Maj. Gen. Henry "Harry" Heth, CSA

SET UP & SUGGESTED VICTORY CONDITIONS

Buford's cavalry sets up east (to the right) of the creek. The entire creek is fordable, but it will disorder crossing infantry. The Rebels then enter the western (left) side of the board. The Confedrates win by driving the Yankees cavalry off the board within two hours. The Union wins by occupying six contiguous high ground hexes at game's end. Any other result is a draw.

TIME LIMIT

The scenario runs from 8:00 to 10:00 AM

GETTYSBURG, July 1st 1863:

Brig. Gen. John Buford, commander US 1st Cavalry Division, knew his position's strategic importance. By contesting the ridges west of Gettysburg with reinforcements from Maj. Gen. John Reynolds' I Corps, Buford intended to buy time necessary for the Federal army to occupy the surrounding high ground. From his vantage point atop the Lutheran Seminary, Buford observed the Rebel vanguard, consisting of Maj. Gen. Harry Heth's division, advancing down the Chambersburg Pike. Heth, under orders to avoid a general engagement, believed Gettysburg garrisoned only by militia. He ordered Brig. Gens. J. J. Archer's and J. R. Davis' brigades to sweep the amateurs away. The Cofederates attacked at 8:00 AM without the benefit of artillery. The guns, located back in the column, would take another hour to deploy. Thus began the Battle of Gettysburg.

SUGGESTED SPECIAL RULES

1. Buford is a superior commander of average troops.

2. Heth is an average commander of average troops.

3. The Federals were armed with breech-loading carbines, the Confederates with rifled muskets.

4. Confederate artillery support starts at 9:15 AM. The Railroad Cut was excavated for a rail line, but the track had yet to be laid. Model it by slicing a slope section out of a standard hill hex. Cut the section down to the 1/2" base hex with a coping saw. The base of the cut should be as wide as your stands, and the banks should be steeply sloped. Finish it to look like open dirt with scattered weeds.

AFTERMATH:

Buford's troopers held, but after two grueling hours of combat, were "all played out." In the nick of time the Iron Brigade, spearheading Brig. Gen. James Wadsworth's 1st Div., I Corps, swept over Seminary Ridge and hit the Confederate infantry. Heth, contrary to orders, was now thoroughly ensnared in pitched battle. The issue was in doubt until mid-morning when the Confederates were reinforced by Lt. Gen. Richard Ewell's II Corps. By dusk that day, the Yankees were routed off Seminary Ridge and out of town. Buford, however, had accomplished his purpose. The Army of the Potomac now occupied the strategic high ground south of Gettysburg.

Tac News Scenario #3 - Used by verbal permission of GHQ granted at Fall-in 2003. www.ghgmodels.com

Orders of Battle

Heth Bar Map (94K)