Remaining Union Forces in the "Western Theatre"

 

We can now complete the Union position in the West. As well as Lyons' forces concentrated in  St Louis the Union has a further 6 militia strength points in Springfield, Illinois (so 6,000 militia). These can be represented as two "brigades" on the tabletop (6-4 PT NE). These should probably be supported by a battery of 1-5 SB-F PT which alternately could be designated as two Dedicated Gun attributes with the two brigade bases. 

There are a further 8 militia points of militia at Indianapolis which we will model in brigades as two 5-4 PT NE counters and one 6-4 PT NE counter supported by a battalion of artillery 2-5 SB-F P.

A final militia concentration of 6 counter points is located at Columbus, Ohio which would model similar to the forces at Springfield as two 6-4 PT NE DG brigades. 

It is worth setting out some more detail about the Union war aims in the West from the outset of the war and border State neutrality. Kentucky and Missouri were added as stars to the Confederate national flag from the outset of secession despite both States eventually siding with the Union. Kentucky began the war as a neutral however came out for the Union once confederate troops entered the State to support secessionist sympathisers. In our game Kentucky begins  and remains neutral until either (a) its neutrality is violated by either side or a (b) an appeal to the political table gives a result placing Kentucky on either side. The game has a complicated table which allows appeals for political results (such as foreign intervention) or overall victory based on battle victories and the attainment of other war aims such as territorial gains. 

When Kentucky joins either cause as a result of a breach of neutrality by the other side the successful side gains a one time boost of 50 personnel points. If Kentucky joins either side as a result on the political table then they will gain a 2-2 Militia unit on every friendly Kentucky City for each strategic turn thereafter. The Kentucky Cities will also begin to provide supply points if Kentucky secedes. Navigating rivers in Kentucky without making a shore landing will not be considered a breach of neutrality. Irrespective Kentucky supplied a large number of troops to the confederacy during the War e.g. the famous "Orphan Brigade" with its distinctive flag. 

Missouri will remain neutral until a successful appeal on the political table. Again the successful side will be able to deploy a 1-2 Militia unit of each Missouri City they hold on each strategic turn. 

Coming back to the overall Union strategy for the Western Theatre it would appear sensible initially to concentrate forces and secure the State of Missouri, defeating any confederate field forces if possible as well as occupying the Cities of Rolla, Springfield, Ironton and New Madrid which would then generate militia strength points each month throughout the game. The Union took care not to give Kentucky any cause to secede at the outbreak of the War. Eventually confederate troops movements pushed the State into the hands of the union. Ironically Kentucky was the home State of Abraham Lincoln. A similar stance should be adopted by the Union and this will prevent the Confederacy from gaining valuable space and resources in Kentucky. 

That concludes my run through of the map dispositions of the Union in the Western Theatre and the on table V&B brigade equivalents. We can now turn to the confederate forces in the same theatre together with one or two small Union garrisons or forts on the Western coast.