War Between The States - Official RP

[Richard]

1. Following the glorious strategic victory of the Battle of Winchester in defense of Virginian Unionist, Lincoln calls upon Congress to recognize the men of the Wheeling Conventions as the legitimate government of the Northwestern counties of Virginia. He urges Congress to approve the statehood of these Northwestern counites with their capital located in Charleston with all due haste. Once statehood is approved, Lincoln urges the new state government to immediately mobilize any men and material they are able to for the support of the Army of the Shenandoah. Lincoln sends his complements to General Rosecrans, but also urges him to clean up the drunkenness in his army.

2. Given Congress's reticence to approve funding for a Naval expansion, Lincoln calls upon Congress to authorize the issuing of letters of marquee to supplement the Union navy. Once approved Lincoln instructs the Department of the Navy to issue letters of marquee to any interested private sea captain that is considered loyal to the Union. The letter will authorize private ships to engage with and capture CSA flagged ships. The CSA flagged ship and any cargo contained within will be considered war prizes for the crew of the privateering ship. Additionally a bounty of $500 ($15,841.02 in 2022 dollars) for CSA merchant ships, and $1,000 ($31,682.05 in 2022 dollars) for CSA war ships will be awarded per capture or destruction. All privateering ships will be assigned a US naval officer to assist with training and combat operations, as well as general advisement, and to certify capture or destruction of CSA ships. 

(Source for inflation numbers: https://www.in2013dollars.com/us/inflation/1861?amount=500 and https://www.in2013dollars.com/us/inflation/1861?amount=1000)

3. Lincoln instructs Secretary of State William Seward to reach out to major European powers, most notably Great Britain (due to its military power and North American territories), France (due to its growing interests in Mexico), Russia (due to its North American territories), with the aim of dissuading intervention in the internal affairs of the United States. Diplomats should also announce the Union’s Anaconda Plan and the embargo of ports of rebelling states. The United States remains very much committed to trade with her fellow nations, and encourages trade to be redirected to loyal ports within the United States. The United States is willing to lower tariffs on major European powers whose trade will be affected by the embargo if they commit to non-intervention in the conflict. 

4. Lincoln will conduct a trip to the Western Theater. His aims are two fold: 1. visit the Western theater's armies at Springfield and Indianapolis to help improve morale and recruiting, as well as confer with Generals Grant and Thomas. 2. Personally make the Union's case to Governor Magoffin and the Kentucky legislature. Lincoln will make the case for his birth state siding with the Union and mobilizing to aid the Western armies with men and materials. It is only a matter of time before rebel forces try to seize Kentucky, and working together with the Union's Western armies is the best course of action to prevent that. 

Edited January 14, 2022 by Richard

[WVProgressive]

1. Irwin McDowell is relieved of command over the Army of Northern Virginia, and is sent to be the Chief of Logistics for the Eastern Theatre. He is replaced by Col. William Tecumseh Sherman, who was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General following his exemplarily service at the Battle of Occoquan River.

2. Sherman is ordered to entrench his position around Alexandria, and drill his men in the proper conduction of modern war. In addition to that, 5,000 fresh soldiers will join his ranks to more than make up for the losses at Occoquan.

2. Rosecrans will entrench his position around Winchester, and drill his troops into proper soldiers, hoping to avoid a disaster similar to last month's battle. He will also send a letter of support to the Wheeling government, and begin attempts to recruit Unionist West Virginians into his army.

[The Blood]

 @Pringles  @Timur @Hestia @Cal @Kitten 

Ping for events.

 

[Timur]

1.Joseph Johnston launches an attack on the Army of Applachia.

2.P. G. T. Beauregard launches an attack on the Army of Northeastern Virginia.

3.Robert E. Lee's army joins P. G.T. Beauregard in the attack.

Edited January 19, 2022 by Timur

[Kitten]

Missouri State Guard - Butler, Missouri - 6,100 men - Sterling Price

The State Guard will recruit men and head towards Indian Territory

Western Army - Southwest Missouri - 5,000 men - Benjamin McCulloch

The Western Army will hold and recruit men as well as establish a defensive position

Army of New Mexico - Sherman, Texas - 2,500 men - Henry Hopkins Sibley

The Army of New Mexico will recruit and head up to Indian Territory where it will meet with the State Guard

[Cal]

I’m just waiting on the President before I respond!

[The Blood]

 @Pringles  @Hestia

[Hestia]

Events will be up tomorrow AM

[Hestia]

On 1/13/2022 at 11:43 PM, The Blood said:

Western Theater:

Union Western Commander - @Hestia

Army of the Cumberland - Indianapolis - 9,000 men - George Henry Thomas

Army of the Tennessee - Springfield - 6,000 men - Ulysses S. Grant

The Army of the Tennessee under Grant will continue to try to raise more men in Illinois, trying to draw on the more sizeable population base. They inch southward into southern Illinois after, hoping to provide a stresser on some Confederate forces in the area around St. Louis.

The Army of the Cumberland will do the same thing in Indiana, building up forces in the event Kentucky decides to do something...stupid.

Lastly, the Western forces will attempt to scrap together a northern force made up of volunteers from Wisconsin/Michigan. 

[Richard]

@The Blood in order to keep the game moving can we implement a rule that if after a certain amount of time (say 48 hrs , 72 hrs, or however long) that would allow team members to post events for someone who cannot post for whatever reason? 

 

[The Blood]

1 hour ago, Richard said:

@The Blood in order to keep the game moving can we implement a rule that if after a certain amount of time (say 48 hrs , 72 hrs, or however long) that would allow team members to post events for someone who cannot post for whatever reason? 

