Some Interesting Links While Awaiting New Patches

[civsully1]

While us newer players of UG CW early release continue our "learning the game" some of you veterans sitting around your camp fires may enjoy looking at the following links from days long past. I don't want to break any rules that may exist here concerning pasting actual links. So merely search out the title and read on.  Colonel W.R. Livermore USA is one of the first in the US to purpose a war game to enhance training in the 1880's. His Kriegsspiel was modeled after one he witnessed in Europe a little earlier. I think many will find this interesting as it relates to it's more current relative UG CW. It contains and explains much of what is seen in UG CW! Things like; Computation of Fire, Fatigue, Artillery Effects, Cavalry, and the dreaded M word...melee. And a disclaimer, this is very involved and probably more for the diehard types.....

And here is a short piece regarding Rout as was modeled in his wargame;

"The rout and the pursuit then follow each combat as it is resolved.

The defeated troops must withdraw from fire and the pursuit, and may not rally and reform for between 10 minutes to one hour. This can be reduced to 10 to 20 minutes if there is a friendly force at least half their strength some 100 to 300 yards to the rear, if infantry, or 300 to 600 yards to the rear if cavalry.

For the victor, Livermore writes that pursuit is the real opportunity to “reap the fruit of his labors”. In an infantry on infantry or cavalry on cavalry pursuit, each pursuing company inflicts a loss of 2-3 men per minute per defeated company. However pursuit will only last for about 10 minutes in open ground as the “fugitives outrun the victors” and the victors will then spend twice as long rallying and reforming as they spent in pursuit. If cavalry are pursuing defeated infantry, the latter’s losses are five men per minute per company."

William Roscoe Livermore’s American Kriegsspiel: A Game for Practicing the Art of War Upon a Topographical Map

Another book he wrote was; Manoeuvres for Infantry which covers the principles of tactics for the mid and later 1880's. Search this  -  Manuvres for Infantry by Livermore to get right to the best free source.

I post these just so one can appreciate what detail modern game makers have to consider in developing a civil war type pc game today. The developers are really doing a great job in modeling their game to date. Hope you enjoy this diversion before your next battle or patch!

[Andre Bolkonsky]

Livermore . . . . Perfect name for a well-seasoned English Sergeant-Major with a taste for using the bayonet. . . .  

Color-Sergeant Bourne from 'Zulu' would do nicely, thank you very much. 

[civsully1]

14 hours ago, Andre Bolkonsky said:

Livermore . . . . Perfect name for a well-seasoned English Sergeant-Major with a taste for using the bayonet. . . .  

Color-Sergeant Bourne from 'Zulu' would do nicely, thank you very much. 

One of my most favorite movies of all time AB! Think it's time to watch it later today in fact!

[civsully1]

Another accomplishment of Livermore's was his contribution to, "The Story of the Civil War" a three volume work started by the Historian and Military Writer, John Codman Ropes copyright 1894. Ropes became very ill after finishing the first two volumes. So the chore of finishing up the last volume fell to his friend Livermore. I highly recommend this set to anyone whom enjoys military history. It's considered to be one of the finest reads on the battles of the civil war And if I recall correctly, the first literary work on the subject to include topographical maps with unit positions.

A good part of the first volume gets into the roots of the war. Then focuses on the raising of the armies for both sides. My only wish had been individual chapters related by battles. But otherwise excellent. So enjoy!