PBEM game American Civil War v3.9 C3C

This thread will be used to track a PBEM game between Misfit_travel (Confederate) and eric_A (Union). Feel free to use it for other ACW based PBEM games as well.

We will utilize the ACW-C3C v3.9 PBEM game which is based on the Procifica / Rocoteh designed scenario located here : ACW thread

The scenario used in the PBEM game between eric_A and misfit_travel is located here: ACWNewV3.9 PBEM

The victory conditions are:

1) Must control your own capitol.

2) Must capture selected cities:

For the CSA: Washington, St. Louis (must have),

any additional 2 of: Cincinnati, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Chicago, Baltimore

For the Union: Richmond, Atlanta (must have),

any additional 2 of: Charleston, Vicksburg, New Orleans, Chattanooga, Nashville, Savannah

Additional scenario rules:

a) Transports
- only one division sized unit permitted per transport (ie any unit with DIV in its name)

b) No city razing. (Forts will typically be automatically destroyed if their population equals 1).


Each player will post gameplay comments here. Be as creative as you want.

Good luck.

Misfit

In order to play ACWnew v3.9 via play-by-email (PBEM) I suggest you follow the following instructions.

1) Have ACWnew v3.9 already installed properly on your hard drive.

2) Download the ACWnew v3.9 patch (for demi-division bug) located on Page 97, post #1927.

3) Download the attached ACWnew v3.9PBEM biq file. (the only difference between this file and Rocoteh's v3.9 files are that both CSA and USA are flagged a human players).

4) Launch Conquests on your computer.

5) From the main Conquests screen, click on the Multiplayer option.

6) From the Choose Multiplayer Game Type screen, choose Play by Email

7) From the Multiplayer Setup screen, go to the Game Mode pulldown (second one down from the top left side of the screen). Choose the Scenario option.

8) This will popup the ACW - Conquests Scenario list. Select ACWnew v3.9PBEM, then click on the "O" button (lower right of the screen).

9) This will load the scenario into the Multiplayer interface. It will automatically assign the first slot to your user name. (The first time you fire up the Multiplayer interface you have to identify yourself). Please note that by default the Multiplayer interface assigns you the Greek faction (which of course doesn't exist in ACW).

10) Change the Civilization to the faction you wish to play (choose either USA or CSA).

11) In the player's column, underneath your username will be a list of OPEN players. Select the 2nd one in the list by clicking on the pulldown to the right of the word OPEN. This will give you a list of 4 options; choose the ADD HUMAN PLAYER option.

12) Enter the name of your opponent in the popup field that appears. Click on the "O" button to continue.

13) Enter the gender of your opponent.

14) Assign your opponent a civilization from the right hand pulldown.

NOTE ON ACW TURN ORDER.

I highly recommend that the CSA faction be given the first move within ACW. This is to reflect strategic initiative at the point in the Civil War. (This is just my opinion so do what you want).

To change player order in the Multiplayer setup, click on the number field that appears to the left of the player name. This will toggle the player's turn order. (ie by default the multiplayer interface loads your name in the first slot, but if you want to play your turn second, you need to do this).

15) Ignore all the other settings in the left hand column, the scenario parameters override them.

16) Start the game by clicking on the Launch button.

17) The scenario will now load. Depending on the speed of your computer it might take a while. (I'm on a Pentium IV, 2.0 ghtz machine and it took less than 1 minute).

18) You will be asked to enter an Administration password. Pick something AND WRITE IT DOWN. You will need this password if you ever need to reassign on of the factions to another player (ie if your opponent bails out on you).

19) You will then be asked to assign a password to the first player. You will then be able to play your turn. Upon completion of your turn, you will be given the option of "Save & Exit" or "continue". Select Save & Exit.

20) In the save game popup field, Conquests will automatically put in your username and your faction followed by the game date (ie Misfit_travel of the Union, Week 28, 1861 AD.sav).

I personally find this confusing since this will be the save turn that YOUR opponent is going to be using for his turn. I suggest that you override this default save name as follows:

CSA, Week 28, 1861 AD.sav

(ie put the name of your opponent's faction in place of the "<username> of the <faction> ). That way when you email this save game to your opponent it will be easy for him to keep track of the turns.

21) The initial game saves are around 240kb, so you can easily email them. As the game continues they get progressively larger, so you may want to compress them with WINZIP or WINRAR to keep their file size until 1mb.

NOTE: most internet based mailservers (like Hotmail or Yahoo Mail) limit attachments sizes to a maximum of 1mb. Most other mailservers limit attachment sizes to no more than 2mb. You'll need to keep your game saves below this threshold in order to avoid having your turn email bounced back.