 

If someone's genuinely inactive, I have a policy of allowing that, but this turn the players have kept me up to date on their timetable for events, and I'm not going to have other people take over unless I believe or a player has indicated they're incapable for this turn. On that note, I am hoping for events from @Pringles tonight, if possible, and Cal following.

[Pringles]

1. President Jefferson Davis delivers an ultimatum to the Governor of Kentucky. Saying that Confederate troops will be marching in as an act of defense, in order to fortify the Ohio River line. No aggression is intended, but the Confederate Armies will certainly be on alert for Union forces. 

2. President Davis clarifies in an address to the Congress that, "In order to win a war of what will inevitably be attrition. If we are truly intent on being free, and maintaining freedom. All hands will be required to defend our beloved South. I'm sorry to those who find that infuriating... but make no mistake, when the times of desperation come, it WILL be necessary." Davis outlines his plans that any slave offered to the Confederate Army... their owners will be compensated accordingly based upon the abilities and wits of said slave. 

3. President Davis will personally oversee the grand attack taking place of as the Army of the Potomac, and Northern Virginia take on the Union forces. He will bolster them with last minute troops if all possible. Davis plans to be in uniform, and not too far away from the grand battle as it takes place. 

4. President Davis introduces new tariffs in order to hopefully reignite the Southern economy from shambles. He leaves an exception however for the United Kingdom, as he hopes to open diplomatic channels that will utilize the British Navy into protecting their shipments from the Union blockade. At the very least, this will be a start for more commitment on Great Britain's behalf.

Edited January 21, 2022 by Pringles

[The Blood]

Just need @Cal now.

[Cal]

1 hour ago, The Blood said:

Just need @Cal now.

Coming in the morning during class! 🙂 

[Richard]

10 hours ago, The Blood said:

If someone's genuinely inactive, I have a policy of allowing that, but this turn the players have kept me up to date on their timetable for events, and I'm not going to have other people take over unless I believe or a player has indicated they're incapable for this turn. On that note, I am hoping for events from @Pringles tonight, if possible, and Cal following.

Roger

[Cal]

1. The Confederate States Colored Troops is in need of a leader capable of instilling loyalty to our new nation. However, there is undoubtedly issue regarding just WHO is capable of leading the negroes in the fight for independence. The public sentiment is surely against the CSCT, and most military officials are uncomfortable with leading the platoon for a number of reasons (that will go unstated).

Therefore, General Kirby Smith will assign Captain Patrick Cleburne to lead the CSCT brigade. Captain Cleburne is a man who can earn their trust -- Cleburne immigrated from the UK and has privately confided in Smith that despite his loyalty to the Confederacy, he has moral qualms about the institution of slavery. Cleburne had privately proposed to President Davis that perhaps the slaves should be emancipated upon their service to the Confederacy which was a suggestion that promptly went ignored for a more moderate (yet still radical) option. There is no better man to lead the CSCT than one who can rally them to the cause whilst placating the general opinion of the Confederates. These views will of course be kept private (even to the regiment) but it is the hope that Cleburne's sympathy will allow him to better win the support of the brigade. 

With his assignment, Cleburne will be promoted from Captain to Brigadier General to reflect the higher number of troops at his command. (1000). Colonel Cleburne's brigade will remain attached to the Confederate Army of Kentucky. 

Additionally, recruitment efforts will be increased for the regiment now that it has a trusted Confederate Colonel at the helm. It is the hope that this combined with President Davis' proclamation will lead to an increase in plantation owners enlisting their slaves in the brigade. 

2. It is with with a heavy heart that General Kirby Smith orders the troops under his command to advance into Kentucky. The Confederate Army of Kentucky numbers over 9000 white soldiers and some 1000 (plus whatever recruits Cleburne managed to attract) members of the Confederate States Colored Troops. 

General Smith will push forward to the Ohio River. If Smith is not met with resistance the construction of fortifications will begin immediately on the most strategically important river in the war. If this is successful, the Confederates will have scored a huge advantage in their sudden push. Ideally the Union will not have moved into Kentucky yet and this will force the Governor's hand. 

3. Major General Kirby Smith will petition to the government that he create the Army of Tennessee. With the forts now constructed, the state is defensible and the population would be more willing to take up arms with a branch of their own.

If President Davis approves of the creation of the Army of Tennessee, the Confederate Western Theater as a whole is organized as such:

The Army of Kentucky (10,000)
Major General: E. Kirby Smith
Brigadier General: Patrick Cleburne
Colonel: Henry Heth
Captain: John Hunt Morgan

The Army of Tennessee (???)
Major General: Leonidis Polk
Brigadier General: Gideon Johnson Pillow
Colonel: Carter L. Stevenson
Captain: Nathan Bedford Forrest

[The Blood]

On 1/14/2022 at 1:38 PM, Richard said:

1. Following the glorious strategic victory of the Battle of Winchester in defense of Virginian Unionist, Lincoln calls upon Congress to recognize the men of the Wheeling Conventions as the legitimate government of the Northwestern counties of Virginia. He urges Congress to approve the statehood of these Northwestern counites with their capital located in Charleston with all due haste. Once statehood is approved, Lincoln urges the new state government to immediately mobilize any men and material they are able to for the support of the Army of the Shenandoah. Lincoln sends his complements to General Rosecrans, but also urges him to clean up the drunkenness in his army.

