Yellowhammer USA vs Sedgwick CSA

[Yellowhammer]

TURN 15 – Early November 1861

USA NM = 93
CSA NM = 113
Foreign Help = 5
Prisoners of War CSA 600
USA Combat losses = 7006
CSA Combat losses = 6646
USA VP = 596
CSA VP = 579
USA VP per turn = 35
CSA VP per turn = 56

Unless something happens, Sedgwick overcomes my VP lead next turn.

Messages:
CSA 7th fleet bypassed Fort Monroe
Rugers WI BDE to Cairo IL
USS Dacotah to James Estuary

Intel:
Sibley at Tucson PWR 82
Watie at Carroll MO PWR 22
McCulloch at Fayetteville UNK
Bragg Division at Paducah UNK
CSA force at Hickman KY
CSA BDE at Bowling Green KY
Johnston Army of Kentucky with Polk Division at Louisville PWR 185
CSA BDE at Clarksburg KY
Johnston destroyed depot and rail at Strasburg then disappeared
Beauregard at Culpeper VA UNK
Smith at Fredericksburg VA UNK
Magruder Division at James City VA PWR 384
Winder at Norfolk VA UNK

Dispositions:
Fremont forms Army of the Ohio at Dayton moves to Columbus IN
Mansfield PA Res Division to Manassas
Heintzelman forms NVA Division at Grafton
Shields forms MI / KY Division PWR 421at Louisville ordered to conservative attack
Blenker forms WV Division at Grafton then ordered to Harpers Ferry
WV Cav to Galia OH
4th US Cav to Nebraska KS
Farragut fleet to James Estuary
Atl Squadron 5 to James Estuary
Lyon to St Louis
US Cav to Vienna MO (raise loyalty for rail)
MD Cav to Stafford VA
NY Cav to Morgan WV
Hurlbut reinforcements including Supply at Fort Pickens
Gulf Squadron to Gulf Blockade
McCall Division to Columbus IN
Chesapeake Scouting Squadron to Baltimore for resupply
PA and NY Potomac line to WDC
Secret force ordered to secret location

Replacements: 1 Elite Inf, 1 Lt Arty

Reinforcements: Secret

Economics: IL and DE industrialization; 30 locomotives and 10 riverine transport

Shields arrived at Louisville unscathed and so did the KY force – even though forming the division has penalties, I think (hope?) that the benefits are worth it. The CSA doesn’t appear to have many units nearby for reinforcement and Shields believes that he has sufficient force to prevail in an attack…

I’m disappointed that Johnston left Strasburg as I was preparing to try to cut him off…

[Yellowhammer]

TURN 16 – Late November 1861

USA NM = 98
CSA NM = 114
Foreign Help = 5
Prisoners of War CSA 600
USA Combat losses = 8686
CSA Combat losses = 7876
USA VP = 631
CSA VP = 632
USA VP per turn = 35
CSA VP per turn = 56

Messages:
Wilmington DE +17 GS (finally!)

Battle of Louisville – Union Defeat
USA Shields 10147 men 2430 horse 24 cannon vs CSA Johnston 10840 men 2688 horse 32 cannon
USA loss 1722 men 338 horse vs CSA loss 1260 men 184 horse
Shields retreated to New Albany IN – overall a satisfactory outcome – Kentucky force was preserved.

1st CT Supply to Montgomery MD (Potomac line)
CSA Watie captured Bloomington MO
YMCA +5 NM +20 conscripts
Trent Affair +1 NM
Rail accident

Intel:
Sibley force at Cherokee IT
Watie at Bloomington MO
Bragg at Paducah
CSA force at Columbus KY
Stewart with BDE at Bowling Green
Johnston PWR 193 at Louisville
CSA 2 BDE plus UNK at Mercer KY
BDE at Prestonburg KY
Beauregard PWR 1546 at Culpeper VA
Smith PWR 946 at Fredericksburg VA
Johnston PWR 657 at James City VA (facing Butler with PWR 563)
Winder at Norfolk
Where is McCulloch?

Dispositions:
Gulf Blockade to Baltimore
Farragut Fleet to Baltimore
Atlantic Blockade to Baltimore
McDowell to Manassas
10th and 11th WV Cav repair rail at Lancaster OH
Morell PWR 150 to New Albany
Fremont Army of the Ohio PWR 128 to New Albany (will have PWR 823 when assembled)
McCall PWR 277 countermanded to New Albany
Shields PWR 268 at New Albany
Cali BDE to St Louis
US Cav to St Louis
OH Vols to Cincinnati
McClellan PWR 1424 ordered to demonstrate at Culpeper VA against Beauregard PWR 1546
Secret force ordered to secret location

Replacements: 1 Infantry

Reinforcements: Secret

Economics: IA IL IN OH PA industrialization; 30 locomotives and 10 riverine transports

Fremont tells me that the Army of the Ohio is assembling at New Albany to take Louisville. Problem, again, attacking across a river. The secret operation is on schedule.

Patience...

[Yellowhammer]

Game delay due to storms in Alabama - my power and internet are out for a few days.

[Nikel]

And tornadoes...

http://abcnews.go.com/US/tornadoes-kill-245-knock-nuclear-plants/story?id=13474955

[Yellowhammer]

I'm back - I have enough fuel for my generator until the power comes back on.

TURN 17 – Early December 1861

USA NM = 98
CSA NM = 115
Foreign Help = 6
Prisoners of War CSA 600
USA Combat losses = 8686
CSA Combat losses = 7876
USA VP = 666
CSA VP = 684
USA VP per turn = 35
CSA VP per turn = 54

Messages:
Philadelphia PA +23 GS +3 WS
Lima OH +15 GS
Steubenville OH +8 Ammo
Des Moines IA +7 Ammo
USS Vermont to Baltimore
Western BDE to Cairo IL
Rail accident

Intel:
Watie PWR 13 at Charles MO
Bragg at Paducah KY
CSA Force at Columbus KY
Stewart at Bowling Green KY (no depot)
Johnston (PWR 236) evacuated Louisville to Meade KY
Ohio Flotilla (4 gunboat plus transport) at Fall Creek
CSA Cavalry force (PWR 62) at Clarksburg KY
Brown’s BDE at Prestonburg KY
Beauregard (PWR 1412) at Culpeper VA
Smith (PWR 904) at Fredericksburg VA
Johnston (PWR 610) at James City VA
Winder at Norfolk VA

Dispositions:
PA line to Harrisonburg PA
10th WV Cav to Galia OH and Pleasant WV (recapture harbors)
11th WV Cav to Susquehanna MD (repair rail)
2nd NY Cav to Morgan WV (repair rail)
Morell to Cincinnati OH
IN Vols to Vincennes IN
Shields to Evansville IN
Secret force ordered to secret location.

Replacements: 3 Infantry

Reinforcements:
USMC
CT Supply (Harpers Ferry Depot)
MO Riverine Transport (Jefferson City depot)
IN River Transport (Louisville depot)

Economics: IL and IN industrialization

After further consideration, I aborted McClellan’s planned attack at Culpeper. Fremont couldn’t move to Louisville (CSA flotilla?). General Winter is taking a toll on my forces, my guess is that Sedgwick’s forces are suffering without depots / supply in KY and TN. Other than the secret operation, my forces are hunkered down.

