“They will attack you in the morning and they will come booming with skirmishers three deep. You will have to fight like the devil to hold your own until support arrives.” – Brigadier General John Buford, Commander, 1st Cavalry Division
General Buford’s premonition that it would be a tough morning for his two brigades turned out to be all too true. At about 7 a.m. on a drizzly Wednesday morning along the Chambersburg Pike, pickets from the 8th Illinois cavalry of Gamble’s Brigade exchanged shots with skirmishers of the 13th Alabama, and the Battle of Gettysburg had begun. Gradually falling back from ridge to ridge, the Union horsemen inflicted almost no losses on the advancing Confederates, but they did force Archer’s Brigade to deploy from road march into extended lines, which slowed the Rebel advance. Meanwhile to the north, pickets of the 17th Pennsylvania reported a predawn brush with some unidentified Rebel cavalry, but as nothing came of it Buford decided to bring Devin’s entire brigade over to contest the growing Confederate strength that was coming down the Pike. As Buford’s troopers retreated, they strengthened their line with Calef’s horse artillery, which in turn prompted the Confederates to deploy additional forces, including Pegram’s superb artillery battalion. Finally, just east of Willoughby Run on McPherson’s Ridge, Buford’s two cavalry brigades stopped retreating, as this would be their final stand. By mid-morning, it had already been a long and tough morning for his troopers, and when John Buford was joined by Major General John Reynolds in the cupola of the Lutheran seminary, Buford admitted that they indeed had “the devil to pay.” From his vintage point in the cupola, John Buford could see the dust rising from the advancing columns of the Army of the Potomac’s formidable I Corps moving up to relieve his cavalrymen. But would they get here in time?
Outside the McPherson farm, Gamble’s troopers continue to contest Archer’s advancing skirmishers. (Figures: Cory Ring, photo: Chris Ward)
“Archer and Davis were now directed to advance, the object being to feel the enemy and to make a forced reconnaissance.” – Major General Henry Heth
It had been a confusing day for General Heth. Without cavalry to screen his division, he had led with Pegram’s artillery battalion and Archer’s skirmishers, and they had proved useful in pushing back the initial Union cavalry screen he had encountered. He then deployed additional skirmishers from Archer’s infantry brigade at his leisure and continued brushing the cavalry back, but their resistance had stiffened as the cavalry fell back from each succeeding ridge, one line covering the other. As he rode on to Herr Ridge, Heth noted that Pegram’s Battalion had deployed all of his guns and so he ordered up Davis’ brigade to the left of the Chambersburg Pike. If these pesky horsemen wanted a real fight he would give it to them: after all, it was only cavalry. Heth’s commander, Lieutenant General A. P. Hill, had made it clear the night before that he “had no objection in the world” if Heth wanted to march his division into Gettysburg to get “some shoes.”
The units set up as shown. The Confederate infantry, since they have been fighting cavalry, must set up in extended line or as skirmishers. The Union cavalry deploys in a cavalry line or as skirmishers. The indicated set up shows the maximum forward position of the participating units. However, any unit may either set up as indicated or up to two inches further back.
This scenario is six turns long, starting at with the 8 a.m. turn and ending with the 11 a.m. turn.
For the Confederates to win, they must clear all Union units off either the north or the south side of McPherson’s Ridge by the end of the 11 a.m. turn. McPherson’s Ridge is divided into a north or south side by the railroad cut.
As long as Major General Reynolds is alive, the Union has the initiative and can choose which side is active first in any one particular turn. If Reynolds is killed, then on all the following turns the initiative is determined by competitive 1D6 die roll, with a tie going to the Confederates.
Archer’s Brigade of Heth’s Division has been skirmishing with Buford’s cavalry since early morning and hence it does not have an opening volley benefit. Each brigade commander starts or enters the scenario attached to any one of his regiments. General Heth starts on Herr Ridge. Corps commander General A. P. Hill enters on Herr Ridge on the 10 a.m. turn.
All Union cavalry starts dismounted. The 17th Philadelphia starts behind the stream and cannot advance beyond it. By this time Buford’s cavalry brigades and Calef’s horse artillery battery were exhausted and beginning to run low on ammunition. To reflect this, they have a +1 MMP additional modifier to all morale checks and an additional -1 DRM to all their fires until the start of the 10 a.m. turn, when these penalties increase to +2 MMP for morale and -2 DRM for firing. These modifiers are over and above the “two worst” modifier restriction. Also, since the cavalry has been skirmishing all morning, it does not get any opening volley benefits. Beginning with the start of the 10 a.m. turn, every Union cavalry battalion and Calef’s horse artillery battery must roll a 1D6 for immediate withdrawal as the Union infantry comes on to the battlefield. It takes a 5 or 6 for the cavalry units or Calef’s battery to withdraw. When the unit withdraws, it is simply removed from the scenario (Exception: In the expanded scenario, they might go into a “reserve”). However, since it is considered to be a voluntary withdrawal, there is no morale detriment for element removed on the rest of the brigade. It is assumed that the brigade commanders, Colonels William Gamble and Thomas Devin, will stay on the board until their last unit withdraws and that the cavalry division commander also does so. The division commander, General John Buford, will remain until all the cavalry units have departed, at which time he will also depart.
As Calef’s horse artillery was getting ready to withdraw, Hall’s battery of six ordnance rifles quickly dashed to the top of McPherson’s Ridge and unlimbered before the Confederate artillery could react to its arrival. To reflect this, assume that when Hall first unlimbers any fire against him has neither the limbered artillery penalty nor the unlimbered artillery benefit. It is a straight even fire. If Hall’s and Calef’s battery do a combined fire, the -1 DRM for Calef being low on ammunition still applies to the combined fire.
