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After action reports for Gains Mills. At MG level Union vs CSA. (Battle results screen) Union 40006 Infantry CSA 58702 infantry 790 cavalry 0 cavalry 43 guns 82 guns CASUALTIES AND LOSSES 11667 infantry 25130 0(17) (290) 11 guns 237 cavalry 0 cavalry 79 missing The Union suffered only 3 Officers wounded. 6 were promoted. The Union main Corps, under Grant, consisted of 32400 infantry, 0 cavalry and 28 guns. I took command of the smaller Corps of 7606 infantry, 790 cavalry and 16 guns. Grant placed his initial troops at the defensive line. With 2 Brigades on the far left to be used to flank the Rebs. The same tactic being used on the right. The Rebs were allowed to attack the defensive line. Heavy casualties were inflicted on the large Reb Brigades numbering 2950. Grant did attack the Rebs left flank, with the 2 Brigades placed to do so. Slowing down the Rebs attack. Once the remainder of Grant’s Corps arrived. Two Brigades were sent to cover McGee Hill. Not until the second phase were the 2 Union Brigades placed on the Rebs far left flank brought into the action to harass/attack the Rebs right flank. They numbered 1800 men and 1700. Armed only with Rebored Farmers. They proved to be very inexpensive but effective in breaking up the the Rebs attacking the defensive line. Once A P Hill appeared on the Union right flank. One of Grants flanking Brigades was sent to help delay their advance. Looking to do so until my own Corps arrived. Grants delaying action worked well. My Corps arrived and McGee Hill was never in danger. Indeed, I sent some of my Brigades to help Grant. In the centre a few of Grants Brigades were routed but reserves were able retake the line. With the routed Brigades returning to help. Plus the arrival of my Brigades. The Rebs continue to attack. Determined to break Grants line. But his troops were also determined to hold. Finally, the day came to a close with Victory for the Union. Despite the large size of the Rebs Brigades and most being 3 stars. Only 1 Union Brigade was a 2 star ! Can the CSA afford to loose so many veterans in this manner ! The Union intelligence service has advised the CSA will be able to still field 48-53k in the next engagement. Though this will be less 10% due to recent defeats.

I’m currently playing as Union on MG level. On Gaines Mill almost all Reb brigades on 2950 men with 3 stars. Looks impressive. But I like to flank them with my max 2000 strong brigades or skirmishers. The large Reb brigades take some time to change their facing. Also, due to the 3 stars. They stay and take the damage. By the time they have changed their facing I have whittled down the brigade. Once facing me. I just withdraw before the can open fire 😏. They then decided to go back to their original facing. So I advance and fire off more volleys ! Love it 😬. Best wishes

Hopefully, I will play Gaines early next week. Must admit I only use small numbers of cavalry. I do prefer infantry. I like to use skirmishes for flanking. Even small units concern infantry brigades and artillery. If possible I do like my artillery close to my infantry. Not only to support them. But for protection against enemy cavalry. As using Apple IMAC, I don’t have the various mods been introduced. Best wishes

Hi, Many thanks. Does sound like it must have been very enjoyable to play. Especially with the battle playing as it did. Plus of course, the satisfaction of the Victory. On MG level too ! Congrats. May I ask if using Windows or Apple. I use an Apple IMAC and there has been a recent update. The update says it has improved graphics and AI ! Regards

Hi, Well done ✅. As PK says. Worrying for Malvern. Any thoughts yet. Re next course of action. Best wishes

Hi, Many thanks for info. According to my report/intelligence Service, it states the CSA will be at 55-60K. Less 5%. I will be able to field a total of about 40,000 men. Must admit I do not intend to field much more than 40 guns. I wish to field as many infantry as possible. Maybe a small brigade of cavalry. I’m thinking to “hold the defensive line”. My main Corps will be much larger than my second. I hope to blunt the Rebs attack on my line. If can do so. Will then worry about McGhee Hill. Good luck. Best wishes.

