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Having tried -and failed, in spectacular fashion- to recreate the battles at Gettysburg and Silloh, I decided to throw myself in a full-fledged campaign.

What I'll try to do here is describe both the reasons for my choices, problems I enounter, questions etc. It's pretty much a beginner's AAR with a sprinkle of role-playing, so please bear with me as I try to describe how I fared once I stepped in Abe's shoes.

Early April, 1861

(in character, who, I don't know, will decide as it goes)

"The misguided Southern leader seem bent on challenging the integrity of the United States of America. So be it. The armies of the Union will have this wrapped up by Christmas". (famous last words)

All the Union units are locked during the first turn. There are some scattered forces all over the map. Apart from the famous Fort Sumter garrison, there are two other places in the map where I have noticed Confederate forces in territories adjacent to mine: the garrison of Harper's Ferry can see some Confederates and the same goes for the garrison of Norfolk. The latter has me worried, as Norfolk is strategic town and although I know that I'm bound to lose some along the way, I'd hate to start with such a loss. Well, can't do much about it, so I decide to turn my attention to affairs of the state. My decisions, for turn 1, are the following:

Roster = no recruitment options there, so no choices to be made. There are some replacement companies available, but I decide against it, prefering to save my money for building up my industry and infrastructures. My reasons are twofold: part roleplaying (chosing to invest in the North's historical advantage) and part good old plain scroogeness.

Drafts = I won't touch mobilization (partial or full) for now, as it seems way too costly in terms of VP and NM points, plus I seriously doubt whether I'd be able to afford using up all the recruits from such a move right now. I consider adding a 1k bonus in the call for volunteers (256 points), but it seems to put an inordinate strain on my coffers. I end up signing a plain call for volunteers (138 points).

Financials = several interesting measures, all seemingly too costly for now, so I'll pass for turn 1.

Loyalties = Leaving everything as is. With the exception of Texas (which, for some reason, I thought was part of the South), the other states are pretty much loyal.

Economics = I begin with light industrialization of New York (excellent prospects). A conservative approach for now.

Politics = I considered signing the order for a total blockade, but the risk (45%) of tipping the Europeans towards the cause of the South prevents me for the time being.

Of the things I noticed in turn 1, what I can't quite understand is why the western states contribute nothing to my war effort. One logical explanation would be that some Southern forces prevent it, but it doesn't sound that convincing. It would take a massive army to effectively blockade the entire west, so a big question mark here.

And that's it for turn 1. Time to hit the "next turn" button and see what happens...

Stay tuned for episode two of "In Abe's Shoes". Thanks for reading this.

Snoob wrote:With the exception of Texas (which, for some reason, I thought was part of the South), the other states are pretty much loyal.

This is because the US owns Tuscon, for now at least. It's considered part of Texas for the purposes of economics and such, but anything you do in that region really won't have any effect on Texas itself.

Snoob wrote:Of the things I noticed in turn 1, what I can't quite understand is why the western states contribute nothing to my war effort. One logical explanation would be that some Southern forces prevent it, but it doesn't sound that convincing. It would take a massive army to effectively blockade the entire west, so a big question mark here.

What do you mean? All the states are represented, either in off map boxes or directly on the map. You will eventually be able to build some units out there, and California contributes money to your economy.

I love reading people's AARs, so keep it up, and I'll give you what help I can with any questions you have.

Spharv2 wrote:This is because the US owns Tuscon, for now at least. It's considered part of Texas for the purposes of economics and such, but anything you do in that region really won't have any effect on Texas itself.

Thank you for the clarification. As expected, loyalty is dropping in Texas (now, part 2 of turn 1 is down to 3%) so I won't be calling Texas Union territory for some time...

Spharv2 wrote: What do you mean? All the states are represented, either in off map boxes or directly on the map. You will eventually be able to build some units out there, and California contributes money to your economy.

Let me try and rephrase that: the northeastern regions, under the Economics tab, show their contribution in terms of supply wagons, ammo carts, thousands of dollars, conscript companies and tons of war supplies. The northwestern ones, including Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin (Texas, too, but I'm not counting on those boys) show 0 contribution in all those aspects. I'm certain the manual will have something on that, but it seems strange, it's like there's a cutoff line there.

Let me get through with some minor issues with the Confederate results and the messages I got before proceeding to the AAR: The industrialization of New York (completion of armory) showed up in regular fonts, thus rendering the end of the message illegible. However, the Confederacy blockade showed up in reduced fonts with the (...) at the end that Pocus was talking about in another thread.

