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0: "The South Shall Burn Again!" Field Marshal Brodderick Jayne was by many a measure a simple man, who lived life by a simple set of tenants: “Free is the natural state of man. Women are the natural wearers of pointy shoes. Don’t gently caress your siblings. Don’t gently caress your cousins. Don’t gently caress your livestock. And country music is the Special Olympics of music.” These tenants guided and shaped his life and career. It is therefore the most happy and divine of circumstance that he found himself in April of 1861 at the head of the Union Army, facing across the River Potomac a foe that was the very embodiment of their antithesis. Folks, it’s the Spring of 1861 and I’m doing a Let’s Play of AGEOD’s Civil War 2. Do I know the mechanics? Not so well. Have I ever lasted longer than 10 turns into an AGEOD game before tearing out my hair? … no to that one as well. But by God, I shall see this through, and the South shall burn again! Feel free to offer advice, both as to the game mechanics and the strategic japery sure to ensue, and wish me luck! Next update will be a brief overview of my initial plan and maybe some storytelling tripe. BrotherJayne fucked around with this message at 19:14 on Mar 3, 2021 |
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Mar 3, 2021 18:20
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1: “The Big Plan” “Met with the Big Man, and gave him the Big Plan. True be told, the initial reception wasn’t so positive. Somehow he had convinced himself that this would all be over inside of three months, Had to explain to him the facts of life at the top of my lungs, resulting in both sore ears and a sore neck (Christ what a gangly son of a bitch!) Put plainly, the natural listless and idle nature of the rebel constituent gives the insurrectionists a brief window where they will have the advantage in speed of formation, before the industrious and patriotic nature of our populous can overtake […]” “[…] So he’s got the bad news. Victory is practically assured, but the timeline is closer to three years than three months.” -Diary of General Brodderick Jayne, Union Army, April 15th 1861 The “Jayne Plan” was a 3 phase operation planned to last 30 months, and bring about the absolute collapse of the Confederacy.  Phase 1: Mobilize forces, identify weaknesses, begin the strangle In Phase 1, the Union Army will begin their mobilization, and ready the defense of the Potomac crossings and the capital, while beginning an infiltration process to both establish an intel network, and begin the process of damaging Rebel logistics. In both Blue and Brown waters, the Union Navy will establish their blockade, and begin the long term degradation of the Confederate economy. Additionally, they will undertake the delivery of Special Operations groups, allowing for infiltration of the southern costal states. Phase 2: Tighten the squeeze Beginning with the campaigning season of 1862, Phase 2 will see the blockade maintained, the line held in Virginia, and the pursuit and exploitation of any weaknesses identified in the west. By this time the recruitment and procurement process of the Union will be in full force, and a series of probing attacks in the west begun to start bleeding off Rebel manpower. Phase 3: Burn ‘em if you got ‘em All Army Groups will begin offensives, pinning Confederate formations at the front while allowing for breakouts aimed at the capture and occupation of major cities. Update 2 will cover the operational orders for the Army Groups in Spring/Summer of 1861
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Mar 3, 2021 19:14
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2: “Army Group Operational Orders, Spring 1861, Part 1” Army Group Virginia: “… Army Group Virginia is thus tasked with seizing Johnny Reb by his ears, and holding tight. Alexandria and DC shall both receive such a tide of reinforcements that they shall pose an looming threat to Richmond, whilst tasked with fortification of both sides of the Potomac crossing…” -Army Group Virginia Operational Orders, May 2nd, 1861 The crossing of the Potomac forms the ideal site for the initial stoppering of the Rebel armies. Building up and entrenching a powerful formation at this location has the advantage of both obstructing the direct thrust against the industrial heartlands of the north east, and tying down large numbers of the foe seeking to prevent the same such thrust at Richmond.  Atop this crossing, there are 3 primary formations of AG Virginia: The Northeastern Virginia Army, lead by the AG Virginia Commander General Irvin McDowell, with 6 infantry brigades, 5 independent artillery batteries, and a cavalry wing. (This formation was designed to provide as much command as possible, while occupying senior commanders with terrible stats) 1st Division, lead by General J. Shields, composed of 3 infantry brigades, divisional artillery, and the highly experimental observation balloon corps. 2nd Division, lead by General D. Hunter, composed of 2 infantry brigades and some divisional artillery. “… ensure that the Potomac Crossing , gateway to the Capital, is held in force. Chose a controlling position, and fortify it to the furthest extent…” -Army Group Virginia Operational Orders, May 2nd, 1861  On the western shoulder of their sector, General G. Morell commands the 3rd Division: the Marines, the elite Washington brigade, an infantry brigade, and divisional artillery. “[…] Harper’s Ferry is indeed be ripe for the taking, but your task remains the defense of AG McDowell[sic] western flank. This means the continued fortification of the north bank of the northern reach of the Potomac…” -General B. Jayne, Commanding General of the U.S. Army, to General G. Morell, 3rd Division, AG Virginia
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Mar 3, 2021 21:31
