October 2015-Blockade Runner & The Hobbit

First Game:

"Blockade Runner".

Corsets, Coffee and Cannon for Confederate Cash!

How would you like a 4 out of 5 Chance of making a great deal of money?

There is a 1 in 5 chance you will drown, be blown up, shot, scalded to death, crippled for life or at least spend time in a POW camp, with a chance of dying there. However with Cotton 7 cents a pound in Dixie, and $1.21 out side it there is money to be made! 

Choose you ship, and Cargo and see if you can baffle the Blockade!

If you Choose War goods you will keep the Confederacy strong and keep the number of ports open, and make a handsome profit on tobacco and cotton. Bring in black market goods, like Corsets and Coffee, you can make a handsome profit both ways, after a contribution to certain official’s pockets!

All Players Start with a number of Ships and Cash and also action cards. These cards can strengthen Port Defences, help you run the Blockade by adding to your chances of running the blockade during fog and moonless nights with your friends-a rebel raider can deplete Blockading Squadrons, as can use of an Ironclad!

A Captain and A Pilot may also be found, adding to the speed of your ship. There is no Union Player, the rules play the slow but steady blockade of the ports and the land war. As the Federal Armies advance, cotton, tobacco and railway transport becomes more difficult. Should you buy more and faster ships with your Profits, or hope your ships will not be caught?

Every turn more Ports are assaulted by the Union and woe betide any ship trying to make a breakout! 

It can be done, but it is twice as difficult as making a Blockade run! 

"My Jenny" {$15,000} cargo of cotton worth $28,000 was captured at the fall of Fort Lauderdale.

Greg’s' "Red Gauntlet" {$25,000} cargo of Tobacco worth $32,000 was captured on the high seas near Haiti even after a Spy card helped him elude the Federal navy, was there a Double agent?

Cards can be traded as your with your rivals but all have the same enemy. The game only has five turns so you are there for a profitable time, not a long one!

You can make sure that the belles of Richmond have the latest Paris hats {and lingerie!} to turn heads, even if a loaf of bread is $20 during the Winter of 1865!

So if you like a game of trading, Business Building and Fortune making with a spice Of Danger, this game could be fun!

Second Game: The Hobbit

August 2015-For the People

For the People

From

Avalon Hill

1998

 Cover Design by Rodger B. MacGowan, 2nd Printing 2006

Text by Lawrence see below.

Journal of Southern History Vol. XXXV

May 2015

"Did the Confederacy Concede too soon?"

The end of the Confederacy is a twice told tale in American History and is well described by many able Authors. One has to only think of the masterly work "An End to Valour" by Prof. Bruno Just, or "Confederate Sunset" by G Hird the popular Australian writer or what is considered by many to be the finest work on the subject "December 1862" by Doc. S. Thomas.

But what many writers do not consider could the Confederate States held out longer or even won? 
That is only the domain of popular counter factual novelists like David Potter "Decision at Chantilly" or Geoff Kirby "Southern Victory". All seem to think that the Confederate collapse in the winter of 1862 and the Hampton Roads Conference aboard the River Queen were fore ordained.

Admittedly the War was going badly for the South. It may be said to have never gone well. In his book "Yankee Crusade" T. Braune points out the whole Upper South or Border States which had slavery, were either in Federal hands or had never left the Union. Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri all stayed loyal to the Union and the rallying of West Virginians to the Union, divided the Old Dominion.

Lincoln told his Cabinet "I would like to have God on our side, but I must have Kentucky!" Kentucky’s' efforts by it’s Governor Magoffin to be neutral were thwarted by a vigorous Union propaganda and political campaign.

Hoping to rally Maryland to the Stars and Bars and taking for granted a slave state would join the Confederacy a Confederate Force marched North, only to be intercepted by a Union thrust at Frederick.

(Image from http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-fredericksburg)

Facing three to one odds the Confederates where badly beaten. May 12^th was the bloodiest day in American history so far, with 10,000 Confederate Casualties and 5000 Yankee Casualties in one day. Both sides were shocked but seemed determined. May 30^th saw West Virginia secede from its' original State and declare for the Union.

