Berthier Campaign System: Shenandoah Valley Campaign Part I

In my research to find a campaign system to play a Shenandoah valley campaign I ran across this Berthier Campaign System.  It is a computer program that allows for solo or multi-player campaigns, handling logistics, scouting, etc.

I have attempted to provide a overview for what I've recently put together over the last two evenings.

It takes a little bit to set up but from my cursory review and experimentation it has real promise.

After downloading and unzipping the files, which are easy, the set up process isn't all too hard.

First you plug in your map, an image that is saved as a bit map file via paint.  I found a campaign map for the old Shenandoah board game online.  Saved the image, opened it in paint and saved it as a bitmap file.

Original Map Image

Next, the grid maker places a grid over it. As you play the campaign your troops will move through the grid in designated areas. Ex. On a road they'll move 4 grids, off road 2 grids.

Original Map Image with Gridlines

You then start to add colors to the grid so the program can identify what is in the grids. I first marked the towns. Next the rivers in blue. Bridges in Light Brown.  I have made the roads yellow, rail roads pink , the mountains dark green and fields olive green.

This process takes a while but I'm am hopeful that it'll be worth it in the long run, and it's a one and done process.

Later in the program you set up movement rates based on these color coded areas.  More on this later when I get to it.

The rivers = blue, roads = yellow, towns = redish, bridges = light brown, fields = olive green, railroad lines = pink.

Rivers added - Blue

Roads added - Yellow
Towns are Redish

Mountains Added - Green
The rest is filled in as Olive Green later

After the map is in place you continue by adding in your OOB, movement rates on the grid by color, etc.  You can even add in logistics like supply lines that go from town to town, and have units that are near to the outbreak of fighting "march to the sound of the guns".

My overall goal is to set up the OOB to reflect Corps - Brigade - Regiment. The goal is to be able to leave regiments behind as guards on the supply lines or send them out to scout.  This might be overkill but I'm interested to see what I can put together.

The way I understand it, the troops have a radius of awareness that allows them to detect nearby enemies.  This all feeds into reports that they player (assuming there are two) see when their turn is up.  It gives only limited detail which provides a good FOW.

In the past I attempted to run a hypothetical 1863 Valley Campaign.  It was marginal at best because I was experimenting with different campaign options.  This, if it works as I envision, could enable me to attempt another go at that process.

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