Mr. Lincoln's War [Civil War] [Open] [IC]

[Austria and Bavaria]

Mr. Lincoln's War

Current Date: February 1st, 1862

Discord
Control Map
Theatre Map
Detailed Map
Troop Dispositions
OOC Thread

Following the secession of eleven of the Southern States from the Union after the Election of Abraham Lincoln, the United States has been plunged into a fratricidal and bloody conflict. Now, several months later, both sides have faced victory and defeat. The Confederacy won smashing victories at Balls Bluff and Manassas Junction, but are now facing pressure following their defeat at the Battle of Mill Springs. The Union has also won a significant victory in its capture of Fort Hatteras, in a combined operation between the army and navy. Both sides have overcome initial lack of organization, and have learned many bloody lessons in the last few months. It is now that the war shall begin in earnest.

OP: Austria and Bavaria (CS-Aligned)
Co-OP: Western Pacific Territories (US-Aligned)
Battle-Mods: Revlona (Battle-Mods needed)

War Progress:

Northern War Exhaustion: 20%
7 Months x 3 = 21%
Battle of Manassass +3%
Battle of Wilson's Creek +2%
Battle of Ball's Bluff +1%
Battle of Port Royal -1%
Battle of Belmont -2%
Battle of Mill Springs -3%
Battle of Fort Hatteras -1%

Southern War Exhaustion: 10%

Battle of Manassass -3%
Battle of Wilson's Creek -2%
Battle of Ball's Bluff -1%
Battle of Port Royal +1%
Battle of Belmont +2%
Battle of Mill Springs +3%
Battle of Fort Hatteras +1%

Occupation of Missouri +3%
Occupation of Kentucky +3%
Occupation of Western Virginia +2%
Occupation of North-Eastern Virginia +1%

Special Events in Effect:

General War Order No. 1 - All Federal Army commanders MUST launch offensive campaigns by February 22, or face severe consequences.

[Austria and Bavaria]

Reserved for character roster.

[Revlona]

Taging this

[Austria and Bavaria]

Army of the West
Major General Earl Van Dorn, Commanding
Pochahontas, Arkansas
February 2nd, 1862

General Van Dorn had been in Arkansas for less than a week, and yet he was already about to set out on the march. Van Dorn looked over the various officers sitting about his hotel room, in this last council of war between the march. Ben McCulloch was there, the tall Texas Ranger, who had seen more wars than everyone else in the room combined. To McCulloch's right sat his most trusted brigadier, James M. McIntosh, whose father had died in the Mexican War, and was one of the most brilliant Brigadiers in the Army of the West. Next along the table was Albert Pike, a poet like Van Dorn, and the commander of the Indian Brigade. Last of all was Sterling Price, a former unionist who gained a newfound and bitter hatred for the Yankees after General Lyon had attacked Price's Missouri State Guard some months before, and whose violent arguments with McCulloch had been a primary reason for Van Dorn being assigned to this command. The two had fortunately seemed to put this behind them, but Van Dorn remained wary of their rivalry. The officers had been discussing various strategies and tactics for most of the morning, and now the meeting was drawing to a close.

"Gentlemen," General Van Dorn began, gesturing to the map that lay on the table, "we must act, and act quickly. We have nearly double the forces of General Curtis, and if we move against him, we've got a damned good chance of smashing his army, driving a wedge between Halleck's main Army and his supply bases in St. Louis. Once Curtis is taken care of, we can join up with General Johnston and move up the Mississippi. But time is imperative, Curtis cannot be allowed to invade Arkansas, nor link up with Grant. Therefore, we'll be marching into Missouri, effective immediately." McCulloch noded silently, almost grimly, while Sterling Price allowed himself something close to a grin, glad to be headed back to his home state. The others gave various statements of agreement, and without further discussion, they returned to their columns, to begin the long march north.

