Grand Tactitian Civil War (Part II)

[coachmac75]

"Grand Tactician Civil War"

I would like to share a new playthrough on what I consider the best Wargame ever made (for real): Grand Tactitian Civil War.

I already shared a first game back in April 21 (here) so this is Part II

In a nutshell, GTCW gives you control of all aspect of Civil War in a very immersive, historical and detailed environment. The originality of that game is that it gives both deep control of strategic and tactical level: you manage it all.

(in no specific order) From defining policies to build an economy to support war, to create and organsie armies and their command structure (in total freedom), to improve weapons, to manage diplomatic relation, to manage goods and trades, tax, liabilities, promote/demote officers, manage war on land, rivers and seas (fleets), manage supplies/supplies line, railroads, communication, fortifications, sieges... and of course battles... from deployment to fights, reinforcements ... basically everything and everything you could think of.


I am doing a new subject on this because on past 14 months since my first playthrough, the game has been significantly improved with massive (and visible) overhaul of AI, additional features, a brand new economic system... so the game (which is still considered an early access) is constantly improving. And the thing is all of these new features and changes are free.

This game is stunning and I am having a real blast playing it recently so wanted to share.

[coachmac75]

Re: Grand Tactitian Civil War (Part II)

State of the Union in September 1861

So it is for me unusual to play on the Federal side and I am very surprised to really have a lot of fun and interest trying to keep Union in the states.

Strategic approach

When the secession starts following Abraham Lincoln election in fact the Federal side is not really prepare for war.

So my first concern has been to create and establish forces to on one hand, protect the capital, and, on the other hand, prepare an army in Indiana to invade Tennessee with a clear objective to take Memphis and Nashville by middle of 1862 while securing Missouri and Kentucky to remain part of Union or at least to not support CSA.

So in fact, I am defensive on the East and I prepare to be offensive on the West.

Policies

First the objective is to allow to raise armies, so i developed in few policies to favour militia and enrolment of volunteers for 24 months.
Then I started to try to invest in improving Industries to favour the manufacture of artillery and rifles.
At the same time I have invested in few infrastructures mostly to prepare hospitals and supply depot near what i could anticipate as combat zones.

This, and raising a bit more than 150k soldiers with some weapons investment has been achieved with a significant increase of national debt. So I am currently investing in policies to not deteriorate anymore an already fragile BBB- credit rating.

Armies

I have basically organsied a few armies with a little bit more than 150k soldiers fielded all over the counrty.
On the East I have pushed the rebels behind the Rappahanoc river. I have basically 3 armies:

• Army of Potomac under command of General George McCllelan with about 50k soldiers around Mannassas which aims to cover Washington.
• Army of Shenandoah under command of General Robert Patterson protect the access to Shenandoah valley through Winchester VA.
• Army of West Virginia (newly formed) is a small Cavalry corp of around 7k under command of General Timothy Andrews and is preparing a flanking movement through Shenandoah to threaten and harass rebels supply lines.

On the West I raised around 50k soldiers under General Irvin McDowell which prepare an attack on Nashville, while a smaller force of about 8k under general Ambrose Burnside is threatening Memphis from Cairo IL.

At the same time General William Harney became famous while defeating rebels forces in Missouri with a small army of 20k soldiers securing St louis and preventing Missouri to join the confederation.

Fleets

On the seas I basically scraped the river capabiolity of the federal navy to reduce maintenance costs and focused on repairing vessels to impose blockade of the main southern harbours.

By September 1861, Norfolk is blocked while I am almost ready to send a couple of fleets to block Charleston and Savannah.

[coachmac75]

Re: Grand Tactitian Civil War (Part II)

Surprise in Culpeper...

On September 21, three conferederate Corps under Command of Joseph E Johnston surprisingly attacks McCllelan near Culpeper in Virginia.

The rebels are fielding 100k soldiers with 251 canons starting the battle with 20k under General Hampton but the rest of the confederate troops are expected to join the battlefield within 12h.

McCllelan commands a bit more than 77k soldiers with 227 canons. But he only has his main force of around 50K soldiers and 130 canons.. and he needs to hold at least 24 hours to be reinforced by General Patterson Corp.


I deploy McCllelan troops around Chancellorsville pushing my left up to defend the Frederickburg road where scouts announce potential reinforcement for the Rebels.

