Lack of Divisions

[Paul Roberts]

I'm playing as CSA in 1861, and I notice that the Confederate armies have no divisions at start. And because Corps don't require HQs, it's much easier to just group brigades together into Corps under a general, rather than taking time to build and move Division HQs out to them.

My question is, is this historical? Were divisions common, or were Corps (seen as an ad hoc collection of brigades) more common? I'm used to WW2 gaming where divisions are the standard, but I don't know how organization stood in the ACW.

In game play terms, what's the benefit of building divisions rather than just making Corps of brigades?

[Rafiki]

Divisions "cost" 4 CP no matter how many elements are within. The equivelant number of elements outside a division can easily cost 3 times the amount of CP, which means you'll face command problems (= reduced combat ability) much sooner/more

[James D Burns]

Divisions "cost" 4 CP no matter how many elements are within. The equivelant number of elements outside a division can easily cost 3 times the amount of CP, which means you'll face command problems (= reduced combat ability) much sooner/more

Exactly and leaders not in command of an HQ suffer a 50% command point reduction. Division HQ's are a vital part of your army's organization, pay the price to produce them lest you regret it later.

Jim

[jimwinsor]

Well, Div commanders are still halved in CPs if not part of the Army/Corp structure. But that being said, Divs are invaluable. Most units approximately 1 element = 1 CP, so Divs allow you to compact up to 18 elements into a mere 4 CP. VERY nice.

The winter of 61 is the time for building and railing of Div HQs. And creating divisions! You can really creative at doing it too...making sure each one has a Sharpshooter, Cav, Artillery, and Leader element. This sort of planning pays off.

[Pocus]

jimwinsor is right, the independent command penalty is because you are not part of the army/corps chain, not because you are not in an HQ.

An added benefit of the division is that the division leader bonus stacks with the general in command of the corps (or independent stack) when in battle, for the elements in the division.

Also some abilities apply at the unit level (and a division is just a big unit), so for example sharpshooters benefits all the division.

[Rafiki]

Also some abilities apply at the unit level (and a division is just a big unit), so for example sharpshooters benefits all the division.

This is interesting. Are there other special abilities that work like that?

*runs to reorganize the divisions in the Army of the Potomac*

[Spruce]

I'm playing as CSA in 1861, and I notice that the Confederate armies have no divisions at start. And because Corps don't require HQs, it's much easier to just group brigades together into Corps under a general, rather than taking time to build and move Division HQs out to them.

My question is, is this historical? Were divisions common, or were Corps (seen as an ad hoc collection of brigades) more common? I'm used to WW2 gaming where divisions are the standard, but I don't know how organization stood in the ACW.

In game play terms, what's the benefit of building divisions rather than just making Corps of brigades?

very historical. Not having them would be very unhistorical -

Longstreets corp during second Manassas consisted out of Hoods division, Jones division, Kempers division, Andersons division and Wilcox division.

Playing the game - TC2M (take command second Manassas) - from MadminuteGames - you might experience how important this is !

More specific I refer to Longstreets assault on the Union left wing and center after the Union attack on Jacksons position failed.

It's a real beauty to experience. Wilcox division out of the woods - to the central road - Hoods division make an envelopment around the woods south of the road - converge with Kemper and Jones for a final "grand assault". And Anderson to check the Union reinforcments coming in to aid the Union center.

Total beauty ! The coolest thing is that you can also play as Jones (division commander) and choose which other division to sustain - really cool.

[jimwinsor]

This is interesting. Are there other special abilities that work like that?

*runs to reorganize the divisions in the Army of the Potomac*

Pontooners, I believe.

[Rafiki]

Pontooners, I believe.

Yup. Seemingly reflected by the icon showing up on the division "portrait" in the unit window.

[Huo long]

Entrencher, sharpshooters, HQ Command, and strong morale according to the manual.

Pontooners give the ability to the whole stack, not only the division.

[Jabberwock]

I'm playing as CSA in 1861, and I notice that the Confederate armies have no divisions at start. And because Corps don't require HQs, it's much easier to just group brigades together into Corps under a general, rather than taking time to build and move Division HQs out to them.

My question is, is this historical? Were divisions common, or were Corps (seen as an ad hoc collection of brigades) more common? I'm used to WW2 gaming where divisions are the standard, but I don't know how organization stood in the ACW.

In game play terms, what's the benefit of building divisions rather than just making Corps of brigades?

I agree very historical. The CSA Army did not start using a divisional structure until well after Bull Run. I believe their first use was during the Seven Days. Earlier candidates might include Pea Ridge, Shiloh, or the Valley Campaign. Pea Ridge - were the Confederates organized enough to consider Price and McCulloch's commands as divisions? Shiloh - did the four subcommanders each command a division, or a corps? I think the best counter-argument to my statement would be to call Jackson's force in the Shenandoah Valley a detached division (if not in name, at least in game terms). Anybody want to weigh in on this?

In terms of game play, in 1.03 I was also using divisions under training masters to reorganize my brigades. I would load up a division with 18 elements, break it apart, and often wind up with different brigade structures. A brigade with one element of militia uses 1 CP; A brigade with three or even five elements of mixed militia and conscripts created this way uses 1 CP.
I think they may have fixed this in v1.04.