If you think wargames are always about a single, isolated battle, get ready to change your mind! Here Come the Rebels is the second gem in Avalon Hill's 'Great Campaigns of the American Civil War' series, and it brings something quite different: a full simulation of a two-week military campaign during the American Civil War. Instead of focusing solely on a single day's clash, this game lets you experience the full pace of the Antietam campaign, fighting for control over Maryland.

The game pits the Union player against the Confederate player. The South's goal is to secure Maryland, while the Union must drive the Rebel army out of the state at all costs. What's truly impressive is the scale: the game features highly detailed maps based on actual historical archives, depicting the roads, railroads, rivers, and mountains of Northern Virginia and Maryland in 1862. Each turn represents one full day of movement and strategic decision-making.

The gameplay is dynamic and avoids the static feel of many wargames. By incorporating dice rolls for combat and a system that includes elements like weather (rain), command paralysis, and railroad logistics, every session feels unpredictable and exciting. The system is intuitive enough that introductory scenarios can be finished in about an hour, but for those who love deep strategy, advanced versions are available that can last for hours. It is the perfect choice for players who want to understand the logistics and tension of a real military campaign, offering depth without being purely mathematical.