[Yellowhammer]

TURN 18 – Late December 1861

USA NM = 96
CSA NM = 115
Foreign Help = 2
Prisoners of War CSA 600
USA Combat losses = 8686
CSA Combat losses = 7876
USA VP = 701
CSA VP = 734
USA VP per turn = 35
CSA VP per turn = 54

Messages:
Indianapolis IN +9 Ammo
Columbus IN +7 Ammo
McDowell’s IN BDE to Evansville
CT Supply to Harpers Ferry (depot)
OH SS and OH 10# Arty to New Albany IN
OH SS and OH 10# Arty to Cincinnati
MI Horse Arty to join Shields at Evansville (reward for job well done at Louisville)
CSA captured Rolla MO (Sedgwick destroyed the depot earlier)

Intel:
CSA force PWR 61 at Beaumont TX
Watie at Rolla MO
Bragg at Paducah KY
CSA force at Columbus KY
Johnston at Bowling Green KY
CSA force at Clarksburg KY
CSA force at Prestonburg KY
Holmes force PWR 920 at Culpeper VA
Beauregard Army PWR 1200 at Fredericksburg VA
Johnston force PWR 640 at James City VA
Winder at Norfolk VA

Dispositions:
Porter Division PWR 228 conservative assault Galveston then Houston TX (10 days)
Meagher Division PWR 231 conservative assault Tallahassee FL (10 days)
Schurz Division PWR 249 conservative assault Jacksonville FL (10 days)
Wallace Division PWR 237 conservative assault Charleston SC (10 days)
McClellan Army PWR 1534 ordered to demonstrate at Culpeper VA
McCall to Louisville
Farragut to James River

Replacements: none

Reinforcements:
Army HQ
2 NY 3I/A/C BDE (AOTP)
2 NY 2I/A BDE (AOTP)
2 NJ 2I/A BDE (Peninsula garrisons)
OH 2I/A/C BDE (Western Div)
MI 2I/C BDE (Western Div)
2 OH SS (Western Div and Shields Div)
MI Horse Arty (Western Div)
4 CT Horse Arty (AOTJ)
IA 2I/C BDE (Des Moines garrison)
IL 2I/C BDE (Salem garrison)

Drafts: Call for Volunteers w/$1K bounty (293 conscripts)
Financial: Exceptional taxes (+$958K +1 Inflation -2 NM)
Politics: Total Blockade (+$50K +15 VP +1 NM)

Economics: IL industrialization

The President has authorized me to inform you that four Union fleets with strong raiding parties are at Galveston Bay, Ocklockonee Estuary, St John Estuary, and Cape George. These forces are engaged in Operation Gig (so-called because there are four targets, resembling a four-pronged box-gig used for frog-gigging). These forces will raid certain Southern cities, destroying any war materiel found. The timing of this operation was planned to coincide with the potential disbandment of Southern militias, possibly minimizing opposition to our landing forces.

Also, the option for mobilization and calling volunteers is active this turn. If Sedgwick builds forces close to my raiding units I may be able to pick off some unfinished units.

Note that our house rule is no mobilization until 1862.

[Yellowhammer]

TURN 19 – Early January 1862

USA NM = 96
CSA NM = 111
Foreign Help = -5
Prisoners of War CSA 1400
USA Combat losses = 9586
CSA Combat losses = 10516
USA VP = 759
CSA VP = 708
USA VP per turn = 40
CSA VP per turn = 51

Messages:
Chicago IL +8 Ammo
Quincy IL +2 WS
Tolono IL +9 Ammo
Blockade -8 British engagement
CSA Exceptional taxes
CSA 8% War Bonds
CSA Call for Volunteers

Battle of Galveston TX – Union Victory
USA Porter 4918 men 1167 horse 23 cannon vs CSA 450 men
USA loss 184 men vs CSA loss 450 men (200 POW – militia element destroyed)
USA captured Galveston TX

Medical, Signal, Engineers, and Balloon to Cincinnati OH (AOTO)
WI BDE to Cairo
USA captured Tallahassee FL

Battle of Charleston SC – Union Defeat
USA Wallace 4948 men 1246 horse 23 cannon vs CSA 3547 men 67 horse 8 cannon
USA loss 584 men 276 horse vs CSA loss 707 men

Battle of Houston TX – Union Victory
USA Porter 4738 men 1167 horse 23 cannon vs CSA 1500 men
USA loss 153 men 30 horse vs CSA loss 922 men (400 POW – 2 militia elements destroyed)

Battle of Jacksonville FL – Union Victory
USA Schurz 5008 men 1258 horse 23 cannon vs CSA 600 men
USA loss 0 men vs CSA loss 600 men (200 POW – Infantry element destroyed)
USA captured Jacksonville FL

USA liberated Louisville KY
USS Hartford to Baltimore MD
Buffalo Militia, Delaware State Militia, California Militia, NY State Guard disbanded
Schurz and Porter congratulated for victory
Gatling Guns
ADM Porter and USS Cairo at Cairo
BG Thomas promoted at Cincinnati

Intel:
CSA cav / arty force at Beaumont TX
Sibley force destroyed Fort Gibson IT
Watie force at Erie MO
Bragg force at Paducah KY
CSA force at Columbus KY
Johnston Army at Bowling Green KY
Ohio Flotilla at Mercer harbor KY
CSA force at Clarksburg KY
CSA BDE at Prestonburg KY
Homes force PWR 920 at Culpeper VA
Longstreet force PWR 900 at Fredericksburg VA
Beauregard Army at Richmond VA
James City VA abandoned
Winder force at Norfolk VA
Charleston SC force PWR 80

Dispositions:
Porter ordered to run away at Houston (10 days)
Meagher ordered to destroy Tallahassee depot
Schurz ordered to destroy Jacksonville Depot
Wallace ordered to run away at Charleston SC (6 days)
Hurlbut Division formed at Fort Pickens FL
Farragut to lift Richmond blockade and ordered to Baltimore
Sumner to Rolla MO

Replacements: 1 Infantry

Reinforcements:
Balloon, Med, Signal, Eng (AOTJ)
4 DE Arty (Fort Louisville)
2 OH Supply (AOTO)

Economics: none; excess rail and river

I countermanded McClellan's orders to demonstrate at Culpeper last turn (changed my mind).

Operation Gig succeeded in taking two cities: Jacksonville and Tallahassee. Union forces are returning to their fleets after failing to take Houston and Charleston. If all of the forces involved in the operation return home, the operation will be deemed a success.

General Winter commands the rest of the country…

[Yellowhammer]

TURN 20 – Late January 1862

USA NM = 95
CSA NM = 107
Foreign Help = -5
Prisoners of War CSA 1400
USA Combat losses = 10486
CSA Combat losses = 11026
USA VP = 798
CSA VP = 686
USA VP per turn = 37
CSA VP per turn = 53

Messages:
CSA Paper Money Printing
CSA Full Mobilization
MO river transport to Jefferson City MO (depot)
Tallahassee depot destroyed
USA liberated Rolla MO
OH SS to Evansville IN (Shields Div)
2 OH Supply at Cincinnati
IA BDE to Council Bluffs (garrison)

Battle of Louisville – Union Defeat
USA McCall 5617 men 1872 horse 24 cannon vs CSA Johnston Army 8593 men 1494 horse 24 cannon
USA loss 922 men 184 horse vs CSA loss 522 men
CSA captured Louisville KY

USA liberated Bloomington MO
MI BDE to Cairo (Western Div)
IL BDE to Salem IL (garrison)
Jacksonville depot destroyed
2nd USMC to Cincinnati (AOTO)
OH SS to Cairo IL (Western Div)
Rail accident

Intel:
Bragg force at Paducah KY
Van Dorn force at Columbus KY
CSA force at Bowling Green KY
Johnston Army PWR 333 at Louisville KY
CSA cav/arty force at Harrison KY
CSA force at Prestonburg KY
Holmes force PWR 920 at Culpeper VA
Longstreet force PWR 900 at Fredericksburg VA
CSA force at Norfolk VA

Dispositions:
Meagher to fleet
Schurz to fleet
Porter fleet to Baltimore
Wallace fleet to Baltimore
Nelson form IN Division

Drafts: Partial Mobilization (+568 conscript, -25 VP, -4 NM)

Replacements: 4 Infantry, 1 Lt Infantry

Reinforcements:
USMC (AOTJ)
3 CT SS (AOTJ)
4 NY Gatling Gun (AOTP)
3 PA Gatling Gun (AOTO)
PA Siege Arty (AOTO)
PA #20 Arty (AOTO)
2 MA 3I/A/C BDE (raider)
2 ME 2I/A BDE (raider)
DE 2I BDE (Dover garrison)
2 NY 2I BDE (Albany and Warren garrison)
IA 2I BDE (Des Moines garrison)
4 OH 2I BDE (Lansing, Dayton, Columbus, Cleveland garrison)
IN I/SS BDE (Nelson)
2 WI 2I/A BDE (WIIL, WIMO Div)
IL 2I/C BDE (WIIL)
MO 2I/C BDE (WIMO)
2 WI Supply (WIIL WIMO)
4 CT 2I Zouave BDE (AOTJ)

Economics: 50 locomotives, 20 riverine transport

I didn’t expect Johnston’s attack on Louisville. Porter and Wallace successfully ran away. Meagher and Schurz are likely to successfully run away. If or when the forces return safely, they will form the Army of the James at Fort Monroe by Early April.

