New SorGun

[Kevenbro 94]

That's awesome bro

[Benedict 3,119]

Congratulations - you're holding steady at number one on BTT.

Great fort - I love the cannon MMP.

[SimCoug 5,972]

Sorry for the delay - RL took me away from any real SC4ing for about a week - but I have a little time now for replies and a quick look ahead.

MamaLuigi945: That's an awesome fort, but I think there was some bribery involved in the decision of its construction site... Many things are happening in this area, and I like how the story is becoming more and more complex as time moves along. Reading each new entry is like reading the next chapter of a book (with better pictures than any book, though.) Great work!

Thanks MamaLuigi – unfortunately corruption was (and still is) a part of life back then.

sim_link: Very intriguing, something is going on for sure. I look forward to what you cook up next, the story is awesome.

Thanks sim_link – great work on the launch of HD

Benedict: Another week of CJing, and another week at #1 on BTT - well done.

Thanks Ben, and thanks for all the great comments everybody!

City_Master: That's a nice fort! And it was constructed so quickly! Mr. Delin must have had extremely good relations with D.C for it to be located in Porthaven and not New Sorgun. Will this make a city rivalry between the two?

Yes, it is safe to say that this was just the beginning of the town rivalry…

rubberduck3y6: Another great update! The pictures are amazing, they really capture the time period. I wonder what Morgan's business in Baltimore was?

Thanks for stopping by – and I’m sure your question will be answered in a future update

AusBoy94: Words cannot even describe my amazement. I love this.

Thanks AusBoy.

Petriknl: Awesome animation! I like the political twist in your CJ

Thank you! The animation took a little planning, but I’m happy with the result.

TayMay27: I really like, New SorGun is going in the right direction!

Thanks TayMay!

Kdellion: cool ciy journal.

Thanks for stopping by.

Fox: Awesome update... love the last two pictures. It's good to see a Military presence now. hopefully the area will be much safer for years to come. Although I predict there might be a horrible conflict on the horizon.

Thank you Fox – hopefully any future conflicts can be resolved without bloodshed.

Samima: Great update. I cant wait to hear more of the story.

Thanks for the kind words Samima.

Vivapanda: At least something happened, that's good new anyway! I really love the construction pictures of the fort, it looks so realistic! The animations are very cool, they give a very nice impression of what happend in this update =D

Glad you liked it! New SorGun may soon learn that a distant military presence is better than no presence at all.

Next up - Its 1860 - time to take a quick trip around the region and see where things stand.

[simlink 1,098]

Lookin' good - love the shape of the waterways. Must have taken a while for all those trees...

[crazychickensc12 84]

I am absolutely loving how natural those lakes and rivers looks! Great work always a new inspiration stopping by this city journal keep it up my friend!

[Kevenbro 94]

looking great bro

[Fox 1,444]

Love that region you use.

[SimCoug 5,972]

@simlink - Yes, but trees are totally worth the time

@Crazychicken - Thanks!

@Kevinbro - THanks Bro!

@Fox - Thanks, Drunkapple is awesome.

Update time!

Update 17: 1860 Census

Spring 1860

So much has happened in the first 10 years of this region, it’s time to take stock and see how everybody is doing. As of 1860, the region includes three towns with over 100 people. Farms and cabins dot the landscape, where previously only trees once stood. The westward expansion is in full tilt, and the SorGun region is experiencing this demographic shift firsthand.

(click for full size)

Materburg is first up. Founded shortly after New SorGun, this quiet little settlement has grown slowly but steadily.

The dense forests continue to be pushed back from the river’s edge each year.

The center of the village has seen a few more shops and stores, but not much has changed since the founding.

The town still relies heavily on agriculture – and since the Indian uprising a few years back, many farms in the region have been destroyed or abandoned, so Materburg has been very important in providing food for settlers in the area.

Some of the original settlers continue to grow and expand their plot of land – and some farmers have done quite well for themselves.

Further east lies Junction – a once bustling crossroads – but the town was burned to the ground during the Indian War of 1856.

Some roads remain, but now it is mostly dirt, ashes and overgrown weeds. Occasionally travelers pass through here – but far less frequently than before.

Walking through what was the center of town, the smell of burnt pine still lingers in the air.

