Grand Campaign II - Union Player Signs On

There is a Union player for the Grand Campaign II, starting in early 2020. More information to come soon.

Grand Campaign II Rules Available

The revised rules for use in the Grand Campaign II simulation are now available, along with a cost sheet for September 1861 upgrades.

Grand Campaign II Rules (v. December 2019)

September 1861 Cost Sheet

We expect this simulation will run in early 2020, but we do not yet have a Union player for the simulation. We will start actively recruiting for someone in January 2020, but if there is someone out there reading this who may be interested, read the rules, ask any questions, and see if you'd like to give it a try. Anyone interested in taking over the Union army will be given information on the army's current strength by regiment, unit armaments and quality, units and regiments on the field, available resource points, etc.

Grand Campaign II - Early 2020

A new simulation, the Grand Campaign II, is proposed for early 2020. A Union commander will take the field against Lieutenant General Earl J. Starbuck's Army of Tennessee. The Union Commander will have the option of starting with an existing Army, the core of which is the Department of the Ohio from Grand Campaign I simulation, or forming a completely new force to take to the field. The campaign theater will be the same, but there will be some minor changes in rules. 

We will be recruiting a Union Commander for the simulation. Engagements are played out in the Take Command Second Manassas (TC2M) game, but it is not necessary to own or use the TC2M to play the simulation.

Stay tuned for more information...

Campaign Losses

During the Campaign, the following infantry regiments had the highest loss by percentage of men enlisted:

Confederate:

1. 3rd Kentucky - 44.5%
2. 1st Arkansas - 38.8%
3. 7th Louisiana - 38.7%
4. 6th Louisiana - 38.1%
5. 2nd Kentucky - 35.9%

Union:

1. 1st Indiana - 91.3% (regiment captured near the end of the campaign)
2. 2nd Indiana - 51.9%
3. 3rd Ohio - 39.1%
4. 2nd Ohio - 37.7%
5. 4th Ohio - 29.7%

The four Union regiments with the highest losses were all part of the battles fought by Brigadier General Solomon Lewis' ad hoc brigade in on the August 17 - 22nd August. Three of the Confederates regiments with the high losses were also in the same battles, having only come onto the field in August.  During those engagements, Brigadier General Lewis moved south from Clinton against Indiana Rock Manor, to help extricate the 2nd and 3rd Ohio (from Brigadier General Benjamin F. Smith's Brigade) from Twin Fords, where they were cut off by the enemy. Lewis' force then became cut off from his lines and tried to fight his way back to safety.  Lewis' men fought hard, until they ran out of ammunition and where pinched at Lebanon on August 22nd. Overall, they extracted a toll on their opponents during several days of fighting as follows:

Engagement	Lewis' Losses	Confederate Losses
August 17 - Indian Rock Manor	66	103
August 19 - Clinton	218	450
August 20 - Shingleton	204	530
August 21 - Carothers	51	116
August 22 - Lebanon	202	349
Total	741	1548

The overall losses for two months of hard campaigning looked like this:

CS Department of Tennessee		Killed	Wounded	Missing	Total
	July 1861	269	1134	213	1616
	August 1861	612	2353	487	3452
	Campaign Total	881	3487	700	5068
US District of the Ohio		Killed	Wounded	Missing	Total
	July 1861	297	1189	238	1724
	August 1861	376	1530	905	2811
	Campaign Total	673	2719	1143	4535

The losses by regiment for each month are in the following returns of casualties: 

Union Losses by Unit - July 1861

Confederate Losses by Unit - July 1861

Union Losses by Unit - August 1861

Confederate Losses by Unit - August 1861

It was a hard-fought campaign by both sides.

Federals Concede Defeat - Major General E. J. Starbuck recommended for promotion to Lieutenant General

After a hard fought campaign, Major General William T. Sherman has conceded defeat following the rout of Brigadier General Solomon Lewis' force at Lebanon. It was a well-fought campaign on both sides and neither side was able to push too deeply into enemy territory in a meaningful way, other than raids. Great work by both players, who waged a long, hard campaign.

