War in the West

[marquo]

What is the overall theory about the objectives for both side in the western Theatre?

What is the role of the Indians?

[DrPostman]

Obviously the Union wants to take Texas and the CSA wants to get to LA
and/or the gold field near Denver. Neither is all that realistic, but it's an
interesting side show. My current game as the Union has seen the CSA
spend a LOT on troops and they have kicked my ass. Without a good supply
chain running south from Denver and other points I'm at risk of losing much
of New Mexico. She's got a huge army headed that way. I've finally got a
good supply chain along the boxes on the side but the army I had got
devastated and so I'm building up a new one to come at her from one of
the 2 boxes that connect. Athena has played a good game there, but has
really lost hard everywhere else. I've won the game, having easily taken
Richmond in the beginning of 63, but I'm still playing because of how the
West is going. It's damned challenging! As far as Indian units I use them
when I can get them to help with supply problems for any division I build.
I set up for the uprising in Minnesota early so I was able to crush it quickly.
Other than that the Indian units are good for raiding and pillaging.

[Ubercat]

This thread is only 2 weeks old so I'd call myself a mere apprentice necromancer.

I'm finally making a concerted effort to learn this game and my biggest area of strategic ignorance is WTH to do in the Far West as the Union. A few questions.

Is it possible for me to recruit a force in Denver large enough to make a serious effort at gradually taking Texas? Would I need supply wagons for such a force and can they eventually be built in Denver? I know that in the main theaters, the armies need an expanding network of depots to stay supplied as they conquer enemy territories. How important/viable is depot construction in the wide open, undeveloped spaces of the FW? I'm asking this because I'm not sure if most forces are simply small enough to live off local supplies.

What should Carson probably be doing in Santa Fe? Can he eventually build up a decent force for offensive operations without needing aid from the east?

I assume that I should create a force in CA and try to move south towards AZ and NM box by box. Would the main objective for this force be to eventually grab Santa Fe? (None of the the boxes appear to have value in themselves.)

Thanks!

[Durk]

There are enough Union forces in the Far West, to conduct a successful campaign. Use Carson to help speed the Denver volunteers to New Mexico. When he brings the Denver force to New Mexico join his force with Canby's. This is sufficient force to take El Paso, which is the key target for any Union venture.

The Union forces under Carleton which begin in California are more than adequate to secure the off map boxes of Arizona and New Mexico. Be sure to leave the regular infantry unit in Tucson until the loyal has swung to the Union in order to forestall the raising of irregulars.

The above is true if the Confederacy does not reinforce the Far Western theater. If the CSA does reinforce the Far West, abandon any effort to secure the Far West. Any of the CSA Texan forces can build in El Paso. This means one of the 'elite' Texas brigades can just show up one day; while the Union can only raise a few scratch units like the Rangers as there are no dedicated Union reinforcements for the Far West.

If the CSA does not reinforce in strength, take El Paso and then draw a line from there to San Antonio. Take that line of march and the forts you find on the way. As the Union, I always have a personal goal of the capture of San Antonio. Of course, once you have San Antonio the rest of this campaign is up to the Confederacy. Do they spend money to save a few victory points? You can always reinforce your efforts by sea if needed.

So – you do not need to build a force for the Far West. The existing forces will have enough supply wagons. The best support you could provide for this theater is to send an excellent general. The Union does start with three decent generals (the three Cs) which is enough for your troops to avoid leadership penalties and have decent activation. However, a general with some special ability can help.

The Far West plays very historically if neither side adds outside forces. To add forces will only marginally impact the outcome of the war, but it is fun, especially for a Westerner like me, to move troops over familiar territory.

I should add, if the CSA commits even one small unit to the Far West, you have already won the war in the West as that is one less unit you will need to face in the East.

[DrPostman]

Supply is really key out West. Can't stress that enough. Setting up a supply
chain from north of Denver (Denver isn't a good starting point) is very time
consuming and expensive. As the US it's best to set up through the boxes on
the side as you come down, and just hold out until your California forces get
through. That's what I do, if I'm facing a big force from the CSA in Texas. I
had that happen recently and they made it very tough. As the CSA I figured
out that destroying the stockade in Eastern California (Athena left it lightly
guarded) stymies any attempt by her to move anything down from there. I
probably shouldn't have done that but I couldn't help leaving a tempting target
like that.

[donagel]

While waiting for the Californias to make it to the battlefield, I have used Carson with calvary + mounted volunteers to run behind the CSA lines and take and destroy forts, leaving a very small supply line for the CSA (and later me). He also flips the control of the areas to build a wall of control to inhibit supplies coming from Texas.

[Gray Fox]

To build up the Far West I start a flatboat in Southern California and convert it to a depot. This will give you a good stockpile of supplies by the time the campaign season of '62 comes. In January '62, you can use Regional Decision Cards (RGD's) to strengthen the Union side. The two "Build Depot" cards can stretch your supply lines to SE CA and then Western AZ. The Pacific fleet isn't doing anything, so you can use the two "Strip Guns from Ships" cards to land a 12-lber in Northern and Central CA. Likewise, the four "Land Sailor Party" cards can be used one per turn to add a Sailor regiment in Nevada. The Sailors are as good as your best line Infantry. Finally, the four "Muster White Unionists" RGD's will add an extra 8 militia. That's almost another Division (4 Sailors, 8 Militia, 2 x 12-lbers) with a good supply line right up to Tucson's doorstep. The militia cost 20 Victory Points, but if you also play the four "Develop Territories" RGD's which cost $20 but give you 20 VP's, then the total expense of your Far West build up is only $110, 14 conscript companies and 10 War Supply. In January of each following year, you get the same RGD's again to keep the drive alive. Good luck!

[Rod Smart]

Instead of the Union going southeast after securing Missouri, try going southwest.

Its interesting to see 2 2,500 power stacks fighting over control of Oklahoma. If the south wins, they go north through Kansas to Iowa. If the north wins, they go south to Dallas and Houston.

[Ubercat]

Thanks again, guys! You've all given me a lot to work from.