Battleground Gettysburg
2024

Welcome to the storage area for the WDS Gettysburg scenarios based upon the classic Battleground Gettysburg game and some new design ideas! There are twenty-five new scenarios available to play. These scenarios were added on December 25, 2023. By downloading the file attachment below, you can quickly install all the necessary files to play these scenarios. For tech help you can click here. The full scenario descriptions are listed below. Enjoy!

By clicking on the icon to the left you can download all of the various files you will need in order to play the different scenarios listed below. It is strongly recommended you import all files to your game folders at one time (even if you only wish to play just one of the scenarios).

To read an article about the differences between the Talonsoft and WDS versions, and to learn more about the Updated Battle of Gettysburg scenario, click the button to the right.

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Gettysburg Scenarios

The Battle of Gettysburg (2024 Version)

!BG 001 - The Battle of Gettysburg (2024 Version)
145 Turns
Designed by Blake Strickler

Historical (145 Turns) - July 1st, 1863 – 9am: In the first days of July 1863, two great armies converged at the small town of Gettysburg, in southern Pennsylvania. Begun as a skirmish between Union cavalry and Confederate infantry scouting for supplies, the battle escalated into one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. - - - A more traditional take on the Battle of Gettysburg. This scenario narrows the focus of the battle to the core battlefield area and the immediate surrounding area. TOTAL NUMBERS: USA – 92,153 CSA – 71,945

The Battle of Gettysburg (Talonsoft) - Includes Original A/I Script

!BG 002 - The Battle of Gettysburg (Talonsoft)
149 Turns
Designed by Talonsoft

Historical (149 Turns) - July 1st, 1863 - 7:40 am: On the morning of July 1st, with no specific orders to do so, generals Heth and Buford engaged each other's forces west of the farming community of Gettysburg. Heth was seeking shoes for the men of his infantry division. Buford - alerted by local citizens to the presence of Rebels nearby - was screening the town with his cavalry division to keep the Confederates from seizing the high ground to the south. When scouts reported that large numbers of Confederates were heading toward him, Buford sent an urgent message to Maj. Gen. John F. Reynolds, commanding the Federal left flank, requesting immediate reinforcement. Thus unwittingly began a battle that neither side had intended to fight. For three days some 160,000 men from the North and the South would struggle in the oppressive July heat, each fighting for a cause he believed to be right. It would prove to be the high-water mark of the Confederacy, the turning point of the Civil War: Gettysburg. ~~~~ 2024 UPDATE: Scenario recreated in WDS Gettysburg in 2024. The only changes were to add additional supply wagons for each army and to move the arrival point of Doubleday from Black Horse Tavern to the Emmitsburg Road. TOTAL NUMBERS: USA – 86,550 CSA – 69,975

An Alternate Universe

!BG 003 - An Alternate Universe
149 Turns
Designed by Blake Strickler

Alternate (149 Turns) - July 1, 1863 - 7:40am: What if everything at Gettysburg were reversed? What if Lee approaches from the south with Stuart trying to hold the town against oncoming Union infantry along the Chambersburg Pike? What if Meade’s army is converging on the town from the north and the west? In this “alternate universe” scenario – everything is reversed. The arrival times, locations, and numbers engaged mirror the historical battle as much as possible. TOTAL NUMBERS: USA – 87,225 CSA – 69,800

Come Up at Once!

