“I am in ignorance of as to what we have in front of us here. It may be the whole Federal Army, or it may only be a detachment. If it is the whole Federal force, we must fight a battle here.” – General Robert E. Lee
It had not been a particularly good morning for General Robert E. Lee, and an even worse one for Henry Heth’s Division of the III Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia. All morning, Lee had been expecting to hear from his cavalry commander, Major General J. E. B. Stuart, as to the location and strength of the main body of the Army of the Potomac. He could hear from the distant booming of Pegram’s and McIntosh’s artillery battalions that the advance elements of his army were probably in contact with something more than Pennsylvania militia or a protecting cavalry screen. Riding forward, he met up with his III Corps commander, Lieutenant General A. P. Hill, who informed Lee that Henry Heth’s division had been engaged that morning and that its two lead brigades had suffered a serious repulse.
The Union resets its defense on McPherson’s Ridge as Heth regroups below. (Patrick LeBeau & Chris Ward)
Continuing to ride forward at about 1.30 p.m., Lee and Hill were met by a frustrated and anxious General Henry Heth who confirmed that his two leading brigades under brigadier generals Davis and Archer had indeed been roughly handled and that General Archer himself had been taken prisoner. Desiring to redeem his situation, Henry pleaded for permission for a general attack, to which Lee responded, “No, I am not prepared to bring on a general engagement today – Longstreet is not up.” Nevertheless, Lee continued to watch the situation develop and sometime after 2 p.m., following yet another request from General Heth, Lee finally agreed that Heth’s division could launch a general attack and that Major General William Dorsey Pender’s division would be brought up in support if needed. Shortly after 2 p.m., Heth’s division was moving forward to attack and Pender’s division was forming as a reserve. This is where the fighting became much more serious.
“I saw the enemy slowly approaching up the hill, extending far beyond our left flank, for which we had no defense.” – Major Alexander Biddle, 121st Pennsylvania
On the surface, it had not been a bad morning for the Federals. The arrival of the Union I Corps had definitely surprised the Confederates and Meredith’s and Cutler’s Brigades had seriously mauled Heth’s advance brigades. The arrival of Biddle’s and Stone’s brigades were certainly welcome, as was the rest of the I Corps artillery. The rebuilding of the Union defense was made possible by the Confederate gift of time, as between 12 noon and 2 p.m. the rebels had refrained from any serious attacks. However, it was obvious that was about to change as Heth’s entire division advanced off Herr Ridge.
As good as the morning’s fighting had been, it could not make up for the death of General Reynolds. His guiding hand and instinctive grasp of a battlefield situation was sorely missed. Critical redeployments had not been made and Meredith’s “Iron Brigade” flanks were both unsupported. Reynold’s death had changed the entire dynamics of the first day’s battle, as it propelled a whole host of people into positions that were probably beyond their capability. The most significant shift was that the senior Union commander on the field went from one of the Union’s best (John Reynolds) to one of the Union’s weakest (Oliver Otis Howard).
The scenario starts with the beginning of the 2 p.m. turn and continues until the end of the 4 p.m. turn for a total of four turns, or if the Confederates wish to see if they can win a grand tactical victory, the scenario can be extended to the end of the 5 p.m. turn for a total of six turns.
For the Confederates to win a tactical victory in this scenario, by the end of the 4 p.m. turn no Union unit can be on the highest levels of McPherson’s Ridge south of the unfinished railroad grade and north of the Fairfield Road – the Confederates must occupy it all. For the Union to win they must prevent that. Historically, the Confederates won, since by 4 p.m. all the Federal forces had retreated to Seminary Ridge to rebuild their defense.
For the Confederates to win a grand tactical victory in this scenario, they must clear all the Federals off Seminary Ridge south of the unfinished railroad cut by the end of the 5 p.m. turn. For the Union to win they must prevent that. Had Seminary Ridge been cleared without the commitment of Pender’s powerful division that would have left Pender’s entire division as a fresh and undamaged formation that could have immediately moved against Cemetery Hill and perhaps even cut off the fleeing remnants of Howard’s XI Corps. Had that happened, it is not unreasonable to assume that the ever-cautious General Meade would have assumed that the “delaying action” at Gettysburg was over, and that he should immediately prepare for the upcoming battle at Pipe Creek.
