ACW Matrix Game part 2 - Sweet Home Alabama

As with the Stalingrad game a couple of weeks ago, I have compiled a summary narrative of the game’s. This post deals with turns 1-5, the later turns will follow soon. In the photos, for clarity the Yankees are facing south, the Rebs north. As regards the figures, the six generals were represented and each other figures generally represented a regiment or brigade. But don’t worry about that.

May 1864 - Army of the Tennessee carries out show of force N of Cassville.  Army of the Ohio moves into Lafayette in support, Army of the Cumberland moves south into Alabama. Army of Tennessee fails to build fortifications, Bedford’s Raiders raids Army of the Ohio’s LOC, Morgan’s Cavalry raids ineffectually towards Chattanooga.

June 1864 - Sherman increases pressure on Johnston, Schofield attempts flanking attack. Forrest raids US LOC in Nashville, Morgan harasses US supply columns near Chattanooga. Thomas turns east to Rome while ‘entertaining’ us with anecdotes about his apparently crucial role in the battle of Chickamauga.

July 1864 - Renewed US attack on Cassville fails, Johnston breaks off contact, fighting small delaying actions. Thomas leads remarkable forced march to outskirts of Atlanta. Forrest tears up railroad tracks at Nashville - so don’t expect a ride on the Chattanooga choo-choo anytime soon. Morgan is distracted from plundering US supply stocks by attending a Masonic Lodge meeting in Chattanooga.

August 1864 - Sherman’s attempt to eject Rebs from Chattanooga fails and Schofield’s attack on same is bloodily repulsed. Forrest, having plundered US supplies, marches to Macon. Thomas fortifies approach to Atlanta.

September 1864 - Sherman presses on to Cassville but Johnston evades into the mountains. Schofield and Morgan clash at Chattanooga again. Forrest fails to pressure Thomas, who continues to construct ‘The Atlanta Wall’. Groan.