!BG 004 - Come Up at Once!
149 Turns
Designed by Blake Strickler

Alternate (149 Turns) - July 1st, 1863 - 7:40 am: With the expectation of possible action around Gettysburg in the coming days, Lee issues orders for Longstreet to rush his whole corps to Gettysburg as soon as possible. In this scenario, Pickett’s Division arrives at 8 AM on July 2. Law’s Brigade, of Hood’s Division, arrives with the rest of Hood’s Division at 4:20 AM on the 2nd. Will the earlier arrival of Pickett make a difference? TOTAL NUMBERS: USA – 86,550 CSA – 69,975

Every Last Man is Here

!BG 005 - Every Last Man is Here
187 Turns
Designed by Blake Strickler

Alternate (187 Turns) - June 30th, 1863 - 2:00 pm: On June 23, Stuart had Lee’s sanction to “judge whether you can pass around their army without hindrance, doing them all the damage you can, and cross the [Potomac] river east of the [Blue Ridge] mountains.” The alternative for Stuart was to rejoin the main body and work his way northward along the congested roads towards the Potomac. Not wishing to leave Lee’s army without proper support, Stuart chooses to stay with the main body rather than riding through and around the Federal army. By June 30, intel gained by Stuart has led Lee to believe the Federals were converging on Gettysburg. He has ordered Stuart with his full division to that place to secure as much good ground as possible before the infantry arrives. A few miles away, Meade has sent forward his own Cavalry Corps to engage Stuart with the rest of the army following the next day. Gettysburg has purposefully been chosen as the place of battle by Lee and Meade. TOTAL NUMBERS: USA – 93,650 CSA – 74,600

Stuart Arrives!

!BG 006 - Stuart Arrives!
193 Turns
Designed by Talonsoft

Alternate (193 Turns) - June 30, 1863 - 11:00am: Historically, in search of Lee's right flank Stuart rode north from Westminster to Hanover on June 30th. There he encountered Kilpatrick's division of Union cavalry and fought him for most of the day. This scenario assumes that Stuart instead moves northwest to Gettysburg, reaching the town by late morning. With Kilpatrick only a few hours behind him, Stuart moves in to scout the town. There he encounters Buford approaching from the south. Oblivious to the cavalry, Pettigrew's brigade of Heth's division is marching on the town to look for shoes. Will history be forever changed? ~~~~ 2024 UPDATE: Based upon Stuart Arrives from the Matrix game. The only changes made in 2024 were to add additional supply wagons for each side, to randomize the arrival location of Kilpatrick on June 30, and to add General Pleasonton to the scenario. TOTAL NUMBERS: USA – 86,550 CSA – 69,975

Early Holds Gettysburg

!BG 007 - Early Holds Gettysburg
155 Turns
Designed by Blake Strickler

Alternate (155 Turns) – July 1 – 5:00am: On June 26, Early’s Division occupied Gettysburg after driving off some local militia. He departed on June 27 for York County. But what if Early had stayed at Gettysburg? This scenario assumes that Early has held the town and picketed the roads south of it. Reynolds and Howard are moving to strike Early at sunrise on July 1. Early will be pressed hard by strong Union forces looking to recapture as much of the high ground around Gettysburg as possible. The cavalry forces of both armies are occupied elsewhere and are not involved in this battle. The arrival times of the I, II, and XII Corps have all been accelerated to some degree. The historical Rebel arrival times remain the same. TOTAL NUMBERS: USA – 80,400 CSA – 63,500

First Contact!

!BG 008 - First Contact!
9 Turns
Designed by Talonsoft

Historical (9 Turns) - July 1, 1863 - 9:00am: As the brigades of Archer and Davis, the leading elements of Heth's Division, advanced toward Gettysburg they encountered the screening force of Brig. Gen. Buford's Cavalry Division. For almost an hour they skirmished along Herr's Ridge in the drizzling rain. Outnumbered, Buford eventually pulled Brig. Gen. Gamble's troopers back to McPherson's Ridge and ordered Colonel Devin to cover his right. The question now became: could they hold this position until reinforcements arrived? NOTE: Buford’s cavalry have been permanently dismounted and will be fighting as infantry in this scenario. The length of the scenario was expanded by two turns compared to the original scenario. TOTAL NUMBERS: USA – 5,750 CSA – 6,975

