Pipe Creek is a fictional alternative battle to Gettysburg by an unknown author. I have edited units with greater than 658 men. Buildings & sites have been added to improve the maps random playability. .DLG files have been added so that the non-full day scenarios can be played as a series - choose the next scenario button after playing the 1st scenario. Please post any comments and requests and find more at the Gettysburg Online Society Forum: http://mattslow.proboards.com/ To install: (unless you are short of hard disk space) make a copy of your Gettysburg folder and rename it as "PipeCreek". Unzip into the PipeCreek folder with "Overwrite Existing Files" checked. Make a shortcut on the desktop by right clicking on lee.exe, "send to" then "Desktop (create shortcut)". When you have had enough PipeCreek, delete the PipeCreek folder & shortcut, no need to restore. Graeme http://smgettysburg.webs.com/SMG.htm ***************************************************************** 28, June, 1863. Moving north in pursuit of Lee's Army into Pennsylvania, the Army of the Potomac, under its new commander, George Meade, is faced with one of its toughest challenges of the war. The Army of Northern Virginia, with high morale since its devastating victory at Chancellorsville, has begun an invasion of the north. It moves north swiftly during the month of June, using Stuart's cavalry to screen its movements. Meade, new to command, is faced with the difficult task of catching and defeating Lee's army out in the open. For one of the first times in the war, the ANV has the initiative. And on the 28th of June, the picture is no clearer. The Union army simply cannot penetrate Stuart's screen to see what the ANV is up to! And then the news arrived. Lee, discovering in plenty of time that the AOP is in pursuit, orders a concentration of his army at Gettysburg. Jackson's II Corps arrives first, on the 28th with Longstreet following. With the ANV concentrating, Meade is compelled to do the same with his scattered army. He had been contemplating a defensive position at Pipe Creek, just south of the Pennsylvania border. It boasted a deep stream bed backed by high plateaus. Along with fairly open ground, it provided a perfect defensive position for a large army to hold out and then go on the attack if possible. So, Meade immediately orders all corps to converge on Pipe Creek, and the near town of Union Mills just to its north. At Gettysburg, Lee confers with Jackson, who is anxious to attack before the AOP can unite. Finally, it is agreed that Jackson's corps will immediately move south and pin down the Union army at Pipe Creek, taking advantage of the Confederate concentration to handle the Union corps piecemeal. Longstreet would follow, seeking an opportunity to attack the Union from an unexpected direction, if Jackson successful in pinning down the enemy. Both armies continue to use cavalry to screen their intentions, though even the most secret plans can be discovered. On early morning, June 30th, 1863, just north of Union Mills, the first clash takes place in the epic battle of Pipe Creek, as the scouting cavalry vie for position for their following armies. - Pipe Creek is a speculative what-if battle, hopefully not the last one I make. It assumes that Jackson lives and also that Stuart's cavalry screens the ANV properly on its northern advance. The increased Confederate advantage would likely force Meade to adopt his intended plan of setting up defenses at Pipe Creek, to the south of Gettysburg. If the Union army can concentrate, holding off Jackson, Pipe Creek offers excellent ground for the Union. If, on the other hand, Jackson is able to penetrate the defensive terrain, and inflict damage, the Union will be in a poor position against Longstreet's assault on the 2nd day! I hope the battle will prove fun and enjoyable for those who play it. I've tried to make plenty of smaller scenarios to recreate the feel of the battle story-line and to please those who prefer quicker engagements. ******************************************************** This is a brief description of each scenario and how they relate to the chronology of the battle: Getty76 FORTUNE'S HOUR: THE BATTLE OF PIPE CREEK This is the entire battle, a mammoth engagement that should prove fun for either side. As the Confederates you attempt to strike quickly with Jackson's corps, throwing the Union off balance as their corps come up piece-meal. If you can do this and breach Pipe Creek itself, Longstreet's arrival on the 2nd Day will be devastating as the Union will focus less resources on his attack. As the Union, you must hold off Jackson, trying to maintain the Pipe Creek defensive line if possible. Getty77 CAVALRY DUEL! As both armies converge on Pipe Creek, their cavalry screens engage in the morning of June 30th. Stuart's 4 brigades clash with Buford and Kilpatrick's division in a battle of position. The Confederates seek to strike southward, driving the Union back, and providing Jackson's infantry with a clear path through and hopefully across Pipe Creek. The Union army needs to prevent this, holding the town of Union Mills. The longer the Confederate infantry is held up north of Pipe Creek, the better Union defenses that can be setup. Getty78 FIRST BLOOD: SYKES FACES JACKSON The first infantry units arrive on the scene from both armies. In a bold decision, Sykes, Union V Corps commander, marches north of Pipe Creek and engages Jackson's lead division (Rodes) in battle north of Union Mills. For the Union, it's a chance to inflict damage on Jackson's lead elements and delay his advance. The Union has the early edge and must strike quickly! The Confederates need to hold on defensively until Ewell's division arrives, when the tide changes and the Confederates can attack. Getty79 FORWARD INTO THE TEMPEST! With the V Corps thrown in