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Early February, 1863

Production:

Lexington, KY - Division
Jefferson City, MO - Arsenal
Harrisburg, PA - School
Boston, MA - RR Station
Dover, DE - Division

The new Army is railed out to Bowling Green for McClellan, as previously discussed.  The 2nd US Cavalry Division is organized with western brigades in Springfield, IL and then railed down to Kaskaskia.  General C.P. Stone will command, just as soon as I can make another 2 star promotion.

The decision is made that the time to declare Emancipation has come.

Ft. Monroe falls, and with it the Rappahanock.   Little Rock is barely hanging on.  When the decision to Emancipate the slaves in Confederate territory is made, enough volunteers flock to the flag to raise 17 new brigades for the Confederacy.  It was a tough decision, but the right thing to do, as it cemented European opinion away from supporting the South.

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA 11/4
CSA -5/2

Late February, 1863

Many new brigades are going to try to be raised either through volunteer musters or through conscription.  The surge of troops for the South must be met.

Production:

Indianapolis, IN - Armory (governor's request)
Lansing, MI - Camp
Lexington, KY - Hospital (governor's request)

Gatling Gun technology is improved.

Little Rock falls to Garibaldi!

After many weeks holding steady, General Hunter's condition becomes critical.  It would appear that I'm going to need a new corps commander for the Army of the Potomac.

The Governor of Indiana pushes a request for staff appointments.  His support is weak right now, so his request is granted to shore up his support.

The promotion of General Stone and General Hunt shores up support with the Governors of Massachusetts and Ohio, respectively.

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA 12/5
CSA -6/0

Early March, 1863

11 new brigades are raised.  Combined with the half dozen garrisons from areas now sufficiently removed from the front lines, I have effectively matched the South's manpower boost from the Emancipation.  Now to arm and organize the new troops...

Production:

Little Rock, AR - Infantry
Lexington, KY - Division
Frankfort, KY - Siege Artillery
Annapolis, MD - Division
Jefferson City, MO - Laboratory (governor's request)
Hudson River, NY - University (governor's request)

General Patterson is transferred from the Army of the Tennessee to the Army of the Potomac to take command of the vacant 4th Corps.

McClellan's command is redesignated the Army of the Tennesee, and his old Corps is reflagged as 1st Corps.  General Berry takes command of the Corps and Sigel's 6th Corps is incorporated into the Army, as well.  McClellan now commands 72,000 men.

General D. Tyler's new 27th Division marches for the Lower Tennessee River valley and plans to link up with General Stone's cavalry to drive Jackson out (again).

General Fremont, eager to get moving again, moves into Hatchie to push Bate back.

McClellan invades Sparta, TN.

Heintzelman and Kiernan liberted the Shenandoah and Franklin last month.  Heintzelman begins work on a fort in the Shenandoah while Kiernan moves south to link up with Keyes in Abingdon.

Battle in Lower Tenn. River

Stone gets there first, and pulls off a successful raid of Jackson's supply train.  General Tyler isn't finished organizing his Division, but gets what troops he has on the way when he gets Stone's message.  The result is a bloody mess.  The new Union troops show their lack of seasoning, but they give better than they get before running.  Union losses are 3,093 while Confederate losses are 5,578.  General Tyler is wounded, however.

Battle in Hatchie

Fremont's 53,000 men go up against Bate's 18,000.  Fremont's troops were eager to get into a scrap after the months of inactivity in Memphis.  Bate's men put up a stiff fight, but it's not enough, and they eventually are forced to leave the field, leaving 10,133 of their comrades on the field and one of their brigades.  Fremont loses 3,562 men.

Battle Honors: Iron Brigade, 12th Missouri, 3rd Minnesota, 12th Illinois, 2nd Kansas, 1st Minnesota, Scotch Regiment, US 3rd Cavalry, 1st Missouri, 4th Missouri.

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA 8/5
CSA -2/0

Late March, 1863

Garibaldi advances into southern Arkansas while Fremont invades Mississippi.

McClellan turns west, attacking into the Cumberland River, while Tyler's battered division retires to Bowling Green.  Stone takes his cavalry north to Kaskaskia to guard against an invasion of Illinois by Jackson.

The new 7th Fleet moves to the Florida coast in preparation of entering the Gulf for blockade purposes.

Runyon orders an advance on a broad front out east.  Scammon takes his 8th Corps into Fredericksburg.  Heintzelman takes his 2nd Division to Lynchburg.  Kiernan's 8th Division moves into the Northern Smokies, bringing the war to North Carolina.  Keyes' moves his cavalry to Knoxville.  Runyon's intent is to lure as many Rebel formations to the east, where they can be broken on the hammer and anvil of his veteran troops, thereby freeing McClellan and Fremont to break open the South's heartland.

Production:
Madison, WI - Mansion
Lansing, MI - Camp
Harrisburg, PA - Artillery

Battle in Lower Tenn. River

Hays is caught trying to move Tyler's division through the Lower Tennessee River to Bowling Green.  Jackson has gathered all his men, over 43,000.  Hays only has 5,800.  He quickly sounds the retreat.  Maybe McClellan can break through to them.

Battle in Tenn. Miss. River.

