The War for the Union is a strategic level simulation of the American Civil War. It is the long awaited 2nd edition of the game originally published in 1992. Players command the Union and Confederate forces that fought from 1861 to 1865. The Map runs from southeastern Texas to the Atlantic and from Harrisburg, PA to southern Florida. The new Map is 34x44” to accommodate larger Counters. Atlanta and Pensacola are now in the Western Theater. Terrain types include forests, rough, swamps, bayou, mountain hexsides, river hexsides (tidal, navigable and minor), lakes, bluffs, and major and minor Cities.
The Union begins the war with a small number of seagoing wooden ships and a couple river transports. As the war goes on, the Union player receives ironclads and more seagoing ships and river transports. The Confederates receive a small number of river rams, transports and ironclads. They can also build a limited number of additional ships using their Resource Points. Naval Units can be used to attack Batteries and support ground attacks as well as attack other Naval Units. All Naval Combat Tables use a 10 sided Die and have 2 levels of Damage in additional to sunk results. River Depots and Naval Deports are used to trace supply by river or sea, respectively. Union sea movement is simplified by moving through sea zones. The Union player can blockade individual Confederate ports with Naval Units or Batteries.
There are 2 short, introductory Scenarios (Bull Run 1861 and Missouri 1861). The Second Edition adds two 7 Turn Scenarios in just the Western Theater (Tennessee 1862 and Tennessee 1863). There are three 1 year Scenarios using both theaters (1862, 1863 and 1864). And then there is the 1861-1865 Campaign Game. Either player can win by achieving the Sudden Death Victory Conditions at the end of 1862, 1863, or 1864 if they are doing exceptionally well. The 1864 Presidential Election occurs at the beginning of the November 1864 turn; the outcome can be influenced by the onboard situation. Players can also select from a Menu of 15 Optional Rules including using a Deck of Event Cards.
Contents: 2 Maps (each at 22x34 inches), 3-1/2 sheets of 9/16” Counters, 1 Deck of 25 Tactical Cards, 2 Reinforcement schedules – 1 each for North and South, 2 identical Terrain Effects Cards with additional Charts/Tables, 2 identical Combat Results Table Cards with additional Charts/Tables, 1 Rulebook, 1 Scenario Book, 2 ten-sided Dice and 1 Box and Lid Set.