A few hours later, and the men were on the road, General Van Dorn riding a dappled grey mare, dressed as ostentatiously as usual. His blue-grey coat was covered in gold embroidery, as was his pale blue kepi. A red sash and black leather riding boots completed the uniform, which stood in considerable contrast to the simple black velvet coat of General McCulloch, who rode alongside Van Dorn. McCulloch's hatred for uniforms was well known to the army, and he was only very rarely seen in one. "Well Ben, so it begins, eh? I think we've got a hell of a good chance here, but I've got my worries too.", the General said, and waited for the Texan to respond.

Campaign Actions
- March to Poplar Bluff, Missouri
- Four days of march, regular speed

Supply consumption
- 56 Miles from Pocahontas, Arkansas to Poplar Bluff, Missouri
- 1190 Supplies consumed

Remaining Supply
18,810 Supply
20,000 Arms

[Saxony-Brandenburg]

Benjamin sat on his horse silently for a few moments, pondering. Although he had fought in many wars, this was unlike any experience he had. He had never been in command of such a large force, and all the years his fellow officers spent at Westpoint he was trying to make a living in the frontier. He had fought in Texas, and heard Santa Ana's men cry in terror by the sound of the cannon. He had stood calm against his rivals pistol and nary moved an inch. He had repulsed Comanche riders, Mexican raids, helped scout enemy positions so effectively he could see the smoke of the Santa Ana's campfire in the Mexican-American war. And yet... he remembered the disaster of the Sommervell expedition. Having to flee like a coward on horseback away from the Mexican cavalry, only escaping by a hair. He thought of his inspiration, his idol, Davy Crockett falling with every man in that damned mission but one. What if his men fell like that? What if again, he ran from the fight like he did? He had fought in so many wars, but he wasn't the one making strategy. He was a man who was given a task and did it, over mountains and deserts, torrential rain and simmering heat. He was a scout indeed, probably the best scout in the whole army at the time. That was his task, and he did it. He- no, he couldn't keep up all this doubt, it would consume him and make him a pansy. He looked over to Van Dorn next to him, giving a faint smile. "We better watch our asses then, and not get tangled up in anythin' we can't win. They can't engage us in a fight if we don't want to be. And I don't intend on letting my Texan boys die on me for us to run in the end."

[Dentali]

,

[Austria and Bavaria]

Army of the Valley, I Corps
Brigadier General Richard Taylor, Commanding
Winchester, Virginia
February 2nd, 1862

Generals Jackson, Taylor, and Ewell stood in the command tent of the Army of the Valley, poring over maps of the surrounding area. Jackson, as usual, was sucking a lemon, while Taylor smoked a pipe, and Ewell, a cigar. "I think we can whip Banks if we move quick." Stonewall said, looking sternly over the map. "we send Loring up north to Cumberland and Hagerstown, and we'll need to pull Johnson back up north. We'll force Banks to split his forces, or else he'll lose control of the railroads." Taylor nodded, tapped his Pipe, buried in thought for a moment, before he spoke up. "It could work, I don't like the risk though. Banks has more troops than us three times over. Can't think of a better plan though, this will at least give us some better odds." Ewell nodded in agreement "It's the best chance we'll get, and we'll make more than plenty trouble for the yankees." Stonewall continued, "We'll pull back to Strasburg, see if we can sucker Banks into coming after us. There's also a rail line Johnson can use once he reaches New Market that runs up to Staunton." Ewell and Taylor, stood, saluted Jackson, and headed off to their Corps.

To Major General William Loring, CO Army of the Northwest,

You are hereby ordered to proceed to Cumberland with all due speed, and from there to Hagerstown, if practicable. Leave a token garrison at Romney in case you should need to fall back, and please advance towards Cumberland as soon as possible.

