Gettysburg Day One : McPherson’s Ridge

Ever ambitious I introduced another gamer to American Civil War gaming and rather than start too small I wanted to give them the spectacle of ACW. I found a copy of Wargames Soldiers and Strategy  Issue 66. Whilst I don’t get it every month I do pick up occasional copies when there is something that interests me. Issue 66 has a number of ACW scenarios from Day one at Gettysburg. The great thing is my collection has reached the stage where a number of these are now within my grasp.

Roll up McPherson’s Ridge, I have taken the scenario map directly from the magazine rather than seek permission I simply recommend the magazine to you 🙂

The scenario map which is pretty clear, the objective for the Rebels is to push the Union Forces off the high ground, to do this they need to dislodge the Iron Brigade from Herbst Woods before Col Chapman Biddle can bring his New York and Pennsylvania troops into play. As per the scenario the troops vary in quality from the veterans of the Iron Brigade and Pettigrew’s North Carolina 

Troops through to the poor Virginians under Brockenbridge.

With some fiddling about I was able to create a half decent representation of the Battlefield, it doesn’t show so much in this shot but there is a reasonable gradient up onto McPherson Ridge

The Iron Brigade have already fought I think during the day but have fallen back to this defensive position in the woods, they are slightly isolated

The Virginian troops advance towards Willoughby Run

The Veteran North Carolina Troops are already deployed in line as they reach the stream

Time is limited so the Rebels push ahead hard and they have the opportunity to outflank the woods at the McPherson Farm if they move quickly.

Close quarter firing in the centre of the line as the 26th NC cross the stream and open up on the 2nd WI

To the right of the rebel line the 47 NC are also trying to outflank the Iron Brigade but in the distance Union reserves are being pushed forward

The initial surge appears to be going well

.....but you can see both the 26NC and the 40 VA have been pushed back hopefully they will rally ?

Having come under heavy fire from Reynolds Artillery on the ridge the 47th NC veterans are also forced back (this was particularly unlucky in my view as I rolled a disastrous double 6! Causing them to flee and they didn’t rally for some time)

Suddenly the ridge is looking very strong indeed with Biddle’s Brigade now fully deployed

Things are slightly better around the farm where rebels are pouring fire in on the flank of the 7th WI who must be close to breaking

At this stage it is not going well for the confederates but all is not lost......

Rebels including the much reduced 26 NC are reforming for a second attack

Just what we needed a glimmer of hope the 24th MI wobble and are forced back

On the right the 52nd NC have made it all the way to the fence line forcing the 121nd PA back, possibly a decisive break through on the ridge, only for the 19th IN and 80th NY to turn their flank sending them back down the hill

Not giving up quite yet the rebels at the farm are still trying to muscle their way into the woods

Reynold’s Battery which has been firing down the ridge throughout the battle

Things really are starting to look bad and whilst some of the Rebels are reforming others are being forced back across the stream 

There are now really only two Rebel Regiments still in the battle

....the North Carolina Troops are spent

And from their high point the 52nd NC are falling back past an angry General Pettigrew 

Ultimately the task was too much and despite taking a hammering the Iron Brigade are able to hold onto the woods

 Hooorah Boys !

So another very enjoyable evening gaming, the scenario played well although it was always going to be tough for the Rebels who needed some luck early on, they didn’t get it with a couple of very poor morale rolls which collapsed the centre of their line. There are some more scenarios so I am sure we we back on day one some time soonish..😀