We could use a separate new message counter for personal messages.
I believe a lot of people do not check their messages.
They may think new messages are just defend messages or their own attack messages.

true.
how about "from Calpurnius" below the "New messages:1"

Req doesn't like anything to be added to the left column so I doubt that will fly. What is the problem, exactly? You can already see you have messages... people should check that regularly anyway. I guess that may be asking too much?

The trouble is that you constantly get new messages from Waronline about your attack/defend history, so unless you go to your messages and read/delete them every turn, it's not obvious that you have a message from another player.

Perhaps an * after the number of new messages could indicate that you have a message from a player, rather than Waronline?

I think that would be a great idea.
I try and message people while they are online, but I do not receive a reply until they log on next time.
I can only think that they are making game moves and think all the messages are game related.

send msgs via the online page and they pop up in game if they are urgent

yeah, but they're readable by everyone

I agree with MOG,there is enough stuff on the left column,so therefore,just check your messages,on a regular basis,or give whoever your yahoo or other email.