ACW Rail Fences by Leadbear's Tufts

I have a plan to make fences, or rather more fences, for my ACW collection, particularly those distinctive to the period.  However, it is a project that is yet to get underway apart from collecting materials.  It might have happened had my partner not taken long service leave and decided to redecorate my studio.  It needed doing so can't argue, not that I would dream of arguing with her, but it did mean that the chances of progressing that project were close to the chance of Rish! getting reelected, Trump telling the truth and Australia having seven operational nuclear power plants by 2035.

Leadbear to the rescue. I think I might have mentioned previously that some of the floral tufts I have used, particularly with my Byzantines, are from Leadbear's Tufts.  In a bit of serendipity, I saw a post from Leadbear on Facebook offering some ACW rail fences for sale.  As it was my birthday, I thought they would make a wonderful present for ma belle-mère (excuse my French) to give me.  And so, it came to pass...

Rail fences pictured with some of my figures - perfect for 15mm.

The complete package.

Very happy!

Here is a link to Leadbear's FB page: https://www.facebook.com/leadbearstufts/

Wagons Ho!

Finally finished this.  The ultimate challenge, which I put off for a good month, was creating the canvas cover.

PLW39 Covered Wagon & Ox Team

Same, but without the flash

The cover is created from tissue paper.

Fiddly, but seems to have worked a treat.

Bit of a before photo.

Before photo with packaging.

It was purchased in 1992 from Brookhurst Hobbies 

when I was in California on holidays.

Completed but not covered.

I took these photos as I was concerned I would mess up.

Good thing I did as I discovered I hadn't complete the driver's moustache!

The title of this post did say wagons, plural, implying more than one and so here we have three:

War For The Union via Vassal June 1863

Well...

Hot on the heels of the revelations of the supply rules and more importantly the attrition rules comes another shock: I have been doing railroad capture totally wrong.  This has a bigger impact than my previous mistakes which can always be explained by the vagaries of die rolls.  

Now I need to see how I can repair the damage caused by my failing to apply the rail repair, or more correctly, rail conversion rules.  Bum!

The Union receives USMRR (US Military Railroad Repair) units that can repair/convert rails in addition to one hex per theatre automatic intrinsic repair capacity (which is only for repair and only in original territory).  The Union receive one in April 1862 and one in April 1863.  

So rail conversion could have started at Columbus, KY, in May 1862 (after allowing for the USMRR unit to be ferried there).   Kentucky railroads commence converted for the Union as do those in Missouri.  Working from here it would reach Humboldt in June with Grant, but have retreated back to Columbus in July. August could have seen rail conversion to Paris, TN, and then September to the banks of the Tennessee.  October to Brownsville, then in November adjacent to Memphis.  By January 1863 it could have made it to Jackson, TN.  February it could be at Pittsburgh Landing and then March safely at Corinth.  April would see it return to complete the link to Memphis.  The second USMRR would arrive at this time and rail to Bowling Green and start converting the rail lines north of the Cumberland River.  Just about up-to-date and the plan had been to use the railway across the Mississippi so that will happen now.

The upshot is that the impact on Union supply is negligible given their command of the rivers, however the railway had been used to move a good number of troops about.  Probably not such an issue given the hiatus over winter and that river transports can ferry troops between connecting rail lines.  However I am sure things would have played out differently, particularly the importance of the rail between Clarksville and Paris in Tennessee.  Anyway, all fixed now and these blog posts made it easy to rectify.  Phew!

Just to make things difficult, the Union had to remove 20% of their volunteers at the end of May, 1863.  This comes in at 80,000 troops including 5,000 cavalry.  The bulk were in Maryland.

The Union commission some more Generals and promote Meade and Rosecrans.  Hancock replaces Sumner and Ord goes West.

Banks gets back to work invading Louisiana.  Farragut sails his badly damage squadron for repairs at Galveston.  It might take a while.  He takes his remaining ships back to the east coast.

The newly arrived Ord is sent to deal with the rebel cavalry north of Johnsonville on the Tennessee River. He prepares to attack, but the enemy retreat.  Sherman again advances against Forrest, but he is not yet ready to attack.  Lyon moves to Murfreesboro to put further pressure on Nashville supply lines.

Grant moves to attack the Confederate Army of the Mississippi.  It is 2:1 straight.  The die roll is a 10!  The Confederates lose 20,000 and retreat gaining 3 fatigue.  The Union lose 15,000 and gain 1 fatigue. Grant follows up and makes a second attack.  It is at 4:1 with a -1.  The die roll is a 9.  The Union lose 5,000 but the Confederates lose 15,000 and gain yet more fatigue.  The only positive thing is that in retreating that have got themselves out of the trap, the negative is that they have fallen into a swamp.  

With a better appreciation of the attrition rules, the Union abandon the swamp they held outside New Berne.  The Union fleet has a go at the battery at Norfolk. It proves to be made of painted logs and disintegrates with the first blast. The Confederate navy comes out to fight (actually it is trying to run away as it is heavily outnumbered). They sink the US ships not clad in iron, but suffer damage and withdraw to Richmond, which the Confederates find they have embarrassingly failed to build a protective battery.

Taking a risk, Rosecrans sends Burnside with 20,000 men to cut the Confederate rail lines between Culpeper and Manassas Junction.  To increase the risk Union cavalry threaten the Shenandoah Valley.