Also, all messages concerning battles (red fonts) were in regular fonts, thus the end of the message (concerning NM changed) was illegible.

Finally, the message concerning the merchant fleet results mentions "x money". Is that in thousands of dollars?

So, on with the AAR...

"Incredible as it may have seemed a couple of weeks ago, the Confederates have launched simultaneous attacks on Union forts and towns. Although tensions had been running high for some time and strong words were being exchanged, what many of us are feeling right now can only be described as sheer disbelief. The government has called for volunteers; some say this is only the first step towards more intense mobilization of the country's armed forces. In Washington, people are confident that this will be but a sad footnote in the history of our nation. For some reason, I'm having serious doubts."

The Confederacy attacked on two fronts: Harper's Ferry and Norfolk. Interestingly, Fort Sumter, where the strongest forces were gathered, saw very limited action.

Amazingly, despite facing superior forces, both garrisons held. The militia guarding Harper's Ferry faced 5 assaults, of which 4 on consecutive days, from the 5th to the 8th of April. On those 4 occasions they managed to repel the attackers, inflicting significant losses on the Confederates. However, on the 12th of April, my weary and unsupplied troops lost, although they did manage to hold on, barely. The Confederate militia has laid siege and things look grim for the brave Union soldiers.

The regulars defending Norfolk fared even better. On the 10th and the 11th of April, they managed to soundly defeat the Confederates, forcing them to abandon the field. Still, they are only up to 10% in strength. No enemy units can be seen close by, but Richmond is not far away and danger could be lurking close. Still, the Confederate plans have been delayed on this front.

Surprisingly, Fort Sumpter was only attacked in event mode (a message informing me of the historical attack, in "newspaper" mode but the far superior Confederate forces have not attacked and are actually split. A brigade seems poised to lay siege but has not done so yet, while the main force is waiting a bit further to the west. A bit odd, but welcome news nonetheless.

The Confederates appear to be suffering from limited mobilization, like my forces, so with a surprising victory at Norfolk and an interesting stalemate in Harper's Ferry, I turn my attention to matters of the state.

Roster = still no available units for recruitment. My decision not to mobilize replacements in my first turn may yet return to haunt me. Norfolk could have been strengthened, had I decided to spend some money and resources on that. Harper's Ferry is besieged, so I doubt any replacements would be able to reach my boys over there. Still, it is something I must consider for turn 2.

Drafts = My 138 conscript points are available. Call for volunteers will be unavailable for the next 6 turns and mobilization still seems too costly and I see no need for such a strong move...yet.

Financials = My light industrialization of New York bears its first fruit; the new armory provides me with an extra 14 general supply and 8 ammo per turn. The figures on the map have improved as well, with increase of output recorded in supply wagons, ammo carts, thousands of dollars per turn and tons of war supplies. Money well spent, I should think.

Loyalties = The Confederate attacks seem to have a slight effect in the loyalties of states neighboring their territories, but nothing too worrying for the time being, with the exception of Texas. It's a lost cause and I can only watch it slip away. I might consider instigating some measures there, but it does seem hopeless.

Economics = I'm quite pleased with the results of light industialization, I shall study the figures and decide where to expand my investments. Several promising states in the northeast.

In other news, the Confederacy decided to put an embargo on cotton. This costly measure has caused the British to change their opinion and has earned the South 15 points in their goal of achieving foreign intervention. Ouch. I may have to respond with declaring a total blockade. Suddenly, a 55% chance of depriving them of 7-15 intervention points seems tempting. On the other hand, the 45% chance of adding 7-15 points to their cause is till worrying.

My merchant fleet has begun bringing in a little money and much needed war supplies. I shall have to maintain control of the high seas. In a second event, newespapers run the story of the initial -and rather ineffective, due to limited resources, Union blockade.

The Pratt Street Riot, in Baltimore, saw the first civilian casualties in a major northern city. It seems clear from the beginning that I shall have to work hard both on the military and political front to maintain support for the war. In a possibly related development, the railroad tracks in Baltimore have been damaged. There's an engineering unit in Washington, but for the time being it remains locked in place. A few more turns, then, before repairs can commence.

On the military front, 2 Brigadier Generals have been made available: Erasmus D. Keyes and Lewus L. Wallace (sadly, with generic portraits). Nothing spectacular in terms of abilities, but it's a start. I shall have to decide whether to deploy them now, or wait until they have some troops to join them.

