Harry Heth was right!

[Alex Krolikowsk]

Hey guys, do you know what kind of unit led the way of Heth’s famous march to the Gettysburg on July 1st? :bandit:

[Dhampy]

Either Archer or Davis. Can't remember which.

[Alex Krolikowsk]

Okey, lets do in this way. According to many sources, Heth sent following unit up the road first when his men started the march about 5.00 A.M:

A. Supply wagon.
B. Infantry regiment.
C. Cavalry unit.
D. Artillery unit.
E. He rode ahead his column alone.

Any guesses? :smoke:

[CyberRanger]

hmmm .... I googled it but I won't post what I find in case someone else really knows the answer. Interesting indeed and much different than how we'd play a game.:hush:

[Boonierat]

According to Pfanz, the 5th Alabama Bn and 50 men of the 13th Alabama Regiment led the way, followed by Marye's Fredericksburg battery.

:smoke:

[Alex Krolikowsk]

According to Pfanz, the 5th Alabama Bn and 50 men of the 13th Alabama Regiment led the way

So says Harry Pfanz, but other historians (for example Martin, Trudeau) say that Heth sent Pergam’s artillery battallion to led the way, precisely cpt. Mayre’s Fredericksburg Artillery was at the head. Quite possible that all mentioned infantry and artillery units formed advanced guard as even Pfanz mentioned that “Fredericksburg artillery was near the front of the column”.
Martin book on first day was the first serious ACW book I read and I have deep in my mind that it was artillery unit that led this famous march.

What I wanted to say is that in our games it is not a bad idea to use artillery as advanced guard. I play mostly Rebel side and when quick column march is needed I tend to keep a 1- or 2-gun section of weak gun (types) at the head. It’s especially usefull in wooded terain when your column may easily bump into enemy lines. Ideal for leading the advance are skeleton size cavalry units but if they are not availible I use artillery. I prefer to risk a loss of gun or two but to be alerted that something is ahead, than to receive a galling fire into my unprepared infantry next turn. If encountered enemy is in strenght, further advance will be checked anyway. If not, there is a little chance that my guns become uncrewed or captured and even if it happen - next turn enemy will have to deal with my infantry.

And so probably thought Harry Heth on July 1st, 1863 :D

[Dhampy]

While in a wargame that may be a good idea, it would not have been responsible for Heth to do. Had Heth thought he would be facing enemy troops, he wouldn't have led with artillery. Or if he still had made that decision, he should never have been given a commission in the first place. Even "weak" artillery is priceless for covering your troops.

[Alex Krolikowsk]

While in a wargame that may be a good idea, it would not have been responsible for Heth to do. Had Heth thought he would be facing enemy troops, he wouldn't have led with artillery. Or if he still had made that decision, he should never have been given a commission in the first place. Even "weak" artillery is priceless for covering your troops.

I was joking Bro. He expected to met only militia and probably wanted to disperse them with two or so arty salvos ;)

[Coaling]

I personally wouldn't do it in a wargame either. Too much of the fun for me in playing these games is doing so in a historic manner, as opposed to a 'gamesmanship' approach . . . That's my personal opinion, however, and doesn't mean I would begrudge others who disagreed.

[Don Maddox]

I personally wouldn't do it in a wargame either. Too much of the fun for me in playing these games is doing so in a historic manner, as opposed to a 'gamesmanship' approach . . . That's my personal opinion, however, and doesn't mean I would begrudge others who disagreed.

True, but a good wargame is one where the kind of mistakes that Heth made are possible. That's the problem with small scenarios; you pretty much know you are going to have contact and a rough idea of where it will happen.

[arckon]

True, but a good wargame is one where the kind of mistakes that Heth made are possible. That's the problem with small scenarios; you pretty much know you are going to have contact and a rough idea of where it will happen.

So true, so for those of you who don't mind larger scenario's give "From out of the Valley" a whirl from Gettysburg. Plenty of manuever and never sure where the contact will come from (which can actually happen multiple times thru the scenario).

A great scenario.

[Dhampy]

Two words- meeting engagement

It's as close to the real experience as you're going to get. No clue where the enemy is or what your opponent is doing. All you can do it rush for the high ground and hope you "get there firstest with the mostest", to borrow a line from Alex Krolikowsk's avatar.