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THE FIRST DAY AT GETTYSBURG

The course of the war hangs in the balance. By Neil Smith

FROM BRANDY STATION TO GETTYSBURG The day after the fighting at Brandy Station, Lt. General Richard S. Ewell’s II Army Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia left the Culpeper area to cross the Blue Ridge Mountains into the Shenandoah Valley. His mission was to neutralize the Union presence at Winchester, opening the way for Robert E. Lee’s proposed advance into Pennsylvania. Major General “Fighting Joe” Hooker, commanding the Army of the Potomac, still did not know where his antagonist was, but had surmised that Lee planned a northern offensive. He wrote to President , asking permission to attack a presumably unguarded Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. The President replied that Hooker needed to keep his mind on the job of beating Lee. Nevertheless, it took Hooker another Left: Foundry 28mm couple of days to realize Lee’s army was in motion, allowing the Confederates Rebel Standard bearer to get a head start and capture the strategic initiative. In the meantime, Ewell’s arrival at Winchester shocked the Strategic Situation by Nightfall on June 20 Union commander, Major General Robert H. Millroy, who abandoned the town on 14 June, retreating to the more defendable Harper’s Ferry.

Hooker was still none the wiser on 16 June as to Lee’s position, even though that day Ewell crossed the Potomac at Williamsport into Maryland with Lt. General ’s I Corps and Lt. General Ambrose P. Hill’s III Corps not far behind. Lee himself would follow a few days later. The Union commander ordered his cavalry out to find Lee, but despite their best efforts at Aldie and Middleburg, the Federal cavalry could not penetrate a by now thoroughly alert JEB Stuart’s cavalry screen. Of course, the reverse was also true; if Stuart was protecting Lee’s army from prying eyes, he could not be spying on the Army of the Potomac. Lee surmised correctly, however, that Hooker was tied to the defence of Washington DC and that his Confederate army would be relatively free to operate in Pennsylvania, at least until Hooker took the bait and could be lured into the decisive battle Lee sought.

Hooker continued to dither, even though he had intelligence from Confederate deserters confirming Lee’s movements; Hooker chose not to believe them. Instead, he rode to Washington DC for orders convinced that the capital was Lee’s target, but he confessed he had no idea where Lee was or what his objective might be. The following day, went. Stuart was then to meet up with the lay the groundwork for much of what Lee released Stuart to raid north and get main army again at Harrisburg, was to follow. between the Union army and Washington Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, that left Lee DC, creating confusion wherever he ‘blind’ to the Army of the Potomac’s June 27 proved a propitious day in the movements, and Stuart’s abscence would Gettysburg campaign. Finally

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recognizing that Lee had got the jump on him, Hooker crossed into Maryland but The Battlefield - Key Roads, Woods and Farms THE FIRST DAY AT only with some of his army. He also demanded of the President and General- in-Chief Henry Halleck that Harper’s Ferry be evacuated to add to his strength, GETTYSBURG and he put his command on the line to show his seriousness. Lincoln called Hooker’s bluff, much to the delight of Halleck who despised Hooker and undermined him at every opportunity,

and it was a surprised Major General 1861-1865 George G. Meade that was awoken before dawn on the 28th to be told he was now in command of the Army of the Potomac. Meade reacted with his American War Civil customary modesty, arguing that others were better qualified than he, but to no avail; he now had the arduous task of finding out where all his army was then lead them against the Confederate General who had destroyed every other effort to bring him to heel.

That same day, June 27, Lee began to see that the most likely site of any showdown with the Union army was in the vicinity of the sleepy little Pennsylvania town of Gettysburg. He, therefore, ordered his scattered units to abandon their foraging and converge west of the town. Lee’s plan was simple; hit the demoralized Union army as it marched, driving corps after corps onto each other, and smashing it. That would leave the road to the Federal capital open, and surely Lincoln