The Confederates have to deal with attrition. 5,000 men disappear into the Mississippi mud.  5,000 of Longstreet's men skedaddle.  Beauregard holds his force together, but 10,000 men slip away from the Army of the Virginia.

Taylor joins Jackson and attacks Rosecrans at 2:3.  The die roll is a 4.  Both sides lose 10,000 men and gain fatigue, but the Confederates have to retreat.  Jackson has lost his mojo.

The Army of Virginia pulls back.  Joined by Longstreet it makes a 2:1 attack on Burnside with a +2. The die roll is a 5.  Burnside is killed.  Both sides lose 5,000 men and gain fatigue.  What is left of Burnside's men retreat. Pemberton narrowly avoids being wounded.  Longstreet and Stuart are unscathed. The rail line is repaired.

The Army of Mississippi struggles across the Yazoo.  S D Lee arrives in Vicksburg.

Not wanting to suffer the same fate of the Army of the Mississippi (now known as the Army of the Missing), J E Johnston takes his army of the Tennessee on a force march to confront Sherman.  He attacks at 3:2.  The die roll is a 6.  No generals are killed or wounded, but 10,000 soldiers on each side are casualties and each side gains fatigue, but Sherman holds his position.

Things look pretty static

And on a slow boil down here

Railway all the way in the west

June Interphase

Strictly speaking this interphase is at the start of July.  

Also, given the success of the Union forces in the preceding months, the Confederate overall economic situation has not changed.  This was due to them retaking Nashville and holding it till the end of June. However the Union dispute this claiming that as it has been abandoned, and even if it hadn't, without a fort the Union exert a zone of control over the city that means it can't trace a line of communication to other supply centres as you can't trace into or through.  The Rebels say that doesn't include supply from Little Rock (worth 3 compared to Nashville's 6) which is also a problem as with the river cut downstream it can't connect to the necessary number of other supply centres.  Does it matter?  

The Confederate supply total is 106.  As 100 is the cap, one or the other of Little Rock or Nashville being excluded has no effect, but if both were...  

Union blockades have also fallen by the wayside, or should that be quayside?  Clearly they will start to have an impact now, but at the expense of tying up ships.

First both sides must conduct replacements.  This is the matter of troops returning form the casualty pool.  In the proceeding quarter losses have been high.  The Union suffered 85,000 casualties (they get back 40,000).  The Confederates lost 110,000, but will be getting back 55,000.

The Union also get their sunk ships back. 

The Confederates have 445,000 men in the field and are somehow able to attract another 55,000 volunteers.  By way of contrast the Union have 660,000 men under arms.

War For The Union via Vassal May 1863

With a new appreciation of the attrition rules, some changes are underway.

Sherman with his 30,000 troops with 3 fatigue checks for attrition.  The die roll is a 10, the only roll that would cause 5,000 casualties.  So it goes.  He receives 20,000 reinforcements and sits planning his revenge.

Union cavalry head into Mississippi, reaching Columbus and Goodman along the railway lines.

Huribut forces marches his 10,000 veterans to Madison.  Grant moves to isolate the unsupplied Confederate army of the Mississippi, taking a risk and splitting his force to do so. (The affect of being unsupplied, apart from causing the potential of losses due to attrition, is to reduce combat strength.)

Foote, now back up to strength with three squadrons of ironclads, sails further down the mighty Mississippi.

Lyon holds put, waiting for Sherman to cut off the enemy at Nashville.

Banks waits while a Naval Depot is created to maintain his supply.

Farragut sails up to Baton Rouge and has a go at the battery there.  The first round achieves nothing.  The next round and the battery scores a D2 on one of the attaching ships.  The Union break off and sail away.

While Lee is licking his wounds, Rosecrans slips over the Potomac and attacks Jackson.  It is 3:1 with a -2.  The die roll is a 2.  Both sides lose 5,000 mean and gain a fatigue.  However it puts Lee's army out of supply.

The US navy has another go at Ft Monroe.  The first wave suppresses the battery.  Subsequent waves destroy the battery.

The Confederates under go attrition.  This time the Army of the Mississippi suffer badly, losing 15,000 men who slunk off into the swamps and never came back.  Lee's troops avoid any losses (their dice roll was a 1, the other guy's was a 10).

The Confederates desperately shuffle troops around Mississippi to protect the supply centres.

J E Johnston sends out cavalry in an attempt to emulate Grant's tactic.  Other than that he can't decide what to do so does nothing.

Lee and his HQ move back to join Early and Stuart.  He has 50,000 mean and attacks Rosecrans 70,000. The odds are 2:3 with a +2.  The roll is a 5.  Both sides lose 5,000 men.  Lee is wounded.  McClellan is wounded and McDowell is killed.  Pemberton takes over command of the Army of Virginia.  Sumner and Burnside are replacements on the Union side.

It is proving very hard for the rebels to make any progress.

The Union are just plodding away and the Confederates are ignoring them, 

hoping that they will go away.

The West is becoming more a war of manoeuvre.

War For The Union via Vassal April 1863

The poor weather is over.

Banks invades Louisiana.  

Huribut crosses the Black River.

Grant moves troops about to secure his hold on Memphis.  He sends his cavalry out to cut the Confederate supply to the army that he faces.