Preliminary plans for another secret operation have been submitted for review.

Overall, the 1861 campaign plan is progressing on schedule.

[Jim-NC]

So you've decided to not attempt to hold the coastal towns you attacked? Just pillage and scoot?

[Yellowhammer]

Jim-NC - yep, my boys ran away bravely. My objective is Richmond - I need my raiding divisions at the Peninsula to draw off forces opposing McClellan's advance from Manassas. Plus, any forces Sedgwick uses to reinforce the coastline won't be defending Richmond or causing me trouble elsewhere.

[Yellowhammer]

TURN 21 – Early February 1862

USA NM = 94
CSA NM = 108
Foreign Help = 4
Prisoners of War CSA 1400
USA Combat losses = 10486
CSA Combat losses = 11026
USA VP = 810
CSA VP = 735
USA VP per turn = 35
CSA VP per turn = 54

Messages:
Depot finished at Harper Ferry WV
CSA captured Galveston TX
3 NY BDE to WDC (AOTP)
NY BDE to WDC (AOTP)
NJ BDE to Baltimore (AOTJ garrison)
NJ BDE to Baltimore (AOTJ garrison)
4 CT Horse Arty to Baltimore (AOTJ)
1st WI Supply to Cairo IL (WIIL)
2nd WI Supply to St Louis MO (WIMO)
French Intervention in Mexico
Sherman forms Western Division at Cairo IL
Railway accident
2 Cav 2 Militia 1 Horse Arty raised to react to raid in IN
CSA captured Vera Cruz MX

Intel:
CSA force at Norfolk VA
Longstreet PWR 900 at Fredericksburg VA
Holmes PWR920 at Culpeper VA
CSA BDE at Prestonburg KY
CSA force PWR 76 at Dearborn IN
Johnston Army PWR 420 at Louisville KY
Withers force at Bowling Green KY
Bragg force at Paducah KY
CSA force at Columbus KY
Forrest at Fort Donelson TN

Dispositions:
Meagher fleet to Baltimore
Schurz fleet to Baltimore
Depot started at Jefferson City MO
Nelson to Dearborn IN

Replacements: 1 Infantry 1 Cav

Reinforcements:
MO Ironclad (Porter fleet)
OH Ironclad and Transport (Foote fleet)
IL Ironclad and Transport (Foote fleet)

Economics: 20 locomotives

The President sends his congratulations to the soldiers and sailors involved in ‘Operation Gig’. Four Divisions assaulted four Southern cities, capturing two cities. Jacksonville FL is providing $1 and Tallahassee is providing 1 conscript to the Union war effort until recaptured. All forces are at sea returning to Union ports. The forces will be organized into the Army of the James (estimated PWR 1200) under Gen Butler and deployed to Fort Monroe for an advance on Richmond this Spring.

The President has authorized me to inform you that he has approved ‘Operation Whisky XX’, which will unfold in the coming months. This operation is planned to again demonstrate to the Confederacy that the Union can strike with Naval forces at will. Details of the operation will remain secret until the appropriate time.

Confederate forces dedicated to coastal defense cannot assist in the defense of Richmond.

[Yellowhammer]

TURN 22 – Late February 1862

USA NM = 94
CSA NM = 110
Foreign Help = 5
Prisoners of War CSA 1300
USA Combat losses = 10666
CSA Combat losses = 11146
USA VP = 845
CSA VP = 785
USA VP per turn = 35
CSA VP per turn = 55

Messages:
HQ, Med, Signal, Eng to Baltimore (Army of the James)
3 DE Arty to Pittsburgh (Louisville Fort)
DE Arty to Pittsburgh (Louisville Fort)
NY BDE to Warren NY (garrison)
MO BDE at ST Louis (WIMO Div)
4 CT Zouave BDE and 3 CT SS to Baltimore (AOTJ)
2 PA Gatling Guns to Pittsburgh (AOTO)
OH BDE at Dayton (garrison)
OH BDE to Columbus (garrison)
OH BDE at Cincinnati
OH BDE to Cleveland (garrison)
OH BDE to Cincinnati (garrison)
NY BDE to Albany (garrison)
3 NY Gatling Guns to WDC (AOTP)
IA BDE to Des Moines (garrison)
DE BDE to Dover (garrison)
IN BDE to Evansville (IN Div)
CSA captured Tallahassee FL

Battle of Salem IL – Union Defeat
USA 2250 men 600 horse vs CSA Van Dorn 2972 men 2760 horse 30 cannon
USA loss 184 men 92 horse vs CSA loss 123 men 123 horse
The USA still holds Salem

General Order Number One – McClellan active
Buell at Cincinnati
Cav regt raised at Chicago
CSA captured Leonardtown MD

Intel:
CSA fleet at Cape Henry (CSS Virginia escaped)
Hoke PWR 414 at Norfolk VA
Longstreet PWR 900 at Fredericksburg VA
Holmes PWR 920 at Culpeper VA
CSA BDE at Prestonburg KY
Johnston Army PWR 500 at Louisville KY
Ohio Flotilla at Louisville KY
Bragg at Paducah
CSA force at Ft Donelson
CSA force at Columbus KY
Van Dorn at Salem IL

Dispositions:
McClellan Army PWR 1434 conservative attack Culpeper VA
2nd and 3rd OH Vols to Cincinnati
Grant and Sherman to attack Van Dorn at Salem IL
Runyan Div and reinforcements to Manassas
Gulf Squadron to Gulf Blockade
Atlantic Squadron to Atlantic Blockade
Thomas and McCall to New Albany IN
Shields to New Albany IN
Prentiss forms Division at New Albany IN
Secret forces ordered to secret location

Replacements: 1 Infantry

Reinforcements:
NY Siege Arty
NY Rodman Arty
4 NE Ocean Transports
MO river transport
2 PA Zouaves (Western Div)

The Army of the James should be ready at Baltimore by Late March and transport to Fort Monroe by Early April for a Late April attack on James City.

Detailed planning for 'Operation Whisky XX' has been developed, resources are being allocated and assembled, Whisky is a GoGo!

[Yellowhammer]

OPERATION GIG AFTER ACTION REPORT

In Early May 1861 (Turn 3) the Union started building coastal raiding forces. In Late August 1861, staff officers planning a coastal raid identified four high-value cities with depots that could be raided without opposition from coastal forts: Houston TX, Tallahassee FL, Jacksonville FL, and Camden (later Charleston) SC. The President, still aggrieved after the CSA raid on Quincy IL in Late July, asked if all four cities could be raided. The planners identified existing capabilities and forces required for the operation, then developed a production and transportation schedule – which led to the decision to raid all four cities simultaneously in Early January 1862. Weather in the target cities was thought to be favorable for operations.

