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12.04.1861

We simply couldn't tolerate any bases on our territory. So we bombed Fort Sumter to bits.
What will happen now? There's not much we can do yet. Considering what to do with the initial resources will lead to the formation of a pioneer unit.

If Virginia joins, we will have to protect it.

Otherwise, we can only consider what to do with the cotton. Sell it? Or use it to exert pressure on Europe? And if so, on whom exactly? England! We choose England.

04.05.1861

There is no longer any doubt: Lincoln is a diabolical aggressor. The Union marches into peaceful and neutral Missouri. We must act, but with what? The first two volunteer brigades are formed in Arkansas, at Little Rock, in response.
The aggression fuels the resolve of the freedom-loving people of the South. Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina break away from the oppressive regime.

Confederate militias secure the abandoned Forts in Indian Territory.
The men of the state regiment barricaded themselves in Jefferson City.
After much deliberation, we decide to "buy" two cavalry brigades.

Their scouting capabilities would prove invaluable.

Our spies report that the enemy has invested in research, among other things. But in what exactly?

26-05-1861

In Missouri, Bluecoats are advancing in all directions. Their main focus appears to be Jefferson City.
Our brigades from Arkansas are also heading towards Missouri. Let's not kid ourselves, we'll never be able to relieve Jefferson City in time. They're already engaged in skirmishes with Yankee cavalry.

But capturing the mine between Carthage and Joplin and securing it for as long as possible seems like a worthwhile objective.
For this reason, we're also dispatching General Sterling Price to Springfield. A risky operation.
In Virginia, the Bluecoats are also marching in. Fort Monroe is being seized in a surprise attack.

Nevertheless, our brave volunteers under General Bauregard are marching north, valiantly facing what they believe to be the main force.
We, too, are determined and not idle.

We're training two more cavalry divisions and a mountain division.

Unlike the Bluecoats, we can't muster the resources for research.

We relocate our government headquarters to Richmond; everything is temporary and hectic. But we also have to show courage and determination.

It works; patriotic fervor spreads everywhere, and numerous volunteer corps form in Arkansas, Texas, and Virginia. We also manage to capture a gunboat or two.

17.06.1861

General Price reaches Missouri.

The man is fired up, a bit overeager. Despite forced marches, the brigades are barely keeping up in the summer heat.

But he senses a tactical opportunity: to cut off the mine and the two adjacent towns from supplies. At the same time, he plans to establish strong defensive positions in Missouri and make the enemy pay for it there.

The regiment in Jefferson City needs to buy the time for this. The Yankees seem to be thinking similarly and are advancing further into Missouri rather than increasing the pressure on the regiment.
In Richmond, enthusiasm is high; additional brigades can be formed from numerous volunteers in Virginia. Truly impressive.

But the realists know the situation is also precarious. The Union can invest in troops and have already invested over 1,000 MPP in research. We haven't been able to raise a single penny.
At the same time, looking at our own feeble "navy," it becomes clear that our coasts and convoys are extremely vulnerable despite our many forts.

This leads to the realization that we can't defend everything at once. We have to work with probabilities and set priorities.

Because of this, we're taking a risk: the regiments in Texas are being sent on forced marches toward the Louisiana and Alabama coasts. Brigades are even being detached and dispatched to New Orleans and Jacksonville in Florida.

On foot, of course. Deploying trains is more expensive than shoe soles.

Not all of our volunteers even have shoes, which probably makes the whole thing even cheaper.

Our gunboats are to "secure" the coast along Florida and the Carolinas, always within range of our own forts and harbors.
In Virginia, the enemy is faster and more effective than we are. In the north, only one regiment is currently putting up resistance at Harpers Ferry and is under immense pressure.

An encirclement is imminent; the unit is battered. Should we retreat or reinforce and try to buy time?

Brigades are on their way, but without trains, they're moving slowly...

We're choosing to conserve resources and reinforce the unit. They're patriots; a Southerner can take on ten Yankees, right? What could possibly go wrong?
In the end, there's even some money left over to kickstart our own research.
We decide to invest in infantry and cavalry equipment, as well as corps organization.

05.07.1861

What could possibly go wrong...

And this guy claims to have been at West Point?

The regiment at Harpers Ferry is lost. Well done, gentlemen generals.

The enemy is advancing in Virginia from all directions, and we're struggling to get into position in time, even though the soldiers are being relentlessly chased across the country.

Well then, let's prioritize.

First, keep the enemy away from Richmond, or better yet, Fredericksburg. We can only take note of the situation at Fort Monroe for now.

Second, keep the enemy away from our mines in Shannondoah Valley. We don't have the Union's resources. What we do have, we must protect at all costs.

Third, defend West Virginia, or at least some of it. Just so we don't lose the whole state.
Alright, back to the agenda. What's next?

Jefferson Davis seems determined to work with great discipline and focus today.

Our spies report that the Yankees have invested in diplomacy, but they don't know where.
This information is very helpful...NOT!

What the hell are they planning? To get Kentucky to join?

This could get ugly for us. Currently, it's a nice buffer for our completely barren borders.

What else?

We were able to negotiate friendship treaties with the Native Americans. That in return could be really helpful. A few of these savages are better than no eyes or troops in the area at all.

More volunteers have formed brigades in Tennessee. This improves our troop situation in the area from pathetic to embarrassing...but at least it's something.

Then there's another decision that needs to be made. A few engineers have the idea of ​​converting the old frigate Merrimack into an ironclad and naming it Virginia. That's an idea! If we're so clearly outnumbered on the water, we should be more modern.
In Missouri, our plan seems to be working; our cavalry brigade reports that only a single Union regiment is securing the mine. We are preparing to attack it swiftly and decisively.

