AAR; Bull Run

[ian]

Hi Ian,

No you're not being pickey. As Pocus stated above, currently some aspects of the unit screen are still to be completed but we can look forward to having the number of men explicitly detailed.

Still think that spacing the hearts is a better visual idea. xx xx xx x can quickly be seen as 350 better than xxxxxxx but yes putting numbers on will make it obvious. I can also see that on the Regimental screen shown ther is actually very little room for spacing out the heart symbols?

What about the Battle Report screen? Will there be numbers here? if not spacing makes sense?

[marecone]

If this would be a voteing issue then my vote would go to numbers. Easy to see and read and much more informative then counting hearts. But, if hearts stay, I wont cry

[Barney]

Turn 3 Early July 1861

McDowell continues to feel the pressure for a quick victory (Four turns remaining) and so begins to plan a new attempt to open the road to Richmond by dislodging the rebels from around Manassas. The old maxim “an army marches on it’s stomach” was never truer than during the civil war and although the Bull Run campaign takes place in an area of plenty around Maryland and northern Virginia in 1861, supply will be of vital importance during campaigns in the Western theatre and Deep South. Before issuing his orders he asks the Army Quartermaster Corps for an analysis of the levels of supply at the various depots. (Supply Map view below)



As was historically the case, AACW places great importance on maintaining good lines of supply. On the map below you can see each county and it’s level of supply for union troops. Supply lines are traced back to a depot (These can be seen by the little boxes representing food and water (constantly drawn upon by your units) and the cannon balls (which represent ammunition and are only used by units if participating in a battle) located strategically in towns and cities in Maryland and Pennsylvania. When a unit is outside it’s supply lines (red areas) and has used up all it’s available supplies on hands then it will suffer attrition and penalties in combat. However on the march new supply depots can be built at strategic locations or alternatively units can draw supplies from wagons accompanying the forces (refer above). Supply wagons help to support an army that moves into enemy territory and which may have irregular enemy forces or cavalry in it’s rear cutting it’s supply lines. Supplies can also be captured by the enemy as was a common occurrence by Rebel cavalry during the ACW. In summary supply is either automatic (through the supply lines) or manual (if you assign transport wagons which represent the Quartermasters Corps, beef on the hoof etc). Finally all Brigades will also carry a small level of supplies that will enable them to remain supplied for a small period.

Receiving a favourable report from the QM, orders are issued for the Army of NEV to once again march on Manassas. It’s strategic importance means it can’t be ignored, although moving the Army away from Washington will potentially open up the capital to a rebel attack. Consequently Patterson is ordered to remain inside Harpers Ferry blocking Jackson whilst the main Union Army marches south.

[Barney]

One further thing, in the first sceenshot you can see McDowell also has a number balloon detachment with him which gives a detection bonus. Other units detailed in AACW include Marines (as outlined in screen two), Medical Corps and Partisan troops.

[jimkehn]

Has supply useage, production, and trace changed much from BoA?

[Pocus]

completely reworked from scratch yes, now cities produce supply points which are moved accross the map with an automated system.

[Korrigan]

Who is Robert M. Holmes? The confederate general was named Theophilus Hunter Holmes.

I asked Philippe Thibault about Holmes, he answered this must be a mistake. Thanks for the head up. Scenarios OOB are still under construction.

I have just posted our ACW Generals data base in the Officers room (with names, stats, ranks, abilities and stuff).
Feel free to have a look on it, all feedbacks are welcome.

Korrigan

[jimkehn]

Thanks, Pocus. You guys are doing great work!

[Barney]

Turn 4 Late July 1861

Around 22 July 1861, McDowell finds the Army marching into Manassas only to be surprised by a Rebel force under the command of Holmes. Once again the Army of NEV forces a withdrawal of the Rebel force although it is not decisive, yet it allows McDowell to occupy Manassas potentially opening the gateway to Richmond.

However at precisely the same time Jackson swings around Harpers Ferry via the Leesburg road and routs the US 7th Cavalry opening the way for a Rebel move against Washington or Baltimore. This is Lincoln’s and the North’s worst nightmare and McDowell is now forced to weigh up the potential capture of Richmond against a likely assault on Washington.