By now the '90 Day' men called out for the Union were going home which put pressure on the Federal Government; just when an invasion of Dixie was needed men were going home! Kentucky descended into near anarchy as both sides marched and counter marched with much skirmishing and raiding.

The Union moved to Blockade the South using its superior naval forces to take Fort Pickens in Florida to use as a base to blockade the Gulf ports. After a bitter fight Pickens fell. General Banks the Union General commanding the Gulf used Pickens' to slowly strangle Southern commerce in the Gulf.

(Image from http://americancivilwar.com/tcwn/civil_war/Navy_Ships/USS_Wando.html)

General Burnside put down a Confederate rising at the battle of Rolla, Missouri, thus securing the State for the Union.

The Confederates unleashed a fleet of raiders on Northern commerce vessels, the' Alabama' and 'Florida 'being the most famous.  However in his study "Rebel Raiders at Sea” G. Singer has shown though a stinging blow to Union morale and interests, these handful of ships were never going to inflict a blow as severe as the Blockade on the South.

CSS Alabama (Image from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CSS_Alabama)

In the fall, Burnside's' forces advanced to Paducah, Kentucky to make a coordinated campaign with Buell, who was marching from the north of Kentucky. A.S Johnston beat the Unionists at Louisville, but had to fall back being out manoeuvred by the Yankee thrust by Buell.

Fierce fighting round Columbia meant it eventually fell to Burnside, with Dover falling to Buell. These victories were not cheap for the Union with over 10,000 killed wounded or missing. But it meant that Kentucky was firmly in the Union.

(image from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Shiloh)

Adding to Confederate woes Fort Morgan in Alabama fell, further sealing of the Gulf coast. During the winter of 1861/2 both sides armed as best they could and trained hard for the spring campaign.

A sudden attack on Fort Pickens regained this valuable post for the Confederacy, and a Confederate Army advanced into Missouri. They were defeated at Ireton and the Federal Army under Curtis advanced into Arkansas.

At the Battle of Memphis the Confederates defeated a Union thrust into Tennessee. At Fayetteville in Arkansas, the Confederates were again beaten, with the fall of the whole State into Yankee hands probable.

Fort Pickens (Image from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Pickens)

The Union blockade strengthened, with more Southern ships caught. Lincoln gave his most celebrated speech at the dedication of the Federal Cemetery at Frederick "The Frederick Address" giving power and meaning to the whole Northern war effort.

At Manassas the Confederates under Lee struck at McDowell’s forces forcing them back in a major Union defeat. "Forward to Richmond" rallied an editorial in the New York Tribune. Not dismayed McDowell struck back, defeating Lee and driving him back to Brandy Station.

A major Union assault on Fort Pickens under Admiral Foote retook the Fort.

In August the Emancipation Proclamation was made, meaning an end to slavery if the South did not return to Union by January 1st 1863.

With a major invasion of the Mississippi Valley and Tennessee likely, southern Governors took stock. Thousands of slaves had fled to the Union lines, or to Federal enclaves in the Gulf and were unlikely to be handed back. Indeed, the Union Navy was employing Freedmen on its 'ships, the Army was using them for labour and unofficially arming and training them in some places, to be used in the summer Campaign as auxiliaries.

Armed Slaves were a southern nightmare: Could Slavery be saved if the Union was restored, at least for a time? Despite the objections of the Confederate President Davis a Delegation was sent to Washington, but Lincoln met them off Hampton Roads, Maryland. There, while both armies halted operations, terms were worked out. There were to be no treason trials but all those who had resigned Commissions either Federal or Military would have to apply for pardon to regain their civil rights or have thirty days to leave the United States. All state governments would be dissolved and there would be a five year Federal occupation of all states before there would be new elections. All Confederate Soldiers would have to hand in their weapons, take an oath not to fight again and would be allowed to go home. All ships of the Confederate Navy would sail to the nearest American port and surrender themselves, and the crews could go home. Slaves already freed under the Confiscation act would not be returned to their old bondage. If they wished to go to Liberia, they and their property would be sent free of charge by the Federal Government. Slavery itself would be abolished on January 1st 1873. $400 million would be available in Federal funds for any slave holders who freed their slaves before this date, with $200 a slave compensation being paid.