must then sue for peace. Meade knew Notes what was at stake too and his orders were This map shows the entire battlefield as it was in 1863. A the Angle PO the Peach Orchard GH Cemetery Gatehouse Included are some contour lines, woods, orchards, streams CT the Copse of Trees WF the Wheatfield URC unfinished railroad cut explicit in ensuring he was to cover both And fences/walls with places of importance named. PW the Point of Woods DD Devilʼs Den SS Spanglerʼs Spring Washington DC and nearby Baltimore. After some reorganization of command, to his original rendezvous, not yet Above Map: Highlighted area shows where the Meade ordered the Army of the Potomac knowing the plan had changed: Lee was action on day one took place. to take up positions on the Susquehanna still blind. River along a broad front, but to be Maps shown on pages 72 & 73 are from The Gettysburg Companion by Mark Adkin. Used within mutually supporting distance once Reynolds began his march, pushing by kind permission of Aurum Press Ltd. he found the enemy. Brigadier General ’s First www.aurumpress.co.uk Division of Union cavalry ahead to At this junction, neither commander knew provide protection and to secure the offered to make a reconnaissance with his where the other was, but they were very ground around Gettysburg. On the other division the following day. Hill agreed close, almost operating in each other’s side, the Confederate convergence had and reported the situation to Lee. The shadows. Meade too had surmised that begun. On the evening of 30 June, ingredients for the battle to follow were Gettysburg might be important and Ewell’s Corps camped to the north and quickly coming together. dispatched Major General John Reynolds northeast of Gettysburg; Hill’s divisions with I and XI Corps to the town. Meade’s lay eight miles to the west of the town at On his arrival at Gettysburg, Buford plan was for Reynolds to find Lee’s army Cashtown; the rest of Lee’s army established skirmish lines across the then pull back to a previously scouted remained further west, screened by the Chambersburg Pike about three miles to position along the so-called Pipe Creek mountains. If the fight kicked off at the west of town, but he did not yet know Line in Maryland where Meade would Gettysburg, however, seven of Lee’s nine that Heth’s division was barreling make his stand. Only, Meade seems to divisions would have to traverse along towards his dismounted troopers. The have omitted any instruction to Reynolds one road, ensuring delays in getting to first grey columns emerged from the not to engage the enemy. In the meantime, the field. That day, Brigadier General J. woods at 7:30am to be confronted with Meade’s cavalry had found Stuart, but Johnston Pettigrew’s brigade of Major an unknown force of Union troopers. General Judson Kilpatrick (nicknamed General ’s 2nd Division of Buford knew that if his troops could hang ‘Kill-cavalry’ for his propensity for Hill’s III Corps advanced to the outskirts on until supporting infantry and artillery recklessness) and General George of Gettysburg where he saw Union arrived, the Army of the Potomac could Armstrong Custer (whose fame was cavalry approaching from the south up occupy the high ground to the south and growing, although not yet his notoriety) the Taneytown Road. He reported back to west of the town. When Reynolds rode both came up short against the Hill that this was the vanguard of the up to him on the field, Buford turned and Confederate horsemen. After seeing off the Army of the Potomac, but Heth and Hill said, “the devil’s to pay.” The Battle of Federals, however, Stuart continued north did not believe Pettigrew, and Heth Gettysburg was on.

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INTRODUCTION - THE ACTION ON DAY ONE

The , fought 1-3 July 1863, is replete with potential wargame scenarios and classic vignettes that give great insight into how the American Civil War was fought. It is the first day, however, that I find most intriguing; that was the set-up day, pregnant with possibilities and opportunities for both sides. If the Confederates can smash through Buford’s cavalry screen, or if Ewell can drive his men through the town onto the heights, then everything that followed would change. For the Union, Buford must hold for as long as possible, and the infantry deployment north of the town might prove crucial, not only for the battle, but for the future course of the American Civil War.

The scenario for Day 1 is framed for 6- 15mm because of the nature of the OPENING MOVES Above: The view from behind Heth’s battlefield that saw fighting in two main division on McPherson’s ridge areas north and west of the town (see The sun rose over Gettysburg at 5:15am highlighted area on map pxx), although at on the morning of 1 July, but Heth’s they had met and there was no reason some distance from each other. For bigger Division was already on the move. today would be any different. scale enthusiasts, the two fights can be Twelve-hundred men of Brigadier- conducted on separate tables, but General James Archer’s Brigade marched Waiting for the Confederates were 1,600 “simultaneously”. No rules are specified in the vanguard down the Chambersburg Union cavalry troopers of in the game, but some conditions are Turnpike. Brigadier-General Joseph ’s Brigade of Brigadier applied, which should be playable for any Davis’ 2,200, mostly Mississippians General John Buford’s First Division of of the major rules sets. The terrain in the followed; Brigadier-General J. Johnston the still relatively new Union Cavalry map, and some distances, have been Pettigrew’s 2,600 North Carolinians Corps. They had ridden into town the abstracted to a small extent to allow for came next, and Colonel John previous day, along with the rest of the flow of the game while keeping to the Brockenbrough’s 970 Virginians brought Buford’s Division, to be told that the historicity of decision making and combat up the rear. Heth also took the III Corps rebels were around, too many of them not mechanics. For battlefield conditions, the reserve artillery with him, four batteries to be a serious threat. Buford dismissed weather was hot and there was no under the command of Major D.G. talk amongst his commanders of how they discernible wind; visibility was excellent McIntosh and five batteries under Major would send the Confederates packing if apart from the opening stage, from William Pegram. Many of the they came: he admonished them that the 5:15am to around 7am when the humidity southerners were bare-footed and may rebels would come on strong and it would from a recent rain-shower created a have anticipated receiving new shoes take everything the troopers had to stop ground fog that hampered recognition of rumored to be in a warehouse in town. them until help arrived from Major friend from foe. The objectives for each What few of them would have expected General John Reynolds’ I Corps. side are to occupy Gettysburg at the end was stiff resistance from any Federal Reynolds had ordered Brigadier General of the first day’s battle. troops between them and Gettysburg; James Wadsworth’s First Division, after all, even if the whole Army of the including the famed Iron Brigade, to Below: The area of action during the first Potomac stood in the way, Lee’s veterans hurry to Gettysburg. That would put a morning at Gettysburg had crushed them the last three times further 3,800 Union men on the field, with another 7,700 to follow once Major General got moving. Neither Buford nor Reynolds could know that Doubleday had an attack of the ‘slows’ and would not get the rest of the Corps moving until 8am on 1 July. Buford set his screens north and west of the town; Gamble out to the west, and Colonel Thomas Devlin’s 1,000 Pennsylvanian and New York troopers to the north, accompanied by two companies of West Virginia cavalry, amounting to 59 men perhaps still bemused by the elevation of their region to statehood that had happened only two weeks before. The Union cavalrymen took up their positions behind whatever cover they could find, every fourth man holding the horses of the others. The troopers fiddled with their 74 Gettysburg Day One:Layout 1 4/6/09 13:42 Page 4

