The Iron Brigade and Pettigrew's Brigade With Supporting Casts Fight It Out "The brunt of the attack fell to Pettigrew's Brigade. When the order came to advance, the brigade, about 3000 strong, marched out in perfect alignment and under as hot a fire as was ever faced. It was a hotly contested field, and the stubborn resistance of the Iron Brigade was met with equal determination. For a short time the battle raged at forty, then tiventy yards between the contestants. In the 26th North Carolina, thirteen standard bearers were shot down; and around a flag of the enemy, which was planted besides a large tree, the dead and the wounded were piled up. At last, with a rush the ridge was carried and the famous Iron Brigade nearly annihilated. I have taken part in many hotly contested fights, but this was, 1 think, the deadliest of them all, not excepting the third day's charge (Pickett's) on Cemetary Hill; and never have I seen or known of better conduct on the part of any troops, under any circumstances at any time. The achievement was accomplished only at great sacrifice of life. The brigade lost not one prisoner, but its losses in killed and wounded was almost 1100, including a number of its best officers. The 26th North Carolina lost 549 out of 800, the 11th Regiment some 250 out of 550. The five field officers present with these two regiments were killed or wounded. The Adjutant General was mortally wounded, the Inspector General killed, leaving of the field (brigade) staff only a lad who was a volunteer aide, and myself. The brilliant achievement has never met with merited acknowledgement." The above was written by a Lieutenant who served in Pettigrew's Confederate Brigade during the battle of Gettysburg. As much as the previous story about the 24th Michigan's part in that fight, the above memory, published in 1900, points to the intense engagement fought on July 1, 1863 as being among the bloodiest of the war. This scenario is ideal for between one and three players per side if using regimental level rules such as Johnny Reb, or for a total of two players if using a brigade level rules set like On To Richmond. Players, whether representing North or South, are faced with the same dilemmas as their historical counterparts. General Doubleday has orders to hold the field in order to save the army, while General Heth is equally determined rid the grounds of Federal troops. The contest will be a deadly one, with losses expected to be quite high. You are asked to read the story of the 24th Michigan before playing the scenario in order to get the "feel" of the day. ORDERS OF BATTLE (Note that all troops are armed with Rifled Muskets) UNION: Commander: Major Genl. Abner Doubleday (+2) Iron Brigade: (the 6th Wisconsin was on detached duty) 19th Indiana 400 men Elite 24th Michigan 500 Elite 2nd Wisconsin 300 Elite 7th Wisconsin 300 Elite Stone's Brigade: Col. Roy Stone (+1) 143rd Penn. 400 men Average 149th Penn. 500 Average 150th Penn. 400 Average Biddle's Brigade: Col. Chapman Biddle (+1) 80th N.Y. 300 men Average 121st Penn. 400 Average 142nd Penn. 300 Average 151st Penn. 400 Average Artillery: Batty. B, 1st Penn.: Four 3" Rodmans - Average 5th Batty. Maine: Six l2pdr. Napoleons - Average CONFEDERATE: Commander Major Genl. Henry Heth (+1) Heth's Division, III Corps: Pettigrew's Brigade: Brig. Genl. J. Petligrew (+2) 11th N. Car. 500 men Elite 26th N. Car. 800 Elite 47th N. Car. 600 Elite 52nd N. Car. 600 Elite Brockenbrough's Brigade: Col. J. Brockenbrough (+1) 40th Virginia 300 men Average 47th Virginia 200 Elite 55th Virginia 300 Average Pender's Light Division, III Corps McGowan's Brigade: Col. A. Perrin (+1) 1st S. Car. 300 men Avg. 1st S. Car. Rifles 400 Avg. 12th S. Car. 300 Avg. 13th S. Car. 300 Avg. 14th S. Car. 400 Avg. Lane's Brigade: Brig. Gent. James Lane (+1) 7th N. Car. 300 men Avg. 18th N. Car. 300 men Avg. 28th N. Car. 300 men Avg. 33rd N.Car. 400 men Avg. 37th N. Car. 300 men Avg. Scales' Brigade: Brig. Gent. Alfred Scales (+1) 13th N. Car. 300 men Avg. 16th N. Car. 300 Elite 22nd N. Car. 400 Elite 34th N. Car. 300 Avg. 38th N. Car. 200 Avg. Artillery: Huger Virginia Artillery: two 10 lb. Parrotts - Avg. Length of Scenario: 16 turns (4 hours) Terrain: All movement in McPherson's woods is considered to be in Broken Terrain, while all other areas count as Open. Victory Conditions: To win a Major Victory, the Union side must remain in firm control of Seminary' Ridge, but may not voluntarily move towards the ridge until after the 5th game turn. For a Major Victory, the Confederate side must push at least 4 Union regiments off of Seminary Ridge and replace them with at least 4 regiments of their own. Anything else for either side is considered to be a Draw. Scenario Rules: Pettigrew's Brigade starts the game in McPherson's woods within 3 inches of the Iron Brigade, 3 inches being the visibility range for that patch of woods. For the first 4 game turns no other troops can be moved, although, beginning turn 5, the Confederate commander will roll one 6 sided die for each brigade other than Pettigrew's, a 4-6 allowing that brigade to be moved forward towards combat. At the start of turn 8, the Union player can roll for each brigade, a 4-6 roll allowing that brigade to begin movement. All troops begin the game in line formation. Game participants are encouraged to have their favorite beverages at hand, as this will be deadly work and will likely lead to thirst from the clouds of gunpowder smoke. Surviving troops should be given commendations for gallant service under fire, at least those who didn't rout off table! Jumbo Map of Iron Brigade's Last Stand at Gettysburg (slow: 178K) Back to The Zouave Vol IV No. 1 Table of Contents Back to The Zouave List of Issues Back to Master Magazine List © Copyright 1990 The American Civil War Society This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com