Atlantic City NJ was selected as the home port for the operation because the harbor has little chance of freezing and is the nearest ‘safe’ harbor to the target cities. Also, if the Atlantic Blockade fleet was discovered in port, the location wouldn’t raise suspicion. The garrison was increased by one brigade for security and naval engineers were requested and deployed for ship maintenance.

Camden NJ was selected as the assembly area for the raiders. Camden is close to rail lines and supplies, plus the city is virtually invisible to the enemy from land and sea.

Generals Porter, Meagher, Wallace, and Schurz were chosen to lead the raiding divisions.

In Early September 1861, Hurlbut with Fort Pickens reinforcements was ordered to Ocklockonee Bay FL for a practice run at Tallahassee. Hurlbut found that Tallahassee, and presumably other cities could be assaulted from the fleet in 10 days. Hurlbut proceeded to reinforce Fort Pickens.

In Late November 1861, raiders with Gulf targets left Atlantic City: Porter to Galveston Bay (21 days) and Meagher to Ocklockonee Bay (18 days).

In Early December 1861, raiders with Atlantic targets left Atlantic City: Wallace to Cape George 8 days (Camden SC) and Schurz to St John Estuary 10 days (Jacksonville FL). The Naval Engineers were reassigned to Baltimore.

The fleets all arrived as planned in Late December 1861, and raiders were ordered to assault: Porter Division Galveston then Houston TX (10 days), Meagher Division Tallahassee FL (10 days), Schurz Division Jacksonville FL (10 days), and Wallace Division Charleston SC (10 days).

Wallace’s target was planned for Camden SC, but on arrival at Cape George, Wallace found that assaulting Camden would require 20 days. Wallace decided to take a calculated risk and assault Charleston SC instead, which was thought to be heavily defended.

The Early January 1862 assaults resulted in the following battles:

Battle of Galveston TX – Union Victory
USA loss 184 men vs CSA loss 450 men (200 POW – militia element destroyed)
USA captured Galveston TX

Battle of Houston TX – Union Victory
USA loss 153 men 30 horse vs CSA loss 922 men (400 POW – 2 militia elements destroyed)

USA captured Tallahassee FL

Battle of Jacksonville FL – Union Victory
USA loss 0 men vs CSA loss 600 men (200 POW – Infantry element destroyed)
USA captured Jacksonville FL

Battle of Charleston SC – Union Defeat
USA loss 584 men 276 horse vs CSA loss 707 men

Total USA loss 921 men vs CSA loss 2679 (including 800 POW plus 3 militia and 1 infantry elements destroyed). Assaulting Charleston was a bad call, and could have been tragic.

After the battles:
Porter ordered to run away at Houston (10 days)
Meagher ordered to destroy Tallahassee depot
Schurz ordered to destroy Jacksonville Depot
Wallace ordered to run away at Charleston SC (6 days)

In Late January 1862, Meagher and Schurz destroyed depots and were ordered to evacuate to fleets.

All forces returned safely to home ports by Early March 1862. The four divisions (with additional units) will form the Army of the James in time for the Spring Campaign.

[Yellowhammer]

TURN 23 – Early March 1862

USA NM = 92
CSA NM = 112
Foreign Help = 6
Prisoners of War CSA 1300
USA Combat losses = 15556
CSA Combat losses = 13306
USA VP = 880
CSA VP = 836
USA VP per turn = 35
CSA VP per turn = 54

Messages:
Balloon and USMC to Baltimore (AOTJ)

Battle of Culpeper VA – Union Defeat
USA McClellan Army 32376 men 11005 horse 144 cannon vs CSA Holmes 16036 men 2536 horse 48 cannon
USA loss 5012 men 615 horse vs CSA loss 2214 men 461 horse

CSA captured Jacksonville FL
WI BDE to St Louis (WIMO)
WI BDE to Cairo (WIIL)
2 MA BDE and 2 ME BDE to Baltimore (reserve)
Wallace promoted to Major General
Pope at Cairo, Davis and Sigel to St Louis
Old Guard at Baltimore
USA adopts Corps command structure

Intel:
Hoke force at Norfolk VA
Longstreet PWR 900 at Fredericksburg VA
Holmes PWR 630 at Culpeper VA
CSA BDE at Prestonburg KY
Johnston Army PWR 500 at Meade KY
Polk force at Bowling Green KY
Bragg force at Paducah KY
Pemberton force at Columbus KY

Dispositions:
Scouting squadrons to Rappahannock River, York Estuary, James River
Halleck Corps to Manassas
Meagher force to Manassas
Nelson Div to Evansville IN
Fremont Army PWR 1054 to Louisville
Grant force to Cairo
Secret forces ordered to secret locations

Replacements: none

Reinforcements:
2 CT 2I BDE

Economics: 50 locomotives

McClellan Army will reorganize the AOTP at Manassas next turn, with Halleck Corps at Manassas as Reserve and Training force, McDowell Corps at Manassas as Manuever force, Dix Corps at Alexandria, Foster Corps at WDC as Defense force, Berry Corps at WDC as fort garrison.

Fremont Army is attacking Louisville; Buell Corps at Cincinnati; Thomas Corps at New Albany (note that Buell and Thomas are corps in name only).

The Army of the James will embark for Fort Monroe next turn.

[Yellowhammer]

TURN 24 – Late March 1862

USA NM = 97
CSA NM = 107
Foreign Help = 8
Prisoners of War CSA 2200
USA Combat losses = 16426
CSA Combat losses = 18631
USA VP = 929
CSA VP = 886
USA VP per turn = 35
CSA VP per turn = 56

Messages:
Battle of Evansville IN – Union Victory
USA Nelson 8003 men 2327 horse 23 cannon vs CSA Jackson 5470 men 3452 horse 16 cannon
USA loss 799 men 61 horse vs CSA loss 3705 men 2952 horse (1000 POW – 4 Cav and SS elements destroyed)
USA +3 NM

Battle of Evansville IN – Union Defeat
USA Nelson 7223 men 2267 horse 23 cannon vs CSA Jackson 1855 men 572 horse 16 cannon
USA loss 92 men vs CSA loss 1752 men 553 horse (2 Infantry and 2 Cav and Marine elements destroyed)
USA -2 NM
USA holds Evansville IN however Nelson retreated to Vincennes IN

CSA captured Bloomington MO
Rail accident

Intel:
Watie force at Bloomington MO
JE Johnston force at Paducah KY
Pemberton force at Columbus KY
Smith force at Bowling Green KY
Jackson PWR 24 (2 Horse Arty) at Evansville IN
AS Johnston Army PWR 600 at Louisville KY
Polk Corps PWR 480 at Louisville KY
CSA BDE at Prestonburg KY
CSA force at Christiansburg VA
Holmes Corps PWR 980 at Culpeper VA
Longstreet Corps PWR 781 at Fredericksburg VA
Beauregard Army at Richmond VA
CSA force at Williamsburg VA
Hoke force at Norfolk VA
Gulf Blockade +9 brigs
Atlantic Blockade 3 brigs
Ohio Flotilla at Fall Creek

Dispositions:
Army of the James to Fort Monroe
McDowell Corps PWR 1479 to Culpeper VA
Geary BDE to Boone KY (rail repair)
Thomas Corps PWR 1284 to Louisville KY
Nelson PWR 92 to attack Jackson at Evansville IN

Replacements: 3 Infantry 1 Cavalry

Jackson’s attack on Evansville cost Sedgwick dearly, to no benefit. I hope that he doesn’t return the favor next turn at Louisville. The Ohio Flotilla at Fall Creek blocked the Ohio River crossing this turn. Note to self, build ironclads sooner – they take forever…

[Yellowhammer]

1861 REVIEW (for April 1861 to April 1862)

My Grand Strategy is basically Anaconda: garrison key cities, develop successive defensive / logistical lines along rivers, blockade brown water ports and blue water shipping lanes, control the Mississippi River from Cairo IL to New Orleans LA, and attack the Confederate capacity to field armies.