Barlow's Knoll

!BG 009 - Barlow's Knoll
7 Turns
Designed by Blake Strickler

Historical (7 Turns) – July 1 – 3:00pm: With the battle raging around Oak Hill between the I Corps and Rodes’s Division, Howard moved forward Kryzyanowski’s brigade and Barlow’s division into the fields north of town to reinforce the vulnerable right flank. Watching the growing body of Federals moving north from Gettysburg, Rodes deployed Doles’s brigade along Carlisle Road. Doles appeared to be in a bad position until Early’s Division began moving down the Harrisburg Road. Soon Early’s guns were unlimbered and his leading brigades moved into line. Barlow threw out skirmishers and prepared as quickly as he could. The struggle for the fields north of Gettysburg was about to begin. TOTAL NUMBERS: USA – 5,725 CSA – 6,150

A Rock and a Hard Place

!BG 010 - A Rock and a Hard Place
21 Turns
Designed by Talonsoft

Historical (21 Turns) – July 1 – 2:00pm: Union forces had so far repulsed all efforts by the Confederates to dislodge them from McPherson's Ridge. However, the arrival of Jubal Early's Division on the right flank of the Union XI Corps and a new assault on McPherson's Ridge by Heth's Division left the Federals outnumbered and outflanked. The question now became: could they hold out long enough for reinforcements to prepare a second line of defense on Culp's and Cemetery hills? TOTAL NUMBERS: USA – 34,025 CSA – 42,150

A Rock and a Hard Place v.1

!BG 011 - A Rock and a Hard Place v.1
18 Turns
Designed by Blake Strickler

Alternate (18 Turns) – July 1 – 3:00pm: With the arrival of Ewell’s Corps, the new First Corps commander, Abner Doubleday, might have fallen back to Cemetery Hill – but he did not. “To fall back without orders from the commanding general might have inflicted lasting disgrace upon the corps,” he later wrote. But what if Doubleday had fallen back through Gettysburg and what if Howard had taken up a position on his right flank? Lee, now with four full divisions on the field and the enemy before him, has given the order to attack the high ground. Will history be changed? TOTAL NUMBERS: USA – 34,025 CSA – 42,150

Decisions, Decisions!

!BG 012 - Decisions, Decisions!
105 Turns
Designed by Talonsoft

Historical (105 Turns) – July 2 – 4:00am: Early on the morning of the 2nd, Gen. Lee had Hill's and Ewell's corps in place, and Longstreet's - minus Pickett's Division - would be arriving soon. The question on his mind was how to best utilize his strength to land a decisive blow. The Federal position was a strong one, and being reinforced continually. The plan he eventually decided on would entail attacking both Union flanks in an attempt to roll them up and thus envelop the entire enemy army. In the event, both attacks failed, leaving the majority of Lee's army spent. Can you do better? Can you find a way to do what Lee couldn't? NOTE: For Advanced Players, try turning off the Optional Rule “Higher Fatigue Recovery Rates.” This will force both players to rest their exhausted men more if they hope to use them again on July 3. ~~~~ 2024 UPDATE: Scenario recreated in WDS Gettysburg in 2024. The scenario was expanded from a one-day July 2 scenario, to a full two-day scenario encompassing both July 2 and July 3. TOTAL NUMBERS: USA – 75,225 CSA – 62,300

Longstreet's Assault

!BG 013 - Longstreet's Assault
12 Turns
Designed by Talonsoft

Alternate (12 Turns) – July 2 - 3:40pm: Gen. Longstreet's two divisions were finally getting into position to attack the Union left flank on Cemetery Ridge. However, when Gen. Sickles heard that Rebels had been spotted west of the Emmitsburg Road he decided, without Gen. Meade's knowledge, to move his entire III Corps forward off the ridge. His 10,000 men advanced to the slightly higher ground along the road, with its left flank running through what would later be called the Peach Orchard, the Wheatfield and Devil's Den. This put the corps in an isolated position a half mile ahead of the rest of the army and left Little Round Top - a key vantage point overlooking the Federal lines - undefended. Longstreet proceeded to launch a ferocious attack on Sickles from the west and south. However, Gen. Hood, disobeying Longstreet's order to attack head-on, veered east toward Little Round Top. On the crest of the hill at the time was Maj. Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren of Meade's staff, who promptly rushed off to find someone - anyone - to defend it. TOTAL NUMBERS: USA – 27,700 CSA – 17,125