2. Given Congress's reticence to approve funding for a Naval expansion, Lincoln calls upon Congress to authorize the issuing of letters of marquee to supplement the Union navy. Once approved Lincoln instructs the Department of the Navy to issue letters of marquee to any interested private sea captain that is considered loyal to the Union. The letter will authorize private ships to engage with and capture CSA flagged ships. The CSA flagged ship and any cargo contained within will be considered war prizes for the crew of the privateering ship. Additionally a bounty of $500 ($15,841.02 in 2022 dollars) for CSA merchant ships, and $1,000 ($31,682.05 in 2022 dollars) for CSA war ships will be awarded per capture or destruction. All privateering ships will be assigned a US naval officer to assist with training and combat operations, as well as general advisement, and to certify capture or destruction of CSA ships. 

(Source for inflation numbers: https://www.in2013dollars.com/us/inflation/1861?amount=500 and https://www.in2013dollars.com/us/inflation/1861?amount=1000)

3. Lincoln instructs Secretary of State William Seward to reach out to major European powers, most notably Great Britain (due to its military power and North American territories), France (due to its growing interests in Mexico), Russia (due to its North American territories), with the aim of dissuading intervention in the internal affairs of the United States. Diplomats should also announce the Union’s Anaconda Plan and the embargo of ports of rebelling states. The United States remains very much committed to trade with her fellow nations, and encourages trade to be redirected to loyal ports within the United States. The United States is willing to lower tariffs on major European powers whose trade will be affected by the embargo if they commit to non-intervention in the conflict. 

4. Lincoln will conduct a trip to the Western Theater. His aims are two fold: 1. visit the Western theater's armies at Springfield and Indianapolis to help improve morale and recruiting, as well as confer with Generals Grant and Thomas. 2. Personally make the Union's case to Governor Magoffin and the Kentucky legislature. Lincoln will make the case for his birth state siding with the Union and mobilizing to aid the Western armies with men and materials. It is only a matter of time before rebel forces try to seize Kentucky, and working together with the Union's Western armies is the best course of action to prevent that. 

Wheeling Conventions: 5. Despite the open Presidential support and recognition providing a boost to the Wheeling government, Congress will sit on its thumbs when given the request for statehood, perhaps hoping to avoid Virginians' anger towards the Federal government rising with the division of their state. However, the Wheeling government and aligned Union militias will be bolstered by Lincoln's public support, providing the Army of Appalachia 500 recruits by the end of the month and emboldening efforts to chip away at remaining Confederate control in northeastern Virginia.

 

Privateers: 8. Congress will approve the proposal, and by the end of the month the Department of the Navy has already begun issuing letters of marque to employ a fleet of Unionist privateers, with a noticeable effect of Confederate shipping already being seen as multiple bounties are claimed.

 

European Outreach: 8. Britain and France, despite their Southern sympathies, will accept the growing reality of the Anaconda blockade, stating that they will begin redirecting their flow of trade towards the North to protect their shipping and economic opportunities. They will also state they have no current intentions for an intervention in the conflict, but will stop short of any commitments to Seward regarding the war. Russia, for its part, will agree to redirect its trade and will also release an official statement of support for the Union government, demonstrating its hope for calm relations with the Union during the war.

 

Western Theater Visit: 9. Lincoln's visit to the western theater will prove popular and successful. Visiting the armies of Cumberland and Tennessee he will provide a major boost, encouraging 1,000 additional recruits to join each force and strengthening morale. In Kentucky, Lincoln will find broad public and political support, with members of the pro-Unionist state legislature giving the President a warm welcome and Governor Magoffin stating he is honored to have Lincoln, even if he wishes to maintain Kentucky's neutrality.

On 1/20/2022 at 9:23 PM, Pringles said:

1. President Jefferson Davis delivers an ultimatum to the Governor of Kentucky. Saying that Confederate troops will be marching in as an act of defense, in order to fortify the Ohio River line. No aggression is intended, but the Confederate Armies will certainly be on alert for Union forces. 

2. President Davis clarifies in an address to the Congress that, "In order to win a war of what will inevitably be attrition. If we are truly intent on being free, and maintaining freedom. All hands will be required to defend our beloved South. I'm sorry to those who find that infuriating... but make no mistake, when the times of desperation come, it WILL be necessary." Davis outlines his plans that any slave offered to the Confederate Army... their owners will be compensated accordingly based upon the abilities and wits of said slave. 

3. President Davis will personally oversee the grand attack taking place of as the Army of the Potomac, and Northern Virginia take on the Union forces. He will bolster them with last minute troops if all possible. Davis plans to be in uniform, and not too far away from the grand battle as it takes place. 

4. President Davis introduces new tariffs in order to hopefully reignite the Southern economy from shambles. He leaves an exception however for the United Kingdom, as he hopes to open diplomatic channels that will utilize the British Navy into protecting their shipments from the Union blockade. At the very least, this will be a start for more commitment on Great Britain's behalf.

Ultimatum: 8. Just as Lincoln left Kentucky for Washington, the Confederate ultimatum arrived. Governor Magoffin knew that this would be the most important decision of his Governorship. Trapped between abandoning his belief in states' rights to call upon Union support or accepting a Confederate invasion of his state, the Governor took in a deep sigh as he read the Confederate ultimatum over and over again. He would try for a middle option. Understanding that failure meant the replacement of his government with the pro-Confederate administration and the pro-Union state legislature throwing away neutrality to call upon a Union counter-invasion, Governor Magoffin would refuse Union support, instead calling on all available men to organize at Frankfort to defend Kentucky and hold the path to the Ohio River from the invading Confederates. While Union troops were not called into Kentucky, the Governor knew this would mean a fight on his state's soil.