Fremont again finds Bate in his way.  He has 53,567 westerns eager for Rebel blood and Bate only has 11,333 to resist.  After Bate fails an attempt to surprise Fremont, the Union troops blast their way through their enemy.  Fremont's seasoned westerners get their dander up and tear into the Rebels.  It is a bloody day, with Union losses totalling 3,683 and Confederate losses totalling 9,765.  Five Confederate brigades are captured.  The 3rd Missouri earns its battle flag.  Bate, himself, is captured, along with Generals Wheeler, Gregg, and Pearce.

It is with relief that we learn that General D. Hunter is healing.

General Hays' promotion is well received in Pennsylvania.

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA 10/5
CSA -4/0

Early April, 1863

There is news of Jackson being at the confluence of the Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers.  Garibaldi marches back to Little Rock to prevent Jackson from retaking the capital.

Runyon moves the Army of the Potomac to Fredericksburg and sends Scammon to the Rappahanock.  Totten moves to Lynchburg with orders to lay siege while Heintzelman and Kiernan advance deeper into North Carolina.

Production:

Trenton, NJ - Camp
Davenport, IA - Infantry

A Sanitary Commission is organized.
The Navy reports that they have developed Reinforced Hulls.

Battle in Fredericksburg

Runyon and Butler arrive and hold a conference with Scammon.  Before he can depart with his Corps, Twiggs attacks.  Together, over 200,000 men clash on the field of battle, making this the largest battle of the war so far.  The Union has over 115,000 men to Twiggs' 91,000.

The two armies clash near a river.  While both battle lines criss-cross the river, ultimately it benefits the Union as Southern troops find themselves with their backs to the river as Union brigades pour heavy fire into them at point-blank range.  Overall, the Army of the Potomac performs up to their usual high standards and Twiggs is forced to fall back under cover of darkness.

Union losses: 7,661     Confederate losses: 16,389, 4 Brigades surrendered, including Pelham's Horse Artillery.  Generals Beauregard, Semmes and Martin are captured.

Battle honors: 8th Delaware, 3rd Massachusetts, Jeff Davis Battery, 4th US Artillery

Battle in Arkansas Miss. River

Fremont finds his way blocked by an unknown Rebel division.  Poorly led, the Rebels quickly run.  Fremont loses 347 men and causes 509 casualties.

Battle in Arkansas Miss. River

Fremont is quite surprised to see the same division (The Department of Norfolk) attack again.  Outnumbered 2,606 to 51,976, the Rebels have no chance of victory.  Even quicker than the previous engagement, this time Fremont only loses 372 men while causing 657 casualties.  A rebel brigade surrenders.

General Hunter is now ready to return to duty.  Now to find a place for him...

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA 13/6
CSA -6/0

Late April, 1863

For some reason, Jackson bypassed Little Rock and moved into central Arkansas north of the capital.  Garibaldi is going to remain in place until local troops finish getting organized.

Fremont moves down the Mississippi to Natchez, the next fortified position for the South, with Hays is following along behind on the eastern shore of the river.

For the time being, Lieutenant General Hunter is given command of the 30th Division.  Below his rank, really, but it was just railed to Illinois to deal with the Army of the Northwest, currently laying siege to Cairo.  Since it is an independent command, Hunter's 3rd star is an asset.  That also enables him to exercise command over Major General Stone's 2nd US Cavalry.

General Willcox heads to Pulaski to secure western Tennessee while McClellan lays siege to Fort Donelson.  His hope is that driving straight to Nashville will pull Confederate commands to him and away from their various spoiling raids.

Totten prepares to lay siege to Lynchburg.  Scammon is going to again attempt to penetrate the Rappahanock.  Runyon orders the Army of the Potomac to construct permanent fortifications in Fredericksburg to guard the approach to Washington before he'll continue the pursuit of Twiggs.

Production:

Philadelphia, PA - 3 Ships, Fleet (once this is all done in six months, it will serve as a transport fleet for an invasion force)
Dover, DE - Division
Lansing, MI - Camp
Lexington, KY - Camp
Hudson River, NY - Camp

Battle in Miss. R. Natchez

Fremont's 52,130 meet 15,628 Rebels on the approaches to Natchez.  Fremont easily succeeds with a Flanking Maneuver.  He intends to bulldog through any opposition thrown in his way.  He throws the 16th Division far ahead and they become the main attraction as the various garrison units and local formations focus on them.  Fremont brings the rest of the army in effectively behind the Rebel positions, and the battle quickly turns to a rout.  Fremont loses 2,421 men and causes 5,480 casualties as well as capturing one brigade.  The 8th Indiana finally earns its battle flag.

Battle in Arkansas River

Jackson brings the fight to Garibaldi.  It's 9,874 Rebels versus 14,889 Union troops.  Just like his early battles in Kentucky, Garibaldi finds a town, this time Bedford, AR, and digs in.  Two days of hard fighting ensue as Jackson pushes his troops against Garibaldi's lines again and again.  Garibaldi's veterans stand their ground and give as good as they get.  Jackson brings up a brigade of artillery, but his infantry begin to rout.  Seeing an opportunity, Garibaldi orders his Army of the West in pursuit of Jackson.  It costs about 1,000 casualties, out of 3,184 total, but Garibaldi captures the guns and Jackson!  Confderates lose 3,970 men.

This great news is followed shortly by the fall of Ft. Donelson, leaving Nashville open to attack.

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA 13/6
CSA -6/0

Union Army Force Structure
As the 1863 Campaign Season gets into full swing, I'd thought I'd pause for a review of the organization and command structure of the various field commands of the Union Army.

