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Barlow's Knoll
by Scott Mingus of North Coast Wargamers
scottmingus@yahoo.com
April 20, 2002

Ten wargamers and about fifteen onlookers assembled Saturday night at Cold Wars in Lancaster, Pennsylvania for my Gettysburg Blocher's Knoll 15mm scale miniature wargame. The event was sponsored by the Historical Miniature Gaming Society.

This game used the popular Johnny Reb III gaming system. The scenario is taken from my "Enduring Valor: Gettysburg in Miniature" Volume 1 scenario book, which was on sale at the convention. Overall, nearly well over a thousand gamers were registered for Cold Wars.

Here is a brief after action report of the two hour fight for Barlow's Knoll...

Veteran Confederate troops under Jubal Early deployed for battle north and east of Harrisburg Road, with Hilary Jones' guns unlimbering on a small ridge where they could rake the Union defensive position on Blocher's Knoll.

Gordon's and Doles' brigades advanced in long battle lines, and they simultaneously struck Ames' and von Gilsa's Yankee line near Barlow's Knoll. Stubborn Union resistance tore huge holes in Gordon's line, causing him to fall back and regroup on the Josiah Benner farm as Doles exchanged fire with the Union lines.Blackford's Sharpshooters kept the 74th PA at bay, enabling Doles to push forward his line to the fields around the blacksmith shop.

Long-range Confederate artillery from two of Carter's Batteries firing from Oak Hill soon caused havoc for the Union left. Counterbattery fire from Dilger and Wheeler was totally ineffective in silencing these two Rebel batteries, and for over an hour the Rebel guns poured shellfire into Krzyzanowski's and von Amsberg's positions, finally routing a portion of the former.The remainder of Krzyzanowski's men formed a new battleline straddling Carlisle Road, supported by remnants of von Amsberg's regiments.

In the meantime, hand-to-hand fighting raged on and around Blocher's Knoll and the adjacent Thomas Scott farm, with extensive charges and countercharges as the hillock changed hands several times.

Seeing flanking movement east of Harrisburg Road by Hays and Avery of the Rebel force, Union commander Shurz ordered his reserves under Col. Charles Coster to advance up Harrisburg Road to the Almshouse complex, where they quickly formed into line.

A charge by the 7th LA was repulsed, destroying this "Louisiana Tiger" regiment in the process. Other regiments of Hays' Tigers however soon began pushing Coster back towards the Crawford farm as Avery continued to the flank. Coster fell with a slight wound that put him out of action for nearly 40 minutes before the wound was dressed and he could return to the fight.

While pressure was being applied by Doles on the Krzyzanoski / von Amsberg (Schimmelfennig) line west of Barlow's Knoll and by Hays and Avery to the southwest, Jubal Early ordered in his reserve brigade under "Extra Billy" Smith to augment Gordon's stalled attack on the knoll. Miniature flags flying proudly, the small Virginia brigade charged through the exhausted Yankee lines, carrying Gordon's survivors with them.

Billy Smith died on the slope of the knoll, shot dead from his saddle by the Irishmen of the 25th Ohio. Gordon pushed the combined forces onward, and finally after 40 minutes of bloody combat, they were able to overrun Bayard Wilkeson's Battery and a couple supporting regiments and claim control of Blocher's Knoll.

The wargaming scenario ended with the Yankees hanging on to a second Crawford Farm - Kitman Farm line as the Rebels paused to regroup after pushing back Barlow and Schimmelfenning. Casualties were very heavy on both sides, with several regiments totally shattered. Both sides lost in excess of 33% of their men.

Two entire regiments of Gordon's Georgians had fled the field, last seen running up Harrisburg Road despite Early's appeals to rally them.

On the Northern side, much of Ames' and von Gilsa's regiments were gone, swept away in the charges of Smith and Gordon.

Throughout the South, William Smith is being hailed as a martyr. His unit, held in reserve most of the afternoon, gallantly charged forward up the slopes of Blocher's Knoll at his urging. His sudden and stunning death seemed to inspire his "boys" and they carried the position, capturing two sections of a Union battery and driving off the Yankees.

"Extra Billy" will long be remembered in Southern circles. Smith's body was recovered and is being transported to Richmond for burial in Hollywood Cemetery.

Northern papers by contrast are reporting that tactical errors by Francis Barlow sealed the fate of the Union line, and the New York Herald is crying for Barlow to report to Congress for an explanation.

Also, Thomas Osborn has been relieved of duty as XI Corps' artillery commander after their abysmal showing. They lost 2/3 of a battery, and were totally ineffective in countering Rebel guns, seemingly allowing Carter and Jones to fire at will on helpless Union troops in the valley and on Blocher's Knoll.

Also taking heavy criticism was Carl Shurz, who in his first action as XI Corps commander, remained in the rear and did not attempt to rally fleeing troops.

Copyright © 2002 Scott Mingus