Ok... played around 12-13 turns of CSA.
Our stalwart men in gray had launched an offensive into southern Illinois and had managed to capture Vandalia, Marion, and Paducah. The Federal river navy was no more. The Army for the east was very busy and we managed to score some successes north of Washington by first killing 3 enemy divisions and then taking Hagerstown. Fortress Monroe is now in CSA hands. They probably won't be able to advance much further as it is difficult to consolidate what you have due to lack of units and the need to keep a strong force around Washington. Also scored some minor success by taking Wheeling.
The Arkansas troops did their job by destroying both Federal pieces of property and central and southern Missouri have fallen under total control of the CSA as they captured Springfield and defeated an attack on Jefferson City. St Louis, Booneville and the Kansas City area remain firmly under control of the Federals.
An attack into Kentucky by the Union was spoiled by a lively counter attack that saw a Union divison destroyed. Since then, Union troops spent time threatening various Confederate positions and marching back and forth from their start point and Paducha.
The Union navy has proceeded to make life miserable for most of the Confederate coastal areas by shelling the crap out of ports. While the harbor defenses have taken their toll, the South lost a great many of their port facilities. The North has twice launched amphibious invasions with one being destroyed before it could land and another on the way.
The Confederate warchest was up over 1k, but they had yet to research anything. (First tech is about 6 turns away as I put Science on 30 and luxaries on 10 to try to keep the populance happy). I was getting about 55 gold to start with, now up over 110 and I need to check to see if I can kick science back to 40 or not. I am trying to get built into a couple of the luxury hexes that are not hooked up yet, but still working on it, so I can drop the 10 percent off. I think a lot of the reason my cash availability improved is I had a lot of facilities get blasted off the map on the coast.
That is basically the status of the game. I have to say, I have enjoyed it very much so far.
As far as things going on (and most are very minor, but I include them for completeness sake).
1. Disease is way too rampant in the game. Buzzards were all over the place. I also lost a unit to disease which was not a good thing at all. My concern here (and I don't know if this can be set or not) is that although the chances might be low, supposed that army that the CSA has to start with bites the dust or a big costal battery that has been holding the Feds at bay? Granted, you can go fetch a auto save, but still. The other issue for the South is that population loss is too much. Not only are you losing population due to flood plains and other terrain, now you are losing it to disease. I bet a turn did not go by after the game got going that I did not lose at least one population to something.
2. Some of the graphics don't have sound associated with them (told you there were some minor items..
)
3. I like the divisions with their integral artillery. Helped me soften up positions before sending one in to attack.
Will try to get some more time in when I can and post again. Overall, I like it a lot.. well done to the designers!
