Gettysburg: Turns 13 - 18

 The Round Tops

Hood's and McLaws Divisions begin to cross Plum Run capitalising on the collapsing Union morale. 

On Big Round Top (bottom right), a charge by Benning's Brigade is enough to unsettle Graham's Brigade already battered from the fighting in and around the Peach Orchard. It retreats before contact and in so doing brings it into contact with the large Ward's Brigade who had been defending Little Round Top. Ward failed his morale test and they too retreated. Fortunately for them, Birney managed to rally the Brigade but Graham will continue retreating.

Continued -

Turn 14, and seeing the disarray on Little Round Top, Kershaw and Anderson's Brigades are ordered to charge the Union troops. A limbered artillery battery evaded the charge but in doing so passed through Day's Union Brigade unforming them and preventing them from firing on the charging rebels. 

Both Confederate brigades charged home with a devastating result for Day. Kershaw's Brigade rolled a double '6' leading to a comprehensive defeat. Day's Brigade lost 29 figures, more than half their number, with the survivors fleeing the field. 

The scene following the destruction of Day's Brigade. Both Confederate Brigades decided not to pursue much to the relief of the Union commanders. Furthermore, all Union units required to take a morale test passed.

Turn 15. McLaws joins Semme's Brigade and launches a charge at Weed's Brigade of the Union 5th Corps. Their divisional commander, Ayres, seeing the potential danger, joins Weed whose brigade fires a volley into the charging rebels. Despite the Confederate brigade already having suffered heavy losses, they plough on into the Union ranks. The Confederates are victorious causing Weed's Brigade to recoil. In doing so they fell back into Burbank and Union troops on the southern perimeter of Cemetery Ridge, unforming both. The rebels follow up maintaining contact.

The situation at Little Round Top. Semme's melee is on the far left. There is a brief respite as both sides reform their lines.

Turn 16 and the Confederate assaults on Little Round Top commences. Anderson and Benning's Brigades charge Ward's Brigade who successfully holds the summit for another round of melee. Here Anderson's Brigade leads the main assault.

Benning's Brigade supported by that of Laws attacks the southern slopes of Little Round Top.

The real danger for the Union are the events between Little Round Top and the southern slopes of Cemetery Ridge. McLaws leading Semme's Brigade pursue the recoiling Weed's Brigade. A glimmer of hope appears for the Union when Kershaw's Brigade (lower middle of photo) falters in its charge.

This though does not save Weed. Heavy losses are inflicted on the Union troops leading to the brigade dispersing. The exhausted Confederates halt to reform rather than pursue giving the Union units nearby a chance to steady themselves.

Turn 17. In an act of sheer desperation, Graham's and the small Tilton's Brigades throw themselves into the Union line defending Little Round Top. The gamble pays off and they repel the rebels with heavy loss. (22 figures for the loss of only 5).

Hood subsequently fails the divisional morale test leading to the loss of both Anderson's and Benning's Brigades who had so nearly captured Little Round Top. His two remaining brigades, those of Law and Robertson will now fall back to reform. 

Turn 18. McCandless' Brigade of Crawford's Division that had been lining the southern perimeter of Cemetery Ridge took more casualties from Confederate rifle fire taking them past the 50% dispersal point. They failed the morale test leading to their dispersal. Crawford failed the subsequent divisional morale test and they will retire broken in the next turn (Crawford and his remaining brigade in middle of photo).

Anderson's Division moves across the Plum Run replacing the broken Hood's Division hoping to complete what Hood failed to.

A view of the Round Tops at the end of turn 18.

Cemetery Hill and Ridge

The Confederate division of Rodes moves off to attack Cemetery Hill. Disaster strikes for the Union defending that position. A pounding from Confederate artillery destroys a battery and inflicts such heavy casualties on Carroll's Brigade that it disperses from the field. Worse was to follow. This loss generated a Divisional morale check for Hay which he failed. His Brigade will break the next turn vacating completely the lower works.

Turn 14 and collapsing morale among the Union defenders of Cemetery Hill left it increasingly vulnerable to a Confederate assault. The latter sought to oblige with Rodes' Division supported by Heth's Division began their attack. A ray of hope for the Union when an artillery battery rolled a double '6' causing Daniel's Brigade to falter with heavy loss (front right of line) and lightly wounding Rodes.

Sensing an opportunity to destroy the Union army such was their situation on both flanks, Lee ordered Pender's Division to join Rodes and Heth in their assault on Cemetery Hill (middle top of photo).

Seeing the increasingly dire situation on Cemetery Hill, Meade ordered Geary's Division, along with newly arrived brigades from the 6th Corps, to reinforce the depleted units as a matter of urgency. It would now be a race against time.

Turn 15. The Confederates launch their assault on Cemetery Hill. The weakened Union defenders fail to hold off the charge by Dole and Iverson's Brigades falling back allowing the Confederates to overrun the earthworks on the hilltop.

Chaos descends on the Union forces attempting to reinforce Cemetery Hill. Units that have fallen back or retreated prevent Union brigades deploying into fighting formations. Looking on from Cemetery Ridge, Meade sees potential disaster in the making!

Turn 16. The Confederate charge goes in on 3 small and weakened Union brigades, two of which are green troops.

Dole and Iverson's Brigades lead the assault on Cemetery Hill both defeating the two green Union brigades of Schurz' Division. The retreating Union troops lead to a complete collapse in morale of the Division with both brigades fleeing the field. 

On the western side of Cemetery Hill, Ramseur and O'Neal's Brigades charged Coster's small brigade. The veteran Union troops performed better but were unable to hold out against the outnumbering rebels. They retreated with severe loss.