Army of the West (13k), Average Quality - Regular (3.73), Logistical - Fair, Command - Fair
Maj. General G. Garibaldi, Brig., Gen. W.H. Keim, Brig. Gen. E..D. Baker (wounded)
4th Ohio, 5th Ohio, 9th Ohio, Michigan Stonewall Regiment, US 15th Aritllery (captured from the Confederates)

Army of the Mississippi (49k), Average Quality - Seasoned (4.46), Logistical - Fair, Command - Excellent
General J. Fremont
US 3rd Cavalry, 2nd Native Infantry
12th Division
Maj. Gen. N. Lyon, Brig. Gen. J. Negley
2nd Kansas, 7th Missouri, 8th MIssouri, 9th Missouri, Temperance Regiment
5th Corps
Lt. Gen. U.S. Grant
20th Division
Maj. Gen A. Schoepf, Brig. Gen. L. Wallace, Brig. Gen. C.F. Smith
1st Minnesota, 1st Missouri, 3rd Missouri, 4th Missouri
22nd Division
Maj. Gen. H.J. Hunt, Maj. Gen. J.B. Fry, Brig. Gen J. Howell
Iron Brigade, 12th Missouri, 3rd Minnesota, 12th Illinois
21st Division
Maj. Gen. J. Pope
3rd Illinois, 4th Illinois, 5th Illinois, 6th Illinois, 8th Illinois
2nd Corps
Lt. Gen. W. Sherman
14th Division
Maj. Gen. C. Andrews, Brig. Gen. D.C. Buell, Brig. Gen. J. Newton
6th Indiana, 7th Indiana, 8th Indiana, 9th Indiana
15th Division
Maj. Gen. R. Foster, Brig. Gen. Doubleday, Brig. Gen. A.V. Rice
9th Illinois, Scotch Regiment, Yates' Sharpshooters, 3rd Iowa, 1st Native Infantry
16th Division
Maj. Gen. C. Schurz, Maj. Gen. G. Thomas, Brig. Gen. J.B. Carr
1st Michigan, 8th Ohio, 11th Ohio, Blind Half Hundred, Black Swamp Boys

27th Division (9k), Average Quality - Regular (3.37), Logistical - Great, Command - Bad
Maj. Gen. A. Hays, Brig. Gen. T.C. Smith, Brig. Gen. J.S. Mason
12th Ohio, 4th Kentucky, 2nd Massachusetts, 10th Missouri

30th Division (13k), Average Quality - Green (2.25), Logistical - Fair, Command - Fair
Lt. Gen. D. Hunter, Maj. Gen. D. Tyler, Brig. Gen. J. Barnard, Brig. Gen. F. Wheaton
1st Wisconsin, 1st Maine, 2nd Maine, 2nd Connecticut, 6th Iowa

2nd US Cavalry, Average Quality (13k) - Seasoned (4.45), Logistical - Great, Command - Fair
Maj. Gen. C.P. Stone, Brig. Gen. M.F. Force, Brig. Gen. D.M. Gregg
1st Illinois Cavalry, 1st Wisconsin Cavalry, 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry, 1st Missouri Cavalry, 2nd Missouri Cavalry

29th Division (9k), Average Quality - Green (2.19), Logistical - Good, Command - Normal
Maj. Gen. O. Willcox, Brig. Gen. T. Walsh, Brig. Gen. Hartranft, Brig. Gen. VanDever
16th Ohio, 1st Iowa, 5th Iowa, 1st Illinois, 5th Indiana

Army of the Tennesse (53k), Average Quality - Seasoned (4.02), Logistical - Normal, Command - Good
General G.B. McClellan
15th Ohio
1st Corps
Lt. Gen. H.G. Berry
5th US Artillery
18th Division
Maj. Gen. A. Duryee, Brig. Gen. W.W. Burns, Brig. Gen. G. Weitzel, Brig. Gen. J. Hooker, Brig. Gen. R.O. Tyler
7th New York, 8th New York, 12th New York, 4th Maine, 11th Maryland
6th Division
Maj. Gen. Rosecrans, Brign. Gen. Sheridan, Brig. Gen. Sedgwick, Brig. Gen. W. Penrose, Brig. Gen. G. Strong
2nd Ohio, 3rd West Virgina, 4th West Virginia, 7th West Virgnia, Ellsworths' Avengers
7th Division
Maj. Gen. McPherson, Brig. Gen. Martindale, Brig. Gen. Schofield, Brig. Gen. W.W. Orme, Brig. Gen. Meredith
First Irish Regiment, 1st Kentucky, 54th Massachusetts, 1st Pennsylvania, 3rd Pennsylvania
6th Corps
Lt. Gen. F. Sigel
2nd Minnesota
23rd Division
Maj. Gen. W. Morris, Brig. Gen. McGinnis, Brig. Gen. T. Sherman, Brig. Gen. F. Salomon
3rd Michigan, 4th Iowa, 14th Ohio, 13th Illinois, 5th Missouri
10th Division
Maj. Gen. H. Halleck, Brig. Gen. W. Hancock, Brig. Gen. G.G. Meade
1st Indiana, 2nd Indiana, 3rd Indiana, Graybeards, Marching Twelfth

