The three days of Gettysburg Deluxe Edition

The Clash of Titans at Regimental Scale

Originally published in 1995 and beautifully refreshed in its Deluxe Edition, The Three Days of Gettysburg stands as the crown jewel of GMT’s acclaimed Great Battles of the American Civil War (GBACW) series. As the spiritual successor to Richard Berg's legendary Terrible Swift Sword (SPI, 1976), this monster wargame simulates the entirety of the fateful July 1-3, 1863 battle with unparalleled historical rigor and tactical depth.

Core Mechanics & Gameplay

The heart of the simulation relies on the interactive Chit-Pull activation system. This mechanic perfectly captures the friction and chaos of 19th-century warfare: you never truly know which brigade or division will be called to action next. The strict chain of command (Army, Corps, Division, Brigade) forces players to carefully manage leader placement and command ranges to avoid unit paralysis.

Tactical granularity is at its peak here: detailed management of unit formations (line, column, skirmishers), cohesion hits, brutal line-of-sight artillery duels, and desperate bayonet charges. The Deluxe edition introduces streamlined skirmisher rules and an optional, scaled-down rule set for players looking for a smoother experience without losing the historical flavor.

What's in the Box

• The Maps: Up to 4-5 full-sized maps delivering the ultimate layout of the battlefield, from the defense of Sickle's Salient and Little Round Top to the swirling horse-soldier clashes on the East Cavalry Battlefield.
• Scenarios: 10+ scenarios ranging from small, single-map introductory skirmishes ideal for a single session, to the massive 3-day grand campaign meant for dedicated grognards.
• Maps:
  • 4 full-size (22" x 34") dual-sided mapsheets and 1 half-size mapsheet, combining to map the entire historical battlefield, including the East Cavalry Field.
• Counters: 6 full countersheets containing over 1,600 color die-cut 5/8" counters representing Regiments, Artillery Batteries, Leaders, and all operational markers.
• Rulebooks & Playbooks:
  • 1 GBACW Series Rulebook.

1 Game-Specific Battle & Scenario Playbook (featuring over 15 distinct scenarios and historical variants).

• Player Aids:
  • 2 Identical Terrain Effects Charts (TEC).
  • 2 Identical Combat & Shock Resolution Charts.
  • 2 Command & Activation Displays for organization and chit-pull tracking.
• Dice: Two 10-sided dice included.