American Civil War Game Club (ACWGC)

One has to wonder how much differently the war may have been fought had Nathaniel Lyon survived Wilson's Creek.
Is anyone aware of any scenarios that reflect him surviving the battle and continuing on in Missouri?

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Colonel Jason "Skeedaddle" Campbell
The Mahoning 4th Brigade
3rd Division
2nd Corp
AoT
"Let's fill up our canteens, boys. Some of us will be in hell before nightfall and we'll need the water"

That's a wonderful 'what if' idea that has not, to my knowledge, been explored. I've never heard how Lyon's personality meshed with those of his subordinates (he wasn't a general all that long, after all), but he certainly was aggressive. He may have ended up overextending himself and being handed a terrible loss or two, but I could easily hear Lincoln saying, "I can't spare this man - He fights!"

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General 'Dee Dubya' Mallory

I've been watching YouTube videos about him, which are precious few, as I try and run down a decent read on him (any recommendations welcome).
He was extremely aggressive, if what I watch is true.

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Colonel Jason "Skeedaddle" Campbell
The Mahoning 4th Brigade
3rd Division
2nd Corp
AoT
"Let's fill up our canteens, boys. Some of us will be in hell before nightfall and we'll need the water"

The possibility of Lyon's survival and even promotion were provided for in this excellent game by Eric Smith:

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/208 ... -1861-1865

Smith rated Lyon among the very best generals.

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MG Mike Mihalik
Forrest's Cavalry Corps
AoWest/CSA

Thanks General Mihalik.
I remember reading that a game (I couldn't remember if it was tabletop or PC) offered this "what if" situation. Now I know.

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Colonel Jason "Skeedaddle" Campbell
The Mahoning 4th Brigade
3rd Division
2nd Corp
AoT
"Let's fill up our canteens, boys. Some of us will be in hell before nightfall and we'll need the water"

Col. Campbell, sir <salute>

Jason, I would full heartedly agree with you. Gen. Lyon would have made things very difficult for the Rebs in the West. Only drawback was he was so aggressive that he engaged with infurior numbers. Had he waited to mobilize a larger army, he would have put immediate pressure on the Western front. Who knows how that would have shook up things?

Maybe a good "What if" matchup could be Jackson vs. Lyon? The aggressors of the West!?

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Union War Dog!
MG. Derek Hampel
Cmdr. Second Div., XV Corps
Army of the Tennessee

General Hampel, sir. <salute>
I think that would be a most excellent scenario! I just have to buy Campaign Ozark first.

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Colonel Jason "Skeedaddle" Campbell
The Mahoning 4th Brigade
3rd Division
2nd Corp
AoT
"Let's fill up our canteens, boys. Some of us will be in hell before nightfall and we'll need the water"

That you should, sir! Between Wilson's Creek, Pea Ridge, Lexington ('the Battle of the Hay Bales') and many smaller conflicts, it covers the war in western Missouri and northern Arkansas. Anyone interested in early war Trans-Mississippi should have this one.

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General 'Dee Dubya' Mallory

Gents, if the interest is there, I could start creating a "What if" scenario after the loss at Wilson Creek and the re-origination of troops in the area for the first major conflict after the battle.

I'll look over the OOB and history of the region to keep it as historical as possible. Hold tight as it might take some research.

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Union War Dog!
MG. Derek Hampel
Cmdr. Second Div., XV Corps
Army of the Tennessee

Gen. Mallory, sir <salute>

Dee Dubya,

Fully agree with you. Ozarks Campaign is a good evenly matched series with young inexperienced troops facing off against one another.

Definitely a good pick-up to have from the series.

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Union War Dog!
MG. Derek Hampel
Cmdr. Second Div., XV Corps
Army of the Tennessee

Certainly have enjoyed playing it over the years myself!

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General Scott Ludwig
4/II/ANV