Monday 20 May 2024

Gettysburg Solo Turn 18 (Night)

Turn 18 is a night turn and the forces have been repositioned roughly along historical lines except that Union XI Corps has been completely removed following its rout. All Union Corps are now on the field except for Sedgwick's VI Corps who are scheduled to arrive on turn 30. The only missing division from the Confederate army is Pickett's which is due to arrive on turn 28.

I rolled dice for each brigade or battery that had lost SPs during the fighting on Day 1 to allow the possibility of limited recovery. This resulted in a marginal increase in SPs for both sides. Any 'shaken' units have been restored to good morale.

The view from the Union side of the table. Troops deployed in column are in reserve. Reynold's I Corps is greatly reduced and has no attacking value.
This is the Confederate side. Note that Heth and Rodes' divisions are at low strength and have very little attack effectiveness. 

My Turn Schedule doesn't allow Longstreet to make any attacking moves with McLaws or Hood until turn 27 to represent Longstreet's tardiness in the real battle. Ewell and A P Hill are allowed to attack as they see fit. The Union forces can only make an attacking move if Meade is personally present which effectively limits them to attacking with only one corps at a time.

This may be the crucial sector of the field - Sickles III Corps does look very isolated!

To win the battle the Confederates must hold Culp's Hill, Little Round Top and have a foothold on Cemetery Hill - a big ask but a decisive victory is needed to end the war in their favour!

Just to spice things up a bit I am open to any suggestions that may bend my timeline so please leave a comment with any ideas (for either side). I'll moderate any ideas with a die roll and may incorporate them into play.

6 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Indeed - I’ll be surprised if we get to Day 3!

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  2. Great to see Sickle has learned his lesson....!
    I played Gettysburg at the WHC in Scarborough many years ago. We lost when Picketts charge was replaced with Jeb Stuarts charge across the same ground.
    How that was even remotely possible still eludes me!

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    Replies
    1. That’s great - I’ll use that idea if the Rebs roll a double six!

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  3. This is an interesting refight, do you think the Union's numbers will end up being the deciding factor?

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    Replies
    1. I think if the North can hold out until VI Corps arrives they will probably win!

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