Scenario # 1, Gettysburg PA – 1 July 1863, 8 AM

Historical Summary & Scenario Situation. 
The US Army studies the performance of John Buford’s 1st Cavalry Division on July 1st 1863 as the one of the best case studies of the classic light cavalry mission of delay or trading space for time.  The subsequent disaster of the XI Corps neutralized the majority of Buford’s achievement except for the retention of the dominant terrain at the Gettysburg crossroads. The ability of the 1st Cavalry Division to hold off the advance guard of the Army of Northern Virginia, Heth’s Division, until the arrival of the lead corps of the Army of Potomac is studied in each Armor Officer Advance Course as well as part of the Gettysburg “staff ride” conducted by the US Army War College each year.

This scenario starts with the advance of the lead brigades of Heth’s Division into Gettysburg to look for shoes.  John Buford has sent for reinforcements but knows he must hold for hours until they arrive.  The two teams in this scenario play the forces of Generals Henry Heth, John Buford, and the reinforcing advance guard division of William Wadsworth.  The game lasts 6 turns representing the focus of the battle along McPherson and Seminary Ridges before the arrival of Pender’s Division and the 2d Corps of the ANVa.

 Scenario Victory Conditions.
Victory is determined by possession of the Junction Hex at Seminary Ridge, the dominant ridgeline on Heth’s approach to Gettysburg (& Cemetery Hill). The determination of the scenario winner is done at the end of T6.

Historical Results.
Historically, the Union was the victor of this scenario. The tactical prowess of the Union Cavalry Brigadiers Gamble and Devin as well as the sacrifice of the famed “Iron Brigade” of Wadsworth’s Division ensured Union victory.

Special Instructions.
The following entry restrictions apply for all units marching strategically into Gettysburg PA (scenario #1):

Union ENTRY commands must be between: 1-1 to 1-32
CSA ENTRY commands must be between 21-33 to 21-41

Additionally, no units are allowed to go into breastworks (form: bw command).  Any deliberate violation of this restriction is grounds for a forfeit by the offending team.

Reference URLs: 
http://www.nps.gov/gett/getttour/main-ms.htm
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=18&n=4410833&e=305311&s=50&symshow=n&loc=Gettysburg