Sherman moves to attack Forrest at Decatur.  It is 2:1 with a -1.  The die roll is a 1.  The Union lose 5,000 mean and gain 1 fatigue.  Forrest gets a medal.  However Sherman attacks again.  3:2 with a -3 this time.  The roll is a 4.  Both sides lose 5,000 men, but the Union gain 2 fatigue, the Confederates 1.

Lyon digs in and rests his troops outside Nashville.

The Union navy makes another assault on Ft Monroe.  The first wave bombardment suppresses the battery for no loss.  The third bombardment takes that suppression to level 2.

The Union decide to abandon their landing at Yorktown.

After some soul searching, Lee moves north and joins Beauregard.  They have 60,000 mean and attack Sedgewick.  It is 2:1 with a plus 1.  The die roll is a 3.  Both sides lose 5,000 mean and gain 1 fatigue.  Lee attacks again.  Still 2:1, but no modifier.  The  die roll is a 1.  The Union lose another 5,000 men and while the Confederates avoid losses, they do gain another fatigue.

Reinforcements are sent to Forrest.  J E Johnston digs in at Nashville.

A S Johnston and the Army of the Mississippi are in trouble.  This isn't helped by the Supreme Court clarifying that attrition takes place after supply determination (and also applies to troops with 3 or more fatigue points, something I haven't been doing).  Luckily for him his attrition roll is a 1 (the only roll that avoided losses).

S D Lee continues moving to Vicksburg, but not much hope is held for the Trans-Mississippi.

Lee suffers a set back

but Taylor scared off the Yankees at Yorktown.

The invasion of Louisiana

The Confederate Army of the Mississippi is in trouble,

but Nashville is back in rebel hands

War For The Union via Vassal March 1863

March is the last winter month. Neither side receives any reinforcements.

Hurlbut continues his slow move towards the Mississippi.  Lyon digs in at Nashville, as reinforcements are ferried across to him.  Sherman moves to threaten the Confederate's Army of the Tennessee's line of supply.

Grant leaves it to McPherson and Buell to attack Memphis.  It is a straight 4:1 combat.  The die roll is a 3.  The Rebels retreat losing 5,000 men and suffering 2 fatigue.  Memphis falls with no loss to the Union.

Over east the Union start to fortify their line, but in a more interesting move, 10,000 militia are transported to Yorktown using river transport, establishing a depot there to support future operations.

The Confederates newly launched ironclads at New Orleans attempt to escape, but are heavily damaged in the process.  

A S Johnston and the Army of the Mississippi attempt to retake Memphis.  Their 70,000 men attack the 45,000 Union troops.  It is a 3:2 +2 combat.  The die roll is a 3.  Both sides lose 5,000 men.  Perhaps defeatism has settled in on the Confederates?

No!  J E Johnston and the Army of the Tennessee attacks Lyons at Nashville.  It is a straight 1:1 combat.  The die roll is a 9.  Both sides lose 15,000 men.  The Confederates take 1 fatigue the Union 2 as they vacate Nashville, however its functioning as a Key Industrial Centre has been permanently destroyed by those damn Yankees (along with Memphis).  Lyon retreats to Carthage.

In the east Taylor moves to Richmond, ready to strike at the Yankee landing at Yorktown.

How long are those Yankees going to last at Yorktown?

Are the Union going to send troops to the Mississippi?

Can the Confederacy hold Nashville?

April Interphase

Troops are promoted.  Finally the Union will have parity of troop quality with the Confederacy.  In terms of numbers they have about a 50% superiority.

Confederate supply capacity is down to 106, however this still allows them to recruit an additional 25,000 volunteers.  With just three KIC they receive only 3 Resource Points.

The Union receive Slocum who is immediately put on the reserve list.

War For The Union via Vassal February 1863

Sedgewick receives a commission and Burnside is retired.  The Union call up another 40,000 militia.

Hurlbut returns to Missouri.

Foote attacks the battery at Memphis.  The battery damages the flagship, but is reduced.  Seeing the Union fleet diminished, the Confederate ships now move out to face them.  They score no hits.  The Confederate ironclad is however sunk and their ram decides to withdraw.  Foote pursues as far as Helena, cutting off river supply to Memphis, just what Grant was planning for.  He cordons off Memphis.

Sherman moves to Johnsonville on the Tennessee to receive reinforcements and rest his men.

Lyon storms Nashville.  It is 4:1 plus 2.  Die roll of 4 sees Nashville captured, but with the loss of 5,000 Union soldiers.  The attacking force gains 1 fatigue, but it was just a small part of the Army of the Ohio which now waits to see if the Confederates will counterattack.

Down in Texas, Banks gets ready to invade Louisiana.  Farragut tries telling the authorities that there are richer pickings on the Mississippi, but no one is listening.

In the East troops are shuffled about to maintain the line of the Potomac.

The US Navy again tries to neutralise the enemy fort at Ft Monroe.  The sailing ships are damaged and break off.  The iron clads have another go.  Dismal fire from both sides.  A third round and one of the ironclads is damaged, but the battery is suppressed.  However the Union ships withdraw.

A S Johnston and the Army of the Mississippi slip out of Memphis in an attempt to regain supply and to maintain an army in being.  S D Lee continues to move towards the Mississippi.  J E Johnston attempts to retake Nashville.  His 75,000 men throw themselves at the 60,000 Yankee aggressors in a 1;1 +1 attack.  The die roll is a 7.  Both sides lose 15,000 mean and suffer a fatigue, but Nashville remains in Union hands.

