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.
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