 

CSCT: 3. The Confederate Congress is dismayed by Davis' allusions to a prolonged conflict, with many declaring him a defeatist by wishing for the South to stoop so low as to allow slaves in its army. The Congress will reluctantly approve funding for fair compensation to slave owners, only doing so as not to rob the honest citizenry of the Confederacy. However, the program will remain unpopular, with only 6,000 slaves being brought into the army(distributed evenly among the 3 theaters of war) by the end of the month.

 

Davis' Wild Adventure at Alexandria: 1! Davis' aides warned him again and again. He should not have been inching so close to the battlefield, word had spread to the Union that he was there, and as the Confederate President he could not be putting himself in harm's way. But Davis did not listen. He was the President; he could do what he damn pleased! It was only when Davis could see the blood spilling out of hit soldiers, hear the screams of the wounded and the booming of the cannons, that he decided to take a step back. It was then he felt a sharp pain in his side. He looked down and saw blood coming out of himself. He had been hit by a stray bullet and collapsed as he was evacuated from the field. While Davis survived the wound, the event would be a boon for Union propaganda, and would not help the President's image among his own Southern populace.

 

Tariffs: 3. The introduction of new tariffs only further damages the Confederacy's already strained lifeline of trade to the outside world, and Britain will refuse such an open request to antagonize the Union.

On 1/14/2022 at 7:26 PM, WVProgressive said:

1. Irwin McDowell is relieved of command over the Army of Northern Virginia, and is sent to be the Chief of Logistics for the Eastern Theatre. He is replaced by Col. William Tecumseh Sherman, who was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General following his exemplarily service at the Battle of Occoquan River.

2. Sherman is ordered to entrench his position around Alexandria, and drill his men in the proper conduction of modern war. In addition to that, 5,000 fresh soldiers will join his ranks to more than make up for the losses at Occoquan.

2. Rosecrans will entrench his position around Winchester, and drill his troops into proper soldiers, hoping to avoid a disaster similar to last month's battle. He will also send a letter of support to the Wheeling government, and begin attempts to recruit Unionist West Virginians into his army.

Sherman: 8. William T. Sherman takes effective command over the Army, with his men respecting his leadership and McDowell accepting the situation with grace.

 

Alexandria: 7. Sherman's men will take well to their drilling, proving themselves able as they are trained in modern warfare. Meanwhile, the Army's position at Alexandria is secured with a series of trenches and defensive works prepared for a Confederate assault, and 5,000 men will be trained to join Sherman's force by the beginning of September.

 

Winchester: 2. Rosecrans' men will have an almost mutinous opposition to their drilling, with some soldiers showing up drunk to training exercises and general disorganization being seen in the Army. The defensive works prepared are of poor quality, and after already sparing 500 recruits for Rosecrans' force at Lincoln's request, the Wheeling government can only provide 150 more by the end of the month.

On 1/16/2022 at 11:51 PM, Timur said:

1.Joseph Johnston launches an attack on the Army of Applachia.

2.P. G. T. Beauregard launches an attack on the Army of Northeastern Virginia.

3.Robert E. Lee's army joins P. G.T. Beauregard in the attack.

Army of Appalachia: 3. The Army of the Shenandoah's attack will prove to be ill-advised, with Johnston's men failing to demonstrate their ability against the numerically superior Union force in their assault(See: Second Battle of Winchester).

 

Army of Northeastern Virginia: 6. The Army of the Potomac, marching with the Army of Northern Virginia following, will hit the Union with a seemingly flawless plan of attack. However, the Union forces will put up a tenacious defense of Alexandria, refusing to yield to the assault and forcing the Confederates back(See: Battle of Alexandria).

 

Following Beauregard: 9. Lee will follow Beauregard's path of advance with ease, organizing his Army into an effective fighting force and joining the Army of the Potomac in time to join the assault of Alexandria.

On 1/21/2022 at 12:40 PM, Cal said:

1. The Confederate States Colored Troops is in need of a leader capable of instilling loyalty to our new nation. However, there is undoubtedly issue regarding just WHO is capable of leading the negroes in the fight for independence. The public sentiment is surely against the CSCT, and most military officials are uncomfortable with leading the platoon for a number of reasons (that will go unstated).

Therefore, General Kirby Smith will assign Captain Patrick Cleburne to lead the CSCT brigade. Captain Cleburne is a man who can earn their trust -- Cleburne immigrated from the UK and has privately confided in Smith that despite his loyalty to the Confederacy, he has moral qualms about the institution of slavery. Cleburne had privately proposed to President Davis that perhaps the slaves should be emancipated upon their service to the Confederacy which was a suggestion that promptly went ignored for a more moderate (yet still radical) option. There is no better man to lead the CSCT than one who can rally them to the cause whilst placating the general opinion of the Confederates. These views will of course be kept private (even to the regiment) but it is the hope that Cleburne's sympathy will allow him to better win the support of the brigade. 

With his assignment, Cleburne will be promoted from Captain to Brigadier General to reflect the higher number of troops at his command. (1000). Colonel Cleburne's brigade will remain attached to the Confederate Army of Kentucky. 

Additionally, recruitment efforts will be increased for the regiment now that it has a trusted Confederate Colonel at the helm. It is the hope that this combined with President Davis' proclamation will lead to an increase in plantation owners enlisting their slaves in the brigade. 

2. It is with with a heavy heart that General Kirby Smith orders the troops under his command to advance into Kentucky. The Confederate Army of Kentucky numbers over 9000 white soldiers and some 1000 (plus whatever recruits Cleburne managed to attract) members of the Confederate States Colored Troops. 