equipment and checked their carbines, in the shimmering distance as the July of McPherson Ridge, running south to many peering into the grey mist created sun burned off the dew. Their more north. The unfinished railroad cut runs by the soft rain, looking for the advancing immediate target was the Federal parallel to the Chambersburg Pike almost Confederates. Buford stood in the cupola cavalrymen ranged along McPherson as far as the town. of the Lutheran Seminary where he could Ridge that rose behind a small creek, oversee the field and make adjustments if Willoughby Run. In the meantime, The battlefield is mostly farmland with necessary, depending on when and where Davis’s Brigade also advanced, taking appropriate hedges, fences, and low walls the enemy arrived. He glanced south too, advantage of an unfinished railway cut to lying around to provide soft cover. There searching for the Union reinforcements. conceal their movements. Heth’s are woods, McPherson’s Woods, about Where were they? Out in the field, Division had taken too long, however, one-third of the way between the troopers of the 8th Illinois cavalry could and in the distance, they could see Union Chambersburg Turnpike and the see shadows in the mist, coming on fast; infantry moving into line of battle along Hagerstown Road. The only significant the troopers fired then withdrew quickly, Seminary Ridge that lay behind the buildings for day 1 are McPherson’s farm setting the tone for the morning – fire and McPherson Ridge. next to the Chambersburg Turnpike on the move, fire and move. ridge of the same name, and the Lutheran THE SCENARIO Seminary on the western edge of the town Heth’s Confederates of Archer’s Brigade PHASE I: SET-UP that gives the Union side an advantage in had reached Marsh Creek south of the determining enemy positions and turnpike around 5:30am where the 5th The table is set up so that Herr’s Ridge is directing deployment and fire. and 13th Alabama fanned out into on the left (west) edge of the Union skirmishing order and pushed on to probe player’s side. The Hagerstown Road runs Heth’s Division is deployed along the the opposition. It was they who first along the Union player’s table edge. The western table edge with Archer south of received fire from the Illinois troopers, town’s layout is about a square foot for the road and Davis to the north. Heth’s and they fired back, the boom of their this scenario and sits on the Union artillery sits on Herr’s Ridge near the muskets contrasting with the crack of the player’s edge (south) and about 12 inches road in support. Buford’s cavalrymen are cavalrymen’s breechloading carbines. in from the eastern edge of the table. The deployed in a screen to the west and Heth now had reason to pause: the Chambersburg Pike exits the town at an north of the town. At no point in the Federal force might be bigger than he angle leading to about 10 o’clock if we game can Union cavalry cross the first thought. consider 12 as due north. The Mummasburg Road from north to west or Mummasburg Road runs out towards 11 visa-versa. If the Union player wants to Heth’s pause became caution and he o’clock, using the same scale. Oak Hill move his cavalry between the two areas, deployed his infantry and artillery for a sits almost astride that road and about he must move his units through the town full-scale organized assault. Davis’s eight inches from the northern table edge. to do so. Brigade moved into line north of the The Carlisle Road heads due north from turnpike, while Archer’s Brigade went the town, and the Harrisburg Road points All other forces remain off table at the into line south of the road. The artillery out towards 1 o’clock. beginning of the game. unlimbered and began to pepper the enemy. All this took time, and even The McPherson Ridge lies about 18 The game begins with a salvo of though the Confederates advanced inches in from the western edge and runs Confederate artillery and Heth’s Division steadily, they advanced slowly, fulfilling around the ‘clock-face’ where it fades just starting its advance off of Herr’s ridge. At the wishes of the Union troopers who past the Carlisle Road. Two other ridges this point the CSA player rolls a D6. If maintained their fire and move tactics, straddle the ground between McPherson the score is anything other than one, he falling back when they needed to. By Ridge and the western edges of the town; gets a 6'' initial move free of harassment 8am, Heth’s Division had reached Herr’s they should not be considered as steps, to simulate the effects of the morning Ridge, still a long way from their however, but folds in the ground. The mist. If a one is thrown, he is open to objective, although they could now see it creek, Willoughby Run, flows just in front attack from his original position.

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behind McPherson’s farm, to the aid of their fellow New Yorkers and an intense melee and firefight erupted. The NY regiments suffered terribly, so Wadsworth ordered them to fall back, but the 147th NY and the 2nd Maine artillery never got their orders and were nearly cut off, taking terrible casualties before streaming to the rear, the Maine battery pulling back by section, limbering and unlimbering, firing and moving.

