WBTS via Vassal - The End

Charleston, where the war started and is yet to reach.

Charleston is the last remaining city that is free from siege and connected to the "rest" of the Confederacy.

There are rumours of a Confederacy in the far west, but even if true it is of no consequence.

The three remaining Confederate seaports are heavily blockaded, but a trickle of supplies still gets through Savannah and Charleston (thanks to Northern free trade advocates no doubt).  This provides 10 supply.

Atlanta under siege.

Major City supply from Atlanta collapses due to Union presence although New Orleans still seems to be contributing.  It provides 30 supply.

There remain eight towns and one other city (the aforementioned Charleston) still connected to the Confederacy.  They provide 36 supply.

There is still 10 personnel points coming in with the draft.

The Confederates have lost all their current Departments and so production expected this cycle is lost due to there being no active Departments.  That is 10,000 garrison troops and an ironclad lost.

Beauregard's army.

The Confederates can luckily can relocate one Department this cycle.  That could go to Cheraw, SC, and support the armies in the Carolinas, but the troops at Atlanta and New Orleans have to supply themselves and therefore have only another four weeks before they must surrender.

New Orleans is well and truly isolated.  The additional ironclad which was expected is lost due to lack of widgets (an enterprising Southerner had sold them to a company trading out of New Jersey).

Johnston thinks Grant's terms of unconditional surrender are very generous and accepts, although Forrest wants to fight on.  He escapes by dressing up in a sheet and pretending to be a ghost, riding off into a long dark night.

It gets scarier when you add the pointed hat.

Wheeler thinks Sherman's threats to burn Atlanta to the ground are preposterous and he burns Sherman's letter.  Unfortunately the burning letter falls on a pile of newly printed Confederate banknotes that catch fire quickly engulfing Wheeler's HQ that just happens to be located next to a wood pile, ammunition factory and tinder store.  It had been a very dry summer and fall and there was a strong wind blowing... Atlanta is quickly reduced to ash.  Wheeler blames Sherman as it was his letter that started the fire after all.

Atlanta sometime after the devastating fire.

Beauregard considers coming to the rescue of Atlanta.  He could send Taylor by rail, but that would take two weeks.  It also assumes that the Confederates get to move first.  It seems a futile gesture and would leave the Carolinas at the peril of the Northern aggressor.  He is also conscious that the war started in Charleston, SC, and if it continues the war could well end up there.  He does the unthinkable and surrenders.  He later finds a winning lottery ticket in his pocket.

A very poorly staged recreation of Beauregard finding the winning lottery ticket.

The End

Postscript

War Between the States is a monster game.  It strikes me as an excellent recreation of the strategic course of the American Civil War.  It has been immensely enjoyable to play solo using Vassal.  I am sure I made some mistakes (not identifying the need to match the new generals with the casualty chart was probably the main one - there should have been 2 star generals), but all in all I think it worked out well.

The Confederates came very close to winning, but after the loss of Lee and his army at the point of victory, it was perhaps inevitable that they would lose, although this wasn't a given.  A bit more partisan activity could have delayed the Union efforts substantially, as would more scorched earth retreating.

I'm tempted to go back and see if the Union can make an early capture of New Orleans.  I think not if the Confederates take immediate precautions.

The only part of the game that didn't work for me were sieges.

If it was possible to play with the strengths of the various forces hidden then it would be a whole different game again.  Although I think it would then be necessary for players to keep detailed intelligence reports on enemy troop compositions. It would also be fiddly with the counters based on my previous face to face playing of this game.  I think the uncertainty of getting generals to attack recreates this somewhat, however it was possible for the Union to make sure thing attacks with their navy on rebel held forts once they knew the troops stationed in them.

Donald Johnston's 2016 revisions have made this an even better game.

WBTS via Vassal - Weeks 117 to 120

The end is coming for the Confederacy.

When the Union take Brookhaven New Orleans will be isolated and when they take Augusta, the same fate will befall Atlanta.

Blockade runners get to Savannah and New Orleans, netting the South 8 supply to add to their carry forward of 76.  They get 60 from Major Cities (Atlanta and New Orleans) and this cycle 13 from other cities and town.  A total of 157.  This leaves them 137 after raising 10,000 garrison troops.

The Union get 66 supply from liberated towns and cities.  They are carrying forward 710 and get 250 from Major Cities.  A 3-3 division is augmented to a 10-3, 3,000 garrison troops are raised and 3,000 Missouri militia and 3,000 Kentucky militia are converted to 3-3 divisions.  This leaves 996 supply.

No more partisans rise up for the Confederacy, but some militia join up for the Union in Kentucky and Missouri.

Knowing the end is near, 3,000 militia desert in Georgia.

Stoneman arrives in Baltimore, ready for action.  He is joined by 10,000 new infantry.  3,000 infantry go to Washington along with 3,000 garrison troops.  2,000 infantry go to Bowling Green.

5,000 garrison troops are deployed in each of Atlanta and New Orleans.  A new ironclad appears in New Orleans, ready for commissioning.  The other ironclad completes its commissioning and joins the existing Confederate vessel.  They are needed if they are going to stop the Union gaining control of the Mississippi.

Confederate supply is 21 using 9 rail.  They are left with 119 supply and 16 rail.

The Union consume 78 supply using 28 rail.  They are left with 918 supply and 22 rail.

Week 117

The Union get the 7 free initiative chit.

McClellan is told to deal with the partisans.  In the resulting battle where 1,000 US troopers become casualties, he reports that he successfully stopped the rebels from capturing Washington.

Rosencrans is ordered to go get  Price's now depleted militia army.  He destroys it, for the loss of 1,000 men.

Halleck then gets order to capture Price which he does, netting the Union one more Political Point and more importantly getting them closer to Savannah.

Sumner with his 10,000 men is sent to join Sykes.

Not taking any risks, Lyon is ordered to leave a small garrison manning the newly acquired fort at Natchez and then go and occupy Baton Rouge.

Under the same policy, Grant is told to take Brookhaven.  In the fighting Forrest is almost killed, but he holds on and does not retreat.  However Rebel losses means that the can no longer project a zone of control around the the town.

Buell is ordered to join Grant on the west bank of the Pearl River.

Burnside doesn't want to miss out and, after leaving a small garrison in Grand Cliff, moves down to just east of Natchez.  McCook, Banks and Ord show no initiative.

Curtis doesn't know what to do, but McDowell sends him his 2,000 extra men all the same.

Sickles progresses clearing the rail line of rebel residue in east Tennessee.

Sherman, Hooker and Sykes are all in position.

Meade, Pope, Hancock, Granger must all think the war has been won as they do nothing.  Thomas however pursues the Rebels.

Sedgwick, Howard and Heintzelman also do nothing, but at least McClernand advances to catch up with the Rebels.

Elsewhere in the east, Franklin is lost in a forest and Stoneman is busy explaining to Butler where Arkansas is.

Thomas attacks Taylor on the 251-400 Column of CRT 3.  The Confederates lose 2,000 men (20%), the Union 3,000 (10%).  They are able to slip round the Union force when they retreat.

McClernand is keen to attack, but is told not to try.  If his corps loses any more men it will cease to have a zone of control and that is very valuable at this time of herding the Rebel retreat.

Rosencrans wriggles across the Ogeechee River.  He is now at the gates of Savannah.