The ground is mostly woods so a not so favourable ground for artillery. I expect a very difficult fight and bloody day.
I am trying to take advantage of the ground to basically use the few windows offered for artillery while anticipating where the rebels could come from.

My army had order to adopt a defensive stance so I have the benefit of some parapets... and here starts a long wiat for rebels, reinforcement and we expect bloody day(s) ahead of our troops.

If things go really wrong i can retreat but I would like to try to hold that ground a part of my troops have had battle experience.

Federal Order of battle

Note on Federal army structure: As i said the game gives total freedom on how you structure your armies. I inspired my structure from Napoleonic army structure even if at this stage of the campaign I have no yet developed policies to have armies/corps which would fully apply the Napoleonic organisation.

So I have only two "armies" one under McCllelan and one under Patterson (going forward these should be Corps under a same army).

Each army has multiple Infantry divisions.
Each Division has 4 brigades.
Each infantry brigade generally started with 2,400 soldiers.
Each division is as well supported by an artillery battalion of 240 men and 16 guns.

Then each army is supported by an artillery reserve composed of three battalion of 240 men and 16 guns each plus a cavalry brigade.

Worth to mention that we are after 5 months of war where we had few battles and affairs so troops do not have anymore their starting strength.

Worth to as well mention that i appointed all commanders for each single unit based on a remarkable and detailed Db having a huge list of real/historical officers each one having its own skills.

To finish regarding experience (because it matters) Army of Potomac has been through 5 or 6 battles including one "big" battle (45k vs 50k).
It will be the baptism of fire for Army of the Shenandoah...

Army of Potomac - MG George McClellan - 48,658 men 130 guns

• 1st Division - MG Joseph Hooker - 10,340 and 31 Guns
  • US Regulars Brigade - Col C.Stone - 2,905
  • 1st Brigade - Col R.C.Buchanan - 2,733
  • 2nd Brigade - Col P.St George Cooke - 1,795
  • 3rd Brigade - Col G.A.McCall - 2,344
  • 1st Division 1st Battery - Lt. Col. C.E.Smith - 236 and 16 guns (10 Pds Parrott)
  • 1st Division 2nd Battery - Maj J.Gibbon - 237 and 15 guns (10 Pds Parrott)
  
  
• 2nd Division - BG David Hunter - 7,535 and 16 Guns
  • 1st Brigade - Col A.Porter - 1,676
  • 2nd Brigade - BG Runyon - 1,371
  • 3rd Brigade - Col J.P.Hatch - 1,940
  • 4th Brigade - Col C.S.Hamilton - 2,391
  • 2nd Division Battery - Cpt W.H.Reynolds - 237 and 16 guns (14 pds James Rifle)
  
  
• 3rd Division - BG William T Sherman - 9,394 and 16 Guns
  • 1st Brigade - Col S.H.Starr - 2,137
  • 2nd Brigade - Col W.R.Montgomery - 2,270
  • 3rd Brigade - Col G.Sykes - 2,657
  • 4th Brigade - Col S.B.Hayman - 2,033
  • 3rd Division Battery - Maj W.Morris - 231 and 16 guns (6pds)
  
  
• 4th Division - MG Marsena R.Patrick - 9,483 and 16 Guns
  • 1st Brigade - Col H.W.Benham - 2,212
  • 2nd Brigade - Col J.G.Foster - 2,180
  • 3rd Brigade - Col C.S.Lovell - 2,364
  • 4th Brigade - Col R.G.Shaw - 2,496
  • 4th Division Battery - Cpt R.B.Ayres - 231 and 16 guns (12 pds Howitzer)
  
  
• 5th Division - BG Samuel E.Heinztelman - 9,472 and 15 Guns
  • 1st Brigade - Col J.L.Chamberlain - 2,391
  • 2nd Brigade - Col H.Prince - 2,361
  • 3rd Brigade - Col N.A.M.Dudley - 2,380
  • 4th Brigade - Col A.Doubleday - 2,283
  • 5th Division Battery - Cpt G.W.Getty - 227 and 15 guns (6 pds)
  
  
• Potomac Artillery Reserve - BG James B.Rickets - 535 and 36 Guns
  • 1st Battery - Cpt W.H.French - 211 and 14 guns (6 pds)
  • 2nd Battery - Cpt T.W.Sherman - 236 and 16 guns (6 pds)
  • 3rd Battery - Cpt W.E.Barry - 88 and 6 guns (12 pds howitzer)
  
