TWW II: Campaign Duration and Major Objectives

THE WINTER WAR II will cover the period of February 1 - February 14, 1862 and have the following major objectives:

1. Occupation of Romney and South Branch Area

2. Completion of Railroad to Hancock (Union) / Destruction of Railroad and Prevention of Repair of the B&O (Confederate)

At the end of January, Jackson reported on the importance of the railroad to both sides and his continued intention to interfere with repair of sections his forces have previously destroyed:

Romney also continued to be an important objective.

Moorefield also had a significant amount of cattle, which the Federals wanted to (and did) capture (see Lander's report of February 14 below). This will be factored into the simulation.


This period was selected because of a few factors:

1. Brigadier General Frederick W. Lander would die in March 1862.  On February 14 he reported to General McClellan that he was two sick for any major actions. This is Lander's last campaign.

2. There was a re-organization of Confederate forces. Following a fall-out between Major General Thomas J. Jackson (Valley District) and Brigadier General William Loring (Army of the Northwest). There was a shuffling of regiments between February 14 and February 18th, with a number of regiments being re-assigned elsewhere and leaving the campaign theatre.

Special Order 33 starts the break-up of the Confederate forces involved in the Bath-Romney Campaign.

On February 13, Orders are issued to the Tennessee Brigade to leave the campaign theatre:

On February 14th, General Johnston writes to Jackson about the transfers:

By February 17th, Johnston's letter about the transfers is acknowledged by Jackson and on the 18th they regiments being transferred out of the Valley District appear to be in Winchester and ready to leave the next day. Jackson also notes: 1) Federal efforts to repair the Great Cacapon Bridge (a Union objective in the simulation). He appears to be unaware that the railroad was open to Hancock by that time. He mentions Lander's concentration at Paw Paw, where Lander would die on March 2.

B

3. Historically, the B&O was opened as far as Hancock again on February 14, 1862 (see Lander's report to McClellan).

4. Most of Lander's Division moved to Paw Paw Tunnel during this period, and forces under his command made successful advances against Moorefield and Bloomery Gap between February 10 and 14th.