Fortunately General Scott, hero of 1812, commands a significant force in the Washington defences (signified by the yellow flag on the flagpole at Washington) so McDowell’s absence may not be so keenly felt if the Confederates choose to hurl themselves at the mass of artillery lining the Washington defences.



McDowell never loses sight of the President's expectations and begins to draw up plans to continue the march south.

[runyan99]

Yeah, I was wondering about the little yellow flags. The '1' at Washington means what, exactly?

[Pocus]

one stack in the city. The small green bullets count units by group of three is another way to estimate number of units. Note that this is a zoomed out view and things can be difficult to see at this level. Personnaly I play at 100% view, and just zoom-out at start of the turn (I play in 1600x1200, so I get to see a lot of regions though )

[Florent]

After the second battle, Holmes'force vanished. Is this because of fog of war or is Holmes's force destroyed.

[marecone]

Yap, could we see battle results please?

[Barney]

After the second battle, Holmes'force vanished. Is this because of fog of war or is Holmes's force destroyed.

Hi Florent. It's because of fog of war.

[Florent]

Thanks Barney. As Pocus stated before the total destruction of an army will be an unlikely event. Good !

[Barney]

Turn 5 Early August 1861

The Washington defences are a considerable obstacle and intelligence reports of Jackson’s force suggest it to be insufficient for an attack on the capital. McDowell hopes it is no more than a raid by Jackson’s Corps, although it would appear that this particular rebel force will no doubt continue to be a thorn in the Union side as it operates out of the Shenandoah. Consequently McDowell orders the other Division of Patterson’s, stationed in Piedmont, Md to move east to Harpers Ferry to reinforce the Division moved there in June.

McDowell also brings his Division commanders together and lays out the order of march for the move on Richmond. He intends to cross the Rappahannock, bypass Fredericksburg, march through Spotsylvania and Hanover and cross the Pamunkey River and attack from the north. It’s a bold plan partcularly in light of reports of Rebels in his rear and no major Union force outside of Washington to contend with Jackson’s force. Beauregard’s whereabouts are also unknown although Holmes is no longer considered a threat.



The orders are cut and McDowell expects the force to move out at any moment. Regrettably again the Union command structure as it is (and McDowell’s ability as leader ) does not allow for the Division commanders to get their troops underway (Again command penalties restrict movement) and after a frustrating two weeks, no progress is made and the Army remains in Manassas now being shadowed by a regiment of Virginia Cavalry. Thankfully, as expected Jackson has withdrawn from the Washington area without an engagement, although he now threatens Harper's Ferry from the West. It now appears unlikely that another decisive engagement will be fought by McDowell and the clamour for the capture of Richmond by the Politicians and citizens of Washington look likely to result in McDowell losing his job!

This War between the States looks certain to continue for longer than anyone expected and the President begins to consider alternatives to increase the number of troops in the field.



Issuing a call for more volunteers appears the most palatable, although none of this matters to McDowell bogged down in Manassas.

[Spruce]

well, I'm very much impressed ! Keep up the good work guys !

Question = as European ... will this game be available in stores in Belgium (Flanders) ?

[beowulf]

I'm hoping it will be available for download like BoA was.

[Florent]

Yes, Barney keep up your excellent AAR, moreover your are a good writer. I like the immersion you give us with historical knowledge as well as game mechanic showing us the rules and some other details. Very much appreciated ! I can't wait a full campaign as well as being mid or end March with the game at home.

[Barney]

Turn 6 Late August 1861

McDowell’s force begins it’s slow move towards Richmond. (Game note: This glacial movement I believe highlights one of the intricacies of the game engine. Good commanders (ie high strategic rating) can get their force moving quickly (see Jackson) whilst General’s such as McDowell with a low strategic rating of 2 suffer severe movement penalties). Meanwhile Patterson’s two divisions link up in Harper’s Ferry facing Jackson.