1st US Cavalry (11k), Average Quality - Seasoned (4.81), Logistical - Good, Command - Normal
Maj. Gen. E.D. Keyes, Brig. Gen. Campbell, Brig. Gen. M. Brayman
1st Ohio Cavalry, 1st Delaware Cavalry, 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry, 2nd Pennsylvania Cavalry

8th Division (6k), Average Quality - Seasoned (4.05), Logistical - Good, Command - Normal
Maj. Gen. J. Kiernan, Brig. Gen. Richardson, Brig. Gen. J.E. Smith
1st Maryland, 2nd Maryland, 3rd Maryland, 4th Maryland, 6th Maryland

2nd Division (6k), Average Quality - Seasoned (4.72), Logistical - Great, Command - Good
Maj. Gen. Heintzelman, Brig. Gen. I.H. Duval, Brig. Gen. F. Spinola
Roundheads, 7th Pennsylvania, Chicago Irish Brigade, Sykes' Regiment, US 5th Infantry

28th Division (7k), Average Quality - Green (2.83), Logistical - Fair, Command - Fair
Maj. Gen. J. Totten, Brig. Gen. C. Jackson, Brig. Gen. J. Palmer
1st Rhode Island, 15th New York, 16th New York, 17th New York, 13th Maryland

8th Corps (26k), Average Quality - Regular (3.37), Logistical - Good, Command - Normal
Lt. Gen. E. Scammon
US 4th Infantry, 3rd Massachusetts
25th Division
Maj. Gen. M. Hardin, Brig. Gen. J.J. Peck, Brig. Gen. E. Chapin, Brig. Gen. M. Hardin
Blanket Brigade, US 8th Infantry, 4th US Artillery, US 2nd Infantry, US 3rd Infantry
1st Division
Maj. Gen. I. McDowell, Brig. Gen. G. Gordon, Brig. Gen. G. Warren, Brig. Gen. W. Birney
2nd Rhode Island, US 1st Infantry, Jeff Davis Battery, Berdan's Sharpshooters, New York Highlanders

Army of the Potomac (95k), Average Quality - Seasoned (4.08), Logistical - Excellent, Command - Great
General of the Army Runyon, General B. Butler
Rocket Battery, 1st Siege Artillery
4th Corps
Lt. Gen. Patterson
7th Delaware
5th Division
Maj. Gen. S. Casey, Brig. Gen. G.L. Beal, Brig. Gen. J.R. West
3rd Connecticut, 12th Maryland, 11th Pennsylvania, 12th Pennsylvania
4th Division
Maj. Gen. R. Schenck, Brig. Gen. J.H. King, Brig. Gen. J.J. Reynolds
1st US Artillery, 13th New York, 10th Maryland, 3rd Maine
3rd Division
Maj. Gen. O.O. Howard, Brig. Gen. J.G. Blunt, Brig. Gen. F. Vinton
2nd US Artillery, 6th Pennsylvania, US 9th Infantry, Ellsworth's Fire Zouaves, Minnesota First Volunteers
7th Corps
Lt. Gen. D. McCook
8th Delaware
21st Division
Maj. Gen. M. Manson, Brig. Gen. E. Sumner, Brig. Gen. A. Baird
4th Connecticut, 5th Delaware, 6th Delaware, 4th Massachusetts, 5th Massachusetts
13th Division
Maj. Gen. D.S. Miles, Brig. Gen. M. Crocker, Brig. Gen. Williams
US 6th Infantry, 1st West Virginia, 2nd West Virginia, 13th Pennsylvania, The Defiants (10th Ohio)
3rd Corps
Lt. Gen. N.P. Banks
24th Division
Maj. Gen. J.F. Reynolds, Brig. Gen. Buckingham, Brig. Gen. R. Busteed
3rd Rhode Island, 4th Michigan, New Hampshire Mountaineers, 14th New York, Olden Legion
9th Division
Maj. Gen. Rousseau, Brig. Gen. Burnside, Brig. Gen. J. Nagle
9th Maryland, 1st Vermont, 11th New York, 1st Massachusetts, 5th West Virginia

31st Division (13k), Average Quality - Green (2.22), Logistical - Fair, Command - Fair
No Command Structure appointed as yet
Freedmen, 1st New Jersey, 1st New York, 1st Delaware, 5th Pennsylvania

Actually, the most useful part of this exercise was discovering that McClellan has been hoarding generals.   He's going to have to release some for Fremont's Army of the Mississippi.  I'm also going to need shake loose some commanders for the newly-formed 31st Division, chock full of recently released garrison troops.  The intent is that when the latest naval units are finished in about six months, the 31st will serve as an invasion force somewhere deep in the South.  Right now, the target is Texas, but we'll see what the situation looks like in six months.

Brig. Gen. Sheridan is tapped for promotion and command of the 31st.  He's joined by Brig. Generals W. Birney and G.A. Smith.

Early May, 1863

Garibaldi attacks Jackson's command north of Little Rock.  Fremont lays siege to Ft. Garrott.  General Hunter leads the 30th Division and 2nd US Cavalry to Cairo to break that siege.  McClellan begins the siege of Nashville.

Runyon orders Butler to move to Petersburg.  While he feels confident the Army of the Potomac could attack Richmond and Twigg's army with a good chance of victory, he wants to try and draw Twiggs out of Richmond and away from Washington first.

