PBEM AAR - It Ain't a Lost Cause Yet!

[Gil R.]

Twenty-sixth turn

This turn I go on the offensive. Winter is coming up, and soon winter movement rules will be in effect and I won't be able to move forces in to dislodge the enemy. So it's time to act.

First, the sieges. Jackson has been reduced somewhat, but still is at least a turn from falling. Tallahassee is in even better shape.

[Gil R.]

Both of my Raiders units successfully destroy supplies in Jackson, softening the enemy up for an attack. Unfortunately, one of the units was destroyed. I'll need 100 Horses to produce a new Raiders unit, and it will take two turns for the unit to appear, so I've lost an important weapon.

And, at the worst possible time, disease hits Jackson. The casualties don't bother me that much, but the lowering of disposition does. Both together might lead Jackson to fall too soon. (I wish that disease would spread to the enemy forces, but doubt that happened. If only I had thought of having a very sick "defector" head to their camp and cough on them...)

[Gil R.]

Having that governor help with diplomacy with England seems to be paying off, since I just gained 1 level. And my diverting 30 Money from French diplomacy in order to pay for troop upkeep and supplies, as expected, has hurt me there.

Gov. Moore of Alabama wants an Arsenal. Since these cost 20 Labor and 20 Iron and produce +2 Guns per turn I can afford it and could use it, so I end up honoring his request.

Regarding governors, this is the turn that elections will be held, and the next Political Report will reveal the results. My guess is that the citizens of the Union states, being down in Victory Points, will replace some pro-Lincoln Republican governors, while the CSA, which is up, will reelect most governors, and perhaps get rid of those who antagonize Jefferson Davis.

[Gil R.]

Here's Tennessee. The 1st Corps failed to move from Huntsville into Aberdeen last turn, but this may have been a blessing, since that Union force that I thought was heading to Hatchie to help maintain supply lines instead is trying to besiege Cumberland River. It's a very small force, and the Union should have learned its lesson about Fort Donelson's strength earlier in the year, so I can only conclude that this force has some siege artillery. Plus, that fleet of gunboats has disappeared from the map, so it must be in Cumberland River as well. So, I'll have to take the 1st Corps and attack. I should be able to trounce this small force.

[Gil R.]

The attack begins...

[Gil R.]

Still messing with the Union, I send the microscopic 14th Division into Hatchie. As always, it's set on "Avoid Battle." My thinking is that this army might finally be moving south, in which case my division will be unopposed as it converts Hatchie back to CSA territory, and cuts the railroad ilnes. And if the army is there, the worst that can happen is that I lose an inferior divisional container and a mediocre brigade.

[Gil R.]

Here's Mississippi at the start of the turn. I think that the Union made a mistake leaving Yazoo, where it would have had a defensive advantage. The full Union force in Jackson probably numbers around 60,000, but I think the 1st Corps can now take them, since it will be fully supplied, and be of superior quality. Anyway, I have to attack now, since the Union forces in Hatchie might decide to show up.

[Gil R.]

Thanks to my rather costly measure of putting the 4th Corps on High Supply it has gone from 36,000 men to 41,000.

Note that what used to be the 48th Infantry is now showing up as an artillery unit, but one with just a 1.71 quality. (If you scroll back up, you'll see that before the conversion its quality was 3.41. Over time, this unit's quality will improve.)

[Gil R.]

A low-quality artillery unit with 6-pounders won't do, so I upgrade to what I can afford -- a 24-pounder Howitzer. I can also afford the Napoleon, but the howitzer does more damage in up-close fighting, and has a better quick combat bonus. (PBEM battles are automatically resolved in quick combat, so this matters.)

Later on when I can afford it I'll upgrade to an Ordnance Rifle.

[Gil R.]

Figuring that if the force in Hatchie attacks it will come through Yazoo, I move by land into Jackson.

[Gil R.]

I then send the 4th Division into Yazoo, so that it can turn it back into CSA territory, and still be close enough to reinforce the 4th Corps in Jackson.

[Gil R.]

And then the Partisans unit goes into Jackson to destroy some more supplies.

[Gil R.]

Here's Virginia, where nothing has changed.

I'm still keeping the Army of Northern Virginia on No Supply and keeping the 4th Corps on High to steer reinforcements where they're most needed.

[Gil R.]

The only change I make is to send that division in the direction of Grafton and Parkersburg so that I can return them to CSA control, and enjoy getting a combing +4 Money/turn from them.

[Gil R.]

Over in Florida, it looks like the Union force is suffering from serious attrition. And, since it's just not their day, my fleet catches up to the Union fleet that is attempting to supply the Union corps. My guess is that the Union fleet will be forced to retreat -- possibly leading to the complete loss of the invading corps.

[Gil R.]

To end the turn, I promote A.P. Hill. I also have my Partisans and Raiders in Jackson attempt to destroy supplies. Unfortunately, neither has good odds of succeeding, and the danger is a bit too high for my taste, but it's critical that I weaken the Union forces there.

[Grotius]

One question: why do I see the Army markings (and General's name) over the AoP, but not over the Army of Northern Virginia?

[Gil R.]

ORIGINAL: Grotius

One question: why do I see the Army markings (and General's name) over the AoP, but not over the Army of Northern Virginia?

That indicates the presence of more than one container, i.e. a "stack." Remember, I started the turn with the ANV plus that small division I send to Kenawha both in Lynchburg. Next turn, with that division gone, all I'll have there will be an army and it should look just like the AoP.

[Grotius]

Ah, right. And I think jchastain said you have the option to display each unit individually, which might be my preference. I just think it's cool to see "R.E. Lee" on the map.

[Gil R.]

You're right. For the benefit of y'all, I should be doing that.

If ever I get to that next turn...