CSA Infrastructure - When is Enough?

[bk6583]

This is a follow-on question to a post I submitted several weeks ago regarding the frustration with playing the CSA in the 1863 scenario. So I started the 1862 scenarion but I find similar frustrations, in that I have so little WS that I wind up spending a lot of resources on indrustrialization (typically in AL, SC, and GA), which always seems like a crap shoot regarding results, i.e., something being built that increases WS, ammo or general supply. When I couple those expenditures with trying to increase rail and river, I'm discovering much to my chagrin that I have little left to put towards replacements and building ground forces. I know this may very well be too broad of a question, but given the above, how can I tell as the CSA when I can dial back on industrialization? Is an "average" rail and an "average" river transport acceptable for the CSA or should I slowly spend the resources to build them to "full"?

[Stauffenberg]

Re WS: check the blockade boxes (I haven't looked in that scenario in a while); if the blockade factor is not too high start cranking out brigs to send for immediate WS every turn.
Build up industry in the deep south and keep a close eye on the small print every turn as to what it is generating. After a few turns, typically an "ironworks" or somesuch will appear in various towns providing +2 WS or whatever (on top of other general supplies and ammo of course).

Re RR: if it is at "average" for the CSA you are doing ok, and full is gravy; however, remember to go by the adage "spare the net" and march everything rather and railing it, unless there are compelling and immediate benefits not to.

Re River: Also important not to use too much for transport as these carry the most supplies forward by far.

I'm still fuzzy on the end-game as the CSA in terms of building up industry in specific states to the max (3 industry level icons in a particular state) but one can expect that they will be needed if the union pursues a really aggressive blockade game.

[Jim-NC]

I normally only industrialize after my other needs are met.

so my priorities are:
Replacements
New Troops
Rail/River
Industrialization

As Stauffenberg states, use brigs (they bring in what you need, whether money or WS). You need to determine your priorities, and head in that direction (most players have new troops at the top, then replacements 2nd for example).