September 9, 1863 – Longstreet Goes West!

This day 150 years ago in Rebel Raiders’ History

-Dedicated to Civil War episodes, battles, people and ships that also appear in my game, GMT’s Rebel Raiders on the High Seas, 

September 9, 1863 –   Longstreet Goes West!

            Historical Event:   On this day in 1863 President Jefferson Davis agreed to General James Longstreet’s request that he and 12,000 men from the Army of Northern Virginia be sent out west to aid General Braxton Bragg’s beleaguered forces.  General Robert E. Lee knew that sending the First Corps and his “Old Warhorse” would require his army retire behind the Rapidan and give up all hope of offensive operations in the east.   The movement of so many troops across the rickety, tortuous and infrequently interconnected Confederate rail network was something of miracle – and one that ten days later placed Longstreet on the field in the right place at the right time for what would be the South’s last great victory – Chickamauga.

            Game Connection:    General James Longstreet is represented in Rebel Raiders on the High Seas by Confederate Card 79.  He gives the South not only an additional die in a Counterattack, but also aids in defense against all attacks in the space where he is assigned.  To represent the South’s ability to move him and his corps from front to front, the Confederate Player is allowed to be used in a different space each turn.