contact

A week now into my second Campaign. CSA BG level. Now I have learned how the Barracks works from lessons learned in my first Campaign I am optimistic I will go further. So far I have fought the minor battles prior to 1st Bull Run. No problem at all ! On to 1st Bull Run. My forces numbered 22516 and 27 guns. I was faced by 24414, including 654 Cavalry and 42 guns. Knowing my way around the Barracks was key in my Victory. Union loses were 18456 infantry, 28 guns and 451 Cavalry with 1729 missing. My loses were 7622, 6 guns. Also, I did not stop when the finish came at the top of the screen. The Union troops were taking a beaten and I was determined to drive home the advantage. When the battle did come to an end. The Union had 1 remains of a Brigade left. It number approx 200 men ! My reward was pleasing. I received an extra 1000 recruits in exchange for 1729 prisoners. Army Organization +1 Corps. A new General called Thomas Jackson. He comes highly regarded. We shall see ! All this is down to my understanding of the Barracks and the need to keep inflicting as many casualties on the Union as possible. Lessons learned the hard way in my first Campaign. Looking forward to the second Campaign which culminates in The Battle of Shiloh. Can’t wait !

I knew I was going to have to start a fresh for sometime now. But I’m pleased to have made it to Gettysburg. But despite my recent wins at Fredericksburg, Stones River and Chancellorsville. The battles took a heavy toll on my army. I’m left with just under 16000 men and 46 Guns. The nature of how the Gettysburg battle unfolds means I am unable to make any progress. But I have really enjoyed the challenge. Playing on the middle level - BG - as the CSA. My problems started early due to my lack of knowledge of how the Barracks worked. Looking to learn as I went along. Which led to my defeat. On the battlefield I feel I did well. Now with greater understanding of the game mechanics and especially the Barracks. I will be starting a fresh campaign. I will continue on the middle leve as the CSA and trust the experience I have gained through wins, draws and losses will help me. I feel I have an understanding of how the Barracks works. This should mean I can make it harder for the Union. I’m already looking forward to it. But for me this is still the best ACW computer game available. There May be some niggles in the game. I’m sure we would all like somethings changed. Thanks to all those in the creation of UG. Onwards and upwards 👍

Many thanks for posting. Very interesting. Cheers.

Hi, Great to see another newbie. Welcome I started UG in April. Started by playing the historical battles to get an understanding of the games mechanics. After felt ok, I moved on to my first Campaign. CSA on middle level - BG. I was able to reach as far as Gettysburg. My downfall was not on the battlefield but in Barracks. This takes some getting use to. As I was told, it’s a sharpe leaning curve ! In the campaign I won battles. Lost and drew some. But I still found it really enjoyable. I found that I learned from losses as well as victory’s. To win the campaign you will need to understand how the Barracks works. Battles maybe won on the battlefield but the victories are won in Barracks. I learned a lot about the Barracks from my first campaign. I have just started my second campaign as CSA. On middle level -BG. The lessons learned in the Barracks from my first campaign are already helping me. Good luck

Hi, Thanks for post the above. Very impressive. Amazing to give such an insight into this terrible 4 year conflict in under half an hour. Much appricaiated.

I will. Thanks. Must admit it took me a few times, especially with my army size although that’s on BG level. But eventually I tried something different and it work ! Seems to be the case with a number of the battles. Cheers

Thanks for that. Glad I’m not the only one. But I do expect to go further with the experience gained Cheers 👍

I knew I was going to have to start a fresh for sometime now. But I’m pleased to have made it to Gettysburg. But despite my recent wins at Fredericksburg, Stones River and Chancellorsville. The battles took a heavy toll on my army. I’m left with just under 16000 men and 46 Guns. The nature of how the Gettysburg battle unfolds means I am unable to make any progress. But I have really enjoyed the challenge. Playing on the middle level - BG - as the CSA. My problems started early due to my lack of knowledge of how the Barracks worked. Looking to learn as I went along. Which led to my defeat. On the battlefield I feel I did well. Now with greater understanding of the game mechanics and especially the Barracks. I will be starting a fresh campaign. I will continue on the middle leve as the CSA and trust the experience I have gained through wins, draws and losses will help me. I feel I have an understanding of how the Barracks works. This should mean I can make it harder for the Union. I’m already looking forward to it. But for me this is still the best ACW computer game available. There may be some niggles in the game. I’m sure we would all like somethings changed. Thanks to all those in the creation of UG. Onwards and upwards 👍

