AAR: Little Mac's War

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Early May, 1863

In the east, early May sees McClellan continuing his siege of Lynchburg. Yet again, he orders his troops to destroy any property, civilian or government owned, that could assist in the war effort. Meanwhile, the AoJ finally reaches Fort Johnson and encircles it.

In the west, both the AoO and AoM advance back towards Fort Henry. They are determined to capture the fortress, confident that the defenses at Cairo will hold long enough for them to still prevent the fall of the city.

In other news, new replacement camps are ordered for St. Louis and New York City. In addition, limited voluntary musters and even some conscriptions take place across the nation to help replace the forces lost in recent battles. The War Department also announces a policy of having Centralized Railways to better improve rail use by the army.

The next two weeks see the Union sieges of Lynchburg and Ft Johnson continue to wear down the defenders. In the west, the Confederate Army of Central Kentucky launch a series of Aggressive assaults against Fort Grapevine, losing almost 10,000 rebels. Though reduced to only one-third their former strength, the fort still holds.

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Late May, 1863

In the east, the sieges of Lynchburg and Fort Johnson continue. McClellan also orders the VII Corps in the Shenandoah Valley southwards to outside Lynchburg to begin construction of a fort.

In the west, the AoM marches to the relief of Fort Grapevine, hoping to link up with the Department of Southern Missouri. Meanwhile, the AoO marches to the relief of Fort Bethel in Hatchie, Tennessee, now under siege by a Confederate division.

In other news, a new replacement camp is ordered built in Chicago. The telegraph system in Frankfort, Kentucky is also upgraded at the request of the governor.

The next two weeks sees yet more fighting in the west. At Cairo, Fort Grapevine falls after a single day of combat. With there no longer a need to rush to Cairo, the AoM and AoO march their combined 91,000 men against the Confederates 25,000 men encamped near Fort Henry. Expecting a Union withdraw, the Confederates are totally surprised.

SECOND BATTLE OF FORT HENRY: Having approached silently by a night march, the Union brigades crashed into the surprised Rebels. It quickly became clear that many Union brigades were massively short on ammunition, a result of their preparations for their long march. Though surprised, the Rebels themselves were well supplied and reacted quickly to the Union advance.

The Confederate troops rapidly formed a line and both sides began to slug it out. Slowly, the more numerous Union troops began to slip around both flanks of the Confederate line. The Union right soon fell into disorder when its commander, General Buell, was critically wounded. The Union left was halted shortly thereafter when a daring rebel artillery brigade unlimbered close to the advancing Federals. In less than an hour, the Confederate artillery had caused nearly 2,000 Union casualties.

The failure of the Union to complete their flanking movements left the centers of each army facing each other. The better trained and equipped rebels slowly beat down the Union fire until night fell. Under cover of darkness, the Union troops withdrew towards Louisville, leaving 10,400 casualties. The defeat of the large Union army cost the Confederacy 11,000 troops.

Elsewhere, the Union siege for Fort Johnson and Lynchburg continued, as well as the Confederate siege of Fort Bethel.

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Early June, 1863

June sees a great deal of movement in the east. The AoP is ordered to quickly end the siege of Lynchburg and advance on Petersburg. McClellan also orders the AoJ to break off its siege of Fort Johnson and move south to join him near Petersburg.

In the west, the Department of Southern Missouri arrives at Cairo even as the Confederate Army of Central Kentucky marches east for parts unknown. The AoM moves out from Louisville, marching towards Cairo also. The AoO remains at Louisville to rest and refit.

In other news, new replacement camps are ordered constructed in Indianapolis, Indiana and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Over the next two weeks, Lynchburg falls to the Union. McClellan immediately orders an advance on Petersburg, Virginia. In northern Virginia, General Butler delays moving south to continue the siege of Fort Johnson, much to the disappointment of General McClellan.

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Late June, 1863

Late June saw McClellan and the AoP begin the siege of Petersburg. In addition, McClellan orders his army to plunder the surrounding area and destroy anything of military value they could find. McClellan also ordered General Butler and the AoJ yet again to break off the siege of Fort Johnson and head south to Lynchburg.

In the west, the AoO rests and refits in Louisville, Kentucky. In Cairo, Illinois, the Army of the Mississippi is in the process of being transformed. More modern weapons are sent to refit its brigades. General Williams also announces a determination to advance once again when the refit is complete.

In other news, a new replacement camp is ordered constructed in St. Louis, Missouri. The Navy Department also announces that it has perfected a system of conducted Naval Repairs at sea.