My first Strategic Objective is Richmond – which may end the war. I plan to field and advance two armies: the Army of the Potomac from the north through Fredericksburg and the Army of the James from Fort Monroe up the Peninsula.

The PLAN for this campaign year (April 1861 to April 1862): build three armies (Potomac, James, and Ohio). Mission Accomplished.

Potomac River Line (includes the States of VA, WV, MD, PA, DE, NY, MA): reinforce Fort Monroe VA; garrison key cities; hold the Alexandria VA to Harper’s Ferry WV to Grafton WV (or Pittsburgh PA) to Wheeling WV line; take Manassas VA and Winchester VA. Strongly garrison and build a Fort at Washington DC. Reinforcing Fort Pickens FL is included in the Potomac River plan. Prepare for an advance to the Rappahannock River Line. Mission Accomplished – except Winchester VA.

Ohio River Line (OH, KY, IN, MI): hold and develop the Ironton OH to Cincinnati OH to Louisville KY to Evansville IN line; garrison key cities; if Kentucky is invaded by the CSA, take Clarksburg KY and Lexington KY. Prepare for an advance to the Cumberland River Line. Mission FAIL – Louisville, Clarksburg, and Lexington are held by the CSA.

Mississippi River Line (IL, WI, MO, IA, KS and the West): hold and develop the Cairo IL to Saint Louis MO to Quincy IL to Des Moines IA to Sioux City IA line; garrison key cities; take Rolla MO and Jefferson City MO. Pacify CSA Indian villages at Cherokee and Creek. Prepare for an advance to the Missouri River Line. Mission Accomplished.

The Naval PLAN is to maintain the Atlantic Blockade; maintain force at Ohio and Mississippi River confluent; maintain force at Hampton Roads; blockade Richmond VA. Mission FAIL – unsatisfactory Atlantic Blockade, FAIL at confluent, accomplished Hampton Roads force, FAIL Richmond blockade.

The Quartermaster PLAN is to build Depots at along the Potomac / Ohio / Mississippi River front lines and improve supply distribution in the interior (e.g., Fort Pickens FL, Jersey City NJ, Buffalo NY, Boston MA, Fort Laramie WY, Sioux City IA). Maintain rail / river / ocean supply at average to full. Ensure that key garrisons have Supply Wagons to minimize risk of capture (e.g., Fort Pickens FL). Mission satisfactory – however need to build depots at Jersey City, Buffalo, Boston, and Fort Laramie.

The Economic PLAN is to focus on Industrialization in “safe” states in the East and upper Midwest, with some efforts in other states for General Supply and Ammunition. Mission accomplished.

Comments: One notable success was ‘Operation Gig’, the coastal raid which destroyed Tallahassee and Jacksonville depots (I should have included a coastal raid in my plans). The Spring Campaign in the East is well-resourced and ready to take Richmond. Progress in Kentucky is disappointing: the Kentucky invasion caught me unprepared to advance in the face of strong CSA forces. The West is satisfactory: the CSA scorched earth strategy worked in my favor. The lack of Ironclads on the MS and OH Rivers has hampered progress, however I expect to gain superiority next year.

[Yellowhammer]

1862 PLAN (April 1862 to April 1863)

Optimize Army of the Potomac with two maneuver Corps. Optimize Army of the James. Optimize Army of the Ohio with two maneuver Corps. Build Western Army.

Secure Potomac River Line: garrison Leonardtown MD and Port Tobacco MD; take Winchester VA; raise loyalty along B&O railway. Advance and develop Rappahannock River Line: take and garrison Fredericksburg VA. Prepare for advance to the James River line.

Ohio River line: take and garrison Louisville KY and build depot and fort. Build depot and garrison Ironton OH. Take and garrison Clarksburg KY and Lexington KY. Prepare for advance to the Cumberland River line.

Mississippi River Line: build fort and garrison at Cairo IL; build fort and garrison at St Louis MO. Advance and develop Missouri River line: take and garrison and build depot at Bloomington MO; raise loyalty along MO railway.

Take and garrison and build fort at Richmond VA.

Execute Operation Whisky XX.

Conduct coastal raid, VA raid, and KY raid.

Plan and execute secret Operation if conditions permit (I have an idea for one).

The Naval plan is to maintain the Atlantic Blockade; maintain force at Ohio and Mississippi River confluent; maintain force at Hampton Roads; blockade Richmond VA; develop transport capability.

Quartermaster Plan: build depots at Jersey City, Buffalo, Boston, and Fort Laramie. Maintain rail / river / ocean supply at average to full. Ensure that key garrisons have Supply Wagons to minimize risk of capture.

The Economic plan is to industrialize front-line states for General Supply and Ammunition.

[Yellowhammer]

TURN 25 – Early April 1862

USA NM = 96
CSA NM = 108
Foreign Help = 8
Prisoners of War CSA 2200
USA Combat losses = 22516
CSA Combat losses = 21391
USA VP = 964
CSA VP = 938
USA VP per turn = 35
CSA VP per turn = 56

Messages:
Ironclad USS Neosho joins Foote fleet to Cairo IL
Eagle BDE to Manassas
Ironclad USS Ozark at Cairo

Battle of Culpeper VA – Union Defeat
McDowell Army 24856 men 5082 horse 108 cannon vs Longstreet Corps from Fredericksburg) and Holmes Corps (at Culpeper) 33125 men 7275 horse 88 cannon
USA loss 6242 men 584 horse vs CSA loss 2829 men 338 horse
USA -2 NM

Intel:
CSA force at Williamsburg VA
Beauregard Army at Richmond VA
Longstreet Corps PWR 750 at Fredericksburg VA
Holmes Corps PWR 690 at Culpeper VA
Walker Div at Prestonburg VA (from Christiansburg)
Johnston Army and Polk Corps PWR 1069 at Louisville KY
Jackson force at Bowling Green KY
CSA force at Fort Donelson TN
Bragg force at Paducah KY
Pemberton force at Columbus KY
Watie force at Keokuk IA
Numerous partisans, raiders, and cavalry
CSA Ironclad fleet PWR 176 at Cape Girardeau
CSA gunboat fleet PWR 20 at Fall Creek
CSA 3 brigs at Atlantic Blockade
CSA Plymouth Squadron at Union shipping box

Dispositions:
Butler Army of the James PWR 1186 to James City VA
Halleck Corps PWR 1216 to Culpeper VA
Curtis forms WIIL Div at Cairo
Crittenden forms WIIL Div at Cairo
Davis forms WIMO Div at St Louis
Grant to Evansville IN
Mansfield ordered to assault Winchester VA
Secret force ordered to secret location

Replacements: 4 Infantry

Reinforcements:
2 CT Supply (AOTJ)

Economics: NY, NJ, DE, and MD industrialization

Thomas order to attack Louisville countermanded (I got skeered after seeing what happened to Jackson). Interesting to see that Longstreet at Fredericksburg marched to the sound of the guns at Culpeper (I didn’t realize the regions were adjacent).

[Jim-NC]

In regards to your assesment of the blockade.

The blockade works best when the number of ships is the same in both boxes. So if you have put most of your fleet in the Atlantic, and ignored the Gulf box, you will have a not so good %. The other way to increase it is to brown water blockade (or capture) certain CSA cities. They are listed in another post.


Also, in the 2nd battle of Evansville, you should have gained the NM (I realize the after battle message said lost 2). But if you were to look at your NM, you should have seen it go up by 2 extra (it is a known issue in the game).

