Gettysburg #294 Collision in Maryland

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M. Friedman
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2014 9:25 pm

Gettysburg #294 Collision in Maryland

Post by M. Friedman »

I just started this scenario with a Rebel chap. Looks like an interesting enough engagement.

As I'm developing my plan, I'm curious if anyone else who has played this particular scenario has any insight.

Here is my major concern. The Union Army is arriving from the southwest. The Rebs are coming in what would seem to be a stronger force from the Northwest.

My first thought was to run to Taneytown with I Corps, XII Corps, and II Corps as fast as I could. However, that is going to leave me strung out, in front of a larger force. It will also leave a lot of supply wagons far, far behind the main columns. Plus as reinforcements arrive, especially the second day, they might be cutoff.

My next thought was to consolidate somewhere near the head of where I Corps starts. I would contest chokepoints like Wilson's Ford, and assume a defensive position until more troops arrive. However, the problem with that strategy is that he could march straight down the pike through Taneytown and right off the map at the exit hexes leading to Washington or Baltimore. He would secure a victory that way.

I cannot just march east from where I am and hope to hold him at Westminster. He would have the Taneytown Pike and would beat me there. It would take my reinforcements forever to get there.

I was thinking about having I Corps and XII Corps race to Taneytown and have II Corps setup some sort of screen to protect the rest of my forces that will be arriving. However, it will be a large area to cover, and perhaps not the best use of one of the better Corps in the Army.

I would be curious to hear anyone else's thoughts on this particular scenario.

Am I missing an obvious choice?

Thank you for your time.
M. Letus
Posts: 22
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2014 4:53 pm
Location: New Jersey

Re: Gettysburg #294 Collision in Maryland

Post by M. Letus »

Greetings Sir,
I've just rejoined the cause after a long retirement and wasn't around when this was first posted. How goes the battle??

MG Mike Letus
M. Friedman
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2014 9:25 pm

Re: Gettysburg #294 Collision in Maryland

Post by M. Friedman »

It ended up as a total Rebel romp.

My fears were realized. I raced to Taneytown to prevent the Rebs from just marching right through and off the map. He was able to get their with greater numbers shortly after I Corps arrived. XII and III Corps arrived to support I Corps' right and left, but it was already too late. I Corps was badly outnumbered and mauled. I tried a flank attack on my left with XI Corps to distract him from the battle around Taneytown. They advanced well and the rest line held for awhile. From what I could tell, I was outnumbered almost 2:1. It was just a matter of time at that point. The line broke, and all hell with it.

I could not get other troops there in time.

I think this scenario is full of bad and worse choices for the Union. You need to get to Taneytown, but it is pretty much impossible to do it with enough force, while protecting river crossings and your supply line. Only way I can see to win this is to be matched up against an overly cautious Rebel commander, and I have not found many of them.
M. Letus
Posts: 22
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2014 4:53 pm
Location: New Jersey

Re: Gettysburg #294 Collision in Maryland

Post by M. Letus »

Too bad. I know several of the ones that show up in the campaign are highly skewed (2nd Winchester comes to mind) and are all based on prior outcomes and decisions.
M. Friedman
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2014 9:25 pm

Re: Gettysburg #294 Collision in Maryland

Post by M. Friedman »

Yeah, having played it now, it looks to me like it would be nearly impossible to win as the Union against a moderately competent Rebel commander.

Some of the larger maps with armies arriving from the edges, it is kind of hard to get a feel for the balance until you start playing them.

It was still a fun game though with a few desperate situations.
M. Letus
Posts: 22
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2014 4:53 pm
Location: New Jersey

Re: Gettysburg #294 Collision in Maryland

Post by M. Letus »

I'm just a dozen or so turns into a #88 scenario and am hoping to make a good fight out of it.
M. Friedman
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2014 9:25 pm

Re: Gettysburg #294 Collision in Maryland

Post by M. Friedman »

I started a #62 battle after the last one finished. It is very similar to #88.

The toughest thing about it is the Rebels are likely to be on the field in full force on the first day, while the Union has to wait for a large chunk of their forces until the second day. The variable arrival times for the Rebels could change that. I got unlucky. Both Longstreet and AP Hill arrived fairly early.

My right wing and a lot of my cavalry have been hit really hard. I was too aggressive in advancing with them. Should have linked up with the left wing right away. I was trying to have my forces meet closer to Gettysburg. That was a mistake. I don't know why, but I expected the enemy to be less aggressive and try to defend around Gettysburg where the main objective point is. Instead, he brought the fight to me and was able to hit and surround a lot of my advanced guard.

I should have linked up and dug in waiting for the second day.

My left is holding really well, but it looks like Hill's men are approaching now.

Good luck in your battle.
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