Against the CSA AI...in Struggle for a Vast Future mod

[Clovis]

Using 1.0 version.

April 61 scenario

Late July 61

Missouri: I pushed Lyon first against Jefferson/Lexington aera, in vain as Price retreated South when about half of his troops attacked Bloodmington in the Northern Missouri

[Clovis]

Virginia: Tried to engage Beauregard and Johnston forces, without great sucess, as McDowell didn't attack and Johnston left the Valley

[Clovis]

Virginia, Late August 61

Mcdowell didn't get the battle I looked for in Manassas. Bee is holding Winchester.McClellan is targeting Harrisonburg weakly defended.

[Clovis]

Missouri, late August 61

CSA is keeping Lexington under control and ramapge through Northern Virginia. I 'm noth reinforcing Union here and sending Lyon seize Springfield then Fayetteville

[Clovis]

Virginia, late September 61: I retreated McDowell to Alexandria and expand his Army with newly raised Brigades.

Johnston repulsed McClellan assault on Harrisonburg

Bee has beaten Banks in the Valley and invaded Pennsylvania

[Clovis]

CSA invaded Kentucky in September 61. I take offensive here to grab the most of the State, in spite of supply troubles




CSA is reacting though. Zollicoffer is concentrating forces at Nashville and Price has come to the vicinity of Columbus

[Clovis]

And Polk?

Counterattacking Lyon at Fayetteville. Battle was unconclusive

[Clovis]

Frist October 61 turn:

In Virginia, I named McClellan at the head of the Army of the Potomac. Voluntary decision of my own, as he has training capacity. Beauregard seems to target Banks in the Valley. Bee idle in Pennsylvania




Kentucky:

I was proud to have seized Bowling Green. 2 Brigades were reoairing rails to reestablish Wallace's supply line.

CSA AI is counterattacking, in force and with the unexpected Bragg's appearence on the field



Grant is establishing his HQ at Columbus. Not much CSA troops in the aera, but Lovell has joined Island 10 garrison




In Missouri, Lyon remained idle when forming a division. Price and Indians are coming to his rear




In Northern Missouri, CSA is yet holding Lexington, as I've some difficulties to supply Hulburt's force

[Clovis]

Never underestimate Athena...

Kentucky late October 61. I decided to retreat Wallace toward Evansville, considering AI will attack Bowling Green this turn and I had few hope to break the onslaught.

Athena advised the situation abit differently:




Furious battles were fighted here:













Part of Union units involved were renforts coming during the turn rsesolution to Louisvlle. Without them, Loouisville would be in Confederate hands.


Louisville hasn't be taken but is almost totally deprived of garrison and the promising Union advance in Kentucky is now transformed in fight to save Louisville.

[Clovis]

In Missouri: Polk is sieging Fayetteville, Price Springfield...and M. Lovell Saint Louis...Here too I will need a little more troops



There's only one Union General commendable this turn: Grant who seized Humbolt and gained a bit of seniority. McClernand, under his command, published a rather outrageous public report showing him as the savior of the day. He's now promotable :-)

[Clovis]

One could wonder why AI is taking offensive during Winter in Kentucky. In this case, the event lowering its aggressivity in this aera hasn't fired yet... a minor possibility , creating some surprise...

[Clovis]

Early November 61

I've lost more troops than the AI

[Clovis]

Bragg came back to Saint Louis, where I placed as much troops as possible. Fortunatly, Bragg detachment cohesion is certainly too low to allow him to attack as no battle occured. I'm hoping lack of supply will force him to retreat




Grant has retreated to Paducah because of the same supply problem. I've to manage first to build some depot here...or take Donelson and Henry forts. I'm building since 2 turns river Ironclads.

[Clovis]

In Virginia, Bee is retreating toward Confederate territory.

[Clovis]

Late November 61: Louisville is safe, Nelson won a small victory over Bragg who retreated. I suspect Bragg being low on cohesion and on supply, easing the Nelson tasK









Hardee has captured back Columbus...Ruggles tried to capture Bowling Green, but my small garrison has hold...this turn.

[Clovis]

Virginia late November 61.

