csa question on defending the border

[scarface]

I just started the 1861 full campign as the csa and having trouble deciding how to defend the long border that stretches across the entire map separating the north and the south. I would appreciate some advice on what is the best way. Is there a certain region where I should position troops or a certain city to defend? Are there certain areas I should just concede?

[Geohff]

Just like the real Civil War this is what vexed the South in the west. Me personally, I like to protect the forts and cities on the Mississippi, (So does the Ai), Contest Kentucky at all cost, without invading as much as I can, until it declairs and then move into it and try to control it. (The Ai often invades Kentucky early, kicking Kentucky to the North). I don't care about much of the southwest falling into Yankee hands because they can't hold it long. In general in the West use the stratigic city view and build defense forces in the stragic cities (actually outside, never stay in the cities themselves), if the Yanks take a non-stratigic city wait till they move and one or two Cav can take it right back. Lastly, like the Ai, build Cav and Raiders and send them North, the vast amount of cities and rail networks in the wide open northwest mean endless free targets to destroy and run, this kills victory points and cripples supply for the maruarding Union advance. Virginia is a whole other game my friend, here you must hold to the last, give away as little as you can.

[leanmeankillingmachine]

Yeah, VA you must hold at all costs, normally one army led by a decent general with elite units that make up atleast 2 corps normally do the job for me. I normally base them around Mannassas and the most I would do with them is attack Alexandria or Harpers Ferry, I certainly wouldnt use the army to attack any further north.

As for holding the West, I find keeping another army around Paducah can help you take St Louis and also be used to defend Cairo and the other towns around there.

By the start of '63 you should be able to raise a third army that can attack towards Bowling Green and use them to push further North-East, until then however a couple of decent sized divisions can defend anything further south in KY or TN.

All depends on what your game settings are though, my advice is based on the game set to med difficulty with med AI aggression, I havent tried the game as CSA yet on full settings.

[Brochgale]

Playing CSA on hard settings. I defend Viginia at all costs. I control the Missippi River as well. I fight war in west in Kentucky. Missouri for the most part is hopeless as once it is lost it is difficult to get it back - it is raider country. Yanks bogged down in Kentucky trying to take Bowling Green! Oh and take Paducah!