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Late November 1862 (turn 33)



Not bad, french diplomacy lessens (I move another point away from europe to france just to make sure.) Buell is healthy and Berry is healing. and the seige has caused three times as many casualties than its lost. not often you can say that.

Now for the real meat. the reorganisation of the army of washington. the first thing I do it throw all the generals into the same area so I can see them quickly.



I have 1 Army, 2 corps and 11 divisons to staff.  and looking at that list, not much to staff them with.
Looking at the List, I decide to promote Haupt to army Leader. hes the best of a bad bunch. with known stats and at least normal in everything.  He gets an invitation to the whitehouse, a "lincon hello" and a cage next to McClellen. - I demote Buell as well as his 4 star rating isn't allowing me to up Haupt.

for the corp commanders, I select Ramsey and decide to leave Thomas in charge. the division commanders end up being French, Buell (if he doens't resign) Tyler, Robinson, Grant, Plummer, Ellot, Wagner, Cooper and Potter.

Next I move all the Brigades out of the army. not having both corps in there is bugging me. so I'm going to try and sort it. I now have an empty amry which I organsise like this



now maybe I should throw a few infantry in. talk about a top heavy army. but when I try, I can't fit everyone back in. its like the first time you open a box of something. I end up with three divisons that I can't make fit back into the army. I order up another Corp. either that will solve the problem, or I'll just have to try something else. I order an army for Freebot while I'm at it.

I put two more mints and two more arsenels into production. and replace some of the lost weapons in the army. I also order a infantry brigade in Frankfort. I'm not going to say that I won't get attacked in washington, because I know too well that this would be the time to do it. as of now I'm going to get stronger every turn. then again, so's he.

late November 1862 (turn 33 again)



Some sort of temporal flux means i'm having serious deja vu. all I can remebr is I liked the previous version of the last two weeks better!
huge technology gifts, and more support from the french! Berry critical and two governers opposing things.
Grrrr.

Much the same as last turn, except I don't spend as much time breaking the AoW, and only shift generals around. 

Early December 1862 (Turn 34)



More training for the troops.



And another dead general. I'm going to have trouble recruiting them at this rate of loss.



Buell and Gregg resign at their demotions, which is a shame, but I really needed better commanders. but the mail report of the turn is the elections - which I had forgotten, otherwise I would have rigged. although It does seem that all the people voted off were the ones that I have annoyed in the last 18 months. - but not the ones killing me by opposing diplomacy!
But these are the ones wanting what I can't give! I'm not about to move 15 brigades just to appease a governer. don't these people realise their costing me the war?



The only one I can do anything about is Washburne. but i'll need to build a mansion first, so I order that up. but thats about all I can accomplish at the moment.

Late December 1862 (turn 35)



The New years revelries take another tole on my men. obviously last years new laws didn't have much effect. but I'm not going to enforce stricter ones and hurt moral.



The diplomacy war is lost.  despite pooring millions into it, it looks like both britain and france will be entering the war on the side of the CSA. I have only one trump card left to play. I must Emancipate the slaves as soon as possible. This will swell the rebels moral and forces, but its the only thing that'll stop me being overwelmed by European arms, technology and ultimatly Troops. it'll also allow me to free up a large amount of money for the war effort.

I spend most of this turns money of a mansion in Deleware so I can get that rebellious governer that naval collage hes always harping on about. and I continue to upgrade the weapons of the AoW.

Early January 1863 (turn 36)



This should speed my already superiour seige forces. I'm taking them apart as it is, with this I should be able to roll up huge parts of the south.



And the better spencer guns should help my troops on the feild. watch out rebels, this is not going to be the same poorly lead force you met six months ago.



Ahh, I love it when your generals agree with you, much more training of the troops takes place, three arsenals begin pumping out the new guns - and needed they willl be, the spencer rifles are expensive. the lab will help research, maybe some medical treatment for the men on the lines.

The 6th corp is finished, but when I move it into the AoW, I can't move any of the free divisions into it! I could try moving them out and back in, but then I may end up with three corps on their own and not in an army. The new army container starts the long trip over to Freebot in his seige. lets hope it can fit both units into it.

I order up two more brigades of infantry. and start moving two new brigades and an artillary to renforce the op F.L.G troops. Jacksons still waiting there, and I want to be able to give him a shock come spring.

Late January 1863, (Turn 37)



Shreveport falls to my troops. putting most of Arkensas in my hands. the confederates are uppng their Urban warfare skills and have better guns now. but do they have the abilities to equip enough of the troops to match my spencers? The standard poor diplomacy and massive gifts go to the CSA. I've got to the point of trying not to notice.



