Gettysburg '62
This scenario allows a player to answer one of the great "What ifs" of the American Civil War. What if Lee's Special Order 191 was never found by Union Forces during the Maryland Campaign. This scenario covers a fictional engagement at Gettysburg in October of 1862. You must have John Tiller Software's game Campaign Antietam to play this scenario. Link for the scenario download is at the bottom of this page.
The initial phase of the Campaign, known as the Maryland Invasion, involved Lee moving into Maryland and concentrating his forces in and around Frederick, Maryland. From here Lee issued his Special Order 191, dividing his army into several parts. Three of these parts were dedicated to securing Lee's supply line through the Shenandoah Valley by driving off or capturing the Union garrisons at Martinsburg and Harpers Ferry. This was accomplished on Sept. 15th when the Harpers Ferry garrison of approximately 12,000 men surrendered. Meanwhile, Longstreet moved to secure Hagerstown and D.H. Hill secured the passes over South Mountain.
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McClellan pursued Lee's force up to the South Mountain gaps by Sept.18 but at that point the pursuit stalled. Not knowing how many troops Lee had guarding gaps, nor knowing if Lee was planning to slip around his flanks and make a move on Washington, McClellan took a wait and see position. Until he knew what Lee's next move would be he was content to keep his forces located between Lee and Washington D.C.
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Lee used McClellan's hesitancy to rest, resupply, and reinforce his forces in the shelter of the Hagerstown Valley (a portion of the greater Cumberland Valley). Since the battle of 2nd Manassas Lee had lost over 15,000 footsore and sick men to straggling. He had these men policed up and marched to Winchester, Virginia. From Winchester they were able to rejoin his army in Hagerstown after the capture of Harpers Ferry. Lee was also able to resupply his forces from the local countryside, which had yet to be touched by war.
The second portion of the Campaign, known as the Pennsylvania Invasion, began Oct. 6th after approximately three weeks of relative quiet. Lee had several goals he hoped to accomplish. The most important of which was to outmaneuver McClellan, in order to get between McClellan and the cities of D.C. and Baltimore. Perhaps even leading to the capture of one or the other. Other goals were to live off the Northern countryside as long as possible and to influence the upcoming United States congressional elections.
The first movements occurred when Jackson's Corps struck at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Reynolds' Pa Militia, stationed south of Chambersburg, in order to act as a screen against any movement north, fell rapidly back to a position east of Chambersburg. It was here that Reynolds hope to make a stand just long enough to determine Jackson's intentions. Would Jackson continue north towards Harrisburg or turn east and head over South Mountain.
The Battle of Chambersburg was a short affair. Not lasting more then several hours it involved to wholesale rout of the union force. This had further reaching consequences, as a portion of Reynolds' cavalry support was to fall back to South Mountain and defend the gap to Cashtown, yet this cavalry was forced to provide a screen to prevent the capture of the whole militia force. It would be through this gap that Evans Brigade from Longstreet's Corps and one of Stuart's cavalry brigades would slip through unopposed on the 9th of September.
As Jackson continued to advance on Harrisburg and fight a small engagement at Carlisle against some briefly rallied militia, Longstreet followed Jackson's movements. While moving north Longstreet sent Hampton's cavalry brigade, supported by Evan's infantry brigade, east to secure the South Mountain gap west of Gettysburg. Evan, to everyone's surprise found the gap undefended. Not only this, but the way was open all the way to the crossroads town of Gettysburg.
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Lee, seeing the potential of fighting a defensive battle in the area of the Gettysburg crossroads, immediately directed Longstreet and Jackson to move on Gettysburg with all possible speed. Gettysburg's numerous roads would also allow Lee the opportunity to slip around McClellan if McClellan should prove hesitant to attack.
Once reports reached McClellan of the Battle of Chambersburg he began to move his corps north from Frederick in four columns. Franklins wing on the right. To his left Sumner's wing. Moving along the most direct route towards Harrisburg was Burnside's Wing. On the extreme left, and also the last to leave the Frederick area was Porter's Corps. Porter was to act as a screen against any move from Lee to cross South Mountain and fall upon the Army's left flank.
The stage was set for two armies to collide at Gettysburg on October 11th, 1862.
Important!!
Gettysburg 1862 Scenario Download
To download: First make a copy of you Campaign Antietam game folder and rename the Copy to "Gettysburg '62". Then extract the download into your Gettysburg '62 folder. The title screen should look like the download link below. The Gettysburg 62 scenario is titled "0.03 Gettysburg '62 v.03" This is currently a Beta Version.
Special Thanks to the following
- Hal Jespersen at CWMaps.com for use of the maps used on this page. He is the creator of many of the maps you see in Civil War articles on Wikipedia. If you have any Civil War map image needs he is the guy to go to. He can create custom maps.
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- Keith Rocco at KeithRocco.com for use of the image in the download link and the title screen. Feel free to visit his virtual gallery and studio. He is an amazing artist and if you like Civil War or Military Art you will find something you like.
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- Daniel Houghtaling for all the playtesting. Daniel is a member of the American Civil War Game Club. I was introduced to Daniel several years ago when we were both low ranking members of the club. Since then we have fought many battles against each other and become friends. He may be a yank but he is a good guy and good opponent.
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