It's funny, but whenever I play a Gettysburg game I get a few butterflies in the stomach. I guess it being such an iconic battle and cultural marker there's a sense of reverence when approaching it. Books, films, Ken Burns's masterpiece, a certain address by Abraham Lincoln; they all go into making it something that generates a certain amount of awe.
Anyway, here are a few shots of the morning, from 8:30 until 10:30.
Very cool, Aaron. I'm not an ACW buff (or gamer), but when I was a young E-5, an LTC who knew I loved military history let me read her copy of Killer Angels. I really liked it and appreciated her thoughtfulness.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dean - yes, Killer Angels sure is an evocative novel.
DeleteGreat game and terrific system! By the looks of your counters, your TatC must be first edition. The Gamers' CWB system is one of my all time favorite boardgame series. Heck, everything Essig produces I love. OCS is my favorite WWII operational system.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your game.
Good spotting, Jonathan! First Edition it is. I haven't played OCS yet, but I do enjoy WCB system.
DeleteGreat system with proper unit to terrain scaling for column march and extended line. I love the McPherson Ridge opening to the battle, perhaps because due to the length of typical GB games it is the one part of the battle that always gets played and you have that excitement of a meeting engagement developing into something bigger.
ReplyDeleteYes, always some tense moments, Norm. And of course the battle is a three act play, if you have the time to get through it all!
DeleteAn excellent looking game. Not played many Hex based system myself but this looks really good.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lee - it can be a little fiddly with all the markers needed, but not too bad, and the rules are fairly straightforward.
DeleteNice Aaron, I really liked Avalon Hill's Gettysburg game (1977 version with Advance rules) that had a top of of the dudes as dots showing them in formation. Though dated I really enjoyed setting it up and going "ooh and ahh" at the time. Dean "Killer Angels" is a great book.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Kevin
Thanks Kevin, I don't have the Avalon Hill game, but it's one I keep an eye out for!
DeleteCheers,
Aaron
A fascinating battle. I’ve refought Gettysburg several times using V&B. I’ll be interested in your summary of your game.
ReplyDeleteThanks Keith - unfortunately, it's been a busy week with the family so the game has sort of stalled without coming to any resolution, but it's been nice to have it out anyway!
DeleteI lived in Gettysburg one summer while I worked on the movie "Gettysuburg", which we all thought was called The Killer Angels during filming. It has been my favorite battle of the war ever since, having walked every inch of the battle field many times.
ReplyDeleteWow Aaron, you worked on that movie! What a great experience that must have been. Would love to hear more about that!
DeleteSo would I!
DeleteJust wait until Ewell comes storming in from the north!
ReplyDeleteHow are you doing with orders acceptance? I had many frustrating moments trying to get Howard to do anything.
I didn't actually use the orders system except as a general guide. I know, 'burn the heretic'! ;-)
Delete"Stwike him, centuwion, vewwy woughly."
DeleteReally, you should give it a try. It really is the heart of the system.
Dear Kiwi,
ReplyDeleteTry Battle-Hymn by Eric Lee Smith; a fine Gettysburg game. Try it when...practicable.
Thanks Jubilo - I'll keep an eye out for it!
Delete