<b>First Day Force Comparisons</b>
Throughout the first day of the battle the relative strengths of the two armies vary tremendously. This is due to Gettysburg being essentially a meeting engagement. As various divisions arrive in the vicinity of Gettysburg the situation changes dramatically. Keep in mind that the forces indicated as available below depend on where the battle is taking place. I am assuming here that it is around Gettysburg and this is for scenario 007. If the Rebel has retreated to Cashtown then expect a delay of a few hours for the Union and a gain of a few hours for the Rebel. If the Union has retreated South during the day they will likewise benefit from earlier arrivals of the same forces.
<b>The Morning Contest</b>
This is a rather long period from daybreak to almost 11 AM when the Union I/1 division arrives near Cemetery Hill area. Buford's cavalry must slow down Hill's two divisions and Ewell's as well. He must accomplish this without getting his own cavalry drawn into an infantry fight he can't win.
CSA Forces
7,750 4.0 Heth
6,825 4.0 Pender
14,575 4.0 Total
USA Forces
1,750 4.6 Davis's Cavalry Brigade
1,125 4.1 Devin's Cavalry Brigade
2,875 4.4 Total
<b>Mid-Day Fight</b>
This is a short period extending from around 11 AM when the I Corps starts getting into position followed by the XI Corps to 1 PM when Rodes makes his presence felt. Here the balance of power shifts to the Union. Even though a significant number of their forces are poor quality they still can be traded for good Rebel troops. Also, only infantry is now shown but Buford is still a significant forces that the Rebel must watch and allocate badly needed troops for. XII Corps release at noon but is much too far to affect things until late afternoon.
CSA Forces
7,750 4.0 Heth
6,825 4.0 Pender
14,575 4.0 Total
USA Forces
9,850 4.4 I Corps (less I/3/3)
8,875 3.0 XI Corps(less 41st NY)
18,725 3.7 Total
<b>Afternoon Fighting</b>
This last from about 1 PM to about 4 PM. Here the Rebel has the upper hand both in numbers and quality. With Rodes arrival the balance of power shifts heavily in their favor. If he can manage to also get Early in support range he has more than enough to drive the Union but this analysis I assume the Union position is too far away and Early delayed enough to not affect the fighting. The Union is still fighting with just the I and XI Corps. They probably have the high ground but no fresh troops will arrive until XII Corps and some early brigades from III Corps get into the area.
CSA Forces
7,750 4.0 Heth
6,825 4.0 Pender
8,225 4.2 Rodes
22,800 4.1 Total
Evening Fighting
The next shift in the balance of power occurs somewhere around 4-5 PM as first XII Corps reinforces the Union troops on Cemetery Hill along with some late arriving I Corps troops. For the Rebel Early has by now joined in the attack but the sun is setting.
CSA Forces
7,750 4.0 Heth
6,825 4.0 Pender
8,225 4.2 Rodes
6,550 4.6 Early
29,350 4.2 Total
USA Forces
9,850 4.4 I Corps(less I/3/3)
8,875 3.0 XI Corps(less 41st NY)
5,900 4.1 XII Corps(less 1/2)
18,725 3.7 Total
<b>Late Afternoon</b>
The last shifts in odds occur almost at dusk. For the Rebel Anderson reaches the Gettysburg area and for the Union the two brigades of the III/1 division plus the missing I/3/3 are near enough to affect the situation. However, night usually ends any offensive by Anderson so it isn't significant.
General Kennon Whitehead
Chatham Grays
2/3/IV AoM (CSA)
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