Union Army Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction

This site is the headquarters of the Union Army of the American Civil War Game Club. Players wishing to join the Union Army can fill out enlistment papers at the American Civil War Game Club (find a convenient link to the club in the "links" section of the Headquarters. If you are not contacted within 2-3 days, please contact General Kelly Ross, Commandant of West Point. The Union Army is currently has in excess of 250 officers who are brigade commanders. Brigades are organized in divisions, corps, and the six armies that made up the Union Army in 1864-65. The Union Army plays the Talonsoft Battleground Games (designed by John Tiller) of Bull Run, Shiloh, Antietam, Gettysburg, and Chicamagua or the HPS Campaign Corinth.   Brother clubs play similar Napoleonic and Revolutionary War games from Talonsoft or John Tiller. Officers, after being graduated from West Point (or granted a waiver for showing sufficient experience in playing Talonsoft or HPS games via PBEM), can seek individual or multiplayer battles against the Rebel Army. IMPORTANT NOTE: Officers can only be a part of one or the other of the sides of the War, and switching sides in discouraged (and exceedingly rare). Cheating in battle (purposely tampering with files or re-playing games files to achieve a different result) is punishable by expulsion by the Club's Cabinet. An officer's honor is rarely ever regained after suffering such a stain upon it. In addition to individual and multiplayer matches, divisions, corps, armies, and the Union Army itself engage the Rebels in large scale matches called Tournaments or Challenges.

Army Organization

The Army is organized according to the Union Armies of 1864-65. Armies contain Corps (2-4 divisions each), Divisions (3-6 brigades each). the army commander assign a Cadet to a brigade in one of the armies divisions. Each army has a web page and a forum (for discussions). Many corps and indeed divisions also have web sites and forums. In addition, many members use AOL instant messanger or ICQ to communicate in real-time. General Staff positions assist either members of the Union Army directly or assist the club with administrative duties generally: For instance: Chief of Staff -- Acts as 2nd in command of the Union Army in the absense of the Chief of the Army.  Adjutant General -- Acts as 3rd in command of the Union Army.  Commandant of West Point Military Academy -- All new officers must pass through here to receive their commissions. Commandant of the United States War College -- Advanced training for mid-level officers -- i.e., Colonels and Lt. Colonels should report to the War College for further instructions.

West Point

West point is the Union Armies training facility for newly appointed Cadets. Each Cadet plays a short match with an experienced officer, making a battle plan and being checked out as a competent play-by-email (PBEM) player. After completing training (usually about two weeks) the Cadet enters the Union Army by being assigned to an Army.

Points and Promotions

Upon graduating West Point, officers enter the Union Army (as detailed above) as 1st Lieutenants. Officers can gains points and promotions (as detailed on the Union Army Regulations Link) by fighting the Rebels (winners receive marginally more than the opponent losing the match and sportsmanship and camaraderie is almost as important to most members as winning). Officers can rise in rank as quickly as they can complete matches to gain the required points -- up to the rank of Colonel. Ranks beyond Colonel (Brigadier General and up) must be approved by Cabinet. Generally speaking, Cabinet will not approve officers for a general's rank who has not served as a division, corps or army command role (or who has served as an executive officer, adjutant, or general staff officer, etc.). UNION ARMY RANK STRUCTURE -- MAXIMUM RANKS THAT CAN BE ATTAINED FOR OFFICERS SERVING IN THE APPROPRIATE POSITIONS:   ARMY COMMANDER  -- GENERAL   ARMY EXECUTIVE OFFICER  -- LT. GENERAL   ARMY ADJUTANT  -- MAJOR GENERAL CORPS COMMANDER  -- LT. GENERAL DIVISION COMMANDER  -- MAJOR GENERAL

Medals and Awards

In addition, to increases in rank, officers can be awarded medals for battle actions, or can merit service awards for service above and beyond the call of duty.

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