Gettysburg, Only a small exchange

[A Random Person]

On the 1st of July, 1863. General Heth's 6000 Infantry did battle against General Bufford's 3000 Calvary (600 were tending the horses) which were better armed and supplied. The six shooters of the federal army more than made up for the numerical advantage their enemy had.

A flooded river and a burnt bridge had delayed the remainder of the Army of Northern Virginia, and precise shooting had killed a lot of the confederate couriers. Heth's men, low on rations and broken moral began to rout. Heth attempted to rally his forces, but his horse reared and he was knocked off. He was still on the ground for a couple of seconds, his subordinates thought he was shot and began to spread a message along the line. Soon more men routed.

Union General Reynolds, soon joined Bufford. He was winning but still were taking heavy losses. Reynolds men entered in full colours and fanfare to strike fear into the enemy. They decided to risk a lot of lives with a charge of the confederate lines from two sides. The manuver was sucessful at great cost, Bufford's calvary rode in before bayonettes could be fixed, horses trampled rebel bodies. However alot of soldiers were shot off thier horses. Reynold's targets were more prepared and were able to cause a high degree of casualty, before the confederates fleed.

Confederate General Archer was about to engage, he took a look at his muddied, tired, hungry men who waded across a swollen river. then he looked back at the battlefield. He decided to save the attack for another day. Instead he positioned his men to allow for a strategic retreat by the few men remaining for Heth.

[lothaw]

A more probable turning point would simply be for the Confederates to march south around the right flank of the Union army instead of assaulting the heights as Longstreet actually did suggest to Lee.

[mowque]

Confederates still lose war...although it would be a totally different loss. they might even pull off another surprise win in PA.

[metalstar316]

Originally Posted by lothaw

A more probable turning point would simply be for the Confederates to march south around the right flank of the Union army instead of assaulting the heights as Longstreet actually did suggest to Lee.

Buford's men were facing west, therefore the right flank would have been the one on the north.

Just a nit pick.

[67th Tigers]

After deducting officers and horseholders there's about 1,600 men left, and some of those were probably with the wagons etc., so maybe 1,200-1,500 carbines, some of which were held in reserve.

Indeed, at 8am (the point of contact), the Union only have about 450 carbines in line.

They were armed with a mixture of Smith, Merill, Hankins, Gallagher, Burnside and Sharps carbines. One of the regiments, 17th PA Cav, was only issued carbines for the first time that morning. Regiments rarely had enough carbines for their entire strength.

Revlvers didn't really come into play. The Confederate's Rifle-Muskets majorly outgunned the Federals Carbines.

[lothaw]

Originally Posted by metalstar316

Buford's men were facing west, therefore the right flank would have been the one on the north.

Just a nit pick.

Excuse me, I was thinking of the Confederate right flank. Regardless, Longstreet suggested to Lee that they march South and try to get between the Federals and Washington.

Then they could pick a fight on ground of their own choosing. And they'd pretty much have to hit them. It could turn into another Fredricksburg.

[Grimm Reaper]

Lee is under extreme pressure. He had the choice of going north or accepting a pure defensive posture while all available troops were sent west.

At some point he will hear about Vicksburg, and there is also the problem that the longer Lee stays north, the longer before Longstreet can possibly head west to spearhead the one Confederate victory of 1863.

He has to force a battle, even on unfavorable terms, and Lee is the one who has to attack, Meade can hang close and pull in even more men and artillery while Lee's army sits and starves to death on whatever ground he chooses to fortify. Lee is the one with no supply line save what he can forage and once Meade is close there can be no more foraging parties.