  
• Potomac Cavalery - Col A.Pleasonton - 2,049

Army of the Shenandoah - MG Robert Patterson - 28,644 men 96 guns

• 1st Division - MG george Cadwallader - 7,612 and 16 Guns
  • 1st Brigade - Col G.H.Thomas - 1,091
  • 2nd Brigade - Col A.S.Williams - 1,223
  • 3rd Brigade - Col J.E.Reynolds - 2,538
  • 4th Brigade - Col A.Hays - 2,527
  • 1st Division Battery - Lt. Col. H.S.Burton - 233 and 16 guns (6 Pds)
  
  
• 2nd Division - BG William H.Keim - 7,535 and 16 Guns
  • 1st Brigade - Col G.C.Wynkoop - 1,111
  • 2nd Brigade - Col J.S.Negley - 1,148
  • 3rd Brigade - Col G.G.Meade - 2,534
  • 4th Brigade - Col D.A****ssell - 2,510
  • 2nd Division Battery - Maj J.Roberts - 232 and 16 guns (6 pds)
  
  
• 3rd Division - MG John E.Wool - 10,373 and 16 Guns
  • 1st Brigade - Col W.S.Hancock - 2,555
  • 2nd Brigade - Col T.Welsh - 2,538
  • 3rd Brigade - Col W.B.franklin - 2,544
  • 4th Brigade - Col F.Steele - 2,500
  • 3rd Division Battery - Cpt J.Hunt - 236 and 16 guns (6pds)
  
  
• Shenandoah Artillery Reserve - MG Fitz J.Porter - 700 and 48 Guns
  • 1st Battery - Cpt D.N.Couch - 234 and 16 guns (6 pds)
  • 2nd Battery - Cpt J.Totten - 231 and 16 guns (6 pds)
  • 3rd Battery - Cpt E.O.C.Ord - 235 and 16 guns (12 pds howitzer)
  
  
• Shenandoah Cavalry - Col David Mcm.Gregg - 2,424

So a long wait for Jonny Rebs is starting...

[studbucket]

Re: Grand Tactitian Civil War (Part II)

This is fun. I really enjoy the American Civil War and loved the old Civil War Generals 2 game. I have had this game on my wishlist for a while, but work through my game backlog very slowly.

[coachmac75]

Re: Grand Tactitian Civil War (Part II)

This is fun. I really enjoy the American Civil War and loved the old Civil War Generals 2 game. I have had this game on my wishlist for a while, but work through my game backlog very slowly.

It is definitely a masterpiece.

[coachmac75]

Re: Grand Tactitian Civil War (Part II)

Day I - 16:00

The battle started at 14:20 which is already quite late for a main action on this first day.

We are in September the battle end should be around 20:00.

Enemy is coming from Greenwood but, early on, it is only Hampton division with an approximate strength of 20,000 soldiers.
The AI is deploying in front of us and smartly does not engage any action.
Hampton deploys his division around Chancellorsville.

We prevent any fire from our artillery. Our army already had an affair a couple of days ago and is only partially supplied so we need to keep our ammunition for the main action.

General Sherman covers the woods on our left with 3 brigades deployed in battle and another brigade in reserve.
The skirmishers are pushed and enemy has pushed his skirmishers as well but so far no contact.
In the middle, we have deployed our artillery since it is the only place where we have clear sight on the probable enemy way for attack.

On the right Hunter division covers the Orange plank road flanked with Pleasonton cavalry.
If no activity keeps behing reported on the right this division could move to threaten the enemy flank if they would attack our centre from Chancelorsville.

On our left flank, Hentzeilman division is slightly distached covering Fredericksburg road where scout have reported enemy could come from. That is actually our main weakness if a massive force would come from there. This is as well where our own reinforcement are expected... But they should not show up until late Day 2.
So we keep our best division under Hooker in reserve.

I expect the AI to wait its reinforcements which should arrive at night... On our end we dont engage any action. We hold a solid position and we control the objective.
So the main action should be for second day once the rebels get their full strength deployed... we will then be outnumbered 1 vs 2.

[KSUowls]

Re: Grand Tactitian Civil War (Part II)

Really good write-ups. These kinds of things always get me interested in buying a game.

Are there any mods to extend the action beyond the actual civil war end date? 4x war games are among my favorite genres but I always hate racing against a clock.

