Well, as expected, soundoff made a move. Fortunately for me, it was made by only half his army and they attacked piecemeal, coming at Richmond 5 days apart!
Now would be the perfect time for a counter-stroke, however, I just don't think that I have the strength to do it without heavy losses. Lee was able to inflict some pretty serious on Grant's and Whipple's corps, however, many of my own divisions are at half strength and half cohesion. I don't think they will be ready to fight.
Smith's corps at Fredericksburg is the only corps not yet engaged. He has 3 fresh divisions, however, soundoff has 8. 4 at Culpepper and 4 at Stafford so I am reluctant to throw them at Grant when some of these are bound to head for Charlotttesville.
Since the last a battle for Richmond took place near the end of the turn I don't think Bragg, Holme's, and Lee had time to march back to Louisa, so I am ordered Bragg and Lee There by rail. Holme's corps has been consolidated into Kirby Smith's new corps with 2 of his divisions going to Jackson. These are the worst shot up of the engaged troops and so they will stay put in Richmond for a few weeks to refit. Van Dorn is moving to Petersburg where his cavalry corps is massing.
A federal fleet tried to run the gauntlet of guns I've been massing along the James River. They made it in, however, I don't think they will make it out. They were hit by batteries at Norfolk, Suffolk, James City and Prince George! They are well under half-strength.
I am setting Smith's corps at Fredericksburg on defend and retreat since I don't think 1300 pwr is enough to hold off 8 Federal divisions in case of attack. I really need these troops as I am sure that there are federal reinforcements rushing to VA. In any case, Bragg and Lee, who are moving to Louisa, will be able to support in the case of another half-hearted attack.
3 cavalry raiders are making their way to delaware to cut rails on the eastern seaboard. Hopefully this will slow reinforcements and cause some additional annoyance.
Over in KY, Thomas has appeared at Bowling Green with 2 divisions. Holme's was transferred to TN and given command of a corps at Nashville. I've cut the rails at Clarksville and Gallatin (sorry sis!) and ordered Holme's new corps to move to Humphreys TN, along with ASJ to support Johnson's corps at forts Henry and Donelson. Bonham's corps will remain at Nashville.
I really wish soundoff attacks somewhere in KY! If he had done so already this would be a perfect time to smash Thomas' two divisions sitting at Bowling Green.
Bory is moving his HQ to Humbolt to protect some artillery forming there.
Polk's corps is now firmly entrenched at Charleston MO with two divisions. Small reinforcements will head toward Bory to make another small corps to support the two bde's at Island, no 10. I just need another ** general!
This is where Price and Pemberton come in. Fremont is on the move in MO. I am praying that soundoff does not sniff the trouble brewing at Springfield.
Pemberton's division is only two weeks away. I plan to hit Davis' command at Lexington with those two divisions, holding springfield with the new division who's artillery is nearly done as well! After they smash the small division I can turn on Fremont and work on getting Jefferson City and St. Louis!!!
soundoff has sent more ships back to BB. My brigs were able to mess them up real good, however, several have had to return to port for repairs after the encounter. I am still earning quite a nice profit in any case.
"Tell General Lee that if he wants a bridge of dead Yankees I can furnish him with one."
-General William Barksdale at Fredericksburg