Thunder on the Mississippi - Scenario #2 - Invasion & Breakout

[@ncareylee]

Many thanks to you both for playing the game out to the end and not giving up!

[@Hammer1126]

Roger's handling of John Stevens Bowen showed Bowen' s Historic mettle; Captured at Camp Jackson Missouri by Lyons he was exchanged and fought as a Col. at Columbus Ky. Wounded at Shiloh, he returned to duty and was in the Vicksburg Campaign, where he was commended for his skill and courage by his superiors; but his zeal also wrecked his health and he died from illness a few days after the surrender of Vicksburg, captured in a Hospital. Well done Roger Sir, you made Savannah Ga's finest proud. This playthrough shows that the module isn't hopelessly one sided and that extreme skill and some luck will prevail for the CSA.

[@tribomber17]

Gents, thanks for the sharing and the service you provide to your fellow gamers.

[@PatricksTacticsTutorials]

Thank you so much for the kind feedback!

[@holgerschulz2107]

So, I finally finished watching this episode. And for good benefit I did: Yes, as you say at 1:47:30, you made Holger happy! Very nice resolve to go it for the very end. (...though I will relativize the spectecular outcome with what I have to say below.) On top of what I already commented in answering the discussion started by "rhysjohnson", also on the further days I watched now, you seem to handle brigdes not exactly. E.g. at min 42:50 Tracy destroyed the bridge. But as long as the opposing bridgehead is enemy occupied he would not have been allowed to do so. (standard rules 10.2 "exceaption") Then from the Union perspective: Why the detour around Windsor Indian Mounds still in turn 2? The direct way is only prohibited in turn 1. Later they seem to have detected the road. Finally, I fear you handled the Loess not restrictively enough. Yes, there are the factors such as restricted ZOCs and high entry costs, that you did observe. But there is more. Did you always account for the additional +1 MP cost for attacks in all occasions? Remember a "normal" basically costs 3 MP and an prepared 5 MP into Loess. (see 2.3 of TOM rules.) Some instances where I fear you went in to cheaply: Min 1:25:30 Min 1:30:30 Min 1:35:30 So, this includes some of Roger's late game comeback shows. If you had paid correctly it would have accumulating stopping effects by worse attacks and/or mor fatigues gathered. Thus it would not have been so easy to turn the table. But in any case you should always play it out to the end! 😁 Regards Holger

[@MikeCurtis7663]

What a furball! Nice play guys. Looking forward to the swapping of sides.

[@PatricksTacticsTutorials]

Thanks, Mike! So many fun twists in this session.

[@johnskibajr5691]

I was thinking "poor Roger" as Patrick is rolling 5s and 6s for movement, gets strings on initiatives, builds a key bridge at a key time and crushes the enemy in battle. Meanwhile, Roger is puttering along. I am thinking this sucker is over and Roger is the goose that is cooked. But in the end, the ones had it. I feel your pain Patrick as I am playing scenario 4 and my US forces have marched poorly and have been beaten in every battle so far. But seeing the turnaround in this game, I can take heart and hope I can do likewise. I can go out tonight and sell 7 units and not have to put that coffee down.

[@johndesch7251]

Excellent game! Super content as always.

[@PatricksTacticsTutorials]

Thank you!

[@joshdavis3743]

Patrick getting his butt smacked again, Hurrah! Hurrah! We'll give him a hearty one again, Hurrah! Hurrah! The opponent will cheer, the boys will shout, The ladies, they will dance about, And we'll all be there, when Patrick rolls a one again.

[@PatricksTacticsTutorials]

It's funny because it's true.

[@JonasmultinG]

What a show! 🎉

[@mgreenprog]

Great game with ebbs and flows. I like the options that the Union have, I like the moves Patrick made on T3 to setup bridging but on T2 instead. Be careful of the extra mp needed to attack in loess. I saw 2 attacks that didn't use that extra mp.

[@christianknudsen8328]

That was quite possibly the most Roger thing that has ever happened in one of these. The master pulls another rabbit out of his hat! Also, For the attack at 59:03 would hex 4120 not come off, as its a restricted ZOC?

[@PatricksTacticsTutorials]

You are correct, sir!

[@ericbrosius7606]

In the assault by Crocker on Tracy at 0:58:30, hex 4720 also comes off (restricted ZoC,) so it’s only +1 flanking bonus.

[@PatricksTacticsTutorials]

Yep, excellent catch, thanks!

[@ericbrosius7606]

Also, at 1:18:58, Reynolds had only2 movement left, which is not enough for a normal attack in loess. It should have been a hasty attack.

[@ericbrosius7606]

The same for 2 MO’s attack.

[@ericbrosius7606]

And Cockrell’s attack on Rocky Springs.

