To recap, the previous year's fighting had lead to stalemate on the Mississippi, McClellan being given command of the Army of Ohio and sent to the Cumberland Gap, Fort Monroe under siege and the Union hold on Savannah under pressure.
The Union augment a 4-3 to a 10-3 and convert a 1-2 militia to a 1-3 infantry.
The other builds are a river transport and a naval flotilla.
The Rebs are building with half the manpower of the Union,
it is beginning to show.
GT 33 saw the Union with zero initiative!
The desperate situation at Fort Monroe.
The rescuers are now besieged.
The garrison of Fort Monroe were hungry, but tightened their belts (I threw a 6 requiring 2 supply points. They only had one. On the effects table I then threw a 3 which meant they didn't lose anyone. Their previous binge eating had paid off.)
Not so for the besieging force which lost over half of its strength.
GT 34 has the Union with 3 initiative.
McClellan takes the Cumberland Gap.
Major General Darius N Crouch arrives.
The Rebs taunt him to make an amphibious landing.
He thinks about it...
The Rebs lead by J Johnston commence a battle of attrition for Savannah.
GT 35 again has the Union with 3 initiative
McClellan sends cavalry to cut the railway line.
Crouch lands and the Rebs retreat.
Crouch follows up.
The previous relief force is saved.
Major General Darius N Crouch
By Matthew Brady - link
The Eastern theatre.
The Western theatre.
The last week of February had the Union with 1 initiative, but that was enough for Crouch to send reinforcements to Savannah. They arrived in the nick of time.
Savannah.
3/62 builds for the Union were augmenting a 5-3 division to a 10-3 and converting 2x4-2, a 3-2 and a 2-2 militia to infantry and the build of two supply trains and another naval flotilla. Naval flotillas are starting to come into use to blockade Confederate ports.
The next two turns both had zero initiative for the Union. It didn't matter...
McClellan seizes Lynchburg on his own initiative.
Out in the West the Union try to get its act together.
More troops are required as the Rebs have further fortified the Mississippi.
The neutrality of Kentucky limits the Union's options.
But in the most striking development the Rebs start pulling back before Washington.
In yet more amazing displays of initiative the Union actually follow them up and capture Leesburg.
Skirmishing starts around Harper's Ferry.
Continued fascinating look at this old monster. Very nice!
ReplyDeleteThese six turns, even though I couldn't do much, were very exciting. Represents about five hours of play, with the strategic turns being the most involved.
DeleteOMG, this is the old SPI game! Now I have to go back and read every single post. Serves me right for taking my off of your very fine and erudite blog.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found it. My post titled "What's been reported in the press" was inspired by the diplomacy game you hosted.
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