Production:

Rochester, NY - Mansion
Milwaukee, WI - Mansion
Boston, MA - Camp
Providence, RI - Camp
Trenton, NJ - Engineering

Battle in Central Miss. River
Hunter and Stone together command 26,073 men.  They confront a Confederate besieger outside Cairo that numbers 26,868 men.  The fighting will be grim.

Sitting astride the Rebels' line of supply, Hunter digs his division in around the town of Hallville.  He then orders Stone to harass the enemy as they attack one of Cairo's outlying forts.   Stone leads his men to far out on the Confederate left flank.  He's unable to draw off only one or two brigades that he might attack.  However, the Confederates respond by shifting all of their forces in his direction.  He immediately orders his men back in the saddle and they take a meandering route back to Hallville before setting up along the southern edge of a lake near the town.  As the afternoon wears on, the first units are just visible crossing the river.  Stone did his job by disrupting Southern troop movements long enough for them to lose the first day and give Hunters' men time to dig in.  As the sun sets, Stone's men are attack by Rebel cavalry.  A skirmish develops in the deepening gloom.

As the sun rises the next morning, the cavalry continue their fight.  It soon turns into exactly the kind of fight Hunter and Stone want as an infantry brigade arrives to support the Rebel cavalry.  Stone's five brigades of cavalry can easily handle the forces arrayed against them, and the Confederate dead begin to pile up.

When the Condederate cavalry routs, Stone can see that the Rebel army is shifting its attention to him.  He orders his men back into the saddle.  Their next objective is to deal with the force that trying to flank around the lake that is anchoring Hunter's positions in Hallville.

It is with great shame that Hunter watches the 2nd Maine surrender their colors after a brief exchange of fire after the brigade had spontaneously advanced out beyond their trenches.

With the disruption in Hunter's line caused by the sudden surrender of the 2nd Maine, he sends a rider asking Stone to give up his fight and come throw back the enemy attacking Hallville.  Seeing more and more Rebel brigades lining up across from him, Stone is worried that giving up his position will lead the enemy into Hunter's rear, but it might buy more time, so once again the Union troopers get back in the saddle.  When some of the enemy draws off to attack a local garrison in Hazelgrove, Stone knows he's made the right decision.

Stone soon finds his command divided.  Two of his brigades, under his personal command, guard the rear of Hunter's line as some of the Confederates try to turn the line.  The remaining three of his brigades begin pushing up the flank of the force attacking Hunter directly.

While Stone's rearguard managed to hold off the bulk of the enemy army, the rest of his division, under Force and Gregg were rolling up the attackers in front of Hunter.  This changed the dynamic so much that Hunter felt free to release one of his brigades to join Stone's rearguard.

Hunter and Stone then watched, amazed, as Force and Gregg cleared the attackers from in front of Hallville.  This caused the Rebel general to begin pulling units from the attack on the rearguard to deal with them.  Stone is able to advance his rearguard!

Soon, it became clear the will to fight had gone out of the enemy, and Hunter ordered a general pursuit.  Back in the saddle again, boys!

In a spectacular display of leadership, Hunter and Stone break the siege of Cairo.  Together, they suffer 3,375 casualties but inflict 10,229 casualties on the Confederates, and force the surrender of one enemy brigade and Confederate General A.P. Stewart.  All of the Union brigades were seeing their first battle, and all but the 2nd Maine earned their battle flags.  The 2nd Maine was rescued, but the shame of their surrender causes Hunter to strike their colors and disband the brigade.

Seeing how well Hunter's group has performed, it is decided to form a Corps-level command for the 30th Division and 2nd US Cavalry.

Battle in The Delta
Hays' 9,655 men meet a dispirited Bragg with 1,887 men.  It's brief fight, even after troops march to reinforce Bragg.  Hays loses 698 men while causing 2,248 casualties.

Battle Honors: 12th Ohio, 4th Kentucky, 2nd Massachusetts

Sheridan's promotion makes the governor of Michigan quite happy.

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA 13/6
CSA -6/0

Late May, 1863

Jackson's former command slipped across the Mississippi, so Garibaldi resumes his march of conquest through Arkansas.

Kiernan and Heintzelmen slip down into South Carolina.  Their commands are not strong enough to lay siege to any of the defended cities, but they can take the "soft" undefended portions.

Totten, his division rendered combat-ineffective by the stout defenses of Lynchburg withdraws.  Scammon brings his 8th Corps down to renew the siege.

Twiggs has yet to stir from Richmond, so Runyon orders Petersburg besieged.

Production:

Madison, WI - Training Ground (governor's request)
St. Louis, MO - Corps
Pittsburg, PA - Siege Artillery

The battlefield experience fighting in and around towns has been codified into standard Urban Warfare practices.

Battle in Arkansas River

E.G. Lee attacks Garibaldi near Little Rock.  Lee has 4,649 men to Garibaldi's 13,348.  Lee pulled in reinforcements and gave Garibaldi the toughest fight of his life.  In the end, though, the sheer persistence of the Union troops outlasted Lee's leadership - he personally rallied at least three brigades during the course of the three day fight.   When Lee withdrew, he left 5,435 casualties behind him.  Garibaldi lost 2,005.

Ft. Garrott falls!

Petersburg falls!

The Governor of Minnesota wants political appointments made.  They'll learn the hard way that the governor has done them no favors.

