with that state in my hands: any Confederate advance (to recapture Missouri) should follow a single axis. Easy to stop (in theory) = the Confederates would not even try it.

And I can't help it, they look so defenseless! I MUST grab it! [:D]

[TulliusDetritus]

[center]Late July 1861[/center]

In the east the Union units assaulting Strasburg were trashed. We're staying the same. I will try to reinforce these forces. Marquo will have to kick me out of here. That or I will run out of supplies and ammo before [8D]

We will be assaulting Leesburg. And in West Virginia Clarksburg was captured. I am bringing forces from Ohio to convince Marquo to peacefully leave this area... or else!

I have recruited many hordes. Especially 6 Gunboat squadrons in Missouri. Marquo has the upper hand (as per previous messages) and we can't have that!

EDIT: oh, and we also order to storm Springfield! Only cavarly regiments are available.

[TulliusDetritus]

[center]Early August 1861[/center]

Quite a good turn... for the Confederate! [:D]

But at least I managed to annihilate a 3-elements enemy brigade. As per the plan, Leesburg was assaulted and then taken (that's where the enemy brigade was destroyed along with militiamen). But some days later the Rebels advanced and trashed Hamilton's men.

I am wondering... Hadn't I ordered an assault (red posture) the Confederate would have possibly attacked my level 3 entrenched positions. And maybe I would have resisted. Or maybe not (and I would not have annihilated that brigade).

[TulliusDetritus]

We keep besieging Strasburg. Reinforcements and a supply wagon will arrive on next turn.

And West Virgina: what the...??

Marquo apparently plans to stay! What a pest! Such insolence!!

Still, there's something I have to be missing. He is building a depot on the top of a mountain (haha), but to draw supplies from where exactly? No depots in the south. Except of course the one I am trying to swallow (Strasburg). And then Morgantown: but I will pour a lot of cannon fodder into that place to recapture it.

Anyway, to be fair, I might be pretty soon kicked out of Strasburg so that might answer my question.

But anyways... supplies via mountains? Will it work?

[TulliusDetritus]

And we have the Camp Dick Robinson event thing. NE Kentucky unlocked and a respectable horde appears in Lexington.

Does this mean the state will soon be unlocked?

[TulliusDetritus]

In Missouri my orders were obeyed and Springfield was assaulted. But the attack was repulsed so fair enough [8D]

I think I will try another assault before the winter arrives. More coordinated and backed but quite many forces, supply wagon/s, artillery and two or three leaders.

[TulliusDetritus]

[center]Late August 1861[/center]

Ok... I am in deep trouble! [:D]

Ah McClellan, that clown! [:@] He is not even in charge (not yet) and he's done it!

McDowell himself (the big boss in the Washington area) was ordered to storm Leesburg. A thick stack was left behind... and guess who would be in charge? McClellan. The thing is the mega Confederate stack advanced and McClellan did not even fight, he retreated to Washington itself! Chicken!!

McDowell is ordered to turn around and face the enemy mega stack. I smell a big battle. And I smell a big Union defeat (you first read it here eh)

[TulliusDetritus]

The only good thing is that I will soon have much more forces (especially in the east: regular forces, NOT militias). The screenshot is not showing all of them [8D]