The Lost Cause: The American Civil War, 1861-1865

About this board game

The Lost Cause: The American Civil War, 1861–1865 is a solitaire States of Siege game for 1 player, with play lasting approximately 90 minutes.

Step into the shoes of Jefferson Davis and the Confederate High Command as Union armies close in from five different directions. The conflict reaches beyond the battlefield, encompassing waterways, foreign diplomacy, and the Confederate home front.

Using Headline and Broadsheet Event cards, you experience a changing historical narrative while directing the Southern war effort. Organize the Confederacy, make the best use of scarce resources, and allocate them where and when they are needed to preserve the nation and pursue independence.

Each turn represents one month, while game pieces represent Union armies or Civil War leaders. Famous generals such as Lee and Johnston lead armies for the Confederacy as you respond to relentless Union pressure across multiple fronts.

• Basic and Advanced games: Two maps and separate rules booklets provide different levels of challenge.
• Historical event cards: Headline and Broadsheet cards shape the unfolding war.
• Included components: Mounted game pieces, a player aid mat, and designers’ notes with extensive examples of play.

The Basic Game is designed for approximately one hour, while the Advanced Game takes about an hour and a half. With the Basic Game rated at complexity 3.5 and the Advanced Game at 5 on a 9-point scale, The Lost Cause offers a focused solo experience that combines military, diplomatic, maritime, and domestic concerns.