A lone grove of fruit trees and a single structure are all that remains in Junction. Perhaps it is a faint heartbeat from a town that has been left for dead.

Traveling north along the banks of the Rannug River, it becomes obvious that Farmer Ben has been busy these past few years.

Pine trees have given way to fruit trees and farmland. Farmer Ben has even employed workers to help with his growing enterprise and a second cabin was built to house them.

(click for full size)

While Farmer Ben’s land was spared during the hostilities of the Indian War, the small village of Wapato Indians was not. Like Junction, the village is quickly being overrun by nature.

A short trip up the river finds us in New SorGun.

About 10 years since its founding, New SorGun is still the largest town in the region and despite some setbacks, still remains the focal point for settlers in the area.

(click for full size)

Although most the town survived the Indian War unscathed, some of the farms to the south of town were burned during the attack on the town.

With the addition of many Wapato Indians who took shelter during the war, the area known as Indian Point has grown the most in the past few years.

It becomes quite lively during the day, with the hustle and bustle of folks going about their business.

Up the road from Indian Point is the main employer in town – Yarahi’s Mill.

The demand for lumber has tapered off in recent years, but that has not stopped Mr. Yarahi from expanding his lumber operations. The neighborhood surrounding the mill is developing a bit of a reputation. With all the mill workers and lumberjacks living nearby, it is not entirely undeserved either.

(click for full size)

Heading uptown from the mill lies main street and the center of commercial activity in town.

The market is always busy, and a new clothing store sporting the latest San Francisco fashions just opened up across the street from the lumber yard.

The creek at the edge of town has become a popular leisure destination for the townsfolk, with its fields of wildflowers and excellent fishing.

Porthaven is the last stop – located further north from New SorGun and nestled next to Mill creek, which flows into the Delin River.

The town is only a few years old, but it is growing at breakneck speed.

The mill is still the main employer, but some small businesses have sprouted up in response to the growing population.

And with the addition of the federal army fort, the Porthaven is set to grown even faster.

[Schulmanator 5,787]

Awesomeness! I like each of the small towns. And you don't see abandoned places like Junction very often in SC4... nice touch.

[simlink 1,098]

New SorGun never fails to impress. It is really neat to see how things have changed in the region, and I really like that you took the time to do a census. It is a creative way to show where everything currently stands.

[Benedict 3,119]

What you have created for Indian Point is just incredible. I could look at those tents and small structures for ages. I also really like how the town is developing - with the 'posh' shops.

[Fox 1,444]

Glad to see so much construction .. the area is booming.

[crazychickensc12 84]

Beautiful flora work as always and the area is really starting to grow!! If you don't mind me asking what all flora mods do you have? The ones im mainly interested in are the smallest rocks that you have bordering your bedrock and some of the smaller bushes n weeds. Anyways great work always looking forward to another update!!

[Charlie_Zane 963]

Pity that those two towns where burnt to a crisp, they would have grow so big!

I see New Sorgun is still as strong as ever, the timber industry looks to be booming too!

[Kevenbro 94]

Looks very beautiful bro.

[SimCoug 5,972]

Schulmanator: Awesomeness! I like each of the small towns. And you don't see abandoned places like Junction very often in SC4... nice touch.

Thanks! I wish I could have found some cool burned out buildings for Junction, but my searches failed me

sim_link: New SorGun never fails to impress. It is really neat to see how things have changed in the region, and I really like that you took the time to do a census. It is a creative way to show where everything currently stands.

Thanks! I will freely admit that the idea was planted by lurking through Benedict's great vanilla CJ

Benedict: What you have created for Indian Point is just incredible. I could look at those tents and small structures for ages. I also really like how the town is developing - with the 'posh' shops.

Thanks! It is a little challenging finding era appropriate BATs, but the thrill of the hunt is fun as well.

Fox: Glad to see so much construction .. the area is booming.

Thanks for your constant support Fox!

crazychickensc12: Beautiful flora work as always and the area is really starting to grow!! If you don't mind me asking what all flora mods do you have? The ones im mainly interested in are the smallest rocks that you have bordering your bedrock and some of the smaller bushes n weeds. Anyways great work always looking forward to another update!!