General Smith will push forward to the Ohio River. If Smith is not met with resistance the construction of fortifications will begin immediately on the most strategically important river in the war. If this is successful, the Confederates will have scored a huge advantage in their sudden push. Ideally the Union will not have moved into Kentucky yet and this will force the Governor's hand. 

3. Major General Kirby Smith will petition to the government that he create the Army of Tennessee. With the forts now constructed, the state is defensible and the population would be more willing to take up arms with a branch of their own.

If President Davis approves of the creation of the Army of Tennessee, the Confederate Western Theater as a whole is organized as such:

The Army of Kentucky (10,000)
Major General: E. Kirby Smith
Brigadier General: Patrick Cleburne
Colonel: Henry Heth
Captain: John Hunt Morgan

The Army of Tennessee (???)
Major General: Leonidis Polk
Brigadier General: Gideon Johnson Pillow
Colonel: Carter L. Stevenson
Captain: Nathan Bedford Forrest

Cleburne's Colored Regiment: 3. Despite seeming the perfect fit for the job, Cleburne will struggle assuming his role of command over the regiment. Even with their initially successful training under Kirby Smith, the men of the regiment seem unenthused and unmotivated as members of the Confederate Army. Cleburne will overhear some of his men complaining about the recent Congressional funding to compensate slave owners for the service of CSCT soldiers, with the soldiers saying that their owners are being paid for the service and fighting which they will have to complete. Meanwhile, Cleburne will only secure 400 more slaves to join his regiment(along with the 1,000 arriving thanks to Davis' recruitment drive) as trained soldiers by the end of the month.

 

Kentucky: 7. Kirby Smith will march his Army north with the cautious optimism felt by his men. His force is well organized and prepared, and while Smith soon hears word of Governor Magoffin's Kentucky State Militia mobilizing at Frankfort, he quickly prepares a sound plan of attack and ensures his Army is ready for the task. Of course, it is only arriving south of Frankfort that Smith sees the prepared and ready defense organized by Magoffin, and he will soon see the teeth of this defense in his pitched attack against the militia(See: Battle of the Kentucky River).

 

Army of Tennessee: 1! Tennesseans do not see the need to join this home force, with only 3,000 recruits joining the new Army by the end of the month(not including the 1,000 men provided by the CSCT recruitment drive), an extremely poor showing for Polk's new force.

On 1/19/2022 at 9:22 AM, Hestia said:

The Army of the Tennessee under Grant will continue to try to raise more men in Illinois, trying to draw on the more sizeable population base. They inch southward into southern Illinois after, hoping to provide a stresser on some Confederate forces in the area around St. Louis.

The Army of the Cumberland will do the same thing in Indiana, building up forces in the event Kentucky decides to do something...stupid.

Lastly, the Western forces will attempt to scrap together a northern force made up of volunteers from Wisconsin/Michigan. 

Army of the Tennessee: 4. Grant's recruitment efforts will prove lackluster, with only 500 men being recruited and trained by the beginning of September.

 

Army of the Cumberland: 4. The Army of the Cumberland will too struggle in recruitment, gathering 500 men as well by September.

 

Army of Wisconsin: 4. The Army of Wisconsin will form in Milwaukee with 10,000 initial men under the command of Rufus King, fully organizing by the end of the month.

Quote

 

Trans-Mississippi: Nathaniel Lyon

 

1. The Indian Home Guard launches raids against the Western Army led by Benjamin McCulloch. Opothele urges his men to avoid direct confrontation, instead using hit-and-run tactics combined with ambushes to sap Confederate morale and drain the opposing army’s strength. Opothele uses the more mobile Indian units and their extensive knowledge of the local terrain to his full advantage. [Hit-And-Run Attack: Western Army]

2. Nathaniel Lyon moves 5,000 of his men (leaving a small garrison in Jefferson City) to the small town of Nevada, Missouri (known in those days as “Hog-Eye”). Lyon’s forces are ordered to secure the town as quickly as possible, and establish a perimeter of control in Vernon County, Missouri. [Secure: Vernon County Missouri]

3. Nathaniel Lyon sends word to governor Charles L. Robinson, calling on him to gather as many men as possible to the Kansas-Missouri border. Lyon urges the governor to have his men get as close to Butler, Missouri as possible without direct confrontation, and to light fires and make as much noise as possible. Lyons orders Robinson not to engage the Confederate army in Butler yet, but to wait until their morale breaks and they retreat, and then seize the strategically vital city. [Train army: East Kansas]

 

Hit And Run: 7. Opothele's hit-and-run tactics perform well against the Western Army, costing the force 500 men and causing a noticeable drain to morale

 

Hog-Eye: 7. Lyon will lead his force towards Hog-Eye, securing the position and Vernon County and driving an effective wedge between the two Confederate forces in the area as the Missouri State Guard prepares to move southwest.

 

Kansas: 8. The "Union Army of Kansas" formed under David Hunter will organize 6,500 men for its force, and will perform a series of scare tactics against the Missouri State Guard, costing the force 400 men from desertion due to the chaotic noise and fires on the horizon. However, the MSG will recompose itself as a force, and under Sterling Price's command will weave itself south and then west, outflanking the Army of Kansas as it moves towards the Indian Territory(See: Confederate Trans-Mississippi Rolls).