The historical scenario assumes that General Reynolds has been killed, and therefore the Confederates have the initiative. It remains unclear as to what killed General Reynolds: possibilities are a Confederate sharpshooter or simply that he was unlucky enough to catch one of the thousands of musket balls that were flying around. Nevertheless, he did have a dangerous habit of leading from the front, and given the close fighting in the woods along Willoughby Run it was probably an even chance that he would become a casualty. If desired, in order to decide at random if this scenario is played with him alive or dead, roll a 1D6 prior to the start of the scenario. If the result is 4, 5 or 6, assume that Reynolds has been previously shot and is no longer in command. If the result is 1, 2, or 3, assume that he survived and use the following variant of the scenario. If it has been determined that he starts the scenario alive, he would start “up front” on McPherson’s Ridge; then use the normal officer casualty rules for the remainder of the scenario.
This version of the scenario uses the same setup, with the following modifications:
• Prior to the start of the first turn, the Union player has one free half action, worth a half movement, that can be used to move, reposition or change formation of any of his units. However this half action cannot be used to fire.
• If Reynolds has survived, the scenario initiative is decided at the beginning of each turn by a 1D6 competitive die roll, with the side with the highest number deciding which side can decide the initiative for this turn. If the competitive die roll is a tie, the Confederates have the initiative for this turn, or if during the scenario General Reynolds is killed, then the Confederates have the initiative for the remainder of the scenario.
WHEN THE OBVIOUS IS NOT...
The disjointed nature of the Union positions on McPherson’s Ridge had not gone unnoticed, and Major General Abner Doubleday – who had taken over I Corps following Reynolds’ death – correctly felt that the wisest course would be to abandon the position before the Confederates swarmed on to them and to rebuild the Federal line on Seminary Ridge. Doubleday then sent Major Halstead to General Howard – the new left wing commander – to ask permission to immediately retire to Seminary Ridge. To emphasize the danger, Major Halstead pointed out to Howard a growing line of Confederate troops that were about to overlap the forward positions of the I Corps. Howard quickly barked back that “those are nothing but fence posts!” And then to prove his point, Howard ordered an aide to focus his binoculars on the “objects” and report exactly what he saw. After a few moments the ashen-faced aide lowered the glasses and said, “General, those are long lines of the enemy.” Despite the now obvious evidence, Howard would not approve the retreat. Instead he instructed Halstead to tell Doubleday, “You may find Buford and use him.”
Davis’ and Archer’s brigades have taken heavy losses in the earlier fighting along Willoughby Run. Roll 2D6 for each brigade and that is the number of figures they have lost, to be spread out as evenly as possible among the constituent regiments. Due to their defeat this morning they have a +1 MMP modifier to their morale. Also, if doubles are rolled for their brigade, then that brigade has also lost its leader and suffers an additional +1 MMP morale modifier for any previous leader lost.
Visibility for Pegram and McIntosh’s batteries on Herr Ridge is limited to any enemy unit on or anywhere west of McPherson’s Ridge, anywhere on the western slopes of Oak Hill and on the highest level of Seminary Ridge. Union units between the highest levels of McPherson Ridge and Seminary Ridge are considered to be in “blind zones” and cannot be fired at. Likewise, Union units behind the high ground of Seminary Ridge cannot be fired at by the Confederate guns on Herr Ridge. Pegram and McIntosh’s gun battalions have the historical restraint that they are fixed on Herr Ridge and may not move.
Roll a 1D6 for release by battery at the start of the first and second Confederate active turn (. and 2:30 p.m.). With a roll of 1, that battery is released and may freely redeploy. Historically, only Bander’s battery was temporarily released for a slight forward deployment.
Meredith’s and Cutler’s brigades have taken moderate losses. Roll a 1D6 for each brigade to give the number of figures they have lost, to be spread out as evenly as practical among the various regiments.
Both Hall’s battery and Calef’s horse artillery battery have had a rough morning dueling against the more numerous Confederate batteries. Prior to the start of the scenario, roll a 1D6 for both Hall’s and Calef’s battery. If it is a high roll (4, 5 or 6), that battery has lost a section.
