WarHunter
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Joined: 3/21/2004
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This GGWBtS, is a game. Lets be sure we have that fact well in hand. All elements of the game are subject to be veiwed as flawed and in need of repair. Some more than others.
Also let it be known i am not a Civil war expert by any means. There are many more way smarter than i, a simple grunt looking for a little gaming challenge.
For some playing the game, the use of cavalry is not consistent with known realities of land and history, formation doctrine and leadership. It is no secret my loyalty lies with not changing things as they are, until the whole picture is seen. That picture cannot be adaquetly viewed without seeing both sides of the game, Union and Confederate.
So with that in mind, let me break out my entrenching tool, set up my fields of fire and hope i have someone watching my 6.
There is one General of the civil war that stands out above and beyond all the rest when it comes to raiding. Nathan Bedford Forrest. There were others to be sure, but none as consistently successful. He drove his men to feats of achivements by personal leadership, at all levels.
Take some time to read up on his exploits. For now i will attempt open a window to view from.
quote:
Brian Steel Wills, A Battle from the Start: The Life of Nathan Bedford Forrest (New York, 1992), pp. 249-251. The potential of what Forrest might have done to Sherman’s line of communications had he been turned loose ear-lier in the campaign can be seen in the success of his Johnsonville Expedition, which began on October 21, 1864 (after Sherman had already taken possession of Atlanta). In short, his command captured the Union gunboat Un-dine, the steamer Venus, and destroyed two other steamers, then manned the two viable boats and headed for John-sonville. Besides the gunboat, Forrest ordered his eleven pieces of artillery to ring the heights surrounding the Union supply depot. Although the cavalrymen-turned-sailors eventually lost their boats to the Federals, the bom-bardment of Johnsonville by Forrest’s guns was a complete success. For minor losses of two men killed and nine wounded, Forrest counted the destruction of four gunboats, 14 transports, 20 barges, 26 pieces of artillery, and $6,700,000 worth of property, plus the capture of 150 Federals. In a November 6 dispatch to Grant, Sherman noted, “But that devil Forrest was down about Johnsonville and was making havoc among the gun-boats and trans-ports.” [O.R., Series I, vol. 39, pt. 3, p. 569]. Forrest, upon observing the effects of his bombardment turned to Captain John Morton (his chief of artillery) and said with a smile of satisfaction, “There is no doubt we could soon wipe old Sherman off the face of the earth, John, if they’d give me enough men and you enough guns.” [John Watson Morton, Forrest’s Artillery (Gaithersburg, MD, 1909), pp. 257-258].
Talk about audacity. There you have it in spades. This in 1864, after the loss of Atlanta. It is only one of many. Here is another.
quote:
At 4:00 am on the morning of August 21, 1864, Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest made a daring raid on Union-held Memphis, Tennessee, but it was not an attempt to capture the city, occupied by 6,000 Federal troops. The raid had three objectives: to capture three Union generals posted there; to release Southern prisoners from Irving Block Prison; and to cause the recall of Union forces from Northern Mississippi. Striking northwestward for Memphis with 2,000 cavalry, Forrest lost about a quarter of his strength because of exhausted horses. Surprise was essential. Taking advantage of a thick dawn fog and claiming to be a Union patrol returning with prisoners, the Confederates eliminated the sentries. Galloping through the streets and exchanging shots with other Union troops, the raiders split to pursue separate missions. One Union general was not at his quarters and another escaped to Fort Pickering dressed in his night-shirt. The attack on Irving Block Prison also failed when Union troops stalled the main body at the State Female College. After two hours, Forrest decided to withdraw, cutting telegraph wires, taking 500 prisoners and large quantities of supplies, including many horses. Although Forrest failed in Memphis, his raid influenced Union forces to return there, from northern Mississippi, and provide protection.
Even this less than successful raid was a stellar exploit.
quote:
Dec 10 - 31 1862 Expedition into West Tennessee, Captured section of rifed guns, Which Forrest's Artillery used for the rest of the war. Boldy invested Jackson, occupied by a large superior force. estimated at more than 10k. Captured outposts, destroyed railways in vicinity, Captured Trenton with large number of Prisoners and supplies. Captured troops from entrenched posistions. destroyed railway trestles and guarding blockhouses. All this in the goal to reach Union city.
Forrest in this raid made use of the captured artillery. Making use of his superior mobility, weather and intel from around the countryside, it shows what can be done by a leader of his caliber.
And this one.
quote:
-That is to say for a period of quite two months- Marching an average of 30 miles everyday. captured over 2k prisioners, including 1 Brig.Gen, 4-5 feild officers, 60 regiments officers, 4 arty pieces, 2 stands of colors, 600 draught animals, and a large wagon train.
Check out the book, The Campaigns of General Nathan Bedford Forrest and of Forrest's Cavalry, It will set your brain on fire.
We play a game. It is no secret there is no perfect game. This game is not perfect. I would love to see some tweaks here and there. But to say the element of cavalry raiding is un-historical based on history, i will have General Nathan Bedford Forrest, as the model to which every cavalry leader seeks to emulate.
I leave you with this.
quote:
James Lee McDonough and James Pickett Jones, War So Terrible: Sherman and Atlanta (New York, 1987), pp. 328-331. Thomas Lawrence Connelly, Autumn of Glory: The Army of Tennessee, 1862-1865 (Baton Rouge, 1971), pp. 373-375. Both Connelly and McDonough and Jones present a very good analysis of the vulnerabilities of Sherman’s railroad supply line despite the Federal commander’s attempts to assure its security. They also point out the weaknesses in the Confederate departmental system that prevented available cavalry (Forrest’s command would have been the best choice for the task according to the authors) being sent to cut this line in support of Johnston’s pleas to the Richmond authorities
There are historians that would argue Sherman, could have been stopped if Forrest had been given the task. We will never really know. But we play a game to see what-if.
I hope we can continue to discuss this matter in a clear and respectful tone. Although i have been know to inject comedy of various sorts to break the tension. 
_____________________________
 “We never felt like we were losing until we were actually dead.” Marcus Luttrell
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RE: How does cavalry raid Ft. Monroe? - 
Seriously, a great effort by 2X3. And I think that raids need to be toned down a bit...
, of course. Not the crappy movie attempt
. 
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