No problem - the are by nbvc - I use so many bushes and weeds, but the ones I use frequently are the cattails by girafe and the various ground cover from the If you need any more specific links, just let me know.

City_Master: Pity that those two towns where burnt to a crisp, they would have grow so big!

I see New Sorgun is still as strong as ever, the timber industry looks to be booming too!

Although, sometimes a fire can have strong regeneration attributes...

Kevenbro: Looks very beautiful bro.

Thanks bro!

Now, a little preview of what's ahead...

December 26, 1860

Federal troops and supplies are relocated to Fort Sumter, which lies at the entrance to Charleston Harbor. America, as it stands in 1860, is about to be ripped apart.

Up next, SC4 depictions of the American Civil War with inspiration from real photo/images. Stay tuned.

[emperordaniel 1,281]

This CJ is just... indescribable.

[simlink 1,098]

Look forward to the update...

[Kevenbro 94]

Can't wait for more!

[Markus J 242]

1860 is going to be a big year I see...

[crazychickensc12 84]

Thank you for the links my friend exactly the two downloads I was missing! Looking forward to the next update! I love SC4 recreations and the story line and photos are great. Keep it up!

[Charlie_Zane 963]

Ooooh getting even more exciting!

[rubberduck3y6 45]

Looking forward to see how the ACW will affect New SorGun!

[Benedict 3,119]

Another great week for your CJ - and you're back at number one on BTT, well done.

[Fox 1,444]

Love the history lessen and the pictures look great, nice editing.

[Furiousuk 4]

Awesome stuff, haven't popped by this way for quite some time but mighty glad I've found this CJ! Inspirational!

[SimCoug 5,972]

Update 18

The American Civil War (1861-1865)

Part 1

I am excited to present a special collaboration between myself and kakado_to_save. It became quite obvious that my skills in photo editing are severely lacking – so instead of spending hours upon hours practicing, I decided to just collaborate with one of the best photo editors I could think of. Fortunately, kakado was kind enough to help me out, and I think the results speak for themselves. I merely tinkered around in SC4 – kakado was able to bring these images to life.

Please, while you are viewing the following images, don’t forget to rep up kakado_to_save’s work – his most recent being World War 2 and Volynsia.

My goal was to use a real life image, either a photo, drawing or painting, and attempt to re-create the scene in SC4. I am happy with the results, and I hope you enjoy them too.

So, without further ado…

Fort Sumter

In the early morning of April 12^th 1861, confederate batteries began firing on Fort Sumter after the union forces within the fort refused to surrender. The bloodiest conflict in American History had begun.

The confederate barrage lasted for 34 hours

On April 13^th the union forces were forced to surrender. Amazingly, there were no casualties throughout the battle despite the fact that the fort was in complete ruins.

Bull Run

On July 21st 1861 the union and confederate armies in Virginia faced off for the first time. It was widely believed that the Union army would defeat the confederate soldiers in battle and open up the way to Richmond, the Confederate capital, and end the war quickly.

But the confederate line held, and a strong counterattack broke through the union lines, sending the routed Union army fleeing back to the safety of Washington, DC. The realization of a long, bloody war soon became apparent.

Shiloh

On April 6^th 1862 the confederate army attacked an unprepared Federal force commanded by Ulysses S. Grant. The Southern rebels were initially successful, and the fighting continued all day and through the night.

The next morning, the reinforced Union army counterattacked and overwhelmed the smaller Confederate force. With more than 23,000 casualties, Shiloh was the bloodiest battle of the civil war up to that point.

Antietam

The Union Army of the Potomac and Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia faced off on September 17^th 1862, producing the bloodiest day in American military history.

The battle was fought near Sharpsburg, Maryland over three days – and despite the fact that the result was more or less a draw, President Abraham Lincoln used the ‘victory’ to go forward with the Emancipation Proclamation, which would make the abolition of slavery a primary goal of the Civil War.

To be continued…

[Furiousuk 4]

Wow again!

SC4 painting of the highest degree!

[simlink 1,098]

So this is the collaboration you spoke of earlier... very nice work to you and kakado! The collaboration was an excellent idea - everything looks awesome!

[vivapanda 422]

Wow! Amazing to see history come alive in SC4.