Magruder is replaced by Price who is sent down to Florida.   An ironclad commences is laid down in Norfolk.  The Confederacy look to fortify Winchester.  A scratch force of 20,000 men are assembled at Decatur under Forrest.  Lee rests his men on the icy banks of the Potomac and gets ready to renew the offensive.

The East where the action isn't

The South is just ... not there?

But the West is where it is at!

 

War For The Union via Vassal January 1863

Hurlbut tries to get back in supply from Springfield, MO.  

Before Grant can contemplate further action against Memphis, he needs Foote to destroy the battery and rebel ships and so block supply along the Mississippi.  The enemy ships take shelter under their guns up on the bluff.  In the first wave, one Union ship is damaged. but the rebel battery is supressed.  However all subsequent waves fail to inflict any damage.  Foot decides to hold position.

Grant sends McPherson to open up the railway line to Corinth and pick up reinforcements that had been abandoned by McClernand.

Sherman moves to cut off Nashville.  The rebel city is now surrounded by Union zones of control, choking off supplies.

Down south Banks starts to consolidate his position in Texas.

Over East Meade takes command of the troops at Hagerstown,  Rosecrans moves the Army of the Potomac to the icy banks of the Potomac. The US Navy evacuates the militia from Alexandria returning them to Washington.

The navy outside Norfolk bombard the rebel battery.  On the second round the battery is suppressed, but they are unable to make any further damage.  The new ships from Philadelphia attack the new battery at Ft Monroe.  The battery scores a direct hit on the new ironclad.  After one round of bombardment they promptly break off.

Farragut attacks Rebel ships at New Orleans.  The heavily outnumbered Confederate ships are sunk.  Noting that more are being built, Farragut holds his position.

The Confederates move troops to cover the exposed cities and towns on the Mississippi as well as fixing up the battery at Memphis.  A S Johnston and the Army of the Mississippi sit impotently in Memphis.  They have parity with Grant, but daren't risk an adverse outcome if they attack.

J E Johnston at Nashville doesn't have that luxury and moves out to confront Sherman. He attacks at 3:2 with a +2.  The die roll is a 9.  Sherman suffers 10,000 casualties and 2 fatigue and retreats.  The Confederates lose 5,000.  Supply is restored, but Nashville is very, very vulnerable.

Over East Jackson secures Alexandria,  Lee attacks Burnside's 30,000.  The odds are 5:2 with a +2.  The die roll is a 7, the Union lose 10,000 men and retreat suffering 3 fatigue.  The Confederates lose 5,000 and gain 1 fatigue.  Beauregard with 40,000 men crosses the Potomac.

Taylor with 20,000 stays in reserve at Fredericksburg.

The Eastern Theatre is hard work for the Confederates,

they have the upper hand, but not enough troops.

They need to watch for coastal landings

and for the Yankees cutting their supply.

Down Texas way and the Confederates have nothing they can really use to stop the erosion.

The West is too open for the Confederacy to stop the Union from breaking through.

War For The Union via Vassal December 1862

Winter returns.  Supply becomes an issue.  40,000 more militia are raised to help fight for the Union.

In a move that has the Confederates screaming for their lawyers, the Union determines it can send more men over seas and provided they are in small parcels, they can "live off the land" (as their is no chance of attrition for 5,000 men on the table).  The only thing stopping the Union is that they did not plan things out and therefore don't have troops in reach that can do serious damage.

Banks gets on with his conquest of Texas.

Hurlbut starts to move troops back towards Springfield to get them in supply.  The troops don't really matter, what this foray into Arkansas has done is tie up a valuable general.

McClernand starts moving reinforcements towards Grant who is camped outside Memphis.  More importantly Sherman opens the rail line through to Grant.

In a sneaky move, Reynolds slips 20,000 militia into Alexandria, cutting off Confederate supply to the forces across the Potomac.  Rosecrans digs in and waits Lee's next move.

Lee pulls back and sends Jackson and 30,000 mean to deal with the Union militia in Alexandria.  It is a 3:2 attack with a +5.  Jackson's luck fails him, the die roll is a 1.  Both sides lose 5,000 mean and gain a fatigue.  

Elsewhere things are fairly static, although troops are being rushed to defend the supply centres that are exposed on the Mississippi (Baton Rouge and Natchez).

In the East the Confederates are back behind the Potomac, with the Union threatening their supplies.

In the South Texas has been occupied,

but the Union may have missed the chance to sail up the Mississippi

In the west things seem to be finely balanced,

although the Confederates are tied to defending Memphis and Nashville

January Interphase

The Union commission a new squadrons of transports in St Louis (essential for creating River Depots) and call up 30,000 militia infantry and 10,000 militia cavalry.  McPherson and Meade receive commissions, but McClernand is sent home. Two squadrons of ships appear at Philadelphia, included one that is an ironclad.

Twenty five precent of Confederate veterans will retire if supply capacity is less that 109.  It is 112 - but if the Union had got its act together and seized Baton Rouge...

The Confederates give Taylor a commission, but remove two divisional level commanders (one of whom was charged with taking troops to Baton Rouge - whoops!)