Signed,

Major General Thomas J. Jackson, CO Army of the Valley

Campaign Actions (For Army of the Valley, NPC)
- Johnson's Brigade marches from Staunton to New Market (3,000 men)
- Three days of march, regular speed
- Army of the Valley marches from Winchester to Strasburg (5,000 men)
- Two days of march, slow speed

Supply consumption
- 45 Miles from Staunton, Virginia to New Market, Virginia
- 135 Supplies consumed
- 19 Miles from Winchester, Virginia to Strasburg, Virginia
- 95 Supplies consumed

Remaining Supply
19,782 Supply (I Corps - 9,952 | II Corps - 9,964)
20,000 Arms

[Paketo]

Army of the Peninsula
Major General D. H. Hill
Yorktown, Virginia
February 2nd, 1862

General D.H. Hill intently studied the maps before him. The Army of the Potomac was positioned in Northern Virginia threatening Washington while his brother in law Jackson and Loring held Western Virginia and the valley. His army of the Peninsula was positioned at Yorktown though he wanted to be further south. As he studied the map, a union fleet lay off the coast of North Carolina waiting for good weather to launch a invasion. His army should be down there to intercept that Yank force but he had to wait for orders before he could move out.

"Orders sir" said a lieutenant entering the room with a cigar. The cigar had become a standard way to relay orders as any captured orders would most likely simply be smoked a union soldier rather than discovered. General Hill saluted the lieutenant before taking the cigar from him and unraveling the paper.

"The Army of the Peninsula is to march north and besiege Fort Monroe. Union invasions further south originate from this last bastion of Union within Virginia. After taking Fort Monroe, the Army of the Peninsula will march north to join the Army of the Potomac. The location will be revealed at a later date." summarized General Hill in his head.

Rolling the paper back up, General Hill threw it in the fire place on the other side of the room. No need to risk these orders falling into enemy hands. He dusted off his hands before returning back to his maps. "So north rather than south. Now, how many miles to Ft. Monroe?" he said to himself. It was 25 miles making it a two day march. "Lieutenant Fairs!" shouted General Hill

The Lieutenant once again appeared in the doorway saluting "Yes sir?".

"Bring McLaws and Toombs to me. I have orders to relay" ordered Hill which was met by a nod from Lieutenant Fairs before he disappeared.

Hill would wait an hour before both men appeared. They had their divisions to tend to making their time understandable. "Generals" said Hill "We have our orders. We are to take Fort Monroe which is due south 25 miles from us. I will take the center, General Toombs, you have the right and General McLaws has the left. Any questions?"

"What is the plan for the siege General?" asked McLaws looking at the maps Hill had been using to demonstrate their path.

"Fort Monroe only two approaches that can turn into bloodbath and we have no ships to make a blockade. I don't think anything but a storming of the fort will allow us to take Monroe." stated Toombs.

"You're right General Toombs" responded Hill "For now we have no official plan though it will likely involve several days of artillery bombardment. We will discuss further matters during the march. Ready your men to move out tomorrow morning."

Campaign Actions
- March to Fort Monroe, Virginia
- Two days of march, regular speed
-Began digging siege positions upon arrival

Supply consumption
- 25 Miles from Yorktown Virginia to Fort Monroe, Virginia
- 338 supplies

Remaining Supply
8,662 Supply
9,000 Arms

[Guimar]

Army of the Northwest

Major General William W. Loring

Romney, West Virginia

Febuary 3rd, 1862

It was early in the morning, around 7. The smokey fog was still lingering around the uniform white tents that was the Confederate Camps. It was mostly quiet, however the sound of Tobacco and wood burning could be found anywhere, as commanders and officers were getting started throughout the day. William Loring, overlooked the calm camp with a thick cigar hanging from his mouth, creating a thick cloud of smoke every 3-4 seconds. He was in a day dream, staring at seemingly nothing while a couple of officers poured leftover water from the night before on a fire.

Soon, distantly, but quickly getting louder, the sound of a galloping horse could be heard. A chestnut steed ripped throughout the camp, the fast horse slicing through the fog clouds as the few men who were a wake turned to look at the Confederate Soldier briefly, before returning to their normal morning duties. Loring removed the cigar from his mouth, and pressed it against the wood, a soft hiss procuring before hed carelessly toss the Cigar over the balcony over looking the town. Having caught eye of the Confederate horse, hed turn around and head back inside his office.

The Horse slowly pulled to a stop in front of the Generals office. After being inspected by the Gaurds, he was let in, proceeding upwards towards the Generals Quarters. Loring had already taken a seat in front of his large oak desk, a map with several markings and pins lay on it.

