Gettysburg (1958)

One of the original set of Avalon Hill "Adult Games" that includes U-Boat, Tactics II, Verdict, and Dispatcher.

This is one of the earliest "typical" wargames, with movement/strength counters, order of appearance chart, CRT, etc.

Board has square grid with squares 1" = 1/4 mile. One hour turns.

27 Confederate counters
41 Union counters

Units include infantry, cavalry, HQs, and outposts (pickets).

Roberts redesigned this game in 1961 with hexagons. Although it sold out, Roberts wasn't happy with it. He then re-released it in 1964 with squares again, like the 1958 version. However, the rules were significantly changed.

The 1958 version was basically a miniatures game on a map. You used range cards (shown in the illustration) both to move your units and then to check their firing range. Units could rotate on their centers before checking with a range card, which was placed along the front side of the rectangular pieces. You got better odds hitting from a flank. Artillery had double range of infantry or cavalry.

The game also had optional rules for hidden movement. You left the room while your opponent put his pieces on the board and moved them, recorded their new positions and removed them again! If they came within sight of a unit (including an outpost unit), he had to tell you where they were seen, or leave them on the board if still in sight. Line of sight rules for all this.

The 1964 version required you to keep your units aligned with the square grid rather than the free form miniatures style movement of the 1958 version.

Gettysburg (1958) Discontinued 1961, Revised 1961, Revised 1964, Discontinued 1976, Revised 1977
Designed by Charles Roberts
1977 Design by Mick Uhl

The "revisions" in this case were actually new games as the components of one edition generally could not be interchanged with the others. The original version used a large square grid; hex grids having not yet been "invented." Subsequent editions would alternate between hex and square grids. The current (1980), edition designed by Mick Uhl, has nothing in common with its predecessors save the title. Pending extensive availability of a revised rulebook, readers are urged to acquire Vol. 15, No. 1 of The General (see The GENERAL Vol.15,No.1) for the extensive errata contained therein.

Magazine References:

The GENERAL Index Article List:

• The GENERAL Vol.1,No.1
  • The Question Corner - Gettysburg
• The GENERAL Vol.1,No.2
  • Gettysburg – “ORIGINAL GETTYSBURG IS BACK!” (Commentary)
  • Gettysburg – “Was the Battle of Gettysburg 'Fixed?'” (Commentary)
• The GENERAL Vol.1,No.4
  • Gettysburg – “Arctic” (Discussion) Martin D. Leith
• The GENERAL Vol.1,No.5
  • Gettysburg – “How to Save Your Gettysburg (Hex) Game” (Variant Discussion) Louis Zocchi
  • The Question Box - Midway, Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, Baseball Strategy, Stalingrad, Tactics II
• The GENERAL Vol.2,No.1
  • The Question Box - Afrika Korps, Midway, Battle of the Bulge, D-Day, Gettysburg
• The GENERAL Vol.2,No.4
  • Gettysburg – “Gettysburg: tactics '58, '64” (Strategy) Myron Brundage's Editorial Staff