The next two weeks see the AoP begin their siege of Petersburg. General McClellan is pleasantly surprised when most of the garrison is wiped out within two weeks. The AoJ finally breaks off his siege of Fort Johnson and marches south to Lynchburg. At McClellan’s orders, the VII Corps seizes the rail lines in the Abingdon area of southwest Virginia.

In the west, Fort Bethel in Hatchie falls to Confederate forces. In addition, General Buell, former commander of the Department of Missouri, dies of wounds received in the Second Battle of Fort Henry.

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<oops double posting, deleted>

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Early July, 1863

The Fourth of July sees the AoP still continuing its siege of Petersburg while attempting to destroy everything of military value in the area. The AoJ, recently arrived in Lynchburg, is ordered construct fortifications to protect the city. In the west, the AoM begins construction of more fortifications to protect Cairo, Illinois.

Over the next two weeks, Petersburg falls to the AoP, only to have the army immediately confronted by General Cocke and the Confederate Department of Northern Virginia. General McClellan quickly orders a withdraw to Lynchburg, where he finds that the fortifications he ordered had not yet been constructed due to an unexpected lack of available Labor. In the west, the AoM begins construction of Fort Junction near Cairo.

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Late July, 1863

Late July saw the AoJ encamp at Lynchburg to wait out a series of rainstorms that limited movement. McClellan embarked the AoP on trains and moved it north to the Shenandoah Valley. In the west, both the AoM and AoO remain encamped, still recovering from their months of continuous combat.

In other news, a new replacement camp is ordered constructed in Trenton, New Jersey.

The next two weeks sees all movement go as planned. In addition, the Union VII Corps manages to secure the Kenawha region of Virginia, bringing all of the state west of Lynchburg under Union control. In addition, Union cavalry detects a sudden build-up by the Confederacy near Bowling Green, Kentucky. The plan of its commander, General Jackson, is unknown at this time.

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Early August, 1863

Early August sees General McClellan develop an entirely new plan to conduct the war. With the reluctant permission of the President, McClellan orders the AoP by rail to Abingdon in preparation of movement west. The AoJ remains encamped near Lynchburg. In the west, the AoM uses the withdraw of Confederate forces north to Bowling Green to take the opportunity to re-occupy the Hatchie region of Tennessee.

In other news, a replacement camp is ordered constructed at Annapolis, Maryland. In addition, a new series of upgraded Railroad Stations are built in Indianapolis, Indiana at the request of the governor. Also during this period, the Union army adopted new Dragoon Tactics for their cavalry to use.

The next two weeks sees the AoM easily seize the Hatchie region in Tennessee. In a surprise move, a lone Confederate division moves east from Bowling Green and recaptures the Kenawha region of west Virginia.

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Late August, 1863

As summer ends, McClellan leads the AoP in the move he has been planning for weeks, a wholesale transfer into the western theater. He intends to link up with the AoO near Bowling Green, Kentucky and defeat the Confederate army there. At Hatchie, the AoM begins construction of fortifications to more easily control the area.

In other news, a new replacement camp is ordered built in St. Louis, Missouri. In addition, a series of Impressments takes place throughout Illinois at the suggestion of the governor. Though these Impressments gain valuable resources for the Union, it also leads to a series of riots at Chicago.

The next two weeks sees renewed fighting in the west. At Hatchie, the Confederate Army of Central Kentucky and the Confederate Department Number Two converge on the AoM. The rebels 96,000 men outnumber the AoM’s 76,000.

BATTLE OF BUCKSNORT: Though successfully conducting a surprise strategic advance on the Union Army of the Mississippi, the Confederate commanders become cautious about rushing into battle and tentatively advance towards the Union lines. General Williams uses the time well, entrenching his entire army before the Confederates advance into view.

Upon observing the strong Union position, the Confederates begin probing the lines. They find both the Union right and left anchored on nearby lakes. Being unable to outflank the Federals, the Confederates are forced to launch costly frontal assault.

After nearly five hours of fighting with no breakthroughs, the exhausted Confederate armies retreat, leaving 17,100 troops killed, wounded or captured on the field. Federal losses amount to only 8200 Union.


BATTLE OF BOWLING GREEN: Near Bowling Green, McClellan leads the AoP in a hard march through the Appalachian Mountains and advances on the Confederate forces near Bowling Green under command of General Thomas Jackson.

General Jackson had directed his attention on the AoO, expecting an advance from Frankfort. As a result, he and his 43,000 Confederate troops are caught totally by surprise. At dawn, the Confederate troops are awakened by shouts and gunfire as 123,000 Union troops advance on their camps.