The blockade of Norfolk is broken.

The Confederates conduct a further recruitment.  They currently have 440,000 infantry and 35,000 cavalry (not counting state militia).  They are able to recruit an additional 25,000 men some of which go to Baton Rouge - phew!!

Confederacy have 12 resource points.

War For The Union Via Vassal November 1862

The Union call up a further 40,000 militia and appoint McClernand and Reynolds (posted to Washington) as well as creating the Army of the Cumberland in Louisville.

In a bold move, Rosecrans takes the Army of the Potomac to meet Jackson.  Hooker is recalled to Washington which is left with a garrison of 60,000.  With 20,000 men assisting from McDowell's command Rosecrans can get 3:1 with a -3 modifier.  The die roll is a 7.  Both sides lose 5,000 men, but Jackson is bundled back across the Potomac with 2 fatigue.  Burnside advances to close the gap.

Down in Texas, Franklin occupies Houston and attacks the rebel militia holding Galveston.  It is a 2:1 attack with a +1.  The die roll is a 6.  Franklin is wounded as is the Confederate commander.  It was a bloody battle with both sides losing 5,000 men which spelled the end of the Confederates in Texas.  Banks takes over a Governor of Texas.

Farragut sends his damaged ship to Fort Keys for repairs and sends a message that he needs infantry if he is to take New Orleans.

The Confederate cavalry retreat before Hurlbut's advance on Springfield which falls to the hungry Union troops. 

Lyon, realising that supply is going to be an issue, but needing to keep the opposing Confederate army occupied, moves slowly towards Nashville, ordering Thomas to join him, which will give him 60,000 men.  The newly arrived McClernand is sent to Columbus to organise the troops that have accumulated there.

Union cavalry occupy Decatur.  Nashville is now at risk of being cut off from supplies.

Troops are ferried to Ft Donelson and in a surprise move, Sherman entrenches his 40.000 men at Corinth (not trusting the Supreme Court, a river depot has been established there) and then slips into a fast boat and sails down the Tennessee to take command of the 35,000 men at Ft Donelson.  He attacks the Confederate blocking force at 4:1 at +1,  The die roll is a 7. The Confederates are wiped out, but 5,000 blue coats bite the dust in exchange.

While all this is happening, Grant keeps watch on Memphis, as Foote brings his ships back up to strength.

The Confederates bring J E Johnston back to take over the Army of Tennessee.  He can either attack Sherman or Lyon, but to do so would leave Nashville open to attack.  He decides to stay put, but sends Forrest to command the cavalry tasked with recapturing Decatur.  It is a 2:1 +2.  Die roll is 4.  It is a costly business with each side losing 5,000 horsemen, but Decatur is secured.

In Memphis A S Johnston faces a similar dilemma and decides to stay put.  Let those damn Yankees take the risk!

A battery starts construction at Vicksburg and some more ironclads are commissioned at New Orleans.

On the Potomac, Lee brings up more troops and shuffles fatigued troops between commands so that he can make a 2:1 +2 attack with 80,000 men against McDowell and his 30,000.  The die roll is an 8.  The Union suffer 10,000 casualties, and collect 3 fatigue as they are bundled from their position.  The Confederates lose 5,000 and gain 1 fatigue, but Lee decides to cross, but not make a second attack (which at best was 1:1 with no pluses on Washington, although he could have a 1:1 +1 attack on the Army of the Potomac.)  With winter just about here he decides a bit of consolidation will pay off.

The threat to Washington increase with Rebels at the gates.

But winter is coming...

The rebellion in Texas has been supressed.

Stalemate in the West.

War For The Union Via Vassal October 1862

In the East the Union are at a loss to know what to do, so they just bring up some reinforcements and dig in a bit more.

In Texas, Franklin attacks the Confederate defenders across the Trinity River.  It is 3:1.  The die roll is a 10.  The Confederates are wiped out, but the Union lose 5,000 men in the process.

Farragut has a go against the New Orleans battery.  One of his ships is damaged, but the battery is suppressed. On the third bombardment the battery is Suppressed Level 2 as well as being reduced which means it is eliminated.

In Missouri, Hurlburt commences the last stage of his march to reclaim Fayetteville.

Thomas attempts to overrun the Confederate cavalry screen, but it retreats.  McCook then tries the same thing and it again retreats,  Finally Lyon comes up and tries to attack the Confederate cavalry, but again it retreats.  It is fatigued, but has held the Union up.

Buell joins Grant and then Grant sends Sherman to retake Corinth.  It is a 4:1 attack.  The die roll is a 9. The Confederates are wiped out with no loss to the Union.  After extensive litigation, Sherman gets his way in claiming that Corinth as a city can function as a legitimate starting point for a LOS which along river hex-sides can be any length.  It is possible and provided that they are not blocked, river hex-sides could function like that.  The Confederates lodge an appeal.  It is this process of double checking the rules which is really bogging the game down unfortunately.

The Confederates know winter is coming and that will slow the Yankee aggression.

S D Lee moves to Clinton where he is still in supply, but able to strike at any Union advance on Fayetteville, AK.

A S Johnston with the Army of the Mississippi at Memphis daren't send troops after Sherman.  The best he can do is order up some cavalry to Tupelo.  

