AAR CSA vs Union AI

[RedArgo]

The Union reshuffled their commanders in September. Grant moved to Tennessee, so I decided to pull AS Johnston back to Chatanooga. Sherman became the new general in the south. He immediately moved east and is now in a position to cut of Buearegard. I don't know if the AI did this intentionally or just because they got the overrun. In any case, I need to move my army east now.

In the east Meade seems to be in charge of the main Union army and Pope cannot be found. Burnside commands a large force in West Virginia threatening my flank, but since he isn't an army commander he isn't much of a threat (I hope).

Lee counter attacked again, this time against Meade at Winchester and drove Meade back to Manassas.

[RedArgo]

In the battle at Winchester, Reynolds was killed and after the battle Winfield Scott Hancock resigned, so the Union lost two good generals. I'm suprised they haven't moved Grant east yet. Longstreet should be returning to action soon, so that will be a big help.

The Union naval dominance continued as amphibous landings took Pensacola and Talahassee Florida. Each invasion was 20,000 Union soldiers to which I had no answer.

The score is now 898 to 958 CSA leading, but the gap has closed rapidly. I need the Union to be below 1000 come November of 1864 so Lincoln will lose the election.

Here is the situation in the east.

[RedArgo]

October of 1863 didn't favor the CSA. Buearegard continued to retreat east to avoid being cut off and Lee was caught out of position and unable to engage Meade when he attacked Fredricksburg. The Union is now on the doorstep of Richmond. I need to get initiative in November and try to drive the Federal forces back.

[RedArgo]

November passed uneventfully and in December AS Johnston repelled a small attack by Grant west of Chattanooga. The score is now 916 - 877 CSA still leading. Hopefully winter will slow their attacks leaving them only about 7 turns to make up the points to 1000 to give Lincoln reelection and likely victory.

Lee failed, again, to get initiative and try to retake Fredrickburg. It looks like Lyon has replace Meade, but my scouts can't tell me exactly where he is.

Here is the situation in the deep south. Beauregard is still blocking the has one path to retreat northeast as Union gunboats control the Alabama River making it impossble to cross. If the Union cuts that off he is trapped around Mobile.

[RedArgo]

In January of 1864 Lee finally got initiative and routed a smaller force under Pope to retake Fredricksburg. The Union has nearly completed their conquest of the gulf coast with only Mobile remaining in Conferate hands east of the Mississippi.

[RedArgo]

In February of '64 Grant drove Johnston back to Chatanooga with heavy casualties. Nothing much happened in March.

It seems like the North got very lucky getting initiative all over the place during the wintere and now that spring is near it will probably get worse.

As you can see I am heavily outnumbered. The only saving grace is many of those troops should be tied down in garrison duty since they own so much of my country.

[RedArgo]

In April I replaced AS Johnston with Longstreet which turns out to be a mistake since Longstreet turns out to have a -1 army mod which I didn't know and didn't bother to check. Grant immediately attacked and took Chatanooga driving Longstreet back to Knoxville.

In the east in May Lee attacked Manassas and won the battle, but lost Stonewall Jackson. The Army of Northern Virginia may never be the same.

Here is the combat summary from that battle.

[RedArgo]

Also in May, Beauregard attacked Sherman at Tuscaloosa and won the battle. Not really significant except it gives me some points that I really need and removes his army from immediate threat of being surrounded. I may move him north and try to relieve Longstreet. The score is now CSA 917 Union 883. I've just got to hang on for six more months.

[Bo Rearguard]

Interesting thread. Looks like life is tough for the South even against the AI.

Love the map graphics. They kind of have that ol' vintage West Point Atlas look.

Can't wait for this title. [:)]

[RedArgo]

Here is the score and leader situation at the end of May '64. Grant has finally moved east. The very next turn Little Mac was replaced and Pope took over for Halleck as theater commander. No other significant Union activity took place.

[RedArgo]

In August, I counter attacked at Chattanooga with Buearegard from the south and Longstreet from the north against Thomas. Thomas is a mediocre attacker (2) but an excellent defender and infantry general (4 and 4). And although my forces inflicted heavy casualites again the Yankees I was forced to withdraw. Probably not too smart on my part as I gave the Union player some much needed points for the victory.

[RedArgo]

Here are the estimated force totals for both sides. The Union has the huge advantage, but they also have to maintain large garrison forces I don't.

[RedArgo]

In October 1864 Grant finally launches a major attack against Lee in Mannasas, but Lee outmanuevers Grant and is able to bring a much larger part of his army to the battle.

[RedArgo]

This crushing defeat for Grant should seal Lincoln's defeat in the November election and nearly guarantee Confederate victory by next summer. The score is now 934 - 839.

[Ola Berli]

This game looks superb. Please make it VISTA compatibel.

[Joel Billings]

ORIGINAL: Ola Berli

This game looks superb. Please make it VISTA compatibel.

It runs on Vista computers (Gary has a vista computer).

[RedArgo]

I am actually running this AAR on a lower end laptop with Vista Premium and I have had no problems.

Bill

[nelmsm1]

I'm running it on a Vista computer too! 

[RedArgo]

The November election has come and Confederate prayers have been answered!

[RedArgo]

The Union loses 100 points a turn for the rest of the game because of Lincoln's loss. I don't know if he lost the Presidency to McClellan who was actually still in the field until just a couple months ago. Maybe elections didn't take so long back then.

On the battlefield, Confederate forces retook Galveston and Rebel militia rose up and thwarted a small Union force in northern Arkansas. Buearegard saw an opportunity to retake Chattanooga and cut off Thomas' army, but failed to get initiative and will have to wait and see if the chance is still there next month.