Meade gets some respite as all 4 Confederate brigades were now halting to reform their lines.

The view to the south of Cemetery Hill. Arriving brigades from the Union 6th Corps hurriedly deploy and others attempt to avoid the chaos caused by retreating infantry and batteries.

Turn 17. Greene's Union veteran brigade leads the fightback on Cemetery Hill. They charge Dole's Confederate brigade who counter-charge. The Union brigade is victorious reducing Dole's Brigade to less than half strength leading them to disperse from the field.

More Union brigades are rushed forward before the Confederates are able dominate Cemetery Hill.

The situation at the end of turn 17.

The view from the Confederate side following the dispersal of Dole's Brigade (middle of photo).

Turn 18. Union troops make a concerted effort to retake Cemetery Hill. On top of the hill, Russell's Brigade (Wright's Division of the newly arrived 6th Corps) charge Dole's Brigade. The veteran Confederates have suffered heavy losses during the battle so far adversely affecting their morale. In contrast, the fresh green Union troops are full of vigour! (An excellent dice roll). Dole's troops retreat but fail to put enough distance between them and are struck by the charging Union brigade leading to their demise.

Nearest the camera, the small Ames' Brigade with their divisional commander, Barlow, attached are charged by the much larger Pettigrew's Brigade. They bravely counter-attack but are overwhelmed in the process.

A view across Cemetery Hill and ridge with the aftermath of both melees.

The view along Baltimore Pike towards Cemetery Hill.

Pender's Division continues to advance towards Cemetery Ridge.

The scene on the western side of Cemetery Hill.

Culps Hill

A little brighter for the Union on Culps Hill. Jones' Brigade is now thoroughly stranded as Torbert's Brigade moves in on its flank. Gordon's Brigade (bottom right) is powerless to intervene as they refuse to stand up from hugging the dirt electing to fire instead.

The view from Cemetery Hill highlighting the Rebels precarious position.

Howe's 2nd Division of the 6th Corps now arrives along the Baltimore Pike.

Turn 14. Jones' Confederate Brigade launches a last desperate charge but the combined fire from front and flank decimated them. This is the aftermath with Culps Hill now devoid of rebels.

Clearing the last of the rebels away from Culps Hill, Paul's Brigade charged the still 'gone to ground' Gordon's Brigade. The latter recoiled prior to impact placing them directly in the line of fire from several Union artillery batteries. They suffered heavy losses but their morale held - just! (Bottom right of photo).

Turn 15. Culps Hill becomes relatively calm after all the drama of Johnson's assault. 12th Corps brigades take the opportunity of reforming and ensuring Culps Hill is secure.

Here, Johnson rallies his last 2 brigades, those of Walker and Steuart. Walker, still within the woods, engages the steadily advancing Williams' Division winding their way through the woods. 

Turn 16. Johnson forms a defensive line with is two remaining brigades. Walker's, on the right, stop a charge by Williams' Division firing an effective volley into the Union troops advancing through the woodland. On the left, Steuart's Brigade adds their own volley inflicting 3 casualties.

A slightly blurred image of Culps Hill! The Union troops have just suffered severe losses from 3 Confederate batteries. One achieved a double '6' when firing counter-battery fire destroying a Union battery and wounding the 11th Corps commander, Howard.

The gap behind the earthworks at the bottom of the photo was caused by Paul's Brigade suffering casualties taking them below 50% and failing the subsequent morale test. This lead to them dispersing from the field.

Turn 18. Williams moves Lockwood's Brigade forward to engage the Confederates replacing the exhausted troops of Ruger's Brigade.

The view of Williams' Division as they attempt to deal with the last of Johnson's Division.

Elsewhere

Turn 15 on Baltimore Pike. Newton's 3rd Division of the 6th Corps begins to arrive. Meade sends a message ordering him to divert towards the Round Tops but it does not get through wasting valuable time. Newton is now caught up in the traffic jam!

Elsewhere, better news for the Union as they succeed in knocking out a Confederate battery in counter-battery fire (a double '6' rolled). Another rebel battery runs out of ammo and retires from the field.

Turn 16. The 6th Corps commander, Sedgwick, intercepts Newton and his division promptly sending him in the right direction! More than a turn is lost as they adjust their movement now marching down the road to the south of Power's Hill.

Turn17. 5 Confederate artillery batteries redeploy towards a more central position better able to target Cemetery Ridge.

Pickett's Division emerge from the woods on Seminary Ridge.

An overview at the end of turn 17.

Turn 18. Pickett's Division begins their advance towards Cemetery Ridge.

Newton's Division of the 6th Corps now makes good progress towards the rear of the Round Tops.

An overview at the end of turn 18.

An interesting segment of 6 turns. The Confederates made significant gains on Cemetery Hill and Little Round Top. 

On Cemetery Hill the danger for the Union was a collapse in morale among the throng of disorganised brigades piling up on Cemetery Ridge. Numerous morale checks had been triggered due to routing and dispersed units from Cemetery Hill but they were very fortunate indeed with no significant problems experienced. This has enabled the Union to mount counter-attacks which are now bearing fruit.

On Little Round Top, had the Union defence collapsed there would have been little to prevent the Confederates rolling up their flank on Cemetery Ridge. It was down to the wire but the repelling of Hood's Division bought the Union time to bring up reinforcements.

Lead Confederate Brigades have suffered from attrition reducing their effectiveness. Fresh troops have now been brought forward and the game could still go either way.