feeling overwhelmed

[marechalCAMBRONNE]

Hey guys...I need a bit of help. I'm a seasoned player on WIA and AJE but I must admit i'm feeling overwhelmed by this game. I'm begining a Southern campaign and I just can't understand what happen. There a union stacks every where, my troops are dispersed and without leaders and I can't even win Bull Run...

How am I supposed to deal with all those small stacks that are coming from every where?

I think I need a newbie guide!

[minipol]

It might be easier to start with the union.
Understand that in the beginning, you can't form divisions (oct 1861) or corps (march 1862).
Also, it's a good thing to try the tutorials or the shorter campaigns to learn all the finer points of the game.
Then you probably will have more specific questions that will help you get answers that get you along.

[marechalCAMBRONNE]

I already done all that. My principal problem is how to catch all those small armies?

[RebelYell]

You have to have have your own brigades ready to intercept them. Have them sitting on the rails or ports so you can move them fast to where they are needed. Where are they coming from and what size are they?

[minipol]

I usually catch the smaller forces by building and stationing militia in cities and send cavalry units in the field.
Works great to stop the small forces.

[Mickey3D]

These two links are for AACW1 but may still be helpful for ACW2 :

- CSA & USA checklists
- Top five priorities for first year of war

[le Anders]

My strategy, which has had me stalemating the Damnyankees until early '62 (still playing), was to mass most available troops on Manassas under Beauregard, and build a redoubt there, while the Army of the Shenandoah under Johnston (?) can move in support and defend Richmond from any Union armies avoiding Manassas.
The warin the West is a lot trickier, since there's a lot of ground to cover, few troops, and not a lot of depots.