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA 14/7
CSA -6/-1

Early June, 1863

Production:

Portland, ME - Manufacturing Center (governor's request)
Washington, DC - Camp
Annapolis, MD - Mansion

Heintzelman marches for the South Carolina coast as Kiernan penetrates northern Georgia.  Runyon begins construction of a fort to secure Petersburg, while Scammon renews the siege of Lynchburg.

Out west, McClellan's siege of Nashville continues while Fremont lays siege to Vicksburg.

Spencer Guns are now available.

Battle in Fredericksburg

Twiggs marches out of Richmond, catching 4,500 Union troops in the open.  They quickly retreat.

Battle in Tenn. Miss. River

Willcox marches his division to break the siege of Memphis.  His 9,636 men bravely advance on the 12,046 Confederate besiegers.  Only the timely arrival of Stone's 2nd Cavalry saved Willcox's men from complete disaster.  Caught by surprise, the Union infantry were nearly overwhelmed when Stone's troops caught the Rebels in the rear.  The siege was lifted after the Rebels retreated, leaving 5,125 casualties behind.  Stone and Willcox together lost only 1,515.  The 5th Indiana, of Willcox's Division, earned its battle flag.  One Rebel brigade captured.

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA 14/7
CSA -6/-1

Late June, 1863

While Garibaldi moves to Arkadelphia, Hays marches to Aberdeen, Mississippi.  Hunter organizes the 9th Corps in Hatchie.  

Scammon is suffering terrible losses at Lynchburg, but persists in the siege.  Heintzelman, marches back north to Virgnia, while Kiernan swings back east across Georgia.  With Twiggs in Fredericsburg, Ashby is alone in Richmond with only 45,000 men.  Runyon consults with Butler.  They could move the Army to Lynchburg, and help end that siege.  They could attack Ashby in Richmond, knowing that Twiggs would almost certainly march back and therefore be caught in the open field.  Or, they could attack Twiggs directly in Fredericksburg.  After much debate, Runyon decides to march to Scammon's aid.  Taking Lynchburg would bring all of Virginia except for Richmond and Norfolk under Union control, and would be a major blow to Southern morale.

Production:

Lexington, KY - Mint (governor's request)
Madison, WI - Camp
Des Moines, IA - Camp

Vicksburg falls!

Twiggs destroys Ft. Louis in Frederickburg.

New Siege Techniques are developed.

General E.D. Baker has died of his wounds.

With the intended independent operations planned for General Sheridan's command, it is decided to give him a third star to bolster his authority.  Governor Blair of Michigan is very happy.

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA 14/7
CSA -6/-1

Early July, 1863

Scouts report that Twiggs and Ashby are both in Fredericksburg. Since they are between Runyon and Washington, rather than chase Twiggs around he decides to attack Richmond.

Production:

Indianapolis, IN - RR Station (governor's request)
Augusta, ME - Foundry (governor's request)
Harrisburg, PA - Camp
Springfield, IL - Camp

Battle in Hatchie

Before Hunter can organize the 9th Corps, 23,000 Rebels come a'callin'. The nearly 30,000 men at his disposal stand to meet them. Hunter orders his brigade to spread out and maximize their frontage. When the Confederates come within view, they face a Union line that seems to stretch on forever. The Union flanks promptly begin to turn in, and before they know, the Rebels are caught in a box. When they finally withdraw right before nightfall, they leave 7,196 casualties behind along with three brigades. Hunter loses 2,643 men. Generals Longstreet and A.P. Hill are captured, as well.

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA 14/7
CSA -6/-1

Late July, 1863

Scammon absorbs Heintzelman's division into 8th Corps as his corps rebuilds outside Petersburg.  Keyes attempts to cross over into Rappahanock while Runyon ordes the siege of Drewry's Bluff outside Richmond to begin.

Production:

Little Rock, AR - Hospital, Fort
Dover, DE - Infantry
Trenton, NJ - Siege Artillery
Topeka, KS - Barracks (governor's request)
Madison, WI - Training Ground (governor's request)
Milwaukee, WI - War College
St. Paul, MN - Mansion

A Cavalry Bureau is organized to facilitate the transfer of replacements into Cavalry formations.

Battle in Aberdeen

Hays' 11,459 men are attacked by Zollicoffer's 9,218 men in Western Tennesee.  Hays spreads his men out and fend off several vicious attacks.  It's a tough fight, nonetheless, with the Rebels losing 3,463 men and the Union losing 2,219.  General Zollicoffer is captured along with a brigade.

The fortifications at Drewry's Bluff are destroyed.  Runyon is tightening the noose around the enemy capitol.

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA 14/7
CSA -6/-1

Early August, 1863

With the outer fortifications out of the way, Fremont begins the siege of Natchez.  Interestingly, there are no Confederate formations challenging his progress.  They're all *north* of him.

Meanwhile, out east, Runyon orders the siege of Richmond to begin.  "Let's see what Twiggs thinks about that," he's heard to say.

Production:

Annapolis, MD - Telegraph (governor's request)
Cairo, IL - Camp

Battle in Hatchie

Hunter finds his new 9th Corps under attack by 6,000 Rebels.  His 33,000 troops are ready.  The engagement is short and bloody.  Rebel reinforcements pour onto the battlefield, but the 2nd US Cav and the 30th Division pin the attackers between them, causing 3,285 casualties while only suffering 345.  A Confederate brigade is captured, as well.

The Brains Regiment earns its battle flag.

