GB2-17R_July2-3rd Georgia, Breakthrough (C-Regt)
Length of Play: 40 minutes
Command: The 3rd Georgia Regiment - Colonel Edward J. Walker, commander
Situation: We saw the Confederate colors replace the Union's as the Peach Orchard position fell. Seeing those Union colors fall has boosted our confidence, for it's been waning as the battle sounds from the south have grown increasing near. Good timing with that morale boost, for now it's our turn to attack the ridge as ordered, maintaining close proximity with General Lane's brigade already moving out on our right.
Mission: Lead your Georgians toward the Federal line to your front, then follow the path the objectives present.
Gameplay: Securing all objectives (4700 points) is crucial to achieving a victory. Objectives will appear progressively after the first objective is secured. The last two objectives, Cemetery Ridge Crest VI and VII, worth 200 points, require 200 troops to activate (all others 100). Some enemy regiments in the path to victory 'will be forced to retreat' when engaged at close quarters, 50 yards or less.
Forces Available:
Lt General Ambrose P. Hill - Corps Commander
Major General Richard H. Anderson - Division Commander
Brig General Ambrose R. Wright - Wright's Brigade
3rd Georgia Regiment, Colonel Edward J. Walker
Company A 'Burke Guards'
Company B 'Brown Rifles'
Company C 'Dawson Grays'
Company D 'Madison Home Guards'
Company E 'Governor's Guard'
Company F 'Wilkinson Rifles'
Company G 'Confederate Light Guards'
Company H 'Young Guards'
Company I 'Carswell Guards'
Company K 'Athens Guards'
Regiment strength: 442 troops and officers
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Success depends on how you cooperate with your friendlies. They'll take on the brunt of the fighting at first but you'll still need to do your share. By the time you get to the final objectives your friendlies will be mainly depleted, leaving the final defensive stand to your regiment bearing the brunt. Your main responsibility along the way will be capturing guns. Not only does this bump up your score, it also helps with survival, for both your regiment and your friendlies.
Timing Timing Timing
Don't rush, but don't tarry. If you go too slow in some areas, the artillery will eat you and your friendlies up. If you get to the final objectives too early, Cemetery Ridge Crest I thru VII (approx 8 minutes, 700 points), you may be forced to retreat to save your score once the objective points cease, after Cemetery Ridge Crest VII. And most costly, if you're too late to secure the final objectives, those points are lost.
One second left...
Almost nailed the timing, fortunately I didn't need the last 100 points that final objective would have provided.
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Don't let the score fool you, this may be the toughest scenario yet. I suffered many losses figuring this one out. Almost scrapped it as impossible be beat.
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You can see by their scores the two companies that took out three of the four artillery batteries engaged. Brown's battery escaped capture but was driven off, proving you don't need to capture all the guns in your path to earn a Major Victory. Managed to have only one company captured and one routed, a feat in itself...you'll see.
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***Historical Information***
Gettysburg, July 2, 1863...
The Federals in front of Wright's Brigade and the 3rd Georgia were on Cemetery Hill and the ridge that connected the Round Top mountains; at a distance of about 1400 yards from Seminary Heights. The ground was open and occupied with small growing crops of grain and corn. The turnpike from Gettysburg to Emmitsburg traversed this open country running nearer to the Federal lines. The advanced line of the Federals was at the turnpike. There was desultory fighting of pickets during the day and occasionally the artillery would open up their dreadful music. About midafternoon continued heavy boom of artillery and roar of musketry far to the right was assurance that Longstreet was heavily engaged. Orders had been given to Brigade Commander Wright that when it was seen that the Command on his right had moved, we must move forward to the attack. Every moment brought the sound of battle closer until the command to attack was, at last, given. The 3rd Georgia moved forward and was met at the edge of the field in front with a storm of shot and shell. At a double quick step, the Regiment charged upon the enemy in the turnpike, followed at their heels across the little meadow beyond, passed a large brick house, and to and over the rock fence on Cemetery Ridge. At this fence, 13 pieces of enemy artillery were captured and fell into the lines of the 3rd Georgia.
The Command to the right of Wright's Brigade had not advanced as far as we had, and the Command on the left had not advanced at all! Thus, Wright's Brigade was driven into the Federal position like a wedge, and exposed on the right and the left. The enemy quickly moved in on both flanks and enveloped this Command. Discovering that we were being trapped, the 3rd Ga. was forced to retire over the same ground that it had driven the Federals. In this retreat, the 3rd Ga. lost more men than in the advance… particularly in prisoners. The men were much exhausted by the rapid advance over nearly a mile of ground, the terrific fighting, and the scorching July sun. Exhausted by the rapid retreat, many men fell into the hands of the enemy. As the 3rd. Ga. began to retire, every Federal sprang to arms and their artillery was again manned and poured a dreadful fire into the thinned ranks of the Regiment with telling effect. Wright's Brigade went into the fight with about 1500 men and came out with about 600. The 3rd Ga. made their charge with 500 men and came out with about 200. The extreme left company (CO. G) went in with 45 muskets and came out with only 7!
