Gettysburg: Day One Part II

Davis is driving the Federal troopers further onto the Forney Farm, Colonel Devin's men are beginning to deploy to the north to screen the Yankees

Brockenbough takes some losses as the two sides volley each other

Calef's section is trying to slowdown the Rebs

2nd Division I Corps is moving to support the Yankee right flank

Colonel Gamble has reformed the Illinois and New York regiments which had routed

The Colonel of the 55th Miss is either very brave or very foolish, as he advances his small line towards that of the 17th Pa Cavalry. It takes a terrible volley and loses two figures (thats 50%!) The Mississippians will fall back. Meanwhile the 2nd Miss begins to outflank Cutler's right flank, and pours fire into the Federals

Pender's Division now moves down between Herr and McPherson Ridges, preparing to support the attack

In the center, the 55th Va pulls back and slightly to the right as they are fired upon (and survive poor Federal shooting!) The rest of Brockenbourgh and the 11th NC of Pettigrew exchange fire with the Iron Brigade

But its on the right that Pettigrew is preparing his major blow as the 52nd NC moves towards Herbst Woods. The remainder of Archer's battered Brigade is coming up in support (center left)

After losing 50% of their existing strength, the 55th Miss pulls back

Led by the 6th NY, Devin's Brigade redeploys to the Union right to screen expected Confederate forces from the north. The 17th Pa up on Oak Ridge(lower right corner) is moving back through the Forney Farm

Cutler's 76th NY refuses its flank in an attempt to stave off Davis' flanking movement, but they take 25% loses!

Back in the center, Brockenbough's 55th Va is forced back to recover while the two sides continue to blaze away, both sides passing numerous Morales throws.

General Reynolds (who obviously did not die earlier) is in the right spot at the right time. Seeing the flanking Rebs approaching, he quickly orders the 19th Ind and 6th Wis along the fence at the southern edge of Herbst Woods.

Robinson's Division, led by Paul's Brigade (upper left) is moving onto Oak Ridge followed by Baxter's Brigade close by the Thompson House 

General Howard has moved up onto Seminary Ridge 9upper left) while General Buford his helping Colonel Gamble reform his Brigade.

2nd Miss of Davis' Brigade pushes its advantage while gaining support from the rest of the Brigade

In the center, Pettigrew, Brockenbough and the Iron Brigade are inflicting casualties on each other while the 52nd NC closes in on the flank

General Heth personally rallies one of Brockenbourgh's routed regiments on the Chambersburg Pike. Pender's Division has moved to the banks of Willoughby Run (top)

But as Devin moves his men into position on the north, O'Neal and Iverson's Brigades of Rodes' Division make their appearance!

During the Federal's phase, Cutler's men attempt to hold, but Paul's Brigade of Doubleday's Division, is deployed on Oak Ridge (top), followed by General Baxter's Brigade and artillery

The Federals gain two victories in the center, blasting away one of Brockenbough's Virginians and General Brockenbough himself, but there is an amazing result on the flank. The Wisconsin Regiments on the left flank of the Iron Brigade fire at long range causing the 52nd NC to take a morale check...and it rolls snake eyes, which results in an immediate rout! (lower right of photo)

On the Federal"s left, General Buford has Colonel Gamble's men taking up positions at the foot of Seminary Ridge.

Rodes' Division causes casualties on the 17th Pa (right) and 6th NY (left) causing both to fall back, even while the rest of Devin's men start to deploy close to the Carlisle Road

Here, even as the 2nd Miss is outflanking Cutler, Paul's men are set to outflank the Rebels

At McPherson Farm and Herbst Woods, casualties are mounting on both sides as they blast away at each other

Pettigrew successfully rallies the 52nd NC. Now to get them back into the fight!

During the Yankee Phase, its the better part of valor for both the 17th PA and 6th NY as they radically disengage (The rules allowed a double move in retreat in exchange for a step lower in morale, in this case, Disordered. Seeing as they each lost a least a full stand, most necessary.

What Davis feared has occurred. The Flanker has now been flanked and there are two losses (note the two green caps at the far left of the 2nd Miss

Leaderless, the Brockenborough Brigade chooses to Disengage to the rear as well. Pettigrew loses a full stand and his left flank becomes Shaken (Yellow cap)

On the far left Union flank, Buford has the 12th W Va and 3rd Ind dismounted to watch for more Johnny Rebs

XI Corps finally appears on the Union Right with from right to left, Ames and von Gilsen of Barlow's Division; and Kyzanowski and von Steinwehr of Shurlz's Division.

As O'Neil's Brigade pushes the Union cavalry pack, Doles'  Brigade makes its appearance furthering the Confederate Left

Davis' 2nd Miss destroys the flank companies on Cutler's right while the 42nd Miss advances to point blank range!

Things don't go well for Johnny Reb in the Herbst Woods however, as the 11th NC now routs after taking heavy losses from the Iron Brigade! Looks like it will be up to Pender's 

division now

During the Union Phase, General Barlow can't resist the temptation to move to higher ground to his front (doing this historically and just as General Sickles will do on July 2) and von Gilsen's Brigade heads for Becker's Knoll (lower right...and now called Barlow's Knoll). At the top of the photo note von Steinwher's men moving up to form a heavy skirmish line to link up with I Corps' right flank.

It now appears Davis' Brigade has shot its bolt. The 55th Miss loses its left hand cos while the  42nd Miss loses a stand and routs!