On 1/17/2022 at 2:23 PM, Kitten said:

Missouri State Guard - Butler, Missouri - 6,100 men - Sterling Price

The State Guard will recruit men and head towards Indian Territory

Western Army - Southwest Missouri - 5,000 men - Benjamin McCulloch

The Western Army will hold and recruit men as well as establish a defensive position

Army of New Mexico - Sherman, Texas - 2,500 men - Henry Hopkins Sibley

The Army of New Mexico will recruit and head up to Indian Territory where it will meet with the State Guard

Indian Territory: 9. The Missouri State Guard, despite losing men from desertion thanks to Union scare tactics, will organize itself and prepare for the march ahead. Price, knowing he has a Union army to both his west and south, will weave between the two forces, moving south and then west, narrowly avoiding both armies and recruiting 500 men to more than make up his losses prior to abandoning Butler. The Missouri State Guard will leave Missouri, detaching from its supply lines but finding food through extortion and theft as it goes through Kansas and enters the Indian Territory.

 

Western Army: 8. The Western Army, despite its losses to hit-and-run attacks from the Indian Home Guard, will make up for its losses with recruitment and establish a secure defensive position.

 

Army of New Mexico: 7. The Army of New Mexico will recruit 400 men before linking up with the Missouri State Guard in central Indian Territory.

 

August Battles: 

Eastern Theater Battles:

Second Battle of Winchester 

Date: August 13th, 1861

 

Location: Winchester, Virginia

 

Outcome: Union Victory, Confederate Attack Repulsed

 

Opposing Forces: 

Union: 

The Army of Appalachia- 15,483 men - William S. Rosecrans

 

Confederates:

Army of the Shenandoah - 10,451 men - Joseph E. Johnston

 

Battle Rolls: 

Union: 6. Despite the disorganization and dysfunctionality afflicting the Army of Appalachia in the leadup to the battle, the Union force would find an easy numerical advantage in defending Winchester, beating back the attacking Confederate army with relative ease. While Rosecrans’ men did not jump to life for the defense, they did man their poorly erected defensive positions well-enough and showed adequate respect for command and military formation during the battle, repulsing the Confederate attack and proving that despite its flaws, the Army of Appalachia can be an effective fighting force.

 

Confederates: 3. Given reports of chaos, drunken soldiers, and poor defenses at the Union camp at Winchester, it’s no wonder Johnston decided to go on the attack. However, the Union army pulled itself together in the face of the assault, and the Army of the Shenandoah would prove ineffective against this numerically superior foe. As the battle wore on, it became clear to Johnston that his army was not breaking through the Union lines, showing neither the courage nor organization to win the battle, and he would choose to pull back and regroup at Strasburg by sunset.

 

Casualties:

Union: 1,342 - 298 killed, 57 missing/captured, 987 wounded(one-quarter of wounded will return to force following the conclusion of one turn)

 

Confederacy: 1,112 - 248 killed, 156 missing/captured, 708 wounded(one-quarter of wounded will return to force following the conclusion of one turn)

 

 

Battle of Alexandria:

Date: August 23rd, 1861

 

Location: Alexandria, Virginia

 

Outcome: Union Victory, Confederate campaign ended

 

Opposing Forces: 

Union: 

Army of Northeastern Virginia - 32,895 men - William Tecumseh Sherman

 

Confederates:

(Total: 36,924 men) 

Army of the Potomac - 21,924 men - P. G. T. Beauregard

+

Army of Northern Virginia - 15,000 men - Robert E. Lee 

 

Battle Rolls:

Union: 10! Already trained and drilled under the direction of their new commander and having constructed fair defensive works prior to the battle, the Army of Northeastern Virginia would perform wonderfully under attack, beating back the advancing Confederate armies and proving its worth as a proper fighting force. The Confederates would hit the Union lines again and again, with the larger Southern force failing to crack the carefully prepared positions planned out by Sherman. While Beauregard and Lee’s host would prove to be a worthy opponent, Federal forces would hold their position and the Confederates would begin a withdrawal to Manassas Junction by the end of the day.

 

Confederates: 6. The two Confederate armies would attack in unison, prepared to bring the fight to the Union with a mighty strike at Alexandria. Yet, despite their numerical advantage, sound plan of attack, and capable fighting force, the Confederates would find a prepared, well-trained, and organized Union army ready to meet them. Despite launching consistent attacks throughout the battle, the Northern line would hold against the onslaught, with the Confederates electing to retreat from Alexandria after a day of intense fighting with little success in cracking Union defensive positions.

 

Casualties:

Union: 2,021 - 509 killed, 209 missing/captured, 1,303 wounded(one-quarter of wounded will return to force following the conclusion of one turn)

 

Confederacy: 4,134 - 902 killed, 431 missing/captured, 2,801 wounded(one-quarter of wounded will return to force following the conclusion of one turn)

 

 

Western Theater Battles: 

Battle of the Kentucky River:

Date: August 22nd, 1861

 

Location: South of Frankfort, Kentucky

 

Outcome: Minor Kentucky State Militia Victory, Confederate withdrawal to Richmond, Kentucky

 

Opposing Forces: 

Kentucky: 

Kentucky State Militia - 7,500 men - Governor Beriah Magoffin

 

Confederates: 

Army of Kentucky - 10,000 men - Edmund Kirby Smith

 

Battle Rolls:

Kentucky: 10! Governor Magoffin would order for his mobilizing Kentucky State Militia to organize just south of Frankfort, preparing defensive positions by the Kentucky River and on the Confederate path towards both the state capital and Ohio River. Knowing the heavy pro-Union makeup of the state legislature, Magoffin knew he needed to deliver a sound victory here to prevent a call for Union troops to enter the state and to protect his government from replacement by a Confederate administration. Despite primarily consisting of hurriedly recruited farm boys with mixed-quality equipment, Magoffin’s militia would prove itself as an effective fighting force in the face of attack. Local recruits would provide detailed information on where to best place defensive preparations for the coming battles, and despite his lack of military experience, Magoffin would prove to be an effective commander to organize his force. Despite a strong Confederate assault, the Kentucky State Militia would hold its position, fighting off the larger Confederate army with a fierce and steady resistance. By the end of the day, the Confederates would decide to withdraw, regrouping rather than continue smashing against the Kentuckian lines. With that, Frankfort was defended, protecting the Magoffin government for the time being.