Sykes and Sumner want to attack, but fail to agree on who commands what and when and where.

Grant and Buell fail to attack Forrest, but Reynolds does.  Forrest retreats and Brookhaven falls.  New Orleans is in dire straits.

The Confederates rail D Hill and 14,000 men to Savannah.

Hindman and Taylor are ordered to fall back to the new defensive line of the Cape Fear River.

Johnston, with the 16,000 man strong Army of the Mississippi, is told to abandon that state.

Magruder is told to abandon Donaldsville and join Polk.  The Confederate command is concerned that they will get trapped on the wrong side of the river and with only 3,000 men between them, there is not much they can do.

The Confederate ironclads shelter under the guns of the fort of New Orleans.  They don't feel very safe.

Forrest decides to take the cavalry and try and block Lyon.

The Generals around Atlanta, there are five of them, draw straws to see who will command which forlorn hope.

 The new Confederate defensive line along the Cape Fear River

 Georgia, Georgia

The race to New Orleans

Week  118

The Union get the 3 chit which means the Confederates win the race to New Orleans.

Johnston gets closer to New Orleans.  Forrest will have to cover his retreat.

Taylor and Beauregard try to balance out their troops on the Cape Fear River line.  The Fayetteville Trumpet prints a story about shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic, but the metaphor is lost as no one knows about the Titanic as there are still 50 years before it is launched.

West of the river, Magruder and Polk complete their retreat to New Orleans.

The Union undertake railroad repairs in Mississippi.  The locals are surprised, having been told that the Yankees were coming to wreck the joint.  They are pleased to see the work is being done by coloured folk, until they realise the work gangs are not in chains: the locals flee.

Curtis is told to hurry up and get to Atlanta.

Butler and the Army of Arkansas sets sail.  Their immediate destination is Beaufort, SC.

Rosencrans, on his own initiative, looks to the repair of railroads as well.

Halleck thinks of all the things he could do, but does nothing.

At Atlanta, Sykes and Sumner do nothing, despite Sherman's urgings.  Maybe they are waiting to attack?

Sickles continues clearing the East Tennessee rail line.

Ord finally gets on the river boat and starts to sail down the river to Vicksburg.

Grant stirs into action, sending Reynolds in belated pursuit of the Confederate Army of the Mississippi.  He sends Buell with 1,000 troopers to Columbia on the east side of the Pearl River.  Grant takes 4,000 troopers down to Clinton to support Lyon.

Both Burnside and McCook get moving, hoping it is not too late to share in the glory (or pick up some cotton).  Lyon moves closer to New Orleans, still hoping to cut off Johnston.

In North Carolina Meade restarts his cautious advance.  Granger and Pope lag behind.  Hancock however joins Meade.

Sedgewick and Howard cross the Roanoke (at last).  Sedgewick gets as far as Greensboro where he runs into Hindman's Confederates.  Will he attack?

Heintzelman and McClernand are lost in Sedgewick's dust.

McClellan hears that there are still rebels down south and hurries down, only to be dismayed as 1,000 of his troops decide they have better things to do.

Thomas doesn't move.

The Union Mississippi fleet, three ironclads and six river flotillas move to blockade New Orleans.  Will the Confederate ironclads come out to battle?

Lyon ignores Forrest and Johnston and attacks along the banks of the Mississippi, getting closer still to New Orleans.

There are no attacks against Atlanta.

Sedgewick attacks Hindman on the 251-400 Column of CRT 3.  It is a devastating defeat for the Confederates who lose 50% of their force (3,000).  The Union lose 2,000 (5%).  Hindman is almost wounded, but it turns out to be just a scratch.  "That was lucky" he says, as he rides past the dead and wounded of his shattered army, retreating towards Salisbury.

Week 119

The Union get the 3 chit.  It is going to be a long war at this rate...

Magruder is ordered out of New Orleans with all available troops, 13,000 men, to help keep open the road for Johnston.  Forrest moves up as well and the combined forces plan to attack Lyon.  Johnston has 32,000 men at his disposal against Lyon's 11,000.

Hindman is ordered to destroy the railway and pull back to Salisbury.

Taylor is told to burn the bridge and retreat to Salisbury and join Hindman.

Back on the way to New Orleans, both Forrest and Johnston can't find Lyon to attack him.  However Magruder has run into him and attacks on the 201-250 Column of CRT 3.  Lyon stands his ground.  Both sides lose 2,000 men.

Burnside is ordered to join Lyon.  The order stresses the requirement is to pin, not attack the rebels.

Rosencrans is ordered to get repairs done to the railways so that the advance into Georgia can continue.

Pope is also ordered to get fixing rail lines.

Butler and Stoneman arrive in Beaufort.

Meade and Granger are consolidating, but Hancock gets moving.

Both Thomas and Sedgewick are consolidating too.

Putting them all to shame, McClellan fires up McClernand and Heintzelman with cries of "On to Richmond!"  Luckily they know that this means go to Greensboro to link up with Sedgewick.

Howard and Franklin do nothing.

Sickles completes clearing the east Tennessee rail line.

Curtis arrives at the front.  Sherman was supposed to go and meet him, but...  Will his commands have the initiative to attack?

Ord continues his river journey to Vicksburg.

Buell and McCook have a rest, but Grant and Reynolds keep closing in on the retreating Confederate Army of the Mississippi.

Sykes attacks Gardner on the 251-400 Column of CRT 2.  Both sides lose 1,000 men, but the rebels have to retreat. The noose around Atlanta is just that little bit tighter.

 The Atlanta Noose

 New Orleans death grip

(and yes that is Porter coming to take over the Union fleet)

Three armies race for Savannah

Week 120

Again with the 3 chit...

Wheeler gets reports of a planned Union raid to cut off Atlanta.  He orders Buckner to evacuate Newman and secure the southern approaches to Atlanta.  Realising the risk is at Decatur, he swaps with Gardiner to take personal command of that location.

Johnston shuffles his army closer to New Orleans.  It won't do him any good. 

The Confederate ironclads would lose any battle, but just maybe might inflict losses...

The ironclads sally forth.  They are outnumbered 3 to 1.  They hope for an exchange.  They get attacker eliminated.  One of their ironclads fails the SNAFU roll and sinks in the Mississippi mud, the other limps back to New Orleans.

D Hill is ordered to disperse his troops in order to cover the approaches to Savannah.

Taking no chances, Sherman moves to attack Decatur.

Rosencrans, railway repaired, advances on Savannah.

McClellan is ordered to continue his advance and not to wait for reinforcements.  He sends Sedgewick to screen Taylor and takes the bulk of his army due south, abit.

Thomas is still stuck outside Raleigh, but Hancock at leasts crosses the Cape Fear River, which he sees on the map is named Cape Rear River...

Meade, Pope and Granger do nothing.

Sumner moves to take over from where Sherman had crossed the Chattahoochee south of Atlanta.  He pushes more troops across north of Atlanta.  

Porter arrives to take command of the fleet blockading New Orleans.

Grant and Reynolds close in on New Orleans.  Grant is already considering acceptable surrender terms.  He thinks "unconditional surrender" has a nice ring to it.

Butler forbids Stoneman from moving inland as there might be enemy troops waiting in ambush.  However one of his brigaders says he's never heard such tosh and moves to cut the rail line (via attacker wriggle).