Hi, May I ask your total strength for Gaines Best wishes

Hi, Nicely done ✅ May I ask what level you are playing on ? Best wishes

Hi, Well done ✅ May I ask what level your using ? Many thanks.

Hi, Thanks for that. Sorry to hear not gone well at Gaines. I have looked at the report/Intelligence Service, it states the CSA will be at 55-60k. Less 5% for previous encounter. I have had a rough look and expect to field somewhere in the region of 40000 men in all. I am looking to field in the region of 30,000 men for my main Corps. Obviously my 2nd Corps will be much smaller. Re high loss of officers. It appears to vary for me. Can be high. Then other times not a problem. Just to advise I am playing on an Apple IMac. There was a recent update. However, it was to do with the graphics and improved AI. Not that I thought there was a problem there. Best wishes

Hi, Many thanks. Have just played Seven Pines. I’m also on MG level. I decided to field a small force. Looking to the troops already deployed there to take the brunt of the fighting. Saving my troops. I fielded just 8,351 infantry. I wanted to keep my best and we’ll armed troops for Gaines. So I raised a brigade of 2000, armed only with rebored Farmers, which I noticed was in my Arsenal. The other 5 Brigades were numbered from 1200 up to just 1400 men. All armed with M1842. The 2000 strong Brigade was placed in the centre. Just behind the Victory location in some buildings. With hold orders. Back up for two small Brigades in front of only about 650 men each. But well armed. I decided to place two of my small Brigades on my left flank in the woods. To hold. The three other Brigades numbered 1400, 1350 and 1200 strong. Placed on my right flank. I had decided to look to roll up the Reb left flank and hold else where. The plan worked better than I expected. To my surprise one of the main reasons for me was my raw 2000 strong Brigade ! The Rebs attacked the victory condition. My raw Brigade was superb ! Providing good support for the better Brigades in front. Enabling them to hold. The Rebs did attack my left flank but were held. More Rebs were used to attack my centre. But I then started to push in from my right flank, broke the Reb Brigade which had turned to counter me. This enabled me to start to roll up the Rebs left flank. Where possibly always used the troops supplied rather than mine ! Total Union troops were 14696 infantry with 15 guns. I do love a battle where I can use troops other than my own ! The Rebs fielded 16494 infantry and 15 guns. Casualties were :- Union infantry 4442 CSA 12145 infantry 1 gun 10 men. 10 guns 249 men 1344 missing My surprise is the 2000 strong Brigade armed only with rebored Farmers. But being in a good defensive position and firing at close range. With the high damage rating of 18 proved great. Has made me think there maybe a place for such troops in the right position. Especially as they are cheap ! I will now start to build my army for Gaines. Would be interested to hear how Gaines goes for you. Best wishes.

Hi, Near that stage myself. May I ask what level are playing on. Thanks

I tend to just go by the number of stars a unit has. Or lack of them ! I do like to know at a glance what the troops are armed with. A couple of examples as below :- Loomis R340 M1855. Thayer R250 M1842. Adams 10PDR ORD. The R is for range. Followed by the distance. Next to each Brigade it give the number of stars or not. Plus the strength of the unit. Or in the case of artillery, number of guns. This may be more basic than some use. But I find I can look at a unit and know their experience and weapon very quickly. But each to their own. Best wishes.

Re confusing on Missions leading up to Bull Run When playing the Campaign there are smaller battles/encounters before a major battle. These are smaller than a main battle. But would not suggest starting a Campaign until understand the basics. Therefore, using the stand alone battles to play. Bull Run is a good start. Hope this clarifies it for you.

I would not suggest starting a campaign yet. First best to get use to how the game works by playing the fixed battles. Only when understand how that works. Would I suggest starting a campaign Best wishes

If possible, you will find it much easier to use a mouse. Re Bull Run. If play as CSA. It starts with an action on the right flank. As the CSA your mission is to simply hold a bridge and a river from being crossed by the Union. Later, in the next phase more units (reinforcements arrive). But this is a good battle to start with to look to get a grasp of the mechanics. But really so much easier using a mouse. Best wishes.

