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Hey all. This is a progressive AAR of a PBEM between ShootMe and I. I'm playing the CSA and well since we've promised not to peak at each others AARs I'll try to share my decisions and as many screenshots as possible.

Check ShootMe's AAR for the game settings. They are on advanced with a few custom changes.

Okay well first I should mention I'm very new to the wargaming scene so this is one of my first PBEM matches and my very first AAR. Please forgive me for any mistakes.

First Turn

So far my plan is to sit tight and get a steady economy going. Since it's almost the winter season I'll have plenty of time to do that. During the Winter season I'm going to try and focus a little on building up a decent fleet so I can turn the tide of the naval battle. On land I'll hold my ground unless an opportunity presents itself.

These are where my forces are. First things first though, I want to get started on my economy and move out my runners.

I've decided to leave my ships where they are. They should be safe enough for now and I doubt they can do any damage. The runners are sent out but surprisingly there is nothing to grab quite yet.

I have a rather modest start with diplomacy. I don't want to spend too much quite yet since it would kill my money income. I'm sure the Union will have a much better start so I will try to increase it next turn and sacrifice some labor in the place of money.

Here's my economy. I switched over a few of the Labor to get my money income back up and a few horses so I can start the rise in iron production which I will probably be needing in the near future.

Now to start spending up my current stock. I am going to be needing Iron so I have started building a Mine in Augusta. Since it has a Iron Works the iron production will be DOUBLED in this city (Stolen from Gil[;)]).

I should probably be saving up my gold for the next turn but I decided to get a Labatory in Atlanta to increase my need for Logistics Skills. This will help me later on when I need to reinforce and supply my troops effectively.

I have spent up most of my stock for this turn so it's time for my armies. I'll start it off by raiding one of the nearby Union forces nearby Kentucky.

I have pulled all my forces out of Kentucky in hopes of it joining my side. Although I have plenty of horses my main reason is to keep these horses out of Union hands or at least delay them from getting them. Just this simple fortune will mean a lot.

With the forces I have brought out of Kentucky I am going to try to form a new Tennessee Army and reinforce units in Virginia.

I've also moved a small division in Arkansas further east. He is fresh meat out there all alone and there is no immediate threat. Unfortunately it's stormy in the areas so it will be very hard to maneuver away.

Here's a list of all my available generals. I'm quite happy with the choices, almost all of them are at least good quality.

I now want to move my units in Virginia into a few positions I think would be more effective and start giving my Generals' their positions. Here's a basic layout of where I am sending my main generals.

Lee is taking the Army of Northern Virginia in Fredericksburg which consists of about 88,000 men.

Jackson is taking a Corps to Shenandoah Valley with about 25,000 men.

Ewell is taking a Division to Franklin with about 15,000 men.

MClaws is taking a Corps to James River with about 33,000 men.

Hill is taking a Division to Kenasha with about 15,000 men.

Overall approx 176,000 men in all of Virginia, not including Garrisons.

I also have Sibley going west to start the Army of Tennessee. With the units from Kansas it has already started with about 24,000 men.

Just for safety I have another division watching Mephis(A crucial point of the Mississippi) with about 15,000 men.

That's pretty much the end of the turn. I promote General Lee to a four star Generals. Also my raiders are set to sabotage the enemy railroad and and destroy enemy supplies. Either of those being successful would be just fine.

Save sent and awaiting next turn. [:)]

Turn 2

Here of the events of this turn 1/2.

2/2

One of my brigades in Missouri Westport got annihilated. Darn storm prevented them from moving or avoiding battle.

I am going to move the rest of that division to Memphis to hook up with the other division there. Arkansas might be in trouble so I'll try to upgrade those units there.




General Lee gets promoted and the governor is happy about that. One strange thing is that the USA 19th Division is removed due to being empty. Does this mean an entire division was shifted somewhere, that Army in Missouri perhaps? This is extra proof he may be trying an offensive in Arkansas so I think I'm going to start upgrading my units and forts in the west.

It also looks like quite a lot of supplies were successfully raided. This should swamp down any attack from that enemy unit in Kaskaskia for awhile.

France also supports me +3 in one turn!! This is great news, my diplomacy starts off in a lucky leap. There are two safe chances my runners will get some Weapons and Iron, so I think I'll grab it while I can.

Here's a look at the overview. Sibley has just arrived and joined the Army of Tennessee. I'm sending Early to go and command that Corps of two divisions in Mephis.

Here's a look at the Army of Northern Virginia and it's generals. Remember, Jackson is out in Shenandoah Valley.

I decided to spend up my money and go solely with upgrades in the West. Even if he isn't attacking anytime soon it is going to be needed in the future. I should probably buff up the garrisons as well, but it can wait.

I upgraded all my forts along Mephis with Rifle Pits which will dramatically increase their damage. I then upgraded most of my brigades in my forming Corps with either decent weapons such as Minie Rifles or much more effective ones such as Richmond Rifles and Mississippi rifles. Hopefully my runner gets those guns next turn so I can get some more.

Another thing to notice is the Union has sent down a small force to the river. I don't want to become reckless and attack it but I will send my raiders to try and do some damage such as destroying supplies and maybe lower their morale enough to get some of them to desert.

Reports from the east are small. Things are pretty much the same as they were last turn except the enemy has moved out of Graffton and formed a larger unit in East Ohio River.

I don't think I want to send anyone to Graffton, it's completely of no value and leaves me open to attack.

The final thing I'm going to do this turn military-wise is lower my supplies to Low for some units. I really am not expecting a fight and it is nearing winter. I could use the extra money.

Next I have to work on my economy and buildings. Although I have spent all my gold this turn I can still build some essential buildings.

First I'm increasing my diplomacy with Britain and France. I'm starting to realize how important this is, I get much needed resources from them.

I'll fix the money income crisis in a minute.

I've balanced out my money and labor income and now it's time to start building.

In Richmond I'm starting to build two more barracks so I can begin building Corps and Army containers. This is quite important in order to keep my units effective and you don't wonder why I'm calling a unit with a division marker the Army of Tennessee. [;)]

I'm also building Mint in Petersburg to increase my money income a little. It's a start.


Finally I've built a hospital in Lynchburg in order to prepare for the time disease comes around the corner.