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_history_of_African_Americans_in_the_American_Civil_War)

Even as the Conference went on, Kentucky voted to abolish slavery in that State. Both Delaware and Missouri debated to end slavery without coming to a conclusion. But it was noticed in Missouri the price of a male field hand fell from $1200 to $300. A truce till 1st January was declared while the Confederate Congress met in Richmond. The standard text on these debates is B Di Silva "The Richmond Debates; War or Peace?" They are better known to the General public as the background to the Novel by Margaret Mitchell and famous film "Bugles Rang True" the Wartime experiences of a Richmond belle and her family.

After A bitter debate Congress agreed on the Articles of Agreement. Jefferson Davis Vetoed it, but Congress passed it over his Veto. Davis and his family boarded the CSS Alabama, and travelled to Britain, never to return. With him were many other Confederates, too bold, too proud or too frightened to stay. "The Flight of The Mocking Birds" saw the wharves of New Orleans, Charleston and Savannah crowded with men and women sailing for Brazil, Cuba and Europe.

Could have the South held on Longer? 
Yes, but things would of not have got better. As soon as the truce was announced many Confederate soldiers left the ranks and went home, no longer willing to risk their lives. The Blockade was biting deeply and many Confederates were armed with shot guns or old muskets, with the Yankees armed with rifles and even some repeating carbines. This disparity did not help. Slave holders realized that their property was safer in the Union than out of it, and the attempt to save slavery by setting up a Slave Republic was a political error of the first magnitude. There were of course Southerners who were indifferent or even hostile to the Confederacy; "Lincoln's' Loyalists" By A. Horsley is a good one volume work. These people were certainly not going to risk their lives for the Confederacy and may even have been armed by the Federals. As it was Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia were devastated and 150,000 American lives were lost. Alternative fiction and websites are interesting, but the South was lucky to quit when it did.

July 2014-Raid on Richmond

July

Raid on Richmond

by 3W (World Wide Wargames) 1991

To the Subscribers of "The Richmond Examiner '

You may of heard rumors of the treacherous Raid of Federal Cavalry on The Confederate Capital!

Rest assured you will be given the full details of this Yankee Barbarism once our special maps return from the lithographers!

Who were the mysterious guides of the Union raiders?

Why did the militia take so long to assemble?

Did President Davis escape in women's clothing?

Why were reinforcements from the South of the city take so long to arrive?

What part did artillery play in the fight?

Why was General Winder captured?

Why did our soldiers on the east of the City fail to intervene?

How much valuable property in the form of slaves escaped?

The Answer to these and other questions will be answered in a special edition of" The Richmond Examiner"of the Raid On Richmond!

The Examiner March Third 1864 AD.

"We report. You Decide”. RAID ON RICHMOND! Slaves Stolen! POW's Freed! Vital Industry Destroyed! Confederate Confusion! Yankee Barbarism! Blood and Cannon Fire on Our Streets! More evidence of the Davis' Governments' incompetence!

Ass. Editor L. Mack Esq reporting, deputising for Editor Mr J Daniel, Esq who is ill."


A glooming peace this morning brings, The Sun for sorrow will not show his head.’

Well might the Bards words be applied to the unhappy city of Richmond!

In this special edition we give all our readers the facts as we know them. It must be admitted that these early reports may have to be revised, but we believe all the facts should be given to our readers. We pray their indulgence for any mistakes made in haste.

At 8 of the Clock Sunday Morning yesterday a reinforced Brigade of Federal Cavalry under Brig. J. Kilpatrick attacked Richmond, with a large force coming down the Brock Road from the North while a smaller force from the south under Col. Dahlgren liberated Yankee POW's from Belle Isle Prison.

Typically, our lack lustre government had made little preparation for such a crisis. The Federals numbered about 3500, with horse artillery, with troopers from Maine to Michigan, from the slums of New York to the Frontier of Wisconsin.

The Cabinet were actually meeting at the White House when the news broke, and they scrambled and dispersed for safety. There has been a rumour that Mr Davis escaped as he dressed in his wife’s' clothes! We confess we at the Examiner are not great partisans for Mr Davis, but we are partisans for truth!