I will run the casualty stats later. Players are welcome to put add any comments on this page. Great job Jake and Greg. You kept each other on your toes for months.

Turn 8 - Lines Frozen: Movement Only - August 24 - 31st 1861

Lines will be frozen in the current positions for one turn as per the map below. During Turn 8, units may move according to their movement rates, but may not make contact with enemy lines. Troop presence in a town that is adjacent to an enemy occupied town will be reported to the enemy prior to Turn 9.

All eligible exchanges will be made on August 31st and returning convalescents will return to their units. They will appear in the August 1861 Returns.

I am working on reports now, but it could take a while. Turn 8 movement orders will not be due until January 2020.

The Usual Probes End Turn 7

Cavalry from Atkins and Tomlin's Fords probed the Confederate positions at Rowland Mills and Arlington and then returned to the fords on August 23rd, ending Turn 7.  The simulation will now be on break until after the holidays.  I will do a separate post on Turn 8, which will be a special turn in view of the heavy actions during the month of August 1861.

Lewis Routed at Lebanon - August 22, 1861

I may put up a video later this weekend, but the news from Lebanon is not good for the Federals. Brigadier General Solomon Lewis' force was not able to break Confederate lines in Lebanon under Brigadier General John Wharton in time. Parts of Wharton's line gave way, but Lewis was hit from the rear by Taylor's Louisiana Brigade as all of the Federal infantry regiments ran completely out of ammunition and broke in different directions. It will be considered a general rout and all units will be off the field until they reform at a Union held objective for Turn 8.

The 1st Indiana, however, was routed and then fell into Brigadier General Walker's net to the north of Lebanon and was captured in its entirety with its colors. It will be subject to rules concerning prisoners of war, parole and exchanges.

Amazingly, most of the Union units got off the field with positive grades and inflicted many more casualties on the enemy than they received in return, but the combination of being pinned between forces and running out of ammunition was too much.

Showdown at the Crossroads Looming - Lebanon: August 22, 1861

The orders for Lebanon look like they will result in a showdown at the crossroads in the Village of Lebanon.

• Brigadier General John Wharton's Confederate command (1st and 2nd Tennessee Cavalry and 2nd Mississippi Infantry) has orders to hold the crossroads at all costs. 
• Brigadier General Solomon Lewis' Federal command (1st and 2nd Indiana Infantry, 2nd and 3rd Ohio Infantry, 1st Battalion 1st Kentucky Cavalry, and left section Battery "A," 1st Michigan Light Artillery) have orders to attack into Lebanon from Pace and take the crossroads. Knowing that the enemy is in close pursuit, he wants to take the crossroads to his west before he is attacked by the infantry coming from the east. 
• Major General E. J. Starbuck has split his command, with Walker's Brigade (1st, 2nd and 3rd Arkansas Infantry) moving at the double quick along Swamp Road to block the West Pines Road north of Lebanon. Taylor's Louisiana Brigade (6th, 7th and 8th Louisiana Infantry), supported by Cole's Tennessee Battery and the 2nd Battalion Engineers, is to advance against the enemy at Pace and demonstrate until Walker is in position. Taylor will find that Lewis' men have already left Pace and will pursue to Lebanon.

Starbuck is trying to use a "hammer and anvil" approach to catch Lewis between Wharton and Taylor and block his withdrawal routes. Lewis is attempting to clear the enemy out of Lebanon and create a clear route of withdrawal before having to fight Starbuck's infantry. Lewis' men are at the Pace Farm and close to Lebanon. Taylor has a much longer march to being able to hit Lewis' rear. 

The big questions: 1) Will Wharton hold long enough for Taylor to arrive and attack Lewis' rear while Lewis is still engaging Wharton's men to his front?  I have no idea, but we will find out tonight when I run the scenario. 

