February 21st 2009 American Civil War Game

Are you Mr Dowden?

I had an E-mail from Martin asking for for me to contact you which I did...

Could be I am getting mixed up on who is who here...

MJ1 wrote:Are you Mr Dowden?

Not guilty, mi Lord. False identity!

Chris

Where can I get an image of this map to print?

I need a Civil War map for a KS event I am running in May in California. I even had custom pieces made! I get those later this week and will upload photos.

-Neal

Sorry only just noticed this and I think I have replied via another route...

But Same reply here (I sent to BBayley): -

"Hi the map is on line at library of congress.

I can drop box my copy of it or you can access the actual one here: -

memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/maps/hotchkiss/

Or they have some wonderful ACW maps too."

If you want what I have done I can drop box it - PM me or e-mail and I can set something up...

Also pretty sure I have posted about ACW maps in the Forums here about resources?

Could you just email me the file itself?

DIGBY@sowkscamp.gmail.com

Ha Ha Ha....

You have no idea how big it is!!!

Nope...



Tiff file is 76Mb

As I say I can set up a drop box for you at weekend for the original map then you can choose which part you want.

Even cut down Tiff files are 10Mb Plus...

Neal, good idea to delete that e-mail as spiders and bots trawl forums and you could get a bunch of spam if you leave your e-mail lying around in public.

Alright, I'll look into installing Drop Box. I'll post back here with my info later tonight.

Digby, you're crazy! What and miss out on all those special offers and such? You have no idea what opportunities you will encounter when you leave your email up. Why just last week, I started emailing a Nigerian prince! And --well, I really can't say...

But you're going to love seeing my Russian bride! I just gotta make it through until next payday...

Alright. I have installed Dropbox.

Now I need to invite you to my Dropbox or vice-versa?

Let me know the next step. I'm ready to roll!

File being downloaded now.

MrSid required to view the master map...

http://www.lizardtech.com/downloads/category/#viewers

The Tiff file I would use ER Mapper to read...

http://erdas-er-mapper.software.informer.com/

I'm setting up a Kreigsspiel in Los Angeles for May. It will be an American Civil War event. When I decide on the map, I might ask for someone to review the scenario I concoct. I hope you guys will be up for it. I'll need any tips, pointers or advice.

Thanks!

The following maps are being considered:

1. http://www.loc.gov/resource/g3884p.cwh00096/

2. http://www.loc.gov/resource/g3883e.cwh00029/

3. http://www.loc.gov/resource/g3883p.cwh00248/

4. http://www.loc.gov/resource/g3844a.cwh00113/

5. http://www.loc.gov/item/2002627435/

6. http://www.loc.gov/resource/g3844a.cwh00111/

7. http://www.loc.gov/resource/g3884r.cwh00180/

8. http://www.loc.gov/resource/g3884c.cwh00138/

Great maps. Its impressive what online resources the US Govt offers, we get little of this quality in the UK.

In case you were seeking advice in helping you choose, those maps broadly fall into two categories.

#2 and #5 are what I'd call operational maps, though low-level ones and would give you a game something like a mini-campaign. They lack tactical level details but show settlements, topography and road nets.

The rest are tactical maps and would be excellent for battle-level Kriegspiels. In effect a true KS of what we try to do with SoW. Fences and other cover is shown, woodlots and especially topography making heights important.

So your choice would depend on what style of game you intend to run.

#6 Antietam is about the weakest of the bunch as its a tactical level map but shows almost no relief making it less useful for resolving a battle.

My favourites are #3, #4 and #7.

Thank you, Digby, that's the kind of advice I need!

I'll review them again. I think we're going for a tactical scale battle, although I am open to doing something more strategic. Really, I may be looking at whatever is easier to umpire for my first time out.

Strategic Kriegspiels are easier to umpire in my experience. You tend to only need a broadbrush set of operational rules and battles can be resolved with very simple rules like a postcard-sized CRT or just a dice roll modified by the umpire's take on events. Mini-campaign games allow more scope for role-playing in my experience and players can have fun without ever seeing an enemy!

If you go for a tactical battle, pay careful attention to what ruleset you choose. For your first time out I'd avoid complex rulesets and just try something fairly simple.

Ask yourself a few questions.

What kind of battle? Set piece defence/attack? A retreating side pursued? An assault river crossing? The encounter of recon forces? A cavalry raid? A siege? One side escorting a supply column / forage party / siege train / VIP?

Find out what kinds of encounters appeal to you and build from there.

Will your umpire team be dealing with two 'committees' of players or will each player be kept separate and rely on teh umpires for comms with his fellow players.

Bear in mind that in our experience 1 umpire per player plus 1 master umpire is a good ratio.

Also, KISS.

http://www.loc.gov/resource/g3883e.cwh00029/

We are leaning towards this map and doing something operational. We would simplify quite a bit, since we will all be novices (except for Calpurnius). He and I will umpire. We can make it work with two people or a dozen. My goal is to get one successful, (reasonably) fast moving KS going, then we can get more sophisticated as the community grows.

I have a scenario in mind. Sadly, the Father General has no part in it. :-)