American Civil War Game Club (ACWGC)

Gentlemen,

Just over two weeks ago, I was delighted to announce to you all that General Blake Strickler had been awarded the very first Washington Medal of Merit for his service to us all. Blake's contributions here are many and varied, but I think we would all agree that his tournaments have given a lot of fun to virtually all of us. As you all know, Blake does this because he enjoys it - it's his hobby space & his spare time, just as it is for all of us. I would like to think we all recognise the importance of that.

I was therefore deeply disappointed to hear from Blake today, saying that the communications in relation to the Gettysburg tournament have been unacceptably rude. The main catalyst appears to be a dispute over artillery hex limits. If I'm honest, it doesn't really matter what the point of dispute is - what matters is the tone in which members from either side of the Mason-Dixon have carried on. It is not acceptable. By all means disagree - we all do that - but disagreement must be polite & respectful. My marker will always be: would it be acceptable to say this to a friend in a physical wargames club, with metal miniatures & styrofoam terrain? I'll go further - you should each be aiming to make sure the person you're playing feel like they want to go for a beer with you after the game. It is, after all, only a game.

Clubs like this die without a great deal of fuss. Gradually, the forums become quieter; it becomes harder and harder to find opponents. People simply stop showing up. One day somebody simply posts that owing to continued lack of engagement, the ACWGC is closed. The End.

Well, I'm going to do everything in my power to stop that happening to this fantastic community of ours. We're lucky in our team-mates, and we're lucky in our opponents. We're lucky to have Blake, and everyone else who puts their shoulder to the wheel to make this place fun to be. So please - find a way to compromise, politely and respectfully, over artillery hex limits. If you have a fundamental position, then please recognise you'll need to compromise somewhere else.

I would really like to draw a line under this topic. Please make sure that happens.

_________________
Brigadier General TW Marshall

ACWGC President 2022 - 2024

Marshall's Brigade 'The St Andrews Greys', 2nd (Gator Alley) Division, Stewart's Corps, Army of Tennessee

Well said General Marshall.

_________________
General Richard Whipkey
Commanding Officer
Army of the Potomac

I completely agree. I know I can be a hard person to get along with but I don't want to be known as inflexible anymore than anyone else wants to be perceived as that. If we are all willing to compromise more than we would all be better off. I will do my share.

Artillery Limits have become a rallying cry for many in the past month and I can see now how far the two groups are taking it and I agree it is stressful and too far.

I will reevaluate my own position and seek to more fully embrace the spirit of compromise in the club.

Apologies to Blake and the Club leaders if I caused any problems.

_________________
Maj. Gen. Mitch Johnson
ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE COMMANDER

_________________
Gen. Blake Strickler
Confederate General-in-Chief
El Presidente 2010 - 2012

I hear what General Marshall has said and I support him! I also totally support General Strickler.

A BIG Thank You to both these gentlemen for all that they do for our beloved Club.


"Be civil to all; serviceable to many; familiar with few; friend to one; enemy to none." - Benjamin Franklin

_________________
Major General Kyle FitzMaurice
Commander
XVII Corps
Army of the Tennessee
USA

Gaming differences of opinion are acceptable but civility should be observed. If members are unable to agree on gaming terms they should both give a little more or just not play and move on. Preferably just give a little more. Just a game.

_________________
Lt. Gen. Steve Griffith


Army of Northern Virginia Commander

As regards the comment "The main catalyst appears to be a dispute over artillery hex limits" that matter is easily resolved. Rule 6.2.1 is quite clear, opponents can agree to introduce any house rules they see fit to introduce. If they don't agree there is no requirement that they play that particular opponent at all.
In regard to artillery stacking my opinion has always been quite clear (https://wargame.ch/board/acwgc/viewtopic.php?f=134&t=22657). It is based upon the historical reality (US Field Manual) that you simply can't deploy more than eight guns in a 125-yard stretch. That house rule was first introduced to me by a Union member who was interested in improving the simulation value of the games. The desire for better simulation is why we also have Club 'house rules' (Rule 6.1).

As for the abuse there is never any need for that. After all, they are just games. People should state their position and keep to the facts. Rule 1.1.3 covers this as no abusive language will be tolerated in any matter related to the Club.

_________________
Paul Swanson
Lieutenant-General
First Division
First Corps
Army of Northern Virginia

Gentlemen <salute>,

I agree with all General Marshall has said and indeed with the views of all the other eminent gentlemen who have posted, in support, also.

In particular, Blake Strickler has dedicated a huge element of time, energy and resources to providing for us within the Club, not just the tournaments but his MP games and indeed much more. He is not responsible for the artillery stacking limits within the games and therefore cannot be expected to be held accountable for them.

Flexibility, compromise, readiness to appreciate, understand and consider another point of view along with civility, gentlemanly behaviour and sound common sense must, for the good of all, prevail.
I further agree with General Marshall that a line needs to be drawn under this topic and the sooner we do so the better for all.

_________________
Karl McEntegart
Brigadier General
Officer Commanding
Army of Tennessee





Make my enemy brave and strong, so that if defeated, I will not be ashamed.

Gents,

I also wanted to extend my thanks to General Marshall for posting this, as well as offer my support to the great work Blake does for us all. We all benefit from the many things Blake does for the Club, but the tournaments are so crucial to our continued success. It's a continuous stream of activity, with something new for us all! It keeps us engaged and keeps the Club rolling along, especially with no new games from WDS on the horizon. I know we've had a lot of great new officers join us in the past several years and they have been blessed with only knowing a time where tournaments are ongoing. This wasn't always the case in the past and keeping the momentum going, without something like Blake's contributions, can be a lot more work. I, along with other past leaders in the Club, know that first hand. Especially when there are other tasks & projects that need one's attention. Blake frees up the ability for other leaders to focus on different aspects of the Club, which gives us all the best experience possible.

What folks are saying here is important to keep in mind. Obviously the issue that the latest update to the games has made, will take time for folks to find other like minded members to play with. Civility is key though! We're all here for the fun and we're all here on our own accord & time.

It's all about the fun and as the late and venerable General John Dragan would say "It's better to win a friend than it is to win a battle." 

_________________
General Scott Ludwig
4/II/ANV