Rule Changes in the Future

There were some amended rules that affected the 1st week of the campaign. These were related primarily to commissary supplies, objectives, and earning resource points. The amendments were communicated to the players and remain in effect. Additional amendments will be in effect at the end of Turn 4. These will be primarily related to a reduction in cost for some units, training, and support, and will take effect prior to Turn 5 (the start of the second month of the campaign.)  The amendments at the end of Turn 1 were to simplify game play. The amendments at the end of Turn 4 will help the players increase the number of units and/or support for their armies for the second month of campaigning.

Additional Maps Posted

Both armies have topographic engineers on staff, who have been collecting maps.  Additional maps have been posted on the Reference Maps page. Their associated TC2M modded maps will be posted in the mod section later in the week. The maps include the sites where there have been skirmishes during the first two weeks of the campaign and a few other locations.

Slipping Through the Gap - Mosby's Raid

The first engagement of the campaign took place on July 4th. Mosby's Rangers were entering the Village of East Troy from Centerville as the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Kentucky Cavalry was entering it from Rowland Mills. A meeting engagement ensued and the larger Kentucky Cavalry battalion bested Mosby, who retreated to Centerville, was engaged again, and then retreated south to Nicholas. The Kentuckians stayed at East Troy.

On July 9th, Mosby had been joined by infantry at Nicholas and had orders to move with the infantry to Centerville, then secure East Troy, Rowland Mills, and then move against Georgetown. At the same time, the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Kentucky received orders to move south from East Troy against the rail junction at Jackson. Before Mosby and his accompanying infantry could leave Nicholas, they were attacked by cavalry, which they forced to retreat to Centerville. Another skirmish ensued at Centerville, but the Confederates were victorious. Mosby prepared to move against East Troy and Rowland Mills.

Moving cautiously on July 11th, Mosby found East Troy unoccupied, the Kentucky Cavalry having left two days before. As Mosby was entering East Troy, the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Kentucky was engaged at Irvington to the south and forced to retreat back to East Troy. When the Kentuckians returned to East Troy, Mosby had long since passed through and was almost to Georgetown. The Kentuckians were in East Troy on July 15th when Mosby's Raid failed, but they were driven out by infantry the following day.

What if: What if the 2nd Battalion had not launched its raid on Jackson? Mosby would have been unlikely to have broken through the larger body of cavalry. But... it was Mosby's good fortune to stumble on a gap that opened in the enemy line and move north, albeit on an unsuccessful venture. Likewise, the 2nd Battalion had no idea that it would run into infantry at Irvington marching north up the Germantown Pike. (The infantry was probably surprised to run into the enemy that far south as well!) Both raids failed. The fog of war prevails...

Late Report - Action at Newport (July 12th)

Confederate cavalry withdrew from North Bank, south across the river to Newport on July 9th. On July 11th, two battalions of Federal cavalry were in North Bank. On the 12th, the Federals crossed the bridge and advanced on Newport, engaging a Confederate cavalry battalion that was deployed on a slope south of the South Bank River.

The Confederates gave a spirited defense, driving back one battalion, and then the other. The Federal commander, however, managed to rally each battalion and bring it back into the fight, placing one on the Confederate flank. Eventually, the Confederates were forced to retreat southward down the Old Stage Road, leaving the Union horsemen in control of Newport.

Turn 2 Over, but....

Turn 2 is over, but it turns out that there was an unreported skirmish on July 12th.  More information coming before reports go out.

Turn 2 Over

Turn 2 is over. It covered the period of July 9 - July 16, 1861. Reports should be out this weekend. Turn 3 will run in August and cover the period of July 17 - 22.

Enemy Contact Report No. 7

Contact During the Grand Campaign: 

July 16:

• Skirmish at East Troy: A regiment of Confederate infantry moved from Centerville to East Troy and forced a battalion of Union cavalry to abandon East Troy and retreat towards Rowland Mills. 

July 15:

• Raid on Georgetown: Mosby's Rangers, a small mounted Confederate force, reached the Union base of supply and depot at Georgetown. It encountered a small Federal garrison there and was forced retreat southward down the Germantown Pike.

July 14:

• No contact

July 13:

• Engagement at Cedar Grove: Confederate Brigadier General Simon Bolivar Buckner advanced from Strawderman to Ceder Grove and engaged a Federal force composed of a regiment of infantry supported by a section of artillery. The Union infantry held as its artillery opened with canister. Buckner was forced to retreat back to Strawderman.

