The War For The Union – Designer's Edition is a grand strategic American Civil War wargame that places players in command of either the Union or Confederate forces throughout the entire conflict from 1861 to 1865. This enhanced second edition updates the original 1992 classic with larger maps, revised components, improved rules, and additional scenarios while preserving the depth and historical feel that made the game a favourite among Civil War enthusiasts.
Covering both the Eastern and Western Theatres, players must balance military operations, leadership, logistics, naval power, recruitment, and industrial resources to achieve victory in one of history's most influential conflicts.
This game includes:
2 Full-Colour Maps (22" × 34" each)
4 Countersheets of 9/16" Counters
Multiple Player Aid Cards
2 Reinforcement Schedule Cards
Deck of 25 Tactical Cards
Rulebook
Scenario Book
2 Ten-Sided Dice
Game Box
Key Features:
Command either the Union or Confederate armies from 1861–1865
Play introductory, theatre, annual, or full campaign scenarios
Historical leadership system with named generals and army commanders
Strategic land, river, and naval operations across both theatres
Detailed supply, fatigue, reinforcement, and industrial production mechanics
Army headquarters enhance command and battlefield coordination
Optional Tactical Cards add further strategic depth and replayability
Excellent solitaire suitability alongside multiplayer gameplay
About the Game:
The War For The Union – Designer's Edition recreates the American Civil War at the strategic level, allowing players to direct campaigns across a vast map stretching from Texas to the Atlantic coast. Every decision influences the wider war as you coordinate armies, manage reinforcements, protect supply lines, and determine where to concentrate your strongest forces.
Ground units represent infantry and cavalry formations supported by historical corps, army, and division commanders. Each leader possesses unique command, movement, and combat ratings that directly influence battlefield performance. As the conflict progresses, troop quality evolves naturally, with veteran formations emerging and new commanders arriving to reshape each side's military capabilities.
Combat is driven by an attrition-based system where terrain, leadership, morale, fatigue, supply, and troop quality all contribute to the outcome. Rather than relying solely on overwhelming numbers, players must carefully coordinate attacks using Army Headquarters, manage exhausted formations, and decide when to press an advantage or preserve valuable forces for future campaigns.
Naval operations are equally important throughout the war. River transports, ironclads, coastal fleets, blockades, and river depots all play significant strategic roles, particularly for the Union. Meanwhile, Confederate industrial centres generate valuable resources that can be invested in fortifications, naval construction, and sustaining the Southern war effort as the conflict intensifies.
Multiple scenarios allow players to experience the war at different scales, from introductory battles and theatre campaigns to annual scenarios and the complete 1861–1865 campaign. Sudden Death victory conditions, the 1864 Presidential Election, and a wide selection of optional rules ensure that every campaign develops differently and offers excellent replay value.
Designer's Edition
This expanded edition modernises the original release with improved maps, larger counters, updated rules, additional scenarios, and numerous gameplay refinements while remaining faithful to the original design. The result is a rich strategic simulation that combines military planning, historical leadership, logistics, and naval warfare into one of the most comprehensive American Civil War board games available.
Game Details:
Players: 2–4 (Fully Playable Solitaire)
Playing Time: Approximately 1–20 Hours
Complexity: Medium (6/10)
Solitaire Suitability: High (8/10)
Time Scale: 1 Month per Turn
Map Scale: Approximately 22 Miles (35 km) per Hex
Unit Scale: Approximately 5,000 Men per Strength Point
Recommended Age: 14+
Campaigns & Scenarios
The game includes a wide range of historical scenarios, from the opening battles of 1861 through annual campaigns and the full four-year war. Whether playing a short introductory scenario or committing to the complete campaign, players will face evolving armies, changing leadership, growing industrial strength, and the strategic challenges that shaped the outcome of the American Civil War.
The War For The Union – Designer's Edition is a grand strategic American Civil War wargame that places players in command of either the Union or Confederate forces throughout the entire conflict from 1861 to 1865. This enhanced second edition updates the original 1992 classic with larger maps, revised components, improved rules, and additional scenarios while preserving the depth and historical feel that made the game a favourite among Civil War enthusiasts.
Covering both the Eastern and Western Theatres, players must balance military operations, leadership, logistics, naval power, recruitment, and industrial resources to achieve victory in one of history's most influential conflicts.
This game includes:
2 Full-Colour Maps (22" × 34" each)
4 Countersheets of 9/16" Counters
Multiple Player Aid Cards
2 Reinforcement Schedule Cards
Deck of 25 Tactical Cards
Rulebook
Scenario Book
2 Ten-Sided Dice
Game Box
Key Features:
Command either the Union or Confederate armies from 1861–1865
Play introductory, theatre, annual, or full campaign scenarios
Historical leadership system with named generals and army commanders
Strategic land, river, and naval operations across both theatres
Detailed supply, fatigue, reinforcement, and industrial production mechanics
Army headquarters enhance command and battlefield coordination
Optional Tactical Cards add further strategic depth and replayability
Excellent solitaire suitability alongside multiplayer gameplay
About the Game:
The War For The Union – Designer's Edition recreates the American Civil War at the strategic level, allowing players to direct campaigns across a vast map stretching from Texas to the Atlantic coast. Every decision influences the wider war as you coordinate armies, manage reinforcements, protect supply lines, and determine where to concentrate your strongest forces.
Ground units represent infantry and cavalry formations supported by historical corps, army, and division commanders. Each leader possesses unique command, movement, and combat ratings that directly influence battlefield performance. As the conflict progresses, troop quality evolves naturally, with veteran formations emerging and new commanders arriving to reshape each side's military capabilities.
Combat is driven by an attrition-based system where terrain, leadership, morale, fatigue, supply, and troop quality all contribute to the outcome. Rather than relying solely on overwhelming numbers, players must carefully coordinate attacks using Army Headquarters, manage exhausted formations, and decide when to press an advantage or preserve valuable forces for future campaigns.
Naval operations are equally important throughout the war. River transports, ironclads, coastal fleets, blockades, and river depots all play significant strategic roles, particularly for the Union. Meanwhile, Confederate industrial centres generate valuable resources that can be invested in fortifications, naval construction, and sustaining the Southern war effort as the conflict intensifies.
Multiple scenarios allow players to experience the war at different scales, from introductory battles and theatre campaigns to annual scenarios and the complete 1861–1865 campaign. Sudden Death victory conditions, the 1864 Presidential Election, and a wide selection of optional rules ensure that every campaign develops differently and offers excellent replay value.
Designer's Edition
This expanded edition modernises the original release with improved maps, larger counters, updated rules, additional scenarios, and numerous gameplay refinements while remaining faithful to the original design. The result is a rich strategic simulation that combines military planning, historical leadership, logistics, and naval warfare into one of the most comprehensive American Civil War board games available.
Game Details:
Players: 2–4 (Fully Playable Solitaire)
Playing Time: Approximately 1–20 Hours
Complexity: Medium (6/10)
Solitaire Suitability: High (8/10)
Time Scale: 1 Month per Turn
Map Scale: Approximately 22 Miles (35 km) per Hex
Unit Scale: Approximately 5,000 Men per Strength Point
Recommended Age: 14+
Campaigns & Scenarios
The game includes a wide range of historical scenarios, from the opening battles of 1861 through annual campaigns and the full four-year war. Whether playing a short introductory scenario or committing to the complete campaign, players will face evolving armies, changing leadership, growing industrial strength, and the strategic challenges that shaped the outcome of the American Civil War.