[@gregmougin8937]

More bridge building questions. At the 37 minute mark Patrick attempted to built a bridge during the Action Cycle. I read the Standard Rules as saying that bridges can be built only during Step 1 of the Recovery Phase, not during the Action Cycle. In the context of this scenario, this would mean the Union is not eligible to build bridges until the Recovery Phase at the end of Turn 3. Also, why were two fatigues taken after the failed bridge building attempt? Thanks!

[@PatricksTacticsTutorials]

Is a special rule for this scenario as part of the action cycle.

[@ericbrosius7606]

The prohibition on the USA entering the Windsor Indian Mounds is for Turn 1 only. XVII Corps could have used that route on Turn 2. (I presume by then they had figured out that there was a route through there, and it wasn’t flooded.)

[@PatricksTacticsTutorials]

Good to know. I misinterpreted that, and understand now why Roger questioned my use of Rodney. "Hunh.", said he. It would certainly have maintained XVII Corps cohesion.

[@johnskibajr5691]

In my playing of this scenario as the US, I missed that too.

[@johnskibajr5691]

As to your comment about your defending unit using the voluntary retreat rule (which is subject to the retreat rules) to go into the attacker's hex. I think that is covered under "Retreat Restrictions" (pg 16) / "Closer to Attacker" even though the attacker was wiped out.

[@christianknudsen8328]

The Rules (7.5 - Applying Results, last sentence) states that "Combat results are always applied to the defending unit(s) before they are applied to the attacking unit(s)." So basically the rebels force the Union to retreat, but are so shattered doing it that they cease to exist as an effective unit.

[@johnskibajr5691]

@@christianknudsen8328 Ah, I knew there was something like that in the rules somewhere. I just could not find it before I found the Pg 16 info. Thank you. Together we will keep Patrick in line - lol.

[@PatricksTacticsTutorials]

Nevah!

[@devinmccane8343]

I’m confused how Roger was able to make an attempt to destroy the bridge at the 42min mark when there was an enemy unit occupying one of the two bridge hexes. The basic rules state that a bridge cannot be destroyed if an enemy unit occupies one of the two hexes connected by a bridge/ferry, or emits a ZOC into one hex that is not occupied by a friendly unit.

[@PatricksTacticsTutorials]

Yep, that was a goof that neither one of us caught in the moment- that we are rusty on. Enemy ZOC, yes. Enemy Unit, no.

[@ericbrosius7606]

In theory, Osterhaus could have taken Willows with sufficient movement, picking up Ingleside on the way to offset the loss of Port Gibson. He would have had a forced march opportunity to help stretch the movement rolls.

[@PatricksTacticsTutorials]

Yes, Roger & I discussed this. I edited it out, because Osterhaus got a '2' on F1, and a '2' on F2, so he marched away and back as a futile effort.

[@rhysjohnson1224]

Your playthroughs are great. However in this one, unless there is a scenario special rule, a unit can only make one attempt per turn to destroy a bridge and you can't destroy a bridge when there is an enemy unit in the adjacent hex (Standard Rules 10.2). Makes a big difference to a lot of Rogers bridge burning unless I have misread the rules!

[@PatricksTacticsTutorials]

Thanks! Yeah, I think I let Roger have a free one on the bridge into Ashland. He gets penalties for my ZOC, but is prohibited when the enemy is adjacent. Good find!

[@mgreenprog]

Yes, Greene's successful second attempt to destroy the bridge at Port Gibson was not allowed. The restriction for a unit to only attempt one destruction a turn is important for the CSA in this game. Same goes for Tracy's second attempt.

[@holgerschulz2107]

Indeed, it is only one bridge blowing attempt per UNIT. Let me add two other details on the destuction mechanism that were commented/undertaken not completely precise: - A destruction attempt IS a MARCH. "...a unit ends a march" Thus an attempt at a high enough fatigue level would call for an extended march roll. - You could employ more units for the destruction of the FERRY. For them there is no minimum size of unit. Therefore Roger could have employed the dismounted CAV fellows as well which happend to move to a respective spot on turn 2 anyway.

[@joeperez3520]

Probably pronounced TILL-man, like ex-Golf Channel anchor Kelly Tiglman, who's father was mayor here in North Myrtle Beach. "G" is silent.

[@mgreenprog]

Patrick, were your last three combat rolls 1’s?

[@PatricksTacticsTutorials]

Yes indeedy.

[@ericbrosius7606]

I think Loring’s brigade commander’s name is pronounced “Tillman”.

[@johnskiba1273]

The last two videos have been out of focus. I can usually make out the die rolls but they are really blurry and I cannot make out any text in the message window.

[@MyOwnWorstEnemy]

Make sure your video setting (lower right, next to 'CC") is set to 1080HD. KZbin likes to set it low. The videos look really sharp and clear for me at 1080.

[@PatricksTacticsTutorials]

Thanks for that assist! I suppose I should remind people verbally in the video about that fact.

[@johnskibajr5691]

@@MyOwnWorstEnemy Ah, found it and I can see clearly now. Thank you.