Best Historial Wargame: Grand Tactician Civil War

[coachmac75]

We are all fans of sports games but there is a game which for me really worths a thread to explain how special it is. That game is...

"Grand Tactician Civil War".

Let me try to explain why the GTCW is unique.

First lets be clear, it is a wargame. Do not let the "real time strategy" mention falls you. This is a pure wargame, nothing at all like Warcraft or its kind.

To anyone who like Wargame you may play:

• Very good games playing the strategic side such as Ageod serie which has an excellent Civil war version (Civil War II).
• Very good games playing the tactical side. Ultimate General serie or Scourge of War for instance.

However, only a handful of games attempted to bring both, which normally is what you look for. I mean what is the point of great tactical battles if you never see the benefits of these battles at strategic level. Same for the AGEOD like. The level of details of their maps and order of battle are fantastic but it is so frustrating to build armies and never see them in action.

To be fair I played the very first Civil War in 1995 edited by Empire, and from that first attempt to the matrix games (such as Crown of War) and passing by Forge of Freedom. None of them has really made it up to my expectation.


Best Civil War wargame ? no doubts for me

I must say I have always been very interested (to say the least) with military history in general and two period more specifically: Civil War and, of course as a french, Napoleonic period.
I made reenactment of Napolonic battles for more than 15 years in am imperial guard cavalry group, so I am (really) looking for immersion, historical accuracy and details.

And i must say after like 40 hours of gamplay that ATCW actually is delivering up to my expectations.

GTCW a short and basic gameplay presentation

I never wrote an article on a video game but let me try to improvise.

At the start you select your game mode (you can play a campaign or a bunch of historical battles). I am not really interested in playing standalone battles so i go straight to the campaign.

Here you can pick multiple scenarios, with different start dates in the war. Once you pick your side, GTCW puts you in charge of the destiny of the Union or the Confederacy.

It progresses in real time but you can stop and pause any time to give order or analyse the situation.

Every aspects of the civil war you could think of is managed. Here is a list but not looking to be exhaustive.

• The game focuses on the military aspects and give you a lot of details and total freedom in the way you organise your armies and fleets.
• Armies structure are whatever you decide them to be. You can hire/promote/sack officers, you can create new armies/recruiit new units, define simple of more complex chains of command etc
• You manage forts and garrisons.
• You manage supply chain and you can enhance the weapons used by your troops
• You have a very detailed fleet management and of course blockade is a big part of the game
• You can give all orders to your troops and fleets.

:

So you manage all the strategic aspects and the details are really there believe me, but then the great thing is... when two armis meet you can jump on the battlefield and then again it is a very detailed wargame.

What I really liked is the kind of reports you receive. Extermely immerssive.

GTCW surprising political and economic gameplay

But not only you need to manage a war you have as well to maintain the economy. I must say the way it is handled in GTCW is really unique and in fact authentically realistic.

As political authority of either the Confederacy or Union you can basically do two type of things:

• Promote a set acts or policies which in fact define the legal framework of your country. Each one having pros and cons.
• and, you are in charge of the fiscal policy with a cautious attention to your public debt credit rating...

And that is all. If you think about it, this is exactly what rulling a country is. I mean in term of actions. The game gives you plenty of reports on the economy in order for you to figure out the potential impacts of your decisions.

I must say this is really brillant. Because it helps to understand what rulling is. The government is not in charge of defining how many boxes a factory should make, or how they should set the factory. But the government promotes laws and tax policies to develop business according to the priorities of the nation (well in theory it should).

But let me share this because this diagram just shows how the different goods (on which you get detailed activity reports) are transformed to build your economy and your war supporting effort.

I never saw a better game mechanic immersive, realistic, deeply detailed and consistent.

I may do a few more post on my game just to give a better idea on how great this game is.

I just wanted to share a but about this game which is really a big success.

Congratulation to its developpers and creators.

