Edward Hogger (Civil War: Secret Missions) vs Nabeshima Mochizuru (Total War Shogun 2: Fall of the Samurai)

Every country and culture has a history of civil wars, and not all of them are pretty. It is brother against brother, neighbor against neighbor, in your own land. Some civil wars are celebrated by patriots, while others are condemned for their brutality. But none in the history of mankind is as iconic as the American Civil War and the Japanese Boshin War.

But I'm not here to teach history. I'm here to pit two video game heroes who fought in their country's civil wars in a battle to the death.

EDWARD HOGGER! The scout who infiltrated and ravaged Confederate lands in History Civil War: Secret Missions

versus

NABESHIMA MOCHIZURU! The daimyo who took down the shogun in Total War: Shogun 2 The Fall of the Samurai

Let's find out who... is... THE DEADLIEST WARRIOR!

Edward Hogger[]

Edward Hogger is a silent member of Blazer's Scouts under Captain Richard R. Blazer and a protagonist of History Civil War: Secret Missions. As the only named protagonist of the game, Hogger was first introduced as a member of the Jayhawkers nicknamed "Eric". Before the Civil War, Hogger had interest in becoming a writer, but unfortunately became embroiled in the conflict. He later made a name for himself bushwhacking Confederate soldiers in Missouri. Captain Richard Blazer later discovered his skills and reputation and invited him to become a member of his scouting unit.

As a Blazer Scout, Hogger had a major participation in the infiltration and destruction of Jackson, Mississippi during the Battle of Jackson. The Mississippi capital was the primary manufacturer of materials and resources for the Confederate military, and its destruction was of utmost importance for the Union. Union General William Tecumseh Sherman sent out his army to capture Jackson, but before that a specialized group of men were tasked to get inside the city and weaken its defenses. Hogger's history prior to this battle is unknown, but he is noted by Union generals for being an excellent shot and his ability to infiltrate enemy territory. He was one of those handpicked for the campaign. Hogger had to fight through Confederate defenders and blow up key artillery positions. His efforts led to the capture of Jackson, Mississippi. The Blazer's Scouts would continue performing missions for the Union, including an attack on Lewisburg, Greenbriar County.

Rifle Butt

For melee, Hogger and his men predominantly used the butt of their rifles as a bludgeoning weapon. They do this by performing what is known as a "butt-stroke" (no sexual connections) in which a soldier slams the butt of his rifle into an opponent's face without the need to swing it like a club.

Colt Army Model 1860

A cap-and-ball pistol that fires .44 caliber round bullets on a 6-round cylinder. It has a range of 50-75 yards and is single-action. The Colt .44-caliber “Army" Model was the most widely used revolver of the American Civil War. To reload the pistol, Hogger has to manually insert black powder and bullets in each cylinder.

Colt Revolving Rifle

For medium range, Hogger used the Colt Revolving Rifle. It has a 5-round cylinder magazine that fires .56 caliber bullets. Hogger's rifle is unique in that it can be reloaded by swapping loaded cylinders than loading them one at a time, giving it a faster reload time.

Henry Repeating Rifle

The legendary rifle that Yanks "load on a Sunday and shoot all week." The Henry Rifle is a rimfire lever action rifle that fires .44 caliber Henry bullets in a 15-round tube magazine located under the barrel. Rounds are chambered with one stroke of the lever, and rounds are inserted via a gate near the barrel. It has a range of 100+ yards.

Sharps Field Rifle

The Sharps Rifle is a single-shot breech-loaded rifle that fires .52 caliber minie balls at a range of 500-1000 yards (although the longest yard is said to be a mile). Hogger's field rifle is reloaded with the use of paper cartridge that makes it faster to reload and fire. It also has a bayonet attached in the barrel for melee combat.

Nabeshima Mochizuru[]

During the Boshin War, when much of Japan was embroiled in fighting between those who supported the military dictatorship known as the Shogun, and the more rightful rulers of the Imperial Court, the Saga domain was ruled by Nabeshima Mochizuru, the latest in a line of daimyo who were given this territory after the Tokugawa won the vicious civil war of the Sengoku Jidai. Nabeshima Mochizuru is one of the playable historical characters in the Total War: Shogun series.

Mochizuru sided with the Imperialists and led his armies in fighting Shogunate forces in the South. His domain included the port of Nagasaki, a valuable resource for any daimyo. It was here where Japan had its only official trade with the West and where interesting ideas arrived in the country. The knowledge of the harshness of the outside world probably convinced Mochizuru to throw his weight behind the Imperial Court rather than the Shogun. His clan had several advantages during the struggle: they have Western connections and trade that was far ahead of any other domain. In turn, this learning gave them better firearms, artillery, and numerous other advanced technology.

Katana

When Mochizuru and his men ran out of ammunition or forced to fight in hand-to-hand combat, they can quickly drop their firearms and draw their katanas in a flash. The Katana has a 25-inch long blade that is single-edged. It is also known as one of the sharpest swords in existence.