22) Email the turn to your opponent.



Congratulations you have started your first PBEM ACW game. Please see the following post for instructions on how to open / play emailed turns.

Regards
Misfit

I can't burn Atlanta? That takes all the fun out of the game....

But what about abandoning cities?

Why don't you post the ACW PBEM instructions here so
others can find them easily?

These are the instructions for how to open and play a PBEM turn that your opponent has sent you.

1) Save the turn to your computer (from your email program).

I recommend creating a folder on your computer with the name of your opponent and the scenario you are playing, (ie. Misfit ACW v3.9) and then storing all the game saves in that one place.

2) Uncompress the file (if it was ZIPped to save space).

3) Launch Conquests.

4) Select the Multiplayer option.

5) In the Choose Multiplayer Game type screen, select Play by E-mail.

6) In the Multiplayer Setup screen, choose under Game Mode (2nd from the top left), the Load Game option.

7) Navigate to where your saved game is and select it to load the turn.

NOTE: To navigate to a folder different than the Conquests Save folder, you need to double click on the ".." folder name. This will move you one folder up the navigation list. If you keep doing this you will eventually get to your root hard drive. Then you can navigate by clicking on the folder names to whereever you placed the saved game file.

8) Once the turn is loaded, click on the Launch button to play it.

9) You will be prompted to enter your password. After entering it you will be able to play your turn.

10) Upon completing your turn, you will select the Save & Exit option, save the game and Conquests will automatically exit you back to the main game screen.

11) Compress the turn (if necessary), then email it to your opponent.


Repeat as often as necessary until your have crushed your opponent.

Regards
Misfit

Misfit_Travel,

Will this also be the correct thread for posting "looking for opponents" messages?

whizkid1950:

I don't see why not, best of luck.

Misfit

Military Briefing - Richmond

Yankee troop movement is extensive outside Washington. We suspect a signficant movement of troops toward our isolated outpost of Grafton.

No Yankee Divisions have been spotted in the Paducah area, although we know signficant troops are there. We suspect they are waiting for our troops to make their move before responding. A naval convoy of 6 gunboats and 1 transport have been spotted on the Mississippi, destination is as yet unknown.

No Yankee Divisions have been spotted in the Louisville area, although we know significant troops are there. They can stay there for all we care, we have better things to do with our troops.

More action is likely to occur in the coming weeks.

<concludes briefing>

Misfit

From The New York Times:

Victory in the Trans-Mississippi, Ironton falls!

The town, of Ironton, southwest of St Louis,
has become the first confederate town to fall
to the US army. The commander of the division
that captured the town described the opposition
as weak and inneffective, and added that casualties
were light.

Across, the Mississippi, in Owensboro, there was panic
in the town as rumors of a large confederate force
massing in the woods spread like wildfire. The mayor
was seen at General Grant's HQ in Louisville pleading
with him to send troops. Grant declined to comment.
The 79 year-old Owensboro home guard commander,
a veteran of the war of 1812, said his troops were dug in
and ready. In a related development the Owensboro
cavalry brigade which rode out last week to the southwest
on a recon. mission has been reported as "overdue for
return".

Week 30, 1861
From The Louisville Sentinel:

CSA takes Owensboro, Seesaw battle in West Va.

Owensboro. Ky has fallen to the CSA, hundreds of residents
fled to Louisville to escape the fighting. The 79 year-old
Owensboro home guard commander, Obidiah Williams,
a veteran of the war of 1812, was awarded the congressional
medal of honor, the first awarded in this war. Willliams was killed
during the final confederate assuault on the courthouse when
the towns' only cannon misfired and exploded.

Fighting raged across West Virigina; it started last week
when the Eastern Kentucky Field Force assulated Charleston.
Brigadier G.H. Thomas praised the courage of the defenders;
"the Rebels fought like tigers for every house". He added that
his own causuaties were significant.

This week, the CSA responded with a strike deep into
West Va. and took Wheeling. The US army replied by taking
Grafton.

Military Briefing - Richmond

A Union division was destroyed by a lightening counterattack outside Winchester. No CSA casualties.

Wheeling and Zanesville have both fallen to Stuart's Cavalry. We recommend promotion and Awards of Valour. This unit has destroyed Union Cavalry and militia units during the current push.

Evansville has falled to CSA militia. A Union Division dispatched from Louisville and one from Paducah have been spotted in the area.

A Union Cavalry brigade and militia brigade were destroyed in a pitched battle outside of St. Louis.

Union militia units destroyed in battle outside of London and Pikesville.

