WV in 1861

[McGlu]

Hello. First, forgive me if this has already been addressed somewhere.

If I start the campaign in 1861, the first thing I notice is that West Virginia is already on the map, though it did not officially separate from Virginia until 1863. Is this addressed in one of the historical mods? Can't seem to find anything about this in the forums.

Thanks.

[enf91]

Historically, the Union was able to recruit units from this pro-Union part of VA. Just pretend it's still part of VA even if the game treats it as a separate entity. Probably not simplifying things is that WV is part of the Old Northwest, while VA is part of the Mid-Atlantic.

[gchristie]

According to the trusty Civil War Timeline:

On August 6th, the Second Wheeling Convention reassembled to discuss the means by which West Virginia would separate from Virginia.

...do ordain that a new State, to be called the State of Kanawha, be formed and erected out of the territory included within the following-described boundary:beginning on the Tug fork of Sandy river, on the Kentucky line...

The state was to contain 39 counties that formally belonged to Virginia.

On August 20, 1861, the Second Wheeling Convention presented a ordinance laying out the means to create the state of West Virginia. When the convention approved the ordinance that day, its work was done. The convention was adjourned, to be replaced by the State Constitutional Convention that November. The only major difference between the Second Wheeling Convention and the State Constitutional Convention was the name: West Virginia.

Perhaps a suggestion for AACW2...but I'm sure someone will swoop in to tell us why that would be a dumb idea

[Spharv2]

Couldn't do it in this version due to engine limitations. For AACW 2, who knows? Quite possible, add it to the wishlist.

[McGlu]

Couldn't do it in this version due to engine limitations.

Had a feeling that was the reason. Thanks for the info! I'll just pretend that it isn't there for the first couple years.

[DaemoneIsos]

The "with Kentucky" version of the grand campaign gets a little closer to what you are looking for. For the first couple of turns, the as-yet undecided states cannot be accessed by either side. When Virgina secedes, some pieces are high in Union loyalty, including the counties that will become WV, along with Norfolk and Alexandria. The eastern shore is on the fence. West Virginia can be considered a literal description rather than a proper name, for a while.

Later, an event noting the addition of WV as a new state in 1963 shows up, granting the Union a bit of national morale. Doesn't change any game mechanics.