July 12th:

• Engagement at Stawderman: Moving east after his victory at Newtown the previous day, Brigadier General Simon Buckner advanced on Strawderman and engaged two regiments of Union infantry on the east edge of town. After a sharp fight in which Confederate artillery moved up for close support of the attack, the Federals were forced to withdraw north towards Parson's Gap. 
• Skirimish at Newport: Two battalions of Federal cavalry crossed the Newport bridge from North Bank, but were opposed by a battalion of Confederate cavalry on the slope between the South Branch River and Newport. The Confederates put up a spirited defense, forcing back each of the enemy battalions at different times, but the Federals rallied and forced the Confederates to abandon Newport and retreat southward down the Old Stage Road. 

July 11th: 

• Engagement at Newtown: A Confederate force identified as being under the command of Brigadier General Simon Bolivar Buckner advanced north from its victory on July 9th at Keyser Ford, and engaged a smaller Union force at Newtown. After a fight on the south side of town, the Federals were forced to withdraw towards Milford.
• Skirmish near Irvington: Confederate infantry marching north on the Germantown Pike encountered a Federal cavalry brigade moving south. They met at the Covington farm, just north of Irvington and the Federals broke under fire and retreated back to the north. 

July 10th:

• Skirmish at Centerville: A regiment of Confederate infantry supported by a cavalry contingent followed up on a victory at Nicholas the previous day by advancing on their defeated foe (a battalion of Federal cavalry) at Centerville. After a fight around the court house in the center of town, the Federals withdrew towards Tomlin's Ford, leaving the Confederates in possession of Centerville. 
• Skirmish at Mount Vernon:  A battalion of Federal cavalry advanced on southward on the North Branch Road and engaged a regiment of infantry at Mount Vernon. The Federals were driven back to Lyon's Store. 

July 9th:

• Skirmish at Orr Tavern: A Confederate cavalry battalion advanced from Monroe and took Orr Tavern from Federal Cavalry, which retreated to Riverside. 
• Skirmish at Strawderman: Federal infantry and a section of artillery drove back a probe from Hogbin's Store by a battalion of Confederate cavalry. 
• Skirmish at Keyser Ford: Federal cavalry moving south through Whitmer encountered a mixed Confederate force at the Bee Farm near Keyser Ford. The Union cavalrymen were driven back north up the Newtown Road. 
• Skirmish at Arlington: A Federal cavalry probe from Tomlin's Ford was stopped at Arlington and driven back by a regiment of infantry. 
• Skirmish at Nicholas: Confederate infantry supported by a contingent of cavalry blocked the Centerville Pike at Nicholas, halting a Federal cavalry battalion moving south from Centerville. The Union cavalry withdrew back to the north.

July 8th

• No contact

July 7th

• Skirmish at Lebanon: Confederates at Lebanon successfully defend the village against an attacking battalion of Federal cavalry. The Union troopers fell back to the north.
• Skirmish at Stawderman: Fresh off a victory at Hogbin's Store, a battalion of Confederate cavalry advances on Strawderman, but is met by two battalions of Union infantry. It is forced back to Hogbin's Store. 
• Skirmish at Riverside Bridge (Riverside): A Confederate cavalry battalion advanced on the Newport Road towards Riverside. It was stopped by a Union battalion of cavalry at Riverside Bridge and forced to retreat towards Monroe. A Confederate Brigadier General was seriously wounded during the action. 

July 6th:

• Federals at Arlington withdraw to Tomlin's Ford as Confederates approach from Fulton. 
• Skirmish at North Bank (Newport Bridge): Confederate cavalry storms Newport Bridge and takes North Bank. Federals withdraw to Knight. 
• Skirmish at Cedar Grove: Fresh off victories at Indian Rock Manor and Clinton, a Confederate cavalry battalion attacks Federal units at Cedar Grove, but is forced to withdraw back to Clinton. 
• Skirmish at Hogbin's Store: Confederate cavalry takes Hogbin's Store and  drives Federal infantry northward to Strawderman. 
• Skirmish at Newtown: A Confederate cavalry battalion advanced on Newtown from the south and encounters a Union battery supported by infantry and cavalry. It is forced back to Keyser Ford. 

