That is exactly what i intent to do Coonewah Creek! I can't really have it be destroyed before the main campaign, so maybe i'll make a small introductary assignment, where the player must change the course of history in that regard.
I'm currently play-testing some naval combat atm with the Union Navy consisting of several City Class ironclads, and the Confederate Navy has (one) CSS Arkansas ram. Both sides has steamer gunboats, but the CSN has more of them to rectify the ironclad imbalance. Mortar barges are available to both sides, bot Union will have the most. These can be towed by Ironclads & steamers. The CSN also have torpedo mines in their arsenal. Troops will be able to enter the vessels, and i might add steamer transports, and maybe coal barges.
It seems like great fun with the combination of the faster, lightly armed ram, vs the slower but more heavily armed City Class ironclads. The artillery of the Confederate strongholds in the area should help offset the larger Union navy.
I plan on making an early assignment where the CSS Arkansas must be sailed passed the Union navy to reach Vicksburg.
Then the naval engagements at the River-bend north of town (Spanish Fort/ Chickasaw Bayou area). The objectives in this could be the Union must position mortar barges to silence the guns of the forts. Confederates must decimate the Union fleet enough for it to retreat upriver.
I want to add more areas (perhaps unconnected to the rest initially), probably Grand Gulf, and other areas from the campaign. This area could have game-play of amphibious landing. Perhaps some of the other engegaments in that area as well. I plan on eventually making a large area surrounding Vicksburg, to allow for strategic high rank game-play.
Keep the ideas coming please
Thank you!