Examining the initial deployments gives an appreciation how difficult this is going to be for Lee. His initial intention of delivering a right hook turning the Union’s left flank appears to be the most obvious route at this stage. Sickles Corps is exposed in advance of the main Union army running in a line from Devil’s Den, across The Wheatfield and Peach Orchard, and anchoring its right flank near the Codori farm.
Longstreet’s Corps (minus Pickett’s Division who has yet to arrive) reinforced by Anderson’s Division are tasked with delivering this outcome.
Ewell’s Corps will demonstrate against Cemetery Hill and Culps Hill with Johnson’s Division making the main assault on Culps Hill from the east.
A.P. Hill’s Corps are to be held in reserve.
Peach Orchard and The Wheatfield
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| The opening move sees Longstreet’s Corps move off Seminary Ridge with Hood’s Division in the bottom left. An artillery barrage opens fire from the ridge. |
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| In turn 2 at The Wheatfield, Trobriand’s Brigade (middle of photo) suffers from an effective volley from the advancing Kershaw’s Brigade (upper left), but even more importantly a double ‘6’ rolled by an artillery battery. The result causes Birney to suffer a light wound and will be out of action for a turn, and Trobriand’s Brigade loses a total of 11 figures. His brigade “goes to ground”. |
Continued –
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| Turn 3 Trobriand’s Brigade is roused by Birney to get up lining the woods before delivering a decent volley into Kershaw’s Brigade. The latter (in and around the farm) suffer heavy casualties from both Trobriand and a deployed artillery battery which they withstand and reply highly effectively. |
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| Trobriand’s Brigade in the woods are scythed down by a very effective response from Kershaw’s Brigade. The Union troops once again lose confidence and “go to ground”. |
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| Graham’s Brigade defending the Peach Orchard with a supporting battery of artillery deliver an effective volley at Barksdale’s Brigade but not inflicting enough damage to affect morale. |
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| In turn 2, the Confederates have the advantage of the initiative and fire first. The steadily advancing Barksdale delivers a poor volley but along with casualties caused by the rebel artillery, Graham’s Brigade lose 6 figures but are steady enough to reply very strongly. |
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| Barksdale not only suffers from an effective volley but a particularly devastating blast of canister. Combined with the casualties suffered in the first turn they have now lost over 1/3 of their number but nevertheless, the elite Confederates continue to hold their nerve. |
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| An overview of the southern end of the battlefield at the end of turn 2. In the background, Barnes’ Division leading the 5th Corps, moves across the rear of Sickles’ position. |
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| Union have the initiative in turn 3 and Barksdale (upper middle of photo) decides to not delay any longer and launch a charge at the Peach Orchard. The gamble does not pay off and they are stopped by another shattering volley from the Union defenders. |
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| Turn 3 and Hood’s Division closes in on Devil’s Den |
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| Turn 4 and the Confederates continue to suffer disproportionately due to more accurate fire from the Union infantry and artillery. Hood’s Division begin to engage troops in position in and around Devil’s Den.
A breakthrough for the Confederates occurs at The Wheatfield (top left). The already severely mauled and shaky brigade of Trobriand suffers more casualties taking them past the 50% mark. They fail a morale test and flee the field. Worse was to follow for the Union when Birney tests for a divisional morale test due to the loss of Trobriand. They fail with a broken result and will fall back the next turn. |
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| Anderson’s Division engage Carr’s Brigade to the south of the Codori farm. |
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| Turn 5 – Birney’s Division have now retreated in disarray abandoning The Wheatfield and Devil’s Den. Hood’s Division takes advantage and hurries to occupy the empty Union positions. Robertson’s Brigade takes the lead advancing up the wooded slopes to the west of Plum Run. |
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| Kershaw’s Brigade prepare to move across The Wheatfield. |
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| The absence of Birney’s Division has left Humphrey’s Division very exposed in and around the Peach Orchard. Burling’s Brigade has been moved up to the fence line but with shaky morale. They begin to falter as a result of experiencing Birney’s Division break. |
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| Humphrey’s attempts to shore up his line moving Brewster’s Brigade across to plug the gap left by Birney. This though leaves Carr’s Brigade supported by a battery of artillery to face the oncoming Anderson’s Division. They suffer heavy casualties but give a good account of themselves dishing out just as much punishment which included killing Anderson. |
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| Humphrey’s hopes to hold out until relieved by the 5th Corps. Here they continue to move up to the Round Tops. |
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Turn 6 at the rear of Cemetery Ridge with Little Round Top on the left. The Union 5th Corps continue to rush forward to stabilise the Union left flank. On the left, Burbank’s Division rush towards The Wheatfield. On the right, Crawford’s Division moves onto Cemetery Ridge.