At the same time that Davis’s Brigade was crashing in from the north, Archer’s Brigade charged into McPherson’s Woods. Reynolds saw the Iron Brigade moving into line in the depression behind McPherson’s Ridge and urged them to attack, following behind as they did so. The two sides clashed with furious volley fire, and a bullet struck and killed Reynolds; Abner Doubleday was now in charge of the Union I Corps. The Iron Brigade hammered the Confederates with Above: Generals Heth’s view across the Maine artillery arrived first and took up battlefield towards the town. positions on the north side of the road, musket fire and Archer’s Brigade broke but south of the railroad cut, where it for the rear, leaving behind their Below: The action in the railroad cut attempted to engage Pegram’s battery. commander as a prisoner in their haste to The Union artillerymen were shocked, get away from an enemy they now knew THE BATTLE ESCALATES however, when the 42nd Mississippi of was the Army of the Potomac. Davis’ Division appeared like spirits Heth’s men began moving off Herr’s from the railroad cut and fired into them. It was a different story north of the ridge at about 8am and advanced towards But the Maine battery responded in kind, turnpike. Major General Oliver O. Willoughby Run. They met increasing with canister, and sent the Mississippians Howard, commanding XI Corps, had carbine fire mixed with artillery from scurrying back into cover. Reynolds also arrived to take charge of the battle. He Lieutenant John Calef’s horse-artillery acted with alacrity, pushing two New could see the Union line north of the battery of four 3'' inch rifles, firing over York regiments, the 84th Zouaves and the Chambersburg Turnpike disintegrating and the troopers’ heads. Calef’s fire was met 95th, into the McPherson Farm area to ordered the 6th Wisconsin, currently held by Pegram’s artillery and a fierce duel bolster the artillery and relieve the hard- in reserve to the rear of the Iron Brigade, took place between the cannoneers. pressed troopers. into line to stop the bleeding. The Wisconsin men, all 340 of them, lined up Seeing the crisis unfold before him, Arriving on the field, Wadsworth sent the along a fence on the south side of the pike Reynolds galloped back to hasten his 76th NY and 56th Pennsylvania across and unloaded a volley into the advancing infantry along. He found Wadsworth’s the turnpike where they crashed into the Confederates and followed up at the First Division marching up and Reynolds 55th North Carolina and 2nd Mississippi charge. The recovered New York regiments ordered them to hurry. The Union who charged them in partial enfilade. pitched in on the Confederate flank, soldiers of Meredith’s Iron Brigade took Lieutenant Colonel Francis Miller prompting Davis to order his men out of off at the double along with the 2nd ordered his men of the 147th NY, who to the railroad cut that was rapidly becoming Maine Battery of 3-inch rifles. The 2nd this point had no orders and stood ready a trap. Most of the rebels got out, but the rejuvenated Federal infantry captured 250 of them and killed many more.

With Heth’s Division falling back to regroup and the Union infantry unable to go forward, an eerie lull fell over the battlefield.

PHASE II: THE BATTLE ESCALATES

When Heth’s Division ends its first move, the Union player throws a D6 to determine when the Iron Brigade will reach the field. A score of 6 means that the Iron Brigade appears at the southern edge of the table at a point no more than 18'' from the Lutheran Seminary. For a lesser score, nothing happens. The Union player throws a D6 at the end of every subsequent turn with a modifier of +1 for each throw.