Battle in James River

Evidently, Twiggs doesn't care for Richmond to be under siege.  He brings over 96,000 men to the rescue.  Runyon and Butler have almost 76,000 men in the Army of the Potomac.  Scammon's 8th Corps is summoned to join the fight.  The timing of the fight is in doubt, and Twiggs successfully pulls off a Surprise Attack!  What Twiggs didn't count on was veteran leadership among the Union troops, and the situation is quickly brought under control.  However, the suddenness of the attack meant that the Union line was not already organized and in place so that while individual brigades quickly formed into line, the overall position was weak, particularly with the guns of the Richmond fortifications firing in support.  Scammon's troops would not arrive in time to make a difference, and Runyon ordered the retreat.

In the end, it is a decisive defeat for the Union.  Twiggs breaks the siege of Richmong by inflicting 12,647 casualties on the Army of the Potomac, while only losing 6,570 men of his own.  One Union brigade is forced to surrender, as well.  The intense close action was hard on Union leadership as well, with Generals Butler, Baird, Manson, Casey, and McCook all wounded.
 
Fremont captures Natchez!

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA 11/6
CSA 0/-1

Late August, 1863

McCook's 7th Corps suffered the most losses amongst the generals, not least General McCook himself.   Runyon orders 7th Corps to detach and brings Scammon's 8th Corps into the Army, instead.  7th Corps will replenish while General McCook and the other wounded leaders recover from their wounds.

Runyon then orders the Army to Norfolk.

Hunter moves to engage the Confederate formations to his south that attacked him just recently.  He also orders Van Dever's independent 29th Division to march in support.

Production:

Springfield, IL - RR Station (governor's request)
Madison, WI - Training Ground (governor's request)

Nashville finally surrenders to McClellan!

Sharps guns are now available.

The Navy establishes Blockade Operations.

US gunners are now capable of indirect fire.

Battle in Oxford

As it turns out, VanDever gets there first.  His 9,900 men are outnumbered by the 11,689 Rebels under various commands they encounter, but VanDever sends a message to Kiernan to bring the 6,600 men of his division to the battle.

VanDever maneuvers his division aggressively, and is able to engage the Rebel brigades one at a time, enabling him to concentrate his fire.  The enemy quickly withers under the pressure, and when Kiernan's troops arrive, the battle is no longer in doubt.  In the course of the fighting Confederate General R.E. Lee is wounded.  Two CSA brigades are forced to surrender.  The South also suffers 4,827 casualties while Union troops lose 2,010.  

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA 14/7
CSA -3/-3

Early September, 1863

As Garibaldi stomps around northern Louisiana, Fremont rests his troops after several months of strenuous siege work.

Hunter takes his 9th Corps in pursuit of the various independent Confederate commands that have fled to Alabama.  Kiernan and VanDever spread out acrosss Mississippi and Alabama in support of him.

While Totten's 28th Division oversees the construction of new defenses around Nashville, McClellan pushes on to Murfreesboro.  He feels the pressure of Fremont's success on the Mississippi, and is frustrated that Nashville held out so long.

Runyon begins an aggressive siege of Ft. Norfolk, hoping to sieze the city quickly so that he can turn his attention back to Twiggs.

Production:

Nashville, TN - Fort I
Lansing, MI - Training Ground (governor's request)
Pontiac, MI - Mansion

Battle in Petersburg

The 7th Corps is attacked by Twiggs.  Vastly outnumbered, the 7th retreats.

Battle in Tuscaloosa

Kiernan's 5,689 Union troops catch 2,176 Rebels.  It's a quick fight, as Mahone's troops don't have the stomach for the fight.  Losing only 262 men, Kiernan drives the enemy off, inflicting 966 casualties.  The 6th Maryland earns its battle flag.

Ft. Norfolk falls!

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA 14/7
CSA -3/-3

Late September, 1863

With outer defenses of Norfolk destroyed, Runyon turns the Army of the Potomac back to Petersburg hoping to catch Twiggs against the defenses of the city.

The 7th Corps, having retreated to North Carolina, attempts slip through the northern part of the state to secure Norfolk in Runyon's absence.

McClellan begins the siege of Ft. Pickering protecting Murfreesboro, TN.  Totten moves to drive off the Army of the West in the Upper Tennessee River.  Hunter marches towards Tuscumbia.

Fremont marches on Jackson, MS intending to bring that state back under Union control before winter.

Production:

Jefferson City, MO - RR Station (governor's request)

Battle in Petersburg

The two Armies clash outside Petersburg.  Runyon has 79,881 men to Twiggs' 81,863.

Once again, the ever-improving quality of Union troops tells the tale.  Runyon's men form a stout battle line and in spite of fierce fighting on the Union left that begins to crumple the line, the rest fight strong.  Twiggs' men begin to crumble in various places, and the battle breaks up into a series of smaller engagements across the battlefield.  Ultimately, the Union prevails, suffering 9,727 casualties while the Confederates suffer 19,138 casualties.  Four Southern brigades are forced to surrender, along with Generals C.W. Field and J. Finegan.