Hi, Having just finished Chancellorsville as the CSA on BG level. I understand what you are saying. It’s even worse when this is followed by Salem Church without a return to Barracks. I was looking for a draw. The best could achieve with the size of my army. I managed it. Eventually. But your then sent straight into Salem Church. No return to Barracks.Ten brigades maximum are used. But chosen by the AL. After Chancellorsville some of my brigades were down to 150. The AL choose these. I had to face Union brigades of up to 2000. All the effort/time spent on Chancellorsville was lost in a skirmish. The only thing I could do was to hold my troops on the edge of the map and not contest this battle. Which saved me 3000 troops. But still had to take a big hit deduction in points ! So I settled for the points hit. Not best pleased. But for me despite the failures with UG. I still find it better than any other ACW have played. Being my first campaign I am not expecting to finish. More of a learning process of the Barracks system. This has caused me to now enter battles understrengh. But I know why and where I went wrong when first using the Barracks. So should mean My next campaign will be more successful. So despite its shortcomings. I will continue. But I totally understand where your coming from. Best wishes

Hi, Well looks like you were right. I had commitments, but how to get the draw was on my mind. I tried it today. Close. But I managed a draw. Which I knew would be the best could achieve with my lack of troops. But still feel this battle needs looking into. Let alone Salem Church comes without a break. Ten brigades are allowed. But they are chosen by the AL. Not impressed. After Chancellorsville some of my brigades resembled a skirmish unit. Yes these were chosen ! Surly the player should be able to choose his best ten brigades. I was faced by brigades of up to 2000 ! So all the time/effort spent on Chancellorsville is for nothing. All the gains lost in the small encounter of Salem Church. I still think overall this is still the best ACW I have played but little things like this do spoil it. Best wishes

Ok. Must admit did give me satisfaction obtaining the draw I was after 🎊🎉😎 Few beers I think. Have to admit it’s still a great game. Even if Chancellorsville does not seem quite right. Onwards and upwards (maybe).

Well managed to work it out and obtain the draw ! We all know about what follows 🙃 Salem Church. My batterd Corps of 2944 & 8 Guns against 13418 plus 42 Guns 😐 No point losing my 2944 & 8 Guns. Just refused combat. Allowed the Union to obtain the Victory and move on to my camp with no losses. Keeping my 2944 & 8 Guns for what lies ahead 😕 Onwards and upwards. Oh joy.

Hi, Up to this battle I have been enjoying UG. Win or lose. I’m a novice with this game. So not expecting to get to the end of the campaign on my first try. More a case of using this first campaign to learn the ropes. Especially in Barracks. When I start again. Which I have been expecting to have to possibly do at some time. I’m sure I will fair better. But Chancellorsville seems to go too far with “what if” situation. Could not the battle be shortened. Not have the extra 4 hours in order to make it almost impossible for the CSA to win or even draw. Other battles can be drawn or lost. But the 100 points loss for a defeat is too high. Just the above two changes would give everyone a better experience. Looking into it. I’m far from the only one (even with my particular problems) that finds this battle annoying and of no enjoyment. Win or loose. Having said that. My mind is working on a way to obtain a draw. Not giving up just yet. Best wishes.

Hi, Thanks for the above. Chancellorsville does feel like a kick in the teeth ! It’s not a battle can take the defeat and move on. IE just keep the troops well back from any action and just run the clock out. The loss of 100 points sees to that 🙃 Must admit. I didn’t have a problem with Stones River. Cheers

I’m able to hold the 2 conditions required for a draw. I have tried that. But Union infantry and cannon block my way. ( Moving troops back to the controlled woods). But when it goes to the 3rd day my troops are placed all over the place. I have to scramble to try and get them where I want them. Before the Union can attack. But they are given 3.59 hours to inflict sufficient casualties that I cannot get a draw to have not inflected at least 5% more casualties. I am able to hold on to the locations for a draw.