Sherman attacks Wheeler on the 401-900 Column of CRT 4.  The Confederates are eliminated!  Losses are 5,000 a side.  Sykes narrowly avoids being wounded.  Wheeler flees to Atlanta.  Waiting for him are Sherman's surrender terms.  They are even more harsh than what Grant delivered to Johnston.

At this stage the Department located at New Orleans is inactive as it can only trace to one other friendly town/city (Proctorsville).  Atlanta is also cutoff, but the fine print rules that the rail portion of the trace may be cut, as long as it is not enemy occupied.  Regardless a road link also exists.  However, Atlanta is under extended siege and so is effectively kaput.

The South at its low point.  

Can it bounce back?

Casualties

In the final month of the war the Union lost 17,000 men to the Confederate 15,000.  Some try to claim that this represents a turning point and that the South can raise again, but, ... nah.

WBTS via Vassal - Weeks 113 to 116

The South is crumbling.

The smoke from Fort Sumter must have helped the blockade runners as they got through to Charleston.  Not Savanah but and New Orleans is not blockaded due to the Rebel ironclad's presence.

The Confederates carry forward 99 supply and get 60 from major cities plus 8 from imports.  There is no supply from towns this cycle,  After raising 10,000 garrison troops they are left with 147 supply.

The Union carry forward 562 and receive 250.  They augment a 3-3 to a 10-3 and raise 3,000 garrison troops.  They are left with 785 supply.

The Confederates launch a new ironclad at New Orleans.  4,000 garrison troops are posted there to protect it.  5,000 garrison troops go to Atlanta.  Gardner also turns up in Atlanta and a Corps is created for him.  Partisans appear in Virginia.  A partisan cadre is created in Georgia.

The Union raise 8,000 troops in Bowling Green and 3,000 in Washington.  Grant and Curtis return to duty and are sent to Bowling Green.  Grant becomes commander of the Blue Army and Curtis the XXI Corps.  Meade is created commander of the Army of Virginia and Butler is given command of the Army of Arkansas.  Butler doesn't know what to think.  The final Union ironclad completes its fitout.

The Confederates might have supplies, but they have challenges getting them to where they are needed.  The militia in Plymouth desert once they realise they ain't gonna get their grits.  The troops left behind in Jackson also give up.  Forrest, unsupplied, is able to feed his troops on nuts and berries.
The remaining troops consume 25 supply using 8 rail.  A problem for the Confederates is their shrinking territory is causing problems for the correct function of their Departments.  A further 12 supply are distributed using 6 rail.  They have 116 supply left and 16 rail left.

The Union consume 57 supplies using 20 rail.  They distribute 18 supply using 12 rail.  They have 18 rail left and 710 supply left.

The Confederates spend 40 supplies upgrading the fort at the mouth of the Mississippi.

Week 113

The Union get the 3 chit.   The Confederates are able to escape/reinforce as required.

Reinforcements are rushed to the front at Atlanta.

Militia are repositioned on the Altamaha River line.

Beauregard storms into Rocky Mountain, destroying the 1,000 Union troops who had ventured there to cut the rail.

Hardee with a mere 3,000 men is sent to hold Grand Gulf.

Forrest escapes.

The rest of the Confederates are either required to hold their place, have no troops or are too stunned to move.

The Union have a lot to do.

First up Farragut sails to Grand Gulf and bombards the fort.  The occupants flee (permanently).  A ricocheting shell bounces back exploding and killing Farragut.  Luckily for the Union Dahlgren is able to come and replace him.

Buell occupies Jackson, MI, sends McCook to help Lyon and then goes after Forrest.

Sumner is ordered to send troops to Sherman.

Thomas is ordered after Beauregard.

Granger displays initiative in following Thomas and trying to link up with Hancock.  Franklin and Pope also get in the act and do stuff, things.  Most importantly Meade rails to join Thomas.

Most of the other eastern Theatre Generals do nothing, but Sedgewick sends some of Howard's men to mend the bridge in front of McClernand.  Sadly a 1,000 men perish in this hazardous enterprise, but the bridge is repaired.

Grant takes the train to Jackson, MI.  Curtis starts walking to Tennessee.

In the west and south there is a lack of initiative.  Lyon has some, but knows he has to stay put and hammer Jackson.  And that he does, attacking on the 110-130 Column of CRT 4.  Boths sides lose 15% and Jackson retreats.  In doing so, and being the brave man he is, being the last to leave the battlefield and all, his rear guard mistake him for one of those damn Yankees and put a bullet in him.  He will be out of action for ten months.

Sherman attacks the newly arrived Wheeler.  It goes in on the 201-250 Column of CRT 4.  The Confederates are crushed, losing 8,000 men (40%).  The Union lose only 5%, but that is still 3,000 men.  The Confederate losses mean they can no longer maintain a zone of control.  They retreat across the Chattahoochee.

There are no attacks in the East.

Confederate collapse in the East

Destination Atlanta

Grant will be here soon...

Week 114

The Union get the 2 initiative chit.  How can they win the war at this rate?

There is a redistribution of generals at Atlanta.  Smith is sent there as well,

Forrest takes control of Jackson's troops and retreats to Brookhaven, destroying the railway on the way.  The troops make it to Johnston.

Price is sent to the Savannah.

Hardee (in the west) and Taylor (in the east) fail to move.

Halleck and Rosecrans breach the Altamaha line.

Lyon is ordered to march attack Hardee.  Both sides lose 1,000 men and Hardee is wounded and will be out of action for 6 months.

Dahlgren proceeds down the Mississippi attacking the fort at Natchez and blasting its garrison to pieces.

The other generals on the Mississippi front don't display any initiative.

Sherman moves up on Atlanta.

Heintzelman moves up to Dalton.

Meade makes a cautious advance, but all the other generals in the east do nothing.

Sedgewick attacks Taylor on the 111-130 Column of CRT 3.  Both sides lose 3,000 men.

Sherman attacks Walker on the 401-900 Column of CRT 4.  The Union lose 3,000 men and the Confederates only 1,000 (it was a 10% vs 40% outcome).  But the Confederates have to retreat.  Sherman is across the Chattahoochee.  The snipers aim for Sherman, but can't pick him out.

Lyon fails to attack.

The Union will be slowed due to lack of Railroad repair units.

This is a bit of a sideshow, but all about reducing the Confederacy.

 Atlanta is at real risk of being cut off.

Things are still moving slowly on this front, but Grant has now arrived.  

Another place where Railroad Repair units are required.

Week 115

The Union strike back!  They get the 7 chit.  Hey ho let's go!

First off is Granger who not only activates(frees from the water transport restrictions) Hancock, but also Pope (who has an all important Railroad Repair unit).

Then Meade.  He orders Thomas to send a brigade to captured Raleigh.  A 1,000 men die in this undertaken, but the city is captured.  The rest of the army advance on Beauregard.

McClernand is ordered to cutoff Taylor.

The cavalry in Brunswick is sent south into Florida while the Railway Repair unit is sent to do its job so that Halleck and Rosencrans can continue their drive north to capture Savannah.

McDowell and another Railroad Repair unit are sent to fix the railroad damaged by the partisans in Tennessee.

Mobile Railroad Repair unit completes part of the railway linking Mobile and Pensacola and is then sent to join Grant.

Grant decides to wait for it (there is no truth to the rumour that it is bringing up some mighty fine whiskey as well).