Federals Withdraw to Lebanon - August 21, 1861

There was a brief action near Carothers on August 21st. Federal infantry (Brigadier General Solomon Lewis' ad hoc command) deployed across the Clinton Pike at the Jenkins Farm, west of Carothers and the Carothers Furnace.

Confederate infantry (with artillery to the rear) deployed just west of the Carothers Farm, with Walker's (Arkansas) brigade on the right and Taylor's (Louisiana Brigade) on the left.

As the Confederates advanced, guiding center on the Clinton Pike, the left of Taylor's Brigade and right of Walker's Brigade were slowed by brush and trees on the side of the road. This resulted in the 3rd and 1st Arkansas getting ahead of the other regiments and leading the engagement.

The Union front line opened fire, with the 2nd Indiana near the Jenkins barn, 2nd Ohio to their right, and the 1st Battalion, 1st Kentucky Cavalry dismounted in the woods to the left. The 1st Indiana and 3rd Ohio were in the rear in reserve.

After a very short period of fighting, the Union artillery to the rear (left section, Battery "A," 1st Michigan Light) limbered up and moved west down the Clinton Pike. The infantry then retreated, formed to the rear, and withdrew westward toward Lebanon before the bulk of the Confederate force could engage. They will find Lebanon town and cross roads occupied by Brigadier General John Wharton's Cavalry Brigade. But that will be another engagement on another day...

Raid on Jackson Turned Back - August 21st 1861

As all eyes are on an expected action at Carothers, there is news of an unexpected skirmish outside the rail depot of Jackson. A Union cavalry battalion advancing from Ivyland was met by a large regiment of Mississippi infantry guarding the town.  After a brief actions, the Federals were turned back and headed northeast, back up the Ivyland Road.

Screenshots of Carothers

DYOD_Carothers is not yet available. I am making some revisions on the sprite.csv file for the DYOD mod and some additional graphics. The map is ready for action though. Here are some screenshots:

Carothers Farm, looking west down Clinton Pike toward Jenkins

Carothers Furnace, looking east toward Norton

Charcoal kilns, looking toward Ironville

"Ironville"

Carother Map

The Carothers full TC2M modded map is not done yet, but the mini map is:

"So Be It...." Starbuck Continues Pursuit of Lewis' Command

Upon the rejection of his surrender terms offered to Brigadier General Solomon Lewis, Major General Starbuck's force at Shingleton will be advancing on Carothers on August 21st to re-engage Lewis' men there. But... the map does not yet exit. As soon as it does, we can continue.  I am working on it.

Lewis Responds to Starbuck's Terms - Night of August 20th

Brigadier General Lewis has sent a messenger through the lines on the Clinton Pike toMajor General Starbuck's headquarters at Shingleton. He thanked the Confederate commander for his generous surrender terms, but informed him that he has orders to fight as long as he has ammunition, and he still has ammunition.

Starbuck Offers Terms to Lewis: Night of August 20th, 1861

A courier has passed through the lines on Clinton Pike between the Headquarters of Major General E. J. Starbuck at Shingleton and that of Brigadier General Solomon Lewis at Carothers. The correspondence (unedited) appears below. The response from the Federal officer is not yet known.

                                                                                                                                 20 August, 1861

To: Brigadier General Solomon Lewis, U.S.,

Commanding Union Forces at Carothers

Sir,

            You and your men have fought gallantly over the past two days, and I commend you for it. As soldiers, you have more than won my respect. However, you now have your backs to the wall. I have a substantial force deployed at Lebanon – if you are beaten at Carothers, you will have no line of retreat. That being the case, and in order to avoid further effusion of blood, I offer you the following terms of surrender:

1: Your men will turn over to me all of your small arms, artillery pieces, ammunition of all kinds, and all other supplies and implements of war in your possession. You and your officers will be allowed to retain your swords and sidearms, and your men will be allowed to retain their personal possessions. Your rations will not be confiscated, and your regiments will be allowed to retain their colours.