Battle Honors: Blanket Brigade, US 8th Infantry,

Battle in Upper Tennessee River

Totten's relatively raw 6,300 men chase down 3,217 Rebels in the Upper Tennessee River valley.    Totten uses his troops cautiously, and overruns some supply wagons before securing a town on the extreme left flank of the Rebel position.  After leaving a brigade to hold the town, he leads the rest of his division onto the next town anchoring the enemy's lines.  A brief firefight ensues, and his troops perform well.  The Rebels break and run shortly thereafter, losing 2,752 casualties to Totten's 1,227.

Battle Honors: 1st Rhode Island, 13th Maryland, 17th New York, 16th New York

Lieutenant General D. McCook, Jr. has died of his wounds, leaving 7th Corps without their beloved commander.

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA 17/8
CSA -5/-3

Early October, 1863

Fremont begins an aggressive siege of Jackson, MS, while VanDever's division secures the nearby countryside.

Hunter continues his pursuit of the Army of the Northwest across northern Alabama.  Totten and Kiernan manuever their divisions in support.

General McCook's last request was that his steadfast brigadier, General S. Williams be given command of 7th Corps.  It is highly irregular to jump a one star general up to three stars, but in regard for General McCook's service, it is done.  Williams then orders the 7th Corps into a siege of Norfolk.

Production:

St. Louis, MO - 1 Infantry
Chicago, IL - 3 Infantry, 1 Division
Springfield, IL - 4 Cavalry, 1 Division

The Governor of Illinois is insisting on a strong presence of brigades in his state.  He has maintained this demand for the last year.  Earlier, when the war was being fought in Kentucy, a strong presence in Illinois was essential to keep Rebel units from striking north.  Now, with the fighting in Alabama, Mississippi, and eastern Tennessee, there no longer is any military justification.  However, outright rebellion in Illinois wouldn't be good either, so new brigades are being organized.

With most of the Oklahoma territory surrounded by Union controlled areas, the effort is made to improve the training of Indian brigades.

Battle in Murfreesboro

The Army of the Northwest is evidently crazy enough to think they can break McClellan's siege.  7,773 Rebels attack his encamped 80,838 troops.  It is a brief engagement with minimal losses before the Rebels are able to slink away.

Jackson falls!

Evidently, the sudden mustering of so many young men of Illinois changed the governor's mind, as he had dropped his insistence that 17 brigades be stationed in his state.  Now he just opposes further conscription.

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA 18/9
CSA -6/-5

Late October, 1863

Fremont marches for Louisiana, leaving Hays and VanDever to secure Alabama in the wake of the capture of the capital.

Hunter continues into Georgia, with Totten and Kiernan close behind.

Twiggs has been seen in Halifax, N, apparently trying to avoid Runyon and relieve the siege of Norfolk. Runyon orders the Army to march to Norfolk. The plan is to give Twiggs more than he bargained for.

The US 9th Fleet is now ready for service. Sheridan gets his division loaded as fast as possible. After much time at sea, the plan is to disembark near Jacksonville, FL and cut that state off from the Confederacy.

Production:

Nashville, TN - Mansion

Battle in Norfolk

Runyon's plan works, and the combined force of 113,493 Union troops is waiting for Twiggs and his 67,597 men when they arrive. Union pickets are successful in several Supply Raids.

Both sides know the situation, and both sides fight to the breaking point. Twiggs blinks first, though, after he is wounded, and the Rebel army runs.

A horrible day for the country as the South suffers 23,553 casualties and the North suffers 14,815 casualties.

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA 21/10
CSA -8/-5

Early November, 1863

The conquest of the entirety of the state of Mississippi has effectively cut the South in two.  Actually, in three, when you consider the stretch from Virginia to the South Carolina coast that is in nomial Union control.  While there are scattered formations out West, the bulk of the remaining Confederate forces are localized around Richmond.  After the recent victory over Twiggs' army, Runyon knows he has to keep the
pressure on regardless of his own casualties.  Runyon orders the Army north to Richmond in pursuit of Twiggs.

Forrest is leading a raid into northern Tennesee with the Missouri State Guard, reportedly about 5,000 strong.  Hunter, Kiernan and Totten turn north in pursuit.

Production:

Jackson, MS - Hospital
Natchez, MS - Mansion

A Nursing Corps is organized.

Battle in Petersburg

Scouts soon learn that Kelly has taken over for the wounded Twiggs.  He moves his army to Petersburg, finding the 1st US Cavalry all alone.  They quickly retreat.

Battle in James River

With Kelly gone, that means Ashby is alone with 21,909 men when Runyon and the 67,950 men of the Army of the Potomac approach Richmond.

Runyon pushes his troops hard.  It's no mystery that Ashby will have sent a messenger to Kelly.  And with the guns of the Richmond defenses involved, time is of the essence.

It's a gamble, and the battle see-saws, thanks in no small part to the Richmond guns.  But the Confederates have suffered too many defeats this year, and they just don't have the stomach for a protracted fight.  By late in the morning of the second day, Rebel units begin leaving the field as fast as they can.

Another bloody fight, with Union losses totalling 14,816 and Confederate losses totalling 17,185.

Shortly after the battle, word is received of the death of General F.B. Spinola.

Forrest reaches Bowling Green and disperses a unit of siege artillery that was entraining to travel south to Fremont.

VP/NW at the end of the turn:
USA 21/10
CSA -9/-6

With Rebel troops chased away from Richmond, Jefferson Davis realizes that it is just a matter of time.  He sends a messenger under flag of truce and requests terms for the surrender of the Confederate States of America.  Victory for the USA!  The Union is restored!!!