Three knocks resonated throughout the elegant room.

"Come in." Loring responded. The man, a Confederate soldier with deep blue eyes and black hair. Hed formally greet the General, "Mornin' Ser, hope i didn't disturb ya, but Orders frum Winchestah." The messenger would pull out a wooden box of cigars, the flag of Georgia stamped on the wooden box. "Thank ya" Loring would respond, lifting himself from his desk and eagerly opening the box of Cigars. Hed eagerly fumble to unfold one, looking skimming over the order, seemingly forgetting the presence of the messenger as hed quickly glance up towards him. "Oh, dismissed, soldier. Tell the guard outside to summon the Brigadier Generals on your way out, good man." hed say, sitting back down upon his large desk, looking over the map. "Aye, G'luck" hed say, saluting the General back, and politely leaving the room. After roughly 10 minutes, another set of knocks would sound. Loring would personally open the door this time, smiling as his eyes meet with his senior officers faces. "Come in, Johnston gave us his orders." The three men would greet the middle aged senior officer, the oldest, Henry Jackson, would sit in the chair.William Scott, would take a seat in the remaining chair. The remaining officer, Zepheniah Conner, would stand. "Nothin' much, no real fighting 'less Banks wants one. Cumberlan' is our goal. We leave a regiment here at Romney in case of a retreat." Loring would say, briefing his senior officers. "'Bout less then a day's march, dont ya reckon?". Loring would nod his head, "Jackson wants us to go fast on this one, our goal is to take it by dusk regardless." Scott would nod slowly, allowing Loring to continue. "We march like this. Scott, In the front, mostly cavalry, but around 750 men. Jackson, you lead the left wing, you march behind Scott, but infront of us. Conner, you'll do the same as Jackson, but on the right. Artillery will ride in the back, just behind me, with a force of roun' 1000 men. In total, Jackson and Conner 1,000 men each. The rest of the 3250, ride with me. We will provide replenishment, reinforcement, and support, all in one, should Banks want it to be like that. We march to Cumberland, and, God be with us, will take the city quickly with only the local militia to fight. Should Banks attack, Jackson and you, would station yourself diagonally between Scott's Spearhead and my respective flanks. Artillery, will stay with us, in the gaps between my men and the border." He pause, going through the map and demonstrating each general what to do. "Understood?". Scott would ask, "Who stays?". Loring would quickly awnser "The 31st Virginia. That all?" They would simultanously nod. "Good, wake your men, we depart in 3 hours." hed say, starting to pick up his office, before hed walk over to his balcony, and begin ringing the bells, singaling the Army of the Northwest, it was time to ride.

Campaign Actions
-Army of the Northwest marches from Romney to Cumberland (7,000 men).

Supply Cunsumption
-27 miles from Romney, West Virginia to Cumberland, Maryland.
-825 Supplies consumed

Remaining supplies
8175 Supply
9000 Arms

[Kargintina]

Army of the Potomac
February 3rd, 1862

The camp of the Army of the Potomac was a wonder to behold. Just west of Washington D.C., the massive behemoth of tents housing the largest army ever assembled on North America sent awe into every citizen to gaze upon it. Even soldiers would be shocked as they stepped outside their tents and witness the massive formation around them. Hundreds of smoke clouds from soldier's pipes shot up into the sky as if to send a warning to their southern foes. At the center of it all, a massive tent housing the commander of the Army Major General George Brinton McClellan.


The morning of February 3rd was an eventful one, as Major General McClellan had called all of his Corps commanders to the tent. McClellan himself stood at the head of the table, upon it sitting a map of containing most of Maryland and Virginia. McClellan was rather young for his position, at the ripe age of thirty-five he was General-in-Chief of the United States Army and commander of the Army of the Potomac. He looked older than he truly was, a large brown mustache sat below his nose and wrinkles could be seen on his face, most likely a sign of stress from his new position. At the other end of the table, all of the Generals in command of his Corps stood in wait for his orders. He finally brought his eyes up from the table to give his orders.


