42ndMS

nevermind

True kc87, And very effective in Woods but with one big problem. In the open such as at Pea Ridge or anywhere. It was the gap you had to close where you're under the duress of Rifle and Cannon fire for quite some time for it to become effective. On the defense with them in the open, you were gonna get beat up pure and simple. A target that presents itself basically as a horizontal line shoulder to shoulder at 300 yds. could actually be quite easy with a CW Rifle. You will get a hit with the right elevation for the most part. The biggest problem with that was the ability to do it with the obscurity from Smoke especially with arty around. But with disciplined Volleys and not free-fire it could be done. In Woods we're talking a different story, the Trees Limbs & Leaves will hold down the smoke making the already short range even shorter, great for smoothbores..

David, Did you notice that both of the battles you use for examples were VERY early battles? ... In all theatres the Confederates at that stage were under-armed with Rifles especially the Trans and Western ones. The Trans was just ridiculously low on them as at Wilsons Creek all the way to Pea Ridge where the Union had no shortages of them in either. Could you so dearly consider more future battles and show me the results when the Confederates were better armed, a good start would be Gettysburg where the Confederates for the majority frontal assaulted every position at a terrain disadvantage complete with Union Arty. advantage for the entire battle. And you definitely don't want to mention "The Wilderness" where Union Arty. was neglible. And there you go again with the blue-bellied cowards, you said that I didn't! ... are you trying to convince someone with the IQ of a Turnip that I'm an ignorant moron?? ... is that your nature really? if you are then it is back-firing. But one thing for sure that we agree on ... There was definitely strokes of brilliance on both sides with Generals, but none in the overall scheme was consistent enough to be called geniuses. But Lee came closer by far. Nathan Forrest on the more tactical side.

Now come on David, you're putting words in my mouth I didn't say. The Clausewitz statement was about the guy I used to debate with, to him ( and a gazillion more ) sherman was the most genius of all CW generals because he followed Clausewitzs theories ( or at least one ) which were wrong, proven even by his own countrymen years later. Call it post-war propaganda to build him up. Shelby Foote is from my hometown, I never gave him much credit nor does anyone else that I know of. And when I say " Musketry", that does include re-load times as its part of it. Hey REB Blunt, its good to hear you're with the 11thMS. A lot of interesting history with that unit. I know they're called the "University Grays", Personally I call it the " Ole Miss " Regiment. I'm sure you know what that refers to. And a lot what you don't hear about is that they did make the deepest penetration during Picketts Charge but the Virginia boys gets all the publicity. I visited the field in '04 and "eyeballed" it myself. I'm now living not far from you, I'm in Farmington MO. now.

David, All respect to your relatives who fought. You have every reason to be proud! Regarding Barksdales Brigade, a fix should be done to every Confederate Brigade. As stated in the game, the picking of sides stating that the Union provides better firepower especially at longer ranges ( which is the foundation of my first post ) is total bogus. And according to your earlier statements, you realize this ( I think and hope ). Historians have always pointed out that "Southern Musketry" was better for years and years ( especially in wooded terrain, which was by far the most common terrain ). Now all of a sudden its a myth. Born and raised in the South, we strive in that department to this day, not saying there wasn't any shooters up North, just more of us than them. What does sherman have to do with this conversation?? ... I used to have a "sherman" conversation with a New Yorker about sherman, he compared him to Clausewitz, the dummy didn't know that Clauswitz was so wrong about a lot of things, especially the one where he claimed sherman brilliantly executed one of Clauswitzs' theories. More Northern propaganda to pump up their supposedly superior abilities.

David, You actually made my point on quite a few things other than the "myths" thing. But I'm used to it, its the same ole thing everytime someone goes to mention anything pro-southern. If its true about Heth and I'm not doubting you, then his only real concern should have been the totally green 55thNC of Davis' Brigade, and he made a decent choice putting it in that Brigade. Davis was fitted with three MS Regiments, two highly seasoned, and one, the 42nd with just a little experience, my great-great-Grandfathers who fought at Gettysburg and every battle thereafter eventually surviving the war. The 2ndMS and 11thMS were two of the finest Regiments in the Army. Barksdales Brigade got raped in this game.

For gods sake, fix Barksdales brigade. Him and his brigade is being totally misrepresented. On more than one occasion they proved they were "shock troops" during the war. In the game as now his brigade is not even average. Scales brigade, while not "shock troops" IRL, it just sucks. Some others to mention but I need more time spent with them before a definite evaluation. The Confederate army at Gettysburg was actually better supplied with Rifles than the Union,( something like 4 Union Regiments having Smoothbores ) and were better marksmen throughout the entire war. Union training was better?? .... don't think so. Union Arty. is what saved them especially on a battlefield such as Gettysburg. Please don't take this post as being mean-spirited, I love the game and have been waiting for this since the Sid Meiers CW games. UG is waaay better!