Sound interesting, but there are several games that come to mind... none of them would directly fit the description.
Can you give some more info?
Aproximate time frame (when you saw/played it), info about graphics, OS needed (DOS/Windows game - or possible a non-PC game), input device (mouse, keyboard)...
Anyway, here are some games that I could think of that might be simular to what you said:
Utopia
Supremacy
Ascendancy
Zardula Incursion (can't find any refrences for the game, but do own the disc - just a lot of stats, but can't really see the minions you control)