Reynolds and Buell seem to have gone fishing on the Pearl River.  Lyon might have gone to join them as he's also doing nothing.

Burnside attacks the rebels at Grand Cliff and they retreat into the fort.  The new ironclad comes up and has a go at them, killing 1,000.

McCook has gone fishing too.

Curtis and Sumner (who command reinforcements needed by Sherman) hold up to rest their men.  Sickles pushes on clearing the rail line through eastern Tennessee.

Sherman and Sykes are resting, but Hooker takes steps to make sure the rebels in Newman are cutoff.

Rosecrans and Halleck are waiting.

Howard is having a nap so Sedgewick pinches his remaining troops.

McClellan is lost in the mountains.

Hancock misses his chance to capture Goldsboro.

Burnside misses his chance to put in a final attack on Fort Grand Cliff.

Sherman isn't inclined to push for Atlanta's surrender.

Meade decides he is better off surrounding Beauregard rather than trying to assault him across the Tar River.

The Confederates order Beauregard to retreat to the Neuse River.  They order Taylor to try and break out.  The Partisans in North Virginia head for Charlottesville to stage a rally.

Wheeler rearranges the furniture in Atlanta. Buckner reopens the road to Newman.

The Army of the Mississippi holds in place.

Magruder pulls back to Donaldsville, LA (that is what it says on the map, all though some locals with strange accents tell Magruder that it is really called "La Ville de Donaldson.") .  He senses the game is up.

Price arrives at Johnston Station, ready to take on Halleck and Rosencrans.  His army consists of 3,000 militia.  He faces 11,000 or more Yankee invaders.

In the East it's 100,000 Union versus 48,000 Confederate.

The bulk of the Confederates are with Beauregard.

There is nothing of real value to protect any more in this theatre.

 Critical area of operations around Atlanta.

There are another 21,000 Union troops on their way to join the 43,000 already here 

facing the 27,000 Confederates.

 84,000 Union troops trying to get to grips with 21,000 Confederate troops,

who are blocking the way to the other critical area of New Orleans.

There are 26,000 defenders of New Orleans.

Banks has just 3,000.

But New Orleans will lose supply if it can't link to two other supply towns. 

 Savannah sideshow, 

but if the 17,000 Union troops can overrun Georgia ... 

The Savannah Campaign is really just spare buttons, needle and thread in pocket of a man wearing belt, braces and string to hold his pants up.

Week 116

After last week's excitement, the Union draw the 2 chit.

Taylor completes his escape, arriving at Hillsboro.

The partisans, disappointed by the turn out to their rally, destroy the railroad at Charlottesvilles before moving on to Gordonsville and staging another rally.  Their motto "Join our cause or else" doesn't seem to be well received by the populous.

Beauregard sends D Hill and 14,000 men west.

Price destroys the rail line at Johnston's Station and retreats.

Smith takes up position at Decatur. GA.

The Union order the Railroad Repair unit supporting the armies of Halleck and Rosencrans to get repairing.

Grant is ordered to take Reynolds and advance on Forrest.

The new ironclad finishes blasting the garrison of Fort Grand Cliff and it falls to Burnside.  As it contained a Corps it provides a Political Point for the Union.

Lyon then proceeds to capture Natchez.

Dalhglen then sails down the Mississippi and attacks Baton Rouge.  Emulating Farragut Dahlglen he stands on the forward deck to observe the fall of the shot when a ricochet puts a shell at his feet.  The resultant explosion puts him on the sick list for seven months.

Buell surprises everyone and captures Williamsburg, MS.  He sends cavalry to Grant.

Not much else happens out West.

Meade moves cautiously south.

Not much else happens except McClellan gets it into his head to go and stop the unfolding Confederate invasion of Maryland, which no one seems to have noticed.

For some totally unfathomable reason Grant fails to attack.  He was a dead certainty to pushback Forrest which would have put New Orleans out of supply.

Sherman doesn't attack either.

The war comes to North Carolina.

Georgia.  

The rail lines servicing Atlanta look a bit exposed.

New Orleans, still functioning due to Proctorsville and Brookhaven.

I am going to call it.  The war between the States will be over by Xmas.

Casualties

Confederates lost 25,000 to the Union's 16,000.  I had thought of calling another draft, but it would only be matched by the other side.

WBTS via Vassal - Weeks 109 to 112

Just like the the combatants, I am determined to finish this to the bitter end.

So Burnside tries an assault on Vicksburg.  It is one the 161-200 Column of CRT 2.  Both sides lose 1,000 men.

The Union are only able to blockade Charleston, so the Confederates get 6 import supply.  They carry forward 110 and receive 60 from their remaining two major cities (New Orleans and Atlanta).  Towns and other cities gets them just 24.  Total 200.  That is plenty for 10 personnel points, but I've also determined that the Confederates need to be building fortresses as the Union naval power will be able to deal with forts with ease (i.e. they can muster enough strength to attack on the 900+ Column and do not have to worry about losses).

The Union are carrying forward 562 supply and get 250 from major cities.  Liberated cities gives them a further 63 from free towns and cities.  An embarrassing total of 875.  Some enterprising Northerners are suggesting that they should be allowed to trade with the South.

The Confederates commission 10,000 garrison troops.  The Union augment a 3-3 division to a 10-3 division, convert three lots of 2,000 militia to be three 2-3 brigades and raise 3,000 garrison troops.

The Union are finally able to launch one of their new Ironclads in St Louis.  The other one will definitely be finished next month.  It turns out the contractor was trying to sell them to a competitor.  A 10,000 strong division goes to Bowling Green.  Another one goes to Baltimore along with a railroad repair unit.  A 3,000 strong division is posted to Washington.  1,000 militia are raised in each of Kentucky and Missouri.  Hancock arrives in Washington and is given command of Pope's corps.

The Confederates receive 7,000 sorely needed militia that are returning to the cause.  There are 8,000 garrison troops that are distributed as follows: New Orleans 3,000 and Atlanta 5,000.  Partisans appear in Tennessee.  Walker and Ewell are promoted to Corps commanders.

The Confederates use 26 supply and 9 rail supplying their dwindling armies.  They are left with 154 supply, 21 rail.  50 supply is spent building a fort at Grand Gulf, MS.

The Union consume 54 supply using 18 rail.  They are left with 766 supply after they top up their existing depots.

Week 109

The Union start with the 6 free chit.

The new division is railed from Bowling Green to Skyes to continue the Atlanta bloodbath.

The new ironclad starts sailing down the Mississippi.

Heintzelman is ordered across the Nottoway River.

Franklin is ordered to join Thomas.

The new railroad repair unit is sent to Norfolk to reestablish rail transport from that location.

Sumner is sent off to deal with the partisans.

Reynolds advances to the Pearl River.

Rosencrans misses his opportunity to get the rebel militia that is blocking his way.  Halleck is no help.

Sickles advances to the outskirts of Bristol.

Pope decides to go to Fort Monroe.  Hancock goes to Baltimore.

McPherson attacks Wheeler on the 161-200 Column of CRT 3.  Both sides lose 2,000 men.

Sedgewick attacks Taylor on the 111-130 Column of CRT 3.  Both sides lose 2,000 men.

Rosencrans wriggles back across the Satilla River.

Sherman attacks Walker on the 201-250 Column of CRT 4.  It is a bloody defeat with the Union losing 5,000 men to the Confederates 2,000.