Hi, Yes appreciate that. I was able to win Stones River on BG level. Though was touch and go. Not ready to call it a day just yet. I came within 40 minutes of obtaining a draw at Chancellorsville. I am used to the up scaling. But Chancellorsville seems to go too far. But then been also been informed thrown into a battle at Salem Church ! Seems a tad too favarable on the side of the Union.

So what’s the answer. Dose UG need to look at what appears to be flaws and put them right. I’m all for a challenge but they appear to be taken the pee.

Is it me. Or are there still too many flaws in UG. The problems with Stones River. Chancellorsville. Any more battles which do not seem set up right 😕 🤔 Starting to get a little disillusioned with UG.

Hi, Thanks for that. Salem church as well 🙃. Seems UG do not want the South to win this ! Thanks for the heads up on the church. Assuming I can somehow get a draw ! Cheers

Tell my wife that ! She dose not always think so. But I think it’s good too 👍 Cheers

I’ve had a good evening meal. A few beers 🍺. Time to relax and at the back of my brain starting to think 🤔 how to turn this battle around. My frustration was due to me thinking I had achieved the draw, not knowing there was a finale 4 hours. Now I know. My brain is starting to look at the options. I’m not yet ready to start a new campaign. Though I am hoping with the knowledge gained and still gaining I will do better. Jsut not yet. Need to start analysing !

Hi, Thanks for the above. There’s me thinking the AL had it in for me 😐. Appreciate the explanation and advice. I’m not ready to throw in the towel just yet. My wife will tell you. I can be very stubborn (not sure if that’s good or bad). So I’m going to give it some thought and see if I can find a solution. Many thanks

Hi, Because of my lack of men. It became apparent very early a draw was the best I could do. I did constantly check the victory/draw requirements and each time it came up with a green tick for the draw. The only time it disappeared was when The AL threw in the 4 hour last battle. That was not for over 2 hours. So I am sure I was meeting the requirements for the draw. Fustrated that the AL appears to have moved the goalposts setting a final challenge as a punishment for not taking Chancellorsville. I appreciate the importance of winning this one. But was looking to extend my first campaign a little longer. I’m going to give it some thought and see if I can come up with a way of obtaining the Victory. May I ask if you had to play the additional 4 hours for not having captured Chancellorsville ? It does seem strange that other battles a draw is acceptable but for this UG have made it a win only. Many thanks. All be it on Ledgendary. It’s good to know it’s not just me. I do not expect to finish the campaign due to the numbers of men. Or the lack of. But just looking to see how far can get. Appreciate your reply.

I did attempt to hold. But 4 hours was a joke. 2 I could managed. Maybe a little more. But 4 hours ! They just kept coming ! UG a joke !

I was able to build 2 Corps total of 25567 men and 51 Guns CSA. I initially faced 52621 men with 137 Guns. As usual I’m well outnumbered. I’m used to it. Due to my lack of knowledge when in barracks when I first started a campaign. I checked out the Victory conditions. Seemed to much for my force. But the draw conditions I felt were achievable. I would hold Orange Turnpike and Orange Plank Road and inflict up to 5% more casualties than the enemy. Started well. The yanks made an effort but I held the 2 draw areas. Overnight my forces were moved by AL. Ok. I know Jackson marched 30,000 men around the Union troops. The next day I was able to position the troops in a reasonable fashion. I checked the victory/draw conditions. I was still on for a draw. There was no way I was going to try and take Chancellorsville. My numbers were down to 19178 and 47 Guns. I held back In the woods looking for the draw. The clock was set on 2 hours. The Union did attack my right flank. But no real problem being in the woods. They then did so to my left. Again no problem. The clock was running down. I kept checking the victory/draw conditions and I was ok. Time was up ! However, instead of coming up confirming a draw. It stated I had failed to capture Chancellorsville ! Yes I know. Not required for a draw ! Here is where UG had moved the goalposts. They said the Union was launching an attack against the above positions I held. I had to hold them. Really? To add insult they were giving the Union 4 hours to take at least one. My troops, 15174 and 39 guns had been placed back at the original locations required for a draw or victory. They were also placed ad hoc and I was not able to place them as I would have liked before the Union started to attack ! Not impressed with UG. It seems they do not wish a draw to be taken at this battle. Perhaps they should alter the brief and state a draw is not allowed. Only a win or loss ! As you can tell. I am a tad aggrieved with this 😡