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3: “Army Group Operational Orders, Spring 1861, Part 2” Army Group East:  “[…] as both we and the Confeds[sic] have no firm insight into where Kentuky[sic] will opt to side, breakaway Virginia[sic] will form the front for the army group…” “… however, given the rough and uncertain nature of the theatre, a defense in depth must be attempted. Identify potential Rebel breakout points along the fringe of the Appalachians, where Union forces may muster in good supply[…]” “… while preventing (enemy) freedom of action.” -Army Group East Operational Orders, May 6th, 1861  Army Group East was tasked with preventing a Confederate breakout through West Virginia. Towards this task, two formations were raised - Hamilton’s Corps, and Patterson’s Corps. Both were effectively scratch formations, though with an effective strength of 6 infantry brigades, hopefully they would suffice to prevent Rebel operations to the north of West Virginia. (Holy frig do these commanders suck. Hope they can defend OK!) Army Group Center:  “… as such, it is your immediate task to act as the bedrock for the formation of the main Union body at Cairo.” -Army Group Center Operational Orders, May 4th, 1861 Army Group Center is primarily tasked with holding the cork in the bottle at Cairo, while awaiting the formation of the main Union body in the theatre Army Group West:  “…” -Army Group West Operational Orders, Spring, 1861 Army Group West doesn’t actually exist yet. Working on raising up irregular forces to operate out here in BFE Other news:  Ran all three of the income generating decisions (printed money, increased taxes, ran some warbonds), as well as established the total blockade. “They’ve some strange, cultish belief in ‘King Cotton’… yet their monopoly is weak indeed upon the world stage. [sic]Anticipate that within months of the establishment of a blockage, alternate sources of cotton will begin development…” -Diary of General Brodderick Jayne, Union Army, June 4th 1861 Additionally, started recruiting some supply trains and supply boats, to keep my fleets and armies supplied while afield. Placed an order for command point increasing elements. Throwing all manpower into replacement chits otherwise.
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Mar 3, 2021 22:36
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My only experience with AGEOD games is when Grey Hunter played the 30 years war. Do most of your causalities come disease rather than actual fighting in this as well?
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Mar 3, 2021 22:47
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Tiger Crazy posted:My only experience with AGEOD games is when Grey Hunter played the 30 years war. Do most of your causalities come disease rather than actual fighting in this as well? Thus far, I've lost a few hundred dudes to disease, and none to combat (Sumpter surrendered without a full assault)... but I'm also buying up all the field hospitals and supply wagons I can manage, so we'll see. Edit: Next update will be the Confederate response in the summer BrotherJayne fucked around with this message at 23:21 on Mar 3, 2021 |
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Mar 3, 2021 23:09
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4: “Potomac Dance, Cairo Panic” (Early Summer, 1861) “… each report more terrifying than the last. If the numbers are to believed, we may be well outnumbered in this theatre even in to ’62…” -Diary of General Brodderick Jayne, Union Army, June 27th 1861  Welp, the turn went by, and I watched a 1147 power stack swing by Manassas, then head towards Strasburg, while another Rebel army advanced on to Harper’s Ferry. So the Confederates have ~2k in combat power hanging out at the north end of the Shenandoah Valley, facing a 250p stack. “… So be it. If well near the entirety of the Confederate Army of Virginia thrusts in to Maryland to the north of your positions, it is no immediate concern. To actually throttle your line of supply would take the capture of Baltimore, and we’ve regiment upon regiment of infantry streaming towards that city as I write. Keep firm in Alexandria, I am seeing to the reinforcement of Gen. Morell even at this very moment. And should Johnny Reb break free across the Potomac, each step he takes further would only shovel dirt on his grave. Baltimore will not fall, and his forces would wither on the vine of the Fredericktown crossing…” -General B. Jayne, Commanding General of the U.S. Army, to General McDowell, Army of North Virginia It is tempting to rush half of everything towards Fredericktown, but the real deal is I cannot risk the Capital. Volunteer forces from New York and New Jersey are instead diverted.  In West Virginia, it appears the Rebels are consolidating. In their wake Hamilton’s Corps will attempt a cautious advance to link up the local rail network, while a militia Cavalry company will attempt to chase down raiding forces.  Meanwhile, out west, along the Arkansas and Mississippi rivers, an uncomfortably large number of enemy forces were observed to dash about over the AI’s turn… I’m scared.
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Mar 4, 2021 00:21
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Wait, is anything defending Richmond?
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Mar 4, 2021 05:45
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syzpid posted:Wait, is anything defending Richmond? Looks like ~700p of troops are currently encamped at Manassas, under the command of a General Holmes. Evidently you need to hover over the tag thingies to see enemy units stationed in a city Edit: Now I'm wondering if the 1147p unit I saw marching around split up to form the Manassas and Harper's Ferry formations. That would mean that if the reinforced 3rd Division can hold that crossing, the rest of AGV could try to trap Holmes' army in place. Edit 2: gently caress I need more recce Edit 3: as tempting as Manassas may be, destruction of AGV would likely mean the loss of DC. So they're gonna stay in place another few weeks while I try to sneak some recon units through the front lines BrotherJayne fucked around with this message at 11:16 on Mar 4, 2021 |
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Mar 4, 2021 11:07
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How beefed up is the AI/difficulty settings? The only time I tried the Union, I easily strolled a doomstack into Richmond in May 1862 and then gave up on finishing off the rest of the Confederacy. Was pretty cool having George Thomas spawn in on that stack through.
