AAR of Incompetence!

[Grotius]

Yup, they sea landed, and that's what I figured -- they were cut off and had nowhere to run.

[Hard Sarge]

Roger

sea landings right now are seen as a do or die

[genie144]

Well???  Come on, you can't start it without finishing.  I like the oves you have made towards the end.  While I can't condone your move towards Arkansas, I do appreciate reading the campaign.  I think it is more interesting now that you have a challenge on your hands 
 
Sam

[Grotius]

Have no fear, I'm still playing. I hope to post another installment tomorrow.

[Grotius]

As October 1862 opens, my Union forces are still struggling to put down this rebellion. I did succeed in repelling the invaders (British and CSA) from New York, but my own offensive in Arkansas died an ugly death. Now I'm besieging Fort Henry and, apart from that, trying to grow an army in more orderly fashion. I'm also focused on keeping my gubernatorial allies in power come November.

Those governors are important not least because a number of them now support my research efforts. As autumn leaves fall in the nation's capitol, I get word that we've researched the crucial Balloon technology. I'm not quite sure what balloons will do for me, but they sound more fun than they other options, so I go for 'em. [:'(]

[Grotius]

In late October, the Brits again descend on Rochester. They have attacked New York, Rochester, Buffalo -- but never Massachusetts. My theory is that they're Red Sox fans. So maybe they're not all bad. That doesn't stop me from sending many men to shoot them.

By contrast, the CSA has just landed a new force in Massachusetts, earning my never-ending wrath. Shepley's Corps is dispatched to deal with them.

[Grotius]

Hard Sarge was interested to learn that I've managed to bring both the French and the Brits into the war against me. I thought I'd record for posterity what the mighty French army looks like (so far, at least). I see...one lonely brigade in Arkansas. The Foreign Legion, peut-etre? I'm thinking I need to restaff my Army of Arkansas and kick some Parisian patootie.

[Grotius]

I've actually started *gasp* upgrading my weapons! Real FoF players no doubt do this at, say, the beginning of the war. Me, I wait til November 1862 to do any serious upgrading.

In defense of my incompetence, I should point out that I never reload save games. I figure that's one feature the AI never gets to use, so I play by the same rules it does. Besides, it's more fun to play when you know that disaster really will hurt. Anyway, here's a look at a sample upgrade:

[Grotius]

Mwuhaha, I'm starting to get good at this. Not only do I crush the British incursion in Rochester (in the Second Battle of Rochester), but I even get three brigades to surrender.

[Grotius]

What's more, it's early November '62, and that means it's election time! I put on my stovepipe hat and give lots of speeches. Despite (or perhaps because of) this, some of my friends lose their bids for re-election, but I'm still pleased with the outcomes. The Democrats who are elected are generally friendly to me. And, best of all, the one guy who really gave me a hard time, nasty Thomas Hicks of Maryland, has been summarily ousted by a much friendlier Democrat. Yay!

[Grotius]

Here's a look at the new political landscape. Darker plaques indicate a governor who's not happy with his President. Unfortunately, I forgot to photograph the big kahuna in Texas, but suffice to say his plaque is verrrry dark. He doesn't seem too pleased with Mr. Davis. (Texas stood down from the war once the South emancipated.) My guess is that all those French foreign legionnaires are annoying the Texans.

Incidentally, I'm a tad annoyed that the Governor Berry of New Hampshire isn't more pleased with me. I built him all sorts of stuff. Ingrate.

[Grotius]

A gentle snow falls across New England as December arrives. Shepley slowly moves to confront the latest CSA invasion force. I'm hoping to give the Confederates a rather nasty New Year's present in Boston.

[scott64]

[Erik Rutins]

Brilliant AAR, Grotius, great to see such an "au naturale" rendition of play. I've played many game (including FoF) this way when I've just opened the box and wanted to get started. Keep up the great work, I'm sure everyone's interested to see how you'll get out of this pickle.

[jonreb31]

Keep it up, I can't believe I'm interested in what is going to happen. [:D]

[genie144]

Yeah come on - am curious if your designs on arkansas are going to be put on a shelf or if you will continue.  Personally I think you should glass the place over, but hey thats just me
 
Sam

[Grotius]

Oh, I'm determined to make Arkansas MINE MINE MINE. I may lose the danged war, but I want Little Rock. I'm building Siege Artillery so I can, you know, besiege it.

[marecone]

Great stuff.

[Grotius]

A New Year arrives, and with it new hope that I will get my act together and quell this annoying insurrection. But I fear the AAR's title is all too apt.

Anyway, the French ring in the New Year by sending more troops to Texas. Joy.

[Grotius]

To counter that, I think I need a good leader in the West. A new general has just emerged, some guy named Sherman. He keeps pointing out that Tennessee is the only thing between our western forces and Atlanta. I keep pointing out that the CSA's Kentucky Army is also standing between our forces and Atlanta.

Anyway, I send Sherman west to get him out of my hair. Maybe he'll make a name for himself.