[coachmac75]

I start with the Confederacy of South America in the earliest scenario of Spring 1861 which starts actually in March 1861. So before the secession of Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas.

I initially did not plan to write anything so let me just summarise what was my vision initially and keeping in my mind that I am learning the game.


CSA situation

The South in the early stage of the war faces multiple challenges which in fact define the constraints of any strategy:

• The industry is very limited and needs to be enhanced to support the minimum effort needed to support required weapons requirements. Furthermore a significant part of Southern industry is located in location close to the Federal border so in fact threatened to fall and be lost.
• The South pretty much does not have any Navy and depends heavily of trade relation with Europe which will be hit sooner rather than later by the Northern blockade.
• There is no army outside of few garrisons protecting mostly the costs and Mexican border. So South need to build up an army from scratch.
• There are two undecided states in Missouri and Kentucky which may really help if they would join the Conderacy.

Approach regarding tax and policies

Nothing really spectacular.

We try to favour Cotton exchanges and Industry development while maintaining an average level of tax.

Promoted a couple of Financial Acts supposed to maintain the Debt credit rating at a resonable level (above BBB+), and, tried to invest in acts and policies to favour volunteers availability to serve in the Army.

Unfortunately, since the policies are limited in number, I could not develop diplomatic acts and policies to favour relations with France and Uk and eventually prepare the conditions for a mediation.

Approach regarding fleets and blockade

A fair part of the southern Navy is under repair at the beginning of the war and we only have one proper line vessel with the CSS Virginia frigate which is disabled for 6 months.

First decision is to keep a reasonable "river" force to cover Vicksburg and support operation near Memphis.

Then I had hesitation between two options:

a) consider the blockade and union fleet superiority as a totally lost cause and just disband all fleets except the river strength covering Vicksburg basically to reduce my fleet upkeep costs.

b) invest into a few ironclad ships and try the to reduce blockade effects. But that will use lots of resources for potentially a limited result.

I decided to order the construction of a group of 8 Ironclad ships,an, outside of the river group protecting the Mississippi I disbanded the rest.
I am not sure it will be enough but I hope to disrupt a minimum the pressure of the blockade....

Land army: First lets say a word about organisation.

I am obviously influenced by Napoleonic structure. Just for the benefit of evryone, Napoleon invented the use of Army Corps. But I played a bunch of wargame and I read a few books which makes me close to what was the structure of armies in the Civil War and the differences between early stage of the war and 1863-1865.

Here my guidelines to build-up my armies:

• I structure my land armies by Corps.
• A corps should always combine: 2 or 3 infantry divisions, a cavalry brigade (to scout), and an artillery reserve with a minimum of 3 artillery bataillons.
• Each infantry division should have 3 to 4 infantry brigades and supported by 1 artillery bataillon.
• I create in each Army (basically one on the East and one on the West) a Cavalry Reserve. Which combine 2 or 3 cavalry brigades and a minimum of 2 mounted artillery bataillons.
• Cavalry and Artillery Brigade are commanded by Cavalry or Artillery officiers.
• I mostly match the state of the brigades/division with their commander. And I favour West Point/ Mexican War veterans.

Approach for the land armies: East

On the East the Federal army looks solidly installed around DC with their flank covered by a distinct army camping around Frederick MD.

I try to make a stronghold around Manassas under Beauregard with Hampton Division distached to protect the right flank and the access to supply lines around Fredericksburg.

The Shenandoah Army under Jackson (who replaced Johnston) took position around Harper Ferry to defend the access to Shenandoah Valley and cover the strategic railroad connecting Harper Ferry to supplies and reinforcements.

J.E.B Stuart and the Reserve Cavalry is distached around Grapton VA to observe any Union movement from Pittsburgh PA, or, Marrietta OH. From there he could as well theaten the rear and cut supplies of Federal armies protecting DC.