The above advice is very good. At times I have used it to help on some points I did not understand. The UG community is very helpful. I like to think I am an experienced war gamer. If you’re not it may be worth just checking out at least some of the advice offered. But I also wanted to ‘do It my way’. If possible. I also wanted to just jump in ! My way was to work through different battles. Playing as Union or CSA. On BG level (normal). I used the battles to learn how the mechanics worked. It is a sharp learning curve. The pause button is useful. Allowing to stop and see what is happening all over the battlefield. To digest and learn. Only when I felt I understood the games mechanics did I decided to start a campaign. As CSA on BG level. This is where you will have to either jump in or take some advice. Here you are introduced to the Barrack’s. This is another part of the campaign game. This was totally alien to me. So I used my first campaign to learn how to use the Barrack’s prior to the next battle. It is a sharp learning curve. I did not expect to win my first campaign and sure enough by the time I got to Gettysburg I was defeated. I had to start again. But I did learn so much of how the Barrack’s worked. Understanding that is required if wish to win a campaign. I again played on BG level as CSA. To cut a long story short. I did win the war. So it really is up to you. I can recommend the advice offered on the forum. Or like me ‘jump in’. But do expect some set backs. UG is the best ACW war game available on the computer. Using the advice will be very useful. If prefer not to. Expect it to take longer to master. But don’t give up. You will find it is well worth the time and effort. Best wishes

If you have not yet tried UG ACW. It really is superb. The most realistic computer game for the American Civil War. Best wishes.

Hi, UG is not available for multiplayer Regards

Hi, Agree with you there. I have also found that the Farmer can be useful when used by experienced troops. I had captured Farmers. Instead of selling them or raising a fresh Brigade. I issued them to a 1 star Brigade. The high value of 18 caused severe damage on enemy troops. Best wishes

Hi, Many thanks. That would be interesting. I did in the 3rd phase, push back/wipe out the CSA troops. One rogue CSA Brigade retreated in the opposite direction. But I did use 2 of ‘my’ Brigades to chase it. Corner it. Destroy it. I captured various weapons. My surprise was that over 2000 Farmers were taken. Showing just how poorly armed the CSA were. Best wishes.

I’m now playing as Union on Major General level. Having just played 1st Bull Run. Giving the Rebs a pasting ! I love this battle because playing either Union or CSA. I use only a small amount of ‘my’ troops. The rest comes from the AL. As a result I tend to hold ‘my’ troops back and let the other’s take care of the battle. It gives a good start to the war in providing a reasonable amount of money, troops and weapons for the victory. Plus keeping ‘my’ own casualties to a minimum. I was a bit annoyed with myself for losing my cavalry though. Even more so as I do not field much. So I decided to refight it in order to ensure I kept them safe. But the CSA AL did not play ball. The tactics used by the Rebs changed 😐. That put me in my place ! So have decided to go back to the first win and simply replace my cavalry should I feel it’s required. I do love how the AL changes tactics for the same battle. Much more fun.

Congratulations 👍🍺 Best wishes

Must admit I am not a fan of too larger a Brigade. I don’t often go over 1500 men. I prefer more brigades per Corps than size of brigades. Giving me more manoeuvrability.

Hi, I achieved victory at Washington. On BG level. See my post of the 5 October 2018. If you scroll down you will see the numbers and the make up of my army. I did not use any cavalry. I fielded 4 Corps. Two were strong. They were used aggressively to ensure objectives were held. After that I was achieved I only defended. I had the fort on my left flank only lightly defended. The other forts were maned with in a little more strength. What was then left. Was used to defend Washington. I pulled all available troops back to the city. This caused a delay in the Union troops reaching the city. Wasting time. In trying to retake the city the Union made various assaults. But due to the defensive strength in the city I was able to hold on. The final hour seemed a to go very slowly and it was nip and tuck. But just managed it.