Stonewall at Gettysburg
Under the Great Man theory of history, events
are formed by a small number of people: the
right man at the right place at the right
time. It’s an older theory, today largely
discredited in most historical fields, but
still carrying some weight in military history
where a single leader can indeed have a major
impact.
One small incident in the American Civil
War to which many have pointed as a key turning
point is the death of Thomas J. “Stonewall”
Jackson on 10 May 1863. North Carolina troops
mistakenly shot their commander three times
in the left arm, and complications from the
wounds proved fatal.
Southern Hero
Jackson had performed brilliantly in the
just-concluded Battle of Chancellorsville.
Robert E. Lee organized his army in two large
corps, under Jackson and James Longstreet.
With the loss of Jackson, Lee formed three
corps commands, hoping that Richard Ewell
and A.P. Hill between them could provide some
of the tactical flexibility lost with Jackson.
Gamers, of course, thrive on “what
if” scenarios, this being the very essence
of wargaming where history changes when the
first piece is moved. What if Stonewall survived
to join the action in Gettysburg?
Download this new
countersheet and find out.
To add Jackson to the Confederate order of
battle, remove Ewell and Hill. I Corps is
still led by Longstreet, and has Anderson’s
division from III Corps as well, plus the
Anderson artillery and the 3rd III Corps artillery.
II Corps is now led by Jackson, and consists
of all II Corps units and all other III Corps
units.
One factor also to be considered is the psychological
effect on Robert E. Lee. Lee did not perform
as well at Gettysburg as on prior occasions.
A number of writers have pointed to the emotional
blow of Jackson’s death. So Stonewall’s
resurrection also has a tonic effect on Marse
Robert, and we’ve provided him with
better numbers.
On the other side, Lincoln’s appointment
of George G. Meade to command the Army of
the Potomac caught many Union generals by
surprise. While few expected Joseph Hooker
to remain in command after the disaster at
Chancellorsville, most believed John F. Reynolds
of I Corps would get the command. Others thought
that, with Lee in Pennsylvania, changing commanders
just before a battle broke out would be a
serious mistake. The short time available
scotched another suggestion, to bring William
S. Rosecrans from command of the Army of the
Cumberland to the Eastern theater.
So we’ve provided an alternate Union
command structure as well. In this case, before
play the Union player rolls one die. On a
result of 1 through 3, Meade is in command
and there are no changes. On a result of 4,
Hooker retains command. On a result of 5,
Reynolds is in command. On a result of 6,
Rosecrans takes command.
If Hooker, Reynolds or Rosecrans receives
the army command, Meade remains with V Corps.
Replace Sykes with Meade. If Reynolds is promoted,
I Corps goes to Abner Doubleday.
Download all the counters you need for this
Gettysburg variant here.
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