Longstreet's Assault v.1

!BG 014 - Longstreet's Assault
12 Turns
Designed by Blake Strickler

Alternate (12 Turns) – July 2 - 3:40pm: This scenario is a minor variation on Longstreet's assault that assumes Pickett's three brigades were in close support of Hood and McLaws. This variation brings two additional brigades of Anderson’s Division into the battle. There are historical arrival times for Union reinforcements and no fixed units. TOTAL NUMBERS: USA – 27,700 CSA – 24,500

Longstreet's Assault v.2

!BG 015 - Longstreet's Assault
12 Turns
Designed by Talonsoft/Pat Blackman

Alternate (12 Turns) – July 2 - 3:40pm: This scenario is a minor variation on Longstreet's assault that assumes Pickett's three brigades were in close support of Hood and McLaws. There are historical arrival times for Union reinforcements and no fixed units. [Variation by Pat Blackman] TOTAL NUMBERS: USA – 27,700 CSA – 22,550

Pickett's Charge

!BG 016 - Pickett's Charge
6 Turns
Designed by Talonsoft

Historical (6 Turns) – July 3 – 3:00pm: The Confederate bombardment has ended. It is time for the men on both sides to heed the call to destiny. The Rebels march forth into the dissipating smoke of the cannon fire. As they emerge, flags flying and bayonets gleaming, the Union troops on Cemetery Ridge cannot help but be awestruck at the sight. But after a few moments of admiration, the Federals doublecheck their weapons, and bear down grimly to await the onslaught. NOTE: No supply wagons are available for the Confederates. To better recreate the Talonsoft version, it is recommended to play with Alternate Fixed Unit Release unchecked. For various reasons, Rodes’s Division is not represented on the map as they were inactive and fixed in place. TOTAL NUMBERS: USA – 16,875 CSA – 18,275

Pickett's Charge v.1

!BG 017 - Pickett's Charge v.1
6 Turns
Designed by Blake Strickler

Historical (6 Turns) – July 3 – 3:00pm: In this version of Pickett’s Charge, it is assumed that Pickett was able to march north with his entire five-brigade division. The entire Union force is unfixed for this scenario. NOTE: No supply wagons are available for the Confederates. For various reasons, Rodes’s Division is not represented on the map as they were inactive and fixed in place. TOTAL NUMBERS: USA – 16,875 CSA – 21,375

Meade's Offensive

!BG 018 - Meade's Offensive
103 Turns
Designed by Blake Strickler

Alternate (103 Turns) - July 2, 1863 - 4:40am: Lee’s instinct was to pull Ewell’s Corps back to the main army on the night of July 1, but he was persuaded otherwise by Ewell and Early. This scenario assumes that Lee ordered the corps to fall back to Seminary Ridge instead. Meade, arriving after dark, was informed that Lee’s men were moving back up the Chambersburg Pike at nightfall. With a new telegraph from Halleck ordering an attack on Lee before he could slip away, Meade has ordered an attack at dawn. With the Third and Twelfth corps on the left, Meade is preparing to strike Lee’s flank and sweep around him. Halleck has also forwarded the final brigade of Pennsylvania Reserves which have joined the Fifth Corps. NOTE: For a greater challenge, play with Higher Fatigue Recovery Rates unchecked. TOTAL NUMBERS: USA – 75,200 CSA – 56,800

