The long walk from Texas

[Mosby]

So, I have around a division and a half in Texas at the moment, and I'm wondering what to do with them once I clear the area. I was going to move them up and around to Chicago, taking out anything in the way, but there isn't that much up there and it would be such a loooong walk.

Any suggestions?

Btw, since I just started playing the C.S.A. (loving it) I noticed that I have the option to buy a huge chunk of guys in one package, like a half a division. Is there any reason why the Union doesn't get that option?

[Rafiki]

You have no closer place that Chicago that might be interesting to send your CSA division? And you want to send it up through the west areas and into Illinois via Iowa (since you intend to walk rather than take a train or two)? Though I have never tried anything like that, I can't help but wonder how you plan on solving the supply issues you are bound to face

As for the large CSA brigades which are unmatched by the Union, I imagine (since I am no ACW historian) that in many cases, the CSA operated with brigades that were large than what the Union did?

[Heldenkaiser]

Hm, I've been wondering about the huge size of some of the "brigades" offered to me as the Union. Some come complete with artillery, cavalry or even both and use up 30 or more conscript companies--38 in one particular case, if memory serves (it may not).

BTW, is the prize strictly linear, or do I get a discount for buying such large parcels?

[Rafiki]

AFAIK, the largest Union brigades you can buy have 5 elements, while the largest CSA brigades hold 7 elements.

I'm pretty sure that the cost is given for each element and that it is aggregated (without discounts! ) into the prices given for the brigade in question.

[Coregonas]

I ll send some reinforcements (Part of your division) to help the "Kentucky" area and trench the troops half strength. Destroy all railroads as you can, seize ports, indian...

Or go for the gold in California!

...

Seems the size of brigades tries to simulate the real thing.

CSA divisions were 2x size USA divisions
Brigades ... the same. Of course these varied a lot.

In Gettysburg USA had around 20 divisions / CSA had 9 around same manpower in both sides.

[lenny]

If you want to move troops from Texas to help out in more eastern theatres, I would ship them to New Orleans and then send them north/north-east by trains.

The large CSA brigades (especially Virginians) seem to be very useful when you hit the division cap.

[Heldenkaiser]

In Gettysburg USA had around 20 divisions / CSA had 9 around same manpower in both sides.

I believe this has something to do with the replacement policies for both sides. The states of the North hardly ever sent replacements to existing regiments, preferring to raise new ones instead. As a result, regiments in the field shrunk constantly, down to something like 300-500 men by mid-war and even worse later on, to the point where they had to be consolidated.

Additionally, the Confederate army put more brigades in a division. Two to three brigades per division were common for the Union, but four or even five brigades were quite normal for a Reb division.

[Coregonas]

I believe this has something to do with the replacement policies for both sides. The states of the North hardly ever sent replacements to existing regiments, preferring to raise new ones instead. As a result, regiments in the field shrunk constantly, down to something like 300-500 men by mid-war and even worse later on, to the point where they had to be consolidated.

Additionally, the Confederate army put more brigades in a division. Two to three brigades per division were common for the Union, but four or even five brigades were quite normal for a Reb division.

Yes that is true.

Ageod boys have not forced so low the replacement value for USA. So by now USA replacement rate is around 50% of CSA... but in the actual games, USA troops are always 100% strength (CSA also)... there are plenty of replacements ...

There are some threads asking for different sized divisions -> For example CSA size 18 but USA 14, or allowing CSA 5 brigades and USA 4 for instance. Also the troops (1000) per regiment is perhaps somewhat high acccording to the average troops in reality... But this is not an easy task and doesnt matter too much in the final result... it does matter with giving us mad boys of realistic wargaming more satisfaction!

Remember all USA Artillery battalion "size" is 50% greater than CSA (they have 1,5 the CSA Attack/defense values), representing lots of small advantages... Uniformity of guns, more ammo ...

Just another idea I had now as writing is to create troops "OVERSIZED" but not allowing them to replace to the MAX, just to the NORMAL. For instance troops could be created 1000 men size, but only allowing them to replenish to 900 (CSA) or 700 (USA)... Im sure this could give an extra headache to code!

This could help a little to reduce the militia "trick"... earning "extra" conscription by buying militia and turning to regulars.

[Brochgale]

If you dont fancy a trip to California - Invade Mexico or maybe take a tour of the Caribbean - make war on Brits and French just for the fun of it - has anyone playing the CSA tried that yet? I might try that on easy settings to see what happens?