Gamble’s Brigade has taken slight losses. Roll a 1D6 for the brigade to give the number of figures they have lost, to be spread out evenly as practical among the various regiments. Also, due to hard fighting and fatigue, all units in Gamble’s brigade have a +2 MMP morale modifier. Should any battalion of Gamble’s brigade fail a morale check and go shaken or routed, that battalion and its entire parent regiment withdraws off the board and is removed from the game. Following the morning fight, Gamble had been pulled back as a dismounted reserve and consequently must stay dismounted to conserve the horses and cannot advance off Seminary Ridge. However, he can redeploy anywhere as dismounted cavalry along Seminary Ridge.
The death of General Reynolds, by Adam Hook © Osprey Publishing Ltd. Taken from Campaign 52: Gettysburg 1863.
Heth’s attack is thrown back in confusion. (Patrick LeBeau & Chris Ward)
Historically, the Confederates swept the field, as the death of General Reynolds created serious leadership gaps in the Union defense. Meredith’s “Iron Brigade” was left holding an exposed forward position on the east edge of Willoughby Run with unsecured flanks, with the other Union units unable to provide mutual support. The least experienced brigade of the Third Division that had been commanded by Brigadier General Thomas Rowley was now being led by the brave but somewhat untried Colonel Chapman Biddle, as the death of Reynolds resulted in Rowley assuming divisional command. Unfortunately, neither Biddle nor anyone else in the Third Division would receive useful guidance from General Rowley, as he spent most of the day being drunk and spouting irrelevant commands. Once Meredith’s Iron Brigade was forced to retreat, the rest of the Union positions were defeated in detail, and despite some heroic last stands by individual units, soon all the Federals were quickly running eastward to form a stronger position on Seminary Ridge.
(For brigade, regiment and battery details see Army List)
Left Wing/I Corps – Major General Thomas Reynolds (2 LB)
If General Reynolds has been killed, substitute Major General Abner Doubleday (1 LB).
1st Cavalry Division, 1st Brigade
• Gamble’s Cavalry Brigade
• Calef’s Battery
I Corps/1st Division – Brigadier General James S. 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.)
IMPACT OF REYNOLD’S DEATH
Since Reynolds was both the Left Wing commander and the I Corps commander, his death caused a dramatic ripple effect through the command structures of both I and XI Corps just as the battle was starting.
| Command Position | Before Reynold’s Death | After Reynold’s Death |
| Senior Field Commander | Major General John Reynolds | Major General Oliver Otis Howard |
| Left Wing | Major General John Reynolds | Major General Oliver Otis Howard |
| I Corps | Major General John Reynolds | Major General Abner Doubleday |
| 3rd Division/I Corps | Major General Abner Doubleday | Brigadier General Thomas Rowley |
| 1st Brigade/3rd Division | Brigadier General Thomas Rowley | Colonel Chapman Biddle |
| 121st Pennsylvania Regiment | Colonel Chapman Biddle | Major A. Biddle |
| XI Corps | Major General Oliver Otis Howard | Major General Carl Schurz |
| 3rd Division/XI Corps | Major General Carl Schurz | Brigadier General A. Schimmelfenning |
| 1st Brigade/3rd Division | Brigadier General A. Schimmelfenning | Colonel George von Amsberg |
| 45th New York Regiment | Colonel George von Amsberg | Lt Col A. Dobke |
I Corps/3rd Division – Major General Abner Doubleday (1 LB)
Brigadier General Thomas Rowley (No LB) if Reynolds was killed
• Biddle’s – 1st Brigade – Colonel Chapman Biddle (1 LB)
• Stone’s – 2nd Brigade – Colonel Roy Stone (1 LB)
I Corps Artillery Brigade – Colonel Charles Wainwright (1 Artillery LB)
• Stewart’s Battery
• Hall’s Battery
• Stevens’ Battery
• Cooper’s Battery
• Reynolds’ Battery
III Corps – Lieutenant General Ambrose Powell Hill (1 LB)
Heth’s Division – Major General Henry Heth (No LB)
• Archer’s Brigade – Brigadier General James Archer (1 LB)
• Davis Brigade – Brigadier General Joseph Davis (no LB)
• Pettigrew’s Brigade – Brigadier General James Pettigrew (1 LB)
• Brockenbrough’s Brigade – Colonel John Brockenbrough (1 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
II Corps
If playing the combined “McPherson’s Ridge” with “Barlow’s Knoll” scenario, Daniel’s Brigade can enter at 2.30 p.m. on either board.
• Daniel’s Brigade – Brigadier General Junius Daniel (1 LB)