confusion by 2 of Jackson's divisions, Ewell, the commander of the second division, boldly pushes forward hoping to gain a foothold on the high plateau beyond Pipe Creek. If he can do so, the Union defensive lines will have been compromised. Naturally, the Union needs to prevent this. Hancock's II Corps is beginning to arrive and Caldwell's division will come up to assist in this scenario. Getty80 THE SIDE DOOR: JACKSON FLANKS! Ewell's gamble fails and although he reaches the plateau top, he cannot gain enough ground to spearhead an advance. Jackson's third division, under Johnson, is arriving and a new plan is launched. Johnson moves to the Union left, crossing Pipe Creek unopposed. The Confederates, in this scenario, hope to see the high ground that develops on the plateau south of Pipe Creek. Seizing this would dominate the immediate area, possibly forcing the Union to fall back. Hancock's remaining 2 divisions (Gibbon and Hays) are on hand to prevent this. Getty81 AP HILL'S WAR: MANCHESTER HEIGHTS Off to the east, beyond the developing fighting, a new engagement takes place. AP Hill's "Light" Division, moving far on the Union left, gains part of the high ground that marks the end of Pipe Creek. AP Hill is in an opportunity to swiftly move south and accomplish what Johnson could not! As he prepares, the Union VI Corps, under Sedgwick, is at this time moving westward, having just arrived at the battlefield. The two sides stumble into each other, and this set of high ground becomes the scene of a "second" battle. The Confederates have the early numerical advantage, and must do the damage and seize ground early, before the entire VI Corps comes up. Naturally, the Union needs to delay Confederates until his reinforcements arrive. Getty82 RESTORATION: SLOCUM ON THE OFFENSIVE! The fighting moves back to the west again. Johnson's assault gained the first line of high ground on the western plateau, including Vanmer's Hill and Echus Knoll. Though the Union managed to retain Goriths Ridge on the southern edge of the plateau, Johnson still dominates the Pipe Creek line. With the arrival of the Union XII Corps, under Slocum, the Union army launches an immediate counterattack. Johnson's army is exhausted, but it will still be a tough battle as the Confederates have the high ground. The Confederates must hold the ground as long as possible, despite the numerical disadvantage. The arrival of some reserve artillery will be of great help if placed on the high ground! The Union must attack furiously, from several directions if possible. The Confederates are weakened and if dislodged, can be decimated! Getty83 CLASH OF VALIANCE: THE FIRST DAY This is the first day's battle. Jackson's corps strikes southward, fighting 4 Union corps in a hard day's fight. The Confederates seek to cross Pipe Creek and negate the Union's high ground advantage. The Union forces must hold on as reinforcements arrive on the scene. This is a good meeting engagement, particularly with the presence of cavalry available to each side. Getty84 LOOK TO THE LEFT!: MCLAWS' ATTACK The time has come. With 4 Union corps distracted, the Union army has practically ignored its left flank. A perfect opportunity for Longstreet to attack! A bold assault can penetrate the Union rear and dislodge their entire army! This is the first attack, as McLaws division sweeps in against the Union line facing north. Sickles' III Corps has arrived at the battle the previous night, and has taken up positions on the ground newly won by Slocum the day before. Facing north, he watches for renewed activity. Thus, McLaws' attack comes as a devastating surprise! The Confederates have an excellent advantage in position and numbers...they must break the Union line quickly, seizing the objectives. The Union was swiftly turn Birney's division and get it into a good line, giving up ground if necessary. Reinforcements will arrive to stablize the situation. Getty85 TO THE TOP: ANDERSON ADVANCES Longstreet's second division moves in. The Union must extend their line even further to the left. Again, the Confederates have a good initial advantage. They must strike quickly before the Union forces receive reinforcements and set up defenses. Humphrey's division must hold on as Reynold's I Corps is beginning to arrive on the battlefield. Getty86 ONE MORE PUSH: HOOD'S ASSAULT The third echelon attack, this time seeing Hood's division move in against the newly arrived Union I Corps. Doubleday and Wadsworth's division face Hood in a standup slugging match for control of the Unionville Pike that runs NW/SW. It is a strategic road that could prevent Union retreats in that direction. Getty87 HIGH TIDE: PICKETT'S CHARGE Ironically named, this scenario sees the Confederates having a much better chance of succeeding than the Gettysburg version. Having secured the Unionville Pike and pushing the Union armies back, Longstreet's final division, under Pickett. Moving in east and north, Pickett's strikes the vulnerable Union rear south of Stevens Junction. The only Union force standing in his way is Howard's XI Corps, originally preparing to attack on the right, now desparately rushed to save the Union army and arriving piecemeal. It will be a desparate engagement as the Confederates, with outnumbered yet veteran troops, seek to complete their victory at Pipe Creek. Both sides commit their remaining artillery reserves so this will be a war of artillery as well! Getty88 HAMMER TO THE RIGHT!: THE 2ND DAY Longstreet's assault in its entirety. Four divisions attack in echelon, one after another in a relentless attack on the Union left. The Union has 3 corps, just arriving or facing in a completely wrong direction. It will a challenge for the Union to meet the Confederate advance. And as time progresses, it will become more difficult for the Confederates to break Union resistance.