First turn I have been able to play in a few weeks. It went rather well for me, or so it seems.
CSA Turn 47 (9:40 AM)
Command Report
It didn't start too well. I had 18 units break and run.
Jackson and AP Hill's AO
DH Hill's division, which has performed very well, finally had enough and "withdrew" themselves from the front. Not the whole division but what feels like most of it.
AP Hill has a few units break but there isn't much organized resistance in front of him, at least not that can be seen.
This might be what I have been looking for...a general collapse in a large area of the Union line. I should at least get some much needed victory points by killing/capturing some of the yanks I am surrounding. I have much of Ewell's fairly fresh division just waiting to break through in this area. I don't feel like Daniel has much left in the way of reserves. If he did I think he would have sent more down to defend against Longstreet, as Longstreet has a couple brigades ready to break into Daniels rear area.
Longstreet's Division
Of course it wouldn't be a real turn if Longstreet didn't have units rout. I drew some arrows to show how the path seems open to Daniel's rear area. There are a lot of VP hexes to the east. You can see one of the VP hexes in the lower right corner. That is my cavalry regiment South East of Daniels extreme left. So basically he has been outflanked, just not by a large force. It is this open area that leads me to believe he is out of reserves and therefore Ewell has the chance for a major breakthrough.
Most of Longstreet's division is used conservatively. No need to push things and the units break easy anyways. The rightmost brigades fall into a line formation in order to push past the two regiments to their front. I am sure Daniel will pull regiments from elsewhere to slow these guys down. If he is out of reserves, so this will only lead to weakness elsewhere.
Magruder's AO
Wow...this is what I was expecting to happen early on. His right finally collapsed. This provides me with several strategic options. I can roll up his line south of the Chickahominy. Or, cross the Chickahominy with several brigades to assist in that fight. Or head due East, through rough wooded terrain, to capture the last Chickahominy bridges.
Holmes division swings around and begins to push south. No matter what strategic option I choose I need a little more breathing room in this area. So I think I will try and roll up his line a little bit. Then I will decide which way to send Magruder's men. Leaning towards capturing all the Chickahominy bridges. I want to destroy the union troops north of the river. Not only will that effectively end the Union push against Richmond, but should be devastating to Northern morale.
Victory Report
Still a long way to go before I achieve a victory but things are starting to swing my way. I expect the casualty amounts to even out before noon. About that time I should have several more VP hexes in my possession. I captured 2 hexes this turn worth 300 VPs in total.
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Lt. Col. Thomas Wayne (Iddings)
6th Brigade, 3rd Division, I Corps
Army of the West