ACW Matrix Game part 3 - War is Hell!

October 1864 - First Battle of Atlanta. An attempt to sack Johnston and replace him with Hood fails. Johnston marches to Atlanta and, supported by Forrest’s spoiling attack, engages US forces nearby in what becomes known as the First Battle of Atlanta. Schofield marches on Nashville but fails to repair the railroads due to Morgan’s heroic charge.

November 1864 - Second Battle of Atlanta. Johnston wears down the Army of the Cumberland but Sherman draws ever closer!  Army of the Ohio repairs railroads around Nashville. Morgan rests in Chattanooga and stocks up with looted US supplies.

December 1864 - Third Battle of Atlanta. While Johnston is increasingly preoccupied fighting off Sherman, Forrest’s cavalry overruns positions held by Thomas’s troops. Army of the Cumberland is reduced to prisoners, stragglers and a confused old officer mumbling about the battle of Chickamauga last year. Morgan slips past Schofield and the remains of his force heads south to Lafayette. Atlanta remains in Confederate hands - but for how long?

The final score.  Sherman, Schofield and Thomas achieved one, two and three respectively of their 3 personal objectives. Despite being driven back, the country laid waste and suffering considerable losses, Johnston, Forrest and Morgan each achieved all three!

As I write this final report (in 1867...) Thomas and Morgan, having toured the USA, have taken their Civil War lecture tour to Europe, leaving a trail of boredom in their wake. Schofield and Forrest have entered politics while Johnston has business interests including railroads and insurance. Though he’s reluctant to cover fires risks in the Atlanta area... And Sherman?  Never recovered from Thomas and Morgan’s first lecture. He’s still drunk.

Once again, this game went very well due to the ingenuity and commitment of all six players. Well done chaps!

And finally.... Clearly not everyone was gripped by the campaign. Even Jerry’s rebel yell failed to rouse Zoe.