Time for some beans counting: starting with 50 VP and 85 NM, I now stand at 96-86. It sounds wrong (I mean, +46 VP for doing nothing? and just +1 NM for winning 6 out of 7 engagements?) but the fight is still young. Ahar...har...har...erm, ok.

So, this concludes turn 1 for both sides. Overall, with the exception of my failure to secure some replacements, things have turned pretty well for me. Which means I have all of 103 turns to mess things up.

Please feel free to comment (on what little has happened so far). Pointing out glaring mistakes, for example. Action is limited for now, but it's bound to pick up.

Coming soon (work permiting) turn 2. Thank you for reading this.

Nice one! I enjoy the tone of this AAR.

Keep on reporting everything that puzzles you. We're taking notes.

Korrigan

Snoob wrote:Let me try and rephrase that: the northeastern regions, under the Economics tab, show their contribution in terms of supply wagons, ammo carts, thousands of dollars, conscript companies and tons of war supplies. The northwestern ones, including Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin (Texas, too, but I'm not counting on those boys) show 0 contribution in all those aspects. I'm certain the manual will have something on that, but it seems strange, it's like there's a cutoff line there.

Ah, gotcha. You know, I never noticed that before myself. Of course, in my opinion, you're playing the bad guys, which may be why I missed it. I can understand Kansas not producing since it was a new state, and even the farms were mostly still sufficiency farms, but Illinois should produce something at least. Good catch.

Snoob wrote:Finally, the message concerning the merchant fleet results mentions "x money". Is that in thousands of dollars?

Yep.

Snoob wrote:The Pratt Street Riot, in Baltimore, saw the first civilian casualties in a major northern city. It seems clear from the beginning that I shall have to work hard both on the military and political front to maintain support for the war. In a possibly related development, the railroad tracks in Baltimore have been damaged. There's an engineering unit in Washington, but for the time being it remains locked in place. A few more turns, then, before repairs can commence.

Yeah, the riot in Baltimore actually cut the rail and telegraph lines running into Washington DC. The initial reinforcements that came in to secure the capital had to land and march in. You don't need engineers to repair the rail lines, they just speed the process up. Any regiment sized fighting unit can do the job. (Basically anything but a general).

Snoob wrote:On the military front, 2 Brigadier Generals have been made available: Erasmus D. Keyes and Lewus L. Wallace (sadly, with generic portraits). Nothing spectacular in terms of abilities, but it's a start.

Portraits for the remaining 107 or so leaders should be coming soon. The artist had an intrusion of "real life" whatever the heck that is. It would have been a silly thing to delay release for, so they decided that those could be updated later on.

There was a display bug about Illinois and such, fixed thanks.

VP are accrued each turn, and can be expended too. Consider them like a kind of a 'prestige' asset.

When you say fixed, you mean it will be included in an upcoming patch? I had v.1.00b when I noticed this.

(Turn 2 should be up a little later, for anyone remotely interested in my foray into AACW).

no I mean fixed in my version, you will get it this evening.

Turn 2, USA

“They say our troops at Sumter are holding off the Rebels. I dare not imagine how our boys must be feelings down there, surrounded, under siege. And yet, in these dark hours, our victory in Norfolk offers much needed hope. It buys us time, while tying down Confederate forces. However, all over Virginia there is talk of advancing Confederate armies. Some degree of mobilization seems inevitable. Until this happens, the South is holding the initiative”.

Three fronts right now, Harper’s Ferry, Norfolk and Fort Sumter. I decided to get some reinforcements, primarily for the troops at Norfolk, since Harper’s Ferry is besieged and unlikely to benefit for any relief effort.

Still no direct recruitment options. Partial mobilization still seems expensive, but it is a matter of a couple of turns before I resort to that.

No changes on the financial level, but a low interest war bond sounds mighty tempting. Holding on that one as well, for now.

In economics, I decide to upgrade to medium industrialization in New York. I was happy with the results of my first upgrade and I expect a similarly pleasing outcome this time, too.

No changes in Loyalties. With limited military activity, only Texas seems well out of my control. The other states are still supporting the Union cause.

In politics, I briefly considered ordering a total blockade. I need to starve the South of resources early on, but still the possibility of offering them leverage with the Europeans is worrying me. I’m beginning to fear that I’m postponing important decisions here. Still, I would rather follow a conservative approach early on (a bit of role-playing, too).

Still on the defensive and with the initiative firmly with the South, I press end turn.