Pettigrew (lower center) plans to attempt to rally the 11th NC (left center)

Doubleday's Division of Biddle and Stone's Brigade, take up their line on Seminary Ridge.

To be continued in Pert III...

Gettysburg: Day One

This year has seen me return to my gaming roots so to speak, and the ACW is one of three original eras (the other being Napoleonics and WWII ) that I played in the 70s and 80s. Had a good friend from Mississippi and together we engaged in countless games using the old JEB Rules. Since the late 80s, the large figure collection sat in its containers on the shelve untouched. I was reengaged when Cigar Box came out with a beautifully detailed battle mat (actually two) of the northern sector of the Gettysburg battlefield. I decided to redo a diorama that I had used in my US History classes. Wasn't a major step to try out a new set of rules (Across a Deadly Field), and the following is that early attempt.

General Buford's 1st Cavalry Division moves through Gettysburg and up onto Seminary/McPherson Ridges

Experimenting with lighting, this view is looking NE across Herbst Woods with the McPherson Farm on left

The Supply Wagon bringing up the rear of the column as the Troopers begin deploying on McPherson Ridge at the upper left.

Overview of the NW edge of Gettysburg, with the Lutheran Seminary sitting on its ridge with the troopers on McPherson Ridge in upper left.

General Heths' division, Archer and Davis Brigades arrive at the NW edge around 0740 after pushing back Buford's vedettes stationed along the Chambersburg Pike. (upper left corner)

Archer's Brigade reaches the main defensive line in front of the McPherson Barn in upper center of photo

Pettigrew's (center and right) and Brockenbough"s (left center) brigades move off Herr Ridge) foreground) while Pegram's Artillery pound the US Cavalry at top of photo. Archer's Brigade is exchanging volley's with the US Troopers (top right). Note the fight in upper left, highlighted in the next photo.

Davis' 55th Mississippi Regiment has to deal with troopers appearing on their flank near the Bender Farm

Unknown to General Heth, The Federal I Corps led by General Reynolds makes its appearance using McPherson Ridge to the west to screen its approach.

Archer's Brigade is sliding to its right to escape the blistering fire of Lt Cushing's 2 sections of 3" Rifles stationed on the Chambersburg Pike (left of the Barn)

This photo I took to show off the Cigar Box mat, viewed from the east with Gettysburg in upper left. Each of the individual buildings (such as the Adams County Almshouse left of center) are models of actual farmhouses, either scratch built or from Buildings in Turmoil. (which I highly recommend! The Forney and McClellan Farms are seen in upper right of photo.

A view overlooking the Confederate Pegram's Artillery Battalion

Archer's Brigade totally engaged with the dismounted Troopers in the Herbst Woods

Davis' Brigade redeploying its regiments against the Federal's right flank

on the Confederate left flank on the western slopes of Oak Ridge with the Forney Farm at the top. Federal dismounted cavalry is causing the Davis Brigade problems by threatening its flanks

Over on their right flank some more Federal cavalry is causing another Rebel regiment to deal with their flanking position as well. Towards the left is Pettigrew's Brigade moving towards Willoughby Run at the foot of Herbst Woods where Archer's Brigade is mixing it up with more of Buford's troopers.

The Iron Brigade of I Corps is preparing to move into the fight from the east slope of McPherson Ridge

And further north on the Ridge, Cutler's Brigade of I Corps is moving into position behind the cavalry as well

Davis' Brigade on the left is having difficulties as one regiment had to reform behind the Bender Farm (center left, while a second found itself in shaken form after taking fire from the troopers along the fence (center) Brockenbough and his men are exchanging fire but neither side gaining an advantage here

Things begin to look up for General Heth and his Confederates on the right (only temporarily as it turns out) when two of Buford's regiments suddenly rout...the 8th Ill 9top right) and the 8th NY (top left). Its especially bad when Archer's men charge the unfortunate Union soldiers and capture numerous prisoners! Unfortunately...

The 24th Michigan and 2nd Wisconsin of the Iron Brigade then charge Archer's Brigade (center right) and virtually destroy one regiment and sending two more reeling back, routed (far left) while capturing General Archer as well! (Just as happened historically!)

And things go bad for the forces in Grey here on the left as well. Davis's Brigade rallies one regiment (far left) while seeing another retreat back (center left). Brockenbourgh begins to take casualties from canister from the newly arrived 2 Me battery of I Corps (just left of McPherson Barn) and from intense carbine fire from the 3rd Ind Cavalry Regiment (in front of barn)

The view of General Reynolds attached to the charging Iron Brigade (Which historically led to him being shot down and killed...not this time...yet)

Meanwhile, General O.O. Howard of XI Corps is passing by the Shield's House (Scratch built from photo taken on battlefield in 1863) on the Chambersburg Pike just west of Gettysburg

Davis' Brigade has finally coordinated its action on the left flank, and begins driving Buford's troopers up towards Forney Farm (upper left)

Davis also recovers its routed regiment (lower left) while Brockenbough (center right) does the same.

After a short lull, Pettigrew has his brigade consolidated and moving into the Habst Woods. Both his and the Iron Brigade make several morale rolls after heavy volleys.

Pettigrew's ace-in-the-hole however, the 52nd NC after routing the 8th Ill Cavalry, is moving towards the Iron Brigade's unprotected flank. Only the one section of Calef's battery which is still on McPherson Ridge is watching the approaching Rebels!

To be continued...