I guess I may just be the only sod around here that actually enjoys the " punishment " from the vampire attacks. If you ask me it make the war between DG and the fangers feel like an actual war, more so then the civil war. Speaking of which I wish the civil war had the same mechanic as the vampires, it would have added tons of enjoyable game play during the civil war, but that's my opinion.

Except I don't think the goal is to kill townsfolk.
A war such as the Civil War is to simply gain ground, and in doing so, gain control. Killing innocent civilizans won't get you anywhere... it can get you hate amongst the local populace, interrupting your plans. The instrumental part of a war like the Civil War is to damage the enemy with attrition, gain ground, and eventually win. The more enemy troops you kill, the more they spread their forces out, the easier it is to control.
So I don't think having Stormcloaks/Legionnaires rushing into cities and attacking is a good idea, nor is it smart.