For those who have want to experiment with the buildup
of forces a bit more and try to alter the early thinking of
Lincoln and Davis, here is your chance to start your game
right after the surrender of Fort Sumter. The historical
Step right in, folks, don't be shy. Get to where you can
starting point for this scenario is on or about April 15,
hear me. You, with the bored eyes, I gather you've been
1861. The information in this scenario comes from the
here before. Well, pay attention; this place has been given
a makeover. As they say, it's all in the details. Official Records of the Rebellion and will be indicative of
the opening setup for the giant American Civil War game
' I'm sure you all noticed, on your way in, that the box is on which Richard Berg and I are working.
different, but let's proceed directly to the main attraction:
the map. The mapsheet is not only more colorful and This scenario is different from the one used in the
pleasing to the eye, but more functional—a number of published FOR THE PEOPLE game. In order to progress
features have been made more user-friendly, including the published game along historical lines I used a setup
placement of key information (like resource values or that occurred a few months later, after the initial mobili-
port identity) outside of the boxes which will be covered zation was complete (July for the Eastern theater and
by playing pieces. The mapsheet is slightly larger, and early September for the Western theater). The number of
the Eastern theater is accordingly less-cramped, despite options presented by the April setup, without a host of
having a few new spaces (such as Culpeper and Amelia special rules, allow gamers with 20/20 hindsight to move
CH). River crossing paths are depicted more clearly and too easily into alternate historical evolutions that did not
the identities of rivers in spaces are clearly indicated for ; resemble the opening military moves of the war. That
their relevant rules. The addition to the map of State seemed inappropriate for the published edition. How-
Control boxes, initial setup locations and a few more rule ever, I think that C3i readers, especially FOR THE
box insets all make for greater ease of play. The inclusion PEOPLE veterans, will appreciate a change of pace and
of the B&O railroad west of Harper's Ferry some move- an opportunity to get a bit more insight into how both
ment path alterations add to historical realism. In all, sides mobilized.
designer Mark Herman and artist Mark Simonitch have
conspired to produce a terrific improvement. Confederate April 1861 Setup
I Over here among the counter sheets we can see a number The Confederate player places the indicated pieces in the
! of key changes. The Strategy ratings of generals stand indicated spaces. All spaces in TN, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS,
out distinctly, while the Battle rating has been divided LA, AR, and TX are considered Confederate controlled unless a
into Offensive and Defensive ratings. Cavalry leaders Union PC marker begins in the space (e.g. Fort Monroe).
: have their own Cavalry Brigade counters, reflecting
some rule changes in their handling. A couple of extra Space General SPs Other
Fort counters add to play options. The DRMs are listed Montgomery, AL 1 Capital
on the ironclad and submarine counters. Little Rock, AR 1
Pensacola, FL Bragg 1
As we move onward to the Strategy Deck, you will Augusta, GA 1
notice a number of language clarifications on the cards, New Orleans, LA 1
and an important 14-card expansion to the deck size, Charleston, SC Beauregard 1
including, among others, strategic and operational Marshall, TX 1
concentration cards which primarily keep the Union off j Nashville, TN 1
balance. Harpers Ferry, VA 1
Lynchburg, VA 1
Of course, the heart and soul of the new edition is the Richmond,VA J. Johnston 1
rulebook. Without significantly altering the structure of
the by-now-familiar rulebook sequence, Mark Herman
has revamped the rules with subtle but meaningful
Union April 1861 Setup
changes and additional examples—adding significantly The Union player places the indicated pieces in the indicated
spaces. All spaces in IL, IN, OH, MD, PA, NJ and DE are Union
but not inordinately to its size. The role of the Cavalry
controlled.
Brigades are clarified and altered. The value of a Fort on
a river is enhanced. The political costs of relieving
commanding generals are streamlined and clarified. Space General SPs Other
Combined Operations (including naval) movement is Washington, DC Capital
; Ft. Pickens, FL PC
greatly clarified. Elegantly simple special rules are
inserted for McClellan, Van Dorn, Forrest, Sheridan and Springfield, IL 1
Wilson. Herman adds an optional logistics buildup rule Indianapolis, IN 1
to help offset the bad luck of a player not drawing any 3 Annapolis, MD Butler 1
Ops cards in a turn. For the historical critics, Herman j St. Louis, MO 1
Columbus, OH 1
adds an extensive example of play for 1861, showing
Harrisburg, PA 1
how the 1862 Scenario's starting setup can be achieved.
Philadelphia, PA 1
; In general, Mark Herman has provided us with a cleaner, Ft. Monroe, VA PC
yet more historical, edition of a game that was already Off Map (see Special Rules) 6
"hot property."
