-- Turn 11 - New Hope for the Confederates --
After the situation looked all gloomy a turn before, this was the first round that fullfilled all my expectations.
A great, belated victory: Breckinridge's tired Division finally took over Jackson, and wiped out the entire force in the "Kessel" (more about this important battle later).
Johnston met with Gardner at Baton Rouge without interference from Grant. I can now proceed with my plan to send them supply from Texas (the ships and wagons are ready in Alexandria), and if this works, their food crisis will be solved for some time.
At the same time, a desperate attempt of Wheeler to drive off the Union succeeded at Meridian.
This means for the first time the Confederates controls all three major towns along the Vicksburg railway. The line is still interrupted on two points eastwards of Meridian, but now Ewell's force is approaching from the East, and could link up with the others.
It would almost look like we have won the battle over the railway line, but unfortunately, now Sherman approaches from the South, with a considerable army, and we cannot tell what will happen next, or where he will turn. While there is still every possibility for a major defeat, we are just an inch away from controlling the railway line, and with it, Vicksburg.
The battle of Jackson, a major victory for the Confederacy. 2,600 killed or taken prisoner for hardly any casualties of our own. While at first this may not appear like a spectacular victory, the destruction of an army HQ is of major importance (+3 national morale). This battle could have strategic implications far into the future, because it means the Union can only attack us with three Western HQs intead of previously four.
After the victorious battle Breckinridge's men also captured some nice equipment: siege artillery and supply wagons. The contents of which was quickly devoured by the hungry men - it tasted of victory.
Wheeler's battle for Meridian, he was able to join up with the forces there, and is at least temporarily supplied.
Nothing new in the East, except that the Union has re-taken Suffolk. Our three Corps gained some precious time to consolidate, and Lee received his much needed supply.
A minor battle took place on the Western flank of the Virgina theatre, and a smaller force under Gen. Trimble won a victory. This force was currently retreating before the (unstoppable) Union advance from the North, and represents practically our complete strength in the central section between then Tennessee and Virginia armies.
Perhaps it would be the right time to throw our remaining reserves from North & South Carolina to this sector, but this would leave our coast dangerously undefended.
The objectives screen shows Confederate morale running dangerously high (CSA 114 vs 79 USA), with Union morale currently only 30 points from a defeat! Perhaps we are doing much better than we thought, because we've now built up a considerable lead in morale. If things were to keep developing in this way, we may win the war simply by a Union morale breakdown. It seems they are getting weary of the war, which cost them so much for nothing gained. Not even Vicksburg has fallen, which should've been their minimum goal, considering the advantages they had.
I calculate that a possible recapture of strategic towns (New Orleans, Memphis) and some more decisive victories
could theoretically break the Union moral. Should I disable the "sudden death" rule in case that should happen, so that the war can go on?