Pemberton leaves a small blocking force south east of Ft Donelson and moves the Army of the Tennessee to Nashville where he now has 75,000 men.  That should be enough to stop the Union at least.

The newly commissioned squadron of ironclads sorties out of New Orleans.  It is heavily out numbered, but not out armoured.  It is after the damaged Union flotilla, until a judge points out that D1 only affects attack strength, not defence strength. A quick calculation show a 50% chance of being sunk for very little gain and the attack is called off before it even starts.  

Lee decides to join Jackson and make a massive attack with his combined force of 90,000 mean against Hooker's 30,000.  The head waters of the Potomac reduce the odds to 5:2 and there is a +2.  The die roll is an 8.  The Union lose 10,000 while the Confederate lose 5,000.  Jackson crosses over this time.  The Confederates have 1 fatigue.  Hooker retreats to Hagerstown, he has 3 fatigue.

Early has been recalled from watching Jacksonville to Fredericksburg.

The Rebels are across the Potomac!

Panic in Washington!!

Texas in peril!

Sherman is on the loose!

War For The Union via Vassal September 1862

The Union call up 40,000 militia.  Heintzelman is appointed (he should have arrived early but I picked Hooker by mistake), but promptly put on the reserve list.

In Texas, Franklin moves to Belmont and reestablishes his base there, receiving 10,000 reinforcements shuffled around from Jacksonville.

Farragut sails up the Mississippi and attacks the battery defending New Orleans.  In the first round the battery is suppressed. The gunners do a good job of ducking as all subsequent rounds miss. 

Hurlbut moves to Springfield, MO. He is confident he will win the race to get to Fayetteville.

Lyon starts a drive towards Nashville crossing the head waters of the Cumberland and ordering Thomas to come down and meet him (and abandoning his thrust to capture Knoxville). There is a cavalry screen before Lyon, but that retreats.

Buell crosses the Tennessee planing to join Grant.  With the return of A S Johnston, Grant has lost his advantage.  He slightly shifts his position and decides to send in the navy.  Foote with 3 squadrons of ironclads takes on a motley, but significant collection of Confederate vessels. After one round of combat two Confederate ships are sunk and one Union ship damaged.  The Confederates withdraw to Memphis.  Foote sends the damaged ship to Cairo to repair.

At great expense on the railways, the Union send troops from the West to man a line from Philippi to Hancock (town that is, the General is yet to appear) to stop any Rebel cavalry running amok.  McDowell is given more men and sent back to the Potomac river line.

The Confederates feel snookered, both east, west and south. The best they can do is rail up reinforcements and try to create blocking or delay points.  The only comfort they can take is that the Union are similarly backed up and winter is coming (and I was reminded that there is a progress VP total the Union need to achieve to avoid instant death). In one bit of good news, J E Johnston has returned and is put in charge of the Army of Tennessee.

The big picture, you need to click and zoom in to see what's happening

or rather what's not happening.

October Interphase

The Union commission a new squadrons of transports in Washington and call up 40,000 militia.  Sherman replaces Banks.

Confederate supply is down 5; 1 for Belmont, 2 for Winchester, 1 for Jacksonville and 1 for the blockade of Norfolk (which is still successful even with the loss of Ft Monroe).  They have 116 in total.

The Confederates conduct a further recruitment.  They currently have 420,000 infantry and 35,000 cavalry (not counting state militia).  They are able to recruit an additional 45,000 men.  Pemberton joins the Confederacy, taking over command of the Army of the Tennessee.

Confederacy have 12 resource points and now have 10.

A squadron of ironclads is launched at New Orleans. 

War For The Union via Vassal August 1862

The Union call up 90,000 militia.  Rosecrans replaces Burnside as the commander of the Army of the Potomac.

Hurlbut with his 20,000 men start their march to Fayetteville, AK.  A definite sideshow, but someone has to do it.

McCook delivers 10,000 men to Buell who is now safely entrenched and then goes on to take command of the troops at Bowling Green.

Grant and 80,000 men advance on the Confederate cavalry screen at Humboldt.  Fearing an overrun it retreats to Brownsville.  They retreat again as Grant now nears Memphis, but as they attempt to retire into the city Grant unleashes his cavalry.  It is a 2:1 encounter with a +1.  The die roll is a 4. Both sides lose 5,000 cavalry. Grant is able to advance and makes a second attack on Ft Pillow.  It is a 4:1 +1 with a die roll of 5 (oh dear).  The Confederates are wiped out, but the Union also take 5,000 casualties.  Grant narrowly avoids being wounded, but Logan is killed.  Grant captures Ft Pillow, but there is a question on advance after combat. A careful reading of the rules reveals that troops under the command of a leader may advance even if they didn't participate in the battle (the trick being Grant only used the necessary minimum of troops in the assault on Ft Pillow).

Lyon sends Thomas with 30,000 men in pursuit of Van Dorn.  He overruns him at Cumberland Ford.  It is a straight 4:1 and a die roll of 9 sees the Confederates lose 5,000 men, but Thomas gets to follow up and another 4:1 attack with a die roll of 7 has the Confederates wiped out, but with 5,000 Union casualties. Van Dorn is wounded.

Lyon starts to head to Bowling Green.

Over east, Porter and Hooker rest their troops and dig in, along with all the other forces there.

Franklin and 10.000 soldiers descend on Sabine City, TX.