July 5th: 

• • Skirmish at Centerville: Confederates almost take Centerville early in the morning, but are unable to do so. They wound and capture the Federal commanding officer prior to withdrawing to Nicholas. 
  • Skirmish at Clinton: Confederate attack the town from the south and force Federals to withdraw northward to Cedar Grove. 
  • Skirmish at Newport: Confederates advance against Newport, arriving in the afternoon to skirmish with Federals southeast of town. Federals are forced back across the river to North Bank. 

July 4th: 

• Federals at Indian Rock Manor withdraw northward to Clinton as Confederates approach
• Skirmish at East Troy: Confederates are forced to withdraw west to Centerville

July 3rd: 

• Federals at Sagarville withdraw west to Newtown as Confederates approach. 

July 2nd: 

• No contact

July 1st:

• No contact

Skirmish at East Troy (July 16)

A regiment of Confederate infantry moved from Centerville to East Troy on July 16th. It encountered a Federal Battalion of cavalry. After a brief skirmish, the Federals retreated toward Rowland Mills.

Raid on Georgetown (July 15)

A small body of Confederate cavalry advanced north up the Germantown Pike, targeting the Union base of supply and the rail junction at Georgetown. They arrived on July 16th and entered the southeast section of town unopposed. Winding through the streets, they reached the area around the depot. As they turned a corner towards the junction, they received a volley from a Union Battalion in an open field in the middle of town. The Confederates fell back slightly, reformed and engaged the Federals. Eventually, the cavalrymen determined that they could not take the town and retreated southward in the direction from which they came. They were unable to destroy the depot and Federal supplies there.

Error on Georgetown Date

The Confederate raid of Georgetown was erroneously reported as being on July 13th. It will not take place until July 15th.  It is going to take me a while to get the map ready.

No engagements on July 14th.

End of a Victory Streak (Cedar Grove) - July 13th

Brigadier General Buckner's force defeated and enemy cavalry battalion at Keyser Ford, marched north and defeated a mixed force at Newtown, moved east and defeated a Union force at Strawderman, and then continued east to Cedar Grove. He met a Federal infantry regiment (identified as the 1st Ohio Volunteer Infantry) and a section of artillery on the east side of town. Buckner advanced with the 2nd Kentucky on the left and 3rd Kentucky on the right and engaged the enemy. His artillery, however, failed to find a suitable firing position and moved further to the rear.

Federal infantry held firmly around a barn, as a section of 6 lb smoothbores on the right of the Union line opened up on the 2nd Kentucky with canister. Buckner finally met his match and retired back to Strawderman.

What's coming on July 13th (in-game)

There will be two engagement on July 13th (of the simulation).

1. Cedar Grove: The Buckner juggernaut continues to push westward along the Kingston Road to Ceder Grove.

2. Raid on Georgetown: A Confederate unit will raid Georgetown. It is going to take me a while to get the Georgetown map together. After the turn, I will show how this raid happened. (Players are blind to what their opponent is doing, but sometimes opposing orders create the perfect timing for what would otherwise be an unlikely event. We will see what happens at Georgetown once I get the map done.

Enemy Contact: Report No. 6

Contact During the Grand Campaign: 

July 12th:

• Engagement at Stawderman: Moving east after his victory at Newtown the previous day, Brigadier General Simon B. Buckner advanced on Strawderman and engaged two regiments of Union infantry on the east edge of town. After a sharp fight in which Confederate artillery moved up for close support of the attack, the Federals were forced to withdraw north towards Parson's Gap. 

July 11th: 

• Engagement at Newtown: A Confederate force identified as being under the command of Brigadier General Simon Bolivar Buckner advanced north from its victory on July 9th at Keyser Ford, and engaged a smaller Union force at Newtown. After a fight on the south side of town, the Federals were forced to withdraw towards Milford.
• Skirmish near Irvington: Confederate infantry marching north on the Germantown Pike encountered a Federal cavalry brigade moving south. They met at the Covington farm, just north of Irvington and the Federals broke under fire and retreated back to the north. 

