Holding Forts - Donelson and Island 10

[fusileer2002]

Hi guys

I'm currently playing my first PBEM and am in charge of the South. I'm wondering whats the best plan for holding onto the Forts in Tennessee. Currently I have only the garrison inside them that you start with in '61, but i have built up forces outside the walls in the same region, with the plan to make them division sized.

I know from plenty of experiences playing the AI (as either side) that its still fairly easy to push aside forces outside the fort with a big enough force. Then if the fort itself is only lightly manned its very easy to assualt and capture. On the other hand, assualting a fort full of troops and artillery is a risky business indeed but then there is the risk of a large garrison being bottled up and lost.

So how do you defend such places effectively? Is there an optimal size of garrison to have inside the fort? And how big a force do you hold outside in trenches? I'm thinking of building some coastal guns to put in Donelson but i don't know if its worth the cost just to hit harder any ships that try to run past.
Thanks

[W.Barksdale]

These are all questions dependant on alot of factors. Think about what purpose the forts serve. What kind of strategy are you employing? What kind of resources are the Yankees putting into the theatre? There are so many more to consider in a game like this. Thus, I can't be specific in answers without knowing all the factors that only you the actual player knows:

So how do you defend such places effectively?

You know that the Federals need to attack. Force them to attack where you want them to. Choose your recruits and positions appropriately.

Is there an optimal size of garrison to have inside the fort? And how big a force do you hold outside in trenches?

This all depends on the strategy that you are employing. Are you using a static defence? A reactionary defence? There are pros and cons to both.

I'm thinking of building some coastal guns to put in Donelson but i don't know if its worth the cost just to hit harder any ships that try to run past.

This depends on the Yankees. Are they trying to run the forts? Could your resources add to the effectiveness of strategy in another way?

What I'm getting at here is that there are too many specific ways of answering these general questions. It all depends on you and your opponent. Experience will help you make answers to these questions.

In the meanwhile, if this is one of your first pbems, try out a particular method! See if it works. If it does, mint! If no, remember that the game is long and there is more time to try a different approach at the next critical junction.

I hope I was of some help at least

[fusileer2002]

Helpful? Yes you were, thanks! Your points made me realise I don't have a specific plan for the defense of the area. I'm now thinking of all sorts of ways of using these strong points. I think my oponent will attempt to take them, rather than bypass them. For the moment they are preventing him from landing downstream and using the river for supply, so are useful. Should he manage to advance overland and create a supply network the forts become less useful.