Approach for the land armies: West

On the West, we face a trouble, we must protect the line between Nashville and Memphis, both being major industry contributors. And, at the same time we would like to push in Missouri to try to capture St Louis and attach Missouri to the Confederation.

The approach is to build-up an army under Albert Sibley Johnston to defend Nashville and build multiple reserve depots around to allow full support on maneuvers on the axis Nashville - Memphis. On tope of this we started to build up a fort in Nashville.

In Missouri, Price (who then was replaced by Joseph E Johnston) moved North from Fort Smith Arkansas to capture St Louis.

[coachmac75]

First battle happened around Rolla, MO, when General Price and the Army of Missouri (7,400) got attacked by the Department of Ohio (13,000) under Mc Clellan.

I must say I had to restart a couple of times to get comfortable with interface and all features like building parapets in the deployment phase.

I finally found myself and organised a defense of a narrow road surrounded by woods which was on the way of the Federal army. Idea was to hit them with artillery before they get properly deployed.

We as well used the elevation of the gound. Ultimately it worked Mc Clellan could not deploy its troops and lost 1,182 soldier versus 386 for the Confederate.

So first battle has been a victory.

[coachmac75]

Summer 1861

We took control of the Missouri and to create a distraction to a couple of armies threathening to take it back I decided to send our West Reserve Cavalry Corp commanded by Forrest for a raid in Illinois and Indiana.

After burning a depot and a telegraph station near Evansville, IN, Forrest destroyed a farm near Vincennes and then looked to move West to join Johnston army in St Louis, MO.

However, Forrest got stopped by McClellan Department of Ohio recoveing after the battle of Rolla the previous month.

McClellan still had 13,000 soldiers under his command but did not carry any artillery.
Forrest Corps had two brigades of cavalary supported by two bataillons of mounted artillery. Around 5,300 soldiers with 29 artillery pieces.

Cat and mouse game

The encounter took part near the railroad for what would become the battle of Illinois railroad. After a bit of hesitation I accepted the battle instead of retreating counting on the artillery and leader initiative to balance the number.

During two days we kept moving around a small town called Springfield. It was impossible to detect the Federal army. A true cat and mouse game where no one really knows who is the cat and who is the mouse.

On the 3rd day

It was starting to get frustrating to search an invisible ennemy who should attack us given the numbers. I was very close to look for a retreat when, suddenly, in the late afternoon, we detected Federal infantry marching in columns opposite side of Springfield town.

Ennemy was opposite side of a small river enterring the town. There was a bridge and few places where the river could be crossed. Furthermore the railroad was offering a protection on our side of the river right at the exit of the town. So we decided to take position and defend the bridge and access to our side.

McClellan initially threathened to flank our position forcing us to split our troops to guard our left flank. But finally he deployed all his brigades to cross the river from the town.

That proved to be a mistake which allowed us to regroup and manuver to get an artillery bataillon in position to open fire on the flank of the Federal army while it was crossing the river.

Our two brigades dismounted and deployed in an open formation, similar to
that of a skirmish line of infantry and protected by the railroad.
The configuration of the ground was reducing the original gap of range between Infantery and Cavalry weapons while southern artillry was really smashing the infantry slowed down by the narrow access to cross the river.

Fights stopped with dark while our troops were running low of ammunitions. McCellan lost a lot of soldiers on that river without any results.

The next day actually 4th day of the battle

The Union troops were again invisible. We failed to properly supply our troops so one of our brigade had low amunitions. But, I did not want to retreat after the valuable action of the previous day.

After sending Van Dorn brigade to scout the town I decided to cross the river suspecting the ennemy was opposite side of the town (thanks to objectives).

We finally saw Mc Clellan lined-up in battle ready to engage right after an orchard and protecting a cross road.

Seeing our Cavalry brigade approaching he actually moved forward but we had enough time to deploy our two artillery bataillons who opened a deadly short range fire on the Union line.

