Gettysburg Papers

[rpkennedy]

Air Force Institute of Technology
AFIT Scholar
Theses and Dissertations
Student Graduate Works
3-1993

The Battle of Little Round Top: An Analysis of Battle Alternatives Through Commercial Wargames
John J. McGuiness

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Abstract
This thesis examines the problem of whether one can use commercial wargames as a tool for historical research. The research examines two wargames dealing with the battle of Little Round Top: Gettysburg: The Turning Point and Thunder at the Crossroads. This research emphasized the need to analyze the wargame's structure prior to playing the game. This will avoid a possible mistake of drawing a conclusion about a particular driver in the battle which may not be from the historical situation but rather an inevitable outcome produced by the model's basic assumptions. Additionally, quantitative measures of timelines, casualty rates, and force ratios were examined during the replay of the historical battle and two other "what if" scenarios. Although some parts of the games are open to debate, for the purpose of exploring the historical battle and playing "what if" type scenarios both served their purpose: to open one's imagination and develop insights. The results of the games must be judged on their insights into the battle, not as a precise prediction of what would happen.

https://scholar.afit.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=8247&context=etd

Cheers,
USS ALASKA

I had a lot of fun playing Thunder at the Crossroads back in the day. It is an excellent game.

Ryan

 

[USS ALASKA]

Southern New Hampshire University
Dan Sickles: Disregarded Hero of The Battle of Gettysburg
James Robert Gray Sr.
Master of Arts in History
July, 2018
Copyright © 2018 by James Robert Gray Sr. All Rights Reserved

Abstract
Dan Sickles has been regarded by many historians as a political general who was a buffoon and led his troops into harm's way at Gettysburg for personal glory. This paper examines Sickles' early personal history, why that history has led historians to examine Sickles in a critical fashion with a historical lens, and why Sickles has been disregarded as the true hero of Gettysburg. Sickles was a lover of women causing him to perhaps have an affair with his mother-in-law, visit prostitutes, introduce one prostitute to the Queen of England, and ultimate to murder his wife's lover in a rage that allowed him to be acquitted on an insanity defense. Sickles entered the Civil War looking to redeem his reputation and develop a military hero role for himself. Gettysburg would allow him the opportunity for that role, but events and his own future behaviors would prevent historians to view him in the role of hero. General Daniel Sickles has largely been criticized for his positioning of his troops on Day Two of the Battle of Gettysburg. However careful review of his personal history, his military experience prior to Gettysburg and his actions during the battle are all consistent with a general who correctly interpreted the situation and moved to prevent a Union defeat at Gettysburg. This paper will examine his early development as a politician, the murder of his wife's lover and entry into the service in the attempt to recover his reputation. The paper will review the effects of prior military actions he was involved in including the Peninsular Campaign, and Chancellorsville that influenced his actions at Gettysburg. Finally, the paper will examine his actions at Gettysburg, the effect on the Confederate attack, and prove the conclusion that General Sickles correctly positioned his troops and prevented a Union defeat.

https://academicarchive.snhu.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/0e0727a6-ed23-4a26-8e1e-117ad391de2d/content

Because of copyright, please use above link.

Cheers,
USS ALASKA