A House Divided: War Between the States 1861-65

Lead the Union or the Confederacy through the whole American Civil War, 1861 to 1865, on a map of boxes and rail lines.

Designers: Alan Emrich, Frank Chadwick
Published by: Diseños Orbitales
Editions by: Mayfair Games, Phalanx Games B.V., Game Designers' Workshop (GDW Games)

A House Divided is a 1981 two-player strategy game of the American Civil War, North against South, from the First Battle of Bull Run to Lee's surrender at Appomattox. Or, if you play it better than history did, Grant's surrender at Harrisburg. The map covers the United States from the Atlantic coast to just west of the Mississippi, and its boxes stand for the cities, towns and places that mattered, linked by transport lines. You make the big strategic decisions, push armies from place to place using movement points, and settle clashes with dice. It is a long, thoughtful strategy duel for people who care about the war itself.

North versus South across the whole warPoint-to-point map of cities and transport linesStrategic decisions with dice-resolved battles

Who it's for

You are fascinated by the American Civil War and want a two-player strategy campaign you can settle in for an afternoon.

Not for you if…

You want a quick or light game, or you are not interested in the historical theme. This is a long, serious wargame.

Vibe's take

Sprawling and strategic. You balance fronts, supply lines and cities rather than single battles, and the dice add just enough uncertainty to keep both sides nervous.