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Reynolds and Howard arrive on the THE BATTLE RAGES south edge nearest Gettysburg at the same time the Confederate advance, but Both sides used the lull in you must have a rule that will allow for the battle to reorganize and the death of commanders and the effects come to grips with the that might have on organization, consequences of the command and control, and morale, morning’s fighting. Howard had depending on what rules you are using to two Corps available to him, but he MAKING THE RAILROAD CUT fight the scenario. If Reynolds is not did not yet know the direction of the By Trevor Crook killed, he is in charge throughout the heaviest concentration of the enemy. He entire scenario. The rules must also therefore, tasked Doubleday’s I Corps to One of the key features in this part of the allow for the effects of capturing a hold the western flank, and ordered his battle was The Cutting, an uncompleted railway bed cut through McPherson’s commander on morale and command own XI Corps, under Major General Carl Ridge. To make this only took a about and control. Schurz, to the northern outskirts of hour, excluding drying time. Gettysburg to protect against attack from Movement along the railroad cut is that direction. Stage 1: Start with a suitable baseboard - hidden movement up to 12'' from the we used pre-cut plastic sheet, but could McPherson Farm, but if the Confederate Doubleday complied with his also be hardboard, mdf etc. The contours forces reveal themselves at that point, it instructions by placing Brigadier were cut out of polystyrene foam, is assumed that the Union player knows General John Robinson’s Second contoured to match the rest of the hex terrain, and glued down with PVA. they are being attacked in force and Division in reserve on Seminary Ridge, Davis’s Brigade must be revealed in its southwest of the town. He commanded Stage 2; Cover the whole with filler. entirety. Therefore, you will need a his Third Division, under the command Pre-coloured and textured filler like hidden movement mechanism agreed of Brigadier General Thomas Rowley, to Basetex minimises painting, and also upon by both players to achieve this take up positions on McPherson’s Ridge, doesn’t show up later knocks and chips. surprise. The Confederate player may bolstering the Iron Brigade and You can make your own from household remain in the railroad cut for as long as extending the Union line tightly across emulsion and sand/grit/sawdust. he chooses, but will be seen by any the gap between the Hagerstown Road Stage 3: When completely dry, dry- Union force with line of sight along the and the Chambersburg Turnpike. brush with Vomit Brown and then cut to a distance of 18'', or if Union Bleached Bone to raise the detail. forces come within 6'' of the Howard set up his northern defence by Stage 4: Add flock onto watered down Confederate force. Forces firing into the sending Schurz’s 3rd Division, under PVA glue. Do this in patches or the glue cut can do so from within 2'' of the edge Brigadier General Alexander will dry before you have completed the and will count their fire as if firing from Schimmelfennig, to the Oak Hill/Oak whole surface. Knock off onto the flank. Ridge area to join onto the right flank of newspaper to re-cycle the excess. I Corps. Brigadier General Francis Stage 5: Optional. To avoid the constant The reactions of the Confederate Barlow’s 1st Division was to align with shedding of grass, the terrain was then brigades to meeting Union regular Schurz’s Division to their right, and sprayed with varnish. Just avoid infantry must be reflected in their morale, Brigadier General Adolph von spraying onto exposed polystyrene or it perhaps with a temporary surprise factor Steinwehr’s 2nd Division would remain may melt. that diminishes CSA morale for at least to the immediate south of Gettysburg on one or two moves when fired upon by . Union infantry or canister. The Confederates too were busy. Heth calmly ordered his second line into the The Union player cannot cross had pulled his division into line just fight, and the battle raged. Seeing Rodes’ Willoughby Run or the railroad cut at any below Herr’s Ridge. Behind him came attack go in, Robert E. Lee, who had now time in the game. Major General William Pender with his arrived on the field to take command, division from Hill’s Third Corps and they ordered Heth’s Division to resume its If no Confederate forces are inside the took up positions on Herr’s Ridge in full advance against the Iron Brigade and Willoughby Run/railroad cut perimeter battle array. Meanwhile, in the north, two down the Chambersburg Turnpike, after the Iron Brigade is fully deployed, a divisions of Ewell’s Corps marched combining with Rodes’ assault. The Iron lull in the fighting occurs. Roll a D6 for rapidly towards the town. Major General Brigade was staggered by the attack and the number of turns in the lull. Both sides Robert Rodes’ Division with a battery of fell back through the woods, reforming, can use this time to bring on extra forces artillery under Lieutenant Colonel then falling back and reforming again in or reorganize, but they cannot move to Thomas Carter reached Oak Hill before front of the Lutheran Seminary. That left within close range to do so and no firing Schurz. Schurz could not now connect Colonel ’s Brigade of three may take place during the lull. Heth’s with I Corps and deployed to the right of Pennsylvanian regiments, occupying the Division must fall back to just in front of the Mummasburg Road on the plain, so environs of the McPherson Farm, Herr’s Ridge and reorganize. The Union Doubleday ordered Robinson’s Division hopelessly exposed to attack from the cavalry must begin to withdraw through out of reserve to fill the gap between the west and north, while Colonel George the town and off the table to the south. railroad cut and the Mummasburg Road. Biddle’s 95th NY Regiment, holding the They take no further part in the fighting Rodes and Ewell considered the Union left end of the line on McPherson’s unless fired upon by the Confederates at movements provocative and a prelude to Ridge, found itself swamped by the the end of the lull. attack, therefore Rodes deployed his Confederates. The exposed Union division into two lines and ordered the infantry at either end of McPherson’s If no lull occurs, then the battle continues cannonade to begin. Ridge fought ferociously, but the to Phase III and all reinforcements casualties became too much to bear and become available to both sides. They will Rodes’ Division stepped off into a their position increasingly untenable, so march on the table in column to the maelstrom of volley fire, and the front the line fell back to reorganize with the positions described in Phase III. line was quickly sent packing, but Rodes Iron Brigade. They received no respite,

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Above: The Union forces are pushed back an awful cost, and their victory was not the fighting is a factor: Rodes’ Division towards the town complete with 9,000 enemy troops and came onto the field tired after a forced 40 cannon dug in on the high ground of march down the Mummasburg Road, and however, as Pender’s Brigade took up Cemetery Hill. Lee would have the the Union XI Corps morale could be Heth’s assault, and a storm of fighting choice of renewing the battle on 2 July, described as brittle, or at least lacking in broke in front of the Lutheran Seminary. but he would do so against a reinforced confidence - they came into the battle The withdrawal of I Corps and the poor and seemingly reinvigorated Union army much maligned for their performance at positioning of XI Corps north of the now occupying an excellent defensive Chancellorsville earlier in 1863. town, left XI Corps badly isolated with position on high ground. The opening both flanks hanging. Rodes continued to day of Gettysburg was, therefore, a The Union I Corps, except for apply pressure on Robinson and Schurz, Pyrrhic victory for Lee that had great Robinson’s Division, cannot move north bringing greater numbers to bear, but the potential for the decisive victory he of the Chambersburg Turnpike, and the timely arrival of Major General Jubal sought, but also created the conditions XI Corps cannot deploy within six inches Early’s Division of Ewell’s Corps down for the disaster that would follow. of the Harrisburg Road unless Early’s the Harrisburg and Carlisle roads Division has appeared on the table. smashed the right flank of the XI Corps. PHASE III: Only desperate fighting held off a THE BATTLE RAGES The phase opens with Heth’s advance complete collapse of the Corps. from in front of Herr’s Ridge. In the third phase of the scenario, either With the I Corps in terrible trouble, and after the lull or in continuity with Phase If the situation arises, and the Union XI Corps threatening to come apart at the II, all the forces available can become forces attempt to retreat through seams, and XII Corps nowhere in sight, engaged at the players’ discretion. Gettysburg, the Union player throws a Howard had little choice but to order his D6 for each regiment attempting to do so, men to fall back through the town onto The phase begins with Heth deployed with a score of six allowing that regiment the heights beyond. The scene in directly in front of Herr’s Ridge and to stand and fight. Any other throw Gettysburg was chaotic as the Federal Pender’s Division deployed along Herr’s results in the regiment becoming soldiers rushed through with only a few Ridge. The Union I Corps is deployed disorganized until it reaches the heights regiments organized enough to provide a along McPherson Ridge between the behind the town. rearguard defence against the jubilant Chambersburg Turnpike and the rebels flowing into the town. It was Hagerstown Road. Robinson’s Division Victory goes to the Union if they hold perhaps fortunate for the Union that most is in reserve at or around the Lutheran any of field to the west and north of of the Confederates were spent; Hill Seminary. The XI Corps begins behind Gettysburg. The Confederates win if they could not ask his divisions to do any the town. Rodes’ Division is deployed in destroy either of the Union Corps and more than they had already achieved, and two lines of brigades along the north- prevent them from retreating through the Ewell only had two reasonably fresh western corner of the table. Early’s town or onto the heights behind the town. brigades available to conduct an assault Division begins the phase off-table to the The battle is drawn if the Confederates through the town and onto the heights north, but can be brought on at the hold all the ground north and west of the beyond. He chose wisely not to do so. Confederate player’s discretion. town but the Union Corps have retreated The Confederates had won the day, but at The morale of various units at the start of in good order to fight another day.