July 10th:

• Skirmish at Centerville: A regiment of Confederate infantry supported by a cavalry contingent followed up on a victory at Nicholas the previous day by advancing on their defeated foe (a battalion of Federal cavalry) at Centerville. After a fight around the court house in the center of town, the Federals withdrew towards Tomlin's Ford, leaving the Confederates in possession of Centerville. 
• Skirmish at Mount Vernon:  A battalion of Federal cavalry advanced on southward on the North Branch Road and engaged a regiment of infantry at Mount Vernon. The Federals were driven back to Lyon's Store. 

July 9th:

• Skirmish at Orr Tavern: A Confederate cavalry battalion advanced from Monroe and took Orr Tavern from Federal Cavalry, which retreated to Riverside. 
• Skirmish at Strawderman: Federal infantry and a section of artillery drove back a probe from Hogbin's Store by a battalion of Confederate cavalry. 
• Skirmish at Keyser Ford: Federal cavalry moving south through Whitmer encountered a mixed Confederate force at the Bee Farm near Keyser Ford. The Union cavalrymen were driven back north up the Newtown Road. 
• Skirmish at Arlington: A Federal cavalry probe from Tomlin's Ford was stopped at Arlington and driven back by a regiment of infantry. 
• Skirmish at Nicholas: Confederate infantry supported by a contingent of cavalry blocked the Centerville Pike at Nicholas, halting a Federal cavalry battalion moving south from Centerville. The Union cavalry withdrew back to the north.

July 8th

• No contact

July 7th

• Skirmish at Lebanon: Confederates at Lebanon successfully defend the village against an attacking battalion of Federal cavalry. The Union troopers fell back to the north.
• Skirmish at Stawderman: Fresh off a victory at Hogbin's Store, a battalion of Confederate cavalry advances on Strawderman, but is met by two battalions of Union infantry. It is forced back to Hogbin's Store. 
• Skirmish at Riverside Bridge (Riverside): A Confederate cavalry battalion advanced on the Newport Road towards Riverside. It was stopped by a Union battalion of cavalry at Riverside Bridge and forced to retreat towards Monroe. A Confederate Brigadier General was seriously wounded during the action. 

July 6th:

• Federals at Arlington withdraw to Tomlin's Ford as Confederates approach from Fulton. 
• Skirmish at North Bank (Newport Bridge): Confederate cavalry storms Newport Bridge and takes North Bank. Federals withdraw to Knight. 
• Skirmish at Cedar Grove: Fresh off victories at Indian Rock Manor and Clinton, a Confederate cavalry battalion attacks Federal units at Cedar Grove, but is forced to withdraw back to Clinton. 
• Skirmish at Hogbin's Store: Confederate cavalry takes Hogbin's Store and  drives Federal infantry northward to Strawderman. 
• Skirmish at Newtown: A Confederate cavalry battalion advanced on Newtown from the south and encounters a Union battery supported by infantry and cavalry. It is forced back to Keyser Ford. 

July 5th: 

• • Skirmish at Centerville: Confederates almost take Centerville early in the morning, but are unable to do so. They wound and capture the Federal commanding officer prior to withdrawing to Nicholas. 
  • Skirmish at Clinton: Confederate attack the town from the south and force Federals to withdraw northward to Cedar Grove. 
  • Skirmish at Newport: Confederates advance against Newport, arriving in the afternoon to skirmish with Federals southeast of town. Federals are forced back across the river to North Bank. 

July 4th: 

• Federals at Indian Rock Manor withdraw northward to Clinton as Confederates approach
• Skirmish at East Troy: Confederates are forced to withdraw west to Centerville

July 3rd: 

• Federals at Sagarville withdraw west to Newtown as Confederates approach. 

Rules, Features and Game Play

Certain features and rules of the simulation definitely affect engagements, which are run under AI. Here are a few:

1. Unit Quality: Units come into the army green and can either gain experience through time served and combat experience or undergo extensive training to increase their unit quality. Is there much difference between a green unit and a trained unit? There are some important factors. When a unit has gone through basic training, it reaches a "trained" experience level. The formation attribute is set the same as the experience level. Green units spend a lot of time floundering under fire at the start of an engagement as they try to form and wheel into position to engage. More experienced units spend less time doing this.

2. Remote Engagements: Players have little to no control over engagements in remote locations away from their headquarters.  If the force engaging the enemy is greater than 2,000 men, a player will be contacted prior to the engagement and has the opportunity to set an acceptable casualty threshold. The default threshold is about 5%, but a player can increase this and allow his men to stay on the field up to 10% or greater losses. This can give one side (taking 10% losses) the strength to take the field from a unit whose threshold is at 5% losses, even if the victorious force has taken more losses on the field.

