Scourge of War Boards

I am just terrible at this game. I wish you guys could see some of the scores I am getting. A War College thread would be great where folks could post ideas on troop manageement, attack and defense strategies etc..I especially would like to learn how to better use my arty especially in the attack. The CSA AI doesn't do as good a job as the Union AI with ARTY, always firing from long range. I guess thats because the CSA is usually on the attack into the face of all those union cannon on top of a hill. Some of the scenarios as CSA seem absolutely impossible.

We've got a few generals that have finished the game, so it's a great idea to have them school us in their tactics

The fun is in the learning. A basic understanding of civil war battles or tactics would help, but is not required. The attacker usually gets the worst of it. Fighting defensively is easier. You want to get on your opponents flanks and protect your own. You need to gain an advantage over your opponent in an attack. Like against AI deploy single brigade single line just out of range. This will keep his troops in place then over power one of his flanks. If he has artillery and you don't have enough men to brush aside any infantry regiments and get to his guns, then don't attack look for some advantage at getting to him. Use elevation, walls, etc. This will increase your strength. Most if not all frontal attacks in the civil war failed. And if they succeeded it was at a great cost.
Start in sandbox with few troops and then work your way up. Artillery is the hardest. They never want to advance. I usually order the battery commander forward then TC him so he cannot change the order. When they are set up I un TC him. Reb infantry is usually tougher, learn to attack with them first.
Or you could try MP games and do some coops. That is the fastest and best way to learn. I am on after 9:30 CST most weeknights. Not a lot of guys on that late (I think most must be farmers-----up early) ,but you can usually find a game around there. Keep trying.
NY Cavalry

Actually I would'nt be surprized that this game is not used as a learning tool for cadets at West Point.

Yeah, Sandbox Brigade Size battles are the best practice for beginners. Choose your favorite brigade, choose line of sight, and go at it. NY Cav listed some great tips. It's all about flanking.

Always try to gang up on single enemy regiments whenever you can. Have one of your regiments attack their right flank, one on their left and they are sure to retreat.

Use high ground, fences, trees, walls, whenever you can.

And always take advantage of an enemies mistake (catching them in column formation etc.)

BOSTON wrote:

Actually I would'nt be surprized that this game is not used as a learning tool for cadets at West Point.

:woohoo: That's a good one, those tactics mostly died with Pickett's Charge, along with the last Rebs with smoothbores. Rifled guns with the added accuracy fundamentally brought shoulder to shoulder line strategies to a grinding halt. Then came the long range repeaters, Gatling guns, and indirect artillery and small arms fire...mortars.

Gonna be a pile of dead cadets if they study and fight this way today. So, let's just enjoy...WHAT WAS.

RebBugler:
You'd be surprised. I had an aquaintance who went to West Point 20 some years ago. He said they practiced quite a bit of close order drill. They also spent a considerable amount of time studying Napoleonic and Civil War tactics.

Some of the best books on Napoleonic and ACW battles and campaigns are produced by the Army War College. These are used by mid-level officers in their training. I guess they put into practice the old saying, "you don't know where you are if you don't know where you've been."

RebBugler wrote:

BOSTON wrote:

Actually I would'nt be surprized that this game is not used as a learning tool for cadets at West Point.

:woohoo: That's a good one, those tactics mostly died with Pickett's Charge, along with the last Rebs with smoothbores. Rifled guns with the added accuracy fundamentally brought shoulder to shoulder line strategies to a grinding halt. Then came the long range repeaters, Gatling guns, and indirect artillery and small arms fire...mortars.

Gonna be a pile of dead cadets if they study and fight this way today. So, let's just enjoy...WHAT WAS.

It's about flanking, use of terrain, map use, who is best suited for the job, much like any tactics, commands, communications, (instead of courier), you see on The Military Channel happening in Afganistan,Iraq or elsewhere, only they are for real.

One of my former AP History students graduates from the Point one week from tomorrow. He is at home this week, recovering from a minor back operation. Will have to ask him if they are still teaching CW tactics...I do believe that Lee's operations were a topic of study.

Isn't it also possible that their tactics were studied so that, perhaps, the future leaders would not commit the same errors?

J

Marching Thru Georgia wrote:

RebBugler:
You'd be surprised. I had an aquaintance who went to West Point 20 some years ago. He said they practiced quite a bit of close order drill. They also spent a considerable amount of time studying Napoleonic and Civil War tactics.

Some of the best books on Napoleonic and ACW battles and campaigns are produced by the Army War College. These are used by mid-level officers in their training. I guess they put into practice the old saying, "you don't know where you are if you don't know where you've been."

Surprised at what, I was in the army. Close order drill is practiced for discipline and ceremony. It's not even a part of actual combat, road columns are the closest it gets, and they're spread laterally, so troops aren't lost in big chunks.

Sure, "Napoleonic and ACW battles and campaigns are produced by the Army War College", but not for modern day strategy. They are to instill and study fundamental campaign strategies, but mainly to promote and provide qualities necessary for good leadership practices among officers and their troops. Yes, they are invaluable for producing great military leaders and armies, we've learned a lot due to our abundant military heritage experiences. In essence, I agree.