The B & O WINTER Command simulation focuses on control of towns and the destruction / rebuilding of railroads as the objectives for each army. These objectives mirror historical concerns by the commanders as found in the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion:---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“As early as practicable,
it would be well to protect and re-open the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad… It cannot be ignored that the construction
of railroads has introduced a new and very important element into war, by the
great facilities thus given for concentrating a particular positions large
masses of troops from remote section, and by creating new strategic points and
lines of operations…”
- George B. McClellan; Report on operations of the Army of the Potomac[1]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Again, as the Government
is now fairly committed, by the taking of Romney, either to a retreat or the
reconstruction of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, can we fail as strategists
to call our forces within sup-porting distance while our recruitments are going
on ~ As the troops gather the reconstruction of the road takes place, and
suddenly, and much before our enemies expect it, this important avenue of
supplies will not only be opened, but the Army of the Potomac, connected by
rapid transportation with those of the West, re-enforced and strengthened.”
- Brigadier General Frederick Lander;
Correspondence with Winfield Scott, October 21st 1861.[2]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“I deem it of very great
importance that Northwestern Virginia be occupied by Confederate troops this
winter. At present it is presumed that the enemy is not expecting an attack
there, and the resources of that region necessary for the subsistence of our
troops are in greater abundance than in almost any other season of the year.
Postpone the occupation of that section until spring and we may expect to find
the enemy prepared for us and the resources to which I have referred greatly
exhausted.”
- Major General Thomas J. Jackson; from correspondence with H. P. Benjamin,
November 20th 1861[3]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“I have received
Major-General Jacksons plan of operations tin his district, for which he asks
for re-enforcements. It seems to me that he proposes more than can well be
accomplished in that high, mountainous country at this season. If the means of
driving the enemy from Romney (preventing the reconstruction of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad and incursions by marauders into the counties of Jefferson,
Berkeley, and Morgan) can be supplied to General Jackson, and with them those objects accomplished, we
shall have reason to be satisfied, so far as the Valley District is concerned.”
- H. P. Benjamin, Secretary of War;
Correspondence with Adjutant and Inspector General, November 23rd
1861[4]
[1]
OR, Volume 5, Chap XIV, pp. 5,7
[2]
OR, Volume 5, Chap XIV, p. 631
[3]
OR, Volume 5, Chap XIV, p. 965
[4]
OR, Volume 5, Chap XIV, p. 966.
No comments:
Post a Comment