2: Having fulfilled the above conditions, you and your troops will be allowed to march – entirely unmolested, I give you my solemn word – back into Union lines via Lebanon, Bonnett, Orr Tavern, and Riverside.

If you do not agree to these terms, combat will ensue at Carothers on 21 August.

I am, sir, very respectfully yours,

-Maj. Gen’l. E. J. Starbuck, C.S.,

Com’ding. Department of Tennessee

Union Withdraws from Shingleton: August 20, 1861

Confederate forces have taken the Shingleton Farm on the Clinton Pike, but at a heavy cost. The Union line under Brigadier General Solomon Lewis was unflinching under assault by a larger Confederate force. Only Captain Loomis' left section ("A," 1st Michigan Light Artillery) withdrew to a new position after expending its canister.  The Confederate attack wavered and broke in multiple places, but the regiments reformed and renewed the attack again. In general. the Louisiana Brigade under Brigadier Richard Taylor performed better than the Arkansas Brigade under Brigade General John G. Walker. Lewis' force, however, showed one of the best performances of the campaign before withdrawing in good order to Carothers.

Some selected footage from the Union position showing the action at Shingleton.

And the fighting was heavy.... Shingleton - August 20th

DYOD_Shingleton Ready

Action is expected at Shingleton on August 20th.  The map is now ready:

Shingleton: Looking Southeast from the fields near Iron Creek. 

Shingleton: Looking east along Clinton Pike

Looking west towards the Shingleton Farm. 

Aerial view looking west

Shingleton - August 20th?

There will likely be an engagement at Shingleton on August 20th, but..... I need to make the map first. I also need to make the map for Carothers, which could potentially be the location of an action on the 21st.

Engagement at Clinton - August 19, 1861

News from Clinton....

Up Next.... Clinton, August 19th 1861

There will be an engagement at Clinton on August 19, 1861. It will be one of the bigger engagements so far in the campaign in terms of troop strength.  But... it will most likely happen on Friday night or over the weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving to those of us in the US!

Confederates Re-Take Centerville! - August 19 - 1861

After an extended fight between two regiments of Cleburne's Brigade (1st and 2nd Alabama) and the 1st Illinois Infantry, the Federals were finally driven out of Centerville and forced back north to Caesar Ford on the Bull Head River. The 1st Alabama broke and fled east to East Troy. Centerville is held by the 2nd Alabama.

The 1st Illinois' last position. 

As the 1st Illinois fell back slightly, the 2nd Alabama moved through an orchard from its west to east end and opened fire again.

The final retreat of the day: To Caesar Ford. 

Stunning Development at Centerville (engagement still in progress)

The 1st Illinois advanced west on Munson Hill Road towards Centerville town. As soon as it was visible to Cleburne's Brigade, the Alabamans advanced out to engage them. The 1st halted and deployed at a house on the northeast corner of the town, where it is entered by Munson Hill Road. The 1st Alabama stopped and engaged from a wheat field to the southeast of the 1st Illinois, as the 2nd Alabama moved through some woods to the rear of the 1st on its way to take position on the right of Cleburne's line.

The 2nd took a long time coming into line. As the 1st Alabama continued to take fire, it suddenly broke and fled to the east and left the field. The 2nd Alabama came into position in an orchard just east of the 1st Illinois to find it is the sole Confederate regiment left on the field. (The 1st will reform at East Troy on the 20th.)

The fight continues. Neither side has hit its breaking point, but the action is not a very close contest.

Centerville Still Being Contested - August 19th

The action at Centerville is still contested after 1 hour in-game (all under AI).

The belligerents:

US:

• 1st Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Occupying Centerville since August 9th, after a failed attack on August 8th. The regimental commander, Colonel Robert C. Schultz, is technically in command of the 3rd Brigade, leaving the regiment under Lieutenant Colonel George W. Becker. Both are on the field.