The first man he saw was his father in law and Chief of Staff, Colonel Randolph B. Marcy. Marcy was well advanced in years with a large white mustache covering his face. Marcy had already seen plenty of combat in the Black War and Mexican Wars before meeting McClellan, and had even accompanied now Confederate General Albert Sydney Johnson in the expedition against the Mormons five years ago. McClellan trusted Marcy with his life, a feeling that was mutual.


Next was Major General Judson Kilpatrick, commander of the Fourth Corps and the man who was arguably the second in command of the Army of the Potomac. Kilpatrick had graduated from West Point after the war had already begun, and already worked his way up to being a Corps Commander. However, his achievements where not looked upon positively by McClellan; who disliked his unruly tactics.


"Gentlemen, the next few weeks will be some of the most important weeks our great country has ever faced. As you boys already know, we will marching south to take the city of Richmond. However, the rebels are fully aware we are coming. Therefore it is of utmost importance that we attack the city from both sides." He itched his chin, looking closely at the map ahead of him. "General Kilpatrick, you will lead the Fourth and Third Corps overland to attack Richmond from the north." McClellan was nervous appointing "Kilcavalry" with the task of leading such a massive portion of his forces, but he had little time to do any rearrangements in the chain of command. You will have the men ready to march by tomorrow. I will lead the rest of the army to travel down the Potomac to land in Fort Monroe and Hampton."


"Sir, what about Major General Banks?" Asked Brigadier General Phillip Kearny, commander of the Third Corps.


"I will order General Banks to move southward simultaneous to General Kilpatrick's forces and take Harrisonburg in the Shenandoah valley to secure our flank. With the flank protected hopefully General Kilpatrick will be able to seize the city of Fredericksburg and hold until my force reached Richmond from the south. We pull this off, we take Richmond and end this damned war."

Campaign Actions
III and IV Corps march to Fredericksburg
2 Days march, normal speed

2,400 supplies used

27,600 supplies left
30,000 arms left (For III and IV Corps only)

[Lunas Legion]

Confederate Army of the Potomac
3rd February, 1862
Current Location: Manassas

It was a warm day in Manassas, even though it was February. That was not a bad thing in General Joe Johnston's eyes; warm weather was infinitely better to snow or driving rain, both conditions utterly miserable to march in, let alone fight.

His command tent, which was pitched in the center of the camp of the Army of the Potomac much like how Roman commanders pitched their tents in the center of their camps, and like all command tents, his was currently filled with subordinates, all crowded around a table alongside himself. He sat in the middle, his corps commanders, Theophilus H. Holmes and Nathan G. Evans, commanding I and II Corps, or the Left and Right Wings of his army respectively, sat to his left and right. Longstreet sat next to Evans, and along from Longstreet sat David R. Jones, commander of the Reserve Division of the Army of the Potomac, while next to Holmes were Edward K. Smith and Ambrose P. Hill, the commanders of Holmes' two divisions.

The map, bar a small triangle around their current area, was barely visible under piles of paperwork; intelligence and scouting reports that had slowly been trickling in throughout the day. The current offending report sat on top of the pile, and had arrived barely five minutes beforehand. Since then, there had been debate over precisely what to do in regards to its contents; namely, the report from a patrol of the 1st Virginia Cavalry that had spotted a large concentration of Union troops moving south along the coast, at least a Corps worth if not more.

"Gentlemen." Johnston stood, silencing the musings of his subordinates. "Why, exactly, the enemy has undertaken such a move is equally confusing to myself as to you; there is no railroad there until Falmoth and Fredericksburg, and the only road that way is the one from Alexandria to Falmoth. Their objective is clear, and thus so is our counter." Johnston glanced over his subordinates. "The Army, without exception, is to prepare to force march to the southern bank of the Occoquan at Dumfries, where the road crosses the river. The Federals may have stolen a march on us this time, but we'll beat them to the Occoquan and have time to rest before they arrive."

Or that was the plan at least.

Campaign Actions
I/II Corps march to Dumfries, VA
15 miles- Forced March- 1/2 a Day
Remaining time is to be used to rest the troops and site artillery batteries along the river and on Cherry Hill.
After resting cavalry is to maintain patrols up to 10 miles north of the river and 7 miles upstream.

Starting Supply Stocks: 20,000
Supplies Used: 635
Ending Supply Stocks: 19,365
Starting Arms Stocks: 20,000
Ending Arms Stocks: 20,000

[Western Pacific Territories]

Rolla, Missouri
February 8, 1863

The Union's Army of the Southwest had for about the last month or so been encamped in the town of Rolla, almost exactly 100 miles from the border of Confederate Arkansas. About ten thousand men had gathered in the areas around the town and had formed some temporary defenses, if for nothing else than for the sake of appearance - Confederate armies weren't expected to arrive in the area without notice arriving weeks prior. The biggest threat might have been some militias fighting for the liberation of their state, much like the turncoat Sterling Price, but that would have been it. The only real thing of note was occurring in the abandoned house of a Confederate sympathizer who appeared to have simply wondered off, this was where Curtis and his sub-ordinates were planning for a push into Arkansas, or to support Grant's army, whichever one they were ordered to do.

Curtis was a decent commander himself. Graduated from the Army Engineers School, governed a few cities in Mexico and was one of the first two Congressmen from Iowa. His sub-ordinates were more interesting however. His commander of the First and Second Divisions was Frank Sigel, a German-born immigrant from Baden. He was liked by the Union military and Abraham Lincoln himself because he spoke German and was helpful and recruiting German immigrants for the Union cause. Curtis's superior, Maj. General Henry Halleck absolutely despised the man however. Curtis could perhaps guess why, his promotion to brigadier general was made by Lincoln himself and was based mostly on a political nature, as Sigel up to this point didn't have a good commanding reputation. Sigel was the same rank as Curtis and didn't receive command of the entire army. His response was to threaten to resign and essentially take most of the First Division with him. As one would expect this didn't do much to improve his image.

Curtis's second commander, the Hungarian-born Alexander Asboth was less interesting a character. His experience in the military prior to 1861 consisted of being a Captain in the Hungarian Army and fighting in the 1848 revolutions. This was much less impressive compared to what Sigel had done, during the same period of revolution he commanded five thousand revolutionaries. Curtis's third commander was a perhaps unfortunately named one. His third division was commanded by Colonel Jefferson C. Davis, though of no relation to the Confederate president. The four men now found themselves siting around a table, covered in maps and planning out a possible advance into Arkansas.

"... Well from here we can march southwest to Springfield, and then from there take over a couple of towns in the northwest corner of Arkansas. It would get alot of attention, but it would perhaps let pressure off Grant. I'm sure Van Dorn would be more concerned with losing Fayetteville and Rogers than guarding the left flank of the Army of Missouri." Sigel glanced at the map while Curtis rambled on. "And leave the Army of the Tennessee vulnerable? We only have ten thousand men to guard essentially the entirety of Missouri, if Van Dorn decides to leave the Confederates in Tennessee to themselves while we advance into Arkansas he could be on St. Louis before we could react. We'd all be dead men then, what with letting Missouri fall."

Curtis looked up towards a set of windows, there seemed to be some more scurrying of activity out there. "It's a gamble we have to take, we can't second guess Van Dorn and we need to march soon or-" Curtis was suddenly interrupted by two men opening the door and entering, giving salutes. "Message from Poplar Bluff, sir." muttered one of the men. "At ease, let's see what this is for." He opened a envelope handed to him and glazed through it's contents. "Well I'll be damned. Looks like we don't need to decide Sigel, Van Dorn did it for us. Poplar Bluff is in Confederate hands and he could march across the Mississippi any day. If he does we can kiss thirty thousand men goodbye." Asboth asked "How long you think we can make it there?"

Curtis rather dismayed looked back to Asboth. "Week if we force march the entire way. Fastest route isn't too populated so we'll probably take longer foraging for food. Doesn't take into account the guerillas and the supply lines. Two weeks if we're unlucky... if Van Dorn wants to make the decisive move we aren't in any position to stop him, but we can do our damnedest. Let's get the camp packed up, and you..." Curtis looked to the two messengers. "Do anything you can to get to Grant. If he gets surrounded or you run into Confederates head to a telegram office and send the news out that way. Got it?" "Yes sir." "Dismissed."