[Yellowhammer]

Jim-NC - until I take a nice Southern port I have a tough time keeping a Gulf Blockade (even against the AI). My plan for 1862 is to be able to maintain a constant Atlantic blockade with rotating squadrons (which I didn't accomplish in 1861, partly because I used the blockade fleets in operations). Once that is satisfactory, I'll work on the Gulf blockade fleets.

I listed the values of the CSA ports in the initial assessment. I plan to blockade / capture the most important ones roughly in order of value (my plan may also give Sedgwick the kind of game he was looking for).

Thanks for the tip on the NM issue - I couldn't reconcile the NM points gained / lost with the NM totals. Now it makes sense.

[Yellowhammer]

TURN 26 – Late April 1862

USA NM = 96
CSA NM = 108
Foreign Help = 7
Prisoners of War CSA 2300
USA Combat losses = 25366
CSA Combat losses = 23611
USA VP = 1003
CSA VP = 990
USA VP per turn = 36
CSA VP per turn = 54

Messages:
Salisbury MD +10 Ammo
Plattsburg NY +24 GS
Brooklyn NY +24 GS

Battle of Winchester VA – Union Victory
USA Mansfield 7381 men 1200 horse vs CSA 600 men
USA loss 553 men vs CSA loss 600 (including 200 POW with Infantry element destroyed)
USA captured Winchester VA

USA captured Leonardtown MD
3rd and 4th CT Supply to Baltimore (AOTJ)
Ironclad USS Pittsburgh to New Albany IN
USA captured James City VA
USA captured Bloomington MO

Battle of Culpeper VA – Union Defeat
USA Halleck Corps 27862 men 8184 horse 132 cannon vs CSA Longstreet Corps (plus Holmes Corps) 31385 men 7215 horse 88 cannon
USA loss 2367 men 123 horse vs CSA loss 1660 men 61 horse

Intel:
Forney Corps PWR 1050 at Williamsburg VA
Beauregard Army at Richmond VA
Longstreet Corps PWR 700 at Fredericksburg VA
Holmes Corps PWR 645 at Culpeper VA
KY BDE at Prestonburg KY
Jackson Corps PWR 440 at Lexington KY
Forrest Div PWR 150 at Mercer KY
AS Johnston Army and Polk Corps PWR 900 at Louisville KY
Smith force at Bowling Green
JE Johnston Army at Paducah KY
Pemberton force at Columbus KY
Ohio Flotilla at Kentucky River

Dispositions:
Dahlgren fleet to Hampton Roads
Foote fleet to New Albany IN
Secret force ordered to secret location

Replacements: 2 Infantry 1 Skirmisher

Reinforcements:
MO 10# Arty (WIMO)
2 IL 20# Arty (WIIL1, WIIL2)
4 NY 10# Arty (I Corps)
NY Monitor (Dahlgren Fleet)
MI Supply (Western Div)

Economics: NJ and DE industrialization; 50 locomotives and 10 riverine transport

The Army of the James needs rest and is facing an equal force at Williamsburg. The Army of the Potomac after resting and reorganizing will have a slight advantage in the Fredericksburg theater. The Army of the Ohio faces a superior force in the Louisville theater. Several raiders are operating in the Midwest. Foote is assembling a fleet with 4 ironclads plus gunboats at New Albany, so I’m eager to find a rebel fleet.

Operation Whisky XX is on schedule.

[Jim-NC]

Jim-NC - until I take a nice Southern port I have a tough time keeping a Gulf Blockade (even against the AI). My plan for 1862 is to be able to maintain a constant Atlantic blockade with rotating squadrons (which I didn't accomplish in 1861, partly because I used the blockade fleets in operations). Once that is satisfactory, I'll work on the Gulf blockade fleets.

I listed the values of the CSA ports in the initial assessment. I plan to blockade / capture the most important ones roughly in order of value (my plan may also give Sedgwick the kind of game he was looking for).

I misunderstood why you were saying you did not achieve your goals. I thought it was due to not having a high enough blockade %, not that you had used the fleets elsewhere.

Thanks for the tip on the NM issue - I couldn't reconcile the NM points gained / lost with the NM totals. Now it makes sense.

Your welcome

[Yellowhammer]

TURN 28 – Late May 1862

USA NM = 102
CSA NM = 113
Foreign Help = 9
Prisoners of War CSA 2100
USA Combat losses = 31084
CSA Combat losses = 28459
USA VP = 1076
CSA VP = 1092
USA VP per turn = 36
CSA VP per turn = 55

Messages:
Tuckerton NJ +25 GS

Battle of Pike IN – Union Victory
USA 1620 men vs CSA 600 men 600 horse
USA loss 30 men vs CSA loss 30 men 30 horse
CSA retreated to Orange IN

CSA captured Rolla MO

Fort St Louis isn’t finished yet but I like seeing these:
Fort Saint Louis has bombarded CSA detachment, landing 10 hits and suffering 0 hits
Fort St Louis landed 10 hits suffered 0
Fort St Louis landed 4 hits suffered 0

Battle of Fall Creek – Union Victory
USA Foote 1910 men 178 cannon vs CSA Buchanan 1350 men 122 cannon
USA loss 49 men 8 cannon vs CSA loss 141 men 21 cannon (1 Gunboat element destroyed)
USA +1 NM
CSA retreated to Crook Ferry
Foote in position to protect the Ohio River crossing of Thomas

Battle of Charleston WV – Union Victory
USA 600 men 600 horse vs CSA 600 men 600 horse
USA loss 30 men 30 horse vs CSA loss 61 men 61 horse
USA holds Charleston

5th and 6th CT Supply to Baltimore

Battle of Meade KY – Union Victory
USA Thomas Corps 19558 men 6420 horse 168 cannon vs CSA Van Dorn 3842 men 3630 cannon 30 cannon
USA loss 645 men 123 horse vs CSA loss 830 men 830 horse
CSA retreated to Hard KY

Battle of Charleston WV – Union Defeat
USA 570 men 570 horse vs CSA Walker 748 men 691 horse 8 cannon
USA loss 0 vs CSA 30 men 30 horse
USA retreated to Kanawha WV
Charleston not taken by CSA

Battle of Meade KY – Union Victory
USA Thomas 19528 men 6900 horse 168 cannon vs CSA 3042 men 616 horse 8 cannon
USA loss 338 men 61 horse vs CSA loss 1414 men 276 horse
CSA routed to Hard KY taking 49 hits
USA +1 NM

Battle of Louisville – Union Defeat
USA Thomas 18598 men 6240 horse 168 cannon vs CSA Johnston 29735 men 5119 horse 96 cannon
USA loss 4520 men 1014 horse vs CSA loss 2383 men 399 horse
USA -2 NM
USA retreated to New Albany IN

Foote congratulated for victory
Free Land! (+5 NM -20 conscript)
Merchant ship sunk

Intel:
Hardee force at Fayetteville AR
Quantrill at Hill MO
JE Johnston Army at Paducah KY
Pemberton force at Columbus KY
Hoke at Norfolk VA
Forney Corps PWR 1069 at Williamsburg VA
Beauregard Army at Richmond VA
Longstreet Corps PWR 676 at Fredericksburg VA
Holmes Corps PWR 986 at Culpeper VA
Stuart force at Shenandoah VA
CSA BDE at Prestonburg KY
Forrest force at Dearborn IN
Jackson Corps PWR 735 at Mercer KY
AS Johnston Army PWR 73 and Polk Corps PWR 559 at Louisville
Smith force at Bowling Green (building depot)
CSA force at Fort Donelson TN
Van Dorn force at Hard KY
Fort Caswell PWR 281
Fort Fisher PWR 281
CSA force PWR 81 at Wilmington NC

Dispositions:
McDowell Corps PWR 1572 and Halleck Corps PWR 1012 simultaneously advance to Culpeper VA
Foote to Cairo
Grant to Cincinnati

Replacements: 3 Infantry 1 Field Arty

Reinforcements:
IL 2I BDE (Tolono garrison)
IL river transport (fleet)

Economics: WI and MI industrialization

The President has authorized me to inform you that a powerful Union fleet with a strong raiding force has arrived at Reaves Point, off Fort Caswell NC and Fort Fisher NC. This operation is known as Operation Whisky XX.