Multiplayer Meeting Engagement

!BG 019 - Multiplayer Meeting Engagement
99 Turns
Designed by Blake Strickler

Alternate (99 Turns) - July 1, 1863 - 5:00am: Specifically designed as a Multiplayer Engagement, this scenario features three columns of arriving forces for each side. Each column contains a mix of infantry, cavalry, and artillery. Ideally suited for 3 on 3 play. The armies have been shrunk in size a little from the historical Gettysburg scenario in order to better accommodate a 3 on 3 game and to allow more “elbow room” for the players involved. This scenario is completely fictitious and contains no Victory Point hexes. Both sides are free to strategize in any way they wish. TOTAL NUMBERS: USA – 60,600 CSA – 50,975

Kill or be Killed

!BG 020 - Kill or be Killed
50 Turns
Designed by Blake Strickler

Alternate (50 Turns) - July 1, 1863 - 4:00am: Both armies are heading for a direct collision at Gettysburg. This alternate scenario is geared towards players who want to fight large battles in a head-to-head manner. There is no room to run and hide in this scenario. Be prepared for a brawl! TOTAL NUMBERS: USA – 80,150 CSA – 63,500

Action on the Rappahannock (Equal)

!BG 021 - Equal Force Battle
102 Turns
Designed by Blake Strickler

Alternate (102 Turns) - July 1, 1863 - 5:00am: This fictional setup features two armies which are alike in every way. Each side has the same number of units, batteries, guns, weapon types, supplies, etc. Both sides have the same average quality as well. This will not appear to be an equal force battle because of its large size and complexity. But the fact is that both sides have the same number of “A,” “B,”, “C,” and “D,” rated troops. This battle will test the skill of the combatants on an even playing field. TOTAL NUMBERS: USA – 68,475 CSA – 68,475

Return to Antietam Creek (Equal)

!BG 022 - Equal Force Battle v.1
50 Turns
Designed by Blake Strickler

Alternate (50 Turns) - July 1, 1863 - 5:00am: This Equal Force Battle features a fictional setup around the old battlefield of Sharpsburg. Numerous Exit Hexes for both sides will create a chaotic battle as the armies scramble for positioning. TOTAL NUMBERS: USA – 68,475 CSA – 68,475

Battle at Fairfield (Equal)

!BG 023 - Equal Force Battle v.2
102 Turns
Designed by Blake Strickler

Alternate (102 Turns) - July 1, 1863 - 5:00am: This Equal Force Battle features a fictional setup around the town of Fairfield, west of Marsh Creek. This slow-developing two-day meeting engagement will challenge both players. TOTAL NUMBERS: USA – 68,475 CSA – 68,475

Collision Course (Equal)

!BG 024 - Equal Force Battle v.3
102 Turns
Designed by Blake Strickler

Alternate (102 Turns) - July 1, 1863 - 5:00am: This Equal Force Battle features a fictional setup with both sides meeting head-to-head across Pipe Creek. TOTAL NUMBERS: USA – 68,475 CSA – 68,475

Fight for Williamsport (Equal)

!BG 025 - Equal Force Battle v.4
50 Turns
Designed by Blake Strickler

Alternate (50 Turns) - July 1, 1863 - 5:00am: This Equal Force Battle features a fictional setup with both sides fighting for control of the town of Williamsport on the Potomac River. TOTAL NUMBERS: USA – 68,475 CSA – 68,475

Battleground Gettysburg 2024

Gettysburg Scenarios

The Battle of Gettysburg (2024 Version)

!BG 001 - The Battle of Gettysburg (2024 Version) 145 Turns Designed by Blake Strickler

The Battle of Gettysburg (Talonsoft) - Includes Original A/I Script

!BG 002 - The Battle of Gettysburg (Talonsoft) 149 Turns Designed by Talonsoft

An Alternate Universe

!BG 003 - An Alternate Universe 149 Turns Designed by Blake Strickler

Come Up at Once!

!BG 004 - Come Up at Once! 149 Turns Designed by Blake Strickler

Every Last Man is Here

!BG 005 - Every Last Man is Here 187 Turns Designed by Blake Strickler

Stuart Arrives!

!BG 006 - Stuart Arrives! 193 Turns Designed by Talonsoft