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ORDER OF BATTLE Confederate

2nd Army Corps: Lieutenant-General Richard S. Ewell 3rd Army Corps: Lieutenant-General A.P. Hill

Early’s Division: Major-General Anderson’s Division: Major-General R.H. Anderson Hay’s Brigade: Brigadier-General Harry Hays: 5th La (196); 6th La (218); 7th La Wilcox’s Brigade: Brigadier-General Cadmus Wilcox: 9th Al (366); 8th Al (477); (235); 8th La (296); 9th La (347) 10th Al (311); 11th Al (311); 14th Al (316) Smith’s Brigade: Brigadier-General William Smith: 31st Va (267); 49th Va (281); Wright’s Brigade: Brigadier-General A.R. Wright: 3rd Ga (441); 22nd Ga (400); 52nd Va (254) 48th Ga (395); 2nd Ga Bttn (173) Hoke’s Brigade: Colonel Isaac Avery: 6th NC (509); 21st NC (436); Mahone’s Brigade: Brigadier-General : 6th Va (288); 57th NC (297) 12th Va (348); 16th Va (270); 41st Va (276); 61st Va (356) Gordon’s Brigade: Brigadier-General J.B. Gordon: 13th Ga (312); 26th Ga (315); Perry’s Florida Brigade: Colonel : 2nd Fla (242); 5th Fla (321); 31st Ga (252); 38th Ga (341); 60th Ga (299);61st Ga (288) 8th Fla (176) Posey’s Brigade: Brigadier-General : 12th Miss (305); Artillery Brigade: Lieutenant-Colonel H.P. Jones 16th Miss(385); 19th Miss (372); 48th Miss (256) Charlottesville Btty (4x12pdr Naps); Richmond Btty (4x3'' Rifles); Louisiana Guard Btty (2x3''Rifles, 2x10pdr Parrotts); Staunton Artillery (4x12pdr Naps) Artillery Brigade - 11th Ga Artillery Battalion: Major John Lane Co A (1x12pdr Howitzer, 1x12pdr Nap, 1x3'' Rifle, 1x10pdr Parrott); Co B Johnson’s Division: Major-General (4x12pdr Howitzer, 2x12pdr Nap); Co C (3x3'' Navy Rifles, 2x10pdr Parrotts) Steuart’s Brigade: Brigadier-General George Steuart: 1st Md Bttn Inf (400); 1st Nc (377); 3rd NC (548); 10th Va (276); 23rd Va (251); Heth’s Division: Major-General Henry Heth 37th Va (264) 1st Brigade: Brigadier-General J.J. Pettigrew: 11th NC (617); 26th NC (843); Stonewall Brigade: Brigadier-General James Walker: 2nd Va (333); 4th Va (257); 47th NC (567); 52nd NC (553) 5th Va (345); 27th Va (148); 33rd Va (236) 2nd Brigade: Colonel J. Brockenbrough: 40th Va (253); 47th Va (209); Nicholl’s Brigade ‘’Louisiana Tigers”: Colonel J. Williams: 1st La (172); 55th Va (268); 22nd Va Bttn (237) 2nd La (236); 10th La (226); 14th La (281); 15th La (186) 3rd Brigade: Brigadier-General James Archer: 13th Al (308); 5th Al Bttn (135); Jones’s Brigade: Brigadier-General John Jones: 21st Va (236); 25th Va (280); 1st Tn (281); 7th Tn (249); 14th Tn (220) 42nd Va (265); 44th Va (227); 48th Va (265); 50th Va (240) 4th Brigade: Brigadier-General Joseph Davis: 2nd Miss (492); 11th Miss (592); 42nd Miss (575); 55th Nc (640) Artillery Brigade: Major J. Latimer 1st Md Btty (4x12pdr Naps); Alleghany Artillery (2x12pdr Naps, 2x3'' Rifles); Artillery Brigade: Lieutenant-Colonel John Garnett Chesapeake Btty (4x10pdr Parrotts); Lynchburg Btty (1x3'' Rifle, 1x10pdr Parrott, Donaldsonville Btty (2x3'' Rifles, 1x10pdr Parrott); Huger’s Btty (2x12pdr Naps, 2x20pdr Parrotts) 1x3'' Rifle, 1x10pdr Parrott); Pittsylvania Btty (2x12pdr Naps, 2x3'' Rifles); Norfolk “Light Artillery Blues” Btty (2x3'' Rifles, 2x12pdr Howitzers) Rodes’s Division: Major - General R.E. Rodes Daniel’s Brigade: Brigadier-General Junius Daniels: 32nd NC (454); Pender’s Division: Major-General William Pender 43rd NC (572); 45th NC (570); 53rd NC (322); 2nd NC Bttn (240) 1st Brigade: Colonel Abner Perrin: 1st SC (328); 1st SC Rifles (366); Doles’s Brigade: Brigadier-General George Doles: 4th Ga (341); 12th Ga (327); 12th SC (366); 13th SC (390); 14th SC (428) 21st Ga (287); 44th Ga (364) 2nd Brigade: Brigadier-General James Lane: 7th NC (291); 18th NC (346); Iverson’s Brigade: Brigadier-General Alfred Iverson: 5th Nc (473); 12th NC (219); 28th NC (346); 33rd NC (368); 37th NC (379) 20th NC (372); 23rd NC (316) 3rd Brigade: Brigadier-General Edward Thomas: 14th Ga (331); 35th Ga (331); Ramseur’s Brigade: Brigadier-General S. Ramseur: 2nd NC (243); 4th NC (196); 45th Ga (331); 49th Ga (329) 14th NC (306); 30th NC (278) 4th Brigade: Brigadier-General A. Scales: 13th NC (232); 16th NC (321); O’Neal’s Brigade: Colonel E. O’Neal: 3rd Al (350); 5th Al (317); 6th Al (382); 22nd NC (321); 34th NC (311); 38th NC (216) 12th Al (317); 26th Al (319) Artillery Brigade: Major William Poague Artillery Brigade: Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Carter Apdremarle Artillery (2x3'' Rifles, 1x10pdr Parrott, 1x12pdr Howitzer); Jeff Davis Artillery (4x3'' Rifles); King William Artillery (2x12pdr Naps, 2x10pdr Charlotte Artillery (2x12pdr Naps, 2x12pdr Howitzers); Madison Lt Artillery Parrotts); Morris Artillery (4x12pdr Naps); Richmond Orange Artillery (3x12pdr Naps, 1x12pdr Naps); Warrenton Btty (2x12pdr Naps, (2x10pdr Parrotts) 2x12pdr Howitzers)