Smith & Wesson Model 2

The Smith and Wesson Model 2 is a small .32 caliber pistol. It has a 6-round cylinder and is single action. What makes Mochizuru's pistols unique is that it is reloaded by swapping cylinders, making it faster to reload than other cap-and-ball pistols.

Yumi Bow

The Boshin War was a time of great changes in Japan. While new and modern tech was being adapted, traditional weapons from the Sengoku Jidai were still in use. One of these was the Yumi Bow that samurai have been using even before the advent of the katana. It fires arrows at a range of 50+ yards, although its range can increase further by firing it upwards. The arrows can also be set on fire to add more damage. While the bow lacks range, it makes up for its ability to rain down arrows on enemies under cover or behind a hill.

Spencer Repeating Rifle

Traded from the Americans, the Spencer Repeating Rifle is the most used repeating rifle in the Boshin War. It fires .56-56 Spencer rimfire from a 7-round tube magazine located in the butt stock. Unlike modern day rifles, the Spencer is fired by turning the lever and manually cocking the hammer. Rounds can be reloaded in the butt stock individually or with the use of tubular speedloaders.

Fusil Modèle 1866 Chassepot

A high power single-shot bolt-action rifle. The Chassepot Rifle fires 11m bullets in paper cartridges at a range of 1,300 yards. It was one of the guns imported by Imperial Forces from France.

X-Factors[]

Hogger vs Mochizuru

60 - Leadership - 90

Hogger was not really a leader and more of a soldier taking orders from his higher ups. Even his rank is unknown so it is hard to decide how much command he has. Nonetheless, we never really see him do any leadership duties in the game. Mochizuru might not be the best leader in his game, but he was effective enough in leading armies across battles and persuading politicians to his favor. He made Nagasaki one of the strongest and most vital points during the Boshin War.

90 - Training and Experience - 80

It is by no means that Mochizuru was untrained. Like many daimyo, he must have had samurai training or some warrior lineage in his youth. However, during the Boshin War, he was more of a leader and strategist than a down and dirty fighter. Edward Hogger probably has more fighting experience since he was noted for being a great shot and was trained in the art of infiltration. This meant that Hogger's training and experience were more specialized and covert than other common infantrymen.

80 - Supplies - 75

These two characters are armed with the best weapons their country can give them. But Hogger's weapons and supplies are newer and more advanced. While Mochizuru has an advantage since he was buying new weapons from across the globe in his port cities, he was still dependent on age old weapons.

Notes[]

Battle takes place in an open field.
Each warrior will have 15 men each.

Battle[]

Hogger:

Mochizuru:

It was in the mid 19th century. War is brewing again in the East, and the Western powers are itching to get involved and show its force. Large numbers of American platoons have been told by Washington to sail to Japan and assist the factions who are allied to the USA. Five Union soldiers under Edward Hogger has just landed in a Japanese port. They were tasked by command to ride into a Japanese town and rendezvous with a group of Japanese commanders.

They arrived in a small Japanese plain, before dismounting and setting up camp to rest. Little did they know, a group of Japanese samurai were strolling in the area to survey the place. These men were under the command of Nabeshima Mochizuru, who were doing recon there for any Bakufu soldiers. They spot the Americans resting and thought that they were mercenaries.

Mochizuru ordered his archers to rain down arrows unto the unsuspecting Union soldiers. The arrows hit the Americans, with one of them getting shot in the eye and dying in pain.

Hogger, though surprised, managed to get his men to retreat behind a hill. The samurai then chased them. As the samurai charged, the Union opened fire with their Henry rifles. One samurai who was already getting close was shot in the chest and died.

The samurai dived into the ground and fought back with their chassepots. The bolt action’s range and accuracy overpowered the Union soldiers. One was hit in the abdomen and went down clutching his guts in pain before dying.

Hogger grabbed his Sharps rifle and personally took aim. He spots a samurai crawling in the grass and shot him in the temple.

But to the surprise of Hogger, Mochizuru has gotten his men to sneak around the hill and ambush the Americans. The Japanese daimyo’s genius in tactics has paid off. And one Union soldier got shot in the chest with a spencer, and Mochizuru personally killed another with his smith and wesson pistol.

Before the Japanese could wipe them out, Hogger has already bolted away. He took refuge inside a thin woodland and took cover behind some bamboo. The samurai pushed forward in search of him. But now Hogger was more careful. He used his training as a marksman and scout to ambush the samurai. He pumped five bullets into a samurai with his Henry rifle, before quickly drawing his colt pistol and emptying its cylinders on the face of another unsuspecting samurai.

Mochizuru saw this, and with rage, charged at Hogger with his katana. Hogger tried to shoot him with his pistol but it was empty, so he rolled out of the way just in time to get his Henry.

Hogger blocked a downward slash by Mochizuru, before bashing him in the face with his rifle butt which made the Japanese fall on the ground. Hogger then shot Mochizuru twice in the chest. With his opponent dead, Hogger silently walked away to complete his secret mission.

Expert’s Opinion[]

Hogger won because he had the better repeating rifles and training at his disposal. Mochizuru may be a talented strategist but in the field, Hogger’s specialized training made him superior.