How many units should I be building?

[Comtedemeighan]

Guys I'm really new to the game I'm having all sorts of problems. I can make divisions kinda now but heres my question how many units and what type of units should I be building as the union Army? Can anybody give me a list of what I should be buying at the beginning of the game for the civil war april scenario. I know I gotta just build up until 1862 I read that somewhere on the forum. Any help would be much appreciated thanks....

[Heldenkaiser]

A lot obviously depends on your chosen strategy ... where you want to advance and where to defend, how much effort goes into seapower and how much into the land war, especially early on, when your resources are limited. Figuring out what you need and where can be considered part of the fun.

One good tip I read is formulating the need and thinking in full divisions. E.g., "I need four divisions in Kentucky", &c. Then you know you ought to build something like 4 sharpshooters, 16 batteries and about 20 infantry brigades to achieve that. (Plus think in time of sending sufficient leaders.) Troops outsides divisions are no good bargain, as a rule, CP-wise.

Remember to think of static militia to guard key structures that aren't already garrisoned. They cost very little and prevent easy capture and deep penetrations.

Then think of your naval needs--river gunboats for the West, blockading squadrons and brigs for the seaboard. Transports for amphibous operations ... but that can come later.

[Hobbes]

Guys I'm really new to the game I'm having all sorts of problems. I can make divisions kinda now but heres my question how many units and what type of units should I be building as the union Army? Can anybody give me a list of what I should be buying at the beginning of the game for the civil war april scenario. I know I gotta just build up until 1862 I read that somewhere on the forum. Any help would be much appreciated thanks....

I would say build artillery. You will have a huge amount of war supplies as Union but suffer a little with manpower. Try and get 4 artillery units inside each division and 4 at Corps level. Make your huge war supply count. Build a huge blockade fleet. Lots of cavalry to both interdict CSA raiders and make your own raids - but do it to support your attacks, to undermine his or to cut very important CSA supply routes. The CSA historically were the raiders but turn that around - the Union can do it far better!

Don't worry too much in the first year or two. Just build up your forces and attack where you can when the weather is good. Take out the CSA depots and railroad junctions and not heavily fortified positions. Make him manouver to counter you, take the initiative where you can.

Amphibious invasions up inland rivers can work like modern day parachute drops - time them well in support of your main advances and raids. Maybe launch them at a stategic CSA junction in late August or September before the snows come to prevent a counter attack - otherwise make sure you can link up with them (unlike Arnhem). Any amphibious landing has to be well supplied with wagons or transports off the coast. A piece or two of siege artillery at this stage is a good help.

In '61 and '62 you should be building up your Corps and each should have 1 medical unit, 1 sailor or marine, 1 engineer and 1 signal unit and a balloon if you can manage it with a sharpshooter in each Division. Place a naval engineer in any port you use to resupply your fleets.

As Hel says militia are very useful early on to garrison your towns but don't build too many replacements for them - you seem to get quite a few free. Be aware that militia are not able to destroy depots so you may want to garrison any depots that are under threat with regular troops.

Cheers, Chris

[Heldenkaiser]

Also keep in mind that you get lots of "event" brigades throughout the first year. They will satisfy a significant portion of your initial infantry manpower need, so you can concentrate on building the more specialized stuff like arty and horse. Do however remember to have ample replacements available to fill out units you get for free.