“They would fight like veterans when they pleased, but had no idea of letting their own sweet wills be controlled by any orders, emanating from anyone.” – General Bradley Johnston
One of the more quirky Confederate cavalry units was Jenkin’s Brigade of Virginia mountain men. They were excellent woodsmen and marksmen, but since they had no formal training as a mounted force, they were more akin to irregular mounted infantry than regular cavalry. They did not take well to regular army discipline, protocols, or logistics. Jeb Stuart commented that they fought well on the third day until they ran out of ammunition as they had only brought ten rounds per man and when they ran out of ammunition, they left. Their mission was to gather supplies and create confusion, at which they were very good, and to provide a continuous cavalry screen for Ewell’s corps, at which they were not so good. It appears that it probably was Ewell’s intent to have Jenkins screen Rodes’ advance down from Carlisle, but the orders were never issued or the courier could not find Jenkins. However, had the right orders and courier connections have been made, then Jenkin’s Brigade of mountain misfits might have been yet another issue that Buford’s cavalry would have to deal with on the morning of July 1, 1863. Jenkin’s Brigade can be included – or not – in any of the scenarios that use the middle board, as their most probable mission would have been screening for Rodes’ Division moving down from Carlisle. (See the following special rules for Jenkins’ Brigade).
Early in the morning Gamble’s cavalry brigade with Calef’s battery pass through Gettysburg on their way to meet the Confederates on the ridges west of the town. (Malcom Johnston)
For Union cavalry withdrawal, if a 6 is rolled, the unit is spent and it withdraws out of the scenario. However, if a 5 is rolled the unit retires to Gettysburg as a reserve. Starting with its next active turn, it can be used anywhere on the center Gettysburg town board.
At the start of each Confederate active turn, roll a 1D6. If a 1 or 2 is rolled, Jenkins’ Brigade enters as shown. The 34th Virginia Cavalry and the 36th Virginia Cavalry enter as dismounted skirmishers and move up to the fence as shown with their first action; they have one action left. The 14th Virginia and 16th Virginia enter dismounted. They and Jackson’s Battery have only one action and they must use it to enter as shown.
Jenkins’ Brigade fights as Veteran when dismounted and Green when mounted. Any unit of Jenkins’ Brigade must pass a mounted morale check before making any mounted charge, and any mounted charge made is done in disorder. However, they were very good marksmen and they get a +1 DRM for any fires, in addition to any other firing benefits, but any firing where they roll all 5s or 6s runs them out of ammunition and that unit retires off the field and is gone.
Historically, the Federals won this scenario and the two involved brigades of Generals Archer and Davis were severely punished, with Davis becoming the first Confederate general to have been taken prisoner. However, a strong case can be made that the heavy damage inflicted on those two Confederate brigades was not worth the loss of General Reynolds, as his death may have been a significant factor in the ultimate Union defeat on the first day. This battle would be the start of a very long hard day for Cutler and Meredith’s “Iron Brigade,” as it will be fighting in all of the Chambersburg Pike scenarios. By the time it was over, a very tired and blooded “Iron Brigade” trudged to its final position on Culp’s Hill south of Gettysburg, having been whittled down to about 600 effectives out of the 1,800 it had started with.
Though Buford’s two cavalry brigades were pulled out as the I Corps infantry arrived, their day was not yet over. Gamble’s brigade took up a position at the end of final Union line on Seminary Ridge where the 8th Illinois drew sabers and made a mounted advance – feigning a charge – against Lane’s Confederate brigade. Fearful of a mounted charge by Gamble’s horsemen, two of Lane’s regiments appeared to have stopped and formed square. Meanwhile, Devin’s cavalry brigade was sent to screen the northeast approaches to Gettysburg, where it detected and harassed the approach of Early’s Division of Ewell’s II Corps.
Buford’s cavalry hold Heth’s advance, by Adam Hook © Osprey Publishing Ltd. Taken from Campaign 52: Gettysburg 1863.
(For brigade, regiment and battery details see Army List)
Left Wing/I Corps, Major General Thomas Reynolds (2 LB)
1st Cavalry Division, Brigadier General John Buford (2 LB)
• Gamble’s – 1st Brigade – Colonel William Gamble (1 LB)
• Devin’s – 2nd Brigade – Colonel Thomas Devin (1 LB)
• 2nd Brigade Horse Artillery, Calef’s Battery
I Corps/1st Division, Brigadier General James Wadsworth (1 LB)
• Meredith’s – 1st Brigade, Brigadier General Solomon Meredith (1 LB) (9.30 a.m.)
• Cutler’s – 2nd Brigade, Brigadier General Lysander Cutler (1 LB) (arrives 9 a.m.)
• From I Corps Artillery Brigade: Hall’s Battery
III Corps/Heth’s Division, Major General Henry Heth (No LB)
• Archer’s Brigade – Brigadier General James Archer (1 LB) (9 a.m.)
• Davis’ Brigade – Brigadier General Joseph Davis (no LB)
III Corps Reserve Artillery
Pegram’s Artillery Battalion – Major William Pegram (+1 Artillery LB)
• Johnson’s Battery
• Marye’s Battery
• Bander’s Battery
• Zimmerman’s Battery
• McGraw’s Battery
McIntosh’s Artillery Battalion – Major D. G. McIntosh (1 LB)
• Rice’s Battery
• Hurt’s Battery
• Wallace’s Battery
• Johnson’s Battery
Optional – Jenkin’s Cavalry Brigade of Ewell’s Corps (see Scenario Specific Rules).