That Bonnie Blue Flag

[John 3rd]

Thanks guys.  When things get hot-and-heavy, I will do regular screenshots and if you have any ideas PLEASE let me know!
 
Nemo and I didn't get anything in yesterday due to his working, however, we are getting stuff done today.  I will do a posting pretty soon.
 
 

[John 3rd]

Here is the situation with the destruction of the Cavalry Division:

[John 3rd]

What do you think of these numbers?

[John 3rd]

I have Heth and Pender now deploying as fast as possible. I spotted the 1st Corps Inf Div go blazing by last turn. There should be nothing left behind me as I prepare to attack. With this known, I plan to move about 6-8 hexes further out from the Pike with both Divisions. I REALLY want to hit the 1st Corps on their left flank.

I have A.P. Hill and Dick Ewell--plus lead elements of Rodes Division arriving at 1220. It should take that much time for me to get Heth and Pender ready. I will commence my 3rd Corps assault at 1240 and we'll see what happens...

[Ashantai]

Historically the loss of so much veteran cavalry would have been a scandal. And the game rightly rewards you for wiping them out.

Look forward to seeing your big push!

[John 3rd]

Just on time, the 3rd Corps begins its march. heth is a little stread out but shoudl have time to fill-in, Pender is concentrated, and all the remaining 3rd Corps Artillery sets-up on Herr Ridge to make a noisy demonstration.

Rodes has arrived on Oak Hill and is using the trees to mask his 3 Infantry Brigade's advance...

Time to see if this will work. It appears that the 1st Corps is defending the Seminary Ridge area while the 11th is deployed on Cemetary Ridge behind the town.

[John 3rd]

I will post this on two screenshots.

My boys might have a free walk until Cemetary Ridge. In my opinion, this could be a HUGE mistake for Nemo...

[John 3rd]

It might be a long walk after all...

[Ashantai]

Very interesting development! Just where are the yankees? [X(]

[John 3rd]

The Commanding General of the Army of Northern Virginia has arrived ont he battlefield and ordered all four Confederate Infantry Divisions to attack.  It appears that the Union has fallen back to Cemetery Ridge without choosing to contest anywhere else.
 
This development is leading to a change of orders.  Heth and Pender will continue their advance as planned; however, General Rodes Division will move behind Oak Hill and lend his troop strength to the 3rd Corps attack.  To keep the Union pinned in place, General Early's Division (not yet on the field) will demonstrate on the Union right and threaten Culp's Hill.  

[Ashantai]

4 divisions is a sizeable force...almost half your army!

[John 3rd]

It is indeed. Early just arrived with his lead Brigade and Artillery Battalion while all of Rodes in on the field.

The question is...WHERE are the Yankees? I can see a goodly number of them on Cemetary Hill...

[John 3rd]

I was in error with the last Post. It is actually 1340 hours.

Here is the rest of the battlefield...

[Valkyrie]

I like the orderly way you are planning your attacks, maintaining unit cohesion and command control. I always hate to see units just thrown out there. I tend to play solitaire mostly and really try to play very historically... not in terms of strategy, just "realistic". Like minimizing constant tinkering with unit placement so that every unit moves every turn. Instead, I organize a divisional or corps level attack with strict attention to command and control. On the opposing side, I maintain reserves and commit units in a realistic fashion for the defense or counterattack.

Of course, this fussiness in keeping things neat and tidy may hurt you as you have actually delayed your assault on Cemetary Hill about as much as if Buford had been dug in and fighting. It will be most interesting to see how the eventual assault pans out... will superior organization, proper placement of supporting artillery win the day? Or will we be commenting that you should have moved faster to attack before the Yanks could dig in and site their artillery on the heights.

I'm eager to see how it plays out.

This is a lot of fun.. thanks for sharing this AAR!

[ichris_slith]

John 3rd,
Great AAR.  Lots of twists & turns already.  Have you considered sending Early to attack Culp's Hill?  It will stretch Nemo's lines and avoid the town completely.  Even if Early fails he will draw off the XII Corps reinforcements coming in, thus leaving the Federals with less trops to face your (13 brigade!) assault on Cemetary Hill /Ridge.  One more thought, make sure Early avoids the space in front of east Cemetary Hill to the immeadiate east of town, it is a deathtrap of elevations, walls and good artillery positions.  Good luck!

[John 3rd]

The two of you raise the very questions I have been contemplating. Is it TOO late to launch an assault? Perhaps...

I continue to evolve my tactical planning. Heth, Pender, and Rodes will assault the Peach Orchard and other elevation there. They will cut the road and move towards the Round Tops. If there are any troops there (I have seen at least a Brigade and 2 Batteries of Artillery) then I will crush them and move on.

Early's Orders are exactly what was suggested. He will attack below Culp's Hill and keep the enemy fixed in position. I don't want the Union left reinforced when I am attacking it.

Any suggestions?

[John 3rd]

I have been thinking about something.  Would it be heresy to NOT attack this day? 
 
This thought just struck me:
 
I could completly move the Confederate Army up to the High Ground and wait until Dusk/Nigthfall to advance and capture Little and Big Round Top.  I could move in secret, deploy with Infantry and Artillery, dig-in, and FORCE the Union to attack me!    
 
If I tried this then the battleflield would effectively turn 90*.  I wouldn't have to attack Culp's Hill or anything over there.  I could run a defensive line from Seminary Ridge to the Peach Orchard and end the line at Little/Big Round Top.
 
This is a somewhat radical idea.  I am sure that James Longstreet would have preffered it!
 
This is wild enough I could REALLY use some thought from you readers!
 

[andym]

Sounds interesting.I dont really know enough about the Battle to comment,i shall give it some thought and might even try it.For some reason i use the "best form of defense is Attack" school of Warfare.[:D][:D][:D]Maybe thats why we charged the guns and its in our genes?

[Ashantai]

That's an interesting plan! However, be aware that the Federals are coming from the left side of the map as reinforcements...so troops on the round tops will be between two enemy forces.

You could try and cut off his reserves, I guess. That could work.

[John 3rd]

Here is the diversionary side of the battle: