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Another great video gentlemen! Well done. Someone may have already mentioned but only thing I noticed was that at 30:09 - in Patrick's attempt to blow the ferry, because destroying bridges/ferries is performed during a march action and not a separate action, Tracy needed to perform an extended march roll - even though he is marching in place. Look forward to the next one fellas!

I think y'all forgot that the Grindstone Ford Suspension Bridge is over a minor river, so even when the bridge is destroyed it's a ford (except for rain effects.)

Enjoyable game to watch, thanks for sharing. Patrick, I like your use of Greene on T1, you did that well. I did cheer Patrick when you got the 6 in an early combat after your rolls at the end of last game. One important note, do recognize the Grindstone Bridge is on a minor river and destroying the bridge leaves a ford across the minor river. So unless you're in an advanced game with the chance of rain, there's no benefit to destroy that bridge (I've done that before myself and Ken Lee pointed that out to me). Minor nit, do remember a bridge destruction is part of a march action and roll an extended march if needed. During the play I thought Roger should have pushed to more fatigues on T2 and T3 but it is a 5 turn scenario and he was in position to win the scenario. I agree with you two that this scenario is a fun one that seems well balanced.

Roger, I feel your pain. I just finished up Scenario 4 as the US. I had brutal die rolls for my EMs (flipped several units and lost 15 MP) and combat (9 MP lost to only 4 CSA w/ one of those on the 33 table). My early march rolls were not good either. I dug a very deep hole early and lost 6 MP in combat (one being a CSA attack w/ a 6-2 roll w/ a +1 mod). Seven attacks and the worst CSA roll was a 5 while I rolled four 2s and my only 6 was negated by a CSA 6. But I finally got 2 MP losses on my sixth attack and had the 8 Bolton VPs in hand. I also kicked the CSA out of Edwards. It all came down to the last few rolls on Edwards. I defended with 19 CV and 9 arty. My opponent, Gilbert failed on his first two assault attempts with sixes. His third attempt succeeded, and he was able to bring in all three of Stevenson's units and his Grand Assault also succeeded and bring in 2 hexes w/ three more units. With that he was able to cover the odds and reduce the arty effects to -1. So, a straight up attack (with only a 22% chance of knocking me out of Edwards) went in and the roll 6-2 CSA. Ouch and this went from a Union marginal (16 VP) to a CSA substantive win (3 VP). It breaks the heart and as Patrick likes to say "I had it Marcus, it was right in my hand" A note about how I played scenario 4. Ignore Horace Greeley - do not go West - or in this case North - go East. I should have headed East but instead, stuck my head into the lion's mouth ending up between two rivers in Edwards. I realized this a few turns in. Just plain dumb. I also made another mistake and forgot Raymond only counts for points until turn 3. At any rate, a good playthrough here.

What a game - it was like watching two chess masters ! 😊

If it makes you feel any better, the CSA had trouble blowing up the Grindstone Ford Suspension Bridge in real life too.

Very helpful as I'm playing this at my wargames club this evening and neither my opponent have played it before

So, I finally finished watching this episode. And for good benefit I did: Yes, as you say at 1:47:30, you made Holger happy! Very nice resolve to go it for the very end. (...though I will relativize the spectecular outcome with what I have to say below.) On top of what I already commented in answering the discussion started by "rhysjohnson", also on the further days I watched now, you seem to handle brigdes not exactly. E.g. at min 42:50 Tracy destroyed the bridge. But as long as the opposing bridgehead is enemy occupied he would not have been allowed to do so. (standard rules 10.2 "exceaption") Then from the Union perspective: Why the detour around Windsor Indian Mounds still in turn 2? The direct way is only prohibited in turn 1. Later they seem to have detected the road. Finally, I fear you handled the Loess not restrictively enough. Yes, there are the factors such as restricted ZOCs and high entry costs, that you did observe. But there is more. Did you always account for the additional +1 MP cost for attacks in all occasions? Remember a "normal" basically costs 3 MP and an prepared 5 MP into Loess. (see 2.3 of TOM rules.) Some instances where I fear you went in to cheaply: Min 1:25:30 Min 1:30:30 Min 1:35:30 So, this includes some of Roger's late game comeback shows. If you had paid correctly it would have accumulating stopping effects by worse attacks and/or mor fatigues gathered. Thus it would not have been so easy to turn the table. But in any case you should always play it out to the end! 😁 Regards Holger

Very informative! You sound kinda like astronauts the way your mic noise cancels I guess, no problem though. I'm just learning to use Vassal and reacquainting myself with the rules. Thank you!

Tim Smith has written a few volumes about this campaign that are well worth reading.

Many thanks to you both for playing the game out to the end and not giving up!

Patrick, were your last three combat rolls 1’s?

Great game with ebbs and flows. I like the options that the Union have, I like the moves Patrick made on T3 to setup bridging but on T2 instead. Be careful of the extra mp needed to attack in loess. I saw 2 attacks that didn't use that extra mp.

I’m confused how Roger was able to make an attempt to destroy the bridge at the 42min mark when there was an enemy unit occupying one of the two bridge hexes. The basic rules state that a bridge cannot be destroyed if an enemy unit occupies one of the two hexes connected by a bridge/ferry, or emits a ZOC into one hex that is not occupied by a friendly unit.

Roger's handling of John Stevens Bowen showed Bowen' s Historic mettle; Captured at Camp Jackson Missouri by Lyons he was exchanged and fought as a Col. at Columbus Ky. Wounded at Shiloh, he returned to duty and was in the Vicksburg Campaign, where he was commended for his skill and courage by his superiors; but his zeal also wrecked his health and he died from illness a few days after the surrender of Vicksburg, captured in a Hospital. Well done Roger Sir, you made Savannah Ga's finest proud. This playthrough shows that the module isn't hopelessly one sided and that extreme skill and some luck will prevail for the CSA.

In theory, Osterhaus could have taken Willows with sufficient movement, picking up Ingleside on the way to offset the loss of Port Gibson. He would have had a forced march opportunity to help stretch the movement rolls.

In the assault by Crocker on Tracy at 0:58:30, hex 4720 also comes off (restricted ZoC,) so it’s only +1 flanking bonus.

That was quite possibly the most Roger thing that has ever happened in one of these. The master pulls another rabbit out of his hat! Also, For the attack at 59:03 would hex 4120 not come off, as its a restricted ZOC?

What a show! 🎉

Excellent game! Super content as always.

Your playthroughs are great. However in this one, unless there is a scenario special rule, a unit can only make one attempt per turn to destroy a bridge and you can't destroy a bridge when there is an enemy unit in the adjacent hex (Standard Rules 10.2). Makes a big difference to a lot of Rogers bridge burning unless I have misread the rules!

I was thinking "poor Roger" as Patrick is rolling 5s and 6s for movement, gets strings on initiatives, builds a key bridge at a key time and crushes the enemy in battle. Meanwhile, Roger is puttering along. I am thinking this sucker is over and Roger is the goose that is cooked. But in the end, the ones had it. I feel your pain Patrick as I am playing scenario 4 and my US forces have marched poorly and have been beaten in every battle so far. But seeing the turnaround in this game, I can take heart and hope I can do likewise. I can go out tonight and sell 7 units and not have to put that coffee down.

Probably pronounced TILL-man, like ex-Golf Channel anchor Kelly Tiglman, who's father was mayor here in North Myrtle Beach. "G" is silent.

As to your comment about your defending unit using the voluntary retreat rule (which is subject to the retreat rules) to go into the attacker's hex. I think that is covered under "Retreat Restrictions" (pg 16) / "Closer to Attacker" even though the attacker was wiped out.

I think Loring’s brigade commander’s name is pronounced “Tillman”.

What a furball! Nice play guys. Looking forward to the swapping of sides.

The prohibition on the USA entering the Windsor Indian Mounds is for Turn 1 only. XVII Corps could have used that route on Turn 2. (I presume by then they had figured out that there was a route through there, and it wasn’t flooded.)

The last two videos have been out of focus. I can usually make out the die rolls but they are really blurry and I cannot make out any text in the message window.

Patrick getting his butt smacked again, Hurrah! Hurrah! We'll give him a hearty one again, Hurrah! Hurrah! The opponent will cheer, the boys will shout, The ladies, they will dance about, And we'll all be there, when Patrick rolls a one again.

love it

Wow, amazing game! And Dan definitely showed me how to be more aggressive than I was. :)

I LOVE your playing's of the GCACW series....I was wondering, since you mentioned your favorite series module was HCR, what you both think of the Battle Above the Clouds? BAtC is MY favorite, although Atlanta is Ours is a close second. The Gettysburg II game, to me, was somewhat wrecked by so many special rules, limiting/forcing the Rebs to stay the historical course, much more so than the Original Roads to Gettysburg I ....anyway, really appreciate you two playing these great games, so we can all benefit from! Oh, and 3 of my friends and I have played GTC II Campaign twice, switching sides as you do, and now are on turn 32 of OTR II . I don't think we will switch sides on this on! :)

This is a really fast start into the new theatre: A small and short first scenario that you could handle back and forth in one session. Lucky series of Union initiatives on the first run. Sneaking through the Loess yielded big possessions. Apparently it is not as tough to march around in that new sandy terrain feature as supposed. Two rule details: You discussed Green’s retreat way from minute 38 to 39 in the first playthrough. Let me note: Green could also much easier arrive at your intended final hex. You could already shortcut from 5420 to 5320 as the second retreat leg for retreat chart 2 is applied from the second step onwards. Thus, you only have to avoid ZOC and not get closer but don’t have to go further away anymore. And on min 41:50: Would Osterhaus not lose two manlevels on such a high modified extended march roll? Regards / big wheels keep on turning Holger

Just started Scenario 4. I am the Union and McClernand gets a 1 and then a 2 for his first two march moves. Grant was not amused.

Why do you not use the two colored dice for the battle roll? The attacker gets the honor. (Sorry if this has been asked multiple times)

Just bought this title. It arrives tomorrow and completes my full collection.

Our Thursday Tribe has begun the Campaign game you should drop in to see how it shakes out...

At 0:57:20, Carr could have marched through 5321 and right into Port Gibson with no forced march.

The string of initiatives by the the Union player in both plays is what won the game for them. Some Geology notes on Loess: It is a very fine continental glacial material that was the result of the continental glaciation 10k+ years ago north of here (Mid West US). It was wind blown by the high pressure systems that formed over the cold ice and was blown south. It is a very fine angular material that will interlock with the angles and form steeper than normal slopes. Disturb it (walking, running, shaking, etc.) and it all collapses; hence the movement and restricted ZOC functions in the game. Well done by the game designers in recreating this unique and somewhat difficult terrain.

Neat, was probably going to dive into one of the early scenario's this evening, and then this pops up. Really curious to see how the campaign goes.

Love these videos.. have to pick on the comment "Opdyke is good for something"... without him, strong chance the rebels break through at the Carter house and gain the Federal rear and outflank both sides of their abatements.. giving Hood the "cannae" he was looking for...

It's always worth asking "how much could I gain if things go right?" vs "how much could I lose if things go wrong?" The answer to this question is often heavily tilted in one direction or the other, and you have to take that into consideration when deciding what to do.

Burnside makes up for all of his poor historical results in one fell swoop!

Long live the King!!!

Always appreciate your videos

You can’t really complain about Roger’s initiatives when you passed just before.

You e probably covered this somewhere in a video: there are so many die rolls impacting play: can a good strategy, player morale overcome bad die rolls?

So, it was a “short” campaign in result? I would have loved to see you run it out in 30 days. …but when you have decisive battles upfront… it was not so surprising to see it end now. …though you got kind of a clean getaway with the CSA on turn 9. But there were simply not enough “big boys” still around to fight it for the long term. So next, you are already embarked to the Mississippi? Well, this will be interesting enough with the new stuff that I do not know yet. And it also follows your chronological logic to put it on the agenda. Although I also really would like you to catch up back and do the campaign versions of the early games, say compact AGA or even huge OTR! But I will follow you west as well. Holger

Well, that was an enjoyable couple of campaign games. Would love to see a reprint, maybe with Stonewall's Last Battle thrown in, who knows?

Its a great Scenario and awful Fun..Now Playing other campaign. the Random Events Seem stale and way to similar