Barksdale vs. MrT

[W.Barksdale]

Well it's time for a new game of AACW! We'll be using 1.14 with the latest quickfix. I'll be playing the Federals and my honorable opponent, MrT, will be playing the rebels!

I'm looking forward to the game and thought it would be fun if I did an AAR. Hope you all enjoy!

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[acme]

yoohoo a new AAR from gen. Barksdale!!

[Banks6060]

I will be following this for sure. Ol' Barksdale...on of the "Old Guard" facing off against a relatively new player to the forum. I think it'll be interesting to see how MrT. fares against you sir!

Good hunting!

[W.Barksdale]

The White House

We now has every indication that the rebel states will not return these United States peacefully. Owing to the buildup of troops and artillery in Charleston Harbour it is believed the fort will fall before reinforcements and supplies can reach the garrison.

As such, I have ordered a total blockade of all southern ports with the aim of preventing needed supplies from reaching them. Additionally I wish to send the signal to the European powers that we can control our own country.

Further, we have offered subsidies to investors in Missouri and Iowa with the hope that they will be able to supply our armies operating in the area if and when the time comes.

[W.Barksdale]

The White House

Not much to do but sit back and let wait for the nation to mobiliize. The subsidies given to developers in Iowa and Missouri are beginnning to take effect. I've also offered the same deal to good people of Kansas. We've also requested more locomotives and riverine transport to be made available for army use.

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[W.Barksdale]

The White House

Washington is now isolated as the rail lines have been cut by southern sympathizers in Baltimore. To top this off, McDowell's NVA hasn't shown up yet!

Investments continue to flow into Missouri, Iowa, and Kansas. I've also ordered up some reinforcements which will be used for defending the capital and to reinforce Ft. Monroe, as well as to support operations for control of Missouri.

[W.Barksdale]

The White House

Where is McDowell's army? I've ordered General Patterson to take turn himself in to rebel forces in the valley. Maybe they can find a use for him.

[W.Barksdale]

The White House

I've issued bonds paying 8% interest as well as raised exceptional taxes in order to pay a $3000 bounty in a call for volunteers. The call is expected to bring in 442 companies!

NVA HQ

I've ordered up lots of replacements to fill the ranks. Cavalry are ordered to start tearing up the rails heading to the Shenandoah valley in anticipation of an offensive. The rebels have railed several bde's my front around Manassas.

Lyon HQ

After the St. Louis massacre loyalty in Missouri has plummeted. I've ordered an offensive to take back the capital. Lyon with the main force will hit Rolla and try to bring Price's militia to battle in the next few weeks.

[W.Barksdale]

NVA HQ

The enemy remains at my front under the command of General Smith. I've ordered the cavalry to continue disrupting the rail service between the valley, Manassas, and Richmond. Hopefully I can isolate Smith's forces and crush them before help arrives.

Lyon HQ

Rolla and the capitol are now under my possession in Missouri. Lyon will strike southwest and try to capture Springfield.

[acme]

seems u not hesitate too much and go on the offensive.
do u plan amphib operations in '61?

[W.Barksdale]

Thanks for the support guys!

Missouri is important so I want to try and occupy as much of it as possible before winter hits. Hopefully it will force MrT to spend significant resources defending the area. This will make the '62 campaign in KY\TN that much easier by drawing away some forces. More importantly it will deny him of those 3 precious 10 lb guns available in '61, and 4 more in '62!

As for amphibious operations in '61...I'm not playing anything major at all. Reinforcing Ft. Monroe in order to keep my foothold on the peninsula is all. My main task is going to be protecting Washington, Annapolis, and Baltimore from the likes of Jackson.

[W.Barksdale]

NVA HQ

Rebel forces under Jackson have seized Harper's Ferry and are now poised to strike into Maryland. Bory has a large force to the south with General Smith still holding around Manassas. The main army will stay at Alexandria while cavalry scouts are ordered around the rebel positions as far south as Richmond. Additionally, 4 bde's have been dispatched to the Washington defenses in case Jackson strikes here.

Army of the James HQ

General Butler has assumed command of the Army of the James. It's main task will be put pressure on the rebels around the Norfolk and peninsula in order to stop some reinforcements from getting to Northern Virginia. A fresh bde is only two days away from the fort, however, General Magruder with an undetermined number of rebel forces lies just to the west at James city. Farragut will support by keeping up the blockade of Richmond and denying the rebels use of this port.