Charleston lost to Union. All defenders fought to the death. Their last stand will not go unremembered.

A stalemate has occured at Springfield MO. It is unlikely either side has sufficient forces to defeat the other.

A significant force of Union divisions has been spotted east of Bowling Green. Units have been dispatched to counter them.

<end briefing>

<misfit>

From The Columbus Daily News:

Stuart Invades Ohio! Pope in Pursuit

J.E.B. Stuarts' raiders last week swept out of Wheeling and into
Ohio, seizing Zanesville and devastating the surrounding area.
The railway running north out of Zanesville has been destroyed.
General Pope, commander of the Army of The Upper Ohio,
pursued the elusive Stuart, retaking Wheeling, the Rebels
having already abandoned the city after striping it clean.
Pope says he will "squash Stuart like a bug".
It is this papers opinion that Pope is unlikely to be
in command long enough to catch him, Lincoln is rumored to be
very unhappy with Popes' performance so far and considering his
replacement.

From The Boston Globe:

Grant on the Offensive in Kentucky! Burnside Replaces Pope.

General Grant launched his long awaited offensive deep in
south-central Kentucky, capturing the town of London.
Causualties were reported as light. In western Kentucky
the town of Owensboro was recaptured by Union Militiamen
after it had been abandoned by the rebels. Across the river in
Indiana, Evansville was stormed by a US rifle division after
being bombarded by union gunboats.


General Burnside, has replaced General Pope as commander
of the Army of The Upper Ohio. Pope succeded in retaking
Zanesville this past week, but the the wiley J.E.B. Stuart and
his cavalry escaped across the Ohio.

JB Stuart was decorated by President Johnston today in honour of his daringly successville forays into the Union strongholds of Wheeling, Zanesville and Marietta. Thousands of Union troops were kept running around chasing the elusive Stuart's cavalry. Stuart is quoted as saying the reception he had was so great that he came out with more men than he went in with.

Fighting continues to be heavy in Kentucky with most other theatres quiet. Our boys continue to make the Union pay a heavy price for every inch of soil taken.

<misfit>

Originally posted by Misfit_travel
JB Stuart was decorated by President Johnston today in honour of his daringly successville forays into the Union strongholds of Wheeling, Zanesville and Marietta. Thousands of Union troops were kept running around chasing the elusive Stuart's cavalry. Stuart is quoted as saying the reception he had was so great that he came out with more men than he went in with.

Fighting continues to be heavy in Kentucky with most other theatres quiet. Our boys continue to make the Union pay a heavy price for every inch of soil taken.

<misfit>

Click to expand...

I'd like to know what happened to that unfortunate commander
who decided to bypass Paducha and head straight for Cairo,
thereby relieving the CSA of one of its' finest rifle divisions.

Dispatch to all Confederate Forces from General Staff - Richmond (Week 38 - 1861):

We have begun our sustained offensive against the main Union army near Washington. Our initial attack was successful, destroying a Union division guarding the approach to Washington. We sustained only minor casualties. To date two Union divisions have been destroyed in this theatre without any loss of Confederate forces.

On the western front, we have also captured Marion and Davenport, routing the Union garrisons there.

The appearance of the Springfield Union Division south of Ironton has caused us to abort the attack on St. Louis. We will respond to this threat and destroy the rogue division.

The Union has yet to make a sustained push into our territory. We have lost Charleston and London, but these cities were isolated and difficult to defend in depth.

Our push north against Cairo and Paducah was timely as the Union division stationed at Paducah was dispatched to the Marion area. The loss of a Conderate Division here in early fighting has placed a major crimp in the available forces in this latest push. Although two Union Divisions have been destroyed in the Bowling Green area, the remaining Union forces are quite substantial. Two of those Union divisions have been seen in the Knoxville area. Forces have been dispatched to hold the line.

There have been no major naval activity in either the Gulf or Atlantic coasts. Occassional Union warships are spotted. Other than in the open week of hostilities, no Union ships have been sunk by shore batteries (partially because they never get close enough to accomplish anything). Our North Atlantic Blockade Runner bombarded in the New York area and has since been leading the Union navy on a merry goosechase in the Atlantic. Other than that, the naval front has been quiet.

We are satisfied with the progress of the war, but need to make greater gains. We call on all Confederate forces to attrition our enemy depriving him of any and all resources needed to sustain his war effort.

Update from Conderate forces headquarters

The Longstreet Division and two battalions of artillery were lost in skirmishes northwest of Washington. The Army of Western Virginia and Demi-Division of West Virginia continued the push and captured Baltimore. Artillery attached to these units have done significant damage to the terrain surrounding Washington, isolating it from the rest of the Union. It would be difficult to walk between Mannassas and Baltimore and not step on the fallen bodies of Union and Confederate troops. The fighting has been bloody and heavy for each foot of ground gained.