3. Weapons: Weapons are randomly assigned when a unit takes the field, but can be upgraded later. The Federals have some really poor weapons at the start of the campaign, which has decreased their range and effectiveness of fire in some cases.

These three factors have definitely affected the outcomes of  some engagements so far in the simulation.

Small Brigade Action at Strawderman - July 12

Strawderman has already been the site for two small skirmishes, as a regiment of Federal infantry has twice repulsed a probe by a Confederate cavalry battalion from the south. Fresh from a victory the previous day at Newtown, Brigadier General Simon B. Buckner has now advanced his small brigade of two Kentucky regiments supported by a section of artillery against Strawderman, approaching from the east. The Union force has been re-enforced by another infantry regiment, making it a demi-brigade under Colonel Benjamin F. Smith.

The Federal infantry deployed on the east end of Strawderman as Buckner's men advanced across the open fields to their front. Although they appear to have inferior weapons, the Union men opened fire first, with the Confederates advancing slightly and opening fire at just over 100 yards. At Newtown, Buckner's artillery moved away from the infantry fight and deployed far to the rear on a hill, firing ineffectively. This time, the artillery has advanced with the infantry and then deployed to its immediate left rear (AI did this) in support. The artillery has started firing canister into the Union left.

Meeting at the Covington Farm (Irvington) - July 11th

A regiment of Confederate infantry bivoucked at Irvington on the night of July 10th, but had some delays in resuming its march on the morning of the 11th. Once they began their march northward up the Germantown Pike, the encountered a Federal cavalry battalion advancing southward down the same road. The met that the Covington Farm, just north of Irvington. After a brief engagement, the Union cavalry retreated in haste.

A Confederate infantry regiment leaves Irvington and heads north on Germantown Pike. 

Moving south on Germantown Pike, a Union cavalry battalion approaches the Covington Farm

Fighting on Germantown Pike at Covington

Irvington Map Under Construction

In preparation for the 2nd engagement on July 11th, I have been working on the Irvington Map. It will be a small village near a wooded creek, with a lot of open space and some slight rolling hills. I think everyone is surprised that there is an engagement there, although each player is aware of his unit units that are likely to be engaged.

Irvington is in the southeast corner of the campaign theater on the Germantown Pike. It lies due north of Germantown and northeast of Jackson. I hope to get the map down and the engagement fought by the end of this weekend.  After that, there are still a few more actions to be fought before the end of Turn 2.

Confederates Take Newtown! - July 11th

A Confederate force of two large infantry regiments, a cavalry battalion and section of artillery advanced against Newtown on July 11th. A single infantry regiment, a cavalry battalion and section of artillery defended the town as the Confederates advanced northward up the Newtown Road. The Federal line was deployed with the artillery across the road in town, the cavalry on the left at the edge of town, and the infantry on the right in the fields just south of town. The Confederates advanced with their cavalry on the left, infantry on the right, and artillery in the rear.

The Confederates took heavy losses from cansiter fire as they focused their fire on the Federal cavalry at the edge of town. The Rebel cavalry stayed in reserve (or failed to advance) allowing the Union infantry to fire at the oblique into the Confederate infantry. Eventually, the Union Cavalry could take no more and fell back, exposing the artillery. One gun was routed and another withdrew, allowing the Confederate infantry to advance its right in the direction of town and concentrate its fire on the Federal infantry. The Confederates were able to absorb significantly higher losses due to their greater strength, and eventually the Union line was forced to withdraw northward to Milford. Total casualties exceeded 225 men, making it the single bloodiest engagement so far in the campaign.

Confederates advance on Newtown from the South. The Federal line is deployed with cavalry on the left, a section of artillery in the center, and infantry on the right in the fields at the southwest edge of town. 

Both sides open fire.

Left of the Federal infantry line.

Federal artillery positioned on the Newtown Road firing canister. 

Confederate cavalry on a hill on the Confederate left, observing the battle. 

Losses mounting among the Union Cavalry. 

Federal cavalry have retreated,  leaving dead and wounded on the field and exposing the section of artillery. 

Union artillery has withdrawn and Confederate right wheels to concentrate fire on the Union infantry.