
- BGG rank
- BGG #21,727
- BGG rating
- 6.5
Lee Invades the North
- 2 players
- 120–360 min
- Complexity 2.2/5
- 1988

1991
Rules assistance for 1863
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 1 player

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
1863 is a board game released in 1991 for 1–2 players, 180 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Richard H. Berg and Robert G. Markham and its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Grid Movement, and Hexagon Grid.
1863 is a Civil War game covering the battles of Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, Brandy Station and the hypothetical Battle of Mine Run Contents 400 die-cut counters Two 22" x 34" backprinted Mapsheets One Basic Rules Booklet One Advanced Rules Booklet One Scenario Booklet Two Charts & Tables sheet Two 6-sided dice Time Scale: 1-1.5 hours per turn Map Scale: 275-425 yeards per hex Unit Scale: Brigade Players: 1-2 Playing Time: Per Scenario; 1-2 hours Basic; 4-10 hours Advanced
1863 supports 1–2 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for 1863 is 180 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists 1863 for ages 12 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
1863 has a complexity rating of 2.5 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
1863 belongs to these categories: Wargame, Civil War, and Post-Napoleonic. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Grid Movement, and Hexagon Grid. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of 1863 are: Richard H. Berg and Robert G. Markham. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists 1863 as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.