 

Confederates: 7. As Kirby Smith marched into Kentucky, he knew there was a high chance of Davis’ gambit for a peaceful invasion to fail. And while Smith had expected to face a Union force in the event of hostilities, he knew the formation of the Kentucky State Militia meant all the same - a fight to make it to the Ohio. While Smith’s men would fight with energy and confidence, and the plan of assault was sound, the Army of Kentucky would find itself ground to a halt by the ferocious defense of the Kentucky State Militia. After a hard day’s worth of constant attack and repulsion by the defending Kentuckians, Smith would make the decision to withdraw, abandoning his march to the Ohio and regrouping at Richmond, Kentucky, to reorganize and prepare for a continued campaign in the state.

 

Casualties:

Kentucky: 831 - 157 killed, 76 missing/captured, 598 wounded(one-quarter of wounded will return to force following the conclusion of one turn)

Confederacy: 1,239 - 256 killed, 174 missing/captured, 809 wounded(one-quarter of wounded will return to force following the conclusion of one turn)

 

Turn update following

Edited January 25, 2022 by The Blood

[The Blood]

(Turn update tomorrow actually, got caught up with something and want to sleep)

[The Blood]

September 1st, 1861

Headlines: 

North:

"Rebel President Flees Battlefield Wounded, Dixie Troops Pillage Marching Through Kansas!" - Wide Awakes Gazette

 

"Confederate Offensives Halted, Dixie President Wounded, And Kentucky's Neutrality Violated" - New York Times

 

"Bloody War Fought to Stalemate, Will Lincoln Seek Terms?" - The Moral Objector  

 

South:

"Weak President Flees Battle Shot, White Soldiers Fight Valiantly as Negros Pollute Army!" - Dixie Slaveowner Journal

 

"Dixie Boys March into Kentucky to Defend South, President Wounded Near Alexandria Battlefield" - Confederate Times

 

"Kentucky's Neutrality Violated on President's Approval, Davis Discusses Prolonged War Prior to Battlefield Wounding" - Oppositionist Daily

 

 

Union National Stats:

National Morale: 80/100

War Support: 75/100

Administration Support: 67/100

Economic Strength: 73/100

Anglo/French Support: 16/100

 

CSA National Stats:

National Morale: 87/100

War Support: 84/100

Administration Support: 55/100

Economic Strength: 30/100

Anglo/French Support: 29/100

 

 

Eastern Theater:

Union Eastern Commander - @WVProgressive

Union Armies:

Army of Northeastern Virginia - Alexandria - 51,088 men - William T. Sherman

Army of Appalachia - Winchester - 30,207 men - William S. Rosecrans

 

Confederate Eastern Commander - @Timur

Confederate Armies: 

Army of the Potomac - Manassas Junction - 20,782 men - P. G. T. Beauregard

Army of Northern Virginia - Manassas Junction - 13,600 men - Robert E. Lee

Army of the Shenandoah - Strasburg - 10,266 men - Joseph E. Johnston 

 

Western Theater:

Union Western Commander - @Hestia

Army of the Cumberland - Southern Indiana - 15,500 men - George Henry Thomas

Army of the Tennessee - Southern Illinois - 12,500 men - Ulysses S. Grant

Army of Wisconsin - Milwaukee - 15,000 men - Rufus King

 

Confederate Western Commander - @Cal

Army of Kentucky - Richmond, Kentucky - 10,161 men - Edmund Kirby Smith

Army of Tennessee - Nashville - 4,400 men - Leonidas Polk

 

Kentucky - Non-Player Combatant

Kentucky State Guard - Frankfort - 6,669 men - Governor Beriah Magoffin

 

Trans-Mississippi Theater:

Union Trans-Mississippi Commander - @Zenobiyl

Union Armies:

Union Army of the West - Vernon County, Missouri - 15,200 men - Nathaniel Lyon 

Union Army of Kansas - Butler, Missouri - 11,500 men - David Hunter

Indian Home Guard - Cherokee Territory - 20,000 men - Opothle Yohola

 

Confederate Trans-Mississippi Commander - @Kitten

Confederate Armies:

Missouri State Guard - North Canadian River, Creek Territory - 4,867 men - Sterling Price

Army of New Mexico - North Canadian River, Creek Territory - 3,566 men - Henry Hopkins Sible

Western Army - Southwest Missouri - 5,667 men - Benjamin McCulloch

 

@Pringles @Richard

Edited January 25, 2022 by The Blood

[Zenobiyl]

Trans-Mississippi Events

1. Opothele Yaholo couldn’t have asked for a better gift.

The bedraggled confederate forces have wandered into his home territory, amid hot and arid deserts with low supply, and a dwindling unit count and morale. Yaholo will spur his forces on, moving to chase down and attack the Missouri State Guard and Army of New Mexico. His goal is to shatter their morale for good, and scatter the forces into Texas, where they will be a non-factor in the war. Yaholo will also utilize novel techniques for the coming battles, employing native battle cries, face paint, and war horns to create an intimidation factor in the Indian Home Guard. The “Screeching Creek” will soon be well-known across the Confederacy, and men who hear their approach will know to run. [Attack, Missouri State Guard + Army of New Mexico]