After a quite short engagement union line broke-up and McClellan ordered a retreat.

Epilogue

That was quite a small battle but allowed to show the dynamic of orders and moves as well as the huge importance of the ground configuration.

That battle had quite an effect with Kentucky finally joining the Confederation a couple of weeks after. For how long...

[coachmac75]

Second battle of Rolla

Falls 1861, so far we have controlled pretty much the borders and even extended it a bit in Missouri. The strange thing is that while nothing move on the East side, the West and more specifically Missouri has been the center of attention.

The results of our raid in Indiana and Illinois, resulted in the Federals bringing Kentucly Army, 20k soldiers directed by Mc Cook. They moved again to Rolla where Johnston's army is entrenched.

Once more we picked the same a ground as the first battle.
Big battle in the woods with a good use of skirmishers.
We lost 600 soldiers and 4 guns but forced Mc Cook to retreat after loosing more than 2,000 soldiers.

Legend of falls 1861

But now even if things looks good in surface, we are in real trouble.
The North now really focuses its attention to the West and Forrest raid and the two defeats in Missouri called an answer.

I actually detected more than 150k soldiers and 70 guns split into 3 armies moving towards St louis.

Army of Missouri under Johnston counts 20k soldiers still around Rolla, and we have about 27K in Nashville under Albert Sibley Johnston. So We are badly out-numbered to say the least...

I expect to retreat Johnston army to AR and force the Unionist to split its forces and eventually pursue him in winter without supplies in the difficult Arkansas full of opportunities for ambush if the Federal army splits its forces. I have already detached a Division to build a depot on the retreating road of the army of Missouri.

My main problem is the protection of Nashville and Memphis. I might be pushed from Nashville/Memphis line which is my true defend at all cost position. Hopefully, winter will come and buy us these 2-3 months we need to get reinforcements.

We may have to prepare some forts for the coming campaign. I was wondering to maybe create some strong places (i already started few buildings) ina couple of strategic locations to slow down or divert the enemy.

Maybe I should launch an offensive on DC and a raid Pittsburg. Unionist must have really brought their forces to the West so it might actually be the best time to buildan offensive move to DC.

So we need to promote policies to enable additional recruits very very quickly...

[coachmac75]

Third battle of Rolla

A decided CPU tried again an attack on Rolla moving back Mc Cook Army of Kentucky. The Federal army has 14k soldiers and still no gun, Johnston command around 17k soldiers supported by 48 guns.

This battle is a bit different the AI is defending a crossroad behind a creek east of Rolla.
Johnston has two Infantry divisions: Price (4 brigades and an artillery bataillon) and Zollicofer (3 brigades), 2 artillery bataillons and Shelby cavalry brigade.

We position ourseleve for an offensive movement expecting to start artillery fire and move Price from the right. Zollicofer supports the artillery on the center and Shelby cavalry on the left flank.

At the begining we deploy and move Price on the right to flank the Federal army while our 2 main batteries open fire from the center.
The Federal army attempt to defend the creek which offer a protection. doing so they expose slightly their right flank so considering that price will contain the offense I move two brigades Zollicofer and Shelby to flank, trying to surround them.

The fights are intense and we even have one brigade from Price division routed. But we can take the creek and force the Federal army to retreat. The battle is considered a win. Mc Cook lost 2,900 soldiers Johnston 1,100.

So once more we can keep Rolla mostly using the fact ennemy does not have any artillery.

A win followed by a retreat ?

So for the third time we keep the control of Rolla battlefield. But that win smels like a defeat.

St Louis has been captured. And after sending Forrest in observation I saw that a total of 140k "Billy yankees" and 44 guns within 5 units are coming to Missouri.

So it is not going to be very good wearing a grey jacket aorund here soon. The surprising thing two of these armies are moving to flank Johnston army and I am not sure of their intention.