[coachmac75]

Re: Grand Tactitian Civil War (Part II)

Not that I am awarre but this is truly an amazing masterpiece i consider it trully and simply the best wargame ever made by 10 miles.

[coachmac75]

Re: Grand Tactitian Civil War (Part II)

Day 2 - 20:00

It has been an epic battle i really never had one like that as far as i can remmember from my epic Close Combat II (1997) or Forge of Freedom or any Battleground of Fields of Glory (1995) game i ever had.

Early reports

First thing in the morning I receive few reports announcing that Hampton has been joined by 3 new enemy corps.

• One under Polk reported to have 34k infantry, 11k cavalry and 40 guns.
• Another under Joseph E.Johnston reported to have 16k infantry, 3k cavalry and 115 guns.
• One under Crocke (not sure i got the spelling right) reported to have 18k infantry, 2k cavalry and 85 guns.

So this confirm the situation expected for the day.. I need to hold and this artillery is the main concern. The real McClellan may have retreated by then but this is a virtual one, we will give the rebels a battle.

The calm before the storm...

I expect Patterson to arrive with Shenandoah army South East from my Position, he should be there around 1400. But considering the time needed for him to join and deploy his army I dont expect him to take much part in today battle.

My deployment is as explained in previous post.

The morning started very slowly and quietly. Hampton, still holding the same postion and does not move. The Ai patiently move the 3 other groups all around my position.

Heinztelman does not report any movement on my left flank which is actually my main concerne because a massive party attacking from the left could force me to retreat and redeploy closer to the objective.

Around 13:00 i got good news General Patterson is reported to arrive from Culpepper road. He will still need few hours before joining but so far so good.

13:40 - Rebels start to attack

Our skirmisher engage fire on the left in the woods NE from Chancellorsville. It looks like to be Hampton. At the same time two brigades attack my centre. The enemy starts to have significant artillery deployed all around Bullocks glade.

15:30 Intensive fights on left flank while the centre is under attack at the same time

Sherman division holds but suffers significant losses, Patrick Division is called to support him since the rebels luckily do not try to flank Sherman position.
Starr brigade is routed after a pushing multiple attacks and while i was trying to relieve them from reserve.

Colonel Shaw

rm Patrick's division is called to cover the gap and protect Montgomery brigade from being flanked.

Rebels bayonets charge are pushed back and Sherman division keeps
control of the position.

At the centre Hooker guns and Colonel Stone's Brigade pushes back multiple attacks taking full advantage of parapets and breastworks.

But I dont have much reserves left so without any move reported from the left flank I decide to call back Hentzelman division, it is now pretty sure that the whole Confederate army is around Chancellorsville.

17:30 - Retreat from "Bullock cross"

Our guys have defended this ground and enemy attacks have stopped but now the Confederate use their artillery. For about an hour their guns have opened a counter battery fire which has really caused troubles to most of artillery.

I decide to command artillery to step back and protect themselves in the heavy woods. Probably this decision has been made too late. A significant part of my artillery has suffered.

It is difficult to abandon a ground well defended but with woods behind us it is a bit stupid to not have stepped back out of range from their guns earlier....

I finally decide to call infantry back too. But for Patrick and Sherman divisions on the left it is quite a difficult movement.

At the same time the AI makes a smart move and pushes ahead. Their fire is actually pretty devastating Shaw's Brigade looses half of its strength.

Gregg's brigade charge

Patterson cavalry under Colonel Gregg has actually joined our right flank with a massive artillery in front of us which has been smashing Hunter division for about an hour.

I decide to try something I never tried in this game ever... a good old cavalry charge in pure Captain Stark style.

I order the Cavalry brigade to flank the confederate artillery to distract them while Hunter division steps back. Gregg makes a fine charge and rout two enemy batteries before retreating. His troops got borderline routed but he was able to rally them... he may have earned a Brigadier General rank.

Dumb move from Patterson artillery

Gregg showing on the left was the sign of Patterson arrival on the battlefield around 1800. But we are stepping back no one with a blue uniform is welcome to enter that glade surrounded by 250 confederate guns.

So i order a move to the Artillery reserve... my very bad. They make a move using the road, probably the fastest but for sure not smartest thing.
Doing so expose the moving guns first to fire and moreover to a cavalry charge. The AI does not miss it... before I realise I loose 1 out of 3 batteries and Captain Ord is killed in action with that dumb move.