The rebels recover quickly, launching several wild charges against the advancing Union center. These attacks slow its advance but does nothing against the advancing Union right. General Jackson is in the process of shifting units from his center to slow this advance when the Union left led by General McClellan himself hits his right.

The Confederate right quickly begins to crumble. Desperate, General Jackson now withdraws yet more troops from his center to reinforce his right. He withdraws too many. With a series of renewed attacks, the Union center bursts through and begins to envelop both the Confederate right and left.

The result is an unmitigated disaster for the Confederacy. By the time the fighting ends, the Confederate army has lost 18,400 men, as well as eight brigade standards and four generals captured, including the army commander, General Thomas Jackson. The Union losses amount to 12,000 men.

The Confederacy does have one successful advance during this period as Department Number One under General Stuart successfully recaptures the Franklin region of western Virginia.

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Early September, 1863

The beginning of the fall sees no action in the east as the AoJ is content to remain on the defensive near Lynchburg, Virginia. In the west, McClellan and the united AoO and AoP begin a siege of Fort Albert S. Johnson protecting Bowling Green, Kentucky. In Hatchie, the AoM continues to strengthen the fortifications built in the area.

In other news, Impressments continue in lower Illinois near Cairo. In addition, the Union army adopts new Reconnaissance Training for their cavalry brigades.

The next two weeks sees the successful capture of Fort Albert S. Johnson at Bowling Green. The AoM finishes its efforts to strengthen the fortifications in Hatchie, which General Williams then designates Fort Holmes.

Meanwhile, somewhat surprising to the Union forces are the unexpected Confederate movements. Department Number One marches into the Shenandoah Valley in an attempt to wrest it from the North. In addition, the Confederate Army of the West leaves Nashville, marching east to garrison Knoxville.

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Late September, 1863

Late September sees the AoJ react to the incursion into the Shenandoah Valley, railing north to engage the Confederate forces there. In the west, the AoO marches south to secure the rail lines near Sparta, Tennessee. At Hatchie, bad weather limits the ability of the AoM to move so it remains on the defensive in the region.

As for McClellan, he decides the time has come to show his determination to remain in the west. To that end, the Army of the Potomac is re-designated the Army of the Tennessee (AoT). The battle flags of the AoP are carefully stored until needed again. McClellan then orders the AoT to advance directly to Nashville. He orders several Union gunboats to attempt to run past Fort Henry and rendezvous with him near the city.

In other news, a new replacement camp is ordered constructed in Boston. Impressments continue around Cairo, Illinois.

Over the next two weeks, General Butler and the AoJ move north into the Shenandoah Valley but at a slow pace, allowing the Confederate army there to easily avoid combat.

McClellan successfully advances against Nashville, driving off the few defenders there with little trouble. McClellan’s supply lines are also secured, as the AoO seizes Sparta, Tennessee and the surrounding region.

Further west, the massed Confederate armies in Memphis march out in the bad weather, aiming to drive the Union from the Hatchie region so they can move to the relief of Nashville.

BATTLE OF FORT HOLMES: Yet again, the Union Army of the Mississippi finds itself outnumbered by nearly 20,000 men. It matters little as AoM cavalry patrols detect the advancing Confederate forces and General Williams and the AoM fall on them with little warning, quickly driving them back to Memphis. The Confederacy loses 12,600 men and three brigade standards while the Union loses 8300 troops.

<GAME NOTE: I accidentally hit ‘Instant Combat’ instead of detailed combat. Oops.>

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Early October, 1863

Early October sees the slow moving AoJ attempt to engage the Confederate army, now consisting of the Army of the West and Department Number One, in the Shenandoah. In the west, General Hallack leads the AoO to the northwest, marching on Fort Henry. Meanwhile, the AoT encircles Fort Donelson and prepares for a long siege. General Williams and the AoM remain on the defensive at Hatchie.

In other news, at the request of General McClellan a new Engineering Department has been formed to assist in the construction of fortifications.

Over the next two weeks, the AoJ skirmishes with the Confederate troops in the Shenandoah, causing nearly 1000 casualties before the rebels retreat. At Nashville, McClellan receives word that the expected Union gunboats are unable to run past Fort Henry. He is forced to continue the siege without their support. Just north of Nashville near Sparta, the AoO is delayed in its march towards Fort Henry. This delay works to the Union advantage, as the Confederate Department Number Two under General Ewell leaves Memphis and in a series of hard marches reaches Fort Henry.