Turn 2, CSA

It turns out that the Confederates had been besieging Fort Sumter. (note: the siege icon is not visible anywhere near Sumter or else I need to talk to my optician soon). Thankfully, no results for CSA there and for at least another turn they are forced to tie down a significant force in that siege.

Then, a huge surprise: the Winchester militiamen who had put Harper’s Ferry under siege, having suffered significant casualties, lift the siege and move to the southeast. Great news for me, since now I hope my boys will receive the reinforcement I bought in my turn (should have bought more, grrr) but it does seem like a serious error on the part of the AI. Then, I notice a Confederate Major General approaching, with some infantry and lots of artillery. It seems the inevitable has been postponed, and nothing more.

South of Norfolk, in Edenton, General Charles S. Winder has joined the Suffolk militia who failed in their efforts to lay siege to Norfolk. Even with the addition of a general, the delay for at least another couple of turns is a definite plus for me.

ODD: despite Richmond being well within the FOW zone, I can see a Confederate Major General with lots of infantry waiting in the capital. I don’t understand how this could be, though, but that glimpse into the enemy’s rear line does little to allay my fears over the fate of Norfolk…

So, my reinforcements seem to have reached both Harper’s Ferry and Norfolk. Perhaps I should have been bolder with the number of reinforcements ordered, but I’m learning as I go along and in any case I wasn’t expecting that I would be able to send any help to Harper’s Ferry. So, I’m just thankful for that brief respite in the west and concentrate on the news:

My industrialization efforts in New York led to the production of yet another armory. (note: regular size fonts, end of message runs off the message box). Meanwhile, my merchant fleet supplies me with a little money and some quite useful war supplies.

In a rather expected development, the CSA captures Laredo, in West Texas. Sadly, inevitable…

There is quite a bit of activity in both brown and blue waters, with a couple of ships in Florida becoming active, along with the squadron under Admiral Palmer, guarding my merchant fleet in the Atlantic.

In other events, Carl Schurz raises German troops in New York. The St. Louis massacre reveals the growing tensions between unionists and secessionists in Border States, while for a brief time martial law is enforced in Maryland.

Two new generals become available: Major General Banks (2,0,1) merely displays the poor level of high-ranking US officers early in the war. By comparison, Brig. General Hooker (4,4,2) seems the new Napoleon.

Mobilization has commenced: the Washington brigade, an elite unit comprising the 26th and 27th Pennsylvania) is formed, available for deployment immediately. The main Eastern Army appears near Washington DC, but it is locked in place and still prohibitively under strength. (question: do I need to acquire replacements to swell their ranks manually, or is that handled automatically?)

Conclusion:
With several units now available for recruitment strategic options abound. Turn 3 will take some serious planning, if I am to stem the early advance of the Confederate Armies.

Snoob wrote:Turn 2, CSA

It turns out that the Confederates had been besieging Fort Sumter. (note: the siege icon is not visible anywhere near Sumter or else I need to talk to my optician soon). Thankfully, no results for CSA there and for at least another turn they are forced to tie down a significant force in that siege.

Could be that the Rebel force was covering up the icon, are you getting the "The Confederate forces are besieging Ft. Sumter, but achieved nothing this turn" messages?

Snoob wrote:ODD: despite Richmond being well within the FOW zone, I can see a Confederate Major General with lots of infantry waiting in the capital. I don’t understand how this could be, though, but that glimpse into the enemy’s rear line does little to allay my fears over the fate of Norfolk…

I've noticed this a few times too, but don't worry about it too much. You can't get detailed info, and considering that all you had to do to figure out who had arrived in Richmond or Washington was to pick up a paper, it makes sense that you'd have a general idea of what was going on there.

Snoob wrote:Two new generals become available: Major General Banks (2,0,1) merely displays the poor level of high-ranking US officers early in the war. By comparison, Brig. General Hooker (4,4,2) seems the new Napoleon.

Enjoy Hooker, he's the best you've got for a while.

Snoob wrote:Mobilization has commenced: the Washington brigade, an elite unit comprising the 26th and 27th Pennsylvania) is formed, available for deployment immediately. The main Eastern Army appears near Washington DC, but it is locked in place and still prohibitively under strength. (question: do I need to acquire replacements to swell their ranks manually, or is that handled automatically?)

I'm actually not sure about this. I think you need replacements in your pool to flesh them out, but I've honestly never been caught without plenty of replacements, so I'm not sure.

here is the answer my dear men:

http://www.ageod-forum.com/showthread.php?p=24705#post24705