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Mar 6, 2021 09:03
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AceRimmer posted:How beefed up is the AI/difficulty settings? they're middle of the road, so doomstack to Richmond has a decent chance of being viable
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Mar 8, 2021 18:56
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I've pondered doing this game multiple times. This is a noble effort; really looking forwards to seeing what comes of it.
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Mar 8, 2021 23:25
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5: “Beaten to the Punch” (July 1861) Well gently caress. Least bad news first: Printed and spent an assload of cash to pull volunteers, so we’ve got a decent number of bodies.  Through July, independent cavalry elements of AG West poked and prodded along the Arkansas river, however the operational tether of only carrying 30 days supply is proving an unwelcome hindrance. Wherever the Confederate irregulars and light cavalry show up, however, the locals seems to be changing allegiance and possibly even providing supply and comfort to the gray bastards. Considering forming up a combat division in the region, but I’m not exactly overburdened with able commanders or forces in the region. The dance will continue into August.  South of the Missouri, the Rebs seem all sorts of busy marching forces around opposite Army Group Center. I suspect I have the strength if not agility advantage in the region – I anticipate being able to launch a limited offensive as early as August, September at the latest. I’m not sure how well supply lines work in the winter, but I hope that remaining on railheads will keep my forces sustained in the region. And now for the bad bad news.  “… Floyd has somehow beaten us into Clarksburg. Crossing the West Fork, NVA 1st Bde in the van ran headlong into a well prepared position just before the town, and were strongly repulsed. The volunteer brigade was roughly handled, perhaps 500 or more men lost in less then 10 minutes of sharp fire from the riverbank. It is fair to say that I appear strongly outnumbered – we are pulling back to positions at Morgantown, and I urge that Patterson be sent with all haste…” -General C. Hamilton, Hamilton’s Corps, Army Group East, to General B. Jayne, Commanding General of the U.S. Army “… it’s all well and good that we will receive on the morrow, but we are under assault now. Holmes has me outnumbered 5 to 1, and while we have made him bleed, I have no choice but to order a withdrawal… … I cannot stress strongly enough the need for additional reinforcement, with Baltimore only 3 days march from our intended positions on the east bank of the Monocacy…” - General G. Morell, 3rd Division, AG Virginia to General B. Jayne, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Welp, they’ve stolen a march on me at both locations. They beat Hamilton’s Corps to Clarksburg and repulsed him easily on the 9th of July, and at Harper’s Ferry, gave Morell a tremendous slap and drove the 3rd Division across the river on the 14th. I suspect poor posture selection on my part is to blame for the mess at Harper’s Ferry/Fredericktown – maybe if Morell had been given orders to hold at all costs he might have repulsed Holmes’ attack? Regardless, I am starting to feel a pressure towards Baltimore, as well as considerable risk of letting the genie out the bottle in Virginia.  Time to stew on it.
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Mar 16, 2021 18:06
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Cool thread. I've never played this one. Do you have any plans for amphibious shenanigans?
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Mar 16, 2021 19:52
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Ghost of Mussolini posted:Cool thread. I've never played this one. Do you have any plans for amphibious shenanigans? Oh hell no, that sounds like a recipe for disaster!
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Mar 16, 2021 20:36
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Here's to General Sherman getting a seaside vacation eventually.
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Mar 17, 2021 15:08
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Right? I feel like a drat Dawi or some such. Johnny Reb blows me the gently caress out of Fredericktown, and I'm about to write that down in my Book of Grudges. *edited to remove tail end of drunken rant BrotherJayne fucked around with this message at 07:35 on Mar 18, 2021 |
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Mar 18, 2021 04:36
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On more serious notes, I am enjoying the little dialogue bits, they read like proper messages from Civil War commanders and diary entries.
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Mar 18, 2021 09:35
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6. “It Takes Two to Scramble” Late July 1861 “We’re sending the 1st Pennsylvania Brigade to directly reinforce your 3rd Division, in addition to the newly formed 4th Division. Between them that should bring your forces at the Monocacy crossing to 8,000 men all told, which MUST suffice to hold until further reinforcement in late August. I in turn cannot stress ‘strongly enough’ the absolute need for you to hold Holmes in place while we ready our return blow in the fall…” - General B. Jayne, Commanding General of the U.S. Army to General G. Morell, 3rd Division, AG Virginia While the temptation to launch an offensive to drive a wedge between Holmes’ army at Fredericktown and the main Confederate mass near Fredericksburg, I find myself pulling a McClellan.  I’m dumping money into expanding industry, reinforcing 3rd Division against the Rebel salient, and withdrawing in the mountainous region in front of Army Group East, as their rail head has been cut off. In the meanwhile, I've got medical field teams and communications specialists heading to the 1st and 3rd Divisions, and started running supply ships out to my blockade forces. Not particularly happy about it, but no plan survives contact with the enemy.
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Mar 22, 2021 18:09
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