Lyon HQ

Lyon couldn't make it to Springfield last turn, however, he is now only 4 days away with a forced march. Hopefully his forces can save the depot so as to lose no time in the push into northern Arkansas.

[W.Barksdale]

NVA HQ

Unexpectedly, Jackson has moved out of the valley and towards the mountains of Western Virginia. I'm gussing his objective is either Pittsburg or Grafton so elements of the Mountain Corp are moving to the above cities.

General Hamilton with 2 bde's will retake Harpers Ferry. Meanwhile, the main army is going to hit General Smith's 3 bde's at Manassas. Cavalry have infiltrated behind the rebel positions and will cut rails to delay any reinforcements and to inhibit possible retreats. The cavalry regiments sent to the outskirts of Richmond managed to snag a rebel supply train! It will be board Farraguts ships just outside the city!@

Lyon HQ

Springfield has been captured and the depot is intact! Lyon;s forces will refit for a few weeks and await the arrived of Sumners regulars from Illinois. Another bde will seize Charleston, Missouri and begin entrenching in order to seal off this portion of the Mississippi river.

[acme]

hmm
good progress
those pesky cav regts really can make a headache..

[W.Barksdale]

NVA HQ

McDowell was repulsed at Manassas with moderate losses. With Longstreet in command there I don't think I can push them out any time soon. Reinforcements will move to Alexandria to hold the position while the main army refits in the relative safety of Washington.

In western Virginia, elements of the Mountain corps was able to hold Grafton against an attack by Jackson! 3 bde's have been dispatched as reinforcements. One each to Grafton, Wheeling, and Pittsburg.

Lyon HQ

Reinforcements are pouring into southwest Missouri as well as into St. Louis itself. Reconnaisance indicates that Price has a sizeable force in northern Arkansas. I just hope the weather stays clears for another month or so. Some reinforcements bound for St. Louis will have to be redirected into Illonois as General Polk has appeared in norhtern KY with two bde's.

[W.Barksdale]

Here's a few more images..

[Meagher]

It seems you are determined to control the Mississippi. I am eager to see what you can do with that powerful river fleet. Or is it common for the Union to buy so much?

[It's a Trap]

The Ironclads yes. As for the gun boats? Unless your trying to form a line to stop riders from crossing the Ohio, I don't know what good they really are. With the Cav unable to keep in supply very long cause they can't take cities. Its not really needed from what I've seen.

[W.Barksdale]

Yes the Mississippi will be one of my primary objectives. I plan on buying many many more riverboats so that portion is just the start. I don't know some ppl may not like gunboats but I always find they come in handy...can never have enough of them...

[W.Barksdale]

NVA HQ

The army is refitting in the safety of Washington. General Hamilton's force still occupies Alexandria in strength so I don't expect an attack here. Jackson is poised to retake Harpers Ferry in the coming weeks and may move on Annapolos or Baltimore. I've dispatched one bde to each of those cities just in case. Scouts will continue to harass the enemy supply lines and delay supplies and reinforcements as much as possible.

Lyon HQ

The army is well rested and will attack Price's command at Fayetteville in northern Arkansas. I hope it goes well as the forces are about equal strength, however, Price has little artillery and too many forces to control on his own.

Kentucky

Mr. T decided to attack Kentucky. I'm despatching a few bde's to capture the cities in the eastern part of the state along with the depot at Lexington

[W.Barksdale]

NVA HQ

The army will remain in Washington until I'm able to form divisions. A large rebel raider force appeared just outside Baltimoer so I'm sending some bde's around the area to try and trap it. If I can deny MrT use of this unit for the rest of the game it would be a serious blow to his cavalry forces as you can't build these guys!

Kentucky

Well MrT seems to be going after Kentucky in strength! McClellan will continue training the mountain corps so all that's is free to oppose the rebels is 3 bde's under hooker. He'll remain at Lexington for now I'd like to see how far MrT will push into KY. I may be able to swing around his forces once division formations open up.

Lyon HQ

Well the attack on Fayetteville was a moderate success. Lyon's army managed to take the city, along with its depot, however, Price and his army remain in the region. I'm rushing another bde from the base at Springfield just in case theres another fight.

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[W.Barksdale]

NVA HQ

Forces continue to maneuver with the aim of trying to kill that big rebel cavalry bde. IIRC, division formation is activated next turn so one more turn of gathering strength in Washinton then some minor operations can begin as there's only a limited time left campaigning before the frost hits.