CS: Cleburne's Brigade (Brigadier General Patrick Cleburne is on the field)

• 1st Alabama (Colonel Marcellus Douglas) is advancing from Nicholas, having been driven out of Centerville by the 1st Illinois and a battalion of cavalry on August 9th. 
• 2nd Alabama Infantry (Colonel Dixon Barnes) is arriving from LeMasters. The 2nd Alabama's main action in the campaign has been defending against cavalry probes in Arlington. 

Summary of Part I of Centerville - August 19

The 2nd Alabama opens up the engagement on the Kingston Road. 

The 1st Alabama arrives on the Centerville Pike. 

Initial fighting in town. 

1st Alabama fires into the 1st Illinois' left flank. 

The 1st Illinois starts to waver just before retreating to a new position. 

The 1st Illinois starts to reform in a small patch of woods northwest of town. 

The 1st Alabama attacks the 1st Illinois in its position in the woods before the 2nd Alabama comes up into line. 

The 1st Illinois fires across the Munson Hill Road at the 2nd Alabama from its second fallback position west of the Methodist Church. The 1st Alabama is advancing through the woods on the 2nd Alabama's left. 

The 1st Illinois retreats in good order from its position near Munson Hill Road. 

The Federals reforming in a field east of Becker and Crew.

The 1st and 2nd Alabama form in the field, advance together and attack the 1st Illinois, which wavers and then falls back deep into a large patch of woods NE of Crew. 

Having lost contact with the enemy, Cleburne directs his men back to the south. 

The 1st Illinois starts to rally in the woods well to the north of the Confederates. 

Cleburne and his men return to the center of town. 

Once morale was significantly restored, the 1st Illinois advanced south across the field to its previous fallback position in a small patch of woods on the north side of Munson Hill Road. 

Resting in the woods, the 1st Illinois is almost ready to continue contesting Centerville. 

Neither side has routed or reached its casualty threshold. The total casualties are about equal. At the 1 hour mark, the 1st Illinois is rested and its morale is back to "good." I will wait to see if it returns to Centerville when morale reaches "excellent." If not, I will put them marching back to Centerville and turn it back over to AI for another round. So far, the only scripting was the 1st Illinois on hold in their original position in town and the 1st and 2nd AL marching into town with the brigade set on attack. Everything else has been under AI so far. Let's see what happens from here....

Coming Up... A Fight to the Finish at Centerville on August 19th, 1861

Both sides appear to have attached a lot of importance to Centerville. A Confederate force is preparing to attack it with a "take at all costs" order with an extremely high casualty threshold. At the same time, the Union occupying force has a "hold at all costs" order. Something's got to give and someone's going to get routed from the field. (I haven't run the scenario yet, so I am not sure who.) 

Confederates Take Newport - August 19, 1861

The 1st Mississippi Infantry advance north on the Old Stage Road towards Newport. It was met by the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry (US), which was in a defensive position at the Davis house to the southwest of Newport town. As the Confederates approached, the cavalry opened fire. Armed with poor quality Dresden muskets, the Confederates advanced at the double quick to get into position to return fire. As they drew close, one of the Union battalions charged into the much larger Confederate unit and was driven back. A second battalion prepared to charge into the enemy, but the Union commander called a retreat and the cavalry withdrew across the South Branch River to North Bank, leaving Newport in control of the Confederates.

Confederates Hold Lebanon - August 18, 1861

Union cavalry advancing from the northwest (Monroe and Jaynes) probed towards Lebanon. As they approached the village, the were met by a regiment of infantry supported by cavalry on its flanks. After a light engagement, the Federals withdrew back up the Clinton Pike toward Jaynes.

Union cavalry (3 battalions) advances on Lebanon.

Confederate infantry forms and opens fire on the Federals. 

Confederate cavalry moves up through Lebanon and forms on the right of the Confederate infantry. 

The cavalry on the Confederate right starts to put pressure on the Union left. 

The Federals retreat and then start a withdrawal to Jaynes.