In the west I move Freebots forces towards the Red river captial.  I'm going to avoid most of the heavily fortified areas and just try and damage the will of the enemy.  In the East I move 6th corp into the AoW and  place a number of Divisons into it. Potter is promoted to command the corp.



Operation Finger Licking Good (still getting questions from the troops on that one) Is going to be facing up to Jacksons corps come spring. I have decided to stop bashing my head against the main army in Vaginia and try my luck against a differnet force. so for the next couple of months, most of the weapons produced will be going to this corp. I put their supplys up to normal, just to make sure all spaces are filled before the off, and I'm going to move all troops I can to support.

Early Febuary 1963 (turn 38)



Thats right! get those cripples back into the front line! don't they know theres a war on?!



Thats what we're talking about! an extra 2500 men every two weeks! that'll help with the rebuilding. I'm back down below 100,000 replacements needed for the first time in a long time. the British send naval tech, thats fine, I've not seen a Confederate Navy yet, so thats a waste for them.

and a mansions finished. a quick check tells me that the governer wants a Foundry (don't they all) so I give it to him. I order up an infantry brigade on the West Ohio river and plan to another one next turn. I also put an order in for another arsenal in little rock and redeliver the orders for Freebot (now a Rank 4 general) to advance.

Speaking of which, how's the naval side going for you? Have you built any fleets or ships yet? I find that an early shipbuilding program based in Boston to put out say three more fleets with three frigates each (along with reorganizing existing fleets to have at least three ships each) gets the first part of the blockade in place pretty quickly. Another effort like that pretty much completes the blockade and the economic effects on the CSA can be quite serious.

Late Febuary 1863 (Turn 39)



Lots of disease but not to bad. and another camp that I don't rember ordering. well, maybe its time to cut back at the late nights at Mrs Nights house of 1000 pleasures. but theres not much else to do in these boaring winter months.

I can't afford the navel college wanted at the moment, so I place two more arsenals into Delaware. I want to beat the rebels in some war, it may as well be the arms war!



In the West I start the siege of Red river. after I've taken this capital I'll strike north for Jackson. but that'll take more time as I'll need to secure a supply line.

Winters don't make for interesting times, although I can get a lot done, Its a matter of waiting and baiting my guests for entertainment. but at least I can savour the thought of a hard won victory.

Early March 1863 (Turn 40)



I had to say something didn't I. it seems the confederacy are wanting to get this year off to an early start.



Firstly, How stupid do my spys think I am? 20k people in N. Vaginia? Nah thats still Cleburne and his 60k. but it gets more interesting in Kentucky.



Ignoring Jacksons 300K (60k in reality) More interesting is Earlys Army of what seems to be one brigade? hmm, Its got trap written all over it, but I can't not risk it. and Forrest sitting behind him with 45,000 men makes a better prospect for my new guns than Jacksons larger force. so I move Meridith and the who Op F.L.G into attack early. I may get lucky and force him to call Forrest in as support.



the west has a unkown Division arriving. I'm going to send Freebot north to try and engage, while leaving burnside to continue with the siege. I order up a navel collage and a Laboratory. Then wait for all hell to break loose.

Later March 1863 (Turn 41)



Hmm, Distinct lackage of hell. Unless your a defender of Red River that is.
I continue to arm my army, and reset the commands for those who didn't carry out my orders. It looks like the camps are now chewing through the losses at a nice rate. but thats because I'm not adding any more to them. it'll be interesting come the time when the war hots up.

maybe they'll get something done this time.

Early April 1863 (Turn 42)



The population boost is welcome, but there seems to be some problems in Kentucky.



The fools bypassed each other! I quickly order Meridith to backtrack and try and engage. In the west the rebel division has moved to Arkansas river. If I can engage them there then I could destroy the whole division in one swoop!

I order up some more arsnels, as I need to refit my troops quickly, and you can never have to many guns.

2nd Arkanas River.

The CSA Divsion begins a seige in Little rock, but then is attacked by Freebots corp. this shouldn't go well for the confederacy, especially as I have them under survailance from the start of the battle! this is the 14th Divison. a compleatly new unit, going up against my most veteran corp.



I march my troops into a line near to the vicotry locations, but don't bother digging them in or deploying into a line. I can do that when I know exactly where the two divisons of the enemy are. when I find them I deploy a entire Divison against each of his brigades.



128th CSA infantry Takes 600 casulties from the opening volleys of the illinous Volunteers, and while the 127th takes fewer casulties, they are visible shaken after their exchange with the 14th. The next salvos take another 550 off the 128th. with the 129th becoming disordered from the fire they receive.



Unsurprisingly The CSA forces rout and surrender. Three volleys was all that it took to capture two brigades and destroy a division.

