Up to early April.
The last few turns have been rather reactive and bruising from my perspective.
In the west Lyon crossed to southern Arkansas, but took a beating from Polk's command.
- Polked_22.png (2.52 MiB) Viewed 14195 times
I have now secured both Fayetteville and Fort Smith, so I am good for supply if I can muster the troops for a push on Little Rock.
In the east things took a difficult turn. I forced Longstreet back over the Rappahannock, but in my enthusiasm to march onto Richmond I ran Whipple's corp straight into a power 1000 stack under Bedford Forest on its way to reinforce Longstreet.
- Lonstreet_Thrown_Back_23.png (2.57 MiB) Viewed 14195 times
The latter engagement ended poorly with Whipple attempting to retreat into Beauregard (not sure if I selected the wrong province or something, but that was not good). The ensuing battle was bloody on both sides, but it resulted in Whipple's entire corps being destroyed.
- Whipple_Destroyed_24.png (2.41 MiB) Viewed 14195 times
This is not ideal. I am rushing divisions from NE and PA as they are completed to plug the gap. I may nonetheless be able to get around Longstreet downstream and threaten Richmond with Berry's corp so that I can at least avoid the 10 NM hit this year. McClelland has moved over from Ohio to train divisions in VA since Halleck is no longer with us. He is on training duty as a corps commander. One silver lining of the earlier carnage was that Hooker can now be promoted so I will at least have one good corps commander.
The NO front is depressingly static. I have a toehold with both forts under my control, but Shelby (back in action after his run in with Grant earlier) has been pressing Butler. The main force under Milroy is being drained of cohesion by the swamp movement, so a push on the city is not going as rapidly as I had hoped. It is nonetheless worth it in the end as it contains two iron works and a good number of armouries and arsenals. A further division is on the way which will put me on four to his two.
- NO_stalemate_25.png (4.34 MiB) Viewed 14195 times
I predict that the brightest spot for me in our next round may bizarrely be around Memphis where things were only just falling apart.
- Grant_Recovering_26.png (3.09 MiB) Viewed 14195 times
Grant finally got away from ABS and is not digging in with reinforcements in Osceola. ABS seems to be following him...
If that movement works like mine did he should attack a dug in Grant whilst his own cohesion is sapped by the march through the swamps. Meanwhile Sherman is moving on Memphis after taking out fort pillow and Covington TN. Hopefully clearing the garrison will finally see him promoted. If I understand the mechanics correctly ABS cannot actually cross the river whilst my ironclad fleet is in it (if anyone reading this is more knowledgeable please correct me, preferably before next turn). I'll burn the depot in Madison AR with Morrells small force that has come down from MO.
If all this works as planned I could trap all four of ABS' divisions up against Grant's command on one side and Sherman on the other with ABS' supplies rapidly running out and I'll hold Memphis. Dare to dream of a stack wipe.
On the strategic scale I think my advantages are likely to come in the west. I count about 9 divisions in the east and I have a similar number. More reinforcements would be required before attempting anything major. In the far west Lyon and Polk can chase each other into the sunset; it matters little. Grant and Sherman have five divisions to ABS' four and there are two divisions around NO holding four of mine in check.
I also have two divisions of Ohioans sitting in Louisville KY. We got an event a few turns ago saying that they were leaning to the Union. If they come in on my side soon then two strong divisions will make a beeline for Nashville TN. Since we're are quite even on most fronts I doubt he has a reserve left for this. Maybe we will get a historical result for the first state Capitol taken by the Union.
