Relive General Grant’s first victory, and the North’s first decisive success of the American Civil War: the battle for Fort Donelson, Tennessee, in February 1862, which opened the road to the South to the Union armies, and led to the great battle of Shiloh. Could Grant’s 20,000 inexperienced Union soldiers force the surrender of the 15,000 Confederates under Generals Floyd, Pillow and Buckner, hastily assembled to defend the fort?

This first SGS Civil War Battles opus inaugurates a series of famous battles of the war, with specially designed gameplay adapted to tactical engagements, developed by a Civil War specialist. In the future, it could be extended to other major episodes such as Shiloh, Antietam or Gettysburg.

Make skilful use of the terrain, meticulously combine your forces and reserves under the orders of your brigade and division commanders, bombard opposing positions, secure your lines of command and supply while making timely use of the tactical cards – reconnaissance, skirmishers, bayonet charge, “rebel yell”… that you have at hand.

As a Northerner, will you find the loophole to storm Fort Donelson, or trick the enemy into surrendering? Commodore Foote’s new ironclads could be invaluable. As a Southerner, will you be able to hold your positions firmly enough to force Grant to surrender, or will you succeed in making your army escape before it’s too late? Either way, you’ve only got one army; you’ll have to hold on to it.