Porter attacks fort Sumter and obliterates the garrison.  This has been something I keep forgetting to do.  The Confederates would have been safe outside or better if they had upgraded to a fortress (they couldn't as there were no regular infantry units to provide the necessary engineers). This will only be a true success if the Union can follow up.

The Confederates are bleeding to death, but they are determined to make the Yankee's pay for their aggression.

5,000 men are rushed to fight Sherman, despite being served extra rashers of bacon for breakfast, 1,000 desert on the way.

Hardee is sent south with a 1,000 men to Natchez while Johnson takes over the garrison of Fort Grand Cliff.

Ewell sends 5,000 garrison troops to reinforce the fort at the mouth of the Mississippi.  He notes there are some regulars there and orders the engineers to start looking at plans to upgrade the fort to a fortress.

The militia facing Rosencrans are pulled back to the Altamaha River.

The Partisans raid Pulaski, threatening Sherman's supply lines!!!  Now the importance of Eastern Tennessee becomes obvious.  I also have to remember it is three movement points in rough terrain, not two for infantry (four for cavalry).  The presence of a railway line does not negate this (which is a bit odd).

A degree of glumness settles on the Confederates.  The Roanoke line is looking very thin, as is the Mississippi.  Atlanta is at risk as Georgia is being overrun.    Luckily there are 7,000 militia to deploy.

2,000 militia go to defend the Altamaha River line in Georgia.

1,000 militia go to Plymouth, NC to protect the most eastern part of the Roanoke River line.

2,000 militia go to Jackson, MI.

The remaining 2,000 militia are needed in Atlanta (only 2,000 militia can be called up per state per week - a Governor can only sign so many commission papers).

 Georgia and the new Altamaha River defensive line

Partisans in Tennessee threatening Sherman's supply lines.

Week 110

The Union get the 4 chit.  The Confederates get a double move.

The partisans have a free hand and cut the railroad and then head after the next line supplying Sherman.

Price returns to Raleigh, but orders the bridges and railway destroyed at Weldon and Gaston.

A slight redistribution of militia on the Altamaha line occurs, but everything else is pretty stable.

Taylor and Hindman destroy their bridges on the Roanoke line.

The Union High Command tells Sickles that capturing Bristol is urgent and that he then needs to secure the rail line all the way back to Chattanooga.  McClellan claims that he conquered Tennessee.

The brigade that was languishing on the Tennessee River is rushed to Tullahoma.

Sumner reaches the Tennessee, but it will be a few weeks before he can catch the partisans.

Hancock and 10,000 men sail to Norfolk, but it is possibly only a staging post.

Granger displays initiative to keep on moving and arrives at the banks of the Roanoke.

Franklin returns to Petersburg.  Thomas prepares another attack.

Meade sends 1,000 men from the Washington garrison to take over as the Stanton garrison.

Reynolds penetrates deeper into Georgia hoping to soon connect with Halleck.

Lyon finally crosses the Big Black River.

Couch makes a march attack on Forrest.  Both sides lose a 1,000 men.  Couch is wounded.

Lyon attacks Jackson (about time - it was tricky to get him over the Big Black) on the 131-160 Column of CRT 4.  He is defeated.  The Union lose 7,000 men, the Confederates 4,000.  They also don't have to retreat (a one in six chance).

Sherman attacks Walker on the 201-250 Column of CRT 4.  Both sides lose 2,000 men.  Sherman is very disappointed.

McPherson attacks Wheeler on the 201-250 Column of CRT 3.  Both sides lose 2,000 men.  That is a third of the Confederate force...

Sedgewick doesn't attack, but Thomas does hitting on the 91-110 Column of CRT 3.  Thomas plays it safe,  Both sides lose 2,000 men.

Week 111

The Union get the 4 free initiative chit again.

The partisans descend on Fayetteville, TN, but cause little havoc.

In the west Jackson wonders when he will need to pull back.  He and Forrest decide to hang on a little longer.

The same goes for Atlanta, but Walker knows he has no choice.

The Roanoke front is getting very thin.  Hindman sends 2,000 men to reinforce Taylor.

The Union get word to Halleck to go and rendezvous with Rosecrans (if he can meet up, Rosecrans will be freed from the limitations of naval transport).

Sumner is hurried along to get to grips with the partisans.

McDowell is ordered up to the Tennessee with the railroad repair unit.

Hancock is ordered to sail for New Bern and to take a railroad repair unit with him.

McClernand decides to send troops to Howard.

No other initiative is shown in the east.

Around Atlanta Sherman is happy with his position.

Ord realises he needs to go to Paducah where transports are waiting for him.

Farragut, now he has the new ironclad, bombards Vicksburg.  A 1,000 defenders perish.

Lyon attacks Jackson again.  It is on the 131-160 Column of CRT 4. Both sides lose 15% and Jackson has to retreat.

Sherman attacks again on the 201-250 Column of CRT 4.  This time the death rate is more to his liking.  The Union lose 2,000, the Confederates 3,000.

Hancock does a wriggle across the Neuse River.

McPherson attacks.  It is on the 251-400 Column of CRT 3.  Both sides lose 2,000 men, but that is half of the Confederate force...

There are no other attacks in the East.

Week 112

The Union draw the 7 chit.

Sumner eradicates the partisans.

McDowell repairs part of the railway near Decatur, AL.

Farragut attacks Vicksburg again.  The fort falls.

Buell is activated and shuffles troops about so Lyon can keep up the pressure on Jackson.

Union cavalry liberate Carthage and Louisville in Mississippi.

Halleck meets up with Rosencrans.

McClellan is ordered back to the Roanoke.  He tells anybody that will listen that he will crack the Roanoke line as soon as he gets there.

1,000 men are sent from Stanton to reinforce McClernand.

McPherson, sensing victory performs a march attack on what is left of the Confederates before him.  Both sides lose 1,000 men, but McPherson loses his life.

Heintzelman has the initiative to head over to McPherson's command and pay his respects.

Hancock repairs the railhead at New Berne and proceeds to the Tar River, throwing out a brigade to cut the railway at Rocky Mountain.

Lyon keeps up the pressure on Jackson, attacking on the 161-200 Column of CRT 4.  Both sides lose 3,000 men and Jackson has to retreat.  Forrest is now somewhat trapped in Jackson.

Sherman doesn't attack, but Sedgewick does.  He attacks on the 111-130 Column of CRT 3.  Both sides lose 2,000 men.  Taylor has a lucky escape when a bullet with his name on it hits his belt buckle and is deflected harmlessly away.

There are no other attacks.

The Confederates send reinforcements to Walker.

Forrest flees across the Pearl River.

Johnston sends all the troops he can spare to Jackson and then moves off south.

Smith is told to send Wheeler to Atlanta and to then pull back to Dalton where he will meet up with Hindman.

Beauregard decides to pull the Army of the Atlantic, all 33,000 men, back and go and meet Hancock.

The Roanoke Line is no more.

 Collapse in the East.

 Encirclement in Georgia.

The run of the Mississippi.

Casualties

With losses for the Union at 36,000 men and for the Confederates 41,000 men, you would have to be asking, is it worth it?

WBTS via Vassal - Weeks 105 to 108

Will the Union progress the war with any vigor?  Let's see...

Only New Orleans is open to foreign imports which adds 3 to the 74 supplies the Confederates carry forward.  Major cities gives them another 60 and minor cities 50.  The total is 187.