Farragut tries his hand at bombarding Ft Jackson again.  The first bombardment creates a suppress level 2 which will be hard for the Confederates to remove as the fort is out of supply.  It is of no matter as subsequent bombardment eliminates the battery (a roll of a 10 with a +3 will do that).

Buckner is ordered to force march back to Memphis were his presence will at least give the Confederates parity with Grant.  Other troops are railed to cover Knoxville and Corinth.  The Army of the Tennessee digs in, happy that it is blocking the railway line that stops the Union railing troops directly to Grant.

Lee and Jackson make an attempt to cross the Potomac attacking the 40,000 troops dug in with McDowell.  It is a 1:1 attack with a +3.   The die roll is a 7.  Both sides lose 10,000 men, but the Union have to retreat.  The Confederates can cross, but that Army of the Potomac is ready to counterattack so they have to wait till they can get more troops up.  The Confederates have 1 fatigue and the Union 2.

The battle for the Potomac has begun.

The Union opens up a southern front.

The Union close in on Memphis.

War For The Union Via Vassal July 1862

Troops are sent to Hurlbut for the reconquest of Fayetteville.

Buell moves to Ft Donelson to relieve McCook who chases after the isolated Confederates with the help of some fresh troops which were ferried to him from Cairo.  The attack is 4:1.  The die roll is a 4.  The Confederates are wiped out, the Union receive a fatigue but no losses.

Foote collects three squadron of ironclads ready to confront the Confederate fleet on the Mississippi.

Grant moves to Columbus to gather reinforcements and rest (his force has 2 fatigue).

Lyon and the Army of the Tennessee uses 45,000 mean to attack Van Dorn's 15,000 at Lexington. The die roll is a 10.  Both sides lose 5,000 men, but the Confederates are driven out and suffer three fatigue.

Farragut has another go at Ft Jackson.  The first round sees the fort suppressed for no loss.  Farragut hammers away for another four rounds, but without effect.

Franklin can see he is no match for Early so sits tight in Jacksonville.

In the Shenandoah Valley Hooker force marches out, gaining 1 fatigue, but managing to block Jackson.  Porter moves back to Winchester. McDowell is reinforced and entrenches his 40,000 men.  More troops are rushed to Washington where the Army of the Potomac now has 110,000 men.

S D Lee hears that the Yankees are coming and heads to Little Rock to get more men.

Buckner takes 20,000 men from Memphis and attacks the Union forces at Corinth.  It is 4:1 with a +1.  The die roll is an 8.  The Union force is wiped out.

Confederate cavalry create a screen at Humboldt, giving time for A S Johnston to reorganise the Army of Mississippi at Memphis.

Polk limps into Nashville allowing Kirby Smith to take the Army of Tennessee out of Nashville and attack Buell.  It is a 1:1 attack with a +2.  The die roll is a 4.  Both sides lose 5,000 men.

Van Dorn forces marches his shattered troops back to Cumberland Ford.  They make it, but suffer more fatigue.

Lee, while continuing to gather troops, dispatches Longstreet to attack Porter at Winchester.  It is 1:1 with a +1, but at the last minute switches his command with Jackson making it a +2.  The die roll is 9, the man delivers again!  The Union are bundled out of Winchester losing 5,000 men and gaining 2 fatigue.

In other news New Orleans becomes a hive of industry with a battery starting construction along with some ships.

The grey steamroller is heading north

and has now reached the banks of the Potomac.

The Confederate strategy out west seems to be to delay.

War For The Union Via Vassal June 1862

Both sides launch new ship squadrons, but the Confederates get Lee, Longstreet and Stuart who form the Army of Virginia's command.

Out in the far west Hurlbut is sent along with a few reinforcements.  Sigel is recalled to Bowling Green.

Most Union troops in the west dig in, and rest, but 5,000 men in a bold move sail into Corinth.  Halleck moves towards Lexington.  However Grant does not rest.  He makes a 3:1 attack on Hardee at -1.  The die roll is a 4.  Both sides lose 5,000 men. The Confederates retreat gaining 2 fatigue while the Union gain 1.  Grant decides to hold put.

Franklin is sent to Jacksonville, taking command of the Union troops there.

Farragut takes the navy to the mouth of the Mississippi and attacks Ft Jackson. The first wave sees no hits scored by either side.  The second wave sees the fort supressed.  Enough movement remains for a third wave attack, but it is ineffective.

The Confederate navy gathers at Memphis.  Hardee digs in hoping for some reinforcements.  At Nashville Polk does the same.

Van Dorn is able to draw some supply from Lexington, but he needs help.

Early is sent with 15,000 men to cover Jacksonville.

Lee force marches to Manassas Junction, but he lets Jackson make the attack on McDowell's 30,000 blue coats.  It is 1:1 with a +2. The die roll is a 9. Both sides lose 5,000 men and the Union retreat gaining 2 fatigue.  Jackson makes a second attack, still 1:1 but with a +4 now.  The die roll is a 10!  Jackson is the man!  The Confederates gain 1 fatigue and lose 5,000 men.  The Union lose 10,000 and gain another 2 fatigue.

S D Lee attacks Fayetteville's remaining 5,000 defenders with his 10,000.  2:1 and die roll is a 4.  The Union force is wiped out, but the Confederates lose 5,000 men as well.  But the town is captured.

