“Who can describe such a conflict as is raging around us? To say that it was like a summer storm, with the crash of thunder, the glare of lightning, the shrieking of the wind, and the clatter of hailstones, would be weak.” – 1st Lieutenant Frank A. Haskell

Summer Storm is a new regimental scenario book for ACW miniatures by Brad Butkovich of Historic Imagination. This is a high quality product of 168 pages that includes 12 scenarios. It is not released yet, and should be published around January 23rd. Please check Brad’s website for details and purchasing information – link.

“Summer Storm” includes 12 well designed, historical scenarios:

McPherson Ridge
Heth Renews the Attack
Blocher’s Knoll
Longstreet’s Assault (Round Top to the Peach Orchard)
Little Round Top
The Peach Orchard
Cemetery Ridge
East Cemetery Hill
Night at Cemetery Hill (Extended scenario with Rodes’ Division)
Opportunity at Culp’s Hill
Culp’s Hill at Dawn
South Cavalry Field

From Brad, “Each scenario includes 2-3 pictures of the modern battlefield or period photographs showing the battlefield just after the battle. Mostly O’Sullivan and Brady photographs from July 5th-15th. Also included, like the Atlanta book, are two maps for each scenario. One showing strictly terrain for ease of set-up, and one showing all the units on the board. These scenarios are designed to be used with almost any American Civil War regimental or brigade level set of rules. Rules are included for figures based on 20, 30, 40, 50, and 100 historic men per figure/stand. Times are given for 10, 15, and 20 minutes per game turn.”

As Brad mentions, “Summer Storm” would work fine with any tactical set of ACW rules like: “Johnny Reb”, “Regimental Fire and Fury”, and “Rally Round the Flag”. I have really enjoyed Brad’s other scenario books, especially his similar scenario book on the Battle of Chickamauga, “The River of Death”. “Summer Storm” is perfect for the individual or club wanting to explore parts of the Battle of Gettysburg in detail. The introduction to the book provides a background to the Battle of Gettysburg and a “How to use this book” section that breaks down terrain, deployment, victory conditions, orders of battle, optional rules and maps. I also enjoyed his “author’s notes” and insights after each scenario. The dozen scenarios are very playable and will give your gaming group hours of Gettysburg gaming enjoyment! We will definitely be fighting some “Johnny Reb” games soon using “Summer Storm”! Highly recommended!

Here is a link to a sample July 1st, 1863 scenario “McPherson Ridge”  – link.

Good gaming!

Cory @Cigarboxbattle