---

Order Summary:

• Campaign Actions:
  
  • March to Eminence, Missouri (five days, three regular & two fast)
  • Planned march to Poplar Bluff, Missouri (four days regular march)
• Supply Consumption:
  
  • 12,600 supplies (15,000 supplies - 2,400 supplies)
  • 15,000 arms (- 0 arms)

[Austria and Bavaria]

Turn One Events



Cumberland Captured!

Confederate Forces under the command of General William Loring have seized the key rail center of Cumberland, Maryland. Federal forces are now unable to use the Baltimore &
Ohio Railroad. +1 Federal War Exhaustion

NPC Armies:

Army of the Shenandoah
February 5th
Marches from Harper's Ferry to Winchester
30 miles of march, regular speed, two days of travel
Consumes 600 supplies
19,400 supplies remaining

Battles:

Battle of Dumfries

Dumfries Battlefield

The III and IV Corps of the Federal Army have stumbled upon a Confederate force of unknown size north of the town of Dumfries. Key positions on the field are Garfield House Hill, Cherry Hill, and Georgetown Village.

[Austria and Bavaria]

Army of the West
Major General Earl Van Dorn, Commanding
Pochahontas, Arkansas
February 8th, 1862

General Van Dorn had originally planned to fortify the town of Poplar Bluff, but upon arrival, he found that he had a strong dislike for the terrain. Rough and forested, there would be little advantage in the use of his artillery or cavalry. However, a continued march opened up new opportunities. If the Army headed north, to Greenville, they would threaten St. Louis, and hopefully force Curtis into a general engagement, hopefully before he was ready. The troops had been given a day of rest in the town, and soon they would once again be on the march. In his spare time, Van Dorn had written a proclaimation to the people of Missouri, to be distributed throughout the state so far as was possible, which read:


Missourians, I have entered your State with the Confederate Army of the West, and offer you an opportunity to free yourselves from the tyranny of a despotic ruler. We come not as conquerors or as despoilers, but to restore to you the liberties of which you have been deprived by a cruel and relentless foe. We come to guarantee to all the sanctity of their homes and altars, to punish with a rod of iron the despoilers of your peace, and to avenge the cowardly insults to your women. With all non-combatants the past shall be forgotten. I shall enforce a rigid discipline and shall protect all in their persons and property. Needful supplies must be had for my army, but they shall be paid for at fair and remunerating prices. Believing that the heart of Missouri is with us in our great struggle for constitutional freedom, we have transferred from our own soil to yours not a band of marauders, but a powerful and well-disciplined army. General Price, dear to us as to you, is advancing with Missouri's valiant sons to receive the honor and applause due to their heroism. The strong hands which in part have sent Wilson's Creek down to history and the nerved arms which have kept at bay from our own homes the boastful army of the enemy are here, to assist, to sustain, to liberate you. Will you remain indifferent to our call, or will you not rather vindicate the fair fame of your once free and envied State? We believe that you will, and that the memory of your gallant dead who fell at Shiloh, their faces turned homeward, will rouse you to a manly effort for yourselves and posterity.

Missourians, we have come with joyous hopes. Let us not depart in sorrow, as we shall if we find you wedded in your choice to your present lot. If you prefer Federal rule, show it by your frowns and we shall return whence we came. If you choose rather to come within the folds of our brotherhood, then cheer us with the smiles of your women and lend your willing hands to secure you in your heritage of liberty.

Women of Missouri, your persecutions and heroic bearing have reached our ear. Banish henceforth forever from your minds the fear of loathsome prisons or insulting visitations. Let your enthusiasm have free rein. Buckle on the armor of your kindred, your husbands, sons, and brothers, and scoff with shame him who would prove recreant in his duty to you, his country, and his God.

EARL VAN DORN,

General, Commanding.

