North and South Chapter Six

Well I meant to have this done Monday, but then life happened.

Anyhow, we really just had the battle today, since I don't usually have a lot of time over the weekend to video game.

We start off by finishing Military II project, meaning more funding for the army. I'm working on the conscription act right now - not because I want to raise a bunch of draft units (those have less morale than volunteers anyhow) but because I want the -50% muster time bonus. Faster muster and replenishment is never a bad thing, and for the cost of -2 national morale per conscription act (there's a second further down the line) that's a price more than readily payable.

We also finish the Rifled Guns project. This gives us access to two excellent cannons - the 3 Inch Ordnance rifle, which is produced here at home, and the British Wiard Rifle, which is an import gun. Both are excellent cannons, with reasonable ranges.

The CSA extends their volunteer contracts to be three year or duration of war contracts. Meaning that after their next enlistment re-up, they'll maintain steady numbers for the duration of the war. I've been quietly working on the USA's volunteer contracts in the background and have them up to 1 year contracts, so 3 year contracts I'll be working on after I pass the conscription act.

The Battle of Staunton. Really, it's more the battle of that bridge East of Staunton, but the game considers this the Staunton area, so, here we are. Parity of armies worked in my favor here, and I think my troops are all beginning to finally hit training parity with the CSA, which is nice. Not that it'll stay that way for long - the CSA is training their troops too, but I'll take any edge I can get over the CSA for as long as I can keep it.

As explained in the chapter, we draw the army up around Mt. Comfort Church. I post up some simple battlements as quickly as I can, with the expectation being that the CSA will stroll down the Eastern road towards the river - which they do.

Today's weather conditions, and why the Chapter is so focused on the Thunderstorm. I appreciate that the game is just as confused about why the Confederates want to fight in these conditions as I am, but nothing for it.

Honestly this wasn't a difficult fight, soldier parity or not. I had the defensive positions, I had the weather on my side forcing them to march into close range, and the regulars at this point are all outfitted with either Whitworth or Sharps rifles - and Tempest's Corps is a mix of Mississippi rifles and Springfield Rifled Muskets. We easily out-range the CSA, even if we can't make full use of our range either. Additionally, the Sharps Rifle's design leads to a lot less powder fouling, which definitely helps considering the rainstorm we're fighting in.

The battle of Staunton ends with roughly 4:1casualties in my favor, as the CSA just kept slapdashedly throwing brigade after brigade into my line. I think what really simplified things for me was that each specific CSA Corps didn't bother waiting for their allies to come on-line with the rest of the force, and piecemeal attacked me. Something to try and bait the CSA into in the future, I think.

Woah my horse is vaguely famous. That's cool.

And finally, I order a full run of 64 Wiard Rifles. I have the cash to spare at the moment, and I want better cannons fast - we'll buy some 3 inch guns soon, but for now, I want the faster delivery time of the import model.

And that ends today's session. Sorry for the late blog post!