Week 3 July 1861 - McLennan Moves West

 

"Up Alabamians !" General Bee at Bull Run 21st July 1861 (see site footer) 

Towards the end of the second week of July McDowell has led 27,000 men across the Potomac from the capital Washington to meet the massing confederates in the field. Jo Johnston has slipped away from Winchester with two divisions totalling 8,000 men to join the 19,000 men and 1,000 cavalry of General Pierre Gustave Toutant-Beauregard. If McDowell can seize some initiative he will be able to bring the confederate main army in Virginia to battle with the hope of destroying it and marching on to Richmond to sieze (or siege) the rebel capital and end the war. This was the plan. One decisive battle and an end to the war ! There are of course victory points to be won for large battles. 

Initiative Chit Draw

The confederates elect to take the number "2" chit - their safe option so the possibilities for the Union are "0", "1" or "3 guaranteed moves. I pass a small cup to my wife while she is watching telly - she is clearly a  Lincoln loving South hating Republican as the Union draws the "3" chit.  This should make things very interesting for the ensuing turn. McDowell will still need to roll a 2 or less to be able to start a set piece battle. The Union will move first however and has 3 guaranteed moves. 

It's good to remember that in order to be "on the right track" politically the Union needs to take a fair few strategic Southern cities by September 1862. It can never be all about Richmond although clearly taking Richmond would have a dramatic impact on the South politically. The chances of Foreign intervention would all but disappear and the confederacy would lose valuable resources each time turn. I have conducted a detailed review of the Victory point system and strategic priorities for each side at my post here which is alway posted at the top of my home page. 

I love to sit at the Northern end of the table and look "upside down" at the map from the North down. If we assume that the Union for now does not want to provoke Kentucky to join the confederacy by violating its neutrality then the corridors of advance become quite obvious. There is always the possibility for the Union to pick up victory points and then to apply for Kentucky to come out for the Union. While it is a logistical headache the more time I spend "upside down" the more I notice the advantages that the Union has with its almost "reverse" interior lines. The Ohio River allows the Union to shift troops rapidly by water from the East right across to the top funnels of the Cumberland River which heads down to Nashville and to the Mississipi to threaten Memphis. Littered about the map the Union has significant resources that once collected under a leader could prove to be an absolute headache for the Confederates. 

There is also something to be said for ensuring that all departments have infantry divisions ready for the next augmentation opportunity. 

In summary then initially in terms of big "ideas" for the Union there is the assault on Richmond. The Union has commenced the war in Virginia by crossing the Potomac. Out West there is key strategic goal of clearing the Mississipi and taking the major cities along it. This would in turn open up Tennessee with cities such as Nashville. Finally there is always the option of stretching the Confederates thin with a coastal assault against the interior of the confederacy. The coast of Georgia or the Carolinas could be the stage for sea bourne landings. Further and while the Confederates would have good notice of any attempt there is nothing to prevent the Union making a landing in the Gulf to try and seize the major city of New Orleans. That would be a blow to the confederates and open up the Mississsipi corridor from the Southern end. 

Union Moves (3 Guaranteed Initiatives)

The Union undertakes some building and consolidation in the West with the guaranteed initiatiations. 

(1) The Unions 3-3 infantry division on Jefferson City moves to join Heintzlemans command at Rolla and sloughs off a 2-3 brigade. The  I1 brigade will be able to merge with the I3 counter and Heintzleman will be able to command the resulting I4 and I2 brigades from August. Equally he could just command the current I3 and I2 counters in turn 4 of July to pursue Price. 

(2) The River Transport unit at Cincinatti transports McLennan, the supply train with 4 supply points and an M2 counter to Evansville which is just about manageable in terms of the "40" point for the River Transport. 

(3) The river transport unit at St Louis transports the M4 counter to Cairo in Illinois. 

Finally, the Union tries to initiate combat using McDowel's command against the Confederate Army at Mannassas Junction but is unsuccessful. 

Confederate Moves (2 Guaranteed Initiatives)

(1) The Weightman's State Missouri Guard brigade (M2) unit trailing Price and Cawthorn's State Guard Cavalry cavalry unit from the defeat at Rolla movs to reunite at Irontown. 

(2) An I3 South Carolingian brigade from Fort Sumter crosses the swamp entrains and then travels by rail to Stevenson B4704 (Heading for Nashville)

Looking at the list of Union target cities it is clear that the South needs to secure Tennessee in particular. 

The strategic position in the West is beginning to look interesting.

The fact of the matter is that unless the Union rolls a "2" for combat initiative it cannot launch the assault at Mannassas Junction. That must occur at some point ! In the meantime my divided brain can continue the build up in the West.