20:00 - End of the day

At the end of the day the rebels have suffered significant losses but they have forced us out of our position.

i should have retreated earlier and in better order.

We still hold the objective so I will make an assessment on whether it is relevant to fight for a 3rd day or whether I should do what McClellan does best... retreat.

[coachmac75]

Re: Grand Tactitian Civil War (Part II)

Day 3 - 08:22


Situation

After the massive engagement of Day 2 Union still control the central objective "Ford Road".
The Confederate massive artillery fire and final push forced Union to abandon the position defended for most of the day North of Chancellorsville in a place called "Bullocks cross".

Casualties

Confederates have reportedly lost 14,000 soldiers including 2,200 killed and lost 50 guns mostly from Gregg's brigade charge since our counter battery fire proved to be very inefficient for multiple reasons.

Union have reportedly lost 8,138 soldiers in the action including 1,129 killed and lost 90 guns. Most of Union casualties came at the end of day with an order to step back which came too late and a poorly executed retreat.

On top of that we have lost 3 infantry brigades from McClellan troops which have been routed.

Plan for the day

The question has been to eventually retreat but we believe to have enough fresh forces to offer another day of battle to the rebels. Patterson troops have not really been engaged outside of the Cavalry. Hooker and Hentzelman divisions are still intact because they were limited or did not suffer from day 2 action.
Our main problem remain the gap in term of artillery firepower.

Deployment

"Ford road" objective is surrounded by woods and small streams which will make it first hard for an assault column to stay in cohesion and second which should hopefully limit the effect of artillery difference.

So I decide to abandon the defence of the glade around "Bullocks cross" and deploy around "Ford road".

Hooker and Hentzelman are in the middle of what should be the main progression from the enemmy. Hunter and Patrick Divisions which have suffered of the previous day will defend the right flank which i expect to not be the hottest spot. The rest of Sherman division being in support.

Patterson troops cover the left flank. Protecting our position from attacks coming from "Mineral spring road" which i expect to be the natural direction for the mass of ennemy troops which violently engaged Sherman and Patrick division on our left on previous day.

I keep the best division from Patterson army , under Major General Wool, in reserve.

[mpklub]

Re: Grand Tactitian Civil War (Part II)

Thanks for posting this. Great stuff. I'd love to invest the time into learning this genre better as it fascinates me.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Operation Sports mobile app

[coachmac75]

Re: Grand Tactitian Civil War (Part II)

Are we going to hold ?

[KSUowls]

Re: Grand Tactitian Civil War (Part II)

Any tips on how to play this game lol?

Picked it up on the Steam sale, and the depth is kind of overwhelming.

[jasontoddwhitt]

Re: Grand Tactitian Civil War (Part II)

Been playing around with the DLC Whiskey and Lemons.

I love the career aspect they have added. You take a VERY in-depth personality quiz (or you can just randomize the answers) to get your initial stats and background. I'm a Lt. Col commanding the 3rd Michigan Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade of the First Division of the Army of Northeastern Virginia under the command of Irvin McDowell.

Just had our first engagement against the rebels. Because we were at the tail end of the column, the first day of the battle at Manassas Junction was us marching into position. Some light skirmishing happened towards the end of the day.

Day 2 is when the action would break out. We had the rebs outnumbered 2-to-1 (unlike the actual battle when Johnston reinforced Beauregard and routed the north, Johnston was busy laying siege to Harper's Ferry in this playthrough). We were ordered to help bolster the left flank of the army. The rebs had moved the bulk of their forces across the Bull Run Creek while they massed their artillery on Lewis Ford. Looked like they were trying to turn our left flank.

Rather than force a crossing at the ford (where the objective was), McDowell ordered an attack on the reb forces on our left, which we helped participate in. By the time my regiment got into position, the rebel attack was in disarray and we helped wrap things up. My regiment got credit for routing two regiments, inflicting 48 casualties while only suffering 10.

I'm very intrigued by this mode, as the overall campaign can get very overwhelming very quickly.

[KSUowls]

Re: Grand Tactitian Civil War (Part II)

I envy you guys who can play this. The amount of depth can be kind of overwhelming for a beginner.

Looking forward to picking up the Whiskey and Lemons DLC. Seems like it will be a little easier to command.