Late April 1863 (turn 43)



Another long disease thingy truncated.
not much comment on the fact of a victory, even if it was a small one.
I order Meridith to attack Freebot to move to secure supply lines to Jackson, and order another mansion to try and placate a governor.

Early May 1863 (Turn 44)



Training the sharpshooter to make them more deadly to the enemies immortal generals.



and putting a layer of iron on the hulls of the warships.



Red River becomes the latest capital to join the Union. The confederacy get better gatling guns and the like, and heaps more tech, although support from france finally seems to be waining.



I move Freebot and Burnside into Jackson and form them into the Army of the West. After they have taken jackson I may spend some time cleaning up the south, or I may send them north to engage Jackson. It depends on Op FLG and what they do.



And Meridith doesn't seem to want to engage Early. Maybe he'll just surrender this turn. but its looking like my forces are not to far off his, and I have a entire divsion armed with spencers now, and rising fast. The east is its normal stalemate. I move a little production from labour to money, as I now have large stockpiles.

Late May 1863 (turn 45)



The siege finally finished up in red river. the rebs get heavy artillary (not that I've seen any artillary beyond the Jeff. Davis battery) apart from that, not much on the report front. - thats nothing like the warmap though.



Cleburnes Amry has moved away from richmond to abingdon, so I'm taking the opertunity to strike for richmond again. this will draw him back I'm sure. but this time I'm not going to let myself get drawn into a battle like the last one. My men are in better shape, and I'm going to switch back to renforcing them now.



Jackson has moved south, hes now heading towards the AotW. so I send Meridith back into kentucky. from here he can take the whole state or support the AoW If cleburne doesn't return to richmond. I begin the siege in Jackson and see if the towns namesake will come arunning.

Early June 1863 (Turn 46)



more guns and more research! always nice. That phamtom army of Earlys continues to cause trouble, but its Jackson who interests me



Hes just Asking to be attacked. Which is why I'm going to continue my siege. in Kentucky I've got a harder descision. Cleburne and his lackys outnumber meridith heavily. and op.



F.L.G. has yet to see feild combat. their masters of seiges, but have not done any open battle work yet. so I send them to attack the divison on the Tennessee river. its half their size and should give me an Idea of what to expect.



In the East I move on richmond. this tme i have 4-1 odds and better weapons. I should be able to defeat any army there, and maybe take out some garrison troops at the same time. If I can capture richmond it'll go a good way towards breaking the confederacy - and a seige will draw Cleburne back from Kentucky. all I'm really banking on is that Meridith can attack before Cleburne can attack him, and Freebot can defeat jacksons troops if attacked.

not quit sure how you'd go ab out researching this one, but I'll take it.

1st Red River.

Red river is attacked by a enemy brigade. but its a surprise attack so my unit starts disorganised. The garrison unit thats stationed here should allow me to swing the balance.
It seems to be a reincarnated 14th divison, I see an enemy calvery unit for a moment, before it is lost again in the morning fog.



A quick volley drives the calvery off and allows the 39th to advance on the enemies supply. the battle gets a little confused after that, the 39th is not the best unit out there, and keeps going out of command, I have to move my supply up to support them and that leaves them open to the much more manuverable calvery.



The two brigades spend four hours hammering each other, with little effect until the 39th decided to withdraw. (aka run like cowards)



a minor skirmish in a larger war, but interesting in its own right. they were fairly balanced units by the looks of things.

Late June 1863 (turn 47)



The french have reached diplomacy level 8 with the CSA. this is bad news as that means that their on the brink of entering the war!
In the centre Jackson moved north and met Earlys army. I have no good reports on it, so I'll have to assume its the 60,000 of jacksons and the 10,000 of that unknown division that also slipped through my grasp.

I order an Horse farm to please a governer (I wish they were all like that) and another lab. I also order the start of the seiges of the forts surrounding Richmond.  Now I need to see what Jacksons army does. I'm also slightly worried by the disappearnce of Cleburnes forces.

Early July 1863 (turn 48)



more training a blowing stuff up, can only be usefull for richmonds downfall.



Bad beards Lvl5 had been reached! erm, I mean, yes! more agressive use of calvery!



sweet monkey jesus
14,000 dead in the area around Dwerys Bluff. time to back off and go for the slow method. I can't destroy the army at that rate. I move Ramseys 3rd corp up to support. I also order up some siege artillary, although its not going to be ready for five months!



Freebots going to have company from Earlys army soon. I know it. So I use the opertunity to move him back into Yazoo. That will put him on the defense and hopefully allow me a turn to sort the weapons, which have been neglected in that army, simply because they have been fighting none stop for over a year now.

In kentucky I move Meridith to Lexington to begin a seige there, If i can just get some fried chicken, I'm sure I could sort this mess of a war out.