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Late October, 1863

The end of October sees the AoJ preparing to withdraw northwards for winter quarters. Before leaving the Shenandoah however, the General Butler orders the defenses of Fort Victory, damaged in its short siege, repaired.

In the west, the AoT continues its siege of Fort Donelson while the AoO rails northwards to protect the Union supply lines running through Bowling Green. Further west, the AoM, having secured the Hatchie region, begins marching south into northern Mississippi to capture the rail lines near Oxford.

In other news, a new barracks is ordered constructed in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In addition, the War Department issues new Moisture Proof Cartridges to all units. The Navy Department announces that all ships will soon be modified to have Reinforced Hulls.

Over the next two weeks, Confederate troops march to the vicinity of Lynchburg, Virginia in an attempt to recapture the city. In the west, Confederate troops marching to relieve Fort Donelson near Nashville are intercepted by General McClellan and the AoT.

BATTLE OF NASHVILLE: The two Confederate divisions numbering 27,000 men are surprised by the advance of the AoT’s 63,000 troops. As the Union army advances, they are surprised themselves when the entire Confederate force rapidly advances against the Union right.

Seeing the advance of the rebels, McClellan brings his army into line with his right resting on a nearby river and his center located in a strong position on Notch Hill with massive artillery and sharpshooter support. The Confederates slam into the Union right, halting its advance. Immediately, McClellan orders the 1st Cavalry Division to cross the river at a ford to his rear and move up on the Confederate left to provide flanking fire.

The cavalry’s attack is successful until Confederate artillery arrives, which drives the horsemen off in turn. McClellan responds by ordering his sharpshooters from the center to cross the river also and engage the artillery with long-range fire. The sharpshooters move into position, only to have their own flank threatened by several infantry brigades drawn from the Fort Donelson garrison. This threat is halted by the return of the Union cavalry, and a miniature battle rages north of the river.

South of the river, the ferocious Confederate attack slows the Union advance, though the rebels are quickly outflanked by the now advancing Union center. The rebel attack did give the Confederacy what it needed most: time. As the Union left advanced on the nearby Objective, it is met by elements of two Confederate armies marching to reinforce the Nashville defenders.

McClellan temporarily halts his advance, bringing forward the Union artillery to help drive back the Confederate left and assist his center against the arriving Rebel reinforcements. On the Confederate left, the rebels are slowly pushed back, taking massive losses. On the Union left, however, the Federal troops are exposed to the full power of the arriving Confederate reinforcements. The Union advance on the Objective is halted and it takes everything in the Union left’s power to hold their line.

Eventually, the Union left starts to crack. A brigade of Union artillery is overrun by the rebels, capturing it. Only nightfall brings a respite for the Union. Under the cover of darkness, the Union left withdraws from contact with the Rebels, forming a new defensive position.

The fall of night does not halt fighting on the Union center or right. Around 2:00 a.m., the Confederate center cracks and Union troops slowly widen the breech, trapping several brigades of the Confederate left against the river.

Dawn finds the Confederate army with a huge hole in its center. As the triumphant Union troops advance, they find to their dismay that thousands more Confederate troops had arrived during the night. The hole is rapidly plugged, though Rebel attempts to rescue the units of their trapped left are driven off. The Confederates respond by attacking all along the Union center and left.

The battle rages for most of the morning, with both sides nearing exhaustion. Even as the Union troops start to waiver, the Stonewall Brigade attacking the Union left breaks, followed by most of the Confederate right. Hearing the news, the Confederate army withdraws, leaving 18,200 casualties on the field. The AoT, with 16,900 casualties of its own, is too exhausted to pursue.

<GAME NOTE: Out of the 100 or so Detailed Combats I have played, this battle was the most exciting. At the beginning, the Rebels had a morale of 21 compared to the Union’s 20. At the beginning of the fighting when I greatly outnumbered the Confederate troops, I quickly took a lead of Union-14, Confederate-13. However, at midnight, I lost 2 points because of the new day of fighting. The second day of battle started with the Confederates-10, Union-9.

During the fighting on this second day, both sides morale dropped at an equal rate. Towards midmorning, the Union had an exceptionally bad turn giving the Confederates-3 and Union-1. Then, miracle or miracles, I had a good last turn, breaking the Confederates with one point remaining! Great fun!>

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Early November, 1863

In the east, November sees the AoJ march back into Maryland heading for winter quarters. The west is again a blur of activity. The AoO marches south into the Sparta region to protect the rail lines running to the AoT outside of Nashville.

Further west, the AoM marches northwest towards the Memphis defenses, now devoid of any Confederate field formations.