The Truth is that Mrs Davis handed her husband her own bright coloured shawl to protect him from the rain as he left the White House as in the natural haste he could not find his. The White House slaves almost totally deserted their duties and fled, some to the Yankees! "Ah You Blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things!”

It is estimated that 450 slaves deserted comfortable homes, indulgent Masters and light work for the perils of Freedom! Several slaves have taken valuables and cash, one body servant taking his masters best suits! Was there ever baser ingratitude under heaven!

The Federals were met by several men and women of both races to guide them to their targets. If we had a proper government such traitors would have been detected by now!

The Captives at Belle Isle were quickly freed, and they made for the Richmond and Petersburg RW bridge. Our forces from the south tried to intercept these miscreants but were hampered by the lack of soldiers. Federal forces under "Beast" Butler were making what proved to be a feint towards Richmond, and not all forces available could be sent to Richmond. Typical Yankee cunning!

Federal Cavalry flooded our streets, and most citizens kept to their homes. Clerks from the War Department armed themselves and defended their offices as best they could. The Militia were slow to organize many either at Church or just awaking on a wet Sunday morning.

Fierce fighting eventually developed around the Rail road depot at the corner of Marshall and Eight Street. Militia gathered there, and a long fight developed. The Federals, led by the Vandal Chieftain Kilpatrick himself could not break the resistance there and the gallant stand of the militia tied up Yankee forces that could have been used elsewhere.

Forces from the North and West came as quickly as possible, with Federal artillery attacking our cavalry on Jefferson and Canal Streets. After a hard fight our diminished forces had to retreat allowing the Unionists to join their forces and escape with the newly liberated prisoners and slaves!

Nor were the Yankees any respecters of property, private or public! The vital Tredegar Iron works have been totally gutted, with all the arms and steam machinery destroyed! Only via blockade runner from Europe can such machinery be replaced! The Richmond Iron and Steel works have met a similar fate! Why did not a vital installations have a larger guard? Also the Ordnance and Arsenal have been destroyed with many weapons being handed out to the freed POW's.

The Foundry on Cary Street was destroyed, but the Yankees proved too bold here. They were surrounded by Confederate infantry and cut off and out of ammunition they had to surrender. By now, three of the Clock in post meridian, Confederate reinforcements were finally bringing their strength to bear on the raiders.

Around the Capitol Building and at Fourteenth and Broad, artillery was used to blast away at the Federals. The Unionist finally retreated in the rain, taking with them vital documents from our Secret Services offices! This could lead to the arrests and death of many of our brave agents!

After our Militia were finally driven from the Depot and it was burnt by the furious Kilpatrick’s own order, angered by such defiance. Due to the rain and the gallant resistance of our forces the city itself is not much damaged. A Yankee force held the Richmond and Petersburg RW bridge to the end against our forces till they ran out of ammunition. They and other captured raiders are in Belle Isle, but as one of them wittily remarked ”There is plenty of room now!”

Also General Winder was pointed out by a Negro agent of the Federals at his home on Nineteenth Street and abducted at gunpoint. It is feared he will be tried for shortcomings in the Confederate POW department. This from the people who run Point Lookout, Camp Chase and other Bastilles were Confederates suffer from illness and cold and die in want in a Nation that boasts of its' riches! Is there any limit to Yankee hypocrisy?

By five of the Clock, under a heavy rainstorm the last raider escaped. 450 sick prisoners were left behind as well as about three hundred raiders. Another two hundred will be shortly filling dishonourable graves. Confederate casualties are hard to estimate, but at least four to five hundred are dead or seriously wounded. About 2500 prisoners were freed, and no doubt be soon swelling the Federal ranks. A half decent sensible government would not allow these many disasters to happen, but what are we to Fare under Mr Davis?

We will update our readers with any news to hand, and hopefully we will soon have better news to print. ”Cry Havoc! And let slip the dogs of war!” Also any printers, type setters and lithographers seeking good wages and liberal terms please apply to the "Examiner" office. All wages paid in gold or silver coin.