Artillery Reserve: Colonel J. Brown Artillery Reserve: Colonel R. Lindsay Walker 1st Va Artillery; Capt Willis Dance: 2nd Richmond Howitzer Btty McIntosh’s Bttn: Major D.G. McIntosh: Danville Artillery (4x12pdr Naps); (4x10pdr Parrotts) ; 3rd Richmond Howitzer Btty (4x3'' Rifles ); Powhatan Btty Hardaway Artillery (2x3'' Rifles, 2x12pdr Whitworth’s); 2nd Rockbridge Artillery (4x3” Rifles); 1st Rockbridge Btty (4x20pdr Parrotts); Salem “flying” Btty (2x12pdr Naps, 2x3'' Rifles); Johnson’s Richmond Btty (4x3'' Rifles) (2x12pdr Naps, 2x3'' Rifles) Pegram’s Battn: Major W. J. Pegram: Crenshaw Btty (2x12pdr Naps, 2x12pdr Howitzers); Fredericksburg Btty (2x12pdr Naps, 2x3'' Rifles); Nelson’s Battalion: Lieutenant-Colonel William Nelson Letcher Btty (2x12pdr Naps, 2x10pdr Parrotts); PeeDee Btty (4x3” Rifles); Amherst Btty (3x12pdr Naps); Fluvanna “consolidated” Artillery (3x12pdr Naps, Purcell Btty (4x12pdr Naps) 1x3'' Rifle); Milledge Btty (2x3'' Rifles, 1x10pdr Parrott)

COMMANDERS ON GETTYSBURG DAY 1 Howard, Oliver Otis (XI Corps): Headstrong commander, prone to ignoring orders. It is less important to consider the two army commanders for the [wargame rating: below average] first day of Gettysburg than it is to understand their subordinates Reynolds, John F. (I Corps [kia]): who took part in the action - Lee and Meade would reveal their Inspiring leader, born in Lancaster PA, therefore very motivated characters over the following two days of fighting. Indeed, much at Gettysburg. [wargame rating: outstanding] of what happened on the first day and why would be as a result of the nature of the commanders on the scene as much as the CONFEDERATE terrain they fought over and the troops at their disposal. The list Ewell, Richard S. (II Corps): that follows is a very brief summary of how those commanders Brave but eccentric, beloved by his men as “Old Bald Head”. were disposed on the day and their potential wargame rating: [wargame rating: average] Early, Jubal (1st Division, II Corps): UNION [wargame rating: average] Buford, John (1st Cavalry Division): Heth, Henry (2nd Division, III Corps): Outstanding cavalry commander, redoubtable and pugnacious. By the book commander. [wargame rating: average] [wargame rating: outstanding] Hill, Ambrose P. (III Corps): Doubleday, Abner (I Corps): Impetuous Corps commander. [wargame rating: average] Indecisive, but fought ferociously at Gettysburg. Rodes, R.E. (3rd Division, II Corps) [wargame rating: above average] [wargame rating: average]