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| 6th Turn, Barnes Division hurriedly reforms into line to face Hood’s Division emerging from the treeline and around Devil’s Den. |
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| The fresh Wofford’s Brigade takes over from the battered Barksdale’s and launch a charge at the faltering Burling defending the fence line. The assault proves successful with Burling forced to retreat with heavy loss pursued by the Confederates. |
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| Wilcox and Lang’s Brigades of Anderson’s Division charge Carr’s defending Union brigade. Wilcox goes to ground but Lang continues with a ferocious charge. Carr’s troops do not hand around waiting for impact and retreat disordering Brewster’s Brigade to their rear. Lang’s charge continued towards Brewster whose brigade followed the example of Carr and immediately retreated.
With all 3 regiments now retreating, Humphrey was required to take a Divisional morale test. He came within one pip on the dice of losing his entire division! |
Cemetery Ridge and Hill.
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| Artillery on Cemetery Ridge and Hill conduct counter battery fire with Confederate artillery lining Seminary Ridge. For their part, the Rebel artillery concentrate on Union infantry causing casualties particularly around Cemetery Hill. |
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| Turn 2 and 4 batteries from the artillery reserve are called to deploy on the ridge. One of the Union batteries on Cemetery Ridge was the first of the game to run low on ammo and will be pulled out of the line.
Brigades of the 5th Corps continue to move towards the Round Tops. |
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| Anderson’s Division emerges from the treeline on Seminary Ridge intending to reinforce Longstreet’s assault. |
Culps Hill
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| Johnson’s Division on the left advances through the woods towards Culps Hill and as yet is out of sight of the Union infantry.
On the right, Avery’s and Hay’s brigades are ordered forward to engage Union troops lining the breastworks on Culps Hill. A miscalculation though places Hay’s Brigade within range of Union infantry on Cemetery Hill. Hay’s Brigade is hit hard generating a morale check which it passes.
Disaster strikes for Early’s Division as Early himself is killed. |
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| Another view of the situation on Culps Hill. |
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| Turn 3 and Johnson’s Division moving through the woods become visible from Culps Hill. Both sides open fire but the Confederates prove to be the more accurate with many Union troops cut down behind the earthworks. |
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| Turn 4. Walker’s Brigade of Johnson’s Division exchange fire with Union troops defending the earthworks on Culps Hill.
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| More of Johnson’s brigades seek to put pressure on Culps Hill. |
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| The view from Culps Hill. 3 batteries of artillery had been positioned on the high ground conducting counter-battery fire. The Confederates duly oblige, one of their batteries rolling a double ‘6’ and destroying one of the Union batteries. |
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| Turn 5 at Culps Hill and Johnson’s Division continues to edge towards the Union troops defending the earthworks. Walker’s Brigade on the left falter following heavy casualties inflicted (a double ‘6’ rolled by the Union) with Johnson receiving a light wound. |
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| Turn 6 and events finally turn in the Confederate’s favour. Jones’ Brigade launches a charge at the Union troops defending the earthworks on Culps Hill, supported by Steuart’s Brigade. They are evenly matched in numbers but the rebels make short work of Candy’s Brigade forcing them to retreat with heavy loss. True to form, Jones’ Brigade will pursue them the next turn. |
Elsewhere
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| Turn 2 and Heth’s Division move forward towards Seminary Ridge to the north of the Lutheran Seminary. |
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| Turn 3 and the view from Cemetery Ridge. Anderson’s Division moving on the Codori farmhouse come under fire from Union artillery on the ridge. |
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| Turn 6 – Pickett’s Division arrives peeling away from the Chambersburg Pike behind the Lutheran Seminary. |
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| Turn 6 – Heth hurries his division towards the west side of Gettysburg. |
I will finish this segment off here with two significant developments that could turn the tide for the Confederates who have so far suffered far more casualties. Casualties they can ill-afford to lose.
A breakthrough on Culps Hill looks imminent and success will very much hinge on being able to feed through sufficient resources to solidify that gain.
At the Peach Orchard the Confederates came within a whisker of destroying an entire Union division. As it is, all 3 brigades in that division are retreating and not in a position to rally with the Confederates hot on their tails. This has the potential of developing into a serious threat to the Union left flank on and around the Round Tops.