Union Missouri strategy

[Jagger]

In my PBEMs as the Union, Missouri starts off with strong union control in much of the state. But by late 1861-early 1862, most of the state suddenly changes from blue to gray control. I assume this change is driven by event as typically, the confederates are on the defensive (outside of raids) and certainly haven't conquered the state.

In my games, I haven't used martial law or police control because the state was under blue control and I saw no reason to lose the VPs for St Louis and Fort Leavenworth. However now that the state has suddenly converted to gray control (by event??), I believe it is too late to effectively implement martial law as you must have 51 percent military control to use martial law.

So issue number one-How to maintain military control of Missouri? Is it absolutely essential for the Union to implement martial law or police control from the very beginning of the game? If rebel military control is driven by event, will martial law or police control override any event driven changes in military control?

If you have already lost military control of Missouri regions, it is too late to implement martial law/habeas corpus. So how do you regain military control of the state? I am guessing the only solution is to conquer all cities in the state and heavily garrison all cities and all railroad lines.

So any thoughts on maintaining military control of Missouri??

[thewick]

I believe its due to the St Louis Massacre event, where in RL german troops under lyon bayoneted babies and raped all the women.

Once Lyon shows up in game the Miss'er go gray and Price appears. At least thats my diagnoses.

[Mangudai]

I believe its due to the St Louis Massacre event, where in RL german troops under lyon bayoneted babies and raped all the women.

Is this sarcasm? If not can you support that statement.

[Gary D]

Jagger;

I do not think that Missouri changes "quickly", it is more of a slow change where turn by turn the US control deteriorates and then "poof" the state is grey.

Personally I keep tabs on the control percentages around the trails and railroads and use milita stacks and cavalry to go sit in the zone for awhile to reverse the trend of going grey. Winter when your patrols cannot get out and about hurts the Union.

I have only gotten up to mid 63 or so, but it is a constant challenge I work on every turn to keep the trails and railroads open. Not sure if the "St. Louis Event" ever stops this trend of changing control and loyalty or if we fight it the whole game?

[Jabberwock]

I try to keep a garrison in each town, and each region along the supply route down to Springfield and Fayetteville. If I have plenty of militia to spare, I will start sitting on the other regions with railroads. Hopefully the modded weather will make some difference in Spring and Fall conditions; I haven't got that far with 1.07 yet.

In RL troops under Nathaniel Lyon fired into a hostile crowd while marching through the streets of St Louis with prisoners from Camp Jackson. At least two dozen civilians were killed. There was considerable propaganda surrounding the event, and it did significantly affect sympathies. On a side note, W.T. Sherman was in the crowd as a spectator, and narrowly escaped getting shot.