19.07.1861

In Missouri, we are finally going on the offensive. However, we are unable to completely encircle the Union Regiment at Carthage. A narrow passage through Fort Baxter, leading from Indian Territory, is providing them with supplies.
We are sending the volunteers in Tennessee west across the Tennessee River. Should Kentucky actually defect to the Union, they are to advance north from Dresden and secure Paducah.

This would split the river fork into two separate Union fronts. But the cost, or rather the risk, is high. They are currently the only troops securing Nashville.
In Virginia, the first heavy fighting is taking place near Winchester. General Bauregard is able to halt the numerically superior Union forces from advancing, at least for now.

Our first cavalry division, under General Johnston, is scouting Union troops further south. A Yankee brigade near Warrenton is isolated. Plans are being made to encircle and then destroy it.
In terms of research, we have even surpassed the Union in investment. 1750 MPP to 1600 MPP. This means, conversely, that we will have to face additional troops by autumn at the latest. Probably at division strength. They really intend to invade!

Furthermore, our spies report that the Union is also assembling troops in California. Our first forces have just arrived in Arizona. So we will have to face the Yankees there as well.

02.08.1861

With the information that troops from California are guaranteed to march eastward, it became clear to us that we need to reinforce our troops in Arizona. The decision to send reinforcements there under General Sibley was an easy one.
The mineral resources of the Chino Mine near Santa Riles are too lucrative a target for our strategy of acquiring and holding resources for as long and as often as possible.
Therefore, we are taking the risk of leaving Texas without significant defenses.

In western Missouri, Fort Baxter was captured in a swift attack, and the enemy regiment was completely surrounded and besieged.

In eastern Missouri, we are preparing a similar operation; the cavalry brigades assigned for this purpose have scouted out a seemingly favorable opportunity.

The prize would be a Union cavalry brigade. They are likely keeping a close eye on the area.
In Virginia, the newly appointed General Polk delayed the order to encircle the Union brigade at Warrenton. The reason given was uncertainty due to the outcome of the fighting General Johnston is waging with the Union further south.

As things stand, it's a classic draw, perhaps a slight points victory for us.

Our investments in research are maximized; we are again investing in training a pioneer unit.

16.08.1961

In Missouri, the regiment is putting up resistance in Jefferson City. In the eastern part of the state, we have struck and surrounded the Union cavalry.

In Tennessee, we are preparing to march toward Paducah Kentuck. The state leadership has indeed moved much closer to the Union.

But a preemptive attack on our part?
The pressure on our soldiers in Shannondoah Valley is increasing. However, the Yankees are underestimating the will to resist among the population in West Virginia. Militia units have formed and are resisting the invaders.
Our cavalry in Arizona has reached Santa Riles; the mine is within reach. Along the way, a Union regiment was also ambushed.

In Texas, we have established a unit of rangers that is to head toward Arizona. If necessary, they can supply themselves in enemy territory and sow discord.
We are investing in another ranger unit and in the Native Americans. In the hope that these savages might prove useful after all. If they can at least be somewhat controlled.

30.08.1861

Well, it's finally happened, Jefferson City has fallen.

Not without consequences, the ensuing chaos in the state has thrown our encirclement maneuvers into complete disarray, both in the west and the east.
I can vividly imagine the officers and gentlemen shouting at their subordinates, trying to restore order to the chaos.
They're having somewhat better luck in the west than in the east. It even seems the Yankees are able to capitalize on the situation. Supplies are arriving late for our cavalry units. The Yankees have the momentum and seem intent on using it to encircle us.
There's not much new to report in Virginia. Both sides have licked their wounds and are watching each other warily, apart from a few minor skirmishes.

Is there more to it than meets the eye?

The shrewd and distinguished generals, some of whom are also politicians, smoke their cigars, stroke their impeccably groomed beards...

Then one of them, not currently sipping whiskey, has a kind of epiphany.

"What if they come from the sea?"

"We're well-positioned. There's a brigade in Jacksonville, another in the fortifications near New Orleans, and we even have a regiment stationed outside Mobile. As soon as troops become available, we'll secure Wilmington."

"No, I mean right here..." General Jackson points to the map, to Richmond..."

The room falls silent.

Jefferson Davis is furious. "So none of you noticed that...?"

As a result of the scene, a regiment from Texas, which has now arrived in Louisiana via a rail line, is transferred to Petersburg. Then a unit still needs to be found for Richmond itself, but where will they come from?
The mine in Arizona has finally been captured, and its ore is now being used for our purposes.

13.09.1861

In eastern Missouri, the situation is "under control" again; in Indian Territory, a general is even being sent on a march eastward.
He was presumably meant to instill discipline and order in the Native Americans. But leadership is clearly lacking in eastern Missouri. The cavalry brigades are anticipating an invasion of Kentucky and plan to rendezvous with the infantry brigades near Paducah.

It's now an open secret that Kentucky will join the Union, and probably soon. But the Union also has troops in the area and is prepared.

They are even crossing the river in divisional strength. Perhaps it would be better to withdraw.
But what could possibly go wrong?

Licoln and his henchmen seem to have overextended themselves in Virginia. They were unable to capture West Virginia, nor could they advance along the coast. In the Shannondoah Valley, they even withdrew troops. Our cavalry, upon pursuing them, discovered a gap had opened up. Stuart's cavalry senses an opportunity to advance on Cumberland in Maryland.
But bad news from the East Coast. Union ships have begun a blockade. Their exact positions are unknown, and our gunboats are not venturing out.
The situation in Arizona remains unchanged.