The Union get 128 from liberated towns to add to the 280 carry forward and the 125 (which is an error, should be 250, at least according to 1st Edition charts) from major cities.  Total 658.

Both sides have 10 personnel points.  The Union however get 1 militia every month this year in Kentucky and 1 every even month in Missouri.

The Confederates raise 10,000 garrison troops.

The Union convert 10,000 garrison troops to a 10,000 man infantry division.

The Union ironclads are still not ready.  However plenty of Union troops are.  A river flotilla is launched in St Louis.  A 10,000 strong division goes to each of Bowling Green, Washington and Baltimore.  A railway repair unit also goes to Baltimore.  2,000 cavalry are received at Washington.  Rosencrans is given command of the newly formed White army which contains a detail of coloured marines.  The few militia in the Union army all decide to stay with the colours.

The Confederates muster garrison troops in Atlanta (5,000), New Orleans (2,000) and Raleigh (1,000).  A supply train is also created at Raleigh.   Hood, who the papers are calling the savour of the South, arrives in Atlanta to takeover from the recently deceased A Hill.  Price is promoted to command the Army of the South in Raleigh and Wheeler returns to duty and takes over Price's old corps.  There are no partisans.

The Union consume 51 supply using 16 rail, leaving them with 597 supply and 34 rail.  34 supply is distributed using 15 rail.

The Confederates use 27 and 11 rail.  They are left with 140 and 14 rail.  31 supply is dispersed using  a further 12 railway.

Week 105

The Union get the 2 chit.  The Confederates tell them they should give up.

Hood is ordered to stop Sherman.

Polk is ordered to stop Banks.

Wheeler is ordered to take supplies up to the Roanoke.

Beauregard further strengthens Taylor and Hindman sends some reinforcements to Smith.

There is no need for further adjustments.  The Confederates are confident they have the Union beat.

The Union rail Sykes and 10,000 men to reinforce Sherman.

The Union ship out Rosecrans and 11,000 men plus a railway repair unit and supplies bound for Brunswick.

Heintzelman looks for a way across the Nottoway while Pope and Meade stay chatting in Richmond.  Thomas prepares for another attack.

McClellan makes a dash for Bristol.  The rest of the Union Generals in the East either prepare their attacks, write their memoirs or letters requesting reinforcements.

Sickles joins the race to Bristol.

Sherman, now that Skyes has his back, starts an outflanking move on Hood.  Hood might be a good general, but he is not yet in charge of the Corps and has a limited command span.

Hooker and Halleck fail to react.  What are they waiting for?

Reynolds establishes a railhead at Mobile and then pushes north hoping to meet up with troops that Banks left picking cotton.

Finally Burnside gets on some boats and sails for Yazoo City.  He will arrive next week.

Lyon sends his cavalry to clear the train line that puts Buell's army back into command.

Ord keeps the garrison troops moving to Cairo, but a 1,000 drop out on the way.

Franklin returns to Washington having picked up 2,000 militia in Harrisburg, PA.

There are no attacks in the West.

Sedgwick attacks.  He catches Bragg without supply.  The combat is on the 201-250 Column of CRT 3.  The Confederates are able to hold their position, but lose 8,000 men.  The Union lose 4,000.

Thomas attacks.  It is on the 91-110 Column of CRT 3.  Both sides lose 3,000 men.

 The Roanoke Line holds

 The Tennessee races

The West where the war can be won or lost.

Week 106

The Union step up their game, picking the 4 free initiative chit.  Should the Confederates be worried?

Wheeler joins Bragg in trying to hold off Sedgewick.  D Hill is brought over to replace Taylor who is sent up the Roanoke to reinforce Smith (eventually).

Part of the Atlanta garrison is sent to cover the Chattahoochee River crossing to the south west of that city.

Troops are shuffled about at New Orleans.

Jackson and Forrest hold their positions by Vicksburg, as does Hood in front of Atlanta.

Price decides to take his new army, all 3,000 of them, north to the Roanoke.

In contrast, Rosencrantz and his new army of 11,000 men land at Brunswick.

Halleck is ordered to join him.

The troops Banks left in Alabama are told to meet up with Reynolds.  This means the rail line from Mobile now extends to Winchester.

Burnside disembarks and is sent to besiege Vicksburg.  Farragut looks at bombarding Vicksburg, but could really do with those extra ironclads that he has been promised.

Pope is ordered to send troops to Thomas and then report to Washington.

Granger has finished clearing out the last vestiges of rebels from the Shenandoah Valley and heads to the front, eager for further glory.

McPherson tries a sneak attack on Smith but it is to no avail.  Sedgewick sends McPherson some reinforcements.

Sherman sends out parties to clear his flanks, but decides to keep close to Sykes and his supply line (for now).  Hooker needs to coordinate with Sherman, but there is trouble getting messages through.

Reynolds prepares to cross the Pascagoula River.

Couch tries to force Forrest back, but is outsmarted and almost captured.  Lyon has initiative but no opportunity.  He needs McCook to come down and help, or Buell, or anybody.

Couch tries to attack again and this time Forrest retreats.

Sherman attacks Hood on the 161-200 Column of CRT 4.  The rebels lose 5,000 men, the Union 4,000.  Sickles narrowly avoids being wounded.

McPherson attacks Smith on the 251-400 Column of CRT 3.  Both sides lose 2,000 men.

Thomas attacks D Hill on the 91-110 Column of CRT 3.  Boths sides lose 4,000 men, but the Southern line holds.

Week 107

The Union get the 2 chit...

The Confederates order the militia holding Jacksonville, FL, to pull out.  A 1,000 desert in the process.

Buckner is ordered closer to Atlanta to protect against any sudden incursions by Hooker.

Price is order to reinforce D Hill, his troops, being garrison, will take a while to get there.

Taylor joins Wheeler.  But then Wheeler is sent to reinforce Smith.

Jackson is tempted to counterattack Couch, but is told not to.

The Union tell Reynolds to push on to Meridian, MI.

McCook is ordered to join Couch.

McDowell supervises railroad repair.

Nothing else moves in the West as armies are all in position to attack (mostly).

Rosencrans advances out of Brunswick, heading for Halleck.

Granger sends reinforcements to McPherson and then returns to Washington.

Franklin gets the 10,000 man division that is languishing at Washington and gets it moving south.

No further land movement occurs in the east.  However at sea, Porter takes the ironclad down to Charleston.

In a further bit of Northern frustration, no attacks occur against the Confederate Roanoke line.

Sherman attacks Hood on the 161-200 Column of CRT 4.  The fighting is bloody with the Union losing 4,000 men and the Confederates 5,000.  Hood is wounded and out of action for five months.

But that's the only attack.

Week 108

The Union get the 7 chit.

Reynolds is encouraged to push on to capture Meridian, which he does, drawing a long noose a bit tighter on the Confederates in the West.

The Railroad repair unit in Mobile gets to work.

Sumner is told to hurry south.

Halleck is pulled back (just so he can manage the isolation rules better).

Franklin continues his march with reinforcements towards the front.

Butler is ordered back to Washington, but he goes to Baltimore instead (I'm not sure if naval transports can enter Washington - is it on a river or the coast?  Regardless, Butler's boat was so grand it needed plenty of clearance).

Granger sails to Norfolk with the new cavalry division and will proceed to look for a way around the mouth of the Roanoke River.