Overall, I’m somewhat satisfied with the operations in Kentucky, in that my forces are still intact and my fleet was victorious. Sedgwick destroyed the Lexington KY depot, and is building a depot at Bowling Green. CSA forces around Louisville will rely on a tenuous supply line unless Sedgwick builds a Louisville depot for me.

[Yellowhammer]

TURN 29 – Early June 1862

USA NM = 106
CSA NM = 110
Foreign Help = 10
Prisoners of War CSA 3000
USA Combat losses = 34414
CSA Combat losses = 34354
USA VP = 1122
CSA VP = 1143
USA VP per turn = 37
CSA VP per turn = 54

Messages:
Detroit MI +10 Ammo
Grand Rapids MI +20 GS
New Albany IN depot finished

Battle of Lexington KY – Union Defeat
USA Grant Corps 5258 men 720 horse 30 cannon vs CSA Polk Corps 28611 men 4877 horse 88 cannon
USA loss 1076 men 123 horse vs CSA loss 1645 men 153 horse
USA -1 NM
Grant retreated to Boone KY (good thing he was headed there anyway)

Battle of Smithville NC – Union Victory
USA Whipple 14382 men 3890 horse 83 cannon vs CSA 450 men
USA loss 61 men vs CSA loss 450 men (including 200 POW plus Militia element destroyed)
USA captured Smithville NC

3 NY 10# Arty to Manassas (I Corps)

Battle of Wilmington NC – Union Victory
USA Whipple 14322 men 3890 horse 83 cannon vs CSA 1722 men 32 horse 8 cannon
USA loss 1045 men 246 horse vs CSA loss 1691 men (including 700 POW plus 2 Infantry and 2 Militia elements destroyed)
USA captured VA 20# Arty
USA +1 NM
USA captured Wilmington NC

CSA captured Smithville NC
IL 20# Arty to Chicago (WIIL)
IL 20# Arty at Chicago (WIIL)

Battle of Cincinnati – Union Victory
USA Buell Corps and Grant Corps 11050 men 2394 horse 39 cannon vs CSA Polk Corps 13079 men 2280 horse 48 cannon
USA loss 1230 men 399 horse vs CSA loss 2244 men 153 horse

Whipple, Smith, and Williams congratulated for victory
Policy on treatment of prisoners +1 NM
Empire BDE to Manassas
Rail accident

Intel:
Mouton Div PWR 458 at Smithville NC
Winder force at Norfolk VA
Forney PWR 1069 at Williamsburg VA
Holmes Corps and Longstreet Corps at Fredericksburg VA
Stuart force at Shenandoah VA
Forrest Div and Walker force at Charleston WV
Ohio Flotilla at Sandy Confluent
BDE at Prestonburg KY
Polk Corps PWR 211 at Boone KY
CSA force at Lexington KY
Jackson Corps at Mercer KY
Johnston Army PWR 373 at Louisville
Van Dorn force at Meade KY
Smith PWR 389 at Bowling Green
Dole PWR 252 and Donelson garrison PWR 256 at Fort Donelson
Johnston Army at Fort Paducah KY
Pemberton PWR 444 at Columbus KY

Dispositions:
McDowell Corps to Manassas
Nelson to Evansville IN
Chasing raiders around Midwest and West
Cutting rail at Barren KY and Henry TN

Replacements: 2 Cav

Reinforcements:
2 MO Ironclad
2 MO Gunboat
1 MO transport
2 IL Ironclad
2 IL Gunboat
1 IL transport

Economics: WI industrialization; 50 locomotives

Polk’s attack on Grant at Lexington, followed by Grant’s retreat to Cincinnati, appears to have weakened Polk enough to save Cincinnati when Polk attacked there.

I made a costly mistake – the weakened Foote fleet was ordered to Cairo instead of Cincinnati because I (correctly) thought that Sedgwick would attack Cincinnati (I wasn’t sure I could hold Cincinnati – it was close). However, I didn’t set Foote to evade – and paid the price as Foote steamed past the newly constructed Fort Paducah. Foote’s command was sunk – 4 Ironclads plus gunboats. The only bright note here is that the sinkings did not reduce my NM (although it did reduce my personal morale).

Operation Whisky XX was successful at taking Wilmington, but I can’t destroy the Wilmington depot – it says you can’t raze a depot if it is level 2 or above, even though the depot is level 1. The Moulton Division reacted quickly from SC (my guess is that the division is normally at Charleston). I hope that moving the Union blockade fleet to the Middle Cape Fear River will block Moulton’s attack (I should have done that last turn). If not, I may at least have transports ready for evacuation. Else, Whipple is in trouble. Other phases of the Operation have been overcome by events, so those phases have been postponed.

Sloppy play on my part this turn… There’s an old saying that the victorious general is the one who makes the least mistakes. I haven’t seen too many from Sedgwick…

[Yellowhammer]

TURN 30 – Late June 1862

USA NM = 106
CSA NM = 110
Foreign Help = 11
Prisoners of War CSA 3100
USA Combat losses = 34414
CSA Combat losses = 34369
USA VP = 1162
CSA VP = 1193
USA VP per turn = 37
CSA VP per turn = 54

Messages:
CSA captured Charleston WV

Battle of Rolla MO – Union Victory
USA 1500 men vs CSA 15 men 15 horse
USA loss 0 men vs CSA loss 15 men 15 horse (including 100 POW? With Bushwhacker element destroyed)
USA captured Rolla
IL BDE to garrison Tolono IL depot

Intel:
Mouton PWR 465 at Smithville NC
Hoke at Norfolk
Forney PWR 1070 at Williamsburg
Longstreet PWR 1115 at Fredericksburg
Lee! PWR 1330 at Charlottesville
Forrest PWR 168 at Elizabeth WV
WHF Lee Div at Charleston WV
Walker PWR 68 at Pleasant WV
BDE at Prestonburg KY
Jackson at Mercer KY
Polk PWR 671 at Louisville
Smith at Bowling Green
CSA force at Fort Donelson
JE Johnston Army at Paducah
Pemberton at Columbus KY
Hardee at Fayetteville AR

Dispositions:
Whipple to Morehead City NC
Farragut to Bogue Inlet
McDowell PWR 1732 to Fredericksburg
Halleck PWR 1021 (+120) at Culpeper
Pratt and French form Division

Drafts: Call for Volunteers $1K bounty (335 conscript)
Financials: Graduated Taxes +1 Inflation -1 NM ($603K)
Politics: Total Blockade +$50K +15 VP +1 NM
Replacements: 1 Elite Infantry 2 Infantry 2 Cavalry
Reinforcements:
NY Cav (Hooker)
NY 3IAC (Ord)
2 NY Zouaves (Ord)
2 NY Cav (Hunter)
2 NY Zouave (Hunter)
NY 10# Arty (Hunter)
NY 12# Arty (Hunter)
PA SS (Hunter)
NY 3IAC (Miles)
NY 3IAC (Heintzelman)
NY Cav (Heintzelman)
2 NY Zouave (Heintzelman)
2 CT Supply (AOTJ)
4 MO SS (WIMO, WIIL, WIIL, Lyon)
Army, USMC, Balloon, Med, Signal, Eng (Army of the West)
2 Sailors (I Corps, II Corps)

I’m going to turn Sedgwick’s Culpeper / Fredericksburg Corps support combination against him (hopefully) – McDowell moves on Fredericksburg with Halleck at Culpeper.