79 Gettysburg Day One:Layout 1 4/6/09 13:47 Page 9

ORDER OF BATTLE Union

I Army Corps: Major-General John F. Reynolds XI Army Corps; Major General Oliver O. Howard

1st Division: Brigadier-General James Wadsworth 1st Division: Brigadier Francis Barlow 1st Brigade “Iron Brigade”: Brigadier-General : 1st Brigade: Colonel Leopold von Gilsa: 41st NY (218); 54th NY (183); 19th Indiana (308); 24th Michigan (496); 2nd Wisconsin (302); 68th NY (226); 153rd Pennsylvania (487) 6th Wisconsin (344); 7th Wisconsin (364) 2nd Brigade: Brigadier General Adepdrert Ames: 17th Connecticut (386); 2nd Brigade: Brigadier-General : 7th Indiana (434); 76th NY (375); 25th Ohio (220); 75th Ohio (269); 107th Ohio (458) 84th NY (318); 95th NY (241); 147th NY (380); 56th Pennsylvania (252) 2nd Division: Brigadier-General Adolph von Steinwehr 2nd Division: Brigadier-General John C. Robinson 1st Brigade: Colonel Charles Coster: 134th NY (400); 154th NY (190); 1st Brigade: Brigadier-General Gabriel Paul: 16th Maine (298); 27th Pennsylvania (277); 73rd Pennsylvania (284) 13th Massachusetts (284); 94th Massachusetts (411); 104th NY (286); 2nd Brigade: Colonel Orland Smith: 33rd Massachusetts (481); 136th NY (473); 107th NY (255) 55th Ohio (321); 73rd Ohio (338) 2nd Brigade: Brigadier-General : 12th Massachusetts (261); 83rd NY (199); 97th NY (236); 11th Pennsylvania (270); 88th Pennsylvania (274); 3rd Division: Major-General 90th Pennsylvania (208) 1st Brigade: Brigadier-General Alex Schimmelfennig: 83rd Illinois (310); 45th NY (375); 157th NY (409); 61st Pennsylvania (326) 3rd Division: Brigadier-General Thomas Rowley 2nd Brigade: Colonel W. Krzyzanowski: 58th NY (193); 119th NY (257); 1st Brigade: Colonel Chapman Biddle: 80th NY (287); 121st Pennsylvania (363); 82nd Ohio (312); 75th Pennsylvania (208); 26th Wisconsin (435) 142nd Pennsylvania (336); 151st Pennsylvania (467) 2nd Brigade “Bucktails”: Colonel Roy Stone: 143rd Pennsylvania (465); Artillery Brigade: Major Thomas Osborn: 149th Pennsylvania (450); 150th Pennsylvania (400) 1st NY Lt, Btty I (6x3'' Rifles); NY Lt, 13th Btty (4x3'' Rifles); 3rd Brigade: Brigadier-General George Stannard: 13th Vermont (636); 1st Ohio Lt, Btty I (6x12pdr Naps); 1st Ohio Lt, Btty K (2x12pdr Naps); 14th Vermont (647); 16th Vermont (661) 4th US, Btty G (6x12pdr Naps)

Artillery Brigade: Colonel Charles Wainwright: Cavalry Corps: Major-General Maine Lt 2nd Btty (6x3'' Rifles); Maine Lt 5th Btty (6x12pdr Naps); 1st NY Lt, 1st Division: Brigadier-General John Buford Btty L (6x3'' Rifles); 1st Pennsylvania Lt, Btty B (4x3'' Rifles); 1st Brigade: Colonel William Gamble: 8th Illinois (470); 4th US, Btty B (6x12pdr Naps) 12th Illinois (233); 3rd Indiana (313); 8th NY (580) 2nd Brigade: Colonel : 6th NY (218); 9th NY (367); 17th Pennsylvania (464); 3rd West Virginia (59) Reserve Brigade: Brigadier-General : 6th Pennsylvania (242); 1st US (362); 2nd US (407); 5th US (306) 2nd US Btty A (4x3'' Rifles);* *Attached to Buford’s 1st Cavalry Division. Illustration taken from Osprey Publishing Vicksburg 1863 - Campaign 26 www.ospreypublishing.com

REFERENCES

Carl Smith, Gettysburg 1863 (Osprey Publishing Ltd., 1998) Mark Adkin, The Gettysburg Companion (Aurum Publishing, 2008) Chester G. Hearn, Rick Sapp, Steven Smith, Civil War Commanders (Metro Books, 2008) Harry W. Pfanz, The Battle of Gettysburg (National Park Civil War Series, 1994) Stephen W. Sears, Gettysburg (Mariner Books, 2004) Emory M. Thomas, Robert E. Lee: A Biography (W.W. Norton & Co., 1995) Jeffrey Wert, The Sword of Lincoln (Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2005)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Special thanks to Trevor Crook and the Maidenhead and District Gamers (MAD Gamers) for providing their figures, terrain and time for the photoshoot. www.madgamers.org

All figures are Baccus 6mm.

The author wishes to thank Paul Leach for playtesting this scenario and for helping to iron out many of the difficulties in presenting this complicated battle.

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