2. The Union Army of Kansas will attack the Western Army from the right flank, pushing into Southwestern Missouri in the process and securing as much of southern Missouri as practicable. [Attack, Western Army]

3. The Union Army of the West will attack the Western Army head on, aiming to push Benjamin McCulloch out of Missouri entirely and secure the state for the Union. [Attack, Western Army]

 

[Pringles]

1. President Jefferson Davis decides to begin taking a backseat to the Presidency. Keeping a low profile and utilizing the inspirational Army leadership he wields. With that said, President Jefferson orders an immediate reorganization of the Virginia theater. @Timur General Johnston is to immediately be reassigned as a Lt. General in the Army of Northern Virginia. Lee is to placed in absolute control of the reassigned Army of Northern Virginia. Beauregard is to be assigned to the Army of the Shenandoah as it's General. Generals James Longstreet and Thomas Jackson are to be placed under Lee's new Army of Northern Virginia as well.

2. President Davis continues efforts to try and reignite the southern economy. This time through more discrete means, by influencing the Confederate currency itself. Davis also begins a plan for Farmers to pay their taxes not in money, but in livestock and supplies for the Army. All in an effort to inflate the Confederate Dollar. Davis begins plans to push back against the printing of more money; worried about the implications of inflation. 

3. Davis orders conscription of white soldiers to the Trans-Mississippi theater. 

4. Davis orders the immediate conscript of white soldiers to the Eastern Theater. Specifically the Army of Northern Virginia. 

Edited January 26, 2022 by Pringles

[Cal]

1. Licking the unexpectedly deep wounds inflicted on his army by the Kentucky militia, General Smith will regroup in Richmond and send word for reinforcements whilst drilling the army. If we can get the numbers, we can take the Ohio whether we've lost our advantage or not. 

2. War is not only a game of blood and steel, but also of politics and intrigue. General Leonidis Polk of the Confederate Army of Tennessee knew this intimately -- as the cousin of President James Polk, he has close ties with the Tennessee state legislature and the government in general. As such, Polk will ask that the state government pass legislation encouraging young men to join his army. For examples of how to accomplish this, General Polk suggests that the legislature compel municipalities to host recruitment drives through town halls and mail drives, or that they provide a financial incentive for young men who enlist within a very short period time of the request. 

3. General Polk will continue his recruitment efforts in Tennessee, driving his army up to the newly constructed forts and encouraging men to join the army along the way. 

[Richard]

1. Lincoln calls upon Congress to immediately pass a bill that will create a force of 30,000 Marines to aid the Anaconda Plan. This force will be trained to conduct amphibious raids, and seize forts and costal cities with the aim of securing strategic positions along the Southern coastline. 

2. Lincoln call upon Congress and Secretary of Treasury Salmon Chase to approve and sell $500 million dollars worth of war bonds to support the war effort. In breaking with tradition these war bonds will not only be targeted at financial institutions but also the common man. They will be denominated as low as $25 dollars, and be advertised as a patriotic act to help preserve the Union. Lincoln hopes to leverage the good feelings from recent Union victories and wounding Davis into financial support for the Union cause. 

(Historically the Union issued about $350 million this early in the war, so this is within the realm of possible: https://www.essentialcivilwarcurriculum.com/financing-the-civil-war.html)

3. With some of the war bond funding (or a new bill if event 2 misfires), Lincoln instructs the Department of the Navy to construct a river fleet to dominate and help the Western Armies capture positions along the Mississippi River. The fleet will consist of 25 wooden and 15 ironclad river boats, and be constructed in Minnesota, Wisconsin Iowa and Illinois. Upon completion the fleet will be placed under the operation control of the Commander of the Trans-Mississippi theater. 

4. Lincoln declares the Union will continue to respect the neutrality of the state of Kentucky. Although he again offers the intervention of the Union armies if state government consents. Furthermore, if the state government is willing, he offers to send Brigadier Ambrose Burnside (notable for the high fashion of his facial hair) to be a military attaché and liaison between KY and the Union. He also advises that one Union army will be close to Kentucky (though still outside the state), should Kentucky require assistance against the invading Sothern armies. 

OOC: This also has the added benefit of keeping the worst US general of the war out of a field command 😄

Edited January 27, 2022 by Richard

[Timur]

1.With Johnston's army merged into Lee's army, and two generals having joined them - James Longstreet & Stonewall Jackson, they will undergo further training.

2.P. G. T. Beauregard asks the Governors of Virginia and North Carolina for more men.

3.Beauregard will also train his men.

[Hestia]

On 1/25/2022 at 3:03 PM, The Blood said:

Western Theater:

Union Western Commander - @Hestia

Army of the Cumberland - Southern Indiana - 15,500 men - George Henry Thomas

Army of the Tennessee - Southern Illinois - 12,500 men - Ulysses S. Grant

Army of Wisconsin - Milwaukee - 15,000 men - Rufus King

The Army of the Cumberland stands ready in Indiana while George Henry Thomas sends a letter to Lexington offering aid to Kentucky should their governor call on them to defend its capital. He says that this would be strictly for the defense of Kentucky and the passing through of Union troops through Kentucky due to the violation of Kentucky's neutrality by the USA.

The Army of the Tennessee heads west, aiming for Memphis to take for the Union Army in the state and begin a true assault on the Confederacy while they get tied down in Kentucky. They hope to secure a major port on the Mississippi River. 

The Army of Wisconsin heads south to replace them in Illinois.