In other news, the War Department announced the formation of a Nursing Corps to better staff military hospitals.

Over the next two weeks, Confederate General Ewell leads his Department Number Two westward from Pulaski (where they had retreated after the battle of Nashville). The 15,300 Confederates have a brief skirmish with the AoM 91,000 troops near Fort Holmes in Hatchie and flee after losing 800 men. Near Nashville, Confederate cavalry attempts to capture the rail lines near Sparta but retreat after discovering the AoO in the vicinity.

At Nashville, General McClellan orders an assault on Fort Donelson. The fort is captured, though the AoT loses 6700 men in the heavy fighting. With the fort destroyed, McClellan turns his attention towards Nashville itself.

Still retreating after their defeat at Nashville, General McLaws and the Army of Central Kentucky finally arrive at Chattanooga. Meanwhile, in western Virginia, Confederate troops lay siege to Lynchburg.

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Late November, 1863

In the east, the AoJ prepares to go into winter quarters. In the west, the AoO begins construction of a fort to protect the rail lines passing through Sparta, Tennessee. General McClellan and the AoT begin their siege of the city of Nashville. Further west, the AoM continues its march towards the Memphis defenses.

In other news, 12 pound mortars are installed at Fort Holmes in the Hatchie region of Tennessee.

Over the next two weeks, it quickly becomes clear that the Confederate Army of Central Kentucky is heading east, moving outside of Lynchburg. Whether this will mean an offensive against the north come spring, no one can tell. At Nashville, McClellan loses another 6000 men but manages to capture the city. Further west, General Ewell and Confederate Department Number Two recapture Oxford, Mississippi.

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Early December, 1863

The start of winter sees the AoJ enter its winter quarters outside Washington. In the west, the AoO continues its construction of the newly named Fort Cobble Hill in Sparta, Tennessee. McClellan orders the construction of a fort to protect the newly captured Nashville, Tennessee. Further west, the AoM (with gunboat support) begins a siege of Island Number 10 protecting Memphis.

In other news, concern at the build-up by Confederate forces in Virginia leads the Union to begin strengthening the many fortifications throughout the region. Fort Victory in the Shenandoah Valley receives 12 pound mortars while all the garrisons throughout Maryland and Washington receive muskets.

The next two weeks sees the re-capture of Lynchburg by the Confederacy, while the AoM storms Island Number 10, capturing the fort at a cost of 6000 men.

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Late December, 1863

Across most of America, Christmas finds nearly everyone settled into winter quarters. The AoO and AoT continue construction of their respective fortifications, while the AoM begins a siege of Fort Pillow, the last fortifications protecting Memphis, Tennessee.

In other news, a barracks is built in Lansing, Michigan at the request of its governor. Also, for the first time the Union is processing over 20,000 individual replacements a month! <Game Note: 10,400 replacements per turn>.

The next two weeks sees the AoM capture Fort Pillow with a loss of 4200 men. Finally, the way to Memphis is now open!

<GAME NOTE: RECAP OF 1863

I finally had some movement this year by shifting all my offensive power to the west. It remains to be seen if the Confederates will try to exploit this by launching an offensive in the east.

At this point in the game:
Union VP- (+13), National Will- (+8)
Confederacy VP- (-8), National Will- (-4)>

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I'm back and will be posting the remainder of this game shortly. Sorry for the delay but real life got in the way [:@]

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Early January, 1864

The New Year finds a great deal of digging occurring around the many fortresses in the east. Fort Victory in the Shenandoah Valley receives an inner and outer series of rifle pits. At Washington, Fort Washington receives a series of breastworks to support the existing rifle pits. Near Annapolis, Fort Carroll receives a series of breastworks.

In the west, the AoO and the AoT remain in winter quarters near Nashville. At Memphis, the AoM begins its siege of the city itself.

In other news, a new factory is ordered in St. Louis, Missouri at the request of the governor.

Over the next two weeks, the AoM presses its siege of Memphis. In an attempt to distract the AoM, Confederate General Ewell leads Department Number Two into Hatchie to threaten Fort Holmes. General Williams does not respond to the attack, launching an assault instead that captures Memphis at a cost of 4800 men.

[evwalt]

Late January, 1864

As the end of January approaches, all the Union armies still lay in winter quarters. The strengthening of Union fortifications continues with Fort Washington receiving 10 inch Columbiads. In Memphis, the AoM begins construction of a fortress to protect the newly captured city.

In other news, new worker housing <GAME NOTE: A Mansion> is ordered constructed in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Over the next two weeks, no major movement takes place by either army.