The War for the Union is a strategic level simulation of the American Civil War. Players command the Union and Confederate forces that fought from 1861 to 1865.

The map runs from southeastern Texas to the Atlantic and from Harrisburg, PA to southern Florida. Terrain types include forests, rough, swamps, bayou, mountain hexsides, river hexsides (tidal, navigable, and minor), lakes, bluffs, and major and minor cities

Components (Compass Games version):

• 2 maps – each at 22 x 34 inches
• 3-1/2 sheets of 9/16” counters
• 1 deck of 25 Tactical cards
• 2 reinforcement schedules – 1 each for North and South
• 2 identical Terrain Effects cards with additional charts/tables
• 2 identical Combat Results Table cards with additional charts/tables
• 1 rulesbook
• 1 scenario book
• 2 ten-sided dice

Components (Clash of Arms version):

• 1 map – 22 x 34 inches
• 3 countersheets of 1/2" counters
• 4 Game cards with charts and tables
• 1 Basic game rulebook
• 1 Advanced game rulebook
• 1 Historical commentary and scenario book