Meade finally decides he's had enough of Richmond and returns to Washington.

Buell decides to attack Forrest on the march.  Forrest stalls him with ease, but has a scare when he finds a bullet hole in his hat.

Couch attacks Forrest.  Forrest decides to stand and fight.  The battle is on the 401-900 Column of CRT 3.  The Union fail to make an impression.  Each side loses 1,000 men.

Rosencrans makes an attack wriggle maneuver and crosses over the Satilla River.

Sherman and Skyes miss their opportunity to attack the leaderless Confederates covering Atlanta.

McPherson fails to attack, but Sedgewick does, hitting Taylor on the 111-130 Column of CRT 3.  Both sides lose 4,000 men.  The Confederate line holds.  Bragg is mysteriously killed in the fighting and Taylor is able to take command of his corps immediately.

Thomas doesn't attack.

The Confederates have some decisions to make.

Smith is directed to help D Hill.

The militia on the Satilla River destroy the rail line and slip away.

Walker is directed to takeover Hood's Corps and some reinforcements are sent with him.

Jackson shuffles troops around and that's it.

The Confederates have survived another month.

 The Confederates have successly held on to the defensive position behind the Roanoke River.

The race to conquer Tennessee is not yet finished.

 Atlanta is holding out.

Elsewhere in Georgia.

 The Confederates continue to hold out in Mississippi.

Banks has been snookered.

Casualties

Union's butcher's bill is 27,000, the Confederate's 33,000.  The cost of prolonging the struggle is fearful.

WBTS via Vassal - Weeks 101 to 104

The war must go on!

Again no siege phase.  After last month's maneuvers I expect Richmond will be starved out this supply phase.

The Union naval blockade reduced Confederate import supply to just New Orleans and Savannah for a total of 6 points.  The Confederates carried forward 32.  Major City supply is reduced to just Atlanta and New Orleans at 30 supply each.  Town and minor city supply brings in 93 (from 31 still functioning locations).  Total is 191.  Personnel is 10.

The Union carried forward 67, have 220 from their cities and 171 from cities/towns returned to the fold: a massive 458.  Personnel is 10.

The Union augmented a 3-3 division to a 10-3 and converted 3,000 garrison troops to a small division for later augmentation.  2,000 militia were converted to a 2,000 man brigade for a possible later merge in the field to replenish a division.  It is going to be all about maintaining a flow of reinforcements from now on.  The Union are left with 430 supply points.

The Confederates commission another ironclad and raise 9,000 garrison troops.  That leaves 113 supply.

The Confederates receive a supply train that goes to Atlanta and 10,000 garrison troops that spread 4,000 to Atlanta and the rest evenly between Vicksburg, Raleigh and New Orleans.  There are no partisans.

The Union receive a supply train that goes to Bowling Green along with a new 10,000 man division.  A second 10,000 division goes to Philadelphia and a 1,000 man brigade goes to Washington.  The ironclads are still undergoing fit out in St Louis.

Burnside constructs a fort opposite Vicksburg which will possibly put that place out of supply, certainly the Department of Kentucky and Tennessee that is based there.  The Confederates relocate it to Jackson, MI.

Reynolds is given command of the newly created I Corps in Philadelphia and Sykes receives the VI Corps in Bowling Green.

In Atlanta, 2,000 militia decide it's time to go back to their farms.  In Virginia, 1,000 militia decide to do the same thing.  At least a fort was built in Natchez for half price.

The Union require 48 supply using 15 rail to support their armies.  They have 312 left and 30 rail.  They distribute 31 supply using 14 rail.

The Confederates require only 27 supply but use 13 rail.  They have left 86 and 12 rail.  The use their remaining rail to restock empty supply trains in the East.  That Holmes surrenders Richmond to General Meade is greeted with disbelief by President Davies.  To cries of "Fake News!"  and "The South Will Never Surrender" the Confederate Congress hurriedly re-establish themselves in Raleigh where they discuss the possibility of turning the slaves into soldiers to fight for the freedom of the South against the Northern aggression.  During the debate they receive news that President Lincoln has signed the Emancipation Act.  Southern Senators are heard to mutter into their mint juleps, heavily laced with whiskey, "bu.. bu.. we thought of it first."

Richmond's fall gives the North 10 political points.  The Emancipation Proclamation gives the South 5 political points.  The war is no closer to resolution, although Union cartographers have been studying the mouth of the Mississippi and find that there are quite a few...

Week 101

The Union get the 3 chit.

The Confederates have Hindman and Price switch positions and get the replenished supply train to Hindman.

Walker sends A Hill the new supply train.

Troops are marshalled in New Orleans to be sent to Brashear after the Confederates read about "The Many Mouths of the Mississippi" in the New York Times.

Every other Confederate command holds their place. The Confederates will not lose the war, the Union have to win.

The Union order Banks to Mobile.

Reynolds with 9,000 men and a Railway Repair Unit sets sail for Mobile.

One of the brigades from Sherman's army is sent into east Tennessee to rally Federal patriots.

Granger gets his act together and gets on with clearing the area around Romney of any lingering rebel sympathisers.  Franklin in Washington carefully arranges the pens and pencils on his desk.

McClellan sulks as he wasn't invited to the surrender of Richmond party.  He fans the flames of fake news by suggesting Richmond hasn't really fallen, because if it had, he would have been there.

Sedgewick closes in on Bragg (the wrongly labelled Johnston).  Howard doesn't follow and McClernand cautiously brings up supplies.  McPherson wants to move on Smith, but the roads are against him for a march attack, but maybe later...

Thomas, Meade and Pope are all busy processing the surrender of Richmond.

Heintzelman is stuck in Norfolk.  He doesn't have enough suitable men to undertake any offensive actions.  Butler is furiously writing his acceptance speech on the sure certainty of his being elected the next President of the United States.

Halleck moves to the Flint River.  Hooker is told to hold his position north of Columbus, GA.

Sickles fails to receive orders.  Sherman prepares to attack.  Sykes is busy looking on the map to find out where he should go (to join Sherman!).

Ord is busy inspecting the garrison at Fort Island No 10 and doesn't appreciate he needs to get those troops to Cairo for processing.

Sumner, with considerable troops (25,000) in Memphis is another general who fails to understand the need for action.

Crouch (in the previous report erroneously referred to as Curtis), with his 12,000 men plus supply train, completes his voyage to Yazoo City.  However he just doesn't quite make it this week.

Lyon loads his cavalry on to a river transport and sends them off to Buell while taking a fast steamboat to immediately join Buell's stalled army and try and see if he can shake things up a bit.  Buell sends 5,000 men to Yazoo City to prepare for Crouch's arrival.

Burnside is stuck on the western bank of the Mississippi with 21,000 men, but transports will soon be available.

Lyon attacks the Confederate Army of the Mississippi on the 131-160 Column of CRT 4.  It is going to be bloody, but it wasn't.  The Union lose just 2,000 men to the Confederates' 3,000 as they hurriedly retreat.  Both Jackson and Johnson narrowly avoid being wounded as their troops stampede for safety.

Sherman attacks A Hill on the 91-110 Column of CRT 4.  Again a bloody encounter is expected, with both sides using supplies, but losses are Union 2,000 to the Confederates 3,000.  Still, being in the mountains the Confederates are able to hold their position.