The offensive to liberate Cape Giradeau met with success. A Union Division, militia and artillery were destroyed in the attack. Some Confederate units were also lost. Cavalry blitzing the town managed to catch a Union Cavalry unit unaware and destroyed it north of Cairo.

The forces assigned to capture Paducah ran into stiff opposition. Before the attack could commence one of the Confederate riflemen battalions was destroyed in a lightening counterattack by a Union unit. The withering artillery barrage from the supporting Confederate forces has insured that Union forces in Paducah won't be sticking their neck out anytime soon, but the situation is at a stalemate.

A stiff fight looks to be developing for control of Pikeville. A Union division with supporting units has moved west of the city. A second Union division is reported to be moving into the area. It will be a difficult defense of the city.

<misfit>

Just a few items Misfit did not cover:

The US Navy caught and destroyed 2 blockade
runners due east of Key West.

Davenport, Iowa and Marion were both recaptured;
Davenport was unoccupied, Marion was defended by
2 millitias.

The CSA captured Evansville (again) and Peoria.

ALSO:
Whizkid and I are starting a new game, with Whizkid
playing the north. This game is using a slightly modified map:
I have added a "canal" on the map between
Chicago and the upper Mississippi to allow the USA to build
extra naval forces, especially transports. With the one division
per transport rule we are using I think this is needed.

We will be posting updates here for this new game.

Week 30, 1861

Opening moves:

In the east: the Damn Yankees advanced toward Winchester
but pulled back, probabaly due to sighting the Army of
N. Virginia in the area.

In Kentucky: Detected a 5 division force advancing through
the woods towards Bowling Green. This could be the first
major battle of the war if he presses on.

On the Mississippi: a couple of US division supported by
gunboats overran my skirmisher and advanced towards
Columbus, KY. They withdrew after a brief artillery duel.
We sank 1 union gunboat.

West of the Mississippi: We advanced on Boonville but
pulled back when his reinforcements arrived from the north
destroying one of our irregulars. We destroyed Fort Scott but
were replused at Fort Gibson.

In the Far West: we destoyed Fort Filmore, just north of El Paso.

President Eric of The CSA

Personal letter to President Abraham Lincoln.


Dear President Lincoln:

The people of the Confederate States of America are appreciative of the efforts your military staff went to in securing the bodies of Generals Longstreet and Stuart and returning them so they could be buried on Confederate soil. It is our understanding that General Stuart's command was lost near Ashland (on week 45). It was quick work for your military to return him to us.

This was unexpected and welcome that there be a brief thaw in the vile combat which has our two nations at each other's throats.

Our military commanders have suggested that our soldiers wear a form of identification acceptable to both militaries so that casualities can be identified, and next of kin be notified. This will spare many families the uncertainty of knowing what has become of a loved one.

I suggest we leave it our respective staffs to discuss and agree on a suitable form of identification.

Rest assured that we will reciprocate in the return of as many of the remains of Union soldiers as we are able to.

Kindest regards,
President J. Davis <misfit>

Week 32, 1861 dispatch from Washington:

Confidence is high in the union rank and file, but among the general staff there is some apprehension about the exact whereabouts of the main CSA fighting strength. We have been trying to give Lee and and company as much to think about as possible, and in that regard we're mostly satisfied. Rebel forces deployed in defensive positions around Alexandria/Manassas last week, as if they were expecting an imminent US assault, but now have dropped that ruse and (we think) massed in Alexandria. Confederate activities in West Virginia have quietened some, although we are not placing great stock in that.

Owensboro remains in rebel hands but has not been reinforced; if my opponent ever had plans to do so they have been delayed by the gathering storm in the Bowling Green area. Something bold seems to be afoot there.

Cairo, Paducah, and St. Louis are all quiet, possibly a mistake on my part which allows him to divert troops out of that area to cause mischief elsewhere. We think a rebel cavalry unit is running loose in Iowa, because we're seeing signs of its passing. Elsewhere in the West, Springfield MO is drawing confederates like a church bake sale. I don't honestly know how defensible I am there.

At sea, I am conducting the expected shore bombardments but not committing full force to it. The reb navy is showing its face from time-to-time, most disturbingly off New England, but is primarily off planning something I'd give anything to know more about.

I captured Cape Girardeau last week and still hold it, and my reinforcement of Boonville has seemingly dissuaded more CSA activity around that region, for the nonce.

-- Whiz Lincoln