The Union are now under real threat in the East

Recruits and returning leaders means there is still a lot of fight in this theatre. 

June Interphase

The Union commission three new squadrons of ships and call up 90,000 militia.  Lyon and Thomas return from sick leave and take over from Halleck and Sigel.

Confederate supply is down 5: 1 for Corinth, 2 for Winchester, 1 for Jacksonville and 1 for the blockade of Norfolk (which is still successful even with the loss of Ft Monroe).  They have 116 in total.

The Confederates conduct a further recruitment.  They currently have 340,000 infantry and 30,000 cavalry (not counting state militia).  They are able to recruit an additional 120,000 men.  A S Johnston returns from sick leave and takes over the Army of the Mississippi.  The Army of the Tennessee is created and command goes to newly arrived Kirby Smith, ably assisted by Forrest.

Atlanta is now a Key Industrial centre and the Confederacy now receive 5 additional resource points and now have 10.  They can now build ships.

War For The Union Via Vassal May 1862

The only reinforcements this month are single squadrons of ship for each side,

McCook and Buell are reinforced and the latter resupplied.  Halleck pulls back to Louisville having left his troops dug in at Lexington and Frankfort.  Sigel sneaks out to get some reinforcements.

Logan brings reinforcements to Grant who now has 90,000 men.  He attacks Bragg's 40,000. It is 2:1.  The die roll is a 2. Both sides lose 5,000 men.  Grant attacks again.  The roll is a 5.  Both sides lose 10,000 mean and gain 1 fatigue. Bragg is killed and Hardee takes over. On the Union side Curtis is killed.

McCook attacks the isolated Confederates. It is 4:1 with a -1.  The die roll is a 6. Both sides lose 5,000 men.  The Confederates retreat further north, but have 2 extra fatigue.  The Union receive a fatigue as well.

Over east Porter and Hooker attack Beauregard at New Market.  It is 3:1 with a -4.  The die roll is a 1. There are no losses, but the Union gain a fatigue.

Burnside attacks Early.  It is 2:1 with a -3.  The die roll is another 1.  The Confederates lose 10,000 men and gain 1 fatigue.  The Union lose the same, but have to retreat, gaining 2 fatigue. They retire to Washington in deep shame. 

In Missouri the Confederate S D Lee attacks again.  It is 1:1 Die roll of 4.  The Union lose 5,000 men, but still hold Fayetteville.

Van Dorn attacks Lexington.  It is 1:1 with a +1. Die roll 9. Both sides lose 5,000 mean.  The Confederates gain 1 fatigue.  The Union get 2 fatigue and retreat.  

Polk wants some of the gory and attacks McCook.  It is 1:1 with a +1.  Die roll is a 1.  Whoops!  Both sides lose 5,000 men.  The Union gain 1 fatigue, the Confederates have to retreat and gain 2 fatigue.

Hardee digs in.

The Confederate navy starts moving up the Mississippi. 

Jackson attempts to force march to Culpepper, but he rolls a 10 which is not so good when force marching.  He stops in Gordonsville for a rest.  Troops marshal in Richmond.  Early holds position.

The tide maybe be turning against the Union in the east

And in the west it remains in the balance.

War For The Union via Vassal April 1862

The winter has passed.

Logan goes back to Columbus, TN, to get more troops which have been ferried there. Grant rests his army, but also takes time to clear the railways that lead back to Kentucky. Buell rests his men 

McCook cross the Cumberland and attacks the Rebels at Ft Donelson.  It is 2:1 with a -1.  The die roll is a 7. The Confederates avoid taking any losses, but gain two fatigue and retreat into the woods.  McCook's victory has cost 5,000 causalities and 1 fatigue.

Halleck takes the Army of the Ohio to Frankfort and calls back the troops from Cumberland Gap to help defend Kentucky.  20,000 troops are railed to Louisville to assist.

Hooker starts a careful advance down the Shenandoah, backed up by Porter who arrives with another 30,000 men.  Burnside, reinforced by fresh troops from Washington attacks J E Johnston for the Fourth Battle of Manassas Junction.  It is 2:1 with a -3.  The die roll is a 5. Both sides lose 5,000 casualties J E Johnston is wounded and replaced by Early. Burnside dodges a bullet. Mead and McDowell are unscathed. 

The Union decide to fortify their bases at Beaufort and Jacksonville.  Farragut collects his navy off Jacksonville, undecided about what to do.

Jackson leaves 10,000 men to rebuild Ft Monroe and heads back to Richmond.  As does Magruder.

Reinforcements are sent to Early.

Van Dorn moves down the Cumberland Gap.  Cavalry are sent from Nashville to aid his invasion of Kentucky.

Polk takes 30,000 men from Nashville and attacks Buell.  It is 3:2. The die roll is a 10.  Both sides lose 5,000 men.  The Union have to retreat and go further up the Tennessee gaining 2 fatigue.  The Confederates gain 1 fatigue.

Bragg moves out with 40,000 men to confront Grant as reinforcements are railed to Memphis.

S D Lee attempts to retake Fayetteville, AK.  It is 1:1 with a +2.  The die roll is a 3.  Nothing happens.

The West is still very fluid.

Note the isolated Confederates north west of Nashville.

The Union are having a hard time making any progress.

Things will get interesting once the Confederates can get the Army of Virginia assembled.