McPherson fails to attack.  But McClernand does, hitting Hindman on the 111-130 Column of CTR 2. Both sides lose a 1,000 men but the Union fail to cross the Roanoke River at this point.

Sedgewick doesn't attack, but Thomas does.  In a disaster Beauregard is caught without supplies.  The attack goes in on the 161-200 Column of CRT 3.  The encounter is bloody with the Rebels refusing to give ground.  7,000 Union troops are lost, but the bill for the Confederates comes in at a staggering 14,000.  Breckinridge narrowly avoids becoming a casualty.  After all that the Confederates decide it is best if they voluntarily retreat across the Nottoway River.  Thomas doesn't advance (he wants to keep Pope's troops under his watchful command).

77,000 Southerners facing 132,000 Northern aggressors.

In the West it is 44,000 Confederates facing 83,000 Union.

Elsewhere the numbers are about equal, but quality tends to be with the Union as a good amount of the Confederates are garrison troops.

Week 102

The Union free initiative slips to just two.  The Confederates believe that this lack of Union initiative will allow them to win the war and so they keep on fighting.

First Ewell in New Orleans is told to send troops to stop any Yankee occupation of Brashear.  The Confederates are horrified to see 1,000 men take this as an opportunity to desert.

Hardee is ordered to slip out of Vicksburg.  He takes half the garrison with him.  The ironclad moves out to cover this move.

On the central front Buckner is ordered to protect Macon and Walker sends troops from the Atlanta garrison to occupy Newman (which Bruckner vacated).

The final Confederate free initiative is to pull Taylor back from covering Norfolk.

Bragg wisely decides to pull back.  He has 25,000 men but no supplies.  At least the Roanoke now offers some protection.

Beauregard is still in shock after his disastrous defeat, but D Hill has the presence of mind to send him some reinforcements and supplies.

The Confederates have a case of too much brass and not enough grunt around Vicksburg.  Jackson, now he is over the Big Black River, seizes all of Polk's and Magruders men and brings them into his army.  Johnston doesn't object.  Jackson now has 29,000 men.

The Union high command order Sykes to send supplies and reinforcements to Sherman.

Banks is ordered to get the 3,000 men he has in Mobile to Brashears which Federal sympathisers advise is still unoccupied.  His arrival is like a cat amongst pigeons, but will he just curl up and go to sleep?

Reynolds commences to round Florida on his voyage to Mobile.

Lyon licks his wounds after beating Jackson.  Meanwhile cavalry and Crouch (who I now realise I should have been calling Couch) now arrives.  Buell stirs into action, trying an outflanking manoeuvre.  A flotilla masses to prepare to ferry Burnside over the Mississippi.  Sumner is stuck in Memphis, but McDowell is going back to help him.  Ord continues to conduct uniform inspections.

Sickles sends more troops to Sherman and then heads off to finish the conquest of Tennessee.

Hooker moves towards Atlanta.  Halleck ponders what to do.

McClellan decides to join McClernand, who, along with McPherson and Howard are so spoilt for options that they appear to be unable to do anything.    Add to that Sedgewick, Pope and Meade.  Only Thomas gets off in pursuit of Beauregard's defeated army taking two division away from Pope in the process.  Heintzelman gets in the action advancing up to the Nottoway River and securing most of the crossing points with his rattag force.

Sedgewick does an attacker wriggle and moves up to the Roanoke.

McClernand attacks Hindman on the 131-160 Column of CRT 2.  Both sides lose 2,000 men, but the Confederates hold firm.  (Aside: I might not have done the allocation of losses correctly.  The result was 10% loss on the attacker which is 2,000 before halving total attack strengthen for attacking across river.  It would be 1,000 if done after halving.  At this stage I have gone with the greater number in order to shorten the war.)

Neither McPherson, Thomas or Sherman attack.  At this rate the war will go on forever.

 Buell's outflanking manoeuvre.

The thinning grey line.

Week 103

The Union again get the 2 chit.  The Confederates declare this as an outstanding victory.

The Confederates tell Johnson to get his army sorted.  He sends Polk and Magruder with their empty corps to New Orleans.  He then goes and joins Hardee.  Forrest is moved to block Buell.

Beauregard pulls his army back to behind the Roanoke.  The Confederates believe it will take the Yankees a while to realise they have gone.  Bragg is ordered to send 9,000 to reinforce Hindman.

The rest of the Confederates have a rest.

Sykes sends the remaining troops he has collected to Sherman who now has 36,000 men.

Thomas is ordered off in pursuit of Beauregard.  He plans to strike the weak force under Taylor who is covering Beauregard's right.  There is no display of any initiative whatsoever by any of the Union generals in Virginia.  Maybe they are getting ready to attack?

The generals in around Atlanta do nothing, it is hoped that Sherman will at least attack this week.

Banks amazes everyone by crossing the Grand River.  This puts him within striking distant of the Mississippi, if only he can keep his fingers off the cotton.

Couch gets across the Big Black River.  But he's the only one to do anything out West except for Sumner who goes off with 25,000 men to inspect the railways.

Couch attacks, but Forrest retreats before combat.

Both Hooker and Halleck force their way across the Flint River, but this comes with a risk of them being isolated.

Sherman attacks!  Both sides use supply and the combat is on the 161-200 Column of CRT 4.  The surprisingly timid result sees the Union lose 2,000 men to the Confederates' 3,000.  The Confederates stay put in the mountains.

Neither McPherson or Sedgewick attack, but Thomas does.  It is on the 251-400 Column of CRT 3.  Both sides lose a 1,000 men, but nothing changes.

The crossing of the Flint.

Banks' advance.

Week 104

In another victory for the Confederates the Union just get 3 free initiatives.

Beauregard reinforces Taylor.

A Hill is reinforced from Atlanta.

The collection of generals in New Orleans try to get a force together to face Banks.

The Union general Reynolds arrives in Mobile and sets about ordering supplies from Fort Pickings.

Hooker is ordered back across the Flint.

Sumner is ordered south, repairing the railway as he goes.

The final order is to Howard to join up with Sedgewick and try and force a crossing of the Roanoke.

All the Generals in the West do nothing except for Ord who has now finished reviewing the garrison of Fort Island No 10 and marches them to Union City.

Halleck liberates a large stretch of Georgia for little military purpose.

Sickles enters Knoxville.

McPherson makes a hurried attack on Smith and both sides lose 1,000 men.

McClellan decides to go down into Tennessee to claim credit for its capture (which now seems imminent).

Meade and Pope are still hanging around Richmond on what has been a four week hiatus.

McPherson now makes a deliberate attack on Smith.  It is on the 251-400 Column of CRT 3.  Both sides lose 1,000 men.

Thomas attacks Taylor on the 131-160 Column of CRT 3.  Another loss of 1,000 men per side.

Sherman attacks on the 131-160 Column of CRT 4.  The Union lose 5,000 men to the Confederates 4,000, but one of those Confederates was General A Hill.

The Confederates seem to be successfully holding the line of the Roanoke thanks to Union tardiness.

The rush to conquer eastern Tennessee.

Halleck goes on a tour of Georgia while Sherman does the fighting.

Mississippi where the Confederates are also doing well in the face of further Union tardiness.

Casualties

10,000 Southern patriots were imprisoned following the fall of Richmond.

Apart from that the Confederates lost 35,000 men in what is a long drawn out war of attrition.

The Union lost 25,000 men in what was a very lackluster period for them.