McClellan Army remained at Manassas as any move other than by railroad would be agonizingly slow ( and I want to preserve as much rail capacity as possible to push supply forward)

Bee joined Beauregard's Army at Winchester.


And Jackson is leading a divisional raid in Maryland....




Magruder is keeping a close tight on Ft Monroe. You will certainly understand too why I don't go to Richmond...too well defended.



Now, if Jackson comes in vicinity of Washington or Baltimore, I could lose 5 NM per turn ( panick in Public Opinion)...

[Clovis]

Missouri Late november:

Polk left Siege of Springfield, taking shelter in Arjkansas. Price has been seen heading South...Supply troubles plague yet the offensive against Lexington...

[Clovis]

Early December 61: Banks and reserve troops from Washington inflicts a marginal defeat to Jackson
who seems trapped in Maryland. In the same time, Beauregard is assieging HF

[Clovis]

Not much movements in other theaters; just a glimpse of Price at Meridian (Arkansas)


Noticeable howewer:

[Clovis]

The AAR is temporary suspended, as I'm using the 1.13e RC5 version which has some AI bug. Unfortunatly, one has appeared and prevent AI to perform, except in Virginia; So I will be waiting the official fix.. but I've too much fun to resign

[Clovis]

Temporaary back to an older AACW version.

I replayed the ealy December turn, without changing my moves. Without the bugs results are slighty different:

Banks trapped Jackson but no battle were engaged this turn

In KY, Bragg retreated to Lexington; Johnston's Army launched an attack against Louisville without success.

[Clovis]

Late December 61

Virginia

Jackson is certianly unable to escape large force under Bank command. But Bank is unactive so no balltle has occured yet. Beauregard Bypassed Union garrison at HF to rescue Jackson. Magruder moved to Fredericksburg. Richmond is too heavily protected to try an assault. Maybe I will try to trap Beauregard, whose LOC is not strongly assured.



I know, the AI seems to have difficulties to use pontoons.... having a look at that for the next update.

[Clovis]

Late December 61, Kentucky

[Clovis]

Not much moves in the other theaters. I'm building a depot at Louisville, some supply wagons. I've to take a look to the Washington fortification, expand my artillery and buld some more blockade flotillas...

[Clovis]

Early January 62, Virginia:

CSA AI is playing poorly here. Beauregard, contrary to my expectations, didn't joined Jackson and is heading North, in the vicinity of Gettysburg.

I've sent the Army of the Potomac to help Banks, but as usual with McClellan the move is slower than I expected...

Jackson didn't move, Banks is yet unactive. I suppose the Jackson's division to be so low on cohesion AI is unable to choose retreat...



Kentucky:

Johnston is sloly retreating South. Ruggle's division is back to sige my weak garrison at Bowling Green





Hindman has appeared to siege Humbolt





Northern Arkansas: both sides are facing in unactivity, Sibley's appearence being the real news of the turn

[Clovis]

Late January 62

Virginia:

Jackson is certainly lost. I placed McClellan in order to prevent both move toward Baltimore or to strike Beauregard if he attempted to defeat Banks.

But Beauregard is retreating toward the Valley....It was only an army scale raid...



I formed 2 tiny armies:

- army of the James, under Butler's command currently undergoing a first amphibious try in Florida
-West Virginia force under Fremont, I plan to harass Shenandoah with.

[Clovis]

Late January 62: Kentucky. I'm yet organizing my forces under Buell command. Small recon cavalry detachment have localized Bragg at Lexington with 3 units.

Ruggles has left Bowling Green siege to reinforce ft Henry and Donelson. Johnston's army is unlocated in the aera

[Clovis]

Late January 62, Northern Missouri:

CSA is yet active there with small forces raiding here and there. I plan to take back Lexington and Jefferson in the next Spring to secure the zone.

[Clovis]

Early February 62:

Virginia: Beauregard's Army joined Winchester. Jackson division was eventually destroyed by lack of supply. McClellan is now back to Washington, as I hesitate between attacking from manassas or by the James River.






Magruder has come close to West Virginia...I will maybe have to reinorce Fremont first before sending him forward.

[Clovis]

Same trun, Kentucky:

Johnston finally captured Bowling Green. Bragg has left Lexington for South...