Again, a stupid error with a fleet – small this time, but vital. I was sending 2 Supply wagons to James City and the fleet was bombarded by Williamsburg and destroyed – losing the Supply.

[Yellowhammer]

TURN 31 – Early July 1862

USA NM = 93
CSA NM = 113
Foreign Help = -32
Prisoners of War CSA 3000
USA Combat losses = 42454
CSA Combat losses = 38449
USA VP = 1214
CSA VP = 1173
USA VP per turn = 36
CSA VP per turn = 54

Messages:
Milwaukee WI +7 Ammo
Inspection causes British to change their opinion (-14 British engagement)
CSA uses Exceptional Taxes
CSA issues 8% War Bonds
CSA Call for Volunteers
CSA cotton embargo (-29 engagement)
5th and 6th CT Supply to Baltimore

Battle of Fredericksburg VA – Union Defeat
USA McDowell Corps 30836 men 6083 horse 273 cannon vs CSA Longstreet Corps 18620 men 3150 horse 40 cannon
USA loss 7626 men 768 horse vs CSA loss 3905 men 492 horse
USA -3 NM

USS Passaic to join Dahlgren at Hampton Roads

Battle of Wheeling WV – Union Defeat
USA 1800 men vs CSA Forrest 5625 men 3607 horse 38 cannon
USA loss 615 men vs CSA loss 276 men 123 horse
USA forces outside of Wheeling retreat to Steubenville OH
USA infantry regiment holds Wheeling

Ord congratulated for his victory?
Northern papers push even harder for 1862 offensive (threaten Richmond by Late Oct 1862 or lose 10 NM)
Northern papers upset by lack of 1862 offensive -10 NM
Pacific Railway Act (-$50K +50 locomotives)
Auger Iron BDE to WDC

Intel:
Hoke at Norfolk VA
Forney Corps PWR 970 at Williamsburg
Siege Arty not accounted for
Beauregard Corps at Richmond
Longstreet Corps PWR 600 at Fredericksburg
Lee Army PWR 1500 (Holmes Corps 1116 and Stuart Div 376) at Charlottesville
Forrest Div PWR 16 and Walker Div PWR 4 and Lee Div PWR 7 at Wheeling WV
CSA BDE at Prestonburg KY
Van Dorn PWR 170 at Clarksburg KY
Johnston Army PWR 22 and Jackson Corps PWR 894 at Mercer KY
Polk Corps PWR 1000 at Louisville
Smith at Bowling Green
CSA force at Fort Donelson
Johnston Army at Paducah
Pemberton at Columbus KY
Hardee at Fayetteville AR

Dispositions:
Whipple to Baltimore
McDowell to Manassas
Hamilton to attack Wheeling
Lots of chasing raiders and repairing rail

Replacements: 3 Infantry

Reinforcements:
NE Blockade Sq (Atl Sq)
4 NE transport (Atl Sq)
2 brig (Atl Sq)
2 frigate (Atl Sq)

Economics: none

Moulton didn’t take Wilmington NC, so I still get $3 plus GS and Ammo from the city. Whipple exfiltrated from Morehead City to Farragut fleet and is steaming to port.

The part of Operation Whisky XX that was executed has been declared a success with the recovery of Union forces. The remainder of the operation has been terminated. No further reports are anticipated.

[Jim-NC]

Generals need to be active to destroy depots. If inactive, you would not be able to destroy the depot.

[Yellowhammer]

Jim-NC - good to know. I've been playing AACW for years and didn't realize that. I guess I got very lucky with generals activating and destroying Tallahassee and Jacksonville depots in the same turn.

My guys at Wilmington were more interested in getting out of town anyway...

[Yellowhammer]

TURN 32 – Late July 1862

USA NM = 95
CSA NM = 113
Foreign Help = -37
Prisoners of War CSA 3000
USA Combat losses = 43474
CSA Combat losses = 38989
USA VP = 1250
CSA VP = 1223
USA VP per turn = 36
CSA VP per turn = 55

Messages:
NY Cav to Manassas
3 Zouave and NY Cav to Manassas
2 Zouave and NY Cav to Manassas

Battle of Harrison KY – Union Defeat
USA 1650 men vs CSA Jackson Corps 7610 men 658 horse 32 cannon
USA loss 676 men vs CSA loss 246 men 30 horse

NY Cav to Manassas
CSA captured Wilmington NC
NY Zouave and 10# Arty to Manassas
PA SS and Sailor to Manassas
Sailor to Manassas
2 MO SS at St Louis; 2 MO SS to Cairo

Battle of Charleston WV – Union Defeat
USA 1650 men vs CSA Walker 2155 men 497 horse 1 cannon
USA loss 369 men vs CSA loss 307 men

Military Award for Valor +2 NM
Prisoner Exchange active

Intel:
Mouton at Wilmington NC
Hoke at Norfolk
Forney PWR 1112 at Williamsburg
Beauregard Corps at Richmond (with another HQ building)
Lee Army with Longstreet Corps PWR 1560 at Fredericksburg
Holmes Corps PWR 1200 at Charlottesville
Van Dorn PWR 180 at Elizabeth WV
Walker force at Charleston WV
Hill force (inc Forrest) at Prestonburg KY
Jackson Corps at Boone KY
Johnston Army at Mercer KY
Polk Corps PWR 1200 at Louisville KY
Smith force at Bowling Green
CSA force at Fort Donelson
Johnston Army at Paducah
Pemberton at Columbus KY
Hardee at Fayetteville AR

Dispositions:
Sheridan forms Cav Div at St Louis – goes hunting

Replacements: 1 Elite Infantry

Reinforcements:
OH 2IAC (Western)
MI 2IA (Shields)
MI 10# Arty (Shields)
4 DE Arty (Fort Cairo)

Economics: 20 riverine transport

[Yellowhammer]

TURN 33 – Early August 1862

USA NM = 96
CSA NM = 112
Foreign Help = -37
Prisoners of War CSA 3000
USA Combat losses = 43474
CSA Combat losses = 39229
USA VP = 1286
CSA VP = 1278
USA VP per turn = 36
CSA VP per turn = 55

Messages:
Battle of Peoria IL – Union Victory
USA 1200 men vs CSA 300 men 300 horse
USA loss 0 men vs CSA 184 men 184 horse

2 NY 3IAC BDE and NY 10# Arty to Manassas
USS Indianola ironclad to St Louis
NY 10# Arty to Manassas

Battle of Wetzel WV – Union Victory
USA 600 men vs CSA 600 men 600 horse
USA loss 0 men vs CSA loss 61 men 61 horse

NY 3IAC BDE to Manassas
USS Osage ironclad at St Louis
Militia reinforcement at St Louis
PA Cav Rgt raised to react to raid in Pennsylvania (to WDC)

Intel:
Mouton at Wilmington NC
Hoke at Norfolk
Forney PWR 1110 at Williamsburg
Lee Army and Longstreet Corps PWR 1580 at Fredericksburg
Holmes Corps PWR 1200 at Charlottesville
Van Dorn at Lawrence PA
Hill at Prestonburg KY (building depot)
Johnston Army and Jackson Corps at Mercer KY
Polk Corps PWR 1238 at Louisville
Smith at Bowling Green
CSA at Fort Donelson
Buchanan MS fleet at Great Confluent (3 ironclad)
Johnston Army PWR 890 at Paducah
Pemberton at Columbus KY
Hardee at Fayetteville AR

Dispositions:
Grant Corps PWR 1577 to attack Holmes PWR 1200 Charlottesville (Halleck PWR 1250 at Culpeper in support)
Plummer to attack Charleston WV
Chasing raiders and repairing rail in the Midwest and West

Replacements: 2 Elite Infantry 1 Infantry

Reinforcements: IA Supply (Fort Laramie depot)

Economics: 30 locomotives