Could they then turn west and attack Johnston in Rolla once ?
Could they turn East and attack in Tennessee where Johnston army counts 27k "eager" soldiers.
or, could they move south and threathen Little rock Arkansas ? I dont think so because it is a very long journey without supply on the road. but who knows.

Not sure but I must make my mind quickly and either decide to hold and leave a new battle in Rolla on a ground we now well know, or try to keep our army moreale and strength intact and retreat to Springfield and from there eventually to Arkansas where i could choose a good ground for a battlem eventually force them to split, and probably buy time to get a bit of reinforcements.

Time to do something...

[coachmac75]

Winter 1861: the calm before the storm...

February the 1st 1861, winter is passing by.

Nothing is moving on the East and i am a bit undecided to make an offensive move on DC. Even if I have some ideas including a diversion on Harrisburgh PA.

The action is still focused on the West and mostly in Missouri. As said previously Federal armis have moved around there forcing J.E.Johnston Army of Missouri to retreat to Springfield where he established his winter quarters.

After a lot of thinking I decided to move the Army of Tennessee under A.S.Johnston closer to action. I constructed a few forts and organised solid garrisons, hopefiully it will be enough to keep the Tennessee safe.
But I had the feeling that the critical action for the control of Mississippi was in Missouri and there was no point keeping almost 40k soldiers to defend Nashville when all Federal troops were moving 300 miles West from there.

So A.S.Johnston moved to Frederickton MO where i organised a depot and spent the winter there.

I used the benefit of the winter calm period to enact a couple of acts and policies which basically allowed me to get new reinforcements.

And I basically used it to first increase J.E.Johnston Missouri Army to 42,000 soldiers and I created a new Army in Arkansas under P.G.T. Beauregard mostly formed of volunteers from Arkansas, Kentucky and Texas. That new army should be mostly formed by mid March with about 33k soldiers and 120 guns.

And I did that because I have a plan, and here it is...

Spring attack plans in Missouri

Ok so we have all read Claussewitz, so first lets make clear what are our objectives:

1. Missouri joined the CSA in fall. I think that as long as we fight in Missouri Industries in Nashville or Memphis are not threathen, and, overallm we keep control of the Mississippi.
2. As suspected, the Federal army is spread which offer a big opportunity to take advatange of it. Destroying a couple of these big Corps would give us an edge both in Missouri to push back the Northern invasion but in term National morale too.

Here is the plan...

There are two Federal army groups: one in Rolla and another South East of there near a small town named Salem MO (where Forrest cavalry currently builds a depot).

The plan is simple: attack and destroy the two federal armies East of Salem and create a diversion/distraction for the Rolla armies with an attack to St-Louis.

First, J.E.Johnston with the Army of Missouri will move North and passing by Jefferson city (MO) will turn East to take back St Louis and defend it from any attack. The position offers a natural great defensive position from anything above the Mississippi and he has enough men and guns to defend himself even alone against the troops actually in Rolla.

When Johnston will move around Jefferson city, A.S.Johnston will move his Army of Tennessee down to attack the Salem group from the North. He will detach general Adams with 7k cavalry troops and 32 guns to cut any retreat on the North the Salem group may attempt.

At the same Beauregard supported by Forrest Cavalry, will move East from Salem and attack the two Federal Armies from the South.

Question mark is what will the two armies in Rolla do ?

They may either follow A.S.Johnston but I think they are too far away from Salem group to help. So we then would have to fight them after... eventually then moving J.E.Johnston from St Louis if needed...
Or,
They may move up North and defend St-Louis. If Johnston cannot get to St Louis before them he will establish a defensive position and awaits from the rest of our West forces to move North.

Plans look always great on paper... lets see.

[aldon_47]

Great to see this game getting some attention! Being a major history nerd I gravitate towards these types of games, be it a war game or grand strategy (hello EU4 and Vic2), so this game has been on my radar for awhile. I havent clicked that buy button though but just reading this has me really tempted. Thanks for the write up!