Unfortunately the intelligence reports of the mauling of Holmes force appear to have been incorrect and with no blocking force at Manassas or Alexandria, he is now threatening Washington (Even in beta the AI provides a strong challenge and appears to take advantage of my poor tactical decisions). Washington is once again threatened and McDowell finds himself just outside Fredericksburg without any chance of coming to the capital's aid.

Mile's Division, which had been protecting Port Tobacco is ordered to try and relieve Washington and join the city defence under Winfield Scott. Holmes force outside Washington, assaults Fort Lincoln on September 8 and mauls the Union force which suffers considerable casualties, although Washington remains in Union hands.

Down south, the hapless Union commander McDowell discovered Beauregard’s Army of the Potomac in Hannover but failed to engage him and the Union general finds himself outside the Rebel capital, with three Rebel forces in his rear and Washington besieged.

A strategic withdrawal looks likely although McDowell realises his days as Army commander are numbered. He has failed to reach his objective!



McDowell has failed to win the crushing victory required (although technically he has not lost a major strategic objective and so has won on accumulated victory points.) The National morale of both the Union and the Confederacy shows that both sides still have significant fight in them and a long drawn out war will now almost certainly occur.

[marecone]

AI looks impressive. Defending, loseing a battle, hideing and then coming around on Washington. Great stuff guys. My compliments

[Florent]

Nice AAR! The AI seems very good. perhaps now an AAR from the confederate side to see how the Union AI plays. Some questions. It was a scenario but there was some conscription allowed late in the scenario. What are the consequences for the scenarios ? New forces in Washington ?(although green). I suppose that the reverse is also true meaning for the confederate side that they conscripted too and thus explaining why Holmes and jackson reunited around Washington. They knew that new forces build around Richmond or elsewhere in Virginia.
Also after the first battle i saw during the assault that the confederate lost a cavalry company or regiment out of 3 during the assault. How cavalry is handled during a battle ? There were few cavalry heroic charge during the war contrary to Austro-Prussian and Franco-Prussian war where cavalry was often wipe out. Forrest at Brice crossroads had most of his men dismounted. Is there any test to see if a charge happen ? Will the cavalry charge automatically in a napoleonic style and thus be butchered by the new weapons ? Is the infamous captain Stark type leader in the game?

[Pocus]

no for now there is no special effect for cavalry during combat, their stats is taken into account, but there is no charge or shock effet, except if you have a leader with the cavalryman trait (a bonus to combat).

for specific questions about the scenario setup, I will leave to PhilThib the answer.

The AI is still a work in progress.

[Florent]

Thanks for the answer Pocus.

[Chris0827]

Was Joe Johnston not in the scenario or did the union player not see him because of the fog of war?

[Pocus]

He is in the setup yes.

[aryaman]

I am very impressed by the look of the game, especially the supply lines system looks very well done, I wonder
1) Do railways play a role in the ability to mass supplies at depots? Historically armies massed supplies at railway heads but then had great difficulties to move them down the roads
2) I hope the supply wagons don´t runi the supply system, in BOA there were way too many, in fact historically they are misrepresented I think, armies didn´t travel with large supply wagons, 5 to 7 days rations were the maximum they carried, that is why supply lines were so important.
If that is well balanced I will revise my vote on the minigames, as I think Frederic campaigns could then be well portrayed.

[Pocus]

Railway and a proper rolling stock allow you to move farther and faster the supply yes. This is especially important when you are far from your main production centers, although nothing will replace the laying out of a grid of depots. They will push forward efficiently the supply, from the rear to the demanding areas.

Supply wagons are there yes, this is the manual leverage the player get when he want a more focused stream of supply, as the distribution is automated if can do things that you are not totally satisfied with.

[aryaman]

I understand the need for some manual management, as long as it does not unbalance the rest of the supply system, I mean basically as long as you can´t invade the South with your armies carrying supply wagons so you can disregard your supply lines

[Pocus]

an Union army on the move eat the content of several wagons a turn, so I don't think it will be a viable solution, wagons cost much and don't resplesnish automatically, you have to send them back to depots. See them as the mules train that the logistic department moved around, this is historical in this sense.