The War for the Union – Designer Edition

The War for the Union – Designer Edition is a strategic-level American Civil War wargame covering the full conflict from 1861 to 1865.

Players command Union and Confederate forces across a large map of the eastern and western theaters, managing armies, leaders, supply networks, naval forces, and industrial capacity. Strength points represent troop formations, while leaders bring command limits, combat modifiers, and movement advantages that shape each campaign.

The game emphasizes operational decision-making: coordinating armies, maintaining supply, managing fatigue, and choosing when to press offensives or conserve strength. Naval operations, river transport, blockades, and industrial production all play a role in the broader war effort.

This Designer Edition expands and refines the original game with a larger map, updated components, additional scenarios, and optional rules, including event cards. Scenarios range from short introductory battles to full-year campaigns and the complete 1861–1865 campaign.

Contents include: two 22” x 34” maps, three and a half sheets of 9/16” counters, one deck of 25 tactical cards, two reinforcement schedules, terrain effects and combat results cards, rulesbook, scenario book, two ten-sided dice, and a box with lid.