Campaign Actions
- March to Greenville, Missouri
- Two days of march, regular speed

Supply consumption
- 32 Miles from Poplar Bluff, Missouri to Greenville, Missouri
- 680 Supplies consumed

Remaining Supply
18,130 Supply
20,000 Arms

[Paketo]

Army of the Peninsula
Major General D. H. Hill
Fort Monroe, Virginia
February 5th, 1862

The Army of the Peninsula marched into the ruins of Hampton on the afternoon of the 4th of February and found the grand shanty town of escaped slaves nearly empty as they escaped across the two land bridges to the land in front of Fort Monroe. The time for siege was now.

Hill positioned his corps in the center with 40 guns, Toombs with 10 guns on the right wing, and positioned McLaws with 10 guns on the left wing. The air was filled with a eerie silence as the two forces stared each other down from their positons. The men in the fort were outnumbered 4 to 1 but that didn't mean they would give up the fort without a fight.

Back behind the lines in a mostly intact church, Hill had set up his headquarters. The general and his two commanders were gathered around a table covered in several maps detailing troop positions and the layout of the fort. "We should avoid hitting the shanty town. It will impede our soldiers advance in the subsequent rubble. The Shanty town at the moment will give us cover when we advance." stated McLaws drawing a circle with his finger in the area in front of the fort.

"Agreed, The shanty town will give us cover and the Yanks will hesitate to shoot those down into that runaways town in case any of them are left in it." responded Toombs.

Hill nodded at the words of his subordinates and was about to speak before Lieutenant Fairs entered the room stopping him. "Generals" said Fairs while saluting "We have received a response to our demand of surrender. The Union will not surrender the fort and we will have to fight them out.".

"Then it is time to begin the bombardment. Generals, get to your men. Begin bombardment on my signal." ordered Hill before each General left the church and mounted their horses to get to the Frontlines. Five minutes later, the once eerie silence was broken by the thunder of guns as the confederate batteries opened fire on Fort Monroe.

Campaign Actions
-Began the siege of Fort Monroe
-Initiated two days of shelling

Supply consumption
-None

Remaining Supply
8,662 Supply
9,000 Arms

[Guimar]

Major General William W. Loring

Cumberland, Maryland

February 4th, 1862

It was a dark night, around 8, the men were dancing merrily, the sounds of celebration, which in Southern Troops was banjo, and mixed cries of the rebel yell along with the strong smell of Tobacco, filled the air.

The men were rejoicing, it was an important even for them, they have made it out of West Virginia, and stepped foot in Maryland, a state which aligned with the South, but the tyranny of the yanks halted their democratic seccesion.

In the Town hall, which is where Loring and his senior commanders had taken residence, there was a different setting. They were discussing the futures next move. A couple hours ago, a messenger arrived from Stonewall, with Lorings next orders. He was to march to Hagerstown, Maryland, and take the town.

"Whats the plan, General?" Interluded Brigadier General Zepheniah Conner. "We march in the same formation as last time, same amount of men. This is Yankee country now, we need to be carefull now and act fast. We can use the locals to our advantage, but a couple of Marylanders wont do much against a yank force." Hed say, looking down at a map that lay in between his 3 senior officers. "We need to march quick, its about 2 days march, bout 70 miles. We leave first thing in the morning on the morrow, i dont want to break the men's celebration. That clear, gentlemen?" They all nodded, "Good, dismissed, go back to our activities." Loring would stop then for a minute, "Oh, and if ye can, get some supplies, please"
Theyd nod again, and leave the room. He would watch them all leave the room, and when the door finally shut, hed take a glance at a Confederate flag planted on Cumberland, and smile. Hed roll up the plans back into their original Cigar shape, and take his match, and light it. Hed sit in a rocking chair facing a window, showing the celebration of the men. A smile would form as he rocked slowly, finishing his cigar, and falling asleep, for tommorow a hard day of marching awaited.

Campaign Actions

-Army of the Northwest marches from Romney to Hagestown (7000 men)

Supply Consumption

-66 Miles from Cumberland to Hagerstown.

-1468 Supplies consumed

Remaining Supplies

-6707 Supply
-9000 Arms