Armies without corps

[Heldenkaiser]

Having read the relevant part of the manual and played both tutorials, there is one thing regarding the chain-of-command model that I am still unclear about.

My impression is that an army's sole function is to command its corps (provide bonuses etc.). However, only corps can benefit from being commanded that way--right or wrong? A division outside a corps cannot benefit from being part of an army? Can it even *be* part of an army?

In other words, are the divisions in the Bull Run scenario actually linked to the army HQ of McDowell, or not? If not, what is the latter's function in the game?

Thanks in advance for an explanation, and my apologies if I am just missing something obvious.

[rickd79]

I think that divisions within the army receive a limited bonus from the army headquarters (or at the very least being in the same stack with an army commander). However, in order to receive the full command chain bonus, you would need to take the time to form the Army->Corps->Division order of battle.

This is set up this way in the Bull Run Scenario intentionally
1. First, it is historically accurate (see these links):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Battle_of_Bull_Run
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Bull_Run_Union_order_of_battle

2. Second, this works out well to simulate the challenges that both armies experienced during the First Bull Run Campaign. At this point everyone was new to leading bodies of troops this large into battle. Consequently, there were all sorts of command problems due to inexperience.

In other words, in the grand campaign, as the Union player you could choose to hold back and not march on Richmond until you had enough Corps leaders available to form a "properly-led" army. Historically, McDowell did not have the luxury of waiting

[Primasprit]

[...]My impression is that an army's sole function is to command its corps (provide bonuses etc.). However, only corps can benefit from being commanded that way--right or wrong? A division outside a corps cannot benefit from being part of an army? Can it even *be* part of an army?

In other words, are the divisions in the Bull Run scenario actually linked to the army HQ of McDowell, or not? If not, what is the latter's function in the game?

Thanks in advance for an explanation, and my apologies if I am just missing something obvious.

The divisions in the Bull Run scenario you are referring to are not part of the army. Divisions can be organized in the same stack as the Army commander (and thus being directly part of the army), they can be part of a corps which is attached to an army (corps are always attached to an army) or they can be independent. If a stack contains one or several divisions (or any other units) but is not part of an corps or army it is a independent force. A independent force always suffer from the Out-of-Command-Chain-Penalty. This means simply that you need more command points (=generals) to make them operate efficiently.
In the Bull Run scenario you can create a corps if you disband the 2nd Division to remove General Hunter from it. Now, as you have a free 2-star general the button to create a corps became available. After you declared the force as a corps of the Northeastern Virginia Army you can rebuild the division to save command points. You can't include General Hunter to the division anymore (as he has another job now) but this is not necessary.

[Pocus]

this is correct, a division (or any unit) need to be a corps to have maximum benefits, but you can add it into the army stack and it will still receive the bonus given by the army leader.

[Heldenkaiser]

Thank you, gentlemen. The concept as explained by Primasprit

Divisions can be organized in the same stack as the Army commander (and thus being directly part of the army), they can be part of a corps which is attached to an army (corps are always attached to an army) or they can be independent.

is clear to me now.

Just to be sure I understand the Bull Run setup correctly: I could organize the army by building a corps (as described also by Primasprit) or by attaching the divisions directly to the army stack (thus replicating the historical situation). However, in the scenario as it stands, the divisions are not part of McDowell's army at all, but separate independent forces. Correct so far?

Any particular reason for this setup? Giving the player all the options? Portraying the command & control problems of the early war? Just curious I suppose.

[Pocus]

yes you are correct, they are independent forces in the initial setup. Bull Run is supposed to be an introductory scenario, so things are still in being, and you have to choose what you want, and fiddle by yourself (assembling divisions and such). We could have added all divisions into the army stack, but this would have been more bland for the player.

[Heldenkaiser]

OK, I am looking forward to it.