Demographics

Could You Have Won the Battle of Gettysburg?

One of the most important battles of the U.S. Civil War -- and indeed of all U.S. history -- was the battle of Gettysburg. During the three days (July 1-3, 1863), the country held its collective breath. The struggle between the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia commanded by Robert E. Lee and the Union Army of the Potomac under General George Meade may have ultimately decided the war.

If the South had won a major victory, some historians believe that it would have caused:
the Confederacy to gain international recognition and support from England and France,
humiliated Abraham Lincoln,
and resulted in a negotiated end to the war on the Confederacy's terms.

This simulation of the battle is a test to pit your decisions as Robert E. Lee against what actually happened.
Many historians write that this battle was not Lee's best battle and that certain choices could have dramatically improved the fate of his army on these three critical days.

Enjoy the simulation - and tell your friends!

This simulation is based on historical maps that show the position of Confederate and Union forces during the battle.

The maps and their style are based on the West Point Atlas series used to train military cadets for centuries at the United States Military Academy (West Point).

Opposing military forces are shown as different colored lines or dots. The longer or thicker the line, the more troops they represent.
In this case, Red lines indicate Confederate (Southern) troops and Blue lines represent Union (Northern) troops.

Straight lines, like those at left and below, indicate infantry and artillery forces. Dots represent cavalry patrols (in this case, Union cavalry since they are blue in color). These usually represent lightly guarded flanks of an army or forward scouts.

The different colors on the map indicate higher or lower elevations White represents the lowest ground, while dark brown indicates the peaks of small hills. Ridges and hills are usually easier to defend and harder to attack. The blue lines represent creeks. The wider the blue area is, the wider the creek and the more difficult it is to cross. Roads are indicated by black lines and are important to keep open in order to receive supplies and reinforcements.

With this basic primer, you should be ready to get into the saddle and assume command of the Army of Northern Virginia!

Decision 1 of 4: The First Day of Battle: How Will You Use Your Reinforcements?

It is noon on July 1, 1863.

Confederate and Union forces have accidentally collided near the small Pennsylvania town of Gettysburg as the Southern soliders went looking for shoes.

During the morning, Confederate forces slammed into Union cavalry and infantry reinforcements in the west and pushed them backwards with both sides taking heavy losses. However, an entire corps of Confederate forces, over 20,000 men under Richard Ewell, are moving rapidly south towards Gettysburg and are threatening to overwhelm the Union right flank and thus hitting the Union forces from both sides.

You have two choices. Do you:

Choice #1:
Immediately strike the Union forces deployed to the north and press rapidly southward into the town, perhaps enabling an attack behind the western-most Union forces.

Choice #2:
Delay the attack of your northern forces to allow them time to move eastward and get even further behind the Union lines. However, this maneuver will split your forces and take 2-3 extra hours to execute.

What factors influenced your decision the most?

Decision 1 of 4: Results Significant Confederate Victory

General Ewell's Second Corps slams into the Union forces' northern flank, sending them reeling back through the town of Gettysburg. Simultaneous attacks from the west push Union forces toward Cemetery Hill and Cemetery Ridge, where they have stopped to regroup and collect stragglers.

Confederate troops have scored a sound, tactical victory, but are very tired after marching, fighting all day, and taking casualties. Union forces are in some disarray and exhausted as well, but appear to be fortifying the hilltops in the area and the high, defensible ground around Cemetery hill in the north and the Round Tops in the south.

Decision 1 of 4: Results Significant Confederate Victory

General Ewell's Second Corps conducts a "turning movement" -- refusing to engage the enemy while marching around the Union right flank. By 4 PM, his divisions slam across Rock Creek in the east to rapidly take Culp's Hill after a fierce fight and then penetrate further to the Southeast.

Union troops stubbornly hold on to the high ground of Cemetery Hill and the woods at the base of Culp's Hill, refusing to abandon their positions. Union reinforcements check further progress south of Wolf Hill and reinforce the other flank on Cemetery Ridge and the Round Tops.

Exhausted by the near-continuous day's marching and fighting, both sides pause to regroup around 7 PM.

Decision 2 of 4: Continue to Attack, or Probe and Regroup?

It is early evening on July 1, 1863.

Confederate forces have won a victory, driving Union forces from the field and onto the high ground south of Gettysburg. Both sides have suffered significant losses and units are very tired and scattered with stragglers in abundance. The day is getting late and within 3-4 hours night will have completely fallen.

Your division and Corps commanders are asking for re-supply and time to reform their regiments and brigades. Union forces are doing the same and fortifying the ridges and hilltops. Ewell's II Corps is just north of the Cemetery Hill, the key high ground in the area.

Choice #1:
Clearly instruct Ewell to rally his exhausted and scattered regiments to attack the now-fortified Union positions on Cemetery Hill. Focus all energies on the attack instead of regrouping for tomorrow or probing for intelligence.

Choice #2:
Exercise caution and allow your troops to rest and reform their regiments for assaults the next day. Send out patrols in the area to better assess Union positions and strengths, particularly their defenses on the hills.

Decision 2 of 4: Continue to Attack, or Probe and Regroup?

It is early evening on July 1, 1863.

Confederate forces have won a signifcant victory, out-flanking and driving Union forces from the field and onto the high ground south of Gettysburg. A key landmark, Culp's Hill, has been taken which now anchors the Confederate left flank and renders the Union position on Cemetery Hill more exposed.

Your division and Corps commanders are asking for re-supply and time to rest and reform their regiments and brigades. Union forces appear to be doing just that and are also fortifying the ridges and hilltops they occupy. Ewell's II Corps is just north of the Cemetery Hill and to the east on Culp's Hill.

Choice #1:
Clearly instruct Ewell to rally his scattered and tired regiments to attack the now-fortified Union positions on Cemetery Hill. Focus all energies on the attack instead of regrouping for tomorrow or probing for intelligence.

Choice #2:
Exercise caution and allow your troops to rest and reform their regiments for assaults the next day. Send out patrols in the area to better assess Union positions and strengths, particularly their defenses on the hills.