Kentucky

MrT has moved two bde's to Louisville. Either his stack went inactive or something but he hasn't yet taken the city. I'll let him have it for now. Maybe he will overstretch himself. Grant (offscreen) has spawned and will be gathering forces in Illinois for a push somewhere.

Lyon HQ

Lyon continues to hold Fayetteville with only minor skirmishing by some native american warriors, which were easily wiped out. If Price continues to hold I'm sure I can rush more reinforcemnts to the area, and faster, than the rebels can. And divisions next turn!

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[W.Barksdale]

The White House

Given General McDowell's failure to take Mansassas he has been replaced by General McClellan who has rechristened the army, the Army of the Potomac! Oh and the 1st Virginia cavalry SOMEHOW evaded all my pursuers. Mabye next time..

For some reason I don`t have any additional HQ units to be built. So I`m stuck with just TWO HQ units to work with for now...McClellan with the AoP and Butler with AoJ...is this normal?

AoP HQ

Divisions have been organised and training is beginning immediately. Two divisions will hold at Alexandria equipped with plenty of artillery. If MrT wants to take the region it will cost him dearly

Kentucky

As expected the rebel forces under General Whiting have taken Louisville! MrT is creating a wide line to hold...Hooker will entrench at Lexington and await further developments.

Grant HQ

Ahh U.S. Grant! He`s formed a division and is ordered to Scott, Missouri. I`m counting only one rebel bde inside the city. Polk however, is just across the river at Paducah with more substantial forces. I beleive it`s unlikely many more forces will cross the river into Missouri at this stage so all-out attack for Grant and his boys.

Lyon HQ

Price has abandoned his entrenchments! I`m guessing he`s either heading north to take out the US regulars massing at Springfield, or he is retreating south towards Van Buren and Ft. Smith. In any case Lyon will try to catch him..once again about equal forces but I have the advantage in artillery.

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[acme]

Why do u industrialize western so heavily?

[It's a Trap]

To help with supply. Its sometimes easier to build supplies there instead of having aline of depots. And it is really cheap out west.

[W.Barksdale]

Yeah at about $25k, 25 WS the cost is marginal and can really make the difference...These supplies will flow overland west as well as down the Mississippi once I take it :P

[W.Barksdale]

AoP HQ

The situation has changed a little. I now have 8 full strength divisions in and around Washington and Alexandria. The mountain corps has 5 divisions at about 3\4 strength and still severely lacking in artillery. Nothing for this year I think...

Grant HQ

The attack did not go as well as hoped. Maybe I should have waited for those sharpshooters. In any case the army will stay in the region and keep trapped the rebel bde. Reinforcements are being rushed to the area just in case Polk decides to attack.

Lyon HQ

Turns out Price is retreating! Lyon will rush his army down and try to smash his forces. For some reason they haven't yet been formed into a division and so maybe easy pickings!

Kentucky

MrT still is much stretched out in this area...I've sent some scouts to check on strength and composition of the forces, as well as to cut some rail lines. I hope his recent success in this theatre causes him to put many many resources into this area.


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[acme]

i really dont understand how the hell Grant lost that battle.. with that artillery!
i dont think its because the lack of SS. its some kind of miracle of the game engine..

[W.Barksdale]

AoP HQ

Well I've found bory's stack...Lots of rebels...I'm sending scouts to check for any mroe forces as well as to disrupt the rail lines a bit


Kentucky
Hooker continues to hold Lexington with 3 bde's. The rebels have quite a bit of strength up in northern KY..I like this

Grant HQ

Well turns out MrT did try to send Polk to rescue the trapped rebels....Grant smashed him up good despite his low cohesion! Grant is to continue entrenching and await the surrender of the forces trapped in the city..I'm also despatching a very tired bde to Cairo to bolster its defence.

Lyon

The army managed to give Price a little 'nudge' but was unsuccessful in destroying him It's getting very late in autumn and winter is approaching fast so I'm opting to withdraw to the relative safety of Fayetteville.


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[slimey.rock]

i really dont understand how the hell Grant lost that battle.. with that artillery!
i dont think its because the lack of SS. its some kind of miracle of the game engine..

He did have to cross the Mississippi River to get at the Rebs. Plus they were slightly fortified and had... some artillery.